Movie Review: Burn After Reading

Burn After Reading
dir. Ethan and Joel Coen
comedy, 96 mins

The Coen brothers have proven to us, once again, that they're more than capable to wow audiences. It almost seems too easy for them. With their Academy Award wins just beginning to fade into memory, they return into the current with Burn After Reading, a crime comedy, that blends their comedic timing with their talent for action directing. Coupled with a brilliant ensemble cast including George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich and Brad Pitt, the Coens have cemented their knack for dark comedy.

I'm reluctant to spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it. The strengths lie in the way the story presents information and the use of the information. This is the reason why I love the Coen vehicle: their ability to surprise when they need you to be surprised, not to mention allowing you to laugh. They know that filmmaking isn't about making spectacles, but rather about communicating stories. This story was fresh and new, but with classic Coen wit.

In writing this, it's very difficult to not use the word "another." Another great movie. Another great script. Another witty comedy. In terms of Coen Bros films, it was just another movie. Big Lebowski meets Fargo. It must be nice for the Coens to have great filmmaking as their redundancy. To the Coens, I say, please keep making movies.

Weather Report for Today, 9/15/08

It's cool enough to fool myself into wearing a sweater out, but not warm enough to wear shorts.


For lunch: pasta and Capn Crunch

Poor Examples of Humanity: Choque Cultural Gallery in Sao Paulo, Brazil

It saddened me to find out that the Choque Cultural Gallery in Sao Paulo had been vandalized in political protest last week. 30 spraycan wielding Pixadores stormed through the gallery in defiance of "marketing, institutionalization, and domestication of Street Art." They ruined and damaged the artwork by several artists.

Despite how passionate as these 30 Pixadores were in conserving the sanctity of Street Art, it's utterly heartbreaking that these "artists" were destroying art for the sake of art. There are more creative and stronger ways of communicating this concern. This act of vandalism was a tragic step backwards for street art and deserves no pride.

From The Wooster Collective

Far Out: Brian Wilson @ the Hollywood Bowl

Upon our return to MIke's house, we were greeted by his smiley neighbor and fellow cyclist, Ian, who lives rent-free as the caretaker of Frank Lloyd Wright's Freeman House. He had a spare ticket to the Brian Wilson show later that evening. We were in!

Along with Ian and friends, Mike packed a bottle of wine and sandwiches and off to the Bowl, once again. We had amazingly great views from a central and high point in the amphitheater. The night began with the LA Philharmonic playing Gershwin, Brian Wilson's favorite American composer according to the conductor. But shortly after, Brian Wilson and his band begin playing Beach Boy with the LA Phil including "God Only Knows" dedicated to the those whose lives were lost in the recent Chatsworth Train Crash. He was entirely lovable and entertaining shouting out "Rock and Roll!" to even "Brian Wilson!" after a song. Three songs in, however, we were given an intermission. Mysterious.

When he returned for good, he played plenty of psychedelic arrangements of classic Beach Boys, a couple Chuck Berry covers (incl. Johnny B Goode) along with newer work from his solo albums. I sat dancing in my seat until I just couldn't hold it back anymore. (Especially when he played Do You Wanna Dance?) His band was huge but each member was consistently beyond enthusiastic for each and every song. One of the drummers eventually became shirtless hitting symbols with two tambourines. The fireworks finale was quite exciting with the band playing Surfin USA to accompany. They had a pyro- tiny surfwagon with a surfboard on top to go with the beachy theme. This concert was the perfect way to celebrate the end of summer, even if it never ends in Southern California.

Fat Out: 2008 Taste of Santa Monica

Yesterday, chefs from 40 local eateries gathered at the Santa Monica Pier to sample their best dishes to curious foodies at the 2008 Taste of Santa Monica. It's not as gigantic as its sister event in Chicago or New York, but earns Santa Monica itself a "cute" description as the locals lined up, paid $45, pushed and shoved, to gather teaspoons full of culture.

Mike and I decided to go. (Grace couldn't fight the urge to eat lunch. She apologized.) It was a good opportunity to check out local eateries. While some of the city's most beloved restaurants were not involved (Ivy on the Shore), it was an eclectic mix that ranged from hotel restaurants like Whilst @ The Viceroy to chains like Il Fornaio and Hooters.

My favorites included the samples from seared albacore from Ma'Kai (asian fusion), gelato from Angelato Cafe, iced pear green tea from Evergreen Tea House. Interesting tastes included mascarpone "dry" ice cream from the featured molecular ice cream lab, the shishito peppers from Tengu and the spicy tuna-avocado- Dorito concoction from Wokano. Our strategy was to try to eat as much as possible in hopes of getting our money's worth, which I paid for dearly as I rolled out of the taste feeling more like Humpty Dumpty.

You can see the official website here: 2008 Taste of Santa Monica

Style on Style: Eva

She's my BFF with a fashion taste for the anti-vanilla. Eva has combined her Bohemian eye for layers along with her amazing skills as a seamstress to create an artsy utilitarian girl-next-door style all her own. From the tiniest skirts with high leather boots to plunging thermal necklines and Chucks, her style is both practical and risque like her gemini self. Eva's love and appreciation for organic living and wellness (she's brewing her own Kombucha!) also lend to a comfortable choice in her everyday clothing: high socks, jersey tunics, soft leathers, not to mention gauged bone earrings and perfectly disheveled hair. What makes Eva's look so striking is that she rips and mangles pieces to make them her more her style. (One of my favorite Eva pieces is a torn off hood from a sweatshirt that she wears by itself.) Eva is indeed, the coziest and coolest Boho trendsetter on the block!

From Eva:

My style in 3 words: Fun, girly, utiilitarian

Favorite things to wear: tall boots, short skirts, old jackets, scarves, legwarmers

Style influences: post-apocalyptic costume, dance costumes, Victorian era

Newsflash: LA is unfriendly and terrible

So my fellow Angelenos, we've done it this time. Thanks to all of our taunting of less fashionable tourists, over the top cellphone use, and Botox'd expressionless faces, America has rated us as the nation's least friendly, worst traffic, least intelligent city in Travel + Leisure's America's Favorite Cities survey.

Over 600,000 tourists surveyed various cities in the US to rank which cities they loved and which they hated in different categories: culture, people, quality of lifestyle, etc. And we just really left a terrible impression on those tourists. This is funny to me, and I'm not trying to be a defensive Angeleno, because tourists LOVE the ILLUSION we make out here. They are attracted to the rockstars and the skinny rich girls and the hot cars and palm trees they see on TV, but not the actual city? The harsh reality that our city is indeed a dirty lifesized movie set has sunk in.

One true thing is that Los Angeles is a HUGE multi-faceted city with PLENTY of dynamic people. There are pockets of us who embrace art and actually read books and newspapers along with those who don't. Believe it or not, but most of us are from friendlier cities and will probably give you directions if you're lost. We have certain advantages like our resources and overall hopefulness (remember, "city of dreams" cliché?), but our biggest strength is that we're definitely not boring (that's why you have Entourage and the Hills on Tivo). Sure there's plenty of traffic and big city trash that makes us grumpy, but nobody's perfect. We'll see you all later when you want to become a pop icon!

This is weird: Jada Pinkett's Smith's nu-metal band, Wicked Wisdom

Another side of Jada Pinkett Smith that I never knew. Good for her. She's so tough!

Dreamy House in Iporanga, Brazil

Architect: Arthur Casas
Location: Iporanga, Brazil

For more photos: Arthur Casas

From Kanye West's Universe City

Wanted: Arch Rival

Photo of ice rivals, Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan

Imagine putting so much of yourself into something: your life's work. You struggle in the shadows for most of your career, but in an instant, your work suddenly becomes public. It may seem that the attention and acclaim was all the reward you needed. How do you know you've reached the top? A respectable rival. That's when you know you have something worth fighting for. After all, nothing says "I love you" more than "I hate you."

A rival is a great milestone. Consider the lives you affect on your path to greatness. Thanks to you, many lives were touched and hopefully improved, but your rival's life was affected more than anyone else's. Your work is now fueling their work and theirs with yours. Much of their inspiration now stems from your demise, and your hatred for them only drives your creativity to higher limits. Hatred? I call it flattery. Think about all that time and energy taken to sabotage your potential prize winning peanut-butter fudge bars of heaven at the Pillsbury Bakeoff. Or when they sleep overnight beneath your unguarded science fair project to nudge things out of place before the science fair? To finally have that person in your life is achieving an ultimate level of productivity, unless they've already broken your knee.

Jonesy's Jukebox

Most Angelenos are fortunate enough to have The Sex Pistols' Steve Jones grace the airwaves every weekday at 12 bells. (In Jonesy speak, that means noon). Indie 103 broadcasts his radio show, Jonesy's Jukebox, and pretty much gives him free reign on what he says and what music to play. His monotone British accent could probably lull someone to sleep, but he says such funny things! During his 2 hour time slot, he plays tunes, interviews the who's who of Hollywood, and even has moments to sing and play the guitar. (You'd be impressed at how many songs he can play)

Something that is very refreshing from the typical Indie 103 (still a clear channel station) indie rock lineup, is that Jonesy plays a huge range of great music from Nina Simone to John Legend to Teenage Fanclub. He's got the taste that your favorite person should have. On Fridays, he hosts Jonesy's Jukebox jury where he and a group of guests listen to new music that's coming out and rate them as "mustard" (good) or pants "bad".

Enjoy Jonesy. You can find his PodCast or hear him every weekday at noon on Indie 103.1.

Creepy Contact Lenses

Yes, there are Swarovski crystals embedded in the lenses so that your eyes "sparkle". Here's an idea to keep those eyes sparkling: stop drinking alcohol! This is just ridiculous.

Style on Style: Cher

Inspired by those who strut along the streets of Los Angeles, I wanted to write a little bit about fashion. At first I thought of writing about Marc Jacobs or Alexander McQueen, but I felt that's been done. I'm beginning a series of style profiles on the fashionistas closest to my heart: my friends. It's fortunate for me to have friends who have so much integrity when it comes to choosing the clothes they put on in the morning.


Cher and I have been friends for a few years now and she's never not looked like a superstar.  This graphic designer/fetish model is the epitome of tough girl glam. While Cher is most often in heels, lip gloss and big sunglasses, she always smells like mens deodorant (I believe Old Spice is her stick of choice) and has a mouth just as tough as a man's man's. Balance and humor are Cher's strengths so they come out in her clothing. Her tribal earrings, tattoos, and dyed hair give some edge to her designer/expensive/Neiman's tendencies. But we're friends because she'd wear a fake mustache with a pencil skirt any night of the week.

From Cher:

My style in 3 words: Sexy, rockstar, chic

Favorite things to wear:  my headbands, Balenciaga handbags, my "Mary-Kate" boots, wife beaters and skinny jeans

Style influences: Mary-Kate Olsen, Nicole Richie, Victoria Beckham, Alexander McQueen, Vena Cava, Balenciaga, YSL, and Rag and Bone

Note: Cher has her palm up because that means "SUPER" peace.

Who is You? #4

You are overrated and I can't stand what you do to my head. Besides, when we're together, people look at me too much.




You = Convertibles

Dear Apple,

I'm over the IPod. I already own an Ipod and a Phone-Pod. Could you please start talking about computers again? I really need a new laptop and the macbook air doesn't count!

Which group gets attacked by the media the most?

You can guess. Hint: It has nothing to do with this group's income, ethinicity or gender.

The answer: scientists.

Scientists get it real bad from the media. They are held responsible for many of Earth's tragedies: a-bombs, pollution, cancer. In particular, we point fingers when human life just wishes their brilliance could've prevented a decline in resources or more certainly, death. Curiosity can be a curse, but also a blessing.

Recently it has been announced that 14 kilometers beneath Geneva, there is a lab where an impressive experiment is going to take place. The Large Hedron Collider (LHC for short) is a particle accelerator that is aimed at the smallest particles we know. This $4 billion dollar experiment is going to try to recreate the Big Bang; fusion power. These scientists want to know how we came to be from the very start of the universe.

Why is this important to know? This may just give us the missing link in particle theory, the source of life as we know. Not to mention, an incredible power source. But this is worrisome to skeptics. Many fiction stories have been inspired such as powerful neutrino rays, the creation of dark matter, a black hole, or possibly the end of the world. I remain more hopeful than the sci-fi skeptics.

I'm excited to see what happens next.

Burn After Reading ... This Friday

From the Coen brothers. They're way too cool it's frightening.

Weather Report for Today, 9/8/08

It's warm outside; sunny. Like always.

For breakfast: coffee with nectarine. need to go to grocery store.

My real estate love: The Kaufmann House

Photo from Dwell Magazine

Ladies and gentlemen, here is the house I love: the Kaufmann House by Richard Neutra. (my favorite architect!) I enjoy the fact the floor to ceiling windows blur the divide between inside and out. The sharply clean edges lend to a deliberate design that reflects thoughtful planning and intelligent building. It's timeless. It's so easy to imagine living this house. Grand piano in one of the corner windows. Mini cooper in the driveway. Pet tortoise and angora bunny in the lawn. Even though the Kaufmann house was put on auction this year and purchased for $15 mil, the buyer fell out of the deal. It's still available through a private seller. They should just let me live there already!

Here is the inspirational photograph on my refrigerator:



"Poolside Gossip" by Slim Aarons
Photo from Artnet.com

Spore: The game that lets you play God

I've noticed the pattern of movies being influenced by music videos and now video games. It's nice that video games, have in exchange, become more cinematic. A growing fascination with video games is in the making! (Though I'm terrible at them..."There are TOO MANY BUTTONS!!")

Eric had introduced me to this game, Spore. It allows you to control evolution and ultimately have a chance to play God. There is a creature creator program that is quite fun. (Upon its public release, many were most inspired to make what? Penis monsters. Thousands and thousands of penis monsters!) Enjoy!



Thanks, Eric K. (Tokyo)

Movie Review: Hamlet 2

Hamlet 2
dir. Andrew Fleming
comedy, 92 mins.

So when posed with the question: Which is better: a burrito, a date with a lame guy, or watch Hamlet 2? Your choice should be Hamlet 2. Eva and I were planning our Friday night. For most girls our age, Friday night plans involve some adult beverages and high heels, but not for me and Eva. Not tonight. We were going to see Sexy Jesus at the ArcLight.

Caramel popcorn in hand, we watched and immediately befriended Steve Coogan as a passionate, yet struggling, actor in Tucson, Arizona. He is given a position at the local high school teaching drama to a seemingly distracted and delinquent bunch. Sound familiar? Yes. The difference is that this movie is not about how he reaches the kids, but how he's completely faithful in his zero-talent and his honestly strange reasoning. Through parts of the story, it felt like the writers were going for the easyshot slapstick humor (like when the same girl keeps getting hit in the head), but you forgive them later during the stronger ounces of humor within Dana's dialogue and the play itself. Set to a pop-music filled soundtrack, Eva and I were all laughs. Brought to us by the tasteful people at Focus Features, they manage to squeeze this Sundance heartfilled success into the artist is all of us.

See the trailer here: Hamlet 2

The Women: The After Party

Exiting the movie theater was much more difficult than I had expected. We decided to wait for the rest of our party but then a wave of people crushed me as Will Smith and Jada were exiting the theater.

After I had escaped the crowds we went to the after party at the Napa Valley Grill.

There Cher and I sped right past all the celebrity tables to the ladies room. Naturally, there was a line that extended the length of the hallway. Way too long. With the help of Daphne Zuniga (the princess from Spaceballs) we snuck into the mens room. Once we were done, I had to sneak by the dessert table full of brownies, chocolate covered strawberries and cupcakes. 

Most people were very excited to be among the celebrities, I have to admit that I was very excited about the food and free drinks. Arugula salad. Pasta. Lamb. Kobe burgers. Ahi. It was great because I was starving going into the movie. After a few drinks and all my helpings of dinner, I went with Cher to snake around and see who was there.

Cher got entirely excited about seeing Warren Beatty and Annette Bening's table. She managed to take a picture with Warren for her mother. Later we manage to takeover Debra Messing's (after all the drinks, we managed to call her D.Mess) booth and drink her stuff. We made friends with a very cute couple, Kate and Taylor, who also got excited when the 90's dance hits came on. Who then forced me to do the snake. What? So I forced Cher to talk to her bearded party crush. We don't know his name. We just call him Sexy Jesus. 

After speaking to many people, it had occurred to me that many men in Los Angeles have a a few  standard conversation starters/enders: movies (including their place in "the industry"), tattoos (show and tell), or even a distaste for the lower class/black people. (Yes, we just walked away). Needless to say, later Cher and I just laughed a lot at these lame guys' expense over grilled cheese at Kitchen 24 back in Hollywood away from the meat headed UCLA students and aspiring/accomplished industry douche bags and back to our vain and aesthetically Bohemian neighbors.  

Laundry list of celebrities we saw tonight (just so you know): Candice Bergen, Debra Messing, Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Warren Beatty, Tara Reid, Daphne Zuniga, Debi Mazar, "Ryan Schechter's mom", "the woman who killed Selena in the movie", and Eva Mendes. 

Movie Premiere & Review: The Women

The Women
dir. Diane English
comedy, 114 mins.

After Cher tells me the plans, the night began with a conversation about dresses. "Forever 21 or Diane von Furstenburg?" I ask myself. Then I watched the trailer and realized quickly that there was no way I was going to wear a dress to a Meg Ryan premiere.

And rightfully so, I should've worn pajamas for this cozy chick flick of chick flicks. But for the sake of Hollywood's glitterati, I actually wore heels. No dress. Cher and I sped over to the Fox Theater in Westwood to meet the red carpet. We watched as starletts like Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes and Debra Messing paraded down the long line of paps. (My dad would've been excited).  We grabbed our popcorn and sat down to listen to director, Diane English, as she mentions that this screening was very much like being in the "delivery room". This movie was her labor of love in that it was the first film in 80 years to have an entirely female cast. Not one male graced the screen despite Will Smith and Warren Beatty's presence. They were there to support their wives.

The movie is an ode to George Cukor's The Women which was released in 1939. With modern day lovable pop icons like Meg Ryan, we were instantly going to love it. Much like Sex and the City, we are presented with four friends of extremely different personality types that actually mimic the dynamics of one woman. Since it was a remake, the themes in the story were already very familiar. The most refreshing thing about the film, though, was that the women's empowerment did not come from promiscuity, but from a more real approach: suffering and dealing with it. It comes to conclude that female friendships are a driving force in any woman's life. Yadda yadda yadda. I may watch it again on cable. Felt good to watch with a girl friend.

And then the after party...

My fave 16th century astronomer: Tycho Brahe

I've always had an interest in astrophysics, mostly in stellar evolution anyway. So I was intrigued when Jason had told me about Tycho Brahe.

Brahe was a 16th century astronomer whose observations of the sky had help Kepler develop his laws of gravitation. Which Newton then used to create his law of gravitation which then Einstein debunked with his theory of relativity. This is not to say that his observations were in vain, but that Brahe had a large and fundamental contribution to the approach of astrophysics.

Brahe's life was more fascinating than anything. He had an interchangeable wooden nose (he lost the real on in a fight), a clairvoyant dwarf named Jepp used to entertain guests, a pet moose which he was going to trade in for a mini horse, but the moose unfortunately drank too much beer at a party and fell down the stairs to its death.

Tycho also met an untimely death because he had to go to the bathroom at a banquet. But for the sake of courtesy, he held it in. Supposedly he gained and an infection and he died. That's what some believe anyway.

So to Tycho Brahe!

Weather Report for Today, 9/4/08

Outside it's sunny and too hot to stay dry. Where is my hat?

For lunch: undecided

Bike Stuff: Solvang Prelude

Solvang, CA is wonderful: vineyards, windmills, sweets. But twice a year they host a very popular bike rides: The Solvang Century and the Solvang Prelude. Imagine riding your bicycle 50 miles through serene wide open vineyards on a crisp sunny California day. Then later, once finishing the ride we can eat as much aebleskiver and go taste local California wines. After all we just burned off 1000's of calories during a 4 hour ride in spandex. We deserve it.

Consider signing up. I'll be booking rooms.

Here's the website to register for the ride: The 2008 Solvang Prelude


Ps. Yes, after a ride to Nichols Canyon, it was discovered that I neglect my bike. It will be in the shop for a week. Training will start up again afterwards. Daa.

Labor Day Waterbattles and Carne Asada

After a long weekend of fun with my parents, they flew home on Sunday. I have a feeling that some of the urgency in their return was thanks to their new pet, Basilio, a basil plant.

So I went to Jason's Labor Day BBQ at his house in Eagle Rock. He and Meespace made plenty of carne asada, Lorenzo brought bread, I brought Capn Crunch and ice cream, and Steph brought an integral contribution: squirt guns.

After eating enough to fuel us for days to come, 5 of us (Nathan, Lorenzo, Jackie, Anthony and I) decided to play a round of horse on Jason's basketball court lower in his backyard. (Yes, it's a very big backyard) Suddenly as we're innocently making airballs and spelling HORSE, a purple projectile comes whizzing through the trees and onto my skirt! A waterballoon! At least 6 more follow.

We scream and Lorenzo suddenly urges us to charge the upper lawn where Jason, Meespace and Eric are making their balloons. With strategies in place, we successfully took over the lawn. Several battles occur with even Nathan acting on his own to steal the other balloons. Then this:

Jason: (hands up) I just want to guarantee the safety of my cellphone!
Lorenzo: (holding 5 waterguns) Stand back!
Jason: Look! I'm unarmed! Just let me know my cellphone is safe!
Lorenzo: (at me) Go check to see! Stand back!
At which case I have the cellphone in my hand and a bucket of water. Threatening to drop the phone.

We then manage to take on Jason, with Meespace and his phone hostage. (Lorenzo pelted her with a balloon that wouldn't pop, and therefore felt like a rubber stone on her head.) Anthony says "The house is ours. Your parents have 2 days to move out!" Lorenzo and Nathan then got Jason surrounded at which Jason performed the death scene of all death scenes while Lorenzo shot him with a hose.

Jason: (drenched; crawling on the ground towards Lorenzo's ankles)Tell mah boy...Tell mah boy...that I'll see him in HELLL!!!!!


See pictures on Lorenzo's website: Save Lorenzo

Recent DVD madness

I don't know why I've been watching so many movies at home during the last couple of days. Here is a list:

Chariots of Fire drama; American (1981) dir. Hugh Hudson
Enjoyed this film about running after all my friends ran the Nike Human Race 10k. I now imagine running over hot coals all the time.

Knights Tale comedy; American(2001) dir. Brian Helgeland
I still don't understand why people like this movie. I observed that it is a tasteless postmodern pastiche that pays tribute to a weak and predictable lacking love story. Boo.

Gilda drama; American,(1946) dir. Charles Vidor
The story line drags womanhood through the mud and calls it elegance. Rita Hayworth is stunning, however.

Genesis documentary; French(2007) dir. Claude Nuridsany, Marie Pérrenou
Beautiful imagery. Bizarre narrator tells an artful perspective on evolution from the Big Bang.

La Vie En Rose biography; French, Czech, UK (2007) dir. Olivier Dahan
A beautiful film about Edith Piaf and her struggles to stardom. An incredible performance by Marion Cotillard.

The Road to Wellvillecomedy; American (1994) dir. Alan Parker
An interesting perspective on the relationship between love and society set in a early 20th century. A movie set around Kellogg and his attempt to heighten the standard for American wellness.

Singing in the Rain musical; American (1952) dir. Stanley Donan, Gene Kelly
Feels good to watch this movie. The storytelling is creative and imaginative. Great costumes.

The Prestige drama; American (2006) dir. Christopher Nolan
Such an interesting way to tell a story. I know that Nolan enjoys experimenting with the roles of his narrators (Memento) and I thoroughly enjoyed this story about obsession.

Next on the DVD list: All About Eve and Funny Face.

Note: I will watch movies in theaters too.

Weather Report for 9/1/08

It's dark out and cool. Pleasant and good for kareoke.

For dinner: salad and chilled soup

Fred Astaire Dancing on the Ceiling and Why I Love Old Movies

From Stanley Donan's Royal Wedding

This scene was created to reflect the euphoric feeling of love. It was an excellent idea executed with such ease without the power of computers. Well, Donan confesses that the set was built within a gigantic ROLLING cylinder. The camera man was tied to a table that was secured to the cylinder to control the photography. Amazing.

Sackboy and Sackgirl: It's wuv.

User created cuteness. I'd play it.
Music is "Atlas" by Battles

Thanks, Eric

John Williams and a Celebration of Hollywood

What better way to show my parents Hollywood than an enchanting evening at the Hollywood Bowl with John Williams? Close to none. My parents, Jason and I once again trekked to the Bowl for a night of classical movie themes. And as every year prior, it was still very exciting. Like the years before, devoted Star Wars fans proudly lit their lightsabers as the Star Wars theme was played by the LA Philharmonic. Jason's eyes grew with fulfillment as he very loudly requested the "Imperial March" and was granted his wish. I hurriedly grabbed my Reeces Pieces as the ET theme played. My mother, the most outgoing of us, yelled "SUPERMAN!" at the top of her lungs as that theme began.

Williams had a special guest, Stanley Donan, who had directed musicals (i.e Singing in the Rain) and worked with Williams well before he had begun his career with the Spielberg/Lucas vehicle. His stories were so amazing and were so romantic. It was amazing to see what old Hollywood had accomplished before computers and before big budget politics. We watched Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire perform in such magical performances that really made me fall in love with moviemaking all over again. It's easy to forget that there is a unique beauty beneath much of the commercial filth that storms out of Hollywood these days.

Katsuya - Hollywood

My father, who loves TMZ, requested that he see some real papparazzi during his visit to Hollywood. I decided to bring him to Katsuya, a frequent stop for the paps.

Katsuya is entired designed by Philippe Stark, most known for his modern furniture designs including the Ghost Louis chairs. You enter a modern Japanese themed restaurant that could easily be imagined as the set of an action movie. The bar consists of many pedestals topped with knifes floating in plexiglass cubes, or the bigger than life geisha lips that plaster the walls. Candlelight and gothic mirrors then add a sense of warmth.

OK, so beyond the overwhelmingly stylish fascade, the food was excellent. We had several orders of the Katsuya roll and the sashimi samplers which had perfect textures and flavors that had us all grabbing them quickly off the plates, which were beautiful as expected.

A little pricey as sushi tends to be, but really as a taste of Hollywood it really encapsulates the love for themed spaces that characterizes Los Angeles and is spot on.

Katsuya
6300 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
323 871 8777

Mini Remote Control Helicopters

I love these things for their hours and hours of R/C therapy!

Thanks, Nathan

Get one here: ThinkGeek

A video of persistence

After arguing it was time to sleep, I found this video in the morning. There really is no sleep for the strong.




FromThe Great Consolidation
Hear more of Gavin Castleton's music here: Gavin's music

New Banksy in New Orleans

From Wooster Collective

FIRE on SET and our hero, Intern Luis

We were all going about our usual duties on set: shooting for the Urgency, watching YouTube vids, eating snacks. Rihanna and Chris Brown were socializing. Everything seemed to be going well...

Little did we know that disaster struck in the courtyard where lunch had been! As Luis, our intern, was hauling the trash when his can became a ball of fire! (The caterer forgot that lit candles do not go into the trash. He apologized later.) Over the walkie talkie, he Urgently called for help, but they were to no avail! He wrestled the flames alone in the midst of terror! He bravely found the fire extinguisher and calmed the blaze.

Our new intern/firefighter/hero, Luis. Without him, this video would've never been made...

New Comic Book by Michel Gondry

I love Michel Gondry's work. From his music videos to his movies like Eternal Sunshine to even his virals online, he's oodles of fun. So now, he's back to 2d work with his upcoming comic book, We Lost the War but Not the Battle

Check it out for some far out Euro flare.

Pimp That Snack!

There is a cyberspace heaven called PIMP THAT SNACK where your beloved snacks are super sized to the 1000th degree! It's a 10000% unhealthier, but 10000% more delight!

Visit them here: Pimp That Snack!

Mamma Mia Sing Along Version

Who's in? I know I can count on Grace!

For screenings:Mamma Mia Sing Along Version

Is this your unfriendly cat?

From the brilliant mind of Tim Kendall: I.C.E.

The next shorty from the same guys who brought you JediGym

So how was Radiohead?

 During my normal unemployed routine, I was making little boxes (to check off when the task was done) next to my list of things to do for the day. To my surprise, Mike had called to let me know that he had an extra ticket to go see Radiohead @ the Hollywood Bowl. Box: prepare picnic for RADIOHEAD SHOW! I was so excited!

 The Hollywood Bowl is my favorite thing about Hollywood. It's such a great place to see music and bring your favorite bottle of wine. So I packed the sandwiches and trekked on up. Walking there was shoulder to shoulder, in my case, shoulder to waist. It was a sold out show. The Bowl has a max capacity of 17,376.  

 Radiohead played an amazing 2 hour set with most of my favorites and some familiar good feeling covers. The lighting was more than amazing and complimentary. Fans listened attentively and Thom Yorke's wild sincere rock out moves made me smile. Quite probably the best show I've seen in a long time. (Cornelius @ Bimbo's SF still being the best) 

One truth I'd realized is that only Radiohead can turn the most flamboyant feminine gay man into a raving meat head. Sky punches! Fuck yeahs! Rhythmic claps! Who knew?

On da road w/ Wallpaper

A long time friend for good reasons.

The Black Heart Gang "The Tale of How"

Beautiful work from Cape Town. 



Thanks GavCaz

For the pizza lover in all of us

Thanks, Newton

What are you doing on August 21, 2017?

Nathan and Cher were in a car together. Nathan turns down the radio, obviously because he has something important to say.

Nathan: OK...so what are you doing on August 21, 2017?

Cher: (caught off guard, now sarcastic) Um, well I don't know. I'll have to check my calendar.

Nathan: (a beat) Road trip! Kansas City!

Nathan is planning a group road trip to Kansas City to experience the total solar eclipse that will black out the sun for a complete 2 minutes. An intriguing and awfully romantic idea! I hope I remember this in 2017. Nothing planned as of yet.

Don't believe Nathan? Then maybe you'll believe the internet: Total Eclipse 2017

Sunset Junction 2008 and Sunday with The Scrips

The junction was beaming with Silverlake's finest this year. Blocks and blocks of hipsters, hippies and norms dressed to the 9's to prove their utmost knowledge and awareness of trends and appropriate causes. We were there celebrating difference and the one thing we Angeleno's can all enjoy: afternoon drinking in the middle of a street. 

A portion of Sunset Blvd was closed off for stages and various vendors. There were carnival rides and games to enjoy. I personally enjoyed the funnel cake and the giant slide the best. We watched a few sets: Broken Social Scene, Cold War Kids, !!! and The Black Keys. 

At Newton and Alxis' BBQ, we all discussed how ludicrous it was to pay $40 to go to a street fair. Over chips, meat and Tecate, we schemed ways to get to Junction without having to shell out more dough. The Scrips, Newton's band, were setting up their gear for a days worth of loud guitar for the people. Amazing. With the brilliant minds of Alxis and Newton at their nearby secret hideaway, we created  2 bracelets (pictured above) and squeezed through a fence. Genius. (We still spent money there, so we didn't feel it was too deviant on our part.) We ended the Junction experience at El Cid, where we had cocktails while watching a Flamenco show. Full and slightly tipsy, back on the train where I'd misguided a lost hippy name Fred, to whom I'm deeply apologetic. 

Fred, thank you for the friendship bracelet. I thought it was funny that you fell asleep mid-sentence while talking about gourds. I hope you made it to downtown safely. Sorry about telling you to get on the wrong train. 

To the 7'8" guy who deliberately stands in front of me at Sunset Junction...

QUIT IT! 

I can't see! I'm short!

Who is You? #3

I enjoy the fact that you own only 1 pair of shoes. Commitment of sorts. But you're also trouble.

You = Barney Rubble

Are spectator sports the only HONEST form of DRAMA we have?

Drama is most often thought of as fiction or a re-telling, or an adaptation, of real life emotion. As people, we enjoy sharing stories and repeating feelings for the purpose of feeling alive. But what about the emotion evoked when we watch something " real" happening?

The kind of drama that needs no storyteller because they don't know the outcome either. Sure we all experience situations in our lives that require considerable thought and the expected blood, sweat and tears, but those span a longer length of time and usually doesn't permit a public view. After all the Greeks had their theater, but also enjoyed gladiator matches. Which brings me to the notion that spectator sports, no matter what the sport, may just be the most unbiased form of dramatic entertainment. No perspective or agenda. Limited predictability. Plenty of emotion. 

Weather Report for Today, 8/22/08

For breakfast, I am having chocolate chip cookies.

Outside, it's partially cloudy. Cool. 

Electronic Bubble Wrap Key Chain

Anyone that's visited my apartment has been curious and played with my bubble wrap keychain. It was a present from my Uncle Les and he'd found it on a Japanese website. Despite the fact that people have made fun of it, the bubble wrap curio has provided hours of snapping entertainment if not some stress relief. To some, however, it's plain garbage.

Well guess what, no fun garbage hater, it's not! New York Magazine has declared it stress-relieving, idiotic, BUT irresistable and its new BEST BET! Take that to the trash, haters.

Check out the article here: NY Mag - Puchi Puchi Bubble Wrap Keychain

2008 Beijing Games: Race Walking

During the late night non-HD NBC coverage of the Olympics, Mike and I stumbled upon RACEWALKING

Our only reaction: WHY???

Miguel Torres, fashion designer

This afternoon I walked around Hollywood just to enjoy some sunshine. I visited a store called Antenna and came out with a lot of cool stuff by LA based designer, Miguel Torres. (Sometimes I have a problem with spontaneity)

His costumy fashions evoke a creative boho style that the Burners crave. It lit my lightbulb.

Love it yourself at Miguel Torres Designs

Lorenzo Style Lab: A Lost Fedora

A recent staple of Lorenzo's fashion was a choice grey fedora. The fedora had met an untimely death due to the incompetent employees of his local drycleaners.

Let's take a moment to enjoy the hat.


OK, so now, we can all join together and find him a new one. Suggestions?

Movie Review: Encounters at the End of the World dir. Werner Herzog

Encounters at the End of the World
Dir. Werner Herzog
99 mins, documentary

After a hike in 90 plus degree weather along the Salmon River in Oregon, it was funny that my friend, Gavin (another Herzog fan) and I decided to watch a documentary entirely about Antartica.

The film chronicles Werner Herzog's journey with the National Science Foundation to an American society of travelers who have come to find home on the most southern tip of the Earth. Gifted with curiosity, Herzog explores the landscape and characters only to present the audience with a graceful and admiring look into a world that would be most likely seen as desolate and miserable. The photography of the glaciers is breathtaking. The colorful cast of characters have inspiring and captivating stories. And lastly, Herzog's heartwarming and very humorous narration was so perfect that it often led to Gavin's uncontrollable elbowing with laughter combo.

Who knew you could feel so warmblooded after watching a movie set on ice?

Weather Report for Today

For breakfast, I am having coffee, strawberry yogurt with a nectarine.

Comfortably warm and sunny.

Someone's got a case of the PDX

You would think that with the use of the worldwide web and mobile technology, that I would update this blog while I travel. SURPRISE I DIDN'T!

I traveled to Portland, OR: a smaller town with bigger town ideals. It's almost aggravating how much cooler Portland is in comparison to Los Angeles. With its ecofriendly lifestyle, efficient layout, overwhelming amounts of food and culture, Portland is a hipster force not to be reckoned with. Resistance is futile.