2006 July » Passion of the Weiss

Jul
31

My first review for Stylus is up today. It analyzes the little story of two young men, fortuitously named Wayne and Garth. I can assure you that last sentence makes no sense. In case, you were wondering why I’m reviewing a movie that came out 14 years ago, it’s for Stylus’ weekly Second Take column,… Continue reading »

Jul
28

Sadly, My Chevy Is Only Ridin’ Moderately High

There are times when I wish that Weird Al Yankovich was still in his prime because there’s a great song to be made making fun of Southern coke-rap music. I’m not sure when it was, but at some point over the past few years watching mainstream radio rap seemed to turn into the same thing… Continue reading »

Jul
27

Stephen Colbert Is Definitely Alright

Please watch this clip of Stephen Colbert proving as he does every night that he’s the best thing on television right now. In the clip, he responds to the coverage of an obviously joking interview that he did on a Democratic congressman in Fla. In typically brilliant fashion, he mocks the absurdity of the Today… Continue reading »

Jul
26

From The Ashes A Peace Can Be Shorn

You can’t turn on the news these days without seeing something coming out of Lebanon, where the Israeli army is carrying out a weeks-old offensive to root out Hezbollah guerillas. As you’ve probably heard, many people have opinions on what should be done. According to Israeli leader Ehud Olmert and United States president George Bush,… Continue reading »

Jul
24

Fast Food Nation

I’m not one of these “blame America for all the world’s ails” types. But every now and then, I have a moment of clarity where it becomes abundantly clear to me why rest of the world hates America right now. And last week, I had one of those moments when I came across Taco Bell’s… Continue reading »

Jul
21

Telegram Cam

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that there’s always been something a little off about Cam’ron. It’s been well-documented that Cam’ron exists in the same solar system as Bobby Brown, Mike Tyson, R. Kelly and Ron Artest. From his predilection for purple, chinchilla or making homophobic remarks seemingly everytime he opens his mouth,… Continue reading »

Jul
19

Apparently, Wu-Tang Isn’t Only For the Children

Two thoughts before getting into a much over-due links post. So I’m at the gym today and the song “Hellz Wind Staff,” from Wu-Tang Forever comes onto the iPod. Great right? But this immediately makes two things come directly to mind. First off, how in god’s name did the Rza allow Wu-Tang carrier Street Life… Continue reading »

Jul
18

It’s Gotta Be the Mustache

Last week, I was fortunate enough to attend a Skirball Institute Film Series event featuring a screening of the 1969 French film Z, and a discussion of the film with Oliver Stone. The film was specifically chosen by Stone, as it was instrumental to his development as a filmmaker during his film school days at… Continue reading »

Jul
17

The Pitfalls of the Hip-Hop Duo or Backpacks, Wristbands, and Derby Caps: Cannibal Ox

The problem with hip-hop duos is that they’re inherently designed to implode from the get-go. While John Lennon and Paul McCartney and other rock groups with multiple singers might’ve been able to ease group tension by allowing individuals to shine on their own tracks, hip-hop duos are rarely afforded the same luxury. The reason is… Continue reading »

Jul
10

Beards, Blazers & Glasses: Belle and Sebastian & The Shins

A conversation between a 15-year old Passion of the Weiss and the 24-year old incarnation, on the way to the Belle and Sebastian & Shins concert at the Hollywood Bowl last Thursday night: 15 year-old POW: So what are you doing tonight? 24 year-old POW: I’m going to see the Shins and Belle and Sebastian… Continue reading »