Movie Review: Heatstroke

An ex-model (Danica McKellar aka Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years) teams up with a soldier (D.B. Sweeney) to thwart aliens in Hawaii who are propelling global warming to make Earth habitable for their species.

Another of the the Sci Fi Channel flicks, this one just may have the distinction of the being the worst in recent memory, but somehow it's still a lot of fun to watch. The biggest detraction is the monsters themselves, horrible looking CGI efforts that are just incredibly laughable when they appears (and they do too often). It looks so bad it's hard to take any of it all seriously, and it's more fun that way I'm sure.

They sort of ripped off Predator a bit, threw in a silly plot, added some trigger-happy soldiers and a couple of hot models and decided it would all look good shot in Hawaii I guess. Well, the Hawaii part does look good (as do the models) but the resulting violence, gore and fight scenes are just atrocious. Near the beginning there is a scene in an outdoor bar where our "good guy" slugs it out with some local meanies in what has to be the worst looking, funniest fight scene ever. At least it sets the stage so you know what you're in for.

But back to monsters. I dare say they are some of the worst Sci Fi Channel has done. When they're running they look especially bad and terribly unrealistic. They may be some sort of weird cross between Sleestacks and raptors I think.

As if all that wasn't bad enough, a lot of the film ended up just not making a heck of a lot of sense either. Apparently somehow back in the 70s certain people saw something the aliens broadcast over their TVs or something equally as retarded. I sort of lost interest in that whole aspect to tell the truth and just keep cheering for the stupid looking cartoon alien to appear and make snacks out of Winnie Cooper and the G.I. Joe bunch.

Have I sold you on this film? Well, I still say if you're a fan of these cheesy, b-movies (like me) you'll have some fun watching it. If you're into movies with good plots, acting, special effects and ones that make sense you might want to skip it.

3/10

2008 And 1/2

We're halfway though the year already! Seems like not that long ago the calendar was just rolling over. You know what they say I guess... "time flies when you're sittin' in a hot tub and going on cruises and hanging out in Vegas at UFC events". Or something to that effect.

So anywho, I did manage to work in bunch of time as usual for movies and tunes... here's my top 10s at the halfway mark.

Top 10 CDs:

10. Motley Crue ~ Saints of the Los Angeles
9. Whitesnake ~ Good To Be Bad
8. Another Black Day ~ s/t
7. Tantric ~ The End Begins
6. 3 Doors Down ~ s/t
5. Shinedown ~ The Sound of Madness
4. Disturbed ~ Indestructable
3. Airbourne ~ Runnin' Wild
2. Black Tide ~ Light From Above
1. Sevendust ~ Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow

Top 10 Songs

10. Def Leppard ~ Nine Lives
9. Shinedown ~ The Crow And the Butterfly
8. Disturbed ~ Inside The Fire
7. Airbourne ~ Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast
6. Black Tide ~ Shockwave
5. Sevendust ~ Prodigal Son
4. Rev Theory ~ Hell Yeah
3. Motley Crue ~ Saints of the Los Angeles
2. Tantric ~ Down And Out
1. Apocalyptica ~ I'm Not Jesus

Top 10 Movies (with links to my reviews):

10. The Orphanage
9. Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
8. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
7. The Ruins
6. Rambo
5. Cloverfield
4. The Incredible Hulk
3. Horton Hears A Who
2. Kung Fu Panda
1. Iron Man

Red Beans, Mascots and Redbirds... Oh My!

I used to make the 2 hour drive to Memphis at least once a month to watch the Memphis Redbirds (Card's AAA affiliate) way back in the day when it was affordable (a year ago). Now it's about $40 of gas for the round trip and it just seems to take a bit of the fun out of it, but I went over for yesterday's game for the first time this season anyway. It was an afternoon game even, and one thing I can tell you about Memphis afternoons in late June is you can expect a sweaty, humid day but it's the sacrifice you have to make for baseball I guess. The beer always tastes a little better on a hot sticky day anyway.

We started the visit like I usually do, making the few blocks walk over to Beale Street for some A/C and lunch. One of my favorite place is the Rum Boogie Cafe because I just die for the red beans and rice they serve. You get a monster helping of it and it's delicious. Washed that down with a cold Yuengling and that's pretty much a perfect start for the afternoon of baseball.

We picked a good game to see as the Redbirds won 3-2 over the NY Mets AAA affiliate, New Orleans. SS Brian Barden lead off the game with a HR down the RF line and 3B David Freese added a 2-run shot later in the first inning to account for all the Redbird's runs for the day right away. I always say you don't want to get to the game late, and this was a perfect example. Mike Parisi pitched a solid game, allowing only 2 runs before getting pulled in the 8th so Kelvin Jimenez could close it out with some heat (he was hitting mid-90s). The main guys I was excited about seeing again were Colby Rasmus and Joe Mather, but they combined for 0 for 7 at the plate (and Mather was picked off of first after being walked).

Rocky Redbird, the mascot, was having a "birthday party" and there were mascots all over the place. They got on the dugout and did dance routines and gave him a cake and all sorts of stuff. Personally I found it a bit creepy as it was like some sort of bizarre giant stuffed animal orgy or something. The kids all seemed to like it though. Well, I should say most seemed to like it... several looked a freaked out (like me) by the overload of furry abominations.

So it was a fun day at the park and Autozone Park is still one of my favorite baseball parks I've ever been too. Even after over a dozen trips there it's a great place for a game and an afternoon.

Here's a few other pics from the day at the park. The top one is Colby Rasmus at the plate. The 2nd one is Mike Parisi on the hill:

Sunday Funnies

Burn You Down

This is Opiate for the Masses, a hardcore band out of Arizona. The meaning of their name is comes from the supposed Karl Marx quote that says "organized religion is nothing but an opiate for the masses".

This is from the upcoming CD (July 8th release) Manifesto and the tune is "Burn You Down". Very cool sound these guys have I think. I think they remind me a bit of a cross between Marilyn Manson and Orgy maybe, 2 other cool bands. See what you think.

Misc Funny Pics

So when I don't have any decent ideas for a blog, I usually just swipe some interesting pictures from around the Internet to post. Novel concept aye?

Weekend Kickoff

Congrats go out to Arkansas Razorback Sonny Weems, who will join Derrick Rose (#1 overall pick) in the Chicago Bulls back court as he was drafted #39 overall last night in the NBA draft. Weems averaged 15.0 ppg and 4.5 rpg in his senior season at Arkansas.

Weather providing, I'm going to try to catch up on some baseball this weekend. Maybe take in the home team at some point and try to get over to Memphis to see the Redbirds as well. The annual Foam Fest is tonight in downtown Little Rock as well, with about 65 beers on draft for sampling and proceeds going to the arthritis foundation. Boozin' for a cause! I'll hit the theater (as usual) at some point with 2 great looking films opening:

Wanted

The Plot: Wesley Gibson is rescued from his miserable existence by the gun-toting Fox (Angelina Jolie), a member of the Fraternity, a group of assassins to which Wesley's recently murdered father belonged. As their new recruit, Wesley learns he's truly a chip off the old block as he is trained by Fox and the Fraternity's leader - but what secrets are they hiding?
My Thoughts: Angelina looks pretty sexy in the trailers and it looks like it's got some cool stunts and special effects in it. Might be a fun action flick.



Wall-E

The Plot: A trash-compacting robot learns there's more to life than cleaning up the planet that humans polluted when he falls for a sleek, female droid, then sets out on an intergalactic journey to be with her.
My Thoughts: It's from Disney/Pixar, so that's really all you need to know. It looks pretty cute, it will makes lots of money and you will buy your kid a Wall-E toy before the Summer is over.

UFC 86 - The Countdown is On!

Finally, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin for the belt is Saturday July 5th!

The full special "Countdown to UFC 86" airs on Mon, June 30 at midnight on Spike TV.



"I was recently watching 'The Bourne Identity,' and I decided that is the style I need to do," Forrest said. "Whatever you call that, that's what I'm doing."

Movie Review: You Don't Mess With The Zohan

An Israeli Special Forces Soldier (Adam Sandler) fakes his death so he can re-emerge in New York City as a hair stylist, the job he's always dreamed of doing.

I'm really not a huge Adam Sandler fan so I guess I wasn't expecting too much from this film, but it really was funnier than I thought it would be. Sure the laughs only come occasionally, the premise wears a bit thin very quickly and it's all quite silly (as it's supposed to be), but a lot of the ridiculous scenes I really found to be pretty funny. You want hackey-sack played with a cat? Look no further.

As Israel's "greatest weapon", who happens to be a hummus-loving (who isn't I ask you?) disco-dancing superman who sexes up the ladies of all sizes and ages, he's pretty entertaining with the over-the-top feats and filthy, gross-out humor. There's quite a bit of political satire to it to make you feel like at times you're actually watching something bordering on intelligent, but it quickly heads back to more straight-up locker room humor before it ever gets too serious.

There are a lot of racial stereotypes that some might interpret as very offensive I would guess, but they're so over the top that it never really bothered me and I found it funny since it was never mean-spirited.

There's a very cool supporting casts as well to steal some laughs, starting with the super sexy Emmanuelle Chriqui (Sloan on Entourage), John Turturro, and Saturday Night Live alums like Rob Schneider, Robert Smigel, Kevin Nealon and Chris Rock. Great cameos as well from Kevin James, John McEnroe, George Takei and Mariah Carey to name a few.

In summary, it's absurd, goofy, silly... yet sort of amusing.

6/10

HBO Does Carlin

George Carlin, groundbreaking comedian and social satirist, died June 22 at the age of 71 in Santa Monica, California.

So set your DVRs for this one. Starting later today HBO is doing encore presentations of a bunch of his specials, from his first one "George Carlin at USC" to his last one (from earlier this year) "It's Bad For Ya". Carlin was a creative powerhouse for HBO during for more than 30 years.

Watch the schedule for some of the shows, but here's the line-up for tonight and tomorrow on HBO2:

Wednesday June 25th (all time Eastern)

8PM - George Carlin at USC (1977)
9PM - George Carlin Again! (1978)
11PM - Carlin at Carnegie (1983)
12AM - Carlin on Campus (1984)
1AM - Playin' With Your Head (1986)

Thursday June 26th

8PM - What Am I Doing In New Jersey? (1988)
9PM - Doin' It Again (1990)
10PM - Jammin' In New York (1992)
11PM - Back In Town (1996)
12:05AM - You Are All Diseased (1999)
1AM - It's Bad For Ya (2008)

Jerry Seinfeld (NY Times): "I've heard it my whole career: 'Carlin does it,' 'Carlin already did it,' 'Carlin did it eight years ago.'"

Robin Williams (E Online): "George Carlin was the living embodiment of the First Amendment. In the traditions of Mark Twain and Jonathan Swift, he dealt with the insanity of the world with the one-two punch of humor and honesty with no apologies..."

Washington Post: Carlin found self "in a divorce from my species and culture..."

Boston Globe: "He was irascible, profane, blasphemous, and determinedly astute."

Jay Leno (USA Today): "I think he was as riled up on the day he died as he was in the '60s when I first saw him."

Ben Stiller (LA Times): "He had an amazing mind, and his humor was brave and always challenging us to look at ourselves and question our belief systems, while being incredibly entertaining."

Cruizin' Cards Cooler

Check out the sweet Card's cooler! Apparently reliever Jason Isringhausen has purchased the motorized cooler so that the bullpen's drinks can be transported between the dugout and outfield in a more efficient manner.



From the StlToday BlogZone:

“My job as the rookie is to carry the drinks out in the cooler, so [Isringhausen] said I got to make sure I’m out there in style,” says rookie reliever Kyle McClellan, who has been driving the cooler out to the bullpen before every home game.

I've heard the Cubs bought one but it leaked and kept having flats.

I kid because I care.

I must have one of these for the 4th of July.

Get your own here.

It's Infectious!

This is The Parlor Mob, straight outta Red Bank, NJ, doing their tune "Can't Keep No Good Boy Down". Let's call them "straight forward blues based experimental rock n' roll." I just love the dobro personally and the genre-breaking. Dig it:



"When you're not even halfway through your 20's, jump-starting a back-to-basics rock revolution seems a tall order. Judging by the rock ‘n' roll charisma radiated by the band members at their live shows - long hair tossing, instrument abusing, generally reckless affairs, The Parlor Mob are up to the task."
~ The New York Times

Movie Review: Into The Wild

From director Sean Penn comes the story of Christopher McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch). After graduating from Emory University as a top student he abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity, burns his ID and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way he encounters a series of characters that shape his life. Based on Jon Krakauer's bestselling nonfiction book.

I heard a lot of people say this was a bit slow or boring for them, but I must say I found it a fascinating character study on a very unique individual. I thought it was very engrossing as he yearns to live out in the wilderness merely for the soulful benefits of solitude. He spends a lot of time citing passages from his heroes, Thoreau and Jack London and the like, while going through what basically amounts to a travelogue of the hippy culture. It's a long, strange trip and Penn does a great job of taking us there.

Emile Hirsch is fantastic in the lead role and William Hurt is perfect as the overbearing, abusive father. Along the way he meets characters played by some favorites of mine, from Vince Vaughan to Hal Holbrook to the adorable Kristen Stewart. There's a scene with Hal Holbrook and Emile in a truck where they are talking that is just some of the best acting you'll ever see. Moving performance by both.

In the end, I'm frustrated by McCandless and the choices he makes to renounce the material things when he has such a bright future and also by the way he abandons his family without so much as a call home occasionally. I'm really not so sure it's better to burn out than fade away, as many would have you believe. I think the kid was more of an idiot than a saint and see him as naive and arrogant. But the film is food for thought, because as I chastised him and his like, at the same time I wondered what it would be like to load up the backpack and start walking myself, sans money and credit cards. I would never have the guts.

If not for the story, watch the film for the job Sean Penn does with America through a lens. The movie looks great and in the end I sort of felt like I'd just been on a journey. It's documentary quality cinematography plus some great storytelling.

9/10

Dude, It's Tuesday

So all this crazy weather and rising gas prices and ridiculous, endless wars got you to thinking that the end is near? How about Judas Priest doing a concept CD? Obama vs Hillary for a shot at the big ticket? No, you want a sure sign that the apocalypse is near, then look no further my friends. I give you... The Dude action figure, from The Big Lebowski. Yes it comes with a carton of milk, a White Russian and a cloth rug (minus the Chinaman urine). For the low, low price of just $24.99 you can have your own unemployed loser still in his boxer shorts. C'mon kids, get 'em while they're hot! For the record, when I was a lad it was all about Johnny West and Stretch Armstrong for me. Something tells me it won't be kids buying The Dude though. Check him out here.

Lots of good stuff hitting the stores today, highlighted by the new Motley Crue CD finally (see the video at the bottom of the post). Here's a list of what to look for:

Motley Crue - "Saints of Los Angeles" CD
Shinedown - "The Sound of Madness" CD
Edwin McCain - "Nobody's Fault But Mine" CD
Reckless Kelly - "Bulletproof" CD
Rose Hill Drive - "Moon is the New Earth" CD
Billy Idol - "The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself" CD (16 tracks, including new songs "John Wayne" and "New Future Weapon"; also available with DVD, containing 13 music videos)
ZZ Top "Live From Texas" DVD
10,000 B.C. DVD (reviewed here)
The Spiderwick Chronicles (reviewed here)
Futurama: The Beast With A Billion Backs DVD

All that plus tonight is a good night to have a DVR if you like rock music. Here's that rundown:

Korn is on Comedy Central's South Park Tuesday (Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery)
Motley Crue is on CBS The Late Show With David Letterman
Serj Tankian is on NBC The Tonight Show With Jay Leno
Billy Idol is on Late Night With Conan O'Brien
Phantom Planet is on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Now crank this!

Book Review: Beautiful Boy

Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction
by David Sheff

Synopsis: From as early as grade school, the world seemed to be on Nic Sheff's string. Bright and athletic, he excelled in any setting and appeared destined for greatness. Yet as childhood exuberance faded into teenage angst, the precocious boy found himself going down a much different path. Seduced by the illicit world of drugs and alcohol, he quickly found himself caught in the clutches of addiction. Beautiful Boy is Nic's story, but from the perspective of his father, David.

Wow, what a good read this was. It feels like a really honest look at how drug addiction almost destroyed one seemingly "normal" family. The writer addresses a lot of the questions that haunt family and friends of an addict and how he dealt with all the pain, without ever completely losing hope and trying time and time again to reach his son and get him through the hard times. He really pulls you into it and you live through his emotions... from anger to sadness to grief to frustration to fear to helplessness.

Also, despite methamphetamine being such a huge problem in this state and the U.S. in general, I really knew very little about it. This book is very informative about the extremely dangerous and pervasive drug as it's well written and very well researched. But it's not just about meth, it's really more about people with addictions, be it alcohol or drugs. It's not just about the people with the addiction but also about the family and friends of those people and what their lives become.

At one point I was thinking I'd say it's a book every parent needs to read, but in the end I really feel like it's a book that it would benefit everyone to read. It's a very heartbreaking but eye-opening tale.

8/10

Great Beer Commercial

This sexy yet comical commercial makes me wish I drank Apuana beer, but I've actually never heard of it before this.

Carpe Diem Baby!

What a great weekend! Somebody asked me to post some pics of my new backyard oasis aka CrackerLand aka Six Flags Over Cracker aka The Tiki Drinki so here are a couple of pics. Note there is beer at the time of this photo, but no Bag-O or horse shoes game has broken out and you can see the grill isn't fired up yet, so we can tell by this that it's early on a weekend day.




Sucks about George Carlin passing away. He had a full life though I'm sure. When we first got HBO in our house when I was a young lad, it was a big thing to get the guys together and catch his stand-up act. The dude was a genius. R.I.P. you old $#%&!

Pretty good weekend for my STL Cardinals. I say pretty good because they lost in extra innings yesterday to the Red Sox but if you'd have told me going in we'd take 2 out of 3 from the defending world champs without Pujols and most of our pitching staff, I'd have taken it.

And if you missed out on the old trusty bloggo over the weekend you should scroll back and check out the bday party pics and some Kid Rock stuff and of course the usual Sunday comics. I've got a book review and 3 movie reviews all whipped up for this coming week and there are some killer CD and DVD releases tomorrow and 2 huge films in theaters this Friday. Whew!

Public Service Announcement from Kid Rock

I think this is pretty funny PSA from Kid Rock about illegal downloading, tongue inserted firmly in cheek:



Steal everything! LOL

Sunday Funnies

A Few More Birthday Party Pix

Figured I'd throw up a few more pics of the fine folks that came out to celebrate my birthday at the ballpark on Wednesday night (including the mascot, who somehow hoisted me up while in the beer line like he was carrying me across the threshold... strong horse that one).