THE TWO COREYS (A & E)
So help me God, I'm addicted to this show. The last two eps were very uneventful, but there is something about this that I just like watching. Feldman tries so hard to be cool and easy going, though he comes off insane. And Haim tries so hard to be tough and jaded, and he comes off insane. The scripting is now back in full force, so we get scenes of Corey Haim calling Feldman with his new assistant - complete with go-for-broke bad reaction shots by Feldman and his wannabe actress wife, Suzy.
Ridiculous and completely absorbing.
Grade: A/F
HELL'S KITCHEN (Fox)
Is about to finish its wild run this season. I have to say this was particularly good with some really interesting contestants and situations - I think Gordon Ramsey - in his own way - is a real TV star. I have my fingers crossed for the heavy bald guy who looks EXACTLY like Brian Posehn’s older, fatter brother – he sounds just like him too – it’s kind of scary.) The blond, Kristin, seems competent and slightly full of herself, but my money is on the tubby fellow. Next week’s finale looks great.
Grade: B +
Another CD I've been listening to and liking is Lucinda Williams "West." It's kind of country - eagle-eared listeners will recognize "Are You Alright" from the great "Heidi & Kennedy" episode of the Sopranos. The rest of the CD is on the same level. Good stuff.
JOURNEY "Revelation" 2008
Wow. Journey has been running around for years now doing an imitation of itself since Steve Perry left over ten years ago. They've gone through a lead singer or two, but they really hit pay dirt with this new one. The new collection, “Revelation,” is a 3 disc package. Disc 1 is a live DVD of the new lead singer taking the band through all the old hits, doing a note for note impression of Perry (and mostly succeeding.) The new songs sound a bit like the old ones, but without the old Journey magic that sent these pop confections soaring. Disc 2 is a CD worth of new songs with the new singer, but – unfortunately – disc 3 is a brand new greatest hits with the new lead singer recorded in studio. It’s a weird move and leaves the new songs unfortunately compared to the classics – not a smart move. But a really curious effort.
I'm enjoying the new Jakob Dylan CD "Seeing Things," produced by Rick Rubin. It's a long way from the Wallflowers - it's just Jakob and a guitar and 10 acoustic songs. It's all very listenable if not particularly memorable.
If you missed it, Mika’s 2007 debut LIFE IN CARTOON MOTION is kind of great.
Here’s one everyone definitely missed – last year’s Neil Young CHROME DREAMS II – a sequel of sorts to an unreleased CD of his from the 70s – this sounds like a vintage 70s batch of songs – it’s Neil Young at his most vital and I can’t believe that the CD kind of came and went. Highly worth checking out.
The new 5 minute RESCUE ME mini-sode was the exact opposite of the first one – this was unfunny, unreal and homophobic. They are now one for two.
Lastly, I watched 10 minutes of CELEB FAMILY FEUD last night - it's only in episode 2and it's already hit rock bottom. This week it was "Big Pussy" Vince Pastore vs. The Girls Next Door - so in one corner, you have Vince Pastore, who actually does now believe he's a mobster. Standing next to Vince was the attractive woman who played Artie Bucco's wife - then next to her - is this older lady who Pastore describes as "it's hard to explain - but over 30 years ago we were once married." Next to his ex-wife, who Vince can't seem to explain, is his daughter, who he goes on to say - "Me and the ex - we conceived her." I'm not making this up. Then you had the morons from the Playboy show and here are like - 4 drop dead gorgeous beauties answering questions like "People describe Hef as...." and one of the blondes yells out "Hot?" and the answer comes up as number one.
This is an unwatchable, shameful, laughable hour that sets TV back about a hundred years. As for Roker, if you're going to have this zany a roster of guests - at least be slightly irreverent about it and don't stand there like these are solid families. I mean...I don't know - you kind of have to watch it to see what I mean, but I wouldn't recommend it. Al Roker should be kicked out of show business.
Have a great 4th.
2008/07/04
2008/06/26
THE TWO COREYS and RESCUE ME MINI-SODES!
RESCUE ME: MINI-SODE ep 1 (FX)
FX had a cool idea by doing five minute mini-sodes of RESCUE ME to keep fans interested till the show returns. Based on the first episode, it was a great idea. Rather than real eps, these are really vignettes - the first one centering around Sean trying to fast for 30 days. In five minutes they managed to erase the memories of last season which went sailing off the rails in its second half. It was funny, profane, real - the guys gave Sean tons of shit and tried to make him break his fast and eat Lou's home-made donuts - which looked fucking delicious.
Grade: A
REAL WORLD: HOLLYWOOD (MTV)
If you're not a fan of this show - you're not about to start watching now, so I'll make this short. I've always come in and out of the REAL WORLD - still think that the Hawaii season was the series high point - but this new season, which has went for the first time from a half hour to an hour - is shaping up to be one of the better seasons. Though since they got rid of that major weirdo Greg, it's slipping slowly into boring territory. And who is more annoying than that white girl with the down home country accent. She got complimented on something she did herself and screamed "Go Team!" But she was the whole team!
Grade: C +
RUFUS DOES JUDY AT CARNEGIE HALL (PBS)
This was a version of the DVD of Rufus Wainright Jr. doing all the Judy Garland songs at Carnegie Hall (Judy did a show there 40 years ago and Rufus follows the same set list.) Rufus is sort of a one of a kind performer - you either get it or you don't. I get it. None of this should work, but it's kind of fucking great.
Grade: B
CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD (CBS)
Al Roker hosts Ice T, Joan Rivers and Raven Simone and their respective families for a charity version of FAMILY FEUD. Al is genial but a truly terrible, nervous host. As for the celebs - it's really an embarrassment to everyone involved, particularly Al. At one point, AL made some comment about Ice T's wife's - Cocoa - involving her body and Ice T looked at Al like he was insane. Then Al, clearly regretting what he said, started rubbing Ice T's arm in the hopes he wouldn't get decked on his own show. Embarressing.
Grade: D
ELO: GREATEST HITS (AUDIO CD 1988)
I had forgotten how great ELO’s GREATEST HITS CD is – I can’t believe how many awesome songs they had. It's Over, Telephone Line, Evil Woman, It's A Living Thing -there are more. You should get this on Amazon used for about 3 bux and crank it.
Grade: A
I've been listening to the DUFFY CD and liking it a lot. Sort of an Amy Winehouse/Adelle - kind of voice, production from England - but it's really good so far.
I will once again stump for the often brilliant Eagles "Long Road Out Of Eden" CD. You could probably find used copies on Amazon used for 8 bux. "Waiting in the weeds" and the title track are amazing.
Joe Walsh "But Seriously, Folks" (Audio CD - 1979)
Speaking of The Eagles, I've been loving an old Joe Walsh CD called "But Seriously, Folks." Joe recorded this in 1979 after he had been in The Eagles for just a little while. It has a real Eagles influence and it's just a great record. Highly recommended. Also includes LIFE'S BEEN GOOD - which is not an Eagles song but a Joe Walsh solo. It's a great CD.
Grade: B+
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE "Narrow Stairs" (Audio CD)
Fucking awesome collection of rockers, heartbreakers and everything in between. What a great band really hitting their stride.
Grade: B +
DAVID CROSBY "If I Could Only Remember My Name" (Audio CD 1974)
Somewhere in the middle of all the Crosby, Stills and Nash stuff, David Crosby decided to record a solo album that had been forgotten about until a recent transfer to CD brought this to the world. It probably could have stayed hidden. At it's best, it sounds like the background of a mediocre 70s film - which is actually high praise from me - but mostly it just sounds like really bad C,S & N. There is one good song on it called "Mistaken" - but the rest of this is pretty much a groovy forgettable batch of smoke.
Grade: D
A few of you wrote me to tell me I was too harsh on the Alanis CD. What can I say? I prefer the non-disco Alanis. Speaking of which --
CYNDI LAUPER "Bring Ya To The Brink" NEW CD - 2008
After years of torch song CDs, Cyndi returns to the dance sound that she always seemed on the brink of herself. She had a song called "THAT'S WHAT I THINK" back in the 90s that came very close to being a perfect dance record. This is like a whole CD of that vibe, but none of these songs really grabbed me. Not that I think it wouldn't improve with repeated listenings - it's just that - well, as a man, first off - I should say, I LOVE Cyndi Lauper - but as a man, I'm not about to start listening to a Cyndi Lauper disco CD in 2008.
Grade: C +
So I'm listening to the new COUNTING CROWS and althought the first 2 songs suck, the rest of the CD is pretty good. Suprisingly good. Track 3 is kind of great.
THE TWO COREYS (A&E)
This might be the best/worst show to ever live! Season two feels slightly less scripted, and according to what I saw - the problems between the 2 Coreys are massive. In the first two episodes where Haim comes back from Canada, he confronts Feldman about Feldman "knowing" about Haim getting raped by Feldman's best friend when he was 14 - Haim claims Feldman knew all about it (I'm assuming - as we all are - that we're talking about Michael Jackson) - but Feldman claims he couldn't have helped Haim at the time as HE was getting molested by a family friend. This is just the beginning - the two guys seem to really despise each other and Haim, who still looks 15, keeps calling himself and everyone he talks to "Kid" as if he's Grizzly Adams. This is the greatest/most god awful show to ever hit the small screen. It might be ridiculous, but INSANELY watchable.
Grade: A/F
UPDATE: This TWO COREYS thing has garnered a lot of attention since it aired in a lot of mainstream media. There is all this speculation that Corey Haim was molested by Michael Jackson - and a rumor that someone posted that - and I thought about reprinting it - but it was so damaging if its true - and I have no fucking idea what's true or not - in any case - this show might actually catch fire if it can manage not to suck for the next 10 episodes. Let's hope they stay true to this version of it - which - frankly - seems set up and scripted - but real in its ultimate content. God help me - I just may be addicted to THE TWO COREYS.
FX had a cool idea by doing five minute mini-sodes of RESCUE ME to keep fans interested till the show returns. Based on the first episode, it was a great idea. Rather than real eps, these are really vignettes - the first one centering around Sean trying to fast for 30 days. In five minutes they managed to erase the memories of last season which went sailing off the rails in its second half. It was funny, profane, real - the guys gave Sean tons of shit and tried to make him break his fast and eat Lou's home-made donuts - which looked fucking delicious.
Grade: A
REAL WORLD: HOLLYWOOD (MTV)
If you're not a fan of this show - you're not about to start watching now, so I'll make this short. I've always come in and out of the REAL WORLD - still think that the Hawaii season was the series high point - but this new season, which has went for the first time from a half hour to an hour - is shaping up to be one of the better seasons. Though since they got rid of that major weirdo Greg, it's slipping slowly into boring territory. And who is more annoying than that white girl with the down home country accent. She got complimented on something she did herself and screamed "Go Team!" But she was the whole team!
Grade: C +
RUFUS DOES JUDY AT CARNEGIE HALL (PBS)
This was a version of the DVD of Rufus Wainright Jr. doing all the Judy Garland songs at Carnegie Hall (Judy did a show there 40 years ago and Rufus follows the same set list.) Rufus is sort of a one of a kind performer - you either get it or you don't. I get it. None of this should work, but it's kind of fucking great.
Grade: B
CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD (CBS)
Al Roker hosts Ice T, Joan Rivers and Raven Simone and their respective families for a charity version of FAMILY FEUD. Al is genial but a truly terrible, nervous host. As for the celebs - it's really an embarrassment to everyone involved, particularly Al. At one point, AL made some comment about Ice T's wife's - Cocoa - involving her body and Ice T looked at Al like he was insane. Then Al, clearly regretting what he said, started rubbing Ice T's arm in the hopes he wouldn't get decked on his own show. Embarressing.
Grade: D
ELO: GREATEST HITS (AUDIO CD 1988)
I had forgotten how great ELO’s GREATEST HITS CD is – I can’t believe how many awesome songs they had. It's Over, Telephone Line, Evil Woman, It's A Living Thing -there are more. You should get this on Amazon used for about 3 bux and crank it.
Grade: A
I've been listening to the DUFFY CD and liking it a lot. Sort of an Amy Winehouse/Adelle - kind of voice, production from England - but it's really good so far.
I will once again stump for the often brilliant Eagles "Long Road Out Of Eden" CD. You could probably find used copies on Amazon used for 8 bux. "Waiting in the weeds" and the title track are amazing.
Joe Walsh "But Seriously, Folks" (Audio CD - 1979)
Speaking of The Eagles, I've been loving an old Joe Walsh CD called "But Seriously, Folks." Joe recorded this in 1979 after he had been in The Eagles for just a little while. It has a real Eagles influence and it's just a great record. Highly recommended. Also includes LIFE'S BEEN GOOD - which is not an Eagles song but a Joe Walsh solo. It's a great CD.
Grade: B+
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE "Narrow Stairs" (Audio CD)
Fucking awesome collection of rockers, heartbreakers and everything in between. What a great band really hitting their stride.
Grade: B +
DAVID CROSBY "If I Could Only Remember My Name" (Audio CD 1974)
Somewhere in the middle of all the Crosby, Stills and Nash stuff, David Crosby decided to record a solo album that had been forgotten about until a recent transfer to CD brought this to the world. It probably could have stayed hidden. At it's best, it sounds like the background of a mediocre 70s film - which is actually high praise from me - but mostly it just sounds like really bad C,S & N. There is one good song on it called "Mistaken" - but the rest of this is pretty much a groovy forgettable batch of smoke.
Grade: D
A few of you wrote me to tell me I was too harsh on the Alanis CD. What can I say? I prefer the non-disco Alanis. Speaking of which --
CYNDI LAUPER "Bring Ya To The Brink" NEW CD - 2008
After years of torch song CDs, Cyndi returns to the dance sound that she always seemed on the brink of herself. She had a song called "THAT'S WHAT I THINK" back in the 90s that came very close to being a perfect dance record. This is like a whole CD of that vibe, but none of these songs really grabbed me. Not that I think it wouldn't improve with repeated listenings - it's just that - well, as a man, first off - I should say, I LOVE Cyndi Lauper - but as a man, I'm not about to start listening to a Cyndi Lauper disco CD in 2008.
Grade: C +
So I'm listening to the new COUNTING CROWS and althought the first 2 songs suck, the rest of the CD is pretty good. Suprisingly good. Track 3 is kind of great.
THE TWO COREYS (A&E)
This might be the best/worst show to ever live! Season two feels slightly less scripted, and according to what I saw - the problems between the 2 Coreys are massive. In the first two episodes where Haim comes back from Canada, he confronts Feldman about Feldman "knowing" about Haim getting raped by Feldman's best friend when he was 14 - Haim claims Feldman knew all about it (I'm assuming - as we all are - that we're talking about Michael Jackson) - but Feldman claims he couldn't have helped Haim at the time as HE was getting molested by a family friend. This is just the beginning - the two guys seem to really despise each other and Haim, who still looks 15, keeps calling himself and everyone he talks to "Kid" as if he's Grizzly Adams. This is the greatest/most god awful show to ever hit the small screen. It might be ridiculous, but INSANELY watchable.
Grade: A/F
UPDATE: This TWO COREYS thing has garnered a lot of attention since it aired in a lot of mainstream media. There is all this speculation that Corey Haim was molested by Michael Jackson - and a rumor that someone posted that - and I thought about reprinting it - but it was so damaging if its true - and I have no fucking idea what's true or not - in any case - this show might actually catch fire if it can manage not to suck for the next 10 episodes. Let's hope they stay true to this version of it - which - frankly - seems set up and scripted - but real in its ultimate content. God help me - I just may be addicted to THE TWO COREYS.
2008/06/22
DIARY OF THE DEAD
Ok, I’m still every bit as busy as I suggest in the above entry, however – I saw some stuff I wanted to comment on:
DIARY OF THE DEAD (DVD)
This is the 5th entry in the Romero DEAD series. NIGHT and DAWN are classics. DAY is considered the weakest but still great 3rd part of the trilogy. Regular readers of this blog know that Romero never got to film his original script for DAY – he refused to deliver an R rated film so he was forced to cut his budget (in today’s age of DVD, pay cable – it’s hard to imagine that happening again.) In any case – Last year saw the release of LAND OF THE DEAD – Romero’s first Zombie film in about 18 years. It sucked royally. In every possible way. Some cool zombies in the unedited dvd version, but really – very comparable to the new STAR WARS. So – here we are again – Romero once again tries to make a zombie film – this time with better results – in something called DIARY OF THE DEAD. This is essentially the BLAIR WITCH of the series – modern day kids are recording the dead returning to life with digi-cams and uploading into the internet, where we get to see lots of different scenes of mayhem from around the country. So already, premise wise, we’re well ahead of the really over-baked LAND OF THE DEAD. That said – these are some of the most scary and impressive zombies we’ve seen in quite some time. The look itself is MUCH closer to NIGHT and DAWN since this is super duper low budget production. The action, the zombie bites, all very good – especially since it’s being shot in an ultra-realistic way. The bad news – the voice over and the script and acting in general. These kids who are supposedly shooting a horror movie when the shit breaks out – isn’t that a cliché’ in itself? – are all fairly bad actors. The voice over, written after the film was finished – is truly God-awful, with Romero philosophizing over subjects with words no kid going through this phenom would ever use in a million years. That said – again, there is much to recommend here – the zombies and the action are particularly well done. If only the story and dialog wasn’t so fucking hokey. So – this is somewhere in between DAY and LAND – not a great place to be, but this guy is 66 and still pumping out zombie films.
The DVD has some great extras, including some cool little docus on the making of the film, the effects, we learn that Romero has split from his long-time girlfriend and producing partner and now has a new girlfriend. And Romero’s commentary is arguably more entertaining than the film’s dialog. From what I understand, he's going to do another Zombie movie in this subjective cam way - I just wish he would follow the example of the great OPEN WATER, which used it's DV camera like a fly on the wall (as well as another great low-key gem, THE ANNIVERSARY.)
As far as DIARY goes, all in all, a mixed bag – but for Romero aficionados, a can’t miss. For all others:
Grade: B -
MEATLOLAF: IN SEARCH OF PARADISE (DVD - NETFLIX)
This was supposed to be included in the 3 BATS LIVE dvd and then they released it seperately. It's a 90 minute docu of Meat prepping his 1997 SEIZE THE NIGHT tour (otherwise known as BAT 3 - but Steinman wouldn't give him the rights to the name.) Meat comes off as fairly genial, insanely sensitive and hardworking and very very critical of his own performance night after night. He's never happy with the way he sounds and at 59, feels like he's climbing an uphill battle - and he is. He's losing his voice in a huge way. But he's still the Meat - and the show still works - and when Meat finds his voice on the road near the last half hour of this docu, it's the Meatloaf from 1979 that comes across and it's great. For serious fans only.
UPDATE: I hadn’t finished watching this when I wrote that – but it was more of the same. Mostly you get a bunch of Meatloaf running through songs, losing his voice, being called out on the section of PARADISE where he and the new backup singer, who looks about 12, make out for a while and Meat’s funny solution to the problem (to have them all dress back like it was the famous 70s video clip.) But mostly, Meat is pretty disheartened over his recent performances and so are we. This is definitely for serious fans of Meat only – but for them – it’s pretty revealing. There are zero extras, and the biggest disappointment is that there is virtually no discussion of the Jim Steinman relationship nor the fallout over the recent BAT 3 CD. Maybe that was a legal thing, but it’s sorely missing from this docu. They should’ve just included this in the 3 BATS LIVE dvd like they did overseas, but maybe they thought they could make an extra buck this way.
Grade: B -
JUNO (DVD)
I realize I’m really late on the bandwagon here – so in short, this film was way better than I thought it would be (I thought maybe it suffered from overhype.) It’s smart, it’s funny, it’s relevant, it’s sweet – very sweet – and it’s exceedingly well written. If you haven’t seen this yet, do so. It’s the best film I’ve seen in a while. And the soundtrack is killer, as are turns by both Jason Bateman and Michael Cerra.
Grade: A
FLAVA OF LOVE 3 (VH1)
So…he went with Thing 2 – then he decided on the reunion show that he loved the mother of his recent child. I don’t know what to make of it, but these shows are always fun and this was no exception.
Grade: C +
PROSTI (DVD)
A foreign film about a whore house. The film tries to be cute with its subject – not recommended.
A REAL YOUNG GIRL
Another foreign film - this one about a 15 year old girl coming to terms with her sexuality – unwatchable.
I'm LOVING the new COLDPLAY CD. Loving it.
The new Al Green CD rocks. Buy it. Download it. Get it.
QUEEN ROCKS MONTREAL (PBS)
Is a must-see. It's a 1979 (I think?) concert - shot on film - lots of old school Queen hits - Freddy is in PEAK form as is the band. It's striking to watch the show and realize just how much of a solo show Freddy Mercury turned those concerts into. He was one of the very best stage performers with such a solid catalogue - the few songs I've watched so far were PLAY THE GAME and SOMEBODY TO LOVE. He's in great voice and the sound is awesome - watch this and just get happy.
Grade: A +
ALANIS MORISETTE (Rules Of Engagement 2008)
I like Alanis a LOT – but this disc is like….how do I say this - it's kind of like really bad disco. Like the kind Elton John made when he and Bernie Taupin split up for a few years. There are one or two songs that seem cool that have her signature sound - but it sounds like a bad dance record to me - I will give it another listen or two to make sure my assessment is correct, but she's just talented and arrogant enough to have made a truly awful record.
Grade: F
UPDATE: I have given another listen or two – it's even worse than I thought.
AIMEE MANN - SMILERS (CD 2008)
Very new disc finds Aimee Mann moving ahead with tense ballads and quietly lush production values. The songs are really quiet, building into personal convictions and impressive songwriting all around.. Very compelling, if not as immediate as her hits ONE and WISE UP. This is a mature cd, for mature people - which means I can't listen to it. On the other hand – this is all a bit on the boring side.
Grade: B -
Just how unfunny is Vanessa Williams in her on-air promos for her TVLAND appearance where she WARNS the GOLDEN GIRLS not to upstage her: "Betty, this could get ugly." I guess she's supposedly "funny" on UGLY BETTY, but those ads are the exact opposite of comedy. Nothin' funny about those promos. Reminds me of the zany comedy of Ryan Seacrest on those ON DEMAND promos where he reprises his lame tirade from KNOCKED UP (the one really lame moment in the whole film belongs solely to Seacrest.) Vannessa Williams - maybe relax with the being "in" on the joke thing. Seriously.
TEETH (DVD)
About a girl with teeth in her Vagina. It's played as a sort of CARRIE horror film with the lead coming to terms with her sexuality and her powers then using them for revenge against the people that have wronged her. As bad as some of the acting is - the movie is sort of a kick and at 90 minutes - somewhat watchable. The inclusion of Jon Hensley (the horrible actor who plays the son in NIP/TUCK) is one reason the film never rises above mild tedium. But the first half hour or so is really good. And there are some funny/gruesome moments. The gynecologist with the "special " technique is especially eye opening.
Grade: C +
The new REM - ACCELERATE - is really good. It kind of sounds like REM from around 12 years ago - after the novelty hits but before the really boring period.
How great is the Dylan song, VISIONS OF JOAHANNA?
How bad does the new INDY JONES movie look? I'm not sure, but I hear that ALIENS play a role in this thing. Seriously. Fucking aliens.
AL GREEN - new cd "LAY IT DOWN" 2008
I know I said i was ending the blog, but this cd is freakishly good. This CD made me write another blog because I had to talk about how good this is. It's like a pristine Al Green CD that was recorded in the 70s but somehow didn't get released and now it's been mixed and revived to sound pristine. In it's own quiet, devastating way, it's the pipe bomb of 2008.
DIARY OF THE DEAD (DVD)
This is the 5th entry in the Romero DEAD series. NIGHT and DAWN are classics. DAY is considered the weakest but still great 3rd part of the trilogy. Regular readers of this blog know that Romero never got to film his original script for DAY – he refused to deliver an R rated film so he was forced to cut his budget (in today’s age of DVD, pay cable – it’s hard to imagine that happening again.) In any case – Last year saw the release of LAND OF THE DEAD – Romero’s first Zombie film in about 18 years. It sucked royally. In every possible way. Some cool zombies in the unedited dvd version, but really – very comparable to the new STAR WARS. So – here we are again – Romero once again tries to make a zombie film – this time with better results – in something called DIARY OF THE DEAD. This is essentially the BLAIR WITCH of the series – modern day kids are recording the dead returning to life with digi-cams and uploading into the internet, where we get to see lots of different scenes of mayhem from around the country. So already, premise wise, we’re well ahead of the really over-baked LAND OF THE DEAD. That said – these are some of the most scary and impressive zombies we’ve seen in quite some time. The look itself is MUCH closer to NIGHT and DAWN since this is super duper low budget production. The action, the zombie bites, all very good – especially since it’s being shot in an ultra-realistic way. The bad news – the voice over and the script and acting in general. These kids who are supposedly shooting a horror movie when the shit breaks out – isn’t that a cliché’ in itself? – are all fairly bad actors. The voice over, written after the film was finished – is truly God-awful, with Romero philosophizing over subjects with words no kid going through this phenom would ever use in a million years. That said – again, there is much to recommend here – the zombies and the action are particularly well done. If only the story and dialog wasn’t so fucking hokey. So – this is somewhere in between DAY and LAND – not a great place to be, but this guy is 66 and still pumping out zombie films.
The DVD has some great extras, including some cool little docus on the making of the film, the effects, we learn that Romero has split from his long-time girlfriend and producing partner and now has a new girlfriend. And Romero’s commentary is arguably more entertaining than the film’s dialog. From what I understand, he's going to do another Zombie movie in this subjective cam way - I just wish he would follow the example of the great OPEN WATER, which used it's DV camera like a fly on the wall (as well as another great low-key gem, THE ANNIVERSARY.)
As far as DIARY goes, all in all, a mixed bag – but for Romero aficionados, a can’t miss. For all others:
Grade: B -
MEATLOLAF: IN SEARCH OF PARADISE (DVD - NETFLIX)
This was supposed to be included in the 3 BATS LIVE dvd and then they released it seperately. It's a 90 minute docu of Meat prepping his 1997 SEIZE THE NIGHT tour (otherwise known as BAT 3 - but Steinman wouldn't give him the rights to the name.) Meat comes off as fairly genial, insanely sensitive and hardworking and very very critical of his own performance night after night. He's never happy with the way he sounds and at 59, feels like he's climbing an uphill battle - and he is. He's losing his voice in a huge way. But he's still the Meat - and the show still works - and when Meat finds his voice on the road near the last half hour of this docu, it's the Meatloaf from 1979 that comes across and it's great. For serious fans only.
UPDATE: I hadn’t finished watching this when I wrote that – but it was more of the same. Mostly you get a bunch of Meatloaf running through songs, losing his voice, being called out on the section of PARADISE where he and the new backup singer, who looks about 12, make out for a while and Meat’s funny solution to the problem (to have them all dress back like it was the famous 70s video clip.) But mostly, Meat is pretty disheartened over his recent performances and so are we. This is definitely for serious fans of Meat only – but for them – it’s pretty revealing. There are zero extras, and the biggest disappointment is that there is virtually no discussion of the Jim Steinman relationship nor the fallout over the recent BAT 3 CD. Maybe that was a legal thing, but it’s sorely missing from this docu. They should’ve just included this in the 3 BATS LIVE dvd like they did overseas, but maybe they thought they could make an extra buck this way.
Grade: B -
JUNO (DVD)
I realize I’m really late on the bandwagon here – so in short, this film was way better than I thought it would be (I thought maybe it suffered from overhype.) It’s smart, it’s funny, it’s relevant, it’s sweet – very sweet – and it’s exceedingly well written. If you haven’t seen this yet, do so. It’s the best film I’ve seen in a while. And the soundtrack is killer, as are turns by both Jason Bateman and Michael Cerra.
Grade: A
FLAVA OF LOVE 3 (VH1)
So…he went with Thing 2 – then he decided on the reunion show that he loved the mother of his recent child. I don’t know what to make of it, but these shows are always fun and this was no exception.
Grade: C +
PROSTI (DVD)
A foreign film about a whore house. The film tries to be cute with its subject – not recommended.
A REAL YOUNG GIRL
Another foreign film - this one about a 15 year old girl coming to terms with her sexuality – unwatchable.
I'm LOVING the new COLDPLAY CD. Loving it.
The new Al Green CD rocks. Buy it. Download it. Get it.
QUEEN ROCKS MONTREAL (PBS)
Is a must-see. It's a 1979 (I think?) concert - shot on film - lots of old school Queen hits - Freddy is in PEAK form as is the band. It's striking to watch the show and realize just how much of a solo show Freddy Mercury turned those concerts into. He was one of the very best stage performers with such a solid catalogue - the few songs I've watched so far were PLAY THE GAME and SOMEBODY TO LOVE. He's in great voice and the sound is awesome - watch this and just get happy.
Grade: A +
ALANIS MORISETTE (Rules Of Engagement 2008)
I like Alanis a LOT – but this disc is like….how do I say this - it's kind of like really bad disco. Like the kind Elton John made when he and Bernie Taupin split up for a few years. There are one or two songs that seem cool that have her signature sound - but it sounds like a bad dance record to me - I will give it another listen or two to make sure my assessment is correct, but she's just talented and arrogant enough to have made a truly awful record.
Grade: F
UPDATE: I have given another listen or two – it's even worse than I thought.
AIMEE MANN - SMILERS (CD 2008)
Very new disc finds Aimee Mann moving ahead with tense ballads and quietly lush production values. The songs are really quiet, building into personal convictions and impressive songwriting all around.. Very compelling, if not as immediate as her hits ONE and WISE UP. This is a mature cd, for mature people - which means I can't listen to it. On the other hand – this is all a bit on the boring side.
Grade: B -
Just how unfunny is Vanessa Williams in her on-air promos for her TVLAND appearance where she WARNS the GOLDEN GIRLS not to upstage her: "Betty, this could get ugly." I guess she's supposedly "funny" on UGLY BETTY, but those ads are the exact opposite of comedy. Nothin' funny about those promos. Reminds me of the zany comedy of Ryan Seacrest on those ON DEMAND promos where he reprises his lame tirade from KNOCKED UP (the one really lame moment in the whole film belongs solely to Seacrest.) Vannessa Williams - maybe relax with the being "in" on the joke thing. Seriously.
TEETH (DVD)
About a girl with teeth in her Vagina. It's played as a sort of CARRIE horror film with the lead coming to terms with her sexuality and her powers then using them for revenge against the people that have wronged her. As bad as some of the acting is - the movie is sort of a kick and at 90 minutes - somewhat watchable. The inclusion of Jon Hensley (the horrible actor who plays the son in NIP/TUCK) is one reason the film never rises above mild tedium. But the first half hour or so is really good. And there are some funny/gruesome moments. The gynecologist with the "special " technique is especially eye opening.
Grade: C +
The new REM - ACCELERATE - is really good. It kind of sounds like REM from around 12 years ago - after the novelty hits but before the really boring period.
How great is the Dylan song, VISIONS OF JOAHANNA?
How bad does the new INDY JONES movie look? I'm not sure, but I hear that ALIENS play a role in this thing. Seriously. Fucking aliens.
AL GREEN - new cd "LAY IT DOWN" 2008
I know I said i was ending the blog, but this cd is freakishly good. This CD made me write another blog because I had to talk about how good this is. It's like a pristine Al Green CD that was recorded in the 70s but somehow didn't get released and now it's been mixed and revived to sound pristine. In it's own quiet, devastating way, it's the pipe bomb of 2008.
2008/04/27
The Final Blog (for now)
It's that time again.
Life has once again taken me away from what I love to do best, eat pizza and watch tv on the couch with my cat.
Seriously.
But now that things have picked up a bit, I just find myself gotting too bogged down to really make the blog worthwhile. I had all these reviews that needed a bit of editing and correcting - and I just can't justify the time.
For whatever it's worth, I caught FIND ME GUILTY on HBO the other nite and kind of liked it. I LOVED re-watching the last batch of SOPRANOS eps - and liked them even better than I did the first time around. I still think you should get Sirius Sattelite and listen to the Stern show - Artie's walkout and subsequent apology was worth his weight in gold.
BIG BROTHER had a fairly good season - though I really can't believe James didn't go all the way. And the two that are left were largely floaters who went mostly unnoticed. It's hard to root for Ryan after he took Shiela's money away. And Adam Baller must have the most insane facial features of any contestant on any show ever - but he's immensely watchable and very likable.
Anyway - I'll be back at some point when I have a bit more leisure in my life - but for now, Digital Couch out.
Life has once again taken me away from what I love to do best, eat pizza and watch tv on the couch with my cat.
Seriously.
But now that things have picked up a bit, I just find myself gotting too bogged down to really make the blog worthwhile. I had all these reviews that needed a bit of editing and correcting - and I just can't justify the time.
For whatever it's worth, I caught FIND ME GUILTY on HBO the other nite and kind of liked it. I LOVED re-watching the last batch of SOPRANOS eps - and liked them even better than I did the first time around. I still think you should get Sirius Sattelite and listen to the Stern show - Artie's walkout and subsequent apology was worth his weight in gold.
BIG BROTHER had a fairly good season - though I really can't believe James didn't go all the way. And the two that are left were largely floaters who went mostly unnoticed. It's hard to root for Ryan after he took Shiela's money away. And Adam Baller must have the most insane facial features of any contestant on any show ever - but he's immensely watchable and very likable.
Anyway - I'll be back at some point when I have a bit more leisure in my life - but for now, Digital Couch out.
2008/04/18
BAD GIRLS BAD GIRLS! (special fri edition)
STORYTELLERS: SNOOP DOGG (VH1)
I love the Dogg. I loved this hour special from VH1. He does a lot of hits, talks about a lot of things from his life that informs his music, and sounded pretty great live. I remember when Snoop first came on the scene – there was a new CD and some kind of gun charge against him. He seemed dangerous at the time. Now he seems like a warrior who has survived to sing about it. What can I do – I love the D-O-Double G.
Grade: A
SHE AND HIM (MUSIC CD)
This musical debut from M Ward and Zooey Deschanel was put together by director Martin Hayens for his film "The Go-Getter," and when they heard the results of the one song "When I get to to the border," which was recorded for the film, they decided to do a full CD. This is a very vintage feeling album full of warm country-esque tunes that will just make you feel good.
Grade: C +
COUNTING CROWS - Saturday Mornings & Sunday Evenings (MUSIC CD)
The new Counting Crows sounds really good, has lots of upbeat songs but not many "Long December" type ballads. Not too different from their usual, but a bit more upbeat and sprightly than the last few efforts. Unfortunately, none of the songs are really sticking to me.
Grade: B –
R.E.M. “Accelerate” (MUSIC CD)
Another comeback disc from some old rockers. This new, 35 minute CD has a lot of cool tunes that remind one of older R.E.M. – not a bad thing. I personally liked the mellow new vibe of R.E.M., but have to admit with their NEW YORK CD they had hit a really boring state of affairs. This disc sets things right again and makes them sound vital again. Lots of cool songs and Stipe sounds better than ever. Not any singles that pop out at me yet, but I’ve just started listening.
Grade: B
THE LION AND HIS FRIEND
This is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen. This is a woman who cared for this lion when he was found sick and eventually found a zoo to take him in and take care of him. Six weeks later, she goes to visit him. The following short video is best played without sound, as the newscasters obnoxiousness and meaningless talk almost ruin the moment – watch this with the sound down – but definitely watch. I’ve seen this video no less than 10000 times. And been moved by it no less than 1000 times.
http://www.telestereo.com/Archivos/video.html
AMERICAN PIE: THE NAKED MILE (HBO)
I don’t know how many of you are aware of this, but after AMERICAN WEDDING (I think the 3rd or 4th entry in the PIE series – and the final theatrical one – and from my memory – it was just kind of okay) – but now there is a straight to DVD market that makes a new AMERICAN PIE film about every 18 months. They did BAND CAMP, now comes THE NAKED MILE. I went into this with a lot of good will. After 14 minutes, all good will was lost as this aggressively stupid piece of shit did everything wrong that a comedy could possibly do wrong. Let it go, Universal Pictures, let it go.
Grade: F
PORN EDITOR (HBO)
Has anyone seen this curio 9 minute animated piece on HBO? It caught my interest both with the title and with the inclusion of MR. MARCUS’ name on the credits, who is a well known porn star. Anyway – it was ok at 9 minutes – I don’t really know what it was about – and it wasn’t really funny or insightful…it was this animated thing about an editor who becomes an editor of porn, but didn’t seem to have any real thoughts on the subject. Kind of empty.
Grade: D
THE BAD GIRLS CLUB (Oxy)
Last year this insanely addictive show had a bunch of compelling misfits who you actually started to care about. This season, the girls are truly out of their minds. As in, the majority of them need very serious, very costly mental help. Still, the show continues to truly awe in the behavior of these girls. There is so much to say here, that – it would take three pages to describe what’s goin on in that house. But allow me to say this – I think the really large girl, Tanisha, is hilarious and has calmed down considerably from the first few weeks. I think Naveen is a wannabe follower loser who does nothing but talk behind everybody’s back and is afraid of her own shadow. And for somebody who’s always attacking everybody’s looks, she actually does sort of resemble a poodle. There’s a white blonde girl who sounds black who’s never really contributed any moments to the show – I’m not even sure what her name is. Lyric came and went – and was a complete moron. Genevecia was a compelling idiot, but a truly hateful idiot full of vitriol which probably goes a long way to explain how this 24 year old mother (???) actually does look about 44. Darleen is a trip – she has sort of an 80s look to her – when she’s sober she’s a pretty sweet, very judgmental, almost virginal girl – get a few drinks in her and she will strip, molest and physically fight everybody with her fists and anger – it’s a shocking turn that she does about every 3 weeks. Andrea is the newest member of the cast and for a minute, I thought the most normal – until she had a 3 way with Cordelia and her boss, then made herself throw up on camera (she has bulimia – and Naveen’s flip statement “Make yourself feel better – have a twinkie” made me want to puke. But the girl who is most in need of serious mental help is Cordelia. Words cannot begin to describe the deep sea levels of fucked-upness of this absolutely out of her mind chick. She’s done porno, brags that she loves anal, has fucked over guy after guy, has gained 30 pounds in the house, called one of the black girls the N word, cheated on her fiancé, humiliated the guy she was cheating with, and the list goes on and on. Oh yeah, my favorite was when she declared “I’m elitist, I’m pretentious, I’m amazing.” Cordelia might be the most seriously fucked up person in the short history of this fucked up show.
Grade: A
UPDATE: THE BAD GIRLS / CORDELIA DOES PORN
I’ve seen a few more. So, the girl I just said is so fucked – turns out, she’s a porn actress! (I’d hardly call her a “porn star” since she was only in about 8 movies and never really established herself as anything other than a TRULY dirty 18 year old who was willing to do just about anything. After viewing (for blog purposes only) a film of hers entitles “WORLD SEX TOUR” (actually – it was just Florida.) Anyway – the girl has serious problems. Watching the videos only confirmed that she has life-threatening self-esteem issues.
THE BAD GIRLS on TYRA (Oxy)
Were great, though it sucked that Andrea didn’t show up. They fought and screamed and did their thing, leaving Tyra so weirded out she actually left the stage and let them fight amongst themselves. I have to say – I’ve grown to really like Tenisha. I think she’s funny. And while I normally can’t stand Tyra, she had a throat infection so she wasn’t able to be her usual deuce self.
Grade: B
Jeff Conway on HOWARD STERN (Sirius)
Jeff and his girlfriend from the CELEB REHAB show were guests on the show last week. It was an A+ segment. Jeff is hilarious in his self-deprecating way, and they came off as very likable train wrecks.
next week:
Arties walk out.
Night of 2 many stars.
find me guilty
even more shite.
I love the Dogg. I loved this hour special from VH1. He does a lot of hits, talks about a lot of things from his life that informs his music, and sounded pretty great live. I remember when Snoop first came on the scene – there was a new CD and some kind of gun charge against him. He seemed dangerous at the time. Now he seems like a warrior who has survived to sing about it. What can I do – I love the D-O-Double G.
Grade: A
SHE AND HIM (MUSIC CD)
This musical debut from M Ward and Zooey Deschanel was put together by director Martin Hayens for his film "The Go-Getter," and when they heard the results of the one song "When I get to to the border," which was recorded for the film, they decided to do a full CD. This is a very vintage feeling album full of warm country-esque tunes that will just make you feel good.
Grade: C +
COUNTING CROWS - Saturday Mornings & Sunday Evenings (MUSIC CD)
The new Counting Crows sounds really good, has lots of upbeat songs but not many "Long December" type ballads. Not too different from their usual, but a bit more upbeat and sprightly than the last few efforts. Unfortunately, none of the songs are really sticking to me.
Grade: B –
R.E.M. “Accelerate” (MUSIC CD)
Another comeback disc from some old rockers. This new, 35 minute CD has a lot of cool tunes that remind one of older R.E.M. – not a bad thing. I personally liked the mellow new vibe of R.E.M., but have to admit with their NEW YORK CD they had hit a really boring state of affairs. This disc sets things right again and makes them sound vital again. Lots of cool songs and Stipe sounds better than ever. Not any singles that pop out at me yet, but I’ve just started listening.
Grade: B
THE LION AND HIS FRIEND
This is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen. This is a woman who cared for this lion when he was found sick and eventually found a zoo to take him in and take care of him. Six weeks later, she goes to visit him. The following short video is best played without sound, as the newscasters obnoxiousness and meaningless talk almost ruin the moment – watch this with the sound down – but definitely watch. I’ve seen this video no less than 10000 times. And been moved by it no less than 1000 times.
http://www.telestereo.com/Archivos/video.html
AMERICAN PIE: THE NAKED MILE (HBO)
I don’t know how many of you are aware of this, but after AMERICAN WEDDING (I think the 3rd or 4th entry in the PIE series – and the final theatrical one – and from my memory – it was just kind of okay) – but now there is a straight to DVD market that makes a new AMERICAN PIE film about every 18 months. They did BAND CAMP, now comes THE NAKED MILE. I went into this with a lot of good will. After 14 minutes, all good will was lost as this aggressively stupid piece of shit did everything wrong that a comedy could possibly do wrong. Let it go, Universal Pictures, let it go.
Grade: F
PORN EDITOR (HBO)
Has anyone seen this curio 9 minute animated piece on HBO? It caught my interest both with the title and with the inclusion of MR. MARCUS’ name on the credits, who is a well known porn star. Anyway – it was ok at 9 minutes – I don’t really know what it was about – and it wasn’t really funny or insightful…it was this animated thing about an editor who becomes an editor of porn, but didn’t seem to have any real thoughts on the subject. Kind of empty.
Grade: D
THE BAD GIRLS CLUB (Oxy)
Last year this insanely addictive show had a bunch of compelling misfits who you actually started to care about. This season, the girls are truly out of their minds. As in, the majority of them need very serious, very costly mental help. Still, the show continues to truly awe in the behavior of these girls. There is so much to say here, that – it would take three pages to describe what’s goin on in that house. But allow me to say this – I think the really large girl, Tanisha, is hilarious and has calmed down considerably from the first few weeks. I think Naveen is a wannabe follower loser who does nothing but talk behind everybody’s back and is afraid of her own shadow. And for somebody who’s always attacking everybody’s looks, she actually does sort of resemble a poodle. There’s a white blonde girl who sounds black who’s never really contributed any moments to the show – I’m not even sure what her name is. Lyric came and went – and was a complete moron. Genevecia was a compelling idiot, but a truly hateful idiot full of vitriol which probably goes a long way to explain how this 24 year old mother (???) actually does look about 44. Darleen is a trip – she has sort of an 80s look to her – when she’s sober she’s a pretty sweet, very judgmental, almost virginal girl – get a few drinks in her and she will strip, molest and physically fight everybody with her fists and anger – it’s a shocking turn that she does about every 3 weeks. Andrea is the newest member of the cast and for a minute, I thought the most normal – until she had a 3 way with Cordelia and her boss, then made herself throw up on camera (she has bulimia – and Naveen’s flip statement “Make yourself feel better – have a twinkie” made me want to puke. But the girl who is most in need of serious mental help is Cordelia. Words cannot begin to describe the deep sea levels of fucked-upness of this absolutely out of her mind chick. She’s done porno, brags that she loves anal, has fucked over guy after guy, has gained 30 pounds in the house, called one of the black girls the N word, cheated on her fiancé, humiliated the guy she was cheating with, and the list goes on and on. Oh yeah, my favorite was when she declared “I’m elitist, I’m pretentious, I’m amazing.” Cordelia might be the most seriously fucked up person in the short history of this fucked up show.
Grade: A
UPDATE: THE BAD GIRLS / CORDELIA DOES PORN
I’ve seen a few more. So, the girl I just said is so fucked – turns out, she’s a porn actress! (I’d hardly call her a “porn star” since she was only in about 8 movies and never really established herself as anything other than a TRULY dirty 18 year old who was willing to do just about anything. After viewing (for blog purposes only) a film of hers entitles “WORLD SEX TOUR” (actually – it was just Florida.) Anyway – the girl has serious problems. Watching the videos only confirmed that she has life-threatening self-esteem issues.
THE BAD GIRLS on TYRA (Oxy)
Were great, though it sucked that Andrea didn’t show up. They fought and screamed and did their thing, leaving Tyra so weirded out she actually left the stage and let them fight amongst themselves. I have to say – I’ve grown to really like Tenisha. I think she’s funny. And while I normally can’t stand Tyra, she had a throat infection so she wasn’t able to be her usual deuce self.
Grade: B
Jeff Conway on HOWARD STERN (Sirius)
Jeff and his girlfriend from the CELEB REHAB show were guests on the show last week. It was an A+ segment. Jeff is hilarious in his self-deprecating way, and they came off as very likable train wrecks.
next week:
Arties walk out.
Night of 2 many stars.
find me guilty
even more shite.
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