In a world where Blockbuster Video is getting slaughtered by Netflix, Red Box, and my cousin Tito who sells DVD’s out the trunk of his 1996 Nissan Sentra (email me, I’ll hook it up), it takes an LA institution like Laser Blazer to thrive. Formerly co-joined with Kevin Smith’s comic shop Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash (before Smith went off to make his documentary about gun owners with Down Syndrome) Laser Blazer is an old-school, brick-and-mortar movie-aficionado haven, with regulars ranging from Benicio Del Toro and Laurence Fishburne to Matt Groening and Jonah Hill (even Michael Jackson used to stop by back in the day.) Think Amoeba Records, but less overpriced and with fewer people who look like this hanging around. I love it; it’s like the barbershop from Barbershop for geeky film guys.

Another reason to love it: this Saturday at 2 PM, the brilliant internet sketch group Derrick Comedy — creators of such genius bits as a self-defense video made for sociopaths and a 24 parody that somehow manages to be more ridiculous than 24 – will be at the store for a Q&A and a DVD signing. They’ll be autographing copies of Mystery Team, their debut comedy that blew up the Sundance Film Festival and plays like a mash-up of Encyclopedia Brown and Superbad. (Watch the trailer; do not watch it at work.)

You’ll also get a chance to high-five the guy who could (if there is any justice in this world) become the next Spiderman. Team-member Donald Glover, of NBC’s hilarious Community, has just become the center of a Betty White-style internet campaign to make him the star of the Spidey reboot. (My two cents: Peter Parker is from Queens. Tobey Maguire would get his ass kicked in Queens. Donald Glover would not. Edge – Glover.)

___________________________________________

WHAT: Derrick Comedy DVD signing
WHEN: Saturday June 5th, 2 PM
WHERE: Laser Blazer
$$$: Free

Okay, okay, soooooo I’ve been a little MIA, I know.  BUT, now that the Spring Break/birthday madness (it was April 7th, for those of you who may have missed it) has subsided into a blissful memory, I’m fully prepared to make up for it.  Get ready for a ridiculous amount of awesome events right…n-o-w.

Start your weekend off early with a Thursday evening stop (still time to plan ahead for next week) at the Sassy City Chicks Fashion Bash sponsored by Gen Art LA and Sprinkles Cupcakes (yummy!). A sample sale of sorts, past designers boast of such favorites as: Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenburg, and Ella Moss. Too rich for your blood?  Not to worry.  For a mere five little ones, (when you sign up for free with Goldstar.com), you can purchase a VIP ticket that includes a swag bag full of designer goodies as well as complimentary spa services and cocktails.  If you’re really feeling lavish, book a pre-event Chevy Ride & Drive for an early ticket to fab-ville and be rewarded with more gifts and early entrance to stake your claim.

Boys: I’ve got something in it for you too (well…besides the free cocktails, of course): the venue. Four floors of amazing car history come to life at the Peterson Automotive Museum. Break off from the fashion madness and take a stroll amongst classic cars, hot rods, vintage bikes, and state-of-the-art machinery from your favorite flicks.  Admission to the museum is usually $10 on its own, so you’ll be getting in for half the price…at night (when the museum is usually closed), with drinks.  FREE DRINKS.

There.  That should get you started.  Now, get some rest, ‘cause this is just the beginning.

XOXO

___________________________________________

WHAT: Sassy City Chicks Fashion Bash
WHEN: Thursday, April 22nd 5:30-10pm
WHERE: Peterson Automotive Museum
$$$: $5 with Goldstar.com

Have you always wanted to be famous, but know you don’t have what it takes to become a star (i.e. a sex tape where Ray-J pees on you?) Fear not — because on April 24th, we’re all getting famous. No, this does not involve guns, put those down. STOP THAT.

Full disclosure: I’m one of the guys throwing this event. Now here’s how it works: we meet at noon in front of the WME building, where we run a winding, three-mile obstacle course through Beverly Hills. Hidden throughout the course will be packs of photographers. Your goal is to make it to the finish line without them getting a picture of your full face.

Scattered along the way will be hidden caches of “identity concealers”, i.e. low-brimmed hats and those sunglasses that put a black bar over your eyes. (We were going to offer ski masks, and then remembered ski masks + sprinting through Beverly Hills in broad daylight = “Officer, these cuffs are too tight.”)

Got a camera and the ability to be sneaky? We want you. Got a pair of running shoes and a well-developed flight sensibility? We want you. (Costumes are also encouraged.) The race starts at noon, but paparazzi are required to show up at 11 AM so we can get you vultures in your respective hiding places.

Afterward, in a stirring tribute to something that would totally happen in real life, the celebrities and the paparazzi will meet up for a beer at the Writer’s Bar in the L’Ermitage Hotel.

Be sure to RSVP for the event on Facebook.

_______________________

WHAT: Celebrities Vs. Paparazzi footrace
WHEN: April 24th, noon-1 PM (Paparazzi to meet at 11 AM)
WHERE: Starting at the WME building
$$$: Free

When I tell people about Prayer of the Rollerboys, they usually refuse to believe me that it actually exists.  “No,” they say, “There cannot possibly be a movie where Corey Haim battles an evil gang of Rollerblading crack dealers lead by a direct descendant of Hitler. That would be like Christmas, my birthday, and Free Chocodile Day happening simultaneously.  It’s scientifically unthinkable.”  And then I bust out the trailer on Youtube, with its glorious slow-motion shots of the Haimster skating away from explosions, and I’m all like “BAM! Now what, motherfucker?”

Fools!

On Saturday March 20th, the Silent Movie Theater is hosting a screening of this 1990 straight-to-VHS masterwork as part of its “Stoopid Futures series.”  All month long, the Cinefamily will be exploring different not-terribly-bright cinematic visions of days to come, bestowing upon us the Schwarzeneggerian delights of The Running Man, the 80’s sci-fi flesh-flick Galaxina, and of course, Idiocracy (which I like to think of as “the prequel to The Road.”) Director Rick King will be there for a Q&A after the showing, to clear up any lingering questions about Rollerboys’ plot and to provide living proof that this film was, in fact, made by an adult.

Rest in peace, Mr. Haim.  As far as I’m concerned, this movie has earned you backstage passes in heaven.

_________________________

WHAT: Dystopian Rollerblade flick
WHEN: Saturday, March 20th, 10 PM
WHERE: Silent Movie Theater
$$$: $10

It’s getting close to that time of year again, duderinos.

No, I’m not talking about the long days of summer, I’m talking of course about Lebowski Fest, Southern California’s premiere celebration of All Things Dude Related.

This year’s fest takes place beginning on April 2^nd at The Wiltern for The Big Lebowski Movie Party. The festival continues through the 3^rd for a day of bowling at Cal Bowl.

So grab your white Russian and share your favorite quotes and more with other fans of the movie… but this isn’t Vietnam – there are rules. Tickets are a must, and they’re available online via Ticketmaster. Though you can get a 2-Day Achievers Pass, you also have the option of picking up tickets for the individual day events as well. You should probably get yours in advance, unless you want to be the only one polishing your bowling shoes outside of the lanes.

__________________________

WHAT: Lebowski Fest
WHEN: Friday April 2^nd // Saturday, April 3rd
WHERE: The Wiltern // Cal Bowl
$$$: $19.99 // $25.00 // $39.99 for a weekend pass. Tickets available here.

Okay, so maybe this event would really be better for the 12 year-old girl in your life, but I don’t discriminate.  If you like the Jonas Brothers, start cleaning out your closet.  Once you have 10 pairs of old jeans, head to the Aeropostale at Westside Pavillion between 2:30 and 4 tomorrow to donate them to Haiti.  It’s a good cause and you’ll be entered to win a pair of tickets and a meet and greet with underage heartthrob, Nick  Jonas, at the Jonas Brothers concert at the Wiltern on Wednesday.  You get one entry for every 10 pairs of jeans, and I’m guessing your odds will be pretty good if you show up because, honestly, who has 10 extra pairs of jeans they don’t want anymore?  Stick around til 4 to find out who won.

(Also, it looks as though if you donate just 1 pair of jeans, you can get 20% off a new pair…possibly a better deal than suffering through an evening of tween pop.)

______________________________________________

WHAT: Donate 10 pair of jeans, maybe get face tim with Nick Jonas
WHEN: Tuesday, January 26th from 2:30 to 4
WHERE: Aeropostale at Westside Pavillion
$$$: Free!

Right after I wrote the title to this post, I realized how awkward it must be to be famous.  I mean, what if Michael Cera is bored and wondering what to do around LA and then comes here to see that our suggested activity is to go and meet him?  I guess he must be over it by now, but I digress…

If you have no plans tomorrow evening, GO TO THE HAMMER.  Michael Cera will be there because it’s hosting a free sneak preview screening of his newest movie, Youth in Revolt.  The film is definitely worth seeing, so either you can go tomorrow night for zero dollars (and have a chance to meet and befriend Michael Cera and Director Miguel Arteta) or you can wait a while and pay $15 to see it at the Grove.  The choice is clear.

Though the screening doesn’t start ’til 7, our tipster (thanks Maritza!) suggests you get there by 6 at the latest or you probably won’t get in.  Use the extra hour to grab a drink and dinner at Hammer Cafe — happy hour lasts ’til 7.

_________________________________________________

WHAT: Youth in Revolt Screening
WHEN: Thursday, January 7th @ 7 PM
WHERE: Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum
$$$: Free!

This Sunday Spike Jonez will be having a book signing as well as a Q & A session at Family on Fairfax.  This is all to promote the new book about the making of the movie Where the Wild Things Are.  Please enjoy the description from the Family website:

“HEADS ON AND WE SHOOT unveils the unique collaboration behind Where the Wild Things Are -the combined work of Maurice Sendak, Spike Jonze, Dave Eggers, and all the cast and crew. The book design is heavily image-based, a mix of early sketches, storyboards, character designs, and extensive behind-the-scenes photographs that show both incredible live-action puppetry and computer animation. The text includes forewords by Jonze and Eggers, interviews with the cast and crew, stories from on and off the set, and early drafts of the screenplay. The resulting book will be simultaneously a beautiful object for collectors, an insider′s guide for devotees, and an intimate window into the creative process.”

________________________
WHAT: Spike Jonez Book signing and Q & A
WHEN: Sunday, November 15th, 5pm
WHERE: Family book store
$$$: Free (If you want something signed I imagine you have to buy the book $40)

See this live. Tonight. Principal Belding is releasing his much anticipated KARAOKE CD with his all time favorite karaoke tunes, accompanied by, well, his voice! Meet him, enjoy him, buy his CD. You can tell your grandkids you partied with Principal Belding.
________________________
WHAT: Principal Belding Record Release
WHEN: Thursday, September 24th @ 6pm-2am
WHERE: Dimples Karaoke Bar
$$$: Free

David Cross, aka Tobias Funke, everyone’s favorite never nude/analrapist*, will be at the Wiltern next Monday to do standup.  As a huge fan of Arrested Development, I have to say that this guy is comedy gold.   Worth braving the Wiltern?  I’d say so.  Otherwise, you may have to wait until the Arrested Development movie comes out in 2010 to get your Cross fix.  Todd Glass is the opener…I definitely don’t know him as well, but I’m pretty sure he was on Last Comic Standing.  Anyone remember that show?

Yeah, the tickets are a little pricey, but not completely unreasonable.  You don’t have anything better to spend the money on, right?  Paying rent is for squares.  Last time I checked, there were tickets left, but not a ton, so probably best not to wait til the day of.

___________________________________________

WHAT: David Cross at the Wiltern
WHEN: Monday, September 21 @ 7
WHERE: The Wiltern
$$$: $35.50

*If you haven’t seen Arrested Development, it’s not what you think.  In fact, it’s almost entirely safe for work.

Howzit, brah?  Wanna check out some rickt waves and watch some sane surf tricks? Yeah, you might be a hodad, but you can watch the best of the best today and tomorrow at the MSA Classic at Surfrider Beach.  Besides the bonzer surf show, there will probably be lots of beach bunnies and hot dudes to ogle.  And who can say no to a day at the beach, henna?  This contest’s gonna be bitchin’, but it starts crazy early.  Get there around sunrise…or come late and only watch the second half.  The surfer’s are chill; they’ll understand.

_____________________________________

WHAT: MSA Classic
WHERE: Surfrider Beach
WHEN: Today and Tomorrow 6:30 AM-7 PM
$$$: Free to watch

P.S. Didn’t understand a word I said?  It’s (badly-mangled) surf lingo, bud!  Translate it here.

P.P.S. Even if you aren’t going, take a look at the program. It’s pretty amazing.

Disney has started its own convention called D23 (named so because Disney was founded in 1923).  D23 will have screenings of classic Disney films and shorts (including a never screened before Mickey cartoon), lecture series, Disney and ABC celebrity appearances (Johnny Depp already showed up), as well as various props and movie artifacts from throughout the company’s history.  So basically it is a Disney only comicon.

I know it isn’t cool to like Disney any more.  ”Disney is an evil empire, founded by a Nazi sympathizer. Blah blah blah,” they all say.  Well I don’t care.  20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is amazing, and I want to go see the 11ft long model used in the movie.  I also have one trick up my sleeve, that could convince even the most cynical Bohemian jerk, and it is pictured below:

Bam!  Captain EO’s space/dance suit.  Tell me that isn’t both ironically and un-ironically awesome?

__________________
WHAT:  D23: a Disney Convention
WHEN:  Now through Sunday, September 13
WHERE:  Anaheim Convention Center‎
$$$:  $37/day

When I was a kid, that book scared the crap out of me. And from what I’ve seen, the horrible monsters have been faithfully translated to film in all their terrifying detail by relative unknowns Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers.

The event benefits Eggers’s foundation 826LA, whose Echo Park Time Travel Mart is, I suspect, partially responsible for all those pesky time immigrants taking away all the good jobs from young bloggers. Apparently as a side venture (or tax write-off) to their lucrative time-travel, space-travel, robot and cryptozoology enterprises, 826 National also helps kids learn to write creatively, which is cool and stuff.

First time director Spike Jonze with rapper Fabolous

Following the movie screening at the Arclight, there will be an ultrachill VIP reception at Space 15 Twenty, nestled comfortably between the Urban Outfitters and the Jack in the Box on Cahuenga, attended by Spike, Dave, and some of the other people associated with the flick. Although usually I don’t like supporting nation-wide fringe-science megaconglomerates like 826, if you have the dough to shell out this would give you some major bragging rights with the cool kids. GET TICKETS FAST!

Oh look, a cool kid. Looks like she knows exactly where the wild things are.

——————

WHAT: “Where the Wild Things” preview screening and VIP reception
WHEN: Thurs. Oct 1st, 7PM-12AM
WHERE: The Arclight and Space 15 Twenty
$$$: 75 for the movie (which really isn’t that much more than the Arclight normally), 200 to include the after party

And by “Busic” I mean “Music” but the “b” alliteration kind of took over in the title of this post.  Thursday, check out the release of DJ Disco Wiz’s new biography, It’s Just Begun, as well as free booze and music sets from DJ Disco Wiz and MC Mellow Man Ace (from Cypress Hill).  This musical and boozical event will go down at The Originators, a more-than-just-hip-hop store.  RSVP to nikki@theoriginators.com.  Hit up Canter’s Deli after/before the event.  It’s just around the corner.
________________________
WHAT: DJ Disco Wiz Biography Release Party
WHEN: Thursday August 20, 7-10pm
WHERE: The Originators
$$: free

Tomorrow morning at 8am run, do not walk, to Ticketmaster.com because Paul Reubens is bringing Pee Wee back with a new live stage show in November at the Music Box!  As a kid growing up in the 80’s I loved both Pee Wee’s Big Adventure and Pee Wee’s Playhouse.  After I grew older I began to appreciate Mr Ruben’s more as I better understood the subtleties of his comedy and  again by a chance exposure to a rerun of the 1981 HBO special he did for an adult audience as Pee Wee (if you get a chance to see this old special take it, as it is hilarious and still holds up quite well).

Back in the early 1980’s Paul Rubins created Pee Wee at the Groundlings, and later  sold out a live stage show at The Roxy for five months before ever bringing the act directly to children with his movies and TV show.  I am sure this new stage production will echo more closely the original act than it’s later children’s television version (which was still amazing!).

The new production promises to have many of your favorite playhouse characters like Pterry the pterodactyl, Chairry, Jambi the Genie, and many others.  There is no way I am missing this show.  I plan to rob an old lady this evening after work, I will then use her perscription drug money to buy tickets to Pee Wee.

______________________________

WHAT: Pee Wee Herman’s triumphant return to the stage!!!
WHEN: Previews start on Sun 11/8, and show will run through Sunday 11/29.
WHERE: The Music Box at the Fonda
$$$: $38.50 – $68.50

So just wanted to point out that the Landmark is hosting a screening of the new film, Adam, Thursday night, featuring a Q&A with the director and star. And since I totally had no idea Paper Heart had a screening with Michael Cera at the Arclight, I decided I need to inform you of this lovely event. And nope, unfortunately Hugh Dancy won’t be there. For those who don’t know, he plays Adam in the movie, and you might remember him being super cute in other movies like Confessions of a Shopaholic and The Jane Austen Book Club. Ok, I have never actually seen these films… at least fully. I caught the end of The JABC and yeah, very very cute. So cute in fact, that I may just have to go to this screening in the hopes that there will be a fun little surprise in store for us, the audience members. Like Mr. Dancy making an appearance. Ok I will shut up. The movie looks really good. Might as well check it out and learn a thing or two about the process and listen to the cute Rose Byrne speak. She plays Adam’s love interest in the film and to the male audience members, may be equally, if not cuter, than Hugh Dancy.
____________________________
WHAT: Adam screening with Q&A to follow
WHEN: Thursday, July 30th @ 7:25PM
WHERE: The Landmark
$$$: $12

Last summer, you may have read about Fridays Off the 405, but this year, it’s all about Saturdays, baby.  You’ve already missed your chance to see Chairlift and Mas Exitos, but things just keep getting more and more exciting with the upcoming shows.  Cut Chemist this weekend and The Dodos in August.  We are talking about the Getty, here, so there are things… good things… that you can expect.  First of all, it is FREE.  Second… IT’S FREE.  I don’t think there’s really anything else that you need to know, but here are some more details to round out your expectations: there is a cash bar and Garden Terrace Cafe (both serve until 8:30), spectacular views, bonus mini-tours, and on top of all that you get to have access to the museum’s summer exhibitions.

SPECIFICS:
Cut Chemist – Saturday, July 25; 6:00–9:00pm
The Dodos – Saturday, August 8;  6:00–9:00pm

Special thanks to Antonio Campos at the Getty for giving us the heads up about their program and complimenting BoredLA for being a “go to guide” for things to do in LA.  Hope to see you there!

_________________________________________

WHAT: Saturdays Off the 405 – Cut Chemist performance
WHEN: Saturday, July 25th 6-9pm
WHERE: The Getty Center, Los Angeles
$$$: FREE admission, FREE parking (after 5pm), cash bar

Image ©Cinespia via madeupdisease.com

Bored LA reader Max has put together a pretty sweet guide for outdoor movie watching.  This has to be one of the best summer activities around.  Great for groups.  Great for dates.  Great for when the night is cooling off and you want to see the Muppets or the Bride of Frankenstein beamed across a cemetery, up to their old shenanigans.

Click here for the writeup and mini-map.

Click here for the big ol’ Google map.

Submitted by Dennis R, who suspects homage a la Tupac.

LA is awesome.  Prove it with your pictures.  If you have an LA Blink you’d like posted, send it to marksy [at] boredla [dot] com. Make sure you include your name, where you took the photo, and anything you want to say about your pic.

"I died in peace / You live in love / Angel Miguel" - Mural on 23rd and Vermont

Shed a tear, for tomorrow marks Michael’s final performance.  The official Michal Jackson memorial ceremony takes place tomorrow morning at the Staples Center downtown. A host of celebrities and close friends will be there to share memories with the hundreds of thousands of inconsolable fans.

If you didn’t win the drawing for tickets to the event (which were free, and are now on ebay for $10,000), don’t fret: neither did 98.5% of the 1.2 million people that tried to get them. But the LAPD is counting on you being there anyways, and they have deployed several thousand personnel around the city at various “mourning hotspots” i.e. Staples Center, Encino Compound, and the Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetary (where the private ceremony is taking place earlier that day).

Don’t even think about driving tomorrow. Seriously. If only a modest 200,000 people show up, that’s the equivalent traffic of having a USC football game, two Dodgers games and a Lakers game simultaneously. The 101 is expected to be backed up to… San Francisco.

So why not call in “traffic” (that’s an excuse in LA, right?) and take the day to quietly reflect on your own relationship with Pop Rex. Murals are already popping up around town (I saw two today), as bars, clubs, and raves solemnly spin Michael Jackson tribute remixes.

Oh, and Farrah Fawcett died too.