Archive for October, 2008

I saw this performance on blackcabsessions.com and thought it was amazing. Here is some information on the duo.

The band consists of Alex Scally, guitar and keyboards, and Victoria Legrand, vocals and organ. Beach House was formed in 2005 and they come from Baltimore, Maryland. Their self-titled debut, Beach House, was named the 16th best album of 2006 by Pitchfork Media. Their second album, Devotion, was released earlier this year.

Here is song off of Devotion called “Heart of Chambers.”

If Beach House ever finds this post, I had to give one piece of advice. Lay off the reverb a little bit.

Robert Pattinson

Actor Robert Pattinson received the “New Hollywood Award” during the 12th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards. The award is to recognize the achievements made by actors in new films. So, what new film was Pattinson in that he deserved the “New Hollywood Award”? I have no idea. I know he played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter: The Goblet of Fire, but I doubt that’s why he was given the award.

My theory, he was given the award for work he hasn’t done. He was given the award for just buzz as Hollywoods new “hunk.” He will star in “Twilight,” a vampire flick. I’ve seen the trailers and I’m thinking its going to be a dud. I could be wrong, but I really do not think so.

I actually received hate mail for this post, saying that I should check my facts (a.k.a. IMBD). Well, I did, but it still doesn’t negate the fact that most people do not know who he is. Even TMZ, who spends all their time on celebrity news, doesn’t know who he is.

I’m not sure why the major media outlets are reporting with this wording, but Hugh Hefner’s “exes” Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson are leaving the Playboy Mansion. Bridget Marquardt also will be leaving soon, as told to Usmagazine.com.

You know it, I know it, and everybody else knows it, you cannot have an “ex” if they were never your girlfriend. Seriously, it must have been tough for the three women to not have been with a boyfriend (at least in public) for the last few years, especially since they are in their “prime.” But, with Madison being linked to Chris Angel and Kendra Wilkinson with Philadelphia Eagles receiver Hank Baskett, I think they have tested their patience enough. Anyway, good for them.

Girls Next Door

No joke, Joaquin Phoenix is retiring from making films. Watch the exclusive interview given to Jerry Penacoli.

Phoenix’s latest film is “Two Lovers,” a romantic drama with Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw and would be his final performance. I’m sorry, maybe I’m just too used to Blockbuster Movies, but this is not the last movie I want to see Joaquin Phoenix in because it looks like a real bore. I want something like “Clay Pigeons” with Vince Vaughn.

Anyway, Joaquin Phoenix is giving up acting to pursue a music career. After learning how to play guitar for “Walk The Line,” he’s found a passion for music. So he’s doing the whole album thing and is rumored to be working with The Charlatons, not to be confused with Good Charlotte.

I’m sorry, but why would Joaquin Phoenix make such a definitive statement like that? Wouldn’t have been more prudent just to say that he’s going to be working on music? This is what you call, “painting yourself into a corner” because at only 34-years old I feel that he’s going to eventually change his mind. Fortunately, I think people will be more happy that he’s going to be in another film that dwell on the fact that he said he was never acting again.

There has been a lot of news about “Milk.” Despite the fact the movie has basically not been promoted at all because the director, Gus Van Sant, has just recently finished it and not in time for all the major movie festivals. The cast includes Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, and James Franco.

Here is the description of the movie from Focus Features: “Synopsis: In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans. Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk under the direction of Gus Van Sant in Milk, filmed on location in San Francisco from an original screenplay by Dustin Lance Black, and produced by Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen. Milk charts the last eight years of Harvey Milk’s life. While living in New York City, he turns 40. Looking for more purpose, Milk and his lover Scott Smith (James Franco) relocate to San Francisco, where they found a small business, Castro Camera, in the heart of a working-class neighborhood. With his beloved Castro neighborhood and beautiful city empowering him, Milk surprises Scott and himself by becoming an outspoken agent for change. With vitalizing support from Scott and from new friends like young activist Cleve Jones (Emile Hirsch), Milk plunges headfirst into the choppy waters of politics. Bolstering his public profile with humor, Milk’s actions speak even louder than his gift-of-gab words. When Milk is elected supervisor for the newly zoned District 5, he tries to coordinate his efforts with those of another newly elected supervisor, Dan White (Josh Brolin). But as White and Milk’s political agendas increasingly diverge, their personal destinies tragically converge. Milk’s platform was and is one of hope – a hero’s legacy that resonates in the here and now.”

Castro

Sean and Robin Wright Penn

James Franco

Emile Hirsch

Diego Luna

Josh Brolin and wife actress Diane Lane

Alison Pill

Dustin Lance Black

T.R. Knight and Mark Cornelsen

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Photographer David LaChapelle and drew Kuhse