Inglourious Basterds
Universal Pictures
10/10

Quentin Tarantino is a modern cinematic master. Starting from a young age, Tarantino displayed an innate grasp of the characteristics of an outstanding film, and he has carried this talent later into his career. I make this statement sparingly; his career could hardly be considered in its “late” stages.
However, his mastery of film is, in my opinion, nearly unrivaled. No American filmmaker, to my knowledge, comes even remotely close to the perfect pairing of cinematography, storytelling, acting, and score that seems second nature …

Incubus
Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA
July 13, 2009

So-called “semi-celebrity” Candice Brown and I each shelled out eighty bucks for this Incubus show, so naturally, my expectations were high. Anticipation hit during one of the stuffy shuttle rides en route to the venue. I had seen Incubus perform a few years ago at the Wiltern after the release of Light Grenades, so I had no idea what to expect of the overall experience at such a big venue like the Hollywood Bowl.
Apparently Incubus didn’t either. This was their first time playing, as …

(500) Days of Summer
Fox Searchlight Pictures
9/10
(500) Days of Summer is that rare kind of film that transcends its genre and the stereotypes that follow. The film is, for lack of a better categorization, a romantic comedy, but it really works on so many more levels. Forget its indie marketing scheme, forget its little Sundance blurbs, and forget the trailer’s claims that “this isn’t a love story.” Sure the indie claims are backed up by the inclusion of numerous hipster-approved references, sure it was a hit at Sundance, and no, it …

The Orange County Super Fair opened this weekend, bringing its fun-filled, tacky, brightly colored wonders to town for adults and kids of all ages to enjoy. I headed down on opening day to check out the scene.  As soon as I walked in I could feel the magic wafting in the air- The thick sweet scent of cherry syrup,  funnel cakes, and Coppertone filling my nostrils as my ears were equally filled with the sounds of vendors hawking “World’s Best Grandma” t-shirts and home spa systems, gleeful laughter, and marginal …

REPO! The Genetic Opera
Lionsgate/Twisted Pictures
6/10
Not too long into the future, corporations will gain the power to take our lives and repossess our organs—this is the vision of REPO! The Genetic Opera. Writers Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich, along with director Darren Lynn Bousman bring the original 2002 stage show to feature film. This rock operatic, corporate fairytale makes daring moves with its visuals and content, including its eclectic cast. Alexa Vega (Spy Kids), Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Sarah Brightman (Phantom of the Opera), Paris Hilton (The Simple …

Keri Hilson and Ne-Yo Live
San Manuel Casino, Ontario, CA
July 2nd, 2009
While families celebrated the 4th of July weekend, R&B superstar, Ne-Yo looked for “Miss Independent” amongst the crowd of screaming girls at the San Manuel Casino. However, the Grammy-award winner did not come alone. Fellow R&B artist, Keri Hilson opened the night with enough energy and noise to make the ground literally rumble beneath her. It felt like tiny earthquakes when the bass kicked in and shook up the entire floor throughout the night but it only made the concert …

Horror Squad
Friar Tuck’s
7/1/09
Last night I went to see my friends from the Horror Squad play in a castle shaped bar. It was hot, smoky, and punk rock. I even met a guy named Yoshi who had a Yoshi face tattooed on his neck! Cool kid.
Tonight was the night they were to debut their newest member, Vicente the cowbell player, but we’ll get to that later. The guys opened with “We’re All Gunna Die Anyway” and away we went. It’s hard to stay planted in one spot at a Horror Squad …

Julien-K and Combichrist Live
June 16th, 2009
Glasshouse, Pomona, CA.
On the eve of the Lakers championship parade, the kids of Los Angeles County came out in droves for a completely different reason- to see the gods of industrial rock, Julien-K and Combichrist perform at the Glasshouse in Pomona.
The Arts District lived up to its name with young kids wearing a colorful array of costumes and makeup. There were juvenile delinquents with Mohawks and fish nets, and even one Goth girl wore a skirt that lit up like Christmas lights. Apparently, Halloween …

Third Eye Blind
Hollywood Palladium
June 25, 2009
As always, I blame it on The Emperor. Jonathan Yost, you pulled me out of the dregs of Target into a world of music and then you take me to shows and let me see my former idols for what they are- arrogant jerks. Each cherished album of my youth has been shattered into oblivion by performances that fall flat, strange stage antics, and the realization that when all is said and done, the music really isn’t that great. Way to ruin the memories …

Insane Clown Posse Presents: A Family Underground DVD
Psychopathic Records
0/10
Who the fuck sent this to Racket? If you and I have a solid working relationship, I am sorry for what is about to occur. But, on the other hand, I think you sent this to me because you hate me.
This has got to be one of the worst things I have ever seen in my life- but in the amazing, now-you-feel-better-about-yourself kind of way. Thousands of people in face paint, white contacts and shitty flat-tops turned into braids prevailed …

Nico Vega and Gavin Rossdale Live
June 7th House of Blues, Anaheim CA
Gavin Rossdale and opening act Nico Vega turned the House of Blues into a red-hot firestorm. The former Bush frontman brought back their 90’s hits and even covered an acoustic version of a Stevie Nicks classic. Rossdale and company made their final stop on tour in Orange County to a raucous crowd in Anaheim who witnessed downright rock n’ roll drum-kit destroying mayhem.
Los Angeles trio Nico Vega kicked off the festivities. Lead singer Aja’s vocal chops pierced …

Miss Leota
May 29, 2009
Slidebar
Fullerton, CA
I didn’t know what to expect when I jumped in the car to see Miss Leota play at the Slidebar in Fullerton. I did know that one of the members was friends with Jimmy the Robot and Ricky Fitness from the Aquabats, but that was it. So, I bought myself some Barton Vodka and off we went. Turns out Miss Leota is a Death Metal/Hardcore band. Or, as they call themselves, “BusinessCore; the art of skipping the nonsense, gimmicks, clichés, and getting …

Up
Disney/Pixar
10/10
Pixar sets a new high with its latest animated feature Up which rises to the occasion and proves to be as funny and thoughtful as it gorgeous to look at. The movie follows the adventures of a cranky old man stuck in his ways, mismatched with an over enthusiastic youngster whose intentions seem to always overshoot his abilities. Right from when the film first launches off, you know that this is going to be something different and special.
What could have been simply a light hearted kid’s …

Pepper/Pennywise
w/ Authority Zero, Big B
Fox Theatre in Pomona, CA
5/28/2009
I will not even pretend that I wasn’t more attracted to the prospect of seeing the new Fox Theatre than any of the bands, but Pennywise has never let me down in their live show, so it wasn’t like I was seeing a particularly shitty show just to scope the new kid on town.
I came in during opener Dubluva, who was exactly who I didn’t want to see at a show. These are the same shirtless white kids who listen to Bob …

NOFX Backstage Passport
Fat Wreck Chords/Fuse
8/10
I’ve always maintained that there are two main branches of punk music- not genres, but branches. There’s the punk music that has a social message, and there’s the kind that wants to party, drink and fuck. NOFX has always been the epitome of the latter. Punk in Drublic was the first punk album I ever purchased. So, I was stoked to get a DVD of the Backstage Passport show that NOFX put together with Fuse documenting their massive year-long world tour.
NOFX shows off that after …

Star Trek
Paramount Pictures
10/10
I am a Star Trek nerd, I admit it wholeheartedly. I have had eight hour make out sessions to the third season of TNG, had the playboy with Denise Crosby in it, and have offered up the following Star Trek themed sexual innuendos:
- Are you a Data on the streets and a Lore in the bedroom?
- (In reference to taking a virginity) Can I go where no man has gone before?
- I want to put my dilithium crystals in your warp core
And while it is obvious that I prefer The Next …