Hounddog - Poster, Trailer, Stills

Hounddog is a film that cuased some ripples at Sundance in 2007. It is now getting a release to theaters, beginning with a limited release on September 19, 2008. The film stars Dakota Fanning as a young girl with a wellspring of spirit. She struggles to rise above all that surrounds her, even overcoming an event of tragic import to her young life. Her only solace is found in the music of Elvis Presley. It looks like a good movie, although I hope it is a bit more upbeat than the trailer seems.

DVD Review: Here, Kitty Kitty

I must say that this documentary is a pretty interesting piece of work. At its center is a 2005 proposal in Wisconsin that sought to reclassify feral cats as an unprotected species, allowing them to be shot on sight. It is the sort of question that gets national attention due to its "what the heck?" logic, or lack thereof. Obviously, this matter brings out many opinions and can get very heated on both sides. What makes this documentary work is the fact that it does not take the incendiary approach. It looks at both sides of the issue and the interesting characters that populate them.

When it comes to pets, I have to admit to being more of a cat person than anything else. I have had both dogs and cats in the house for most of my life, although it tended to be the cats that I preferred. However, when it comes right down to it, I would take no pets over pets. I have nothing against them, and they can be a real mood lifter and provide hours of entertainment. I just don't want to take care of them, yes, I am lazy. I would never neglect a pet, just prefer not to have one. That said, the idea of hunting cats, or just taking shots at them when they appear on my property, makes me feel a little sick to the stomach. For that matter, the idea of shooting any living thing does not sit that well with me. Obviously, I am not a hunter.

Here, Kitty Kitty barely passes the hour mark in length. That may sound short, but it is not always the length that matters, it is how you use it. Director Andy Beversdorf does a fine job within that time, hitting all the major points while allowing humor to permeate the proceedings, making it an easy watch that will keep you involved to the end.

Something that I found particularly interesting is that the film does not really take sides here. Considering the thought of killing cats, I found it a logical assumption that the film would take a clear stance letting the audience know exactly where the makers allegiances lay. I was sure I was going to walk into a wall of pro-kitty propaganda, or at least a film maker who is a fan of the felines. Not to say I expected the film to be one-sided, but surely it was going to take a stand. I was glad to be wrong on that count.

The film takes us inside the community hearings, where cat lovers said their piece, cat haters said their piece, wash, rinse, repeat. It was amusing to hear what they had to say, even when it had nothing to do with the matter at hand, introducing the idea of people torturing kittens, which is not exactly the issue.

Scientific, accurate or not, depending on who's talking, data is presented that would seem to support the idea of regular cat hunts. It was determined approximately how many stray/wild/feral cats live in rural Wisconsin, it was then extrapolated to show how many birds were killed annually by said cats. This was seen as detrimental to Wisconsin, with killing cats seen as the best way to preserve their bird community.

Over the course of the hour we meet characters that range from a man who apologetically traps and drowns cats, an organization that runs Dontshootthecat.com, as well as groups that have so-called spayathons, where vets donate their time to spay and neuter feral cats before they are either returned to where they were found or sent to live on farms. All points of view are examined, and I was left with the thought that randomly killing these cats would be a very silly thing to do, but that something does need to be done to address all of the cats.

Quite frankly, I was surprised at just how many cats they had running around out there. I can see how some would consider them a nuisance. Still, I cannot advocate the wholesale slaughter of cats.

Audio/Video. This is not a big budget affair, and the tech quality reflects that. However, the mediocre quality does not detract from the film, so do not judge it based on this fact. It is not bad by any stretch, and the quality material makes up for any technical deficiency.

Extras. The extras are comprised of deleted scenes that total somewhere in the vicinity of 45-50 minutes. Among these scenes is 14 minutes of additional footage from the hearings, as well as a history through ballistics. Some would have been fine had they been left in the feature, while a few were cut for obvious reasons once you see them.

Bottomline. This is an entertaining and informative documentary that takes a look at an issue that garnered national attention due to its incendiary nature. It is well made and contains plenty of information to help the viewer make their own decision. Definitely worth your time.

Recommended.


The DVD will be available through Prolofeed Studios.

Pop Evil - "Hero"

The Grand Rapids, MI, based Pop Evil have recently released their debut album called Lipstick on the Mirror. The first single is called "Hero" and its release was announced by way of a press release that stated the band attacked their lawyer and that video of the incident was on YouTube. Now, the band is not all that bad, not great, but fun rock music, but I do not particularly care for the way they announced the video. Are they that hard up for press that they went this route? Or was it something calculated by the label? In either case, I guess it worked as here's the video:

AC/DC - "Rock and Roll Train"

AC/DC has a new album coming out next month (October 20th to be exact), called Black Ice. It will be sold exclusively through Walmart, ugh. Anyway, they have a new video out for the lead single, and by definition it rocks. Although, I have to question if this was any other band if it would get this sort of attention? AC/DC has not changed at all since their inception, fine tuning their considerable rock and roll skills for decades, but, while I like it, it does seem like more of the same.

The Merv Show - Guests: Shatner, Nimoy, Kelly

Next May will bring with it a new Star Trek movie. I am really looking forward to this and hope that it is a good one. As the months begin to speed up, I thought it may be interesting to take alook at Star Trek's past. Here is a clip from an episode of The Merv Show that was done as a tribute to Star Trek II.

Guy Ritchie May Have Found His Watson

In case you did not know, Guy Ritchie, director most famous for Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch (not to mention being married to Madonna), is set to direct a new take on the classic Sherlock Holmes character. It now appears that he has found his Watson, or at least Coming Soon is reporting that an A-lister is in negotiations.

First, you should know that the incredibly red hot Robert Downey Jr., bolstered by Iron Man and Tropic Thunder is signed on to play the sleuth. If anyone can pull the roll off, he can. Now, as for his Watson, it may be none other than Jude Law. That's right. Interesting, no?

I am not sure I can see these two working together. No, not out of any inability to do the job, I just have a hard time picturing them together. Still, they are a couple of first rate actors and I would definitely be in line to see the film. As for Guy Ritchie, I have to wonder if his career os on the slide, with Swept Away being universally panned and Revolver not doing much better. I suppose his latest, Rocknrolla, will be a telling factor.

It should also be mentioned that a comedy version of Holmes is also in the works, starring Sacha Baron Cohen.

Chaplin: 15th Anniversary Edition - DVD Art, Stills

Sixteen years ago Robert Downey, Jr. starred as silent film and comedy legend Charlie Chaplin. Surprisingly, I have always been interested in seeing this film, but never have. Now that we have a new DVD release maybe I should finally take the time, no? This anniversary DVD release will feature newly remastered audio and video, as well as a host of bonus material. The extras will include a couple brand new featurettes as well as a never before released home video of Chaplin on vacation. Below are a few stills and the cover art for the new edition, due out October 14, 2008.

Megadeth - Set the World Afire

Dave Mustaine and the mighty Megadeth are prepping for the release of a new compilation to be released at the end of the month. This comes hot on the heels of the War Chest set. I have to question if we really need another compilation, but I guess I need not complain, not everyone needs to get it, unless they are compulsive completists or are youngsters looking to discover the greatest of these metal heavyweights. The collection does look pretty good as it covers the band's entire career.

Disc 1	Disc 2
1. Mechanix	1. Skin O’ My Teeth
2. Rattlehead	2. Ashes In Your Mouth
3. Peace Sells	3. Breakpoint
4. Wake Up Dead	4. Angry Again
5. Devils Island	5. Train of Consequences
6. Anarchy in the U.K.	6. Reckoning Day
7. Set The World Afire	7. A Tout Le Monde
8. Into The Lungs Of Hell	8. The Killing Road
9. In My Darkest Hour	9. New World Order
10. Holy Wars…The Punishment Due	10. Trust
11. Tornado of Souls	11. She-Wolf
12. Hangar 18	12. Insomnia
13. Take No Prisoners	13. Prince of Darkness
14. Go To Hell	14. Kill The King
15. Sweating Bullets	15. Dread And The Fugitive Mind
16. Crown of Worms	16. Foreclosure of a Dream
17. High Speed Dirt [Demo]*	17. Symphony of Destruction (live, Cow Palace, 1992)**
	18. Peace Sells (live, Cow Palace, 1992)

New Movies and Box Office Predictions: Ghost Town, Igor, Lakeview Terrace, My Best Friend's Girl

Last week saw four new films enter the top ten list. This week sees four more new films look to break into the top ten, continuing the wholesale switchover in the top films. If/when they do appear on the list, you will see a top ten that only contains to films that were there two weeks ago. As for this week's offerings? Mostly light fare with a couple of comedies, a thriller, and an animated feature. I have to wonder about the animated feature, I have not seen much in the way of advertising for it, but with little else for families, I would think it would do well. Could be interesting.

Ghost Town. (2008, 103 minutes, PG-13, comedy, trailer) Recently, co-writer/director David Koepp said that he regrets casting Ricky Gervais in the lead role. It has nothing to do with his skills or his performance, it has to do with the fact many people do not know who he is. The Brit comedian is best known for his series The Office (adapted into the Steve Carrell series) and Extras. Anyway, this film concerns Gervais as a dentist lacking in people skills. A near death experience leaves him with the ability to see dead people. He is approached by a dead Greg Kinnear who needs his help to stop his ex fiancee (Tea Leoni) from marrying a jerk. Sounds amusing.

Igor. (2008, 86 minutes, PG, animated comedy, trailer) This looks like fun, although the advertising seems to have been a little light, but with little else targeted at the family audience right now, I suspect it will do decently. The movie centers on Igor (John Cusack), who has dreams of being more than an Igor, he wants to be the scientist. When the scientist he is working with dies, he has the opportunity to step up to the plate and show what he's got. Other voices include John Cleese, Steve Buscemi, Eddie Izzard, Arsenio Hall, and Sean Hayes.

My Best Friend's Girl. (2008, 103 minutes, R, comedy, trailer) I am not a Dane Cook fan; in many of his early roles I felt he was trying to channel Ryan Reynolds. That said, I think this looks like it could be entertaining, not good, but entertaining. Jason Biggs is dating Kate Hudson, but when he comes on strong, she dumps him. Biggs turns to his friend, Cook, who is the "rebound guy" hired to take the lady on the worst date of her life, thereby sending her back to the dumped guy. Of course, things backfire here and Cook ends up attracted to Hudson. Rather typical, but could have some humor.

Lakeview Terrace. (2008, 110 minutes, PG-13, thriller, trailer) This looks like a pure vehicle for Jackson to be Jackson. He plays a cop and neighborhood watchdog who does not care for the interracial couple next door, played by Kerry Washington and Patrick Wilson. The relationship turns frosty as he tries to get them out and they decide to fight back. Again, not a great looking movie, but definitely a fun one.

Also opening this week, but not near me:

• Appaloosa
• Battle in Seattle
• The Duchess
• Hounddog
• A Thousand Years of Good Prayers

Box Office Predictions
Man, I look at this week's slate and I have no idea where the totals are going to go. Last week I did all right, but this week is much tougher to call. None look like a clear cut winner, although I am pretty sure that the winner will come out of the new releases, I doubt that Burn After Reading will be able to repeat at the top, although I suspect it will have a good showing in its second weekend. The trick is to guess if PG-13 Samuel L. Jackson can outdraw R-rated Dane Cook. I think Cook is going to win the showdown, but I really have no clue. As for the rest? Might as well pick names out of a hat.

Here is how I think the top ten field will play out:

Rank	Title	Box Office
1	My Best Friend's Girl	$16 million
2	Lakeview Terrace	$14 million
3	Burn After Reading	$12 million
4	Igor	$9 million
5	Righteous Kill	$8.5 million
6	Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys	$8 million
7	Ghost Town	$7.5 million
8	The Women	$5 million
9	The Dark Knight	$4 million
10	The House Bunny	$3.5 million

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - Trailer, Poster

Taking a look at the soundtrack for this flick and I see songs and artists that I do no t have much interest in them. It is not that I don't like them, I just have no interest. However, when I see the trailer, I cannot wait. I like Michael Cera and Kat Dennings has impressed in the couple of roles I've seen her in. Together it looks like they are having a lot of , which is what I expect from this movie.

Kid Rock - "All Summer Long"

I was looking up Warren Zevon videos when I stumbled across this one. Surprisingly, I actually have some respect for Kid Rock as a musician. He is not a great one, but he has respect for the classics. Now, where this came from, I have no idea. Rock takes Zevon's "Werewolves of London" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and creates ome weird sort of mash up. I kind of like it, although it does take a little getting used to.

DVD Review: The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries - The Complete First Season

Over the years when you talk about classic cartoons the conversation will invariably include a question along the lines of: "Disney or Warner Brothers?" It could take shape in a number of different forms, or even be disguised in a discussion of characters. In whatever directions the conversation goes, the other participant will be able to tell what side of the fence you fall on (much like other either/or conversations involving the likes of PC/Mac and Mets/Yankees). In my case loyalties have always lay with Warner Brothers. I do love and respect classic Disney, but Warner Brothers is where I am really at. Sure, my depth of knowledge of toon names and directors is weak, but I know what I like. This leads to a surprise, I had never seen an episode of The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries until now.

I must say that the series is quite addictive. Once I started watching, I found it hard to turn the disk off. It is much the same case as the even more addictive Golden Collections of the true Warner Brothers classics (which are an absolute must have). As addictive as the show reveals itself to be, the DVD looks equally good. The colors are sharp and vivid, but with the occasional grain. I suspect these could look a bit better, but they look great as is. So, this two disk, twelve-episode set has a nice one too punch of quality content and quality presentation. Kind of hard to argue with that.

The show appeared on Saturday morning rosters way back in 1995, well after the Golden Age of the characters, but during a resurgence by both Warner Brothers and Disney in the half hour cartoon market. This resurgence includes the likes of Tiny Toons, Animaniacs, Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers, and Ducktales. While those other shows easily overshadow the likes of this one, this quartet of characters is not to be ignored.

The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries brings together Sylvester the cat and Tweety Bird (of course), along with Hector the Bulldog and Granny. Together they do a little globetrotting as they solve mysteries. These mysteries include finding the stolen Blarney Stone in Ireland, a missing periscope, and a giant kidnapped tuna! Along the way a string of classic films are spoofed, including The Maltese Falcon in "The Maltese Canary" complete with Sam Spade and Peter Lorre, and Frank Capra films in "It Happened One Night Before Christmas."

Each episode finds master sleuth Granny, who is always in high demand, taking on some mystery with the help of her three beloved pets. The problem is that while Tweety is being helpful, Sylvester keeps trying to eat the little bird and Hector has to keep punishing the cat for his acts. The slapstick trio are the focus of each episode while Granny is used to propel the plot, as thin as they are.

The plot of each episode is little more than window dressing on which to hang the animated animal antics. It also allows the creative team to stretch their creativity with accents and wordplay. Fortunately, the classic characters translate well into this new format that is simultaneously old school and self-aware. You have to love moments like Sylvester questioning why he insists on pursuing Tweety, he answers himself with the simple answer: "It's tradition." Not to mention variations on Tweety's signature phrase: "I tawt a taw a puddy tat." into the likes of: "I tawt I taw a tug! I did, I did tee a tug!" and "I tawt I taw a clue!" Nice stuff.

Bottomline. The set lacks any extras, but that is all right. The presentation is good, and the episodes are fun. This comic mystery series offers plenty for young and old viewers alike. Definitely worth spending time with.

Recommended.

Futurama: Bender's Game - Trailer

So glad to see that this show has found continued life. Sure, I would have preferred a full blown new series, but this will do. The third film is due out sometime this fall. Here is a trailer for the new outing:

Ghoulies II - Feature

How can you not love the Ghoulies? In this sequel the creepy critters invade a carnival, just in time to deliver a scream of a time for the visiting teenagers.

Saw V - Opening Scene

The opening scene for the lastest Saw entry is hear. Want to take a peek? Will the movie be any good? I cannot say that I have high hopes of it being good, I do, however, expect to be entertained.

TV Review: Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles: "Automatic for the People"

The second season of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles aired its second episode this week. I have to say that for a series that I liked but was not immediately wowed by during its first season has really gotten off to a great start this year. Last week's premiere, "Samson and Delilah," was spectacular, from its explosive stunts, to the groundwork for the big story to the smaller character driven moments. If they can keep up that quality, who knows how far this will go? If the second episode, "Automatic for the People," is any judge, we are in for a wild ride.

Now, I am going to assume that anyone reading this has already seen the episode, as there will likely be spoilers as I share my thoughts on the show.

This episode picks up with our dysfunctional, non-traditional family unit still in the church where they found sanctuary in the premiere. The group leaves and finds a home for rent where they take up shelter and attempt to present themselves as normal, although we all know this quartet will never be normal.

As the story moves forward, John is sent off to school, don't want to be seen as a delinquent, you know. While at school, he skips class to sit outside, trapped in his mind, captive to his thoughts of what has happened, with the return of the machines, the reprogrammed friendly terminator, the subsequent malfunction that almost led to his death, all culminating in his fight to save her. This has left him seriously conflicted and distracted. He still manages to make friends with a girl from school named Riley.

Meanwhile, the episodes bigger story kicks off when a man crashes through a glass door at the new Connor residence. The man is bleeding and on his way towards death. The man falls to the ground clutching Sarah and Derek, imploring that they stop Greenway at the nearby nuclear plant. I must admit, at this point I had to wonder how this guy knew where Sarah was, as he was obviously there for her, then it dawned on me. Duh, if he was sent by the future, he likely was told by John where they would be at that point. Damn the nuanced tales of time travel! (if you could see me, I am shaking my fist indignantly as I look to the sky, Wrath of Khan style)

Sarah and Cameron head off to the plant where they are able to acquire temp jobs with ease. Once inside, they need to find out what and who they are supposed to stop. This leads to a knock down drag out between Cameron and a terminator duplicate. With the end revealing another step to world domination by the T-1001 that was revealed last week, played by Shirley Manson.

In my eyes, this is another winning episode. While it did not further the bigger picture story in any big way, it was filled with more character moments. I believe these character moments and building of conflicts are what the young series needs. Make us care for the characters, draw us in and you will have us with plenty of time to allow the big picture to unfold. With the Terminator franchise to draw upon, there is a gigantic big picture from which to pick and choose from and grow into something truly spectacular.

I love the conflict brewing between Cameron and John. There is the bit between the two where Cameron says John can no longer be trusted because he fought to save her, despite what she could mean to him. While John is developing some sort of bond with the machine. That brings up another note, they do not refer to the terminators as terminators, rather they are always called machines. I wonder why? Not that it matters, but it is curious.

John has the weight of his future upon him as he sees his childhood and freedom slipping away, leading him to try and make a connection with Riley. It will be interesting to see where this relationship leads, how far down the rabbit will she be allowed to go?

Meanwhile, Cameron seems to be developing in ways we have never seen in a machine before. She may not be programmed for feelings, but can they be developed? Taking a lead from the "I love you" moment from the premiere and coupling it with the more motherly way she protects John. Then there is the moment as we near the climax when she does nothing, telling Sarah that she's thinking. What? Since when do they think? Could the damage she has taken be affecting the way she operates?

Then there is Sarah, not quote the powerhouse I expected based on the portrayal by Linda Hamilton. This Sarah is definitely tough and not to be messed with, but she is vulnerable. She is also struggling with the knowledge of her death by cancer, which may not happen in this alternate take, although the time spent in the nuclear plant cannot make her feel an safer. Watch as she breaks down when questioning Cameron about it.

I didn't forget Derek, but he needs a bit more screen time. I am sure it is coming. What I did like was the flash forward to him at the nuclear plant in the future, leading a raid where the Resistance took control of the plant. This fades back to the present, where it is intact without a machine in sight. It was a nice moment.

Overall, I thought the episode was really good. So far, they are balancing the action, drama, with comic touches and a healthy dose of heart. I think it is the character interaction that is drawing me in, in addition to the recognizable Terminator dressing. Not to mention Summer Glau....

CD Review: Candlebox - Into the Sun

Way back in 1994 Madonna was getting into the record label biz, having just started up Maverick Records. One of the first bands she brings under the banner is up and coming Seattle act Candlebox. Sounds like the perfect match, right? A pop superstar and a grunge act? All right, I'll buy that, I mean it's not like she was producing them or anything. Anyway, the band went on to become the first successful act for the label on their way to the top of the radio pile behind the son "Far Behind." I liked the band, and I liked that self-titled debut, but I did find I tired of them in a rather short period of time. They struck me as one of those bands that rode the coattails of grunge by making it a bit more accessible and radio-friendly. Now, here we are fourteen years removed from that auspicious debut and ten years from any new material and the 'box is back with a brand new album.

The album is called Into the Sun and it picks up right where they left off a decade ago. I type that in the most literal sense of the words. Actually, I take that back, I have only a passing relationship with their second and third releases, it is so slight that I cannot recall any of the songs. I feel it would be accurate, perhaps more so, to say this album picks up right where they left off with their debut. It is so reminiscent of that first album as to be nearly indistinguishable at moments. I seriously had to do a double-take when I first pressed play. Those notes that opened "Stand" sounded so dang familiar, as if I had heard them before. I cannot say they definitely used those notes on Candlebox, but it is enough to make you wonder if you put the right disk in.

Listening to Into the Sun is an interesting thing. On one hand, the band knows how to write a slick, radio-friendly tune whose melody can dig itself into your head and take up semi-permanent residence. All of the songs on the album have that certain sound that distinguishes it as a Candlebox creation, while also being slightly nondescript enough to allow it to blend in with whatever is playing on the local rock station.

While all of that is going on, the music fits like a glove. The album is nothing if not solid, and while they should get some credit for that, they should also take the criticism for the same reason. I admit that not every album has to be groundbreaking and not every artist has to push the boundaries of their genre. What I do like to see is some level of growth, something I cannot say that I see that here. The if nothing else, the overall quality of songwriting has slightly regressed, as evidenced by their apparent need for a "Parental Advisory" label through the stacking of F-bombs in the first couple of songs.

Bottomline. All things considered Into the Sun leaves me torn, as you can probably tell. It is very easy to listen to, but there is nothing particularly special about it. I like it and I don't care about it at the same time. If you like them, you will likely enjoy the album, however, if you are not a fan this will not likely win you over.

Mildly Recommended.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - "Automatic for the People"

You just have to love Hulu.com. The site posts movies, clips, and full TV episodes to watch and share. It even has new shows (as alrewady evidenced by my embedding the Fringe pilot). Now I have the second episode of season two of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. The show is quite good and I am fast falling in love with it. It picks up right where the strong premiere left off, continuing its character build up whil;e planting future seeds. Enjoy:

The Office - Preview Commercial

The wait is almost over! Finally, some comedy for the young season. Rather, comedy that I am sure I will like. This commercial just whets the appetite for this great sitcom. Are you ready? I know I am.

Type O Negative - "I Don't Wanna Be Me"

Gotta love Type O Negative. These guys have put out a ton of great music, always put on great shows, and are pretty interesting individuals. Now, when you think of Type O, gothic music, and videos, can you imagine ever putting them together with comedian Dan Fogler? Well that is just what happens in this video, which is not what I generally think of when Type O Negative is the topic. What really makes this video work is the final shot of Peter Steele. Priceless.

Jeff Dunham with Achmed the Dead Terrorist

Here is a clip from one of Jeff Dunham's Comedy Central specials. It features Dunham with his terrorist puppet. The guy is pretty dang funny. This character, in particular, is one of my favorites. Some great lines that work great in everyday life.

Beverly Hills Ninja 2, Yes Really.

Way back in 1997 Chris Farley co-starred with Chris Rock, Robin Shou, and Nicollette Sheridan in a goofy comedy called Beverly Hills Ninja. It was a moderately funny slapstick centered on a fat ninja in, where else, Beverly Hills. Now, more than a decade later Coming Soon is reporting that a sequel is being prepped. What?

You know, this is not a movie that I think anyone is clamoring for. I mean, the original was successful, but not extraordinarily so. Not to mention that Farley died in 1997 of a drug overdose. That means this is going to be a sequel without the original lead, and according to the report none of the original cast members.

This time around we get David Hasselhoff, Lucas Grabeel of High School Musical fame, and Li Chiling. Sounds like a winner to me! I wonder in what universe Hasselhoff is deemed a suitable replacement for Farley?

The movie, despite having direct-to-DVD written all over it, does have something notable going for it. It will be the first Hollywood feature to shoot in South Korea. 70% of the film is slated to shoot there, with the remainder finished off in the States, Beverly Hills I would assume.

Well, can't say I am holding out hope for this project.

Strapping Young Lad - "Almost Again"

In 2006, Canada based Strapping Young Lad released their last album, The New Black. It was not their best, but even when not at their best they were near the top of the extreme metal heap. Essentially anything that madman of metal Devin Townsend is involved in is first rate. Below is a recently released video for "Almost Again," from that final album.

Puppet Master - Killer Clip

You either love Full Moon's movies, or you don't. There is not much in between. You have to admit that Charles Band's ability to produce movies with budgets less than a typical trip to the theater is quite amazing, and the enthusiasm with which he approaches the work is downright infectious. In this clip from one of the Puppet Master films has the puppets' creator ordering them to kill a couple of cops.


Puppet Master Orders Policemen Killed - More amazing video clips are a click away

The Intervention - Poster

I have no idea what the movie is about, although I could take a guess. The reason I wanted to share this with you is because this poster is awesome. I just love the look of it.

The Addams Family - "The Addams Family Goes to School"

Thought maybe I would change it up a little bit. Most of the clips and shows I post are recent outings. This time we go back, way back, back to the days of black and white televisions. Color had yet to make an impact when The Addams Family was gracing the small screens. Here is the series premiere that has the family looking into this school thing.

Box Office Update 9/12-9/14: Burn After Reading Rises to the Top

I must say that I was surprised to find Burn After Reading sitting pretty atop this week's box office charts. I was sure that Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys was going to take the top spot. I have (like many others) shortchanged Perry's ability to draw an audience for whatever reason. I was determined not to let that happen again, and here I go and pick incorrectly. Such is life. I am not upset, as I loved the latest Coen Brothers film.

Burn After Reading is a magnificent piece of pointless absurdity. Seriously, the screenplay is masterfully constructed around an insignificant maguffin that whips all involved into a frothy frenzy of thriller tinged comedy. It is the sort of film that was clearly intended as a purge from the bleak Oscar winner No Country for Old Men. Believe me, it worked. The film is a weird crowd pleaser that draws in audiences with its big name stars and then delivers an experience unlike anything many of them have likely seen before. The film is completely and utterly pointless. It is great to see that people went out to see it and helped the Coens to the biggest opening of their career.

Following not too far behind is Tyler Perry's latest film, Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys. I have not seen the film, but it is clear that Tyler Perry has a loyal audience, and this will be sure to turn a profit. It opened a bit lower than his last film, Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns, but not terribly far off. This will likely show decent legs over the next few weeks.

Next up is yet another new wide release in Righteous Kill. The Al Pacino/Robert Deniro pair-up would seem like a potent combination, unfortunately the film fails to deliver more than mediocrity, and that would be generous. I suspect that as the bad word spreads, this film will slip pretty quickly.

Rounding out the top four is the final new wide release of the weekend, The Women, based on the 1939 film of the same name. This is another film that I have not seen, but it has not been very well received and will likely slip away in short order. The film stars Annette Bening, Meg Ryan, Debra Messing, and a cast made up entirely of women. That's right, not a single guy.

This weekend is notable as it is the first one that finds The Dark Knight outside the top five in two months. It is rare for a movie to be a top ten finisher for two months, but top five? Unbelievable. Prior to its release I suspected that it would finish no higher than $375 million, and I thought I was being generous. Here we are following its 9th weekend and it is nearing $520 million. It should also be said that while it did finish in 7th place, it was not without a fight. There was less than $60,000 separating 5th through 7th, with Tropic Thunder and The House Bunny narrowly edging it out.

Next week will see new competition from the Ricky Gervais comedy Ghost Town, the Samuel L. Jackson thriller Lakeview Terrace, the John Cusack animated flick Igor, and Dane Cook's My Best Friend's Girl.

Four movies dropped off the top ten this week: Babylon A.D. (11), Mamma Mia! (12), Disaster Movie (13), and Pineapple Express (17).

This Week	Last Week	Title	Wknd Gross	Overall	Week in release
1	N	Burn After Reading	$19,128,001	$19,128,001	1
2	N	Tyler Perry's The Family that Preys	$17,381,218	$17,381,218	1
3	N	Righteous Kill	$16,288,361	$16,288,361	1
4	N	The Women	$10,115,121	$10,115,121	1
5	2	Tropic Thunder	$4,183,405	$102,974,069	5
6	4	The House Bunny	$4,154,427	$42,008,459	4
7	3	The Dark Knight	$4,128,153	$517,792,764	9
8	1	Bangkok Dangerous	$2,592,656	$12,723,787	2
9	5	Traitor	$2,131,639	$20,734,170	3
10	7	Death Race	$2,056,415	$33,232,495	4

Box Office Predictions Recap
I guess it is safe to say that I am back on track. The past couple of weeks have been disasters for my weekly round of guesstimations. This week I was not completely on point, but in most cases I was pretty close. I was actually happy to be wrong about Burn After Reading, as that movie is just a shade away from brilliance. As for the rest of my guesses, they were all in the right ballpark. Hopefully I can keep this up next week.

Here is how the field matched up:

Actual	Prediction	Title	Wknd Gross	Prediction
2	1	Tyler Perry's The Family that Preys	$17,381,218	$18 million
1	2	Burn After Reading	$19,128,001	$14 million
3	3	Righteous Kill	$16,288,361	$13 million
4	4	The Women	$10,115,121	$9 million
5	5	Tropic Thunder	$4,183,405	$6 million
7	6	The Dark Knight	$4,128,153	$4 million
8	7	Bangkok Dangerous	$2,592,656	$3.5 million
6	8	The House Bunny	$4,154,427	$3.25 million
9	9	Traitor	$2,131,639	$2.5 million
11	10	Babylon A.D.	$1,864,585	$1.5 million

DVD Pick of the Week: Pushing Daisies

Welcome back! Well, to some of you, anyway. To the rest of you, glad you decided to stop by and I hope that this humble column helps you navigate the stacks of new releases each week. My goal is to point you toward titles of interest and warn you away from those films that seek to do nothing but leech away your time and give you nothing in return.

This week brings a load of new releases, including a bunch of new television titles, they just keep coming as more and more new seasons get underway for the 2008 fall season. Time to catch up on what you missed last season! In addition to the television titles and movies listed below, there is a whole mess of re-releases and new editions coming out, as well as a new compilation television set of a classic science fiction franchise. I am sure you will likely want to add a number of these to your personal collections, just like me.

Pushing Daisies: The Complete First Season. I cannot wait for the second season of this series to begin. Frankly, I am just ecstatic the show is coming back at all, I was sure the writer's strike was going to kill it. The show is magical, mysterious, romantic, hilarious, and unlike anything else on television. The show stars Lee Pace as a pie maker who has the ability to bring people back to life with a touch, but if he touches them again, they are dead for good. The romance is an interesting one, as the woman he loves died, he brought her back, but can never touch her again. There is also the detective that he works with to make money solving murders. It needs to be seen to be believed. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Torchwood: The Complete Second Season. I have only seen a handful of episodes from the first season, but I really like what I have seen from this Dr. Who spawned series about an organization that investigates the supernatural. I need to finish off the first season and get started on this one. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Made of Honor. I am sure there are people out there who will really like this movie. I am not one of them as I find my initial liking of the movie slipping slowly away into the void. As much as they want you to believe the contrary, there is not a lot of heart beneath the shallow veneer. It is possible to make a likable rom-com using the formula, but this is not it. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Chuck: The Complete First Season. This series is a lot of fun. It brings together espionage, action, adventure, romance, and comedy under one roof, centering on a geek no less. Zachary Levi stars in the title role as a computer nerd whose brain is downloaded with all of our intelligence agencies secrets, he is now guarded by a pair of agents, one posing as his girlfriend, the other as his nemesis. Real fun and real addictive. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Speed Racer. I really liked this movie. I am sure there will be those who have the exact opposite reaction that I did. This is the sort of movie that you will either love it or hate it. It is a weird movie, but, for me, it provided an exciting blast of cinematic energy. It is also safe for the family. There are a couple of minor language uses, and the violence is mostly comical and fantasy based. Speed Racer is not perfect, but it is well worth spending some time with. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Young @ Heart. I wanted to see this on the big screen, but was unable to take advantage of any opportunities. The film is a documentary about a group of senior citizens that performs classic and contemporary rock songs. The trailer just looks wonderful, I am looking forward to checking this one out. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

The Breakfast Club: Flashback Edition. An important teen film from the 1980's gets the re-release treatment. I like this film, although I am unsure if it warrants a new purchase, as I have not been able to ascertain the presence of an improved transfer or the extras. Any one out there know? (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Dirty Sexy Money: The Complete First Season. Another worthy show that appeared out of last season's debut crop. The series is essentially a night time soap opera centering on a wealthy family in New York City, their spoiled kids, and the lawyer who works for them, who also happens to be looking into the death of his father, which happened while working for the same family. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

88 Minutes. Al Pacino's phoned-in performance, and the lovely Alicia Witt make it bearable, but only barely. This thriller sat on shelves for over a year (having reached DVD in Germany in early 2007), and with good reason. Something tells me it should have remained on the shelf, but it is here now and will likely do well on the rental market, but believe me when i say you can do better. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Star Trek: Alternate Realities. This looks like a great set. I thought these themed sets had gone away, but it is nice to see they are still around. Nice value for fans who don't want the whole sets. The set is 5 disks with 20 episodes covering all 5 series. All of the episodes focus on alternate reality episodes (duh!) such as Mirror, Mirror from the original series. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Sixteen Candles: Flashback Edition. See above for The Breakfast Club, same deal. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Death Note. This Japanese film arrives with both a dub track and subtitles. The series is based on an anime series about a man who can write things in a notebook and have them come true. I have heard plenty of good things about this film, I am going to have to see this. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

The Love Guru. I wanted to like this. Despite my trailer reactions and my very low expectations, I wanted to like this. Mike, I'm still a fan, just stop working below your talent level. Hopefully the next time we see Mike the movie will be funny. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Blood Simple. The Coen Brothers first film on DVD. I know this has been out before, but I am unsure if this is anything other than a new cover. It does say Director's Cut. In any case, I don't own this one, now is my chance. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Beetlejuice: 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition. Go on, say it. Just remember it has to be three times, kind of like Bloody Mary or Candyman. Michael Keaton stars in the title role for Tim Burton's surreal afterlife comedy. This movie is a blast, I am looking forward to see what is included in this new edition. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Snow Angels. David Gordon Green's drama hits DVD. The indie director recently reached a wider audience with Pineapple Express, but he is known more for dramas, such as this Kate Beckinsale starrer. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Finding Amanda. Matthew Broderick stars as a producer with a gambling and drinking problem, sent to Las Vegas to find his troubled niece, played by Brittany Snow, to get her to enter rehab. It looks pretty good. Hopefully it will be. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Class of 1999. This has got to be a low budget film, but the name seems so familiar. Stacey Keach and Malcolm Mcdowell star in this film about a principal who takes his school back from the gangs by bringing in robotic educators. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Evergrey - Torn Gydget, Cover Art

Why does the name Evergrey sound so familiar? I cannot recall listening to them before, but sampling the tunes on this Gydget, I have to say that I like what I hear. It is good old heavy metal, with perhaps a dark touch around the edges. I am going to have to look into these guys a little closer. Also, the cover art for Torn is pretty spiffy.

The Daily Show - RNC Highlights

The Daily Show, the only place to get the straight news. Here is a fun collection of clips covering their coverage of the Republican National Convention. Does it get any better?

V for Vendetta - For Dummies

It seems that the flowery language used in V for Vendetta has been deemed confusing, unnecessary, and superfluous. To help those out who don;t feel like figuring it out, some kind soul has done a fine job of subtitling a portion of the film in the more common vernacular. Nicely done.

Concert Review: Audible Thought - September 12,2008 Beacon, NY

Local music is an absolutely wonderful thing. Something that I may not be taking advantage of as much as I could, or should. What you will find on the local circuit, wherever you are, are the stars of tomorrow. The big national acts you already know and love had to come from somewhere, they do not magically appear on the big scene, they had to start somewhere. They started in some small town, where they members banded together to create some music with no idea where it would lead them, playing small bars and clubs, slowly building a fan base until they get the opportunity to make a deal to move up to the big leagues. Of course, many more bands live and die on the local scene, for whatever reason. It does not make them bad by any stretch, any number of factors come into play that I could not even begin to touch.

What does that have to do with Audible Thought? Well, they are a local band. A good one. One that has seen many ups and downs over the years, while steadily cultivating a fan base. I first met them years ago through a member (no longer with the band), whom I had met while he was in other acts. Over the years we have become friends, but with an understanding, our friendship does not give them a free pass when it comes to reviewing their performances. It is an agreement that has stood the test of time.

Again, before even getting to their performance on this night, I think it is important to stress the importance of supporting the local scene. If you like music, get out there and check out some of these acts, be it at the clubs, the bars, park performances, whatever. You are sure to find a number of lame acts with no future, but you are equally likely to find bands that you do like, or that have promise for the future. Those with promise offer up a wonderful opportunity. Since they are local, you will get the chance to see them a number of times over a period of time, you will get to see them grow and develop. I tell you, it is a great thing to see a rough around the edges young band become more polished and develop into a considerably better act.

Let me add that if you find a band that you like, go and tell them. Be honest with them about their performance and what you think of their music. Believe me when I tel you they will appreciate it, they want to improve as much as you would like them to and being anything less than honest will do them and you a disservice.

I have seen, reviewed, and befriended a number of acts over the years. Some of them are no longer around, others I have lost touch with, while still others continue to get better and develop their skills. This brings me to Audible Thought.

Here is a band that continually puts on strong shows, although of late too many months go in between performances (something that will hopefully change in the near future). The last time they played out was in May, at the same venue as this evening's performance, The Barking Frog bar in Beacon, NY. It is a small place, but that only adds to the intimate nature of the performance.

The evening kicked off at 10:00 with a short acoustic set by vocalist Lou West and guitarist Ryan Cady. It lasted roughly twenty-minutes and consisted of cover tunes, including Stone Temple Pilot's "Plush" and Lynyrd Skynyrd classic "Sweet Home Alabama." Let me say that acoustic is not their strong suit, but it was still fun. It turned out to be a good way to get the people involved and warmed up for what was yet to come.

A brief intermission later, the full band took up their instruments and launched into the first of two sets with the title track from their first LP, "Measure Up." The two sets consisted primarily of the tunes from that album, but also featured more recent tunes as "Can't Break Me," which actually isn't all that new anymore, but still one of my favorite songs from the quartet.

The first set closed with the debut of a new song called "Crush." This song is quite good and a bit different from their other material. He song is bit heavier and faster than others in their catalog. I loved the heaviness of it, although parts of it sounded a bit rushed, a fact I am sure was caused by the anxiety that comes with premiering new material.

Was the night perfect? No, not by a long shot, but that does not make it not good. Drummer Mike Doyle was using a new snare that had snappier sounding hits, it was distinctly different from what I am used to from them and took a bit getting used to, but I ended up liking it. The song "Speed Demon" sounded a little strange, but I cannot quite put my finger on what was different. This is in addition to a few timing miscues and missed notes. Nothing terribly egregious, but worth mentioning.

In the end, these guys put on a fun show with about two hours of total music. I have to recommend that if you are in the Dutchess County, NY, area that you give them a shot if you have the chance. They will be performing next at The Chance in Poughkeepsie, NY, on October 17th. The show will also feature fellow local act Downfire on what should be a strong night for local music.

Metallica - "The Day That Never Comes"

Death Magnetic is here, and so is the video for the lead single. I really want to just proclaim that "Metallica is back!" but I can't, at least not yet. I need to sit on the album a bit longer. I will say that this song has really grown on me. The video isn't half bad either.

Monk - "Mr. Monk's 100th Case"

Can you believe that Monk has had 100 episodes? Me neither. I must admit to missing more than a handful of those episodes, but there is no denying that it is quality television, even surviving the departure of one of the regulars. This episode has Monk being profiled while he pursues a serial killer.

Movie Review: Righteous Kill

Robert Deniro and Al Pacino in a cop drama? How can you go wrong? With just those two actors it would seem that a screenplay would almost right itself. Heck, you could probably just give them a location and let them improv each scene. Do enough locations and you could probably and up with enough good footage to make an entire film out of. Going by the finished project, it looks like the creative team took that idea to heart, and we all know that something like that is going to be a bad idea. I mean it is one thing for fans of the actors to say or think that, but something completely different for writers and directors to go that route. So, while it is definitely fun to see these two spend significant screen time together, they have not exactly been turning in their best work over the past few years (Hide and Seek and 88 Minutes come to mind), they need a strong screenplay and direction to make a movie work. In other words, Righteous Kill fails to deliver the goods.

The film opens with a protracted credit sequence that watches our two stars competing with each other on the gun range with a couple different guns. Following that we move right into the plot, never looking back. We get what appears to be security camera footage of Robert Deniro as Turk, he states his name, Robert Cowan, tells of his years on the force and then admits to fourteen murders. This is when the flashback begins. Time rolls back to the start of the killing spree.

Turk and his partner's, Rooster (Al Pacino), story begins when they plant evidence on a child killer in order to garner a conviction. Shortly after this turn of events, bad guys start turning up dead, accompanied by cheesy poems describing what they did and why they deserved to die. The duo proceed to go through the investigation, all with Turk coming in with narrations from time to time, make sure we know who committed the murders.

Before long, another pair of cops get involved in the investigation, Perez (John Leguizamo) and Riley (Donnie Wahlberg). As we learn about more of the killings, all the signs all begin to point towards Turk; that is, besides him delivering the narration.

Now, with the noose beginning to tighten, the story can begin to get a little more "tense." Well, in a film of this sort you have to figure that there is going to be a twist. Without a twist this is one heck of a dull and pointless film, I mean you already know who the killer is so what's the point? Sadly knowing there has to be a twist means the film is still dull because within the first thirty minutes of the film you are already trying to figure out what the twist is. If you paid attention during those minutes you will likely predict what the twist will be. Them having figured the twist out well in advance of the climax, you are left wondering just how it will play out. You are probably also hoping that it plays out in an interesting fashion. Unfortunately, it does not.

Righteous Kill is a gimmick movie. It is built upon the premise of having two screen legends whose careers have been so intrinsically linked perform together in the same movie. Unfortunately, that is all they have. The screenplay by Russell Gewirtz (Inside Man) barely holds together, and if not for Deniro and Pacino would likely be unwatchable with any other pair of actors. The first two acts are dull and uneventful, and the most interesting character, Carla Gugino's Karen Corelli, is not explored enough. Also, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, is present as nothing more than a plot point.

Then, when the third roles around, the whole thing just flies off the rails. Our bad guy does something to "change the rules," something "you can't take back," which just turns out to be a way to allow a certain character to get involved at the end. It has no impact whatsoever on the eventual outcome of the film and the fate of the characters. It is all quite aggravating.

Jon Avnet, who also directed the abysmal 88 Minutes, does nothing to inject the film with any level of tension. He, like the screenplay, relies on the star power of the two leads to carry the weight. Fortunately, the two do have chemistry with each other, and while being in the latter stages of their careers work well together, each helping the other raise their game. In turn, these two make this somewhat watchable. However, it is not enough to save the film or make it worthy of a recommendation.

Bottomline. Predictable, boring, and sloppy; all words that can be used to describe Righteous Kill. This is a cop drama that falls way short of being worthy of the big screen treatment. Yes, Pacino and Deniro are fine together, and considering that, imagine what they could have done with a quality script and direction?

Not Recommended.

7th Nemesis - "Aporia"

France seems to have quite the metal scene going. Even if that scene only included Gojira, it would be impressive, fortunately it is not. 7th Nemesis is an up and coming act, having released their debut LP earlier this year on their own. They are heavy and I like what I hear, even if I do not know what they are saying.

Movie Review: Burn After Reading

Last year Joel and Ethan Coen delivered what will likely become a cinematic classic in No Country for Old Men. The film was dark, it was violent, and it was a masterpiece. Its excellence was recognized by the Academy, winning the 2008 Best Picture Oscar. You know what that means, right? It is time for the brother duo to step away from serious cinema and take a stroll through the absurdest side. Coming across as more Fargo than No Country, Burn After Reading hits the ground running, piling on plot thread upon plot thread in this tightly plotted comedy/thriller that keeps building and building until its ultimate climax where everything is revealed.

The Coen Brothers are known for crossing genre boundaries, blurring the lines to such a degree that it no longer exists. This line erasing makes their films all the harder to classify. Is Burn After Reading a comedy with thriller elements or is it a thriller with comedy elements? Arguments could be made in both directions. My take? I have to say that although the film is built upon traditional thriller elements, this movie is a comedy. At its heart, it is the comedy that pushes this movie forward, and what a comedy it is!

To describe the plot in any detail would take way too much time to get through, not to mention robbing it of the ability to surprise you. I was actually surprised by how plot heavy Burn After Reading turned out to be. The Coens' did a quite a job plotting out this comedy, it is so heavy with characters that you have to begin to wonder how they will all fit into the puzzle. After a short while, it becomes something of a game to piece the players together, something to do in between the laugh out loud moments.

So, let's set the stage. Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich) is a CIA analyst who quits his job rather than take a demotion. His wife, Katie (Tilda Swinton), is cold, icy, and none to pleased about her husband's decision. Meanwhile, Katie is having an affair with Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney), an ex-intelligence agent with a habit for trolling the internet for dates. Harry is also considering divorcing his wife for Katie. Then there is Chad (Brad Pitt)and Linda (Frances McDormand) who find a CD filled with CIA secrets from an unpublished copy of Osbourne's unpublished memoir. They get the idea to sell the information back to Osbourne. From here the story becomes increasingly convoluted and increasingly hilarious.

There is not a single character or line out of place. The Coen's have done an absolutely exquisite job of piecing this film together. It is made all the more hilarious to realize that everything is completely absurd and that there is absolutely no point to it. Seriously, there is no reason for anything in this movie to go down the way it does. There is a scene glimpsed in the trailer that involves JK Simmons as a CIA supervisor and David Rasche (Sledge Hammer!) as a CIA operative that sums everything up rather nicely. The scene ends with Simmons telling Rasche to report back when it makes sense.

Watching Burn After Reading is an interesting experience. The movie gets more and more bizarre, makes less and less sense, yet retains complete cohesion. It is such a weird blending of comedy and thriller that no one but the Coens could have done it.

The trailer does not do the film justice. Sure, it gives us a good glance into the Pitt character, but it makes the film seem a lot more slapstick than it actually is. There is plenty of that type of comedy, but there is a quick and intelligent verbal wit at play. This is enhanced by the fact the characters engaging in this verbal sparring are doing some seriously stupid things, getting themselves in deeper into things than they really need or want to.

The movie is notable in delivering a few of the funniest sequences you are likely to see on the big screen this year, which will not be spoiled her. Just know that when you see them your jaw will drop and you will not believe what you have seen.

Bottomline. One of the finest screenplays of the year is the basis for this movie. It lacks seriousness and ultimately point, but that in and of itself may actually be the point. This only plays up the genius of the Coens. It is unexpected, it is predictable, and it is an absolute blast.

Highly Recommended.