Enjoy this weeks edition of SLAW with your new cartoon favorites
that creeps me out...
in an existential
kind of way.
Tune in Saturday morning for interviews with bassist Eric Allen of Apples In Stereo and also the Glitch Mob. The show is 8-10AM Saturday morning on WXOU 88.3FM or www.wxou.org.
Recently I saw the movie "Little Traitor" by director Lynn Roth which is based on the novel "Panther in the Basement" by the world-renowned author Amos Oz. As long as I can remember, there has been a conflict in Isreal. In November 1947, the United Nations voted in favor of the partition of Palestine, proposing the creation of a Jewish state, an Arab state, and a UN-administered Jerusalem. Partition was accepted by Zionist leaders but rejected by Arab leaders, leading to civil war. Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948 and neighboring Arab states attacked the next day. Since then, Israel has fought a series of wars with neighboring Arab states. The Jews in Isreal complained about British patroling of their contry despite the fact that Britain helped free the Jews in WWII. This movie takes place in the months prior to Israel becoming a state and puts it's focus on a young Jewish boy, Proffy Liebowitz, who wants nothing more than for the occupying British to get the hell out of his land and is plotting with some classmates for acts of freedom/terrorism to make this happen. One day, late for curfew, he is picked up by Sergeant Dunlop (the talented Alfred Molina) who instead of arresting him, takes him home for a worse punishment. Not expecting this kindness, Proffy is intrigued and starts what becomes a friendship with this soldier. When his friends find out, he is accused of being a 'traitor' and put on trial by his own people. He is eventually found innocent but these experiences shape him for life;especially the shock that he could have such genuine affection for the enemy. The movie has some real nice moments and looks at a part of history we haven't seen too often in cinema. The movie is a little simple at times as Molina is the main force behind this movie. The movie takes an interesting look at the real conflicts and friendships that can form between people who are supposed to hate each other due to their background. While the movie is safer than many other war films ("Hurt Locker" for instance), it can be appreciated for what it is. My grade is a B-.
If you rather be in movies than watch them, Los Angeles based Casting Director Tracy Dixon is holding an open casting call to meet and greet those interested in working on the major feature film, “Real Steel.” Shooting begins in mid-June and the production is looking to hire thousands of Detroit locals to work as extras on the film. The casting call will be open to men and women of all ethnicities, ages 18 or older. For those who are wondering what the movie is about, “Real Steel” is directed by Shawn Levy (“Night At The Museum”, “Date Night”) and executive produced by Steven Spielberg. The new sport of robot-boxing is the backdrop for this sports drama about a former boxer (Hugh Jackman) who gets one last shot at a comeback when he teams up with his long-lost son (Dakota Goyo) to train a unique robot for the upcoming Real Steel World Championship. The open casting will take place on Saturday, May 15th From 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM @ 1501 Maple Lane in Troy. For more info, call 310-225-5196.
See you Monday for my next blog. Enjoy the nice weather tonight!
Check the new video for The Capitol here on Paste
http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/paste_station?station_track=track_15901_3463&mode=standalone
or here on MCB
Visqueen - The Capitol from A PLACE CALLED YES on Vimeo.
http://www.ponderosastomp.com/lincoln-center_detroit-breakdown_2010.php
SOYSV are back fresh from the Austin Psych Fest (which was curated by The Black Angels). Their star keeps rising greater and greater, tearing them away from our local scene and converting them to a national band. Also playing are my good friends and one of the best midwest surf bands, Tokyo Sexwhale. They play a gripping array of covers mixed with originals. A solely instrumental outfit with the exception of occasional crowd banter. The quintet is comprised of very very talented musicians where songs culminate based more off of feeling one another out and improvisation rather than playing a song verbatim. This will be the show I will be at. This is the show you should be at.
This is my contingency plan if Ypsilanti should get enveloped by the earth before I get there. What's really cool about this is the diversity. I am very familiar with The Beggars, Electric Fire Babies, and Sey Lui. All the rest are under my radar. Totaling 9 band, you are sure to find something you like. The Belmont is a bit closer than Ypsi, but I try to boycott The Belmont as much as possible. Why? you ask. For their refusal to pay bands agreed upon amounts after shows....really giving them nothing except for a bar tab. Perhaps that's why there are hardly any shows at The Belmont anymore. But, personal grievances aside, this show has all the makings to be a blast.
If you would like something revued by the legendary -jr, feel free to mail hard-copies to 11859 Sycamore, Plymouth, Mi. 48170....and I am partial to vinyl.
-jr
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-jr is a musician/dj/blogger/writer from Detroit, MI. He performs in the band The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre and writes a cultural blog under the same moniker. When Dj'ing he uses the handle DJ JCM. He has been an integral part of the Detroit Music mechanation for the past 10 years. He knows just about everything about music on both a local and national level. His opinon is gold and is infallible. This is what's been in my ear lately.