Spring Break
March 2008 While looking over the nominations for the 80th Annual Academy Awards, I was reminded of the many omissions that have happened throughout the ceremony's history. For example, influential directors, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Altman, Frederico Fellini, and Stanley Kubrick have never won the award for Best Director, despite each being nominated numerous times.
January 2008 With the primaries fast approaching and in keeping with the whole election theme, I’m going to compare the candidates t movies that, in my mind, represent who they are.Barack Obama:Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Why? It’s about a political idealist who doesn’t back away from his beliefs when confronted with corruption.
March 2008 In 2005, the movie industry lost over $6 billion to piracy worldwide. About $2.3 billion of the losses were due to internet piracy, such as illegal downloading and file-sharing. It had become clear by that point that piracy was a major problem for movie studios.
March 2008 In honor of The Commentator’s celebration of women this month, I thought it would be perfect to check out ARP, Lady Tigra, and Electrocute at Spaceland on February 10th. Music covering various genres filled the venue and all delivered by some wonderful female talent.
March 2008 You don't think you know Allee Willis, except you do. Willis is best known for her songwriting, namely "I'll Be There For You" (the Friends theme song), along with "September" and "Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind & Fire.
March 2008If you forgot to make your reservations at Osteria Mozza a month in advance, no need to worry. For me, the best seat in the house is one at the "mozzarella bar" (Nancy Silverton's novel take on antipasti) where you can't even make a reservation.
February 2008The three-month-old Writers Guild strike has taken a heavy toll on production, put thousands out of work in Los Angeles and New York, and downgraded the Golden Globes. However, in a moment of optimism, the Guild announced last month that it would start informal talks with studios, drop some contract demands and give a picket-free blessing to the Grammy Awards.
February 2008Ever wonder what your favorite new bands REALLY listens to It’s easy to find out what they are listening to and what their biggest influences are by checking out “Still F*ing Awesome” (“Awesome”) at Beauty Bar in Hollywood on Monday nights.
February 2008Some foods form the perfect marriage: bread and butter, peanut butter and jelly…but chicken and waffl es? It’s not a bad joke -- it’s Roscoe’s.Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘n Waffles is a Southern California-based soul food restaurant chain founded in 1976 by Herb Hudson, a Harlem, N.
February 2008Organic To Go is the first and only fast, casual café that is USDA organically certified to offer a wide variety of ready-made entrees, soups, salads, sandwiches, and wraps prepared daily for those always on the go. Breakfast, lunch, and ready-made items are organic and can be made to be low-calorie and low-fat.
February 2008On Valentine’s Day, people are usually in the mood for a great romantic movie. And really, what’s a great romantic movie without a great romantic line? So if you find yourself out of ideas for what to do on Valentine’s Day, here are some of my favorite romantic movies that you can’t go wrong with, along with my favorite line from each film:Chunking Express (1994): If you haven’t yet, it’s about time you introduced yourself to the films of Wong Kar Wai.
February 2008When a band sounds as good live as on record, you’ve found something good. Mere Mortals played The Troubadour in January to an enthusiastic crowd with a new lineup featuring existing members, Axel (vocals/guitar) and Mimi Star (bass), along with new members, Derek Walker (lead guitar) and Todd Demma (drums).
February 2008Welcome to BORED, the column that lets you know what is happening in L.A. So if your studies have got you down or you are just plain bored, then get out and enjoy this amazing city we live in.B is for Barrister's Ball: It’s time for SW’s annual Barrister's Ball.
February 2008Although much of the Hollywood focus has been on the recent effects of the writers’ strike, the music industry is experiencing a change as well.England-owned EMI recently revealed that there are plans to cut one-third of its jobs in an effort to save $400 million a year.
January 2008I had the opportunity to sit down with promoter/DJ/founder of Iheartcomix Records, Franki Chan. Coming off a national tour, I caught up with Chan at his place near Hollywood and covered topics ranging from throwing some of the best parties in L.
January 2008The weather might be cooling down, but the frozen yogurt wars are still hot and heavy. While Pinkberry and Red Mango battle it out franchise versus franchise, Sno:la is the new true contender. On my first experience at Sno, I tasted every single one of their seasonal, non-fat, organic flavors (including mango, pomegranate, sour cherry, fig/date and italian tart) made from fresh local ingredients.
January 2008With the primaries fast approaching and in keeping with the whole election theme, I’m going to compare the candidates to movies that, in my mind, represent who they are.Barack Obama: Mr. Smith Goes to WashingtonWhy? It’s about a political idealist who doesn’t back away from his beliefs when confronted with corruption.
January 2008 Sibling bands have a history of success in the music industry, and I predict The Abdomen will be no different. Hailing from Minnesota, The Abdomen are brothers Jake Abdo (21) and Matt Abdo (20), with younger sister, Mari Abdo (17). Their music is feel-good pop-rock with catchy melodies and sweet harmonies.
January 2008Welcome to BORED: the column that lets you know what is happening in L.A. So if your studies have got you down or you are just plain bored, then get out and enjoy this amazing city we live in. B is for Barrister’s Ball: It’s a new year, which means it is time for the guys to suit up and the girls to get all decked out in gowns and high heels.
January 2008No doubt, hands down, one of, if not the most, popular restaurant on La Cienega, is Koi.This sexy sushi bar and restaurant features stellar Japanese-Californian fusion cuisine that keeps Hollywood coming back for more. The décor boasts of a lush Zen stone patio, an outdoor fireplace, and waterfalls to convey a serene, yet exotic atmosphere.
December 2007On Thursday, Nov. 8, the Stones Throw All Stars took over the El Rey Theater kicking off the 2k Bounce Tour.The tour is sponsored by 2K Sports’ recent release of the NBA 2K8 video game. The venue was fitted with huge banners and demo stations where guests could check out the new game.
December 2007Nervous about finals? Try watching these movies. They probably won’t help, but they’ll take your mind off studying for a while.Legally BlondeI don’t care if it wasn’t meant to win an Oscar, a lighthearted law school flick was well overdue.
December 2007Celebrities want to be recognized for their work not their court dates, but Britney Spears can’t escape the relentless mediacoverage of her ongoing legal troubles.Many of Spears’ troubles began with her divorce from Kevin Federline from which an ongoing custody battle in Los Angeles Family Court ensued.
December 2007This is America. Oprah backs presidential candidates, porn stars run for governor, and the most notorious acquitted murderer in the country takes advantage of the lurid variety of marketing possibilities presented by double jeopardy laws.O.J. Simpson’s undeniably brilliant effort to parlay his crime into cash has resulted in problems for the Goldman family.
December 2007 Welcome to Bored in L.A., the column that lets you know what is happening in L.A. So if your studies have got you down or you are just plain bored, then get out and enjoy this amazing city we live in.
December 2007Rebekah ChesnesIntroducing Rebekah Chesnes(Street Symphony Artist Alliance)Final exams are rapidly approaching, which means lots of studying and lots of quiet. However, sometimes the quiet becomes...too...quiet....Rebekah Chesnes’ new album, Introducing Rebekah Chesnes, is a great way to break the silence while continuing to study.
December 2007Connoisseurs of beef know the only place worth decking out for prime rib is Lawry’s on La Cienega’s restaurant row. Even after 70 years, they are still the “king” of prime rib. Their signature silver carts float along the tables, ready to carve to your liking.
December 2007As presidential candidates prepare for next year’s election by shaking hands and kissing babies, or trying to bag a superstar to help with the campaign, Oprah Winfrey may have just given her choice candidate a leg up on the competition.Unlike previous years, when Winfrey has been quiet about her pick, the billionaire media maven has recently announced her support for Democratic candidate Sen.
December 2007California Gov.Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed a bill that retroactively grants publicity rights to long-dead celebrities. The right of publicity in California now spans 70 years after the death of a person, which gives deceased celebrities a much higher level of protection compared to other states, such as Michigan, which does not recognize post-mortem publicity rights.
November 2007On Oct.31, the contract between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) expired. As of Oct. 14, negotiations between the two were at a standstill, and a strike on the part of the WGA seemed imminent.