Photo by G.

Animal Kingdom. In US Theaters on August 13, 2010.

Animal Kingdom is an Australian film about a 17 year old boy who navigates his survival with and from his criminal family.  I don’t want to give too much away as I sat through the film with no knowledge of any of the plot points, which was a benefit.  There were many twists and turns and in no particular order, you’ll see all of the following – murder, a heroin overdose, backstabbing, stolen cars, assassination plots, bong hits and lots of things that you weren’t expecting.  The film is well acted and directed and I was on the edge of my seat many times.  Typically that only happens when I am waiting for the movie to finish so I can get the hell out of the theater.  Not the case with Animal Kingdom, a film cleverly titled about survival of the fittest.   Guy Pearce is great and good looking as usual and I think that Jacki Weaver (who plays Janine) gives one of the best performances of the year.  If you are looking for a break from dumbed-down comedy drivel that is currently topping the box office, check out Animal Kingdom when it hits theaters on August 13, 2010.

Photos by G.  Art by Shepard Fairey.

Joaquin Phoenix by Shepard Fairey

I’ve had this photo in the G archives for a few days, but I wasn’t sure who the artist was, such as it goes with street art.  I discovered today that the Joaquin Phoenix images are by Shepard Fairey!  I don’t know how I missed that one since I love Shepard’s work, but better late than never.  The posters have been created to celebrate the release of Joaquin Phoenix’ new documentary “Still Crazy After All These Years“  “I’m Still Here.”

OBEY!

a bird in the hair beats two in the bush.

Photo courtesy of Dirty Martini and The New Burlesque.

I think the poster says it all!  Don’t miss your chance to see “Dirty Martini and the New Burlesque” on the big screen in Sag Harbor. There is a pre-film champagne reception and a post-screening performance by Dirty Martini and Tigger!  I went to the Manhattan premiere recently and you can see how much fun I had that night if you click here.  Get your tickets now as this one-night-only event is going to sell out fast!

Photos by G.  Art by MM Moustache.

Sheryl Crow's "100 Miles From Memphis" - Out Now!

As I was passing this poster for Sheryl Crow’s new album “100 Miles From Memphis” which comes out today, I thought it was fairly innocuous, like Sheryl’s recent output.  When I took a closer look, I saw that MM Moustache paid Ms. Crow’s poster a visit.  Love it!

Sheryl Crow w/ Moustache

Photo by G.

Inception - Out Now

You all know that I am a movie scrooge and that is the precise reason I don’t write about movies more often on According2g.  When I am going to invest 2 hours of my time in seeing a film, it really needs to blow me away, otherwise I don’t see the point.  I’d like to think I’ve heard every dick and fart joke known to man, I’ve seen every possible explosion, bank heist and car chase ever created and indie films that are plotless just for the sake of being “artsy,” just piss me off.  Also, once you start hearing the water cooler talk about “how amazing” a film is, the bar gets raised for me, a person that likes to keep an open mind, because I don’t want to think that I associate with a bunch of easily led morons.

“Inception” is a film whose tag line should have been “is it live or is it Memorex?”  The story is a dream within a dream within a dream and because Leonard DiCaprio is in it, I was able to stay awake.  Everything about this movie is totally watchable.  The actors and acting are fine; cinematography is good; story is sufficient; special effects are above average.  And that’s it.  I’ve heard the term “groundbreaking” and “amazing” being tossed around and 29,000 people have wasted their time to give this movie an average of 9.4 out of 10 stars on IMDB.  I’m not seeing that viewpoint at all.  There’s lots of thinly disguised spiritual principles tossed around in the film  that are more simplistic than those in The Matrix trilogy, and if you are looking for “the answer” in action film format, I’d refer you back to the Matrix any day of the week.  Whoa!  Christopher Nolan directed “Memento,” which I loved, and then he directed the 2 newest Batman films, which I thought were two of the dullest films I’ve ever seen (yes, I know I am not in the majority with my viewpoint).  I’d say “Inception” is less good than “Memento” and much better than the Batman films.  Nearly two hours after seeing the film, I can’t seem to remember anything terribly memorable about it and I overheard many people in the theater saying “I’m going to need to see this again.” I’m starting to think that my favorite part of the film was the gigantic poster I saw on 9th Avenue pictured above.  In summary, “Inception” is not insipid, but also not incredible, according2g.

Photo taken with my hand.

Savion Glover and G

Savion Glover is not just a dancer.  His moves defy words and gravity!  On June 28, 2010, I attended his latest show “Sole Power,” at the Joyce Theater in New York and it was absolutely incredible.  I saw Savion Glover a couple of years ago and at the conclusion of the performance, I made a mental note to see him every time he comes around.  He tears up the stage and his electrifying moves make you believe in a higher power.  When he dances, you can almost see the creative spirit funnel down from the heavens and come out through his body.  He makes dancing look so easy and it’s hard to watch him and not have your jaw drop to the floor in awe.  He even performs to Radiohead’s “Weird Fishes!”  I met him moments after his performance and he was super cool.  Tonight was extra special as another dancing legend, Mr. Ben Vereen was in the audience.  More on my encounter with him coming soon, so stay tuned!

Savion Glover’s show “Sole Power” is playing through July 10, 2010 at the Joyce Theater and if you are in the New York area you’d be foolish to miss this show!  Thanks again Savion for an inspiring performance and for being a really nice guy!

Savion Glover's Sole Power. Now playing at the Joyce Theater in New York through July 10, 2010.

Photos by G.

Dirty Martini and the New Burlesque. A film by Gary Beeber.

A few months ago “Tournee” (“On Tour”) starring the fabulous Dirty Martini and Julie Atlas Muz took the Cannes Film Festival by storm (winning the Palm for best director and the audience award – Congratulations!!!) and several short weeks later on June 13, 2010, “Dirty Martini and the New Burlesque“ made its New York premiere at  the Abrons Art Center.  Director Gary Beeber’s film about the neo-Burlesque movement is fantastic!  It takes you on a journey of the hottest performers in the Burlesque scene and gives generous nods to the legends who have influenced the new school.  The evening was hosted by Mr. Showbiz, Murray Hill, and when Murray hosts a party, you know you are in for a treat.  I spotted New York legends Penny Arcade and the King of the Downtown Scene, Earl Dax in the crowd.  The audience screened the film and then we were treated to performances by the film’s stars.  The audience loved both the film and the perfomances as both were greeted with thunderous applause. 

I’ve seen Dirty Martini perform many times, but it took watching this film to fully understand that she is not just a performer – she is a legend!  She has the look, she has the moves, and of course she has the body to seduce and inspire audiences, worldwide.  The film touches on the trials and tribulations of Burlesque performers and the result is an intimate portrait of what lies beneath the glitter and wigs, behind the scenes.  I met most of the performers after the show and they were all extremely nice!  I’ll be posting photos of my encounters with these Burlesque stars very soon, so stay tuned.  I also took videos of Dirty Martini and Julie Atlas Muz performing hot numbers, but I need to check with the YouTube police to make sure they don’t delete my account for violating the terms of service.  I know for sure I won’t be able to post the video I took of Tigger!  as it contains full frontal male nudity.  Rats!  If I can sneak these videos past the censors, I promise, you’ll love them as these performances are really great! For now, you can see the trailer for “Dirty Martini and the New Burlesque” here, but be warned, there might be some visuals that are NSFCMP (Not Safe For Closed-Minded People).  Speaking of images that are NSFCMP, please enjoy some photos of the awesome performances we were treated to after watching this wonderful film.  Some of the images contain nudity, so please proceed with caution.

Read more of this article »