Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Film / Music / Film News Songs for a Re:Generation
Posted by Matt Brunson on Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 5:49 PM
Consider it a musical mash-up. Renowned documentary filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev (The Tillman Story, My Kid Could Paint That) tasked five prominent DJs/producers from hip-hop and electronica — Mark Ronson, DJ Premier, Skrillex, Pretty Lights, and The Crystal Method — to create new tracks in unfamiliar genres alongside such luminaries as Mos Def, LeAnn Rimes, Ralph Stanley and The Funk Brothers. The experiment is examined in Re:Generation, a documentary that will be screened at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at AMC Carolina Pavilion, 9541 South Blvd. The showing will include giveaways of movie posters and CDs.
For tickets and other info, call 888-262-4386. To check out the Facebook page for this local screening, go here. Watch the trailer below.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Posted by Anita Overcash on Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Feb. 22, 2012 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Flawless Makeup Art Pamper Parlor at Re:Public
• Cuttin' Up at Actor's Theatre of Charlotte
• Jimkata at Double Door Inn
• Bitter Resolve at Milestone
• Author Paula Broadwell at Park Road Books
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Film / Film Reviews Carolina kids feel the need for speed in Racing Dreams
Posted by Matt Brunson on Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 3:23 PM
By Matt Brunson
RACING DREAMS (2010)
***
DIRECTED BY Marshall Curry
STARS Brandon Warren, Annabeth Barnes
A Spellbound or Mad Hot Ballroom for the NASCAR set, Racing Dreams ends up speeding past its niche market and working its magic on anyone with a rooting interest in the dreams and ambitions of this country's youth.
Like the aforementioned pair of documentaries, this one also corrals a group of kids and tracks their endeavors to become the best in their field of interest. In this case, it's the world of racing, with all three subjects top contenders in the World Karting Association's championship series. Twelve-year-old Josh Hobson of Birch Run, Michigan, is a brainy boy whose methodical, sensible approach to the sport repeatedly wins races. Eleven-year-old Annabeth Barnes of Hiddenite, N.C., is a spunky, charismatic girl who dreams of becoming the first female to win a major NASCAR race.
Both kids are interesting to follow, yet the movie belongs to the third focal point. Thirteen-year-old Brandon Warren of Creedmoor, N.C., initially seems the least complicated, a good-ole-boy-in-training whose reckless nature (on and off the track) might prove to be his undoing. Yet as we get to learn more about Brandon and his family — specifically, the grandparents who lovingly raise him and the deadbeat dad who turns up like an unwelcome wart whenever he's not behind bars — we come to realize that this story is the most involving, and most poignant, one in the movie.
The racing footage shot and edited by Marshall Curry and his team is exemplary (the first competition takes place at Charlotte Motor Speedway) and should thrill even those who aren't fans of the sport. Yet even these sequences take a back seat to the sagas of the children, all of whom retain pole position throughout this engaging picture.
(Racing Dreams will be screening on PBS at various times beginning this Thursday, Feb. 23. Go here for local programming details. The film is also available on DVD.)
Arts LOL: Comedy in the Q.C.
Posted by Anita Overcash on Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Listed below is a roundup of CL’s top picks for comedy shows in Charlotte this week. Hopefully, they keep you entertained and, more importantly, laughing out loud.
• NBC's hit reality series, Last Comic Standing was where Ralphie May made his claim to fame. The outrageous comedian isn’t afraid to tell heavy jokes that verge on offensive when they touch on subject matter such as race or the mentally challenged. Nonetheless, we’re still laughing. $25-$27.50. Thurs., Feb 23, 8 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 24-Sat., Feb. 25, 8 p.m. & 10:15 p.m. The Comedy Zone Charlotte, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd. 980-321-4702. www.cltcomedyzone.com.
• The solemnly single and happily (or not!) married can both find amusement in Over The Counter's latest show, suitably titled The Single Life vs. The Married Life. By picking fun at the pros and cons of both relationship statuses, the comedy troupe hopes to win over audience affection. In honor of Presidents Day being this week, they’ll also be remembering womanizer presidents and politicians whose historical scandals have left them turning red and blue. For more information on OTC, call 704-618-4203 or visit www.otcimprov.com. $5. 8 p.m. Plaza Hotel Carowinds, 3695 Foothills Way, Fort Mill.
• There were plenty of good things about the '80s — the rise of video games and Madonna — and then there were bad things, like neon color palettes and Andrew Dice Clay. The controversial leather lovin’ comedian dick-tated arenas with his obnoxious jokes and restructured versions of Jack and Jill nursery rhymes. So where has he been hiding the past couple of decades? We really don’t care. All that is important is the here and now and, yes, the Diceman is back. Touring before his upcoming stint on HBO’s Entourage, he performs at The Comedy Zone tonight. With Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson. $35. Sun., Feb. 26. 7 p.m. & 9:15 p.m. The Comedy Zone Charlotte, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd. 980-321-4702. www.cltcomedyzone.com.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Posted by Anita Overcash on Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 9:33 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Feb. 21, 2012 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Mardi Gras celebration at Palmetto Room
• Ceschi at Milestone
• Taboo Tuesday open mic at Crown Station Pub
• Rocktronic Tuesday at The Saloon
• A Legacy of Friendship: Hans Bechtler's Birthday Book exhibit at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Monday, February 20, 2012
Film / Film News Charlotte Talks ... about the Oscars
Posted by Web Editor on Mon, Feb 20, 2012 at 11:43 AM
The 84th Annual Academy Awards will be held Feb. 26, and as always, local film reviewers will appear opposite host Mike Collins on Charlotte Talks to offer their predictions in the major races. Creative Loafing film critic Matt Brunson (pictured above; wait, sorry, that’s Moneyball Oscar nominee Brad Pitt), AMCFilmCritic.com’s Sean O’Connell and Arts a la Mode’s Ann Marie Oliva will discuss the various contenders, including Hugo, The Artist and The Descendants.
This edition of Charlotte Talks will air at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, on WFAE 90.7 FM. The broadcast will then be archived at www.wfae.org.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Monday
Posted by Anita Overcash on Mon, Feb 20, 2012 at 9:29 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Feb. 20, 2012 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Born to Be Wild at Discovery Place's IMAX
• Bar Wars Mondays at Phil's Tavern
• Monday Night Allstars at Double Door Inn
• Find Your Muse Open Mic at The Evening Muse
• Monday Funday at Dixie's Tavern
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Arts Drinks, drinks and more drinks at Bartender's Ball
Posted by Anita Overcash on Sat, Feb 18, 2012 at 8:00 AM
What better way to remember all of the U.S. presidents (even those that we really, really wish we could forget) than by drinking? The 11th Annual Charlotte Bartender's Ball is actually happening the day before President's Day, but you'll be feeling the effects of the shindig the next day — and nothing says patriotism like a good ol' hangover. Folks get to dress in their very best to sip on specialty drinks concocted by some of the best bartenders from around the Q.C. Cheers to that!
Graham Funke headlines this year's event and proceeds raised will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. $70. Sun., Feb. 19, 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Blake Hotel, 555 S. McDowell St. For more information, visit www.charlottebartendersball.com.
To check out photos of last year's Bartender's Ball, click here.
Arts Cavity caution during Sweet Tooth Festival
Posted by Anita Overcash on Sat, Feb 18, 2012 at 8:00 AM
For folks with a weakness for desserts (like myself), the Sweet Tooth Festival is more than just "something to do." It's a time to indulge in whatever sugary treats you desire (forget calorie-counting and diets, at least for today). At the fest, more than 20 bakers/bakeries, chocolatiers and pastry chefs — including Cupcrazed Cakery, Hot Sugar Confections, FuManChuCupCakes, The Secret Chocolatier, Kai's Kookie's and many others — will have salivating treats. Don't forget to brush your teeth before you go to bed. A portion of proceeds raised from the fest will benefit The Joe Martin ALS Foundation. $25. Sun., Feb. 19, 2-6 p.m. Black Lion, 10605 Park Road. For more information, visit www.sweettoothfestival.com.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Film / Film Reviews Friday Film Reviews: This Means War; The Secret World of Arrietty
Posted by Matt Brunson on Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 2:44 PM
- Fox
- This Means War
Click on the title to be taken directly to the review.
