Blu-ray Review “Duck Dynasty: Seasons 1-3 Collectors Set”

Starring: Willie Robertson, Jase Robertson, Kay Robertson, Phil Robertson
Number of discs: 6
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Thomas Nelson
DVD Release Date: December 3, 2013
Run Time: 954 minutes

Series: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Duck Dynasty” is an A&E reality show that follows the Robertson family, who run a multi-million dollar enterprise called Duck Commander. The show has been getting more and more popular since its first season and in fact, the saga of the Roberston family has recently become one of the biggest phenomenas in cable history as it smashed ratings for the series’ fourth season premiere episode. I am normally not a fan of reality shows but I have recently become hooked into “Duck Dynasty” like most people have. They also released a Christmas album this year as well, so they are everywhere right now. Seriously though, once you start watching this show you cannot stop. It is like a train wreck that doesn’t allow you to look away. If you haven’t seen it and want to binge like myself, this set is a great way to do it and would also make a great holiday gift!

Official Premise: Keep the camo-clad Robertsons in your sights at all times with this Duck Dynasty gift set from A&E. With these down-home millionaires from Louisiana, there’s always somebody up to something that you can rest assured somebody else isn’t going to like. See what happens when Willie hosts his own radio show, but makes the mistake of bringing Uncle Si on the air with him. Watch how his employee retreat fails to build trust among the Duck Commander team. And you’ll want to catch Jase’s plans to prevent Missy from finding out he’s lost his second, newly replaced wedding ring. But the Robertsons never back down from a challenge, always taking on new adventures. Whether it’s a family cooking, fishing or football competition; a blind leap into winemaking; a spontaneous road trip in the RV; or their run-ins with critters of all kinds, this clan makes the most of their funny business. And now you can, too. But please, don’t fight over who gets to wear the enclosed Duck Dynasty bandana!

Since we are talking about a reality TV series, “Duck Dynasty” doesn’t blow you away in terms of audio and video but it still is a solid presentation…after the first season. The first season is basically a DVD upscale with its 1080i transfer in an 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The subsequent two seasons have received a 1080p presentation. All three seasons come with a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 surround track, which again isn’t bad but also doesn’t stand out since the show is all dialogue. This 6 disc collection also comes with a limited-edition, exclusive Duck Camo Bandana.

In terms of special features, this release certainly does not disappoint. There are around 70 minutes of bonus footage from the three season. Season one includes 25 short featurettes of interviews and extra scenes, which run just over 35 minutes. The featurettes are: Romeo & Juliet, Sibling Rivalry, Willie CEO, Yuppies, Hairy Guys, The World’s Largest Deer, Si-ence Fiction, All Cameramen Are Weird, Miss Kay’s Cookin’, When You Feed Them They Will Come, Generations, Uncle Si’s Tea Party, Phil-osophies The Birds and the Bees, The Other White Meat, Jase “Si” Robertson, A Kind Gentle Woman, The Making of the Duck Call, Talkin’ My Language, The Making of “The Commander’s Kitchen”, Snakes, Phil-osophies Chatter, Gators, Boys Will Be Boys, The Wives of Duck Dynasty, and Decoy Hunting.

Season two doesn’t pack the same punch as season one but does include nine short featurettes with additional interviews and bonus scenes. The featurettes are: Workin’ With Family, Jack of All Trades, Momma’s Boy, Pizza vs. Toast, Mountain Man, The Brains Behind the Duck, Bootleg Building, Catch Phrases, and Work Hard Nap Hard. Season three gets back to deliver the goods including a bunch of great extras after season two was a little light. First up we have, “The Duck Dynasty Phenomenon”, which focuses on the success of the show with various interviews included. There are also Cast Interviews, Deleted Scenes, a few Webisodes, Mash-Ups and Amanda Ryan Song Recaps included.

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Blu-ray Review “Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United”

Starring: Adrian Pasdar, Fred ­Tatasciore, Dee Bradley Baker
Directors: Eric Radomski, Leo Riley
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 3, 2013
Run Time: 72 minutes

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

After “The Avengers”, Marvel superheros have never been in higher demand! And who doesn’t love a great team up. Iron Man is obviously everyone’s favorite character and Hulk was the fan-favorite from “The Avengers”. This brand new animated film makes cinematic history and teams these two unexpected heroes together. The film is pretty jam-packed with action and great humor, which is a must for these two characters. Adrian Pasdar (“Heroes”) returns to voice Iron Man/Tony Stark and as does Fred Tatasciore (“Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.”) for the Hulk and wrapping it up Dee Bradley Baker (“Star Wars: The clone Wars”) introduces and gives a voice to our new villain Zzzax. Now that Disney owns the Marvel brand, I hope that we are going to be seeing many more of these in the coming months! Recommend for any Marvel fan…young or old.

Official Premise: In this action-packed teamup, the Invincible Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk come together to save the Earth from its greatest threat yet. When two HYDRA scientists try to supercharge a Stark Arc Reactor with Hulk’s Gamma Energy, they unleash a being of pure electricity called the Zzzax, and he’s hungry for destruction. Together, Iron Man and Hulk are the only force that stands in the way of the Zzzax’s planetary blackout. But first the superhero duo will have to get through snarling Wendigos, deadly robots and the scaly powerhouse, Abomination. Can two of Marvel’s mightiest heroes find a way to work together without smashing each other before time runs out?

What I like about this film the most is that it is being made by people who know superheros. Eric Radomski (TV’s “Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man,” “Batman: The Animated Series”) was the Supervising Creative Director. The Executive Producers on the project are Alan Fine (“Marvel’s The Avengers”, “Thor”, “Iron Man 2”), Dan Buckley (TV’s “Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man,” “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble,” “Marvel Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.”), Joe Quesada (TV’s “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble,” “Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man”) and Jeph Loeb (TV’s “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”). The film was also written by Henry Gilroy (“Batman: The Animated Series,” “Batman Beyond”) and Brandon Auman (TV’s “Iron Man: Armored Adventures,” “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes”). So plenty of experience here!

“Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United” comes packaged as a combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet Digital Copy. Disney/Marvel has been using Digital Copy Plus now, which is a real treat! The 1080p transfer works wonderfully with the animation, which is quite sharp and very colorful. You can see the difference between the usual TV style animation and the quality feature film animation. There is a lot of detail but into making this look great. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 also delivers a huge HULK SMASH to your surround sound systems. It works very well with the non-stop action and sound effects as well.

In terms of special features, they are not outstanding but still cool and worth checking out. Firstly we get “Marvel Mash-ups”, which are three super cool shorts from old Marvel cartoons with new voice actors overdub scenes. Note, though if you pause the film you get “Marvel Inter-missions”, which includes even more hidden ones. The only other bonus feature is a chat between Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada and Ryan Penagos (Agent M on Twitter) about Iron Man and Hulk’s history together and other things Marvel. Definitely worth checking out also. No question, this will make a great gift this holiday season!

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Blu-ray Review “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (The Rich Mahogany Edition)”

Starring: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Fred Willard
Director: Adam McKay
Number of discs: 2
Rated: PG-13 / Unrated
Studio: Paramount
DVD Release Date: December 3, 2013
Run Time: 94 / 97 minutes

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

“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” is with no question one of the best comedies of all-time. The film wasn’t that huge in theaters but became a cult classic very quickly when it hit DVD. I do not think that there is one day that goes by that I do not quote this film, numerous times in fact. It is also one of those films that you can watch over and over and it does not get old in fact it only gets better. The “Rich Mahogany” Edition features three versions of the film: the theatrical version, an unrated version and Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie, all presented here on Blu-ray in glorious high definition. This Blu-ray was originally released as a Best Buy Exclusive back in 2010 but is FINALLY getting an expanded release to take advantage of the long-awaited sequel’s release this Christmas in theaters. This is a must for any fan of this film and yes it is worth the double dip.

Official Premise: Will Ferrel (Old School, Elf) is Ron Burgundy, a top-rated 1970’s San Diego anchorman who believes women have a place in the newsroom – as long as they stick to covering fashion shows or late-breaking cooking stories. So when ron is told he’ll be working with a bright young newswoman (Christina Applegate) who’s beautiful, ambitious and smart enough to be more than eye candy, it’s not just a clash of two TV people with really great hair – it’s war! Filled with wicked wit and slapstick humor, Anchorman is the year’s most wildly irreverent, must-see comedy hit!

Paramount has given this Blu-ray release a lot of love. I just wish they would have updated this release from it being a Best Buy Exclusive and included an Ultraviolet Digital Copy with this updated release. We get both the 94-minute theatrical cut and the longer 97 minute extended cut of the film on the first disc. Besides the various cuts of the film, there is also Ron’s personal 32-page diary – “The Many Months of Burgundy” included as well as a very cool set of 12 Trading Cards, really a must for any fan of the film. In terms of presentation, the 1080p transfer is quite impressive within its 1.78:1-framed transfer, or at least as far as comedies go. Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which is a typical of a comedy high definition track but works very well.

So let’s get to some of the special features now, this “Rich Mahogany Edition” two-disc Blu-ray release of “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” has no shortage of goodies. The first disc consists of an audio commentary track with Director/Writer Adam McKay; Actor/Writer Will Ferrell; Musicians Lou Rawls and Kyle Gass; Entertainer Andy Richter; and Actors Paul Rudd, David Koechner, and Christina Applegate. These commentary tracks really add tons of great replay value to this film. Disc one also includes a collection of 36 deleted and extended scenes,which run just short of an hour. There is also a blooper reel, the “Afternoon Delight” music video and Ron Burgundy’s ESPN SportsCenter Audition.

Disc two kicks off with one hell of a special feature which would be the full-length film “Wake Up, Ron Burgundy”. It is a full-length film that was pieced together from various cut scenes and various subplots that didn’t make the final cut of “Anchorman”. There is also a brief “Intro-Commentary” for Wake Up, Ron Burgundy, which runs just under 13 minutes with Will Ferrell and Aaron Zimmerman. Honestly worth the purchase of the release alone just for this film in high definition.  Also included there are five Ron Burgundy Public Service Announcements, Ron Burgundy’s 1970 Emmy Awards speech. “Raw Footage ‘Good Takes'” includes nearly 40 minutes of more alternate takes and improvisations. Next up is “Afternoon Delight” Recording Session, “Happy Birthday AMC Loews” covering Loews’ 100th birthday. There are various interviews from the 2004 MTV Music Awards with Rebecca Romijn, Jim Caviezel, and Burt Reynolds. There are also three short featurettes including “Cinemax: The Making of ‘Anchorman'”, “Comedy Central Reel Comedy: ‘Anchorman'” and “A Conversation With Ron Burgundy”.

You think we are done yet? Well we still have more! There are cast auditions for Christina Applegate, David Koechner, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Fred Armisen, Maya Rudolph, Kevin Corrigan, and Justin Long. There is a Table Read from 6/2/03 and more rehearsal footage included. “Playback Video” is a collection of the news team’s more embarrassing moments. Same goes for “Commercial Break”, which is more funny moments from the “Anchorman” set. Lastly we get the film’s teaser trailer, theatrical trailer and “Trounced Spiderman” TV Spot. So obviously, this release is a must-have for any “Anchorman” fan since it really delivers to its fans!

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DVD Review “The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series”

Actors: Art Carney, Burgess Meredith, Cliff Robertson, Dennis Hopper, Bill Bixby, Leonard Nimoy, Burt Reynolds, Don Rickles, Jack Klugman, Robert Redford, Lee Marvin, Martin Landau, Telly Savalas, William Shatner
Created by: Rod Serling
Number of discs: 25
Rated: Unrated
Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
DVD Release Date: November 19, 2013
Run Time: 4524 minutes

Series: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

Who doesn’t love “The Twilight Zone”? I have been obsessed with this show since I was a little kid and I used to watch it whenever I could catch it. Growing up I used to watch endlessly for hours on Fourth of July and Christmas Eve on Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy). One year for Christmas many years ago, I received “The Twilight Zone: The Complete Definitive Edition” DVD box set, which included all the episodes and tons of great special features. It was a dream release for fans of the show and it has been out of print for some time. This latest release of “The Complete Series” does come with all 156 Episodes of Rod Serling’s classic TV series but unfortunately does not have any of those special features included. I recommend this set for anyone looking to get the complete series of this amazing show at a good price and doesn’t mind no special features. Of course if you owned the previously released DVD box set, “The Twilight Zone: The Complete Definitive Edition” then this release is not for you.

Official Premise: All 156 episodes of Rod Serling’s classic, groundbreaking series in one special box set! Travel to another dimension of sight and sound again and again. The series cast includes Rod Serling, Art Carney, Burgess Meredith, Cliff Robertson, Dennis Hopper, Bill Bixby, Leonard Nimoy, Burt Reynolds, Don Rickles, Jack Klugman, Robert Redford, Lee Marvin, Martin Landau, Telly Savalas, William Shatner and many more!

“The Twilight Zone” premiered over 50 years ago and yet it still remains television’s most treasured anthology program ever produced. Rod Serling was such a brilliant mind and created one of the best TV shows ever. This show is so timeless and I find that I am able to re-watch and re-watch these episodes over and over and never get tired of them. I am looking forward to introducing my daughter to this show as she grows up (but right now she is only 18 months, so we have a while to go) but that is why a release like this is worth checking out. A lot of people are buzzing that since this doesn’t include the extras from The Complete Definitive Edition but for those that don’t care, this is definitely worth the cheap price. Of course, watching these episodes on Blu-ray is the best way to go but the DVD still looks quite amazing (as it always has), thanks to Image’s TLC for these great shows.

 

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CD Review: Lamb of God “As the Palaces Burn: 10th Anniversary Edition”

Lamb of God
“As the Palaces Burn” 10th Anniversary Edition
Razor and Tie
Tracks: 13

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Originally released in May of 2003 Lamb of God’s “As the Palaces Burn” was the bands 3rd studio release. The album was widely received and is considered by many as one of the most influential, modern day metal records of our time. Produced by Strapping Young Lad/Devin Townsend Project mastermind Devin Townsend the album featured 10 aggressive and brutally honest tracks which conveyed the bands feelings during a very turbulent time in America. The 10th Anniversary edition of “As the Palaces Burn” is being released via Razor and Tie Record and features re-mixed/mastered versions of the original 10 tracks included on the album along with three previously unreleased demo versions of “Ruin”, “As the Palaces Burn” and Blood Junkie”. Accompanying the CD is a DVD featuring a newly filmed “Making of” documentary along with interviews and commentary from those involved with the album.

When an album is re-released I generally don’t take much notice as if it was something I was interested in initially I would have checked out the original version of whatever album it maybe. However I have bought a couple in my day only to be relatively disappointed. Sadly that is exactly the same feeling I had after listening to the anniversary edition of “As The Palaces Burn”. Don’t get me wrong the new mixes are certainly better than the original versions as these re-workings offered a quite a bit more clarity and bottom end but, that was not enough to really warrant buying a second copy of the album. The additional tracks were exactly as advertised “demos” as they sounded as if they were recorded on a boom box in some ones basement. This release wasn’t all misses though as the real gem came in the way of the included bonus DVD. Some great interviews are included on here as well as an hour long documentary about the making of the album. I found these alone were enough to make up for any noted short comings.

Hardcore Lamb of God fans will certainly want to check this out merely for the bonus DVD content however if you have the original version and are content with that then I would say this new release is a necessity. However if your original copy was lost or suffered the fate of being scratched as it slid around on the floor of your Dodge Daytona then the “As the Palaces Burn” 10th Anniversary Edition is a suitable replacement.

Track Listing:
1. Ruin
2. As the Palaces Burn
3. Purified
4. 11th Hour
5. For Your Malice
6. Boot Scraper
7. A Devil in God’s Country
8. In Defense of Our Good Name
9. Blood Junkie
10. Vigil
11. Ruin (previously unreleased demo)
12. As the Palaces Burn (previously unreleased demo)
13. Blood Junkie (previously unreleased demo)

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CD Review: A Day To Remember “Common Courtesy”

A Day To Remember
“Common Courtesy”
Producer: Jeremy McKinnon, Andrew Wade, Chad Gilbert
Tracks: 16

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Ocala, FL natives A Day To Remember are back with their 5th studio album titled “Common Courtesy”. The album which is being self-released consists of 13 all new tracks which run the gambit of sounds and styles which have made the band popular across multiple genres. Produced by vocalist Jeremy McKinnon, Andrew Wade (Close To Home) and New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert “Common Courtesy” could be the bands strongest effort yet.

Though the album was initially slated for release back in October it has basically been in somewhat of a holding pattern due to the logistics of a messy split from the bands previous label Victory records. Well it is finally available and I am pretty confident in saying that it was well worth the wait. Not only does the album include some really great songs such as the explosive opening track “City of Ocala” and the emotional rollercoaster titled “End of Me” but it also include some great artwork created by Mike Cortada along with a bonus DVD containing the bands recent webisodes. Even though I could have done without some of the albums dialogue and the questionable cohesiveness of the albums tracks I found the music contained on “Common Courtesy” to be spot on and I think each piece is more than capable of standing on its own as prospective singles.

The latest from A Day To Remember is more than just another album. “Common Courtesy” is a testament to the DIY attitude which has been present since the early days of Rock and Roll and only further proves that you don’t need a big label to make a great sounding record. Whether you are a hardcore fan, a punk fan or just a music fan in general do yourself and your ears a favor by picking up a copy of this album.

Track Listing:
1.) City of Ocala
2.) Right Back at it Again
3.) Sometimes You’re the Hammer, Sometimes You’re the Nail
4.) Dead and Buried
5.) Best of Me
6.) I’m Already Gone
7.) Violence
8.) Life @ 11
9.) I Surrender
10.) Life Lessons Learned the Hard Way
11.) End of Me
12.) The Document Speaks for Itself
13.) I Remember
Bonus Tracks:
14.) Leave All the Lights On
15.) Good Things
16.) Same Book But Never the Same Page

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CD Review: Stryper “No More Hell to Pay”

Stryper
“No More Hell to Pay”
Frontiers
Producer: Michael Sweet
Tracks: 12

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Dust off those bibles and stretch out that black and yellow spandex because the boys in Stryper are back with a brand new album titled “No More Hell to Pay”. The new album which is the bands 9th studio album was produced by Stryper front man Michael Sweet and features 12 hard rocking, progressive tracks that are being released via Frontier Records.

When bands from the era of hyper color shirts, stone washed jeans and aqua net are still rocking some 30 years later I have to give it to them. With Stryper they are not only still rocking but they are putting out new material that pretty killer. Vocalist Michael Sweet has only gotten better with age and this is proven on tracks like “Saved by Love” and “Legacy” which features several Rob Halford type screams which could rival that of the man himself. Guitarist Oz Fox does a great job laying down some pretty intricate solos which only add to the progressive rock feel of the album. For those wanting something a little more familiar included on the album is a great updated rendition of the song “Jesus Is Just Alright” which was originally written by Arthur Reid Reynolds and made famous by The Byrds.

Having grown up in the 1980’s I am a sucker for anything that originated from that time period. Good or bad it doesn’t matter I still have to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised during my review of “No More Hell to Pay” because it had elements of a vintage 80’s record but was infused with modern day styling which I found quite appealing. Yes I could have done without some of the over the top biblical references but when you are listening to a band who used to throw out bibles during their live stage shows then it is to be expected somewhat. If you find yourself trolling the isles of your local record store (if it hasn’t closed down yet) or are surfing through iTunes and you want checkout a solid rock record then give the latest from Stryper a listen.

Track Listing:
1. Revelation
2. No More Hell to Pay
3. Saved by Love
4. Jesus Is Just Alright
5. The One
6. Legacy
7. Marching Into Battle
8. Te Amo
9. Sticks & Stones
10. Water Into Wine
11. Sympathy
12. Renewed

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CD Review: Five Finger Death Punch “The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Vol. 2”

Five Finger Death Punch
“The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Vol. 2”
Prospect Park
Producer: Kevin Churko
Tracks: 12

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Following hot off the heels of Five Finger Death Punch’s July 2013 release “The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Vol. 1”, “The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Vol. 2”
Picks ups where the previous album left off. The album like its predecessor is being released via Prospect Park and was produced by Kevin Churko.

I always have to question a bands decision when they decide to release multiple albums within months of each other. However after my first listen of “The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Vol. 2” any preconceived notions I may have had were instantly thrown out the window. From the albums opening track “Here to Die” which goes from zero to sixty right out of the gate I couldn’t wait to hear the other 11 tracks. Vocalist Ivan Moody seems to have tapped in to a channel of aggression which seems to be the catalyst for every track. Songs like “Wrecking Ball” and “Matter of Time” rip through your speakers and assaults whoever maybe in the immediate listening area. Even when the band slows things down with the albums closing track a cover of the classic Animals song “The House of the Rising Sun” the band still maintains the consistency of the previous numbers. Producer Kevin Churko continues to show why he is the best producer for the job as he does a remarkable job captured all the nuances of each members playing while elevating their sound with a really great mix that was music to my ears.

If you already have “The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Vol. 1” then “The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Vol. 2” is a no brainer. However if you haven’t yet grab either copy I would recommend starting here with Vol. 2 as the album takes you on a rollercoaster ride filled with raw emotion an energy that keeps your attention from start to finish.

Track Listing:
1.) Here to Die
2.) Weight Beneath My Skin
3.) Wrecking Ball
4.) Battle Born
5.) Cradle to the Grave
6.) Matter of Time
7.) The Agony of Regret
8.) Cold
9.) Let This Go
10.) My Heart Lied
11.) A Day In My Life
12.) House of the Rising Sun

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CD Review “Thriller: A Metal Tribute to Michael Jackson”

Various Artists
“Thriller: A Metal Tribute to Michael Jackson”
Cleopatra Records
Producer: Bob Kulick
Tracks: 13

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

When you think of heavy metal your probably not instantly thinking of Michael Jackson however, Cleopatra Records along with Grammy Award winning producer Bob Kulick and a laundry list of metal’s elite musicians are about to change that. “Thriller: A Metal Tribute to Michael Jackson” features 13 reworked versions of some of Jackson’s most memorable songs heard as they never have been heard before.

Being a fan of music there is always room on my playlist for some Michael Jackson. Now I’m not saying I am a fan of everything he ever did however “Thriller: A Metal Tribute to Michael Jackson” has shined a new light on the departed singers catalog. Producer Bob Kulick and a diverse cast of metal maniacs have put together a great sounding metalized pop album. The album hits the ground running or maybe in this case moon walking as it opens up with Testaments Chuck Billy’s grainy rendition of “Thriller” which gives way to Angelo Moore’s spot on performance of “The Way You make Me Feel”. As the album progresses we are treated to performances by everyone from Paul Di’Anno and Doug Pinnick to Phil Campbell and Corey Glover who team up for a great rendition of “Billy Jean”.

Now before all you MJ purists out there take to the message boards only to discredit the albums mere existence I strongly encourage you to take a listen before making any judgments. Yes this is a rather unconventional line up performing however Bob Kulick truly lets his genius as a producer shine as even with the songs being reworked and beefed up they still retain the charm and appeal of the original versions making this album a great listen whether you are a traditional MJ fan or a fan of the artists performing on the record.

Track Listing:
1.) Thriller – Chuck Billy (Testament)
2.) Man In The Mirror – Danny Worsnop (Asking Alexandria) & Billy Sheehan (Mr.Big)
3.) The Way You Make Me Feel – Angelo Moore (Fishbone), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake), Rudy Sarzo (Queensryche)
4.) Black Or White – Lajon Witherspoon (Sevendust), Bruce Kulick (ex-Kiss),Tony Franklin (The Firm)
5.) Beat It – Priya Panda (Diemonds) & Ron Bumblefoot Thal (Guns n’ Roses)
6.) Billy Jean – Corey Glover (Living Colour) & Phil Campbell (Motorhead)
7.) Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) – Elias Soriano (Nonpoint)
8.) Rock With You – Doug Pinnick (King’s X)
9.) Dirty Diana – Chris Jericho (Fozzy)
10.) Bad – Paul Di’Anno (ex-Iron Miaden) & Craig Goldy (Dio)
11.) They Don’t Care About Us – (Icarus Witch)
12.) Never Can Say Goodbye – Lonnie Jordan (WAR)
13.) Smooth Criminal – (Alien Ant Farm)

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CD Review: Saxon “Unplugged and Strung Up”

Saxon
“Unplugged and Strung Up”
UDR Music
Producer: Saxon/Andy Sneap
Tracks: 14

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

British heavy metal legends Saxon are back with a new album containing reworked versions of some of the group’s most popular tracks which span the groups 30+ year career. “Unplugged and Strung Up” is being released via UDR Music and features 14 reworked Saxon staples produced by the band and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap.

Lush instrumentation and arrangements are what you will find on “Unplugged and Strung Up” the latest release from the legendary metal group Saxon. The group which formed in the UK during the mid-1970’s has gone through somewhat of a reinvention lately and this offering of 10 reworked classics does a great job of fueling that rekindled fire. The group does a great job mixing up arrangements which give listeners a variety of musical styling’s. Everything from immense orchestral pieces to remixed originals and even a couple stripped down acoustic numbers are included on this album giving the listener a lot to digest. I really enjoyed the track “Call to Arms” which was a perfect blend of melodic vintage metal and rich orchestration. The acoustic rendition of “Frozen Rainbow” was another song that really stood out. Vocalist Biff Byford shows that he is capable of much more than sheering metal vocals as his voice on this track and the 3 accompanying acoustic tracks sits beautifully in the mix.

Longtime Saxon fans will definitely appreciate this reworking of material as will those who are still new to the group. However for the newer listeners I highly recommend checking out the original recordings first and then circle back to “Unplugged and Strung Up”. For those hardcore Saxon-ights wanting a little bit more metal in their musical diet this release is also available in a special digipack version that includes the re-recorded version of the bands 2002 album “Heavy Metal Thunder” which features tracks like “Motorcycle Man” and “Dallas 1pm”.

Track Listing:
1.) Stallions Of The Highway (Remix)
2.) Crusader (Orchestrated Version)
3.) Battle Cry
4.) The Eagle Has Landed (Orchestrated Version)
5.) Red Star Falling (Orchestrated Version)
6.) Broken Heroes (Orchestrated Version)
7.) Call To Arms (Orchestrated Version)
8.) Militia Guard
9.) Forever Free (Re-recorded Version)
10.) Just Let Me Rock (Re-recorded Version)
11.) Frozen Rainbow (Acoustic Version)
12.) Iron Wheels (Live Acoustic Version)
13.) Requiem (Acoustic Version)
14.) Coming Home (Acoustic Version)

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Filed Under: CD Reviews Tagged With: cd, review, saxon, strung, unplugged

DVD Review “Impractical Jokers: The Complete First Season”

Starring: Q, Sal, Joe and Murr
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: November 26, 2013
Run Time: 374 minutes

Season: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

If you haven’t heard of truTV’s hit series “Impractical Jokers”, then you are truly missing out. This show follows four longtime friends form New York that dare each other to do outrageous and often humiliating things in public all while being filmed by a hidden camera. I can honestly say that I have never laughed so hard in a LONG time then when I watch my first episode from this show. I was super excited that Warner Home Video releases that there is a market to re-watch these 17 episodes from the series’ first season and are releasing them on Blu-ray. Let’s hope that these do well and we see many more seasons to come.

Official Premise: They have to SAY it. They have to DO it. You have to SEE it. Once you start watching, you just can’t stop! For the first time ever on DVD, watch Q, Sal, Joe and Murr compete in a series of the most hilarious dares ever, recorded by hidden cameras, with Impractical Jokers: The Complete First Season. Packed with all 17 episodes from the first season plus bonus features, this DVD will have you howling with laughter!

“Impractical Jokers” has become such a hit for truTV. The show is getting more popular and popular with each new season. The show just started its third season and even have their own post-show series now with six episodes of “Jokers After Party”, which features Q, Sal, Joe and Murr chatting about their favorite moments from various episodes. If you want more “Impractical Jokers”, fans of the show can also catch the guys live during the truTV Impractical Jokers Tour featuring The Tenderloins, which has been touring all over the country. But wait…there is still more they also have an app available now in the App Store and Google Play, which features clips from the show, a soundboard smorgasbord, doodle pad and a chance to call the jokers directly and speak with them live.

In terms of special features, there is enough to add some decent replay value to the show. There are 12 deleted scenes that add up to about 10 minutes. I honestly was loving these personally. There are four short behind-the-scenes featurettes including “Brian Quinn: Q Up for Laughter,” “Larry! It’s the Best Joe Moments Ever!,” “James Murray: Off the Couch,” and “Delicious! The Best of Sal Vulcano.” *Meet the Stars of Impractical Jokers” is another four featurettes, which introduces each one of guys. Lastly there are five commentaries with the guys on the episodes, “Pay It Forward,” “Boardwalk of Shame,” Out of TP,” “Who Arted?,” and “Charity Case.” A must listen for any fan of the show.

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Film Review “Homefront”

Starring: Jason Statham, James Franco, Kate Bosworth, Winona Ryder.
Directed by: Gary Fleder
Rated: R
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Open Road

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Plenty of action and an ending you see coming in the first 20 minutes doesn’t take away from the adrenaline packed thrill ride that Jason Statham’s new film, “Homefront,” takes you on.

Phil Broker (Statham) is a former undercover DEA agents who’s cover was blown. He is now in hiding with a false identity and raising a young daughter in Louisiana. They are living a peaceful and quiet life until his daughter sticks up for herself on the playground and bloodies the school bully’s nose. It is this act that straps you in for the rollercoaster ride to come. Her actions bring along a feud that grows between the bully’s strung out mother Cassie Bodine (Bosworth), her brother Gator (Franco) and Broker. Brother Gator is a big fish in a small pond, making his living as the town’s main meth manufacturer and dealer. He’s large and in charge and those in authority, even the local Sheriff (Clancy Brown), are in his corner. His only beef with Broker comes when his sister, upset her son got his butt whipped by a girl, asks him to “scare” Broker. In fact, it is the volatile relationship between Franco and Bosworth that is the underlying antagonist of the film. Wanting to keep his sister happy, Gator obliges, breaks in to Broker’s house and discovers his undercover police reports. His true identity uncovered, Broker and his daughter now find themselves on the run from a group that includes Gator, his girlfriend (Ryder) and the gang of bikers that originally blew Broker’s cover.

Written by Sylvester Stallone, this is the rare film that packs plenty of action around an actual story line. Before the film started, I wrote down the four things that I figured I, and the majority of the people who go see this film, should probably expect to see;

1. Trouble Finds Good Guy,
2. There will be shooting,
3. There will be multiple chase scenes; on foot, by car, by boat, etc..
4. Good guy gets last laugh.

After the film I glanced at the list and can happily say I wasn’t disappointed. If you want to see Jason Statham, a real action star, kick some real ass than this is the film for you.

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3D Blu-ray Review “The Smurfs 2”

Actors: Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Katy Perry, Hank Azaria, Brendan Gleeson, Christina Ricci and J.B. Smoove
Directors: Raja Gosnell
Number of discs: 3
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release Date: December 3, 2013
Run Time: 105 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
3D: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

When I saw “The Smurfs” back in 2011, I was pleasantly surprised. I grew up watching the animated series and have always had a special place for those little blue people. Of course Sony scored big with the first film and a sequel was inevitable. I just wasn’t really dying for another one so soon, especially since the first was enjoyable but still nothing amazing. The sequel doesn’t match the fun of the first film. It is worth checking out most definitely for kids since it is quite entertaining for them. I might be a little harsher on this film than it deserves but I just feel like this is a bit too sloppy for me and a little bit lazy (and the box office showed this). Hopefully they will improve on this for the again inevitable “The Smurfs 3”.

Official Premise: Evil wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria) creates Hackus and Vexy, a pair of mischievous Smurf‑like creatures, hoping they will let him harness the magical Smurf‑essence. However, he soon discovers that he needs the help of Smurfette, who knows the secret to turning the pair into real Smurfs. When Gargamel, Hackus and Vexy kidnap Smurfette from Smurf Village and bring her to Paris, it’s up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy and Vanity to reunite with their human friends, Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris)and Grace Winslow (Jayma Mays), to rescue her.

Sony is know for delivering some of the best Blu-rays that are being released today. This three-disc combo includes Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy. The 1080p transfer is actually quite amazing, which is not surprising since this film was mastered in 4K for maximum picture and expanded color (not though this is only for the 2D version of the film). Like with “The Smurfs”, I was quite the fan of the 3D transfer. Same goes for this sequel, the added dimension really works for this film. It is a little cheesy but I feel that it works well with the type of film this is. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track also delivers quite well, which the zany antics and fun action.

In terms of special features, they are pretty impressive. Only included on the 3D and Blu-ray combo packs is the Sony Pictures Animations’ animated Smurfs mini-movie, “The Legend of Smurfy Hollow.” This was previously released on DVD earlier this Fall and luckily now is available with this release. There are two featurettes including “Daddy’s Little Girl: The Journey of Smurfette” and “Animating Azrael”, which are available on the Blu-ray and DVD. There are also three Blu-ray exclusive featurettes including “The Puurrfect Companion: Azreal’s Tail”, “Evolution of the Naughties” and “The Naughties! The Tale of Hackus and Vexy” included. Lastly Sony has been integrating smart phone apps with their Blu-ray releases. With this release we get “Smurf-O-Vision 2 App”, which allows you to play fun activities with your favorite Smurfs and sync with your Blu-ray to expand even more fun extras from the film.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 2, 3d, bluray, review, smurfs

Blu-ray Review “Angry Birds Toons: Season One – Volume One”

Rated: Unrated
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: December 3, 2013
Run Time: 73 minutes

Episodes: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I have to admit, I am totally obsessed with the Angry Birds-mania, which is taking over the world. From what started as a smart phone video game has since expanded into a cultural phenomena. Included in the first volume of the “Angry Birds Toons” are 26 episodes from season one. The show is wordless but if you are a fan of the games you will enjoy seeing these characters come to life.

Official Premise: Life isn’t easy on Piggy Island for the Angry Birds. Red and his fearless feathered companions, Chuck, Matilda, Red, Bomb, Blues and Terence, must band together to protect their eggs – and their future – from the wily plotting of the Bad Piggies.

The animation is very crisp and look great with their 1080p transfers. I have seen these episodes before on my smart phone via the “Angry Birds” apps. So the colors are very sharp and really impressive. The DTS-HD Master Audio tracks are good but if you know the show there is not much in terms of dialogue, more like sound effects..but it still works. I am curious to see how this is going to translate and expand in the upcoming feature film.

In terms of special features, there is some decent content including “Meet the Characters” and “Meet the Flock” Pods. There are three Behind-the-Scenes featurettes on the show. There is the special holiday episode “Wreck the Halls”, which themed perfectly with the upcoming holidays. There is a Character Art Gallery. Lastly there is a bonus Angry Birds Windows PC Game included.

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DVD Review “The Carol Burnett Show: The Ultimate Collection”

Actors: Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Lyle Waggoner
Number of discs: 22
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Time Life Entertainment
Run Time: 1500 minutes

Collection: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love “The Carol Burnett Show”? I wasn’t able to watch the show during its original run but I have always been a fan and have watched the show as a kid and now as an adult. The show debuted on CBS in 1967 and ran for 11 years, it received 25 Emmy Awards and five Golden Globes and it will always be one of the most honored shows in television history. With that being said about the show, this DVD “ultimate collection” isn’t really the ultimate collection. This 22-DVD boxed set, which was originally released in late 2012 including 50 episodes of the classic series, along with a 24-page memory book, a replica curtain from the show, and over 12 hours of bonus features. If you realize that this isn’t the complete series and are looking for a collection of hand-picked episodes then you should be happy with this release.

What this set does have is a wonderful presentation. This comes in a very sharp looking collectible box, which is opened by drawing up the replica curtain. In terms of special features, there are three episodes from “The Garry Moore Show”, which is where Carol got her start, including the “Supergirl” episode, where Carol did her Tarzan yell, for the first time on television. There are some rare sketches from the first five seasons, which have not seen anywhere in over 40 years including guest appearances by Lucille Ball, Jerry Lewis, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, plus one of the most beloved sketches in the history of the show– “The Dentist,” with Harvey Korman and Tim Conway. There is a great 100-minute Cast Reunion with Carol, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner.

“I Want to Push That Button…” The History of The Carol Burnett Show” is a great look into the show and its legacy. “Leading Lady” takes a look into Carol Burnett and her role in television. There are some Q&A’s from Carol with “Bring Up the Lights”. There is a focus on the episode “The Family”. There is a featurette on “Tudball and Wiggins” in “Ahhhh, Mrs. Ha-Wiggins?”. There is a celebration of movie parodies in “Starlet, Mildred, and More”. Next Stop, Broadway is a featurette on musicals. “Breaking Up Is Hard…Not to Do” looks into the ensemble’s chemistry and the famous “break-ups” on The Carol Burnett Show. “Where Do You Get Your Ideas?” is a showcase on the writers of the show. Lastly “Gags and Gowns” is a ode to the Designer Bob Mackie.

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