Pop Culture Buzz

Victoria Hesketh, known professionally as Little Boots, is a British electropop musician. She sings, plays keyboards, Japanese electronic instrument the Tenori-on, piano and the stylophone. Little Boots tours with a live drummer and keyboardist, and says she’s not a fan of playing to pre-recorded tracks. The official video for Little Boots single “New In Town” posted below reminds me of early Goldfrapp meets current Swedish pop diva Lykke Li. I am a huge fan of electro-pop and Little Boots already has me humming her tunes.

LISTEN TO A NON-STOP MIX OF OVER 100 SONGS FOR YOUR SUMMER VACATION BY THE GO-GO’S, THE BEACH BOYS, JIMMY BUFFET, BOB MARLEY, JACK JOHNSON, BANANARAMA, THE BEATLES AND MORE!!

(SONG PLAYLIST IS SET ON RANDOM SHUFFLE AND ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

*** STARS

“The Hangover” is the guilty pleasure comedy hit of the summer. It’s just funny, pretty much from start to finish. If you don’t see this film as soon as possible you’re likely to hear all about it as friends and co-workers endlessly quote lines or re-create scenes. One of the movie’s greatest strengths is the way in which the story is told; the audience is kept in suspense as the mystery unravels essentially in real-time. The movie has a great sense of pacing for the most part, and manages to keep upping the ante and increasing the energy level along the way.

“The Hangover” is, in essence, a creative twist on the “one crazy night” and “road trip” comedy genres. All you need to know about the plot is that a groom and his three groomsmen head out for a night of debauchery, and then wake up in the morning to find that their hotel room has been completely trashed and the groom has vanished. They have no recollection of what happened the night before, but as they try to retrace their steps, things get more and more out of hand.

“The Hangover” is the best comedy of the year and one that should improve on repeat viewings. Stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zack Galifinakis are in the best form of their respectivly fresh careers. There’s already talk of a sequel and there is no doubt this movie deserves one. Every summer needs at least one silly, dirty comedy, and “The Hangover” is this year’s hilarious sleeper hit. I highly recommend this movie if you enjoy R rated comedies that try to push the envelope and make you squirm a little.

“The Princess and the Frog” will be the 49th animated feature film by Walt Disney Animated Classics and the first 2D-animated film by Disney since 2004’s “Home on the Range”. The film, which began production under the working title “The Frog Princess”, will be an American fairy tale, Broadway-style musical set in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Disney executives said the company wanted to show its support for New Orleans by setting its newest animated film in the city.

“The Princess and the Frog” will feature the Walt Disney Studio’s first black princess named “Maddy”. Disney introduced its first non-white animated heroine in 1992’s “Aladdin”: a Middle Eastern character named Jasmine. Three years later an American Indian princess appeared in “Pocahontas” and then in 1998 a Chinese heroine starred in “Mulan”. Maddy joins eight other Disney princess characters, who have generated $3 billion in global retail sales since 1999.

“The Princess and the Frog” is set to be released on December 11th of this year, just in time for the holidays with plenty of merchandise tie ins. I love classic Disney animated films and even though the last few “Princess” animated movies have been financially succesful, none have had the same impact as “The Little Mermaid” or “Beauty & the Beast”. The trailer for this new film gives me hope that the studio still has some life in them yet! Watch it below:

*** 1/2 STARS

From Disney-Pixar comes “Up,” a comedy adventure about 78-year-old widowed balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to “Paradise Falls” in South America. What he doesn’t know is that an overly optimistic eight-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell has accidently hitched a ride while hiding on his porch. The pair ends up going on the adventure of a lifetime encountering wild terrain, unexpected villains and jungle creatures.

Pixar’s 10th animated film is a near masterpiece, a beautiful film in every sense of the word. This whimsical and touching film is superb in setting up its characters with well timed physical comedy and sincere human emotions. At its core “Up” is a poignantly romantic film that lingers in your memory long after seeing it. The 3D presentation gives this movie a surprisingly real boost, but the real special effect is how Pixar is able to combine complex adult emotions with imaginative storytelling.

“Up” is a throwback to old-school Disney storytelling, which I think is great. It is that rare cartoon that makes audiences howl with laughter one minute and wipe away tears the next. Besides it’s emotional depth this movie has some of the best animated landscapes I have ever seen on the big screen. I’m going to go a little over the top and say that I think “Up” will get a nomination for Best Picture and also Best Screenplay. Yes, it will probably be nominated for Best Animated Feature, and like every other Pixar movie, it will win.

“Up” tells a story that is both funny and tender; conveying a sentiment that our connection with others is what makes life meaningful. As with many of the Pixar films, the story of “Up” can be interpreted on different levels. Little children will enjoy the talking animals and vibrant colors but most adults and slightly older kids will go through a wave of emotions. “Up” is a perfect family film that makes you feel like you are floating on helium with pure joy as you leave the theater. I have tremendous respect for what the makers of this movie have done in creating something so exciting to watch and something that also beats with a real heart. “Up” pulls you through practically every emotion available and it will leave you in sweet contentment long after you have seen it.

I’ve heard rumors of this, but this week SNL star Will Forte confirmed that not only is a movie version of his popular “MacGruber” sketch happening, he’s already finished writing it. Forte appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and was introed with a Saturday Night Live “MacGruber” clip and to the tune of the “MacGruber” theme song.

Fallon wasted no time in asking whether there’d be a “MacGruber” movie and Forte confirmed, “John Solomon, Jorma Taccone, and I just finished writing it. We’re gonna make it in Albuquerque. It’s me and Kirsten Wiig and cast to be determined.”

It’s been at least 10 years since the “The Ladies Man” came out, so Lorne Michaels must be itching to bring another hit SNL skit to the big screen. In case you’ve missed out on the genius that is MacGruber, I’ve include a few of his best moments below:

LISTEN TO A NON-STOP MIX OF 40 NEW SONGS BY TORI AMOS, THE CAST OF “GLEE”, ADAM LAMBERT, KRIS ALLEN, TIGA & MORE!!

(SONG PLAYLIST IS SET ON RANDOM SHUFFLE AND ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

**** STARS

Sam Raimi, creator of the classic “Evil Dead” trilogy and Director of the “Spiderman” films, has made the best horror film of the past 20 years with “Drag Me To Hell”. This white knuckle modern horror classic is already my pick for the best movie of 2009. From beginning to end it is unrelenting and completely terrifying while still containing Raimi’s campy humor. This movie has the perfect blend of jump out of your skin scares and uncomfortable gore with the grossest sound effects I have ever heard in a film just thrown in for good measure.

The film follows a loan officer (Alison Lohman) who is ordered to evict an old woman from her home and finds herself the recipient of a supernatural curse that turns her life into a living hell. Desperate, she turns to a seer to try and save her soul, while evil forces work to push her to a breaking point. I love that Raimi isn’t afraid to give his female lead, Alison Lohman, a Bruce Campbell-style beating. For example, in one scene Alison Lohman starts bleeding from her mouth, and when she goes to cover it, blood shoots from her nose all over the place.

This isn’t your average horror film; this is a Sam Raimi horror experience that will have you screaming in disbelief. “Drag Me To Hell” has all the right elements that make up a classic horror movie tale; a gypsy curse, a sassy Medium to add comic relief, the gross out gore, perfectly timed scares and terrifying demons. Raimi has created a frightening tale that may have not been able to be pulled off if it weren’t for his trademark style and swooping camera angels.

The pacing of “Drag Me To Hell” grabs you by the jugular within the first 5 minutes and it doesn’t give you much time to breathe leading up to its twisted ending. It’s refreshing to see one of Hollywood’s most inventive directors fully reinvigorated. Raimi has lived up to the hype surrounding his return to the horror genre. While going gloriously over the top, Raimi makes us laugh as much as he scares the pants off us. “Drag Me To Hell” is well on its way to becoming an immediate classic and could very well be the sleeper hit of this summer. All I have to say is, “you are forgiven for “Spiderman 3” Mr. Raimi”.

** STARS

The “Terminator” franchise has always been one of the most lucrative and entertaining series of science fiction films to ever be created, and one of my personal favorites. I don’t care what critics say, “T3: Rise of the Machines” was a fun action packed romp with stellar effects and chase scenes, it was a blast to see Schwarzenegger once again playing the role that made him huge. The anticipation level for “Terminator: Salvation” was high and it was my own fault for thinking that McG, the director of the “Charlie’s Angels” films and “We Are Marshall”, could pull off a richly developed installment in the “Terminator” film series. Even the always terrific Cristian Bale comes off as a caricature of his brooding “Batman” persona with his laughably raspy voice.

McG’s choppy editing and bleak direction gave this film a stale and rehashed feeling making this the first unoriginal installment in the franchise. No matter how many explosions or blood thirsty robots you put on the screen, there still needs to be a rich storyline to keep people interested and coming back for more. McG has no clear vision or style; even his actors go through each scene like mechanical drones with no real appeal to them. All of the fun, irony and wit from the original “Terminator” films has completely disappeared.

“Terminator: Salvation” is far from awful, but it is close to joyless and down right silly. The movie’s only pleasure is a too-brief fight scene between Connor and a naked combatant made up to look precisely like Arnold Schwarzenegger. This film relies too heavily on previous knowledge of the Terminator world, and constant explanations and references eventually become obvious and repetitive. At this point let’s just say the machines have won and put this tired franchise to bed. Everything that could be said has been said, and much better I might add!

Mando Diao are a rock band from Borlänge, Sweden. According to the band, the name Mando Diao has no meaning at all, but rather appeared to band member Björn Dixgård in a dream. The band claims the Beatles as their original source of inspiration. Björn says that the band has been very inspired by movies and television with this album and cites Quentin Tarantino and Twin Peaks. The instantly catchy single “Dance With Somebody” is pretty danceable for a rock song, watch the music video below:

Tommy Sparks released “She’s Got Me Dancing” last month in the UK so you may be hearing it for the first time here on PCB. I think he’s got a great pop vibe that could catch on here in the states. Ladyhawke will join Sparks on a few dates during his U.K. tour. If you happen to be in that part of the world, I am jealous. Watch the 80’s inspired music video below:

Santigold’s sound is difficult to pin down, but it has been described as a mix of dub, electronic, hip-hop, reggae, indie rock, new wave, and punk rock (to name a few). Last night’s show at The Warfield in San Francisco highlighted all of these influences and by the end of the night I was floored by her high energy and perfect sound quality. I’ve read reviews of some of Santigold’s other live shows and in the past she has performed with just a DJ using back up tracks. As luck would have it Santigold decided to debut her new band at this concert and they sounded flawless and well rehearsed.

Thirty-two-year-old Santigold , aka Santi White, began her set with “You’ll Find A Way,” which paved the way for her pulsing 40-minute set. Her crowd pleasing track “Say Aha” started with a reggae beat and grabbed the hipster crowd instantly creating a bouncing frenzy. When the first guitar strums of “Lights Out” were played the tiny venue turned into an 80’s dance party with whole audience singing along. Afterwards Santigold announced that it was the first time she had ever performed the original version in the USA.

When “L.E.S. Artistes” started she continued to work the crowd into a lather high fiving the front row. Santigold had the voice, dance moves, and the best back up singers I have ever seen. She even invited people on stage with her to dance to the closer “Creator”. Everything she did redefined what it means to see a live rock show. The high energy, crisp vocals and almost militant timing of her dancers made this one of the best unpredictable performances I have ever seen. Santigold is hope for pop music and a “must see” live in concert for any music fan.

WATCH MY VIDEO FOOTAGE FROM SANTIGOLD’S MAY 21ST SHOW @ THE WARFIELD IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA BELOW!

SANTIGOLD PERFORMING “LIGHTS OUT”

SANTIGOLD PERFORMING “SAY AHA”

SANTIGOLD PERFORMING “LES ARTISTES”

Guy Ritchies next film “Sherlock Holmes” is of course based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective “Sherlock Holmes”, but by the looks of this fantastic trailer the film version will also be a zany buddy pick with tons of action. The movie stars Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes, Jude Law as Watson and Rachel McAdams as the female lead. Set in 1891, the film revolves around Holmes and Watson stopping a conspiracy to destroy Britain. The film began shooting in October 2008 and will be released on Christmas Day 2009. I am calling it now, this will be one of the biggest films of 2009.

1/2 STAR

“Angels & Demons” re-teams director Ron Howard and star Tom Hanks for the sequel to their international blockbuster adaptation of Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code”. Hanks stars as professor Robert Langdon, a respected symbologist, who uses his knowledge to decode ancient hidden religious symbols that reveal a sinister plot within the Vatican. The clues eventually put him on the trail of a far fetched international conspiracy involving the Catholic Church that had my eyes rolling non-stop!

In “Angels & Demons”, the filmmakers spend a lot of screen time trying to explain the plot to the point you feel overwhelmed with the details. I would hesitate to call this movie suspenseful or even involving, I found myself laughing in disbelief quite a lot. The absurd climax pushes the film past the limits of an audiences ability to suspend disbelief, which is ultimately the films biggest weakness. I guess the one thing Howard has learned in his hacky career is that a film doesn’t need to have a lot of substance to make a ton of money.

Even though this movie is a glossy, high profile popcorn flick with an A-list cast, it doesn’t mean it’s any good. This clumsy msytery is loud, 20 minutes too long and super violent for no apparent reason (I don’t underdstand why this movie wasn’t rated R). “Angels & Demons” is the first official dud of the summer movie season, it should pray for forgiveness and quietly go away to make room for bigger and smarter looking pictures like “Up”, “Julie & Julia” and “Bruno”.