Music Review: Clandestine - The Invalid

Is it possible to like and not like something at the same time? I like to think this is a possibility as I often encounter things, be it music, movies, or something else entirely, that has my affections torn in two opposite directions. It is like I know is should dislike something just as I find myself liking whatever it may be. I have found myself I his situation as I listen to Clandestine's debut fell length album, The Invalid. They seem to want to strike a chord somewhere between Lacuna Coil/Evanescence-esque melodic metal inflected with some pop hooks and heaviness, and Dream Theater-esque progressive metal tendencies. For the most part it is a success but there is somehow about it that just doesn't quite do it for me.

Netflix'ns: Satan's Little Helper

Netflix'ns is a series of review shorts of films, new and old, seen on Netflix, be it DVD or streaming. For better or worse, I sat through these films and have lived to tell the tale. These are not so much reviews as just comments on the film watched. Some will be first time views, others will be revisits. This is a work in progress.

Music Review: Evergrey - Glorious Collision

Evergrey, Evergrey, where have I heard that name before? I swear I know these guys from somewhere, I just cannot quite put my finger on where. The name strikes me as so familiar, but I am drawing a complete blank when trying to nail down where I know them from. I look at the cover and the band name art and the only association that comes to my mind is Biohazard and I know that is completely and utterly incorrect. Well I cued up the album to give it a listen figuring that I will e able to place it after listening to it. No such luck. I am still completely stumped, perhaps even moreso now as the sound is. Not what I was expecting at all.

Blu-ray Review: Mortal Kombat - Annihilation

In the early 1990's arcades were faced with some of the greatest fighting games of all time. Sure, they have been eclipsed in playability and graphical beauty, but there is no denying the arcade powerhouses that were Mortal Kombat and Streetfighter II. I was always more of a Streetfighter guy, but here was a definite allure to the bloodshed and real looking characters of Mortal Kombat. The meteoric rise and sustained popularity helped push this title into the Hollywood eye, this getting it into movie theaters with its first film in 1995, from there they were off and running, or so we thought.

Movie Review: Water for Elephants

As I sat in the dark somewhat enjoying Water for Elephants, I realized that I could sum up Robert Pattinson's career with a clip from Disney's animated Tangled. Now, if you recall, there is a moment where the hero says "Prepare for the smolder." and looks up, lips pursed, eyes squinted in a supposed sexy gaze. That, right there is a pretty good approximation of what he has accomplished thus far. All right, before you get all crazy, I admit to being a Twilight hater; however, I am not willing to write off any of the cast until they are able to do some work away from that franchise and prove one way or the other their actual ability (you cannot blame them for anything other than taking a gig to get their careers going). I think Pattinson could be a decent actor, but need to see him try some more stuff.