Most Amazing Drummer Ever

Where in the world did this guy learn how to play the drums?  and what's he doing in THAT band.

Planet Earth Live @ Hollywood Bowl

Since the Hollywood Bowl usually allows food, we decided to have a Porto's picnic:

1. Meat pies - nice and flaky.  I can see why they make such good pastries.  Wish there was just a little more than just meat in there.  Veggies would have helped 
2. Potato balls - free! But they got a little chewy because we waited a bit to eat them.  Note:  eat the potato balls ASAP

3. Potato Ball sandwich (a little dry.  Maybe because of the balls' exteriors or too much starch altogether) 

4. Double Danish - cherry on one side, apple on the other.  Unfortunately, I was so full I only took one bite.  It was good though! 

5. Tiramisu - really good despite being a little melted from the warm weather.   

Maybe this should have been called a starchy picnic instead of a Porto's picnic.

I've never seen the Planet Earth series (I know, shame on me), so I was really excited to finally see some of it, especially to the sounds of the LA Phil.  That weekend was the first time Hollywood Bowl used their HD screen located center stage, above the orchestra.  It was amazingly crisp and clear, like watching TV in your living room, but with better sound.

Turned out, the conductor, George Fenton, wrote the music for Blue Planet and Planet Earth.  He made some humorous intros for each of the condensed episodes.  My fav episodes:  Babies, Predators (epic shots and music), Caves (the environment and animals looked so alien!), and Behind-the-Scenes.

There were more kids at The Bowl than I'm used to seeing.  I was surprised they showed Predators with children present.  The episodes were beautifully shot.  I can't believe how many hours and months photographers wait just to get a 10 minute shot of an animal.  Editors must go through so many hours and hours of footage just to produce a single episode.  I really admire all the dedication and work that went into the series.

The LA Phil was fantastic and I hope they decide to do this again because I think it's a great family activity.  Can't wait until they do Frozen Planet Live. 

Dirty Martinis Jazz to Play @ Blogger Prom

Photo from Dirty Martinis Jazz

Jazz trio Dirty Martinis Jazz will be providing live music for Blogger Prom along with guest singer, Christiana Moffa.

Inception

Inception is probably the best film I've seen this year.  I haven't left a theater doubting reality like that since I watched the first Matrix.



The trailer reveals the tip of what the film is actually about.  This review is going to sound kind of general because it'll be difficult to discuss it without ruining it for everyone and I think EVERYONE needs to see this movie.

The fight scene was incredible.  It gave the impression of being in space, but still had human speed, adding up to a disorienting, but amazing action sequence. 

Joseph Gordon Levitt has to be one of the best actors of our time.  He has been extremely convincing in the past movies I've seen him in (Brick, (500) Days of Summer, 10 Things I Hate About You) and he is no different in Inception.  His walk, his words (I adore his gravelly, private eye type voice), his look (loved his flawlessly pressed, neat suits), his mannerisms made me believe he was this extremely serious character and helped to make him the perfect straight man in certain scenes.  Leonardo DiCaprio looked ratlike to me, but I think that emphasized the deceptions he participated in.  I adored Ellen Page's Asexual Chic wardrobe, which  came off as Parisian / Bonnie & Clyde (I wanted all her handkerchiefs, except for the western hipster one) meets 1940s professor (loved all the vests and blazers).

Photo from OnlineMoviesHut

Was it just me or did anyone else find it ironic that Cillian Murphy, who played Scarecrow, was in another movie about dreams?  Marion Cotillard really scared the poop out of me in one scene where her eyes were bulging.  I almost thought her head was going to start spinning around.  She convincingly conveyed mystery and fear through her mood swings.

The soundtrack, which was written and composed by Hans Zimmer, really enhanced the film by creating so many different levels of anxiety through fantastic string arrangements that made me think of large machines and machinations.  I think the score is right up there with Jaws' in instant recognizability. Also, it won't sound outdated when you watch the film years later, unlike The Matrix, which obviously sounds like the 90s. 
  

More:
Camerawork
Visual Effects

Good Music + Good Food = Good Idea

Photo from last.fm

 It's a great idea to pair She & Him (a band that appeals to the musical tastes of any age) with great food from the likes of Ludo Lefebvre, Mark Peel, and others for Los Angeles Times' Celebration of Food & Wine on Sept. 5. 

And what?  Lollapalooza tapped Chicago chef Graham Elliot Bowles to curate the festival's food options (Pop & Hiss).  I wish more festivals would do that because it's pretty common to expect overpriced crappy food at music festivals.  If we're going to pay so much money to go to these festivals, we might as well be served good food.

Blogger Prom 2010 Announces Venue & Date

So, it's that time of year again and Blogger Prom is just around the corner.  It was born last year with high expectations that were definitely met and exceeded with a great venue, goody bags, and food.  This year's venue has just been announced and it will be the theme of Hollywood Confidential on September 22, 2010 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the beautiful Yamashiro Restaurant.

Photo from Blogger Prom

I just finished watching LA Confidential and I can't wait to see all the bloggers in their glamorous, old Hollywood getups!

Also, I hear Blogger Prom is looking for a big band.  Possibly to play live during Blogger Prom, which would be fantastic!  I would LOVE it if everyone started swing dancing on the floor!  It sounds like the band would be paid in publicity, but trust me, Blogger Prom provides amazing publicity.  So, if you are a big band or know of one (my dream is to have Squirrel Nut Zippers play there), please contact EstarLA by email or twitter.  


More from some of the Blogger Prom committee:
Caroline on Crack
EstarLA
Happy Go Marni
ShopEatSleep
Tara Met Blog