Goodbye 2007...

2007 was a funny year.. It had its ups & downs.. but i guess every year does. I learned a lot and felt I've grown some though. So in honor of my growth I have my final chapter of things I learned in 2007. Some things I learned myself, some I learned from others.

-Never give up.
-Just do it. No matter what. No excuses. (This applies to EVERYTHING you may want to do.)
-Tell the truth, have passion, love to laugh, & love with heart, because that's all that matters when it comes down to it.
-Sometimes in life you reach points where selfishness is necessary, especially if you have creative ambitions.
-I'm ready for big changes.
-The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.
-What you are thinking about, you are becoming.
-My best moment is still coming.
-You really can't believe what any man says. You just have to believe God.
-My dog is a symbol for love & life.
-I absolutely LOVE djing.
-You really have to work hard to move all the clutter in your head and really focus. That's when you'll see major achievements.
-I like being around other successful people because it shows me a way to go.
-Everyone thinks I'm a big complainer, when in actuality I'm speaking out the truth about what's going on. You don't have to just settle for something.
-I will always have a young heart no matter how old I get. Which I think is a good thing.
-When you don't have a sense of humor about anything, that's when you are old.

and last but not least:

- People actually like and pay attention to the creative things I do. For which I am very proud and thankful!

btw, this video is all Myron! He has some underrated acting skills!



2007, it's been good. Adios Muchacho!

La Calavera Quicky: Eddy Grant

Ahh, leave it to the 80's to leave some memorable music. No this isn't an infomercial for Songs of the 80's. La Calavera loved this song when he was a nino chiquito and still does, it's a great video tambien. The guys on the bikes look like they can be 80's Beta versions of Daft Punk! I know dav-2-the-izzo will love this one.

La Calavera #42

Oh Snap!!!

If anyone finds or has this video, you gotta let me watch it, I must see it! I wonder if he does the Carlton dance in this...

La Calavera says: THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Hola Amigo/Amiga! La Calavera has been feasting on tamales and drinking atole y ponche! Ahh, my stomach is about to pop! I hope you all are doing well and La Calavera wishes you a very Feliz Navidad y ano nuevo.

These past few months the theaters have been showing one buena pelicula after another. Si, I know that November and December are usually the months where those oscar worthy films begin to pop-up and Dios knows there have been some good old popcorn munchers along with them. But this season has been surprisingly good. It looks like Miramax and Paramount Vantage have been doing very well with NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. Now they have put out another how you say. . .gem. The newly (although very limited) release of THERE WILL BE BLOOD looks like another masterpiece of a movie, especially with Daniel Day Lewis in the mix. It's based on Upton Sinclair's novel OIL written in 1927. La Calavera will have a review available as soon as he sees this really cool flick. For the meantime aqui esta el trailer for THERE WILL BE BLOOD, enjoy. . . .

Hasta La Proxima ves,

La Calavera #42

Back In The Day Thursdays

Yes, it is still Christmas time to me, so my Back In The Day pick for this week is one of my Christmas time favorites..

I still remember toting my metal Gremlins lunchbox to school back in like 86. I wish I knew where it was today, I know it's probably worth some money.

Anyway, this movie is a classic black comedy with many up-and-coming stars. It had your favorite "Deal or No Deal" host, Howie Mandel as the voice of Gizmo. Even had a young Corey Feldman (who's character is the one to blame for all the Gremlins' havoc in the first place).

Some of the cast ended up getting washed up also. I still don't know what happened to Zach Galligan, the movie's star.. but Phoebe Cates still looks good.
Kevin Kline's a lucky guy.

But Gremlins is still a must watch. It still has it's scary moments at points. And can't forget about the laughter.. my favorite part is when poor Mrs. Deagle gets thrown through the second-story window.. I guess it was deserved though as mean as she was. Gremlins, a holiday classic!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to everyone out there. I hope everyone has a very blessed day with their loved ones. I know I am!

Since I'm feeling good today, I feel like showing a cool video from a song by 3 of my favorite artists. This is the supergroup CRS (Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, & Pharrell).

Enjoy!

CRS (Lupe, Pharrell & Kanye) - US Placers [EXCLU]
Uploaded by PeteRock

Best Fragrance Promo ever!

I was watching the tube today, and saw a thousand fragrance promos. I guess because it's christmas time. My favorite had to be P Diddy's Sean John Unforgivable commercial. The new one that was shown on tv today wasn't available, but here's the dope one from his new women's perfume line...



Gotta love Diddy for what he does..

Back In The Day Thursdays

This piece from back in the day was also lame, but at the same time very cool. Many of you probably remember this song from sometime in the mid-90s.

P.S. Check out the dude sitting in the back seat bobbing his head to the music. That dude rocks!

OMC - How bizarre

Pretty Lame

This new Speed Racer trailer looks like it was taken from the deleted scenes from Spy Kids 3-d. I knew I didn't like the Wachowski brothers. Ever since one of them starting talking about a sex change, they must've decided to go into bad movie making.

La Calavera's Spot's of The Empire: part one

La Calavera knows the I.E. is no L.A. and Dios forbid it ever becomes an O.C. (Santa Ana excluded of course, La Calavera loves Santa Ana). But this Imperio does have its chill hang-out spots. Now, keep in mind that La Calavera enjoys independent eclectic joints.

Primero: Moreno Valley

Though this is a great ciudad, it still has a lot of growing up to do. There are a few spots here that are of interest.

Una tasa de café por favor! (One cup of coffee please!)

Starbucks used to be a favorite place of mine but now this Java House Giant has spread around the city like some kind of medieval plague. There’s one in every @#$* corner. I’ll leave that for faux Hipster’s, Junior College Students, and trendy 40 something’s. There are two java joints, though, that La Calavera enjoys.

BACK TO THE GRIND
If you like mod-art paintings of Eric Clapton, Billie Holiday, Bob Marley, and enjoy sitting on couches that look like they were props taken from Morpheus’s apartment in the first Matrix pelicula, then you’ll enjoy the atmosphere at Back to the Grind; located on the corner of Lasalle and Iris. Back to the Grind is a small franchise started back in 96’ with a few locations throughout the Empire. Only thing that bugs me is that even though the interior structure of the buildings might be different the themes are exactly the same. It’s got good music pumping through the speakers and you have your usual selection of descent coffee drinks (La Calavera believes that Starbucks has accustomed him to overly sweetened coffee beverages).

THE COFFEE GRINDER
Though not much in terms of exterior looks, La Calavera loves The Coffee Grinder located on Sunnymead blvd. This place is glued right onto the side of a Remax realty office and is right across from the edificio where they keep los muertos (the mortuary). Inside, you might find a really nice hombre behind the counter that looks like a German Santa Clause. The walls are lined with works from local artists: ranging from pencil drawings to paintings to black and white photos. On certain days you can sit in on a poetry reading or listen to a local musician. It’s got a great vibe, excellent coffee, and good music by jazz greats coming through the speakers. Though it might be small, and a bit difficult to locate, La Calavera highly recommends it.

Donde esta mi tequila!?!

La Calavera drinks. Give him a cold dark beer, a shot of tequila, or a martini and he’ll be as happy as a nino in front of a piñata! Sadly, there are no eclectic joints, no lounges, no bars here to speak of. But there are a few places where one, how you say. . .can wet their whistle.

P.H. WOODS
On Alessandro Blvd we have P.H. Woods restaurant. This place brew’s its own beer along with having domestic and import on tap. Their seasonal beer taste’s great and will hit you pretty good. The bartenders are friendly and the bar counter has some pretty cool drawings of 40’s and 50’s pin-up girls and other drawings of what one would see painted on the side of WWII fighter planes.

MATSURI’S
Matsuri’s is located on Alessandro Blvd at the Longs Shopping Plaza. Though mainly a sushi restaurant, it does serve up some drinks. It’s very quaint with authentic traditional Japanese décor. You can order up some warm saki or a cold bottle of Asahi. Jimmy the sushi bartender is one of the coolest guys La Calavera knows. He looks and dresses like he’s a member of Radiohead. What La Calavera loves about this place is that when you go in you feel like you’ve transported to some other part of the world and you forget you’re actually in some crappy looking plaza.

BIG GUY’S PIZZA AND PASTA
O.k. dammit, I’m really, as the gringo’s say, “scratching the bottom of the barrel” with this one. It’s just that La Calavera really loves the pizza here. As far as drinks go, it’s you’re typical hometown pizza and beer joint where all your “bro’s” can hang out and “watch the game” while drinking a Budweiser. La Calavera really isn’t into sports all that much.

That’s as close to eclectic and independent as you’ll get when it comes to cantinas. From then on you have the usual commercial spots like Hooters, B.J’s Brewery, Outback Steak house, Chili’s, Alcapulco’s, etc. . . .

So Amigo/Amiga, those are some of the spots La Calavera frequents while in Moreno Valley. If you ever happen to be visiting this ciudad and are looking for something to do, check them out. Next Part: Riverside.

Hasta La Proxima ves,

La Calavera #42

Had to add a couple more cool videos..

Los Mono - Promesas



and..

Bats For Lashes - What's a Girl To Do (I love the song too by the way)



I guess I love images of people with a human body but an animal's head... lol.

Some of my favorite creative works...

One thing I love is a great music video. It's so hard to tell a story in 3 or 4 minutes, let alone a good story. Many directors choose to have a storyline going on, some choose good artistic imagery, but music videos are very cool when done well. I haven't seen a really good one other than that latest Snoop Dogg video, but here are some of my favorites from back in the day.. (this is not my back in the day moment by the way..)

Semisonic-Closing Time

Very underated video... first time I've seen something like this done before..


Daft Punk-Around The World

Hands down some of the best choreography and art direction I've ever seen! I still remember the first time I saw this video, at like 2 in the morning on MTV back in like 97.. Michael Gondry's the man!


Radiohead-Karma Police

This video is so full of unexpectedness it's not even funny! Pure genius!

I can't wait!

Me and Kanye have the same fashion consultant!

Check out how we both wear the big ass sunglasses!




Gotta thank Joles for those shades. Even though they got left behind out in Vegas...

La Calavera speaks about Soy Leyenda (I am Legend)

Though not a pelicula of the month per se (that title is held by NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN), it is a pelicula worthy of La Calavera’s attention.

I’m sure you all know de que se trata (what it is about) because of all the marketing/ buzz going on. Usually La Calavera hates the hype but with this movie, esta bien. Not only are there trailers shown on T.V. and in theaters, but you also have the I AM LEGEND website (beautifully made by the way), the I AM LEGEND Myspace, the I AM LEGEND free online-sim/game (where you can play as a mutant, civilian, or soldier running around the ruins of Nueva York), and a prequel graphic novel by Vertigo Comics that involves the stories of different characters before and after the epidemic (titled I AM LEGEND: AWAKENING). La Calavera loves it! This brings to mind how movie marketing has come a long way from its somewhat humble beginnings, but I will leave that whole topic for a later post.

There are 3 major things going for Soy Leyenda: Numero Uno is Will Smith (he’s been one of La Calavera’s favorite actors since he was a chiquito Nino watching The Fresh Prince of BelAir on channel 4), Numero Dos is the Post-Apocalyptic-there’s-no-hope-ravaging-zombies-person-trying-to-survive scenario and of course Numero 3: the great special effects.

SOY LEYENDA starts off like . . . like a post-apocalyptic Cast Away (remember that one pelicula starring Tom Hanks) only replace the deserted island with a deserted New York City, Wilson the volley ball with Samantha the faithful dog (Spoiler! Samantha has a similar fate as Wilson), and Tom Hanks with Will Smith. And just like Mr. Hanks kept the audiences interest in Cast Away, so will Mr.Smith. The movie of course escalates from there: a perfect routine that Dr. Neville (Smith) has set up for himself goes off track, pandemonium ensues with those zombies/mutants, and a survivor along with a little kid that end up finding Dr. Neville. That’s about all la Calavera will reveal.

The story does have a few “head-scratchers” though, two of them being: Why is Dr. Neville trying to find a cure if he believes that he is the only human left and how in diablo’s did the survivor reach Dr. Neville if all the bridges were blown up in trying to quarantine the area? (Perhaps it is because she is Latino. You know we can cross any kind of boarder thrown at us. We are resilient that way!)

Well that is where one of the many themes of a pelicula such as this comes in: that mixture of the primitive innate characteristic of survival of the species and that quality of the human soul which is hope. The need for companionship (we, as humans, are a social species and need some sort of interaction). And that spirit of going through great extremes to see if there is anything else out in the great beyond. This all goes with that human trait known as empathy.

So todo en todo, La Calavera recommends I AM LEGEND. Go grab your elote on a stick, put some mayonesa and chili on it and enjoy this good movie.

If you are interested, read the original 1954 novel (same title) written by Richard Matheson and watch the 2 movie incarnations that came from it (Smith's being the third): THE LAST MAN ON EARTH with La Calavera’s all time favorite star Vincent Price and THE OMEGA MAN with Charlton Heston.

Hasta la proxima ves,

La Calavera #42

I, Robot (real life style)

I am so freakin' tired of seeing these stupid Honda robots everywhere. First of all, I'm one of the few people that don't like the idea of robots. They freak me out. And these things look kinda freaky.

I don't know if I want these things taking over the world. Because you know they will eventually. I'm not ready to do a bunch of robot ass kickin'.. Do I look like Will Smith in I, Robot?

It's Really True...!

I thought the homey Casey was only kidding when he's been talking about this all year..



It looked pretty wack the first half of the trailer, but then in the middle, he gets all RAMBO on cats! That's what I'm talking about. Stallone's back baby! This looks better than Myron's favorite movie of '06, Rocky Balboa, just based on Rambo ripping that dude's throat out with his bare hands! I'm excited.

Back In The Day moment of the week

Sorry no posts lately, been under the weather.. but in my downtime, I've had time to browse the internet for a few cool things...

I am a vintage clothing lover. Especially cool t-shirts or sweet bowling shirts. The kind Frank Sinatra would wear when chilling at his Palm Springs crib.. But here's some of the things I'd like to see come back in a big way.

The first one I'm already on the way to bringing back. I already got one, and you should get one too. The Member's Only Jacket! It's one of my favorite jackets.. and it's pretty warm for a windbreaker.

The 2nd is the old school Thriller jacket. I've wanted one of these since '84 man. So if any of you come across one. I will happilly take that as a Christmas present.

The next thing I want to bring back are those fingerless gloves. Those were tight man, I don't care what anyone says! I was thinking about bringing those back this winter, because it has been pretty chilly weather lately for Cali. Plus if I'm walking around with fingerless gloves on, people will see how macho I am!

Well that's what I liked from back in the day.. and it would be awesome to see 'em around again. Anything's better than these tight ass pants these dudes are wearing right now..

Also, in honor of everything 80s.. here's a clip from a 80s classic we just watched the other night. It's called "Commando" with the one and only Governator. This is mixed with the classic song by Ah-ha "Take On Me". Nothing but dopeness!

La Calavera is upset.

If you please, La Calavera will begin with a very familar quote from A TALE OF DOS CIUDADES: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Damn that Chuck had a way with words, no? Well, now you probably have an idea of what La Calavera is going to write about. We here at The Empire Kids love to talk about music, movies, art, and life. And this, mi amigo/amiga is concerning life.

There is a fine city known as La Valle De Los Moreno's (Moreno Valley) in the Empire. A place where many hardworking individuals reside. It is a city where the population is a mix of almost everything under the sun and with every social class represented living in the same area. . . to a certain extent. Unfortunately there has been a movement brewing that seeks to change this.

A change is occurring where the lines between class (the haves and the have nots) has been drawn. It seems that Councilman Frank West along with the rich and mainly blanco people of Moreno Valley have decided to disassociate themselves with this ciudad. They do not want to "suffer" from the "crime problems" that Moreno Valley seems to be associated with. So they have decided to split. The desgination of the area code 92555 will be known as "Rancho Belago". . .the Beverly Hills of the Inland Empire, according to Senor West. You see mi amgio/amiga, that area has recently seen a surge in mini-mansions and muy nice retail shops. That area of Moreno Valley is supposed to be much more "clean" and "cultured" with most of it's residents (according to the offical website of Rancho Belago) having degrees higher than a High School Diploma and incomes ranging well above $55,000 a year. (A bar graph under demographics tries to show that they are catching up with the City of Irvine in both areas). I suppose the rest of Moreno Valley's residents are poor dumbasses.

La Calavera believes in a word known as UNIDAD (unity). What Councilman Frank West should be doing is working along side this beautiful ciudad and it's hard working residents. He should try to figure out what needs to be done in order to reduce the supposed "crime problems" and make improvements on an already great city. Or perhaps he just doesn't want to deal with people of color, people of middle/lower economic status.

Hasta La Proxima ves,

La Calavera #42

This is how fun married life should be!

I want a to marry a woman who wants to do something crazy like this on our wedding day. Except it might be the "Thriller" dance or something, lol.



speaking of the "Thriller" dance..these guys already beat me to it...



These white folks can get down...

La Calavera asks: Who in diablo's made reggaeton the offcial musica of the Latino Youth?

Ahhh, gold chains, scantily dressed hermana's, violent lyrics, a singer named after a dog or a dad named Yankee (Pit bull and Daddy Yankee). Now throw in some reggae, dancehall, a few slices of bomba, plena, merengue, as well as a cup of hip hop and a dash of Electronica and bam you have this. . .this. . .this supposed sound of the latino youth. Now don't get me wrong, La Calavera has nothing against reggaeton, some of the songs have a good beat but Hijo-de-la-something-or-other does it get old quick. But por que dios, why this music!?!?!?

Perhaps I have answered my own question earlier with the fact that there are so many styles thrown in that one is bound to find something in it they like. Kinda like a burrito you know. In a Burrito you have arroz, frijoles, carnitas, queso, crema, tortilla, salsa, etc, everything that you'll ever need. Well mi amigo/amiga La Calavera is here to let you know, to expand your knowledge about other kinds of music that Latino youth have contributed/created. Believe it or not in Mexico, and other parts of Latin America (and La Calavera mustn't forget Spain)there is such a thing as indie rock. Oh yes!!!! You heard right. Bands such as Superaquello, Los Abandoned, Los Amigos Invisibles. There are electro bands such as CSS. Electronic and Trip Hop groups such as Bella nova, Moenia, the Mexican Instititute of sound and Nortec Collective. Underground Hip Hop such as Control Machete, Molotov, Thes One the Peruvian beat maker, Plastelina Mosh, and Manu Chao. There's Mambo, afro-cuban, and the list goes on and on.

You must forgive La Calavera for not going more in depth but he is tired. The point is there is much more music, music that is good, music that is richer in culture and with a message but instead you get a form of music that might. . .how you say. . send the wrong message. This obeservation sounds familiar. . .But I digress. I suppose this is the most commerically viable music that reaches out to the mass audience, a music that seems to sell more cell phones, gas guzzeling cars, and liquor. Such is life! But anyway, if your intrested. . .check out any one of these groups listed.

Hasta la proxima ves,

La Calavera #42

Oh, and if you want, check this out. Here's what Nortec Collective says about their fusion of Electronic and traditional Banda and check out thier music video.

Back In The Day moment of the week

Lately I have been in a "back in the day" phase. I've been checking out anything that has to do with the 70s, 80s, or 90s. Clothes, music, movies, whatever, as long as its old school. In the process, I found this clip. It's so hilarious!

I know I've been putting up a lot of youtube clips, but this one is way worth it! Check out this dude's voice (and his moves)! And that dude's hair in the beginning...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZqZgAl7NowI

La Calavera's pelicula of the month

My goodness, well if it isn't already that time of year! A time when we celebrate the land being taken away from the Indigeno Americano's (Native Americans) and when fat men in red outfits entice innocent little children to sit on their laps, a time when adults are off waiting in long lines, spending mucho dinero on gifts that sometimes are forgotten, left in the closet to collect dust! (What a way to remember the birth of my good amigo Jesus! Now say it with me "He-Zeus") Yes, this even spills into our theaters with craptacular bright colors, snow, and hollywood happieness!!!! Ahh my dear amigo/amiga forgive me for being such a grinch, I too am guilty of giving in to this Consumer Christmas at times! But if you want to go to the theaters to see a really great film, look no futher than NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN!

The movie is well crafted, beautifully shot with scenes showing the broad bonito desert landscapes that texas has to offer, which serves to show the emptiness that is humanity and the indifference of nature. Cormac McCarthy is the author of this great novel turned into to movie by the Coen brothers (You know, the hermano's who directed FARGO, O' BROTHER WHERE ART THOU, among many other peliculas). He has written many other novels, La Calavera's favorite being THE ROAD. Most have a bleak view of the world and it's inhabitants and this book/movie is no different. Here we have a sociopath just trying to keep his job honorable, a sheriff whose seen much of what this messed up world truly has to offer and is ready to retire, and Mikey's big brother from the goonies finding some money and getting mixed up in a bad situation. My favorite line in the movie . . . something along the line of an old lady stating "I've never seen a Mexican in a suit before". Gotta love those old white women. Check out the trailer and then check out the movie for something a little different this holiday season. Hasta next time.

-La Calavera #42

I love this song and video!!

This was almost my choice for our next video to spoof when I heard the song, but when I saw the video, I knew there's no way you can duplicate it. It's genius! Snoop gets like 10 points for this one.

Favorite line: "Let's smoke us a cigarette, and go back to sleep, sleep, sleeeeeep"

Got to get it crackin before I die!

I saw this book the other day on the counter at Barnes & Noble and had to buy it! There's a bunch of crazy stuff to check off that you have done in your life. If you haven't done 'em, then you just gotta do 'em. It's got easy stuff like "ride a cable car in San Francisco", and cool stuff like "grow a handle bar mustache or mutton chops"... that's gangsta! But I recommend the book to anyone who loves life and likes to be daring.

La Calavera is here

Ahh, El blog. Though the concept isn't new to me, participating in one is. I look forward to contributing some words of wisdom, humor, and views of what's going on in this loco world of ours with my long time comrade Mr. Izzo. I hope you too will be, how you say. . .intrigued.

-La Calavera #42

P.S. enjoy this dance