© theotherpress e Culture The Decemberists Amanda Aikman Culture Editor I'm so disappointed in you, after everything I told you about this amazing band and their brilliant 2003 Her Majesty The Decemberists, you still didn’t go to see album, them open for the Walkmen on February 11 at Richard’s did you? Well, it’s your loss my friends. Just to rub it in though, I’ve gotta say, their performance was some kind of spec- taceffar. Opening with “Shanty for the Arethusa” and moving right into “Billy Liar” (the first two songs from Her Majesty...) the energetic Portland band had the entire room saying “Walkmen who?” in no time flat. It was evident that the Decemberists were the real draw, and it was a shame that they weren't able to play longer than their supporting slot allowed them. Singer Colin Meloy grinned from ear to ear as the crowd of Vancouverites swayed, swooned, and snapped pictures, eagerly hanging on the band’s every note. The CBC was even on hand to record the show for posterity. Not a bad reception for a lit- tle-known band that has never played in this city before. Arguably their strongest song of the evening was the charming and super- naturally catchy “Los Angeles, I’m Yours,” which, in a more just world would be a bigger hit than anything Beyonce Knowles has ever won a handful of Grammys for. Other high- lights included singer/guitarist Colin Meloy and guitarist Chris Funk light- heartedly but expertly playing part of one song with their instruments held behind their heads, and the band’s rousing rendition of their accordion- drenched masterpiece “the Chimbley Sweep.” Sadly absent was the sprawl- ing and beautiful “I Was Meant for the Stage,” which would have been a brilliant song to end on, although with the album version clocking in at seven minutes it was likely not a pos- sibility under the evening’s time con- straints. I don't usually go to a show just to see the opening band, but after The Decemberists’ inspired (and inspiring) performance, I could see no point in sticking around for The Walkmen. So I bought myself a t-shirt and stumbled home on a cloud of Heineken and the afterglow of the best show I had seen at Richard’s since Bright Eyes in 2002. Yeah I know I should have stayed for the headliners, but hey who are you to judge me? You didn't even bother to go at all. With rumours circling that Richard’s is the next Vancouver venue on the chopping block, you really should make more of an effort to get out to see these great bands while there is still a place for them to come and play for you. I’m just saying. Cinematic Sweets Amanda Aikman Culture Editor Dear OP reader, will you be my Valentine? I know Valentine’s Day was last week, but I still couldn't help but notice you all alone in the corner over there. Don't be so shy— rejection is highly underrated. So how "bout it? You could do a lot worse you know, after all I’m a cheap date. All I ask for is a couple shots of tequila and a sad movie. And a little chocolate never hurt either. Especially if it’s of the cherry or peanut butter filled variety. Or caramel. Oh, and that kind with the Rice Crispies in it is pretty nifty too. But enough about chocolate, where was I going with this? Oh right, movies. So what did you do on the day of love if you had no lover to share it with? Don't tell me you spent it with friends or even worse, with Friends. Television is for losers, what you want to do is rent a movie. Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to go on an all out romantic blitz when it comes to movies. It may even be the only time of year when one can justify the careers of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. So in the spirit of l'amour, I have compiled some of my personal favourites for you to keep in mind for next year. Or anytime your heart needs a boost. All you have to do is break out a box of heart-shaped truffles and hit the couch—a sweet- heart is optional, but tissues are a must (for the tears perverts, | meant for the tears). Annie Hall Even if Woody Allen and Diane Keaton aren't your type, good luck not falling in love with the real star of this movie— New This neurotic || love story is }a@ bound to } make you laugh, cry, and never want to cook your own lobster dinner. You'll love, no I mean “lurve,” it to pieces. Il Postino Passionate poets, beautiful bar- maids, and spectacular scenery come together a = in this roman- tic Italian fea- ture. The ide- alistic Mario escapes _his | fate as a fisher- man by taking fy a job deliver- [5 ing mail to acclaimed poet Pablo sae Page 18 © http://www-otherpress.ca Neruda who is living nearby after being exiled from his native Cuba. Neruda schools Mario in the basics of poetry and in doing so helps him to win the love of Beatrice, the local bombshell Imagine Cyrano de Bergerac meets Cinema Paradiso. barmaid. Harold and Maude Not your typical Hollywood romance flick, but that’s why you're going to love gam it. A young death- obsessed man and a much, much older woman fall for each other in this eccentric cult classic. Lots of great folk music and amusing fake-sui- cides. What more could you want in a Valentine’s film? Say Anything I have seen this movie eight million times. No, that doesn’t make me a loser. Oh wait, yes it does. But I dont care; this movie is so darned charming I defy you not to fall in love with it too. John Cusack por- trays Lloyd Dobbler, the coolest high school guy to ever appear on screen, and just knowing that a like exists, that’s got to be a good thing right? Okay, all the losers out there character that know that I was just paraphrasing one of Dobbler’s lines from the film where he says, “Just knowing that a version like that exists...” but that’s all right, I'm still not a loser. Wrong again. Casablanca And that brings us to the ultimate in movie romance. Casablanca. Humphrey ALMAN HERRED Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, piano bars, fog, sacri- | Al fice...hold pe on to your ao) heartstrings, this is going to be a bumpy ride. Take a trip back to when men were men and women were dames, and they could all smoke indoors—and remember dear reader “we'll always have the OP” © February 18, 2004 SWF seeks contributors for one-article stands or possible long-term rela- tionships. Do you listen to CDs? Attend movies, plays, or concerts? Read any good books lately? If so, I’d love to hear all about it. Be a culture writer for the Other Press! Don’t do it for the money, the glory, or the fame...do it for me, your lonely culture editor.