Favorite Scene Fri(Saturday)day: So Long 2011, it’s Been Epic

                Some of you might be wondering why in the hell this post wasn’t up yesterday, well don’t fret, we did this on purpose so we could rightfully send 2011 out with a bang.  The scene that ties this all together is taken from the monumental 1995 Academy Award winning film:  Braveheart.  Or, that kick-ass movie from back when Mel Gibson was completely and utterly nutso, as I like to call it.  Racist and psycho or not, you’ve got to hand it to Mel – this is one hell of a picture and this final scene may be one of the best ending moments ever captured on film.  We pick up right after Mel’s devastating cry for “FREEDOM!!!!!!!!” just before he gets nixed and are taken right back to the(a) battlefield – basically back to the groundwork that made us love this movie in the first place – and are left with the weasel who “fucked it up” for Mel’s William Wallace in the first place.  If you haven’t seen it, William Wallace’s death is a direct result of the bastard, Robert the Bruce (Angus Macfadyen), undermining him.  Whether true or not, I’ll leave it to the historians, but it made for quite a compelling twist in what is a long, compelling film.  One that’s resonated with me ever since I took my friend’s word for it and sat down on the floor in front of the VCR and boob tube and actually gave Braveheart a chance.  I didn’t know anything about this movie before that summer afternoon.  In the scene, Robert the Bruce has determined that what he’s done to Wallace was wrong, so to make up for it, he decides to give a speech not nearly as atmospheric as Wallace’s speech earlier in the film.  Although a bit lame and a bit fascist, the speech riles up the Scots nonetheless.  Which leads us and me to the reason this scene makes 2011's final Favorite Scene:  watching the sword soar through the air while bagpipes, drums, flutes and other beautiful instruments blow, honk, and carry make us all want to run outside and beat the shit out of the closest oppressor we can find and at the dawn of the “year the world ends” I say ‘fuck that’ and rush those oppressing forces.  The soaring sword is a sign of life not yet lost.  A sign of freedom and wonder.  And a sign of what’s to come.  Happy New Year, Everyone, from all of us here at the Escape Hatch.  We’ve enjoyed and appreciated all the reads and comments and look forward to showing up with more bang for your buck in 2012 (and I promise, no scenes from that movie – I love ya, John Cusack, but no thanks).  Have a drink for us as we’ll have plenty for you.  Cheers!

Music Video Monday! Josh Ritter: The Curse

I'd like to say that I didn't post a music video yesterday because I was saving a busload of children stuck on some train tracks, but that would be a lie. That did happen once, but it wasn't a bus it was a car, and it wasn't a bunch of kids it was just me, and the car was just going through the drive-through at a Wendy's (that was last night, actually).

I really just forgot it was my turn/didn't realize it was Monday/lost track of the time. But while we're on the topic of losing track of time, allow me to segue into this week's overdue music video.

It's a great one set to the tune of Josh Ritter's "The Curse". Nick recently featured Josh in another Music Video Monday, and we even got to see him in concert at Cafe 11 in St. Augustine a while back - we laughed, we cried, we spilled ketchup in Nick's car on the drive down.

Now you may be asking yourself, "Why would I wanna watch a puppet video?" but give it a chance. The puppeteer is Liam Hurley, a collaborator of Ritter's, and he clearly put a lot of work into the video. To be honest though, I'm posting it more for the song, but man, what a song. Rarely do I sit a friend or loved one down to share a song with them but I've done just that with this tune.

I had to listen to this song a few times before I realized it was a love story between a girl and a mummy. I mentioned losing track of time and I think you'll see how that figures into this song after you watch the video, which, along with the lyrics of the tune, shows the passage of time after the girl rescues the mummy from his tomb and brings him to our world.

And now, a warning. This song is a sad one to be sure, one of the saddest I can personally think of ("But she's just one more rag now he's dragging behind him"). While I did post this more for the song, the video definitely adds to the tune's bittersweet tone, particularly at the end. I wouldn't normally post such a sad song on a Monday, but I'm always a little blue the first week or so following Christmas. And it's not Monday, is it?

Now Hear This!: Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart

Ok, I admit it. I like Christmas music, but I've implemented one rule. I don’t listen to it until one week before Christmas. Sure when I was in the mall on November 1st and "Winter Wonderland" was playing, yes that early, I sang along, but you won’t hear it in my car or at my house until one week before. That’s why this past Monday, the radio I leave on for my dog was switched from 89.9 WJCT to 96.1 WEJZ, because I knew they’d be playing and playing and playing Christmas music.

Another little quirk I have, when it comes to Christmas music, is that the songs have to be old school. You can call me a music snob because I don’t even give the new stuff a chance. I guess it’s much like my affection for the classic holiday cartoons like How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Now that doesn’t mean I’m not without some guilty pleasures, it’s just that I prefer to stick with the oldies but goodies. Damn I sound a lot like my parents. Somebody slap me if I ever start a sentence off with, “Back in my day.”

Anyhow, I figured since it’s almost impossible to avoid these cheerful tunes, I’d give you 45 (in no particular order) of my holiday favorites. So grab some eggnog (adult version preferably), throw another yuletide log on the fire, curl up in your onesie and enjoy finding these Christmas classics. Well on second thought since the forecast calls for almost 80 degrees on Christmas day, screw the yuletide log and onesie, just get your drink on and enjoy the music. While you're at it, I'd like you to share your favorites with us. Have a safe and Happy Holidays.

Bing Crosby - "White Christmas"
Nat “King” Cole - "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)"
Bobby Helms - "Jingle Bell Rock"
Brenda Lee - "Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree"
Elvis Presley - "Blue Christmas"
Gene Autry - "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
Jimmy Durante - "Frosty the Snowman"
Dean Martin - "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow"
Leroy Anderson - "Sleigh Ride"
Vince Guaraldi Trio - "Christmastime is Here"
Perry Como - "(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays"
Frank Sinatra - "Jingle Bells"
Andy Williams - "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
Bing Crosby - "The Little Drummer Boy"
Perry Como - "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
Doris Day - "Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)"
Dean Martin - "Baby It’s Cold Outside"
Frank Sinatra - "I’ll Be Home for Christmas (If Only in My Dreams)"
Johnny Mathis - "Silent Night, Holy Night"
Mahalia Jackson - "O Holy Night"
Ella Fitzgerald - "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"
Vince Guaraldi Trio - "O Tannenbaum"
Tony Bennett - "My Favorite Things"
Johnny Mathis - "Winter Wonderland"
Darlene Love - "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
Oscar Peterson - "O Christmas Tree"
Etta James - "This Time of Year"
Judy Garland - "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
Eartha Kitt - "Santa Baby"
Otis Redding - "Merry Christmas, Baby"
John Williams - "Carol of Bells"
Johnny Mathis - "Silver Bells"
Jimmy Boyd - "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
Burl Ives - "A Holly Jolly Christmas"
Connie Francis - "The First Noel"
Carla Thomas - "Gee Whiz, It’s Christmas"
Bing Crosby - "Happy Holidays"
Gene Autry - "Up On the Housetop"
Barry Gordon - "Nuttin’ for Christmas"
Bobby Darin - "O Come All Ye Faithful"
Spike Jones - "All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)"
Singing Dogs - "Jingle Bells"
Elmo & Pasty - "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"
Run-DMC - "Christmas in Hollis"
The Royal Guardsmen - "Snoopy’s Christmas" (I still have the original 45)

Favorite Scene Friday!: This One Left An Emotional Scar

About 12 years ago, my family started a holiday tradition. On the weekend before Christmas, we meet up and go out for dinner and a movie. The movie selection is always tough because we have my mom and sister who really only like comedies and love stories, my dad who likes sci-fi and suspense and me who begs not to see cheesy ass movies like Cheaper By The Dozen. Over the years, we’ve tried to mix it up. Past movies have included Deuce Bigalow Male Gigolo, Meet the Fockers, We Are Marshall, Four Christmases and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Besides Walk Hard, all of them were fairly tame compared to our 2003 selection of Bad Santa starring Billy Bob Thornton and the late actors John Ritter and Bernie Mac.

None of us, including Grandma, knew what to expect. Although rated R, the trailer made it seem like just another semi-dirty comedy, something that everyone could enjoy, but man were we in for a surprise. If you’ve seen the movie, you know that the language is off the charts and the sex scenes should not be watched with your mother and especially not your grandmother. It was some of the most uncomfortable hour and a half moments of my life. The funniest thing about the whole situation; my grandmother laughed the hardest.

In today’s scene, Willie (Billy Bob Thornton) and Marcus (Tony Cox) are being asked if one of them was fornicating in the plus size women's dressing room and it turns into the mall manager (John Ritter) being accused of unfair practices. Enjoy your Friday and Merry Christmas!

Escape by Tattooing Your Enemies: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

One of the taglines for David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – an actual Swedish proverb that actor Stellan Skarsgård shared with Fincher – is "What is hidden in snow, comes forth in the thaw." It’s very fitting for this film, as its harsh, often-times nightmarish tone occasionally melts ever so slightly.

IMDb

The movie follows Daniel Craig as disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist (a subplot of the film is the aftermath of a lawsuit he lost) as he investigates the 40-year-old murder of Harriet Vanger, for her uncle, the wealthy Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer). Bomkvist eventually teams up with a young computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander (an intense and dark Rooney Mara), the titular girl with the dragon tattoo.

Visually, the film is fantastic. Most of the film looks like one giant blizzard, and a shot of a train chugging through the snow is particularly beautiful. There’s a chase scene at the end of the film – really one of the movie’s only bits of action – and it struck me as gorgeous for some reason.

Fincher is quite the stylish filmmaker. The beginning credit sequence - set to the Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross/Karen O cover of "Immigrant Song" - is like a James Bond opening gone wrong. I especially liked one technique in the film when a flashback scene of a character smoking a cigarette cuts to the same character smoking another cigarette 40 years later. This struck me as a great way to connect the different incarnations of the same character four decades apart, especially considering that the actor in the flashback has no dialogue.

I’m a little ashamed to admit this but, going into the film, I didn’t really know where it was set. I certainly didn’t know the main setting was – as in the original – Hedestad, Sweden. I think I was a little thrown off by Daniel Craig, as he didn’t try for a Swedish accent at all.

There are some negative aspects of the film. It is loooooong. And, while the original Swedish version wraps up quickly after the death of the film’s main antagonist, this remake takes its time.

The main highpoints of the film for me are the relationship between Blomkvist and Salander and the chemistry between Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara. The first act of the film is fine but it really takes off when those two finally get on screen together. I enjoyed Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace as Blomkvist and Salander in the original film, but I like Craig and Mara’s duo even more, or at least, their relationship. It’s definitely warmer and a little more romantic in this film (the melting I mentioned earlier).

One last thing I wanted to bring up is that Stellan Skarsgård, as villainous serial killer Martin Vanger, should probably get an Oscar nomination. Near the end of the film Skarsgård’s Vanger has Blomkvist restrained in his basement/torture chamber, revealing his secrets and generally menacing our hero to death. During that scene Skarsgård goes from chillingly calm (yet very disturbing) to intense with rage in seconds and even though I’d seen the original film and knew everything was going to turn out fine for Blomkvist I couldn’t help but fear for the guy. Oh, and Enya’s "Sail Away" which is played throughout this scene, is forever ruined for me – thanks, Fincher.

Escape by Constantly Jumping off Buildings: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

There's a fantastic sense of fun and wonder in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and when you consider that the flick's director is Brad Bird, the man behind some of the best Pixar films (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) and The Iron Giant (one of my favorite animated films) it isn’t hard to understand why.

IMDb

The film revolves around Tom Cruise's IMF Agent Ethan Hunt and his team of spies, who are trying to thwart a plot by a villain bent on nuclear war (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo's Michael Nyqvist, who is somehow bland and compelling at the same time) after their entire agency has been blamed for a bombing in Moscow and disavowed. There's a scene where one of the signature Mission Impossible tapes/messages fails to self-destruct on its own, a great little metaphor for the wounded organization.

I took notes on the film's plot but trust me when I say it's not all that important (and not in a bad way, either). The best part of the film and its real stars – although all of the actors are great, especially Jeremy Renner – are the stunts (a scene on Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world, will have your stomach in knots) and the gadgets. Man, the gadgets. The team behind Skyfall, the upcoming Bond film, should watch M:I4 for gadget inspiration. The aforementioned tower scene where Hunt uses high-tech sticky gloves and another where Hunt and Simon Pegg's bumbling Benji Dunn use a sophisticated screen to hide from a guard in plain sight are particularly fun due to the imaginary technology on display.

Other than a few minor things, including confusion about events that occurred between this movie and the previous one, I wholeheartedly enjoyed this film. One thing I do have to bring up that’s more of an observation than a critique is all of the jumping in this film – I count at least six scenes where people jump off of or through some kind of structure. I guess jumping off things is kind of the Mission Impossible series’ trademark, but this film’s team took it to 11.

According to Bird's IMDb profile, this was his first live action film and I think he's proven he can handle them beyond a doubt. I'm excited about his planned follow-up live action flick, 1906, based on the San Francisco earthquake that happened that year. The only downside I'm anticipating is that we won't get to see any high-tech gadgets. 

Music Video Monday!: These Videos Don’t Stink, Stank or Stunk

Since it’s the season of giving, I’m going to put a two-fer under the tree on this beautiful Monday morning. First, the Christmas classic, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”, from Dr. Seuss’, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and the second from one of the best bands in the world.

I still have fond Christmas time memories of me curled up on the floor with my How the Grinch Stole Christmas! book in hand. Outside the unforgiving Illinois winter winds beat against the icy covered windows, but they were no match for the old cast iron wood stove that kept me toasty and warm as I read along to the Chuck Jones’ cartoon. Yes, Jim Carrey may have brought the Grinch to life on the big screen, but call me a purist; I’ll take the 1966 cartoon every time. To me, unlike many cartoons today, it was simple and subtle just like a children’s story should be. With the nasty Grinch voice of Boris Karloff (yes Frankenstein’s monster), the loveable and loyal Max, Cindy Lou Who and the baritone pipes of Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft, a.k.a., Tony the Tiger, it still warms my heart today. Although technically not a music video, I hope you can still enjoy it just the same.


Your A Mean One Mr Grinch by The-Jazzman

Now, because you’ve been such loyal to the escape hatch! readers over the past 8 months, I’ll give you a second gift. This one’s from the soulful, Philadelphia band Dr. Dog. Who says five guys inside a small cement storage unit can’t make great music? Enjoy a live version of “From”. You’re welcome Tiff :).

Happy Monday everyone! I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Kwanza or whatever you celebrate or don’t. May you be blessed with a warm heart and wonderful music.

Dr Dog: From from jason miller on Vimeo.

Batch o’ Hatch: Farewell, Jaws Ride: Part 2, Special Screening of Event Horizon, and A Christmas Confection

Robert here with a fresh Batch o’ Hatch to get you through these cold December days.

Farewell, Jaws Ride: Part 2

Last week I wrote about the planned closure of the Jaws ride at Universal Studios Orlando. I got to visit the park last weekend for my birthday and experience the ride one last time.

It’s still pretty cool walking up to the attraction’s entrance and seeing Bruce hung up on display. I wonder if they’ll leave him up there.

While waiting in line I noticed little things that I hadn’t on past trips. The attention to detail in all of the park’s attractions is very good and Jaws is no exception. Maybe it’s because I won’t wait in line for this ride ever again, but I really appreciated little things like these signs.

The ride itself has always been a little hokey, especially the tour guide aspect and the “grenades” that your guide “shoots”. It’s still a fun ride, however, and the part where you stop in the creaky, dark boat house is probably my favorite.

The ending of the ride is great as well, and the reactions some people have to Bruce charging the ship one final time is priceless.

I’ve heard that Jaws is making way for more Harry Potter attractions, and that’s not such a bad thing. I got to check out Harry’s section of the park and it’s pretty impressive.

Here’s my last thought on the Jaws ride and then I’ll shut up about it. There’s a great big lake section in the middle of the park. Why not have some sort of robotic Jaws set up in there that surfaces and cruises around every now and then? The music comes on, maybe an actor runs around screaming or something. You could make it like a show or something. Are you listening, Universal? Anyway…later, Bruce.

Special Screening of Event Horizon

Arrow in the Head (via Collider) reported  that Toronto residents will be treated to a special screening of Event Horizon tomorrow. Why is the screening so special? Well, a Q&A is scheduled for before the film with none other than director Paul W.S. Anderson! 

IMDb

I’d probably attend this if I could (it’s only $10!) as Event Horizon is a pretty good horror flick in my opinion. It's disturbing and creepy and I love that certain ‘90s je ne sais quoi that it has. Plus the references to Hellraiser. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow at Toronto Underground Cinema.

A Christmas Confection

Last but not least I just wanted to share a little something I thought was cool. A friend of the blog is very involved in her community theatre and they’ve been doing a production of A Christmas Story.

I got to check out the play a few nights ago and everyone involved did a great job. Anyway, my friend cooked up a little batch of something for the play earlier in the week and shared one with me...

Favorite Scene Friday! Love Actually: The Love of My Life

Aren't friends just the greatest?!?!  And I don't mean the people we schlepp around with on a regular basis simply because our lives have been thrown together for some obligatory reason.  I mean FRIENDS.  Friends who are there for you, no matter what.  Friends who stick up for you.  Friends who have seen you at your worst...heck, seen you through your worst...and still love you just the same.  I know, I know, this is starting to sound like a cheesy Hallmark card.  Well, I'm sorry people!  It's Christmas and cheesiness abounds this time of year!  That's why for my favorite scene, I have chosen a movie about both Christmas and friendship.  Well, actually, Christmas and love, to be specific.  But at the end of the day, isn't friendship really the purest form of love?

Love Actually manages to take a number of well-developed characters and weave together their very different stories during Christmas time in London - and does it amazingly well (Garry Marshall, please take note).  This scene depicts a nearly lifelong friendship between washed up English rock star Billy Mack and his long-suffering, adorably Scottish manager Joe.  Billy has just stunned the British masses by scoring the number one Christmas song with his self-described "festering turd of a record," Christmas Is All Around.  But instead of going out and celebrating with sex, drugs and craziness like a typical rock star, Billy decides to stay in and hang with Joe - one of those true friends I mentioned above. 

Love Actually is my favorite Christmas movie of all time.  It makes me feel happy and excited for the holidays, and I hope this scene puts you in the spirit as well! 

The F***ing Love of My Life



Love Actually
— MOVIECLIPS.com

Music Video Monday! Noah and the Whale: Blue Skies

It is cold, gray and rainy here in Jacksonville today and, unfortunately, my mood matches the weather.  I was planning to dig up a music video that would do this dreary day proud, but I realized it would be better to post something about the brighter days, and moods, that are sure to come.  

Noah and the Whale is a quirky and fun indie folk band from England.  I haven't listened to their entire catalogue, but I really like what I've heard so far.  Blue Skies is a song full of feeling.  The words may be simple, but the meaning is very deep.  It's one of those songs that lets you know it will all be okay.  Listening may make you cry a little, but you'll smile through it too.  And the video is about as sweet as it gets.

As a sidenote, there is a very small part of this song in the trailer for the movie The Descendants.  You can check it out here.  The song comes in at around the 1:40 mark.  For me, those few seconds of song took the movie from "That new George Clooney film I'd like to check out" to "Damn!  I MUST see that movie!"  But then again, I am slightly obsessed with songs paired with movie trailers. 

Anyway, Happy Monday, everyone!  Here's to blue skies for all of us... 

Favorite Scene Friday! Scrooged: Frank's Speech

As Perry Como said, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It’s easy to get stressed out this time of year, considering all of the planning, shopping, and traveling that comes with this season. It’s important to stop every now and then and appreciate the holidays – call someone you haven’t spoken with in a few years. Sing along to some holiday tunes. Build a snowman, weather permitting.

But forget about all that for right now and watch this scene! It’s from 1988’s Scrooged, my favorite Christmas film. 

IMDb

Bill Murray, as Frank Cross, spends the whole movie being a modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge, an irredeemable prick that’s completely lost touch with humanity. Watch this scene if you need a refresher. Free bonus laughs included.

Something happens to Frank, however. Several encounters with Christmas ghosts show him how he used to be before becoming a scumbag, how his selfishness affects others, and what’s in store for him if he doesn’t change his ways.

Murray’s at his best when he’s playing an ass that finds redemption, and I think it’s because the actor can play a jerk and a wonderful person with equal ease. I love this scene because it’s so rewarding to see Frank completely transformed into a caring person. The speech he gives is totally genuine, and the song that breaks out at the end of the scene says it best – the world really can be a better place if you care about others.

I could understand if some people find Murray a little corny at the end of his speech, but I think it’s great. Bill’s truly a fine actor. And it always warms my heart and gives me goosebumps when little Calvin – Scrooged’s version of Tiny Tim – has his moment. If Frank hadn’t completely found his miracle by then, there was no denying it after hearing Calvin speak.

Check out ole’ Lumpy and the gang below. And have a Happy Friday and an even Happier Holiday season!

“Oh, by the way, HERE!”

Now Hear This!: My Music Rediscover, Concert Heaven & Cranking The Black Keys

Good Thing for Second Chances

I first heard of Radical Face (Ben Cooper) via the song and video “Doorways”. It’s a fantastic tune that made me think of my favorite book, “Where the Wild Things Are”. Intrigued by the sound, I listened to some more of his stuff, downloaded “Ghost Towns”, but then for some reason I kind of moved on. Fast forward two months, I’m watching a rerun of Last Call with Carson Daly and damn wouldn’t you know, there's Ben Cooper as the featured artist.

During the interview, he mentioned that he’s from Jacksonville, FL and actually uses his mom's tool shed as a recording studio. After the interview, I went back for a second listen. It’s funny because one of two things happened, either my palette had been cleansed of all the folksy singers I’ve been listening too or I was so inspired by the interview, Cooper made me hear his music in a different light. Regardless the reason, I’ve found a handful of songs that will probably find their way onto my iPod. Here are my recommendations: “Welcome Home”, “Along the Road”, “Wrapped in Piano Strings”, “A Pound of Flesh”, “Black Eyes” as well as the previously mentioned “Doorways” and “Ghost Towns”.

Concert Heaven

So moving on to selfish news, I’m thrilled to tell anyone who’ll listen about my next four months of concert dates. This month, actually this Sunday, I’m taking a trip down to Orlando to see Delta Spirit and My Morning Jacket. Once again, if you haven’t added Delta Spirit (new album March 13) to your music catalog PLEASE DO. You will not be sorry. In January, I’m hitting the road to see the one and only Ryan Adams. I’ve waited for what seems like forever to see him in concert. It sucks that I have to go to Louisville to make it happen. I don’t know anything about the city, but I couldn’t think of a better place to be on my birthday. Yes, my birthday night watching Ryan “fucking” Adams! On March 4th, I take to the road again (Atlanta) to enjoy the soulful sounds of Dr. Dog. I just saw them back in April when they played Freebird Live with Floating Action, but with their new album, Be The Void, being released February 7th, I should hear an entirely different set. If I don’t, who cares because Dr. Dog is the shit! Also in March, there's still a slim possibility I’ll be having an eargasm listening to The Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys on the 23rd in Norfolk. This trip is teetering on whether or not I hit the lottery or feel like taking a 9 hour drive up 95. My dilemma, do I wait for The Black Keys to make it to Florida without the greatest band in the world or do I nut up and come off the $? If you don’t know by now, who I consider to be the greatest band in the world, then you don’t read my posts or I haven’t made it clear enough. Pssst: It’s the ARCTIC MONKEYS.

Screw tickling the Ivories, turn up The Black Keys

As I always do with the bands I love, I ran out to the Wrecka Stow (Prince fans you know what I’m talking about) yesterday to pick up El Camino, by The Black Keys. I know you’ve heard the lead single “Lonely Boy” and if you say, “Well no I haven’t”, then I say you’re kidding me right? I don’t know how that’s even humanly possible, since it’s been featured in a Hawaii Five-O tease, during last Sunday’s Packers-Giants game as an outro before a commercial and of course played during their December 3rd Saturday Night Live performance. It’s a fun song and even funkier video, but The Black Keys goodness doesn’t end their. If “Tighten Up” and Howlin’ For You” were your first exposure to The Black Keys then you won’t be disappointed because El Camino is a more up tempo album than Brothers. The duo has realized how to butter the bread and I don’t hold that against them. After the first go ‘round the winners for me are “Gold on the Ceiling”, the last 2:06 of “Little Black Submarines”, “Money Maker”, “Sister”, “Stop Stop” and of course “Lonely Boy”. I suggest you add it to your music must buys and as the sticker on the CD encourages “Play Loud”.

Batch o’ Hatch: Sun-Ray Cinema Opening, Farewell, Jaws Ride: Part 1, and The Cabin in the Woods Trailer

Sun-Ray Cinema Opening

The Florida Times-Union has an article up about the opening of Sun-Ray Cinema this week in Jacksonville. Tim Massett – a Jacksonville native – and Shana David-Massett are behind the new theatre, which will feature a new screen, a kitchen, and other improvements in general.

Sun-Ray Cinema

I’m immensely excited about the new theater opening this week, especially with the potential lineup of initial films we’d get – Melancholia, Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Descendants, The Human Centipede 2 (probably be skipping that one – I got enough centipede shenanigans from the first one), and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. 

The theater space used to be home to the 5 Points Theatre, which was a great place for indie movie and film event lovers (which definitely included us – two of our posts about films at 5 Points are here and here).  The theater has been closed since Halloween, so I’ve definitely been jonesing for independent cinema. I’ve got high hopes for Sun-Ray, especially for their special events, like screenings of The Walking Dead on Sundays. 

Check out Sun-Ray's blog right here.

Farewell, Jaws Ride: Part 1

On that note, I probably won’t even be able to check out the theater until early next week. Sun-Ray isn’t really scheduled to open until Friday, and I’ll be out of town. And even if it opens on Thursday (the article mentions the theater could open “a day or two earlier if renovations go well”) I can’t attend, as it’s my birthday and I’ve already got plans. Although that would be an awesome birthday present. I guess there’s always tomorrow.

Anyway, the reason I’ll be out of town is that I’m going to Orlando to visit Universal Studios for my aforementioned birthday. Normally I probably wouldn’t blog about visiting a theme park – even one that revolves around movies – but I figured this was a special occasion since THEJAWSRIDEISCLOSING!!??

The news comes from JoBlo (can you tell I get most of my movie news from them?) via the Universal Orlando Resort Facebook page, and their post explains that the 20+ year-old ride is getting the axe because Universal is putting in something “new, innovative & amazing”. 

Universal Orlando Resort

I’m glad I get to experience the ride one last time because a) I haven’t been to Universal Studios in years and b) I missed riding on the Back to the Future attraction one last time before it was converted into The Simpsons ride. Not this time, uncaring Universal Studios Florida executives. Not this time.

I’ll post something next week about my last experience with the ride.

The Cabin in the Woods Trailer

In other news, courtesy of – wait for it…JoBlo (via Yahoo! Movies), we finally have a trailer for The Cabin in the Woods, a horror/sci-fi flick directed by Drew Goddard (writer of Cloverfield) produced by Joss Whedon, and co-written by both of them. According to Wikipedia, Cabin has been delayed for about two years now. It was filmed before Chris Hemsworth did Thor, look at how puny he looks!

Nope, still more than capable of kicking my ass

To tell you the truth, I’m puzzled by this trailer. I was expecting an Evil Dead knockoff and I got…well I don’t even know. Check it out:

MUSIC VIDEO MONDAY night: Do You Think There Is Life On Mars?

                You ever have one of those days where once you finally get the chance to sit down at home you tend to . . . space out a bit?  Replaying the day’s events over and over in your head, thinking of oh so many post-glorious I should have said that’s until you finally realize that someone or something has been trying to get your attention for the past four minutes; yeah we’ve all been there.  We’ve been there because we work.  We work ourselves so hard we start to believe that these little four minute or five minute or hour and a half space out’s are really nothing more than the seedy little parasites that have evolved themselves from the over humpification of the American Dream.  This is what we now live for.  Bygone are the days of the Sexual Revolution, everyone’s fucking these days.  Hooray.  The new revolution shall be the Space Revolution and this Revolution will conjure up the most laziest of tiredest of middle-class citizens to ever wander in unison before suddenly pointing up to the sky.  And staring.  Not in awe.  Not in ecstasy.  Not in any hate or greed.  Space, where mystery sleeps and dreams thrive. 

Intrigued? 

               Well I hope so, because what I’ve decided to do with today’s Music Video Monday is to provide you with a bit of the soundtrack to the Space Revolution.  Hell, maybe even its anthem.  So the next time you find yourself in spacing out mode after a hard day’s work or on a rainy day or when you’re just in a really foul mood look up David Bowie’s Life On Mars? and sit back.  Let him drift you away. 

                I’m not the biggest Bowie fan in the world, but I really dig his early work and this is my favorite of those tunes.  Hunky Dory (the album which this song appears) catches Bowie on the brink of becoming the far out Ziggy Stardust.  The album also features the greatest hits Changes and Queen Bitch, but in my opinion I find Changes to be far, far down on my greatest hits.  Two more songs comprise Bowie’s fascination of two of the biggest cultural icons of the 60s: Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan (Andy Warhol and Song For Bob Dylan).  Both are nothing if not incredible and to fill up the rest of the album are six tracks pure poetry, but with a good guitar.  Check out The Escape Plan for one of those poems. 

               Now I’m going to give you a bit of a fair warning:  there isn’t much to this video aside from staring at Mars’ own version of Bozo the Clown, but it's intriguing nonetheless.  Besides, what are we here for if not for the song.  If you've never heard it or if you have heard it, but are unfamiliar with it; give it a listen.  I mean a real listen.  It's truly a fantastic song.  And those eyes.  Goddamn, those eyes are hypnotizing,  Alright, Major Tom, time for lift-off.  Time to drift away from this Monday.  So long . . .

Favorite Scene Friday: A Bitch In A Waffle Hut

Among my favorite director’s are none other than the Coen Bros.  Though not numero uno on my list, they do rank very high.  The dialogue in their comedies is epic and while most might disregard them as either hit or miss (with very little wiggle room) I find them to be comedic geniuses.  Take for instance this scene from 2004’s The Ladykillers.  It’s not unconventionally funny by any means, if anything, it’s a Seinfeld shout-out and who knows, maybe that’s why I enjoy it so much, regardless the scene is hilarious.  We get a little comedy out of every main character totaling up to one hell of a meal and a soiled Safari jacket. 

What I found so compelling about the scene (and movie as a whole) are the personality differences among the ragtag group of crooks.  Marlon Wayans was the main draw among the late high-school/early collegiate crowd and Tom Hanks drew in the older crowd ready to finally see a remake of their beloved 1955 comedy.  Mix them together with some ‘then’ no-namer’s and you should have a decent hit.  Alas that was not the case.  I believe everyone wound up disappointed.  Not me though.  I laughed whole-heartedly the first time I saw Garth Pancake (J.K. Simmons) argue with Gawain MacSam (Marlon) and to this day I laugh out loud when I watch it.  And what about Mountain Girl?  Diane Delano might possibly steal every scene she appears in.  Watch only her throughout this scene and try not to laugh.  Simmons is most certainly the scene stealer, but Hanks keeps up his comedic duties with his sly looks, dialogue, ah-ha moment’s and pacing.  Now I understand if I lose a few of you with the posting of this scene, but I hope to enlighten a few more of you in return.  The movie, like every other Coen Bros. comedy, is great and well worth a watch if you’re looking for something different.  I’ve recommended it many times to no avail, but as for those who really do get it, well, we’re still friends.

Happy Friday, Escape Artists!