I think we're couches.
Finally saw the new Hitchhiker's movie yesterday, to which my response was an overwhelming "meh"...
Don't get me wrong, it was still brilliant and faithful to Douglas Adams' original, but in a strange mix of too much and not enough. The bits I liked best were the ones where they did diverge from the book/radio/BBC series, because it was material I hadn't seen before (yet in most cases, fit perfectly with Adams' sense of humor). But the parts that were the same... well, they were *exactly* the same. Practially shot for shot. Only slightly truncated in spots and without the same quality of delivery. The BBC series may have been lacking in special effects budget, but I still think their version was the closest to perfection. (the main exceptions being the new Trillian and Zaphod's second head) Still, it was worth it just to see Arthur vomit yarn, Zaphod's thinking cap, the POV gun, and of course, cameos by the original Marvin and Arthur (and Douglas Adam's face at the end).
Since they do seem to be sticking fairly close to the book, I do hope that they rake in enough cash from this movie to warrant a sequel, and then a sequel to that sequel. Since the BBC series was a mish-mash of the first two books, I'd love to see these characters get around to dramatizing parts of the trilogy book that haven't been filmed yet. (they can stop at 'So Long and Thanks For All the Fish' though. Some books just aren't meant to be cinematic)
Ok, now that I've got the film-geekdom out of the way, it's time to move on to the musical geekdom.
There's a lot of great shows going on tonight, but for those of you who don't know, Jonah Matranga (of onelinedrawing and Far) is playing with his new-ish project The Gratitude for free in Cesar Chavez Park this afternoon. The gig starts at 5pm, but there are two other bands going on first, so Jonah will probably go on shortly before 7pm.
After that, there's a ton of shows to choose from. Acoustic Spider Silk Dress at HQ, Las Pesadillas at The Blue Lamp, Didley Squat at G Street with The Brodys, The Helper Monkeys at The Distillery, and Chow Nasty (stupid name, great band) at Old Ironsides.
But the best lineup is at Luna's Cafe (16th and O), where the incredible Sean Hayashi, Anton Barbeau, and The Binary Dolls will be playing for your listening pleasure. It's sure to be amazing, but as always, make sure you get there right at 9pm if you want to get a seat for three of Sacramento's finest. (Ok, Binary Dolls are technically from Portland, but Nick Jaina used to be from Sacramento, so it counts)
Tomorrow night (after you've wandered around and checked out all the local Second Saturday art), we've got the equally impressive lineup of Frank Jordan, Freak Accident, and oh yeah.. The Rum Diary playing Old Ironsides.
And next Saturday there's an all ages Old Ironsides matinee at 3pm with The Groovie Ghoulies, The Epoxies, and Pets shortly followed by a 21+ show featuring the talents of Daisy Spot, Baby Grand and the always entertaining Prarie Dog. Pick one, or go to both. Either way, you just can't lose!
Don't get me wrong, it was still brilliant and faithful to Douglas Adams' original, but in a strange mix of too much and not enough. The bits I liked best were the ones where they did diverge from the book/radio/BBC series, because it was material I hadn't seen before (yet in most cases, fit perfectly with Adams' sense of humor). But the parts that were the same... well, they were *exactly* the same. Practially shot for shot. Only slightly truncated in spots and without the same quality of delivery. The BBC series may have been lacking in special effects budget, but I still think their version was the closest to perfection. (the main exceptions being the new Trillian and Zaphod's second head) Still, it was worth it just to see Arthur vomit yarn, Zaphod's thinking cap, the POV gun, and of course, cameos by the original Marvin and Arthur (and Douglas Adam's face at the end).
Since they do seem to be sticking fairly close to the book, I do hope that they rake in enough cash from this movie to warrant a sequel, and then a sequel to that sequel. Since the BBC series was a mish-mash of the first two books, I'd love to see these characters get around to dramatizing parts of the trilogy book that haven't been filmed yet. (they can stop at 'So Long and Thanks For All the Fish' though. Some books just aren't meant to be cinematic)
Ok, now that I've got the film-geekdom out of the way, it's time to move on to the musical geekdom.
There's a lot of great shows going on tonight, but for those of you who don't know, Jonah Matranga (of onelinedrawing and Far) is playing with his new-ish project The Gratitude for free in Cesar Chavez Park this afternoon. The gig starts at 5pm, but there are two other bands going on first, so Jonah will probably go on shortly before 7pm.
After that, there's a ton of shows to choose from. Acoustic Spider Silk Dress at HQ, Las Pesadillas at The Blue Lamp, Didley Squat at G Street with The Brodys, The Helper Monkeys at The Distillery, and Chow Nasty (stupid name, great band) at Old Ironsides.
But the best lineup is at Luna's Cafe (16th and O), where the incredible Sean Hayashi, Anton Barbeau, and The Binary Dolls will be playing for your listening pleasure. It's sure to be amazing, but as always, make sure you get there right at 9pm if you want to get a seat for three of Sacramento's finest. (Ok, Binary Dolls are technically from Portland, but Nick Jaina used to be from Sacramento, so it counts)
Tomorrow night (after you've wandered around and checked out all the local Second Saturday art), we've got the equally impressive lineup of Frank Jordan, Freak Accident, and oh yeah.. The Rum Diary playing Old Ironsides.
And next Saturday there's an all ages Old Ironsides matinee at 3pm with The Groovie Ghoulies, The Epoxies, and Pets shortly followed by a 21+ show featuring the talents of Daisy Spot, Baby Grand and the always entertaining Prarie Dog. Pick one, or go to both. Either way, you just can't lose!