2012 - Page 76 of 118

3D Blu-ray “Shock Labyrinth 3D”

Directed by: Takashi Shimizu
Starring: Ai Maeda, Suzuki Matsuo, Shoichiro Masumoto
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Distributed by: Well Go USA
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Running Time: 89 minutes

Film: 1.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

If you have seen Takashi Shimizu’s past work, this is a warning that “Shock Labyrinth 3D” is nothing like any of his other work. I thought that the mix of Takashi Shimizu and 3D horror would have been a match made it heaven. Instead, I found myself bored out of my mind. The 3D was absolutely terrible and that is a rare sentence you will see me write. It was poorly shot and even out of focus in some scenes. The spooks in “The Grudge” still haunts me and I was hoping to get scared in 3D but there was not even one scary aspect in the film, unless you count falling asleep.

The film follows a group of teenagers, who find a friend who has been missing for 10 years though it is not a warm welcoming. There was a lot of mystery behind her disappearance it and led back to a labyrinth haunted house inside an abandon hospital. The friends find themselves drawn back to the hospital but are unable to leave once things go array and they find out the reason for their returned visit. The friend realize that their missing friend has plans to get revenge for leaving her a decade back.

The Blu-ray presentation overall was not impressive at all. The video had some major issues with clarity and completely misused the 3D format. The sound on the film is ok but nothing special with its Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, though I found myself watching in English dub to avoid the terrible 3D Japanese subtitles. The film is a combo pack and also came with a DVD 2D version of the film. The 3D Blu-ray disc also came with a 2D version of the film but I do not think it would matter since it a bad movie, 3D or not.

The special features on this Blu-ray are just as bad as the film is. All of the extras are obviously subtitled as well. There about 30 minutes of interviews included. There is a brief behind-the-scenes featurette, nothing worth watching. Lastly there is a press conference footage which is also extremely short.

Blu-ray Review “Chronicle: The Lost Footage Edition”

Directed by: Josh Trank
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly, Alex Russell
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: May 15, 2012
Run Time: 84 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

It is rare that a film gets better with repeat viewings…well “Chronicle” does. The film is such a simple idea that packs such a payoff in the end that it only get better and better. Since this release is called “The Lost Footage Edition”, I was hoping for a decent Unrated Director’s Cut. But it is really not much more that just glorified extended scenes. I still prefer the Theatrical Cut and if you stick with that then this film will not disappoint. Found Footage POV films were given a whole new twist with this film and I look forward to “Chronicle 2”.

“Chronicle” follows three high school kids that come across a mysterious object buried in the ground, touch it and end up with superpowers. It is basically that simple. The guys firstly experience some telekinesis by moving cars around parking lots or pranks in grocery stores but then they realize they can do a hell of a lot more. Once they find out they can fly things get amped up quite a bit. When one of the guys takes his powers a little too far, it is up to his friends to try and stop him before it is too late.

The Blu-ray looks and sounds out of this world (get it?). Seriously, the 1080p transfer looks so vibrant, even though it is considered a low-budget POV film. The sound packs an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and works so well with the film’s action scenes. This release, along with the Blu-ray, comes with a DVD disc of the film and a digital copy. Since this is the “The Lost Footage Edition”, the film does include both the Unrated Director’s Cut and the Theatrical Cut.

The special features though are not as impressive as the film at all. There is no commentary tracks, interviews or major behind-the-scenes featurettes. There is a short feature looking into the camera tests, which showcase the tricks from the film. “Pre-Viz” focuses on the special effects sequences, would have been decent if it was about 15 minutes longer. There is a brief deleted scene called “Matt and Casey in Kitchen”. Lastly, there is the theatrical trailer and “Chronicle” Soundtrack Info included.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, chronicle, edition, footage, lost, review, ...

Cassie Steele talks about TV series “The L.A. Complex”

Cassie Steele plays the role of Abby Vargas in the television series “The L.A. Complex”. Media Mikes had a chance to talk with Cassie recently about the show and her upcoming music album.

Adam Lawton: What can you tell us about the show “The L.A. Complex”?
Cassie Steele: The show is about people who move down to Los Angeles to try and make it in the entertainment industry. The show follows how the characters deal with the pressures and anxieties of trying to make.

AL: Can you tell us about your role on the show?
CS: I play Abby on the show. She is a girl from Canada hoping to make it. Abby doesn’t have a lot of experience or a visa. She is struggling with how long she can stay down there and support herself without making any money. This is Abby’s first pilot season so we get to see a lot of that and the pressures pilot season can cause.

AL: Did you have any likes or dislikes about working on the series?
CS: I enjoyed meeting the new cast and crew and I loved everyone I worked with. The people at Epitome are like my family. I really learned so much and it’s been amazing to working with them. Now we get to do the second season!

AL: When does shooting for season two of the show start?
CS: I am actually in Toronto shooting as we speak. We just had a long read through of the first 7 episodes. There are some hot new characters and a lot of funny girls and boys. It was nice to meet some of the new people joining the show and, it was great to see returning cast members as well. It is very exciting.

AL: Will we see any big differences on the new season as compared to season 1?
CS: I think season 1 pushes a lot of buttons especially compared to Canadian television. Season two you will see the characters get into deeper problems. As they get move up or down the ladder you start to see what each character is capable of when they are desperate.

AL: Do you think your time on “Degrassi: The Next Generation” helped prepare you at all for your role on “The L.A. Complex”?
CS: Yeah, I guess so. I don’t think I really notice because I have done it for so long. The things other people may notice I may not. I think that it must. Everything to my knowledge went very smoothly. I think it helped me learn how to communicate with other actors. Character development is where I think it really helped me. I played the character of Manny for so long that I learned you have to play what people want to see from the character to your advantage. If you work against it things can start to work against you. I think that was a really important thing to take with me.

AL: What other projects do you have in the works?
CS: I am getting ready to release a three song teaser for my album. This release will sort of align with the CW release of my album. This is going to be a lot of fun. I am glad to have something for people to see after they watch “The L.A. Complex”. I plan to continue working on the release of my full-length album when time allows.

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Filed Under: Interviews, TV Interviews Tagged With: cassie, complex, la, series, steele, talks, ...

Aretha Franklin fills Kauffman Center with Soul

Photo by: Patrick Howell courtesy of Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Aretha Franklin
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Kansas City, Missouri
May 8, 2012

A few years ago, “Rolling Stone” magazine published a list of the 100 greatest voices in rock and roll history. No surprise that number one went to the Queen of Soul herself, Ms. Aretha Franklin. At the beautiful Kauffman Center in Kansas City, her majesty held court for a sold out audience. And she didn’t disappoint.

Cloaked in a fur coat and carrying her pocketbook, as if she was just stopping by to say hello, Ms. Franklin opened her show with a rousing version of Jackie Wilson’s “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher.” For the next hour and a half she regaled the audience with many of her hits (“Think,” “Chain of Fools”) as well as some surprises.

The show went off without a hitch. Almost. After her second number Ms. Franklin requested that the stage airconditioning be turned off, threatening to leave the stage if it wasn’t. “I came to give Kansas City my best performance,” she informed the unknown tech, again requesting the a/c be cut. Thankfully for all in attendance it was. Later in the show one of her bracelets fell off. She eventually enlisted the help of her band director, who refastened it to much applause.

Ms. Franklin was in fine voice, hitting all of the notes the audience expected. She kicked off the second act of her show by sitting down at the piano and paying tribute to one of her mentors, the late, great Sam Cooke. While images of Cooke were shown on the video screen, Ms. Franklin sang one of Cooke’s biggest hits, “You Send Me.” “Jesus” she said, as shots of the handsome Cooke filled the screen, “he was a fine man!” She followed up with a moving tribute

Photo by: Tim Hursley

to the late Whitney Houston, singing a few bars of “I Will Always Love You.” She concluded the second act with an audience favorite, “Freeway of Love.”

For her encore she informed the audience that the other night she had seen one of her five favorite films on television (among her favorites: “Dr. Zhivago,” “The Thomas Crown Affair” and “Lady Sings the Blues.” I can only assume one of them is “The Blues Brothers.”) She then delivered a moving version of “The Way We Were.” She concluded the evening with her signature number, “Respect.”

On a side note, I must add here that this was my first visit to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and it was easily one of the most beautiful venues I’ve attended an event at, The complex, along with the Sprint Center, is one of the crown jewels in Kansas City’s performing arts crown.

SET LIST: (Your Love Is Lifting Me) Higher and Higher, Share Your Love with Me, Think, Baby I Love You, Something He Can Feel, Chain of Fools, Ain’t No Way, Instrumental Highlights (the band was TIGHT), Find Me An Angel, Help Me Lift Him Up, You Send Me, I Will Always Love You, Freeway of Love. ENCORE: The Way We Were, Respect.

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Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: aretha, center, fills, franklin, kauffman, soul, ...

Blu-ray Review “The Secret World of Arrietty”

Directed by: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Starring: Bridgit Mendler, David Henrie, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Moises Arias
MPAA Rating: G
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Running Time: 94 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

“The Secret World of Arrietty” is easily one of my favorite animated films. It might even be one of my favorite Studio Ghibli films as well. The more you watch this film the better it gets. It is such a simple film but it also so absolutely vibrant and enthralling that you can’t take your eyes off the screen. I love the hand-drawn animation, Hollywood doesn’t give them the respect that they deserve. My favorite part of this film is honestly the score. It is written and performed by the very talented French singer/songwriter, Cécile Corbel. It is one of my favorite scores, in recent times, if not ever.

The story tells the tale of a family of four-inch-tall people, called Borrowers, who live hidden about the humans or beans as they are called in the film. They survive by borrowing only what they need to survive and only items that will not be missed. On the first night that the young girl Arrietty (Mendler) goes borrowing with her father, they are spotted by a bean and their lives will never be the same. The human is a sick young boy named Shawn, that is very sweet and friendly. Unfortunately, his Great Aunt Hara does not have the same feeling and seeks to have them captured.

The Blu-ray presentation looks much better than it did in the theaters. The colors are more vibrant and the animation just pops right off the screen. The 1080p transfer looks so fantastic and crisp. The sound, like I mentioned, is just absolutely perfect with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. I wish Disney would have sprung though for the 7.1 track but it is still amazing. The special features are a bit disappointing for a Disney film. The best feature is a storyboard version of the film, definitely worth checking out for animation fans. There are the original Japanese trailers and TV commercials, worth checking out also. Lastly there are two music videos for “Summertime” by Bridgit Mendler and “Arrietty’s Song” by Cécile Corbe. I would have loved to see more production featurettes and commentary tracks included.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: arrietty, bluray, review, secret, world

DVD Review “The Woman in Black”

Directed by: James Watkins
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by: Sony Picutres Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: May 22, 2012
Running Time: 95 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

“The Woman in Black” is Daniel Radcliffe’s first major role since the “Harry Potter” series and really gives him a chance to shine. The film is very dark and atmospheric. It is released by Hammer and resembles its charm and very well. Since it was PG-13 though, a few of the good scare moments are tamed a little but there are still some decent spooks. The film’s score is so fantastic and really helps drive the film. Overall, if you are fan of classic Hammer films, this is as close as you are going to get and you should not be disappointed.

Daniel Radcliffe plays as Arthur Kipps, a lawyer, who travels to the English countryside in order to manage the estate of a newly deceased woman, while also still grieving the loss of his own wife. Arthur realizes that their is a deadly secret that is plaguing the local villagers and does not get a warm welcoming. While in the estate, he seems the ghost of the woman and tries to figure out what happened to her in order to help and stay alive.

The DVD comes with some decent but not spectacular extras. There is a commentary track from director James Watkins and screenwriter Jane Goldman, worth checking out. Lastly, there two behind-the-scenes featurettes. The first is called “Inside The Perfect Thriller: Making The Woman in Black”, it is worth checking out if you enjoyed the film. “No Fear: Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps” is self-explainatory and focuses on the film’s role.

Max Landis talks about writing “Chronicle”

Max Landis is the writer of the recent found footage superhero film, “Chronicle”. Max is the son of John Landis (“An American Werewolf in London” & “The Blues Brothers”) and he is taking after his father for being extremely talented. The script for “Chronicle” is so original and fresh, which is really fresh in busy Hollywood of remakes and sequels. Max took some time to chat with Media Mikes to discuss the new film and what else he has planned upcoming.

Mike Gencarelli: Your script for “Chronicle” is so original, tell us about the evolution of the project?
Max Landis: Josh (Tranks) and I knew each other from high school. We didn’t talk for about 10 years and then I ran into him at a party and we started talking. He said he had directed a couple of shorts and I told him I had written some scripts. At this point I had a script on the radar and I was slowly becoming a writer people knew of. He had edited and directed second on a movie called “Big Fan”. I saw his shorts and I love them. He said he read my scripts and said they were amazing. He said “I have this idea for a viral web video about kids doing pranks with superpowers”. I said “What do you mean?”. He said that “They are viral web videos but as they go on they start to get darker as they begin to abuse the powers.” I said like a “POV superhero movie” and he said “Yeah!”. I said “Can it be a POV super villain movie?” and told him to give me two weeks. So I went home and made up Andrew, Matt and Steve and all their troubles and two weeks later I returned to him with a script. I told him that if I took this film to the studios that I wanted him to direct and he screamed “Holy Shit!”.

MG: You have written scripts for TV before, was it difficult to do a feature film?
ML: “Chronicle” was actually my 58th feature script. I started writing when I was 16 and I am up to 68 scripts right now, “Chronicle” was 10 scripts ago. So, lucky number 58. It started the streak that I have been on since then of selling everything. Googling me has been really fun recently [laughs].

MG: Any particular issue during writing this script for “Chronicle”?
ML: No, it was great. “Chronicle” was a really great experience for me. I wish I had more pathos about it. Writing the script was super fun. Figuring out how to write from the POV first perspective was a ball. Fox was really a dream working on the project. The development process did not go the way these things usually go. The movie you see is really Josh’s wonderful version of my original script. There were a few changes here and there but it is really a reflection of my script.

MG: When you wrote the script, tell us about the scale of the film you were planning?
ML: The game of “Chronicle” from day one…from the moment I opened my Final Draft document, I was going to trick people into thinking this movie was going to be small. I wanted it to be exactly what it is. I wanted it to be a character drama about friendship, trust and dealing with tragedy and loss…expect at the end we throw buses and destroy helicopters. So we get to that superhero level but I like to think that we take a more honest and compelling road. You know, I want to earn my flying bus.

MG: After seeing the film, there is definitely room for sequel, any plans?
ML: What do you think? [laughs]. YES! Yes of course! The way that movie ends, do you think there is not a sequel…come on. Hopefully the next one will have to do with aliens.

MG: What can you tell us about working with Shawn Levy’s “Frankenstein” project?
ML: Yeah “Frankenstein”! That was a pitch I sold to Fox that reinvents Frankenstein as a character drama. Again it makes it a story about trust, friendship and the isolating nature of genius.

MG: Tell us about working with Ron Howard on “Amnesty”?
ML: “Amnesty” is something the public hasn’t seen in a mainstream big movie before. It takes place in a modern fantasy world but I don’t want to get too far into what that means. But imagine if the wizards in “Harry Potter” weren’t secret [laughing] and it is set in the present, things would be pretty interesting for spies and secret agents…would they? A dragon fights a tank…it is pretty baller!

MG: Do you plan on following in your father’s path of both writing and directing films?
ML: That’s what people keep telling me…we’ll see!

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Filed Under: Film Interviews, Interviews Tagged With: chronicles, interview, landis, max

Blu-ray Review “Beyond”

Directed by: Josef Rusnak
Starring: Jon Voight, Teri Polo, Julian Morris, Dermot Mulroney
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by: Anchor Bay
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Running Time: 90 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

When a film is listed as “From the producers of “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and the director of “The Thirteenth Floor”, I should have taken the warning. Jon Voight takes the lead on this film but doesn’t really mesh well in a supernatural thriller. Teri Polo’s role is virtually non-existent and Dermot Mulroney can do so much better, been loving his role in Fox’s “New Girl”. This film suffers from not knowing what it is aiming for whether it is kidnapping film or a supernatural film and it definitely fails on both angles.

“Beyond” follows a detective (Voight), who specializes in child abductions and get one last case before retiring. The case leads the detective to form a partnership with a radio psychic in order to find the missing niece of his boss. The film culminates for a very predictable twist ending that won’t surprise even the simplest of viewers.

The Blu-ray presentation looks good with its 1080p transfer. The film is very dark but still looks sharp. The sounds is also good with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio track, which is clear and works well with the score. If you are looking for special features, look again because “Beyond” comes completely bare bones…not even a trailer. I would skip this film on all account unless you are totally completely bored and looking for something to laugh at…well there is always Syfy films in that case as well though.

Blu-ray Review “The Aggression Scale”

Directed by: Steven C. Miller
Starring: Ray Wise, Dana Ashbrook, Derek Mears
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Anchor Bay
Release Date: May 29, 2012
Running Time: 85 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

When I see a film by Steven C. Miller it immediately gets my attention. I have been a fan of his work since 2006’s “Automaton Transfusion”. He is known for his work in the horror genre and in fact is currently remaking the classic “Silent Night, Deadly Night”. Though this film is like nothing he has ever done before and is his most mature film to date. “The Aggression Scale” is a home invasion thriller that goes completely wrong since “Home Alone” mixed with “Rambo”. The film starts slow but once its gets running it is unstoppable.

When mob boss (Ray Wise) finds that that someone has stolen $500,000 from him, he sets out four heavily armed hitmen to search for the people responsible. When they storm the Rutledge family’s home, they get much more than they bargained for. They quickly find out that the family’s kids are more dangerous than the killers, specifically the young son Owen, who is deeply emotionally disturbed.

“The Aggression Scale” not only excels in tension it also is incredibly violent and gory. Dana Ashbrook (“Twin Peaks”) and Derek Mears (“Friday the 13th”) are totally kick-ass in their roles I just wish that the brilliant Ray Wise (“Twin Peaks”, “Reaper”) would have been in it more. Ryan Hartwig also is creepy as hell as the Rambo-esque son with an anger issue. His role was wordless and he really nailed it.

The Blu-ray presentation was impressive for a low-budget film. The video is presented well with its 1080p transfer and 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The audio works really well with the film’s suspense and score, boasting a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track. The special features though are not as impressive. There is only one short behind-the-scenes feature, which runs about 15 minutes. Worth checking out but was hoping for a little more in the extra department.

“Being Human” Season 2 Interview Series

Season 2 of Syfy’s “Being Human” picks up in the aftermath of the first season, with Aidan trying to deal with the mess left behind by his now (fully) deceased mentor Bishop and taking charge of Boston. Josh and Nora are dealing with being wolf’s and the return of his ex fiance Julia. Sally, having missed her door last season, deals with being stuck in ghost-form and unable to move on indefinitely. This season also introduces many new characters to the show.

Media Mikes had a chance to chat with many of the cast from season two including Andreas Apergis (Ray), Dichen Lachman (Suren), Dusan Dukic (Reaper), Gianpaolo Venuta (Danny), Kristen Hager (Nora), Natalie Brown (Julia), Sam Huntington (Josh), Sam Witwer (Aiden), and Susanna Fournier (Zoe).

Also check out our interview series from season 1 of Syfy’s “Being Human”

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Filed Under: Interviews, TV Interviews Tagged With: andreas apergis, Being human, dichen lichman, Dusan Dukic, gianpaolo ventua, interview, ...

Andreas Apergis talks about playing Ray on SyFy’s “Being Human”

Andreas Apergis is known best for playing Ray on SyFy’s “Being Human”. Andreas also has a role in the upcoming third “Riddick” film coming out in 2013. Media Mikes had chance to chat with Andreas about his role and reflecting on season two shocking cliffhanger of “Being Human”.

Mike Gencarelli: What do you like most about playing Ray in “Being Human”?
Andreas Apergis: I love the whole supernatural aspect of the show. It is definitely cool to be playing a werewolf. Usually for these characters their word is dangerous. It always allows for interesting situations as an actor. It is definitely not a boring show to work on. Ray is kind of a tortured soul who has been through a lot. I’m sure it’s not easy being a werewolf. It’s a very rich role.

MG: How do you compare playing your character from this season to last season?
AA: I call Ray this season Ray 2.0. He has kind of evolved and it is nice to see that growth in a character. He is definitely not the same character we see in season 1. He is more unbalanced and I think still reeling from his change. When we see him this season he seems to have made a pretty good turn around. He has some stability in his life and is happier. He has found some balance and seems to be in a way better place this year. It was nice to come in to a Ray that wasn’t a lunatic. Of course playing Ray last season was fun but he has grown in season 2.

MG: Can you reflect on the shocking season 2 finale?
AA: These characters get very desperate. Making themselves human is a real struggle. I don’t even know where the chips will land for next season. I guess we will find out what happens but the characters have been through a lot. Josh has really paid the price for being a werewolf. I am a fan of the show also so I am waiting to see how everything is going to be resolved.

MG: What are you most looking forward to for your character in season 3?
AA: I wish I could tell you. I have no idea what happens after the cliffhanger from season 2. I am in as much of the dark as to what comes next as everyone else. I don’t know? I am dying to find out what happens.

MG: Can you tell us how you got involved with the “Assassins Creed” video game series?
AA: Ubisoft is based out of Montreal. I played a couple minor characters in the second game and then they asked me to come in and read for the Cesare Borgia charcater. It was a lot of fun. You are in a world where the characters are larger than life. There are a lot of things going on. How often do you get to play a maniacal guy who wants to take over the world? (Laughs) Cesare is very nutty. It’s a fun role to play. There are so many diehard fans that are into every single detail of both “Being Human” and “Assassins Creed”.

MG: Are you working on any other projects?
AA: I just finished doing the 3^rd Riddick film which doesn’t have a release date yet. I play a necro-monger commander. I can’t wait to see how that turns out. That was shot in Montreal and we just wrapped on that about a month ago. I have a knack for getting into these situations where the characters and their worlds are larger than life. It was fun to meet Vin and David Twohy. I am really looking forward to seeing the film.

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Filed Under: TV Interviews Tagged With: andreas, apergis, human, playing, ray, syfys, ...

Gianpaolo Venuta talks about playing Danny in Syfy’s “Being Human”

Gianpaolo Venuta is known best for playing Danny in Syfy’s “Being Human”. Gianpaolo can also been seen recently in the new TV series “The Firm”. Media Mikes took a chance to chat with Gianpaolo about his role on the show and his reflection on season two.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us what you enjoyed most about playing Danny on the series “Being Human”?
Gianpaolo Venuta: It actually wasn’t really “enjoyable”. It’s hard to empathize with a character like that. He had so many opportunities to do the right thing but his self-preservation always trumped any thoughts of confessing. It was also confusing for the audience to see this quiet, shy, guilt-ridden guy then suddenly turn into this homicidal maniac without.

MG: How was it working with Meagan Rath?
GV: Really, it was a lot of fun. We had a great rapport from the start. She’s really down to earth and always available for others. And super hot.

MG: In the end of season one, your character’s true identity gets darker and darker; how did you prepare for the role?
GV: You know that famous quote: “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering”? Well…

MG: In season two, your back with a vengenace; how was it playing a ghost?
GV: I didn’t really have any personal experience to draw on, obviously, so I focused more on the circumstances that led Danny to become the ghost. The guilt, paranoia, fear, etc., and how that transformed him.

MG: Due to the eclipse situation you came back after being shredded, any word about season three?
GV: No word as of yet, but I’m pretty sure Danny has breathed his last breath.

MG: How does this show compare that your other recent TV work like “The Firm”?
GV: It’s different in that “Being Human” always felt like one big family. I was fortunate enough to be there at the beginning and see the chemistry between the leads develop. But that chemistry was not only limited to the cast – it included the crew as well as the creators and producers of the show. “The Firm”, which i am incredibly proud to be a part of, has been different for me because my character’s story line only really gets going in the last 5 episodes of the show so I feel like a bit of an outsider.

MG: What do you have planned next?
GV: I’m not really sure – to be honest. I haven’t done any theatre in a few years and it’s always nice to go back to it every now and again.

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Filed Under: TV Interviews Tagged With: danny, gianpaolo, human, playing, syfys, talks, ...

CD Review: Tenacious D “Rize Of The Fenix”

Tenacious D
“Rize Of The Fenix”
Produced by: John Kimbrough
Label: Columbia
Tracks: 16 (including bonus tracks)
Running Time: 45 minutes
Release Date: May 15, 2012

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

I have been a loyal ‘D’ fan since 1997 going all the way back to the HBO TV series. I remember being in college back in 2001 and seeing flyers everywhere for their album and that just sealed the deal of my lifelong fandom. I know people did not like the film “Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny” but I was a huge fan…and no I am not a stoner either. I have had the album on my iPhone since it was released. “Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)” is truly the great song in the world…but I later found out it was just a tribute. Oh well, let’s get to “Rize of the Fenix”, the third album from Tenacious D. I listened to this album for about three weeks before writing this review. In that short period of time, this album grew on me quite a bit and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since. “Rize of the Fenix” is a travel back to the bands roots and without a doubt delivers the goods. The D is back and better than ever!

The title track, “Rize of the Fenix” is a fantastic opener and really leads the album for success. It is long and doesn’t let up from the moment it begins, while changing tempos and pace throughout. The band even goes back to their skits with “Classical Teacher” and Flutes and Trombones”. Though “Classical” is a little too long for me and “Flutes” has potential but its punchline falls a little short. Overall I still enjoyed them but I do find myself occasionally skipping them to get back to the kick-ass music. “To Be the Best” always gets me pumped but only runs a minute, I wish it was longer because it would be my new pump up song like the ‘Your the Best Around’ from “The Karate Kid”. Two of my favorite tracks is “Deth Star” and “Roadie”, the first being a fast sci-fi kick-ass track and the latter is more soft yet reminiscent of “Wonder Boy”. “Ballad of Hollywood Jack and Rage Kage” is also a really great track. All the tracks just seems to really shine and delivers what the D does best, belt out fun silly songs.

Jack Black and Kyle Gass recorded this album in a garage on a budget of only $600 dollars and even though the album still sounds freaking sweet. If you put the first album and this one on random, I would have a hard time distinguishing the two if I never heard them before. The music sounds great and, of course, even has Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana) tearing up those drums on the album. Overall the D has never broken any musical standards but it is just a really fun 45 minutes. Also make sure to pre-order the album on iTunes before May 15th, so you can score the super rare D Track, “5 Needs” which was from Tenacious D’s cameo in the 1996 movie “Bio-Dome”.

Track Listing:
1. Rize of the Fenix
2. Low Hangin’ Fruit
3. Classical Teacher
4. Senorita
5. Deth Starr
6. Roadie
7. Flutes and Trombones
8. Ballad of Hollywood Jack and the Rage Kage
9. Throwdown
10. Rock Is Dead
11. They Fucked Our Asses
12. To Be The Best
13. 39
14. Quantum Leap (Bonus Track)
15. Rivers of Brown (Bonus Track)
16. 5 Needs (iTunes Pre-Order Track)

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Filed Under: CD Reviews Tagged With: cd, fenix, review, rize, tenacious

Rick Hornyak talks about his new CD

What makes a hard working union man in Pennsylvania suddenly decide to chuck everything aside and head to Texas? That’s one of the things I made sure I asked Rick Hornyak when we spoke. A singer/songwriter with a great gift for lyrics, Hornyak is currently embarking on one of several short tours planned for 2012 in support of his new CD, “Marigold.” I recently talked to Rick about his music, his passions and, of course, why Texas?

Mike Smith: How long had you been writing songs before you decided to pursue music as a career?
Rick Hornyak: I guess I started writing songs when I was about 19. I used to work in a steel mill and that kept me pretty busy so there weren’t a lot of songs from age 20 to 27, when I finally had a dozen or so that I was kicking around. When I was 27 I moved to Austin (Texas) and I’ve written a lot more since. So probably when I was around 19 or 20 years old was when I started coming up with original songs.

MS: How was it adjusting from quiet, sleepy Pennsylvania to wild and crazy Austin?
RH: I have to tell you it was really terrifying for the first six months. I really am from one of those middle-of-nowhere, one traffic light towns in Pennsylvania. I was afraid of the city. My parents had lived in Pennsylvania as did their parents and we grew up thinking that the city was dangerous. I was always afraid I would end up in the bad part of town or that something was going to happen to me. But as soon as I learned the names of a few main roads I discovered I could get where I needed to go. I’d have to say it was terrifying, but exciting, at the same time.

MS: “Marigold” is your first full length CD. Is there a deliberate tone to the album? You have a nice collection of ballads mixed in with some up-tempo tunes.
RH: We actually sent around a pre-release survey to friends and family and people we already knew who were familiar with the band. We sent them mixes of the songs and tried to get an idea of the order to put the songs in…what were their strong points. We went through about 30 of those. I’m so happy that people took the time to fill them out. To listen to the songs and fill them out. The song “See This Through” was a very popular one. Another song that people were really leaning towards is “Right in Front of Me.” As for any kind of theme, I’ve recently just discovered that I was reaching a kind of inner peace when I was writing. I fell in love again after ten years of sort of being single and a little bit bitter. My life was starting to get a little more stable. I wanted to start taking care of my body more…to be a little less self destructive. So that’s really the kind of general tone…it captures a time of my life when I did a lot of reflecting.

MS: I’m glad you mentioned “See This Through.” It’s one of the songs that I really took notice of on the CD. I’m a fan of great lyrics and that song definitely fits the bill. Were there any musicians that influenced you when you were growing up…made you say “Wow, this is what I want to be!”
RH: I have a really diverse music sense because I listened to everything growing up. When I was a kid I listened to 50s and 60s pop records that my parents had. I’ve loved music, as I’m sure you have, probably since I was 5 years old. It made me want to dance around the living room. I grew up listening to Tommy James and the Shondells…the Supremes…the Beatles. Those were my parent’s records. I don’t know how much of his actual style I picked up, but Bob Dylan, when I was in my early 20s, he showed me the power of what a songwriter could be. The way that somebody else’s words can make you think that song was written just for you. I’ve had people tell me that about a couple of my songs and it’s so flattering. The song we were just talking about…”See This Through”…a friend of mine was inspired by the song to put her bar up for sale and move to Hawaii. She gathered enough money for a couple of months, got an apartment and got a bartender job. She let her employees run the bar until it sold. I kind of got off the question (laughs)…I’d definitely have to say Bob Dylan was a real influence.

MS: You’re on the first leg of several short tours this summer. Do you have any plans to record again soon?
RH: I’ve got some songs in the works. All of the new candidates are here. A few that are done and about a dozen or so in the refining process. That’s something that’s tough to do when you’re on the road and touring. You’ve got so many things to do that you often lack that three hours you need to go in and try to write every day. But that’s what I’m doing in my free time. I’m trying to make sure that I’ve got a lot of new material ready. I feel I need to push myself. I want to top my next record in my own head. That’s how I felt with “Marigold.” I felt I had taken a big step. That I was getting better. I could hear it and that’s a great feeling for a song writer.

Rick concludes this leg of his 2012 tour with a stop Sunday night, May 13, at Ernie Biggs in Kansas City. For more tour information, or to order his new CD, go to www.rickhornyak.com

CD Review: Rick Hornyak “Marigold”

Rick Hornyak
“Marigold”
Produced by: Rick Hornyak
11 tracks
Running time: 45 mins

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

It was about three songs in, on the second listening of Rick Hornyak’s new CD, “Marigold,” that I put my finger on how to best describe his sound. The Austin, Texas resident, by way of Clarks Mills, Pennsylvania, was spinning beautiful stories that made my mind wander. And then it hit me. Hornyak’s music is best described as Mike Nesmith (his solo stuff (“Different Drum”), not his Monkees years) meets Jimmy Buffett. Like Nesmith, who hailed from Houston, Hornyak has a smooth, folksy delivery that emphasizes the moods of each song. Like Buffett, his lyrics tell amazing stories. He is also an accomplished guitarist, starting of songs like “So Many Times Before” with some fancy guitar work. To me the standout song is “See This Through,” delivered so sincerely it could have been part of Bad Blake’s concert set in the film “Crazy Heart.” Other notable songs are “Foolish Love” (good for slow dancing) and the cheerfully delivered “The
Monkey Song.”

Track Listing:
1. So Many Times Before
2. See This Through
3. Right in Front of Me
4. Cigarettes
5. Homesick Blues
6. Don’t Hide Away
7. Foolish Love
8. Door to Your Heart
9. Far From Home
10. The Monkey Song
11. Moving On (Without You)

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Filed Under: CD Reviews Tagged With: cd, hornyak, marigold, review, rick

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Year: 2012

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