People Are Nice Today
Everyone must have had a nice 4th of July weekend because the whole world is smiling today! (at least in LA)
Traffic was relatively light and curteous, strangers greet each other on the street, attractive young women smile at me, the entire staff at my oil change place stopped by to say 'hello' while I waited for my car, and I have been filled with extraordinary positive energy the last few days. I went jogging through the park the other day for the first time in my life, and I loved it! And I can barely sleep with all the creative ideas popping into my head at night. And this after just a few days off work...imagine what I could do with a week's vacation in Mexico!
We had a three-day holiday weekend and I went to social gatherings all three days! Saturday was a delightful BowieNetters barbecue down in Redondo Beach -- a gorgeous ocean view and cool sea air was enjoyed by all. (Not to mention all the smoke and booze.) It's great to meet so many people who are just as obsessed with David Bowie as I am -- sometimes even more so! My heart ached every time "China Girl" was played ("I feel a-tragic/like I'm Marlon Brando"...rest well old man).
Sunday was the traditional July 4th fireworks extravaganza with the Giffords. Little Gabe was in good spirits and getting cuter than ever. Randy and Heather seem very refreshed and a lot thinner after their month in Breckenridge. We went for a bike ride through the neighborhood after dinner, then watched the fireworks in the Valley from the hill above their home.
Monday was an intimate dinner party with a few friends from the BowieNet party who live in Burbank. Great people and newfound pals. Delicious home-cooked Italian food as well! They inspired a new nickname for me: "Scott Hollywood" since I live in Hollywood (or pretty close at least). There's two Scotts in the BowieNet group but the other guy lives in Orange County. I've used my regular name on BowieNet since I joined back in 1998, although I've considered changing it to a more creative username several times. My close friends always call me "Scottydude" and I've used that on several websites (including my own). I also tried "thinwhitedude" once on BowieNet but it didn't stick for some reason. Everyone already knows me as "scottspalding" or more recently "Scott S." But I love "Scott Hollywood" -- it's totally cheesy but it would be a great gossip rag pen name!!
I think it's going to be a good summer.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Gojira!
I have been to dozens of movies at the Egyptian Theater, but I have never seen a crowd as large or enthusiastic as they were last night for King Kong vs. Godzilla! It was incredible. The line to get in to the theater was HUGE -- actually two lines of people stretching from the entrance all the way to the sidewalk of Hollywood Blvd. And all types of people: kids, parents, grandparents, comic book geeks of all ages, cinephiles, goths, young Hollywood hotties, glamorous older couples...you name it.
I really was suprised at the turnout for some cheesy monster movie. Had no idea there was such a fan base. I'm not really a Godzilla fan. I was just expecting to go and have a nostalgic laugh with a few strangers, but this was more like the atmosphere for a Star Wars movie (back when they were good) or an Indiana Jones flick, something like that. People laughed, cheered, and applauded through the whole film.
They also had a couple of the original Toho company special effects guys from Japan who built all the models and sets for the original Godzilla films. There was a short Q & A before the film with a moderator and the gentlemen spoke through a translator, describing some of their experiences and stories of making the films.
It's too bad the American dubbed versions are the ones being screened for most of the Godzilla festival, a 50th birthday celebration which runs until Tuesday. All of the Japanese sections were pretty good. The American sections were hysterically bad. Horrible filmmaking, but funny to laugh at.
I wish I could see them all!
I have been to dozens of movies at the Egyptian Theater, but I have never seen a crowd as large or enthusiastic as they were last night for King Kong vs. Godzilla! It was incredible. The line to get in to the theater was HUGE -- actually two lines of people stretching from the entrance all the way to the sidewalk of Hollywood Blvd. And all types of people: kids, parents, grandparents, comic book geeks of all ages, cinephiles, goths, young Hollywood hotties, glamorous older couples...you name it.
I really was suprised at the turnout for some cheesy monster movie. Had no idea there was such a fan base. I'm not really a Godzilla fan. I was just expecting to go and have a nostalgic laugh with a few strangers, but this was more like the atmosphere for a Star Wars movie (back when they were good) or an Indiana Jones flick, something like that. People laughed, cheered, and applauded through the whole film.
They also had a couple of the original Toho company special effects guys from Japan who built all the models and sets for the original Godzilla films. There was a short Q & A before the film with a moderator and the gentlemen spoke through a translator, describing some of their experiences and stories of making the films.
It's too bad the American dubbed versions are the ones being screened for most of the Godzilla festival, a 50th birthday celebration which runs until Tuesday. All of the Japanese sections were pretty good. The American sections were hysterically bad. Horrible filmmaking, but funny to laugh at.
I wish I could see them all!
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Cost of Living vs. Population Growth (A Rant)
I hope the housing prices come down someday in California but I doubt there will be a significant decrease in prices without a major event (earthquake, terrorism) which motivates people to leave the market.
There was an extensive article about the housing market in the LA Times a few months ago. Unlike the 1980s when the CA bubble market did reach a breaking point and burst, builders and developers today have been very careful not to overbuild and saturate the market with too many houses, thereby decreasing value.
That is not to say development hasn't continued. In fact, it's progressing at a higher rate than ever. However, the demand is so strong that builders usually don't have to start building until they have a buyer lined up. There are lines of buyers waiting to buy houses that haven't even been built yet!
The population of California is currently around 36 million people. That number is expected to almost double in the next 30 years. It increased by 4.2 million during the 1990s alone. That's a 12% increase! Surprisingly (or not) almost 100% of the population increase is due to immigration, particularly Latinos. Not only do they come to California, legally and otherwise, but they tend to have more children than other racial groups (an average of 3 children for every Latino mother). One in four Californians was born outside the United States.
In the United States, 50% of all children age 5 or under are Latino. And they just keep coming!! At more than 292 million people, the United States is the third-most populous country in the world, behind China and India. We will soon surpass 300 million and reach 400 million by the middle of this century. The United States is the only developed country (along with 7 other third-world countries) that will account for half of the planet's population growth between now and 2050, mostly due to the US's lax immigration policies.
I never thought I'd say this, but maybe Tom Tancredo is right! Maybe we should shut down the borders?!
In the meantime, start practicing your Spanish.
I hope the housing prices come down someday in California but I doubt there will be a significant decrease in prices without a major event (earthquake, terrorism) which motivates people to leave the market.
There was an extensive article about the housing market in the LA Times a few months ago. Unlike the 1980s when the CA bubble market did reach a breaking point and burst, builders and developers today have been very careful not to overbuild and saturate the market with too many houses, thereby decreasing value.
That is not to say development hasn't continued. In fact, it's progressing at a higher rate than ever. However, the demand is so strong that builders usually don't have to start building until they have a buyer lined up. There are lines of buyers waiting to buy houses that haven't even been built yet!
The population of California is currently around 36 million people. That number is expected to almost double in the next 30 years. It increased by 4.2 million during the 1990s alone. That's a 12% increase! Surprisingly (or not) almost 100% of the population increase is due to immigration, particularly Latinos. Not only do they come to California, legally and otherwise, but they tend to have more children than other racial groups (an average of 3 children for every Latino mother). One in four Californians was born outside the United States.
In the United States, 50% of all children age 5 or under are Latino. And they just keep coming!! At more than 292 million people, the United States is the third-most populous country in the world, behind China and India. We will soon surpass 300 million and reach 400 million by the middle of this century. The United States is the only developed country (along with 7 other third-world countries) that will account for half of the planet's population growth between now and 2050, mostly due to the US's lax immigration policies.
I never thought I'd say this, but maybe Tom Tancredo is right! Maybe we should shut down the borders?!
In the meantime, start practicing your Spanish.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Hollywood Funerals
If you're ever in Los Angeles and want to see some free entertainment from famous stars, look no further than a celebrity funeral.
A few months ago, I attended the funeral of Carl Anderson, who was not exactly a superstar (pun intended), but who attracted a number of famous celebrities and musicians including Stevie Wonder and Nancy Wilson among many others.
Today I happened to turn on the TV and the local NBC affiliate was broadcasting live coverage of Ray Charles' funeral here in Los Angeles. Mr. Charles passed away last week to little fanfare amongst the remembrances of President Reagan.
I missed the beginning of the Ray Charles funeral, but the hour I saw included appearances and performances by luminaries such as Willie Nelson (who sang a mournful version of "Georgia On My Mind"), Clint Eastwood, Glen Campbell (he sang a gospel song - I can't remember the name), Cicely Tyson, LA mayor James Hahn, LA Chief of Police William Bratton (ex-Chief of NY and Boston), the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Stevie Wonder (he's making a new career out of funeral gigs it seems), B.B. King (A boyhood friend of Ray Charles, B.B. was very emotional and weeped all through his speech and song tribute.), Wynton Marsalis (tears streaming down his face as he strolled through the audience playing "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and "When The Saints Go Marching In" on his trumpet), Little Richard, and Johnny Mathis (who just completed a duet recording with Ray Charles of "Over The Rainbow", which was played to end the service).
After all the music, the remembrances, the laughter, and the tears, the casket was opened for viewing as the limousines lined up for the cortege to the cemetary. Although the camera was far back, there was little Ray nestled snuggly in his coffin with his glasses on. I think he was smiling too.
Two funny stories recounted in the service:
Willie Nelson recalled that he and Ray loved to play chess together whenever they were touring on the same bill. Ray was apparently a master at chess (go figure!) and Willie said he could never win against Ray. Finally Ray told Willie he would give him a break and play with the lights on for a change.
B.B. King said Ray also was an avid poker player and they used to play cards all the time. Again, Ray was such an excellent player the B.B. could never beat him. Eventually B.B. realized Ray had fixed the cards with some Braille code which helped him win!
So if you're hoping for some star-sightings or some heartfelt performances from world-class celebrities, just check out the obituary page of the LA Times. It's the best ticket in town!!
If you're ever in Los Angeles and want to see some free entertainment from famous stars, look no further than a celebrity funeral.
A few months ago, I attended the funeral of Carl Anderson, who was not exactly a superstar (pun intended), but who attracted a number of famous celebrities and musicians including Stevie Wonder and Nancy Wilson among many others.
Today I happened to turn on the TV and the local NBC affiliate was broadcasting live coverage of Ray Charles' funeral here in Los Angeles. Mr. Charles passed away last week to little fanfare amongst the remembrances of President Reagan.
I missed the beginning of the Ray Charles funeral, but the hour I saw included appearances and performances by luminaries such as Willie Nelson (who sang a mournful version of "Georgia On My Mind"), Clint Eastwood, Glen Campbell (he sang a gospel song - I can't remember the name), Cicely Tyson, LA mayor James Hahn, LA Chief of Police William Bratton (ex-Chief of NY and Boston), the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Stevie Wonder (he's making a new career out of funeral gigs it seems), B.B. King (A boyhood friend of Ray Charles, B.B. was very emotional and weeped all through his speech and song tribute.), Wynton Marsalis (tears streaming down his face as he strolled through the audience playing "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and "When The Saints Go Marching In" on his trumpet), Little Richard, and Johnny Mathis (who just completed a duet recording with Ray Charles of "Over The Rainbow", which was played to end the service).
After all the music, the remembrances, the laughter, and the tears, the casket was opened for viewing as the limousines lined up for the cortege to the cemetary. Although the camera was far back, there was little Ray nestled snuggly in his coffin with his glasses on. I think he was smiling too.
Two funny stories recounted in the service:
Willie Nelson recalled that he and Ray loved to play chess together whenever they were touring on the same bill. Ray was apparently a master at chess (go figure!) and Willie said he could never win against Ray. Finally Ray told Willie he would give him a break and play with the lights on for a change.
B.B. King said Ray also was an avid poker player and they used to play cards all the time. Again, Ray was such an excellent player the B.B. could never beat him. Eventually B.B. realized Ray had fixed the cards with some Braille code which helped him win!
So if you're hoping for some star-sightings or some heartfelt performances from world-class celebrities, just check out the obituary page of the LA Times. It's the best ticket in town!!
Monday, June 07, 2004
Memories of Reagan
These are my most vivid memories of President Ronald Reagan:
"Are you better off now than four years ago?"
Split-screen TV image of Iran hostages being released as Reagan took the oath of office.
Reaganomics.
"Honey, I forgot to duck!"
The cowboy riding horses on the ranch.
Recession. Deficits. National Debt.
"Well...." Johnny Carson's hilarious impersonation on countless episodes of The Tonight Show.
Jelly beans.
"My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."
Calling Nancy "Mommy"
Removal of several polyps.
"We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to touch the face of God."
Nancy Reagan's astrologer.
Just Say No.
"I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience."
"I have no recollection..." (of approving arms shipments to Iran.)
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
"My fellow Americans, I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease...I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."
The Great Communicator.
These are my most vivid memories of President Ronald Reagan:
"Are you better off now than four years ago?"
Split-screen TV image of Iran hostages being released as Reagan took the oath of office.
Reaganomics.
"Honey, I forgot to duck!"
The cowboy riding horses on the ranch.
Recession. Deficits. National Debt.
"Well...." Johnny Carson's hilarious impersonation on countless episodes of The Tonight Show.
Jelly beans.
"My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."
Calling Nancy "Mommy"
Removal of several polyps.
"We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to touch the face of God."
Nancy Reagan's astrologer.
Just Say No.
"I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience."
"I have no recollection..." (of approving arms shipments to Iran.)
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
"My fellow Americans, I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease...I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."
The Great Communicator.
Friday, June 04, 2004
Comb
I bought a new comb today. Yes, my life is very exciting. The reason I mention it is because the comb cost me $2.25. That's right, two dollars and twenty-five cents for what can only be described as a 10-cent piece of plastic. You would think for that kind of money the comb would tell me the time and temperature or something, but no, it's just your basic Ace brand pocket comb from the local drugstore.
I decided to make my two bucks worth the effort, so instead of choosing the basic black model, I went for the classic mock tortoise color. Gives a retro feeling to the combing experience, and I gotta tell you, having just used the comb for the first time, this is some quality craftsmanship in my hand. I wish I could take a picture for you; if only I hadn't dropped and broken the digital camera Randy gave me.
Aha! After reviewing the plastic pouch in which the comb was contained, I now know why this comb costs $2.25 instead the 10 cents it's worth. The label on the back of the packaging not only describes the product contained inside, it also identifies its purpose: "Pocket Comb. Removes foreign material from hair."
If only I'd bought this comb before I married my ex-wife!
I bought a new comb today. Yes, my life is very exciting. The reason I mention it is because the comb cost me $2.25. That's right, two dollars and twenty-five cents for what can only be described as a 10-cent piece of plastic. You would think for that kind of money the comb would tell me the time and temperature or something, but no, it's just your basic Ace brand pocket comb from the local drugstore.
I decided to make my two bucks worth the effort, so instead of choosing the basic black model, I went for the classic mock tortoise color. Gives a retro feeling to the combing experience, and I gotta tell you, having just used the comb for the first time, this is some quality craftsmanship in my hand. I wish I could take a picture for you; if only I hadn't dropped and broken the digital camera Randy gave me.
Aha! After reviewing the plastic pouch in which the comb was contained, I now know why this comb costs $2.25 instead the 10 cents it's worth. The label on the back of the packaging not only describes the product contained inside, it also identifies its purpose: "Pocket Comb. Removes foreign material from hair."
If only I'd bought this comb before I married my ex-wife!
TROY
I don’t usually go for big Hollywood epics, and for the first half hour of this film all I could see were the typical war film formulas and clichés: sweeping vistas of sandy beaches and large boats on the water, melodramatic commanders rallying their troops to combat, and thousands of computer-generated soldiers marching and fighting on the battlefield. But after a while, I really got into this film, and the reason is Troy is more than a typical Hollywood blockbuster. There’s some real meaning to this film. Partly (perhaps mostly) it’s due to Homer’s The Iliad, on which 30-year-old David Benioff (25th Hour) based his screenplay; it’s a great story full of memorable dialogue. Another reason the film hooked me was that there is some deep philosophy here, not the typical glorification of violence, honor and vengeance so common in war movies and historical epics. Scenes illustrating the madness and futility of war are more prevalent than those supporting it.
Even the lead character, Achilles (played by heartthrob Brad Pitt), the greatest warrior the Hellenic world ever knew, has his doubts about the value of combat, particularly the immorality of fighting for the wrong reasons. Achilles despises his greedy king Agamemnon and grudgingly joins the king’s campaign against the Trojans merely for his own personal glory. “My name will be remembered,” Achilles prophetically boasts, “and my story will be told for thousands of years.”
Brad Pitt is a brilliant movie star, if not a great actor, and he does a decent job in the role of the reluctant soldier, Achilles. Pitt has some of the pithiest lines in the film and it is in these moments that his acting truly shines. The more stereotypical action-film-plot-progression speeches reveal Pitt’s limitations, or perhaps his own lack of inspiration. Pitt is no match in his one scene with legendary screen heavyweight Peter O’Toole who, despite his usual mawkish sputtering, delivers a fine (Oscar-worthy?) performance as Priam, Troy’s noble king. O’Toole’s best scene is the one with Pitt and it’s easy to see the difference in ability between the two. O’Toole, once a young blonde god himself, has enough chops to make even the most insipid banter sound inspirational and his emotional plea for mercy in this scene blows Pitt out of the water: “I have endured what no one on earth has endured. I have kissed the hands of the man who killed my son…you're still my enemy tonight, but even enemies can show respect.”
What Pitt lacks in the acting category, he makes up for with his action scenes and his physical prowess. Pitt trained hard for this role to beef up physically and he delivers excellent fight sequences. Pitt’s Achilles also slays just as many hearts as he does enemies. Bedroom scenes abound, and we get to see just about every part of Pitt’s alluring body, enough to make Jennifer Aniston blush! Though the 40-year-old Pitt has not lost any of his beauty, he has lost some of his youth. His bronzed skin is beginning to reveal a few lines and wrinkles, and as we all know, every golden tan eventually resembles a leather suitcase.
A fine performance in the film is that of Australian Eric Bana, who did nothing for me last year as the Hulk, but who delivers a strong, emotional and thoughtful Hector, the heir to the Trojan throne. Hector is a worthy soldier willing to defend his homeland to the death if necessary, though he hates war and tries to persuade his father Priam against it: “I've killed men and I've heard them dying and I've watched them dying and there's nothing glorious about it.” Hector adores his worried wife and infant son and he ensures their safe escape from the city should tragedy fall.
Unimpressive was Lord Of The Rings veteran Orlando Bloom as Hector’s younger brother Paris, who leads his family and country into ruinous conflict by arrogantly seducing the Spartan queen Helen and secreting her back to Troy to be his bride. The cowardly prince finds honor by the end of the film, but Bloom spends most of the movie expressing his own good looks rather than any believable emotions. German newcomer Diane Kruger is lovely, but forgettable at the remorseful Helen.
Wolfgang Peterson’s (The Perfect Storm, Das Boot) direction is top-notch, and though the film runs two-and-a-half hours, it didn’t seem like it. There’s possibly one too many overhead shots sweeping across the field of battle, but I never got bored or tired of the drama. It’s a great story told well. There are many morals to be learned, not the least of which is the folly of relying on gods to fight wars. The older generation of characters reveres the gods and depends on them for guidance, but the younger characters (those doing the actual fighting) complain that every decision made to appease a god seems to end in disaster. Hector cautions that “sometimes the gods bless you in the morning and curse you in the afternoon” while Achilles asserts to his lover Briseis that “the Gods envy us. They envy us because we're mortal, because any moment may be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed.”
Many (foolish) reasons for fighting wars are examined in the script: love, land, greed, and oh yes, ego, the desire of a few wealthy men for power, a lust so tempting that the king would gladly sacrifice his entire army just to soothe his bruised family pride. Sound familiar? The bloodthirsty king Agamemnon may proclaim, “Peace is for women and the weak,” but Thetis, the mother of Achilles (played in a cameo by Julie Christie), warns her son, “Your glory walks hand-in-hand with your doom.”
Perhaps it is the excellent British actor Sean Bean (another Lord of The Rings alum) as Odysseus, the character who continues the history in Homer’s sequel The Odyssey, who sums up the ridiculousness of war best when he explains to Achilles, “War is young men dying and old men talking.”
In typical Hollywood fashion, Troy has something for everyone: action for the men, romance for the women, and plenty of eye candy for everyone. It also has a rich level of commentary for the thinkers in the crowd and that makes this Troy worth the effort.
I don’t usually go for big Hollywood epics, and for the first half hour of this film all I could see were the typical war film formulas and clichés: sweeping vistas of sandy beaches and large boats on the water, melodramatic commanders rallying their troops to combat, and thousands of computer-generated soldiers marching and fighting on the battlefield. But after a while, I really got into this film, and the reason is Troy is more than a typical Hollywood blockbuster. There’s some real meaning to this film. Partly (perhaps mostly) it’s due to Homer’s The Iliad, on which 30-year-old David Benioff (25th Hour) based his screenplay; it’s a great story full of memorable dialogue. Another reason the film hooked me was that there is some deep philosophy here, not the typical glorification of violence, honor and vengeance so common in war movies and historical epics. Scenes illustrating the madness and futility of war are more prevalent than those supporting it.
Even the lead character, Achilles (played by heartthrob Brad Pitt), the greatest warrior the Hellenic world ever knew, has his doubts about the value of combat, particularly the immorality of fighting for the wrong reasons. Achilles despises his greedy king Agamemnon and grudgingly joins the king’s campaign against the Trojans merely for his own personal glory. “My name will be remembered,” Achilles prophetically boasts, “and my story will be told for thousands of years.”
Brad Pitt is a brilliant movie star, if not a great actor, and he does a decent job in the role of the reluctant soldier, Achilles. Pitt has some of the pithiest lines in the film and it is in these moments that his acting truly shines. The more stereotypical action-film-plot-progression speeches reveal Pitt’s limitations, or perhaps his own lack of inspiration. Pitt is no match in his one scene with legendary screen heavyweight Peter O’Toole who, despite his usual mawkish sputtering, delivers a fine (Oscar-worthy?) performance as Priam, Troy’s noble king. O’Toole’s best scene is the one with Pitt and it’s easy to see the difference in ability between the two. O’Toole, once a young blonde god himself, has enough chops to make even the most insipid banter sound inspirational and his emotional plea for mercy in this scene blows Pitt out of the water: “I have endured what no one on earth has endured. I have kissed the hands of the man who killed my son…you're still my enemy tonight, but even enemies can show respect.”
What Pitt lacks in the acting category, he makes up for with his action scenes and his physical prowess. Pitt trained hard for this role to beef up physically and he delivers excellent fight sequences. Pitt’s Achilles also slays just as many hearts as he does enemies. Bedroom scenes abound, and we get to see just about every part of Pitt’s alluring body, enough to make Jennifer Aniston blush! Though the 40-year-old Pitt has not lost any of his beauty, he has lost some of his youth. His bronzed skin is beginning to reveal a few lines and wrinkles, and as we all know, every golden tan eventually resembles a leather suitcase.
A fine performance in the film is that of Australian Eric Bana, who did nothing for me last year as the Hulk, but who delivers a strong, emotional and thoughtful Hector, the heir to the Trojan throne. Hector is a worthy soldier willing to defend his homeland to the death if necessary, though he hates war and tries to persuade his father Priam against it: “I've killed men and I've heard them dying and I've watched them dying and there's nothing glorious about it.” Hector adores his worried wife and infant son and he ensures their safe escape from the city should tragedy fall.
Unimpressive was Lord Of The Rings veteran Orlando Bloom as Hector’s younger brother Paris, who leads his family and country into ruinous conflict by arrogantly seducing the Spartan queen Helen and secreting her back to Troy to be his bride. The cowardly prince finds honor by the end of the film, but Bloom spends most of the movie expressing his own good looks rather than any believable emotions. German newcomer Diane Kruger is lovely, but forgettable at the remorseful Helen.
Wolfgang Peterson’s (The Perfect Storm, Das Boot) direction is top-notch, and though the film runs two-and-a-half hours, it didn’t seem like it. There’s possibly one too many overhead shots sweeping across the field of battle, but I never got bored or tired of the drama. It’s a great story told well. There are many morals to be learned, not the least of which is the folly of relying on gods to fight wars. The older generation of characters reveres the gods and depends on them for guidance, but the younger characters (those doing the actual fighting) complain that every decision made to appease a god seems to end in disaster. Hector cautions that “sometimes the gods bless you in the morning and curse you in the afternoon” while Achilles asserts to his lover Briseis that “the Gods envy us. They envy us because we're mortal, because any moment may be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed.”
Many (foolish) reasons for fighting wars are examined in the script: love, land, greed, and oh yes, ego, the desire of a few wealthy men for power, a lust so tempting that the king would gladly sacrifice his entire army just to soothe his bruised family pride. Sound familiar? The bloodthirsty king Agamemnon may proclaim, “Peace is for women and the weak,” but Thetis, the mother of Achilles (played in a cameo by Julie Christie), warns her son, “Your glory walks hand-in-hand with your doom.”
Perhaps it is the excellent British actor Sean Bean (another Lord of The Rings alum) as Odysseus, the character who continues the history in Homer’s sequel The Odyssey, who sums up the ridiculousness of war best when he explains to Achilles, “War is young men dying and old men talking.”
In typical Hollywood fashion, Troy has something for everyone: action for the men, romance for the women, and plenty of eye candy for everyone. It also has a rich level of commentary for the thinkers in the crowd and that makes this Troy worth the effort.
Saturday, May 29, 2004
Henry Rollins
Quick star sighting today. Stopped by Trader Joe's(my favorite market) to pick up a few things this Saturday evening. Good time to go -- not nearly as crowded as usual. Surprised to pass rocker/poet Henry Rollins in the milk aisle. He's looking good, almost completely grey on top, and his trademark tattoos were hidden under long sleeves. He's got one of the thickest necks I've ever seen. Maybe he drinks a lot of milk?
Quick star sighting today. Stopped by Trader Joe's(my favorite market) to pick up a few things this Saturday evening. Good time to go -- not nearly as crowded as usual. Surprised to pass rocker/poet Henry Rollins in the milk aisle. He's looking good, almost completely grey on top, and his trademark tattoos were hidden under long sleeves. He's got one of the thickest necks I've ever seen. Maybe he drinks a lot of milk?
Sunday, May 23, 2004
I'm sick!!
Yes, again. I've been sick with a cold at least three or four times in the past year! That's unheard of for me. I used to catch a cold once a year or two when I was a kid, but as an adult I've been very healthy, only visiting the doctor a handful of times.
I don't know why I'm getting sick more often now. Maybe I'm more susceptible to infections now than I used to be when I was younger, or maybe the bugs are getting more powerful?! It pisses me off, because I'm a total germophobe these days. I wash my hands constantly, hoping to avoid exposure to viruses and bacteria. Crap.
Yes, again. I've been sick with a cold at least three or four times in the past year! That's unheard of for me. I used to catch a cold once a year or two when I was a kid, but as an adult I've been very healthy, only visiting the doctor a handful of times.
I don't know why I'm getting sick more often now. Maybe I'm more susceptible to infections now than I used to be when I was younger, or maybe the bugs are getting more powerful?! It pisses me off, because I'm a total germophobe these days. I wash my hands constantly, hoping to avoid exposure to viruses and bacteria. Crap.
Friday, May 21, 2004
Simon Says
Guess who was driving in the car next to me in Beverly Hills this afternoon? It was none other than Simon Cowell, the surly judge we love to hate on TV’s “American Idol.” He was driving a very expensive looking midnight blue Bentley, probably on his way to CBS Television City studios where “Idol” is taped (though it’s broadcast on Fox).
In true LA fashion, Simon had a cell phone pressed to his ear with his right hand and was lighting a cigarette with his left. I’m sure he had a whipped-double-decaf-soy-frappuccino-mocha-latte in the cup holder next to him.
We cruised along side-by-side for several blocks, and I half considered rolling down my window to sing at him – I don’t get enough abuse in my life – but I couldn't think of a song to sing and I was distracted by the unusually horrible traffic. Suddenly I realized the police had blocked off the street ahead of us at Cedars Sinai hospital and traffic was being diverted to side streets at a crawling pace. Perhaps it was another bomb scare, I thought, but later I saw on the news there was a gunman running loose at the Beverly Center shopping mall across the street from the hospital and the police were in the process of apprehending him. Joy.
My Friday afternoon commute, which usually takes 30 minutes or less, took more than an hour and fifteen minutes. Now I know the song I should've sang for Simon: “I love LA!”
Guess who was driving in the car next to me in Beverly Hills this afternoon? It was none other than Simon Cowell, the surly judge we love to hate on TV’s “American Idol.” He was driving a very expensive looking midnight blue Bentley, probably on his way to CBS Television City studios where “Idol” is taped (though it’s broadcast on Fox).
In true LA fashion, Simon had a cell phone pressed to his ear with his right hand and was lighting a cigarette with his left. I’m sure he had a whipped-double-decaf-soy-frappuccino-mocha-latte in the cup holder next to him.
We cruised along side-by-side for several blocks, and I half considered rolling down my window to sing at him – I don’t get enough abuse in my life – but I couldn't think of a song to sing and I was distracted by the unusually horrible traffic. Suddenly I realized the police had blocked off the street ahead of us at Cedars Sinai hospital and traffic was being diverted to side streets at a crawling pace. Perhaps it was another bomb scare, I thought, but later I saw on the news there was a gunman running loose at the Beverly Center shopping mall across the street from the hospital and the police were in the process of apprehending him. Joy.
My Friday afternoon commute, which usually takes 30 minutes or less, took more than an hour and fifteen minutes. Now I know the song I should've sang for Simon: “I love LA!”
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Bomb Scare
Greetings from sunny Los Angeles, where I have just returned to my classroom after being evacuated from the building for about an hour today. Apparently there was a suspicious package left near the gas station across the street from my school, so the cops blocked off the street and evacuated the whole area.
We had to hustle all the students out of the building and down the street two blocks so the bomb squad could do their work. Naturally, many students were frightened by this experience. Luckily, the neighborhood Farmer's Market is held on Thursdays so I sent my class to the market and we strolled around sampling fresh fruit. :)
By the time I returned to our building, the chaos was over and things were getting back to normal, though the traffic was snarled even worse than usual. A few students said they saw the police carrying the suspicious "package," which turned out to be a backpack with some porno videos in it.
Bomb scares and political demonstrations are not unheard of in Westwood Village because we have a major Federal Building just a block down Wilshire Blvd, but this was the first time we had to evacuate our building.
Another exciting day in America.
Greetings from sunny Los Angeles, where I have just returned to my classroom after being evacuated from the building for about an hour today. Apparently there was a suspicious package left near the gas station across the street from my school, so the cops blocked off the street and evacuated the whole area.
We had to hustle all the students out of the building and down the street two blocks so the bomb squad could do their work. Naturally, many students were frightened by this experience. Luckily, the neighborhood Farmer's Market is held on Thursdays so I sent my class to the market and we strolled around sampling fresh fruit. :)
By the time I returned to our building, the chaos was over and things were getting back to normal, though the traffic was snarled even worse than usual. A few students said they saw the police carrying the suspicious "package," which turned out to be a backpack with some porno videos in it.
Bomb scares and political demonstrations are not unheard of in Westwood Village because we have a major Federal Building just a block down Wilshire Blvd, but this was the first time we had to evacuate our building.
Another exciting day in America.
Saturday, May 15, 2004
TRON
Saw one of my favorite films, TRON, last night with my main movie maven, Heidster. God, it's a fun flick. Quite nostalgic to see it again, but also fresh to see it on the big screen in glorious 70mm at Disney's El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. It was Heidster's first time to see the film and she really enjoyed it so it was fun to share that. (Or maybe it was the Skooby dogs that won her over? hmmm...)
The film is quite mythological and Homeric thematically, if a bit corny and dated by today's standards; however, a lot of the philosophy behind it still stands up. It foresees the all-powerful technology mega-corporation ("Encom") using its mighty weight to crush the little guy, and the human spirit as well, all in the name of the holy dollar. Thematically and visually, Tron is much like German expressionist films such as Fritz Lang's epic Metropolis, especially considering that all of Tron's real-life scenes inside the computer world were shot in black and white and colorized. Some of the acting is also quite melodramatic and with the heavy makeup it does remind one of silent films.
The whole concept of a parallel universe within cyberspace (there's a word you don't hear often anymore) still captures my imagination, as does the pseudo-religious views of the "program" characters who serve their unseen "users." As one program asks another 'You believe in the users?' (the invisible world beyond our senses). He answers, `Yeah, sure. If I don't have a user, then who wrote me?' The Master Control Program wants to subvert user control and assert its own dominance over all data.
Considering the period the film was made, the Reagan '80s, one could read an "evil-godless-Communism-vs-free-Christian-Democracy" subtext. But the film has plenty of humor and Disney feel-good charm giving a knowing wink to the audience just like Mickey saying "Hello, boys and girls!" so that no one takes the oppression too seriously. "It's fun for the whole family!"
I love Jeff Bridges' performance as Flynn, the video game junkie/hacker/user-"god" who who descends in the guise of a "mortal" (program) into the world of his creation (the computer). Heidster and I joked that in every one of his movies he has a shouting "Come on, man!" moment, except in Tron he screams "Because, man!" when explaining his motivations for hacking into Encom's memory systems to retrieve a document confirming his authorship of the company's most important video games, the cornerstones to the company's success.
The movie was revolutionary in its time for using computer animation in some of its sequences, though most of the film is traditional "cartoon" animation. It was controversial as well. Some Disney animators refused to work on the film because they felt computers would replace them, and the Academy bypassed a Best Visual Effects nomination for Tron because they felt the creators had "cheated" by using computers. (Seven years later, Abyss, The (1989) would win for its computer visual effects.)
One of my favorite aspects of the film is Wendy Carlos' excellent electronic score. It had the perfect combination of traditional film scoring techniques enfused with a futuristic musical vocabulary, much like Carlos' early work on the A Clockwork Orange score and her earlier triumph with Switched on Bach. I'll never forget that final theme from Tron as the real world scenes in time-lapse photography blend with the inner world of computers, then fade to black as the credits roll...
If you haven't seen Tron for a while, take a look. You won't be disappointed.
-End of Line-
Saw one of my favorite films, TRON, last night with my main movie maven, Heidster. God, it's a fun flick. Quite nostalgic to see it again, but also fresh to see it on the big screen in glorious 70mm at Disney's El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. It was Heidster's first time to see the film and she really enjoyed it so it was fun to share that. (Or maybe it was the Skooby dogs that won her over? hmmm...)
The film is quite mythological and Homeric thematically, if a bit corny and dated by today's standards; however, a lot of the philosophy behind it still stands up. It foresees the all-powerful technology mega-corporation ("Encom") using its mighty weight to crush the little guy, and the human spirit as well, all in the name of the holy dollar. Thematically and visually, Tron is much like German expressionist films such as Fritz Lang's epic Metropolis, especially considering that all of Tron's real-life scenes inside the computer world were shot in black and white and colorized. Some of the acting is also quite melodramatic and with the heavy makeup it does remind one of silent films.
The whole concept of a parallel universe within cyberspace (there's a word you don't hear often anymore) still captures my imagination, as does the pseudo-religious views of the "program" characters who serve their unseen "users." As one program asks another 'You believe in the users?' (the invisible world beyond our senses). He answers, `Yeah, sure. If I don't have a user, then who wrote me?' The Master Control Program wants to subvert user control and assert its own dominance over all data.
Considering the period the film was made, the Reagan '80s, one could read an "evil-godless-Communism-vs-free-Christian-Democracy" subtext. But the film has plenty of humor and Disney feel-good charm giving a knowing wink to the audience just like Mickey saying "Hello, boys and girls!" so that no one takes the oppression too seriously. "It's fun for the whole family!"
I love Jeff Bridges' performance as Flynn, the video game junkie/hacker/user-"god" who who descends in the guise of a "mortal" (program) into the world of his creation (the computer). Heidster and I joked that in every one of his movies he has a shouting "Come on, man!" moment, except in Tron he screams "Because, man!" when explaining his motivations for hacking into Encom's memory systems to retrieve a document confirming his authorship of the company's most important video games, the cornerstones to the company's success.
The movie was revolutionary in its time for using computer animation in some of its sequences, though most of the film is traditional "cartoon" animation. It was controversial as well. Some Disney animators refused to work on the film because they felt computers would replace them, and the Academy bypassed a Best Visual Effects nomination for Tron because they felt the creators had "cheated" by using computers. (Seven years later, Abyss, The (1989) would win for its computer visual effects.)
One of my favorite aspects of the film is Wendy Carlos' excellent electronic score. It had the perfect combination of traditional film scoring techniques enfused with a futuristic musical vocabulary, much like Carlos' early work on the A Clockwork Orange score and her earlier triumph with Switched on Bach. I'll never forget that final theme from Tron as the real world scenes in time-lapse photography blend with the inner world of computers, then fade to black as the credits roll...
If you haven't seen Tron for a while, take a look. You won't be disappointed.
-End of Line-
Updated Blog Features
Most of you can't see this unless you are also a Blogger user, but Blogger has changed their user interface. It's quite different than the earlier version, but it seems easy enough to use.
Anyway, the extra feature you WILL notice is the addition of the Comments feature to all my postings. Now you can leave feedback on any of my posts! So I expect all one of you who read this blog to comment often. :)
Most of you can't see this unless you are also a Blogger user, but Blogger has changed their user interface. It's quite different than the earlier version, but it seems easy enough to use.
Anyway, the extra feature you WILL notice is the addition of the Comments feature to all my postings. Now you can leave feedback on any of my posts! So I expect all one of you who read this blog to comment often. :)
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Still Hot
It's too fucking hot! I can't stand it anymore and it's only the beginning of May!! My little air conditioner is pretty much useless unless you're sitting right in front of it with the cold air blowing directly on your skin. My next home must have eastern exposure. I leave the A/C on all day and yet when I get home at 5:30 the place is just boiling. Not sure if anything can be done to help it -- the aircon unit is just too small. Maybe if I put a fan in the center of the room to help circulate the air? It would be so nice to get a new, bigger air conditioner...but that's expensive, and I'd have to install it. The first one was a bitch to install. Ugh. I'm moving to Canada....
It's too fucking hot! I can't stand it anymore and it's only the beginning of May!! My little air conditioner is pretty much useless unless you're sitting right in front of it with the cold air blowing directly on your skin. My next home must have eastern exposure. I leave the A/C on all day and yet when I get home at 5:30 the place is just boiling. Not sure if anything can be done to help it -- the aircon unit is just too small. Maybe if I put a fan in the center of the room to help circulate the air? It would be so nice to get a new, bigger air conditioner...but that's expensive, and I'd have to install it. The first one was a bitch to install. Ugh. I'm moving to Canada....
Saturday, May 01, 2004
Happy Anniversary
Today is my fourth anniversary of teaching online with Englishtown. I'm so bored. Topic today is weather, which is innocuous enough but my heart's not in it. It's always the same, same lessons, same topics, same students asking the same questions.
I actually fell asleep today between lessons. It was late in the afternoon and I was a little drowsy. I decided to take a five-minute power nap, which I often do, and ended up sleeping through my next lesson! Oh well, no big wup.
Today is my fourth anniversary of teaching online with Englishtown. I'm so bored. Topic today is weather, which is innocuous enough but my heart's not in it. It's always the same, same lessons, same topics, same students asking the same questions.
I actually fell asleep today between lessons. It was late in the afternoon and I was a little drowsy. I decided to take a five-minute power nap, which I often do, and ended up sleeping through my next lesson! Oh well, no big wup.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Can't Stand The Heat
It's a lot better today, thank God. Yesterday LA had record-breaking 102 degree weather downtown! It's almost never that hot in the basin and certainly not this early in the season. Anyway, it's better now: about 20 degrees better.
I noticed the change last night as I was out doing my laundry. I was sitting in my sweltering car at about 8:45pm with all the windows open and suddenly a cool breeze kicked up and it was the most refreshing feeling. The sea breeze had returned.
Still slept with all the windows open, but at least there's no need to turn on my pitiful little air conditioner today. Poor little guy just can't keep up, and I do not have a large apartment. The A/C is great is you're sitting within five feet, directly in front of the unit, but other than that....fuhgetaboudit!
It's a lot better today, thank God. Yesterday LA had record-breaking 102 degree weather downtown! It's almost never that hot in the basin and certainly not this early in the season. Anyway, it's better now: about 20 degrees better.
I noticed the change last night as I was out doing my laundry. I was sitting in my sweltering car at about 8:45pm with all the windows open and suddenly a cool breeze kicked up and it was the most refreshing feeling. The sea breeze had returned.
Still slept with all the windows open, but at least there's no need to turn on my pitiful little air conditioner today. Poor little guy just can't keep up, and I do not have a large apartment. The A/C is great is you're sitting within five feet, directly in front of the unit, but other than that....fuhgetaboudit!
Saturday, April 24, 2004
Struggling For Reality: David Bowie At The Greek
Something went amiss early in the show that affected things to come, but that didn’t stop Thursday night’s concert with David Bowie at The Greek Theater in Hollywood from being an extraordinary performance by a gifted group of artists. Halfway through the introductory film of animation and time-lapse photography of New York City, the video suddenly cut out and went black. The stage was quiet for a few moments until the lights came up and Mr. Bowie himself approached the front of the stage to greet the audience with an apology for the technical glitch. He called the band on stage and they kicked off the show with “Rebel Rebel.” For someone who has seen the show before, it was somewhat anticlimactic not to have the dramatic reveal of Bowie out of the shadows of the “Rebel” intro, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of this sold-out crowd.
It was a beautiful night in the Hollywood Hills under the stars, and speaking of stars, plenty were in attendance, including Brian Setzer, who was spotted in the crowd with a lovely lady on his arm. It’s been years since his Stray Cats days, but Mr. Setzer looked fit and spiffy in a sharp suit and his trademark bouffant hairdo. “Joey Soprano” was rumored to be in the crowd but that was unconfirmed.
The show got under way and in typical form, Mr. Bowie challenged his audience early on with newer material less familiar to more mature audience members. Poor Mike Garson had to jump right into one of his featured numbers (“The Battle For Britain”) soon after the show’s shaky start. Unfortunately, Garson’s timing against the backing tracks was off during his solo, but what could have been a train wreck ended up as little more than a few seconds of confusing dead air.
All the band members had their moments of imperfection, but they demonstrated what true professionals they are even under the awkward circumstances of The Greek’s recent renovation. As this was the first gig to grace the refurbished venue, the “spooky ghost” was definitely in the house, and that’s not a crack against the awesome Gerry Leonard! There were a few technical and musical glitches, though these were minor and only noticeable to experienced fans. Things really started to gel twenty minutes into the show once the band found their groove. The group pulled together and delivered blistering performances of “Hallo Spaceboy” and “Under Pressure” (featuring Gail Ann Dorsey’s outstanding vocalizations) among other highlights. The performances were not without questionable choices (this band doesn’t make “mistakes”), but their near-telepathic abilities for communication after years of playing together saved the day.
Bowie was in excellent voice this evening. He also looked great, as usual, even remarking at one moment that he felt like he was 50 again! It was a treat to see not a perfect show, but in fact a very real show including many of the challenges professional performers have to deal with on stage. Bowie was conscious of Griffith Park’s 11:00pm curfew (“this curfew shit” he called it once) and he kept asking his crew if he had time to play a few more numbers, though their slow responses irritated him at times. “Come on guys, get it together! Nobody’s telling me anything, so I’ll just keep going,” he said.
Bowie was also highly aware of his audience throughout the show. At one point, after a batch of newer material, he came down front and said, “I know what you’re wondering, ‘When is Bowie going to play something I know?’” He didn’t disappoint. The band launched into a blissful rendition of “All The Young Dudes” that kept the crowd on their feet dancing and singing the whole time. It wasn’t surprising, however, nor particularly disappointing that many audience members preferred to sit and listen during the quieter numbers. One of the great qualities of a Bowie concert is that there are plenty of crowd-pleasing Rock anthems juxtaposed gently alongside serious pieces that deserve more attentive listening. Perhaps only hardcore fans may have recognized “The Motel” or “The Loneliest Guy” but these songs were no less appreciated by casual listeners.
There was plenty of frivolity as well. Bowie started singing the Chinese version of “China Girl” but quickly stopped and restarted the band, explaining that he couldn’t remember any of his Mandarin. He also cracked jokes throughout the evening, including a quip that “The Loneliest Guy” wasn’t about a failed suicide attempt but was actually about his mother’s first divorce! There was also a touching story introducing one of the early songs (was it “The Man Who Sold The World”?), which expressed the sense of alienation Bowie felt as a teenager.
The stage video and lighting were striking as usual, though more subdued than in previous A Reality Tour performances. Gone were the overhead video screens displayed so prominently in other venues, and although the side screens at the Greek were too dim at times, they helped the mood during more ambient numbers by providing shots of Bowie in a dramatic silhouette. The new sound system at the Greek offered astonishing clarity for an outdoor venue. We didn’t miss a single word or note.
Opening act The Polyphonic Spree returned to the stage in colorful robes for the first encore number, “Slip Away”, though their participation was unnecessary and somewhat distracting. Bowie himself mentioned during his praise of the group that he didn’t “know if we [would] do it again” but that they were a fantastic support on the tour.
Missing from the set list was “Reality,” which seems a natural crowd pleaser, and all of the Low material, which had been such a highlight of the previous LA shows. Included were more recent numbers such as “Looking For Water” from Reality and Heathen’s “Sunday” and “Heathen (The Rays)” book-ended together, as well as a few classic treats for old timers, like “Quicksand” and “The Supermen,” an unnecessary addition, but quite nostalgic all the same. It was nice to hear some alternative choices from Hunky Dory but I missed “Life On Mars?” and “Changes” has yet to be performed at any of the Los Angeles shows.
No matter, Bowie & his company know how to please an audience and they did so admirably tonight with a great mix of songs new and old, well known and obscure. The crowd was mature and well behaved (most of them), and certainly appreciative.
Bowie was more than a gentleman throughout the evening. He exudes a charm and grace these days that is beyond resistance. One has the sense that no matter what happens, Mr. Bowie will keep his audience safe and warm. I wish I could see every show on this tour.
Something went amiss early in the show that affected things to come, but that didn’t stop Thursday night’s concert with David Bowie at The Greek Theater in Hollywood from being an extraordinary performance by a gifted group of artists. Halfway through the introductory film of animation and time-lapse photography of New York City, the video suddenly cut out and went black. The stage was quiet for a few moments until the lights came up and Mr. Bowie himself approached the front of the stage to greet the audience with an apology for the technical glitch. He called the band on stage and they kicked off the show with “Rebel Rebel.” For someone who has seen the show before, it was somewhat anticlimactic not to have the dramatic reveal of Bowie out of the shadows of the “Rebel” intro, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of this sold-out crowd.
It was a beautiful night in the Hollywood Hills under the stars, and speaking of stars, plenty were in attendance, including Brian Setzer, who was spotted in the crowd with a lovely lady on his arm. It’s been years since his Stray Cats days, but Mr. Setzer looked fit and spiffy in a sharp suit and his trademark bouffant hairdo. “Joey Soprano” was rumored to be in the crowd but that was unconfirmed.
The show got under way and in typical form, Mr. Bowie challenged his audience early on with newer material less familiar to more mature audience members. Poor Mike Garson had to jump right into one of his featured numbers (“The Battle For Britain”) soon after the show’s shaky start. Unfortunately, Garson’s timing against the backing tracks was off during his solo, but what could have been a train wreck ended up as little more than a few seconds of confusing dead air.
All the band members had their moments of imperfection, but they demonstrated what true professionals they are even under the awkward circumstances of The Greek’s recent renovation. As this was the first gig to grace the refurbished venue, the “spooky ghost” was definitely in the house, and that’s not a crack against the awesome Gerry Leonard! There were a few technical and musical glitches, though these were minor and only noticeable to experienced fans. Things really started to gel twenty minutes into the show once the band found their groove. The group pulled together and delivered blistering performances of “Hallo Spaceboy” and “Under Pressure” (featuring Gail Ann Dorsey’s outstanding vocalizations) among other highlights. The performances were not without questionable choices (this band doesn’t make “mistakes”), but their near-telepathic abilities for communication after years of playing together saved the day.
Bowie was in excellent voice this evening. He also looked great, as usual, even remarking at one moment that he felt like he was 50 again! It was a treat to see not a perfect show, but in fact a very real show including many of the challenges professional performers have to deal with on stage. Bowie was conscious of Griffith Park’s 11:00pm curfew (“this curfew shit” he called it once) and he kept asking his crew if he had time to play a few more numbers, though their slow responses irritated him at times. “Come on guys, get it together! Nobody’s telling me anything, so I’ll just keep going,” he said.
Bowie was also highly aware of his audience throughout the show. At one point, after a batch of newer material, he came down front and said, “I know what you’re wondering, ‘When is Bowie going to play something I know?’” He didn’t disappoint. The band launched into a blissful rendition of “All The Young Dudes” that kept the crowd on their feet dancing and singing the whole time. It wasn’t surprising, however, nor particularly disappointing that many audience members preferred to sit and listen during the quieter numbers. One of the great qualities of a Bowie concert is that there are plenty of crowd-pleasing Rock anthems juxtaposed gently alongside serious pieces that deserve more attentive listening. Perhaps only hardcore fans may have recognized “The Motel” or “The Loneliest Guy” but these songs were no less appreciated by casual listeners.
There was plenty of frivolity as well. Bowie started singing the Chinese version of “China Girl” but quickly stopped and restarted the band, explaining that he couldn’t remember any of his Mandarin. He also cracked jokes throughout the evening, including a quip that “The Loneliest Guy” wasn’t about a failed suicide attempt but was actually about his mother’s first divorce! There was also a touching story introducing one of the early songs (was it “The Man Who Sold The World”?), which expressed the sense of alienation Bowie felt as a teenager.
The stage video and lighting were striking as usual, though more subdued than in previous A Reality Tour performances. Gone were the overhead video screens displayed so prominently in other venues, and although the side screens at the Greek were too dim at times, they helped the mood during more ambient numbers by providing shots of Bowie in a dramatic silhouette. The new sound system at the Greek offered astonishing clarity for an outdoor venue. We didn’t miss a single word or note.
Opening act The Polyphonic Spree returned to the stage in colorful robes for the first encore number, “Slip Away”, though their participation was unnecessary and somewhat distracting. Bowie himself mentioned during his praise of the group that he didn’t “know if we [would] do it again” but that they were a fantastic support on the tour.
Missing from the set list was “Reality,” which seems a natural crowd pleaser, and all of the Low material, which had been such a highlight of the previous LA shows. Included were more recent numbers such as “Looking For Water” from Reality and Heathen’s “Sunday” and “Heathen (The Rays)” book-ended together, as well as a few classic treats for old timers, like “Quicksand” and “The Supermen,” an unnecessary addition, but quite nostalgic all the same. It was nice to hear some alternative choices from Hunky Dory but I missed “Life On Mars?” and “Changes” has yet to be performed at any of the Los Angeles shows.
No matter, Bowie & his company know how to please an audience and they did so admirably tonight with a great mix of songs new and old, well known and obscure. The crowd was mature and well behaved (most of them), and certainly appreciative.
Bowie was more than a gentleman throughout the evening. He exudes a charm and grace these days that is beyond resistance. One has the sense that no matter what happens, Mr. Bowie will keep his audience safe and warm. I wish I could see every show on this tour.
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Bowie's Back in LA!!
DB has returned to Los Angeles this week for a few gigs and some TV appearances. I'm going to see him Thursday night with Randy at The Greek Theatre in Hollywood. Here's a snippet from his web journal:
"Journal for Monday April 19th, 2004
Having slept our way through to LA (on the bus) I arrive at the hotel, unpack and put about three hundred t-shirts in the laundry. This week it's all about Hollywood I suppose. We shall record the Ellen show Tuesday and then the Leno thing the day after.
The gig at the Greek Theatre should be full of nostalgia, I would imagine, as I haven't been there for a month of Sundays. It's the re-opening night I believe, as it's been restored over the last while and was closed down for concerts for a very long time. I shall play the Supermen, oh, yes I shall."
DB has returned to Los Angeles this week for a few gigs and some TV appearances. I'm going to see him Thursday night with Randy at The Greek Theatre in Hollywood. Here's a snippet from his web journal:
"Journal for Monday April 19th, 2004
Having slept our way through to LA (on the bus) I arrive at the hotel, unpack and put about three hundred t-shirts in the laundry. This week it's all about Hollywood I suppose. We shall record the Ellen show Tuesday and then the Leno thing the day after.
The gig at the Greek Theatre should be full of nostalgia, I would imagine, as I haven't been there for a month of Sundays. It's the re-opening night I believe, as it's been restored over the last while and was closed down for concerts for a very long time. I shall play the Supermen, oh, yes I shall."
Friday, April 16, 2004
Bad Blogger
Has it really been almost three weeks since my last blog entry? Oh, I'm a bad blogger, I admit it. Been busy though. Trip to Denver Easter weekend to see little nephew Aidan. He's a cutey -- just a month old. Everyone's very excited since he's the first grandbaby in the family so Mom and Dad are practically giddy with joy, and sis is doing well with the transition into motherhood. It's always surprising to new parents how much work is required to take care of a little tyke, but she seems to be doing OK so far.
Got back home just in time to do my taxes. Hooray!! Turbo Tax is a godsend; however, I need to get some professional advice. I think there's a lot of deductions that I'm not aware of and so I end up owing Uncle Sam a lot of money that I just don't have! Investing a hundred dollars in a good tax accountant could save me thousands per year....I hope.
The sun was up earlier this morning, but now it's gotten grey and gloomy outside, and cool. I'm not complaining, not a bit. I much prefer slightly cooler weather than the sweltering heat that is imminently approaching.
I missed a party last night in Hollywood. A former co-worker was in town hosting a get-together for a few old pals, including a few people I used to work with. I intended to go, but just didn't feel like it last night. Had to stay in and watch "The Apprentice" finale last night. "You're fired!"
Looking forward to Bowie again next week. He and the band are swinging back through the States on their way to Europe for the summer. The "A Reality Tour" returns to LA at the Greek Theatre next Thursday night. Luckily, friend Randy got tickets, otherwise I'd be listening to Bowie on CD at home that night. No money.
Wednesday's child is not only full of woe, he's downright po' as well.
Has it really been almost three weeks since my last blog entry? Oh, I'm a bad blogger, I admit it. Been busy though. Trip to Denver Easter weekend to see little nephew Aidan. He's a cutey -- just a month old. Everyone's very excited since he's the first grandbaby in the family so Mom and Dad are practically giddy with joy, and sis is doing well with the transition into motherhood. It's always surprising to new parents how much work is required to take care of a little tyke, but she seems to be doing OK so far.
Got back home just in time to do my taxes. Hooray!! Turbo Tax is a godsend; however, I need to get some professional advice. I think there's a lot of deductions that I'm not aware of and so I end up owing Uncle Sam a lot of money that I just don't have! Investing a hundred dollars in a good tax accountant could save me thousands per year....I hope.
The sun was up earlier this morning, but now it's gotten grey and gloomy outside, and cool. I'm not complaining, not a bit. I much prefer slightly cooler weather than the sweltering heat that is imminently approaching.
I missed a party last night in Hollywood. A former co-worker was in town hosting a get-together for a few old pals, including a few people I used to work with. I intended to go, but just didn't feel like it last night. Had to stay in and watch "The Apprentice" finale last night. "You're fired!"
Looking forward to Bowie again next week. He and the band are swinging back through the States on their way to Europe for the summer. The "A Reality Tour" returns to LA at the Greek Theatre next Thursday night. Luckily, friend Randy got tickets, otherwise I'd be listening to Bowie on CD at home that night. No money.
Wednesday's child is not only full of woe, he's downright po' as well.
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