Wednesday, December 26, 2007

honeydripper

John Sayles is one of America's real filmmaking treasures. His newest film, Honeydripper, isn't one of his finest, but it's worth seeking out.

Friday, December 21, 2007

national treasure: book of secrets

More of the same from Nicolas Cage and the gang as they run around the world lookin' for clues. My review appears at Screen International.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

daft punk

Bummed you missed Daft Punk on their latest highly-praised tour? Want to know what it was felt and sounded like? You might try Alive 2007, their new concert disc. Just don't expect it to totally replicate the live experience.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

hal holbrook speaks

The veteran character actor gives one of his best performances in writer-director Sean Penn's Into the Wild. In the midst of the Oscar buzz swirling around him, I sat down with the man, 82 years young, for an interview, which can be found at L.A. Weekly. We discussed his process, his past, and the acting advice his wife always gives him before tackling a new project.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

rosa parks

The song, not the woman. Anyway, if you're curious how Outkast came up with their signature tune, wonder no more: I profile its origins in the latest Blender.

Friday, December 07, 2007

christopher plummer's oscar grab

Man in the Chair is one of those mediocre films which only seems to exist so as to give some venerable actor an outside shot at an Academy Award. Christopher Plummer supporters should give up hope now.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

the walker

One of Woody Harrelson's best performances goes to waste in writer-director Paul Schrader's new mystery-drama.

Monday, December 03, 2007

simon lebon is the man

That was my impression, anyway, after interviewing him for Blender.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

chris brown

R&B singer Chris Brown, a tape recorder, and I all got together down at the Venice boardwalk to take a little Blender personality test. The results can be read here.