Movies
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
New Documentary Asks: Is Touring Worth It?
Media / Business / Movies Kathleen Richards — Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Via Invisible Oranges, a new documentary (available online in its entirety) questions whether touring is worth it for metal bands. The film, Why You Do This, follows the Long Island mathcore band Car Bomb as they play funky venues to a handful of people. Most local bands expect touring (and existing, for that matter) to be a money-losing endeavor, but the question is whether hitting the road is necessary, not just financially, but career-wise. Could it even be a career-killer? Or is sleeping in vans and skeezy motels an essential band experience?
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Oscar Nominees Are In, and... Ayiyi
Movies Rachel Swan — Tue, Jan 24, 2012 at 11:28 AM
We've learned not to expect too much at the Academy Awards, but this year's nominees for Best Picture take the cake. The list includes Moneyball, a surprisingly riveting movie about looking at spreadsheets, held together by Brad Pitt's stunning depiction of former Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane (who has garnered a certain pop culture cachet and a massive cult of adoration, especially over the past year). Also: Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, which was saved only by Corey Stoll's portrayal of Ernest Hemingway. And: The Help. I mean, do we even have to say what's problematic about that movie? Oh, and finally: War Horse, Spielberg's new World War I movie, beloved by horse fetishists everywhere.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Liberating Liberace: Oakland Filmmaker Chris Vargas Remixes the Life of a Gay Idol
Movies Toshio Meronek — Wed, May 11, 2011 at 6:33 AM
Somewhere in Hollywood, Michael Douglas is smothering on lip gloss to prepare for a heavy make-out session with Matt Damon. Douglas is set to play Liberace (and Damon his young lover) in the gay-for-pay Oscar bait that is sure to be the upcoming Steven Soderbergh biopic on the flamboyant pianist (due out in 2013). Meanwhile, in Oakland, artist Chris Vargas is readying his own version, Liberaceón, which reimagines the over-the-top musicmaker as an outspoken AIDS activist, rather than the closeted Nancy Reagan-lover he was.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Weekender: The Top Five Things to Do Over the Next Three Days in the East Bay
Art / Movies Ellen Cushing — Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 8:13 AM
Nurse your St. Pat's hangover Get ready for the weekend by checking out our critics' choices.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Kevin Bacon Night at Eli's Tonight
Pics and Video / Movies Kathleen Richards — Mon, Apr 12, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Amoeba Music is sponsoring Kevin Bacon Night, tonight at Eli's Mile High Club (3629 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland). In addition to screening the '80s movie Quicksilver, the event will feature music, bacon-themed food, drink specials, and $5-off coupons to Amoeba with one menu item purchase. 8 p.m.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Doors Documentary Screens Tonight
Pics and Video / Movies Kathleen Richards — Fri, Apr 9, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Val Kilmer gave a pretty memorable performance as Doors frontman Jim Morrison way back in 1991, but there's no substituting the real deal. Hence, When You're Strange: A Film About the Doors, a new feature-length documentary on the legendary LA band (Morrison, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, and Robby Krieger), which screens at the Sundance Kabuki tonight at 7:10 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The doc "uncovers historic and previously unseen footage of the illustrious rock quartet and provides new insight into the revolutionary impact of its music and legacy. Directed by award-winning writer/director Tom DiCillo and narrated by Johnny Depp, the film is a riveting account of the band’s history."
Morrison has been plenty idolized since his untimely death in 1971, but if anything, the documentary serves as a reminder of just how lacking the current music scene is in charismatic rock stars. The release of When You're Strange comes accompanied by the release of a soundtrack, which includes thirteen songs from the band's six albums, plus live performances from the Ed Sullivan Show and the Isle of Wight Festival.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Animal Collective's ODDSAC Film Screens in SF March 25
Just-Announced Shows / Pics and Video / Movies Kathleen Richards — Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 12:58 PM
A feature film collaboration between the band Animal Collective and filmmaker Danny Perez will screen at San Francisco's Sundance Kabuki Cinemas on Thursday, Mar. 25. Entitled ODDSAC, the film (which is being billed as a "visual album") is a "dense and surreal layering of audio and visual elements that eschews conventional narrative to create a visceral, immersive experience." (Just check out the trailer.) 6:30 & 8:30 p.m., $15.
The screening will feature director Danny Perez and members of Animal Collective.
The Heart Is A Drum Machine DVD Releases Tomorrow
Movies Kathleen Richards — Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 12:40 PM
A new documentary that explores the question "what is music?" releases on DVD tomorrow. The Heart Is a Drum Machine is a feature-length documentary directed by Christopher Pomerenke and featuring an original score by the Flaming Lips' Steven Drozd (including a cover of Elton John's "Rocket Man" with Tool's Maynard James Keenan on vocals). Also featuring Mickey Avalon, Jimmy Eat World, Modest Mouse, Wayne Coyne, John Frusciante, Jason Schwartman, MGMT, Sleater Kinney, Elijah Wood, and the Postal Service.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Until the Light Takes Us Coming to Berkeley March 5
Breaking News / Movies Kathleen Richards — Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 1:22 PM
The black metal documentary that’s gained cultish popularity despite hardly any advertising is coming to Berkeley’s Elmwood Theater (2966 College Ave.) starting March 5. Until the Light Takes Us, directed by formerly San Francisco-based filmmakers Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell, tells the story of black metal — and, in particular, the ideology behind the music genre that resulted in numerous (and highly sensationalized) church burnings, suicides, and murders in the mid-Nineties in Norway. The filmmakers moved to Norway for several years and interviewed musicians such as Fenriz of Darkthrone, Varg Vikernes (who was convicted of the murder of his Mayhem bandmate), and Frost of Satyricon to understand what this movement is truly about. The documentary had a limited run at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts last year, so in case you missed it, this may be your only chance to see it for a while. The Express is sponsoring this screening.
