Christopher Sean and John Gearries talk about spoofing “Twilight” in “Twiharder”

Christopher Sean and John Gearries are the creators of the upcoming “Twilight” spoof film “Twiharder” Media Mikes had the chance to talk with both John and Chris recently about the film and what it was like taking it from the Internet to the big screen.

Adam Lawton: What made you decide to do a parody of the “Twilight” series?
John Gearries: We knew that there was a big market for us to tap into. Being new film makers we really wanted to be seen by a large audience. I think if you look at the genres that have been in the past for younger people they have had something to do with a specific trend. Right now the vampire trend is going crazy. Chris and I were thinking what we could use to help us be seen by a large number of people and that’s why we chose the “Twilight” series. That series is also pretty easy to poke fun at.

AL: Were you fans of the original films?
Christopher Sean: To be fair I actually enjoyed the original films. I liked the story. John then pointed out to me that there was really nothing happening in those stories. That was the truth as there was really nothing more going on than a 105 year old vampire falling in love with an underage school girl. I started to think about some of the other points about how the vampires were always sunbathing and the werewolf’s never had shirts on.
JG: The thing that I saw was all these subliminal topics that were never brought up. Why was someone always taking off their shirt or wet? There was really no reason for that to happen when it does. If a vampire is 105 years old why he is still interested in young girls? His mind still should be aging. Why is he even still going to high school every day?

AL:  Did you find yourself re-reading the books at all during the writing process?
CS: We didn’t read too much of the books. We mostly watched the movies and were just grossed out. I can’t wait for the final film to come out.
JG: I saw the first 2 films once but that was it. I am not a Twihard fanatic or anything. I think it would be hard for me to sit through those films over and over. I guess they are fun movies for kids but these films just made me upset as they really had no point.

AL: Can you tell us about the “I’m So Sexy” music video shoot?
CS: John came to me with the idea for the video. John wrote the song under the name John Blaze. When he first sang it for me I knew it was going to blow up. We shot that in a mansion up in the hills of Thousand Oaks.
JG: I wanted to see all the werewolves extra wet and playing with each other. (Laughs) I wanted something for the YouTube community to have a “Twilight” song.  There were a few other songs out there already but I went darker and tried to push things as far as I could. The entire concept came from the “Big Pimp’n” video.

AL: What was the most difficult part of taking this from a web series to a motion picture format?
JG: Probably the large number of people involved was the most difficult aspect. We had around 30-40 actors, 80 production/crew staff and another 10 or so music artists involved. To bring that in collectively and make it work cohesively has been tough. We have run into a number of constraints. Shooting the film was also a bit difficult. We had a number of kids show up on set and just start screaming the characters names. Not only are the characters in “Twiharder” vampires and werewolves but they are also Hollywood stars. They live in a world where they are famous, vampires, and in love. They have a lot of fans. Everyone was great but there was a lot of responsibility.

AL: How do you feel this spoof differs from the other that have been released recently?
CS: This one’s better! (Laughs) Not only are we poking fun at the movies but also at the actors who are in those movies. Everything that “Twilight” is we are poking fun at. The film solely incorporates things from those films not a number of different films. We really get in-depth and poke things with a big stick.
JG: Films like “Scary Movie” throw a whole bunch of popular movies together into one film. Our film “Twiharder” is about the acting and the writing. It’s all really dark humor and can seem a bit disturbing.

AL: When can we expect to see the film?
JG: We are really shooting for late October or November. We wanted it to come out around Halloween but we are still wrapping some things up. It’s looking more like early winter.

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Blu-ray Review “Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures”

Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Denholm Elliott, John Rhys-Davies, Kate Capshaw, Cate Blanchett, Sean Connery
Distributed by: Paramount Home Entertainment
Release Date: September 18, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 482 minutes

Raiders of the Lost Ark: 5 out of 5 stars
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: 5 out of 5 stars
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

“Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures” finally hits Blu-ray on September 18th. This collection marks the Blu-ray debut of the “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”.  This is the first time they have been released in high-def and this release does not disappoint at all. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” has previously been released on Blu-ray is stunning as well, despite hatred by fans (not including myself). This collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford complies the one of the best adventure series to date.  You know that there was a lot of love and supervision for this release by director Steven Spielberg and renowned sound designer Ben Burtt.  Overall this really is a major upgrade in presentation from the last DVD release. If nothing else this release leaves you with one burning question, “Snakes—why did it have to be snakes?”.

“Raiders of the Lost Ark” is the real star of this release for sure.  It has been meticulously restored in order to preserve the original look, sound and feel of this iconic film. They went back to the original negative scanned at 4K and reviewed frame-by-frame so that any damage could be repaired.  The sound delivered for this release was Burtt’s original master mix, which had been archived and unused since 1981.  When all was said and done this digital restoration was extremely impressive.  The other installments in the franchise also look stunning being presented in 1080p high definition, also presented in there 2.39:1 original aspect ratio.  Even though “Raiders” got the most attention, “Temple of Doom” and “Last Crusade” really do look very sharp on Blu-ray.  Besides the occasional film spots, I was left blown away by these presentations. When you also think about “Indiana Jones”, you immediately start humming that iconic theme song, “Da Da Dah Dahhh Dah Dah Da Da Dah Dahh Dah Dah“.  The sound is very important for this to work.  They have arrived on Blu-ray with a very impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.  It is perfectly balanced and sounds just amazing over my surround sound system.

The special features are literally flowing out of this release and are very impressive.  Thought I am very surprised that there are no commentary tracks available for any of the films.  There are two newly produced “On Set with Raiders of the Lost Ark” featurettes: “From Jungle to Desert” and “From Adventure to Legend”.  Like I said this release is the “Raiders” show, so it gets the best treatment. There are a “Making the Films” featurettes for each film in the series. “Raiders” also  includes the original 1981 “The Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark” documentary as well. There are a bunch more of additional behind-the-scenes featurettes as well.  The first three focus on the most important aspects of the series; “The Stunts of Indiana Jones”, “The Sound of Indiana Jones” and “The Music of Indiana Jones”. They are short but definitely sweet. “The Light and Magic of Indiana Jones” takes use through the the work of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). There is a detailed look into everyone’s favorite scene “Raiders: The Melting Face!”, one of the reasons why PG-13 were initialized.

What is Indiana Jones without its snakes and other creatures in “Indiana Jones and the Creepy Crawlies”, it will have you lifting your feet off the floor.  “Travel with Indiana Jones: Locations” takes us through the wonderful locations where these films were shot and details about the shooting.  Like James Bond, there are such strong woman in this series and “Indy’s Women: The American Film Institute Tribute” provides a nice nod to them.  “Indy’s Friends and Enemies” dives into the other characters in the series besides Dr. Jones himself. The last three features are all on “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”…wait don’t turn it off yet, these are decent features.  The first focuses on the “Iconic Props”, which are featured in the last installment.  The next one focuses on “The Effects”, even as iconic as the original trilogy is, this film packs some great effects.  The last focuses on the last sequel road through “Post Production” and the challenges faced. Lastly there are high definition trailers and teasers for each film to close this great release.

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CD Review: Rob Zombie “Mondo Sex Head”

Rob Zombie
“Mondo Sex Head”
Universal
Producer: Jason Bentley
Tracks: 13

Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars

“Mondo Sex Head” is the latest release from musician/director Rob Zombie. The album features 13 remixed Zombie classics which were produced by Jason Bentley. Though the album does not feature any new material per say each of the classic White Zombie/Rob Zombie songs feature new and arrangements that will appeal not only to Zombies core rock fans but also to the ever growing fans of dub step/electronic music.

Opening up the album is the always promising “Thunder Kiss’ 65” which no matter how many times it is remixed and re-re mixed still delivers just as the original recording did in 1992 when it was first released. JDevil aka Jonathan Davis of Korn does an ok job of sampling and layering this hit track as the song has a decent build up to its synth filled drop. Document One showcases a promising version of one of Zombies more heavier songs “Let It All Bleed Out”. The track is slowed down while an eerie track of Rob Zombie talking weaves in and out of the synth slashes and ray gun like zaps. “Mars Needs Women” remixed by Griffin Boice closes out the album and is laced with the often over used clap, clap sound found in a number of Zombies recordings.

When an artist has a long career in the music business the inevitable greatest hits collection or re-mastered catalog is bound to be released. Though “Mondo Sex Head” isn’t really a greatest hits album per say and no real remastering has been done to enhance the recordings quality of these 13 songs it makes me question whether this album is just a quick move to capitalize on a current trend. Or is it something of substance? Sadly I am going to have to go with my first assumption. In fact a similar remix album by Zombie was released in 1996 titled “Super Sexy Swingin’ Sounds” which took a stab at bridging Zombies fans into the ever growing underground rave/dance music movement that was just starting to take off. Yes the remixes on “Mondo Sex Head” are different but in my opinion the concept is the same. “Get unsuspecting kids with black rim glasses and skinny jeans to buy albums”. Fans of Rob and White Zombie love the original songs for what they are and that is “original”.  The songs contained on “Mondo Sex Head” took that originality and threw it out the window.

Track Listing:
1.)    Thunder Kiss’ 65- JDevil Number of the Beast Remix
2.)    Living Dead Girl- Photex Remix
3.)    Let It All Bleed Out- Document One Remix
4.)    Foxy Foxy- KL Theory Remix
5.)    More Human Than Human- Big Black Delta Remix
6.)    Dragula- +++ Remix
7.)    Pussy Liquor- KL Theory Remix
8.)    Lords of Salem- Das Kapital Remix
9.)    Never Gonna Stop- Drumcorps Acid Remix
10.)  Superbeast- Kraddy Remix
11.)  Devil’s Hole Girls- Tobias Enhus Remix (Feat. The Jane Antonia Cornish String Quartet)
12.)  Burn- The Bloody Beetroots Motherfucker Remix
13.)  Mars Needs Women- Griffin Boice Remix

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CD Review: Tremonti “All I Was”

Tremonti
“All I Was”
Fret 12
Producer: Michael Baskette
Tracks: 12

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

“All I Was” is the debut solo release from Creed/Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti. The album is being released via Fret 12 records and was produced by Michael “Elvis” Baskette (Incubus, Stone Temple Pilots). Take everything you know about Mark Tremonti and throw that out the window. Yes Mark is the guitarist for the platinum selling rock band Creed as well as the guitarist for Alter Bridge however his first solo album takes a completely different path from his other projects by going straight for the throat. “All I Was” features heavy guitars and thunderous double bass beats as each track borders on the rock/metal line. Tremonti’s vocals are haunting and surprisingly strong for a guy who has predominantly sung backups until now. Tracks such as “The Things I’ve Seen” and “Proof” run the gambit of melodic metal while the much heavier “Giving Up” and “So You’re Afraid” will get your blood pumping. Producer Michael Baskette can add another great album to his already impressive catalog as the tones contained on this album are crisp and clear while still retaining a great bottom end.

When a guitarist from a successful group or in this case groups steps out on their own for the first time you never know what you are going to get. The end result is generally something very similar to their previous work. This is definitely not the case for Mark Tremonti. The songs featured on “All I Was” have a fresh feel and are packed with solid guitar riffs and great vocals. If you are looking for something that is both heavy and melodic pick up a copy of this album.

Track Listing:
1.)    Leave It Alone
2.)    So You’re Afraid
3.)    Wish You Well
4.)    Brains
5.)    The Things I’ve Seen
6.)   You Waste Your Time
7.)    New Way out
8.)    Giving Up
9.)    Proof
10.)  All I Was
11.)  Doesn’t Matter
12.)  Decay

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Filed Under: CD Reviews Tagged With: cd, review, tremonti

Ed Asner talks about new film “Let Go” and reflects on career

Even though Mike G. spoke with him last year (click here), I jumped at the chance to speak with one of my favorite actors, Ed Asner. Well known for his work on such series as “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Lou Grant,” my favorite Asner performance showed a side of him that few people familiar with his comic chops would ever expect to see, that of the cruel father Axel Jordache in television’s first mini-series, “Rich Man, Poor Man.” His work earned him one of his seven Emmy Awards (out of a total of seventeen nominations to date). Two more personal reasons excited me about speaking with him: he was born here in Kansas City and one of my colleagues in the critic’s circle, Marie Asner, is married to Mr. Asner’s cousin, Harold. While promoting his new film, “Let Go,” Mr. Asner talked with Media Mikes about his love for acting, sequel talk regarding “UP” and his favorite characters.

Mike Smith: Fill us in on your character in “Let Go.”
Ed Asner: He’s an old con but very incompetent. If you remember “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight,” he’s the whole gang rolled up in one. But he’s a loveable old turkey – he has character, he has affection and love. He has a beautiful woman that he loves in the film that he stupidly does not pursue because his brother is pursuing her at the same time. He is constantly ignoring the gift horse that is being offered him in life and chooses the harder means of making a living and failing at it, which is choosing to be a stick up man. He’s pretty tragic but funny at the same time.

MS: You’ve won seven Emmys by portraying some of television’s most memorable characters. Obviously there’s Lou Grant, but you’ve also played Axel Jordache in “Rich Man, Poor Man,” Captain Davies in “Roots” among others. Do you have a favorite among them?
EA: I could not never deny the seven years of playing Lou Grant on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” It was a joy to share the power of that writing and to delight people with that writing and to be able to carve out a character to execute that writing. Those seven years are a precious package. In terms of one shot characters, the epiphany I had doing Axel Jordache…the feelings and respect I had for that character…that creature… in what I think is one of the most memorable mini-series in history…it gives me great joy to be identified with that man.

MS: Ernest Borgnine worked well into his 80’s because he still loved the process of acting. Is that what keeps you so busy? By my count you have no less than five projects in the works right now.
EA: Ten years ago I would have been happy to be doing just one of those. To have four or five in the can is certainly a pleasure. Acting is the air of my life. It’s my oxygen. Put me in the box if I can’t act.

MS: Any word on a sequel to “UP?”
EA: No. With each passing year “UP” continues to grow in people’s memories. I love the singularity and the fact that it remains a solitary gem all by itself.

MS: When are you coming home? We miss you here.
EA: I was home in June. I did my one man show as FDR for a fund raiser. Apparently you didn’t haul your ass out there, did you? (laughs)

MS: I did not. My son got married in June and to be honest I didn’t know you were in town. I’m going to have to scold Marie next time I see her for not telling me you were here!
EA: Give Marie a big fat kiss for me!

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Filed Under: Film Interviews, Interviews Tagged With: asner, career, ed, film, reflects, talks, ...

David Denman talks about new film “Let Go” and NBC’s “The Office”

David Denman has come full circle. As a young man in college, his first time before the camera put him on screen with Ed Asner. Now 15 years later he co-stars again with Asner, playing his probation officer, in the new comedy “Let Go.” While in the middle of a busy week of multiple projects Denman took time out to talk to Media Mikes about the late Patrice O’Neal, going to Julliard and what it’s like to play a probation officer (he’s done it twice)!

Mike Smith: What drew you to your role in “Let Go?”
David Denman: I was given the script by my agent and I really responded to the character. I thought there was a real sweetness in his view of the world and what he did on a bigger scale. That’s how it came to be. I just really liked it. I thought it was genuinely quirky and fun. I thought it would be a change and definitely a challenge.

MS: Probation Officer is an unusual profession and one you don’t see on screen a lot. Did you have to do any special research to get a feel for the character?
DD: Not on this job…I had played a parole officer previously and had a couple of conversations . What I learned is that most of the people getting out of jail don’t really get rehabilitated that easily so my character is very cynical about things. When you’re making movies you can do a lot of research and get a lot of different perspectives. And Walter’s perspective is definitely quite different.

MS: How did a California kid wind up at Julliard?
DD: When I was in school I always wanted to do theatre. There was a guy I went to high school with…he was the “professional kid.” He would do commercials. And he would always say, “when I get out of here I’m going to go to Julliard.” I asked him what it was and he told me. He told me that Robin Williams had gone there. Kevin Kline. All of these great actors. I’d never heard of it. I didn’t even know there were schools out there for acting. So when I graduated I went to the American Reparatory Theatre in San Francisco. It was very much like conservatory training, very intensive eight or ten weeks studying a craft I want to do. I applied to Julliard and I did what I had to get in. It was great to do regional theater…to travel and do shows. I went back to California on vacation and booked a job on “ER.” I stayed in California and never went back. That was 15 years ago.

MS: You shared a couple episodes of “The Office” with the late Patrice O’Neal, who just passed away. Do you have any special memories of working with him?
DD: He was a lot of fun. There wasn’t a whole lot of acting going on…he was pretty much his character. It was always fun because he was so quick. He threw a lot of improv into his work. I wasn’t aware he was a stand up comedian until after we started working together. He was really funny. We had a good time.

MS: What are you working on next?
DD: I’m finishing an M. Night Shayamalan movie (“After Earth”) with Will and Jaden Smith and I’m currently shooting an independent movie called “Blue Potato,” which takes place in upstate Maine. It’s a coming of age story that happens over the course of a potato harvest. I play a farmer who becomes a mentor to one of the kids. It was really a great little script and I’m having a lot of fun shooting it. And then I’ll be back on “The Office” in an episode I just shot last week.

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Son of Edie Adams, Josh Mills talks about keeping his mother’s memory alive

Josh Mills is son of the late singer/actress Edie Adams. Josh is also the owner of Ediad Productions & It’s Alive! Media & Management. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Josh about his mom and her new Christmas album Featuring Ernie Kovacs.

Mike Gencarelli: What are some of your fondest memories growing up with your mom Edie Adams?
Josh Mills: My mom was a pretty amazing woman. She was a very well known and talented but I remember her as just your average mom. She did the little things that I didn’t appreciate until later. She worked the snack stand at my little league games, she took me to Europe for the first time as a 15 year old after a medical scare she had because she wanted to make sure I saw it the ‘right’ way. She taught me to appreciate things I didn’t truly wouldn’t until I was older. I remember a story she told me about taking me to a Broadway show when I was a toddler. I had always been around the theater – she used to say I could sleep anywhere, even in the bass drum – because she was always doing one musical or another. Anyway, I had never been in the audience where she paid for a ticket for me, however. So we walk in, sit down and some prissy lady behind us says, “Oh no, a little kid. I hope he’s not too loud”. Without a word, I turned around and put my finger to my lips and said, “Ssssh. We don’t talk in the theater.” My mom almost fell over. Both my mom and my dad were took me everywhere and exposed me to a lot of things a lot of kids don’t get to see. Being a father now, I appreciate that a lot more.

MG: With Omnivore Recordings releasing “The Edie Adams Christmas Album: Featuring Ernie Kovacs (1952)” tell us about this album?
JM: I am really excited this is coming out. My mom was a part of Ernie Kovacs (www.erniekovacs.com) show on CBS in the 1950’s “Kovacs Unlimited”. They had met when she was hired on his local Philly show on WPTZ and became an off screen as well as an onscreen item and were married shortly after until Kovacs was killed in a car accident in January 1962. Anyway, my
mom was a classically trained singer and performer at Julliard so when they asked her to sing ‘pop’ songs on the Kovacs show on CBS – she was a little unsure about singing these modern songs. So with her own money, she paid for a transcription service to record the audio (not the video) of these shows so she could hear herself sing and make sure she was singing them correctly. It turns out that literally 60 years later, we connected with Omnivore Recordings folks to release this album. They are great – they listened to, cataloged, selected, mixed and sequenced what would eventually become “The Edie Adams Christmas Record”. Because my mom sang a new song every day on the show, we started with the month of December 1952 and put this Christmas record together. It’s so satisfying that after all this time; this never-before-heard- since it originally aired that this material is finally seeing the light of day on October 9th. The air checks that made this record were the same that we pulled from to get the bonus material for the new ‘lost’ Ernie Kovacs record, “Percy Dovetonsils…..Thpeaks” on Omnivore as well. I’m not a fidelity kind of guy but the sound is pretty great because while no one received the audio on an FM band on their TV’s in 1952, the sound originated on an FM band so the quality is pretty damn great.

MG: What was Christmas like in your house?
JM: You’ll have to buy it for the full liner notes, but here is an excerpt from my liner notes available on the CD.  “As Edie’s only son, I can safely say that I pretty much got everything I wanted for Christmas—even if I didn’t know I wanted it. Edie was big on lists. And catalogs. The Christmas I went away to college in Boston (my first time in serious winter weather) I was outfitted in more L.L. Bean than any native Beantown blue blood. As a kid, I can recall Christmas being about slot cars, superhero action figures and the latest Disney LP. I also had a full complement of dickies, scarves, gloves, ski hats and earmuffs that piled up in my drawers over the years. Had we lived in Fargo North Dakota, this wouldn’t have been at all odd. But we lived in Los Angeles, and I can recall more than a few 80+-degree Christmas mornings. I don’t think this Pennsylvania girl every truly grasped that she didn’t live on the East Coast for the last 50 plus years of her life.”

MG: Knowing your mom as not only a singer but also a television and film actress; what was your favorite work from her?
JM: Tough one! If you had asked me this question in 1978, I would have told you the “Love Boat”. I learned to play backgammon from one of the ship’s extras on the set and I was totally psyched to be on the Lido deck with Isaac and Gopher. Today, I think her two most famous roles were as Fred MacMurray’s scheming secretary in “The Apartment” or Monica Crump, Sid Caesar’s wife in “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”. I know that film was a great time in her life. It wasn’t too long after Ernie died and she always said it was the first time she really laughed since he passed away. I know “Mad World” helped her psyche by just being around so many comics and crazy people on the set. The stuntmen on the film really pushed the envelope on that film. She loved it everything about it.

MG: Tell us about your work with Ediad Productions?
JM: Ediad Productions is a production company my mom started and I now run on my own since she passed away in 2008. I am in charge of making sure that anything we deem fit for release from both the Edie Adams (www.edieadams.com) estate and Ernie Kovacs estate is done with quality, integrity and excitement. Kovacs was an iconic comedian – Television’s Original Genius – but not as many people know who he is or what he did all these years later. It’s my job to make sure more people know who Kovacs was and to give him the credit he is due as both a comedian and an innovator. I’m 44 so I usually tell people under 40 to ask their parents who Edie Adams was. As soon as I turn them on to her career and what she did – their jaws drop. I have photos of my mom w/ President Kennedy and President Nixon. She did a Royal Command Performance for the Queen of England. I have photos of her with Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Carson, Dean Martin, Christopher Walken and Gore Vidal among many others. She had her own TV show from 1962-1964 with amazing guests like Sammy Davis Jr., Johnny Mathis, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stand Getz, Andre Previn, Bob Hope, Buddy Hackett – the list is endless. Before I was born and she married my dad she dated singers, athletes, comedians who are iconic and special. It blows my mind to know that at age 8, my mom took me, my best friend and his brother to meet Groucho Marx at his house in Bel-Air….on Halloween….dressed as the Marx Brothers. I still have the photo of us three and Groucho and it blows my mind to know she could just call him up and he’d say, “Come on over and bring the kids.” Wow!

Photo Credit: Ediad Productions

MG: How did It’s Alive! Media & Management come about?
JM: I started the company in 2002. We are celebrating 10 years in business this year. I had about 3 jobs in the music industry from 1994 – 2001 and I just got tired of getting laid off so I started my own company out of necessity but also because even when things got bad, I knew I couldn’t lay myself off. We (erm, I) started out doing music publicity “rock bands” but since then I’ve worked DVDs, books, films and I also got into management.

MG: Tell us about some of the clients you represent?
JM: Currently I am working & managing the Cambodian & American band Dengue Fever (www.denguefevermusic.com) as well as doing PR for a few bands like 45 Grave (www.dinahcancer.net), Rick Berlin (www.rickberlin.com) and Double Naught Spy Car (www.doublenaughtspycar.com) who cover a lot of musical territory. But I’ve also worked with many old school punk bands (Dead Kennedys, Weirdos, Adolescents, Fishbone), DVDs & films (“Electric Daisy Carnival”, “The Ernie Kovacs Collection”, “Fix – the Ministry Movie”), books (“”Go Ask Ogre”, John Sinclair’s “Guitar Army”) and more. I still love music and the artists I work with….and even some I no longer work with.

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: adams, alive, edie, josh, keeping, memory, ...

DVD Reviews “Pac-Man: The Complete First & Second Seasons”

Created by: Hanna-Barbera
Cast: Marty Ingels, Barbara Minkus, Russi Taylor, Frank Welker, Peter Cullen, Alan Lurie, Susan Silo, Barry Gordon, Chuck Mccann, Neilson Ross
Distributed by: Warner Archive
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 312 minutes / 216 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Hanna-Barbera really knows animation.  Back in the day, I would always jump on the chance to visit any product that they delivers and that is still true to today.  Pac-Man is brilliantly voiced by Marty Ingels, known best for his role in “He’s Dickens…I’m Fenster”.  I love his voice and he just embodies the character,  who knew Pac-Man had such a cool voice.  The show follows Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man and Pac-Baby as they set off on their adventures. Pac-Man also meets up with those pesky ghosts: Inky, Blinky, Pinky, Clyde and Sue, as well as the dreaded Mezmaron, who wants their power bellets.  The second season also introduces cast additions including Pac-Man’s teenage cousin PJ and the super-heroic Super-Pac! Overall, this show is just plain stupid fun and nothing more.  If you grew up watching this show, revisiting it with these season release will be a real treat guaranteed to get a high score.

The first season includes all 26-episodes from the season.  The second season includes 16-episodes. It is presented in 4X3 full frame and its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1.  The audio format is the typical Warner Archive mono track but works super well with the show. The second season also comes with a great special bonus feature! This release includes the fan-favorite prime-time holiday special “Christmas Comes to PacLand”.  I grew up watching this and look forward to watching it ever year on TV till today…but now I am happy to have it on DVD.  Each season looks great on DVD and is newly restored by Warner Archive.  One question left though where is the “Pac-Man Halloween Special”?

“Pac-Man: The Complete First Season”
Pac-Man! The game that gobbled up a nation’s quarters while its hero gobbled up those annoying Ghost Monsters spawned sequels, spin-offs, toys, games and more. Taking note of Pac-Man’s avid fan base, famed carton studio Hanna-Barbera hit upon the idea of adapting the game for Saturday morning animation – becoming the first video game to make the jump to TV. Kids were immediately enraptured and a score of other arcade favorites soon followed Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man and Baby Pac-Man from the gaming console to the cathode ray tube. In this 2-Disc, 26-Episode collection, Pac-Man does battle with Inky, Blinky, Pinky, Clyde and Sue, the Ghost Monster minions of the dreaded Mezmaron, who lusts after Pac-land’s precious power spheres. Aided by his plucky and charming wife and son, Pac-Man saves the Pac-President, confronts the vampiric Pacula, discovers the Abominable Pac-Man and more. Pac-Venture awaits – no quarters required!

“Pac-Man: The Complete Second Season”
Pac-Man returns for a Power Pellet chomping second season of adventures, with some very special cast additions – teenage cousin PJ and the super-heroic Super-Pac! Together with the rest of the Pac pack, they continue to thwart Mezmaron and his minions while time-travelling, battling Robo-Pacs and Pac-Apes, and taking a trip to Pac-Hollywood. Save your quarters, this game’s been extended! Contains all 16 sophomore season adventures. Special Bonus! You’ve hit the high score – this collection also includes the fan-favorite primetime holiday special Christmas Comes to PacLand! Originally airing during Pac-Man’s first season (but as an evening broadcast event), Christmas Comes to PacLand sees Pac, Pepper, Baby and the Pac-Pets enjoying an unexpected snowfall when an errant ghost attack sends Santa’s reindeer WAY off course. Can Pac-Man save the most special day of all? Guest-starring Santa and some very special reindeer.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: complete, dvd, pacman, reviews, seasons

Book Review “This Is Not My Hat”

Author: Jon Klassen
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Release Date: October 11, 2012

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

I am sorry to say but prior to receiving this book, I was not aware of the bestselling and award-winning “I Want My Hat Back”, by Jon Klassen.  Though since reading “This is Not My Hat, I have revisited the first book.  Klassen really delivers a simple yet very successful lesson in taking what is not yours.  The illustrations are very cute and simple but also effective.  They are able to convey the story very well.  Even though the book is aimed for kids, the visual humor is very apparent and I found myself laughing out loud by the end.

Premise: From the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning I Want My Hat Backcomes a second wry tale. When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened. . . .

Even though the book is titled similar to “I Want My Hat Back”, it’s really only related due to the use of hats.  The book is aimed for kids, but includes rather dark ending…but innocent overall (don’t get nervous parents). It is also strange but it is a real page turner, I found myself speeding through the 40 pages to find out the rest of the story.  Then going back and enjoying the subtle and splendidly told story and illustrations.  It is rare that picture-books are long on the New York Times Bestsellers but like Klassen first book, this one deserves to be up there also.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: book, hat, review

Blu-ray Review “Pet Sematary”

Director: Mary Lambert
Starring: Denise Crosby, Fred Gwynne, Miko Hughes, Dale Midkiff, Brad Greenquist, Michael Lombard
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Paramount Home Entertainment
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Running Time: 102 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

As Halloween approaches, “Pet Sematary” is one of those films that are a must watch. This film was adapted from author Stephen King own novel and follows the supernatural happenings surrounding a small-town pet cemetery. This still packs some good scares and holds up despite its growing age and high-tech newer horror films.  Paramount really delivered the goods on this release and didn’t disappoint and also delivers the film in a nice lenticular case. If you are looking to revisit this film whether it has been a few months or a few years since your last viewing, this is a must purchase. Horror fans should definitely not miss this opportunity.

Paramount’s official synopsis: “[The film] tells the story of Louis and Rachel Creed (Dale Midkiff, The Crow: Salvation, and Denise Crosby, Star Trek: The Next Generation) and their two children, an average family who move into an idyllic home in the countryside to begin what promises to be a perfect new life. Unfortunately, their dream home sits next to a pet cemetery with a horrible and dark secret. When a family tragedy causes Louis to become unhinged with grief, he pays a visit to the cemetery and unleashes an unspeakable evil on the world.”

The Blu-ray looks very sharp in its 1080p transfer and its 1.85:1 original aspect ratio. Paramount did right with this film and gave it a real sharp Blu-ray restore. The audio track included DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, works great with the jump and the film’s wonderful score. The special features included are a little slim but all effective. There is an good commentary track from director Mary Lambert. “Stephen King Territory” follow the author as his dives into both the film’s locations and the origins of his novel. There are two Behind-the-scenes featurettes also included. The first is called “The Characters” and the second is called “Filming the Horror”, both are great if you are a fan of the film.

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3D Blu-ray Review “Bait 3D”

Directed by: Kimble Rendall
Starring: Phoebe Tonkin, Xavier Samuel, Julian McMahon, Sharni Vinson
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Anchor Bay
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Running Time: 90 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars

Anchor Bay really scored a winner with “Bait 3D”.  The film was shot natively shot in 3D and really delivers some great entertainment.  I watch many creature films, especially on Syfy.  I was hopefully this wasn’t going to be another one of those.  Well it was way more than I expected.  This is what “Shark Night 3D”, should have been like.  “Bait 3D”, really brings the action and very well for that matter.  The special effects are very impressive for this film especially with the great white sharks.  The story is a little laughable but well-executed.  Overall it is one hell of a fun time. Besides being a kick-ass film though, “Bait 3D” also features a stellar ensemble cast including Xavier Samuel (“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”), Sharni Vinson (“Step Up 3D”), Alex Russell (“Chronicle”), and Julian McMahon (TV’s “Nip/Tuck”).

Official Premise: This intense 3D thriller tells the story of a group of survivors in a sleepy beach town who suddenly find themselves trapped inside a submerged supermarket, following a freak tsunami. As they try to escape to safety, they soon discover that there is a predator among them more deadly than the threat of drowning—vicious great white sharks lurking in the water, hungry for fresh meat. As the bloodthirsty sharks begin to pick the survivors off one by one, the group realizes that they must work together to find a way out without being eaten alive.

It is also being released a combo pack with the 3D and 2D version of the film on one Blu-ray and a seperate DVD version of the film.  I really recommend this film in 3D though. The effects are fantastic and include some great in your face moments. The 1080p transfer works well with the 3D effects as well and delivers a very sharp video.  The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track also packs some heat and works well with the non-stop action. The special features though are very lacking there is another a gallery of original production storyboards included.  I would have love to seen more focus on the 3D, the sharks and the overall production.

 

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“Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures” Blu-ray Giveaway [ENDED]

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

We are pleased to announce the debut of INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES ON BLU-RAY™ FOR THE FIRST TIME – AVAILABLE ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2012! To celebrate the release, Media Mikes would like to giveaway TWO copies of The Complete Adventures on Blu-ray. If you would like to win one of these great prizes, please leave us a comment below or send us an email what your favorite Indiana Jones Adventure. This giveaway will be open until September 21st at Noon, Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States. Only one entry per person, per household; all other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends, Media Mikes will randomly pick out winners and alert the winners via email.

The ultimate adventure collection debuts on Blu-Ray™ with seven hours of bonus features including nearly an hour of previously unreleased behind-the-scenes footage!

Every unforgettable exploit of world-renowned, globetrotting hero Indiana Jones finally comes home with pristine picture and sound when INDIANA JONES: The Complete Adventures debuts on Blu-Ray September 18, 2012 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Media Distribution. The cinematic classic that started it all—Raiders of the Lost Ark—has been meticulously restored under the supervision of director Steven Spielberg and sound designer Ben Burtt. Additionally, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade have both been remastered alongside 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull making this landmark release the first time all four films in the epic and award-winning franchise have been available together in sparkling high definition.

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Wayne Newton reflects on celebration 50 years in show business

There were many great entertainers that made their mark in Las Vegas. Frank Sinatra. Dean Martin. Even Elvis Presley wowed audiences in Sin City. But when you hear someone talking about Mr. Las Vegas, you know they’re only talking about one man: Wayne Newton.

Celebrating 50 years in show business this year, Mr. Newton has conquered every arena he’s tried his hand in. Best known for his signature song, “Danke Shoen,” as well as hits like “The Summer Wind,” “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast,” “Years” and “Red Roses For A Blue Lady,” Newton boasts over 30,000 solo shows in Las Vegas alone.

Fans may have also caught him on television (from “Bonanza” to an appearance on the 5th Season of “Dancing with the Stars,” with many great performances in between) or in such films as “License to Kill,” “The Adventures of Ford Fairlaine” and “Vegas Vacation.”

Now, at the age of 70, Newton is taking his act on the road, giving fans all over the country a taste of his Vegas-style show. He’ll be appearing this Saturday evening, September 15, 2012, at the Prairie

Band Casino in Mayetta, Kansas. While preparing for his upcoming Midwest appearance, Mr. Newton took the time to answer some questions for Media Mikes:

Mike Smith: You’ve achieved a rare career milestone by celebrating 50 years of entertaining. After all of those years do you still approach each show the same?
Wayne Newton: Yes. I never take for granted walking out on those boards. Every audience is new and they deserve the best show that I can possibly give. At my shows, the first song is planned and the rest of the show depends on the audience. What I think that particular audience would like to hear. It keeps it fresh for the audience and all of us on stage. Most of all, the musicians can never sleep during the show (laughs)

MS: You spent the early part of your career opening for such legendary entertainers as Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason and George Burns. Did you have a favorite to work with?
WN: I have been very lucky to have worked with, and learned from, so many incredible talents. Not

only the ones you mentioned but people like Lucille Ball and Bobby Darin. They really took me under their wing and each of them taught me and helped me in so many ways that I could not just pick one. I would not have the career I have without each of them.

MS: You showed off your skills when you appeared on “Dancing with the Stars.” As the show is now going the route of having previous stars return would you consider doing it again?
WN: Do what again? (laughs) Seriously, I loved doing “Dancing With the Stars” and dancing with the amazing Cheryl Burke. I made a lot of incredible friends that I remain close to still today. But it was really difficult. Not the friend part, the dancing part. You have no idea how much hard work goes into it and I don’t know if I would do it again. But then again, they would have to invite me.

MS: You recently lent your voice to the “Fallout: New Vegas” video game. Is this a medium you’d like to get more involved in?
WN: Having never played a video game in my life I found it fascinating. I had voiced animated films in the past but nothing like this…where what I say is decided by the player. Because of that option I had to do so many responses to the same situation. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out until the premiere party for the video. I am more amazed at the response from young people who play the game. It’s made me very popular at my 10 year old daughter’s school!

MS: You’ve had some memorable screen roles in films like “The Adventures of Ford Fairlaine” and “Vegas Vacation.” Did you ever consider making acting a full-time profession? And is there a role you’ve turned down that, in hindsight, you wish you hadn’t?
WN: I love acting and would love to do more of it. I prefer to do roles that are not “Wayne Newton”…roles that give me an opportunity to do things that are so out of character for me. I was able to do that in films like “Ford Fairlaine,” “License to Kill” and “40 West.” And while I don’t regret turning down any roles I am very careful with what roles I choose. I have to find a redeeming quality in any character. Even the villains. And sometimes there just isn’t one. I also have to be careful when I play “myself” because I have to make sure I don’t cross the line of “What Wayne Newton Would or Would Not Do.” (laughs) Referring to myself in the 3rd person can get very confusing. I have to protect “Wayne Newton” even though I truly am “Wayne Newton.”

For more information about Mr. Newton’s appearance this weekend please click here: http://www.pbpgaming.com/wayne-newton/

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: interview, newton, wayne

“Castle: The Complete Fourth Season” DVD Giveaway [ENDED]

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

Available on DVD September 11th!

To celebrate the release of “Castle: The Complete Fourth Season”, Media Mikes would like to giveaway 10 copies of this season on DVD. If you would like to win one of these great prizes, please leave us a comment below or send us an email and let us know your favorite character on the show. This giveaway will be open until September 21st at Noon, Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States. Only one entry per person, per household; all other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends, Media Mikes will randomly pick out winners and alert the winners via email.

Synopsis:

  • Television’s most unlikely crime-fighting team is back and their relationship is stronger than ever! Prepare for a season full of suspense where lines are drawn, sides are chosen and careers are put on the line as Castle tries to protect Beckett following her near death encounter. Castle’s relationship with Beckett radically changes during the season, leading to a final confrontation with a mysterious man who holds all the answers that Beckett has been searching for since the night her mother was murdered. Features all 23 episodes plus exclusive bonus material including “Nathan & Friends: Castle Goes Radio;” “Anatomy of A Stunt;” audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and bloopers.

Talent/Cast:

  • Nathan Fillion (“Firefly”), Stana Katic (”24”), Jon Huertas (“NCIS”), Seamus Dever (“Army Wives”), Susan Sullivan (“Dharma & Greg”), Molly C. Quinn (“A Christmas Carol”), Tamala Jones (“My Name Is Earl”)

Bonus Features:

  • Fillion & Friends: Castle Goes Radio – An exciting chance to follow Nathan Fillion as he makes his long awaited return to guest in the newest installment of the Thrilling Adventure and Supernatural Suspense Hour stage, a.k.a. TASSH, in Los Angeles – but this time he’s not alone as he brings the show’s Molly Quinn and other familiar faces along for some laugh out loud comedy. Fans will get a behind the scenes look as the cast goes through rehearsals and prepares to perform live for a standing room only crowd.
  • Submerged: An In-Depth Look At Stunts – Behind the scenes with the creation of a heartstopping car stunt from development to the final product. This bonus also features interviews with cast about the show’s thrilling stunts.
  • Bowman, Bowman & Castle – A day on set with father and son, director Chuck Bowman and executive producer Rob Bowman, as they work together to create an episode of CASTLE with a unique style and narrative that takes place across two different generations.
  • Audio Commentaries – An exciting commentary, the series’ colorful cast and crew share their on-set experiences.
  • Deleted Scenes – Fans will uncover another level of crime solving through several deleted scenes from the hit series.
  • Bloopers – Hilarious moments from the set of the hit series’ exciting fourth season.

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: castle, complete, dvd, fourth, giveaway, season, ...

“Private Practice: The Complete Fifth Season” DVD Giveaway [ENDED]

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

Available on DVD on September 11th!

To celebrate the release of “Private Practice: The Complete Fifth Season”, Media Mikes would like to giveaway 10 copies of this season on DVD. If you would like to win one of these great prizes, please leave us a comment below or send us an email and let us know your favorite character on the show. This giveaway will be open until September 21st at Noon, Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States. Only one entry per person, per household; all other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends, Media Mikes will randomly pick out winners and alert the winners via email.

Synopsis:

  • From the creators of “Grey’s Anatomy” comes the fifth season of ABC’s sexy, medical drama, “Private Practice.” Addison and her friends at the practice are faced with new challenges as unexpected people enter and complicate their lives. From a sexy new doctor to an illegitimate son, the lives and loves of these doctors are put to the test. Relive every memorable moment plus never-before-seen bonus features only on DVD. Bring home ABC’s “Private Practice: The Complete Fifth Season” on DVD September 11!

Talent/Cast:

  • “Private Practice” stars Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, Tim Daly as Dr. Pete Wilder, Benjamin Bratt as Jake Reilly, KaDee Strickland as Dr. Charlotte King, Paul Adelstein as Dr. Cooper Freedman, Brian Benben as Dr. Sheldon Wallace and Caterina Scorsone as Dr. Amelia Shepherd, with Taye Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett and Amy Brenneman as Dr. Violet Turner.

Bonus Features:

  • The Practice of Parenthood – The pitter-patter of little feet found its way onto the set this past season in a number of ways. In this exclusive feature, fans can listen in as the cast of the hit series discusses filming with the young actors during the fifth season.
  • Deleted Scenes – Through these deleted scenes, fans will learn even more about their favorite characters from the hit series.
  • Bloopers – Fans will laugh out loud at a hilarious blooper reel of the season’s most funny on-set moments.

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: complete, dvd, giveaway, practice, private, season, ...
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