Review: ‘Machete’ serves relentless, bloody action
Certainly, “Machete” is the best feature-length extension of a fake movie trailer in Hollywood history. Fans who saw the trailer in Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s 2007 “Grindhouse” double-feature continually asked Rodriguez to turn the make-believe ad featuring Danny Trejo into a real blood-and-guts vengeance flick. Rodriguez has complied, maintaining a fair amount of the [...]
Marsalis jazz score a treat in “Louis”
A faux black-and-white silent film that will gain immeasurably from its road show presentations, “Louis” is more of a novelty than a satisfying cinematic experience. But jazz aficionados certainly will appreciate its evocation of early 20th century New Orleans, and those lucky enough to live in certain cities will have the opportunity to hear its [...]
The flavor of soul: “Suite 709″
Suite 709, Austin’s newest band, has been compared to “John Legend meets The Jackson 5;” a fresh flavor with just a hint of vintage to round off a sound that stretches across several musical genres. Infectious rhythms, hooks that stick to your brain, and soulful vocals combine to produce a sound that moves through your [...]
“Lottery Ticket” plays on easy jokes
As in any number of movies about a poor schlump who wins a fortune in Las Vegas, at the racetrack or in a lottery, the clueless nice-guy hero who suddenly becomes a millionaire 370 times over in “Lottery Ticket” learns that sudden wealth can endanger one’s health and life expectancy. The twist in this Warner [...]
Matisyahu’s forthcoming live album Live at Stubb’s: Vol II August 18th
Five years after releasing his groundbreaking live album Live at Stubb’s, Grammy-nominated artist Matisyahu has announced the second installment in this series, Live at Stubb’s: Vol II, set for release in early 2011. On August 18, Matisyahu will return to Austin’s famed music venue Stubb’s for the recording. Matisyahu’s original Live at Stubb’s album, released [...]
World Music Night bringing diversity to Austin
For one year now, Bemba Entertainment and KUT90.5/KUT.org have brought World Music Night every Tuesday to Momo’s, giving Austin a chance to connect with cultures from all over the world through music. Founded in 2007 by Brandon Badillo, Bemba Entertainment has been producing unique events inspired by the arts and multiculturalism. World Music Night, one [...]
Condoleezza Rice opts for Mozart concerto
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice abandoned international affairs for a Mozart piano concerto on Tuesday, teaming up with Soul legend Aretha Franklin to perform at a charity concert. Rice, the Republican former aide to President George W. Bush, performed with the Queen of Soul, a committed Democrat who sang at President Barack Obama’s inauguration, [...]
“Two Escobars”: A story of soccer and murder
It’s no news flash that sports is big business. Even someone paying only glancing attention to the World Cup knows how athletes’ performances on the soccer field are ferociously entwined with national pride and identity. But for Colombia’s team in the early 1990s — whose ascent was made possible by a notorious crime organization — [...]
Double Portion ready for inspirational summer series conference
Gospel R&B recording artists James Roy and John Troy Jacobs, from Double Portion, begin their empowering summer calendar at the South Park Inspirational Concert Series starting Sunday, June 27, followed by the 9th annual Hero Project youth and young adult conference. South Park Inspirational Concert Series is a free event at the Grove on the [...]
Brace Yourself, Bernardo is More than Just a Simple Campesino
I have been reading historical novels lately. It hasn’t been intentional, as I did not organize my reading shelf in this manner, and it’s not my usual habit. Whether it’s been by chance, by destiny, or by unconscious will, whatever one may want to call it, I’ve been completely engulfed by historical fiction and truly [...]
