When the Sky is Full of 0’s and 1’s
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Just did a quick tally and counted up the number of shows kirstie and went to this year. From what is entered on the calendar (and only counting festivals as 1 per days ie: Pfork=2, Intonation=2, Hideout/T&G=3, wicker park=2) we feel just a wee short of 100 (98 to be exact). How many bands is that? Well:

98 - 9 = 91 were @ a club 91 * 3 = 273 (figure on average 3 bands per night)

Pfork = 26 bands (that I saw, I couldnt catch everything)

Intonation = 20 bands (I think)

Hideout /T&G = 32

Wickpark = 15 (rough estimate again)

Total = 366 bands (approx)

And according to the database about 140 records from 2006 were worth the space they take in our apartment.

(….but who’s counting. Not me the math geek)

Arlo Guthrie - Alice’s Restaurant
Neil Young - Zuma
Juana Molina - Salvese Quien Pueda (Four Tet Remixes)
Caribou - Yeti EP
Pieces of April (dvd)
Bonnie “Prince” Billy - Summer in the Southeast
Bonnie “Prince” Billy - The Letting Go

We went to The Little to see the The Squid and the Whale last night. The tag line for the movie is “Joint custody sucks” and is the story of 2 children of to PhD writers who are divorcing. Told from the point of view of the 2 children it shows the affect a divorce has on the children. Complicated by the fact that neither parent is perfect it is tough to pick sides as a viewer. This is also shown through the children, one of which sides with one parent and one with the other. The overall problem I had with this film was that both parents were PhD writers and living in downtown NYC. I guess divorce happens in all types of house. Even so, the problems that the kids dealt with were universal to most children of broken homes and they did a great job of drawing us in. Seeing the credits at the end expalined the stunted style of some of the scenes, Wes Anderson has a credit for producer. Overall, a good movie that everyone should see.

We saw this film yesterday, would have seen it last week when it came out but due to car problems we could only see Capote last weekend. Both of these films opened last week, beginning the deluge of big name, high quality films that want to be considered for an Oscar . This is both a great time to be a movie fan and the worst. We have had to slog through summer, when we’ve had the most time to see films, seeing good and occasionally great indie films or big studio films that the houses don’t have much hope. I digress.

Good Night and Good Luck is absolutely terrific. It is a cross between a documentary and a dramatic work (docu-drama) shot all in black & white so that they could use actual footage of Murrow’s and McCarthy. The set design, props, everything was very authentic, drawing me into the film and the era. The movie chronicles Murrow’s on air battles with McCarthy showing the behind-the-scenes set up to each weeks broadcast. Not only does it shed light on a very interesting time in American history and 50’s journalism, it also serves as a reference as to how far news television has come and still needs to go. We get a glimpse from this about the power the advertisers were beginning to grasp in the worl of news and political reporting, something that I am sure still happens to this day. Using actual McCarthy footage and the exact same well written lines of Murrow’s responses did well to frame the tension and show off the poetic creativity of Murrow. Clooney did a great job of directing and played his part in the film very sub-dued, making it one of only 2 performances of Clooney’s that I have liked (the other being in O Brother, Where Art Thou? ). It’s going to be tough for me to decide what film will be movie of the year for me. 10/10

We really wanted to see 2 films this weekend. Both Capote and Goodnight and Goodluck were opening but due to some car problems we had to make a choice, and for us Phillip Seymour Hoffman wins out every time. I am not all the familiar with Truman Capote as a writter or a person, so I have to say I learned a lot by watching this film. The main theme of the film follows Capote through the period of obsession and research he did for the book In Cold Blood . Through the film Hoffman does a great job of really becoming Capote, taking on his high pitched voice and effeminate mannerisms. The film does a good job of showing the conflict going through Capotes mind, faced with the problem of trying to finish this monster of a book while also feeling something for one of the killers. There are some great lines that give the viewer a glipse of this struggle, like when Capote talking to Harper Lee says “its like we grew up in the same house, but he [Perry] left through the back door while I went through the front”. He sees real talent in Perry’s drawings and a commonality in the broken homes that they both came from. With his friends, Capote tells funny stores and demeaning jokes, but with Percy they talk of real feelings. The only times we get a glimse into Capote’s character is when he is with Percy. Is this why he fights for them to get a better trial, with a better lawyer. Or is it merely so that he can get all the information that he needs to finish this book. The movie ends with that question for the view to decide. The supporting cast of Keener and Clifton Collins Jr. as Perry do a great job as well. 9/10

Well, you know you are in for a great film when you walk into the theater about 10 minutes before the film is set to start and there is NO ONE there. What a treat, our own private showing. This was the Lars von Trier penned Dear Wendy and it was 4:50pm on a saturday. Not a prime time for film viewing but not usually such a dead time. Anyway, it Trier and its a criticism on America, right up our alley.

The movie takes place in any-town USA, possibly down south due to the faded “stars and bars” on one wall. Similar to Dogville , where all the “action” takes place on one chalk drawn set, here we are given the luxury of real buildings but, the whole world of this movie is not much more then the main square of town. This is a place the 5 main characters have played in their whole life, giving certain sections pet names like “The Swamp”. Originally the characters were supposed to be older but Vinterberg , the director as chosen by Trier, decided that they should still be kids in the movie. Kids that work in the local store, that still get beat up at school. Dick (played by that kid from Billy Elliot ) is the main character, the lead so to speak. Early in the film he has to go to a birthday party for a kid he doesnt like and decides to buy a crapy toy gun that he thinks he will hate. Well he decided that he might hate a worn and abridged copy of “A Picture of Dorian Gray” and keeps the “toy” for himself. Even when he thinks its a “toy” he has a bizarre fascination with the shape, the beauty so to speak. He moves from solitary idolization of the toy to small group research when his friend at the shop where he works sees the gun. Much to Dick’s surprise his friend Stevie (played by Mark Weber ) is a gun aficionado Together they felt a boosted self-esteem by just carrying guns, pacifists with guns they call themselves. They soon realize they should gather the group of outcast friends they have and start a club, so to speak. Calling themselves the Dandies they takeover an abandoned mine shaft and take up the art of target practice and research into guns and killers. They marry their guns, given them names, and treat them with respect. In turn these guns give them power, although they have made an oath not to use them for killing, which they affectionately call “loving” while the Zombies tune “Time of the Season” plays in the back ground. Carrying gives them the confidence to be forward with girls they like, to stand up to bullies at school. They get so sure of them selves that they decide to take one of the Dandies grandmothers across the square, a trip she has long since stopped taking because of her fear of the roving gangs (which we never see). The Dandies think they have it all figured out, all the bases are covered, to deliver her safely across. Little do they know she has a shot gun, and in her dementia shoots a cop who tries to help pick up her bag that has dropped. This is how the most absurd war scene that closes the movie is triggered. A scene in which the Dandies now decide its time to use the weapons they have studied and cared for. In the end all the children die fighting for a bag of coffee and a few feet of land. In what is obviously a mocking send up to most Hollywood blockbuster action films, Trier and Vinterburg have the kids driving behind cars, windows get blown out, glass and dirt flying everywhere.

This is how the movie ends, leaving the viewer sitting there scratching her/his head. On gut reaction most reviews (like this: and this ) derail Trier and Vinterburg for being unAmerican, and state things like you have never been here how dare you complain. Honestly, for the first 10 minutes or so after leaving the film I was seriously confused. In the traditional sense of a film, with plots, character development, and other logical things this is not. On the walk to dinner with Kirstie (who has this to say about the film) it dawned on me that this was far more then just a critism of America’s fascination with guns. Earlier that day we were talking about Full Metal Jacket Kubricks accurate portrayal of a soldier’s life in Vietnam. The marring of the guns, the idea of keeping the main characters as kids, and even the slogan “Pacifists with Guns”, it was all a beautiful satire on America’s involvement in various wars. Vietnam and Iraq were both billed as peace missions, to free the ppl, lead by 18 year old kids, with guns and little else guiding them. Youthful idealism focus by youthful ignorance. The team of Trier and Vinterburg created a perfect balance of sarcasm and reality. An excellent film 9/10.

Now on to a other movie dealing with America and violence. This I will keep short because I really didnt like the film at all. A History of Violence is the most confused film ever. Did it want to be an indie film making a statement about how small town America deals with violence, then get rid of the graphic gratuitous gore. A thriller? Then get rid of the meaning full lines and strange plot twists, where the wife covers for the husband, or were the sun is picked on in school. William Hurt and Ed Harris were even bad, and Harris really tried to enhance his lines, but there was nothing there and he knew it. The worst film I have seen all year. 2/10

Just got back from seeing this film. Very good, Jarmush has a great eye for framing shots and leaving things very understated. Murray does a great job, a similar part to “Lost in Translation”. I hope this movie didnt come out to early as to be over looked for the Oscars. Well worth seeing.

Well sunday is winding down and it was a great weekend. Friday we decided to see The World . This was on ok movie, a bit like a Chinese soap opera set in an amusment park. Very long and slow with not enough important character development. It was at the music box and on the big screen with oragn playing before hand so the evening was not a complete waste (and any time kirstie and i see a movie, its great because its fun discussing it afterward regaurdless of what we thought of it)

Saturday was a bit hectic, we had to pick up the cake and we had breakfast at svea (which was yummy). Afterwards, came back to drop off the cake, check to see if kirsties work check came (which is didnt …dam slow postal service) and then go to the bank, guitar center (i needed a mic stand) , cabrini (kirstie wanted to take pictures) and then to wicker park. Once there (after a time killing pit stop to stanley’s market…because michelle wasnt home yet) we met up with michelle and had some flourless chocolate cake that she made for me. It was excellent and was perfect fuel for an afternoon/evening at the wicker park street festival. There really only 3 bands we wanted to see; Head of Femur, Okkervil River, and The Oliva Tremor Control. Caught the last half the Head of Femurs set, and then walked around during Turning Machine who really really dreadful. Had some crappy fried food and chips and then made our way back to the north stage. Okkervil River were great, I think we had seen them once before opening for someone at Schubas but this performance was much better. After a long change over (where more crappy fried foods were consumed by us) the Tall Dwarfs played a few songs (they are touring with Oliva Tremor Control, who allowed them to play a mini set before them). They were good, short pop songs on 2 guitars, with new zeland accents. Oliva Tremor Control finally came on and they were ok, they played songs off Black Foilage (most of our favorites), but they just didnt translate well live. Not sure if it was do to being outside or just becuase the albums have lot of production to them that is hard to pull of live. We left a bit early (they were still playing, but I am sure their set was going to finish soon) so we could get over to schubas and see palliard with the thin man. Palliard was great, even better then on the album. The lead singer looked really confident and sang with conviction, while the other guitarist (who also played a bit of lap-steel) was great. A stand up bass along with a solid drummer rounded out the rhythm section. Thin Man was excellent, his songs were these great country tinged folk/story songs. He played accordian and guitar, along with another stand up bass a second guitarist and drummer. He looked like Lou Reed and has a bit of a british accent. Both of these bands are residing in chicago, which means I will look forward to seeing them again real soon.

Sunday was a much more low key day. Kirstie gave me my birthday card which had gift cert for rapid transit (this bike store we went to in wicker park) for enough for a new bike. Way to nice, I am really excited. Kirstie and I took a leisurely bike ride over to angels for some mexican brunch. Once we got back I did some (what ended up being 4 hours without me knowing it) recording and she took a nap. We had cake for dinner and are now going to have some pineapple for desert. This turned out to be a great day.

Well it’s currently 94ºF here in the windy city and dropping, at one point 100ºF. Kirstie and I decided to take a bike ride (crazy..yeah…oh well) to see the beat my heart skipped which was ok. About a father/son relationship that is reversed, where the son is a shady realitor who wants to follow in his deceased mom’s foot steps as a concert pianist. An interesting character study but with way to many loose ends to be coherent. Lots of tight angles and kwick camera pans in dark rooms and alleys, which kinda gave me a headache while also keeping me on edge.

Yesterday was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which was very good. Made a stop at the new Evil Clown which is now in lincoln square. Pretty much the same lay out and size he had on halsted. Picked up the Fall complete Peel Sessions and a newier remastering of the complete Skip James, this one has 4 bonus tracks by Sun House. Had lunch at the Grind, and walked around after the film. Every time we go to that area I think “I could live here, lets move here next”. There are always ppl reading all over the place or carrying instruments (due to the proximity of the Old Town School). But, then I go “No, its to dam far away from the beach”. Guess we are doomed to live in the edgewater/rogers park area forever. Which isnt a bad thing, I really like our ‘hood.

Friday I had the department picnic for the afternoon, which ment 2 things: 1) free beer and 2) leaving early. Had some really nice conversations with some co-workers and their sig-others about films, and found out that our computer tech is taking a better job else were in the company and will no longer be our tech. Great for him, sad for us. He was not only really knowledgable but understood us, as scientists, and what we need. He will be missed. Got a ride home from my boss which is always nice. Not only does he live in the city (not far from me actually) but he is a really nice person to talk to on the hour or so ride in. Once home Kirstie and I went out for thai at our favorite place “Thai Lagoon” and then off to the Empty bottle to see The Pernice Brothers . The openers were The Royal Gun, coming all the way from england. They were ok, the first song was the best, while every other song should have ended about 2 minutes in. While I really didnt like them, I cant rip on them to much since not only did Pernice ask them to tour with them, 2/3rds of them made up the backing band. As seems to be a trend with me and the pernice brothers, I am an album behind. Not really knowing any of the new songs I was still able to enjoy the show. He did play a few favorites off The World Won’t End and Yours, Mine, Ours which really made the night. Overall, Joe’s voice live is bit more gruff and frayed around the edges then on the album, which adds some more rock-ness to the sugary pop songs.