Searching (Movie 2018)

Searching is just one of those movies you should really see. This is no big budget blockbluster. It's a well told story that will take you on several twists and turns. It's point of view is strictly through computer screens, FaceTime, phones, etc. David Kim played by John Cho (Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle) thinks like so many parents that he knows his 16 year old daughter and what's going on in her life. But when she goes missing and he starts to dig into her life through her social media and laptop he finds out he really didn't know what was going on with her. Through this father's search for his daughter in both the literal and metaphorical sense, it gives us all pause for thought. How do we use the online world? How do we know what is real and what is fake? And truly so much of it is false. This feeling of being connected when really we're not. These days it seems people would rather FaceTime than be face to face. And for so many it's an escape-to avoid dealing with their emotions or their loneliness. We see in this film there's so much danger in that and so much to be lost. Debra Messing (Will & Grace) also puts in a strong performance. I recommend this one. Catch it if you can.

Crazy Rich Asians (Movie 2018)

Crazy Rich Asians is the new rom/com movie out this summer based on the bestselling novel by Kevin Kwan. The big news on this film has been that it is the first all Asian cast in 25 years since The Joy Luck Club. This cast did not disappoint. We get Constance Wu (Fresh Off The Boat) an endearing female lead. She plays Rachel Chu an American economics professor who gets invited by her boyfriend to go with him to his home country of Singapore for his friend's wedding. Her boyfriend Nick Young is played by newcomer Henry Golding. What I love about his performance was it was not heavy handed. He had a subtle way with the sweetness and charm that really did make him irresistible. But when Rachel gets to Singapore she discovers that Nick is from the one of the oldest, wealthiest families in Singapore. And she is in for a rough time with his family and his friends who think this American woman who has worked for what she has does not belong. Michelle Yeoh is steely as Nick's mother. Gemma Chan as Nick's cousin Astrid is glamorous, at times reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn and you do feel sympathy for her. Stand out comedy from Awkwafina as Rachel's old college friend Peik Lin. Also, great comedy from Nico Santos as Oliver and Ken Jeong as Peik Lin's father. This movie was definitely a postcard from Singapore. This is usually not a location used by production companies but I think that will change after this. The scenery is just beautiful. I hope one day we can get beyond making a big deal out of the fact of whether or not a film is an all Asian cast, etc. Because for myself, I saw beyond that and just enjoyed a wonderful escape into a romantic comedy. It was a very sweet story and yes I teared up at the end.

Sorry To Bother You (Movie 2018)

Now, I have to admit I went into this a little blind thinking it was going to be your run of the mill message movie. I was told that it was about the destructiveness of Capitalism. But the rapper Boots Riley who wrote, directed, and stars in it takes it to a surreal level to make his point. Sorry To Bother You has Cassius Green living in his uncle's garage in Oakland, CA. He's in desperate need to get up from out under and start to make it in this world. He gets work as a telemarketer. He is told that if he can really produce a lot of sales he can move upstairs to the land of Power Caller which is represented by golden elevator doors. Aaahhh Valhalla! But Cassius in the beginning isn't making any sales until another co-worker played by Danny Glover tells him he needs to use a different voice, a "white" voice or as he explains further a business like voice. It all starts to come together and success is at hand. But meanwhile his friends and co-workers are planning a strike to unionize and get more pay. Cassius does get bumped upstairs and leaves his friends to fight for the scraps. However, Cassius finds out moving up is basically selling your soul and this is where the movie really takes a turn into the strange and dark. This isn't a film you go to just for entertainment's sake. It makes you think about society. And whether or not you will agree with Boots Riley there is no doubt there are severe problems in the country and with the economy so the questions need to be asked. And, Boots does it in a funny, creative, thoughtful way.

Boy George & Culture Club, B-52s and Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey, The Boch Center- Wang Theatre Boston, MA 07/27/2018

It was a triple bill last night at The Boch Center in Boston. First on stage was Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins. Tom and his 3 female band members were decked out all in white. The synth pop was strong. There was Love On Your Side and Lies. A couple of tracks from his new album Science Fiction. And be still my heart when he did Lay Your Hands On Me and Doctor! Doctor! I may be in my 40s and he may have gray hair now but the crush on him is still there. He finished his set with the classic Hold Me Now with the venue lit up from a disco ball. The audience got to end the song a capella. Next up was the funky and wild B-52s. Cindy Wilson still has the blond beehive, Kate Pierson the fierce red hair, and Fred Schneider as always is crazy fun. I highly recommend if you want to relieve some some stress rock out to the B-52s live. They performed Planet Claire, Mesopotamia, and Private Idaho. Thank you, thank you for Roam! We got our tin roof rusted with Love Shack and yes our lobster was rocked-Rock Lobster. Finally, Culture Club came on and Boy George had on a hat and a military inspired coat with gold accents. He started the set with David Bowie's Let's Dance and he did it justice. I'm always happy to hear the upbeat I'll Tumble 4 Ya. He took me to the islands with Let Somebody Love You. He gave us Time (Clock Of The Heart) and he turned back time with Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? There's no containing me on Church Of The Poison Mind. He did a cover of Robert Palmer's Addicted To Love and the night was complete with Karma Chameleon. It was a jammed packed night of music!

Shania Twain, TD Garden Boston, MA 07/11/2018

The drum beat started pounding, the excitement built up in the crowd, and from the back of TD Garden in strode Shania Twain to screams and cheers. I had an excellent vantage point to see her profile as she went past. Sporting a cowboy hat and a shimmering dress with a slit up to there, she made her way up to the stage. Since this is the Now Tour, she opened the show with new music from said album. Life's About To Get Good set the tone for the night. This song is upbeat, optimistic, and just puts a smile on your face. The stage throughout the night was very fluid and dynamic. There were large blocks that could move around as well as up and down. Graphics and videos were projected on the blocks. The band was moved all over the stage and at times even on the blocks. This show was energy! Her costume changes consisted of sparkly catsuits, dresses and thigh high boots I desperately want. She gave us all the favorites. Come On Over, Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You), That Don't Impress Me Much, Any Man Of Mine, Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?, and Honey I'm Home. Shania doesn't tinker with the songs either. She gives them to us the way we want to hear them. Later in the concert, while sitting on a seat made from a guitar case, she was floated out across the audience and she sang Soldier and You're Still The One. It was just beautiful when she did From This Moment On. God I love when she does I'm Gonna Getcha Good! And it's always a party when she does Party For Two which she performed with her opening act, Bastian Baker. I was really happy with my favorite off the new album Swingin' With My Eyes Closed. The encore was Man! I Feel Like A Woman and Rock This Country. I didn't want it to end. I wanted it to keep on going. Considering I had been up early in the morning and had worked all day but still wanted to rock this country past 10:30pm I think says it all.

Steve Miller Band with Peter Frampton, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion Boston, MA 07/06/2018

Last night at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion the Steve Miller Band took us back to 1970s rock and roll. The music was as easy as a recliner to relax into and you could drift away on the sound like the sea breeze flowing through the venue. The show opened with Peter Frampton who in my mind's eye I still see as a young 20 something. But at 68 he still sounds great performing Show Me The Way and Baby, I Love Your Way. Next was Steve Miller and proving 74 is not old. I can still remember being 11 years old and loving Abracadabra when it was a hit in 1982 (his gem from the 80s). It may have taken a long time but finally heard it live. He gave us The Joker, Take The Money And Run, Jungle Love, Swingtown, Rock'n Me, the trippy Fly Like An Eagle and finished it off with Jet Airliner. A nice summer night concert.

Depeche Mode, TD Garden Boston, MA 06/09/2018

Last night after waiting a little over 30 years I finally saw Depeche Mode in concert. I was totally rocked and amazed! Well worth the wait. The band pulled in an audience that spanned generations. David Gahan was shirtless in a vest sporting his tattoos, pencil thin mustache, slicked back hair and slightly dangerous facade. He has tremendous stage presence that reached out across the Garden. They started with Going Backwards from their new 2017 album Spirit. The track is quite relevant to the times we are in and prove this band still has something to offer. We got World In My Eyes and Martin Gore gave us The Things You Said. Had almost forgot about Everything Counts so it was great to be reminded about that one. Positively loved hearing Enjoy The Silence. It's funny back in the day when my Mom didn't quite get the alternative rock scene even she got into Enjoy The Silence. Never Let Me Down Again was in there and Martin's voice could bring chills on I Want You Now. And I totally flipped when the night was finished with Personal Jesus. That was always my song. A side note: They did not perform People Are People or Policy Of Truth which you would expect. They are are not the only artists to leave out of their setlist some of their biggest hits. I have heard artists say they get tired of performing the same songs over and over. But the thing is you created something we love and we want the experience of hearing it live. So to all the artists out there keep that in my mind for your fans. Otherwise, I had my Personal Jesus moment and I reached out and touched faith.