Heart It Races (As Played by Dr. Dog)

Dr. Dog - Heart it races

I couldn't have said it better myself

Who knew BON IVER likes to get funky?

Lately I've been on a Funkadelic kick...listening to their classic album "Maggot Brain" (1972) and come to find out, I'm not alone.

On iTunes Celebrity Playlist, Bon Iver has"Can You Get To That" by Funkadelic on his list! I've been playing this song non stop! I guess great minds do think alike ;)

Can You Get to That by Funkadelic

PS. If this song sounds familiar to you its because Sleigh Bells sampled it for their song "Rill Rill"

I guess every Superhero needs her theme music

so this is mine..."Harder Than You Think" by Public Enemy, because I make everything look so easy :D

Harder Than You Think by SpikeLeah

Review Spotlight: DRIVE (plus my new favorite song)

My fall movie experience is off to a decent start. First on my list was DRIVE, starring the ever-so-talented Mr. Ryan Gosling, directed by Mr. Nicholas Winding Refn. In terms of story, I definitely would have liked to seen a little more development/back story from Ryan's character Driver....but I accepted it because it worked well with the whole mysterious vibe of the movie. I thought the first 10 mins were shot amazingly and had absolutely no dialogue...it definitely sets you up for the ride your about to take.

However, I must say what really made me appreciate this film was it's dark Euro-Noir 80's esque vibe...which I LOVED! Compliments to Refn for creating this ultra cool slick world surrounded by a sick ass soundtrack. Also, it was really refreshing to see a movie that takes place in LA actually shot in LA. I could point out just about ever location. Made my proud to be from the City of Angels!

"A Real Hero"

College feat. Electric Youth - A Real Hero (music from the motion picture DRIVE)

Texas Forever!

Couldn't be more happier for him. He truly deserved this award!

Clear eyes...full hearts...can't lose.

Highlight of the night...

...and you are all invited to the wedding! 

I've said it before...and I'll say it again

...get familiar with ALABAMA SHAKES! "They are a southern rock band driven by the simple principals of soul music..." - We Listen For You

www.alabamashakes.bandcamp.com

Simply Divine...

Classic in every way.

Lena Horne - Rocky Raccoon by SpikeLeah
I love her cover of The Beatle's "Rocky Raccoon"

The late, great Ms. Lena Horne (1917-2010)

Nostalgia Spotlight: "Little boys that can dance"

This is true...growing up I had a secret admiration for little boys that could dance...don't judge me! Specifically speaking, these two movies were my faves...

BILLY ELLIOT (2000) 

NEWSIES (1992) which stars a young Bruce Wayne aka Dark Knight

The story of my life

You Win or You Die

I know I've devoted this blog to all things film and music, but I'm making an exception. My current obsession that's taking over my life is the HBO show GAME OF THRONES!! 

Surprisingly, I don't watch as much TV as you would think. The only other show currently running that I can't live without is MAD MEN other than that all my faves are off the air (Arrested Development, The Wire, Friday Night Lights) 

So for me to be crazy about a show is rare...but this show is like no other. It has put a spell on me and I like it!!

Get on it A-SAP!!! It's FIRE!!!

PS. If you watch it already, please no spoilers. I'm only on the 5th episode

PSS. Kit Harington who plays Jon Snow...YES, PLEASE!

May We Never Forget

Last October I had the pleasure of visiting the Big Apple for the first time with my bestie. We of course had to see Ground Zero even though we knew we both would not be able to keep our composure. To witness the aftermath of 9/11 in person was tougher than I thought. Though I personally didn't loose anyone, I think I speak for everyone when I say we all lost a bit of ourselves that day...may we never forget...

Trevor Traynor: Backstage Portraits at Rock The Bells, San Fran

These are FIRE! Check out more cool pics from Trevor at I Shoot Everything

"Geto Boys" Glass Candy

Top Movies I MUST See This Fall

Summer, you were good to me this year. We laughed, we cried, you gave me a shirtless Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling in Captain America and Crazy, Stupid, Love. (respectfully) and I thank you for that (also can't forget about these Best Summer In Years, & Destination Paris) but now it's time to get serious. With Fall, there's no joking around...award season is right around the corner!

Here's a batch a films on my "must-see" list: (in order of release)

Contagion
Director: Steven Soderberg

Stars: Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet

Why I'm excited: Well for one, the cast is superb and I love Steven Soderberg. But let's be honest, I'm a little scared to see this one. A movie about a virus that spreads and wipes out millions of people worldwide scares the shit out of me. Everybody's gonna be taking a shower after they see this movie.

(Sept 9)

Drive

Director:  Nicholas Winding Refn

Stars: Ryan Gosling, Christina Hendricks, Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman, Albert Brooks and Bryan Cranston

Why I'm excited: A little side note about this movie, I was working on a commercial that was filming in the same building they were shooting a scene for this movie but I never got to see Mr. Gosling...bummer. 

(Sept 16)

Moneyball

Director: Bennett Miller

Stars: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright and Phillip Seymour Hoffman

Why I'm excited: I actually like baseball movies (duh, The Sandlot) But ironically enough I never watch professional baseball games. Based on Michael Lewis' 2003 non-ficiton book, the movie follows Oakland A's general team manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) as he struggles to reinvent his cash-starved team in the early 2000s by rejecting some of baseball's most fundamental assumptions.

(Sept 23)

50/50

Director: Jonathan Levine

Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard

Why I'm excited: You already know...Check it!



(Sept 30)

The Ides of March

Director: George Clooney

Stars: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti

Why I'm excited: Although this poster semi-freaks me out a bit, I'm a sucker for a good political drama...and plus, you could never have too much Ryan Gosling :)


(Oct 7)

Like Crazy

Director:  Drake Doremus

Stars: Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones and Jennifer Lawrence

Why I'm excited: This little indie darling won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance this year so I'm hoping it holds up to the hype. It seems like a sweet love story but I think it's going to break my heart.

(Oct 28)

J. Edgar

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer and Naomi Watts

Why I'm excited: Although I would love to see Mr. DiCaprio finally do a comedic role, I understand that he's got his eyes on that Oscar and it's looking like this might be his year.

(Nov 9)

Hugo

Director: Martin Scorsese

Stars: Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley and Sacha Baron Cohen

Why I'm excited: Martin Scoreses + family adventure style film = a MUST see. This is history in the making!

(Nov 23)

Young Adult

Director: Jason Reitman

Stars: Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson and J.K. Simmons

Why I'm excited: The "Juno" duo is back! and they brought along the amazing Charlize Theron...this better be good.

(Dec 16)

The Iron Lady

Director: Phyllida Lloyd

Stars: Meryl Streep and Jim Broadbent

Why I'm excited: ummm, it's Meryl Streep...enough said.

(Dec 16)