With the success of Pulp Fiction in 1994, there was a deluge of Tarantino imitators and terrible films trying to capture the same aesthetic, and this produced mostly garbage. With the success Scream back in the late 1996, there was a flood of bad, self-aware horror movies. This also sort of lead to the new generation of terrible teen movies that is still going on today. And with the recent success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, as unlikely as it might've seemed a few years ago, I'm awaiting the coming onslaught of second-rate fantasy/adventure movies. I'm guessing the first wave will be more book adaptations, followed by rip-offs of other movies, then finally remakes or retreads of old fantasy/adventure movies like Beastmaster, Conan, Willow, and Ladyhawke. Wherefore art thou, Marc Singer? It's already begun. It was announced today that production will begin on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I suppose it's mere coincidence that the first post-LOTR fantasy film is based on works by C.S. Lewis, Tolkien's friend and colleague. Supposedly, it was after an argument with Tolkien that led him to write the Chronicles of Narnia, and Tolkien to write the LOTR. Personally, I've always had a love/hate relationship with the genre. Something about these movies always made me uncomfortable. I usually go for movies set in the more modern era or the future. Or at least, something based in history. But for some reason, I feel compelled to watch movie a movie like Excalibur when it's on, even though something about it just makes me feel uncomfortable. The more I think about it, I think it's really the 1980's production value and styles that make me feel sort of icky inside.
So I'm gearing up for the upcoming mini-tour with James. Still don't know exactly what I'll be playing where, but I'm looking forward to SXSW. There are a lot of shows I want to see while I'm down there, but I'm sure most of them conflict with each other. In addition to the many bands that are playing, I've noticed some odd names on the performer lists, including the a few actresses: Julie Delpy, Minnie Driver, and Tia Carerre. I'd be interested in seeing what Minnie Driver actually does, and I'd be really interested in stopping by to see Tia Carerre do "Ballroom Blitz," and listen for Wayne's World references. Of the more legitimate acts playing, a short list of who I'm hoping to see include Modest Mouse (who are playing the same night we are), Joan Jett, GoGoGo Airheart, Metric, the Decemberists, Iron and Wine, and the B-52's who I'm actually really interested in seeing. There are several more. If I get to see three or four of these bands, I'll be pretty happy. From the looks of it, most of the bands I want to see are within walking distance.
Anyway, before SXSW, we have several shows. Six, to be exact, in five days. And five in three days. The first is at Southpaw in Park Slope on March 10. The rest are in New England, and some fairly unique venues. An artists' residence, a gallery, a music store, and a radio station. Then down to Austin for a week. Pretty exciting. I don't think I'd want to do this for any extended period of time, but a week sounds just about right.
Mail to G-Rock