Hard Vision |
July / August 2010Robert Pollard's Rock Show | Marty Balin | Penance | Freakhouse | Voivod | the_zombies | Zombies of the Stratosphere | Michael Jackson | Evilution | Mike Stern Band | Carlton Ford | Stanley Jordan Trio The Devil Went Home & Puked: Robert Pollard's Rock Show If you ask me...the main program here is kinda like an hour long YouTube video. It's a collection of snippets that seem to be thrown together without any real reason. It doesn't make a lot of sense. Although I'm sure it would be fun to watch if you were high. Since that's not something that I do...let's skip to the better reason to purchase a copy of this release. Yes...there is a better reason than the main program. This is probably the only DVD that I'll ever say this about...but...the main reason for adding this release to your collection are the special features. That's right...the special features. It's a collection of nine, hard to find full length videos from Guided By Voices and some of Robert Pollard's other projects, including Circle Saw Boys Club, Winston's Atomic Bird, I-Razors, Get Me Extra and more. That's about all I can really say about this one. Marty Balin The main program here is a nine song concert performance that features a lot of great tunes like "Count On Me," "Miracles," "Hearts", "White Rabbit" and "Somebody To Love," both of which feature Didi Stewart on vocals. On top of that, there a lot of great bonus footage of Marty doing some acoustic tunes...including "Somebody To Love," which is the first time it's appeared on a commercial release. So, that's worth the price of admission right there. There's also a quick interview with original Jefferson Airplane vocalist Signe Anderson and rock journalist Jeff Tamarkin. It has a running time of 150 minutes and, really, it doesn't seem like it's that long. Then again, it's probably because it's so easy to get lost in this brilliant performance. You lose track of time and those two and a half hours just seem to fly by. They're calling this release the ultimate fan package. I can't argue with that. http://www.myspace.com/martybalinmiracles Penance: A Film By Jake Kennedy Ah, man. This movie left a real bad taste in my mouth. The plot is...well...it's...you have a single mom who's in need of money...so...she becomes a stripper in order to make some fast cash. She reluctantly takes a high priced job after her stripper friend is beat up and can't do it herself due to the bruises. Well, it turns out this job is a way for this religious nut job, who used to be a doctor, to kidnap impure women...strippers...and make them pure again...which he does by keeping them locked up and torture and...well...you know the drill. He's into taking their vagina's out, which they only show once...but...you get the point. Since he has sin as well...he decides to cut his dick off...and they show that. It's a pretty disturbing scene. They were pretty graphic about it. Seeing as the movie was kind of about strippers...there's a few scenes where you get to see boobs. They're pretty nice. What was interesting to me was...even though I had a bad taste in my mouth when I was done watching this movie...the behind the scenes footage kind of...made it go away. When they were talkin' about the movie...it made me appreciate it a little more....and I have no idea why. I don't think this film will appeal to the every day horror movie fan...but...I do think it will find a small...yet loyal...audience. I'll probably watch it a few more times to see if it grows on me. I mean...I doubt I'll ever be totally thrilled about this film...but...I may end up liking it a little more than I do now. I will say this...it's at least worth a single view. Anything more than that...well...once you see it...you'll have to decide if you like it enough to watch it again. Freakhouse If you're a Freakhouse fan...you can't go wrong with this release. I mean, it's a total entertainment package and...I've gotta tell you...it's one of the best DVD's that I've seen in a long time. Not only does it have like...every video Freakhouse has ever done...and that includes alternate versions...it also comes with a bonus CD that features all the tracks from "Freakhouse" and "Beautiful Misery." What more could you possibly ask for? Freakhouse is a band that goes the extra mile for their audience and putting out a release such as this...well...it proves that they appreciate every single one of you. You know...I have a lot of music DVD's in my collection...most of which are really good. But, with most of them, there's always something more that could've been/should've been included...and I'm sure you know what I'm talkin' about. I even have releases that are three hours long and it's like...hey...you didn't include this...why not? That's not the case here. Freakhouse gives you everything in one great package. "No Way Down" is a must have release. It's as simple as that. Every fan should have this one in their collection and, if you don't, well, you're not much of a fan, are you? http://www.freakhouse.com Tatsumaki: Voivod Japan 2008 Here's a must have release for any true Voivod fan. Not only do you get an intense, twelve song concert performance, which is the main feature, you also get another three song performance, which was filmed in Quebec City in 2009. Once you're done getting your fill of Voivod live, there's an interview with Dave Grohl, who talks at length about the band and, of course, he has nothing but praise for them...well deserved praise I might add. Finally, there's "Panorama: Seeking Voivod," which is an unreleased French faux mini-documentary film which was actually quite entertaining to watch...even though you had to read the whole thing. http://www.voivod.com The Zombies Even though The Zombies aren't really my cup of tea...I can really appreciate what they have to offer on this release. The performance was professionally filmed...and it's very high quality...and the musicianship is as close to perfect as you could hope to get. The first part of the show features The Zombies Touring band, which was pretty good. But, the main reason for people to check this one out is the second part of the show, which features the four original members of The Zombies performing the entire "Odessey & Oracle" album. It's the perfect way to celebrate the album's 40th anniversary. "Odessey & Oracle" was released in 1968 and the concert took place at The Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, 2008. Now, I'll be honest here...I don't think this release will draw in any new...younger...fans. But, for the older generation, the people who grew up with The Zombies, this release is something that they'll really be able to sink their teeth into. Zombies Of The Stratosphere 167 minutes of old school science fiction from the 1950's. That's what we have here. In all honesty, it's pretty lame. But, some people, myself included, enjoy a bit of cheese from time to time and, if you happen to view this release knowing that's it's going to be bad in a "Plan 9 From OuterSpace" way, well, at least you'll get a little pleasure out of it. I almost made it through all 12 chapters in one sitting. It was too much of the same thing over and over again (which I'll get into in a moment) and I finally had to turn it off and take a break after chapter nine. I finished it off the next day. Chapter 10 was a re-cap episode and the final two, well, it was pretty much the same as the first nine chapters. The whole plot of this movie...well...serial as they were called back then...because it was shown one episode (chapter) at a time, which was a good way to make sure you kept goin' back to the movies. Anyway, you've got this dude from Mars (not actually a zombie) who has a plan to build a bomb to knock Earth out of orbit so that Mars can move on up closer to the Sun and blah, blah, blah. They get some help from a scientist and two other bad guys. Now, most of the chapters are pretty much the same...the dude from Mars is in need of some items to build his bomb, which the bad guys are supposed to get. Of course, the good guys always seem to put a stop to it. There's usually a shoot out, which doesn't amount to much because it seems like everyone is a really bad shot. They also punch each other out, which is kind of funny because they're throwin' some serious punches back and forth until, finally, someone (usually the good guy) gets knocked out....and...yeah...he gets knocked out right before something big is about to happen, which should lead to his death. However, he does manage to wake up before his date with death and, of course, he doesn't die. As a matter of fact, that's how each chapter ends...and when the next one begins...it starts off by showing you how he managed to make his escape. Our hero also has a rocket-man suit, which is a helmet and a pack on his back and a control panel on the front...with a button he can turn to go up and down...and he can turn it off and on. No kidding...I'm not making this up. Hey, it was the 1950's. You could get away with it back then. Long story short...Earth doesn't blow up and the dude with the rocket-man suit saves the day. In the final chapter, the good guy does call the dude from Mars a zombie, which explains the title. I guess I should also mention that this release also features Leonard Nimoy who, as you all know, would go on to play Mr. Spock in Star Trek. It's a small role though. He doesn't say or do too much. But, for some people, his name being in the credits is reason enough to purchase this DVD. If you need another reason...well...I really can't give you one. I will say this, if you have a copy of "Plan 9 From OuterSpace" on DVD and you actually enjoy watching it...you'll dig this release. Actually, this would be a step up. Same kind of cheese...it's just a little better...and a little longer...here. Michael Jackson I'm gonna get right to the point...this DVD is a disgrace and the people who put this so called documentary together should be shot on sight. This is even worse than the normal tabloid journalism that Michael Jackson was subjected to during his life. The people behind this release are...and I'm gonna say it...douchebags. Michael Jackson left more talent floating in the toilet bowl than these people will ever hope to see in their whole miserable lives. That's about as nice as I can be. First of all, this is supposed to be a behind the scenes look at his child molestation trial, which people shouldn't even focus on to begin with. He was found NOT GUILTY on all charges. That's because he was innocent. So, why do we need a video with a bunch of less than intelligent people throwin' their two cents into a conversation that we should no longer be having? It's a disgrace. Your garbage is worth more than this. I mean, seriously, this release is only 76 minutes long and after the first ten minutes, I had to force myself to sit through the rest of it...well...at least another 20 minutes or so. It was so badly done, I wasn't about to watch it all. It would be more entertaining to watch paint dry. I don't even want to talk about this release anymore. I think you can tell that I'm not even trying all that hard to come up with a decent bad review. I don't even know where you can get a copy of this release if you're stupid enough to want it and I'm not even gonna try to find out for you because, in all honesty, it's not worth my time...and if you're a real Michael Jackson fan...it's not worth YOUR time. If you really want to honor Michael Jackson's memory, don't give your money to people who continue to drag his name through the mud. Let them go out and get a real job like everyone else. Now, for those of you who clicked on this little review of mine, I'm going to assume that you're a real Michael Jackson fan and, with that in mind, I'm going to end this on a more positive note...and I'm gonna do that by giving you the links to the official "This Is It" websites because that's where you need to be. As far as "The Trial & Triumph Of The King Of Pop" goes...let's pretend this release doesn't even exist. http://www.michaeljackson.com EVILUTION Here's a bad horror movie that's really not that bad if you simply want to waste an hour and a half on the couch because you don't have anything better to do. If you're the kind of person who will judge a movie based on the plot...well...you're probably gonna have a lot to complain about after you're done watching this one. It's kind of a zombie movie. I guess it's been compared to "28 Days Later," which I thought was a crap film...and the second one...I didn't even watch it the whole way through. But, anyway, here's the story...the military (of course) has some kind of microscopic alien life form that they're trying to turn into a weapon. Notice that I said "alien life form," okay? It does turn people into zombies...but...they're not really zombies...they're just dead people who come back to life and eat people. You with me so far? Anyway, this (cough, cough) alien life form ends up turning a military base into an army of undead not zombies because someone messed up. They drop a bomb on the place in order to contain the problem...but...but...one dude manages to slip away with a small bottle of this alien life form and he moves into this apartment building called The Necropolitan, which makes the slums look like a Holiday Inn. Why people would even want to live here is beyond me...and...let's not even get into the name. Anyone with an IQ higher than a wet rock would not live in a place that was called "necro" anything. But, this scientist moves into this dump so he can do research on this space junk...knowing full well what it can do...and with that thought in mind, when a semi-tough gangbanger gets shot for the 2nd time and dies...the scientist injects him with the alien life form...and you know how that's gonna turn out. Yep. He gonna bite some people and turn them into zombies. But, before he does, a junkie comes into the apartment which, by the way, is in the basement, and he steals the bottle of alien goo thinkin' it's gonna get him high. Guess what it turns him into? While all this is going on, the scientist goes to some hot chick's apartment to get a bottle of water for the gangbanger he just zombified...and instead of telling the chick what's going on...they have sex. Yeah...why worry about zombies when you can have sex with a woman you really know nothing about? Sex first, zombie problem second. Anyway, we can't forget about the army. They know where this scientist is and they know he has a bottle of the zombie junk and, of course, they send someone to take care of the problem. All the characters are in one building that they can't get out of because the doors all lock at night by themselves. It's a necro-something place...makes sense. Yeah, now, let's see...there's a big zombie rampage...have to make more zombies, right? There's blood, eating of the flesh...aaarrgggghh...and tits. Can't forget about those. There's a blonde girl who dies with her tits bouncing around...because someone has to come out into the hallway and show some tits before they die, right? As much as I would like to stay here and focus on the tits...we have to finish this story. Well, it seems that alien life form zombies can be killed with a bullet to the head...or bleach. Yes, that's right...bleach. They mixed it with chlorine, which just happens to be found in the basement apartment behind a wall because the "necro" house was built over a swimming pool and the people who put this building up simply built around the huge tub of chlorine. Now that we have a way to kill the zombies, we have to find a way through the crowd of un-dead alien possessed flesh eaters so we can get to the roof and pour our zombie drink of death down into the heating system. So, we make water balloon bombs with the bleach and chlorine...and...wait...what do we make these with? How about the hundred condoms that a still alive gangbanger has in his pocket. Yeah, those will work. I always throw a condom filled with chlorine and bleach at an alien zombie when I see one and I'm sure you do as well. They make it to the roof...people die...zombies die...and that's that. End of story. Well, almost. Can't forget the suprise twist ending....SPOILER ALERT...the manager of the apartment building has the bottle of alien space goo and he puts it on display next to a bunch of other weapons or whatever...and the impression that I got was that he was the devil...and the last we see of him...he puts a "FOR RENT" sign on the front door. Guess he got that place cleaned up pretty damn quick, huh? Anyway, if you can get past all that, it's kind of an okay movie to waste some time with. I actually enjoyed it and I will watch it again from time to time. If you haven't seen it yet...my suggestion would be to check it out at least once. After you see it and you know what it's all about...then you can decide if you like it or not. I think most people will enjoy it for what it's worth...and the rest of them won't be able to get past that wonderful plot. http://www.EvilutionTheMovie.com MIKE STERN BAND I have never heard of this guy before, but this didn't do much for me. I thought the songs were boring and the saxophone sounded out of place on this and this was just too blues oriented for me to get into it. I like some jazz and stuff and I would say the other 2 DVD's listed below are a much better investment. This just didn't pull any buttons for me. Info: http://www.in-akustik.com AUTOUR DU BLUES/CARLTON/FORD This was a cool release in every way. I am a Carlton fan and he shines on this, though I wish he and the guys did, Smiles and Smiles To Go. Lots of nifty guitar work on this and the guys seem to be having a ton of fun up onstage. The blues/jazz sound will warm the hearts of anybody wanting to kick back and relax and see some guys jam. And there is about 8 guys up there so prepare to be blown away. Info: http://www.in-akustik.com STANLEY JORDAN TRIO
Same What an amazing DVD. Stanley Jordan I have only heard in name only and his playing on this is unholy. He even can play guitar and piano at the same time!!! His whips out a wicked piano in the song "Song For My Father" and he is just so into what he is playing he just looks like he is in the zone up there onstage. If your a fan of this guy this is a must have. Info: http://www.in-akustik.com |