Sorry To Bother You ... But You HAVE To See This Movie!

Boots Riley was already one of my most favorite, most creative, most cool dude I've ever known from having toured with him on Tom Morello's Justice Tour back in 2008 ... and then I just saw his absolutely brilliant new film Sorry To Bother You. WOW. Now I bow down all the way to the floor. Again ... WOW.

Though being presented as a comedy, it's really more of a whip-smart social satire, and I actually felt super emotional when leaving the theater. Some of that was pride and admiration for my old friend, but a lot of it was more like American shame, of which there is a whole lot to go around these days.

I don't want to say any more about it really until everyone has seen it - and EVERYONE should. THIS weekend, so the box office for it explodes and more actually smart movies can be made as a result. I fear that many of the biting points being made will be lost on the audience that goes in thinking it's like a Dumb And Dumber comedy ... but that's exactly who needs to get it.

There is a lot of magical realism going on in this film, stuff like "That could never happen". Then you watch the news yesterday, and a one year old baby is brought alone to an immigration court and expected to understand ANYTHING that is going on, and you start to think events happening in Sorry To Bother You might not be so far-fetched after all.

I enjoy movies the most when I don't know anything about them going in, and that applies extra to this work of art. Just go. And let's please talk about it after, as it warrants a real conversation on a national, if not global, level.

Riley already killed it as the frontman of The Coup and in Street Sweeper Social Club (his band with Morello), as a heavy, meaning it activist, and as the coolest dancer around, but now he can add film auteur to his excellent resumé ... and expect to reap all the rewards that go along with that. I'm so So SO impressed. Heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to Boots - and to everyone involved in this film that will definitely be THE most talked about film of Summer 2018. Thank you, Boots ... this country really needs you, now more than ever.

Sorry To Bother You opens everywhere this weekend. GO!

John Williams Live At The Hollywood Bowl!

Composer John Williams is known as the "Maestro of the Movies", so it was fitting that he conducted the L.A. Philharmonic in a celebration of film music for three nights at the Hollywood Bowl this Labor Day weekend. Williams has been nominated 50 (!) times for the Academy Award and his compositions for such classic films as all of the Star Wars films, E.T., Jaws ... are some of the most iconic scores of all time.

It was a perfect night out as the audience filed into the Bowl with their picnics ... and it appeared as though nearly everyone in the crowd was carrying a light-up light saber with which to conduct from their seats. Some took it even further, showing up in full Jedi costume, letting you know what they were really there for.

The first half of the program was to be conducted by David Newman, of the illustrious Newman film composing clan. He came out to conduct the Star Spangled Banner, and I can report that I believe all of us stood up for it - and even felt a bit choked up over it (at least I did). From there it was a pure celebration of cinema, specifically a salute to films from Paramount Pictures. As the orchestra began the suite from Forrest Gump, a montage played on the big screen above, serving as a reminder of everything that we love about the movies. Classic clips were met with laughter, sighs of recognition, and if you were the charming little boy sharing my box, constant oohs and ahhs over the wonder of it all. It was seriously great. We got a suite from Sunset Boulevard with the overly campy clips from that black and white gem, the theme from Sabrina, North By Northwest, and one Newman said he was sure we'd recognize, that turned out to be themes from The Godfather, that everyone ate up. As you watched the screen, you really forgot that you were listening to a live orchestra playing, so perfectly synched were they with the clips. It's real impressive.

Newman is a good storyteller as well, and explained how music for film  is truly an art form, as you try to help tell the story with music vertically, while the visual is horizontal, and that it really is a collaboration with the film itself. It was interesting, but more than anything it made me want to see every one of the films shown all over again. Newman had nothing but the highest praise for John Williams, and spoke to what an honor it was to share the stage with him, before launching into his final piece for the night, the opening sequence from Star Trek: Into Darkness, with the scenes from the film playing above. I'd never seen that show, and this made me want to. I was happy to realize that I'm starting to know the faces of various orchestra members, which makes me happy. These people have made their careers at something that most of us dropped after high school, and I'm endlessly impressed with each of them. As they took their bows, Newman shouted, "Bravo to John Williams!", and conceded that stage to him to take over after intermission.

The INSTANT the lights went down again, all of the multi-colored light sabers came out and it was magical (but I can't show you due to the Bowl's very strict photo/video policy. Sorry. Check out Youtube.) It felt exciting ... and it was. A massive ovation spread across the Bowl as Williams strode on to the stage, with the entire place showing their reverence. Williams thanked everyone for being with him at "the Summer home of the L.A. Philharmonic", thanked Newman, and told everyone how Newman's father, Alfred, had given him his first gig as a piano player for his first film, South Pacific, in 1954 - the year the younger Newman was born. Full circle.

Williams and the orchestra kicked things off with the "Flight To Neverland" from Hook, followed by the suite from his latest Spielberg collaboration BFG. Both were met with great applause, but nothing like what was to come. By way of introducing the Star Wars portion of the night, Williams cracked, "Many of you will have seen this film ...", bringing much laughter as these fans had their hearts vividly on their sleeves. The big screen filled with images from the films, and the place just went nuts, as all conducted along with Williams with their giant glow sticks.

All the most memorable pieces were played, from the Jedi anthems to the Imperial March. Williams revealed that on the first film he didn't know there would be others, so initially thought Luke and Leia would end up as lovers - not brother and sister - and composed it as such, with a kind of hot climax. It still worked, obviously. He also shared that he had just signed on to compose the next film in the series, as he had become "smitten" with the character of Rey, and couldn't imagine anyone else creating music for her. "Rey's Theme" is beautiful, and flowed wonderfully into the "Throne Room" and "Finale" pieces. When the last notes of the finale rang out, people lost it. Clapping, whistling, hollering, begging for more. Some members of the orchestra how had light sabers that they waved back, and Williams waved back along in time.

Williams left the stage, only to return for the Harry Potter theme. Then left again and came back for the theme from Superman. Then left again and returned for the theme from E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, which nearly killed everyone with happiness. The crowd would not let Williams go. He left the stage again, and we all thought it would probably be for Jaws when he returned, but he made the international hands together with cheek resting on them sideways symbol for "I'm going to sleep".

We'd already been given so much that that was o.k. The charming little boy sharing our box had made it through the entire show without falling asleep, and when I turned to ask him how he's liked it, he said, "Wasn't it beautiful?!" I could not have agreed more, about the night and about the fact that a young boy had been so moved by music and film - and probably light sabers. I added that I liked his little bow tie, and he said, "I'm fancy on the outside, and awesome on the inside!" ... again, kind of like the night, and orchestral music in general. It feels fancy and proper and grown up, but how it makes you feel on the inside is exactly that word - Awesome.

Thank you to John Williams, David Newman, the L.A. Philharmonic, and the wonderful Hollywood Bowl, for another magical night under - and among - the stars.

*Photo courtesy of John Williams

Mermaid Mural

I noticed a mural on the wall outside of Canal Club a while ago, and as it features a mermaid, I loved it, of course.

I asked Canal Club co-owner Danny Samakow who the artist was, and he wasn't sure, because it was painted for the Bruce Willis movie that was shot in Venice this Summer, Going Under. The film crew left, but the mural stayed, and we're all fine with it.

Keep a look out for Going Under when it comes out, and see our Venice featured in the cinema once again.

Thanks for the Mermaid!

Happy 45th, Earth Day!

Today is the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day ... and we've never needed to pay more attention to it. California is in a record drought, with like one year's supply left of water. ONE year. The last white rhino on the planet has to be protected by armed guards in Africa so filthy poachers won't kill it for its tusk. THE LAST ONE. Gale force winds washed away an entire beach outside of Sydney, Australia, gone for good. FOR GOOD. And that's just the crazy environmental issues of this week.

How anyone can deny the urgency of taking care of our beautiful, spectacular, miraculous Earth each and EVERY day is just beyond me. For there to be a single climate change denier left in these times in our world means they have serious mental problems. Each and every person needs to make some effort every single day. Then it just becomes a habit and we can all go forward breathing a little easier ... or at least breathing.

For the last bunch of years, Disney has released an eco-friendly film to celebrate Earth Day, and if some cute monkeys don't get you to stop what you're doing and pay attention to the treasures of our planet ... then we're really doomed. Enjoy!

undefined on Disney Video 

Happy 45th, dear Eaaaaarth Day, Happy Birthday to you!

Every day.

Moonrise Kingdom

I saw the charming and lovely Moonrise Kingdom last night.

I can't remember the last time I smiled for every frame of a film. I laughed out loud and had tears from doing so. It is great and I encourage everyone to get out to see it, and feel how much warmer your heart is after. Loved. Wes Anderson, Kudos, Sir!

The (long, bleak and scary) Road

I read the book, The Road, by Cormac McCarthy, last year or so, and saw the movie the other night. I thought my imagination while reading the book conjured up some pretty awful images, but the movie takes it even further than the horror show I'd pictured in my head. If anyone "in charge" thinks that a nuclear option is even discussable, (and they're disgusting, selfish, wastes of breath if they do), then they should see this movie and realize that nobody wins. They should know that already after (one of) our national shame(s) of the bombings in Japan, of course, but this film serves as a nasty refresher course on nuclear annihilation.


Viggo is great, as ever, as the doting Father faced with protecting his only son from such epic awfulness, you can't barely stand to watch. I don't remember the last time I even thought about fruit cocktail (blech) but when they give a can of that stuff to an old man they happen upon (there are almost no survivors, and most of them are gang members who have turned to cannibalism), it seemed like the tastiest foodstuff that ever existed. Ditto an old can of Coke.

There is no color. Everything is the bleakest palette possible. To where Dad says to Son when they finally reach the Coast, "I'm sorry it isn't blue." Heartbreaking. All they have left is each other. The love and devotion they carry inside for the other is all that keeps them going, day after same grey, horrible day.

The whole thing is heartbreaking, especially when you let it sink in that this scenario is entirely possible - lots of times over. For what?! So nothing lives anywhere, for anyone, ever again? Who does that make sense to? I came out of this film with such an all-encompassing love for EVERYTHING, because you really just don't know how long you'll have any of it.

I have a bunch of thoughts about War right now ... but need to see what is said in our President's speech on Afghanistan tonight before I get into it more. I hope you'll be watching too.

But right now - out into the fresh air ... to breathe in, feel the sun on my face, and ride to the water's edge .... that for now, IS blue.

Precious Movies.

I love this time of year. Yes, for the subtle California seasonal changes - the golden afternoon light, the need for a sweater at night, the smell of fireplaces burning around town ... but the real way you know the seasons have shifted in Los Angeles is by the GOOD movies finally coming out. I don't really like it that they save all the good ones until now so that they can be fresh in Award Season voters' minds - spread it out a LITTLE! - but it's just the way it is, so now is the time to be ensconced in a dark theater ... if you can't be at the beach that day, that is.

Yesterday was an especially trying day for some reason, and I don't think anything is in retrograde? Technical difficulties all week;

{Dear Verizon High Speed Internet Customer Service: You can suck it. And by It, I mean the yawning abyss left empty by the vanishing of my business. Losers. Bye. CJG}

... delays of all kinds; rejection letters; a three day headache; and general disillusionment. I'd finally had it with trying for the day, and went to the movies to escape it all. We were going to see the new Coen Brothers' film - because one must - but only front row seats remained. Precious: Based On The Novel "Push" By Sapphire was starting at the same time, and it was also high on my list. WHOA.
If I thought I had even ONE problem before seeing this astounding film ... it all dissipated about three minutes into entering the life of Clarice "Precious" Jones. The things that she endures are so horrifying ... we were shaking with held-back sobs at one awful point ... but she keeps going. The spirit inside of this 16 year old girl is so strong, I was instantly ashamed at myself for thinking I'd had an inkling of a bad day. The performances by absolutely everyone are so honest and touching - and EVIL, in the case of Mo'Nique (who I'm telling you, will win an Oscar) - that you are firmly in their world for every frame.
Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey each play small, but important roles, and excel. (Mariah Carey! Acting well!) But the lead performances, for sure Mo'Nique, but also Gabourey Sidibe as Precious, will just tear your heart out. I left the theater, first shaking my head and wiping my face of tears, but then skipping and clicking my heels that the cards I've been dealt have not ever come near the absolute trauma of this titan of a girl. Who keeps going forward no matter what happens. The movie ends with the dedication, "For Precious Girls Everywhere ..." - and that's about the roughest part of the movie - realizing that these scenarios DO exist. We could all do well to remember that ... all the time. That even though stuff happens that shakes your head up and ruins your day, it could always be so, so, so much worse.

Don't shy away from this movie because you think it will be too sad, either. It's actually laugh out loud funny in a few parts ... but inspiring all the way through. Go.

On another movie note ... I like when you go to Netflix and there's the little section that says "Local Favorites For Venice, CA". I always find it kind of reassuring to see the ones that people whom I live around watch - decent movies. What an interesting way to check out demographics. I'd be interested to know what other areas have in that section ...


That's how I first heard about the one I watched the other night, Anvil. What a great documentary! It's great for how METAL it is (Anvil is a metal band from the 80's that never blew up, but the guys are still going for it up in Canada, hoping they'll still break through and be huge.), but also for, again, how really inspiring it is. (It would be a swell double feature with American Movie - similar dreams, equally touching). Though it seems unlikely that these rockers, now in their 50's, will ever be massive (you do find yourself wanting to order their cd's just to help), they love what they do, their families support their dreams, and they never give up hope. And isn't that what it's all about?

View, reflect, and count your blessings.