Japanese blockbusters might blow your mind
Death Note Series
Trailer
Straight from the Department of Beloved Japanese Phenomenons Americans Have Never Heard Of comes this noir-fantasy vigilante series. Based on a zillion-selling manga, the two Japanese blockbusters center around a young genius who—upon discovering a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it—sets about assasinating the world’s criminals. (A gangly, Joker-esque God of Death joins him on the adventure.) Cheesy but cerebral, gripping but not overwrought, the movies make our flicks look like cinematic Godzillas.
Supergroup has shameless fun
She Mine Velvet Revolver’s aesthetic is pretty much built around ham-fisted chauvinism, recycled Zeppelin riffs, and a liberal, non-ironic use of cowbell. When these ingredients are mixed in exactly the correct proportions, the results can be pretty spectacular. Case in point: this slick, tambourine-enhanced track from Libertad, the supergroup’s impending second album. Slash choogles, Scott Weiland preens, and for three minutes at least, corporate rock sounds better than just about anything out there. Velvet Revolver
Listen » Funny ha-ha people tell their best stories
The Nights of Our Lives This event, in which writers share a memorably horrific or fabulous or depressing or hilarious night that they’ve experienced, comes but once a month. Hosted by the hysterically deadpan pun obsessive Dave Martin, the show features regulars Chris Gethard (who, as a 3-year-old, beat up a 9-year-old little person) and Adam Pally (he has detailed adventures in competitive masturbation at sleepaway camp) in addition to special guests. Think Chicken Soup for the Soul, only funny and not uplifting. UCB Theatre
9:30 p.m.
$5
Tickets » Heavy play proves light on its feet
The Brig Don’t let the “political theater” tag attached to this recently extended revival frighten you off. Directed by the legendary Judith Malina, the story of brutality in a military prison amounts to something like jazz, an amazing fusion of syncopated voice, percussive feet, and choreographed movement built around a sparse text. It all climaxes with one scene you’d swear was pure improv. And if you see it tonight, at 8 p.m., you can pay what you wish. Living Theatre Ongoing
$20, $10 students
Tickets » White Dog
at Afro-Punk Festival
See Samuel Fuller’s controversial race film. Click here and enter!
Untitled Document
New York Asian Film Festival; Japan Society; July 6–8;
Investigate a nutty rocker’s second act
Don Van Vliet You may know him as Captain Beefheart, but Don Van Vliet has had a remarkable second act painting. The erstwhile experimental rocker has a similarly improvisational touch with the brush; these abstractions from the eighties and nineties take their neo-primitive inspiration from cave paintings and the artist’s native California desert. Check out the catalogue preface by PJ Harvey. Anton Kern Gallery
Through
July 6
More info »
Jazzman encourages kids’ racket
Hayes Greenfield’s
Jazz-a-Ma-Tazz Saxman Hayes Greenfield—whose band has been swinging at the Bowery Poetry Club—actually lets kids onstage to perform right along with him, whether on paint can or kiddie guitar. (Only for part of the set, don’t worry.) Tomorrow, just back from the Freihofer’s Jazz Festival upstate in Saratoga Springs, he takes the show outdoors to Carroll Park, where there’s plenty of space for everyone to boogie. Already know the man? Listen for new songs off his forthcoming CD. Carroll Park
June 28
4 p.m.
More info »
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