A Beginner’s Survival to Streaming

Without knowing the basics of live streaming, getting started might seem to be quite hard and intimidating. If you want to start streaming, understand the fundamentals of online video streaming and learn the most basics quickly, this article will surely help you achieve this.

Firstly, and most importantly, you need to think about the equipment that you will need. This will help you produce the right quality content that you want to achieve. When it comes to video and audio you will surely need cameras, computer screens, microphones. Mixers and background sounds to be played during the stream. To encode the video, you will need a computer software or a standalone hardware that transforms a video and sends it over to the Internet. You will then need to think about which streaming destinations you would like to use and stream your live videos within. The most popular ones include YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and Twitch. Lastly but crucially, you need to be connected to a stable internet connection so that your live stream does not freeze and buffer, or worst shut down entirely.

The video source is known as the stream of video data and likely, an audio source is known as the stream of audio. Your stream might include just one type of streams or a combination of both. Such combination is referred to as scenes. For the video sources, one can use a DSLR camera such as Nikon, desktop screen, webcam, phone camera or a camcorder. When streaming live, you do not need to worry about storage scape on your video source. The audio source can come from a USB microphone, an audio file or from a handheld device. If the same device is used for both the video and the audio, the audio will be automatically embedded in the video source. When editing in background music in your live stream be cautious as different platforms monitor such music and can flag you for copyrighted content. This can result in you being banned completely from the platform.

When it comes to video encoding you will notice how it is crucial to have. This will translate the video signal and transform it in a way that can be used for the Internet. This software will compress and convert incoming audio and video into a digital format. Unfortunately, most video sources are not equipped with an encoder. You will find three types of encoding devices, including a mobile phone or tablet, a desktop computer installed with streaming software, and a hardware encoder. Although a mobile phone might be the easy way to live stream, unfortunately, it is extremely limited when it comes to the live production capabilities.

Online sites and platforms that allow you to live stream are known as the streaming destination or content delivery networks. Some of the popular networks include YouTube, Facebook and Twitch. This all depends on what you are going to live stream. If you wish to record yourself trying your luck at online casinos, then we recommend that you take a look at MrCasinova’s live stream. Most networks mentioned are offered for free. When it comes to paid platforms, these offer you with control over how your streaming is presented, who your audience is and the monetization. Such platforms include Vimeo, Dacast and StreamShark offer monthly plans according to your wants and how much data you upload. Some platforms require you to go through additional steps and wait for a few hours before you are allowed to go live.

Most importantly, a stable internet connection is a crucial part of live streaming and the known to be reliable connection is through a hardwired line. Unfortunately, Wi-Fi and cellular seem to fluctuate from time to time. Always test your performance speed before and make sure to have approximately 1.5x your stream’s bitrate available.

This is known to be a very broad topic, and everyone has their own preference. However, this article provides you with a general look at how you can live stream. Understanding the basics is very important and with some practice you will surely get there.

Twitch Users Are Making A Decent Living By Live Streaming

Like most people, I always thought Twitch was a platform that is reserved for the gaming community. After all, that’s what the website is most famous for. However, I’ve recently found out that the platform is actually a hub for all things live streaming. Surprisingly, Twitch users are able to make a lot of money for what they do, here’s how. 

Twitch Bits

The basic type of viewer donation that is built into the platform is known as Twitch bits. Users viewing a stream can pay a small (or big) donation toward the livestreamer if they choose to, and Twitch takes a percentage of that amount. Of course, more viewers means more potential for such donations. So, many livestreamers will use StreamOZ to get Twitch followers organically and thus increase their potential revenue. While Twitch bits are available for all Twitch users, some may opt to add a patreon account to receive viewer donations in the form of a premium subscription. 

Affiliate Marketing

As with any platform on the internet, Twitch users make use of affiliate marketing programs to earn extra money. Of course, this again depends on a sizable fanbase, but it also adds the fact the the viewers would need to trust the livestreamer’s opinions enough to purchase something based on their recommendations.

Selling Merchandise

For Twitch users that have a substantial follower count, it is worth it to try selling any type of branded merchandise. However, this does not account for a major portion of their earning because merchandise is usually sold as exclusive and isn’t a permanent offer. 

Sponsorship Deals – Brand Marketing

Once Twitch users gain enough followers, they attract the attention of businesses that are looking to market their brands on Twitch. Many will strike a deal with sponsors, agreeing to promote their product or increase brand awareness for the products in exchange for monetary compensation. As with any type of social media platform, this type of deal is usually the most lucrative way to earn money through social media. The drawback is that the sponsors will control much of the creative process and the specific marketing messages that the users must use to promote their products. Nonetheless, it remains a goal for many Twitch users to be contacted by sponsors and be able to successfully negotiate a highly profitable sponsorship deal. 

Summary

Overall, Twitch users are able to earn a hefty paycheck at the end of the month by combining several of the aforementioned methods. It isn’t easy to be successful on Twitch, but once the ball gets rolling, the road to success seems to be simple enough. Twitch users are interested in a variety of topics, and not just sports or gaming, so don’t be discouraged from joining the platform as a livestreamer and trying to earn some money by focusing on the hobbies you are interested in. There is bound to be a community of people on Twitch that share your interests, so go ahead and start livestreaming with no hesitation.  

Concert Review: Anthrax “40th Anniversary Global Streaming Event”

“40th Anniversary Global Streaming Event”

Anthrax

The Den at 20ft Bear Studios, Los Angeles, CA

Friday, July 16th, 2021

Our score 4 out of 5 stars

Twenty-twenty-one marks Anthrax’s 40th anniversary as a thrash metal band, during this time the band has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple Gold and Platinum certifications, garnered six Grammy nominations, and racked up a host of other accolades from the media, music industry, and fans. To commemorate this achievement on July 16th the band along with Danny Wimmer Presents hosted a streaming event titled the “40th Anniversary Global Streaming Event”. The performance was shot recently in Los Angeles, CA at the Den located within 20ft Bear Studios and featured songs from all eras of the bands career along with a few surprises.   

Despite the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic still causing logistical nightmares for many touring bands it does not stop the need for recognition and celebration. No truer words have been spoken than when it comes to the 40th anniversary of one of the biggest bands in thrash metal, Anthrax. From the group’s early beginnings in Queens, NY to playing some of the biggest stages in the word as part of the “Big 4” tour and along the way releasing eleven studio albums this is a career that needs to be recognized! To celebrate the occasion Anthrax and Danny Wimmer Presents put together a brand-new show which they dubbed the “40th Anniversary Global Streaming Event”. Clocking in at over 2hrs the band dove deep into their impressive catalog ensuring that all periods of their career were represented. Making it into the set alongside staples like “Caught In a Mosh”, “Madhouse” and “I Am the Law” were lesser performed songs such as a cover of the Discharge song “Protest and Survive” which had not been performed live since 1997 along with “Keep it in the Family” and “Bring the Noise” which both had not been heard live since 2015. “Bring the Noise” was a double bonus as it featured a special guest spot by Public Enemy front-man Chuck D. D’s appearance instantly took me back to my younger years and to the days when MTV actually played music. Man, those were the days! Throughout the evenings stream amidst the top-notch sound and lighting production were brief interviews provided by various musicians and media personalities where they shared their own personal thoughts or experiences with the band. I found this part of the show to be great as it helped showcase the bands reach and impact across a variety of performance genres.

If the initial concert was not enough the main portion of the stream was followed by an additional stream which was made up of rehearsal footage, interviews with the band, a tour of NYC with Scott Ian and three bonus performances. The additional footage clocked in at just over forty-five minutes bringing the entire runtime for this special to nearly 3 hours! One thing I did find to be lacking was the band only performed in its current line up consisting of Joey Belladonna, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello, Scott Ian, Jon Donais. Yes, I know things can get tricky when trying to bring in past members and such however given the nature of the bands retrospective YouTube series which led up to this event recounting the bands history through new interviews with past and current members, I would have thought there could have been room to make this happen for the fans. Maybe this is something we can wish for during the 50th anniversary celebration. If you missed the streams initial debut it is available at until July 25th at anthraxlive.com. Do yourself a favor and check it out. You will not be disappointed.  

Set List:

1.) Fight’Em ‘Til You Can’t

2.) Madhouse

3.) Caught in a Mosh

4.) Metal Thrashing Mad

5.) Got the Time

6.) I Am the Law

7.) Keep It in the Family

8.) Lone Justice

9.) The Devil You Know

10.) Be All, End All

11.) Now It’s Dark

12.) Antisocial

13.) In the End

14.) Medusa

15.) Evil Twin

16.) Indians

17.) A Skeleton in the Closet

18.) Aftershock

19.) Blood Eagle Wings

20.) Bring the Noise

21.) A.I.R.

22.) Among the Living

Encore: (featured in “Behind the Scenes” stream)

23.) Breathing Lightning

24.) Protest and Survive

25.) Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)

BAD RELIGION TO RELEASE A SECOND SEASON OF DECADES A FOUR-PART STREAMING SERIES

TICKETS ON SALE MAY 18, 2021 12 PM (PST)

FIRST EPISODE, THE 80’S, TO PREMIERE JUNE 5, 2021 2 PM (PST)

VIA NO CAP SHOWS

Bad Religion is releasing the second season of their wildly popular streaming event, Decades.  Bad Religion singer Greg Graffin says, “We were blown away by the enthusiasm of our fans surrounding our first streaming event last year. We realized that we had only touched on a couple of songs from each album during Decades: Season One. We wondered if we could dig a bit deeper into our catalog and do it again. Many of these songs have never been performed on stage. Some of them are timeless fan favorites. A few, we may never attempt to play ever again! But all of them show the diverse and even experimental nature of Bad Religion‘s repertoire over the years”.  All four episodes of Decades: Season Two will include a live performance set filmed at The Roxy in Hollywood, California, candid interviews with all current band members, and behind-the-scenes footage of the band as they rehearsed. Bad Religion will participate in an accompanying live chat during the premiere of each episode. Tickets and merchandise are available for sale on the Decades: Season  NoCap Shows page.

The ’80s Bad Religion performs songs from their albums How Could Hell Be Any Worse, Into The Unknown, Suffer, No Control and Against The Grain (yes, it was released in 1990 but, fuck it, we do what we want). Expanded exclusive interviews with band members and crew. Even more and fly on the wall rehearsal footage and behind the curtain shenanigans.

The ’90’sBad Religion performs songs from Generator, Recipe For Hate, Stranger Than Fiction, The Gray Race, and No Substance. Exclusive interviews with band members and crew. 

The ’00sBad Religion performs songs from The New America, The Process of Belief, The Empire Strikes First, and New Maps of Hell. The band discusses the evolution of their sound. 

The ’10sBad Religion performs songs from The Dissent of Man, True North, and Age Of Unreason. The Covid-19 pandemic cut short their plans to tour in support of The Age Of Unreason. Many of the songs included are being performed outside of the studio for the first and possibly last time.  

No Cap Shows will host Decades: Season Two; a four-episode package will sell for $40, individual episodes are available for $15. Tickets for Decades: Season Two will go on sale Tuesday, May 18, at noon PST. Episodes will remain up for sale and viewing till July 31st at midnight PST.  

Decades: Season 2 episodes will premiere at 2:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.

June 5th: Bad Religion, the ’80s

June 12th: Bad Religion, the ’90s

June 19th: Bad Religion, the ’00s

June 26th: Bad Religion, the ’10s 

4 Decades 4 Episodes $40 bucks

KORN ANNOUNCE GLOBAL STREAMING EVENT KORN: MONUMENTAL

GROUNDBREAKING IMMERSIVE PERFORMANCE TO BROADCAST WORLDWIDE FROMSTRANGER THINGS: THE DRIVE-INTO EXPERIENCEON APRIL 24TH AT 1:00PM PDT / 4:00PM EDT / 9:00PM BST / 10:00PM CEST

TICKETS & LIMITED-EDITION PACKAGES INCLUDING VIRTUAL MEET & GREETS ON SALE TODAY AT WWW.KORNLIVE.COM

Continuing a legacy of groundbreaking achievements and radical innovation, GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-platinum band KORN have announced details of their global streaming event, KORN: MONUMENTAL 

Scheduled for Saturday, April 24th at 1:00PM PDT / 4:00PM EDT / 9:00PM BST / 10:00PM CEST, the ticketed immersive concert experience will broadcast worldwide from the set of the breath-taking Stranger Things: The Drive-Into Experience. Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, the performance promises to be an unforgettable set from the iconic band, highlighted by rare and sought-after deep cuts and classics from their legendary catalog. Since KORN’s latest critically acclaimed album, THE NOTHING, never received a proper tour due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, KORN: MONUMENTAL will mark the live debut of select tracks from the new record for fans around the globe. 

Tickets for this landmark global streaming event are on sale at www.KornLive.com at an early bird discount through Saturday, March 27th.  Fans can also purchase bundles and V.I.P. experiences, including exclusive merchandise, limited-edition autographed posters, and a virtual meet & greet with the entire band, which will be available as a digital download. KORN: MONUMENTAL will be available to stream for 72 hours through April 27th at 11:59 PM EDT. Please note, this is a fully virtual event, there will be no in-person attendance permitted. 

KORN vocalist Jonathan Davis remarked “We hope you take part in this experience with us. And though it is not the same as performing live with you here, we still want to bring you some great music and a fun show.” 

Watch the official trailer for KORN: MONUMENTALHEREDanny Wimmer, founder of Danny Wimmer Presents commented KORN’s global streaming event, “It’s always exciting to break new ground with a band like KORN that has been with us for so many of our biggest festival moments over the years. The scale of the vision for this global stream event is even more than we’ve come to expect out of a KORN show and will be one of the biggest livestream events from a rock band we’ve seen yet. If you’ve ever wanted to know what a massive rock concert coming to life in your living room might look like, this is it. So turn out the lights, turn up the volume and get ready to rock.” 

Shocking rock music back to life like only KORN could, the band ascended to a new creative, commercial, and critical peak with their 2019 album, THE NOTHING. It marked their 14th Top 10 entry on the ‘Billboard 200’ and lifted them into rarified air giving them the fifth-most Top 10 debuts on the chart of any rock band. Lead by singles “You’ll Never Find Me,” “Can You Hear Me,” and “Cold,” REVOLVER crowned THE NOTHING “KORN’s best album in over 10 years,” while Metal Hammer affirmed the album “recaptures the genuine darkness of their earlier works” in a glowing 4.5-out-of-5 star review. “It continues KORN’s mission of probing the hidden corners and harsh realities of life within a shroud discordant darkness,” declared Noisey with The FADER adding, “KORN have never shied away from innovation… the icons have always looked forward.”  Los Angeles Times applauded the “…deep and potent performances from the band, evoking their ever-present rage but also feelings of loss and isolation,” while NME affirmed, “This urgent and important record will ensure the veterans don’t get lost in the shuffle.”  Once again, KORN redefine, revitalize, and reimagine the scope of rock music as perennial outliers and enduring iconoclasts. 

SNAFU: Detroit Hardcore Thrash/Punk Unit To Release Exile//Banishment Full-Length March 26th Via Life After Death Records; New Track Streaming + Preorders Available

“Conjuring old Sepultura and early Slayer vibes, ‘Choking Game’ offers a dark look into the world of mental illness, drug addiction, and depression so often overlooked in today’s society.” — SNAFU

Stream / Share SNAFU’s “Choking Game” HERE.

Hardcore thrash/punk unit SNAFU (Situation Normal All Fucked Up) will unleash their Exile//Banishment full-length on March 26th via Life After Death Records. 

Spawned from the ruins of Detroit, Michigan, SNAFU self-released their debut full length, Fear The Future, in 2013. Later distributed by Profane Existence, the songs bore a raw punk expression of raging cynicism and the destructive nature of mankind. Further honing their artistry, 2015’s Present Day Plague LP stayed true to their aggressive raw punk roots while working in elements of thrash and grind. Punknews crowned the record, “the soundtrack for the apocalypse.” Glacially Musical concurred, further likening the work to a, “violent trip through a post-apocalyptic landscape of human decadence.” 

This year, amidst plague, governmental corruption, and widespread societal suffering, the band spews forth the seething sounds of their third full-length, Exile//Banishment. Tracked and produced by Phil “Landphil” Hall (Municipal Waste, Cannabis Corpse, Iron Reagan etc.) and twin brother Josh “Hallhammer” Hall (Cannabis Corpse) at Blaze Of Torment Studios in Richmond, Virginia, mixed by Adam Shepard, and mastered by Joel Grind (Toxic Holocaust), Exile//Banishment is the band’s heaviest, darkest, and angriest affair yet focusing on personal frustrations and the hopeless future of humanity. 

“I’ve been good friends with Phil and Josh for a couple years now,” reveals guitarist/vocalist Scott Curnow. “We’ve gigged with all of their bands multiple times and I sometimes crew for Waste and Iron Regan; we’ve also toured with Cannabis Corpse. Phil has always given me advice and tips on how to help SNAFU to be more successful. So when we were getting ready to record a mutual friend was like, ‘hey, doesn’t Phil and Josh track all of their own bands? You should hit them up,’ and sure enough they were down. It was great having them there. Josh gave a lot of input when it came to the drums and Phil lent some great ideas on guitar parts and some solos. This album has basically been finished since May 2020 and with the pandemic we didn’t really know what to do with it or how to go about releasing it.” 

In advance of the release of Exile//BanishmentSNAFU delivers “Choking Game” for public feasting, noting of the track, “Conjuring old Sepultura and early Slayer vibes, ‘Choking Game’ offers a dark look into the world of mental illness, drug addiction, and depression so often overlooked in today’s society.”   

Stream SNAFU’s “Choking Game” at THIS LOCATION.

Exile//Banishment, which features artwork by Vladimir Chebakov, will be released on CD, cassette, and digital formats.

Find preorders at THIS LOCATION.

Exile//Banishment Track Listing:

1. Eyes Of Your God

2. Closed Casket Habits

3. The Pear Of Anguish

4. Choking Game

5. Bring Suffering

6. Wake Of Vultures

7. Monarch

8. No Rites (For The Less Dead)

9. Soil Of Blood

10. Amazing Waste

11. Exile & Banishment  

SNAFU:

Scott Curnow – guitar, vocals

Rian Staber – guitar, vocals

Patrick “El Toro” Saldivar – bass, vocals

Mike Jurysta – drums

BAD RELIGION CELEBRATE 40-YEARS BY RELEASING STREAMING SERIES “DECADES”

TICKETS ON SALE DECEMBER 1, 2020 12 PM (PST)

FIRST EPISODE, THE 80’S, TO PREMIERE DECEMBER 12, 2020 2 PM (PST)VIA NOCAP

Bad Religion celebrates their forty years of making music with Decades; a four-episode online streaming event captured live at The Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, California. The band felt it important to commemorate the conclusion of 2020 as a strange moment in history when they reached that 40-year milestone. The celebratory episodes will include live performance footage, exclusive interviews, and a peek at their rehearsals leading up to the taping of Decades. Singer & co-songwriter Greg Graffin discussed their motivation, “I can speak for the whole band when I say that we were so disappointed to not be able to tour this year. It is our fans and all those concerts we play each year that provide the life-force of Bad ReligionDecades allows new fans as well as those who were there at the beginning to get a rich overview of our entire career and witness the changes in songwriting and performance styles at each stage of our evolution.“ Bad Religion will participate in an accompanying live chat during the premiere of each episode. Show specific merchandise will be available for sale on the DecadesNoCap Shows page.

The ’80s – Bad Religion performs songs from How Could Hell Be Any WorseSuffer, and No Control. They discuss what it was like being young punks in a world of Pacman, Reaganomics, and Televangelism. 

The ’90’s – Bad Religion performs songs from Against The GrainGenerator, Recipe For HateStranger Than Fiction, The Gray Race, and No Substance. This decade cemented their position as one of the most influential and prolific bands of our time, but it didn’t come easy or without cost; the band discusses the growing pains and lessons learned. 

The ’00s – Bad Religion performs songs from The New AmericaThe Process of BeliefThe Empire Strikes First, and New Maps of Hell. Returning home and charging forward into a new millennium, Bad Religion continued to awe with their prowess, releasing some of their most beloved material to date.

The ’10s – Bad Religion performs songs from The Dissent of ManTrue North, and Age Of Unreason. The Covid-19 pandemic cut short their plans to tour in support of The Age Of Unreason and are now performing material never seen live before. The band discusses the gratitude they live with every day looking back on 40 years of being Bad Religion and the legacy they are still actively creating. 

No Caps Shows will host Decades; a four-episode package will sell for $40, individual episodes may be purchased for $15. Tickets for Decades will go on sale Tuesday, December 1 at noon PST. Episodes will remain up for sale and viewing through the conclusion of the series and available until 12 AM PST on January 5th.  

Decades episodes will premiere at 2:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.

December 12th: Bad Religion, the ’80s

December 19th : Bad Religion, the ’90s

December 26th: Bad Religion, the ’00s

January 2nd: Bad Religion, the ’10s 

4 Decades 4 Episodes $40 bucksBadreligion.nocapshows.com#BadReligionDecades #BR40 #BRDecades

Enter to Win One of Ten Digital Streaming Codes of “Infidel”

To celebrate the digital release for “Infidel”, Media Mikes would like to give our fans a chance to to win one of 10 digital streaming codes. If you want to win one of these codes, please leave a comment below or email us with your favorite Jim Caviezel film. This giveaway will remain open until December 11th at Noon, Eastern Time. This is open to our readers in US 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.

Don’t miss Jim Caviezel in the pulse pounding contemporary Middle East thriller, Infidel, where an American man is kidnapped and thrown in prison in Iran on spying charges. Infidel, is available now to rent or buy on iTunes, Google Play and more. #infidelmovie

Streaming Film Review: “Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on ‘The Exorcist'”

  • LEAP OF FAITH:  WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON “THE EXORCIST”
  • Starring:  William Friedkin
  • Directed by: Alexandre O. Philippe
  • Rated:  Not Rated
  • Running time:  1 hr 44 mins
  • Exhibit A Pictures

What is a perfect film?  To me, it is a film that, when you’ve watched it and absorbed what you’ve seen, you can’t find any fault with it.  Not a false note, not a frame you would change.  Perfect films are rare and the list is short.  “Citizen Kane…”  “The Godfather…”  “Chinatown…” and the most terrifying film I’ve seen in my 60 years on Earth, William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist.”  The new documentary, “Leap of Faith: William Friendkin on ‘The Exorcist’,” which airs exclusively beginning November 19 on the Shudder streaming service, takes you on an amazing journey into the making of the film, with the film’s director as your tour guide.

In Mr. Friedkin’s opinion, the majority of religious-themed films from Hollywood  were “sappy.”  Films like “The Ten Commandments”  and “King of Kings” treated God as being “magic.”  To Friedkin, only the 1955 Dutch film “Ordet” really approached religion – the mystery of faith” – in a truthful way.  Friedkin also believe it was fate that put together all of the pieces that became “The Exorcist.” 

We learn how he came to read the novel and how he worked with the book’s author, William Peter Blatty, to bring the book he wrote to the screen.  Friedkin remarks that Blatty’s script for the film omitted key parts in the novel that Friedkin felt were essential to the story.  Friedkin also reveals that several directors, including Stanley Kubrick and Arthur Penn, turned the film down before he was offered the job.  And while I knew that several actors, including Roy Scheider, had begged for the pivotal role of Father Damien Karras, Stacy Keach was actually hired for the part until Jason Miller pleaded with Friedkin for a chance to test for the role.  As much as I love Stacy Keach, when you watch “The Exorcist” now can you see anyone else in the role of Father Karras? 

“Leap of Faith” contains some amazing archival footage, including footage featuring a possessed Linda Blair speaking with her own voice.  It’s disturbing enough  to hear a 12-year old girl utter the vile dialogue in the gravelly voice of a demon but when you hear those words uttered in Blair’s own soft voice it’s downright chilling.

As “Leap of Faith” progresses you can’t help but think that this is what it must be like to have Da Vinci describe how he created the Mona Lisa.  Nothing is left unmentioned, including a discussion on the many conclusions that moviegoers and critics have drawn from the ending of the film.  To Friedkin, the ending is the film’s only flaw, one he feels he did not fully explain.  Flaw?  Not in my mind.  It’s perfect!

Streaming Review: “Welcome to the Blumhouse Presents ‘Evil Eye'”

  • EVIL EYE
  • Starring: stars Sunita Mani, Sarita Choudhury, Omar Maskati
  • Directed by: Elan Dassani , Rajeev Dassani
  • Rated: Unrated
  • Running time: 1hr 30 mins
  • Blumhouse Productions

Rounding out the initial four films released at part of Amazon’s “Welcome to the Blumhouse” package is twin-brothers Elan and Rajeev Dassani directed “Evil Eye.” Blumhouse once again delivering projects supporting diverse creators with inclusive casts, “Evil Eye” explores a culturally specific thriller that at first glance might seem centered around a practice that a majority of audiences won’t be able to identify with: arranged marriages – but the deeper theme here is one that unfortunately all too many will have experience with… making “Evil Eye” a film that feminists may champion

.
Exploring spiritual concepts of reincarnation and karma inject fascinating albeit culturally specific supernatural elements into what’s basically a story of an overprotective mother constantly attempting to virtually connect and intervene in her daughter’s love life in efforts to redirect her perceived fate. Pallavi (Sunita Mani) is a young Indian woman living a modern Americanized lifestyle after her parents return to their home in Delhi, India.  Her superstitious and paranoid mother, Usha (Sarita Choudhury) is in frequent contact and constantly in need of status updates on her daughter’s love life. Concerned that if she doesn’t find a husband before thirty her daughter will be alone forever, Usha goes to great lengths and frequent astrological consultations to attempt matchmaking for Pallavi. When Pallavi finally meets a promising young Indian man, Usha’s husband and family feels she should finally be content but we quickly learn that Usha’s past has forecasted the return of evil doing, taken form in Pallavi’s new love interest, Sandeep (Omar Maskati). 

Usha’s paranoia is soon understood by audiences: she was the victim of long term emotional and physical domestic abuse. Secretly responsible for bringing her abuser to his death, Usha suggests that he has returned, reincarnated as Sandeep.  Observing from across the ocean how he uses his charms, passively controlling and using his resources to convince Pallavi to relocate and quit her job, Usha sees must act quickly to save her daughter when no one believes in her visions.

“Evil Eye” is another installment of “Welcome to the Blumhouse” that’s hard to quantify as horror. While the heart of this film is assuredly one of the greatest horrors for so many people, especially females and parents of females, it is better to go in with appropriate genre expectations for this thriller which has only momentary touches of the supernatural but still succeeds in entertaining as tense and relevant horror-adjacent storytelling.

Streaming Review: “Welcome to the Blumhouse Presents ‘Nocturne'”

  • NOCTURNE
  • Starring: stars Sydney Sweeney, Madison Iseman, Jacques Colimon
  • Directed by: Zu Quirke
  • Rated: Unrated
  • Running time: 1hr 30 mins
  • Blumhouse Productions

After tragedy strikes the student body of a prestigious boarding school, a pair of talented twin musicians return home to visit their parents. Whilst entertaining guests you learn that one of their classmates has died by suicide and, via their parents’ snobby friends inquiries,  that the twins will be going separate ways the following school year. Shy and inexperienced Juliet (Sydney Sweeney) has to hustle to keep up with her more accomplished sister Vivian (Madison Iseman), whom everything seems to come naturally and more abundantly for — multiple suitors, praise from family and teaching staff and, most importantly, a coveted spot at Juilliard. 

When the girls return to school, it is announced that the recently deceased student has opened a highly contested slot at the Senior Concert. Rumors fly that perhaps Juilliard will send scouts and both sisters decide to audition but during her preparation, Juliet finds a notebook left behind by their former classmate, billowing with dark scrawlings and chilling sketches. 

After taking ownership of the notebook, a series of highly uncharacteristic social misadventures reveals that Juliet has seemingly made somewhat of a Faustian deal to propel her musical career towards stardom.

 With a backdrop of unlikable adult figures insisting on managing expectations, railing against the social media narratives of achievable stardom for all, Juliet retorts that she doesn’t even have social media and should be removed from being lumped in with her generation’s  sense of entitlement. But will she be able to resist the temptation as the world starts coming to her oh-so-much more freely?Sydney Sweeney shines here, giving a truly emotional performance.

Despite the supernatural elements at play, there is still very much a reminder of the pain and traumas that so many young girls have to survive while navigating the social hierarchy of high school. Even amongst a very specialized niche population, that “Mean Girls” chapter plays a hard hand between these sisters. I very much enjoyed Nocturne and won’t do it the disservice of suggesting anyone seriously compare it Argento’s “Suspiria” or Luca Guadagnino’s reimagining of it but horror fans would be hard pressed to not notice some at least basic themes pulled from there and I can easily offer it up as a modern companion to the 70s giallo classic.

Streaming Review: “Welcome to the Blumhouse Presents ‘Black Box'”

  • BLACK BOX
  • Starring: Mamoudou Argue, Amanda Christine, Phylicia Rashad
  • Directed by: Emmanuel Osei-Kuff
  • Rated: Unrated
  • Running time: 1 hr 40 mins
  • Blumhouse Productions


Giving a solid swing into the horror universe as part of the first installment of WELCOME TO THE BLUMHOUSE films streaming on Amazon Prime is Director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour’s “Black Box.”  

When you meet Nolan (Mamoudou Athie) you immediately feel his struggle. He’s a young, widowed father who has lost not only his wife but a majority of crucial memories sustained from the car accident that killed her. It has also seemingly took his “eye” from his successful photography career… which has added just one more stressor to the pile of problems he’s facing in his new life. He routinely forgets to pick up his daughter, Ava (Amanda Christine), from school, traditions they have together and simply struggles to safely and efficiently navigate their daily schedule. 

Becoming emotionally exhausted and worried about the effect it’s having on Ava, Nolan is looking for help to fill in the missing pieces. When Ava’s school threatens to call Protective Services after he forgets to pick her up for a third time, Nolan’s search becomes, simply, an act of desperation.


Reluctantly volunteering to participate in an experimental treatment, Nolan comes to know Dr. Lillian Brooks (Phylicia Rashad). The experiment uses a device they call the Black Box which allows the patient to recapture lost memories by submersing themselves in their own memories of adjacent experiences, hoping they will allow the missing pieces to fill themselves in. The visual process in which you arrive to these adjacent memories will not be unfamiliar to horror fans. Very briefly pulling atmospheric vibes a la Get Out’s The Sunken Place, but to be clear… the similarities end there. Not surprisingly, Nolan’s procedure isn’t without negative side effects and conceptually, I think most adult viewers will have an understood fear of the notion of memory loss, the mechanics involved in medical science should doctors ever want to play around in your brain for who knows what selfish reasons and most of all, imagining the desperation required to make a choice to participate in the above willingly.

Simply put, Black Box feels like a high concept story that might have best been left as an episode of Black Mirror. Or maybe it would’ve faired better expanded into an anthology; Nolan’s story alone doesn’t feel like it properly fills out 100 minutes and simultaneously feels like maybe there’s more behind the lab that viewers would be interested in seeing. Still, the acting is solid, especially from Osei-Kuffour. Atmospherically, this will tick off several boxes if you’re looking for new October horror stories — most notably some amazing physical acting from contortionist Troy James. Remember that with theaters closed, it’s our responsibility as viewers to set the scene and let these films do their job. Phones put away, lights off. Let the quiet and darkness replicate the scares that a movie theater can enhance… for now, at home. 

Streaming Review: “Welcome to the Blumhouse Presents – ‘The Lie'”

  • THE LIE
  • Starring: Joey King, Mireille Enos, Peter Sarsgaard
  • Directed by: Veena Sud
  • Rated: R
  • Running time: 1 hr 37 mins
  • Blumhouse Productions


Amazon’s new series WELCOME TO THE BLUMHOUSE is dropping a series of genre films starting this week. Amongst them is the Parental Horror “The Lie” directed by Veena Sud. 

 
Carefully straddling the lines between horror/thriller and Lifetime drama, “The Lie” explores the limits that two parents push in order to protect their only child after she confesses to a horrible crime.


Recently divorced Rebecca (Mireille Enos) and Jay (Peter Sarsgaard) are trying to find peace and balance in their new separate lives co-parenting fifteen year old, Kayla (Joey King). When Rebecca insists that defiant Kayla attend a weekend ballet retreat, Jay agrees to make the trek through the icy, frigid terrain to get her there. En route, in the middle of nowhere, they find Kayla’s friend Brittany waiting at a bus stop who reveals she’s also headed to the retreat although her dad refused to drive her and has left her to wait for a ride in the  harsh winter air. 


Brittany asks Jay to drive her but almost immediately begins inappropriately flirting with him, causing the girls to reveal their true “frenemy” relationship. Brittany also immediately demands Jay pull over, still very much in the middle of nowhere, so she can pee in the woods. Kayla accompanies her and when they don’t return, Jay starts to become concerned and then hears a scream. 


After finding Kayla sitting alone on the railing of  a rapid-covering bridge, she reveals in a panic that the two had fought and she pushed Brittany over the ledge in a fit of rage. Jay searches the area with no success other than finding her phone and coaches Kayla through the beginning of series of lies that spiral quickly way out of their control.When they return to Rebecca’s she initially resists in corroborating their story but is roped in anyway when Brittany’s father comes over looking for her. 


The hours and days that follow are impossible to look away from. Kayla’s icy, sociopathic behavior is unnerving and infuriating, Jay and Rebecca’s frenzy of lies becomes the proverbial car wreck that you guiltily cannot take your eyes from. This familial trio guides you through the unbearable questions that no parent ever wants to have to ask themselves. 


“The Lie” offers no jump scares, gore or autumnal markings but the terror is very much present. This was a highly worthwhile welcoming to The Blumhouse that will resonate with the over thirty crowd, perhaps enough to question whether the present climate will allow you to handle the anxiety that it delivers.

LAMB OF GOD Announce Two Massive Worldwide Streaming Events

Performing Their Brand New Album and Ashes of the Wake In Full 

Ticketed Livestreams Scheduled for September 18 and September 25 

Pre-show to Feature Band Interviews and Performances from WHITECHAPEL, BLEED FROM WITHIN 

Latest Album, Lamb of God, Available Now

Miss the ferocity, groove and aggression of the one-and-only LAMB OF GOD live? Well, the wait is over.

The mighty LAMB OF GOD will offer fans first-time-ever live performances of the band’s critically acclaimed new album, Lamb of God, and the landmark 2004 album Ashes of the Wake, both performed live in their entirety in the band’s hometown of Richmond, VA. As standalone ticketed events, these performances will be LAMB OF GOD‘s only chance to perform these songs for fans this year – and the band are ready to deliver to the highest degree.

The first stream, scheduled for Friday, September 18, will see the band perform songs from their latest self-titled album, released June 19 via Epic Records, live for the very first time. For the second stream, on Friday, September 25, the band will perform the ground-breaking RIAA certified Gold album, Ashes of the Wake, in its entirety for the first time ever. Both sets will feature encores, including fan favorites as well as songs that haven’t been performed in years.

The streams are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. PDT on their respective days. Livestream tickets will be $15 per show or, for a limited time, $20 for both shows and are on-sale now at http://watch.lamb-of-god.com. Streams will be available to watch video-on-demand through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday for fans who purchase a ticket. Additionally, the band will be offering ticket and limited-edition merch bundles plus an exclusive merchandise store available only to ticket holders during the stream.

A pre-show is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT before each stream, hosted by Jose Mangin, featuring exclusive interviews with members of the band and opening sets from Bleed From Within (September 18) and Whitechapel (September 25). Bleed from Within will be airing a brand new full production 30 minute set and Whitechapel will air their memorable 2014 hometown performance from Knoxville, TN.

For more information including tickets and merch bundles, visit at http://watch.lamb-of-god.com. 

LAMB OF GOD propelled heavy metal into the new millennium two decades ago with the prophetically titled New American Gospel. They followed with 2003’s As the Palaces Burn, which made the Rolling Stone list of the Top 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time. Ashes of the Wake (2004) was the first LAMB OF GOD album to be certified gold by the RIAA, followed by Sacrament (2006), which debuted in Billboard’s Top 10. Wrath (2009) earned the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hard Rock, Rock, and Tastemaker charts and was No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Those No. 1 positions were repeated with Resolution (2012). VII: Sturm und Drang (2015) debuted at No. 3 in North America and in the Top 5 in several countries. The single “512” from VII: Sturm und Drang received a Grammy nod for the “Best Metal Performance,” making it LAMB OF GOD’s fifth Grammy nomination.

A true collaboration between all members of the band, LAMB OF GOD’s eighth studio album is an amalgam of each individual’s contributions, blended to create a singular style. Guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler fuel the album with a mountain of riffs, taking what Lamb of God are known for, and unbelievably, upping the ante to new levels. The rhythm section of John Campbell, looming large as a rhythmic shadow, and drummer Art Cruz, who makes his studio debut with LAMB OF GOD here on this record, underpin the proceedings with passion, sweat and expansive dynamics. Vocalist D. Randall Blythe is as angry, insightful, and informed as ever. Never one to shrink from facing the darker aspects of our nature head-on, Blythe delivers with no punches pulled, and as only he and Lamb of God can in 2020.

LAMB OF GOD‘s co-headline tour with Megadeth plus special guests Trivium and In Flames has been postponed to 2021. For new dates and tickets visit: http://metaltouroftheyear.com

LAMB OF GOD is:

D. Randall Blythe – Vocals

Mark Morton – Guitar

Willie Adler – Guitar

John Campbell – Bass

Art Cruz – Drums

SHOUT! FACTORY TV ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN STREAMING ACQUISITION OF THE AQUABATS! SUPER SHOW!

Multi-Year Agreement Grants Shout! Factory TV Streaming Rights to Daytime Emmy Award-Winning Comedy Rock Series
Shout! Factory TV, the multi-platform digital streaming arm of Shout! Factory, and The Aquabats! today announce a distribution alliance to bring the fan-favorite musical comedy television series The Aquabats! Super Show! to streaming entertainment platforms in North America. 

The multi-year alliance provides Shout! Factory TV with SVOD, AVOD and linear streaming digital rights in the U.S. and Canada to all episodes of The Aquabats! Super Show!, including the unaired pilot episode and specials.   

Shout! Factory TV plans a timely rollout of The Aqubats! Super Show!, expected later this year on its streaming service. As excitement builds, Shout! Factory TV, in collaboration with The Aquabats!, will announce additional news and activities in forthcoming months. The Aquabats! Super Show! premiered in 2012 on the Hub Network and aired for two seasons. The series was created by Christian Jacobs,Scott Schultz (creators of the series Yo Gabba Gabba!), and Jason deVilliers. Throughout its run, the show received eight multiple Daytime Emmy nominations and one win. Shout! Factory previously released The Aquabats! Super Show!: Season One on DVD in 2013. 

Based on the superhero mythology of The Aquabats!, a real comedy rock band which series co-creator and lead singer Jacobs formed in 1994, The Aquabats! Super Show! follows the comic adventures of a fictionalized version of the band, a musical group of amateur superheroes, as they haphazardly defend the world from a variety of villains and monsters. Styled similarly to the campy aesthetics of 1960s and 1970s children’s television and Japanese tokusatsu, The Aquabats! Super Show! utilizes various mediums of visual styles and special effects, mixing live-action storylines with cartoon shorts, parody advertisements and musical interludes. 

“The Aquabats! are back at Shout! Factory, and we couldn’t think of a better home for Seasons 1 and 2 of The Aquabats! Super Show!,” said Christian Jacobs (The MC Bat Commander).“Take a look at their catalog and you’ll see a lot of the stuff that inspired Super Show! in the first place. We hope our fans enjoy watching The Aquabats! right alongside some of our all-time faves like Kamen Rider and Ultraman Leo, and we look forward to new folks discovering our wacky rock and roll adventures!” 

“As fans first, we’re thrilled to once again be working with The Aquabats!. The Aquabats! Super Show! has a devoted fanbase that has cemented the show as a pop culture phenom. We look forward to not only making it available for more fans to discover via streaming on Shout! Factory TV, but also taking advantage of the digital medium to give current fans new and unique ways to experience the show,” said Gene Pao, Shout’s SVP of Digital Enterprises. “As we actively expand our reach in streaming and digital platforms, acquisitions like this epitomize the fan-driven content we continually produce and pursue.”
About The Aquabats!
The Aquabats!, formed in 1994 in Orange County as a way to have some harmless fun in a music scene that took itself too seriously. Their Paul Frank designed “power belts,” trademark rash guards, black eye masks, “anti-negativity” helmets and onstage antics quickly caught on, earning the group a fiercely loyal following that spans generations. Their line-up and music is continuously evolving, including Blink 182’s Travis Barker as former drummer “Baron Von Tito.” 

In 2012, the band debuted The Aquabats! Super Show!, a live-action musical action comedy television series which aired on the Hub Network. The show received eight multiple Daytime EMMY nominations and one win. 

To date, The Aquabats’ music library includes The Return of the Aquabats (1996), The Fury of the Aquabats! (1997), The Aquabats vs. The Floating Eye of Death (1999), Myths, Legends and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2 (2000), Yo! Check Out This Ride! (EP, 2004) Charge!! (2005), Radio Down! (EP, 2010), Hi-Five Soup! (2011), and 2020’s newest addition – full studio album Kooky Spooky… In Stereo! 

Current members are Christian Jacobs as “The MC Bat Commander” (lead singer), Chad Larson as “Crash McLarson” (bass, vocals), Ian Fowles as “Eaglebones Falconhawk” (guitar), Richard Falomir as “Ricky Fitness” (drums), and James Briggs, as “Jimmy the Robot” (keyboards, woodwinds, vocals). 

About Shout! Factory TV
Shout! Factory TV is a digital entertainment streaming service that brings timeless and contemporary cult favorites to pop culture fans. Shout! Factory TV offers an unrivaled blend of original programming and TV shows and movies curated from major studios, independent producers and its own distinctive entertainment library. The Shout! Factory TV family of channels also includes Mystery Science Theater 3000 and TokuSHOUTsu™, with more to come soon. Shout! Factory TV provides an immersive, high-quality viewing experience across a wide variety of platforms: online at ShoutFactoryTV.com, on smartphone devices, tablets and connected TV, and via apps on the Roku player, Android, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. Shout! Factory TV is also available as a branded channel on Amazon Prime Channels, Comcast Xfinity, Pluto TV, Redbox, Roku Premium Subscriptions, Samsung TV Plus, STIRR, Tubi, Twitch, Vizio and XUMO among others. For more information, please visit ShoutFactoryTV.com.