Category Archives: Performers

Open Mic Night

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: When was the last time you attended a comedy open mic? Recently I went to one and it was a strange and interesting experience.

Posted in Performers | Tagged Big Trouble, bombing, Comedy, Dan O'Shannon, grinding, Holy Fuck, Los Angeles, stand-up | 4 Comments

“Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai”

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: “Hara-Kiri,” the latest from Takashi Miike, has met with tepid reviews, perhaps because it’s 1) a remake of a classic, and 2) defiantly short on action. But I thought it was largely riveting — aside from … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Performers | Tagged Film, Hara-Kiri, Harakiri, Koji Yakusho, Masaki Kobayashi, movies, Takashi Miike | Leave a comment

Notes on Two Early Films by William Wyler

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: In 1929 William Wyler directed a treatment of Peter B. Kyne’s “Three Godfathers,” a Western story of redemption which has been filmed several times, notably by John Ford in the 1940s. Where Ford emphasizes the spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Performers | Tagged Charles Bickford, Film, Frances Dee, Francis Lederer, Hell's Heroes, John Ford, movies, Romantic Comedy, The Gay Deception, Three Godfathers, Warner Archive Collection, westerns, William Wyler | 1 Comment

Overlooked Oeuvres: Stacy Peralta and American Skateboarding

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: I’ve been catching up with the film work of Stacy Peralta. Are UR readers familiar with Peralta? He’s a notable figure in the world of surfing and skateboarding who has recently turned his attention to making documentaries. … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Performers, Personal reflections, Sports, Women men and fashion | Tagged Bones Brigade, California, Craig Stecyk, David Carson, Dogtown and Z-Boys, grunge, Lance Mountain, Mike McGill, Overlooked Oeuvres, Powell Peralta, Punk, Ray Gun, Rodney Mullen, skateboarding, Stacy Peralta, Steve Caballero, surfing, The Search for Animal Chin, Tommy Guerrero, Tony Hawk, Venice Beach | 9 Comments

Garfunkel and Oates in West Hollywood

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Thanks to a FB friend who tipped me off, not to mention Fabrizio for introducing me to them in the first place, I took in Garfunkel and Oates, a.k.a. Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci, at the Largo … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Performers | Tagged Aimee Mann, Cesar Pelli, Comedy, Entourage, Fiona Apple, Garfunkel and Oates, gluten-free, John C. Reilly, Jon Brion, Kate Micucci, Largo, Los Angeles, Pacific Design Center, Riki Lindhome, Sarah Silverman, Tenacious D, Tom Brousseau, Toyota Prius, Trashy Lingerie, Urth Cafe | 5 Comments

“Sex Scenes”: An Adventure in New Media

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: “Sex Scenes” is one of my favorite media creations of the last few years. So I’m happy to admit that several of the folks who contributed to it have connections to this blog. Written by Polly Frost … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Humor, Movies, Performers, Personal reflections, Sex | Tagged erotica, Film, Jae Song, Lloyd Fonvielle, Majestic Micro Movies, Maru, movies, new media, Nina Paley, Parry Gripp, Polly Frost, Ray Sawhill, Sex Scenes, Sita Sings the Blues | 6 Comments

Overlooked Oeuvres: Winsor McCay (1867-1934)

Posted on March 16, 2013 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Winsor McCay strikes me as an underappreciated artist. Oh, he’s pretty well kown for his comic strips, all-time classics like “Little Nemo” and “Dream of the Rarebit Fiend.” But as a maker of movies he’s often dismissed as … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial art, Movies, Performers | Tagged animation, Buster Keaton, comic strips, Comics, dreams, fantasy, Film, Gertie the Dinosaur, Little Nemo, movies, Overlooked Oeuvres, Picasso, special effects, Surrealism, Winsor McCay | 3 Comments

Depressive Affinities: Bergman’s “Thirst” and Zanussi’s “Contract”

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Early in Ingmar Bergman’s 1949 “Thirst,” a serpent is plucked from a sun-dappled wood and placed on a swarming anthill. It’s meant as an image of paradise encumbered, and it sets the tone for what will … Continue reading →