Rams Head The Blog

by Gary King
writer/director NEW YORK LATELY

The cast and I are extremely thrilled to share our film NEW YORK LATELY with the Annapolis Pretentious Film Society on Saturday (Feb 13th).  We could not be happier to have it screen at the Rams Head On Stage which is an exciting new way to experience and enjoy films.  As this emerging cinema series grows in popularity, we believe it will be a showcase on how the independent film scene is evolving and the new ways filmmakers can connect with their audiences.

NEW YORK LATELY has been hailed by The Independent Critic as “a remarkable achievement” and Row Three as “a beautiful film” making its Top Ten Films of 2009 List.  It was also listed on Associated Content’s “Best Independent Movies” List — right behind SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.

New York Lately in Annapolis 2/13

WATCH TRAILER HERE
I find it fitting that we will screen over Valentine’s weekend as the film explores themes of friendship, relationship heartaches, determination and new found love.  It’s not your typical movie and will hopefully surprise you in some ways.  Although I love all types of films, there is a special place in my heart for those whose genre is not clearly defined. To me it’s so refreshing to watch a film that reflects real-life; where there can be happiness, sadness and comedy occurring all at the same time.

From the cast and crew of NEW YORK LATELY, we appreciate the Rams Head On Stage and the surrounding community’s support.  And a very special thanks to Peri and Lisa Lewnes (founders of the Annapolis Pretentious Film Society) and its members for giving us this opportunity to share a truly independent film with a new audience.  We look forward to being there and meeting you soon.

Go to www.ramsheadonstage.com to get your tickets today!

BY RASHOD OLLISON

Inimitable talents abound in the pantheon of great female soul vocalists. At the very top, of course, there’s Queen Aretha but not far behind stands Mavis Staples. Like Aretha, her background is thoroughly steeped in the black gospel tradition. Whether she’s singing about matters of the spirit or desires of the flesh, Mavis singes every note with gospel fire.

The Chicago legend, who headlines Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis on Martin Luther King Day, has been spreading musical messages of hope, faith and resilience for more than half a century. As the star of the famed family group the Staple Singers, Mavis pushed her roiling vocals on such classics as “Love is Plentiful,” “Respect Yourself,” “I’ll Take You There,” “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me),” “This World” and many others. Those hits were recorded in the early 1970s for the powerhouse Stax label. But Mavis, along with her sisters Cleotha and Yvonne, brother Pervis and father Roebuck (aka Pops Staples), had been touring and recording nearly 20 years before their great commercial peak.

The Staple Singers were well established on the black gospel circuit. The group recorded sides for the Vee Jay and Epic labels that mixed twangy, slightly archaic Southern gospel with modern folk touches. Their music in the ’60s, as epitomized in the plaintive “Why (Am I Treated So Bad),” served as a sort of soundtrack to the Civil Rights Movement.

The Staples Singers (Mavis, far right)

But the Staple Singers weren’t just harmonizing the messages. The family also marched with Martin Luther King, who was a close friend of Pops. As the Staple Singers climbed the R&B and pop charts in the ’70s, Mavis also recorded great, woefully overlooked solo albums for Stax that showcased her skills as an interpreter of everything from jazz-tinged supper club ballads to gritty, gutbucket funk and blues. Her glorious 1970 remake of “A House Is Not A Home,” first recorded by Dionne Warwick and later made famous by Luther Vandross, is perhaps one of Mavis’ most transcendent recordings that not nearly enough people heard.

Toward the end of the decade, she worked with the legendary Curtis Mayfield, who had written and produced the Staple Singers last No. 1 hit, 1975’s “Let’s Do It Again.” In the ’80s, Mavis collaborated with Prince on records that placed her grits-and-honey vocals in experimental electro-funk arrangements.

In recent years, Mavis has returned to her gospel-soul roots, releasing rewarding albums brimming with resonant songs of faith and transcendence. Her last CD, 2007’s We’ll Never Turn Back, was lovingly produced by the great Ry Cooder. It is one of Mavis’ finest albums and a moving return to form, so to speak. But no matter the musical context, Mavis masterfully pulls from the depths of her soul to enliven lyrics of truth and love. She charges and renews her audience with each performance. .

It’s just a lit’ something she learned from church.

Rashod Ollison is the former pop music critic for the Baltimore Sun. He’s now a freelance writer who contributes to thegrio.com and popeater.com.

What if WRNR’s Alex and Rob were humanity’s only hope? EEEEEEEEK! Scary, right?!

Pontypool, which has been called by some a zombie movie (I disagree), or a horror movie (not really), is more of a rhetorical thriller. It’s a movie about words. Words themselves become what Pontypool novelist and screenwriter, Tony Burgess, refers to as “predatory metaphors” that never die, but just keep coming at you and appearing at every opportunity trying to possess you, infect you, and infiltrate your subconscious.

Although the word associations I made in trying to figure out Pontypool were wrong, that very process of word association was exactly what the movie was about.

Now this may make Pontypool sound like some highfalutin talkfest which meanders toward some esoteric point beyond the horizon of entertainment.

Quite the contrary – Pontypool is a white-knuckle funhouse ride taken through the wild white north of the Canadian hinterlands. Pontypool is at times poignant, scary, hilarious, entertaining, and yes… thought-provoking.

Fiercely independent Canadian director, Bruce McDonald (Hardcore Logo, The Tracey Fragments) delivers something that you rarely witness at the theater – a unique film. Pontypool has been nominated by the Toronto Film Critics Association for Best Canadian Feature of 2009 and is critically acclaimed internationally. That’s impressive for a movie that was shot independently in 15 days, and hasn’t been widely distributed.

Those who know me will tell you that I hate telling people too much about a movie before they see it. There are so many spoilers out there on the web about Pontypool, and it sort of sickens me. So unless you need to know everything about a film before you see it, I want to caution you about reading too much regarding this masterpiece. You have a chance of seeing something very special without having it all revealed to you in some carelessly written movie review.

Trust me on this one, Pontypool is best sampled with a clean palette. This is a movie that you will not only enjoy, but that will become a cinematic reference point for many movies you will see in the future.

The trailer below should be enough to peak your interest…

Directed by Bruce McDonald (The Tracey Fragments, Hard Core Logo)
Starring Stephen McHattie (300, Watchmen, Shoot Em Up, Fringe)
Produced by Jeffrey Coghlan

WHERE: RAMS HEAD ON STAGE, DINNER THEATER (eats and liquid treats)
WHEN: January 11, 2010
TIME: Doors Open 6PM, Program begins at 7PM
Tickets: $8 in Advance, $10 at the door. Click Here for Tickets.

See you then! And enjoy the show,
Pericles Lewnes & The Annapolis Pretentious Film Society

Knees still knocking, hands still shaking… most boney body parts tender from receiving thrown bows – and throwing a few of our own; Lastnight’s Beastie Boys show was huge.

98 Rock is already calling it an instant classic and the Baltimore Sun’s Sam Sessa may have summed it up best when he shared one fan’s sentiment: “I can’t believe I am only ten rows back from the Beastie Boys!”

Indeed, last night’s show here was something special. “Balltown”….er, B-More, represented well, responding appropriately to the Beasties’ song choices: moshing furiously during hardcore sendups like “Heart Attack Man”; grooving oh so sweetly on the slow jam instrumentals and, in general, vibing out with a Chesire size #@*%-eating grin. Encores aside, the most memorable moments for me were the big-timing entrance to “Root Down”, and the sheer playfulness of “Remote Control” and “Something’s Gotta Give.” Oh yeah…lets not forget about Mix Master Mike. He somehow managed to outshine the amazing set piece that the Beasties are carrying with them for Bonnaroo. Its always great when hyped shows live up to the billing – this one did so and more, and by the time the Beasties get to Manchester, Bruce and Phish better watch their backs: it seems like Mike D, Ad-Rock and MCA got show-stealin’ on their mind.

Photograph by Jim Hendershot

Photograph by Jim Hendershot

Photography by Jim Hendershot

Want more pics like the one below? Check out the Baltimore Sun’s stash on flicker.

Baltimore Sun

Astronomers just released information of a new development -  a rare & special moment when 3 ‘typically separate’ stars will align in perfect view on Thursday, June 25th. Oddly enough, the best position for viewing this nighttime spectacle will be at Pier Six Pavilion on Eastern Ave. Surrounded by the sparkling waters of the Inner Harbor & the striking backdrop of the Baltimore skyline,  George Benson, Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds and nebula-hot-newcomer, Ledisi will perform an unforgettable evening of soulful music!
The songbooks, recordings, #1 hits, Grammy awards, career accomplishments and accolades for these 3 artists would simply overload our blog… so -  google away and you’ll see what we mean.

to perform live at Pier Six Pavilion on June 25, 2009

This show is sure to put a smile on your face & a twinkle in your eye !

*no telescope needed.