December 5, 2022 - Music Observer

‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’ Left Joe Pesci Something to Remember

Music Observer Staff on December 5, 2022

Home Alone is hilarious pranks played for gags. We know well though that in reality those culprits would never make it to another installment. Also, young Kevin McAllister would probably face trial.

Go ahead and ask Joe Pesci, who portrayed trickster Harry in the first two movies. His character stars alongside Daniel Stern as Murray’s accomplice and Macaulay Culkin as Kevin.

In honor of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’s 30th anniversary, Pesci shared that McAllister’s conventional one-liners left him with severe burns.

In the Lost in New York scene, where Harry is again exposed to a blowtorch, he sustains the injury. Harry foils a similar prank from the first film and plunges his flaming head into the toilet. However, he did not know that “toilet water” was actually kerosene.

We would underestimate if we said the results are not good for Harry.

Although Pesci found joy in having a “change of pace” with his label of slapstick, he confessed that the “more physical type of comedy” was “a little more demanding.” Notably, he won an Oscar for his contributions to the drama Goodfellas.

“In addition to the expected bumps, bruises, and general pains that you would associate with that particular type of physical humor,” Pesci said in an interview with PEOPLE. “I did sustain serious burns to the top of my head during the scene where Harry’s hat is set on fire.”

Lost in New York Stunt

Pesci experienced this stunt himself, but left the really difficult stunts to the pros.

He hesitated when the press asked whether he’d sport a comeback for a future Home Alone franchise film. The 79-year-old said times have evolved. And perhaps viewers aren’t so hauled up with the idea of two older adults assaulting an abandoned kid and getting their ass-s burned by the child.

“While you never say never, I think that it would be difficult to replicate not only the success but also the overall innocence of the originals,” Pesci stated. “It’s a different time now. Attitudes and priorities have changed in 30 years.”

But there’s 2021’s Home Sweet Home Alone – if you want to set your head on fire, metaphorically, of course.

Home Alone

20th Century Fox released Home Alone 2: Lost in New York in 1992, with Chris Columbus directing. John Hughes wrote and produced the Christmas comedy.

The film is the follow-up to 1990’s Home Alone. Additionally, it features Culkin, Pesci, Stern, John Heard, Tim Curry, Brenda Fricker, and Catherine O’Hara.

In addition, Lost in New York received critical and commercial success. The film earned roughly $359 million at the global box office and became the third highest-grossing movie in 1992.

But it received some criticism, pointing out its darker tone and violent scenes. Few even highlighted similarities to the first installment.

Later in 1997, the franchise released Home Alone 3 with a set of a new cast. But Devin Ratray returned as Buzz McCallister in Home Sweet Home Alone.

Primavera Sound Shares 2023 Festival Headliners

Music Observer Staff on December 5, 2022

Primavera Sound announces its roster of artists for this 2023’s festival. Additionally, he fests will span two weekends, the first in Barcelona and then in Madrid.

Therefore, Barcelona happens May 31 through June 3, while Madrid from June 7 to June 10.

Moreover, he main Primavera headliners in both festivals include Kendrick Lamar, Blur, Rosalia, Depeche Mode, Calvin Harris and Halsey. Meanwhile, Pet Shop Boys is set to headline a fewer lineup on the opening nights.

Additionally, during both weekends, Downbill highlights include the list of artists like FKA Twigs, Sparks, Laurie Anderson, and Japanese Breakfast.

So, check out the complete list of Primavera artists below.

Meanwhile, the War on Drugs and the Mars Volta will perform one weekend each: Barcelona, the latter Madrid.

Furthermore, the Moldy Peaches made a reunion to perform on both weekends.

The Barcelona leg of the fest occurs at Parc del Forum while Madrid at Ciudad del rock in Arganda del Rey.

Primavera full list of artists:

Barcelona May 31/Madrid June 7

Pet Shop Boys

Jake Bugg.

Confidence Man.

In addition, La Paloma

Barcelona June 1/Madrid June 8

Blur.

Halsey.

Darkside

Ghost

Le Tigre

NXWorries Anderson, Paak, & KNXWLEDGE

Additionally, Pusha T.

Rema

Sparks

Plus, Alex G

Amenra

Anyma

Arthur Verocai

Furthermore, Black Country, New Road

Boris

Built to Spill

Pinkpantheress

Red Velvet

Moreover, Self Esteem

Sudan Archives

The Comet is Coming

Yard Act

Antonim

Plus, Ascendant Vierge

Blackhaine

Brutalismus 3000

Cabiria

Chica Gang

Come

Flowerlovlove

Heather

Heinali

Furthermore, Isabella Lovestory

Jana Rush

Joe Crepusculo

Joe Unknown

Moreover, Julia Colom

Juliana Huxtable B2B Jasss

Karenn

Maral

Additionally, Rhyw Live

Salamanda

Shannen SP B2B Joe Cotch

Slauson Malone 1

Terno Rei

Finally, Verraco

Barcelone June 2/Madrid June 9

Kendrick Lamar

Depeche Mode

Baby Keem

Four Tet

Fred Again..

Skrillex

Plus, The Moldy Peaches

Bad Religion

Bleachers

Christine & the Queens

Mora

Sparks

Additionally, Mars Volta

Alvvays

Beak>

Cavetown

Channel Tres

Daphni

Gabriels

In addition, Israel Fernandez y Diego Del Morado

Japanese Breakfast

John Talabot

Julia Holter

Julia Jacklin

Karate

Plus, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

Lebanon Hanover

Nation of Language

Swans

Tems

The Delgados

Trueno

Tsha Live

Unwound

VTSS B2B LSDXOXO

Furthermore, Yves Tunmor

Bala

Beth Orton

Bill Kouligas

Carlota Flaneur

Gaz Coombes

Georgia

Gigi_FM

Honour

Judeline

Furthermore, Los Hacheros

Low Jack x Lala &ce

Maddy Maia B2B Tottie

Nazira

Nina Coyote Eta Chico Tornado

Soul Glo

The Beths

Additionally, The Soft Pink Truth

Tongue in the Mind

Tzusing

Upsammy

Velmondo

Lastly, Voices from the Lake

Barcelona June 3/Madrid June 10

Rosalia

Calvin Harris

Bad Gyal

Fka Twigs

Maneskin

In addition, St. Vincent

The War on Drugs

Additionally, Caroline Polachek

Charlotte de Witte

Maggie Rogers

My Morning Jacket

Furthermore, Tokischa

Arlo Parks

Death Grips

Domi & JD Beck

Eddie Palmieri

Ezra Furman

Moreover, Gilla Band

Holly Humberstone

Jayda G

Jockstrap

In addition, John Cale

Additionally, Jpegmafia

Kelela

Laurie Anderson

Nia Archives

Overmono

Shellac

In addition, Surf Course

The Voidz

Yung Lean

Allissic

Anish Kumar

Furthermore, Avalon Emerson & The Charm

Bar Italia

Be Your Own Pet

In addition, CCL

Crack Cloud

Desert

DJ Coco

Additionally, DJ Storm

Grupo de Expertos Solynieve

James Ellis Ford

Josey Rebelle

Los Ganglios

Furthermore, Mala

Nuria Graham

OM Unit Live

Oriana B2B Melina Serser

Pional

Additionally, The Drift Institute

Twin

Ubaldo

Villano Antillano

Wednesday

Finally, Wooden Wisdom + DJ Fitz

Barcelona June 4/Madrid June 11

Ben Bohmer

Camelphat

Diplo

Furthermore, Purple Disco Machine

Vitalic

Carlita

Lastly, Two Ex

‘A Christmas Story’ Locations You Should Visit

Music Observer Staff on December 5, 2022

A Christmas Story has been a huge hit since its release in 1983.

An adaptation of Jean Shepherd’s 1966 novel In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash dropped the story in November 1983. Furthermore, it became a box office hit, earning an estimated $20 million in theaters.

However, akin to other sleeper hits, the film later appeared on home viewing and cable television airings. In addition, it included a 24-hour marathon every Christmas.

Fans will return to the Christmas Story universe with the latest sequel, A Christmas Story Christmas. Now available on HBO Max. The new film sees Billingsley and his original castmates playing their roles nearly 40 years later.

However, if watching Ralphie’s tale from your living room isn’t enough, you’re fortunate. Someone modified the Parker family’s home residence into a Christmas Story museum. And you can spend the night there – in Randy and Ralphie’s beds.

Flick’s no longer has margaritas, but some Christmas stories have become tourist attractions.

A Christmas Story Places

Here are some of them.

Higbee’s Department Store (Cleveland)

They filmed the Christmas parade scene outside Cleveland’s iconic Higbee’s department store on the public square at 3 a.m.

Warren G. Harding Elementary School (St. Catharine’s, Canada, and Hammond, Indiana)

Self-proclaimed “megafan” Tyler Schwartz and his then-fiancee, now-wife Jordie, went on a quest to find the location in the movie. Fortunately, they found it.

Christmas Tree Lot (Toronto, Canada)

The Road Trip researchers deciphered the location of the Christmas tree lot where Ralphie and his family bought their tree following the Old Man’s bargain.

The Flat Tire on the Bridge (Toronto, Canada)

Notably, after they went for Christmas tree shopping, the family experiences a dilemma of a flat tire.

Bo’Ling Chop Suey Palace (Hammond, Indiana, and Toronto, Canada)

The final stop for the Christmas Story location tour appears at the film’s end. Following the Bumpus hounds’ escape with the Parker family turkey, the Old Man says, “We are going out to eat!” Then they end up in a Chinese restaurant.

Ralphie’s House (Cleveland)

In 2004, the Cleveland house where they shot the film went for sale on eBay. So, Christmas Story fan Brian Jones purchased it for $150,000.

Afterward, he worked to renew the iconic home and launched it as A Christmas Story House & Museum in 2006.

During the day, the home serves as a museum, highlighting artifacts from the film, photos handed by the movie’s actors, and items for the true spirit.

The Bumpus House (Cleveland)

In the film, the Bumpuses weren’t quite featured. However, their presence next dorm remains strong. It is because of the barking of their hound dogs sometimes, if not all the time.

Viewing of the Leg Lamp (Cleveland)

In the film. Filmmaker Bob Clark appears as “the Swede” who queries the Old Man (Darren McGavin) about his “major award.” Of course, he is talking about the legendary lamp that adult Ralphie calls “the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window.”

Currently, a Bob Clark memorial bench stands on the site where the “major award” scene was filmed.

Rockstar Turns Down GTA Film Deal, Featuring Eminem

Music Observer Staff on December 5, 2022

Rockstar Games rejected the chance to release a Grand Theft Auto movie with Eminem, according to a new podcast.

Games industry expert Kirk Ewing, a friend of GTA developers Sam and Dan Houser, said a Hollywood agent approached him about the deal. He also said the agent offered the brothers $5 million for the rights to a film starring the artist, which will be directed by Top Gun’s Tony Scott.

But in an interview with a BBC podcast, Kirk said Sam Houser told the agent they were “not interested.”

Kirk worked with Rockstar when the company released his game State of Emergency.

As per Kirk, the Housers were talking about film links during a time when GTA 3 was a huge success. The company originally launched the game on the PlayStation in 2001.

Additionally, the groundbreaking title paved the way for the rest of the series and the imitators to follow.

That same year, Eminem released the highly successful Marshall Mathers LP. Also, he had just finished filming his role in 8 Mile. The film is inspired by his early rapping.

GTA Offer

In an interview with Bugzy Malone’s Grandest Game, Kirk tracked down Sam Houser at a hotel. They both stayed up late at night to talk about the potential GTA film.

“I think at that point it was still in Sam’s mind that it might be something that he wanted to do,” Kirk stated. “He said, ‘Kirk, we’ve got Eminem to star, and it’s a Tony Scott film. $5 million on the nose. Are you interested?’”

Furthermore, he phoned Sam and relayed the message.

“And I phoned up Sam and said, ‘Listen to this. They want Eminem in the Grand Theft Auto movie and Tony Scott to direct,’” he recounted. “And he said: ‘Not interested.’”

And as far as Kirk can remember, that was the last time the two brothers talked about bringing GTA to the big screen.

“They realized that the media franchise that they had was bigger than any movie that was going on at the time,” Kirk added.

Cultural Movement

GTA has come a long way in becoming a cultural movement. Additionally, in 2018, it was awarded the title of the all-time most profitable entertainment product. And that includes record-breaking films such as Avatar.

But this year, the studio eventually confirmed that GTA VI is in the works. Furthermore, Rockstar’s recommended players could participate by 2024 or 2025. It also said a leak of an early sneak peek in September won’t impact the plans for the title.

While fans never saw a Grand Theft Auto film, high-profile actors have hinted interest in joining the wide range of voice casts for GTA 3’s sequels.

Samuel Jackson, Ray Liotta, and comedians Ricky Gervais and Frankie Boyle participated in various editions of the series. Moreover, Eminem appeared on the game’s soundtrack as a guest star.

Mirror Mirror Music Fest Graces Goers on December with Travis Scott and More

Music Observer Staff on December 5, 2022

Virgil Abloh Securities has announced a music festival called Mirror Mirror to honor Abloh’s legacy. The festival is only for one day.

The late Virgil Abloh founded the creative company.

Travis Scott and Skepta will also host the festival. Among others, Yves Tumor, Pedro, Venus X, Bambii, Rampa, Acyde and Benji B will perform.

Moreover, they honor the event through a limited-edition festival merch capsule. It will contain tees, hoodies, a tote, and a cap. The capsule is set for release on December 3 at Canary—Yellow.com.

Mirror Mirror will take place on December 3rd at Bayfront Park in Miami, Florida, specifically at the FPL Solar Amphitheater. Tickets are on sale on November 23rd. A limited number of VIP tickets will be available. It will provide access to unique seats at Mirror Mirror Music Festival. Holders will also receive limited-edition merch before the event.

Event proceeds go to the Virgil Abloh Foundation.

“Virgil had the ability to bring everyone together to create music,” Abloh’s wife, CEO, and Managing Director of the company, Shannon Abloh, said.

“With his close collaborators, we wanted to bring everyone together to celebrate Virgil – his legacy, his passion, and his care for others. He believed his real work was championing others. And we will continue his work supporting youth in the arts with the launch of the Virgil Abloh Foundation in 2023.”

Mirror Mirror to Honor

Virgil Abloh Securities announced the festival in an Instagram post, saying, “VIGIL ABLOH SECURITIES announces MIRROR MIRROR Music Festival on Saturday, December 3 in Miami, Florida with net profits to support the VIRGIL ABLOH FOUNDATION.”

The company posted the announcement along with a white background logo with the words “Mirror Mirror.”

In November 2021, Abloh lost his life to cancer, which he had fought for years.

Furthermore, the famous fashion designer served as Louis Vuitton’s artistic director of menswear, Off-White founder, and sometimes a DJ.

His list of artistic ventures includes directing music videos and designing album covers for Pray for Paris by Westside Gunn, Luv Is Rage 2 by Lil Uzi Vert, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon – a posthumous LP by Pop Smoke, and many more.

After the news of his death, stars like Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator, and more honored Abloh.

Meanwhile, Travis Scott’s involvement in the event is one of the instances in his stable return to festival events following the Astroworld incident.

The following year, Scott will headline Rolling Loud California 2023 with Future and Playboi Carti.

‘The White Lotus’ Episode 5 Will Leave Your Jaw on the Ground

Music Observer Staff on December 5, 2022

Image commercially licensed from: Unsplash

The White Lotus continues to prove that everything isn’t as it seems. But you weren’t expecting that twist in Episode 5, were you?

After Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) and Portia (Haley Lu Richardson) visited Quentin (Tom Hollander) and Jack (Leo Woodall) – Quentin’s nephew – in Palermo, Tanya heard suspicious noises coming from an area of their mansion.

Upon investigating what it is, she discovers that Jack and Quentin are in a very awkward position for their uncle and nephew. The episode ends with this OMG event. Seeing the two of them sleeping together, Tanya’s face was stained with shock.

This isn’t the first time HBO has depicted incest in a [Game of Thrones] drama. However, this shocking development raised questions in the minds of viewers: Are Quentin and Jack actually related? Is Jack a hired companion for Quentin? And were they lying to Tanya and Portia the whole time?

Plus, Portia has left Albie (Adam DiMarco) alone for a wild vacation with Jack. And she also has no idea that he always sleeps with Quentin.

“Oh boy, Portia. Sweet Portia. Poor Portia,” Richardson said in an interview with EW.

“Oh man, she was finally getting what she wanted, on paper, just to find out that he’s f—ing his uncle. And it’s not what it seems. You never want to find out that the guy that you’re dating and who has whisked you away is f—ing his uncle! You don’t want to find that out.”

DiMarco jests: “I honestly hate when that happens.”

“I hate it. It’s too often. Like, again?! From Portia’s perspective, it’s a very extreme example of how you can’t really rely on this external excitement or male-centered validation. Because he’s going to end up f—ing his uncle,” Richardson laughs.

Incest in The White Lotus

In addition, DiMarco says: “Yeah, you have to find true happiness and peace from within – because someone might be f—ing their uncle.”

Again, both actors laugh at the situation and how Portia is learning this big life lesson.

“That’s the moral of season 2. You’ve got to look inward, you’ve got to go to therapy, or else whoever you’re f—ing is also going to be f—ing their uncle,” Richardson states.

“I mean, people love Game of Thrones for this very reason,” DiMarco jokes.

Richardson adds another statement they laughed off.

“Oh my god, HBO loves something about uncle f—ing.”

DiMarco then reveals she hasn’t watched the Thrones spin-off yet. So, Richardson instantly filled her in.

“It’s hot! I’m sorry, but on that show, House of the Dragon, it is,” she said. “And I’m sure Tom and Leo are also hot in [The White Lotus] scene.”

So, now that Tanya knows about Quentin and Jack’s controversial affair, Richardson cautions that the last two season 2 episodes will get “way crazier, believe it or not.”

“Yeah, it’s a slow burn that gets kicked into high gear,” DiMarco continued.

“[Creator] Mike [White] is so great at crafting these slow burns, and then at a certain point it just explodes, and we’re at that point now. It’s just explosions everywhere, explosions at the fireworks factory.”

The White Lotus premieres every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max.

Mariah Carey’s Twins Performed ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ with Her

Music Observer Staff on December 5, 2022

The widely-known party official-unofficial Queen of Christmas graced Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut with family.

Pop superstar Mariah Carey appeared on the yearly NBC broadcast for a song number. She sang her famous holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas is You” at the end of the event. Furthermore, it happened ahead of Santa Claus’ sleigh arriving at 34th Street in Manhattan.

The singer wore what seemed to be an embezzled umbrella, a crystalized crown, and a pink gown. Carey performed her signature song with dancers dressing as toy soldiers surrounding her.

During the song number, two gift boxes edging her opened to show her 11-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe. And the two danced with her for the rest of the song.

At the end of the performance, NBC showed a humorously short clip of Santa taking up the rear. And if it’s still not an indication of her royalty of the holiday season, we don’t know what is.

While Carey is pop culture’s premier patron of Yuletide happiness, the US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in recent times decided that the singer can’t possess ownership of the official “Queen of Christmas” name.

Previously, EW reported Elizabeth Chan, a Christmas recording artist, legally contested Carey’s trial to trademark the title on top of her move to trademark “Princess Christmas” and “QOC.”

Carey is expected to appear on the CBS TV special Merry Christmas to All on December 20.

The Carey Twins

Monroe and Moroccan are Carey’s kids with ex-husband Nick Cannon.

Even with their divorce, the two support each other and their children. They affectionately call the twins “dem kids.”

“They’re a lot, but they give me so much love in return. I wouldn’t be the same person without them,” Carey said in an interview with PEOPLE. “I think Nick and I have done pretty well in co-parenting, staying friends with each other so that we can talk.”

Both also said they are training their kids to be humble.

“I want my kids to understand that every child isn’t as fortunate as they are,” Cannon shared with PEOPLE in 2012.

Furthermore, in 2019, Carey said a thing along the same lines. “It’s hard, but I try to keep them grounded, so they don’t think everything is just handed to them.”

However, having well-known parents has its advantages. Monroe and Moroccan previously waled on red carpets, went on yacht vacations, and even appeared in a music video.

During all those, the twins remained tight-knitted to each other.

“They love each other and are best friends. But they’ll do things without each other,” Carey said in 2018. “I just hope they maintain that for the rest of their lives. There’s nothing like the bond that they share.”

And the siblings are visibly having fun. In an Instagram post in September 2022, Carey shared photos of herself, along with Moroccan and Monroe posing before roller coasters at the Ohio amusement park Cedar Point.

“Had the best time at @cedarpoint!” Carey captioned the photo. “Never again with the heels though! 😂”