Becky's Greatest Hits Vol. II

If you love our President, this film will only make you love him more.  In a brief study of his early college days at Columbia in the early 80's, you see a side of "Barry" that you haven't before: his ambivalence about his mixed race, his issues with both his parents, his love of poetry and introduction to a city filled with poverty and violence.  It's the kind of movie that makes you realize how far we've come and how far we still have to go.  It's also the perfect way to say goodbye to a President that many of us will forever idolize and respect. 

2016 is taking all the beautiful people.

Chistmas isn't complete without Han Gruber falling from Nakatomi Plaza......

This is an awesome documentary series that I caught up with late, and now I just hope it goes on to add more episodes.  It's definitely got that Sam Dunn vibe on it and takes its time going back to the early 70's basement parties on up to the proliferation of rap and hip-hop into the mainstream in the 90's.  I'd really like to see it go on up to present-day and spend more time on the social-conscious artists of the 80's and 90's.  This doc is a fantastic dovetail to The Get Down , which I tried to watch and just wasn't, in fact, down for (pun intended). But hey!  Don't let that stop you.....I know a lot of peeps really liked it.  Overall, it's cool that music that was underground for so long is finally getting its due.  Especially when it so heavily dominates our culture today. 

This movie ain't nothing but straight up FUN!  You don't have to care about the following things to enjoy this film, but if you do, you will love it even more: Kevin Smith, Clerks, any character in any Kevin Smith film ever, Kevin Smith's family, Johnny Depp's family, Canada, Canadian jokes, 80's rock, yoga, making fun of yoga, teenage girls, teenage girls and their phones, making fun of teenage girls and their phones.  Seriously, this movie has so much to mention it's really hard to contain: surprise appearances by actors you haven't seen in years (Haley-Joel Osment, anyone?), tiny Nazis made out of bratwurst, an awesome Anthrax cover at the opening, and two very witty daughters of prominent Hollywood moguls: Kevin Smith and Johnny Depp.  Oh!  And both their moms are in the movie too!  Bonus!  For realz tho, need a break from this holiday crush?  Take a night off and watch this fun movie.  You could even watch it with your tween daughters!  And if yo

You wouldn't think a mean old Grinch like me would like a film like It's a Wonderful Life.  But I think part of the reason I dig it is because it's doesn't really feel like it's about Christmas at all but more about life in general......how it can be both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.  However, I have to admit that if I miss my favorite scene, The Buffalo Gals scene, the movie is pretty much dunzo for me.  I may not like to buy holiday gifts, but I'm still a sap.....what can I say?

I don't know anyone who doesn't like Christmas Vacation.  I'll rephrase.  I don't want to know anyone who doesn't like Christmas Vacation.  Because to me, you can know all you want about Marxism, the Great Pyramids, and Botticelli, but if you don't understand this scene......don't bother talking to me. If you love the movie you also understand other great lines like "little full.....lotta sap" and the momentous "Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where's the Tylenol?"  If you love Christmas Vacation, you know why Ellen loves Clark so much.  They've been through a lot together.  Did you see the first installment of Vacation?  And European Vacation?  Ellen is a ride or die chick if there ever was one!  I guess that's why she's protecting Clark's greatest assets when the cops bust in...... And who can forget Aunt Bethany?  Is it true that she voiced Betty Boop back in the day?  A better blogger would've re

Ugh.

(I felt the need to re-share this post from 2 years ago.  Just think about it, and then act as you feel appropriate.  There's no space for comments.  Poverty is not debatable in my book.) I've been thinking about this whole Salvation Army situation quite a bit lately. For those of you that don't know, there is pretty strong evidence that Salvation Army has practiced anti-gay policies in their hiring and even in their care and consideration of the needy.  Due to this, several LGBT and anti-discrimination groups and individuals have created a very strong online campaign to discourage folks from donating to the Salvation Army.  The Red Kettles, seen outside busy stores and shops during the holiday season are a long-standing well-recognized donation site for the Salvation Army.  The groups who oppose the charity are specifically encouraging shoppers and folks who they think just aren't in the know, to avoid these kettles.  I've read several online articles and var

Love Actually has become such a holiday favorite, it's hard to believe it's only been around since 2003!  It's definitely a very modern take on the holiday season with several interwoven stories ranging from a lonely world leader to body doubles in a raunchy movie to an aging rock star attempting a comeback....and a whole lot more in between.  With all those varied storylines, you may even wonder what it really has to do with Christmas?  I guess, for me, it's the idea that we're all more alike than we are different, no matter what our circumstances.  And is there ever a time when we're more tied together, no matter how you feel about them, than during the holidays?   And for as much as some of them break my heart, here are my favorite stories in the film.  I can't even go into how they're all dovetailed to one another, so you'll have to watch to see...... How can you not feel compassion for an intelligent world leader who still can

Don't let those skeletons fool ya......today's the Gordon Street HOLIDAY market at Snug Harbor! Open today from 1 - 4 pm Snug Harbor 1228 Gordon Street

George Harrison February 25, 1943- November 29, 2001 "The Quiet Beatle" We still miss you.

I wish I could say this 2015 documentary taught me things about Janis I hadn't heard before, but not so much.  It basically drives home the same lore that has always overshadowed this epic lady: she was lonely, she was insecure, she was unlucky in love, she was an enigma.  But I did love the part that focused on the Monterrey Pop Festival......I've always really adored the scenes that show "Mama" Cass Elliott digging on Janis from the front row.  I also liked Janis's letters to family and friends being read in the voice of Janis by Cat Power......that was very touching.  Overall it's just another sad story of a legend of the 60's gone too soon.

My neighbor's cat. She may not be mine, but she certainly likes to hang out on my carport a lot. I welcome her mad hunting skills.

Jazz Workshop & Improv hosted by John Shaughnessy. Bring your axe, flute, horn, whatever and play some music, sing, bring your jazz and improvised music charts and have them performed by some of Charlotte's best jazz musicians. PA, baby grand piano, drum kit, amps provided.

Bless These Sounds Under the City with Dinner Rabbits and Sam the Lion Petra's 1919 Commonwealth Avenue 9 pm

Let me be angry.  Let me cry if I want to. Let me complain. Let me grieve. Let me have a minute. Let me be scared. Let me turn you off. Let me have silence. Let me commiserate. Let me hate you. Let me forget you. Let me say what I need to say. Let me scream. Let me feel it. Let me wrap myself up. Let me lick my wounds. Let me have my moment. Let me think on this. Let me process. Let me have time. Let me have space. Or let me be.

This is a book of quirky, slightly morose short stories by an author that seems fairly transfixed with terminal illness.  Its very modern voice on love, dating, blogging, etc was funny in parts, but to me mostly had a low-energy feel.....like the kind of stories a depressed undergrad with trendy dark-rimmed glasses and scruffy sweaters would write.  So not really me but wasn't a bad read during a few lunch breaks here recently.  To be fair, there is not a thing in the world wrong with this book.....it just wasn't written for me since I don't live in any of the NY boroughs, am not a recent college graduate, am not Jewish and still have my dad.  Does it translate?  Sure.  It just doesn't really interest a 41 year-old mother in North Carolina.  And yes, I'm not so smug that I know I won't be there one day in the mourning of a parent, but I prefer not to think about that while I'm doing some light reading on my lunch break. 

Valient Thorr with No Anger Control and Planet Creep Tonight at Snug Harbor 1228 Gordon Street 10 pm

Had the opportunity to get the sneak preview of the new record from Bless These Sounds Under the City .  Check it out over here at My City .  This is truly beautiful music that I can help but call "twinkly".  Keep them on your radar for upcoming dates and prospects for bigger things.  I can't help hearing them on some future soundtrack of a lovely indie film.  Or maybe in my own dreams......

Dear Eddie, I know you're a big Cubs fan. How could I not?  Anyone that knows you KNOWS that you love the Chicago Cubs. Didn't you write and sing a tribute song for them?  Aren't you at most all the home games?  Haven't you sang " Take Me Out to the Ballgame " and thrown out first pitches and posed with players and eaten all the hot-dogs?  And even though I never watch baseball, I want your Cubbies to win.  I do.  You gave me Corduroy.  You gave me Not For You and Lukin.  Your voice was the soundtrack of my teenage life.  So I'm gonna root, root for the Cubbies.  I'm gonna cross my fingers.  I'm gonna hold my rabbit's foot.  I'm gonna send out my good juju vibes.  Because those are just small things that I can do for you and your team, so I'm gonna try. And I hope you're gonna wake up tomorrow happy with a winning team.  I hope that for you and for Chicago.  You've all earned it.  Good luck tonight.

Halloween 1978 Those were some creepy-ass times.

Halloween Fiasco Night 2: The Dead Men as EMINEM Knowne Ghost as DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Tiny City as MILEY CYRUS Rothschild as BRAND NEW fat geoff as R. KELLY Porch Mob (ft. Lil Skritt & Enyo Phase ) as DIE ANTWOORD Tom, Hanks as THE CLASH Suit City as AT THE DRIVE-IN   It's like....it can't all be contained in one night!!!!! 

Halloween Fiasco Night 1: The Bleeps as MADONNA Automatic Fantastic as ZZ TOP Van Huskins as SUPERCHUNK Glimpses as OASIS October as CELTIC FROST Tom, Hanks as TOM WAITS plus Gore Gore Luchadores wrasslin' for charity as YOUR FAVORITE WRESTLING ICONS Are you kidding me?????  What a line-up!!!