Readers of the Nevada Appeal entertainment pages may notice there's a new movie reviewer in town. Yes, I have long wanted to try a bit of film reviewing, and "King Kong" and "Memoirs of a Geisha" seemed to be good places to start.
"Kong" was a childhood favorite, and several years of life in Japan seemed to furnish a base for the "Geisha" review.
Unfortunately, geisha parties were for the upper class in Japan, and the one I attended was so stiff and formal there wasn't much fun. Problem is that much of a geisha's charm is in her wit and political savvy, and most of us foreigners never got too far along in Japanese, other than being able to order a "biru."
It just seemed that a local paper should be able to make local comments about films playing here. I'm looking forward to seeing Steven Spielberg's "Munich," a story that is loaded with all kinds of ambiguity, apparently.
And speaking of films, one that any loyal Nevadan might want to watch is "The Misfits," starring Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe, made in 1961 with local locations, including Dayton. John Huston was the director, and co-stars include Eli Wallach and Montgomery Clift. This was the last movie for Gable and Monroe; he would die of a heart attack and she in an unsolved mystery.
There are many scenes of Nevada of the 1960s, and the mustang roping is sure to stir sentiment. Monroe seems almost wistful, and Gable as if he was forcing it out. But it's well worth seeing. The Dayton scenes are fun.
Weekend music
Jazzers Penay Wanzo and Neill Chambers will blow out three evenings of jazz in Restaurante Orozko Lounge during the New Year's Eve weekend at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks. Music is 7-11 p.m. Friday, along with 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Seating is on a first-come basis.
Also on tap on New Year's Eve are Robert Earl Keen and "A Night at the Copacabana," featuring the Big City Revue, and New Year's Day with Chris Isaak. Call (800)648-1177 or visit janugget.com.
Bluegrass coming
Railroad Earth, a sextet group with Todd Shaefer on lead vocals, has just released a two-CD set titled "Elko." This is a sort of bluegrass group that can suddenly start playing almost anything "as long as it dances and has style." The group will play at Crystal Bay on Jan. 18; times and ticket prices to come. One listening to the CDs isn't enough - I gotta go back for more.
Then there's Rebecca St. James and the BarlowGirl, coming to the Lawlor Events Center in Reno on Feb. 14. St. James is all about spirituality. and one can look forward to hearing her. Her new CD is "If I Had a Chance to Tell You Something."
