Results tagged “spinaltap”

       

Of the many things for which I am immensely grateful to my dad, maybe nothing has proven more significant than the love of movies he instilled in me at a very young age. My dad took me to see everything. And by that, I mean he took me to see movies as varied as Amadeus and Tomboy (NSFW) and Sophie's Choice and Blame It On Rio (NSFW). And, of course, he took me to see This Is Spinal Tap. Even now -- watching it twenty-five years after the fact -- it is still one of the few, perfect films I've ever seen. Honestly, how could you improve it?

              

It may seem like a thankless struggle at times, but I will not rest until everyone who needs to see Battlestar Galactica has seen Battlestar Galactica. I don't think there has ever been a show so great that has been viewed by so few. Remedy that today! I sort of like the graininess of my current Spinal Tap DVD, but if you'd rather see Nigel, David, Derek and, uh, Liam in delicious 1080P than today is your day. I was excited about the prospect of a live-action Green Lantern movie right up to the point where Ryan Reynolds became involved. I like Ryan in light comedies, but he is all wrong for the Lantern Corps. I mean, Sinestro would just completely kick his ass! Finally, I urge everyone to do their patriotic duty by clicking on the Sarah Palin link and donating today!

THIS IS NOT SPINAL TAP: LAist loves Anvil! The Story of Anvil! about an '80s rock band that didn't quite make it as far as its peers Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth. Now while the film's been playing since April 10 at West LA's Landmark Theater, tonight two screenings (7:50pm; 9:55pm) will be followed by a special Q & A with director Sacha Gervasi, joined by band members Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner. While it seems like a scene ripped from Spinal Tap, this is real life. A true rockumentary.

       

In his “business casual” getup, Michael McKean, the writer and actor who portrays the character Derek St. Hubbins in the film This Is Spinal Tap, looks like he could have stepped out of a regional managers convention, until he opens his mouth. He’s onstage with his legs spread wide, his head tilted to the sky, strumming an acoustic guitar and intoning about “the majesty of rock and the pageantry of roll, the crowing of the cock, the running of the foal!” It’s all so deliberately goofy, and yet McKean’s performance is so stirring, it comes off as positively heartfelt.

The notion of the three guys in Spinal Tap embarking on an acoustic tour designed to showcase the group's musical aspects and downplay their history as an over-the top metal band has a certain, how would you say... Spinal Tap quality about it. "This is our chance to do all those things...like that rock opera about Jack The Ripper... acoustically!" But that's what they're doing - a costume and wig-free, unplugged event, a "Michael, Chris and Harry" show at which they will probably perform "Stonehenge" sans actual Stonehenge models, or dancing dwarves to trod on it.

Tonight's season finale of "Damages" promises to be a nail-biter - we know where we'll be at 10pm. As it approaches, we wonder how there could possibly a third season after this, but that's the result of great writing. Unfortunately it's conflicting with the season premiere of "Reno 911!" but we take solace in the fact that it airs again later, because we're cheap that way.

              

Yesterday The House of Blues on Sunset was host to a press conference with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer. The trio, known as both Spinal Tap and The Folksmen, announced their upcoming Unwigged & Unplugged tour and offered a little taste of what to expect. For the upcoming shows, the musicians come "out from behind the hair, the facial hair, and the absence of hair" to perform songs including hits from Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind. The tour kicks off April 17th in Vancouver and arrives at The Wiltern on April 26th.

Even on the best days, the Sundance Film Festival is an extremely hectic place to be. Screenings and events often overlap and are spread all over town, and even though the public transportation is good (and free!), it can still be a nightmare to get someplace quickly. Cabs can be hard to come by and parking (when available) is expensive. Furthermore, there are always going to be lines waiting for you so you have to plan to get everywhere fairly early. Sometimes, you get bit in the ass like I did (twice) yesterday.

Need some butt-rock to motivate your ass out the door to finish shopping? Luckily it's not just Satan, Satan, Satan all the time with these guys.

The Thamesmen - "Gimme Some Money" Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer & Friends @ Avalon Joss Stone @ The Greek Sarah Silverman @ Largo Metal Skool, Shapes of Racecars, The Ringers, Crash Hot @ Key Club The Section Quartet w/guests Grant Lee Phillips, Sam Phillips, Linda Perry @ Troubadour Low vs Diamond, The Young Immortals, IO Echo, Mr. Uncertain @ Spaceland Blackcowboy, Neuromance, MC Rut, The Blackout Trust @ Viper Room I Make...

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco would probably prefer it if you didn't talk on Wednesday Spinal Tap @ Avalon, tonight Joss Stone @ Greek, tonight Metal Skool, Shapes of Racecars @ Key Club, tonight Stevie Wonder @ Santa Barbara Bowl, Tues Gogol Bordello @ Henry Fonda, Tues Wilco @ Greek, Weds. The Like @ Spaceland, Weds Los Lobos @ Santa Monica Pier, Thurs Kronos Quartet @ California Plaza, Thurs Mat Kearney @ House of Blues,...

Tonight, Monday night, at 8:00 PM, the Avalon in Hollywood hosts Concert For A Cause, a benefit for the International Myeloma Foundation, with a rare treat indeed: a virtual performance of a virtual band. Yes that will be Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer on stage, in place of David, Nigel and Derek, a hard jolt of reality from the creators of the greatest illusion in rock history. Spinal Tap. Not to mention...

The greatest surprise performance at the 24-hour Live Earth was not Kanye West and John Mayer joining the Police on "Message in a Bottle." Hell, no. It was Spinal Tap (reunited) with some help from Metallica (they actually laugh) bringing down London's Wembley Stadium with hits like "Stonehenge" and "Big Bottom." Madonna's gypsy-hobo-punk performance -- fully choreographed -- of "La Isla Bonita" with Eugene and Serge from Gogol Bordello was also surprisingly excellent (watch...

Spinal Tap bassist and voice of Mr. Burns, Harry Shearer has written a book.

A Word or 42: There's nothing funnier than watching pundits try to fill in the 7 minutes after a Presidential speech ends and before regular programming resumes. Great delivery on the speech though, it reminded me of the animatronic Lincoln I saw at Disneyland in 1977. Tonight - Thursday - January 11th, 2007 "Smallville" (the CW, 8:00 p.m.) Tori Spelling guests "My Name Is Ed"/"The Office"/"Scrubs"/"30 Rock"/"ER" (NBC, 8-11:00 p.m.) ALL NEW "Ugly Betty"...

Rocket, pictured, is an all-female party-pop group from Hollywood who are as cute as they are adorable. How you can resist a dual-guitar attack? But then add to that mix the lead singer whaling on the key-tar and then tell me you've seen it all.

"Fresh coal in your engine, get your 'choo-choo' on the tracks, gather up your peeples, TRAINWRECK'S comin' back to your town..."

Aside from the Vice Presidential debates, there are some events going on around town. If you decide to go out rather than remain home, glued to the TV as Cheney and Edwards duke it out, you can always catch the highlights on the radio while on your way to one of these fine events.