C.A.T: A Farewell To The Kings

My personal favorite of the Rush discography, this album has a variety of different themes dealing with lyrics, time signatures, tonal centers, and much more.

It starts out with the title track, which is a derivative of Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. It deals with certain themes such as departure, medieval feudalism, and autocratic monarchy.

Next is the aptly titled, “Xanadu”. This song has one of the rare occurrence of Geddy Lee on rhythm guitar, and some great lyrics about honey dew.

My personal favorite “Closer to the Heart”, is a short but sweet song featuring some of Niel Peart’s finest work.

The rest of the album is kind of sub-par like most Rush albums at the end, but the last track Cygnus X-1 has one of the best rush grooves I’ve ever heard.

Redbelt’s a Knockout

Esteemed writer/director David Mamet has done it again with the release of his latest martial arts themed Redbelt. Known in the past for writing such films as Wag the Dog, and The Verdict, as well as writing and directing films like State and Main and Glengarry Glen Ross. (based upon the play also written by Mamet) Mamet has always shown a spark for portraying realistic characters and edgy dialogue to create some strong cinema and here we have a fine addition to his body of work.

In Mamet’s latest directorial effort, we are offered a thrilling look into the world of humble Jiu-Jitsu teacher, Mike Terry (Wonderfully played by character actor Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his struggle to overcome financial troubles and some very seedy people, while defending the honor of jiu-jitsu. Now to explain this movie to someone who’s never heard of it might be difficult. At first glance it would probably appear to be another run-of-the-mill karate movie, yet in actuality it’s so much more. Jiu-Jitsu may be the focus point for the film, but it’s as well a vehicle for these conflicted characters faced against a world of greed and corruption. Rebelt is really more of a gritty street-smart drama than an action film. Don’t get me wrong there is some great action, but here the characters and their morals come first and it certainly satisfies. The fact that this is a more independent production as well benefits this film. Giving it the opportunity to keepsthis film more personal and less “Hollywood” while casting good character actors as opposed to big stars (aside from Mr. Tim “Buzz Lightyear” Allen)

What I really enjoy about this film is it’s ability to always keep you guessing. Every scene has it’s meaning and signifigance, and it never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat thinking “How will that play into the film later? What are they gonna do next?” All in all, it’s nice to see a film that feels fresh and unique when there’s an entire sea of mediocre Hollywood flicks floating around. It’s too bad that these more independent features get pushed aside for films like Speed Racer and Made of Honor when this has more heart or intelligence in 5 minutes than those have in their whole duration. This is a smaller film, and I can see how some might find it at times slow, but by the end it delivers quite a punch and a nice way to kill an afternoon,

T3: Movie Concert Scenes

Here’s a quick one, since I’m gonna be on the road tomorrow. This week we’ll be taking a look at best concert scenes cinema has to offer. Concert films, biopics, real bands and documentaries don’t count, no reality here!

10. Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi – The Max Rebo Band
Wikipedia! This little gem surprised moviegoers everywhere when George Lucas elaborated on a musical scene in Jaba’s palace in the special edition cut of Return of the Jedi. Was it a good addition? Probably not. Do people like it? Not really, Tom Bissell described it as the “most unspeakable sequence in all the films, almost too depressing to discuss at any length.” Is it impossible to forget? Hell yes. Plus, come on, little blue elephant piano guy.

9. Revenge of the Nerds – Concert Scene
YouTube! Remember this? The Lambda Lambda Lambda boys put on that concert at the end of the movie that’s all technological and whatnot.

8. School of Rock – Final Concert
Couldn’t find a YouTube of this either. After months of hard work and scandal, Jack Black and his class take the stage to show everyone what rock and roll is all about. Yeah, it’s pretty cool.

7. That Thing You Do! – The Talent Show
YouTube! The first time we hear the up-tempo version of the Oneders’ hit song is a pretty exciting moment. It’s pretty fun to watch the band panic when the drums start, then quickly adapt to it. Good times.

6. O Brother Where Art Thou? “I am a Man of Constant Sorrow”
YouTube! The crowd totally makes this scene. That and watchin’ George Clooney dance. Sure it’s not really him singing, but really, who cares?

5. The Blues Brothers – “Rawhide”
Just the name of the venue, Bob’s Country Bunker, is funny. Couple the angry, drunk audience with the cool Blues Brothers and you’ve got one of the most memorable scenes from that classic.

4. High Fidelity – “Let’s Get It On”
YouTube! Jack Black had been funny leading up to this scene from the great High Fidelity, but going into this concert we didn’t really know what to expect. There was always the chance he was gonna be laughably bad. But guess what, he kicked ass, just like this scene.

3. A Mighty Wind – “There’s a Kiss at the End of the Rainbow”
YouTube! Maybe not a funny scene, there was a lot of buildup to Mitch and Micky’s big reunion performance. What we get is a touching little song. Nice work, you two.

2. Spinal Tap – “Stonehenge”
YouTube! Yes! The funniest scene from the immortal Spinal Tap never fails to generate laughs. If you haven’t seen it yet, I’m really sorry. But how can you top Stonehenge nearly being stomped out by a leprechaun?

1. Back to the Future – “Johnny B. Goode”
YouTube! Silly Marty. You weren’t supposed to change anything in the past, and there you go, inventing rock and roll at some high school dance. You schmuck. Again, it’s lip synced, but who cares? It’s great.

Headspin

So I was reading up on what’s in store for Family Guy next season when I found this bizarre little tidbit. Apparently in 2009 Fox is planning a Family Guy spinoff show… Pretty wacky huh, I mean a spin-off of a succesful series when it’s still on the air? I’ve heard of shows dishing out spin-offs when a show is over or on it’s last breath. Joanie and Chachi was on during the last few dismal seasons of Happy Days and the same goes for Fox’s The Lone Gunmen (a spin-off of the The X-Files that was on during the last few seasons) but a spin-off of Family Guy now? Probably the strangest thing about all of this, is who’s going to star in this spin-off… Well in this new show, were going to get to follow the day to antics of Peter’s good friend, Cleveland Brown. Thus the show is called Cleveland now perhaps you’re thinking the same thing I’m thinking, “Is this a a huge elaborate joke?” Well as of right now it appears to be true. I’ve found several sources for this and apparently in Spring of 2009 we’ll get a new Fox show about Cleveland.

So aside from the fact that a spin-off of Family Guy makes absolutely no sense, I ask “Why Cleveland? Can he really carry a show?” Now I’m as big a Family Guy fan as the next guy but I honestly only find Cleveland mildy amusing at best. It would almost seem that on the show, that they play off the fact that he has such a dull and soft-spoken nature. He’s certainly not the best choice for a spin-off if you have to do one. I hate to admit it but even Quagmire would make a better show, maybe even that perverted old guy Mr. Herbert would be better. I don’t understand why they don’t let fans vote on stuff like this. I mean for the most part, this has been met with a failry negative reaction, so why do it? The fact is spin-offs just don’t work. I guess Fraiser or The Jeffersons maybe are some of the rare cases, but for the most part it’s a just desperate attempts to squeeze out every penny. You know I even think The Simpsons has better potential for a spin-off show. The show’s dried up and weak these days, so why don’t they spin-off that show? I remember when they made that Simpson’s Spin-Off Showcase episode and I actually really enjoyed that Chief Wiggum P.I. They should do that…. hmm maybe it’s time for a King Of the Hill spin-off as well, I hope everyone is ready for The Misadventures of Kahn Souphanousinphone!

C.A.T.: Raw Power

Iggy and The Stooges – Raw Power (1973)

If there’s an album that’s more raw, in your face, and just flat out raunchy as The Stooges’ third album, Raw Power, I haven’t heard it. Or at least I haven’t heard that kind of uncontainably raw energy channeled into songs as good as these. This also happens to be the last album by the Stooges, it was made just as the band was starting to fall apart due to drug abuse and financial problems. However, Raw Power (which was produced by David Bowie) captures The Stooges in prime form on what is probably their best album.

Raw Power is certainly most notable for the unrelenting sonic assault of songs like “Search and Destroy” or the title track. However, the Stooges show that they have more than one side to their sound with the dark and ominous “Gimme Danger” and the bluesy “I Need Somebody”. Iggy Pop certainly holds nothing back with each song, he certainly puts every bit of energy he has into every vocal performance on this album. And this combined with with James Williamson’s earsplitting guitar work makes for explosive results. Williamson, who joined the band just prior to this album definitely is a much more talented musician than Ron Ashton who played guitar on the first two Stooges albums, but he’s still able to play with that signature raunch that the Stooges are known for. It’s no secret that The Stooges were one of the biggest precursors to the punk rock movement and this album is definitely a sign of things to come.

Favorits Tracks: “Gimme Danger”, “Raw Power”, “You’re Pretty Face Is Going To Hell”

Here We Go Again

Grand Theft Auto IV

Everyone’s favorite murder simulator (ugh) hit the ground running last week, focusing all the media and gamers in the country on the dangerous streets of Liberty City. Just like how the game didn’t steal Iron Man‘s weekend (it had one of the best non-sequel openings ever), the media couldn’t be more incorrect about their presentation of GTA4.

This fourth entry in the series is by far the most sophisticated and satirical. The story, while perhaps not on-par with the cinematic greats, is still very good and engrossing. The folks at Rockstar put us in the shoes of Niko Bellic, an Eastern European ex-soldier who recently moved into Liberty City, which is essentially New York City. What follows explores the American dream, family, and much more. I haven’t finished it yet, but this has by far the best GTA story ever, because you real feel a connection with Niko.

But the real star of the show is Liberty City itself. The game delivers a realistic, living, breathing city unlike anything we’ve experienced before. There are drivers and pedestrians all over the city, each of them with a unique look and objectives. You’ll hear people having cell phone conversations, eating, even fighting with each other and getting arrested. Not only can you cause havoc in the city with, but you can go on dates and hang out with your friends. You can go bowling, to a restaurant, or get drunk (and then risk drunk driving, which is a dangerous as it should be).

There is so much detail put into this game. If you take a date to a comedy club and leave early, she’ll complain you didn’t stay. If you break a window to steal a car, passerbys will scream and run away. The amount of realism and freedom you’re allowed is incredible.

There’s a great multiplayer too, I haven’t really gotten to play it, but it seems absolutely fantastic. This is a polished and entertaining game, worthy of being the best-reviewed game ever made.

But the media doesn’t present it like that. It is so annoying for me to see the media so clearly uninformed about an issue. Every time I see it mentioned on any station, from CNN to Fox News, they seem to be pulling out the default responses we’ve been hearing since GTA3 so many years ago.

For one, the media needs to realize that gaming is something for the kids any more. The average gamer is in his 20s/30s. We’re a mature bunch of people worthy of mature entertainment. The average person on a video gamer strikes me as a much more sophisticated person than the average movie goer, yet there’s no outcry when an Eastern Promises or Hostel II comes out.

People seem to think that playing video games turns people into killers. What they don’t seem to take into account is that killers are crazy people. And these crazy people are living in a scary world. We hear about horrible violent things on the news, on TV, in movies, but some how people think its fair to pin it all on video games. When someone plays Mario, they don’t go out and try to jump on everyone. When someone plays Burnout, they try to get into high speed crashes. When someone plays Elite Beat Agents they don’t tryout to become a male cheerleader. But when they play Grand Theft Auto, they go on a killing spree?

No, video games are not the reason people become violent. But its a lot easier for our media to say it is. After all, that’s what brings in the viewers, and it’s an easy issue to mislead people with. Yes, in GTA you can go to a prostitute, which recovers your health, and yes, if you want, you can kill her after that. But the game doesn’t encourage that, it doesn’t suggest that, and the story itself makes you not want to do that. You can drunk drive, but its not fun and if you do get drunk, it becomes clear the game wants you to take a cab. With this GTA, you even might find yourself following the rules of the road.

At the end of the day, this is entertainment. People don’t want to watch movies or shows about people living normal, legal lifestyles. We watch The Sopranos, Goodfellas, and The Godfather. That’s what is interesting to watch, why can’t that be what’s fun to play. Gaming is pure escapism, the one art-form that allows people to truly live in a different world. Mass Effect lets you be a soldier fighting to save the universe, Call of Duty 4 shows us the true horror of modern combat, and GTA4 gives us a taste of life in those crime films.

GTA4 is an incredibly well-made game. Perhaps even the best game ever made. For the people that are missing out on it, I have nothing but pity.

Iron Man Lives Again

Iron Man

Good news, everybody! The movie everyone assumed would be good and the media said would be good, is, in fact, good. I’d go as far as to say great, even.

The film pretty much develops as the trailer hints: Tony Stark is a bad-ass arms dealer and playboy billionaire who gets captured by some very evil dudes in Afghanistan. His experiences there are life-changing, and he comes back a man with a mission, to fight evil with a sweet robotic suit.

What might be the most surprising aspect of Iron Man is just how little action there is. The film is about two hours long, but there are only three noteworthy action sequences. This is a very character-driven movie, with plenty of humor throughout.

We all thought Robert Downey Jr. was the perfect choice for Tony Stark, and we were right. Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges as much mileage out of their screen time as they can, but this is Downey’s show. Director Jon Favreau and Stan Lee both deliver on their expected cameos as well.

Iron Man is one of those great summer escapist movies. It’s everything we wanted it to be and I can’t wait to see what most certainly will be the more action-packed sequel.

Make sure you stay for the scene after the credits.