No dialogue. No Daft Punk musique. Long ten minute sequences of them just driving or walking in the desert. Good cinematography and interesting imagery ensue. It’s like a background movie that you should occasionally glance at. Certain sequences are really fascinating, so use your fast-forwarder if you must.
Rating: 6/10
The trailer:
If you like to bang your head to some beats or want a little dark in your dance music look no further. First up is the metal-drum n’ bass stylings of Hedj and Cativo’s ‘Bang you Head’, followed by the skull-battering horror n’ bass of Donny’s ‘The Forgotten’. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Bruce McDonald has put the world of cinema on notice. I believe Steven Spielberg will watch this and seriously consider employing some of these techniques someday. This is the first multiple-screen movie that truly is successful, and it is because it makes an art form of it. Suddenly you are looking at the relationship between images within the composition, and your mind is working on another level. If your into film as art, check it out. Rating: 8/10
Here is the trailer and some examples of what it looks like:
Reports are Tom Cruise is in negotiations to play the Caped Crusader himself…
(OK, maybe this is really another review of The Dark Knight.)
What is the real star of the new Batman movie?
(With the exception of Heath Ledger, the cinematography, and special effects-)
THE SCORE.
Absolutely majestic.
Maybe two is better than one. James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer return from Batman Begins to collaborate again, and they have officially topped Danny Elfman (the Tim Burton composer), which I didn’t think was possible. The music instantly makes you forget any possible convoluted goings-on in the movie. And my movie rating: 8/10
This was so much fun I had to post it to go with Huoratron’s official video below. I love the John C. Reilly/ Tom Cruise section around the 2:35 mark. Makes me want to watch this again. This is done by a Youtuber by the name of Bunny Greenhouse, who also does some good Girl Talk videos.
When the filmmakers of this documentary start suiting up in bullet-proof vests in the first scene, you know this is more than your average documentary. The film’s subject is Acrassicauda, a heavy metal band in Baghdad, who risk paying the ultimate price to follow their dreams. It follows their course for 5 years, starting from the toppling of Saddam’s regime when it was somewhat safe to practice and organize a “concert”. Fast forward two years later, and not only can they hardly meet, but the film becomes an anti-documentary of sorts due the peril in Iraq. The filmmakers’ D.I.Y. approach is entertaining and enlightening while they record Iraq life, seemingly without bias or politics. The film implies the cathartic release of metal is directly inproportionate to murder, war, and chaos. (You ask a metal-lover what they would be like without their music.) Metal fans will have more to relate to, but this band’s story is truly universal. Rating: 8/10
Watch the trailer here:
Insanely sick electro music from some dudes in Finland. Make sure you get to the 2:15 mark. The word frightening gets a new meaning.
The wedding bells are ringing as Xbox 360 owners got an ad this week saying that they’ll be able to stream the free movies in their Netflix queue (if they’re members) by late Fall. I hate watching a movie on my computer screen, didn’t want to buy Netflix’s box that does the same thing, and have 60+ movies in my Instant Play queue that are ready to go. And, yes, I’m a geek for being this excited…
This track and video was done ten years ago, and has been massively influential to the dubstep and B-more (Switch/Crookers/Herve), fidget-house camps. The video is kinda funny too, so if you missed it the first time, here it is:
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There can only be one…
The Ruins: Good production values, original concept, and good performances by some new lookers. If you want a decent horror ride that is genuine creepy, and will make you think twice before adventuring to some unknown ruins in Mexico (oh, nobody in their right mind would do that, ok). And, yes, it’s gory, so I wouldn’t recommend it with BBQ. Rating: 6/10
Stop-Loss: Here is a military film that seems like it’s been done 10x before. The ending makes everything before seem like a waste of development. Ryan Phillipe is a good actor, but something about him is weird, like he’s going to pull his face off and reveal an alien-lizard. Rating: 5/10
My Blueberry Nights: The only two good things about this movie is a shot of ice cream melting into a blueberry pie while actors kiss, and Norah Jones’s acting debut. Natalie Portman and Rachel Weisz are embarrassing and seem unfocused. Jude Law acts himself again, mailing another one in. Language barrier for art-house director Kar-Wai? Possibly, but when Kar Wai goes to 1/4 slom-mo speed for the tenth time, you start looking for that fast-forward button. Rating: 3/10
Peaches delivers a simmering track that boils over at the 2:13 mark into an industrial frenzy. The Justice influence is clearly felt in the second half of the mix. It is unclear whether the added visuals and editing for this remixed video are professional, but it looks great. Ladyhawke is the new Australian Modular signee on the chart below.
The Midnight Juggs, whom I’ve been talking about since December, are staying fresh thanks to remixes; this one landing at #12 on this month’s chart. Nothing like rainbow tracers and Lawnmower Man hallucinations..
This won Best Feature at the Austin Film Fest, and has gotten high praise from critics; and it deserves it all. It captures rural America life (shot in Arkansas) better than any movie since maybe George Washington or Sling Blade. Michael Shannon (the guy from Bug) is an actor on the rise and delivers another captivating performance. If you like the true spirit of indies, don’t miss this . . .
Rating: 8/10
View a good, non-spoiler trailer here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xLlonKlzQQg
Speaking of sunshine, Titiyo’s voice is kinda like light rays from a star. From Kleerup’s self-titled debut listed on the chart below:
And I’ll throw in that Stanton Warriors/Bass Kleph jam that was listed at #5:
This is a superb community drama in the vein of the similar The Twilight Samurai, but has alot more laughs and even less action. The story revolves around a man who is reluctant to avenge his father’s death and become a full-fledged samurai. The acting is excellent across the board, and this includes a cast of dozens. The director’s previous movie, Nobody Knows, shows his skill with actors, but also shoes how his pacing can wander a bit. This really shouldn’t be filed under the action or martial arts genres as it has none of either. It does have the laughs, warmth, and depth you might find in a Criterion movie however. Rating: 8/10
Don’t worry; there are no spoilers here, but Will Smith continues his trend of entertaining summer blockbusters that will please most of his fans. (The damn preview ruins alot of moments however.) Jason Bateman keeps displaying his great comedic timing. Early on I was surprised how emotional and metaphoric Smith’s character was. It felt like it was leading up to a great message. Then, there is a MAJOR plot twist in the film that I’ll argue was the wrong direction for the movie. Then the ENDING, wow, is first manipulative, and then just completely ridiculous, ending on a sour note. Overall, pretty entertaining though…
Rating: 6/10
Here are fifteen tunes to enjoy some fireworks to. Breaking the trend this month is some electronic music from the heart of the so-called axis of evil, mash-ups, and some very good breaks.
1. Steinski – Nothing to Fear
This is a masterpiece mix of cut-and-paste hip-hop by a DJ legend that has been influential to artists like DJ Food, DJ Shadow, and Coldcut. While not being new, it has resurfaced on CD recently in a retrospective of Steinski’s work. So if you haven’t come across it yet, it is essential, hilarious, and has more ideas in 60 minutes than three Jay-Z or Kanye West albums.
2. Kleerup - Kleerup
(**I’m bumping this up, because not only is this a great electronic/dance album, it is very uplifting music. “Forever” with Neneh Cherry, sounding like she hasn’t missed a beat, is downright inspirational.) On his debut album, Kleerup proves his production on Robyn’s “With Every Heartbeat” is no fluke.
3. Shout Out Loud – Impossible (Studio mix)
It is hard to top the balearic sunshine of this mix. This is culled from Studio’s Yearbook 2 remix album, which also features a nice, dubby, and Spanish guitar-infused remix of Kylie’s “2 Hearts”.
4. English Electric – Monarch + Giorgio et Jim
“Monarch” channels Blade Runner-era Vangelis (which is no small feat). “Giorgio et Jim” is equally brilliant 70’s italo-electronica.
5. Stanton Warriors – Who are the Warriors (Bass Kleph mix)
These two longtime breaks producers nail perfection this time. Just try not to bounce to this.
6. Danny Byrd – Weird Science + Red Mist
The Byrd is back with some energetic and slamming drum n’ bass.
7. Girl Talk – Feed the Animals
No recording artist is safe in this ADD mash-up party album. When your mixing Lil Mama into Metallica into Earth, Wind, & Fire into Rod Stewart into Lil Wayne (etc., etc.), good times are sure to follow. The Quiet Riot/Temple of the Dog mix is just pure madness.
8. Ladyhawke – Back of the Van original + (Fred Falke mix)
The Modular label continues to give us more glittering Australian electro gems.
9. Ata Ebtekar – Saint Homayun + Nashid + Miniature Tone
Gorgeously hypnotic electro-acoustic music from Tehran, Iran. Fans of Autechre should love this.
10. Fake Blood – Mars
Breaks, electro, and nu-rave are mixed to make you go bonkers.
11. Sebastian Teller – Divine (Danger mix)
Danger takes equal part Justice and the 8-bit sound to create maybe the highlight of your electro mix.
12. Midnight Juggernauts – Shadows – (David Rubato mix)
More Antipodean robotic electro alchemy.
13. Drumsound and Simon Bassline Smith – Body Pump
This drum n’ bass track starts with a beautiful string section that dives right into a devastatingly sick break and wobbly bass. The first time you hear this you might feel dizzy.
14. Shy Child – Astronaut + Good & Evil
The two best tracks off Shy Child’s new album Drop the Phone. Is it me or do these guys sound like Supersystem? File under rock n’ rave.
15. Walter Meego – Voyager
On the new album, Meego dips into Daft Punk pop, and the results have landed two songs on the TV show Ugly Betty. I prefer the less cheesy “Lost” and “Keyhole”.
