The 2008 NBA Western Conference Champion LA Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the NBA Finals! Down by as many as 17 points, their 100-92 comeback win against San Antonio last night was definitely one for the ages. Spurs’ leading scorers Tony Parker and Tim Duncan valiantly tried to stave off elimination for the reigning champs, but the youthful exuberance of Purple and Gold combined with an awe-inspiring 39-point performance from Kobe Bryant were exactly what LA needed to topple these Texans once and for all. When the game began, Staples Center was uncomfortably silent as many fans were still making their way into the arena. Those who were already inside and ready to cheer were quickly dismayed to find the home team scrambling to claw their way out of an early double-digit deficit. Slowly but surely, and sparked by six unanswered points courtesy of Jordan Farmar, the Lakers true colors began to shine. Midway through the third quarter the onslaught commenced, with Kobe going on a fierce tear that didn’t let up until the final buzzer sounded and the Lakers had won the series four games to one. It was a treat to see the Western Conference trophy ceremony in person as Hall of Famer Jerry West gave a nice speech to General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Kobe Bryant while the crowd roared with celebratory revelry. The next challenge facing this dynamic squad depends on who wins the Eastern Conference Finals, currently led by Boston 3-2. Tonight’s game six is a Detroit home affair at The Palace of Auburn Hills, tip-off around 5:30 Pacific; I’ll be rooting for Detroit if for no other reason than to push this series all the way to seven games.

Memorial Day weekend came and went in what seemed like record time for the annual three-day break. The extended holiday was ultimately rather low-key, marred by stubborn clouds that eventually gave way to blue skies on Sunday afternoon, though it did provide periodic highlights. The proceedings began with a screening of There Will Be Blood , a pointed showcase for Daniel Day-Lewis’ proficient talent as an actor but also a deft character study on a most heinous man. Writer/Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s depiction of turn-of-the-century California and the avaricious oil barons vying for potentially lucrative lands ended up a disheartening tale that I couldn’t pull myself from. Even the extended duration of nearly three hours, which had initially put me off from watching altogether, left me wanting more as I hastily added the Bonus Materials DVD with deleted scenes to our Netflix queue once the credits began to roll. If Day-Lewis’ Oscar win for Best Actor wasn’t enough encouragement to see There Will Be Blood, let me just put in recommendations on behalf of the gorgeous cinematography of Robert Elswit and Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood’s original music that enriches the film through unconventional means; simply put, it’s a must-see.

The Roots at UCLA’s Jazz Reggae Festival 5.26.08

On Sunday, I opted to stick with my original plan and attend the Jazz Reggae Festival’s “Jam Day” at UCLA to see The Roots and John Densmore’s Tribaljazz. Arriving at 4 pm, we were greeted by the politically-minded lyrics and beats of Immortal Technique followed by the second stage-headlining, all-instrumental Brett Canter Trio. When female vocalist Goapele began her set, my suspicions that I had already missed John Densmore’s Tribaljazz were confirmed as his time slot was scheduled for earlier in the afternoon. It was nothing to worry about because my main focus was on The Roots, who delivered a hits-filled set that kept the lively crowd moving until the 7 pm cut-off. It was a thrilling conclusion to the idyllic afternoon, one that reinforced my sentiment that The Roots are first and foremost a live band whose infectious energy carries over remarkably well to their studio recordings.

Memorial Day proper was nothing out of the ordinary, save for the Eastern Conference Finals basketball game between the Celtics and Pistons that Detroit won 94-75 to tie their series at two, but this week is best described as stacked. I couldn’t watch game 4 of the Lakers and Spurs last night (Purple and Gold won!) because we went to see The Police and Elvis Costello and the Imposters at Hollywood Bowl, a throwback of sorts to the 1980s, but also a quality evening of live music in its own right. Tonight is round 2 of Elvis and The Police at the same venue and my feeling is that it will be even better than Tuesday. Be sure to visit My Wear & Tear later this week for a review of tomorrow’s Lakers’ game 5 at Staples Center, as I will be there to root them on in hopes of a Finals appearance for the first time since 2004.

Detroit’s 103-97 win against Boston last night in the second game of the Eastern Conference Finals was an unexpectedly pleasant outcome for a match-up that I had assumed the Celtics would dominate. The series now tied at one apiece, the Pistons have turned the tables and momentum, holding home court advantage for three of the five remaining contests. Game three of the Pistons / Celtics is Saturday at 5:30 pm Pacific time, televised on ABC from Auburn Hills, Michigan. Of course, tomorrow is still a world away because the Los Angeles Lakers face San Antonio’s Spurs in game two of the Western Conference Finals tonight. Purple and Gold overcame a 20-point third quarter deficit on Wednesday behind the heroics of Kobe Bryant, who notched a 25-point second half and dished out a game-high nine assists. A few key players for LA ended up with conspicuously low numbers, namely Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher, so I expect them to step up their play at Staples Center this evening to try and preserve their playoffs unbeaten-at-home streak before the series shifts to Texas. Join me in rooting on the home team in a critical juncture; watch it with friends at 6 pm Pacific on TNT.

An old picture of Temple Bar without the Westside Rentals office next door

Jet lag and an impending cold didn’t stop me from going out after the Lakers won game one to see Wilco’s Nels Cline, Kneebody, and Wayne Krantz Trio at Temple Bar in Santa Monica. A minor ticket snafu at the door led to me missing the opening set by Nels, but all was resolved by the time Kneebody took to the stage. They delivered an hour-long set of experimental jazz-rock that piqued my interest, especially their talented saxophonist Ben Wendel, a Westside local. Wayne Krantz expounded on the night’s instrumental theme with a 95-minute set replete with bold though seemingly endless guitar passages and a tight rhythm section consisting of bassist Tal Wilkenfeld and drummer Cliff Almond.

This holiday weekend I’m torn between two shows at exactly the same time on Sunday. I’ve already got tickets for Jam Day of Jazz Reggae Fest at UCLA featuring The Roots, John Densmore’s Tribaljazz, Immortal Technique, and Dr. Lonnie Smith, among others, but there’s also Topanga Days in the lush canyon with Marc Ford & The Neptune Blues Club, Gary Louris, and Jonathan Wilson, to name but a few of the artists. When the biggest challenge in front of me is to choose between two excellent concerts, it’s ultimately nothing to be all that concerned about. This Memorial Day, I suggest reflecting on the state of the world and the people who protect our freedoms with their lives; in due time, everything else will be put into perspective. See you next week right here at My Wear & Tear!

Topanga Days in 2005

My first trip to Florida since 2005 flew by unbelievably fast, a testament to just how good of a time I had with family and friends over a scant four days in the Sunshine State. Taking a flight at dawn on Saturday from LAX to Fort Lauderdale, I was greeted by that familiar wall of heat and humidity upon landing at 2:30 in the afternoon. We chose the Mellow Mushroom in Delray Beach to enjoy a meal before heading over to Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach where The Police and Elvis Costello were set to perform. Arriving during Elvis’ opening slot, I spent the remainder of his set trying unsuccessfully to find decent seats for our party of three. With only lawn and $225 pavilion tickets available, we opted to save our funds and listen to the pristine sound from outside the gates. Sting ’s strong vocal delivery showed no signs of fatigue as had been reported on earlier shows this month and Andy Summers’ guitar playing was much more spot-on than last year at Dodger Stadium but ultimately the band as a unit didn’t sound as cohesive as they could have been, though this could have been because we were listening from the side and not in front. Nevertheless, we had a great time dancing and singing along to the hits, a great start to the vacation.

Sunday morning began with a family breakfast, followed by the three-hour drive north to Orlando. We made the most of the evening after getting settled at the Sheraton Vistana Resort, first visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios to take the long-awaited plunge inside The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and a wild limo ride on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, one of the only upside down attractions at Walt Disney World. The Magic Kingdom was next on our agenda and we squeezed in the classic Space Mountain prior to taking in the luminous Wishes fireworks show to cap the night. Monday we returned to Magic Kingdom for a full day of vintage Disney, highlighted by Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan’s Flight, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Half video game, half tour through the animated space of Toy Story 2 , the Buzz Lightyear ride was filled with an abundance of vivid fluorescent colors and elicited the most excitement from the kids in our group.

The Floridan Himalayas: Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

The final day began at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park where I was urged to ride Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. It turned out to be one of, if not, the best Disney attraction I had ever been on. I found a YouTube clip of the ride, so you can judge for yourself here , but the 25-foot animatronic Yeti beast was quite a sight to behold as the train attempted to escape its grasp. Arriving when the gates opened, I rode it twice consecutively and then got soaked on Kali River Rapids before taking a shuttle over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for my second experiences on both Twilight Zone and the Aerosmith coaster. One last shuttle took me to Epcot where I met back up with family and took a spin on Test Track, a chance for riders to essentially become automotive crash test dummies. Lunch at the Coral Reef Restaurant and blasting off on Spaceship Earth inside the giant golf ball concluded my time in Florida as I departed for the airport and back to Los Angeles. After 15 years away, I’m happy to report that a trip to Walt Disney World Resort can still be magic for both children and adults.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

It’s been over 15 years since my last visit to Walt Disney World in Orlando, so this weekend’s trip looks to be both a fun family vacation as well as a chance to make up for lost time. The Magic Kingdom is always enjoyable, but because many of the attractions are the same as at Disneyland in Anaheim, I’ll probably get a Park Hopper ticket to also check out Epcot and the Hollywood Studios. Without a doubt, the one ride I am looking forward to experiencing is The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It opened in 1994 and as a longtime fan of the TV series, I’ve been waiting patiently for my chance to ride the ghastly elevator inside the haunted hotel. The nearby Universal Orlando Resort has an all-new The Simpsons Ride inside Universal Studios Florida but also Spider-Man and Jurassic Park attractions inside their Islands of Adventure, so a multi-park pass is pretty much mandatory here also.

One event I’m a little sad to be missing while I’m away is the 6th annual Joshua Tree Music Festival. Held in Joshua Tree National Park 130 miles east of Los Angeles, this musical convergence features performances from artists such as Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Ghostland Observatory, JJ Grey & Mofro, Zilla, Dubconscious, and Eric McFadden Trio with Bernie Worrell over its three day span. I’ve yet to attend, and this year continues that unfortunate trend, but I’ve heard nothing but good things from those who have gone in the past. Surrounded by Earth’s natural beauty, it looks like an excellent location to camp out with friends and soak in the diverse selection of bands. If you’re in Southern California and looking for something to do, my first recommendation would be a road trip to Joshua Tree. Thanks for stopping by at My Wear & Tear; be sure to come back and refresh with us next week!

The rugged scenery of Joshua Tree National Park

An MVP in his natural habitat

The Lakers are headed back to Salt Lake City with a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven series after a much-needed 111-104 victory over the Utah Jazz last night at Staples Center. Purple and Gold withstood double-doubles from Utah’s Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Mehmet Okur by creating a balanced attack from all five LA starters. Although hampered by a sore lower back, Kobe Bryant’s 26 points led the squad while Lamar Odom raked in a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with his 22 points. Pau Gasol had some spectacular plays that made me leap out of my seat in pure jubilation but also quite a few turnovers, so it was a mixed bag at times for him. However exhausting it may have been to watch, the Lakers took care of business at home and now force the Jazz into an elimination game six Friday, televised on ESPN at 7:30 pm. Hopefully they can capitalize on this advantage and turn down the music once and for all. Detroit having advanced to the Eastern Conference finals already and the Celtics possessing a 3-2 lead in their series against the Cavaliers, the only other match-up left is New Orleans against the Spurs. They’re playing a tight game in San Antonio with the visiting Hornets on the verge of their first taste of the Western Conference finals in franchise history. After watching both teams through the year, my depleted energy is going towards New Orleans.

Site of Lakers vs. Jazz Game 5, tonight

After losing both games in Utah, the Los Angeles Lakers return home to Staples Center where they face the Jazz tied 2-2 in their second round playoffs series. I’ll be in the upper level to cheer on Purple and Gold with hopes that they can respond following Sunday’s 123-115 overtime loss that left Kobe noticeably injured, sustaining a strained lower back early in the contest. The playoff game I caught last year against Phoenix was a real nail-biter that LA ended up winning and this one looks to be a great match-up as well. Tip-off is right around 7:30 pm, televised on TNT after the Boston Celtics / Cleveland Cavaliers game. Fiercely competitive, that series is also deadlocked at two with the home team winning each time. I’ll make sure to watch it on the enormous wall projection when I enter Staples to stay abreast of all the action.

Metallica play The Wiltern this evening and if I was feeling particularly adventurous I’d head over there after the game. However, as it’s a benefit show for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, tickets start at around $200 apiece so that’s good enough reason to pass. It’s been over 10 years since I’ve seen Metallica and I always enjoyed “new” bassist Robert Trujillo when he was in Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves so I’m willing to give them another shot. Sometimes one big event is enough to satisfy the craving for a few days and besides, it looks like I’ll get a chance to see The Police this Saturday night in West Palm Beach when I begin a family vacation to Florida. They’re playing Cruzan Amphitheatre a few hours after I arrive so as long as my flight isn’t absurdly delayed I should be able to make it over there and rock out before traveling up I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike to Disney World in Orlando the next morning. I’m already in for both nights of The Police at the Hollywood Bowl in a few weeks, but if it really is their final tour, it doesn’t hurt to see an extra show here or there. Plus, it will be nice to see my first concert in the Sunshine State since Phish’s millennium party at Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. With a high of 89 degrees and thunderstorms forecast for Boca Raton this weekend, it will be a hot and wet start to the trip.

The Police and Elvis Costello perform here on Saturday. Hopefully it doesn’t rain.

Had I known Beowulf was such a rousing adaptation of the Old English epic poem from the Middle Ages, I surely wouldn’t have waited two and a half months since its February release to screen the unrated DVD. However, good things come to those who wait, and the film is a triumph of technology that immerses the viewer in a mystical realm of 6th century Denmark where kingdoms are threatened by bloodthirsty, virtually impervious monsters spawned from clandestine pacts between nobility and bewitching creatures. The cast includes Ray Winstone as the heroic demon slayer, Anthony Hopkins and Robin Wright Penn as the harsh land’s king and queen, John Malkovich as a loyal subject, and Angelina Jolie as a seductive reptilian goddess while directorial duties are efficiently wrangled by Back to the Future and Forrest Gump creator Robert Zemeckis. The animated movie’s unique visual style is achieved through motion capture, a process where actors are outfitted with many sensor buttons that allow computers to recognize and record their movements, with their actions then translated onto digital characters to interact with the CGI environments and occupy the frame without limitation. A look at the behind the scenes featurette included in the special features shows how time consuming and complex motion capture is for actors and crew, who have to color code and scan all the sets, props, helmets, and weapons so that they can be differentiated by the software when the final shots are rendered. Their hard work yields great rewards because the gruesome battle scenes are nothing short of stunning and mystical locations are brought to life with vivid clarity, all done without sacrificing the raw emotion that comes from human performance. The tale can casually be compared to The Lord of the Rings trilogy in its scope and depiction of a world inhabited by hellish beasts but make no mistake, Beowulf reaches a pinnacle on its own merits. A graphic work of art that earns a place in the pantheon of fantasy films, see it and bask in the fusion of a classic literary piece with an ultra-modern storytelling technique, you will undoubtedly be amazed.

Last year’s departure of founding bassist Hub hasn’t slowed down hip-hop titans The Roots one bit as their new record Rising Down , now in stores, blares through my Bose in-ear headphones. I got my first taste of these new cuts when I downloaded their set from Florida’s Langerado Festival in March. “75 Bars (Black’s Reconstruction)” stood out as a breakneck track from that show and the studio version retains the live intensity effectively. The entire album isn’t quite as engaging as their previous effort Game Theory but any new music from the Philly-based crew is always welcome and guests including Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Malik B., and Common provide additional flavor as they spit rhymes. A co-headlining tour with Erykah Badu begins tomorrow in Washington, DC with a stop at the LA’s Greek Theatre on June 12 and they’ll also be headlining the Jam Day of the Jazz Reggae Festival at UCLA on May 25th over Memorial Day weekend. Give in to the booming beats and lyrical workouts; catch The Roots’ show when they come to your town.

Rush at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on May 8th, 2008

Rush wrapped up their two nights at the Nokia Theatre with an energetic and forceful show that reminded me why I became a fan of theirs nearly 20 years ago. The first concert on Tuesday was no slouch but the band and crew really nailed the encore performance by dialing in the sound to near perfection and delivering a lively pair of sets heightened by a dazzling lighting display , punctual pyrotechnics and spot-on video accompaniment. Out of the five times I have seen Rush, I would rank yesterday just below the 1996 tour in support of Test for Echo in terms of my personal enjoyment as it transpired. After a quick jaunt to Las Vegas tomorrow, their run of four California shows concludes on Sunday with a gig at Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre in Irvine. I would seriously consider attending if I didn’t already have big plans in store for that Mother’s Day evening.

As for tonight, the Lakers look to keep their undefeated playoffs streak alive as they visit Utah for game three of the Western conference semi-finals. Tip-off is scheduled for shortly after 6 pm; watch it on ESPN. Tomorrow begins back-to-back jam-themed double bills as the Stanton Moore Trio plays The Mint with Big Organ Trio handling opening duties. Stanton Moore, the ceaselessly exuberant drummer of Galactic, will be joined on stage by a duo of Wills: Will Bernard on guitar and Wil Blades on organ, last seen with Skerik and Mike Dillon in the wee hours of New Year’s Day at the Boom Boom Room. If other recent weekend shows at The Mint are any indication, get your dancing shoes ready because this stands to be a groovy party that should extend close to the witching hour of 2 am. Time is running out to mail Mother’s Day cards or gifts, so unless you’re seeing Mom in person on Sunday, I’d make my way to the post office now to get it postmarked for speedy delivery. I’ll be sure to give a cross-country phone call before heading out to the Greek Theatre for a glorious outdoor event with musicians Grace Potter and the Nocturnals followed by headliner Phil Lesh and Friends. We’re celebrating a pair of birthdays in the back benches, row C on the aisle, so if you make it to Griffith Park and feel like joining in the festivities, by all means come and say hello. It’s been a long week, but a good one; we’ll see you back here on Monday for more sports, music, and entertainment news at My Wear & Tear!

The PredAlien and Predator of Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem

I defied a 15% Tomatometer critic score and 2+ star user rating on Netflix to take my chances on the hodgepodge that is Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem , getting just what I expected with loads of murky horror between the outer space titans. For a while I thought it was the teen movie equivalent for these well-regarded franchises until the grisly killings escalated to a level where no character was safe, upping the ante to compensate for an inconsistent script. The scenic outdoor photography effectively masked British Columbia for Colorado, though it was too brief before the underground and indoor terror ensued. I enjoyed the numerous locations they thrust the vicious creatures into, at one point then went from the sewer into a forest to the street to a nuclear power plant to a school to the hospital and so on. The dark and, at times, incomprehensible special effects served their purpose but the alien costume design, background spaceship decoration, and sound effects all worked perfectly. Some of the best moments were shot-for-shot homages to prior entries from their cinematic family tree, indicative of how ultimately unmemorable it truly was when compared to its brethren. If you have 90 minutes where you feel like turning off your brain and reveling in monster mayhem, by all means rent AVP: Requiem . Everyone else, trust me when I state the obvious, that there’s nothing to see here.