UCLA grad with a passion for writing. Love catching a flick on any given night, as well as settling down in front of the tube for my fave shows. (And I willingly enter arguments about the merits and masterpiece of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. Bring it on!) Other than that, an outgoing individual who likes to hike, swim, run, and do other outdoorsy type things. Sometimes I'm crazy and combine my two favorite things (writing and the outdoors). I know, what am I thinking, right?
Want to know anything else? Email me. Have a good one!
February 15th, 2008 Written by: Karl · No Comments
You know those nights where you want to go out, but don’t feel like dealing with a cover charge and lines and tons of people making it impossible to get from one side of the bar to another? These nights usually follow nights of partying during the week, so you’ve pretty much had your weekly dose of Sunset nightlife. But even so, you just NEED to get out to a place that’s lively, just not too lively; a place that’s almost a dive bar, but not as seedy; more importantly, a place where looking relaxed is looking good.
Well, hop on over to The Dime.
[Read more →]
Tags: Bars · Food and Drink
February 12th, 2008 Written by: Karl · 1 Comment
The other week, a friend was visiting the area for a day and wanted to know where she should go to experience what she termed “Trendy LA.” Considering she was from New York, I was not sure if this comment was said in all seriousness or condescendingly comparing New York to LA as the Trendy Mecca of the US. Her question though definitely made me think about where to send my oh so hip friend. Sure, I enjoy certain LA secrets, but it was not the secrets that she wanted; she wanted to see Lindsay Lohan at The Ivy or Britney Spears at Kitson. Damn foreigners.
Since she had a business meeting that took her through lunch, I was not required to supply the morning activities. Thus, for the truly Trendy LA lunch experience, I told her to check out The Ivy, the place where celebrities like to go because they “like the food” and not the attention they get when 20 billion paparazzi flash their cameras. She agreed, feeling it was the perfect lunch spot. Though, part of me thinks she wanted to scour US Weekly hoping she might end up in the background in one of those shots. Nevertheless, it was a boring and simple lunch. No celebrities. But, hey, she was going for Trendy LA, not celeb hounding.
[Read more →]
Tags: LA Backdrop · News
February 12th, 2008 Written by: Karl · 1 Comment
The other week, a friend was visiting the area for a day and wanted to know where she should go to experience what she termed “Trendy LA.” Considering she was from New York, I was not sure if this comment was said in all seriousness or condescendingly comparing New York to LA as the Trendy Mecca of the US. Her question though definitely made me think about where to send my oh so hip friend. Sure, I enjoy certain LA secrets, but it was not the secrets that she wanted; she wanted to see Lindsay Lohan at The Ivy or Britney Spears at Kitson. Damn foreigners.
Since she had a business meeting that took her through lunch, I was not required to supply the morning activities. Thus, for the truly Trendy LA lunch experience, I told her to check out The Ivy, the place where celebrities like to go because they “like the food” and not the attention they get when 20 billion paparazzi flash their cameras. She agreed, feeling it was the perfect lunch spot. Though, part of me thinks she wanted to scour US Weekly hoping she might end up in the background in one of those shots. Nevertheless, it was a boring and simple lunch. No celebrities. But, hey, she was going for Trendy LA, not celeb hounding.
[Read more →]
Tags: LA Backdrop · News
February 8th, 2008 Written by: Karl · No Comments
Normally events that have boring and bland, somewhat unrecognizable names speak volumes about what the event truly holds. Not so in this case. Although not the best name for the event, Paleyfest 08 is a gathering of celebrities, fans, and critics for what is, arguably, a TV addict’s dream. It’s probably the equivalent of a Star Wars junkie discovering he or she really has midichlorians. (And that, readers, is me wearing my geek on my sleeve.)
While not on the level of Comic-Con or even as recognizable as “AFI presents. . .,” Paleyfest is definitely on its way towards notoriety, and this year’s panel of various television shows does not fail to deliver.
Kicking off the event on March 14 is a 40th anniversary presentation of Elvis’s Comeback Special with Priscilla Presley presiding. Largely considered responsible for reinvigorating The King’s career, the special showcases Presley as an artist who could do more than star in cheesy films. And for those of the MTV generation, this special is also considered the predecessor of today’s “Unplugged” sets.
[Read more →]
Tags: Entertainment · TV
February 8th, 2008 Written by: Karl · No Comments
Normally events that have boring and bland, somewhat unrecognizable names speak volumes about what the event truly holds. Not so in this case. Although not the best name for the event, Paleyfest 08 is a gathering of celebrities, fans, and critics for what is, arguably, a TV addict’s dream. It’s probably the equivalent of a Star Wars junkie discovering he or she really has midichlorians. (And that, readers, is me wearing my geek on my sleeve.)
While not on the level of Comic-Con or even as recognizable as “AFI presents. . .,” Paleyfest is definitely on its way towards notoriety, and this year’s panel of various television shows does not fail to deliver.
Kicking off the event on March 14 is a 40th anniversary presentation of Elvis’s Comeback Special with Priscilla Presley presiding. Largely considered responsible for reinvigorating The King’s career, the special showcases Presley as an artist who could do more than star in cheesy films. And for those of the MTV generation, this special is also considered the predecessor of today’s “Unplugged” sets.
[Read more →]
Tags: Entertainment · TV
February 5th, 2008 Written by: Karl · No Comments
Another month, another bevy of classic films playing at the Arclight. If you have not checked out the films AFI presents, now is as good as time as any.
This month, films being screened are divided into two catergories: “Modern Musicals & Their Icons,” screened at Arclight Hollywood, and “1970’s Classics,” screened at Arclight Sherman Oaks.
Enjoy!
[Read more →]
Tags: Entertainment · Film · Upcoming events
January 29th, 2008 Written by: Karl · No Comments
Now that Hollywood’s (possible) only awards show has occurred this year, it will be easier to handicap the Oscar race. Well, that’s how it usually works, no? …Anyone?
Unfortunately, it might be best to hold onto those bets until the awards are closer because this year seems to be a free for all. The SAG awards are usually a good indicator of who will take home the Oscar given that the nominations for a SAG award usually line up with the nominations for Oscar. But this year, the nominations are all over the place. Shoot, the Screen Actor’s Guild poured lots of love on Into the Wild (only to shut it out), but the Academy only gave it two nods. So here’s a brief rundown of Sunday’s results.
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis remains the front runner, however, his competition for an Oscar is much more intense. Johnny Depp and Tommy Lee Jones, while not garnering the buzz they need at this point, are still forces to be considered. Even so, its still Day-Lewis’s award.
[Read more →]
Tags: Entertainment · Film
January 25th, 2008 Written by: Karl · 1 Comment
Given that most of LA is cold and flooded with water, and that its flu season, and that yours truly is hacking up a lung and sneezing out his brain while writing this piece, today’s article is going to focus on cold cures. Deal with it.
Yeah, yeah, so the cold is a virus and viruses can’t be cured, but if there’s one thing I learned back in college (aside from anything alcohol related), it’s how to quickly get over a sickness that impairs participation in alcohol related activities. Believe it or not, it works every time. Plus, who doesn’t love a quick list?
[Read more →]
Tags: Health
January 22nd, 2008 Written by: Karl · 2 Comments
Yipee!!! Now the fun begins. . . Check out the full list here
Oscar nominations were announced this morning with There Will Be Blood and No Country for Old Men leading with 8 nominations apiece. But what were the surprises and snubs. . .
Well, it’s clear the Academy has no love for Into the Wild. Only scoring two nominations, the film has been hot and cold during awards season, but many expected it to gain at least a Best Director nod for Sean Penn. Maybe another year?
While the Academy may not love Into the Wild, they sure do love Cate Blanchett who was nominated twice: Best Actress for Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Best Supporting Actress for I’m Not There. The nod for There is no surprise, however, her inclusion in the Best Actress field sure is, bumping potential nominees Keira Knightly and Angelina Jolie out of the running. Another surprise in the Best Actress category is Laura Linney, whose work in The Savages has largely been unrecognized this award season.
[Read more →]
Tags: Editorials · Entertainment · Film
January 22nd, 2008 Written by: Karl · No Comments
For Part I of What’s the Buzz, click here.
In the last article, I took a look at the buzz surrounding a certain movie and how that can both have positive and negative effects. Now that it’s the weekend after, audiences have responded to the buzz surrounding Cloverfield, giving it a record breaking weekend at the box office despite lukewarm reviews. In other words, mission accomplished.
But the hype surrounding a certain film also has huge effects during award season. In fact, in many cases, it is believed to even pick winners for the industry’s most prestigious prize, the Academy Award.
[Read more →]
Tags: Editorials · Film
January 22nd, 2008 Written by: Karl · No Comments
For Part I of What’s the Buzz, click here.
In the last article, I took a look at the buzz surrounding a certain movie and how that can both have positive and negative effects. Now that it’s the weekend after, audiences have responded to the buzz surrounding Cloverfield, giving it a record breaking weekend at the box office despite lukewarm reviews. In other words, mission accomplished.
But the hype surrounding a certain film also has huge effects during award season. In fact, in many cases, it is believed to even pick winners for the industry’s most prestigious prize, the Academy Award.
[Read more →]
Tags: Editorials · Film
January 18th, 2008 Written by: Karl · 1 Comment
“Some Thing Has Found Us.”
“Get Carried Away.”
“Why So Serious?”
These three taglines can be found at multiplexes across the country. While the first hints at suspense (Cloverfield), the second states giddiness (Sex and the City), and the third is both inquisitive and foreboding (The Dark Knight), they all do their part in building the buzz or hype for a particular movie. But, interestingly enough, this buzz is never consistent, with surprises ranging from box office openings to affecting awards season. So what can buzz do for a film or an actor before that film is released? [Read more →]
Tags: Entertainment · Film
