Rock Hall Inductees

I'm glad the Red Hot Chili Peppers are among the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Also glad the ceremony will actually be held in Cleveland for the first time in many years.

I've been a Chili Peppers fan for almost 20 years, starting with 1992's "Blood Sugar Sex Magik." That album inspired me to go back and discover some of their older stuff, such as "Mother's Milk." I like that they combine rock with funk and have done collabo's with George Clinton.

Last year I read "Scar Tissue," the autobio by Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kedis. He's done so many crazy things, it's amazing he and the band are still alive and kicking after all these years!

Another 2012 Rock Hall nominee is the late singer/songwriter Laura Nyro. I recently listened to her greatest-hits CD, which my good friend Kim Tolley passed on to me a couple years ago.

I'd always heard Laura Nyro influenced a lot of female artists. I expected her sound to be folkier and jazzier, sort of like Joni Mitchell, considering folky artists like Suzanne Vega who say they were influenced by Nyro. Her sound is more pop than anything and her voice reminds me a lot of Irene Cara. Nyro's music also sounds dated, very 60/70s-specific, not the timeless classic I expected. She does have a dash of soul; I can see why she once worked with Patti LaBelle.

Of the 16 or so songs on Nyro's greatest hits, maybe 2 or 3 I'd listen to again, including "Stoned Soul Picnic," upbeat tune perfect for a cookout or any kind of outdoor gathering.

'Contagion' Is One of Best 2011 Movies

Katy Perry on 'SNL'

Rarely watch "SNL" anymore but caught Katy Perry's hosting gig on Dec. 10. They wasted her outrageous, over-the-top personality on un-funny skits. Was interesting seeing musical guest Robyn, who has transformed from late '90s pop/soul "Show Me Love" incarnation to techno-dance diva.

John Leguizamo: Indie Rocker?

Just watched an interesting low-budget film called "Sueno," a 2005 movie starring John Leguizamo. He plays a budding musician struggling to make it on L.A.'s Latin rock scene. With a hipster haircut that doesn't entirely suit him, Leguizamo sort of resembles a Latin version of John Rzeznik, the lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls. Elizabeth Pena plays Leguizamo's neighbor, a divorced mom he convinces to join his band as a singer. (She later played his mother in 2008's "Nothing Like the Holidays.")

It's refreshing that this movie shows a side of the Latin community that doesn't involve the usual stereotypes -- drugs, gangs, illegal immigration, etc. As much as I like this movie, it's a bit overly earnest. Some of the dialogue is a bit corny, such as when a beautiful girl Leguizamo's character is pursuing rejects him and he says, "I'm here for you. X marks the spot," which he punctuates by drawing an invisible X over his heart. Also, the plot never really explain why this girl is so resistant to dating him. Whether they end up together in the end, you'll have to see for yourself.

Overall, I'd recommend "Sueno," if for no other reason than for showing minorities in a positive light.
Overal

'Outsiders' Still Golden

Enjoyed re-watching “The Outsiders,” one of my favorite movies from childhood. Came across the DVD in Wal-Mart for 5 bucks. Stevie Wonder’s “Stay Gold” is one of the best movie themes of all time, really captures the bittersweet tone of the movie.

'Colombiana': Entertaining Action Flick

Enjoyed seeing "Colombiana" recently. The role seems tailor-made for Zoe Saldana, who gets to explore her Latina roots in this role as a bad-ass gun-slinger.

I appreciate what producer Luc Besson and the other filmmakers were trying to do - an update of "The Professional" with a woman of color in the lead role  (i.e., a young girl witnesses her parents' murder and sets her sights on revenge). On a side note, I was a bit taken aback seeing Jesse Borrego, from the TV show "Fame," playing Zoe's father in a flashback. What a departure, from a dancing high school kid to a professional killer!

"Colombiana" has done a'ight at the box office, so it probably will neither help nor hurt Zoe Saldana's career. It's certainly a great showcase for her as an action star. There's a really cool, stylized fight scene in the bathroom at the end in which the lead character uses a towel and toothbrushes to defend herself.

As much as I like the concept of "Colombina," I'm not sure about the latest round of female action flicks - "Salt" with Angelina Jolie, etc. Is this a step forward or backward for women, being just as cold and emotionless as their male counterparts as they pile up the body count? Maybe Zoe Saldana is simply picking up where Pam Grier left off in the '70s.

'Scrubs' Is Still Good, Clean Fun

Recently picked up fifth season of Scrubs from Family Video (one of the last of the quickly-dying video store chains). The show really holds up, just as funny and entertaining as when it was on the air.

Two reasons why Scrubs was such a good show:

Racial diversity, the black and Hispanic characters were just as fleshed out and integral to the show as the white characters.

Relatable storylines and actors. Much of the humor is over the top, but the characters go through breakups, career challenges and personal crises that everyone goes through. And while the cast is nice-looking and well-scrubbed (pun intended), no one is so drop-dead gorgeous that you feel intimidated by them.

By the way, there's a scene in one of the episodes where Donald Faison (whose character just happens to be named Chris) is wearing a shirt I have. That's the second time in as many months that I've seen someone on TV or the movies wearing something I own (Bradley Cooper wears another shirt of mine in "The Hangover 2"). Maybe I missed my calling? Wardrobe designer?

'Hangover 2' Isn't a Drag After All

Enjoyed "Hangover 2" more than I thought I would. Reviews trashed it and I went in with low expectations. Definitely has a lot of the same gags as the first (instead of a lost baby, this time it's a misplaced monkey), but I thought it was as funny as the first - even funnier in some parts.

In scene where guys go to Zach Galifianakis' house to invite him to the ill-fated bachelor party, Bradley Cooper's wearing a dark green polo shirt - exact same one I have. Glad to know a movie star shares my taste!

A New Phrase?

A new phrase for the dictionary? "Tweef," a beef (usually among celebrities) that breaks out on Twitter.

'Love Field': A Well-Made Interracial Drama

Just watched the 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer/Dennis Haysbert drama "Love Field." Came across the VHS tape at Half Price Books.

This is a very well-made movie about race relations in the South, with the assassination of President Kennedy as a backdrop. Michelle Pfeiffer plays a Dallas housewife obsessed with the Kennedys who ends up going on the lam with an African-American man (Haysbert) and his daughter when their paths unexpectedly cross on a bus trip en route to the Kennedy funeral in D.C.

There are hints of an interracial romance between Pfeiffer and Haysbert, but it's very tame. The characters are nuanced and three-dimensional. Michelle Pfeiffer earned the Best Actress nomination for her performance; Haysbert should have been nominated as well. Wikipedia says Pfeiffer's character is based on writer Don Roos' own mother. No wonder the story's so believable.

'Freedom Riders'

Just watched the "Freedom Riders" documentary that PBS aired in May; I had taped it and just got around to checking it out. It's really moving, how these men and women of different races from all over the country risked their lives to combat hatred - and did so with peaceful means.

The tag line for the promotional poster asks "Could you get on the bus?" Definitely makes you think about whether you'd have the courage to endure beatings, fire bombings and police intimidation to stand up for the cause.

Like Bruno Mars' "Lazy Song," Not Sure About the Video

Bruno Mars' "Lazy Song" is a guilty pleasure. It expresses exactly how I feel on Saturdays - would love to have one that's not full of chores and errands and I could act out the lyrics of the song ("Today I don't feel like doing anything/I just want to lay in my bed"). I'm not so sure about the video for the song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLexgOxsZu0), with the guys wearing monkey heads and sunglasses. I think Bruno wanted to do something gimmicky that would go "viral." Guess I can't blame him for that.

Get Well Wishes to Clarence Clemons

Get well wishes to E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who suffered a stroke. I've always been a fan of his, both his work with Bruce as well as his solo stuff from the '80s: his single "I Wanna Be Your Hero" and duet with Jackson Browne "You're a Friend of Mine."

'Super 8' Review

Just saw "Super 8" with my bud Ramin, a huge sci-fi/horror fan who loved the new Steven Spielberg/J.J. Abrams movie. It's definitely a throwback to Spielberg's "Close Encounters" and "E.T.," with a little "Stand By Me" thrown in.

I was glad to see the casting is somewhat diverse, mainly Glynn Turman ("A Different World") and Richard T. Jones (from the "Why Did I Get Married?" movies) as a scientist and soldier, respectively. Unfortunately, like many sci-fi/horror flicks, the bruthas die early on.

It would have been nice if one of the main characters, the group of kids who are at the center of the action, would have been black, Hispanic, Native American or Asian. Oh, well, at least there were minorities in small, supporting roles.

Kinda cool that Ohio was the setting. A closeup of a map in one of the scenes shows Dayton and surrounding areas.

Overall, "Super 8" is a formulaic yet entertaining summer movie.

'Night of the Comet'

Had fun '80s flashback watching the comedy/horror flick "Night of the Comet." This very underrated zombie movie is about 2 sisters who are among a handful of survivors after a comet hits Earth.

"Comet" was somewhat ahead of its time with diverse casting, a heroic Latino male lead (Mexican-American actor Robert Beltran in the role of Hector). Plus, it's tame enough that I was able to watch it with my 10-year-old niece.

Had seen bits and pieces of it on cable as a kid and it came to mind Memorial Day weekend when I had a hankering to watch a scary movie that's not too gory. Watched the first part on YouTube, but it kept freezing up and was able to find it on DVD at the library.

"Night of the Comet" would be great addition to a Halloween movie marathon.

Oprah's Final Broadcast

Thought Oprah's shows at Chicago's United Center were a very fitting tribute to her and a great way to end on a high note. The moment when the Morehouse men she helped educate marched in carrying candles was very moving.

On her last show, she was eloquent and inspirational as always. Her last words were very appropriate: "To God be the glory."

The fact that at least 2 whole generations of young African Americans have had such a positive role model on TV every day for the last 25 years is pretty amazing. Oprah will never be replaced.

Thoughts on 'Thor'

Just saw Thor and read a couple of reviews online. Entertainment Weekly raved about it, while the Village Voice trashed it with the tart headline "Thor's a Bore." My assessment would lie somwhere in between: it's not a pefect movie; they could have done better with the plot and visuals, but overall it's an entertaining popcorn movie for summer (although it doesn't feel like spring has kicked in yet!).

Postcards from the Vault

Looking through my old drawer... found hilarious tapes I recorded as a "tween," horsing around and interviewing my sibs. Guess I've always been a journalist!

These tapes are from the 1985/86 era when Prince was in his post-Purple Rain heyday, and when I sing along to "Kiss" on the radio, I sound eerily like him. Lord knows I can't hit those falsetto notes since my voice changed!

Hot New Wax From The E Family

Just picked up Now & Forever, the new CD by the first family of percussion - the Escovedos. This album is HOT!

Featuring legendary percussionist and bandleader Pete Escovedo, his equally legendary and ever-glamorous daughter Sheila E. and her multi-talented brothers Peter Michael and Juan, this album is one of the family's best. Guest appearances include artists they've collaborated with over the years, including George Duke, Gloria Estefan, Raphael Saadig and Earth, Wind & Fire, among others.

My favorite tracks include the funky "Do What It Do," with Peter Michael on lead vocals; the dramatic ballad "Nothing Without You," with Sheila rocking the mic, and the uplifting "All Around," featuring gospel star Ishmael Houghton. "Live Percussion Jam" is a foot-tapping R&B/Latin pop joint in the vein of the DeBarge classic "Rhythm of the Night."

I've long been a fan of the Escovedos' unique brand of "soul salsa," and they just keep bringin' the funk...