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Archive: March, 2009
The life and death of Karen Carpenter told via Barbie dolls. Totally impossible to find on DVD because it makes Richard Carpenter look like a dick.
Don't forget to look out for Karen's tiny Ex Lax boxes!
The secret ingredient is space horse
In space, things are apparently much more neon-hued and bouncy. Instead of fighting off giant worms and space pirates, most aliens spend their days blowing up incoming pink, blue, and green orbs. Or so Glue FO2 would have you believe.
The concept and play is quite similar to the classic Asteroids, save for it feeling much more happy and there being no trackball (unless you use a trackball, in which case you're a dork). You just pilot your little ship around, collecting tiny orbs and firing them at the bigger ones. All is fine and dandy until the other little bastard UFOs show up. They do the same thing, except the orbs are fired at you. I'm not sure what we did to them, but they sure seem pissed.
This simple game is actually deceptively tough. I whizzed through the first five levels only to find it getting tougher and tougher as they went on. Once things start blowing up all over the place, good luck keeping your eyes uncrossed.
Go play here.
IN A DREAM: Theatrical Trailer from Herzliya Films on Vimeo
In a Dream opens theatrically April 17. Gear up by reading Shaun Brady's feature on the Zagars from 2008 Philadelphia Film Festival.
This movie was amazing. Zagar did a fantastic job. If you enjoyed the film check out this widget. inadreammovie.webs.com
Every week we say look at these shows.
Monday: North Carolina's Body of John the Baptist make the most of breathy vocals and minimalist psycho-acoustics. Catch their haunting and lovely soundscapes at the Danger Danger Gallery. With Attached Hands, Moon Climb the Wall, Power Animal, Moral Crayfish and the New Thrill Parade. Doors at 8:30 p.m., tickets are $5-10.
Tuesday: Despite their semi-nasal vocals, Philly pop-punk three-piece Goodbye, Etc. is the perfect throwback to your former Warped Tour favorites (the Ataris or MxPx). Forget the pretentions, just rock out and have some fun. At the North Star Bar. With the Cute Lepers, the Percocettes and the Do Its. Doors at 8 p.m., tickets are $8
Wednesday: Philly natives Zolof and the Rock & Roll Destroyer open for the Pink Spiders. Rock 'n roll. At Crocodile Rock. Doors at 6 p.m., tickets are $10 (P.S. Both bands are also playing an all ages show at the Khyber on Friday at 6 p.m., tickets are $10-$12).
Thursday: Need a pre-game to MSTRKRFT? Dance until you drop to Toronto's the New Deal. At TLA. With the Passage Project All & DJ Motion Potion. Doors at 9 p.m., tickets are $19-22
Friday: Baltimore New-Wavers Future Island synth it up for Dan Deacon and his crazy rad ensemble. At First Unitarian. With Teeth Island. Doors at 8 p.m., tickets are $10-12.
Saturday: 'Quality since '93,' Superdrag share their brand of polished indie rock with fans at Johnny Brenda's. With As Tall As Lions. Doors at 6:30 p.m., tickets are $20.
Sunday: Tiny Animals light up the M Room with Kevin James Devine, Backwords and Adam Sullivan. Doors at 8 p.m., tickets are $8.
Be sure to check out The Pink Spiders with Zolof The Rock and Roll Destroyer at either show above. THEY HAVE BEEN SETTING CITIES ON FIRE across the U.S. on this tour - cool covers, favs from the past, and three new songs from LP4! Epic! Please don't miss it and be sure to show the boys a good time!
I have enjoyed reading. I really love your blog!!!! nice review..... Thanks.
Attention film festival junkies: It's Not Me I Swear! is one of CineFest's best. I've emerged from a weekend marathon run through the city's movie theaters; emaciated, disheveled, disoriented, shielding my eyes from the horror of natural light, in order to make the people aware of one particularly fine film. To wit:
Director Philippe Falardeau coaxes strong performances from each of his young lead actors in this poignant, yet darkly droll coming-of-age tale set in 1960s suburban Montreal. Antoine L''cuyer plays L'on, a 10-year-old boy with both a rebellious spirit and a morbid curiosity. Witness to the dissolution of his parents' marriage, L'on responds by alternating between destructive bouts of mischief, several comic attempts at self-destruction, and one larger scheme aimed at finding his mother after her abrupt desertion. His partner-in-crime, L'a, portrayed by Catherine Faucher, is an equally unhappy neighborhood-girl hoping to escape an abusive uncle. As the two conspire together, they discover in one another the empathy and understanding others seem incapable of offering. At turns funny, disturbing, and tender, the film is an earnest look at the problems children face when left to cope with situations they cannot fully comprehend. Well-shot, possessed of superb cinematography, and emotionally resonant, It's Not Me I Swear! interrogates, with both sly humor and insight, the unhappy adolescents who occupy seemingly idyllic spaces.
Can't possibly swing a trip out to Bryn Mawr for this year's final screening? Then get this one on your Netflix queue and wait patiently for its release. You will not be disappointed. Any recommendations, my fellow festival attendees? Let your voice be heard in the Comments! And now I return to the dark embrace of the movie theater. Philadelphia Film Festival huzzah! It's been good to me thus far. Thanks to all of the organizers and volunteers who made such cinematic glory possible.
Screen 3/31, 7:00 p.m., Bryn Mawr Film Institute
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| Photo | Brian Howard |
| "You okay?" |
Following up on my review last week of the Frog Holler record release show last weekend at Johnny Brenda's ' the one I had to leave early because I'd sliced my finger open on a pint glass I broke with my own hands ' I received an e-mail from the band's singer Darren Schlappich over the weekend inquiring about my well-being:
Hey Brian,
Are you okay? Read about a mishap at the show.
To which I replied:
Thanks for the note. Yeah. i'm fine. relatively minor injury. but very bloody at the time.
enjoyed the first set. bummed i missed the second.
To which he replied:
Glad to hear it, Second set was a good one, covered 'Still Ill' by the Smiths and 'Right Down The Line' by Gerry Rafferty, glad you're okay.
Which makes me regret my glassware mishap all the more.
Hi I am in the UK whilst I am interested in the cut finger ,I am really interested in the Band that you mentioned ,I am a great collector of Gerry Rafferty's work any chance I could download a version of the song ,in fact I would be interested in any of their work . Please let me know Thank you from St Keyne Cornwall UK England Christopher
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Chrissy Tashjian of Philly's dangerous dance rock band Dangerous Ponies ' the subject of a recent John Vettese interview ' filed this report from GayBiGayGay, a queer music festival in Austin. Her bandmate Sarah Green took all the great photos and did the video, too.
Dear Friends and Readers,
Five days ago my band, Dangerous Ponies, and our good friend and acoustic performance artist Dave End, embarked upon what will total a seven-day/eight-night tour to play GayBiGayGay, Austin's queer spin-off of SXSW. After playing four very different and exciting shows, breaking bread with new and old friends, seeing America shift from sparse, chilly and green, to plush, warm and mountainous, then balmy/flat and flowery we left our show in New Orleans to pull a sleepy eyed coffee filled-all nighter through the marsh lands of Louisiana.
After our 10-hour overnight drive in our overly stuffed, underly comfortable 1993 tour van (Mama Cass) we found ourselves on the front steps of Hazey Fairless' Ranch home in Austin Texas where they were preparing for a mighty festivus of a day.
Walking into the backyard we passed four hot pink OUT houses, which really set a precedent for the day. The stage was set up and decked out in plaid and spraypaint, put together with various found objects including fencing, and golden branches. To the right of the stage was a bands-only garage for equipment, and next to that some fabulous volunqueers were setting up a station for grilled pizza, 4 kegs of local beer, and an espresso shot stop for refueling. A porch containing the merch of queer bands from all over the country was attached to the back of the house, and a face and body painting table was being readied where your imagination was the only limit to your body decoration. So far this festival was screaming of what it really means to be a well-organized D.I.Y-ER.
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As the event was getting under way Bitch magazine showed up to give a shout out of support and away we went. Kicking off the day was Austin's very own BTOX who did a socially charged spoken word performance. Then it was our turn to play. Lynn the stage manager/sound person was incredible, and got us set up and ready in no time. The event had just started but the reception was amazing. People filtered in, spread out their blankets and started dancing with our tambourine totin', singing and dancing hype duo Brooks A. Breakdancer and Sarah Green Wolverine.
Following us, Polka Dot Dot Dot took the stage. Three of America's biggest sweethearts, a magical trio of step dancing, ukelele playing, banjo slinging minstrels whose three-part harmony could melt the coldest of hearts. After being wooed by the musical stylings of Polka Dot Dot Dot I took a breather and walked around the yard eating grilled pizza, drinking some solid Austin local brew, and recharging just in time for our tour mate, Philadelphia's own queer acoustic performance artist Dave End.
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All associations aside, if you haven't seen Ms. End perform yet, your missing out, BIG TIME. So make it happen. Dave played a five-song set in five different outfits, starting out in a purple-tentacled piece he made himself with a song about body positivity and self-love. Then he picks up the accordion and with much witty banter sweeps you into a piece from his musical in progress, Fabulous Artistic Guys Get Overtly Traumatized Sometimes (or F.A.G.G.O.T.S The Musical). Dave End's performance is bordering on vaudeville, it's comical, it's queer and political and in all respects all-inclusive. Before you know it you've entered the Bea Arthur portion of the performance where, decked in a gray-sequined dress, Dave shares with you the tale of his best friend and gossip co-hort named Sophie, the golden retriever he safely stashed all his secrets with growing up in an all-boys catholic school. By the end of the set you know all about Dave End's imaginary boyfriend Josh, how to positively combat street harassment, and how a gem is born through a rough and tumble childhood.
As the day went on, the space was PACKED with people from all over the country. A roaring fire was started in the corner of the yard that went well into the night. I got to meet the likes of so many good folks including queer people, radical fairies, trans folks, allied friends, farmers and city dwellers from so many backgrounds and walks of life that traveled all the way to Austin Texas to be a part of this amazing day. I would say it was a major success, and as the Ponies would say: All's well that ends with a dance party.
Lovelovelove.
Chrissy Tashjian
Dangerous Ponies
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Ask a certain kind of nerd, and he/she will tell you Omni Magazine was the awesomest science/science fiction publication ever.
Omni Magazine
by weatherguru76
We like American Idol ' too much.
Tommy Button: Before we even start talking about the real contestants, I want to take a moment to discuss how truly depressed I've become with Norman Gentle no longer on the show. Does this guy have a YouTube page or something? I need to be back in those gangly, pasty arms or I might just snap. He was the only contestant I was truly excited about. Except for, of course, Danny Gokey: my one, my all, my everything. I saw a new era coming with Norman. Fuck that Obama guy, real change comes in a sparkly shirt. Think about that come 2012, America.
AND SPEAKING OF MR. OBAMAAAAA ' what.the.fuck.dude. You interrupt the World Series before you're even president. Then you interrupt Idol. THEN you do it again!! Where do you get the gall, mister?
Molly Eichel: Honestly, if it was between Barack Obama and Lil Rounds for president, I would be on the Rounds bandwagon ' even she ran on the platform of clubbing baby seals (not that different from aerial wolf hunting when you think about it). Can Barack Obama own a Mary J. song? No.
TB: You asked for it, Mr. President. This better be the best damn speech of your career because you are giving it to a panel of the toughest judges on the block.....Molly and Tommy. BOOM!
Barack Obama - Public Address
TB: Poor song and dance choice. I don't think I've heard this particular version before but it does sound vaguely familiar compared to his other performances.
ME: Loving the stage presence and natural charisma but the timing was all over the place.
TB: Great outfit, though. Guy knows how to fill out a suit.
TB: Let's talk about what really matters now. We have our Idol tour group!!! Look for me at Jones Beach this summer, kids. I'll be the only one there without my parents (unless Rev. Button wants to join me) and probably hammered drunk. But I dunno, last time I saw Kelly Clarkson at Jones Beach they didn't sell alcohol. Lucky for me I got the backstage hook up and drank all of Kelly's beer. Then was told by her security that me and my cohorts were making Kelly nervous and she likes to be alone before going on stage. True Story. So next time the thought crosses your mind that maybe I'm just a cynical jerk operating in detached irony, think again. I love this shit. And a follow up on that Kellie Pickler album I scored, it really blew. Not even ridiculously bad or anything, just bad. What happened to her?
ME: This opening montage is touching, really. I like how as the contestants are whittled down, they try to waste more time with montages. But you gotta have a montage.
TB:Tuesday was my birthday and I was really hoping the Idols would churn out some box wrecking because Motown week had the potential of being the BEST week but it was really just OK. I tried to watch the episode after getting back from the bar but I passed out after Matt Giraud. Lucky for me, I'm able to review the tape via DVR.
Matt Giraud - "Let's Get it On" by Marvin Gaye
ME: Kalamazoo looks like a TA in that outfit, with his little tie and sweater vest. Like, he shouldn't be singing Marvin Gaye, he should be grading my Logic paper.
TB: And after he grades your paper, he'll slowly and sweetly fuck the shit outta you. I thought Kalamazoo did a great job. At least he's getting back on the right track and off the Coldplay road to destruction. Loving Matt Giruard could never be wrong.
Kris Allen - "How Sweet it is to be Loved by You" by Marvin Gaye
ME: I love how all of the guest judges get flustered by Kris Allen. Smokey is like on the verge of tears. The problem I'm having with Kris is his extreme whiteness. His voice is completely devoid of soul, like many of his extremely white bretheren (see: Jason Mraz). But he worked the arrangement well and that's what's gonna keep him going through from week-to-week. And that he's adorable.
TB:I wish I was as charming as this mothefucker. It's true, though, he's white as paper plate full of rice and boiled cod but he has this weird way of making it his thing. He's this year's Jason Castro except I don't think he's gunna crash and burn the way he did.' And I dunno if Smokey was about to cry or that's just what cases of botox does to your face.
Scott McIntyre - "You Can't Hurry Love" by Diana Ross and the Supremes
ME: Oh! Scott's single! I wonder if he has groupies? What if Blindguy is actually a badass in real life and this whole nice boy thing is just an act? After the show, he puts on his leather jacket, lights a cig and hops on his motorcycle. But I think this performer is kind of dinner theater, you know? Like people should be eating really chewy prime rib right now. Paula tries to show up Simon by giving him crayons and a coloring book. How long do you think she was planning that? I bet she thought of that and just laughed and laughed to herself, maybe made a mental note on a personal recorder. Also, 10 points for Scott for pointing out the color of his pants. Funny, 'cause, you know, he's blind.
TB: Blind guy keeps freaking me out when he performs. Take a cue from Stevie Wonder, wear some sun glasses and scream things like "I LOVE YOU BARACK OBAMA!" when you perform. He's getting a little stale and boring. I wanna see him do something crazy, like a Norman Gentle performance, maybe? It's time to turn your volume knob to 11, Blind Guy. I was glad to see him in the bottom three, though. Give him a little humility and maybe he'll try something new besides inspiring the piss outta me.
Megan Joy Corkery - "For Once in My Life"' by Stevie Wonder
ME: I'm getting kind of bored of her voice.
TB: Not getting bored at looking at her, though. And really, not a bad song choice for her. She just didn't really do it well. But she wouldn't be the first pretty girl on TV who doesn't really do anything well.
Anoop Desai - "Ooh Baby, Baby" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
ME: For a guy with such a great sense of performance, he always does so much better on the ballads. Also, his jacket makes his head look really small. Like, massive.
TB: NOOP DOGGGGG! I was so certain it was going to be him instead of Jorge a few weeks back so it was glad to see Anoop soulfully, and sweetly blow my box.
Michael Sarver - "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by the Tempations
ME:That song was too big for him. Kara says for the second time that this show is about artistry. Come on Kara! This is Idol, not Skating with Celebrities. That, my friends, took artistry.
TB: Yeah, Kara is full of shit. American Idol is about the exact opposite. I got pretty angry during his performance only because about :30 seconds into it I felt like he was yelling at me. And I get yelled at enough. By my family, girls, random people on the street. I wanna be loved, Oilrig. I think he needed to get eliminated off the show, but I am gunna miss him. Oilrig is just such a great nickname.
Lil Rounds - "Heat Wave" by Martha and the Vandellas
ME: She keeps fighting her strength - the big soul ballad. Don't fight it, Lil. Come on, Lil! Martha is notoriously hard to cover. Must I remind you of the shit show that was Bowie and Jagger doing "Dancing in the Street"?
TB: I thought this was a werid song choice, especially for Lil and ESPECIALLY for MOTOWN WEEK, for chrissake.
ME: This was Lil's week and she fucked it up. I'm starting lose patience with her.
Adam Lambert - "Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
ME: Goddamnit, Adam! Why do you keep making me like you! He's butching it up tonight but he looks like the love child of Zac Efron and an elf.
TB: Alright, alright. I'll say it. Adam Lambert did a pretty kick ass version of the Smokey classic but I can't say more than that or I might wanna jump off a building. But, yeah, the guy still looks weird. I don't know why the judges say they like his style. He kind of scares me.
Danny Gokey - "Get Ready" by the Temptations
ME: Killed it. Best part: Dance moves with back-up singers.
TB: You can do no wrong, Gokey.
Allison Iraheta - "Papa was a Rolling Stone" by the Temptations
ME: I just don't understand how this girl was bottom three last week.
TB: I don't really have much to say about her singing but she's getting less annoying which, actually, will help her singing a lot. Or at least how I hear it. I don't know if you guys can tell yet, but I have hard time admitting when people I think are assholes do a good job.
Results - Michael Sarver
Not much to say on this one. It was the right choice and he was very gracious afterwards. No sniveling, no tears. You can tell he's a really stand-up guy but it was time. We're gonna miss you, Oilrig!
final three prediction: Adam Lambert, Daney Gokey and Allison Iraheta; i can't wait for about half the contestants to go home
Hope to God Allison is in the top 3, she deserves it, arguably the most raw talent there. Probably along with Adam, and then I don't know who else. It could be anyone at this point, none of the others have really come out with a knockout performance.
allison, adam, and danny will be top 3!
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