‘Speed Racer’ hits a wall, drops to third at the box office

Warner Bros.’ “Speed Racer” downshifted to third place after initially being placed at second at the box office this past weekend.

While initial estimates had “Speed Racer” finishing second late Sunday, final numbers on Monday revealed that the film earned $18.6 million.

Based on the animated series of the 1970s, young Speed Racer (Nicholas Elia) idolized his older brother Rex Racer (Scott Porter). Young Speed was more focused on his brother’s racing career than he was his own schoolwork.

After Rex was supposedly killed in a race called The Crucible, an older Speed (Emile Hirsch) takes his place racing within the family business, run by parents Pops (John Goodman) and Mom (Susan Sarandon).

Speed also has an awesome childhood girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci) and mechanic friend Sparky (Kick Gurry)

Pops designed Speed’s car, the Mach 5, whose trunk is the usual hiding place for Speed’s younger brother Spritle (Paulie Litt) and Chim Chim the monkey.

The Racer family receives a visit from Mr. Royalton (Roger Allam) of Royalton Industries, who makes Speed a lucrative offer to race for him. Royalton does everything he can to entice Speed and his family to sign on with him.

Once Speed rejects the offer, Royalton does what he can to ensure that Speed will not win any more races.

“Speed Racer” is a multi-colored, three-dimensional entity that is fast-paced when it comes to the racing scenes. However, when it comes acting and dialogue, this film comes to a screeching halt.

The casting of this film is dead on. They definitely made an excellent choice with Goodman playing Pops and Ricci as Trixie.

What hurts this film is the uber-bright colors that are constantly on display, zigging and zagging across the big screen to the point where I’m surprised that seizures weren’t occurring.

Goodman and Ricci do their best with what’s around them, but I wasn’t sold on Hirsch being Speed. Sarandon doesn’t have enough to do in this film as well. Having Fox revealed as Racer X was a nice surprise towards the end, but not enough to sway this film.

I so wanted this film to have a bit of a feel of the animated series, but it comes across as hokey and too technicolored for my tastes. This is why “Speed Racer” finished third while “Iron Man” remains on top.

So as it comes across the finish line, it’s Goodman and Ricci that gives “Speed Racer” its two out of four stars.

“Speed Racer” is rated PG for sequences of action, some violence, language and brief smoking. Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes.

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Dennis J. Wright can be reached at dwright@phoenixvillenews.com.

Movie Review

Honeydripper
director: John Sayles

With Honeydripper, writer/ director John Sayles (Brother From Another Planet, Lone Star) continues making movies that feature multi-dimenisonal and unique characters dealing with trials of the everyday world.
Set in rural Alabama in 1950, Honeydripper tells the story of Tyrone Purvis (Danny Glover) who has one weekend to save his bar and his family from complete ruin. Tyrone's one shot is having Rock 'n' Roll hotshot "Guitar Sam" play a "one night only" show and make enough money to cover his debts.
There's just one problem, Guitar Sam is in the hospital (recovering from a knife wound) and cancels out at the last minute. Tyrone's only option is to put a young unknown musician, Sonny, in Sam's stead and hope no one knows what the real Guitar Sam looks like.
The movie's plot is a familiar one, but it's not the plot that makes Honeydripper a remarkable film. What sets Honeydripper apart is Sayles' meticulous character development. Sayles editing allows the audience the time to establish an ethos with the characters that many filmmakers are unable or unwilling to take the time to cultivate.
Danny Glover is supported by a superb cast of both seasoned veterans, such as Charles S. Dutton, and talented newcomers like Gary Clark Jr., all working as a cohesive unit telling this American Fairy-tale.

For more information on tickets and show times go to
www.thecolonialtheatre.org

Posted by
Matthew Byrd

Say hello to Farewell!”

Farewell
Isn't This Supposed to Be Fun!?


Farewell is the last thing that power pop punk rock fans want to say to this fun, up and coming band. Farewell is one of the newest bands to join the Epitaph team. With their upbeat lyrics and fresh vocals, it’s difficult to not sing along. First One On the Blog, the third track on Farewell’s cd, is a song based around having the support of your friends and scene. This influential song tells Farewell’s fans how important those around you are, to never back down and stand up for what is right. Farewell’s fan base is large and still growing which is clear just taking a peak at their busy tour schedule. If you weren’t able to catch them in Philadelphia, their closest location to PA for the next show is at the Knitting Factory New York City. So pack up the car, and jam your friends in the back for a worth wild road trip to see this ramped up old school meets new school punk pop band.

Posted by
Marah De Flavia

GLEN PHILLIPS OF TOAD THE WET SPROCKET ERMEGES WITH A NEW SOLO RELEASE

While singer songwriter Glen Phillips is not a household name he is best
known as the principle songwriter and front man for the commercially
successful nineties rock band “Toad the Wet Sprocket”. From 1988 to 1998
the band performed non stop releasing six albums yielding three hit
singles, building an impressive catalog of well crafted and emotionally
thought provoking pop songs. While the bands glory days have come and gone
they have had an impact and maintained a longevity which continues two
decades later performing sporadic concert dates throughout the U.S.
Phillips has now shifted gears focusing on his individual song writing and
live show. He has most recently completed his fifth solo release entitled
“Glen Phillips Reveals Secrets of the New Explorers”, giving fans a new
perspective into the mind of this multi-faceted artist as he hits the road
for another year of club dates spreading his message.
Philips first came to prominence in 1990 as a founding member and lead
singer for “Toad the Wet Sprocket”, a named derived from a Monty Python
comedy skit. Tirelessly working the club and bar scene, “Toad”, as their
fans fondly refer to them, caught the attention of Columbia Records when
the label was given a copy of the bands 1988 independent release “Bread and
Circus”. Columbia and Toad struck a deal signing a contract when the label
Columbia agreed to release “Bread and Circus” in its original format. The
bands 1991 release “Fear” was the breakthrough Toad was looking for. The
albums first single “All I Want” reached the top twenty with heavy rotation
on radio and MTV followed by their second hit “Walk on the Ocean”. Heavy
touring continued as Toad played throughout the U.S. and abroad building a
loyal following of fans. In 1994 Toad released “Dulcinea” yielding their
third and final hit “Fall Down”. Over the next four years the band
continued to tour and record, releasing several albums, compilations and
previously unreleased material. By 1998 it was time for Toad to call it
quits with each band member embarking on solo projects and taking a much
needed break from a decade of highs and lows that carried a heavy weight
for a band in the limelight, especially for Phillips.

Following the breakup of Toad, Phillips began to seriously pursue a solo
career performing and eventually releasing his solo debut “Abulum in 2001
followed by “Live at Largo” (2003), “Winter Pays for Summer” (2005) and
“Mr. Lemons” (2006). Now with the release of “Secrets of the New
Explorers”, Phillips has served up half a dozen new compositions that are a
departure from his traditional pop alternative trademark. His latest
release is packed with the emotional thrust, compassion and sincerity that
only Phillips could deliver. “For this record I pushed myself in a way that
I never pushed myself before”, says Phillips. I’m really happy with it. It
was a lot of fun. It’s very much a human drama that I am proud of. Like so
many artists from Toads era, artists have been forced to reinvent
themselves to adjust to the ever changing music industry that shows no
mercy on the established performer catering to the young artist. “It’s an
inspiring era for independent music”, says Phillips. “Look at everything
that has been successful recently it’s all indie stuff. People are sick of
hearing music that’s manufactured, they want something from the very first
note that is not made by machine but by people. It’s really inspiring to
see that the successes are coming out of that. It is also inspiring to see
how many musicians, like me, who are able to make a living who shouldn’t
technically be able to make a living.” While the days of Phillips playing
to stadium or arena type audiences are over Phillips is finding great
solitude in catering to a different audience. “My goal is to gain notoriety
in smaller venues”, says Phillips. “I want people who are going to
listen. I want people to give a damn. I am reaching a dream audience of
people who come out because they really care. I feel like this is where I
belong. I love the experience of giving to people. What I am now doing
feels very real to me. “

Phillips recently performed to a packed house at World Café Live. Gracing
the stage with his acoustic guitar in hand, Philips was engaging to a most
a appreciative audience, performing a seventy-five minute set of selections
from his solo releases, as well as acoustic versions of his more notable
works with Toad the Wet Sprocket. Phillips takes his solo act to clubs and
coffee houses throughout the spring and summer with the occasional concert
date fronting Toad the Wet Sprocket. For more info on Glen Phillips go to
www.glenphillips.com or www.myspace.com/glenphillips for up and coming
shows at World Café Live go to www.worldcafelive.com

Posted by Rob Nagy

Movie Review

In Bruges [2008]
Writer/Director: Martin McDonagh

Rhymes with "rouge". City in Belgium. For more info, sit back and enjoy.
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are Ray and Ken, two hitmen laying low in Bruges, awaiting orders from their boss (a seething, against-type Ralph Fiennes). While Ken takes in the scenery, Ray causes trouble, romances a local hottie (Clemence Poesy), and struggles with guilt-ridden remorse. The call finally comes through, triggering a collision of morals versus honor for all three men, enacted in appropriately Grimm style.
Dark comedy, Dante-esque allegory, travel promo... As colorful as plot and people are, though, all dwarf in comparison to Bruges itself, a thousand-year-old time capsule of medieval architecture and history. (It's also the perfect location for shooting your next movie!) Jaunty handheld cinematography guides the audience through the canals and cobblestone alleys as effectively as any tourism film, with gunplay and surrealist Boschian elements to boot!
Take a trip(tych) to the local cinema and get lost In Bruges.


Random Trivia: Actor Jordan Prentice (Jim) played 1986's titular Howard The Duck

Posted by
Jesse Crater

Album Review

The Apples in Stereo
New Magnetic Wonder


I had not fully realized just how much The Apples in Stereo had informed the sound of today’s indie music scene, until I sat down to listen to their new album, New Magnetic Wonder.
At a time when cooperate record labels, desperate to sell an album, are trying to pass Good Charlotte off as an “indie band,” to hear a group of musicians who challenge their listeners is tremendously refreshing.
In my opinion, this album is the next step in a musical idea the band had started on their last album, 2005’s Tone Soul Evolution to Velocity of Sound. With line-up changes, most notably the absence of longtime drummer Hilarie Sidney, who left in 2006, singer/ guitarist Robert Schneider has continued his mixture of Beatles-song writing and the Beach Boys sonic excellence. Magnetic Wonder finds Schneider incorporating further influences, like Brian Eno, into the mix.
The album, which comes out of the gate at full throttle with songs like Shine and Thank You Very Much, show Schneider is capable of recapturing the energy of previous works. The album finishes with the song Dreams, that is one of the sweetest and textured songs I’ve heard since Elliot Smith’s final album.
The Apples in Stereo are one of those bands that I would recommend listening to their entire discography because it is a musical progress that has yielded one of the finest bands in the world of rock music.

For more info check:
Yep Records

Posted by
Matthew Byrd

LES PAUL, A NATIONAL TREASURE

To excel at one’s craft is one thing to achieve iconic status and have a monumental impact is another. It has been nearly eight decades since guitar legend Les Paul first strapped on a guitar embarking on a storied career that has seen him record and perform with artists too numerous to mention. His creation of the classic Gibson Les Paul guitar and multi-track recording were groundbreaking when first introduced making Paul one of the great innovators of the 20th century. As he approaches his 93rd birthday Paul is as busy as ever continuing to captivate audiences with his live performances, designing new guitars and inventing better hearing aids. There seems to be no stopping Les Paul.
Paul was born in 1915 in Waukesha, Wisconsin to middle class family. From an early age Paul showed an interest in music. After brief attempts to play the harmonica and then the banjo, Paul found his true calling when he was gravitated to the guitar at the age of thirteen. It didn’t take him long to begin to master the instrument. By his late teens he was performing on stage as a country artist, both solo, and with locally established bands. Even as a young man Paul showed a desire to pursue a variety of musical directions rather than be labeled as a country artist. By the 1930’s Paul was playing live jazz on a Chicago radio station while starting to record with a variety of artists. It was at this time that Paul, who was dissatisfied with the choices of electric guitars that were available, started experimenting with his own designs. As the thirties came to a close Paul moved to New York landing a spot with Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians radio program. As he continued to tinker with his vision of building a guitar to his liking, Paul created one of the first solid body electric guitars in 1941, which, by the 1950’s lead to the Gibson Guitar Company producing the first Gibson Les Paul guitars, which have become a classic used by most every famous guitarist and a guitar by which all others are judged. Les Paul had now become an established guitar player working with Nat King Cole, the Andrews Sisters and Bing Crosby, with whom Paul developed a close friendship with until his passing many years later. With World War II now over and America on the verge of entering the prosperous fifties, Paul released the song “Lover (When You’re Near Me)” on Capitol Records. What made this so special was the fact that it started out as an experiment by Paul in his garage with Paul playing eight different guitar parts, some at half speed, and mastered at normal speed. This would be the birth of multi-track recording. In the winter of 1948 Paul was nearly killed in an automobile accident shattering his right arm and elbow. At Paul’s request doctors set the arm in a crooked manner so Paul would be able to continue to play after suffering through his eighteen month recovery. The fifties would prove to be Paul’s most successful decade. The introduction of the Gibson Les Paul guitar and the Ampex Company, with the backing of Bing Crosby, began to produce and market reel to reel audio tape recording based on Paul’s original concept, becoming the foundation of the recording studio the remainder of the decade and beyond. Paul and his wife Mary Ford on vocals had a run of hit records with “How High The Moon”, “Bye, Bye Blues”, “The World is waiting For The Sunrise” and “Vaya Con Dios”. Paul continued to develop the concept of multi-track recording paying the Ampex Company, out of his own pocket, to develop the first eight-track tape recorder, which took Paul three years to finalize. Rock and Roll replaced artists like Paul in popularity and he never had a hit record using his invention. He did have the satisfaction of seeing this technology used throughout the world for the next three decades. Paul and Mary Ford divorced in 1964. With Paul’s popularity in decline, he retired in the late sixties doing the occasional studio session. With the music industry going through constant changes things remained quiet for Paul. Had it not been for the Gibson Les Paul the public might have completely forgotten about this remarkable man. Long overdue accolades were bestowed to Paul and Mary Ford beginning with the 1978 induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It took another ten years for Paul to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by guitarist Jeff Beck who was quoted as saying, “I’ve copied more licks from Les Paul than I’d like to admit.” In recognition of Paul creating the solid body electric guitar he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005. By now Paul was doing very little performing. Following heart surgery Paul’s doctor strongly advised him that returning to the stage would be good for his overall health and well being. Paul approached Fat Tuesdays Jazz Club in New York City. “I approached the boss of the club”, recalls Paul, “I said, ‘My name is Les Paul.’ He said, ‘The Les Paul?’ “I said, boy this is the fella I’m looking for.” I said, ‘I was thinking of going to work and this looked liked the perfect little place.’ He said, “That would be an honor let’s talk about it.’ I said, “I want to be here every Monday.” He said, ‘We’re not open every Monday.’ But I said, “We want to work for nothing.” He says, “We’re open Monday’s (laughs).” Paul became a fixture at Fat Tuesday’s doing two shows every Monday night. Following a ten year run ending in 1995, Paul and his band relocated to the Iridium Jazz Club at 51st and Broadway in New York City where he continues to perform to this day. “Since I’ve been doing this I look forward to Monday’s more than any other day.” Says Paul. “ It’s the perfect night since most entertainers are off. I have found that Monday nights jam and that has made us all very happy.” In 2007 a film documentary, entitled “Chasing Sound: Les Paul at 90” was completed by John Paulson Productions. “I had been planning to do a documentary for a long time”, says Paul, “Well, I’ll do it tomorrow.(laughs) And it just never gets done.” So a film crew followed me around for about two years. The camera would be rolling while we were doing shows or signing autographs. They followed me going home coming from home, my likes, dislikes and memories. So many wonderful stories, it would be impossible to cover everything.” The world premiere, which was held in Paul’s home town of Waukesha, Wisconsin, found Paul and his trio performing a ninety-minute set prior to the screening raising over $100,000 for an exhibit on his life at the Waukesha County Historical Society. “You have no idea what it means to be back here”, Paul told the sold out crowd. I think of the wonderful days I had here and the people who taught me and who I grew up with.” This past November Paul was a guest of President George W. Bush at the White House where he was the recipient of the 2007 National Medal of Arts Award, the highest award given to artists by the United States Government. President Bush was quoted as saying, “Your accomplishments remind us that freedom of thought and freedom of expression are two pillars of our democracy.
Every Monday evening Les can be found playing two shows at New York’s prestigious jazz club the Iridium, located at 51st and Broadway, to a packed room of guitar aficionados, casual fans and curiosity seekers that want to catch a glimpse of an icon who keeps going and going. On any given night Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton or Tony Bennett can be seen in the audience paying homage to a man that deserves all the accolades bestowed upon him. Paul typically plays a seventy-five minute set, which includes many classics from the day, as well as select hits he recorded with his wife Mary. One of the highlights of Paul’s set is emotional tear jerking interpretation of the classic Judy Garland song “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. “It is very rewarding to find that somehow I have accomplished something in all this craziness that is serious”, says Paul. “It’s something I don’t understand I just know that it’s happening. I’m just going about what makes me happy by performing for people and making them happy.” For further info on the Iridium and Les Paul go to http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com

Photos by Rob Nagy

Posted by
Rob Nagy