Attention children of the 80s and groovers of the 90s! I am compiling an ultimate late 80s/early 90s dance music mix on youtube. This is in the hopes of creating an instant dance party anytime and anyplace. Plus it’s video, so it’s the added bonus of authentic fashion and dance moves to inspire your insta-party. The list is incomplete, and if you have any ideas for songs to add, please don’t be shy to contribute.
So many ads nowadays are smart. They show you products based on what you’ve been looking for online. Like if you were shopping for anti-fungal cream at Amazon, you’re gonna see some Amazon ads elsewhere with anti-fungal products. That’s not embarrassing or anything… Overstock.com does it, too, and so do a lot of places now. It’s like random website ads intimately know you. Which is why every time I see this Skype ad, my heart skips a beat:
For one…Holy shit! I have a sister? And furthermore, she misses me?! Because the fact of the matter is, which you and I both know, the internet is always right. Always.
You’ve heard of haunted houses… well last night my Mazda became possessed by demons. It happened in the Arclight parking lot only a few days after having seen the movie Paranormal Activity.
Even after taking the key out, the dashboard continued to go haywire– the speed indicator dialed itself from 0 to 140 and back several times. The good news: a trip to the mechanic exorcised those paranormal bitches right out. Turns out new batteries are like holy water for car demons.
I haven’t posted since the film festival, my travels across country, telling jokes at a synagogue, and Southern California going up in flames. Needless to say, I feel much like when you think of a good comeback… only it’s two days after you were dissed. But to be fair all these things I have to share are rockin’ not dissy, so here’s the late recap…
(1) FEEL GOOD FILM FESTIVAL – Fantastic! They did a stellar job — a fun festival with a great message. The yellow carpet was a blast. Our press escort, Jay, brought us to where we needed to go. I did most of the talking, but Vince, DP extraordinaire, did an interview in French. Then they turned to me and said, “Were you in his movie?” Hehe. A word of advice to you novice people, like myself– As good as they look, don’t drink the free blue vodka drink before a slew of press interviews. Get the vodka, hold the blue, or your tongue will look like Christian Slater served you a morning cocktail Heathers-style.
Little CEO played well on the big screen (thank you Josh Stevens for the DigiBeta help!), and we had a nice group who came out. Awesome that the actors were there representing: Ruby Wendell, Paul Swetland, Arianna Armstrong, and the star, Samuel Karplus, with his dad and sister. Thank you, too, to my friends and family who also came. Was a rockin’ turnout, and I am very grateful for all those who made it out. It’s been a lovely learning experience and I met a lot of wonderful filmmakers and musicians in the process. Blah Blah Blah.
(2) STAND-UP AT THE SYNAGOGUE- If you know anything about the Los Angeles comedy scene, you know that getting your chops means performing at any number of ungodly places: Laundromats, Youth Hostels, Homeless Shelters, AA Meetings, and worst of all, Comedy Clubs. So finally, I perform at a godly place… Visiting my mom in Illinois, I get a call from a friend who is doing a show and would I want to perform. “Um, YEAH!” I had about 5 hours to figure out what jokes I have or could write to play on a rainy Sunday night in Central Illinois, at of all places, a Temple. Dykes on Bykes– Scratch. Kiddie Porn– probably not. Farting at the gym– maybe, rabbis love that one. Considering the limitations, my set went over really well. Loved being able to make local references, and was really grateful to be a part of the night.
This is how I will always remember the summer of ‘69– 5769, that is.
While the hair department never seems to get much fan-fair for their work, I’ve only recently realized the importance a stylist can play in a movie. In this case, the demise of a film. Sorry, hair people, this is not meant as a personal attack, but rather a cautionary tail. Cases in point:
A Mighty Heart
You didn’t see this movie, and neither did I. It starred Angelina Jolie in a socially relevant, based-on-a-true-story kind of story. And why didn’t we see it? Simply put, her hair. It looked fake. It looked like a wig. It looked like she just hopped off the set of the Bratz live action movie. How can you take a woman seriously when she looks like she got a cheap weave from Oh My Nappy Head. (The Salon on La Brea, not to be confused with the Oh My Nappy Head Talent Agency that was once on the same block.) This is one of those cases where maybe you take a few liberties when it comes to likeness. Let Angelina look gorgeous and let everyone who actually knew the real chick it was based on go “well, it WAS Angelina Jolie” and forgive any differences with reality.
You, Me, and Dupree
A really solid, funny movie that deserved more recognition. Russo Brothers: extremely talented, funny directors. Kate Hudson: Super hot! Hilarious Lance Armstrong cameo. Not to mention, solid performance by my friend Todd Stashwick. But what was up with Owen Wilson’s ‘do! It didn’t really read free-spirit like I imagine it was supposed to. I’m guessing the stylist was going for something akin to my college roommate, Adrian, whose hair always gave the impression that he’d just been flying– straight and wispy, naturally defying gravity. Instead Wilson looked like he’d been sponsored by Aquanet… or king of the roller rink. I can’t help but wonder if this one little detail hindered its success. What I’m saying is, if you haven’t seen it, overlook the hair, and enjoy the heck out of this movie.
Of the examples, this is probably the movie least tarnished by hair issues. I would like to contend, though, that while the absurdity of Joe Dirt’s hair is at least built into the script, it is really the biggest tone-changer. Had the hair not been so crazy fake, ugly mullety, the genre would’ve hinged on broad comedy instead of dumb comedy. More of a real story, less of a sketch. The emotional range was certainly there. Not to mention (Spolier Alert!) the dreads he has sewn onto his head in the end. (Can you call it a spoiler alert if the movie is 8 years old?) Anyway, I just thought it was over the top.
Not exactly a topical list of movies, but all in all helped me feel better about my shitty hair. Trust in Aquanet! Peace out.
The date’s been announced, the trailer and the movie have been cut and recut, respectively, so get your short film watching pants on for Sunday August 9th!
As news outlets continue to pay tribute to Michael Jackson, the mystery persists… Exactly how long has there been a Marlon Jackson? And why are we just hearing about him now?
This news has sent a shock through the nation and Jet Magazine cover readers everywhere.
More exciting news to report! “little ceo: riskier business” has been selected to play next month at the Feel Good Film Festival. Cooler yet, the festival will be showing the films at the historic Egyptian theater in Hollywood. Stay tuned for more details!
Welcome to the blog of Los Angeles-based filmmaker, writer, comedian Sari Karplus.
Several years late on every trend, Sari (pronounced like Mary) has newly and fancily joined the blogosphere. Hopefully soon she'll go on to discover other new fads like Twitter and how to speak in first person.
Until then, please enjoy the ride.
