Jeff G. sent this to me. Thought it was too funny not to post.

Fox News is so out of touch with reality that they missed the point of this person’s actions.

Displays of stupidity in this magnitude actually make me fearful of people. Are people really this stupid?

Oh Kate, I don’t care if you are a fugitive with emotional baggage, you’re still pretty.

So funny. So true.

Who: Regina Spektor
Where: The Park Tavern
When: September 17th, 2006
Price: Free!
With: Robbie, Erik, and Claire

This was one of those nights you wish you could be at two places at once. Band of Horses was playing at the Variety Playhouse, and Regina Spektor was playing at the Park Tavern. I wish I could have seen both. I like Band of Horses, but I have really been into Regina Spektor lately. Also, this concert was free, so once again, the wallet rules.

At first I thought I had chosen wrong. The event was heavily sponsored by 99X, and getting the crowd ready for the show included throwing out free T-shirts and towels. Don’t get me wrong, I like T-shirts as much as the next guy, but I often get perplexed when adults scream like babies to wear subsidized clothing. It was actually comical though.

Once Regina Spektor started singing, I knew I had chosen the right concert. She has an amazing voice. She does a lot of interesting things with her voice, quickly changing pitch, tone, and tempo. When I first heard her album, “Begin to Hope”, I was impressed but subconsciously assumed it was heavily doctored in the studio. Why? Well, that’s actually the norm these days, and it was so clean. But Ms. Spektor gave us a very interesting and intimate set. And I was floored by how great she is live. No band, no canned music, just her and her piano, and occasionally guitar. I really had a good time. Afterward, Robbie and I met up with Aaron at The Independent across the street. I was very impressed by their jukebox.

Who: The Flaming Lips
Where: The Tabernacle
When: September 13th, 2006
Price: $45.
With: Robbie, Erik, and Claire

I had been looking forward to this show for a very long time. I saw the Lips at the SoCo festival, and looked forward to seeing them again. When I found out Deerhoof was playing I was even more stoked. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out very well. I was sick. I was too late and missed Deerhoof. I had to stand near the back, near a lot of stupid people that really didn’t get what was going on. When Wayne Coyne would be saying something between songs they would shout things like “Play a song!” or simply “Shut Up!” I really didn’t understand why people would pay $40 to see someone that they clearly didn’t like.

Despite these circumstances, I still had a good time. The Lips played an awesome set with amazing visuals. The set was almost the same as the SoCo set. There was no Bohemian Rhapsody sing-a-long, but there were a couple of added songs. There was a lot of confetti. And this time it wasn’t just Aliens and Santa Clauses. The stage consisted of Aliens, Santa Clauses, and now Superheroes. Even Space Ghost came out for a good time. It was fun. Also, this was my first time at the Tabernacle. I know, isn’t that amazing. It’s a great venue.

Later, I thought to myself, I had already seen Deerhoof and The Flaming Lips this year play great sets. I mean think of all those poor unfortunate souls that don’t get to see either band this year, or even ever! I don’t think about those people very often. It just gets me too down. Anyway, if you have the opportunity, you must see the Flaming Lips! You must!

Photo courtesy of Claire

Weird Al’s newest, with a video made by Bill Plympton.

As you all have heard, The Wicker Man hit theaters this weekend. Now before you get your hopes up, this will not be a review of that movie. I have heard from several people it was abysmal, and it even went as low as 12% on the Tomometer. Today, I want to talk to you about the original. With the recent remake, I found myself in multiple conversations with friends about the movie. All of them recommended I see it. That’s right, I’m looking at you Josh, Robbie, and Claire.

Well, I saw it. I thought it was horrible. It was boring, stupid, and not scary at all. I really didn’t care about the outcome. The movie was good for a couple of laughs, but that was about it. The movie being bad didn’t upset me so much, but the fact that friends recommended it to me bugged me. Am I on crazy pills here? At least someone shares my opinion.

Anyway, I know there haven’t been many updates for Cinematic Cynic or Concerning Concerts lately, but looks what’s in the pipeline:

September 8th - Hollywoodland
September 13th - Deerhoof, Flaming Lips @ The Tabernacle
September 17th - Band of Horses @ Variety Playhouse