Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Tune in Tuesday's: Let's Have a Quick Check-In


I missed last week, but I missed it with good reason(s):  For one, I nearly died on Saturday night, but that tale is for another time and place; and two, nothing really worth mentioning came out last week.  I’m not happy to report that this week barely gives us anything more, so I thought I’d combine the two weeks so as to not leave you hanging.  Let’s jump right in, shall we?

 
New TiTs:  Movies:  Cheech & Chong???, A Haunted House, Gangster Squad, Silver Linings Playbook, The Details, and The Guilt Trip. 

 
Apparently our ever-lovable, grandfather stoners decided to take the animated route with their latest adventure, Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie.  Well, ‘latest adventure’ is a bit of a stretch as what we have here are Cheech & Chong’s best stand-up routines made over in animation.  So, pretty much every Cheech & Chong movie rolled up into one, only animated.  Hey, I’m not complaining, I bet it’s funny as hell just like 90% of their live action movies.  It was fun to see them get back together a year or two ago, but from what little I saw, I could tell that it would be short lived (there may have even been rumors about another movie – not this animated one – but I’m sure that’s up in smoke by now.  Pun intended) and so I didn’t put forth much effort in pursuit.  I’m hoping this one shows up on Netflix soon, but if not, I’ll still live.  If you’re dying to check them, pick up one of their early albums or check out Up In Smoke or Nice Dreams (movies), funny as hell.

A Haunted House sounds like another one worth a few laughs.  I really enjoy the first 2 Scary Movie’s and that’s only because of the Wayans Bros.  I’m sure that sentence might bring upon a lot of backlash, but I stand it.  They’re funny to me.  Not all of their stuff is funny t o me (I’m talking to you, Little Man and White Chicks), but their TV show made me laugh and those Scary Movie’s made me laugh even more.  Obviously, I’m delighted that Marlon has returned to the horror spoofing genre so I’m looking forward to checking this one out.  I’m not betting it on being the funniest movie of the year by any means, but I like the Paranormal Activity movies and for my money, I wouldn’t have anyone else spoof other than a(ny) Wayans.   I sort of wish both brothers got together for this one, but I’m content with only Marlon, after all, one of my favorite comedies of all time is the critically-hated, The Ladykillers, with said actor and Mr. Tom Hanks.  Marlon is hilarious as Gawain, but that’s not to solely give him the spotlight, the entire cast is perfect.  And let’s not forget, Dude, the mighty Requiem For A Dream.  Marlon’s character had the best turnout in that movie (and book), but still a hell of a way to make a viewer like myself feel like shit.  It’s a crazy good performance on his part, you can’t doubt that.  Alright, enough gushing.

Last and definitely least is the gangster themed, Gangster Squad.  I mock simply because I have no desire to see this flick.  It’s probably pretty damn good, with some solid performances by some A-list actors, but the territory is out of my realm.  I find it boring and ultimately loathsome.  I recall watching Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, two incredible actors, in Public Enemies and nearly falling asleep (it was 2:00pm), that kind of action drama is just not up my alley.  I mention it though for all of you, this acting squad needs to keep working, so do them a solid and enjoy their picture.

This week brings us the release of the award-winning, Silver Linings Playbook.  This one I want to see.  Ol Robert told me it was good, so I’m ready to give it go now that the award season is over and it’s not being crammed down my throat every other commercial.  I like Bradley Cooper and could honestly take of leave Jennifer Lawrence (again, the cramming down the throat, what is it with this girl that makes everyone lose their shit?), but I’m really looking forward to Chris Tucker’s performance.  Mainly out of curiosity I guess, but it’s intriguing that this actor, who rarely acts, decided to make his comeback with a powerful drama.  Hell, I guess he could’ve been trying to cross over into the drama genre for a longtime and finally did it, but it seems like he specifically chose only this film to do (according to IMDB, he’s got a TV movie coming out this year – that doesn’t count as full-fledged actor in my playbook).

Another one that’s found its way on my radar is the dark comedy The Details starring Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks, Ray Liotta, and Laura Linney (JURASSIC PARK 3D was quite delightful by the way, I think it’s out now too on Blu-ray, pick it up!).  The plot revolves around some raccoons and a dedicated lawn maintenance husband and a “wild chain reaction of domestic tension, infidelity and murder.” – IMDB  Yeah, this one sounds like fun.  And if that kind of plot doesn’t turn you on, then go watch The Guilt Trip because that came out today also.  I’m an avid fan of the horror genre, but Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand together sounds devastatingly horrendous and I won’t do it.  If you’ve got the guts and the glory, then you are more man than me, or woman.  For shame, Mr. Rogen, for shame.  You had better redeem yourself in This Is The End, I’m super stoked to see that one.
 

New TiTs:  Music:  Rob Zombie, Phoenix, The Airborne Toxic Event, and Hanni El Khatib

 
Alert the presses, Rob Zombie has put out not only another movie, but another album as well.  Now I haven’t checked, but I can only assume thus far that this album will be either A) nothing but remixes of his old songs, Vol. 32 or B) there will be a few remixes of his older songs along with some subpar newbies.  I like the ‘ol Zombie, so I’m hoping for the latter, but it’ll be a long time before I know for sure.  Zombie hit his heyday for me with Hellbillly Deluxe.  The songs are kickass and still fun to this day.  And who doesn’t have Living Dead Girl on their Halloween playlist? 

Phoenix, the French outfit who hit it big four years ago with their album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is back with their latest venture, Bankrupt!  Autobiographical, perhaps?  One can only speculate before listening, but the track listening seems to sway in that direction:  Entertainment, S.O.S. in Bel Air, Bankrupt!, Drakkar Noir, and Oblique City.  I did enjoy Wolfgang Amadeus, so I’ll be sure to check this one out and let you know.

One that I will be picking up is the latest from The Airborne Toxic Event (does that make me weird?), Such Hot Blood.  These guys are a pretty cool Indie Rock band and I caught a live performance of theirs one day on TV and was impressed by how good they sounded, i.e. they sounded like their studio albums.  I really took notice of them with All At Once and the radio friendly track, Changing.  I know, I know, it’s a poppy tune, but it’s also fun to sing along to and the rest of the album holds up.  Well, both of their previous albums hold up, and positive points in my book for contributing Boots Of Spanish Leather to the Chimes Of Freedom – The Songs of Bob Dylan (Honoring Fifty Years of Amnesty International).  In a month of not much to look forward to, this one makes a welcome appearance. 

And to round out our Tuesday, it’s Hanni El Khatib!!!!  Who the hell is that, you ask?  Check out the video below and let that do the explaining.  This guy will be at the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta, GA this weekend and we will be joining him (if we make it to his set anyway).  He sounds like a lot of fun in the vicious sort of way, but nothing wrong with that.  Head In The Dirt is El Khatib’s second album and is produced by none other than Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys (great, great, great band) so that should give some sort of indication as to what kind of rock~n~roll sound this guy delivers.  Check out the video and if you like, check another one of his tunes, Come Alive.   

 

Alright, that about wraps her up.  Next week will be game-decision regarding the column, as mentioned above, we’ll be at the Fest all weekend and if you don’t find anything to read from me, don’t take it personally, I’m just trying to recover.  Sorry for the bluntness of today’s article, but it’s hard to express too much enjoyment for stuff you’re really not all that excited for, I’m awaiting that huge release for 2013, Phosphorescent took my surprise and now I’m striving to find something similar.  Who knows . . .  Anyway, have a great week and keep watching and listening, there’s decent stuff out there, stuff worthy of your attention and mine.
 


Monday, April 29, 2013

Music Video Monday! Band of Horses: "The Funeral"

Well it looks like I'm finally going to get to see Band of Horses live this weekend, courtesy of The Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta. We were set to see them on tour a few years ago when they were opening for Kings of Leon. That didn't turn out so well.

To kick Shaky Knees Week off right I thought I'd share the video for my favorite BoH song "The Funeral". Turns out the video is sad as shit, however. The song is pretty depressing to begin with, so I'm not sure what I was expecting. Not to worry, I threw in something happy after the music video. See ya in Atlanta!



Friday, April 26, 2013

Favorite Scene Friday! The Shining: An Ominous Beginning

Sun-Ray Cinema here in Jacksonville is playing The Shining tonight at 7:00, followed by the Kubrick/Shining documentary Room 237. Kubrick's film about a family isolated at a Colorado hotel is one of our favorite movies. We've written multiple posts about the film in the past, including a previous FSF, a Music Video Monday!, and a review (that we wrote after going a little crazy).

Sun-Ray Cinema

To mark the occasion, I've highlighted the opening scene of the film, which is essentially Jack Torrance's (Jack Nicholson) initial trip to the Overlook Hotel. It's surely not the most thrilling scene from the movie, but, if you're like me, it fills you with a heavy sense of dread. The camera glides across still-as-death water, twisting roads, and beautiful, green trees, all to the sounds of a foreboding score ANDITCREEPSMEOUT.

The Steadicam shots later in the film are often singled out but I really think the camerawork in this opening scene is great. Sure, it's just scenic shots filmed from a helicopter but it's still pretty awesome, especially around 1:10 when the helicopter zooms up to the car and past it. This scene is a reminder that The Shining isn't just a great horror film, it's a work of art as well.



What's funny about this scene is that outtakes were supposedly re-used by Ridley Scott for the happy ending of Blade Runner. I can't imagine this scene being used to convey anything happy.

If you're going to Sun-Ray tonight I hope you enjoy the film and Room 237. I've heard a lot about the latter recently and any documentary about Kubrick craziness has to be worth a watch. Happy Friday!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Escape by Checking the Cellar: Evil Dead


*Minor Spoilers Ahead!!!*

A girl is wandering in the woods. She appears dazed and helpless. Suddenly, two men appear, quickly throw a bag over her head, and knock her out. Darkness. The girl awakens in a cabin only to find that she’s surrounded by strangers. Her father appears and tells her that she murdered her own mother. We learn that the girl is possessed and, despite her pleas (and threats) her father tearfully sets her on fire before blowing her head off with a shotgun.

Wikipedia

And so begins Evil Dead, another modern day horror reboot.

Despite the opening, the bulk of the film follows Mia (Jane Levy), her brother David (Shiloh Fernandez), and three of their friends, gathered at the siblings’ old family cabin. The goal: get Mia off drugs...cold turkey. They discover something in the cellar, however, and things don't go as planned.

Evil Dead really worked for me. There’s a great reverence for the original film - The Evil Dead (1981) - which is crucial to any remake. Many aspects of this film pay homage to its forerunner. Familiar props show up (The Oldsmobile! A chainsaw!). Even sound effects and lines from the original film are utilized (you can hear the infamous “Join us,” quote just as the car is pulling up to the cabin at the beginning. Also, the audio tape of the professor from the original film can be heard over the closing credits). The film is set in Michigan. A necklace similar to one in The Evil Dead (and Evil Dead II) plays a part here. This particular detail was interesting for me, mainly because I thought it meant the film was going to use it in a similar fashion as Evil Dead II. A red flag went up. I assumed the movie was going to be predictable. I was wrong.

But - also crucial to any remake - elements are expanded on and/or changed. Much has been made over the famous “tree rape” scene in the original film. It’s used again in this movie, but it’s less gratuitous and seems to serve more of a purpose in a way. At least, in regards to the plot. The characters have a backstory in this film (Mia and David’s mother was crazy and died in a mental hospital). The film also hints at some other interesting new elements (A cult? Ghosts? The Prince of Darkness?).

Now, let’s talk about the aspect of the film that really made it special - the horror. It’s gut-curdling, skin-crawling terror of the highest order and it does not let up for a minute. It’s not just the quality of the horror, either. Whether intentional or not, the film channels other horror films like The Exorcist. Levy’s Mia seems to have a lot more in common with Linda Blair’s Pazuzu-possessed Regan than the leading ladies from The Evil Dead. At least one of Possessed Mia's lines - spoken to her brother - seemed like a line borrowed from The Exorcist.

And the film isn’t all just blood and gore. Director Fede Alvarez builds so much tension in certain scenes that it’s near unbearable. There’s horror for everyone, whether you like body parts being sawed off or the sounds of body parts being sawed off (I still have that noise in my head). The face of a demon hovering in the darkness of the cellar is just as scary as that same face puking blood into another character’s mouth.

Speaking of puking, I was a little worried by the acting at the beginning of the film, in particular, that of Fernandez. Don’t worry, he grows on you. By the end of the film I found his concern for Mia very plausible and heartfelt. He’s no Bruce Campbell, but he was okay.

Levy is, in a word, great. If you’ve seen a trailer for the film, you’re undoubtedly familiar with her “You have to get me out of here,” scene. It’s even better in the film somehow, and I saw the trailer many, many times before I saw the film. There’s just an honesty to that scene. Levy’s Mia is out of her mind with fear and you can really see it.

IMDb

Towards the end of Evil Dead I realized that the film and Levy’s performance marked the return of the horror heroine. Mia drenched in blood and wielding a chainsaw reminded me - more than any other recent horror film - of Laurie Strode battling with her brother Michael or Ellen Ripley duking it out with a batch of aliens. Since the original Evil Dead films were centered on a man, I didn’t expect the remake to go this route. I guess it's just a bonus!

Evil Dead is the rare reboot that bucks expectations and delivers something respectful of the original and fresh at the same time. It's scary. It's fun. It’s downright Groovy.


Thursday, April 18, 2013

The Movie Question Multiple Choice Answer: The Keymaster

So who is the Keymaster, anyway? Well, in a little film from 1984 called Ghostbusters, the Keymaster was a character named Vinz Clortho. He was destined to team with Zuul the Gatekeeper to bring about the second coming of a Sumerian God named Gozer. Unfortunately for Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) and his neighbor Dr. Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver), Vinz and Zuul had to possess them to accomplish this.

kolchakpuggle.com
The Keymaster, ladies and gentlemen.

Old Zuulie had to ask potential suitors if they were the Keymaster. Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) was not the Keymaster, but he was able to get into Dana Barrett’s apartment anyway. What’s interesting about this question is that Zuul/Dr. Barrett asks Dr. Venkman twice (one of you smart people pointed this out as well). Check out the clip below for both of his responses.

None of this is really that important! The only thing that matters is that “B. Yes! I’m a friend of his, he told me to meet him here.” is the right answer to The Movie Question Multiple Choice! You guys really know your Ghostbusters quotes - everyone that entered got the question right. We’ll have to pick a harder one next time.

Edward Chang, you win! Keep an eye on your inbox today for your $20 Amazon Gift Card.

Thanks to everyone that entered our contest! If only we could give everybody a prize. Tune in next month for another round of The Movie Question Multiple Choice.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Obsessive Cinematic Disorder: Big Things in Small Towns

There’s something to be said about films involving small towns that encounter big disruptions. Maybe it’s the inherent action or drama as a result of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Maybe it's the fact that I myself grew up in a very small town and always hoped an alien invasion or natural disaster of cinematic proportions would spice things up. Here are ten films that feature small towns facing big problems.

Slither (2006)

Small Town: Wheelsy, South Carolina

Big Thing: Hive-Mind Alien Slugs

It all starts with a simple meteorite but before you know it, the whole town is overrun by alien slugs that can turn people into zombies. Grant Grant (Michael Rooker) is the first to get infected and he ends up mutating into an alien monster capable of controlling the rest of the slugs and slug zombies. A lot of stuff gets destroyed, including Grant Grant’s marriage.

Wikipedia

Footloose (1984)

Small Town: Bomont

Big Thing: Dancing

Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) rides into the small town of Bomont in his VW Beetle and brings trouble with him. Ren butts heads with Reverend Shaw Moore (John Lithgow) when he learns that dancing is outlawed and tries to change the town's ways. NOBODY stops Kevin Bacon from dancing.

Red Dawn (1984)

Small Town: Calumet, Colorado

Big Thing: The Soviet Union

Calumet is under attack as the Soviets Invade America! And it’s up to Patrick Swayze and the WOLVERINES!!! to stop ‘em. Families are destroyed and a once peaceful town is ravaged by the Reds in the process.

The Reds were not Crazy for Swayze.

Dante’s Peak (1997)

Small Town: Dante’s Peak, Washington

Big Thing: Mountain Turned Volcano

This is what happens when you build your town next to a volcano! Even if it’s just a mountain. Who knows when those things could blow?

So yeah, the whole town is pretty much destroyed from within. Roads flood, lakes turn to acid, ash and lava run rampant. The entire town basically explodes towards the end of the film thanks to a pyroclastic cloud belched out by the volcano. Good thing Agent 007 turned volcanologist Pierce Brosnan is there to help.

First Blood (1982)

Small Town: Hope, Washington

Big Thing: John Rambo

John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), fresh out of Vietnam and just trying to mind his own business, ends up getting arrested by asshole-cop-in-residence Sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy) and chased into the forest surrounding Hope. He ends up returning to town and pretty much destroys it. He also makes the sheriff cry at one point. Suck it, Teasle.



The Blob (1988)

Small Town: Arborville, California

Big Thing: Gelatinous Alien Organism

Arborville is a peaceful California town (except for Kevin Dillon and a transient or two) until The Blob comes a blobbin’ in. A ton of people and a good chunk of the town meet unsavory fates before the alien is literally put on ice.

Super 8 (2011)

Small Town: Lillian, Ohio

Big Thing: Alien Beastie

Young Joe Lamb is reeling over the loss of his mother when an alien creature escapes from the military in his hometown.  A train is derailed, a lot of people are eaten (or are they?), and the town’s water tower gets destroyed. Bummer!

The Monster Squad (1987)

Small Town: ?*

Big Thing: A Butt Ton of Monsters

A small group of friends known as The Monster Squad don’t have many monsters to fight in their small town. That is, until Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein, Gill-man and The Mummy stop by. Dracula and his cohorts have big plans for the squad’s small town and it’s up to the gang to take ‘em out. The Count and his crew of monsters do a ton of damage before getting sucked into a space/time portal.

Wikipedia

The Iron Giant (1999)

Small Town: Rockwell, Maine

Big Thing: Giant Alien Robot

Rockwell is your average 1950s American town. But then The Iron Giant (Vin Diesel) drops in, befriends a young boy named Hogarth (Eli Marienthal) and beenemys (?) a government agent named Kent Mansley (Christopher McDonald). Power stations are destroyed, trains are derailed, and lakes (and tearducts) are drained.

Jaws (1975)

Small Town: Amity Island

Big Thing: Great White Shark

This might be the quintessential “big thing/small town” movie. Amity Island is a sleepy little town so dependant on summer tourism dollars that the Mayor tries to pretend that a Great White Shark isn’t cruising the waters just off shore. Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) moves to town just in time to see everything go to shit. Jaws (or Bruce if you’d prefer) ends up eating a ton of Amity Island citizens and a few boats in the process.

Wikipedia

So there's the list! If you live in a small town, keep an eye out for any of these. If for no other reason than to let me join in on the action!

*I have no idea where The Monster Squad takes place. IMDb lists "Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County - 900 Exposition Boulevard, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, USA" as the only filming location (and that doesn't necessarily mean it took place in Los Angeles County). CT from Nerd Lunch mentioned an internet source claiming the film takes place in Portland, Oregon. While Portland is indeed an awesome city, CT and I agree that TMS seems to take place in a smaller town. There's a good chance the location is revealed in the film at some point - maybe even prominently so - but my quick re-watch of bits of the movie didn't help. If anyone could shed some light on this I'd be forever grateful.

Tune in Tuesday's: Let's Ride On . . .


Old TiTs:  Phosphorescent is my new favorite artist



I decided to just dive right in this week and update you on an album I mentioned last month, Phosphorescent’s Muchacho.  It’s incredible, people.  Simply incredible.  Contained within his sixth studio album are 10 of the best songs I’ve heard to date in this savage year of our lord, 2013.  If you happen to come across one of his albums, really any of them, I fully encourage you to pick them up.  His songwriting is delicate, thirsty, horrific, and splendid, all at the same time.  Backed by layers of instruments and sounds, his voice is like that of a well respected professor teaching an aspiring young group of collegiate learners.  Even as I re-listen for approximately the 10th time since Friday, I’m finding it difficult to not just stand up and sing; to shake my hips like a fleshing virgin at a first time concert.  This guy, Matthew Houck is his given handle, has tapped into something within me that’s been untouched since I was in college, partying to till near death, writing blindly among the middle of the humid nights, and living out loud for the first time.  Phosphorescent is my new favorite artist, hands down. 
The album begins and ends with a couple of three-minute meditational hymns about taking it easy.  Both respectively sound like an opening and a closing of a novelistic musical album.  I’ve always liked that idea; when bands have a standout opening track and end their album with a reprise or a similar take on essentially the same song.  I prefer my albums to begin and end with a meaning, all circular, much like most things in life.  After the enchanting opener, Song for Zula takes us on a lyrical whirlwind of what love really is and how it can not only encourage, but also kill.  It’s an amazing tune and at six-minutes, it’s an eye-opener to the type of artist you’re listening to – a latter day Blood On The Tracks Dylan, lyrically speaking – it’s a song that desires to have a drink accompanied with it, an uplifting yet depressing take on the power that love wields.  Oh but I know love as a fading thing / Just as fickle as a feather in a stream / See, honey, I saw love.  You see, it came to me / It put its face up to my face so I could see / Yeah then I saw love disfigure me / Into something I am not recognizing.”  Beautiful.  Absolutely beautiful. 
Following … Zula is the driving tune, Ride On / Right On, while listening it’s hard to not envision yourself speeding down any highway with the top down and the wind blowing in your hair, without a care in the world, just cruising.  In contrast to track two, this one is nothing but an uplifting tune and far and away one of the standout tracks.  We take a break afterwards though with the still utterly awesome Terror in the Canyon (The Wounded Master), a poetic “fuck you and farewell” to an ex-lover perhaps, it almost plays like … Zula, Part 2, and could very easily fit as such.   The next is another uplifting number called A Charm / A Blade.  The start isn’t a driving tune like … Right On, but the chorus very much is.  I consider this the end to the first half of the album as the remaining tracks are of a softer sort.  Still incredibly stupendous, but a bit slower.  As I type this I’m in the middle of The Quotidian Beasts or The Familiar Attendants, the longest of the 10 tracks.  I’m alone so I’m singing out loud and bobbing my head, so hell, maybe I’m wrong in with that “softer” comment.  The whole album is absolutely stellar and I can’t say much more about it, you’ll just have to experience it for yourself.  Houck does use a lot of sounds that feel most at home on a country album (mind you, I am not a country fan), but with a bottle of whiskey, that’s not always a bad thing.  He’s a poet for this day and age. “You say, ‘Oh, you’ll spin this heartache into gold’ / And I suppose, I aint’ got much choice now do I tho? / See I can’t wake every morning babe / All aching and ornery babe / All jaded and thorny, no, I’m down to go”.  Hej, I’ve been fucked up.  And I’ve been a fool / But like the shepard to the lamb / Like the wave unto the sand / I’ll fix myself up.  To come and be with you”.  Lyrics like that being built up with fiddles and guitars and horns, oh my . . . incredible.  Easy oh”.  Standout tracks (seriously, download them):  Song for Zula, Ride On / Right On, A Charm / A Blade / Muchacho’s Tune. 

New TiTs:  Django Unchained, Repo Man (Criterion Collection), The Haunting in Connecticut 2




If you’re anything like me, you’re a big Tarantino fan.  The dialogue in every single one of his films is amazing.  The Oscar wins for Django Unchained only back up my claim.  The movie while not his best is very good and Christoph Waltz played an outstanding character.  I enjoyed every line he delivered as he did so with such vigor and intelligence, he inspired me.  I understand the nature of the plot and the use of such dialogue, so while I did not enjoy certain words or phrases, I did understand the direction, time, and necessity for such as to carry a realistic look at that time period.  That being said, the movie is very enjoyable as well as hysterical and Kudos to Jamie Foxx also!  He was great as the title character and I for one am glad Will Smith opted not to play the role.  I remember watching Foxx on In Living Color and The Jamie Foxx Show, both of which I thought were very funny, but after hearing of his upcoming role in the Spider-Man sequel and the development of a horror series on the Syfy channel????? Jesus, this guy is hitting every genre and knocking them out of the park!  I’ll admit, I’ve never seen Ray, but his talent is easily recognizable and I’m kind of excited to see ‘ol Motherfucker Jones return in the Horrible Bosses sequel.  I’ll definitely be picking this one up to add to my Tarantino collection.

I’ve never seen Repo Man, but after reading the plot summary on IMDB, I’m definitely interested.  Besides, you’ve got to love the Criterion Collection – if only they’d release The Life Aquatic on Blu ray already, sheesh – the extra money is worth it in my book, especially for those Wes Anderson releases.  About a down-on-his-luck guy named Otto (Emilio Estevez) who joins the car repossession business following the lead of Bud (Harry Dean Stanton), the plot makes mention of UFOs and Top Secret cargo so after reading that, I’m sold.  Aside from that, Rotten Tomatoes has certified it fresh at 98%.  I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that it must be pretty damn good.  Hell, Django is only listed at 89%.  Just tell me where to sign . . . or pick up.


Finally, we have what I can only assume to be a complete waste of anyone’s time or energy, The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia.  I didn’t write the rest of the title above because I feel a wee bit dumber for having written it here.  It’s got to be the stupidest title for anything that I’ve ever heard.  The first in this please-let-it-end-now franchise was actually quite enjoyable, I guess mainly because I could suspend my disbelief because the plot actually took place in the title’s promise.  The same can’t be said here.  At least not anywhere I can find.  I don’t even want to see this movie, I only included it here because I felt like making fun of it.  If you’ve seen it, please drop me a line in the comments box below and let me know how it holds up.  I just cannot get past the title.  It doesn’t make any sense!  Why not call it The Haunting in Georgia like the title alludes to?  I understand if you’re after a different series approach, but for the love of all that is good in Hollywood, don’t try to dumb us down with a grammatical failure in your title!  A proper idea would be to create 50 movies, one based in each state and call each one The Haunting in … leave the number out and don’t list two entirely different states!  I’ve been to both and believe me, they’re different.  Aside from the Atlantic Ocean, there aren’t many similarities. 

Anyway, thanks for letting me rant for a bit.  Don’t forget to check out Phosphorescent and let me know how you like him.  See you next week.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Favorite Scene Friday!: Silver Linings Playbook: "You sat on her lap?"

There were plenty of movies that made 2012 a fun night out at the theater, but Silver Linings Playbook was one of the best movies of the year. Not because it was nominated for Best Picture, but because it was a damn good movie. I'm not usually a fan of the Rom Com, but this one had a bit of a twist. Both of the main characters,
Pat (Bradley Cooper) & Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), were a tad fucked up. It made the relationship real, uncomfortable and downright hard to watch at some moments, but most importantly it was real.

*** Possible Spoiler Alert***
If you didn't love Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss you should be ashamed of yourself, but I won't hold it against you. Now if you didn't see hearts every time she was on the screen as Tiffany, the recovering nympho, then I just don't know what's wrong with you. She played "hint of crazy" to a T. You never knew what she was going to do or say. I thought for sure she was going to fuck it up at the end when Pat's estranged wife showed up to watch Pat and Tiffany's dance performance. Lawrence deserved the Oscar for Best Actress and I'm glad she won for a secondary reason. It proved that she is not just another emotionless Kristin Stewart. Bradley Cooper shed the pretty boy tag and put in a solid performance as well.

He convinced me that he was Pat. He made me root for him to get better. He made me want him to fall in love with Tiffany. Cooper was nominated for Best Actor and in my opinion he should've won. Fuck Stinkin' Lincoln (That's a Hatch inside joke). Cooper has got a good thing going and I hope he takes advantage of it. I like him as an actor and he could very well be my "exception" guy.

In this scene, Pat and Tiffany have their first "not a date" date and during their small talk, Pat asks Tiffany why she got fired from her job. I don't want to ruin it, so let's day she was a giving person. What I love about this scene is the way Pat acts just like a man when he finds out what she did. Watch Pat's face about 1:32, he can't believe what he's hearing and can only imagine what it looked like. If you haven't seen Silver Linings Playbook, put it at the top of your must see list. It's a Rom Com worth checking out. I hope you all have a great Friday.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Movie Question Multiple Choice

Alright, folks - we're feeling adventurous today so we're trying out a new contest. If all goes well we may do this on a regular basis (with a tweak or two if necessary). We’ve got a question below that we’ve taken directly from a movie. You’ve got four answers to choose from, but only one is correct. Send the correct answer to totheescapehatch[at]gmail[dot]com using the subject line “The Movie Question Multiple Choice” by Wednesday, April 17th at 5:00 p.m. EST. We’ll pick a random winner out of the folks that get the question right. Good luck! A $20 Amazon gift card is on the line!


A.  "I am the Keymaster!"

B. "Yes! I’m a friend of his, he told me to meet him here."


C. "I am Vinz, Vinz Clortho, Keymaster of Gozer. Volguus Zildrohar, Lord of the Sebouillia. Are you the Gatekeeper?"


D. "Nope!"

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Tune in Tuesday's: I'm Back (better late than never)!



April has been kind of a bore so far, guys, and because of that I should submit my utmost apologies.  You see, I haven’t written this column in a few weeks because A) my marriage (thank you) and B) there’s barely been anything worth mentioning since I left.  It’s hard to write about what you love when there is nothing to love out there.  Okay, that sounded kind of dark and was purely unintentional, but you catch my drift . . . I just don’t care about Justin Timberlake so why should you?  No seriously, I’m asking, why should you care about his “music”?  I like sex as much as the next guy; I just don’t to listen to “sexy music” to get me in the mood.  Call me old-fashioned, I guess.  That being said, this week isn’t much better (sadly), but I couldn’t keep you hanging any longer so let’s dive in, shall we?


Old TiTs:  Palma Violets, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Black Angels, Phosphorescent, This is 40

My pseudo-honeymoon (real one comes this summer!) brought me to the likes of Palma Violets and Phosphorescent . . . both mentioned here.  It’s a wonderful feeling when you’re able to find albums in stores, instead of paying shipping/handling and waiting extra weeks.  Thank you, Little Five Points in Atlanta.  Both artists filled the gaping hole that is the drive home from Atlanta (5 ½ hours) and I’m forever grateful.  Violets, as mentioned before, are a glorious, loud rock~n~roll band the likes of the Japandroids or early White Stripes.  What I forgot to mention before, and I do feel foolish because of it, is that they’re a British band.  Pretty important detail.  Anyway, I played the album through twice, back to back, and the time passed with a fluid lucidity as a result.  The album is great and I have a feeling that these guys are only on their way up.  I fully encourage you to check them out . . . but only if you love rock~n~roll.   Standout tracks are the entire freaking album!

Another one I picked up during my travels is the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s latest, Specter at the Feast.  I’ve heard of BRMC over the years and have liked a couple of their tunes (Beat the Devil’s Tattoo, for example), but before this album I didn’t own any of their stuff.  Released March 19, 2013, this marks BRMC’s seventh studio outing.  Not bad.  It’s a little heavier than I’m used to, but it certainly is not a bad listen.  I don’t miss the $8.00 I spent on the album, but then again I’m not so sure my joy for them has grown any more than it already is.  The album tracks are broken up into Chapters, which led me to give it a try in the first place, yet it doesn’t play out like the concept album I envisioned.  Like I said, it’s not bad at all, but then again it’s not the Violets either.  The physical CD case is laid out like a notebook which is really cool, but the concept of it is kind of lost on me.  When I think concept album, I think Tommy or The Wall; this one sounds like music with no intermingling characters, depressions, or enlightenments – just good old fun rock~n~roll.  I could be very wrong with that assumption and I encourage you to correct me if so.  I’ve given it a few listens, but maybe a few more will fancy me to their direction.  Standout tracks are Rival, Hate The Taste, and Fire Walker.

The Black Angels released their fourth album last week, Indigo Meadow, but sadly there is not triumphant war song like Young Men Dead (Passover album) or a stoned dream song like The Boat Song (Phosgene Nightmare EP album), in fact, the coolest thing about the album is the name of it.  I listened to it on Spotify while at work and honestly felt kind of bored with it.  This is a bit depressing to me being that the Angels are one of the many bands we’ll see in Atlanta in the beginning of May at the Shaky Knees Festival.  I’m hoping that seeing them live will convince me they are a band to be reckoned with.  I love the two previous songs I mentioned here and own their Phosphene Dream album, but even that one takes a bit of dedication to groove to.  We’ll see . . .

Phosphorescent has been on my radar a lot lately ever since I discovered The Mermaid Song from his album, Here’s to Taking It Easy (how cool is that title?).  I picked up the album released just before Taking It Easy, called To Willie and I was surprised, delighted, and ultimately left feeling a little dumb.  You see, unbeknownst to me at the time, To Willie is an album dedicated to none other than Willie Nelson.  Makes sense, right?  Well not to me, not at the time, but I’m pleased to announce that it is also an incredible album.  An album to drink to, to be sure, but a great one nonetheless.  Hell, one of the tracks is literally called I Gotta Get Drunk, and if that doesn’t reveal something about the content of the album I don’t know what could.  Every song is a Willie Nelson cover, which normally wouldn’t impress me or encourage me to listen, but given the fact that I’m not that bright when it comes to country music (in my defense, I don’t think the majority of country artists are that bright either) I went into the album like a child who wanders aimlessly into the middle of a crowded movie theater and . . . I digress.  The album is great and the latest release, Muchacho, has been ordered and should be delivered to me in a couple of weeks.  I will eventually own all of this artist’s albums and I will long enjoy them all.  His songwriting is incredible and his voice is a delight also.  I rate this Dude high on my music list and so should you.

And now on to movies, er the movie . . . This is 40 is a good movie done along the vein of Funny People (only much better) with some kick-ass music.  For example, the wonderfully talented Ryan Adams performs at the movie’s end.  Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann’s characters don’t stray far from the couple they played in Knocked Up so if you didn’t like them there, don’t watch this movie.  I liked them and liked this movie.  Although sort of depressing, I thought it was a realistic look at turning 40 while maintaining familial relationships; it could be a difficult process, but an inevitable one, so best to have a working idea on what to expect.  There are a lot of cameo appearances as well as plenty of laughs AND Leslie Mann’s real boobs, so hard to go wrong with those accounts, drama or no.  Megan Fox is a stone-cold fox in the movie and when you’re watching her, you nearly forget that she’s not a very good actress, nor a very good decision maker (when it comes to roles, ahem, Jonah Hex!).  She wears not much else than a bra or bikini and that’s just alright with me.  Her character plays well off of Jason Segel and Chris O’Dowd’s characters, so kudos Megan . . . should I say ‘kudos Judd’?  What really delighted me from this movie though is the recurring LOST joke.  Being a LOSTie myself, my ears perk up every time I hear an utterance of the phenomenal show and there are plenty here, including a couple of scenes from the final episodes.  I’ll give this one an open-hatch rating.  


New TiTs:  Dawes, Kurt Vile, Hyde Park on Hudson

Not much in the way of releases today, but we’ll make do with what we’ve got:  two albums and one movie.  Dawes is described by Wikipedia as “an American rock band” and “Folk Rock” – I prefer the latter though.  Obviously not a country fan as evidenced above, I am a Southern Rock fan, a Folk fan, and a Folk Rock fan.  Along with Dawes, I’d categorize Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers, just to name a couple, as Folk Rock also.  It feels like a new musical movement that’s ascending upon the United States and I’m all for it.  Being the huge Bob Dylan fan that I am, I can’t help but to think he paved the way for the popularity of this new sound.  Stories Don’t End is the third album by Dawes and I am looking forward to it (I shall own it later this day).   I have their previous two outings, North Hills and Nothing Is Wrong, and I often recommend them.  Standout tracks are When My Time Comes (Hills) and Fire Away (Wrong), if you haven’t heard them, do yourself and your ears a solid and download them.  Take my word for it, you don’t even have to preview before you buy.  Robert actually turned me on to When My Time Comes and I think he may have heard it from Pat, so naturally Dawes is common occurrence here in the Hatch.  Fun Fact:  they’re playing with Dylan in Ponte Vedra Beach (very, very near to Jacksonville) on Sunday, May 5th, alas I cannot and will not go due to the Shaky Knees Fest that same weekend.  I’m not upset, mind you, but I have a feeling this will be an incredible show.  Even if Dylan does sound shitty nowadays Dawes will knock it out of the park, or beach, without a doubt.  I only recently found out that Dawes would actually front the incredible artist and it filled my heart with joy knowing that someone so new can be brought on by someone so old because of the music only.  It gives me hope for the future.   



Kurt Vile is another performer I’ll see at Shaky Knees.  He’ll be an excellent, easygoing act in between the phenomenal Delta Spirit and Dr. Dog.  His latest album, Wakin On A Pretty Daze (what’s with all these kickass album names!?!?!?  Seriously, I’m about to lose my mind in awesomeness!) is his fifth as a solo artist and seventh overall.  He is also a founding member of the incredible band, The War On Drugs (check out 2011’s Slave Ambient – it is simply astounding!).  A busy dude, to say the least, but the world is a better place because of it.  I was unaware of the correlation between he as a solo artist and the band before I did a little bit of research on him for this post, but apparently he has “quit” TWOD to focus more on his solo work.  That being said, I liked and listened to the two at different times and fell in love with both.  Both stemming from 2011, Vile’s fourth solo outing Smoke Ring For My Halo came out in March and TWOD’s Slave Ambient came out in August.  This should speak volumes on my taste in music being that I instantly enjoyed Smoke Ring in early ’11 and Ambient in latter ’11.  Now knowing what I know, it makes a lot of sense because the styling’s are very similar, but not in a bad way, more of in an extensive way.  I’m guessing Vile left his trademark with TWOD because his influence is very noticeable.  I won’t be able to find the CD here in Jacksonville (boy, I’m getting tired of writing that), but with any luck I’ll find at the Fest.  Some standout tracks from Smoke Ring are the title track, Baby’s Arms, Runner Ups, and Peeping Tomboy.  Standout tracks from Ambient are Best Night, Brothers, I Was There, and Black Water Falls, although I would suggest listening from start to finish, the entire album holds up tremendously well.


The only movie being released today that grabbed my interest is the Bill Murray fronted Hyde Park on Hudson.  Not Murray’s typical fare, but it’s hard for me not to watch any movie he’s in.  I respect the man to nth degree and he deserves my viewership.   To be able to choose what you want to do in Hollywood because you want to do it is simply astounding.  Hyde Park tells the story of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his love affair with his sixth cousin, Daisy Suckley during a weekend visit from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.  Like I said, not the typical Murray fare.  Wikipedia has it listed as a “comedy-drama” but judging from the previews and plot synopsis, I’m guessing the comedy is few and far between.  Robert and I had high hopes that Murray would be in Oscar contention for his performance, but then again, we based that solely on Murray not having an Oscar to begin with (obviously we both feel he should, if for nothing else, for his career as a whole).  Alas, no such wish was granted and now we patiently await Murray’s next, undoubtedly awesome, role in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel.  I’ll admit it’ll probably be a little while before I get around to watching this one, but feel free to beat me to the punch and let me know how it holds up.  




Alright, guys and gals, that’s all for this week.  Again, my apologies for not checking in more frequently, but I don’t feel I have a lot to work with.  I hear Life of Pi is now at Redbox, so I’ll most likely be updating you on that one very soon.  Next week marks the release of Django Unchained (LOVED IT!) with the amazing Christoph Waltz, but more on that next week.  Have a good one out there and don’t forget to escape!