Let’s talk favorite syncs in movies today…

Besides this being my favorite. movie. ever. Almost Famous also contains one of the best syncs ever with the inclusion of Elton John’s Tiny Dancer on the tour bus the morning after Russell quits the band, crashes a midwestern house party, trips on acid and is inevitably picked up by the band the next morning. It was the perfect song and the perfect moment to bring the band and the band aids back together after a near break up. Now sing along with me… hold me closer Tony Danza…

Almost Famous
Music Supervisor: Danny Bramson

xo
nikki

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This month, the band of the month is Steely Dan. Not the typical fare for rockists like those that populate the virtual halls of CCC, especially on first listen. In fact, I can’t imagine liking these cats as a young buck. But the band is addictive, a major habit.

It’s like cigarettes or alcohol. You gotta want to like ‘em at first. Then, it’s all to easy. (Note: This version of MOB traces the career of SD Mach I).

1. Can’t Buy a Thrill

Most of you who have spent anytime in a car w/ FM radio will be familiar w/ the majority of tracks from this album.  “Reelin’ in the Years”, “Do it Again”, “Dirty Work”, etc. are all long wave warhorses, and deservedly so. But the album is chockablock w/ deep cuts.  Released in 1972, a year in which Nixon was reelected in a landslide, I think I hear some voodoo going on in “Kings” and “Changing of the Guard” — must have worked, ‘cuz Watergate broke shortly thereafter… I listen to “Kings” now in 2009 and get a good feeling about a recent “Changing of the Guard.” Hard to imagine it was the hey-day of Glam Rock with a joint like this going off.

Kings

2. Countdown to Ecstacy

The album title is great Americana. The record is my favorite (also said to be Fagan’s). “My Old School” is irresistible unless you were one of “those guys.” “Pearl of the Quarter” was covered by CCC. This is where their literary, V.U. meets Bukowski lyrics really start to get salty and here they are matched by the grinding, winding, insinuating tunes inimitably.

My Old School
Pearl of the Quarter

3. Pretzel Logic

AMG has this as the Dan’s best. I dunno. It is easy to listen to. The songs are compact, stylistically distinct. It’s an album. I guess this is the band showing that it can do it all. “Charlie Freak” has a great ramble-tamble piano hook climbing up and down over an interstellar guitar lead. Sleigh bells top it off. Tight. “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” was apparently a big hit for he dudes. Is it possible that it was the inspiration for Phil Collins’ insipid “Don’t Lose My Number” ? When you are atrocious as Phil, anything is possible, no jacket required.

Charlie Freak

4. Katy Lied

Queer album cover w/ some sort of funky insect (Katydid?) checking you out. “Daddy Don’t Live in That New York City No More”… what can I say? You can hear the fingers flying on the guitar lead and you don’t hear it equaled often. Hand claps. Swelling keys. Damn, son. “Everyone’s Gone to the Movies” is a vibed-out joyride until you digest the lyrics. Pedophilia anyone? How many other bands can make you feel so creepy about tapping a toe?

Daddy Don’t Live in That New York City No More
Everyone’s Gone to the Movies

4. The Royal Scam

This one is a major grower. The album cover is atrocious and just gets worse. “Kid Charlemagne” is the ultimate tune, retelling the story of the tragicomic psychedelic 60s through the figure of Owsley Stanley, who first synthesized LCD on a large scale for the hippies of San Francisco. Like the Gimme Shelter film (“People…”) or Vineland, it details the failure of the hippie “counter-culture” to achieve any lasting social-political value: “look at all the white men on the street.” Indeed. When will we be free from these hypocrites? “Haitian Divorce” is an anti-love story set to a fantastic reggae-esque arrangement. I love the intense wah-guitar character mocking the whole affair.

Kid Charlemagne
Haitian Divorce

5. Aja

People are nuts about this record. I know a girl whose parents thought it worthy of their daughter’s name. You might also. Jazz musicians dig it. A triumph for Steely Dan, I guess, but for me (a jazz non-fan) not so much. Kind of aimless and self-absorbed in the same way I receive the genre (jazz). I suspect this album is responsible for a lot of the “smooth jazz” misery I’ve experienced in various dentists’ offices. Trauma.  “Deacon Blues” has some great lyrics though, another classic (jazz) rock jab at Alabama. Lynerd Skynyrd weren’t equipped to respond to this one, obviously.

Deacon Blues

6. Gaucho

This was like the “Loveless” of the seventies, I gather (tho’ technically released in 1980): cost a sh*tload of money, took a long time, everyone on drugs and it pretty much ruined the band. Give it to me Wiki:

The pair are well-known for their near-obsessive perfectionism in the recording studio, with one notable example being that Becker and Fagen used at least 42 different studio musicians, 11 engineers, and took over a year to record the tracks that resulted in 1980’s Gaucho — an album that contains only seven songs.

Too bad it isn’t close to being a Loveless or a Pet Sounds or whatever freakout album you prefer. Its essentially more of the smooth jazz rock pioneered on Aja — pretty much as far from freakout as you can get. Sounds decent enough in the background, cooking something gourmet in the kitchen maybe. Here’s a track that gets used as a segway lots on Fresh Aire w/ Terry Gross, detailing the glitzy life  & times of an LA  coke dealer to the NBA stars. Maybe I’ll understand these last two Dan albums some day.

Glamor Profession

Mungkin masih menjadi ingatan yang sulit dilupakan, bahkan sampai sekarang  masih digunjingkan bagaimana The Dark Knight mendapat predikat “Oscar Snub” Februari lalu. Sebelum melirik ke daftar lebih jauh, mari kita lihat apa sih arti Oscar Snub itu sendiri? Snub kalau diartikan menjadi “penghinaan” “cercaan” yang secara literal menjadi “Cercaan Oscar” namun secara kontekstual Oscar Snub diberikan kepada sebuah film, aktor, aktris, dan kategori lainnya yang sebelumnya memiliki buzz (gema Oscar) yang kencang dari kritikus dan precursor (festival dan ajang awards lainnya) namun secara mengejutkan dipetieskan atau tidak dilirik atau di-snub oleh Oscar dalam artian tidak masuk nominasi sekalipun. Nah, contohnya adalah The Dark Knight tadi yang gagal meraih nominasi Best Picture. Saya masih ingat bagaimana marahnya orang-orang di salah satu blog Oscar sampai-sampai komen yang pro-kontra berjumlah ratusan. Saya agak gemes karena The Reader jadi kena getahnya padahal dia tidak salah apa-apa. Okelah, The Dark Knight memang film terbaik kedua saya tahun 2008 dan The Reader bahkan tidak masuk daftar sepuluh film terbaik saya, bukan berarti saya membela The Reader, hanya saja kondisinya agak kelewatan. The Reader bukanlah film jelek, secara logis lebih punya materi Oscar ketimbang The Dark Knight, cukup beralasan mengapa pihak AMPAS tidak meliriknya. Mungkin menimbang pilihan ini akan terlihat mainstream karena adaptasi komik akan masuk Best Picture (baca: pemilih konservatif).

Contoh lainnya yang masih terngiang adalah “Dreamgirls”, film pertama dalam sejarah yang memimpin nominasi Oscar tanpa nominasi Best Picture! Banyak yang menganggap ini termasuk Oscar Snub terbesar dekade ini, tapi saya sih tidak setuju dengan hal ini ya karena saya membenci “Dreamgirls” hehehe. Selain nomor-nomor lagu yang ditampilkan, film ini lemah ketika musik meredup dan mulai bermain di sisi dialog dengan ceritanya yang biasa saja. Saya setuju dengan keputusan Oscar untuk men-snub film ini, lol.

Nah berikut sepuluh Oscar Snubs yang membuat saya geram, setidaknya karena tidak berhasil masuk nominasi Oscar, karena bagi saya mempunyai buzz yang cukup besar, potensi yang kuat, terbaik di tahunnya, namun lagi-lagi AMPAS-lah yang memiliki keputusan. Ketakutan saya untuk nominasi Oscar tahun ini adalah di-snub-nya Jeremy Renner dari nominasi. Semoga tidak terjadi.

Setidaknya dengan melihat daftar ini Anda akan disadarkan bahwa tidak selamanya pilihan Oscar itu benar dan tidak selamanya film-film yang masuk nominasi Oscar itu yang terbaik di tahunnya (setidaknya dari kacamata saya). Mungkin lima tahun lalu saya mengganggap film-film Oscar itu adalah jaminan yang terbaik, tetapi ketika mengikuti perjalanannya secara intens banyak sekali film bagus yang tidak masuk nominasi dan kalau dibahas panjang sekali (politik dan sebagainya).

Ini dia 10 Worst Oscar Snubs of Decade versi Awya Ngobrol:

10. Uma Thurman (for Best Actress in “Kill Bill 1 & 2”)

Argh, benci deh kalo ingat Oscar sekalipun tidak menominasikan Uma Thurman lewat perannya sebagai The Bride di Kill Bill ini.  Padahal precursor sudah banyak memuji dan mengakui aktingnya. Bahkan Golden Globes menominasikan dia dua kali lewat perannya ini.

9. Baz Luhrmann (for Best Director in “Moulin Rouge”)

Masih tidak mengerti dengan keputusan AMPAS tidak menominasikan sutradara yang satu ini untuk kategori bergengsi. Tanpa tangan Baz Lurhman Moulin Rouge tidak akan bisa selucu dan seelegan itu. Tanpa Baz Lurhman Moulin Rouge tidak akan punya koreografi dan nomor lagu yang artistik seperti itu. Apa belum cukup?

8. Zhang Ziyi (for Best Supporting Actress in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”)

Tidak ada satupun barisan cast yang ada di film ini mendapat nominasi. Sedikit gatel kalau tahu debut brilliant seorang Zhang Ziyi tidak diakui oleh Oscar. Tapi apa mau dikata, bukankah sudah jadi rahasia umum Oscar pelit sama pemain dari Asia?

7. Ryan Gosling (for Best Actor in “Lars and the Real Girl”)

Mengejutkan waktu dia tidak masuk nominasi mengingat SAG menominasikan namanya dan buzz yang didapat lumayan kencang. Setidaknya kalau saya adalah “Tuhan”nya Oscar, saya akan lebih memilih namanya untuk menggantikan George Clooney atau Johnny Depp tahun itu, meski siapapun nominasinya pemenangnya akan tetap Daniel Day Lewis.

6. Jim Carey (for Best Actor in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”)

Memang sulit nampaknya sebagai komedian yang terjun ke drama untuk langsung diperhatikan AMPAS, kecuali mungkin Robin Williams. Padahal Jim Carey sudah tampil meyakinkan sejak main di Man in the Moon, The Truman Show, dan film ini tanpa menampilkan mulutnya yang kesana kemari.

5. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 days (for Best Foreign Language Film)

Saya sampai tidak percaya dengan kenyataan ini. Gak bisa ngomong. Memang sih juri dari kategori ini yang menyaring nominasi memang dari dulu sudah ketebak, sulit memberi tempat untuk film mainstream. Biasanya mereka lebih suka film tearjerker yang bikin nangis Bombay. Makanya yang menang  Departures, bukan The Class atau Watlz with Bashir. Kasus yang sama juga terjadi untuk The Barbarians Invasions dengan ceritanya yang bikin nangis para juri dan tema filmnya yang mungkin dekat dengan kehidupan para juri (maklum juri kategori ini terkenal agak konservatif dan kebanyakan udah tua) melenggang dengan bebas sebagai juara.

4. Almost Famous (for Best Picture)

Di tengah film mega-blockbuster seperti Gladiator yang memenangkan Oscar tahun itu, nama film ini meredup setelah filmnya flop. Untunglah kategori Best Original Screenplay berhasil dibawa pulang Cameron Crowe. Cukup unik karena ketika film yang dikritisi kritikus, Chocolat (yang anehnya juga saya suka), film yang lebih berkualitas seperti Almost Famous ini luput dari perhatian. Hey, that’s so Oscar, honey!

3. Wall-E (for Best Picture)

Hoho, yang sering melihat blog saya pasti tahu betapa cintanya saya dengan film ini. Marah luar biasa karena AMPAS tidak memilihnya sebagai lima terbaik. Padahal film ini bagi saya lebih bagus daripada nominasi lainnya. Hehehe.

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (for Best Picture)

Di tahun dimana juga saya menyukai Million Dollar Baby, tetap saja hati ini berontak ketika film yang bagi saya (Finding Neverland, Ray) biasa saja meraih nominasi dibandingkan film brilliant garapan Michel Gondry ini. Untungnya AMPAS tidak buta dan masih bisa menghargai karya masterpiece seorang Charlie Kauffman di kategori Best Original Screenplay.

1. Bjork (for Best Actress in “Dancer in the Dark”)

Lagi-lagi yang menjadi kambing hitam adalah film Chocolat yang menghantarkan Juliet Binoche meraih nominasi, daripada seorang Bjork yang tampil begitu sempurna dan menggugah hati di film ini. Kebencian AMPAS pada Lars Von Trier memang sudah mengkarat kayaknya sampai aktrisnya pun kena sasaran. Dan kasus itu akan berulang lagi pada seorang Charlotte Gainsborough yang bermain gemilang di Antichrist. Seorang Bjork yang filmnya tidak seofensif Antichrist saja tidak dapat nominasi, apalagi film ini yang brutal sekali. Tunggu kiamat tahun 2012 kali ye. Untungnya Golden Globe menominasikan si Bjork yang sudah jelas kalah dari Julia Roberts. Meski aktingnya lebih bagus, tapi ini tahunnya Julia Roberts, dan saya tidak keberatan dengan itu. Suka sama Julia juga soalnya. Sebelumnya, Bjork juga menang di Cannes sebagai Best Actrees. Pada suatu kondisi kok nominasi Golden Globes lebih loveable ya kadang-kadang? Apa karena yang milih jurnalis mancanegara yang memiliki pemikiran lebih dinamis ketimbang AMPAS yang itu-itu mulu (baca: statis)?

Beberapa Snubs yang juga membuat saya geram:

Sally Hawkins (for Best Actress in “Happy Go Lucky”), Todd Haynes (for Best Director “Far From Heaven”), Far From Heaven (for Best Picture), Dennis Quaid (for Best Supporting Actor in Far From Heaven), The Dark Knight (for Best Picture), Ewan McGregor (for Best Actor in “Moulin Rouge), Persepolis (for Best Foreign Language Film), dan Alfonso Quaron (for Best Director in “Children of Men”).

Nah, itu 10 Worst Oscar Snubs versi Awya Ngobrol. Preferensi dari setiap orang pasti mempunyai kondisi yang berbeda tergantung dari sejauh mana kesukaan dan dukungan yang ada. Nah, sebagai perbandingan lihat juga daftar dari Peter Knegt dari IndiWIRE yang memuat 50 Most Despicable Oscar  Snubs of the Decade yang menempatkan Finding Nemo, WALL-E dan Ratatouille sebagai snub yang ada di posisi pertama. Daftar dari Peter Knegt seperti ini:

1. “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille” and “WALL-E” (Best Picture)
2. Todd Haynes, “Far From Heaven” and “I’m Not There” (Best Director)
3. Uma Thurman, “Kill Bill, Vols. 1 & 2″ (Best Actress)
4. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (Best Picture)
5. “In the Mood for Love” (Best Foreign Language Film)
6. Paul Giamatti, “American Splendor” and “Sideways” (Best Actor)
7. Björk, “Dancer in the Dark” (Best Actress)
8. Sally Hawkins and Eddie Marsan, “Happy-Go-Lucky” (Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor)
9. “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days” (Best Foreign Language Film)
10. David Cronenberg, Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello, “A History of Violence” (Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress)

Untuk 40 Snubs lainnya silakan lihat di sini.

Nah, kalau menurut Anda, apa yang menjadi Oscar Snubs terburuk di hati Anda?

For en liten stund siden befant jeg meg på Verdensspeilet med Marie og Elise, drakk snickers-milkshake og koste meg. Ikke lenge etter satt jeg i kinosalen med de samme jentene å så på 2012. Kino var ikke planlagt, vi hadde bare et spontant øyeblikk. Filmen var bra den, bare litt for lang. Tror ikke jeg ser den igjen med det første, med mindre jeg har god tid.

Apropo film, nå sitter jeg foran dataen å ser på en film jeg lånte av Teuta om fredagen; Almost Famous. Den virker bra så langt, og det er mye bra musikk i filmen. “Old” musikk. Me like.
Jeg liker forresten ikke når helgen går så fort. Ihvertfall ikke når jeg koser meg, som nå. Skal se igjennom kameraet senere for å se om jeg har tatt noen brukbare bilder, for så å redigere de som eventuelt er brukbare.
Hva gjør du i kveld?

-M&K

Every year around this time, BeneFit releases their Glitz, Glam & Gloss limited-edition lipgloss set ($26), and every year I forget to pick it up until it’s too late (holiday shopping for others tends to take priority over lipgloss needs). And every year, I kick myself once after it’s too late to grab it. The colors are so pretty, and only available in this set. The 3 double-ended full-size glosses are meant to complement each other, but look beautiful worn alone. In the kit is Friends in High Places/Kiss You (sparkling raspberry and violet-tinged pink), Almost Famous/Copper Penny (bronze and nude), and I’m with the Band/Fresh-Squeezed (shimmery pink and grapefruit).

At this price, you can’t afford not to gift these to friends this year. And while you’re at it, pick up one for yourself; if not, you’ll regret it later.

No matter what season, the floral print seems to seep through, it was in the form of dresses, skirts, leggings and chunky knitwear last Autumn / Winter and it was no doubt prominent amongst the Spring / Summer 2010 collections exhibiting at London Fashion Week this season.

A brand that is synonymously known for its prints and dresses is British label Almost Famous. With colours and shades covering all spectrums it was hard not to love this label…With coral pinks, ultraviolet purples and citrus lemons, the collection is enough to make your mouth water…however, it wasn’t only the sugar accents that made you want to touch everything, each top, skirt, dress within this ready-to-wear collection was screaming trend.

A 1920’s inspired ditsy floral tea dress was luring me in and hanging a few rails off was a futuristic printed maxi dress. With a 160 piece collection to choose from it just goes to show that variety is one thing that isn’t a problem when looking at this label.

With feminine shapes and silhouettes to flatter all it wasn’t a surprise their stand was heaving from press, to buyers to little mini-me bloggers!

I guess I have my SS10 wardrobe sorted; however, now that the chill factor is here to stay It might be a good idea to start focussing on Autumn Winter dressing!

Almost Famous – www.aflondon.com

VERDICT:
8/10 Ultimate Senior Projects

Not as amazing as I initially remember it being, but still a great movie.

Almost Famous is about William Miller, an unpopular, endearing, and sheltered High Schooler who really digs music. After finding out that he’s two years younger than he always thought he was, he pitches a story to Rolling Stone about doing a piece on the up-and-coming band Stillwater, Rolling Stone is all about it, so this once-lame kid packs up his shit and hits the road with what eventually becomes one of the biggest bands in the country. Needless to say, it ends up being one groovy effing trip.

The story here is loosely based on writer/director Cameron Crowe’s own life and times on his journey from High School nerd to R.S. editor to Oscar-winning screenwriter, and with that, I once again tip my hat to Mr. Crowe. The only other person I can think of that might top him for having one of the coolest lives of all-time, or at least the coolest teen years of all-time, is Frank Abagnale, Jr. from Catch Me If You Can (great movie), only, you know, without all the jail time and whatnot.

But before I go any further, we gotta talk about the soundtrack. I didn’t really appreciate it as much the first time I heard the music in this movie, nor did I fully appreciate the actual soundtrack I got for my birthday that same year, but now that I’ve had a good long time to discover Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers (both of whom are the bands Stillwater is based on – fun fact!), and every other seminal classic rock band that are as much a part of this movie as its story and characters, I finally see what I’ve been missing. Screw Rock Band and Guitar Hero, Almost Famous is a true education in some of the greatest music ever put to vinyl along with what it means to actually love music.

Come on, like you didn’t sing along to the “Tiny Dancer” scene.

I think the reason I connected so much with this movie when I first saw it back in High School was because I could connect with William Miller and good lord did I want to be him. Nine years later, William Miller’s life remains unreal, but I’ve unfortunately come to the realization that Patrick Fugit isn’t a very good actor. Doesn’t show a whole lot of emotion, doesn’t do a very good job of convincing anyone that he’s serious when he’s trying to be, and is actually at his best when he lets everyone else do the talking. Probably explains why he hasn’t really landed any significant roles since, but still, what an awesome life.

Not the biggest fan of Jason Lee either, but everyone else is awesome. Billy Crudup is great as Stillwater’s lead guitarist, and even though I’m not all that keen on his real-life antics, he’s one cool mofo here and he sure does look the part, too. Also really like that Crowe made the lead guitarist the main focus of the band, ’cause isn’t the lead guitarist always the coolest one?

“Unfortunately, yes,” replies Aiden the drummer.

There’s also some great cameos by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rainn Wilson, Jimmy Fallon, Fairuza Balk (where the hell did she go?), and Anna Paquin (not exactly great, but hey, she’s an Oscar-winner, dammit!). And big shout-out to Frances McDormand’s hilarious turn as William’s outrageously overprotective mother. She should have won the Oscar for this one.

And lastly, there’s Kate Hudson as Penny Lane, the leader of Stillwater’s groupies – “The Band-Aids”. Among the many things people might remember this movie for, it continues to stand as the both the launching pad and single high point in Ms. Hudson’s unfortunate acting career. I don’t know if it’s a good idea to follow Cuba Gooding, Jr’s lead and keep to a strict diet of shitty role after shitty role after getting nominated for an Oscar, but maybe that’s just me. Still, Penny Lane is arguably the most interesting character in this whole movie and if Kate Hudson were to quit acting today, she’d go down in history for her performance here.

But I don’t know if it’s because I’ve seen this movie too many times or if it’s just because I knew what was coming, but the script isn’t as fantastic as it once was. The humor seems somewhat canned, so does the dialogue at times, and even though it’s better than any other script that was written in 2000, it didn’t have me grinning like an idiot like it used to. Not saying that Crowe didn’t deserve it, but some of the magic has been lost. But if you haven’t seen this movie before, completely disregard this paragraph, the magic was definitely there the first time around.

I’m just now realizing that I’ve used the word “great” a lot in this review, but the thing is that this movie reeks of it. I remember walking out of the theater the first time I saw this and announcing to the world that it was “MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL-TIME!” I took that statement back a few hours later, but still, it was a big deal for me. Nonetheless, Almost Famous may very well be the best movie about music that I know of and even though it may have garnered a 9 out of 10 at another time in my life, it’ll always hold a place in my heart.

Now go out there and get that damn soundtrack.

Sometimes I think that in another life, I’d want to be a rock journalist. I’ve seen Almost Famous too many times to count. I tell myself, what a great way to experience the lifestyle from an intellectual point of view, to be able to make it all even more meaningful. Study them, feel their angst, their raw magnetism, and then analyze it on paper. But then I think, screw that: I want to be the lead singer, man. Not some nerd whose dream is it to be the girl who scribbles notes about the lead singer. Their lives are art, their music is their soul- they don’t need it decoded and picked apart so some elitist magazine and their advertisers can make a few bucks.

But I identify more as writer, and not a musician, something I apparently haven’t yet come to terms with.

Oh, I tried to be a musician: Viola, piano, and some sad attempts at guitar lessons from my dad (I still stand by the fact that I would need a child’s size guitar because of my child-size hands.) I guess I can sing, but prefer not to do so in public. But music is in my blood. I come from a musical family. And besides falling asleep to The Beatles’ records every night, one of the first ways I became fascinated with rock music was through cover art. It was probably my future art history nerd coming through; my freakish ability for rote memorization, but at a very early age, my parents discovered that I could, quite enjoyably, memorize the names of bands based on the record covers. My earliest favorite cover was The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper. So much of The Beatles’ art and music is so child-friendly, so they were a great launching point for me into that world. But apparently, at age two or three, I’d go through the stacks and stacks of records we owned (like the one below, so appropriate for children) and say, “Rolling Stones,” “Donovan,” “The Kinks.” I mean, I guess that’s why people have kids, right? To delight parents in whatever odd ways their future adult interests (or obsessions, or afflictions, or whatever) manifest themselves.

Sticky Fingers, The Rolling Stones

Uh, where was I? Yeah, album cover art. I am still pretty obsessed with rock photography. Dream job: photo archivist at rock and roll hall of fame (especially if it wasn’t in Cleveland.)

For vintage (to modern) rock photography, the Brooklyn Museum is exhibiting “Who Shot Rock & Roll, a Photographic History, 1955 to the Present,” This photo is one of my favorites, as featured in New York Entertainment.

Bob Dylan with Kids, Liverpool, England, 1966, by Barry Feinstein

So iconic, so sixties, so clearly Dylan, even from the back. It’s a surprising shot, an American musician abroad in the land of The Beatles.

But you don’t have to be a professional photographer to capture amazing musical moments. The most stunning recent example of amateur rock photography (and also, concert videography) I’ve seen comes from Bon Iver’s sunrise show in L.A.

Bon Iver sunrise show, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 9/28/09

The concert was timed to coincide with nature’s backdrop- the light gradually shifting, the colors changing from indigo to violet, to pinkish orange to clear morning light, contrasting with the tall, unmoving Hollywood palms. And then, through all of this, you have the wonderful sounds of Bon Iver. I know it’s, like, oh my gah, so totally trendy to be a fan of theirs right now, and I’m just waiting for the inevitable backlash against them for having such a following. Even so, they are definitely one of the top bands of the last few years for me. (And Justin Vernon is a Sconnie!)* The concert was described as “magical” and “meaningful” by attendees. There are some concerts just hit you in a place no writer could describe, and there’s something wonderful about that. You just have to be there, although a photo probably does a better job of capturing the beauty than a written review would. I wish I could have gone, but maybe he’ll do a sunrise show back in his home state (although we’d have to wait a good 6 months for bearable temperatures.)

*Sconnie, slang for someone from Wisconsin, is one of those terms that started out as derogatory, but was re-appropriated and embraced by the targeted group to instill a sense of empowerment. That, or it’s just kinda funny.

Happy Friday!

The next couple weeks at the modern are looking like I need to build my immuinty…

“Pirate Radio/The Boat That Rocked”
a review by Darby O’Gill

Hands down, the feel good movie of the year! Before Howard Stern, and even before Wolfman Jack, a band of rogue deejays rocked the airwaves. In 1966, at the height of the British Invasion, rock and roll was only allowed to be played on British radio stations for barely two hours a week. The only way people in the U.K. could listen to rock or pop music was by tuning into pirate radio stations broadcasting from boats just off the coast of Britain in the North Sea. In Pirate Radio, previously released as The Boat That Rocked, earlier this year in the U.K., writer/director Richard Curtis tells a fictional story based on the true events of Britain’s rock and roll revolution. Broadcasting live 24/7 from an old tanker turned makeshift radio station, anchored just outside British jurisdiction, is a band of misfit deejays known as Radio Rock.

The story begins when Young Carl is sent by his mother to the ship known as Radio Rock, to spend time with his godfather Quentin, the owner of the radio station, who is played by the always brilliant Bill Nighy. It’s very much a coming of age story, and I think the British equivalent to Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous. Once on board, Young Carl meets the motley crew of deejays. There’s The Count, the flagship American deejay that is constantly pushing the envelope and crossing the line, masterfully portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. There’s the always charismatic, and at times narcissistic Doctor Dave, played by the extremely funny Nick Frost. Another familiar face is that of Flight of the Concords’ manager Brian, actor Rhys Darby, who plays the self proclaimed funny man Angus “the nut” Nutsford. Even though all the faces may not be familiar, this is truly an all-star cast. Each performance is so masterfully executed that you can’t help but feel the authenticity of this film. However, I think one of the most unsung heroes of this film is Ike Hamilton, who plays Harold, the ship’s booth technician. If you watch Ike’s performance throughout the film, I guarantee that you will be totally blown away. Every little nuance that he brings to the character of Harold just radiates brilliantly off the screen. If you’re reading this after you have already seen the film, I highly recommend seeing it again for Ike’s performance alone. But, if you’re anything like me you’ll already want to see this movie again regardless.

The other side of this story is that of the British government and their efforts to stop the pirate radio ships from broadcasting. This task is helmed by Sir Alistair Dormandy, played by Kenneth Branagh, and his new assistant Mr. Twatt. I’m not kidding, his last name is Twatt. And, yes Richard Curtis takes full advantage of it. Twatt is played by Coupling’s Jack Davenport. Now, don’t worry. The political stuff doesn’t weigh down the story at all. Mostly because it’s not an overpowering plotline and it also lends itself to some of the film’s funnier scenes. I dare you not to laugh or at least snicker every time Dormandy says, “Twatt.”

Richard Curtis has, as always, done a masterful job telling this story. His unique vision, and heart warming style of storytelling, makes Pirate Radio/The Boat That Rocked a must see film. Every part of this film oozes 1966. The wardrobe is fantastic, the soundtrack is to die for, and even the look of the film itself sets the tone. It’s almost as if the film was shot and processed in 1966. Adding to the film’s authenticity, the bulk of the movie was shot onboard an actual ship, just off the south coast of England. Richard Curtis’ first cut of the film had a running time that was just over three hours. The final cut of The Boat That Rocked had a two hours and fifteen minute running time, where as the final cut for Pirate Radio has a one hour and fifty-six minute running time. I’ve seen the U.K. version of the film and enjoy both cuts, but I have to say this film is so enjoyable that I wouldn’t mind sitting though the three hour cut at some point. Most of the missing scenes from the first cut of the film appear on the U.K. DVD release of The Boat That Rocked. (U.K. DVD review will be posted soon) The two major scenes that were cut from The Boat That Rocked for the U.S. release of Pirate Radio consists of a visit to the Radio Rock ship from a large group of contest winners, and the other is the unseen stag party in London. The scenes aren’t necessarily needed, but this movie is so, as I said before, enjoyable that I don’t think you could ever get enough of these characters.

I realize this review is quickly becoming a mini-novel, but I think I would be crucified if I didn’t at least talk about the music in the film. As you would imagine, this movie is chock-full of classic rock from the likes of The Who, The Kinks, The Turtles, and so many more. Both the U.K. release, and the U.S. release of the soundtrack feature a two disc edition with 36 tracks to take you back. Also, the opening credit graphics are fantastic! The use of the radio tuner dial transitioning from scene to scene, as The Kinks’ “All Day and All of the Night” blares, instantly sucks you into the world of the movie. But, I think one of my favorite things was the use of the album covers in the end credits. It not only instills you with a fantastic sense of the history of rock and roll, but it also makes you want to listen to some great albums you might not have listened to in awhile. The bottom line here should be obvious at this point, but needless to say I highly recommend this movie no matter which version you see.

Rating:

The Boat That Rocked U.K. DVD Special Features: COMING SOON

by The Great White Gypsy

The Box – Written and Directed by Richard Kelly
The premise of this film sounds like a bad teenage horror story. A strange man gives a box to a couple having money problems. They will get money every time they push the button, but every time, someone they don’t know will die. Though it’s riding on Cameron Diaz’s acting skills (um…), if anyone can make it cool, writer/director Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko, Southland Tales) will have no problem.
Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella, James Rebhorn
November 6

Endgame – Directed by Pete Travis, Written by Paula Milne
Another slow, patient South African political film? Meh. I mean, I really like Hurt and Ejiofor, but Pete Travis directed Vantage Point, which sucked asshole. I really, really want it to be good, I’m just scared it’s going to be really, really bad.
William Hurt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Johnny Lee Miller, Mark Strong, Derek Jacobi
November 6

The Men Who Stare at Goats – Directed by Grant Heslov, Written by Peter Straughan
Actor Grant Heslov hasn’t done much directing. Same goes for Peter Straughan and writing. But if you look at this cast, you really can’t go wrong in a story about Telekenisis/Psychic programs in the army. Hell yes.
George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, Robert Patrick, Stephen Root
November 6

Precious – Directed by Lee Daniels, Written by Geoffrey Fletcher
I hate the fact that the full title of this film is “Precious: Based on a novel by Sapphire”. I also hate the fact that Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey are “presenting” this one. However, cliché and cheesy as it most likely is, I seriously almost cried watching the preview. This has the potential for two hours of raw emotion that leaves you speechless. Or two hours of horrible acting and bullshit storyline. I’ll wait for cable.
Gabourey Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz
November 6

The Fantastic Mr. Fox – Written and Directed by Wes Anderson
I hate, I hate, I hate Wes Anderson. However, there are always a couple elements of his films that impress me, and his attempts at stop motion animation intrigue me. Will I like it? Probably not. Will I see it? Of course.
George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Michael Gambon
November 13

Pirate Radio – Written and Directed by Richard Curtis
When I saw the preview for this, I thought, “Hey, that looks exactly like that movie advertised last year called “The Boat that Rocked”. Wait… I have no idea why this film took so long to release, or why they changed the title, but after waiting so long, I’ve built it up to possible “Almost Famous” level in my head. I really hope I’m not disappointed.  About a boatful of radio DJ’s who broadcast banned music over British airwaves in the ‘60’s. Curtis directed Love Actually.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Nick Frost
November 13

The Messenger – Written and Directed by Oren Moverman
Foster and Harrelson play a very overlooked part of the military in this new drama about the officers who deliver the horrible news to KIA soldiers’ families. Foster starts to care too much…you see where this is going. Moverman’s first film, looks good.
Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone
November 13

2012 – Directed by Roland Emmerich, Written by Roland Emmerich and Harald Kloser
When I want to see an action packed explosion film with weak story, I’ll catch the new Michael Bay flick. When I want to see a really entertaining film with great special effects that will leave me dumber for having watched it, I’ll go see a Roland Emmerich film (Independence Day, Stargate, Godzilla, 10,000 BC). If you don’t know what this film is about, you should probably look into it, cause we’re kinda running out of time, dude…
John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson, Danny Glover, Oliver Platt
November 13

That Evening Sun – Written and Directed by Scot Teems
I think Clint Eastwood had a scheduling conflict playing a grumpy old man in Gran Turino, so Holbrook stepped in. This is a perfect example of a cookie-cutter Midwest drama starring a senior citizen afraid of change that might not be very good, but will definitely get nominated for at least 2 Oscars. Don’t get me wrong, Hal is great, but the story has the potential to be full of holes.
Hal Holbrook, Ray McKinnon, Mia Wasikowska, Carrie Preston
November 13

Uncertainty – Written and Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel
At the risk of sounding like a douchebag, I am very uncertain about this movie. Part romantic comedy, part drama, part action thriller? So confused. McGehee and Siegel have written and directed three other films together, and I’ve never heard of any of them. But Gordon-Levitt hasn’t let me down so far, and Thirlby and Collins are sexy. I’ll flip a coin.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lynn Collins, Olivia Thirlby
November 13

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans – Directed by Werner Herzog, Written by William M. Finkelstein
Controverial old-school director Werner Herzog (Encounters at the End of the World, Grizzly Man) is remaking the 1992 drama (starring Harvey Keitel) about a gambling/drug addict cop, and he’s setting it in post-Katrina New Orleans. They say it’s Cage’s best performance since Leaving Las Vegas (not really hard), and Kilmer’s presence is reassuring. Looking forward to it.
Nicholas Cage, Val Kilmer, Eva Mendes, Michael Shannon, Fairuza Balk, Xzibit, Shawn Hatosy
November 20

Chi Bi (Red Cliff) – Directed by John Woo, Written by John Woo and Khan Chan
This is an epic film in the style of Hero and House of Flying Daggers. John Woo started out with some good films (A Better Tomorrow, Killer, Hard Boiled), he even had some good American movies (Hard Target, Face/Off), though there were bullshit ones too (Windtalkers, Paycheck). However, his dramas, like Last Hurrah for Chivalry, have gone largerly unnoticed by American audiences. And, of course, it’s been out in China for two years, and we’re just getting it now. Tarantino needs to step his game up.
Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Wei Zhao
November 20

Fix – Directed by Tao Ruspoli, Written by Charles Castaldi and Paul Duran
Documentary filmmaker Ruspoli blends styles in this fictional documentary about a convicted drug dealer and his friends, who are attempting to raise enough money to put him in rehab before 8pm so he can avoid jail time. I can already tell that Andrews’ over-the-top personality is going to steal the show, and Wilde is kinda cute. When’s it coming to Netflix?
Olivia Wilde, Tao Ruspoli, Dedee Pfeiffer, Shawn Andrews
November 20

The Missing Person – Written and Directed by Noah Buschel
Modern noir about a private detective (Shannon in a lead role…nice) searching for a missing person after 9/11. Elements of drama and comedy make it appear a little disjointed, but Shannon and Ryan are solid. Kinda surprised it didn’t go straight to DVD, but whatever.
Michael Shannon, Amy Ryan, Frank Wood
November 20

Me and Orson Welles – Directed by Richard Linklater, Written by Holly Gent Palmo
I can’t see Efron’s name on anything without thinking Highschool Musical, which makes me want to punch everyone under the age of 17 in the eye. However, this film is a little more dramatic, a lot less musical, and Christian McKay looks like the best Orson Welles since D’onofrio in Ed Wood. And if that still doesn’t convince you to see this period film about Welles directing stage plays, I have three words for you: Richard motherfucking Linklater (Scanner Darkly, Waking Life, Dazed and Confused). There you go.
Zac Efron, Claire Danes, Christian McKay, Ben Chaplin
November 25

Ninja Assassin – Directed by James McTeigue, Written by Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski
The directors of The Matrix are producing this balls-to-the-wall violence-fest about…are you ready? A Ninja Assassin. Crazy right? Just think blades, bullets, blood, and nonstop special effects. I can’t freaking wait.
Sung Kang
November 25

The Road – Directed by John Hillcoat, Written by Joe Penhall
I must admit, I didn’t care for Cormac McCarthy’s award winning novel. The fact that writer and director are inexperienced worries me. Whether the acting, cinematography and effects can save it or not, the story makes me think no one will like this no matter what.
Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce, Garret Dillahunt
November 25

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN

Metropia – Directed by Tarik Saleh, Written by Fredrik Edin
Anything with Vincent Gallo attatched generally gets my attention (Buffalo 66 was fucking weird). In this animated social commentary, Gallo’s character goes nuts when he starts hearing voices in the expansive underground tunnels Europe was forced to build after gas prices went too high. The animation looks pretty damn cool, so we’ll see.
Vincent Gallo, Udo Kier, Juliette Lewis, Stellan Skarsgard, Alexander Skarsgard
November 6 (Sweden)

Harry Brown – Directed by Daniel Barber, Written by Gary Young
Michael Caine hasn’t really been a badass since Get Carter, but this one may change that. Granted, it’s another cranky old man pissed off at street hooligans, but they did kill his friend…and he is ex-military. Comes out in the UK this month, possible limited releases in US.
Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Iain Glen
November 11 (UK)

Los abrazos rotos (Broken Embraces) – Written and Directed by Pedro Almodovar
Almodovar is huge in Spain, and the last time he teamed with Cruz was Volver, which was damn good. This film is about a writer/director telling a young man the story of why he changed his name after an accident took the life of his true love 14 years prior. Limited release this month, but expect it to be everywhere in time for the Oscars.
Penelope Cruz, Lluis Homar
November 20 (Limited)

Mammoth – Written and Directed by Lukas Moodysson
Husband and wife with a “perfect” life are put to the test when he takes a business trip to Thailand and decides to let loose a little. It looks very similar to parts of Babel, but more focused. Bernal and Williams have grown on me the last couple years, and Moodysson has done good work in Sweden.
Michelle Williams, Gael Garcia Bernal
November 20 (Limited)

if you’ve caught the digi music top20 on astro hitz, then you would have had the pleasure of meeting my cousins from all around the world! if you’ve not seen them yet, well here they are:

bob alban

sonny bono

venice shangri-la

joyah kassim

billy john

angus dean

and mary scary! more cousins on the show, so try and tune in: astro hitz, channel 705, thursdays, 2-4pm, with repeats one friday 10pm, saturday 3.30pm + sunday 3pm!

this is an exciting time for me, i finally have my own TV show! if you could and you have the time, try and check it out: thursdays, 2-4pm on astro hitz (channel 705 on astro).

20 of the biggest hitz of the week, gossip, games, tips on how to get the most out of your DiGi account and the chance for you to win tonnes of prizes, including the latest mobile phones!

it’s my first time on TV and i’m guessing there are shots when i look like an absolute mess, but please be nice to me and let me know how i’m doing.

oh and watch out for the last bit at the end, where i meet my ‘cousins’ from all around the world. first episode ever airs this thursday 20/08 – im so nervous, but on the other hand – hope you enjoy the show!

this had to be the funniest photoshoot i’ve ever done… FHM is all about being sexy + seductive in photos and if you don’t know, i’m hardly the type! the camera-man kept saying ‘look sexy’ ‘pout’ ‘imagine your with your lover’ and all i could think of what flapping my hands in the air and crossing my eyes. plus, trying to look sexy and seductive in front of 16 people is hardly what i’m used to. anyways, here’s the end product:

Have an exciting Saturday night.

Peace,

Sources: Alice in Wardrobe Wonderland , Long Live the Queen

Song title from “Saturday Night” by Kate Tucker & the Sons of Sweden

I was a very young rock and roll journalist when this movie– about a very young rock and roll journalist– was released, and I saw enough of myself in this picture to become immediately convinced that I’d just seen my favorite film ever– a movie that seemed to reflect my tastes, my experiences, my values about as well as any film possibly could.

The initial shock of self-recognition has faded, but my love for Almost Famous abides, because, of course, there’s a lot more to the picture than a few eerie glimpses of a younger Josh Hurst. That said, what floors me about this film hasn’t changed much in the past ten years: This is a tight, clear narrative that leaves ample space in which the viewer can find himself. The film is many things– a road movie, a coming-of-age story, a family portrait, an autobiography, a rock and roll picture, a mainstream-ish dramedy that, in an alternate universe, one can easily imagine raking in the Oscars– but what people remember about it aren’t the genre signifieres, but the characters and the little grace notes.

It is also, by the way, a period piece, though, curiously, I’m not sure that I’ve ever heard anyone describe it in these terms. That Crowe renders this world with a journalist’s eye for detail is no surprise, given how closely this movie mirrors his own life experience, but it’s so much more than a recreation of 1970s rock and roll fashion: It is, more crucially, a movie about fashion and the ways in which we transcend it, a story of people engulfed in a culture that’s obsessed with the shallow and the fleeting, people who nevertheless find their way to something true, meaningful, lasting.

That’s the brilliance of Almost Famous: As much as I sincerely love the music and the period detail, the things that stay with me are the ones that ring in my ears as true and universal. There are Penny Lane’s solitary dance, lonely but full of grace; Lester Bangs’ truism about the fleeting nature of popularity and the enduring value of friendship; William Miller’s mother and her conflicted emotions, worrying about him but ultimately trusting that she raised him right.

As for the rock and roll: I still think “Fever Dog” is a kickass song.

#8. Gosford Park (Altman, 2002)
#10. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Gondry, 2004)

Not my top five movies of all time - that’s the kind of list that could give a girl a nervous breakdown.  No, instead this is my top five list of movies to do with music.  Rather more specific and much less stressful to compile!  Here they are in no particular order:

1.  Spinal Tap

Arguably the funniest movie ever made in my opinion, but perhaps that’s because I come from a family of musicians!  Every detail is accurate, from the coldsores that appear on the musicians’ mouths mid-tour, to the friction between the lead guitarist and singer’s girlfriend.  In the 25 years since its initial release, Spinal Tap has become a cult favourite and the movie is made up of one classic scene after another, from Stonehenge to Hello Cleveland, by way of Graceland and an Air Force Base.  Any movie that contains the line “you can’t dust for vomit” is a classic in my book.

2.  The Legend of 1900

Tim Roth is one of my favourite actors and I absolutely adore this film.  1900 is the name of the main character, played by Roth, and he was found abandoned as a newborn on the ship the SS Virginian.  As 1900 grows up he shows a talent for music and becomes the ship’s orchestra’s resident pianist, and this is where the movie really takes off.  The piano battle between 1900 and and Jelly Roll Morton, the “inventor of jazz”, is an incredible show of virtuosity, and the scene where 1900 takes the newest orchestra member on a ride on the piano during a storm is pure magic.

3.  Anvil: The Story of Anvil

One of the most heart warming and inspirational movies I have ever seen, and no I’m not being facetious.  Lips’s unwavering belief in his band and infectious enthusiasm about all things music-related have to be seen to be appreciated.  After ten minutes of watching this film my sister turned to me and said “OK, I know nothing about this band, but I am now TOTALLY on their side”.   You will be too, all the way to the end of the movie.

4.  Almost Famous

Almost Famous tells the story of the fictional band “Stillwater” and their tour throughout America in 1973 and how an aspiring journalist, William Miller, asttempts to chronicle the tour for Rolling Stone.  The movie is pure perfection, capturing the spirit of life on the road in such a way that makes you want to go to a gig immediately.   The Band Aids (or groupies) are central to the film, in much the same way as they were central to touring life.   Although she has a supporting role, Kate Hudson is the star of this movie as far as I’m concerned.   Penny Lane is an unforgettable character; charismatic, adorable and utterly lovable.  I must have watched this film at least twenty times and every time I see it I just wanna go on tour maaaaaan!

5.  La Vie En Rose

I have adored Edith Piaf since my father gave me a biography of her when I was in my teens.  Her almost incredible story, and her belief in music and love as life’s greatest forces always stayed with me.  Marion Cotillard was perfect as Piaf and it is hard to imagine any other actress doing her justice in the same way.

*Honourable Mention goes to Control.

Anton Corbijn’s directorial debut is a masterpiece, showing Ian Curtis’s genius and fragility with true compassion.  This movie is worth seeing for the breathtaking cinematography alone; every single scene from this black and white movie could be frozen to make a beautiful photograph.

If you need a snack or a potty break, now’s the time. Cause the lovely and talented Bebe Buell is about to suck up your entire life until you are through with this entry. … Welcome to the jungle. Better men than you have been lost in its vines.

Before I go on with her basically amazing life-story, I’d like to point out that this gorgeous slice of strawberry cheesecake was basically the Greenwich Village bicycle of the musical world in the 1970’s, and she rocked a pretty plush rug Down There. What gives with the kind of freakish waxed hardwood floors I am seeing in commercial porn lately? Vivid Video, this recently rediscovered art of the legitimate nude, this sexytimes pictures and video trend informed by raw, sexy authenticity, is why you guys are now losing the game almost completely to amateur streaming videos. Pubes and kissing are what make the difference between a so-so, mainly unconvincing video and a really special one. Write that down. Okay, so on with the show.

In 1972 while working as a teenage model in New York City, Buell met and dated rock star Todd Rundgren for several years. During and after her sometimes open relationship with Rundgren, she also became intimate with many other famous musicians, including Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, and Steven Tyler while maintaining homes with Rundgren in both New York City and the Woodstock, New York area until late 1977.

Buell then moved on to Rod Stewart and in the summer of 1978, she began a tempestuous affair with the married but separated Elvis Costello which continued on and off until 1984. She was also involved with the late Stiv Bators and actor Jack Nicholson. — the wiki.

Okay, so the backstory, which is really more like a sexual history. Look, I think it is wretchedly unfair when a lady’s life story is framed by the boys she has bagged, but holy jeebus, Bebe Buell. How can I not bring it up??

Oh, you. You nutty, star-fucking, gorgeous-movie-star-baby-spawning, Penny-Lane-in-Almost-Famous-inspiring, deranged little minx! Gawd, how I love you and your decades-long trail of desperation. This chick is truly endless entertainment, you guys. I mean it.

And we should all kiss her feet for bringing that little daughter of hers into this world. Who is it?

All grown’z up, that chitlin in the above picture now easily ranks as one of my personal top ten most beautiful women alive on this planet, the gorgeous, sophisticated, private, and nothing-like-her-parents Liv Tyler:

*tear* Lord love you, Bebe Buell, you are a crazy mamma-jamma, but you make pretty mini-me’s. And it’s rather amazing that more did not hail from her loins. Like I said, she spent the 70’s and 80’s being quite the busy bee (no judgment AT ALL — you kept it clean and lean with some real sex machines: nothin’ but props, garrrl!). A brief glimpse at some of the highlights of Miss B’s hit parade:

Jeff Goodman aka Sammy Grubman, the “Strikeout King” and sleazy men’s magazine editor.

John Waite of The Babys and Bad English.

Robert Plant.

“Filmmaker Cameron Crowe, in his commentary on the extended DVD of his 2000 movie Almost Famous, said he based the film’s “Penny Lane” character (played by Kate Hudson) on two women he met during the early 1970s — Bebe Buell and Pennie Trumble, a.k.a “Penny Lane”. He said he created some of Penny’s dialogue from statements Buell had made in interviews over the years.” — the wiki.

Todd Rundgren, who it was assumed was Liv’s father until testing proved otherwise in the early 1990’s.

Stiv Bators of the Dead Boys

Legit babydaddy Steve Tyler — she claims because of his drug addiction she let Liv think her father was Todd Rundgren. You’re right, Bebe, that’s much better. What clarity — someone please hand this woman a gavel, cause she should be a judge and bring mind-blowing Aristotlean logic to every case she oversees from the bench, topless of course.

Bonus mm-mmm-mmmmm hookup: co-groupie, the notorious Cyrinda Fox. Ow!!

Oh, those halcyon days of yummy, yummy ’70s drugs.

Recent shot at the 2009 Tribeca Film Fest

I couldn’t even find shots of her with Iggy Pop, Jack Nicholson, Jimmy Page, Mick Jagger, and some of the others with whom it is rumored she spent Us Time. But I did happen upon one decent picture of her and another personal favorite, Mr. Elvis Costello, who shockingly did not have very nice things to say about Miss Bb B!

Following pic and he-said/she-said quotes via the super-amazing neato-fantastic understated-uber-genius of chained and perfumed:

She said: “He was my Clark Gable.”
[Elvis Costello] said: “At best we were strangers with a coy and theoretical entanglement…However, she turned up with eight pieces of luggage like a mail-order bride…and I was too stupid and vain to resist. She’d later claimed to have inspired most of the songs on [Armed Forces]-all of which were already written when we met…It is a tragic delusion about which I could say: ‘I shall not dignify that with a response’ but ‘dignity’ doesn’t come into this story.”

Oh, my god, I never thought I’d say this, but I am tired of this. I’ll pick her back up another day (that’s what they all say).

Until next time, remember: if you see her backstage, it’s okay to let her in, Mr. Bouncer. She is with the band.

Having read the announcement that Sam Taylor-Wood was to marry a 19-year-old actor, I, like many others no doubt, raised my eyebrows to a rather discerning height.

However, I have just placed who Aaron Johnson (for that is his name) actually is and where I’ve seen him from! He was ‘Owen’ in Nearly Famous! (amongst other roles which people will know him far better for).

I had the biggest crush on him back in Autumn 2007 when Nearly Famous aired on E4, and have recently been re-watching the episodes (and pausing at all the topless bits heh!!).

I love the music sequences, especially ‘What A Feeling’ (at 38 secs):

So now, I am even more mortified at this news of marriage!

I am not going to pretend to understand how the relationship works, that’s not really my business I guess – I’m sure many people wouldn’t fully understand Greg and I, which I accept. If it makes them both happy, then good for them – I’m not averse to the idea, just slightly surprised. Ultimately, as long as he is allowed to get his kit off with the same frequency as a quick Google Images search seems to suggest, I’m happy!

What’s that you say? You want to see proof of those images?

Acho que sou a pessoa com mais manias que conheço, uma dessas manias é de ver os mesmos filmes mil vezes, digo, mil vezes mesmo. É algo que começou na minha infância, quando, para a infelicidade da minha mãe, eu assistia sem parar “A Princesinha”, “O Jardim Secreto”, entre outros filmes bonitinhos e alegres (incluindo um da Turma da Mônica onde o Chico Bento tinha uma rádio, nunca descobri que filme é esse, mas eu assisti inúmeras vezes, quase enlouquecendo meus pais).

Na minha adolescência – que ainda não terminou completamente, ham – o maior filme preferido de todos os tempos foi “Quase Famosos”. Não sei mesmo quantas vezes eu o assisti, fato que foram mais de dez, de longe. Então, eu nem precisava rever para escrever sobre, mas, ah, até parece que isso é um sacrifício.

“Quase Famosos” é o meu filme adotivo preferido, desses que eu sei os diálogos de cor e não posso ouvir as músicas da trilha sonora (que vai muito além de Tiny Dancer) sem ser contagiada, é um filme que me fez e ainda me faz sonhar. Convenhamos, o filme retrata a vida na estrada de uma banda de rock em ascensão, acompanhada por um pirralho que é um novato jornalista musical, tudo isso nos anos 70, com cenários, roupas e músicas incríveis, só por esses elementos já merece ser um filme preferido. Mas “Quase Famosos” vai além desses símbolos fetiches da geração alternativa-cult-bacaninha, com um tom de entretenimento a história contém profundidade, aborda temas como a música e a indústria fonográfica (o termo “indústria do cool” citado é genial), conflitos entre pais e filhos, a contestação da ordem pelos jovens a partir de um novo comportamento e o dilema entre ser cool e ser honesto. É coisa pra caramba, e está tudo ali no filme, mesmo que não seja com uma seriedade obscura de um Bergman, mas está lá e quando se assiste aos quatorze anos é algo tão tocante que você quer viver naquele filme, tipo, pra sempre (e até hoje quando eu vejo fico louca pra sair pela estrada com uma banda e como não tenho talento musical algum – para minha profunda tristeza- aceito convites de músicos, okay? brinks – ou não.)

A trama se inicia retratando a infância/pré-adolescência de William Miller, no final dos anos 60, ele recebe uma rígida educação de sua mãe, professora universitária, ao mesmo tempo em que é influenciado por sua irmã mais velha, Anita, considerada como rebelde pela mãe, pois adora Rock, beija meninos e não simpatiza com o ideal de vida defendido por essa. Esse conflito entre mãe e filha representa uma ruptura no pensamento jovem, não se deseja mais ter uma vida burguesa e estável como a dos pais, cursando universidades e terminando seus dias em empregos enfadonhos e lucrativos, há uma vontade de experimentar, vivenciar, esses jovens passam a ter uma nova percepção de suas existências, sentindo-se no direito de fazer dessas o que bem entenderem, sentem-se livres. E nada foi mais libertador do que o Rock, pelo menos dentro de uma cultura de massa, como Anita diz, ao entregar seus discos para o irmão mais novo, “Look under your beed, it Will set you free”*. É uma redescoberta da vida, um novo tipo de filosofia que choca a ordem e atemoriza os pais, como Caetano e Gil escreveram e  Os Mutantes consagrou: “Mas as pessoas da sala de jantar são ocupadas em nascer e morrer”, mas os jovens querem mais, querem viver suas vidas. Para tudo que era proibido agora existe a pergunta “por que não?”, a liberdade promove a transgressão da ordem.

"NÃO USE DROGAS!", rs.

Há um pulo na história e William surge terminando o colegial, aos 15 anos, sendo um grande looser adorador de bandas de rock. Sua mãe se impõe para que ele curse a faculdade de direito e se torne um advogado, como era o seu sonho, mas ele, influenciado pela irmã (que agora não vive mais com ele), começa a se aventurar como jornalista musical.  Nesse ponto da história, surge o personagem de Lester Bangs (que de fato existiu), nos dando reflexões incríveis sobre Rock, como este foi deturpado pela indústria fonográfica, entrando em uma lógica do que é “cool” e perdendo a liberdade e a honestidade que o tornavam algo inspirador. Para algumas pessoas pode passar despercebido, mas esse personagem, com sua crítica, está ligado intimamente a absorção da contracultura pelo sistema, o que era transgressor e contestador de repente é assimilado pela ordem, tornando-se mais um produto capitalista e não uma arte original e criativa capaz de influenciar verdadeiramente as pessoas, proporcionando uma reflexão, inclusive, sobre nossa contracultura contemporânea, se é que ela existe (oi, MTV? nx zero? Lady Gaga sem calça se achando rebelde?).

Como jornalista musical, William passa a viajar com a banda Stillwater, a partir daí outros personagens interessantes vão entrando em cena. Dentre esses, Penny Lane é quase um clássico, a história de uma garota que vive viajando com bandas, sem revelar seu verdadeiro nome, criando para si mesma uma persona misteriosa é adorável. Penny representa bem o peso do “cool”, para ser a imagem que criou, ela se isola dentro de uma máscara, se percebermos, ela está sempre só no final dos shows e na verdade, está mesmo sempre sozinha, resguardada dentro de sua personagem onde não pode ser honesta, pois precisa continuar representando. No entanto, creio eu, que em uma coisa Penny Lane (aliás, ela é outra personagem que existiu) é honesta, na sua paixão pela música, sendo essa talvez a motivação para todas as farsas, como fica implícito em seu discurso: “Never take it serious, if you never take it serious, you never get hurt and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends”**. Jeff Bebe é outro personagem interessante, o que representa de maneira mais exagerada a busca por ser cool dentro do rock, perdendo inclusive os princípios que o levaram a se tornar um músico e sendo algumas vezes um tremendo idiota. Mas é claro que quem mais se destaca é Russell Hammond, com seu charme e talento (“You are too good looking and too talent to be trusted”***) é o tipo de cara que não precisa se esforçar para conseguir o que quer, isso apesar de lhe dar um caráter irresponsável e egocêntrico, também marca sua relação com a música, sendo é algo que ama e faz sem grandes preocupações, tornando-se um amante honesto do rock. William vivencia a tudo isso e abdica do cool em nome da honestidade, perdendo a chance de se tornar “amigo” daqueles rock stars, prestando assim um favor ao rock e a arte de qualidade, o que ele realmente ama.

Talvez isso seja para mim o mais bonito de “Quase Famosos”, essa homenagem que presta a verdadeira arte, ao rock que amamos que nos liberta e inspira. É um filme que contesta a triste situação na qual o rock (e a arte em geral) se encontra e nos faz sonhar e desejar mais experiências honestas para nossas vidas, muito além do super hype cool. Sem dúvida foi o filme que me fez ter a tatuagem que tenho, a ter uma atração fatal por músicos (ó deus), a desejar mais da minha vida do que as pessoas da sala de jantar e a me apaixonar mais ainda pelos anos 60/70, por tudo isso e muito mais, Cameron Crowe tem um lugarzinho cativo no meu coração (que ele massacrou em “Elizabethtown”, mas tudo bem).

* “Olhe debaixo da sua cama, vai te libertar”

** “Nunca leve a sério, se você nunca levar a sério, você nunca se machuca e se você nunca se machuca, você sempre irá se divertir, e  se alguma vez se sentir sozinha, apensa vá a uma loja de discos e visite seus amigos”

*** “Você é bonito e talentoso demais para ser confiável.”

Escrito por Taís Bravo