Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson appeared at the Grammy Museum to talk about the new documentary film Long Promised Road, along with a panel that included director Brent Wilson, journalist Jason Fine, who has a prominent appearance in the film as Brian’s primary interviewer, and Jim James of the band My Morning Jacket, who became one of Wilson’s many celebrity collaborators during filming.
Wilson himself is a man of few words, and anyone hoping for deep, revealing answers during the ensuing Q&A could only chuckle at his minimalistic responses. How did he come up with the idea for this or that? “I dunno?!” seemed like an honest answer – who can say from whence the genius’ inspiration springs? Nevertheless, the panelists managed to expand on some of the movie’s themes and methods, and we got to spend some time in the presence of Brian, who seemed in a genial mood.
Experienced rock-doc watchers could be forgiven for asking themselves, “Haven’t we been here before?” The key events in the life and career of Brian Wilson have been given the documentary treatment so many times, it’s difficult to recollect them all by name. (The number of fictionalized portrayals of these same events is more like something you can count, albeit on the fingers of both hands.) This is a particular kind of deliberately sympathetic and affectionate film that includes current studio footage with his daughters behind the mic, and lots of famous people talking about what a genius he is, not at all unlike the award-winning I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times, over twenty years ago. Continue reading →
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (2021, Marvel Studios) After the swing and miss of “Black Widow,” the Marvel Cinematic Universe rights itself with this adaptation of its ’70s-era “Master of Kung Fu” series. “Kim’s Convenience” star Simu Liu underplays nicely as a rudderless Asian twenty-something whose past as the son of an immortal warlord (arthouse star Tony Leung) comes calling in spectacular fashion. It’s hard to find fault with the final product: director Destin Daniel Cretton (“Just Mercy”) adeptly handles both the action set pieces (the best of which is a brawl aboard a runaway bus), light comedy with Liu’s sidekick Awkwafina, and some weighty material about family and destiny, and scripter David Callaham’s script makes deft choices regarding Chinese culture and martial arts tradition (which he and Cretton both know is not just about fighting) while also neatly scrubbing away Shang-Chi’s troubling history as the son of Fu Manchu. Appointing the film with a solid cast of major Chinese players – Leung is joined by the formidable Michelle Yeoh and Tsai Chin, as well as Shaw Brothers vet Yuen Wah – also lends star power and credibility for Asian film and Asian action fans; best of all, it sets up Shang-Chi’s assimilation into a broader, and more broadly diverse MCU. Marvel’s Blu-ray commentary by Cretton and Callaham, in-depth making-of docs, a barrage of deleted scenes, and a gag reel.
Woodystock Blues Festival is coming up again soon; and this one’s going to be a doozey of a weekend! This is the second year for the new location for Woodystock. This year, Woodystock takes place in the Laughlin, Nevada, Bullhead City, AZ area. This means that beside camping out as had been done in previous Woodystock Festivals (not that camping out isn’t fun!) but this location enables Woodystock guests to stay at the nearby casinos and hotels, as well as bringing your adult toys to play on the Colorado River from the campground that is right next to Woodystock. The Woodystock Blues Festival will run April 9th & 10th, 2022.
The headliner for the 2022 Woodystock Blues Festival is Sax man/Blues singer Jimmy Carpenter. Jimmy has a new album out, Soul Doctor, and you can be sure he’ll be playing plenty of tunes from this as well as many other songs. Starting off in New Orleans, Jimmy relocated to Las Vegas several years ago. Not only is Jimmy Carpenter a great blues artist, but he is also President of the Las Vegas Blues Society; and the #2 guy in one of the top yearly blues festivals, Las Vegas’ Big Blues Bender.
For FRANCE, philosopher-filmmaker Bruno Dumont once again partnered with cinematographer David Chambille and distributor Kino Lorber to project onto the screen the interior world of his characters in a multi-faceted film about the media industrial complex.
In keeping with Dumont’s cinematic ideals, titular France de Meurs (Léa Seydoux) is a character who lacks heroic qualities. France the character is France the country’s top journalist, loved by viewers and an apparent cash cow for her media network. In over-the-top fashion, France’s producer-assistant Lou (Blanche Gardin) directs France’s moves for maximum social media engagement and does and says whatever it takes to manage France’s fragile emotions. Lou is a caricature, a stand in for all that is absurd in industrialized storytelling. Describing the origins of the film, Dumont says, “There’s a lot of ‘cinema’ all over the place (and in every sense of the term—a lot of playacting, a lot of dreaming). Notably in the media industry.” France too is a player, acting, directing, and editing for maximum effect but with charm and a hint of self-awareness.
“Kevin Can Go F**k Himself: Season 1” (2021, RLJ Films) Coal-dark comedy-drama series posits a novel premise – what if the shenanigans of TV man-children like Homer, Raymond, Kevin, etc., drove their wives to murder them? – and wields it, scalpel-like, to dissect the sitcom perspective on male-female relationships? Getting Annie Murphy (“Schitt’s Creek”) to handle the TV wife role was a shrewd move, as she handles both the sitcom and dramatic sides of her character with skill ; depicting the husband’s perspective as a multi-camera sitcom and Murphy’s slow descent into rage as a brooding single camera drama was another. The result feels fresh and deeply unhinged (in the best possible way) and laden with potential (a second season is en route). RLJ’s Blu-ray offers introductory featurettes on the premise, characters, and production.
Okay! I’m ready for the 89th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade benefiting Toys for Tots and organized by the Marines. Scientology also has a hand in all this, but they’re doing good work and making sure that children have toys for Christmas. There is no higher calling than to take care of your own, but it is especially important to care for the children of others.
It’s such a Cinderella story! I found an Armani gown in my wardrobe that I had forgotten about with the tags still on it — an amazing black chiffon (and only $10 at Goodwill 13 years ago). And the coup de grâce was I received a catalog from Harry Winston, and it had a gorgeous ribbon on it which I used to tie my hair. I might not be able to afford the diamonds, but the ribbon says it all.
The parade was brimming with stars of daytime television, like “General Hospital” and “Days of Our Lives.” It was exciting to see so many favorite soap opera stars that I grew up with, and that my grandmother grew up with. I remember how she’d rush home from work to watch her stories.
Latkes and brisket and kugel, oh my! Hanukkah 2021 begins on Sunday, November 28. See below for recommendations for places to celebrate in person or virtually, and where to get brisket, latkes, noodle kugel, matzo ball soup, and rugelach for Hanukkah dining.
A Jewish deli that began in the Bay Area to great acclaim, Wise Sons recently opened its first LA outpost in Culver City. Celebrated for both its classics and elevated takes on standard deli dishes, Wise Sons offers numerous options for Hanukkah catering. Try their chicken broth with matzo balls, braided challah, potato latkes, roast chicken, cinnamon or chocolate babka, and rugelach. You can place your order online. Place your order no later than 9 am. two days before delivery.
The Original Farmers Market will celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of a giant menorah every night throughout Hanukkah. In addition, two kid-friendly activities will take place here on Sunday, December 5: The Chanukah Pajamikah! Show with Doda Mollie at 1 p.m., followed by Hand-On Chanukah Activities with PJ Library from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
2nd & PCH, a coastal urban village in Long Beach, is hosting a free Grand Chanukah Extravaganza on Sunday, November 28, the first night of Hanukkah. First, a menorah lighting will take place on the 2ND & PCH grand staircase at 4 p.m. led by Rabbi Abba Perelmuter. Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia will speak after the lighting. Lively entertainment will include a stilt walker, a three-piece band, and Chanukah crafts for the kids. Light pre-packaged refreshments and chocolate gelt will be served.
