Drunk, Meet Jiu-Jitsu Expert

Apparently, back in December, Ryan Hall was enjoying dinner in the company of friends when a drunk (and stupid) man approached the table requesting a lighter. After informing him the table was comprised of non-smokers, the man became enraged, demonstrating violent behavior and directly threatening Ryan Hall. The problem for the drunk? Ryan Hall is a Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and is one of the most competitively successful American-born Jiu-Jitsu players to date and is widely regarded as one of the best lightweight submission grapplers in the world. Oops. He has over 300 victories in competition (over 275 via submission), so you can see where this is going to go.

I will say though, he showed remarkable poise to not just murder this moron. No punches are even thrown. Fun stuff. The guys should send him and his buddies a thank you card.

"This video displays the occurrence in its entirety, to show exactly how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be used in self-defense as a means to control and subdue an opponent. Without a single punch thrown, the opponent is first controlled, and in a second encounter choked unconscious as a means to end the confrontation."

Pour Some Meshuggah On Me?

Well this is interesting. Take 1 part Swedish extreme metallers Meshuggah and 1 part hair band godz Def Leppard and this is the bastard child perhaps. The caption on the video says "My band THE DEADSTATION recently finished recording a new EP so we decided to have some fun and do this video. Have a laugh!"

Yes kids, it's the brilliantly named "Pour Some Meshuggah On Me" for your viewing and listening pleasure. An A+ for creativity here.

The new Meshuggah CD Koloss is out March 27th for the record.

But for now... I'm hot, sticky sweet...

Sunset Strip Is Like Eden With Booze and Metal

I never got to stumble up and down the Sunset Strip and see bands like Guns n Roses and Motley Crue back in the day, but I have stumbled around on Sunset Strip more recently a few times and seen some bands. Pretty cool, but obviously not the same. Maybe this sweet looking new documentary, called Sunset Strip (of course), will capture part of what it was like back on those times. It looks cool and has people like Slash, Ozzy, Tommy Lee, Johnny Depp and of course Lemmy. Check out the trailer below.

"Birthed as a dusty trading route at the turn of last century, Sunset Strip became the world's center of gravity for music, glamour, fashion, sex, and decadence. This curvy, mile-and-a-half strip of road falls just outside LA city limits, beyond the reach of LAPD, where it grew into a place like no other on the planet. A place where dreams are started, chased, loved, hated, displayed, ignored, ended, or all of the above. You make your last stand in Eden, and this is Eden."

Fightville Looks Pretty Sweet

I've been seeing this trailer for a pretty cool documentary about Mixed Martial Arts called "Fightville" that seems to be making a few festivals. I haven't seen whether it'll him theaters in a limited run or go straight to DVD. I'll post anything else I see, but check this out in the meantime...

"Mixed Martial Arts has grown from a controversial no-holds-barred gladiatorial sideshow into a billion dollar phenomena eclipsing boxing as the dominant combat sport in the world. But far from Las Vegas, in sweat-soaked gyms and low-rent arenas across America, the big lights are but a dream. Here, men fight to test their mettle, fortified with the mythic promise that an ordinary man can transform into a champion. FIGHTVILLE is about the art and sport of fighting: a microcosm of life, a physical manifestation of that other brutal contest called the American Dream."

Movie Review: The Dead

Synopsis: When the last evacuation flight out of war-torn Africa crashes off the coast, American Air Force Engineer Lieutenant Brian Murphy emerges as the sole survivor in a land where the dead are returning to life and attacking the living. When his path clashes with that of Sergeant Daniel Dembele, whose village has been torn apart by the reanimated dead, they join forces. The two desperate men from two very different cultures fight side by side to survive across the incredible vistas of Africa as the world succumbs to the deadliest of viruses.

Zombies movies have become about as popular as vampire films lately it seems, so to stand out at all they need some sort of hook. This one is really just another zombie road movie, but it's set in Africa. Yep, the Sahara Desert is a dead zone. This gives it a bit of uniqueness. Think The Walking Dead in the desert.

Still though, it's a bit of the same-ole, same-ole. It's a fairly simple story and we've seen most of this before... with our humans on the move and zombies popping up only to get their brains bashed time and time again. But they must get to [fill in your location] to be safe! Does it still exist? [cue flashbacks to family]

It works though because it has some good make-up and gore, solid camera work (which really adds to the contrast of gory images and beautiful views of Africa), good acting and an overall feel that's above a standard zombie B movie. It drags a bit at times and could probably use about 10 minutes cut out for my liking, but there are plenty of zombies at least, and isn't that what you want out of a zombie film?

A well done, but not spectacular, and unique addition to the zombie genre for my money.

6/10

You Boys Sure Got Some Purty Moufs!

I saw this little slice of awesome over at The Daily What (a kickass site if you don't already know this) and just had to share it. I like it for several reasons... 1) I wish I could play like this 2) I love to see talented kids rocking out 3) I had a certain incident occur which we will not discuss while canoeing in the hills of Arkansas once. Leave it at that.

"Banjo player Jonny Mizzone, 9, fiddler Robbie Mizzone, 13, and guitarist Tommy Mizzone, 14, of the world-famous Sleepy Man Banjo Boys (previously) perform a “Revenge of the Guitar” rendition of Guitar Boogie’s bluegrass standard, Dueling Banjos."

Shinedown Has Unity

Shinedown's video for the song "Unity" can be seen below. The track comes off the band's long-awaited (by me anyway) forth studio album, "Amaryllis", which comes out on March 27th.

Perpare to Nerdgasm

Got the day off on May 3rd and nothing to do? Are you a fan of Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America or any of the Marvel superheros and all their movies? Well, you're in luck. AMC theater chain has announced the ultimate event to coincide with the release of the new movie The Avengers 3D at midnight... how about an all day Marvel movie marathon? Get your capes pressed, tell your folks not to lock the basement door because you'll be gone all day and remind that girlfriend which you don't have not to call your cell phone, because that's just what's up true believers. All day baby! Not a lot of theaters yet but I'll bet more are coming. Six movies. One day.

Read on for the official release...

Get ready to watch the greatest Marvel movie event ever held at your local AMC Theatre on May 3rd! Experience THE ULTIMATE MARVEL MARATHON with six movies on one epic day. Watch the heroes’ stories unfold as they assemble for the midnight premiere of The Avengers 3D!

Here's a list of the six movies being shown at THE ULTIMATE MARVEL MARATHON:

Iron Man
The Incredible Hulk
Iron Man 2
Thor in 3D
Captain America in 3D
The Avengers in 3D

Limited engagement tickets for both THE AVENGERS and THE ULTIMATE MARVEL MARATHON will go on sale this Sunday night at a select number of AMC Theatres.

The times the tickets will go on sale are as follows:

Eastern Standard Time - 12:01am Sunday night (3/11) / Monday morning (3/12)
Pacific Standard Time - 9:01pm Sunday night (3/11)

Here is a list of the select theatres where you can purchase tickets:

Boston Common 19 Boston, MA
Burbank 16 Burbank, CA
Downtown Disney 12 Anaheim, CA
Aventura 24 Aventura, FL
Empire 25 New York, NY
Garden State 16 Paramus, NJ
Downtown Disney 24 Lake Buena Vista, FL
Metreon 16 San Francisco, CA
Alderwood 16 Lynnwood, WA
Tysons Corner 16 McLean, VA

Tickets will go on sale for other AMC Theatres on March 16th. The expanded list will also be made available on March 16th.

Don't miss out on the greatest Marvel movie event ever assembled!!

This Day In KISS History

A great "THIS DAY IN KISSTORY" from KISSONLINE.com today, as it was on this day in 1996 that KISS Unplugged was released. I still love that show. I remember watching it on Halloween way back in 1995. It was so cool to see Pete and Ace back with the guys and I thought it sounded fantastic (and still does). A nice twist on some classic KISS tracks and they played with newfound energy and had great charisma. This really re-launched KISS.

On the Kissology Volume Three: 1992–2000 DVD set, which was released December 18, 2007, you can find the entire concert video including five previously unreleased songs: "Hard Luck Woman" (with Paul Stanley on vocals), "Heaven's on Fire", "Spit", "C'mon and Love Me" and the infamous country version of "God of Thunder".

Check out more below:

"On March 12, 1996, the KISS MTV Unplugged CD and VHS Video were released in the US. KISS MTV Unplugged was recorded August 9, 1995 at Sony Music Studios in New York City. The majority of the CD/VHS features Paul, Gene, Eric Singer and Bruce Kulick. Ace Frehley and Peter Criss join Paul and Gene for '2000 Man' and 'Beth'. All six members close out the CD/VHS with 'Nothin' To Lose' and 'Rock and Roll All Nite'. MTV originally broadcast KISS Unplugged on October 31, 1995."

The Secret Of Happiness Revealed

It's a short book, but worth a read. I'll probably read it again real soon.

Saturday Night Live: Tennis Balls

Jonah Hill hosted last night's Saturday Night Live episode and did a pretty good job as there were some decent skits I thought. None funnier than this digital short called "Tennis Balls" and I think we both know why. I don't want to live in a world where repeatedly getting hit in the bean bag isn't great humor, and this more than qualifies.

Sunday Funnies

Cancer Bats Get Road Sick

"Road Sick", the new video from Cancer Bats, is below. It's from the band's fourth full-length album, "Dead Set On Living", which is scheduled for release in the U.S. on April 24 via Metal Blade Records.

Movie Review: Paul

Synopsis: Two British comic-book geeks (Simon Pegg & Nick Frost) traveling around the U.S. encounter an wise-cracking alien named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) outside Area 51. Chased by federal agents and the fanatical father of a young woman that they accidentally kidnap, they hatch a fumbling escape plan to return Paul to his mother ship.

A lot of the humor of this film is really aimed at more of the "fan boy" type than the casual viewer. There are a lot of great nods to classic sci-fi movies throughout, many very subtle. A lot are just one-liners from classic that only movie nerds (moi!) might catch. I picked up quotes and such from Jaws, Star Wars, E.T., Aliens and even Titanic... plus plenty more and things I missed I'm sure.

Simon and Nick of course have a nice chemistry on screen, and if you add Rogen's funny delivery as the animated alien and the always funny Kristen Wiig then there are really plenty of solid laughs. Other cast members include talented folks like Sigourney Weaver, Bill Hader, Jason Bateman and Jane Lynch... so solid all around.

It's a good story too, that drives plenty of action to go with the comedy. There are some shots at religion (or maybe just at religious extremists?) and possibly just a few too many anal probe jokes, but the potty humor works pretty good really with Paul being so crass. It deserves it's "R" rating.

A surprisingly funny, quirky little sci-fi comedy that's worth a watch.

7/10

S.U.N. Gets Sassy

A buddy posted this on Facebook today, and I realized that every once in a while Facebook is actually good for something. Just sift through the religious bile, silly games and political hokum and find cool videos occasionally. It's that simple.

Anyway, the sum of these parts is awesome. I love these people individually and all the sudden they're together making some cool tunes, of which you can hear 14 of posted at ReverbNation. Here's a video for the track "Nomad" to get you started...

S.U.N. - (Something Unto Nothing) is a Loud Rock band featuring:

SASS JORDAN - (Juno Award WInner/ multi-platinum selling Canadian solo artist), on Vocals
BRIAN TICHY - Whitesnake drummer (Foreigner/ Billy Idol/ Ozzy Osbourne/ Slash/ Zakk Wylde), on Guitar
TOMMY STEWART - (Godsmack, Fuel, Lo-Pro, Everclear) on Drums
MARTY O'BRIEN - We are the Fallen, (Tommy Lee/ Static X/ Disturbed) on Bass

Video footage by Torry Pendergrass / Brian Tichy
Edited by Tommy Stewart

All Your Beer Are Belong To Us

About a year ago I was up in Missouri and stumbled across some canned beer from a Manhattan, KS brewery called Tallgrass. Bought it. Tried it. Liked it. Been hooked on it ever since. Fortunately we finally got it here in Arkansas and have had several tastings, food pairings and firkin parties since. I've got hats and shirts and bumper stickers from them and of course my fridge is stocked with their beer. I'm a Tallgrass fan I guess you could say.

Got their new brew yesterday here, called 8-Bit Pale Ale, and of course cracked a few open to see how it is.

ABV: 5.2%
IBU: 40
Malts: 2 Row, Victory, Vienna & Munich
Hops: Magnum, Centennial, Cascade & Galaxy


Very nice flavor of a grassy/citrusy hops with a decent malt balance... I'm a fan. But the whole 8-Bit name and marketing it what I really dig. It all reminds me a lot of the old video games I grew up with of course. Cool retro stuff. Check out the totally rad video they made below.

Love this brewery. Love their beer. Love their marketing.

Tallgrass Brewing Company brings you the first video game made from puppets. Will our hero collect the hops and get them back in time to make the next batch of 8-Bit Pale Ale? Watch and see...