Amoeba san francisco Staff

Audra Wolfmann
Amoeba San Francisco

Amoeba marketeer. Podcasts: "Speakeasily vs. the '80s" & "Retrophilia." Weird Al burlesque. Meaning junky.

Tokyo Pop (BLU)

Fran Rubel Kuzui
In honor of it's 35th anniversary, Kino Lorber has released a 4K restoration of the charming 1988 rock & romance film staring Japanese heartthrob Diamond Yukai and Carrie Hamilton, a multi-talented actress/singer who also happened to be Carol Burnett's daughter. Long before "Lost In Translation," "Tokyo Pop" explored themes of a young American woman in Tokyo, but one who engages in her surroundings and navigates the cultural differences more constructively. Unfortunately, Carrie Hamilton died young, but this film remains as a shinning example of her talent. Read more

Messiah Of Evil (BLU)

Gloria Katz
Odd that the same writing duo that brought us "American Graffiti," "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and "Howard the Duck" also created the 1973 moody horror film "Messiah of Evil." But that's just one of the many wonderful mysteries of life I guess. The plot is baffling yet intriguing - a woman sifts through her late father's art and diaries, but ends up dealing with cannibalistic ghouls. See it for the atmospheric bohemian beachside setting and the stylish visuals, not to mention an amazing zombie supermarket scene. Read more

Columbo: The 1970s (Seasons 1-7) (BLU)

There is no greater joy in life than having unfettered access to "Columbo," the LA-based police procedural that ran for years in the 1970s. I will never get tired of watching Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo, the disheveled police detective who is an underdog and everyman, stick it to the elite week after week by uncovering their murders. Great cameos from Leonard Nimoy, Roddy McDowall, Gena Rowlands, John Cassavetes, and so many more. Read more

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (BLU)

Eric Appel
But of course, Weird Al Yankovic's biopic would be a parody of a biopic. If you expected anything different, you should be put in irony jail. As a complete Weird Al lifer, I can honestly say that this movie made the pandemic survivable when it was originally released as on Roku. Now the Blu-ray/DVD can be ours for endless viewings. Daniel Radcliffe makes for an astoundingly good Al, showing the world the comedy chops we never quite knew he had. But really, no one can sub for the real deal, so lucky for us Al has a cameo in this film as label dude Tony Scotti. Read more

Barbie (BLU)

Greta Gerwig
The live-action Barbie movie goes beyond the plastic veneer of the Mattel doll, and delves into gender roles and expectations with humor and heart. Directed by Greta Gerwig and with a screenplay written by Noah Baumbach, Barbie creates a highly entertaining work of eye candy that is somehow filled with existential crises and questions of self-image. A+++ Read more
ryan
Amoeba San Francisco
Sri Syadasti

After Hours (BLU)

Martin Scorsese
Nice update for a film with challenging cinematography. For me the mid 80s was a golden era in the sudden ability to rent cult movies from the video shops. Caught this blindly on release and unlike tons of movies I can’t even remember seeing, this one left a mark. Read more

Black Classical Music (LP)

Yusef Dayes
Nicely caffeinated jazz fusion. A bit of a departure from the yacht-hop vibe of Night Rider and more of a return to the Yusef Kamaal record vibe. RIYL Thundercat, Mansur Brown etc. Read more

Devotion (LP)

Muriel Grossmann
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Environment 7.003 (LP)

Future Sound Of London
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Hajiki Uta (LP)

Meiko Kaji
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Funky Skull (LP)

Melvin Jackson
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After Hours Criterion (BLU)

Martin Scorsese
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Black Clasical Music (LP)

Yusef Dayes
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Allen
Amoeba San Francisco

The Source (CD)

Kenny Barron

Because Kenny Barron has been around for so long (damn, he was on Bad Benson back in 1974!), I've taken him for granted. But this solo CD is a great reminder of why we shouldn't; it's a varied program of originals and standards that shows off many of his skills in different styles. Atonal one minute, lyrical and lush the next, the CD is a treat.

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Saje (CD)

Saje

Jazz ensemble singing for the 21st century. Their multi-tracking is as equally accomplished as their regular four-part. I especially enjoyed the rearrangement of "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning."

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Dynamic Maximum Tension (CD)

Darcy James Argue's Secret
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A Lovesome Thing (CD)

Geri Allen / Kurt Rosenwinkel

Damn, this is gorgeous. A duet performance from twelve years ago, the only one they ever did, and it sure makes me miss Geri Allen even more.

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Rivers In Our Veins (CD)

Allison Miller

Colorful ensemble with assured playing. Isn't it crazy when you hear great performances from players you've barely heard of? These young kids.

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A Portrait of the Queen 1970-1974 (CD)

Aretha Franklin

This was after Aretha's big hits period, but what confidence she has in her material! These five records are strong on their own, but in one set they prove how crazy good her instincts and chops were.

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Feedbag
Amoeba San Francisco

LOVE LIVE THE NEW FLESH

Silhouette Machine (LP)

Flooding
Really good screamo/slowcore from Kansas City. The singer is incredible and I love her. Read more