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There’s no better way to be lazy than to stuff your face with fattening concessions and sit through three movies in a weekend.

Last weekend, I started off my movie spree with Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. This fake biopic of musician Dewey Cox is mos def super-silly and pretty crude at times, but I really loved how many cool cameos are in the movie. My favorite is probably Jack Black playing Paul McCartney, which works in some odd way.

Also, I thought Jenna Fischer did a phenomenal job as Dewey’s second wife and singing partner. It’s nice to see such an innocent-seeming actress play such a sassy character.

Then I also saw Juno, which I’ve been wanting to see since it came out. I was not disappointed by this smart dramedy about a pregnant teen who decides to give her baby up for adoption to a wealthy couple.

Star Ellen Page is amazingly funny in the role, and she plays off cutie pie Michael Cera so well. I was also really impressed by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman. I’m so happy such a high-profile name like Garner took a supporting role in the film, since her character was very endearing and important to the plot. Garner was beautiful in the movie, and Bateman was very sexy!

Lastly, I checked out Charlie Wilson’s War. After watching Closer for the billionth time this past holiday season, I was in a Julia Roberts mood, but the movie really bored me.

It tells the story about how Texas Congress person Charlie Wilson helped aid Pakistan in fighting Russia during the Cold War—the amusing thing is, the movie is supposed to be a comedy (at least, that’s how the Golden Globes saw it when they gave out nominations for this year's awards.)

I was more annoyed by the plot than entertained. I couldn’t buy Tom Hanks, who played Charlie, as a ladies’ man. I also thought the movie, based on a true story, glorified violence over peaceful change.

Roberts couldn’t save this film, either. I was too distracted by her massive hair style to focus on what her character was saying.

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Besides some cool films, I also checked out awesome live music. Yucca Tap Room (29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, 85282) on Friday night featured Los Angeles band Danger Bees, who got the crowd moving and grooving with their jams. The group had a ton of energy and great crowd interaction.

Then, Phoenix band Rocketline took the stage. The psychedelic group used cool instruments like a windchime and finger cymbals to add to their eclectic sound.

In the past month I’ve hung out Yucca Tap Room, I have continued to be impressed by the great variety of bands who have come through. It seems like you can’t go wrong at the place, so if you’re bored in Tempe, check it out!

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Saturday night, I was at the Rogue (423 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85257), where DJ William F*cking Reed spun great dance mixes with a lot of older British tunes.

The crowd at Rogue had great style—very Urban Outfitters/vintage-y.

I was also impressed so many people danced. There were plenty of solo scenesters getting their grooves on, which was so refreshing compared to Old Town Scottsdale nightclubs where you have to freak with the opposite sex or risk getting weird looks.

At Rogue, no one cares if you’re moving around alone!

Saturday nights are supposedly always the rage at the Rogue. Besides the dancing, there’s also a pool table and some arcade games. And if you’re into guys wearing eyeliner, I highly recommend checking it out!

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The holidays always depress me,

but that’s what parties with little karaoke machines are for!

I got some more quality live music Friday night at the Last Exit Bar and Grill (1425 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, 85282), where one of my favorite bands, The Format, played in the little bar.

Local fave Reubens Accomplice also got down on the stage. The show was the Source Victoria CD release show,

and Jimmy Eat World front person Jim Adkins even got on stage with the band to play a few songs.

Even though I’ve talked to Mr. Adkins in a professional capacity before, I went in super-fan mode at the bar.

As he was walking by, I stopped him and gushed about how much I love the band’s current CD, Chase This Light, and about how every time I hear the song “Carry You,” I want to cry because it touches me so much.

He looked pretty creeped out.

Oh, well. The show was a great treat for Arizonans, and I’m stoked because The Format announced they’ll be recording a new album pretty soon here.

I can’t wait!

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Sunday, I really got in the holiday spirit by seeing the appropriately dark Sweeney Todd, a musical directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, as if you already didn’t know.

Depp surprisingly has a really great singing voice, but it was Helena Bonham Carter who stole the movie. She sparkled in every scene she was in, as Mrs. Lovett, the meat pie maker who is in love with Sweeny.

There are also great parts by Sacha Baron Cohen, who plays an “Italian” barber, and his apprentice Tobias (Ed Sanders). The movie is a great ensemble flick, and even though there’s lots of gore, it’s kitcshy enough to have a comedic feeling.

Go see it on Christmas…it might cheer you up.

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The Tempe Marketplace (N. McClintock Drive and E. Rio Salado Parkway) sure is hopping on third Thursdays.

That’s because The Edge 103.9 FM sponsors a concert on the music stage right by Dave and Buster’s with some big names.

Last night, Unwritten Law was the headliner, with Phoenix band Good with Grenades opening.

The concerts are for those age 18 and older, with barricades separating the fans from other patrons in the Marketplace. Those penned in still have access to alcohol, though, with vendors throughout the space.

Good with Grenades is officially one of my favorite local bands. It’s really hard to describe the music because it spans so many genres, from hip-hop to pop to rock to punk. I really love the distorted vocals, and the group also puts on an energetic stage show.

Singer Johnny Vanderhoven came out in a hoodie and sunglasses (the show started at 7:30 p.m.),

and after he pulled them off, he jumped on the barricades near the fans, making for some great crowd interaction.

It really seems like guitarist Ryan Speer’s idol is Pete Wentz, so if you’re a fan of the Fall Out Boy emo heartthrob, you can get your local fix from Speer, aka Pete Wentz, Jr.

Plus, two guys in the band wear glasses! You just can’t go wrong!

I grabbed a copy of their current six-song EP, Identity ($6), which is full of catchy, dancey songs. I highly recommend it, and check out www.amp.az soon for a full interview with the band.

After they played, we headed to San Felipe’s, where you can see the stage from the patio. There were lots of punks and skaters there, and everyone was really friendly.

This was the busiest I’ve ever seen the Marketplace. At one point, I sat down by a fire and listened to some choir singers. In between songs, the singers gave the audience (which consisted of only me) sermons about how much Jesus loves everyone.

I felt a little guilty telling one of them I was agnostic when she invited me to church.

Anyway, as cool as I thought Third Thursday was, I think there are several improvements that could be made.

First off, Good with Grenades played for only a half-hour. Their set ended at 8 p.m., and it was more than an hour before Unwritten Law took the stage. It’s not fun just to stand around for an hour, and since it was a pain to go in and out of the barricades, that's what most of the audience ended up doing. I would love it if the bands just played back-to-back.

Also, I don’t really see the point of segregating the crowd. The barricades just made it awkward to walk around, and it’s not like beer vendors would have any more trouble keeping alcohol away from 13-year-olds as they did the 18-year-olds who came in.

Also, I don’t really see any of the bands who play there as being the moshing type, and if they were, I just can’t imagine that happening at Tempe Marketplace. Standing in line to show my I.D. to prove I was 18 was such a pain, and it’d be a lot easier to just keep the space open.

Also, there were barricades creating a huge space between the audience and the performers. There were security guards lining the stage, which made it seem way intimidating. The guards, in my opinion, were totally unnecessary, and it diminished the intimacy of what could have been a more personal show.

Still, despite the inconveniences, I think Third Thursday is a wonderful idea, especially to help the local scene grow. You can’t beat free concerts, and I’m looking forward to January’s show.

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Last night, I learned it’s never a good idea to tell the programming director of one of the biggest country music stations in the Valley that you think country music is the devil.

Sorry!

Anyway, last night I hung out at a happy hour at El Charro Lodge (555o E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, 85253). I have so many memories of eating delicious eggs benedict ($16.95) at this place back when I was a kid who ate dead animals. The patio is nicely heated, and the desert surrounding the restaurant definitely gives the restaurant a Southwestern feel.

Next, it was off to Grapevine (4013 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale, 85251) in Old Town Scottsdale for some karaoke, which goes on every night starting at 5 p.m.

I sort of got yelled at for picking some sort of offensive rap songs (my first two choices were Eminem and Missy Elliott tracks), but I redeemed myself by throwing down safer songs by Sir Mix-a-Lot and Nelly.

Grapevine has a little dance floor that was super-fun to get busy on while people sang.

Besides the fun music, the food at Grapevine rocks! If you order a quesadilla for $8.95, be prepared for one bigger than a large pizza.

We went next door to Café Carumba (7303 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale, 85251), a restaurant that turns into a nightclub after 10 p.m. Wednesdays. The music tends to be dance, house and electronic, and lots of people were dancing.

The crowd was also really down-to-earth and fun to talk to, not pretentious at all. There was a lot of diversity as far as style, and it seemed like a cool place to get to know creative types.

Speaking of creative peeps, out on the patio there was live art going on as artists produced quality acrylic paintings. I always love watching painters in their element.

The place has no cover, so check it out next week for its Switch Wednesday with DJ Jared, Tranzit, X-Factor and DJ Fader.

The kitchen is also open until midnight, and it’s ages 21 and older, and no dress code.

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I am so exhausted from this past weekend, but it was definitely very fun! You’ve got to love holiday parties with homemade apple cider (and some other special ingredients.)

Friday night, I was part of The Torch Theatre’s graduation performance at Space 55 Theatre (636 E. Pierce St., Phoenix, 85004).

New longform improv classes start Jan. 12, and you can take eight weeks of classes for only $165. Check out www.thetorchtheatre.com for more info.

Then 7 Minutes Under the Mistletoe went down.

This holiday-themed variety show featured everything from crazy letters to Santa,

to Christmas parody songs

to a witty Christmas word game.

My pal Dave and I also told the best holiday story ever, Black Mistletoe.

Let me know if you want a re-enactment.

After that, improv troupes Mail Order Bride and Galapagos got on-stage. You can see Galapagos for yourself this Friday at Space 55 at 10:30 p.m., along with another troupe, Apollo 12. After one of these shows, you just might want to take the improv class.

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Saturday, I was at the Yucca Tap Room (29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, 85282),

and there was some hot hip-hop by the Drunken Immortals.

This funky group uses a live band behind the emcees, and the group had amazing energy.

It’s no surprise they filled the venue wall-to-wall.

I also really liked the live painting that was going on while the group performed.

If you have nothing going on New Year’s Eve, the band plays at Clubhouse Music Venue.

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Rain couldn’t spoil fun this weekend.

Despite it coming down in torrents on first Friday, people still came out for the art walk in downtown Phoenix. My favorite exhibit this month was at Karmic Calamity gallery (610 E. Roosevelt St.), which featured the Art Jumble art show.

Art Jumble is an online drawing community with rotating weekly themes. The cartoon prints in the gallery right now are so cute and happy, and they’re perfect for the child/geek in all of us. Plus, the artists were so nice!

The exhibit is up all month, so check it out for yourself.

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Friday night, I went to Yucca Tap Room (29 W. Southern Ave.) for the first time ever. I really liked the bar for its dive feel, and the people there were so friendly.

I also am drawn to Yucca because it features live music. Friday night, Get Down! to Brass Tacks and Kirkwood Dellinger performed. Get Down! has a great synthy/rock sound,

while Kirkwood Dellinger had a high-energy, youthful performance.

The next night, indie singer/songwriter J.D. Stooks played a solo set before performing with his band.

Stooks is a very sincere performer, and it’s so peaceful to watch him on-stage.

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Sunday, I hung out at the Ruby Room (717 S. Central Ave.) for a friend’s birthday,

and

and The Plastic Flappybats played.

I love the Ruby Room for its vintage décor and laid-back atmosphere.

The stage is also great, and besides hosting musical acts, there’s also comedy every Monday night at 8 p.m.

If you go, order a Long Island iced tea from the charming bartender James—he makes a great cocktail.

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In unrelated news, I am so sad Season Three of The Hills is over. That means my friends and I are going to have to rent movies for the next few months for Monday night Girls' Night.

It’s by far my favorite show (I really only watch that and The Real World), and I can’t wait until it comes out on DVD. Go Team Heidi!

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and this week, I got plenty. Read my review of Motion City Soundtrack, who played the Marquee Theatre Wednesday night, here.

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Last night, I saw live music for the first time at Sugar Daddy’s in Scottsdale, which is so convenient because it’s within walking distance of my house.

I’ve gone to Daddy’s several times for some down and dirty dancing, but it’s also a great live music venue. I was pleasantly surprised that The Loveblisters

opened for one of my favorite Arizona bands, Violet Wild.

This was my first time checking out The Loveblisters,

who have amazing energy and put on a wonderful, upbeat show.

The band plays The Loft in Tempe this Saturday night, so check them out! They’ve mos def got soul.

Then, back from a one-month long tour around the country, Violet Wild got down with their first show since they’ve been back.

The guys were in great spirits, and I can’t wait to watch them again this Sunday night at Zuma Grill in Tempe.

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Check out The Plastic Flappybats

tonight when they play at Karmic Calamity art gallery for first Friday!

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Motion City Soundtrack came a long way since their last show in Arizona.

The band previously played the much-smaller Clubhouse Music Venue in July before almost packing the house at Marquee Theatre Dec. 5. for the MTVu-sponsored tour. The headlining band only played for about an hour, since there were three other groups sharing the bill--Metro Station, Anberlin and Mae.

Motion City Soundtrack really jazzed up the set-up, with an awesome light show that featured different colors and elevated the level of classiness in the theater.

Lots of people sang along from the beginning, and guys and girls alike danced up a storm throughout the band's mostly upbeat set, including classic tracks like L.G. FUAD  and Don't Call It a Comeback, which singer Justin Pierre claimed was inspired by an LL Cool J song.

Most of the songs, though, came from the band's current album, Even If It Kills Me, which was the band's highest debut. When Pierre asked the audience who had the album, most of the fans raised their hands and cheered, and they weren't lying. The fans sang along just as loudly to the band's newer songs like Last Night and Hello Helicopter.

Besides the pretty light show, Pierre also entertained the crowd with his hyper, skittish movements and anecdotes. At one point, he made some moshers in the crowd hug each other.

"Feel free to love one another and be totally wicked and awesome," Pierre said.

Before launching into Antonia off the new album, he told the crowd he signed up for a dating service and listed the qualities ticked off in the song.

The band ended the first set with their hit Everything Is Alright, off their 2005 sophomore album, Commit This to Memory.

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Last Wednesday, Apollo 12

and Mail Order Bride performed their last-Wednesday-of-the-month show at The Trunk Space. I also checked out Blar Lar Lar IV at Space 55 in Phoenix on Thursday night, which featured one of my favorite local troupes, Light Rail Pirates.

Funny man Scott Shapiro played host and did some top-notch stand-up comedy in-between acts. You can hear his quips every day on KMLE 107.9 FM in the morning.

Musical comedy duo Male Pattern Radness

also performed. I love their song about taking roofies on yourself, and they also did a great Chris Farley tribute that touched on all of his greatest moments.

I was also really impressed by Space 55 owner Shawna Franks, who came out as two different characters to spread some holiday cheer. The first, a porn star, did some Christmas haiku, and the second was a Scottsdale trophy wife who did stand-up on the side. She taught us why committing rape on Christmas isn’t a good idea, and I never thought a horrific crime could be so hysterical.

Then the Light Rail Pirates performed, and they did some wonderful scenes going off of the suggestion of “timid.” The six-person troupe has awesome chemistry, and the organization of their scenes is always very intelligent because the scenes relate to each other and come back in the end.

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On Friday, I was at the Tempe Festival of the Arts, in the pouring rain. While the weather wasn’t the most fun for working outside, the arts festival featured so much cool art all over the Mill Avenue District. I highly recommend checking it out next time it goes down, even if only to admire the art. The projects ranged from cool-looking pots to colorful paintings to hand-blown glass and jewelry. It’s like Phoenix’s first Friday art walk (which I’ll be at this Friday at Karmic Calamity- 610 E. Roosevelt St.), only during the day for an entire weekend in Tempe!

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Saturday, I went to the Chandler Cinemas (2140 N. Arizona Ave.)

for Noche de Luchadores, a wrestling/B-movie extravaganza, sponsored by the Midnite Movie Mamacita.

First up, XJAM wrestling set up a huge ring in the lobby of the movie theater, and about five bouts of hardcore “professional wrestling” went down—think WWE-style, only with local heroes.

The wrestlers were really funny and over-the-top,

and they entertained the entire lobby. The moves were pretty incredible, and they looked like they really hurt.

There was also a match between two women,

and the Arizona Derby Dames came out to show some refereeing support.

After we got in the wrestling spirit, fans watched Santo vs. the Voodoo Women, a wonderfully horrible film about a Mexican wrestler in Haiti. The Midnite Movie Mamacita’s version was dubbed in French, but instead, the audience was treated to members of the Phoenix Neutrino Project providing their own dialogue and commentary in English, which was so funny. This is a movie I would normally gouge my eyes out before watching on my own, but it was so fun to see with the witty banter of Phoenix improvisers.

There are events at Chandler Cinemas by the MMM every weekend, so check out www.midnitemoviemamacita.com for more info.

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Sunday night, I went to the Bad X-Mas Pageant at The Trunk Space. The event pokes fun at the sometimes-stressful holiday season, with funny sketches, videos and music to keep the crowd entertained.

The event pokes fun at the sometimes-stressful holiday season, with funny sketches, videos and music to keep the crowd entertained.

Host JRC,

owner of The Trunk Space, read some humorous Christmas rants, and the night also featured poetry, faux letters to Santa and nativity skits.

Local band Haunted Cologne

also provided some oh-so-appropriate scary, Halloween music

that oddly fit in really well among events like a mini-Christmas food fight.

Musical improv duo Dangerville also performed some great songs, and even though Christmas really scares me, last night was enough to put me in the holiday season.