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November 28, 2004

Charles Phoenix is a Genius!

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Charles Phoenix - Art Historian, Kodachrome slide collector, and Histo-tainer - is also a genius! I saw his "God Bless Americana" show the day after Thanksgiving and yes, I am giving thanks that I did! I'm telling everyone I know (that means you) to get off your tushy and get over to the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood to see his Retro Holiday Slide Show, which runs through January 2, 2005.

Phoenix, who collects vintage Kodacrome slides from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, puts them all together in various themes (vacations, holidays, Disneyland) and shows them in small theaters. He narrates them himself, without amplification, and what impresses me most is his exhaustive knowledge of retro-history. He's also funny as hell.

Make it a point to catch his show, buy his books, or take one of his tours.

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Photos courtesy of Charles Phoenix's Slide of the Week. Used with permission. Go to Godblessamericana.com to join.

Posted by DJWanda at 11:27 PM | TrackBack

November 22, 2004

Mad Sin West Coast Tour 2004

....and a bit of the south, LOL! These boys are some of my absolute favorite sickos - I wouldn't miss them for the world and you shouldn't either!

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Dates as of 11/23/04:

Nov 25th, 2004: Los Alamitos, CA - Starting Gate Saloon (18+)
Nov 26th, 2004: Corona, CA - Showcase Theatre (all ages)
Nov 27th, 2004: San Bernandino, CA - Lyrics
Nov 28th, 2004: Whittier, CA - Ibiza (all ages)
Nov 30th, 2004: Hollywood, CA - Knitting Factory (Hellcat's Give Em The Boot Record Release Party! - all ages)
Dec 01st, 2004: Long Beach, CA - Alex' Bar
Dec 03rd, 2004: Las Vegas, NV - The Boston
Dec 04th, 2004: San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
Dec 05th, 2004: Orlando, FL - Screamers


for more info see website: Mad Sin

Posted by Lucky at 3:58 PM | TrackBack

November 11, 2004

October 12th Film Releases

Apparently the studios did not recieve my manifesto entitled, "No Christmas Before Thanksgiving," because this week my faithful, we have not one, but TWO movies all about Santa Claus' love and the power of commerce. I could just retch.

1) Kinsey
2) Finding Neverland
3) Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

Polar Express
I'm sure you know all about this movie by now. Remember the cause and see it after turkey day.

Kinsey
I have been waiting for this movie for months! This is a biopic about Alfred Kinsey, a biologist who made a name for himself through studying human sexual behavior during one of the most uptight decades of the last century.
Without him, we would still think the missionary position was risqué.

Seed of Chucky
I really want to hate this movie. You have no idea how much I want to hate this movie. The only problem is, it's very tongue in cheek. Jennifer Tilly plays herself and one of the evil dolls, and John Waters (the King of Bad Taste) also has a small roll.
It's not going to be good and it's not even trying to be good. You've got to love that.

After the Sunset
If I wanted to see another jewel thief movie, I'd rent The Great Muppet Caper.

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
Finally, a heroine who makes me look intelligent and self-assured. Now that Ms. Jones has the boyfriend, how on earth does she prevent herself from sabotaging the whole relationship?
I loved the books and I've been waiting on pins and needles for the second installment.

Finding Neverland
This is Johnny Depp's Oscar vehicle for 2004. The film is about JM Barrie and the inspiration behind his play Peter Pan.
I doubt you'll see any Keith Richards impressions, but I've never seen Depp play a character that wasn't deeply disturbed. A tendency which makes for great theater.

Veer Zaara
An Indian fighter pilot falls in love with a Pakistani woman and has 20 years in prison to recount their affaire.
I'll have no trouble missing this one.

Noel
A bunch of strangers in New York come together to celebrate Christmas. Now that is a miracle.
You know the rule. Don't be tempted by this pile of garbage, see it on TNT around Thanksgiving, that way you won't be supporting it in the theaters. Manifesto maintained.

Posted by xx - Ms. Lauren - xx at 7:31 PM | TrackBack

November 10, 2004

Sorry Everybody

49% of the citizens of the United States of America would like to give the rest of the world an apology in the form of a website for the results of last week's election.

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A few members of the international community even posted a few of their own images accepting our apology and reasuring us that there are a lot of people out there who know how hard we tried to convince the other 51% to let go of their fear and hate, and embrace a better future.

I told the friend (Katie Cook) who brought this to my attention, "We may be in the minority, but we are far more creative." Katie then reminded me that we are also cuter. How can I disagree?

Posted by xx - Ms. Lauren - xx at 8:04 PM | TrackBack

November 8, 2004

Skinheads bowling? Say What?

No offense to the lovely Xeni Jardin, who I met and conversed with at this year's Sent exhibition, nor any offense to the Chinatown Reading (Hi, Sean!!! Come to Alex's for a show!)... but "Skinheads Bowling"????? No. No. No to the title.

Punk Rock Bowling, which will have its seventh year in 2005, is the best damn event on the planet, with SXSW running a not so close second.

Crusty old Punks, yes. Really Smart Intelligent Creative Punks, yes. Youngins galore, yes. Lots of bowlers who have known each other for years in a creative capacity, yes. Lots of women who own their own companies in cute custom made outfits, yes. Drunks and gamblin' Sober Program tattoo'd men, yes... Skinheads, Donkeys, 3 brain cells and all that is associated with the Skin sub-culture? No.

Besides, how many other places can you convince nice, literate, and musical men to take their shirts off?

Posted by Ms. Jen at 11:24 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

November 4, 2004

November 5th Film Releases

There's only one movie I'm going to recommend this week. Can you believe I'm too pissed off to write a bunch of snide remarks about lackluster movies?

Get over your stuffy adult self, and go see The Incredibles. Your inner child will thank you.

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Posted by xx - Ms. Lauren - xx at 8:35 PM | TrackBack

Sadness

I don't want to be the stereotypical liberal/leftist crybaby, but G@D Dammit, I'm sad. Sure, I'm angry. I'm angry that I don't recognize my country, that my fellow citizens endorsed a regime that continues to lie to them and allowed the torture of detainees (TORTURE!!! WTF!!!), and I'm furious that the Democratic party didn't fight tooth and nail over this election, popular vote be damned!

The fact that we take the highroad of political strategy, think through issues in an intellectual instead of reactionary manner, and care about the wellbeing of others, does not make us inconsequential. It makes us a minority. That, makes me sad.

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Posted by xx - Ms. Lauren - xx at 8:05 PM | TrackBack