kouch21

I saw the film this past Saturday night and thought it was outstanding. It put many songs from the 60s into their proper context in terms of development, highlighting the cross-collaborative efforts between bands that were in the canyon scene during that time, as well as further afield, primarily in the UK, to which I wasn't fully aware of the extent.

The film also shows the impact and influence that this particular music scene has had on contemporary musical artists, illustrated by renditions of many of the songs from that window in time by a particular stable of modern-day musicians at a show at Downtown LA's Orpheum Theatre in October of 2015. While I enjoyed seeing the highlights of that show in the film, it felt like they focused on that concert a little too much during the film's 90-minute runtime. There's also the not so subtle implication that these artists are the direct descendants of that culture and should be revered accordingly. While I like many of the artists depicted on-screen, the impact of the music made in, or inspired by, the late-1960s Laurel Canyon scene goes far beyond the indie/alt rock/pop genres. It would have been nice to have seen that acknowledged. That's my only real complaint with the film, and a relatively minor one at that.

All-in-all, I'm pleased that the filmmakers made the efforts that they did, interviewing many of the artists from that era that are still alive today, and visiting several of the recording studios that will likely be consumed in full by L.A.'s cutthroat real estate market in favor of redevelopment. When those days inevitably arrive, I'm hoping that some rich music lover(s) will have the foresight to purchase and digitally preserve them, even if they have to be relocated, or ultimately replicated, to another location...perhaps in the form of a "Music Studio Museum" in the Capitol Records Building, or in/with some other venue/institution of a similar stature, such as the Grammy Museum.

I enjoyed the film immensely and highly recommend it.

I am not usually one for TV movies, but since Janel Moloney was playing the lead I decided to watch. This movie was based on the book written by Amber Frey, so it feels a bit slanted toward her perspective. (But I suppose she is the title character!) That being said, the movie seemed a good summary of the events surrounding the disappearance/murder of Laci Peterson that I had not followed despite the incessant news coverage of 2003-2004. The acting throughout was sufficient for what ultimately boils down to a murder investigation. Ms. Moloney plays a convincing Amber Frey (their physical resemblance was striking). (Casting should have gone after Ben Affleck for Scott Peterson - see SNL's Weekend Update from November 13, 2004.) Nothing too creative in terms of editing, as I found the second half to drag in terms of the story's flow. And did Zondervan books sponsor this production? The inclusion of "The Purpose Driven Life" seemed forced, and only appears to try to paint Amber Frey in an even more righteous light. I am not certain what purpose Scott Peterson's life will serve on Death Row. And the portrayal of Laci's mother, while touching, seemed to indicate that she'd lost all her children when in fact there is an older brother (Brent) and a half-sister (Amy). All-in-all, a decent portrayal of recent 'news' events.