November 25, 2006

[Broadway] Grey Gardens

Walter Kerr Theatre

Book by Doug Wright
Music by Scott Frankel
Lyrics by Michael Korie
Cast:
Christine Ebbersole
Mary Louise Wilson
Matt Cavenaugh
John Martin
Erin Davie

November 22, 2006

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

US
Director: Rob Reiner
Screenwriter / Songwriter / Composer: Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael Mckean, Harry Shearer
Cast:
Rob Reiner - Marty DiBergi
Michael McKean - David St. Hubbins
Christopher Guest - Nigel Tufnel
Harry Shearer - Derek Smalls
Tony Hendra - Ian Faith
R.J. Parnell - Mick Shrimpton

November 18, 2006

[Gig] Ok Go

Irving Plaza
w/ Quit Your Day Job, French Kicks

Damian stole the show. To the extend that I didn't really care about music that much. Overall chemistry between band members was great (I don't know does it even matter, but somehow I noticed how they interact with each other), but the slim, dandy, beautiful, sexy Damian was everything. This show was being filmed, let's just see whether these footage will be in any DVD.
The acoustic set was a great idea. Damian, Tim and Andy moved to the rare of the floor, standing on a round table to perform while three fans casting flash lights on them. In the end, although they could not bring the treadmills, they brought their backyard. Oh ya! I saw the dance!

Ok Go is:
Damian Kulash: Vocals, Guitar
Tim Nordwind: Bass
Dan Konopka: Drums
Andy Ross: Guitar, Keyboards (*a Bosox fan)

Set list:
The House Wins
Television, Television
Don’t Ask Me
No Sign Of Life
Here It Goes Again
Good Idea At The Time
Neat Neat Neat by Damned Cover

Acoustic Set:
A Million Ways
What To Do

It’s A Disaster
Oh No
Invincible
Don't Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchestra
Get Over It

Encore:
You’re So Damn Hot
Dow What You Want

A Million Ways (Dance!!!)










Casino Royale (2006)

UK / US
Director: Martin Campbell
Screenwriter: Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade
Cast:
Daniel Craig - James Bond
Eva Green - Vesper Lynd
Mads Mikkelsen - Le Chiffre
Judi Dench - M
Jeffrey Wright - Felix Leiter

November 15, 2006

[Gig] Modest Mouse

Webster Hall

The two drum sets I did not see from Trail of Dead, unexpectedly popped up in front my eyes. Too bad I chose a spot that was clear for the eyes but muffled for the ears, what a waste!

November 14, 2006

A Better Tomorrow (1986)

英雄本色
Hong Kong

Director: John Woo
Producer: Tsui Hark
Screenwriter: John Woo, Chan Hing-kai, Leung Suk-wah
Cast:
Chow Yun-Fat - Mark
Leslie Cheung - Kit
Ti Lung - Ho

[Gig] ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

Virgin Megastore, Union Square
Acoustic

Presale of the latest album, So Divided.
It is wonderful to watch a violent and dynamic band just sitting there and playing quietly. Nevertheless, Jason Reece managed to crash a maracas. They played a song that was written for the Monkeys (not sure about this part), and Conrad said they're just like the Monkeys. Great analogy, Conrad.

According to the booklet of So Divided, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is:
Kevin Allen - President
Conrad Keely - Founder
Jason Reece - Co-founder and CEO
Doni Schroeder - Prime Minister
Daniel Wood - Executive Producer

November 12, 2006

[Gig] ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead

Irving Plaza
w/ With Blood Brothers, Brothers and Sisters and The Celebration

KIDS! LOTS OF THEM! Apparently most of them came for Blood Brothers. Can't help wondering how important is 'look' for a band. Anyway, finally I learn go to a gig without knowing a band is not a good idea. (And is that pushing around stuff new or come back?)
ToD got two new members. Too bad they didn't do that two drum sets and smashing guitar violent stuff anymore. Don't know whether I'm right or not, I think I smell record company (or anyone responsible)'s effort trying to make some adjustment to sell albums. OK, stop beating around the bushes here, let's just see what the two beautiful faces can contribute to the band.







November 11, 2006

New York Doll (2004)

US, Doc
Director: Greg Whiteley

New York Dolls
David Johanse (Buster Poindexter)
Jonny Thunders
Ferry Nolan
Syl Sylvain
Arthur 'Killer' Kane

November 10, 2006

Infernal Affairs (2002)

無間道
Hong Kong
Director: Andrew Lau, Alan Mak
Screenwriter: Alan Mak, Felix Chong
Cast:
Tony Leung Chiu-Wai - Chan Wing-Yan
Andy Lau - Insp. Lau Kin-ming

November 09, 2006

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2003)

US, Doc
Director: Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky
Cast:
Metallica
James Hetfield
Lars Ulrich
Kirk Hammett
Robert Trujillo

Jason Newsted
Dave Mustain
Bobby Rock
Phil Towle

November 07, 2006

Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957)

US
Director / Producer / Screenwriter: Frank Tashlin
Playwriter: George Axelrod
Cast:
Jayne Mansfield - Rita Marlowe
Tony Randall - Rock Hunter
Betsy Drake - Jenny
Joan Blondell - Violet
Mickey Hargitay - Bobo Branigansky
John Williams - Le Salle Jr.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2004)

US, Doc
Director / Cinematographer / Still Photographer: Jeff Feuerzeig
Producer: Henry Rosenthal

November 04, 2006

[Gig] The Decemberists

Hammerstein Ballroom
w/ Alasdair Roberts

Follow their story telling tradition, The Decemberist opened the show with a pre-recorded narration, with 8 big red lanterns and gigantic Japanese style painted cloth hanging and occupied the entire background of the stage, bringing concert goers into a exotic world (Although the connection between Russian crane wife, Japanese palace and Chinese lanterns is too profound, but exotic is exotic anyway...)
Another perfect reason for going to gig than just listening to CD. Sour story-telling songs can be transformed into energetic performance by Colin Meloy. And yes, we can not help but swing with every tune. Looking these coming-from-music-school band members constantly changing instruments was astounding. Yes, it's like showing-off, but why not?

November 03, 2006

[Misc] ABT

2 Nov 2006

Symphonie Concertante
Dark Elegies
In the Upper Room