Blu-ray Review “12 Years a Slave”

Actors: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o, Paul Dano, Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch
Directors: Steve McQueen
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Run Time: 134 minutes

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

We had the privilege of  interviewing both Michael Fassbender and Paul Dano (click here) for “12 Years a Slave” last October during New York Film Fest. This was way before this film started drumming up all this critical rave. Along with Fassbender and Dano, this film is jam-packed with some amazing talent. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong’o both give not good but absolutely phenomenal performances. Even other notable supporting roles include Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti and Benedict Cumberbatch (who is one fire last year). This film just won numerous Academy Awards including the top award for Best Picture of the Year. I personally think “Gravity” was better but I see why this film took home the award. It is a must see if you missed it in theaters, no question. I must warn you though, it is quite an emotional ride and will definitely leave you exhausted until the credit hit.

Official Premise: Based on an incredible true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Pitt) will forever alter his life.

20th Century Fox is releasing this film two days after it cleaned up at the Oscars with a nice combo pack including a Blu-ray + Digital HD UltraViolet copy. “12 Years a Slave” comes wiht a gorgeous 1080p transfer presented with an aspect ratio of 2.40:1. Director Steve McQueen really had a vision with this film and cinematographer Sean Bobbitt really nailed it. Some of the shots were so beautiful, I actually had to go back just to re-watch. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track works so well with the dialogue and, of course, Hans Zimmer’s beautiful score. This was no question of the best scores of 2013.

In the special features department, I was expecting a little more from the “Best Picture” of the year. I would have loved to see a commentary track included for this film, especially with all the talent that was involved with it. “12 Years a Slave: A Historical Portrait” is a really solid set of behind-the-scene featurettes. It includes Chiwetel Ejiofor reading from Northup’s original book, as well as a various interviews with cast and crew. The next two featurettes are quite short. “The Team” is a brief look which profiles the cast and crew. “The Score”, obviously, takes a look into Hans Zimmer’s music for the film. Lastly there is a theatrical trailer included.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 12, bluray, review, slave, years

Blu-ray Review “Inside Llewyn Davis”

Actors: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman
Directors: The Coen Brothers
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: March 11, 2014
Run Time: 104 minutes

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

Whenever I see the Coen Brothers are coming out with a new film my interest always peak. When I read that “Inside Llewyn Davis” was going to be based around the work of folk music, it quickly made my most anticipated movie list. I do not really feel that this film got the attention that it deserved. Oscar Isaac delivered some an amazing performance, I literally had trouble taking my eyes off the screen. There was something about this film that kept my interested the entire 104 minutes. The music was amazing and all sung by each of the respective actors. Along with Isacc performance, there are some fantastic supporting roles delivered by Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund and Justin Timberlake. Each was like a perfectly executed cameo, especially Goodman. If you are a fan of the Coen Brothers’ films, I highly recommend this since it is probably not for everyone.

Official Premise: “Inside Llewyn Davis” follows a week in the life of a young folk singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is at a crossroads. Guitar in tow, huddled against the unforgiving New York winter, he is struggling to make it as a musician against seemingly insurmountable obstacles – some of them of his own making. Living at the mercy of both friends and strangers, scaring up what work he can find, Llewyn’s misadventures take him from the baskethouses of the Village to an empty Chicago club – on an odyssey to audition for a music mogul – and back again.

Sony delivered “Inside Llewyn Davis” on Blu-ray along with an HD Digital Ultraviolet copy. The 1080p really captures that 1960’s New York feel to it. It looks gritty yet very sharp at the same time. The music performed by Oscar Isaac, Justin Timberlake and Carey Mulligan, as well as Marcus Mumford and Punch Brothers sounds absolutely amazing with the Blu-ray’s DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. This is the Coen Brothers’ fourth collaboration with multiple-Grammy and Academy Award-winning music producer T-Bone Burnett and it was a great decision. There is only one special feature included but it is quite impressive, though I would have loved to seen a commentary track also. ““Inside Inside Llewyn Davis” is an in-depth 40-minute, making-of documentary with interviews from the filmmakers, cast, crew and musicians involved with the film.

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, davis, llewyn, review

Book Review “Steven Spielberg and Duel: The Making of a Career” by Steven Awalt

Author: Steven Awalt
Hardcover/354 Pages
Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers
Publishing date: March 26, 2014

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

On November 22, 1963, while playing golf with a friend, author Richard Matheson learned of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Upset by the news, the duo quit playing and headed home. As they began driving through a narrow pass they heard the sound of a large truck coming up behind them at great speed. The truck continued to bear down on them as they accelerated. No matter how fast they went, the truck seemed to be coming faster. After several terrifying minutes the road finally widened and they pulled over as the truck hurtled down the road past them. Sounds like the makings of a great story, doesn’t it?

“Steven Spielberg and ‘Duel’: The Making of a Career” IS that great story. It’s an in-depth look into the workings of a young 24 year old director who went on to become, arguably, the most successful filmmaker of all time. The book details Spielberg’s early days, from his Super 8 home movies (at age 17 he created a two hour and twenty minute science fiction film entitled “Firelight” that he “premiered” at a local theatre) through his college days at CSU Long Beach and his initial work as a contract director for Universal, where he began hi s professional career directing such television programs as “Night Gallery” and “Columbo.” Impressed with his work the studio gives Spielberg a chance to direct a film to be featured as a “Movie of the Weekend,” based on a short story by Richard Matheson that recently appeared in “Playboy” magazine. The name of the story: “Duel.”

Author Steven Awalt is no stranger to the career of Steven Spielberg, having created and run the extremely popular web site SpielbergFilms.com . It is through this web site that Awalt shared his admiration for all things Spielberg. Here he takes that admiration and shares it with the reader. In an incredibly precise step by step process he guides the reader through the process of making a major motion picture (buoyed by its success and critical acclaim, Universal later released “Duel” in theatres both in the states and internationally). Thanks to recent, in depth interviews with many people involved in the production, including Matheson, Universal executive Sid Sheinberg, composer Billy Goldenberg and, most importantly, Spielberg himself, the book puts you on the set and involves you in almost every aspect of the production. It is because of this attention to detail that Awalt has created one of the best “making of” books in recent years.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: awalt, book, career, duel, making, review, ...

Book Review “Journey Thru The Unknown” by Murray Langston

Author: Murray Langston
Paperback/467 Pages
Publisher: BearManor Media
Publishing date: November 19, 2013

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

If you were alive in the 1970s you invariably were a fan of the Unknown Comic. Best known for his appearances on Chuck Baris’ “The Gong Show” television program, the Unknown Comic took a simple prop, a paper grocery sack, placed it on his head and never looked back. “Journey Thru the Unknown” tells the story of the man under the paper sack, a very funny man named Murray Langston who, in his almost 70 years, witnessed and, more importantly, helped shape the modern world of stand-up comedy.

Langston tells his story in a unique way, highlighting every year since his birth. That being said, the first chapter, entitled June 27, 1944, is the shortest, with his main recollection being that it was very hard for him to find work. This is the style Langston employs throughout the book. Whether recounting a meeting with his idol Jerry Lewis, or expressing a father’s love for his two daughters, Langston manages to add a little humor just when it’s needed.

From his early days in the Navy, where he entertained his fellow sailors as a radio DJ to his debut on “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In” to “The Sonny and Cher Show” and beyond, there doesn’t seem to be a time when Langston wasn’t making someone laugh. And along the way he met, or worked with, some of the greatest names in comedy, including Steve Martin, Pat Paulsen, Ruth Buzzi, Tim Conway, Jim Carey, Ted Knight and so many others. The book is also packed with photos – a virtual who’s who of comedy. As someone who enjoyed the various variety shows of the time, including “Sonny and Cher,” I was thrilled when I instantly recognized Langston’s mustached face as someone I had thoroughly enjoyed watching. Reliving his stories with him made me enjoy him all over again!

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: book, journey, langston, murray, review, unknown, ...

DVD Review “The Flintstone Kids: Rockin’ in Bedrock”

Actors: Scott Menville, Bumper Robinson, Hamilton Camp, Elizabeth Lyn Fraser, Henry Corden
Producers: William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, Kay Wright
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Warner Bros Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: March 11, 2014
Run Time: 300 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Growing up in the 80’s, I used to soak up any and all cartoon that aired either after school or on weekend mornings. I wasn’t old enough to watch the original “The Flintstones” but I was always a fan of the show. My parents told me that I used to run around the house as a kid screaming “YABBA DABBA DOO!”. When “The Flintstone Kids” aired, it was an instant favorite of mine. I was able to watch the pint-sized version of my favorite stone age family, but when they were kids. If you love the original “Flintstones” then it is a no-brainer, “The Flintstone Kids” is a must-own title to add to your collection. I have a 21-month old daughter and she has already watched these episodes numerous times, so I like being able to introduce her to a show that I also grew up with as a kid.

Official Premise: Before Fred and Barney married Wilma and Betty, and became stars of the enormously popular animated primetime series The Flintstones, they were fun-loving kids who hung around together in the town of Bedrock. The Flintstone Kids follows their escapades as adorable schoolchildren and introduces viewers to some new characters, including Rocky Ratrock, Dreamchip Gemstone and Miss Rockybottom, as well as family members Ed and Edna Flintstone, Robert Rubble, Doris Slaghoople and many others.

“The Flintstone Kids” originally aired from 1986 to 1988 on ABC. There were 78 episodes in the series. This is the first time that this show has ever been released on DVD. This release includes ten episodes including: “Barney’s Moving Experience”, “Curse of the Gemstone Diamond”, “Dusty Disappears”, “Freddy’s First Crush”, “Heroes for Hire”, “Poor Little Rich Girl”, “The Bad News Brontos”, “The Fugitives”, “The Little Visitor/Grandpa For Loan” and “The Rock Concert That Rocked Freddy”. This means that there are still 68 episodes left to release, so I have a feeling that Warner Bros is going to be released these volumes for some time.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bedrock, dvd, flintstone, kids, review, rockin, ...

DVD Review “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”

Actors: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
Directors: Francis Lawrence
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Lionsgate
DVD Release Date: March 7, 2014
Run Time: 146 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

When I saw “The Hunger Games”, I plain out hated it. No, I have never read the books and have no interest in doing so either. I thought the movie was completely bland and watered down of what it could have been. It was also during a time when I was not a huge fan of Jennifer Lawrence. Well, thanks to “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle” that has changed and I have actually become a huge fan of Lawrence now. Unfortunately it only pains me more to say that this sequel could actually be worse the first film. Firstly, it is WAY too late at nearly two and half hours. Nothing happens for the first hour and then is so anti-climatic throughout the rest of the film that the cliffhanger ending just makes you slap your head in disgust.

Official Premise: Based on the best-selling second novel of Suzanne Collins’ award-winning trilogy, with a screenplay by Simon Beaufoy and Michael DeBruyn and directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire begins as, against all odds, Katniss and her fellow tribute Peeta have returned home after surviving The Hunger Games. Winning means they must turn around, leaving their loved ones behind and embark on a “Victory Tour” through the districts. Along the way, Katniss senses a rebellion simmering – one that she and Peeta may have sparked. At the end of the Victory Tour, President Snow announces a deadly 75th Hunger Games that could change Panem forever.

Since this film was in such high demand (no idea why), we only were able to snag this on DVD. The DVD also comes with an HD Digital Ultraviolet copy. In terms of special features, the DVD once again gets the short end of the stick. There is an audio commentary track from director Francis Lawrence (not relation to Jennifer) and producer Nina Jacobson. No cast involved at all which is a shame since it could have added some life to this track. The only other real special feature are a few deleted scenes. Then there is a sneak peak of “Divergent”, which looks even worse than this film if that is possible. The Blu-ray release comes with a nine-part feature-length documentary called “Surviving the Game: Making Catching Fire”, so fans of the film should be sure not to miss that. I am sure I will still see “Mockingjay: Part 1 & 2” but I really hope they are a vast improvement on these first two.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: catching, dvd, fire, games, hunger, review, ...

Playstation 3 Game Review “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2”

Platform: Playstation 3
Players: 1
Developer: MercurySteam
Publisher: Konami
ESRB: Mature
Release Date: February 25, 2014

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Ever since 1986, I have been a huge fan of the “Castlevania” series. I probably got introduced to it too young but it has always been a favorite. It probably also influenced my love for anything horror related. Fast forward nearly 30 years and this franchise still has some steam. In fact speaking of steam, this game is from Developer MercurySteam, who has been behind this entire “Lords of Shadow” trilogy. Don’t let the “2” in the title through you off, the trilogy also includes Nintendo 3DS title “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate”. It is also crazy to think that this release is actually the 35th Castlevania game. Well as much as I would like to say it is the best I really can’t. It has it’s moments but overall leaves you wanting more from the closing game in the trilogy. Though if you have been following this trilogy it is worth checking out but I see this gathering dust on my shelf in a very short time and then probably ending up on eBay.

“Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2” does some stocked with some really beautiful and very detailed areas and landscapes. I also received “The Art of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2” and it really made me appreciate the work that was done for this game much more. MercurySteam did a great job I might add with the visuals since this game was definitely quite a looker. The character design and development are really sharp and very in depth. In terms of game play though, I can see this game getting old after a while. The control system is interesting since you have the life stealer with the L1 button, which has a certain use and then the shield breaker with R2, so you are constantly changing and it does make things interesting. But I just felt like I was slash, slash, slashing throughout the game throughout my venture.

Official Premise: At the end of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, the origin of Dracula and his legendary connection with the Belmonts was revealed. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 is the sequel to that 2010 reboot of the Castlevania series for play on Next-Gen game consoles. In it fans can expect thrilling new twists, action, adventure and challenges, as Dracula returns, this time to battle ultimate evil. Yet the dilemma is that he himself is greatly weakened and yearning for release from his immortal bonds. To succeed against the powerful threat he stands against, the vampire lord must reacquire his old powers – and only his castle holds the key. However, the famed Belmont clan also seeks his ultimate destruction in this shocking conclusion to the Lords of Shadow series.

Since this is the last game in this new reboot of the classic Castlevania game series, I am not sure where this series will go now but MercurySteam has said that this was their last go-round with this franchise. I would say that “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2” is definitely worth playing, it is not terribly long but it is quite challenging in terms of difficulty. But if you are a hardcore “Castlevania” fan, this should come as no surprise. In terms of story, it is a little confusing or just short on details. But I caught on with what I could and just enjoyed the ride. Speaking of story, just a quick note, if you haven’t played the Nintendo 3DS title “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate” and don’t want it to get spoiled, I would wait on “Lords of Shadow 2” since there’s a 10-minute cut scene that sums up the whole plot. I thought it was a nice tie-in personally of the series. I am sure that this will not be the end of “Castlevania” as like Dracula himself the series is forever. May not be my favorite game of the year but I still stand before this series.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Game Reviews Tagged With: 2, 3, castlevania, game, lords, playstation, ...

Film Review “Non-Stop”

Starring: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore
Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 1 hour 46 mins
Fox Searchlight

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Bill Marks (Neeson) is having a bad day. Feeling the effects of a long night of drinking he doesn’t look forward to the next 6 hours, when he’s going to be trapped with 150 other passengers on an airplane heading towards England. He begs with his boss to have someone else do the job but is rebuffed. Reluctantly he boards and takes his seat. He wishes he had a smoke. And a new job. Bill is an air marshal and he’s having a bad day. It’s about to get worse.

Tense and well told, “Non Stop” is another feather in the directorial cap of James Collet-Serra, the Spanish filmmaker who is responsible not only for this film but recent achievements like “Unknown” and “Orphan.” The excitement starts after take-off when Bill receives a text message, on his official business phone, telling him that without his cooperation a passenger is going to die in the next 20 minutes. Bill is given a bank account number and told to have the airline wire $150 million into it. Bill notifies his superiors but they’re a little wary of the information, considering the bank account is set up in Bill’s name! The next 80 minutes is a wild ride, one you could easily call “non-stop.”

I never would have suspected, after such films as “Schindler’s List,” “Nell” and “Before and After” that Liam Neeson would become one of the more popular, and credible, action stars making films today. Even his brief turn as the shotgun wielding Briar in “Next of Kin” didn’t hint at the quiet, thoughtful bad-ass he’s become. Literally working against time (the blackmailer has assured him that someone on the plane will die every 20 minutes unless his demands are met), Bill must rely on his friendship with crew members, and the nice traveler that sat down next to him (Moore), to deal with a situation that continues to get worse, especially when news reports, triggered by passenger text messages, label Bill the hijacker.

As mentioned, Neeson is again solid as a man with faults he must overcome to save those around him. As his nervous seatmate, Moore has little to do but what she does have she does well. Several of the supporting actors, including Scooter McNairy, Corey Stoll, Michelle Dockery and this coming Sunday’s Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o (how’s that for putting it all on the line) also contribute to the film. The action sequences, both inside and outside the plane are also well executed. The only thing I was disappointed in was the film’s “message,” which really doesn’t fit with the characters delivering it. However, that being said, the film is well worth seeing.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: film, nonstop, review

Film Review “Son of God”

Starring: Diogo Morgado, Roma Downey and Darwin Shaw
Directed By: Christopher Spencer
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 138 Minutes
20th Century Fox

Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars

I have to preface this review by stating that I attended Catholic school for four years. During those years I probably learned more about the Christian faith than I have at any other point in my life. No matter what grade, one part of our day was dedicated to a religion class. No, not learning about other religions and expanding our horizons, but instead just going over the same Biblical curriculum. Think of it in the same way they hammer in English and math lessons every year in schools. During religion class, we either read scripture, interpreted scripture or watched a good old fashioned New Testament movie. I watched almost every single kind, ranging from animated, black and white, silent, TV series and ones I’m fairly certain were created just for church distribution. Very few of them distinguished themselves when retelling the story of Jesus. “Son of God” is no different.

With hundreds of pages to go off, where does the movie begin? Well it never feels like it actually starts off anywhere and instead just dabbles throughout the beginnings of Jesus Christ (Morgado). I guess you could say it starts at his birth, but that literally occupies a couple of minutes in the movie. For some reason they try to establish Pontius Pilate (Greg Hicks) early on. He’s clearly a big player later in the story, but showcasing him on horseback while his minions kill people seems rather pointless. The story isn’t really set in stone. We have some random narrative from the Apostle John (Sebastian Knapp) that adds nothing. The first third of the movie is spent meandering from one random story to the next and surprisingly Christ’s baptism was not one of those stories. We reach some consistency when Jesus makes his final entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion. I feel like most movies on the life of Christ hinge their emotional bets on the crucifixion. “Son of God” does too, but the payoff comes off passionless.

The movie oddly spends half it’s time dipping into the behind the scenes politics of the Romans and the Jewish elders bickering about Jesus. It saps previous screentime that could have been used to build the relationship Jesus had with the Virgin Mary (Downey) or his Apostles. The movie heavily focuses on the people who seem to lack faith in Christ’s abilities. Everyone from bystanders to his Apostles are constantly second guessing his claims and his miracles. As for the actors, they’re convincing enough in their roles, but nothing screams job security. Playing the Lord and Savior for over a billion people is a tough task, but Diogo Morgado is a bit underwhelming. He smiles some pearly whites when delivering a sermon, but Jesus wasn’t all niceties and politeness. One of the most pivotal stories of the New Testament is when Jesus becomes physically upset that the temple in Jerusalem has become a den of thieves and crooks who peddle their goods. This movie should call for Jesus to become physically upset (the only time it happens in the Bible), but instead becomes an obvious sign that Morgado may not have been the right man for the role.

This isn’t a bad movie, but it’s not a good movie either. This movie suffers from being way too vanilla with its material. It seems afraid to try anything new in terms of story telling. I had to ask myself after the movie: Why must a movie like this be made if there’s nothing creatively new to add? I know the immediate response would be to spread the word of God for a new generation. But I don’t think that’s a real reason if this movie is simply a cut and paste theatrical release of “The Bible” miniseries that was aired on the History Channel. Maybe I’m wrong. All I know is, future Catholic school kids will be stuck watching this when teacher feels like letting the TV do the lecturing.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: film, god, review, son

Film Review “As the Palaces Burn”

“As the Palaces Burn”
Starring: Lamb of God
Director: Don Argott
Rated: Unrated
Studio: 9.14 Pictures
Run Time: 90 minutes

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

What starts out as a typical band related documentary quickly becomes much more than that. “As the Palaces Burn” is the latest film from heavy metal band Lamb of God. Directed by Don Argott and being released via Epic Records and 9.14 Pictures the film is a 90 minute rollercoaster ride of emotion that captivates the viewer.

Whether you are a fan of Lamb of God’s music or not I strongly urge you to see this film. This is not just another behind the scenes type film designed to give fans an inside look at their favorite band. This may have been the original intent however mid way through the film it starts to document the series of events which lead to the incarceration of lead singer D. Randall Blythes incarceration in the Czech Republic for the charge of Manslaughter.

As the film delves deeper into these events the film takes is most dramatic turn as it shows the immense amount of emotion the band members have for one another as well as Randy’s own strength throughout the entire time of his incarceration and subsequent return to the Czech Republic to stand trial for these clearly bogus charges. Director Don Argott did a great job capturing everything I enjoy seeing in a film of this nature. Candid interviews with not only the band but with fans and fellow musicians gave the film a number of different perspectives that helped affirm the bands place in the music world and the impact the events involving Randy had on those both close to him and those from afar.

Don’t expect anything to be sugar coated or fluffy with this film. Those two words could probably never be used to describe the band Lamb of God before now or after. To the point editing and straight forward accounts from those who lived it give “As the Palaces Burn” the realest feel I have gotten from a documentary to date.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: burn, film, god, lamb, palaces, review, ...

Concert Review: Richie Ramone “Something in My Drink Tour”

“Something in My Drink Tour”
Richie Ramone, One Last Shot, Home Court Advantage
Date: Wednesday, February 19th 2014
Venue: The Lost Horizon, Syracuse, NY

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Former Ramones drummer Richie Ramone made a stop at the legendary Lost Horizon in Syracuse, NY on February 19th as part of his 2014 “Something in My Drink” tour. The gig was an intimate in your face experience as Ramone and company treated the crowd to slew of Ramones classics as well as songs off Ramones debut solo album “Entitled”. Though Ramone had some stiff competition with SU Basketball also being in town it did little to phase the fans or the band as all eyes were on Richie.

Starting off the night was a local act by the name of Home Court Advantage. The groups sound was a mixture of pop-punk that teetered on the edge of straight forward rock as the group mixed cover and original material. Though as the group’s name may have suggested they may have in fact had the home court but there was certainly no advantage as at several times throughout the brief set it seemed as though the band members were all playing something different which resulted in a number of timing issues. Next to take the stage was another local act by the name of One Last Shot. The group’s metal-core sound was promising as it was quite a bit of a departure from the previous band and a bit more refined. Sadly the minute the singer opened his mouth any promise the band may have shown went directly out the window. Dressed in homemade pants fashioned from duct tape the singer read like a cheap Darby Crash knock off. This really was a disappointment due to the tightness of the backing band however, they were able to get the crowd somewhat warmed up for the headliner so I guess their mission was accomplished.

After a brief set change Richie Ramone and company would take the stage. Flanked by the lovely and always entertaining Clare Misstake on bass, the energetic Alex Kane on lead guitar and multi talented rhthym guitarist/drummer Ben Reagan, Richie proceeded to take the audience on a music joy ride that enticed several circle shaped pits and pogo Malays fitting of the high octane 180 beats per minute music that was being performed. From classic songs like “Somebody Put Something In My Drink” to “Commando” and “Something to Do” to newer songs like “Entitled” and “Smash You” which are featured on Ramones new Solo album Richie and his crew held the audience in their hands and left them wanting more. Don’t let the fact that Richie now in his 50’s is going to slow or dull down that legendary break neck speed or sound synonymous with the Ramones name as he appears to be at the top his game and ready to take on the world.

The U.S. leg of the “Something in My Drink” tour runs through March and from there the band will be heading overseas for a group of shows in Europe. I highly suggest going out to see the band as Pinheads and Animal Boys both new and old will not be disappointed.

Richie Ramone Set List:
1.) Criminal
2.) Somebody Put Something in my Drink
3.) Smash You
4.) Something to Do
5.) Better Then Me
6.) Durango
7.) Animal Boy
8.) I Know Better
9.) Blitzkrieg Bop
10.) Entitled
11.) Warthog
12.) Elevator Operator
13.) Can’t Say Anything Nice
14.) Forgotten Years
15.) Take My Hand
16.) Today Your Love
17.) I ’m not Jesus
18.) Loudmouth
19.) Humankind
20.) Cretin Hop
21.) Into the Fire
22.) Vulnerable
23.) Commando

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: concert, drink, ramone, review, richie, tour, ...

Blu-ray Review “Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo”

Starring: Jim Cummings, Ken Sansom, Jimmy Bennett, David Ogden Stiers, Kath Soucie, John Fiedler
Directors: Elliot M. Bour, Saul Andrew Blinkoff
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: March 11, 2014
Run Time: 65 minutes

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

“Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo” is a 2004 direct-to-video film, which features voice actors Jim Cummings as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Peter Cullen as Eeyore, and John Fiedler as Piglet. I have always loved this film but I have always been disturbed that the focus of the film is really on Rabbit, who is missing from the cover. It has “A Christmas Carol” theme but set with an Easter background. It is cute and packs tons of great songs. My 21 month old has already watched this quite since we received and she was dancing all around the house.

Synopsis: Each year, Rabbit plays Easter Bunny, but this year, he’s decided it’s “Spring Cleaning Day,” and he orders everyone to hop to it: scrubbing, dusting, and mopping. All his pals are disappointed — especially little Roo — until Rabbit learns that putting others first and showing friends how much you care turns every day into a precious gift.

This “Hippity Hoppity Roo Edition” comes with a Blu-ray and Digital HD Digital Copy. There is also a cute Winnie-The-Pooh baby mobile included inside the came. This strike a code because we have a Pooh mobile for my daughter growing up. For a direct-to-video installment from Disney, I was very impressed with the 1080p transfer. I thought the colors looks so vibrant and crisp. I really enjoyed watching it. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track worked so well with the numerous songs from the film.

Unfortunately, there is only one special features included “Get Up and Dance”, which gets kid to get up and dance to Rabbit’s Easter song. If you look back at the DVD release of this release, there were quite a few extras missing from that. I am not sure why Disney decided to leave those out. I hope that they are planning on releasing a double feature next with “Pooh’s Heffalump Movie” and its sequel “Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie”. I would love to see these next perhaps in the Fall. Hint, hint!

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, pooh, review, roo, springtime, winnie, ...

CD Review: “Knight of Badassdom: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack”

“Knight of Badassdom”
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Composer: Bear McCreary
Label: Sparks & Shadows
Run Time: 65 minutes

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

“Knight of Badassdom” is no question of the coolest titles of all time. It is directed by Joe Lynch (“Wrong Turn 2”, “Holliston”) and has been waiting to be released for a few years now. It follows three best friends (Peter Dinklage, Steve Zahn and Ryan Kwanten) and LARPers as they take to the woods to reenact a dungeons and dragons-like scenario fresh out of the mythical Middle Ages. It is a nerd’s dream come true. When I heard that Emmy Award®-Winning Composer Bear McCreary (“The Walking Dead”, “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) was making original music for the soundtrack, I high-fived the closest person to me out of shear excitement. If that isn’t enough there is still more the album features performances by heavy metal and rock names including Brendon Small (Dethklok), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio), Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa), Steve Bartek (Oingo Boingo), Ira Ingber (Bob Dylan), Pete Griffin (Three Inches of Blood) and Joe Travers (Zappa Plays Zappa). This album is dripping with amazing talent. It is also quickly becoming one of my favorite albums to listen to.

What I look for in an album is something I can listen to over and over. “Knight of Badassdom” is a good album but it is great after multiple listens. I found myself catching little things that I didn’t catch the first time. This is not only an amazing score to the film but also a pretty kick ass rock/metal album. I really love Dethklok’s music by Brendan Small and you can really here his contribution and influence on this. There are also some really killer solos and rhythm guitars featured on this album. They went above and beyond here with these tracks. There are also featured vocals from Brendan McCreary and Raya Yarbrough on a few tracks. I love composer Bear McCreary because you can tell that he is just such a cool guy. He read the script for this film and was totally behind it. The guy is a Grammy winner and yet he still backs a small film like this by releasing it under his record label, Sparks & Shadows. He is one of the biggest composers in the business right now and I hope he continues to back future projects like this!

Speaking of amazing rhythm guitars, props need to go to Mike Keneally, Pete Griffin, and Joe Travers for rocking that section. Doug Aldrich’s insane guitar solo on “At the Gates” is a highlight on the album. One of the main things, I love about this album is how all over the place it is. From Ira Ingber playing the “down-home slide guitar” to Steve Bartek bringing the horror cues to the playing of Scottish pipes by Eric Rigler (who was featured on the score to “Braveheart”). There is a lot of range in this score and it is very entertaining. I easily left it on for about 8 hours on loop yesterday and it didn’t bore me out at all…and that is the true test to an album for me. Do you feel the urge to skip a track? No? Then you have yourself a really winner for sure! eOne Films is releasing “Knight of Badassdom” with TUGG screenings beginning on January 21st and available digitally and on VOD as of February 11, 2014. The soundtrack is available now everywhere including Amazon and iTunes. Don’t miss this album and be sure to support this film!

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: CD Reviews Tagged With: badassdom, cd, knight, motion, original, picture, ...

DVD Review “Marine Boy: The Complete Second Season”

Voices of: Corinne Orr, Jack Grimes, Peter Fernandez and Jack Curtis
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 637 minutes
Format: Made To Order DVD

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

After revisit “Marine Boy” with the first season recently, I was very excited to dive into the second season. This 3-Disc set includes the next 26 Episodes in this classic anime series, which airs from 1966-67. I warn you as cheesy as this show feels today, it is still entertaining and that damn theme song will definitely get stuck in your head. With 52 episodes in the bag, so far we still have another 26 to go, so I expect the third season to hit DVD later this year completing this series.

Official Premise: Marine Boy returns for a second volume of classic ‘American anime’ adventures! Operating out of the Ocean Patrol Marine Headquarters, super-scientist Dr. Mariner outfits his stalwart son with all the aquatic accouterments needed to keep the seas safe for all mankind. From Oxy-Gum and bulletproof wet suit, to flying subs and propeller shoes, Marine Boy has what it takes to face a variety of fearsome foes above and below the ocean’s surface.

Dive deep into the deep with villains like Skwid, Stormbrane, Count Shark, Professor Beelzebub and Captain Wraithand more who must learn to beware the boomerang of Marine Boy as he cruises the sea aboard the submarine P-1 alongside little Clicli, Professor Fumble, mermaid Neptina, dolphin best friend Splasher, and Ocean Patrol agents Bullton and Piper.

Thanks to Warner Archive Collection, this series is continuing to be available to its fans. It is available MOD (manufacture on demand), so if you want it buy it now before it stops being made. These episodes are not flawless but I expect these episodes to have a certain rugged feel to it. These haven’t been restored but have been taken from the best prints available. There are no additional special features available on this release just like the first season.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: boy, complete, dvd, marine, review, season, ...

Blu-ray Review “Beware the Batman: Shadows of Gotham – Season 1, Part 1”

Voices of: Anthony Ruivivar, J.B. Blanc, Sumalee Montano, Kurtwood Smith
Rated TV-PG
Studio: Warner Archive Collection
DVD Release Date: February 18, 2014
Run Time: 286 minutes

Season: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

After “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” although a fun show, but with the success of “The Dark Knight” series, fans were looking for something with a darker tone. Enter, “Beware the Batman”. The show has a more serious tone and a really snazzy look and feel to it. The animation style is great and Batman is quite badass. Unfortunately Cartoon Network did not give this show much love, they pulled it from their schedule back in October after 11 episodes and left two unaired. They claimed it would be back on in January but as we approach March there is still no word. Either way I really dug this show and I would recommend it to any Batman fan out there. “Batman: The Animated Series” still holds the reigns but it is quite an impressive entry for the Caped Crusader.

Batman swings into an exhilarating new age, teaming with a powerful allies old and new for a thrilling new take on the classic Dark Knight franchise in Beware the Batman: Shadows of Gotham, Season 1 Part 1. The new action-packed detective thriller incorporates Batman’s core characters with a rogue’s gallery of criminals as the Caped Crusader faces some of Gotham City’s most despicable villains. Through the show’s first 13 animated adventures of this two-disc collection, ex-secret agent Alfred and lethal swordstress Katana join Batman to takes on an array of evildoers including the likes of Anarky, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad and Magpie. This thrilling series redefines what we have come to know as the “Batman show” and is sure to excite fans with cutting-edge CGI visuals.

This Blu-ray contains all 11 episodes that official aired and the additional 2 that are still unaired. Included are “Hunted”, “Secrets”, Tests”, “Safe”, “Broken”, “Toxic”, “Family”, “Allies”, “Control”, “Sacrifice”, “Instinct”, “Attraction” and “Fall”. There are some solid villains as well in these episodes including Professor Pyg and Mister Toad, Cypher, Magpie, Anarky and Lady Shiva to name a few. I think it was a brave move to include some new and not so well-known villains. Other shows have done in the past having Joker be the lead villains and who doesn’t love the Joker but you have to give it to “Beware the Batman” for being ballsy here. I am sure if this show continued on we would see the funny man pop up surely but we did not rely on it from the beginning.

This Blu-ray comes from Warner Bros’ made-on-demand (MOD) service, Warner Archive, which produced their releases as they are ordered. I feel that this series deserves more than that but at least it is seeing the light of day. The 1080p transfer works well with the tone of the show and the killer CGI visuals. There are no special features included on this release unless you count the two unaired episodes. I hope that Warner Bros and Cartoon Network continue this series this Spring otherwise, this “Season 1 Part 1” Blu-ray will not have a “Part 2” release to complete it.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 1, batman, beware, bluray, gotham, part, ...
« sdf
Previous
Page 113 of 272
Next
Next Page »