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In conversation, it’s impossible not to fall head-over-heels for Ronnie Spector. Even over a tiny cell phone speaker, her strong voice bursts forth with electric excitement, full-bodied passion, and the occasional flirtatious giggle. It’s the voice—a mix of street tough New Yorker and tender schoolgirl vulnerability—that provided the heart, soul and swagger of the iconic ’60s group the Ronettes. Alongside her sister Estelle Bennett and cousin Nedra Talley, the trio scored hits with pop masterpieces like “Be My Baby,” “Walking in the Rain,” and “I Can Hear Music.” Spector’s incendiary live performances established her as...

"As an artist, it's a dangerous proposition, and there's an excitement in that," said John Cusack about "Love and Mercy" and its unusual approach to  tellingthe story of Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson. Cusack joined co-stars Elizabeth Banks and Paul Dano, as well as writer Oren Moverman and director Bill Pohlad to discuss the film at the 21 Club in New York City on November 9. -Break- 'Trumbo' production designer Mark Ricker on recreating golden age of Hollywood "Love and Mercy" cuts back and forth between two periods of Brian Wilson's life: the recording of the Beach Boys' iconic "Pet Sounds" album in the 1960s and Wilson's struggle to escape the abusive manipulation of psychotherapist Eugene Landy (Paul Giamatti) in the 1980s. Dano plays Wilson during the earlier time period, and Cusack takes over to depict the later years, when Wilson met and fell in love with Melinda Le.

Monday began with a visit to Desert Adventures Eco-Tours in Indio, CA. Every time there's an earthquake in the valley, folks want to partake on their tour because they're sitting smack dab on the San Andreas Fault! Take a look:

Kmir News | Palm Springs, California

Tuesday, I went to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino because all week we have been talking about local destinations for Labor Day weekend! Brian Wilson, and one of the founding father of the Beach Boys, Al Jardine, will perform at the resort together! How cool is that?

Kmir News | Palm Springs, California

Wednesday, my adventure continued at The Living Desert! Their theme is Babies In Bloom! Why? Because there are many cute babies at the zoo! I met a baby porcupine (they're called porcupet do you know that?) named Tootsie, and baby goats! Take a look:

Kmir News | Palm Springs, California

Also on Wednesday, I visited...

What is Casting Couch? Today, it’s making deals at Sundance while also trying to drum up interest in its newest film, Exterior. Karaoke Club. Hey, that Brian Wilson biopic has finally got a lead! A press release (via ComingSoon) reveals that the River Road film about Beach Boy Wilson (not baseball player Wilson, duh) that was first announced back in 2011, Love & Mercy, has picked up Paul Dano to lead its cast as the once-troubled singer and songwriter. The Bill Pohlad-directed and Oren Moverman-penned film will reportedly “take an unconventional look at Wilson’s unique musical process as well as his struggles with mental illness, and how he managed to persevere as an artist with the love and support of his wife, Melinda.” Even better? Trent Reznor is reportedly in talks to score the film. Dano might be an offbeat pick for the role, but hey, he’s got the hair down pat. We...

The years have seen countless musicians cross over into the acting world, and of late, indie films have featured their fair share of artists taking a stab at a new medium. Will Oldham (who actually was an actor first, starring as a child in "Matewan"), James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem), David Yow (Jesus Lizard) and Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney) are among those who have traded the stage for a set, and now Deerhunter and Atlas Sound frontman Bradford Cox will be making the transition with the Jean-Marc Vallée-helmed '80s-set AIDS drama “The Dallas Buyer's Club.” Written by Craig Borten and Melissa Wallack, the film is based on the true story of Ron Woodruff (Matthew McConaughey), who was diagnosed with AIDS in 1986 and was given only months to live. With nothing to lose, he began experimenting with underground, non-fda-approved drugs, and wound up living longer than expected. He began getting these...