Notable, New and Live

BOOKS

"Raymond Carver [A Writer's Life]" is a well researched, thoughtful and decade long effort in biography form, with the subject being Carver, one of the greatest American short story writers. The London Times claimed that Carver is "the Chekhov of middle –America." Authored by Carol Sklenicka the biography will be available Nov. 24 from Scribner.

"Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog: The Amazing Adventures of an Ordinary Woman," is Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, Lisa Scottoline's, second book. This is a collection of her columns from her time at the Inquirer and they promise to cover topics such as the lack of a bra and the art of interruption. The collection looks to be hilarious, and glaringly truthful. It will be available Nov. 24 from St. Martin's Press.

"I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir" is a telling biography written by his brother, Mickey Leigh, about one of the most influential men to play rock-n-roll and punk rock music. Legs McNeil collaborates with Leigh, merging their two memories together over the decades, concerning the iconic Joey. The biography will be available Dec. 1 from Touchstone.

"Knives at Dawn: America's Quest for Culinary Glory at the Legendary Bocuse D'Or Competition" is the epic journey of the American culinary team at the prestigious 2009 Bocus D'Or competition. This is the real Top Chef, but for international high stakes and bragging rights. Food writer and sports journalist, Andrew Friedman, authors this fast paced behind-the-scenes look at the highly competitive world of haute cuisine. The book will be available Dec. 1 from Free Press.

MUSIC

Piano legend Pinetop Perkins, Carolyn Wonderland and southern rockers Dertybird will be playing Wednesday, Nov. 25 @ Antone's. Perkins is a legend and Carolyn Wonderland and Dertybird both put on a great show. The doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets range from $15 for general admission to $30 and $40 for V.I.P. tables.

The Woxy Local Residency Series Kickoff presents Neon Indian and Tunnels playing Friday, Nov. 27 @ Stubb's inside. Neon Indian is worth checking out. The doors open at 9 p.m., it is an all ages show and tickets are $10.

Ska legends, The Skatalites, will be inducing audiences to skank in a two night stint Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28 @ The Flamingo Cantina. The Skatalites are old-school (though they have a revolving membership), and they put on an amazing and energetic show, not to mention they usually sell jerk chicken at the Cantina. Definitely worth checking out, they will not be touring forever, or maybe they will? The doors open at 9 p.m. and tickets are $15.

Very eclectic and wonderful performers Café Tacuba will be performing Sunday, Nov. 29 @ La Zona Rosa. I saw the quartet in Houston when I was a young teenager and they were amazing, and they are still performing after all these years. The doors open at 8 p.m., and tickets are $35 pre-sale and $40 at the door.

MOVIES

Rec. 2 is the latest, cutting edge, zombieish, ghoulish flick, in the vein of 28 Days Later (2002). The co-writer and director, Juame Balaguero, also wrote Los sin nombre (1999), a film shown at SXSW's Film Conference earlier this year. Rec. 2 is filmed in that reality, hand-held, quick pan camera style, which I am not a big fan of, but it looks good. Rec. 2 premiered at Austin's Fantastic Fest in September, and they usually pick some good ones. The film is slated for release Nov. 23.

Ninja Assassin looks awesome and fun. I imagine it offers no deep commentary, and it definitely does not require an active audience, but sometimes mindless entertainment is necessary. Director James McTeigue was the first assistant director on The Matrix (1999), so he probably knows something about a sock-em-up flick. The movie is slated for wide release on Nov. 25.

Home is one of those ‘we are destroying our planet' films, a complete contradiction in itself, but it looks visually stunning. The message, though relevant, seems a little past the stages of alerting the populace to the problem. If anything, check Home out for the cinematography. The documentary is slated for release Nov. 27.

Psycho Jesus documents the insanely intriguing world of death-rock-rap by following around one of the most controversial bands involved in this movement, Juggalo. Director Rokki James Hollywod has a penchant for obscure and twisted subjects, he also directed Andre: Heart of the Giant (2007). Psycho Jesus looks culturally frightening. The documentary is slated for limited release Nov. 27.

Woody Harrelson is everywhere, and in everything, his latest is Defendor, a dark action/comedy/drama in the vein of Blankman (1994), but a little more serious. Harrelson (The Messenger, 2009) plays a crazy wannabe crime fighter rapidly getting in way over his head. The film is slated to open Dec. 1.