There were two things I’ve been meaning to write about but haven’t had the time, so a short double-duty post will have to do.
1. Have you seenNick and Nora’s Infinite Playlistyet? I love this movie so hard. Anyone who likes music and spotting New York City landmarks will enjoy this film. Oh and Michael Cera and Kat Dennings are great great, as are blond guy from Spring Awakening, and Ari Graynor who plays the most convincing drunk girl I’ve seen in a long time. Oh and some cameos from Devendra Banhart, Bishop Allen, Project Jenny Project Jan, etc etc.
Whoever did the location scouting on this movie got it RIGHT. Bowery Ballroom, Union Pool, Arlene’s, Crash Mansion… all pretty accurate (minus the “bathroom” in Bowery) and appropriate for the characters and situlations.
If you have seen it, I think you will agree that this FRED “Stuck Up” magnet should have had some kind of tie-in to the movie.
2. My friend Jason recently closed down shop on his beloved music blog, Product Shop NYC. Jason had been doing PSNYC for quite some time now–he even inherited the title of Village Voice “Best Music Blogger” award from this little ol’ blogger. But on the bright side, he has a new blogging passion: a site called Stories In High Fidelity [click to continue…]
The Jack White and Alicia Keys duet is finally revealed in its full form (no thanks to Coca-Cola). The visuals are a little bit “7 Nation Army” + iPod commerical + Justin Timberlake’s “My Love” + Semiconductor‘s “Magnetic Movie”–but the one inescapable image that will forever sear your brain when watching this video is the sight of JACK WHITE PLAYING THE DRUMS.
Jonas Bjerre of Mew, Guy Berryman of Coldplay and Magne Furholmen of A-Ha have teamed up, under the guise of Apparatjik, to right the theme track for Bruce Parry’s BBC2 new series Amazon.
The series, which debuted on September 22nd, has a soundtrack to accompany it’s debut. Amazon / Tribe: Songs for Survival is out digitally in the UK now, and Kensaltown Records will the two-disc CD in the UK on October 6.
Jack White was commissioned by Sony Pictures to write a theme song for the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, not for Coca-Cola. Any other use of the song is based on decisions made by others, not by Jack White. We are disappointed that you first heard the song in a co-promotion for Coke Zero, rather than in its entirety.
What do you think Jack objects to the most: 1. Not having full control over the release of his song 2. Not getting the joy of handcrafting another Coca-Cola jingle? As you probably remember, Jack wrote a widely debated tune for a Coca-Cola advert in 2006.
UPDATE: As someone mentioned in the comments, I’m sad to say that Nagi Noda, the Japanese director of the Coca-Cola ad, died on September 7th due to complications from an accident she was in earlier this year. The world has lost a truly talented and inspiring individual.
But according to the Telegraph UK, Winehouse is threatening to release the version of the Bond theme in order to show the flim producers that they have “made a big mistake.”
Said Winehouse, “I guess they are going for clean-cut and boring. When I do release mine – and I am tempted to do it on the same day – this would be the bigger hit…If they change their minds, I’m waiting.â€
Amy plans on releasing her collaboration with Mark Ronson on the same day as the White/Keys duet is being released, October 28th.
Bob Dylan must be jealous, and Duffy‘s probably sad… according to MSNBC (via Access Hollywood) and NME, Jack White and Alicia Keys will record the new James Bond movie theme song–the first duet in Bond movie history.
Writes MSNBC: “Alicia Keys and Jack White will record the theme for ‘Quantum of Solace,’ Access Hollywood has learned. The new track, called ‘Another Way To Die,’ was written and produced by White.”
What are your bets for what it’s going to sound like?
Despite the fact that I’ve seen quite a few James McAvoy movies since my first McAvoy Meter review, I’ve kinda been slacking on updating everyone on my drooling sessions. So here’s another one, of his most recent movie, “Wanted.”
Year of Release: 2008. Synopsis: Wesley Gibson is your Average Joe accountant working a dead-end job, dating a cheating girlfriend, and best friends with an annoying jerk. When he discovers he’s the son of a super-human assassin–and he possesses all of the same capabilities–he is inducted into the elite world of professional high-stakes killers. Loosely based on the graphic novel by Mark Millar. Character: Wesley Gibson. Lead character of this action-packed film also starring Angelina Jolie as his assassin school mentor.
How Much Screen Time Does James Have?: It’s basically all James all the time. But, Is He Shirtless?: Yup. But only in one sequence. A pity since he significantly beefed up for the role.
Most Memorable James Moment: When Wesley lets loose on his irritating boss and co-workers after discovering his new found badass powers.
The Bottom Line: The movie is utterly stupid and unbelievable, but entertaining. James doesn’t get much of an opportunity to flex his acting muscles in between all of the ultra-violent shooting, dodging, and running, but when he does, he reminds us that he is in fact a great Actor. Although the genre and action in the movie is super-cool, his wardrobe and hair don’t (and can’t) really capitalize on his boyishly handsome looks. His American accent wavers at times, but in general pretty believable.
Final Rating: 5 on the McAvoy Meter for his dominating screen time and cool stunts.
Yup yup, even though The Von Bondies seem to have slipped from my radar, it seems as though they are still a working band (sans some eye candy–original member, the flame-haired Marcie Bolen, left the band in 2006), having finished their third album, Love, Hate, and Then There’s You, which is currently without a release date.
In anticipation of the new LP, the band has lent one of the songs off it, “Only to Haunt You,” to a rather unusual project–Lost Boys The Tribe. THAT’S RIGHT, LOST BOYS 2!!! Better yet, this vampire-heavy B-movie stars none other than original Lost Boy, Corey Feldman. THAT’S RIGHT, COREY FELDMAN.
Enjoy (Survive???) the trailer. I’m assuming the Von Bondies song is the one at the very start, and not the awful death metal music that kicks in during the vampire attacks:
One of my favorite things about the TriBeCa Film Festival is that it’s a relatively low-key event. Basically the only time I remember it’s going on is when I see people walking around with those big stupid purplish badges slung around their necks as if to say, “No, I don’t know how to blend in, and Yes, I would like to get mugged.”
Another thing that fills me with glee is the fact that at least once a year a slew of free music events and movies are held delightfully close to where I live (hooray downtown Manhattan). So although I pass on a lot of the stuff going on, I do get to take advantage of some of the great happenings that go on–a prime example being the TriBeCa Film Festival Music Lounge at the Canal Room.
I was thrilled to see that their lineup for Wednesday included a set by TMA fave, the Norwegian wunderkid, Sondre Lerche, who was slated to play from 5-5:30 pm. [click to continue…]
