It's a good time for music at the cinema as there are several very interesting looking music documentaries or music themed films that have just been released or are about to be released in both theaters and on DVD. These include Re:Geneartion in which live DJs/producers (including DJ Premier & Mark Ronson) "turn the tables on the history of music" by teaming up with artists that you would not normally expect them to work alongside (including members of The Doors), The Ballad of Mott The Hoople about the early 70's Dylan-meets-The Rolling Stones styled, Bowie-affiliated rock group Mott The Hoople (this is in select theaters currently but will be out on DVD next month), Andrea Blaugrund Nevins' The Other F Word about punk rock dads with Family repsonsibilities and lil kids to nurture which opens in theaters on November 2nd, and Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life. This film, which is just one of a few films in recent years about the unique French musical talent of Serge Gainsbourg, is having a special screening at the Lumiere in San Francisco this coming Thursday (Oct 20th) that Amoeba Music is giving away free passes to. More information on how to win here. Meanwhile above and below are trailers for each of these four new music themed movies that you may want to check out.

Come into Amoeba SF to get passes to a sneak preview screening of Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life.

Preview passes are available at the Amoeba San Francisco info counter and in the DVD room...but only while they last! Limited to one preview pass per person (each pass admits two)!

Screening Info:
Thursday, October 20, 7:00PM
Lumiere Theater
1572 California Street at Polk 
San Francisco, CA 94109 

About previews:
Please arrive early to the screening and bring the pass. The theater is overbooked to ensure a full house and seating is first-come, first-served (the pass does not guarantee seating).



**César Awards 2011 - Best Actor, Best First Film**
**Tribeca Film Festival 2010 - Best Actor**

Renowned comic book artist Joann Sfar’s Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life is a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous singer-songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg (Eric Elmosnino). Born Lucien Ginsburg to Russian-Jewish parents, Gainsbourg evolves from a precocious child in Nazi-occupied Paris, to small-time jazz musician and finally international pop superstar. Along the way, he romances many of the era’s most beautiful women, including Juliette Greco (Anna Mouglalis), Brigitte Bardot (Laetitia Casta), and Jane Birkin (Lucy Gordon). With a witty surrealistic style and a soundtrack showcasing many of the musician’s greatest hits, the film is a sensual delight and a quintessential time capsule of the eras he enjoyed.

The Fold, Amoeba Hollywood and Light In The Attic Records invite you to a sneak preview screening of Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life.

One ticket per person (admits 2) available at the Amoeba Hollywood info counter – while they last!


Screening Info:
Wednesday, August 24 at 7:30PM
Bootleg Theatre
2220 Beverly Blvd (Across from Brooklyn Bagel)
Los Angeles, CA 90026


Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the screening. Ticket will admit two to Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life. Pass and photo ID required for admission. Seating is strictly limited to theatre capacity. No rain checks; not exchangeable for cash.




**César Awards 2011 - Best Actor, Best First Film**

**Tribeca Film Festival 2010 - Best Actor**

Renowned comic book artist Joann Sfar’s Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life is a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous singer-songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg (Eric Elmosnino). Born Lucien Ginsburg to Russian-Jewish parents, Gainsbourg evolves from a precocious child in Nazi-occupied Paris, to small-time jazz musician and finally international pop superstar. Along the way, he romances many of the era’s most beautiful women, including Juliette Greco (Anna Mouglalis), Brigitte Bardot (Laetitia Casta) and Jane Birkin (Lucy Gordon). With a witty surrealistic style and a soundtrack showcasing many of the musician’s greatest hits, the film is a sensual delight and a quintessential time capsule of the eras he enjoyed.

Have you ever sat slumped at your miserable computer at your excruciating job, staring blankly at an Excel spreadsheet that mocks your very existence but really secretly hoping that a heavy metal band would come and whisk you away to a magical land of booze and Satan? Sure, we all have. ~audra~

“Where’s the restroom?”

“Why’s this one this price and this one this price?”

“Where can I find Edith Piaf?”

That last question is occasionally (to my endless amusement) pronounced as, “Where can I find Edith Pilaf?” to which I always want (but never) answer:

“We file her in-between Condoleezza Rice and Tim Curry. They all go great together.”

My internalized snarkiness aside, I’m all for Edith Piaf. Who could hate La Môme Piaf (her French nickname, literally translated as “That short woman in the black dress with the amazing voice but tragic make-up which someone should seriously having a talking-to-her about”)?

But I think too many people stop with Piaf and don’t investigate the chanson française of her peers, which is a shame because there’s so much to love. Below I offer some performers I think are à l'opposé de terrible.