This little doc about a dive recording studio in the San Fernando Valley is an entertaining look into one of Rocks hidden gems.  Featuring and directed by one of the best drummers out there, Dave Grohl, who gives an insiders view of this little known rock mecca.  After hearing that the place where Nirvana laid down the tracks for Nevermind was/went out of business, Dave sets out to pay homage to the prolific studio.  Turns out hundreds upon thousands of gold/platinum/titanium records were cut in this scuzzy studio.

The business really got its start when the various members of Fleetwood Mac met up and joined forces for their self titled debut.  They may have put Sound City on the map but I personally can’t stand that band and yet I still enjoyed the movie.  Plus, I grudgingly have to say, Stevie was actually funny during her interview until she started caterwauling.

Did you know “they” screwed up the “code” when they started digitizing music?  Well, that’s what Neil Young had to say; and he is joined by a super group of rock musicians like: Trent Reznor, Tom Petty, Josh Homme, and Rick Rubin.  All there to sing their praises of the smelly yet acoustically superb studio and the beauty of recording the old timey way (Trent is kinda the exception to the rule here).

Looks like a Mentos parody is about to break out.

The second half of the documentary stops looking at the history and starts focusing on the sound board.  Not to sound ignorant (maybe Paul can educate me on this one) but isn’t a sound board a glorified equalizer?  To Grohl’s surprise and benefit, the recording equipment didn’t end up in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame when Sound City went under so he bought it.  To buck the trend of digital recording, he and his famous compatriots record some jam sessions with the analog equipment to fill out the running time.

If you consider yourself a rocker, and you don’t have to rock too terribly hard considering Barry Manilow and Rick Springfield are featured in this flick, then you should check out this fun film.  Don’t let those softies dissuade you if you do rock hard because there are some true icons that show up to demonstrate how easy it is to rock out with some old school components.

]]> http://cinematicattic.com/?feed=rss2&p=941 5 http://cinematicattic.com/?p=2175 http://cinematicattic.com/?p=2175#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:18:05 +0000 http://cinematicattic.com/?p=2175 Continue reading →]]> So I’m usually gushing about the movies I review. I like most movies; there are only a few I hate with an undying passion, and some that were completely forgettable. I thought, for a change, I’d cast aspersions on a few I saw recently. Two of them are OK (I guess, nothing special) but the last one is a real disappointment considering the stellar cast. I don’t know if I’m doing myself any favors telling you not to see a movie except to go out and see that movie to prove me wrong. But whatever you do don’t see the last one even to spite me.

No

Now this is really a test case for my Spanish speaking friends out there (Ryan, you’re the only one I know of). Not because it is in Spanish, but as someone with an elementary understanding of the language, I wonder if it translates better to native speakers. The audience was laughing at certain parts that I had no idea why and there were moments we shared as well. Whatever the case it was very talky.
No centers around the true life story of the 1988 presidential referendum in Chile. Chile was ruled by a dictator, Augusto Pinochet, and, to give the semblance of democracy, a vote was held on whether Pinochet was great or if he should hit the skids. I won’t fill you in on anymore history, read a book.

Gael Garcia Bernal plays an ad exec, Rene, who heads up a team to create a fifteen minute ad in opposition to the dictator, the eponymous ‘No’. While his compatriots are a little heavy handed about the deaths, disappearings, and destruction Pinochet has wrought, Rene just wants to focus on the positive and innocuous. And despite his penchant for using goofy/terrifying mimes every chance he gets, he helps to create a catchy ad that would appeal to any child of the eighties. Learning from his background, he focuses on a feeling more than a product. Happy people trumps depressing imagery of grieving mothers and police braining citizens with truncheons.

There is a lot going for this movie and it garnered an Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Picture but it is a bit dull and laborious. There isn’t a lot of tension, even when the situation calls for it, everyone seems to be underplaying it or, at least, are very understated. A barely registering relationship between Rene and his estranged wife is not at all interesting and only adds to the interminable running time.
What’s cool is the movie features the real life commercials throughout and everything else was filmed to match that warm eighties glow. It was filmed on video and if you see it on the big screen it will only fill the middle of the screen. The ads are big eighties fun (like a soda pop or blue jean commercial) and there is a very sweet and beautiful jingle that rounds it out. Happiness in Spanish is an even lovelier word coming from the oppressed masses.
Let me know if you have a difference of opinion. I’m not saying it wasn’t good, but there were moments I just felt like I wasted opportunities outside the darkness of the matinee.

A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III

This is a long winded title for a good looking but ultimately pointless flick starring Charlie Sheen, which might as well have been called a glimpse inside of Charlie Sheen. Let’s just say the stakes weren’t very high from start to finish. It’s a good looking film partly due to his character’s profession, a successful graphic artist and the movie’s fine attention to production design (I mean they got a couch that looks like a hot dog).

The opening showcases the most visually powerful images of the film. In which, you get the closest thing to a glimpse inside Charlie’s head as a doctor examines him. The doctor will mention a character or theme in his life and from a profile of his head a collage of say his buddy Schwartzman doing best bud things starts blooming from his head and so on and so forth.

The director, Roman Coppola, helped pen Moonrise Kingdom and he brings some of that film’s visual flair and characters. Bill Murray and Jason Scwartzman come over to liven up the proceedings (on loan from Wes, I assume). While Murray is mostly wasted in this picture, Scwhartman almost single-handedly saves it with his antics. He’s the heart of this movie and really has been the bright spot in far too many sub-par pictures. I might have to dig this film out of the dollar bargain bin in a year just for his pizza delivery tune.

Really the biggest problem with this movie is the lead, his story, and the total and utter lack of his best bro, Emilio. Be it Young Guns 1, 2, or their trash man, buddy-comedy Men at Work; it’s all good. They should always be in the same movies, or all movies. Otherwise, the dilemma (girlfriend breaking up with Charlie because he’s a cad) isn’t exactly the most epic tale.
It’s fairly forgettable, but, like I said before, Schwartzman is really a treat. It wasn’t bad; it was just of little consequence.

Stand Up Guys

Stand Up Guys is a movie you shouldn’t sit down for, I mean seriously, forget about it. Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Alan Arkin.  How can you go wrong?  Well, you get a crumby script, poor direction, and put a car commercial in the middle of it and there you go: ruined. I cannot, in good conscience, allow any of you to see this movie. It’s the absolute dregs.

I mean the top bills are all entertaining in their own rights but together you would expect to be blown away. I’d watch just about anything anyone of these guys is starring in; heck I’d listen to them read the phone book. No such luck with this plot which meanders around getting something to eat, going to a whore house, getting something to drink, and going back and getting something to eat (boring, not a lot of action). What little action there is is reserved for a car chase that functions more as an advertisement for a slick car than anything else. And don’t even get me started about the bordello: the madam was the worst. So to add insult to injury, all the main characters go back again for more old fogy hijinks.
There are only a few moments where the cast gets to shine and play off each other. The director should have allowed the stars to improvise and not adhere to such a crusty script. You might remember the director as the bar none, lamest villain in movie history in Hackers. He doesn’t fare well in his directing duties but it’s not all his fault, it’s a collaborative effort. If you have the misfortune of watching this film you get the opportunity to watch the ‘classic’ Viagra joke play out, a rape handled very poorly and ultimately for laughs, an in depth discussion about whether Pacino can use the restroom, etc. (lots of good stuff…).

I’m not even going to talk about the ending but after it was all said and done “The End” came up on the screen in case the viewer wasn’t sure. Kind of tacky, don’t you think? What movie does that anymore? Seriously, who can think of a movie in the last twenty years, excluding rom-coms, cartoons, and other schmaltzy stuff, that does that. Avoid this one.

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hit the big screen in dramatic fashion last year.  The Impossible documents the amazing true story of a family of five facing the deadliest tsunami in recorded history (230,000 killed).  Not since the spate of disaster movies of the mid to late nineties has a family been up against such– and I’m already running out of synonyms here–insurmountable odds.  And to add insult to injury they’re on vacation in a foreign land, Thailand to be precise.

There is a ton of foreshadowing at the beginning of this movie…I’m just saying.

You might vaguely remember this amazing story when it came over the airwaves nearly ten years ago on NPR.  Just a side note, the family was actually Spanish not English.  If you haven’t heard it, I don’t want to give anything away; but a couple of posters sure do and you could make an argument that the title itself is a giveaway.  That’s not really the point; it’s the family’s struggles, both emotional and physical, that will pull at your heart strings.

The film starts with a serene looking ocean and then there is a jolt and it ends lingering on the same body of water, as still as it was before, but now much more dreadful.  The tsunami scenes are quite harrowing and amazing to watch.  I’d be curious to see how they filmed it because a lot of it appears to be practical effects despite the presence of CGI.  It’s a wonder anyone could survive anything like that.  If you don’t drown, the shear amount and variety of debris getting washed around should most certainly kill you.  And if you survive, you’re so busted up you must find a hospital as soon as possible or you’ll succumb to your wounds.

Naomi Watts was nominated for an Academy Award for her grueling performance as a mother searching for her family while trying to keep herself together (literally and metaphorically).  Even her oldest son (Tom Holland, who gives a fine performance) finds it hopeless to find the rest of the family who are most certainly dead.  But the completely eviscerated Watts encourages him to not give up on hope and help others in need, which he does with heartwarming results.

This movie has at least four or five heart wrenching moments that, for most human beings, would result in some kind of waterworks.  I almost cried at each of those moments but the tear ducts malfunctioned.  It triggered the response; emotions welled up inside me but no dew.  I guess I’m dead inside and my heart is black as coal and twice as dusty.  In my defense, my eyes got a little damp at the end of Beasts of the Southern Wild.  Whatever the case, anything that can stir my emotions is worth a watch.

So while you’re nursing a hangover from the Presidents Day rager you threw, I thought I’d tell you about Stephen Spielberg’s Lincoln. The 16th President had a banner year in 2012 with no less than three movies.  I haven’t seen the other two more fantastical vampire or zombie hunter versions, but the one based on a true story is quite good (not to say Lincoln didn’t fight the undead during his off time).

Lincoln fighting with his cabinet over the abolition of slavery…oh wait, wrong movie. That’s a much younger Lincoln to boot.

I enjoy history and the Civil War is an especially compelling time in American history.  This movie even got me interested in reading the book which Lincoln is partly based upon, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The book is a much broader look at the Lincoln presidency and his unique cabinet made up of his political rivals–not  that I’ve read it, or anything.

The book would make for a great mini-series but a painfully long movie.
The picture focuses on the passage of the 13th Amendment as the civil war is drawing to a bloody end.  There are a few scenes of carnage and the little you see of U.S. Grant only makes you want more.  If you come expecting epic battles you’re out of luck.  Now a movie about legislation isn’t exactly a recipe for excitement but let me tell you it is much more engaging than what you’ll see on CSPAN.  There are even parallels to present day what with the intractable congress fighting amongst themselves more than accomplishing much of anything meaningful.  The stakes were much higher and the moral implications were quite grave in Lincoln’s day, though.

It’s a forgone conclusion that the North will win the war but does Lincoln risk enraging the South by freeing the slaves or does he try to broker peace and end the damnable war quickly and with less bloodshed?  I know I have said in the past the historical dramas carry little tension for me but this story is so engrossing and significant that I watched with rapt attention.
There is no better actor out there and no one more physically suited to play the venerable president than Daniel Day-Lewis. He embodies the patient man with all the worlds weight upon his shoulders while also capturing the jocular side of a guy who likes to spin a good yarn.  If I have any criticism, it is that he is not as homely as ol’ Abe.

The cast is a veritable who’s who of character actors.  A few that stand out are a cigar chomping David Strathairn as Secretary of State Seward and close friend of Lincoln.

Hair (facial/head/wig) was quite diverse in the 19th Century and the Halls of Congress are littered with a bunch of furry characters.

Bruce McGill offers some comic relief as Secretary of War Stanton whose consternation with Lincoln’s constant story telling ruffles his awesome beard.  James Spader adds some levity, as well, playing a lobbyist, of sorts, trying to sway some Democrats to their side.

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  Sumptuous production design and costumes…Oh, and Sally Field was wonderful as the perpetually grief stricken Mary Todd. Let’s hope she doesn’t win another Oscar, though.  That last acceptance speech was too much.

Despite the award winning performance of Day-Lewis as the thoughtful, and, even humorous, emancipator, Tommy Lee Jones shines as Representative Thaddeus Stevens. A cantankerous old bugger who is quick with the witty barbs to his rival Democrats and is outspoken about abolition.  The Republicans were anti-slavery but weren’t exactly for equal rights.  I had never heard of Stevens until this movie and he was really ahead of his time but wasn’t conciliatory to South in any way.  Unless you’re a history buff you’re going to learn a few things watching this movie.

A visionary director, an unrivaled star, a rich and engaging ensemble cast, and an intelligent script all come together to make an inspiring movie. It brings history alive and may even get you to read a book or something. This movie is nominated for Oscars galore and whether they take home all the prizes or not it is a fine film.

It is a tough movie to watch, and not because it’s slow but because of the subject matter and powerful performances. Riva deserves the Oscar for best actress as her elegance and grace slowly withers away before your eyes. This is the first Haneke film I’ve seen; he’s a great director and, judging by a dream sequence in the movie, he could make one hell of a scary movie. If you’ve had the misfortune to watch a grandparent die this is an unflinching portrayal; I wouldn’t recommend seeing it if you’re still haunted by such an experience.
Dramas aren’t exactly my cup of tea and this is by all definitions a drama but it is never melodramatic. I think it’s a good film nonetheless and if you’re ever too happy and need to be brought down to earth this is your ticket to somberland. It’s not all doom and gloom though (but mostly). When Georges tells his wife there are still stories he hasn’t told her after decades of marriage or when he is still beguiled by her beauty after a night on the town, it is evident that there is still a spark of romance after so many years. It is their love that helps them trudge on to the bitter end.
I think Mudhoney said it best when they sang, “Time is running out/but at least I’m running out with you.”

It’s such a compelling story that really its only flaw is Ben playing the lead.  Not that he’s terrible, but he always seems like he’s grinding his teeth before he gives an impassioned line.  He’s better playing jerks in such films as Mallrats and Dazed and Confused.  Maybe it’s just easy playing jerks or more fun to watch.

In spite of Affleck, the cast is quite good and everybody looks like they stepped out of the late seventies.  Velma from Scooby Doo even shows up (see if you spot her).

Alan Arkin and John Goodman, respectively playing a big-shot producer and special effects engineer, lighten the tense hostage drama back in Cali with quite a few wisecracks, all the while saving the day.

I say tense (and I’m sure it was, at the time) but there is one other thing that bothers me about this flick: it’s based on a historical event.  And we all know how it will end, or, at least, can assume considering we haven’t gone to war with Iran.  The storming of the embassy, the overwhelming anti-American sentiment in Iran, and the unique escape plan are all well covered.  The story is fascinating but the stakes aren’t as high, if only because you already know the ending.  This is where the mystery of fiction might have the ultimate upper hand on true life.  Can you think of any historical dramas that bring the suspense?

Oh yeah, and hooray for Canada.  You saved our bacon.