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Creed’s Scott Stapp talks about new solo album “Proof of Life”

Scott Stapp is probably best known as the singer for the Grammy award winning rock band Creed who’s music dominated the airwaves in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. In 2005 after Creed’s initial breakup Stapp began a solo career with the release of “The Great Divide” which was certified platinum within a month of its release. Scott is back with his second solo album titled “Proof of Life” a very dark and personal record that reflects on Scott’s life over the past few years. Media Mikes had the pleasure of speaking with Scott recently about the album and his thoughts on the future of Creed.

Adam Lawton: Can you give us some of the background that led up to the recording of this album?
Scott Stapp: This album to me symbolizes the next chapter in my life. It concludes the first half of my life and opens up the next. A lot of life was lived in between “The Great Divide” and now. I went through some of the darkest days as a human being between these two albums. I battled depression which led to fighting a battle with drugs and alcohol. That stuff was like a tornado that wrecked a lot of things in my life. This album really symbolizes me coming to grips with those things, understanding them and finding my way out. The school of hard knocks and life had to happen in order to get me to place to where I could write this record. I had to come out of the fog to be able to write this record. I had to realize that the stuff that happened in the past wasn’t going to happen again.

AL: What was it like revisiting some of those more painful memories while writing the album?
SS: It was very cathartic. It was part of the process of getting through and coming out of those periods. It was party of making peace with that and developing incite and an honest reflection on that so I could grow and mature. All though there were things I wish didn’t happen or wished I could forget I was able to repurpose those experiences and see that those things didn’t happen for nothing. There was purpose in those things so that I could pay it forward and share how I made it through. This added a deeper purpose to my life both in and out of rock and roll.

AL: Can you tell us about the song “Break Out” which you wrote with your son?
SS: Jagger actually wrote the first three lines of the chorus a few years ago however we never got around to finishing the song. I just kept challenging him to work on it and finish the song as he was working on being in a band with some friends of his. During the writing process this song kept coming in to my head. I was connecting with the theme and the words so I went to Jagger and told him I was going to finish the song he started. Part of me working on the song became an exercise and instruction to him on how to turn his ideas in to songs. He has some really great ideas and it was definitely a bonding experience for the both of us. When it came time to finish the song I worked with Julia Michaels which was really great. I liked seeing that we could connect over similar emotions.

AL: Can you tell us about the upcoming tour you have planned?
SS: We just wrapped up our first run of US and European shows which went really good. This will be the second round of shows in the states and I am really excited to be able to bring this music and performance out on tour. It’s a rock and roll show that also encapsulates our journey as human beings. I am very connected to that. The stage performance and my connection with the emotions in each song and how I connect with those things are very important to me. I want the audiences to not only feel the power of rock and roll but also feel the spirit and emotion that each song represents.

AL: You had a number of musicians perform on the CD. Will some of them also be a part of the live band?
SS: I was fortunate that in the studio I got to use the best of the best. I was able to use guys like Josh Freese and Kenny Arnoff to Tim Pierce and Phil X among others. There was a lot of chemistry during those studio sessions and it was important for me to capture that with the live band as well. I am really excited with the group of guys I have behind me. I have Andy Wood on guitar, Chad Szeliga former of Breaking Benjamin on drums, Travis Colmer is my second guitarist and then I have Andy Waldeck on bass. Andy is a really talented guy that has worked with Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots and a bunch of others. These guys have such a desire and passion for this band and project. These guys have rekindled that fire and drive to perform. Its great working with like minded guys with that same passion for what they are doing.

AL: Do you feel this new found passion will transfer over to new Creed material?
SS: It’s always there. The door is never closed and we are still together. When the time is right and that fire and organic desire is all there I am sure we will make another record. Until then I don’t think it would be worth it as it would be a disservice to the fans.

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Blu-ray Review “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (The Criterion Collection)”

Actors: Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Huston, Willem Dafoe
Directors: Wes Anderson
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Criterion
Release Date: May 27, 2014
Run Time: 118 minutes

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

“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” is a rather strange film. But at the same time it is also a quite outstanding film. I think this can really be said for all of Wes Anderson’s films. They are all on another level of filmmaking. Some people get it and some do not but they are all brilliant. Criterion has been a big proprietor of Anderson’s films on Blu-ray. I recently had a chance to check out “Fantastic Mr. Fox” on Criterion Collection and was just blown away. Now just a few months later, we are getting “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” and this is guaranteed to make fans of the film very happy. Criterion never disappoints and delivers a flawless technical presentation and a ridiculous amount of special features. I am sure that a Criterion release of “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is not to far behind either.

Official Premise: Internationally famous oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) and his crew-Team Zissou-set sail on an expedition to hunt down the mysterious, elusive, possibly nonexistent Jaguar Shark that killed Zissou’s partner during the documentary filming of their latest adventure. They are joined on their voyage by a young airline copilot (Owen Wilson); a pregnant journalist (Cate Blanchett); and Zissou’s estranged wife, Eleanor (Anjelica Huston). Wes Anderson (Rushmore) has assembled an all-star cast that also includes Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Michael Gambon, Noah Taylor, Seu Jorge, and Bud Cort for this wildly original adventure comedy.

When it comes to Criterion, you can always expect the best audio/video presentation. In fact, I am just going to quote what the leaflet inside the case says about this amazing Blu-ray release: “Supervised by director Wes Anderson, this new digital transfer was created in 4K resolution on a Scanity film scanner from the 35mm original camera negative at Sony Colorworks in Culver City, California. Thousands of instances of dirt and debris were manually removed using MTI’s DRS, while Digital Vision’s Phoenix was for small dirt, warps, and jitter. The original 5.1 soundtrack was mastered at 24-bit from the original magnetic track using Pro Tools HD.” The transfer is absolutely flawless, especially the underwater footage. Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, which is just perfect. This is the best release to date for this amazing film.

This release comes with some oustanding special features. Kicking off, there is an audio commentary with director Wes Anderson and cowriter Noah Baumbach, which was recorded exclusively for Criterion in New York City in February 2005. There is a “Making of” featurette with raw footage from the production with coments from Wes Anderson, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, and director of photography of Robert D. Yeoman, amongst others. There is focus on the “Designs” and “Photos” with a collection of drawings, sketches, and photographs. “Intern Video Journal” is a behind the scenes documentary shot and edited by Matthew Gray Gubler. “Seu Jorge Performs David Bowie” includes ten performances of David Bowie songs in Portuguese by Brazilian recording artist and actor Seu Jorge.

Mark Mothersbaugh, composer and Devo member discusses the amazing soundtrack for the film, which was conducted for Criterion in 2004. There are seven sets of cast and crew interviews including Cate Blanchett, Owen Wilson, Wes Anderson and many more. “Mondo Monda” is a Italian talk show hosted by Antonio Monda who interviews Wes Anderson and cowriter Noah Baumbach. “This is an Adventure” is a documentary from Albert Maysles, Antonio Ferrera, and Matthew Prinzing that was shot during the shooting of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou in Italy in 2003. Lastly, there is a the original theatrical trailer and nine deleted scenes included.

Blu-ray Review “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”

Actors: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott
Director: Ben Stiller
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Run Time: 115 minutes

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

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” was released last holiday season and basically lost in a sea of films. The film boasts an incredible cast. Ben Stiller is fun yet also inspiring in this film, also takes on director duty as well. I love his more dramatic work. Kristen Wiig is also growing on me quite a bit recently. When you watch this film you are just blown away by the shooting locations. When you find out that this costed $90+ million you easily understand why. For those people that are daydreamers wishing for an adventure daily, this is a great film to check out. It may not be for everyone since it isn’t your typical film but I really enjoyed it and I have a feeling this is going to have a life after theaters.

Official Premise: With sweeping cinematography and stellar performances “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, tells the story of a timid magazine photo manager who lives life vicariously through daydreams and when a negative goes missing must embark on an incredible true-life adventure. With stand-out performances from Ben Stiller (“Night At The Museum”, “Meet The Parents”), Kristen Wiig (“Saturday Night Live”, “Bridesmaids”), Adam Scott (“Parks and Recreation”) and Shirley MacLaine (“Wild Oats”).

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is released as a combo pack including a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD Ultraviolet copy. The 1080p transfer on this film is absolutely stunning. They really shot this in some amazing locations and it really transfer well to Blu-ray (though I am sure it was more beautiful in theaters). The DTS-HD-MA 7.1 is a nice surprise as well and really adds a lot to the film’s experience. Between the action and the score, I was in love with this track. Also included inside this combo pack is a special gift of a Shutterfly 20-page 8×8 hardcover photo book which is valued at $29.99. Honestly, love the movie or hate it but if you can pick this up cheap at Target or Amazon, it is worth the purchase alone.

In the special features section, there is a nice in-depth look on the behind-the-scenes of the film. It is split up into nine different sections including a look into the following “The History of Walter Mitty”; “The Look of Life”; “That’s A Shark” (my favorite); “The Music of Walter Mitty”; “Icelandic Adventure”; “Nordic Casting”; “Titles of Walter Mitty”; “Sights and Sounds of Production” and “Pre-Viz”. There is also a collection of five deleted scenes, two extended scenes and two alternate scenes. For photo buffs there is an amazing Reference Photography Gallery included. Then wrapping up the extras is an Music Video for “Stay Alive” by José González and a Theatrical Trailer.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, life, mitty, review, secret, walter, ...

Enter to Win “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” on Blu-ray [ENDED]

To celebrate the release of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” on Blu-ray, Media Mikes is excited to giveaway one (1) copy of the film on Blu-ray. If you would like to enter for your chance to win one of this prize, please leave us a comment below or send us an email with your favorite Ben Stiller film. This giveaway will remain open until April 25th at Noon, Eastern Time. This is open to our readers in US and Canada only. One entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Media Mikes will randomly select winners. Winners will be alerted via email.

With sweeping cinematography and stellar performances “THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY”, tells the story of a timid magazine photo manager who lives life vicariously through daydreams and when a negative goes missing must embark on an incredible true-life adventure.

With stand-out performances from Ben Stiller (*Night At The Museum, Meet The Parents) *Golden Globe** and six-time Emmy Award*** nominated actress Kristen Wiig (*Saturday Night Live, Bridesmaids, How To Train Your Dragon*), Adam Scott (*Step Brothers*) and Shirley MacLaine (*Wild Oats*), the THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY Blu-ray and DVD is loaded with more than an hour of behind-the-scenes special features, including deleted, extended and alternative scenes, featurettes that dive into filming in Iceland and Walter Mitty history, a gallery of exclusive reference photography, and music video “Stay Alive” by José González, and more.

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: bluray, enter, life, mitty, secret, walter, ...

CD Review “Ronnie James Dio- This is Your Life” Various Artists

“Ronnie James Dio- This is Your Life”
Various Artists
Rhino
Produced by: Wendy Dio
Tracks: 13

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Ronnie James Dio is one of the most beloved figures in rock history. His gifts, both as a singer and songwriter, are instantly recognizable, whether he was with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, or leading Dio. Sadly, Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer in 2010, but his towering voice and legacy live on. To celebrate one of rock’s most powerful voices, an all-star group of his friends and fans recorded 13 of their favorite tracks for a tribute album that will raise funds for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (diocancerfund.org). Produced by his longtime manager and wife Wendy Dio, the album includes contributions by such metal heavyweights as Metallica, Motörhead and Anthrax, as well as appearances by many of the musicians who performed with Dio over the years.

Just the lineup alone with have metal heads clamoring to get their hands on this album. Everyone from Rob Halford and Glenn Hughes to Tenacious D and Killswitch Engage are here covering some of the most legendary songs in heavy metal. The thing I think I liked most about this release is that all the songs were performed in the same vain as the originals. That’s something you don’t find too often in tribute records as a lot of times you get re-workings of the original material which rarely lives up to the original. This was the complete opposite as each of the 13 tracks are a fitting salute to the original recording. Anthrax’s cover of “Neon Lights” is an explosive opening track which gives ways to solid performances of “The Last in Line” by Tenacious D, Straight Through the Heart by Halestorm and the always entertaining Killswitch Engage cover of “Holy Diver. However the real gems come in the way of the collaboration pieces. Corey Taylor and company do an amazing cover of “Rainbow In the Dark” while Rob Halford lends his soaring vocals to “Man on the Silver Mountain”, Metallica, A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, Kill The King all join forces for the “Ronnie Rising Medley” which is something you definitely won’t want to miss.

“Ronnie James Dio- This is Your Life” has all the classic Dio songs we know and love but with amped up performances by some of today’s top metal artists and with Wendy Dio at the production helm each track takes on a life of its own blending both the new and old. Whether you’re a Dio fan from way back or a newer fan of one of the artists who appear on the album definitely pick this release up as not only will you be getting some really great music you will also be helping out a really great cause.

Track Listing:
1.) Neon Lights- Anthrax
2.) The Last in Line- Tenacious D
3.) The Mob Rules- Adrenaline Mob
4.) Rainbow In the Dark- Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Chrisitian Martucci, Jason Christopher
5.) Straight Through the Heart- Halestorm
6.) Starstruck- Motorhead w/ Biff Byford
7.) Temple of the King- Scorpions
8.) Egypt – (The Chains Are On)- Doro
9.) Holy Diver- Killswitch Engage
10.) Catch the Rainbow- Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren
11.) I- Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy
12.) Man on the Silver Mountain- Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren
13.) Ronnie Rising Medley- Metallica, A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, Kill The King
14.) This is Your Life- Dio

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Filed Under: CD Reviews Tagged With: artists, cd, dio, james, life, review, ...

CD Review: Tom Keifer “The Way Life Goes”

Tom Keifer
“The Way Life Goes”
Merovee Records
Produced by: Chuck Turner, Tom Keifer, Savannah Keifer
Tracks: 14

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Tom Keifer is probably best known for his work as lead singer of the popular 1980’s blues/rock band Cinderella who’s hit song “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)” is still being played on countless classic rock stations around the world. “The Way Life Goes” is Keifer’s first release as a solo artist and features 14 hook heavy blues/rock tracks that showcase Keifer’s gritty yet melodic voice.

Very rarely do you see artists venture out on a solo career some 20 years after their initial success. What’s even rarer is when the artist is able to pull it off. Tom Keifer has done that and more with the release of “The Way Life Goes”. Tracks like “It’s Not Enough” and “Cold Day in Hell” do a great job setting the tone of the album as they snake back and forth with driving, upbeat instrumentation which captures and holds the listeners attention.

Tracks like “Ask Me Yesterday” and “You Showed Me” are more ballad like numbers featuring piano and acoustic guitars. The icing on the cake is Keifer’s vocals. For a guy who at one time was unable to sing due to a paralyzed left vocal cord you would never be able to tell listening to this record. From low to high Keifer shows great range and strength making “The Way Life Goes” an enjoyable listen. Whether you a fan of Cinderella in the bands glory days or you’re just looking to check out some new music that covers a lot of territory then this is the album for you.

Track Listing:
1.) Solid Ground
2.) A Different Light
3.) It’s Not Enough
4.) Cold Day In Hell
5.) Thick and Thin
6.) Ask Me Yesterday
7.) Fools Paradise
8.) The Flower Song
9.) Mood Elevator
10.) Welcome to My Mind
11.) You Showed Me
12.) Ain’t That a Bitch
13.) The Way Life Goes
14.) Babylon

Karl Pilkington talks about his new travel show “The Moaning of Life”

Karl Pilkington is known best for his work with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. He has worked on shows like “An Idiot Abroad” and “Derek”. His latest show “The Moaning of Life” has him traveling yet again all over the world on a journey of self-discovery. The new series premieres on The Science Channel on Saturday Jan 18 at 10pm EST. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Karl about his new show and what we can expect.

Mike Gencarelli: After the second season of “An Idiot Abroad”, you said “no more traveling” then you came back for a short (no pun intended, sorry Warwick) third season and now you are off on adventures again with “The Moaning of Life”; what was the driving force for this new series?
Karl Pilkington: I suppose the fact that I had turned forty and have not gone the route a lot of people normally go by this point in their lives. Most people are married with kids by my age but I’ve never fancied. People have said to me ‘Oh you’re going to regret not having kids’ but then what if I did have one and then regret it. There’s always two sides isn’t there. They say ‘it’s life changing’, but so is losing a leg. So I traveled the world to see how other countries treat these big decisions in life. The other reason I did it is I have to pay my bills and it’s a way of making money.

MG: Some of the topics you cover are “Marriage”, “Happiness”, “Kids”, “Vocation and Money” and “Death”; which of these were the most eye-opening or life changing experience for you?
KP: They all had there moments but the death episode was mad. It’s probably the most interesting thing I’ve ever done and will never forget. I had never been to a funeral so the one I went to in Ghana was to be my first. I ended up getting really involved and helped make up a woman called Comfort. I also visited a cemetery in Manila where the bodies are given a grave for five years. After that five years the lease needs to be extended, if the family don’t wish to pay the money or don’t have it to extend the lease the body has to be removed to make way for a new dead body. I walked around the cemetery like a traffic warden inspecting the dates before finding one that had to be moved. I helped chisel away at a tomb and popped the remains in a bag that would then be passed onto family.

MG: How has it been working with The Science Channel for the second time now after “An Idiot Abroad”?
KP: They’re okay. I got some good chocolates from them for Christmas. Massive it was. Like a bargain bucket from KFC full of chocolates.

MG: What was your biggest challenge that you experienced during this series in “The Moaning of Life”?
In the episode about “Happiness” I met with the Raramuri in Mexico who are a tribe who can run long distances and get happiness from it. Some have been known to run for 48 hours. I ran about 25 miles. I ended up winning a goat for my effort which I thought was a nice gift until it kept me awake all night bleating outside my tent. I set it free the next day as I think I’d have had problems taking it home. it’s not something you could class as hand luggage is it.

MG: Was it relieving to travel without being told what to do by Ricky and Stephen?
KP: Yeah it was a lot different. I enjoyed my travels a lot more. I stayed in hotels that had their own toilet this time. Proper luxury.

MG: After the events in the Philippines last year, did it make you reflect differently on your time spent there?
KP: No. A bad situation is bad no matter if you’ve visited it or not. Most places I’ve visited have had some kind of natural disaster at some point.

MG: Tell us about how the show translates into your latest book “The Moaning of Life: The Worldly Wisdom of Karl Pilkington”?
KP: The book is the hardest thing I do, but it’s the thing I’m always most proud of. It’s a chance to empty all my thoughts of my travels which there isn’t always time for in the TV program. I go away for around nine days and what happens is then crammed into forty five minutes. I suppose the TV program is like a postcard where there is little space to tell the full story, so lot’s of things happen that the viewer doesn’t get to hear about so it all goes in the book.

MG: Is a second series in the cards for “The Moaning of Life”; if not what do you have planned next?
KP: I want to spend some time at home. I haven’t had time to unpack properly yet. A few jobs on the house need doing. I need to repaint the chimney and a few window frames so that will keep me busy for a while. Let’s see if people enjoy watching it, if they don’t there will be no more. There’s another good thing about not having kids, there’s less pressure on earning money.

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Filed Under: Interviews, TV Interviews Tagged With: karl, life, moaning, pilkington, show, talks, ...

Film Review “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”

Starring: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, and Shirley MacLaine
Directed By: Ben Stiller
Rated: PG
Running Time: 114 minutes
20th Century Fox

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Walter Mitty (Stiller) has lived a dry life. His dating profile is barren. Not because he’s shy, but because he draws a blank when asked if he’s ever gone anywhere or done anything exciting. Ironically he is a long time photo department employee for the magazine “Life”. He’s lived a longer and more fulfilling life in his head. As his sister says, he zones out and begins to image a complex fantasy sprawl out in front while blocking out the real world. He sees himself as a true hero, constantly in the throes of battle or immersing himself in a wild adventure. Instead he’s spent years developing the photos of world traveler Sean O’Connel (Sean Penn) in the basement of the “Life” building.

Today he learns that “Life” has been acquired and will become an all online magazine. The company has brought in a new smug boss, Ted (Adam Scott). He’s a hot shot who’s clueless about how the company is run. Ted says the magazine’s final publication will feature an image that Sean has deemed as the quintessence of life. What is that image? Don’t know. Mitty has lost the negative and is quietly scrambling to find it. The beginning may not sound exciting, but the tapestry that is Walter’s imagination, is a saving grace. He saves animals from exploding buildings and in a light hearted moment, skews Benjamin Button.

His love interest in the movie, Cheryl (Wiig), seems to be the driving factor behind Walter’s sudden change of direction. Instead of accepting defeat, he pushes himself to globe trot in order to find Sean and ask what his final negative was. The film does begin to lose a major component of storytelling when Walter’s vivid imagination begins to phase out as he begins to encounter his own fanciful situations. How many people can say they’ve fought a shark in the water or sped away from a volcanic cloud of ash? As neat as though actual adventures are, I’d much rather watch Walter surf on gravel and duel Ted over a Stretch Armstrong.

Give ample credit to Ben Stiller for painting such a beautiful world for Walter, real and fake. Behind the camera, Stiller is smart enough to let the beautiful countryside of Iceland speak for itself in multiple scenes, but fails to give Walter a big enough playground even in the realm of his own visions. In front of the camera, Stiller puts his usual movie goofyness aside and plays the humble Walter well. Kristen Wiig is equally charming in her role as a single mom willing to let Walter into her life. One of my favorite parts of this movie is the fantastic indie soundtrack. The music meshes well when used as a simple bed for the scene to nestle on or when it overtakes the sound of everything.

Walter’s a likable guy and he’s very relatable since we’ve all had our fair share of daydreams. Who doesn’t wanna show up their boss in front of their co-workers? It’s easy to become disinterested and tired of the story as it stumbles beneath it’s frantic feet, but if your hearts in the right place, you’ll have a smile on your face as you exit the theater.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater Turns up the Holiday Cheer with “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”

Theater captures the spirit of Frank Capra’s cinematic classic

Orlando, FL – Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF warms Central Florida audiences with the holiday cheer of Joe Landry’s It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast and directed by Florida Rep’s founding Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play begins December 4 and runs through December 29, 2013 at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. Tickets ($17-$40) may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (407) 447-1700 or online at http://orlandoshakes.org.

Inspired by Frank Capra’s beloved American film, Orlando Shakes’ It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play includes a five-member ensemble that brings to life a dozen familiar characters performed in the style of a 1940s live radio broadcast. Complete with commercial jingles and man-made sound effects, audiences will fall in love all over again with the selfless George Bailey and the gentle angel who saves his life on Christmas Eve. A holiday classic suitable for the entire family!

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is a joy for audiences young and old,” said Director Robert Cacioppo. “I am thrilled that Orlando Shakes’ Artistic Director Jim Helsinger offered me the opportunity to revisit this play with a truly wonderful cast.”

Cacioppo, who previously directed the production at Florida Rep in 2011, will be recreating his elaborate pre-show prologue in Orlando. Prior to the performance, theatergoers will take part in a holiday sing-along amongst busy telegram boys, popcorn girls, and 1940’s paparazzi. ”I urge Orlando audiences to show up early, because that’s when the fun begins!”Cacioppo said.

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play features actors Brad DePlanche, David Edwards, Duke Lafoon, Suzanne O’Donnell, and Piper Rae Patterson. Secondary performers include Anachebe Asomugha, Sophie Bell, Bridgette Hoover, Chris Metz, Alexander Ross Neal, Jeffrey Todd Parrott, and Seth Wallen. The creative team includes Scenic Designer Richard Crowell, Costume Designer Mel Barger, Lighting Designer Mary Heffernan, and Sound Designer Britt Sandusky.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND RELATED EVENTS

PRE-SHOW CHAT
Join us in the Patron’s Room on December 6 at 6:45 p.m. for a brief, informative discussion with the director and members of the artistic team about the creative process.

OPENING NIGHT PARTY
Directly following the show on December 6, audience members are invited to celebrate with the cast, crew, designers, and Orlando Shakes staff at the Opening Night Party. The party begins after the show (approx. 10 p.m.) and everyone is invited. No RSVP necessary.

PLAYSHOP
School-age children can participate in a fun and creative camp during select Orlando Shakespeare Theater performances. Led by Orlando Shakes Actor/Educators, theatergoers’ children ages 5 to 12 will enjoy supervised arts and crafts, play educational games, and maybe even learn a song or dance. For It’s a Wonderful Life, the service is available to all ticket buyers on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 2 p.m. for just $15 per child. Advance registration is required. Call the Box Office at (407) 447-1700 for tickets and information.

THURSDAY TALK BACK
Stay after the performance on Thursday, December 19 for an informal Q & A with the cast and members of the design team.

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Preview Dates: December 4 & 5 at 7:30 p.m. ($18)
Opening Date: December 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Senior Matinees: December 11 & 18 at 2 p.m. ($17)
$20 Under 30: December 13 at 7:30 p.m. ($20)

TICKET INFORMATION

DATES AND PRICES
Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. – all seats $35, $30, $20
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. – all seats $40, $35, $30

DISCOUNTS
Group Sales: 20% off groups of 10+
Student Rush: $12 – 30 minutes prior to show w/ valid student ID
Military/Student Price: $10 off single ticket prices
Single and Season Tickets are available by calling (407) 447-1700, online at http://www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the Box Office located inside the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street in Orlando’s Loch Haven Cultural Park.

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is made possible through the generous support of Holland & Knight, LLP, Raymond James Financial, and Florida Hospital. Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is supported by United Arts of Central Florida with funds from the United Arts collaborative campaign and by State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Arts Council.

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PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT

Publicity photos feature actors Brad DePlanche, Suzanne O’Donnell, and Piper Rae Patterson. Photos by Landon St. Gordon.

ABOUT ORLANDO SHAKESPEARE THEATER

Now celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season, Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF has grown into one of the region’s most acclaimed Equity theaters producing classic, contemporary, and children’s plays. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert, Orlando Shakespeare Theater continues to provide an innovative world-class theatrical experience to its patrons, while showcasing William Shakespeare’s legacy as the cornerstone of the company. Through PlayFest and Harriett’s New Play Series, Orlando Shakespeare Theater has garnered national recognition for the development of over 100 new works within the past 10 years. Orlando Shakes also provides immersive educational programming serving Central Florida schools and the local community at large.

Twitter: @orlandoshakes or http://www.twitter.com/orlandoshakes
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Filed Under: Art/Theatre Tagged With: cheer, holiday, life, live, orlando, play, ...

CD/DVD Review “Richard Pryor: No Pryor Restraint – Life In Concert”

Richard Pryor
“No Pryor Restraint – Life In Concert”
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Number of Discs: 9
Label: Shout Factory!

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Wow! If you are a Richard Pryor fan, you cannot honestly ask for more here. “No Pryor Restraint – Life In Concert” is a superb seven CDs and two DVDs collection that includes over 12 hours of Pryor in his prime from 1966 to 1992. Since it is titled “Life in Concert”, that is not just a title, it literally comes his early years right through his final onstage performances. Some people might have been able to take Richard Pryor all the time but I always though that he was very unique and always funny. If he was raunchy, there was a reason to be raunchy. Besides the CDs and DVD, this amazing set also includes a deluxe book with rare photos, multiple essays, exclusive celebrity tributes, a discography, a filmography, and a personal note penned by Richard’s widow, Jennifer Lee Pryor. The presentation of this release is very impressive by Shout! Factory. They must be big fans of Pryor because they deliver him a lot of love and respect here.

The following CDS included are “Richard Pryor (1968)”, “‘Craps’ (After Hours) (1971)”, “That Nigger’s Crazy (1974)”, “…Is It Something I Said? (1975)”, “Bicentennial Nigger (1976)”, “Wanted/Richard Pryor – Live In Concert (1978)”, “Live On The Sunset Strip (1982)” and “Here And Now (1983)”. This is his best material available in one release. Also includes are nearly two hours of previously unreleased material, including “…And It’s Deep Too! The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings (1968-1992)” and “Evolution/Revolution: The Early Years (1966-1974)”. This is a collection of great rare recordings. Still want more…well you got it! Top that with three complete concert films on DVD. “Richard Pryor Live In Concert (1979)”, “Richard Pryor Live On The Sunset Strip (1982)” and “Richard Pryor… Here And Now (1983)”. Pryor had such a presence on stage and there is nothing like seeing him mesmerize his audiences live. Like I said easily one of the best compilation sets ever decided to this great comedian.

Blu-ray Review “BBC Earth: One Life”

Narrator: Daniel Craig
Directors: Michael Gunton, Martha Holmes
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: BBC Home Entertainment
Release Date: April 9, 2013
Running Time: 85 minutes

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

Before I even start…do you see this cover art? Can you honestly say no to it? I think not. “One Life” is the latest in nature documentaries from BBC Earth. It is also one of my recent favorites among the genre. It was filmed over 3000 days across every continent and in ever habitat. The film comes narrated by James Bond himself Daniel Craig. I loved “One Life” because it really tells many different stories and each one is connected with the element of survival. It is very powerful and also dramatic. I am a big fan of these films and I feel like I have seen them do everything with these nature docs and I will still left saying “How the hell did they film that?” Beautifully shot and very entertaining for the whole family. Nature buffs and fans looking to celebrate Earth Day, this is a great day to do it.

Official Premise: Over the course of five billion years, life on Earth has evolved into the incredible richness and variety we see today. One Life is a celebration of the most brilliant and imaginative stories of survival from the natural world. Cutting-edge cinematic techniques capture unprecedented and astonishingly beautiful chronicles of animal ingenuity. One Life takes us from birth through to the creation of the next generation – then takes us one step further – revealing that, whether we have wings or flippers, eight legs or two, the triumph of life connects us all.

BBC Home Entertainment really delivers an impressive release. This combo pack comes in a very impressive not only with a Blu-ray of the film but also a DVD and an Ultraviolet digital copy. The 1080p/16:9 transfer looks actually stunning on Blu-ray. You see every little detail and the transfer shows all the hard work that was put into filming these stunning situations. The DTS-HD 5.1 track works perfectly with the documentary and assist in driving the film well and giving Craig’s voice some good weight. The special features are also quite impressive including a commentary track from the directors Michael Gunton and Martha Holmes. I loved hearing there additional insight and makes for a great repeat viewing. There is a Behind-the Scenes look and also a Making-of featurette included with some great additional footage. There are interviews discussing the film and what it took to put together. Lastly there is a Blu-ray exclusive “Mike Gunton on ‘One Life'”, which has the director chatting about his inspiration and all the work that went into the film.

Blu-ray Review “Disneynature: Wings of Life”

Actors: Meryl Streep
Directors: Louie Schwartzberg
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: April 16, 2013
Run Time: 80 minutes

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

I have been a huge fan of Disneynature since their very first film “Earth”. Since then the studio has been releasing amazing new films each year like “Oceans”, “African Cats” and “Chimpanzee”. 2013 is the first year since Disneynature has not had a film in theaters since they started with “Earth”. But luckily we get “Wings of Life” which is the latest documentary arriving on Blu-ray just in time to celebrate Earth Day. This looks into the inside world of butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and bats and their relationship with flowers. I think this film would have had potential for a theatrical release but I understand why it was held back. The film is visual amazing and very dramatic but it really does have the catch to draw in the kids like “Chimpanzee” or “African Cats” did. Either way the film is still quite beautiful, visually stunning and to top it off perfectly narrated by Meryl Streep.

Official Premise: Disneynature presents a close-up look at the unsung heroes of our planet. Wings Of Life reveals the intricate worlds of bees, butterflies, birds, and bats. Our life on Earth relies on these incredible creatures, as more than one-third of our world’s food supply is dependent on them. Yet we are increasingly threatening their lives, and if they should suddenly disappear, we may too. Directed by Louie Schwartzberg, Wings Of Life takes us on an adventure to reveal this spectacular world that is right in front of us, yet rarely seen in such incredible detail.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment delivered a wonderful release here with a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack. The 1080p transfer looks simply perfect. You can see every single piece of pollen on the flowers, every detail of the insects and birds. I was left like with all Disneynature films with my mouth wide open at the amazing details. The high-speed cinematography is just stunning. You are able to be given a super close look into this world, while still looking stay in very sharp high definition image. Breathtaking is the only way to describe it. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 also is a perfect compliment to the film. The charming and inspiring score drives the film, as well as its drama and action moments. Meryl Streep’s voice is also well-balanced and strong. My only disappointment here is that there are no extras included besides a sneak peek at Disneynature’s 2014 next theatrical film “Bears”. Although the film does look quite amazing! Next year cannot come any sooner!

3D Blu-ray Review "Life of Pi"

Actors: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Gérard Depardieu
Directors: Ang Lee
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: March 12, 2013
Run Time: 123 minutes

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

Wow! Wow! I think that about sums up my review. I have to admit I did not see this film in theaters. Not for the last of interest, just never hard the opportunity. Boy, was I missing out. “Life of Pi” was absolutely stunning. I do not even think though that that is enough of a comment to describe how amazing it is. But beyond being an amazing movie, this was the best 3D that I have seen, or at least since “Avatar”, especially on Blu-ray. “Life of Pi” is such a visually amazing film. And how about the performance from newcomer Suraj Sharmaread, where the hell was his Oscar nomination. Ang Lee won Best Director at this year’s Academy Awards, check out our interview with him here, which he well deserved. Do not miss this film and it is a must see in 3D. Highly (x2) recommended!

Official Premise: Embark on the adventure of a lifetime in this visual masterpiece from Oscar winner Ang Lee, based on the best-selling novel. After a cataclysmic shipwreck, young Pi Patel finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with the only other survivor – a ferocious Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Bound by the need to survive, the two are cast on an epic journey that must be seen to be believed.

“Life of Pi” is already hands down my favorite Blu-ray release of 2013 already. Fox really delivered the goods here. It comes as a combo pack with a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet Digital Copy. This film is like I said really meant to be seen in 3D. In fact if you don’t have a 3D TV and where on the fence, this would be the film to push you over! I have never experienced a film like this before. From the moment the film started I sat on my couch speechless with my mouth wide open at the amazing visuals that were coming off my television screen. The 1080p transfer is just stunning and perfectly represents the 3D. Don’t get me wrong it also looks stunning in 2D but the visual aspect is drastically reduced. Kudos go to the incredible cinematography from Oscar nominee Claudio Miranda (“Tron: Legacy”) for this visual masterpiece.

One thing I wanted to point out with the video was there was a sudden change in the aspect ratio during the “flying fish” scene. The aspect ratio jumps the normal 1.85:1 to 2.35:1. I liked this change because during that scene, one of the fishes seem to actually jump out from beyond the black border on the bottom and into the film itself. I was blown away. ”Life of Pi” besides looking absolutely stunning on this release, it also sounds perfect. The fast and furious DTS Master Audio 7.1 surround audio track is a thing of beauty in itself. This works perfectly with the film’s action and events surrounding it. You literally can feel like you are in the storm or the tiger is actually about to attack right behind you. Top that with Mychael Danna’s Academy Award-winning score and you will be left applauding at the end of the film like myself.

The special features are also another spectacular edition to this release. With big name Blu-rays coming out with little or no extras (*cough* “The Hobbit” *cough*), this is a real treat. First since I was in love with the 3D aspect of this film, I almost fell over when I saw that their were actually 3D special features! Don’t bother re-reading that sentence, it is true! There are five deleted scenes, which total up just shy of 15 minutes. I really enjoyed the “VFX Progressions” in 3D, which shows the ship sinking sequence in various stages. There is also a montage of footage during the production of the wave tank used. Lastly there is a 3D Theatrical Trailer. All of these extras can also be played in 2D as well for those lacking the extra dimension, but what fun is that?

If you enjoyed this film or want to learn more be sure to check out the brand new microsite for “Life of Pi”, and explore Pi’s miraculous journey and how the film came together here.

Also check out the internationally recognized American chalk/street artist Tracy Lee Stum who brought her spectacular interactive 3D street drawing to L.A. in Downtown Los Angeles from March 9-12. She paid tribute to Life of Pi, in honor of the March 12 home entertainment release. The drawing was inspired by a key scene from the four-time Academy Award-winning film.

"Life of Pi" Blu-ray Giveaway [ENDED]

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

“Life of Pi” Available on Blu-ray and DVD March 12

To celebrate the release of Ang Lee’s visual masterpiece “Life of Pi”, Media Mikes would like to giveaway a Blu-ray to its readers. If you would like to enter for your chance to win one of these great prizes, please leave us a comment below or send us an email indicating your favorite film based on a novel. This giveaway will remain open until March 22nd at Noon, Eastern Time. This is open to residents of the United States only. One entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Media Mikes will randomly select winners. Winners will be alerted via email.

A “magnificent and moving” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) motion picture event that has been hailed as “a masterpiece” (Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times), taking in over $500 million in worldwide box office. LIFE OF PI follows Pi Patel, a young man on a fateful voyage who, after a spectacular disaster, is marooned on a lifeboat with the only other survivor, a fearsome 450 lb Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker. Hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery Pi and his majestic companion make an amazing and unexpected connection.

Check out Fox’s Guide to 3D Blu-ray:

One of the latest developments in the world of home entertainment is the introduction of 3D Blu-ray. Ang Lee made the most of 3D technology in the making of Life of Pi, which is being released on 3D Blu-ray March 12. The 3D Blu-ray will allow select bonus features to be seen in 3D, which is a first for the market. In this feature, we’ll take a closer look into at-home 3D technology and how it is evolving.

All the major studios now release their blockbusters on 3D Blu-ray. Popular 3D titles from 20th Century Fox include Avatar and Prometheus and with older titles such as iRobot now re-mastered for 3D Blu-ray release it looks like we will be viewing more and more of our favourite 3D films at home this year.

When 3D HDTVs were first sold in 2010 many believed that TV technology had reached its peak. However, TV giants such as Samsung, LG and Panasonic and Sony were already looking ahead. They immediately began work on passive 3D glasses, similar to what audiences use in the cinema, which were more comfortable than the chunky active-3D glasses, which consumers had to sync with their TV in order to use.

This was certainly a welcome step forward for consumers but the electronics companies were just getting started. In 2012 we witnessed the first glasses-free 3D HDTV. This marked a huge breakthrough for at-home 3D but there were still problems. For example, each person watching had to sync their position with the TV to ensure clear viewing, which proved tiresome in big groups.

Price remains the biggest barrier to consumer conversion to glasses-free 3D TV. These products are, on average, $10,000 more expensive than your run-of-the-mill passive or active 3D HDTVs, which means you are unlikely to see them in your friends’ living room anytime soon.

Another key area of growth with at-home 3D technology is mobile, with a growing number of laptops supporting 3D movie playback and video gaming. Tablets and smartphones are also expected to enter the market featuring glasses-free 3D entertainment in the next few years.

A good example of a company bringing 3D technology to laptops is the Dutch company Dimenco. They were behind a recent promotion involving glasses-free lenticular screens in London and have also developed a lenticular attachment for the MacBook Pro which will offer glasses-free 3D on a Retina-display laptop: the ideal place for it, since there is no problem with multiple viewing angles.

So what should we look out for in 2013? 4K technology has been on our cinema screens since 2007 but will be entering the home in 2013. 4KTVs will have a mind-blowing 8 million individual pixels and some brands will even allow users to play 2-player games with no split-screen. The $24,999 price-tag means you won’t be seeing many 4KTVs around but with at-home 3D technology evolving at such a pace, it won’t be long before you can watch your Life of Pi 3D Blu-ray in 4K at home.

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: bluray, giveaway, life, pi

Disneynature’s Breathtaking Feature “Wings of Life” Lands on Blu-ray® Combo Pack, Digital and on Demand April 16, 2013, in Time for Earth Day

LIFE BLOOMS THIS SPRING WITH DISNEYNATURE

DISNEYNATURE’S BREATHTAKING FEATURE “WINGS OF LIFE” LANDS ON BLU-RAY^® COMBO PACK, DIGITAL AND ON DEMAND APRIL 16, 2013, IN TIME FOR EARTH DAY

BURBANK, Calif. (March 8, 2013) — Spring is in the air—literally—as Disneynature prepares to unveil “Wings of Life,” a spectacular, closer-than-close, high-definition look at the intricate world of butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and bats, and their life-sustaining collaboration with flowers. Directed by Louie Schwartzberg (“America’s Heart & Soul”) and narrated by Academy Award^® winner Meryl Streep, “Wings of Life” will be available on Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack, Digital and On Demand on April 16, 2013—just in time for Earth Day.

“In the chaos and craziness of our day-to-day lives, few of us stop to consider what’s happening behind the scenes in nature that makes our lives possible,” said Streep. “This film is a stunning adventure that literally takes flight alongside all kinds of winged creatures—butterflies, bees and bats—each working hard to pollinate our planet.”

Said Schwartzberg, “For me, the joy of doing this film is to be able to explore worlds that humans can’t easily experience—bats sipping nectar in the middle of the desert at night, orchid bees expertly manipulated by a bucket orchid, exotic hummingbirds flying like airborne dancers, and a clustering monarch colony with millions of butterflies. I hope to share the spectacle of nature and to spark in others the sense of wonder I have about the natural world.”

Employing multiple cameras, both time-lapse and high-speed cinematography and extraordinary patience (while nature took its time unfolding), filmmakers shot on location in more than a dozen areas, ranging from the El Rosario Preserve in Michoacán, Mexico, to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Park in Arizona. “Wings of Life” features extraordinary imagery shot with digital cameras—one capable of frame rates of up to 1500 frames per second, and the use of a pinhole lens, which allowed the cameraman to get within millimeters of an insect subject while retaining a clear view of the background. The resulting imagery—intimate and breathtaking—is brought to life for audiences through spectacular high-definition picture and sound quality.

To celebrate the debut of “Wings of Life,” Disneynature has made a contribution to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) to protect pollinators worldwide. The DWCF has already supported more than 20 projects across North America focused on protecting pollinators and their habitats. Grants have helped conservationists save endangered butterflies, expand habitat for honeybees and educate children about the importance of pollinators and how they can help protect them.

The “Wings of Life” Blu-ray Combo Pack includes a sneak peek at Disneynature’s 2014 big-screen adventure “Bears.” In an epic story of breathtaking scale set against a majestic Alaskan backdrop teeming with life, the film, which is currently in production, follows two mother grizzly bears as they impart life lessons to their impressionable young cubs.

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

From Disneynature, the studio that brought you Earth, Oceans, African Cats and Chimpanzee, comes Wings of Life — a stunning adventure full of intrigue, drama and mesmerizing beauty. Narrated by Meryl Streep, this intimate and unprecedented look at butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, bats and flowers is a celebration of life, as a third of the world’s food supply depends on these incredible — and increasingly threatened — creatures.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg, Wings of Life utilizes riveting high-speed, time lapse and macro filmmaking to showcase in spectacular detail these unsung heroes of our planet.

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Filed Under: Film Headlines Tagged With: 16, 2013, april, bluray, breathtaking, combo, ...

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