July 3, 2006

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  Last week Mixy and I went to LACMA and caught a great new David Hockney exhibit based only on his portrait work.  Hockney is my favorite living artist.  Juddy and I used to have a print of his hanging in our apartment for three years.  I love his more abstract landscapes and still lifes, but his portraits were very interesting as well.  I like the one on the right of his two close friends during the 70's. 

  
  

  

  
  

  Although we went to LACMA to catch the Hockney exhibit, it turned out that there was a really interesting mini-Klimt exhibit going on as well.  It featured a few paintings that belonged to a high society lady named Adele Bloch-Bauer in the WWII era.  The interesting story is that the Nazis stole the painting, and it's been in possession of the Austrian government until just very recently (it's been returned to Adele's heirs).  I really love this gold painting of Adele.  It's very similar to the "Kiss" painting.  I think the lush gold mosaic is much more impressive and stunning in real life, as opposed to just seeing a picture or a print.  In fact I was surprised at how magnificent this painting was face to face, because the Klimt gold painitngs are so ubiquitous.  It's really interesting how Klimt paints her face in a realist fashion,  and then how the rest of the painting just goes nuts with swirls, and textures, and gold.  Truly incredible. 

  
  

   

  
  

  Last week, Mixy, Jober, and I celebrated Juddy's 32nd birthday.  On the left is the famous "devil-Juddy" photo from the Monchik wedding turned into ice cream cake.  We went to Gulfstream before that (Seafood branch of Houston's restaurant) which was excellent as usual. 

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  Later on in the week Mixy and I headed to Koreatown to indulge in our favorite Korean dish:  Chia Chiang Mein.  Pictured on the left, it consists of great chewy noodles, usually hand pulled, topped with a viscous black bean sauce with pork bits, zucchini bits, and onions.  It's a deliciously decadent meal.  China invented the first version of these noodles, but it's sweeter, and not as gooey, and I have to admit, not even close to the greatness of the Korean version.  There are two restaurants in K-town that are known for this dish, Shin Peking being one of them (it's competitor is right across the street).  Chia Chiang Mein is normally served at Korean restaurants specializing in Chinese food, which Shin Peking is.  Pictured on the right, the beef, black mushroom, and bamboo dish was excellent as well.  We washed down the meal with  Hite beer, while others in the dining room had come to eat an afternoon meal and to watch world cup soccer. 

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  This past Tuesday marked the release of the movie "We Jam Econo", on DVD.  It's the story of the 80's punk rock band the Minutemen.  Although I was too young to actually see the Minutemen perform, I love their music.  The Minutemen ended in '85 when lead singer/guitarist D. Boone died in a car accident.  I was more into the later incarnation without Boone, called fIREHOSE.  The movie was actually really touching.  The Minutemen were nerdy outcasts, not even fitting well into the punk rock scene designed for misfits.  Seeing the footage of three really nerdy weird guys playing such incredible music, with so much heart, reminded me of why I got into punk rock in the first place.  Mike Watt, the bassist and current punk rock legend and George Hurley the drummer were at Amoeba records the day of the release to DJ some music, and to sign autographs.  Watt spun some Stooges songs, and it was really nice to talk to him and Hurley and to get my DVD signed!!! (Watt's on the left, and Hurley's on the right)

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  So I caught Radiohead this Thursday at the Greek Theatre.  I was disappointed by the Hollywood Bowl and Coachella shows a couple years back.  Surprisingly this show was incredible, and my favorite Radiohead show to date.  I say surprisingly because they played even more inaccessible, obtuse, moody, unconventional songs than they normally do.  Somehow I think the venue being a smaller sized outdoor theater really added to the vibe.  Even though I was sitting near the back, the sound was great and you could see the band pretty easily.  The new songs are even more bizarre than the direction they've been heading in, but they work.  I think I'm finally appreciating the direction Radiohead has chosen to go in the past three albums.  You have to respect them for taking rock in a different direction.  When I listened to them I really felt like I was listening to what music would be like in the future.  Here's the setlist:

  
  

  You and Whose Army?, The National Anthem, 2+2=5, 15 Step, Morning Bell, Arpeggi, Videotape, Kid A, Dollars and Cents, Street Spirit, All I need, Nude, Paranoid Android, Bangers 'n Mash, The Gloaming, Idioteque, Follow me Around, Everything in it's Right Place.

  
  

  Encore 1: There There, Down is the New Up, The Bends, How to Disappear Completely

  
  

  Encore 2: House of Cards, Lucky

  
  

  

  
  

  On Friday, Mixy and I caught the new Superman movie.  Overall I liked it, but I can't say I was thrilled with it.  I like the new actor that plays Superman, I like the cinematography.  I didn't like the overly somber tone of the movie, and I didn't think that Kate Bosworth was a good choice for Lois Lane.  Kevin Spacey was good but not perfect as Lex Luthor.  I'm glad they decided to revive the franchise, but I want the next movie to be more fun. 

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