Assemble Online Magazine

Everything is Illuminated is a quirky movie. Elijah Wood plays Jonathan Safran Foer, a young Jewish man who seemingly compulsively takes objects relating to his family members, puts them in small ziplock baggies, and pins them to the wall in his room. Just before his grandmother dies, she gives him a photograph of his grandfather and a young woman. This photo is Jonathan’s connection to the small village in Ukraine that his ancestors inhabited before World War II. Jonathan decides to travel to Ukraine to find the young woman who saved his grandfather from being savagely killed by the Nazis.

Courtesy Reelingreviews.com

Jonathan’s driver and tour guide, Grandfather, is a small, white haired old man who wears sunglasses because he thinks he is blind. Grandfather’s deranged seeing eye dog goes along for the ride, and ends up in the back seat of the car with Jonathan who, by the way, has a phobia of dogs. Jonathan’s grandson, Alex, rides along as Jonathan’s translator.

Courtesy Allmoviephotos.com

After a few wrong turns and lots of aimless driving, the three travelers meet a lone woman who is the only living remnant of Trachimbrod, the small village Jonathan’s grandfather, Safran Foer, left so many years ago. Once there, Jonathan and Alex learn much about their ancestors, and Grandfather revisits some things he had forgotten about himself. It is here that Jonathan shares the reason he puts objects in plastic bags: because sometimes he is afraid he will forget.

45 days before his show at the Roxy, John West began the “Humble Hustle.” From performing on 3rd Street in Santa Monica and selling cd’s to passing out flyers to even picking up the pre-sale tickets himself. This is the attitude that any person, artist or not, should have in order to accomplish their goals in life. Talking to John on 3rd was cool. His approach to music is definitely to have fun and exude the love he has for it through his sound and lyrics. To show his true dedication to the humble hustle, the rain that was dropping on us at 3rd did not stop him from finishing his set. He just looked at the crowd around him, smiled, and just continued.

When the day of the show finally arrived, there were a few people already in line 3 hours before doors opened. The Assemble crew went in the Roxy, during rehearsal of the opening acts, and hit up the dressing rooms to chat with John himself. By the time the interview ended the line outside grew to at least a hundred people waiting to buy a ticket or just enter the venue. Starting the night was Matt Masih and The Messengers. Good way to open because their music is energetic and Matt has the voice to lead a band. Matt Cusson’s tribute to the late Michael Jackson was a good surprise as well. With the venue completely sold out and some unfortunate delays, John finally hit the stage around 11 p.m. His set started with “Got it good” that just got the crowd’s heads nodding and the girls singing along. I’m definitely a fan of “Saints and Sinners,” which of course delivered and reminded me of the first time hearing it on 3rd. His stage presence was good and entire crowd was just vibing to the music. Of course he encored with “Loved you tonight,” which I believe is his current single. It was a good night for music at the Roxy. I can only hope John gets signed soon and we get to see more of him. He did mention a possible House of Blues show. We’ll keep you guys posted. Keep it fresh.

Check out Assemble’s exclusive interview with the rising star John West…

Into the Wild is Sean Penn’s fifth directorial film, in which he wrote the screenplay from the novel written by Jon Krakauer, about Christopher McCandles and his trek to the great American North: Alaska. Based on a true story, Into the Wild is a narrative following the solo journey of McCandles aka Alexander Supertramp (played by Emile Hirsch of Lords of Dogtown and Taking Woodstock).

Essentially, he is a young man trying to find his place in the world and finds comfort in the writings of Jack London, Leo Tolstoy, W.H. Davies, and Henry David Thoreau. Raised in an upper middle class dysfunctional family, he rejects the modern world of obligations, responsibility, material possessions and labels,and tries to pursue a lifestyle of solitude as he travels across the country. “Careers are a 20th century invention,” he says as he explains his reasoning. Keen on being one with nature and finding happiness in simplicity, Supertramp is guided by several strangers he meets along the way as he prepares for his greatest adventure—Alaska. Once in Alaska, he finds shelter in a bus dubbed the “Magic Bus 142″. He hunts small game and lives off of plants, berries, and a small sack off rice while he finds meaning in the words of his favorite writers.

Living his life in solitude, he comes upon the epiphany, that he later writes in one of his books, that “Happiness is only real when it is shared.” Memories of his family flood into consciousness and he dreams of his return, back into their arms in his home in Virginia. However, the small stream he had crossed earlier in the year turns into a wide unwavering river. Inexperienced and ideally ill-prepared for the wilderness, he eventually succumbs and becomes a prisoner of the land. He is forced to stay in the “Magic Bus”, and running low on food he mistakenly eats an inedible and dangerous berry that, if not treated, leads to death by starvation. Two weeks later his body is found by huntsmen, wrapped in his sleeping bag.

It is a profoundly breathtaking and emotional film of one man’s exploration beyond the material world and societal expectations. It is also a journey of the soul; that when your calling beckons, you must follow. No matter the outcome.

Cast: Emile Hirsch (Christopher McCandles)

Credits: Directed by Sean Penn; screenplay by Sean Penn based on the book by Jon Krakauer; produced by Sean Penn, Art Linson, and William Pohlad. A Paramont Vantage release. Running time: 148 min.

Up and coming artists are constantly on the grind booking shows and events, gaining exposure, travelling, and perfecting their craft, which is why they’re harder to catch than a unicorn. Lucky for us, Los Angeles based artist and graphic designer Leslie Kodama, better known as Whorechata in the art world, took some time out of her busy routine to chat with The Assembled about her art, upcoming projects, and everything in between.

The Assembled: Who are you?

Whorechata: Leslie Kodama, Whorechata, and I’m a designer.

TA: How’d you come up with Whorechata?

W: I like stupid little witty jokes and sayings. One time I wanted to drink some horchata and I asked my coworker to get me some, but I called it whore-chata, so I guess that’s how I came up with that. I can think up more.

TA: How would you describe your art to a blind person?

W: Mostly black and white, seizure-giving, psychedelic, and a lot of pattern usage.

TA: How long have you been doing art?

W: All my life, it was the only thing I was good at. I took all the artistic genes in the family.

TA: Where do you make your art?

W: It depends, sometimes in my room in my apartment. Sometimes at a random spot, random coffee shop, and sometimes in the library. Anywhere that I feel that I can work. Somewhere peace and quiet when I’m not having A.D.D. moments.

TA: Do you have a favorite piece of work that you’ve done?

W: I don’t have a favorite but I like to say I like all my work. It’s what I’m proud of and people can appreciate it so I think I’ve succeeded to some degree. They always tell me it’s something new and different, which is kind of exciting. I like to keep it fresh.

TA: How do you get work out there?

W: Networking. I’ll just start talking to people. When I went to Europe my suitcase was full of my zines and stickers. I stuck my sticker everywhere so that maybe it’ll catch somebody’s eyes. I took my zines to little shops, skate shops, boutiques, bookstores and started talking to people. I really went there without any expectations and I came back with a lot of encouragement and contacts. It was pretty great.

TA: Do you stick to graphic design only?

W: Mainly graphic design. It’s where the money is at. I did want to be an illustrator. I like very cartoony, simple drawings. I still draw, but I haven’t touched painting in a long time.

TA: Anyone you’d like to collaborate or work with?

W: I like this girl from Australia, Deanne Cheuk. She incorporates a lot of patterns. Also, Scott Barry, his illustration is pretty damn legit. I started getting into motion graphics again and I did the visuals for Assembly Line’s Halloween party. It took a lot of work. My DJ friend, Filthy Rich, who’s also a designer is going to do a set to the visuals. We have plans for collab work together.

TA: What other projects do you have planned?

W: Other than collaborating with Filthy Rich, I’m trying to make another zine inspired by cookbooks, working on printing some shirts, and trying to launch a clothing brand. On Friday, Jan 29 I’m having a screen printing royal battle and website launch party.

TA: Do you have a name for your brand?

W: Pluie is my brand of my designs. I was going to try making girl’s stuff, but now I’m thinking about unisex. It’s still in the process.

TA: What’s Pluie? Does that mean something?

W: Rain in French.

TA: What inspires you?

W: Anything really. Recently I’ve been really into travelling. Seeing different things, and how people live their culture. Just anything.

TA: Where have you travelled to?

W: My recent trip was Nicaragua for a week. That was pretty awesome. I’ve gone to Paris a couple times, Amsterdam and Holland a couple times, Italy, Spain, England, Japan, Turkey, Germany, Seattle, Mexico, and Canada. I’ve never been to New York, it’s some place I really want to explore, but I really want to go to Peru first.

TA: Do you have a favorite place?

W: That’s hard to say because I find something special about each country and city, but I would love to live in either Paris or London for a couple of years. I wanted to move to Berlin because the cost of living was cheap. But the cold, I don’t think I can handle the cold.

TA: Can you speak any other languages?

W: No. I wish.

TA: When you’re not designing what do you do?

W: I like to go to bookstores to check out what’s out there. I’m always online looking at clothes. I like music. I’m trying to get into djing, not as a career, but just for fun. And I watch a lot of food network.

TA: Favorite show on food network?

W: It’s a tie between Barefoot Contessa and Everyday Italian. I’m just saying she’s a pretty healthy girl, I know she knows what she’s talking about. And Giada because she’s the most attractive. But hands down, Mario Batalli.

TA: What do you like to eat?

W: Cupcakes, ice cream, a lot of rice and bread. Basically carbs. And my favorite flavor is strawberry.

TA: What kind of music do you listen to?

W: l listen to 90’s hip hop, electro, house, and some 90’s RnB. I listen to underground stuff too. Dubstep, Brazilian baile funk and African music. It doesn’t really matter. My favorite band is Radiohead.

TA: Do you have a guilty pleasure?

W: I do. Kylie Minogue. I don’t know man she’s Australian hot!

TA: Bad habits?

W: Of course, cigarettes. Is drinking considered a bad habit? How ‘bout pot? Oh and I eat really unhealthy. It’s not something I’m proud of, it just happens.

TA: Shout outs?

W: No Moda design duo from LA and to Assembly Line. That’s fam right there.

TA: Any last comments?

W: I’m slowly trying to take over the world. Not slowly, I’m taking over the world. Watch out!

TA: And lastly, pancakes or waffles?

W: Waffles all the way. Except dutch pancakes they’re pretty damn awesome.

A lunch date, and several Thai iced teas later, there you have it. Be sure to show her some love by reading her blog, visiting her site, and/or following her twitter. You won’t be disappointed.

Max just needs some attention. His older sister ignores him so he engages her friends in a snowball fight. Max has a merry time until one of his sister’s friends smashes his snow fort, with him in it. Max’s mom spends a little time with him when she gets home from work, but then her boyfriend arrives and she ignores Max. In retaliation, Max stands on the counter in the kitchen and demands, “Woman, feed me.” In the ensuing struggle, Max accidentally on purpose bites his mother. When she yells at him for it, he runs out of the house and into a neighboring wood. From there, he sails through a very large body of water in a tiny boat and arrives on an island.

Max climbs the cliffs toward a fire and sees the wild things. One of them is smashing small spherical structures that we later find out are their homes. This wild thing, named Carol, is upset that another wild thing, KW, has left the group. The wild things threaten to eat Max, but quickly make him their king when he tells them that he has magical powers. He promises to help them build a world in which they are all always happy, where there is no fighting and, especially, no loneliness.

At first, everything goes well. Mostly. Max and the wild things have a great old time running through the forest, uprooting trees, and sleeping all together in a huge pile. Carol shows Max a secret cave in which Carol has created a miniature of a world in which everything he wants happens. Max enjoys having the monsters look to him for advice and orders. He feels a sense of belonging and control that he doesn’t have at home with his mom and sister. And, he gets to do lots of howling.

Unfortunately for Max, that is an impossible feat. As the film demonstrates, people and their emotions are complex. There are no simple solutions. Eventually, Max realizes this and returns home to his mom. He realizes that she loves him and that she is doing his best for him, as Max tried to do for the wild things. He realizes that emotions are complex and part of life. And he’s OK with that.

I went to see Where the Wild Things Are partly because I enjoyed the book as a child (who didn’t) and partly because the scenery in the film looked breathtaking. I was not disappointed. Every scene in the film, particularly the ones that include the wild things, takes place in a beautiful area. The filmmakers employ water, forests, deserts, and caves with great effect. The scenes in the desert in particular were gorgeous.

Also, the music in the movie is used to mirror Max’s emotions. Fear, excitement, anger, anxiousness, and many more are all filtered into the viewers’ ears. It amazed me how well the music is incorporated here.

On a final note, Where the Wild Things Are is based on a widely read children’s book, but the film is not simply for children. In fact, children may find it too complex to fully understand because they, like Max, do not yet know how to identify and handle emotions. They will, however, love the more raucous scenes. The children in the theater I was in loved a dirt clod war scene in particular.

When you go to the theater to see Where the Wild Things Are, don’t be surprised if you leave the theater a bit melancholy. I sure did. Go ahead. Howl.

Far and Away is chronicles the adventure an Irish man and woman have when they arrive in America with nothing but a drive to possess land of their own.  Sure there are historical goofs and I’ve heard the accents are inaccurate, but it is what it is: entertainment.

Tom Cruise is solid as Joseph Donnelly. He effectively moves his character from poor, revenge driven boy to servant to pent up prize boxer to lost railroad worker and back to the young man who wants only land of his own. Each phase in Joseph’s growth is believable and sympathetic.  The boxing scenes are brutal though, so if you squirm when people lose teeth, look away.  His final phase, that of a young man searching for a place to call his own, resonated with me.  Being in a phase in which I want land of my own makes me understand Joseph more completely.

Oh Nicole… In recent years she has dyed her hair a blond color that makes her look washed out, but in Far and Away Nicole looks natural and beautiful. She’s spunky as Shannon, a rich snob who yearns for a far less stuffy life.  She gets it too, when her money (in the form of silver spoons) is stolen from her the moment she sets foot in America. Watching her shriek in terror and run toward the house, not because a man with gun is in her barn, but because she has just impaled him with a pitchfork is worth a good laugh or two.

Thomas Gibson is sufficiently slimy as the film’s main antagonist, Stephen Chase.  He is fairly one dimensional though.  I wondered why he loved Shannon because she doesn’t love him.  It would have been more interesting had the filmmakers fleshed out Stephen’s motivations a bit more.

Finally, the land race. What a thrilling event. Can you imagine getting free land as long as you can drive your stake into it without being shot, run over by a horse, or losing all your belongings when your wagon topples? The cinematography during this portion of the film is fascinating to watch. It amazes me that there were so many extras, horses, and wagons being filmed simultaneously for this scene. What I would do to have seen that being filmed.

Sometime when you’re wishing for an adventure, freedom, or even just two hours of staring at two good looking people with good chemistry, go Far and Away.

With football season in full effect I thought it would be a good time to look back at some of the greatest football inspired films. “Remember the Titans” brings us back to the original 1971 Titans of T.C. Williams high school. At the time only a number of schools in Virginia were forced to integrate races, which included T.C. Williams. With the city of Alexandria in racial turmoil, football was a true test of how the people can overlook their prejudices and come together. Football, a sport based on teamwork, allowed the black and white players to bring the town together. The Disney portrayel of the ‘71 Titans revolves around the two team leaders, Julius Cambell and Gerry Bertier. Both on defense on and off the field for their white and black teammates.

At the teams first practice in camp, Julius and Gerry made it clear on their dislike for each other, but as camp progressed the players soon realized that football is a team sport regardless of skin color. The boys returns back home a new team with a focus to dominate. Coach Boone, played by Denzel Washington ran a tough football program and always focused on the team respecting one another, whereas coach Yoast, played by Will Patton, focused more on the boys growth to become men off the field and enjoying the game. The two coaching side by side was an unstoppable force bringing the Titans to the state championships. With all the hardships conquered nothing would stop in them from a perfect season. If you love football and want to be inspired check this film out. Left Side! Strong side! Keep it fresh.

Last Sunday, September 13, I had the pleasure of attending the Old School Jams concert at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. Upon arriving, it was evident that they were running behind on time. I got there about an hour and a half after the start time, and only missed Egyptian Lover and Soul Sonic Force. I was definitely looking forward to seeing those acts, however I heard Afrika Bambaataa was not even in attendance with Soul Sonic Force. I suppose they’d demand much more money had he been part of it.


Once seated, I caught the tail end of Melle Mel dressed in an all pink pimp suit performing “White Lines and he concluded his set with “The Message.” Immediately following was Kurtis Blow along with his son and hype man Kurtis Blow, Jr. Dropping gems, such as “If I Ruled The World” and “The Breaks.” Blow was very entertaining, providing lots of energy and he was backed with a few b-boys. At one point Blow got down to the ground and displayed that he can still do a little b-boying himself at the age of 50. His set concluded with his hit “Basketball” which he dedicated to the LA Lakers. Due to time, he had to rush through it, being accompanied by a memeber of the Harlem Globetrotters, who performed several basketball spinning tricks.


Over the last couple of years, Peanut Butter Wolf has made a name for himself as an amazing VJ (video jockey). He was in the house to display those skills after a short intermission. Being an older crowd, it was evident that most people were not familiar with him, but once he got started, he kept the majority of the crowd on their feet, going through old school jams with concurring videos. He paid homage to Michael Jackson several times throughout his set, as well as a concluding tribute to Rick James. Legendary pop lockers, The Funny Bones Crew were on hand to display their skills while Wolf was banging out the videos. PBW definitely gained a lot more fans that night.


The best overall performance to me was Klymaxx. Coming out very grown and sexy, they imediately got the party started with the party hit, “Meeting In the Ladies Room.” I never knew they were a band consisting of all women. The group was the vision of Bernadette Cooper, who led Klymaxx to become the first all-female R&B and pop band in which every female member played an instrument. Cooper is very charismatic with her funny and witty narrations through many of the songs, while Joyce “Fenderella” Irby did the majority of the singing. Guitarist Cheryl Cooley, the voice behind their biggest hits, “I’d Still Say Yes,” and “I Miss You,” performed both slow jams that brough the love birds together. The latter song was transformed into an homage to Michael Jackson in which Cooley dawned a sequined glove and changed the words to the song to honor Jackson.


One of my favorite groups of all time, Ready For The World was next to take the stage. They went through the hits “Digital Display”, “Tender Love”, and “Let Me Love You Down.” They even played a couple of new songs that were okay.


However, I noticed that time was running out quick, with the Greek Theater having a very strict no-nonsense 11pm curfew. I was not sure if headliner Lisa Lisa was even going to show up. Ready For The World’s set was done at 11:35.


At 11:40, Lisa Lisa, minus Cult Jam was rushed out to the stage, with no band whatsoever, just a couple of dancers. This was very weird. The whole night all of the R&B acts had bands. And Lisa Lisa comes out just rocking over a CD. But obviously there was no time for a band to set up. Not to say that her performance was bad, but I’ve got to believe that either it was a case of bad stage management or else Lisa Lisa was just very late on arrival. Whatever the case, she quickly banged out hits “Head To Toe”, “Lost In Emotion”, “Head To Toe”, and “I Wonder If I Take You Home.” She had time to perform a new dance track. My friend that accompanied me told me that it had been getting some club play, so that’s good to hear. Upon 11:56, Lisa tried to squeeze in one more song, however, she was cut off at 11:58 by the MC. Many people were indeed disappointed by this, but I understand. A curfew is a curfew. All together it was a successful show. Everyone showed up. The stands were packed and the crowd was feeling it.