“The Lucky Ones” tells story of soldiers’ return
Movies about the Iraq war seem to be quite unpopular at the box office, but that doesn’t seem to stop filmmakers from making them. It’s important to these storytellers to express their feelings and their beliefs about the war, despite the fact that so few people will actually watch their movies.
Fleet Foxes take on the El Rey
Seattle-based Fleet Foxes performed at the El Rey Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 23, kindly giving a chance to those of us who couldn’t get to their sold-out show the day before. Four friends and I, show enthusiasts that we are, braved the sardine feel of a less-than-roomy pickup truck during the long drive.
Jack’s Mannequin album grows on the listener
I’ve often found that my favorite records are those that aren’t instantly catchy – the discs that grow on you are usually the ones that grow to be larger than the quick flavor-of-the-day single that smashes the iTunes charts. Jack’s Mannequin’s new release, “The Glass Passenger,” is just one of those types of albums.
Promising indie film “Save Me” brings little peace
Sometimes films with noble intentions try to strike a balance when dealing with controversial subjects, in order to draw more people than they demonize. Yet sometimes this can backfire and make a film that is muddled, like the recent “Save Me.”
“On the Road” holds message respective to its generation
Jack Kerouac’s 1957 novel “On the Road” is one of those classics that will have some people forever proclaiming its brilliance, while others flippantly dismiss it as a book about driving around, usually while drunk.
“Ghost Town” charms in non-conventional way
Imagine silver-miner-turned-oil-man Daniel Plainview from “There Will Be Blood” as a leading man in a romantic comedy, and you may come close to sensing what “Ghost Town” feels like. In this film, the leading man is so selfish and filled with so much bitterness, it’s a miracle his gloom doesn’t defile the motion picture.
Concert venue for local bands puts on a good show
Directly off the bustling Interstate 5 freeway, sandwiched between a car dealership and outlet strip mall is a local concert venue - the Chain Reaction. With band t-shirts and stickers plastered all across the walls, “The Chain,” as it is known locally, definitely provides an atmosphere for a variety of bands to showcase their talent. Although the maximum capacity of the building is 250 people, there is more than enough space for a good sized concert.
Cold War Kids’ second album should make Biola proud
Atop the Mulberry Street Ristorante in Fullerton, Calif., there lies a very cozy apartment. Years ago, up in that apartment, the sounds of stomping, clinging tambourines and cymbals, piano ballads, and jangly guitars were often heard. This was the birthplace of Cold War Kids.
“Appaloosa” beautiful but unfulfilling
As I assumed my seat in a theater filled with expectant moviegoers, I recalled the movie I was about to watch, “Appaloosa,” a modern-day Western thriller written, directed and produced by Ed Harris (who also stars as the main character). I pulled my thoughts back to the present moment and glanced up at the screen, but instead of seeing the opening scene, I saw the “please silence your cell phones” message frozen on the screen.
“Righteous Kill” depends too much on surprise
I admit that I enjoy a good jolt when a director masterfully tinkers around with audience expectations for the purpose of dishing out a surprise. Alfred Hitchcock called it “playing the audience like a piano.” It takes a great pianist to pull it off, and Hitchcock was a master musician in that respect. But when an auteur fails to trick audience expectations, the results are disastrous. Jon Avnet’s “Righteous Kill” is one of those movies that unsuccessfully attempts to pull the rug from under the audience, while gleefully indicating, “I fooled you!”
“Water for Elephants” lacks originality
After extensive research, New York Times bestselling author Sara Gruen wrote the dark historical fiction, “Water for Elephants.” Her scrutiny paid off and is clearly evident throughout this book, with strange, old-fashioned prose and peculiar, authentic pictures to accompany each chapter. The story takes place in the 1930s in a second-rate circus company that tours the country and is as much a love story as it is about animal cruelty.
“Towelhead” goes deep
Controversial, complicated, and heartfelt. These words describe screenwriting maven Alan Ball’s directorial debut, “Towelhead.” Based on the Alicia Erian novel of the same name, the film is about a 13-year-old Arab American girl Jasira (Summer Bishil) who moves away from her selfish, immature mother (Maria Bello) to a Texas suburb with her father (Peter Macdissi) during the Gulf War.
Junior business administration and soccer student-athlete Jake Saffer is practically Superman. He expertly balances the demands of his classes...