Like everyone involved with the film, I worked on "Blue Like Jazz" for a long time for basically no money. Having the AV Club give it such a positive review makes up for our underwhelming box office receipts. That being said, if you want to rent it or stream it (or even buy it!), that would make one of your fellow…

I'm pretty sure even Wheatus had more commercial success than my buddies. But that's another reason I love the Elton John story so much. If my friends had a top 20 hit (like New Radicals or even the cursed Len), it could be argued that John was trying to attach himself to a potential "next big thing" or whatever. But…

I'm pretty sure even Wheatus had more commercial success than my buddies. But that's another reason I love the Elton John story so much. If my friends had a top 20 hit (like New Radicals or even the cursed Len), it could be argued that John was trying to attach himself to a potential "next big thing" or whatever. But…

I worked for Sundance Channel while "Spectacle" was still around and was lucky enough to be assigned all the on-air promos for that show. That show was so much fun and was explicitly designed by Elton John and Elvis Costello to champion lesser-known artists. Over time, the U2 and Springsteen appearances became…

I worked for Sundance Channel while "Spectacle" was still around and was lucky enough to be assigned all the on-air promos for that show. That show was so much fun and was explicitly designed by Elton John and Elvis Costello to champion lesser-known artists. Over time, the U2 and Springsteen appearances became…

Elton John's output in the early 70s is staggeringly great. The fact that he uses much of his stardom to champion relatively unknown musicians while also talking shit about goofballs like Madonna is all the more reason to love him. In the late 90s, some friends of mine were in a band that had a teeny tiny radio hit.…

Elton John's output in the early 70s is staggeringly great. The fact that he uses much of his stardom to champion relatively unknown musicians while also talking shit about goofballs like Madonna is all the more reason to love him. In the late 90s, some friends of mine were in a band that had a teeny tiny radio hit.…

I disagree with Donna's assessment that Lydia is crazy. Given her professional background, it seems safe to say that the entirety of her drug-related work has been at arm's length, with no perceived threat of getting caught or hurt, no different from a typical white-collar crime like insider trading or something. But…

I disagree with Donna's assessment that Lydia is crazy. Given her professional background, it seems safe to say that the entirety of her drug-related work has been at arm's length, with no perceived threat of getting caught or hurt, no different from a typical white-collar crime like insider trading or something. But…

Donna's review this week was especially insightful, noting a number of details I hadn't caught, but my favorite visual flourish she pointed out was…

Donna's review this week was especially insightful, noting a number of details I hadn't caught, but my favorite visual flourish she pointed out was…

Oh, that might be the one. With something like King Ralph, the movie sucks, but he acquits himself nonetheless. But what little I saw of Blues Brothers 2000 (and those regrettable SNL performances) are actually bad Goodman. Chalk it up to his understandable Belushi-worship. Gotta give him a pass for that.

Oh, that might be the one. With something like King Ralph, the movie sucks, but he acquits himself nonetheless. But what little I saw of Blues Brothers 2000 (and those regrettable SNL performances) are actually bad Goodman. Chalk it up to his understandable Belushi-worship. Gotta give him a pass for that.

When has John Goodman ever not been amazing and perfect? Seriously, is there an example of a bad John Goodman performance?

When has John Goodman ever not been amazing and perfect? Seriously, is there an example of a bad John Goodman performance?

The last line of that trailer is almost word-for-word from "Blood Simple." ("This here is America. And down here, you're on your own.") Did the Coens lift that from some other pulpy source or did Dominik not do his homework? Small quibbles aside, this looks to be far more interesting than the standard…

The last line of that trailer is almost word-for-word from "Blood Simple." ("This here is America. And down here, you're on your own.") Did the Coens lift that from some other pulpy source or did Dominik not do his homework? Small quibbles aside, this looks to be far more interesting than the standard…

I believe that Warren Cuccurrullo, ex-Missing Persons and Andy Taylor's replacement, wrote most of the music for "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone." That guy is a phenomenally talented guitarist. Like his mentor Zappa, he plays like a virtuoso but without losing the grit and soul that makes for memorable leads. He…

I believe that Warren Cuccurrullo, ex-Missing Persons and Andy Taylor's replacement, wrote most of the music for "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone." That guy is a phenomenally talented guitarist. Like his mentor Zappa, he plays like a virtuoso but without losing the grit and soul that makes for memorable leads. He…

I am the editor of this film, and I lobbied PR like crazy to get us an A.V. Club review since it is the only pop culture site I read on a daily basis. I would have been happy to print out a C- review and hang it on my wall, but this will do much better, thank you. If I never cut another film again, I'll always have…