Movie Review: The Adventures of Tintin

Synopsis: Tintin, accompanied by his remarkable dog Snowy, and a drunken Captain Haddock set off on a treasure hunt for a sunken ship commanded by Haddock's ancestor. But someone else is in search of the ship, so with aid from bumbling Interpol agents the Thompson Twins our boy hero, his dog and the captain must prevent them from getting what they want.

Think of this as a animated version of the classic Raiders of the Lost Ark with a young boy playing the Indy Jones role. It's a very spirited and thrilling adventure that's just non-stop action from the onset. Perhaps a little too non-stop at times as it gets pretty tricky to keep up with what's going on as the Hardy Boys type mystery unfolds and frankly it's just a bit exhausting. Another problem for me was I'm just not that familiar with the source material and I think all the characters that others might already know well I was just being introduced to, which made it feel a bit force-fed.

Visually though it's just mind-blowing. This is about the sweet use of motion capture and CG animation that you'll see. The characters looks very real and human (even the difficult eyes) and the action sequences are just awesome. Personally I hate and am sick of 3D (especially the $12.50 per ticket I paid to see this) but dammit if you see anything in 3D this year make it this. Totally worth it... it's just a work of art visually.

It's a good old-fashioned adventure that kids should love and adults will be impressed by. Perhaps no classic as the story may be lacking a bit and it becomes sort of 1 big action sequence after another, but definitely some real fun.

7/10

UFC 141 Is Gonna Cause The Earth To Rumble

With all the free fights on TV now, it's been a long time since I actually ordered a pay-per-view and I believe I've only gotten 1 all year. But UFC 141 tonight is so explosive there's no way I'm going to miss this. And if you don't get the pay-per-view I'm pretty sure that when Brock and Alistair hook up in the main event you will feel the earth shaking. Talk about 2 massive monsters.

And I'm nearly just as excited about Cowboy Cerrone vs Nate Diaz.

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)
• Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem
• Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz
• Jon Fitch vs. Johny Hendricks
• Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
• Jim Hettes vs. Nam Phan

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)
• Junior Assuncao vs. Ross Pearson
• Danny Castillo vs. Anthony Njokuani

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)
• Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
• Efrain Escudero vs. Jacob Volkmann
• Luis Ramos vs. Matt Riddle
• Manny Gamburyan vs. Diego Nunes

Here's some video fun for ya:



Watch the UFC 141 pre-fight press conference with Dana White, Brock Lesnar, Alistair Overeem, Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone.

Movie Review: Rubber

Synopsis: When Robert, a tire, discovers his destructive telepathic powers, he soon sets his sights on a desert town; in particular, a mysterious woman becomes his obsession.

Yes, you read that right. A tire. Talk about a quirky, bizarre film... this horror/comedy soars to new heights on that front. But is it any good? Well, short answer: no. Long answer: oh hell no.

Oh it's definitely very original and quite creative for sure, I just thought it was all pretty stupid and boring. I wanted to like it after reading some reviews and seeing all the buzz about the philosophical implications and symbolism and blah blah blah. Whatever. And fans of the film will give it the old standard "you just don't get it!" probably. But I'm not ashamed to admit I guess that I just don't get it. I thought the symbolism was pretty weak and the storytelling really wasn't that much better. They keep breaking the 4th wall yet it really didn't add much I thought. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it tried to play serious and straight-up. So again... I just don't get it I guess, but watching a tire roll around for long sequences bored the hell out of me.

Maybe it's "fringey" just for the sake of being so. Maybe it's for pretentious people to ponder over how edgy it is and say they get it. Whatever. It's an art film and usually those form 2 camps... you love it or you hate it. I'm in the later on this one. You may like it.

I'll give it a few points for a couple of good laughs, some cool head explosions and just the overall originality and oddity of it, but frankly I was just pretty confused and disappointed by the end. I wish I hadn't been.

3/10

Buster Blog - Optimism In St. Louis

Despite losing Albert Pujols Buster Olney thinks the St. Louis Cardinals have a chance to be better than last year.

And you know what? I agree.

And we're not saddled with a quarter of a billion dollars for the next 10 years so we're much more flexible for the next decade. We signed a similar player (not as good of course) for 2 years only for half the per year price. That's smart in my book.

STARZ Studios - Spartacus: Vengeance

We've still got about a month to go before the new season of Spartacus starts on Starz, but they hasn't stopped them from updating us with a nice 10 minute plus preview. Check out the new Spartacus, Liam McIntyre.

"STARZ Studios takes you beyond the arena with an inside look at Spartacus: Vengeance. Plus, go behind the scenes with the cast and crew as they discuss the new season."



Spartacus: Vengeance premieres January 27, 2012 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on Starz.

Movie Review: Fright Night (2011)

Synopsis: A remake of the 1985 original, teenager Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) guesses that his new neighbor Jerry Dandrige (Colin Farrell) is a vampire responsible for a string of recent deaths. When no one he knows believes him, he enlists Peter Vincent (David Tennant), a self proclaimed vampire killer and Las Vegas magician, to help him take down Jerry.

Put me down as yet another one who is a fan of the original and thought a remake was pretty much totally unnecessary so I skipped it in the theaters. But now that I've seen it in the quiet luxury of my living room theater, I say it's really not that bad.

It definitely benefits from great performances by Colin Farrell and David Tennant, but I can't say I was too impressed by anyone else in the cast. Farrell is especially good in my opinion and just perfect for the role. Never over-the-top with his role but pretty creepy and evil when it calls for it and sort of suave and sexy when needed as well too. He plays the part cool and collected with sort of a calculated badassness to it.

Warning... there are a couple of small spoilers below...

It's got a bit of funny going on and is stylishly gory enough with some solid effects. They've modernized it of course and I'm not sure the whole generic suburb thing worked for me. I like my blood-suckers to be in creepy old dark homes, not perfect little suburbs. And I think if a certain cool vampire does move into one of these areas he should at least not be so obvious with things as to slaughter a couple of kids in broad daylight in the middle or the road or pick neighbors as victims. Think somebody might catch on pretty quick? And he also just explodes the hell out of a house and there were no neighbors out to check it out or cops for that matter. Strange. Another scene has him chow on a girl's neck in a crowded club and then apparently carry her out (or at least lead her out) and nobody seems to care really.

But as I said, I had low expectations but was pleasantly surprised for the most part and enjoyed it just as a fun, playful teen horror flick. Certainly not awful, but no classic either. Worth a watch.

6.5/10

Metallica 30th Anniversary Show Part 3

Metallica 30th Anniversary Show Part 1
Metallica 30th Anniversary Show Part 2

The highlights of the 3rd show (of 4) is online now and it's absolutely as rockin as the first 2 shows. Check out the guests kicking ass on stage: Rob Halford, Glenn Danzig, Jerry Cantrell, Pepper Keenan, Gary Rossington and former bassist Jason Newsted. I'm really starting to get jealous of the lucky bastards that got to go to these shows. Please make this a DVD box set Metallica!

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Suicide & Redemption
02. Master Of Puppets
03. ...And Justice For All
04. Of Wolf & Man
05. Fade To Black
06. The Thing That Should Not Be
07. I Disappear
08. The Outlaw Torn
09. Hell And Back (previously unreleased song from "Death Magnetic" sessions)
10. Blitzkrieg
11. For Whom The Bell Tolls (with Jerry Cantrell)
12. Nothing Else Matters (with Jerry Cantrell)
13. So What?!
14. Tuesday's Gone (LYNYRD SKYNYRD cover) (with Gary Rossington, Pepper Keenan, Jerry Cantrell, and Jim Martin)
15. Fuel (with Jason Newsted)
16. Fight Fire With Fire (with Jason Newsted)
17. Die, Die My Darling (MISFITS cover) (with Glenn Danzig)
18. Last Caress (MISFITS cover) (with Glenn Danzig)
19. Green Hell (MISFITS cover) (with Glenn Danzig)
20. Rapid Fire (JUDAS PRIEST cover) (with Rob Halford)
21. Seek & Destroy (with Jason Newsted, Jerry Cantrell, Pepper Keenan, Jim Martin, Glenn Danzig, Animal, LAAZ ROCKIT, and THE SOUL REBELS brass band)

Downplay is Digging it Out

Here's the latest video from Athens, Ohio's Downplay for their track "Digging It Out" from their Beyond The Machine album which you can find at digital outlets.

Fire And Ice

"Fire And Ice" is the new music video from Dutch symphonic gothic metal/rockers Within Temptation's album "The Unforgiving". Bring the symphonic thunder!!!

Christmas With The Rick

"Christmas With You" by Rick Springfield is dedicated to our fallen troops. Details and CD ordering information is available at RickSpringfield.com.

All proceeds from the recording of this song donated to support the US military veterans organization American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

Fun Christmas Video

Here's a gorgeous Christmas video from AniBoom.com in which an ornamental Santa tries to score some cookies called "When Humans Are Sleeping".

I love the music they chose for this one and it reminds me a lot of the old Looney Toons that I grew up watching (and still do). Great stuff!

Movie Review: Warrior

Synopsis: The youngest son (Tom Hardy) of an alcoholic former boxer (Nick Nolte) returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament -- a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his older brother (Joel Edgerton). The two brothers face the fight of a lifetime - and the wreckage of their broken family - within the brutal, high-stakes world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

I love MMA but I saw the previews for this and immediately thought it looked like it was full of all the clichés that this genre is known for. I thought it was going to be another MMA version of Rocky meets Miracle with a bit of The Fighter for good measure. Well, I really wasn't that wrong. But I sure was surprised to find that this film totally transcends those cliches with some great gripping action, powerful acting and a whole bunch of heart.

Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton are great as the estranged brothers, but it's Nick Nolte that steals the show with just a fantastic performance. There's a gripping scene in a hotel room that actually had me in tears, and I don't do that watching movies very often. If you think Nolte can't still act, you are dead wrong. Wow.

For fans of MMA, the cage action is somewhat realistic and well done so you're not rolling your eyes the whole time. It does have a bit of the expected silliness. They act like it's winner-takes-all as one guy is fighting to save his house but fans would know that even if he lost he'd get endorsement contracts galore to save himself so it's not like if he loses he's out on the street as they make it seem. And without spoiling anything, there's a fight where a fighter is obviously too hurt to continue but they let him fight anyway, which ain't happening in today's world of MMA. Tim Sylvia got his arm broke by Frank Mir and despite his pleas, it was stopped, and I can think of other exceptions. It's no longer "human cock fighting", but a civilized sport with rules to protect the combatants especially when they can't protect themselves.

But anyway, despite the plausibility of the final fight, I still loved the ending. Hey, it's only a movie. And I thought this one is actually a pretty damn good sports movie.

8/10

12 Christmas Songs In 4 Minutes?

Fredde Gredde is so awesome.

Check out this awesome little Christmas medley performed on guitar, tambourine and accordion.



Song list:
- White Christmas
- The Christmas Song
- What's This?
- Freezeezy Peak (Banjo-Kazooie)
- Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
- Fairy Tale of New York
- O Holy Night
- Sleigh Ride
- Last Christmas
- Julen är här
- We Wish You A Merry Christmas
- Jingle Bells

Hood Christmas

And before anybody even complains, settle down, this is all in good fun. Here's Dorwin Demarcus Dorrough, better known by his stage name Dorrough, and his contribution to my onslaught of Christmas videos... "I Want (Hood Christmas)." Personally I laughed out loud (then the song sort of got stuck in my head all day). Crank it!

Chevelle Gets Face To The Floor

It's getting close to time to whip up my top 10 CDs and songs of the year post. Rest assured this song and the CD it's from will be on the lists. I love this track from Chevelle and I think their new CD is their best overall CD since their debut.

Check out Chevelle's video for "Face To The Floor" from Hats Off To The Bull.



(c) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment

A Christmas Story in Wiener-Vision

Created by comedian Annie Lederman and video artist Abbey Luck, "Sausage Party" breathes new life into "A Christmas Story," the holiday classic directed by the late, great Bob Clark. These wieners apparently don't shrink in cold weather either, like you've heard. Ah wieners... is there nothing they can't do?

Metallica 30th Anniversary Show Part 2

I posted a link to part 1 under the video, but on to part 2. Metallica has posted a 33-minute video recap of the second of four intimate shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco as part of the week-long celebration of its 30th anniversary as a band for fan club members only.

Guests included King Diamond, Kid Rock and John Bush and Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian took to the stage with Kirk Hammett to tell stories of hanging out with late bassist Cliff Burton. They played a 20 song set list (below) that included the previously unreleased track "Just A Bullet Away".

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. To Live Is To Die (premiere)
02. Enter Sandman
03. Holier Than Thou
04. Disposable Heroes
05. Bleeding Me
06. Wasting My Hate
07. My Apocalypse
08. Just A Bullet Away (previously unreleased song from "Death Magnetic" sessions; premiere)
09. Breadfan (BUDGIE cover) (with METALLICA fan Andrew Dowis)
10. The Memory Remains (with Marianne Faithful)
11. Killing Time (SWEET SAVAGE cover) (with Ray Haller)
12. Turn The Page (with Kid Rock)
13. The Four Horsemen (with John Bush)
14. Iced Honey (with Lou Reed)
15. The View (with Lou Reed)
16. White Light/White Heat (with Lou Reed)
17. Creeping Death (with Jason Newsted)
18. Battery (with Jason Newsted)
19. Mercyful Fate Medley (MERCYFUL FATE cover) (with Hank Shermann, Michael Denner, Timi Hansen and King Diamond)
20. Seek & Destroy (with Jason Newsted, Scott Ian, Ray Haller, John Bush, Joey Vera, Gonzo Sandoval, and THE SOUL REBELS)



Metallica 30th Anniversary Show Part 1

A Final Stocking of Christmas Funnies

Seems like December just started a few days ago, but sadly it's time for my final batch of Christmas themed comics and funnies. Enjoy them my little elves!

Book Review: The Thin Executioner

Synopsis: In a harsh, unforgiving world of slavery and glorified executions, one boy's humiliation leads him to embark on a perilous quest to the faraway lair of a mysterious god. It is a dark, brutal, nightmarish journey which few have ever survived. But to Jebel Rum, the risk is worth it... to retrieve his honor, to win the hand of the girl he loves, to wield unimaginable power, and to become The Thin Executioner.

Another "teen reader" type book, I've read that the basis for it is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. If true, the times they are a'changin. I guess sort of like ole Huck this kid does go wandering off on an adventure with an older slave in tow and they face some hazards, but this one has tons of action and violence to tell the story. In the end it's really about finding kindness in your heart but getting there takes some brutal bloodshed and death. Learning about bigotry, death and compassion along the way makes the tale more about the journey than the destination really.

I found it pretty gripping and enveloping actually. The characters are well-developed and the adventures come fast and furious. The world that is built is very interesting, full of a lot of different types of people who worship and live in all sorts of different way. Some peaceful, some violent, some religious but all believable. In addition to all the violence there is some humor, enough to lighten up things when they get too heavy. A few nice twists and turns along the way kept me guessing. And then something I really want out of a book... a very satisfying ending. In fact I had to smile at the whole last couple of chapters. Well done.

I can see teens eating this up but I assure you that adults will enjoy this as well. Darren Shan is no Mark Twain, but who is? Darren Shan is fully capable of writing a very interesting and fun book though I will say, and he's done just that. One of my favorites this year. Good story, good message, good read.

9/10

Wrath of the Titans Trailer

Maybe you've seen the new Wrath of the Titans trailer, but it's so cool it won't hurt to keep watching it over and over right? I think it's a pretty sweet trailer personally. I actually was one of the ones who enjoyed Clash of the Titans so I was already looking forward to this even before the trailer hit. No, much more so. It doesn't hurt that they used Marilyn Manson's awesome "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" during the trailer either. How many movies has this song been used in now? I can name 4 before this... Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Gamer, Trick 'r Treat and the remake of House on Haunted Hill.

But anyway, the monsters in this look kick ass. Give me a good story and all that, but throw in some giant monsters and such and I'm there everytime.

It's due out March 30th!

All I Want For Christmas (Is To Rock)

More Christmas awesomeness! Perhaps the greatest Christmas video of all-time. Oh I know I've said it before (often actually) but this one has to be in the running surely.

80s metal legends Sniper brings you holiday cheer the only way they know how...by rocking! This is "All I Want For Christmas (Is To Rock)."

Featuring Chris Hardwick, Dana Dearmond, Rob Huebel (Human Giant), Annie Hardy (Giant Drag), Brendon Walsh, Dave Gibbs, Paul Bonanno, Jonah Ray and Eli Braden.



Go to G4TV for more goodies.

Rockin' Carol of the Bells

I've only got a few more days that I'll listen to Christmas music, which is sort of sad as I've found so much new stuff this year. Oh well, it gives me all that much more to look forward to next Christmas I guess. For instance, check out this killer, rocking version of "Carol of the Bells" from a band called Flights (Flights on Facebook).

More Ingram Hill Holiday Tuneage

I posted this excellent song from Ingram Hill for the holidays already, but here's one they just put up for an acoustic version of "O Holy Night" which I'm hoping you enjoy as much as I do. Stick around after the song for outtakes.

Move Review: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Synopsis: During experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a genetically-enhanced chimpanzee uses its greater intelligence to lead other apes to freedom.

Wow, this was a lot better than I thought it would be. To use an old cliche... I grew up on the "Apes" movies! No, really I did. Have them all on DVD now. I just figured there was no point in restarting the franchise. I was wrong of course, as usual. Why restart it? Becuase of uber-talented people like Andy Serkis, who through the use of some fancy technology (motion capture CGI?), plays the lead ape here and it just mesmerizing. All the apes not only look alive but just look damn cool.

The direction is also very stylish and when you add that with the mind-blowing special effects, this really breathes new life to the franchise. The action scenes are spectacularly exciting and entertaining. The story is much more humane and socially aware.

The negatives? Well, the whole "animal testing is evil" is pretty much shoved down your throat. And humans are mostly portrayed as in-human monsters. Pardon the pun. Hey, I for one, am a human and I'm a good guy. I like you monkeys that are reading this (if any) so take it easy on me when you take over the world please. We're not all bad, I promise.

But this is a fun, popcorn flick with some heart and soul to it. One of if not the best sci-fi films I've seen this year.

8/10

Maximum Exposure: High Caliber Holidays

Every week, the ridiculously sexy April Rose explores the latest movies, games, sports news, and viral videos. Even if you don't see something to buy, you'll see something you'll like I think. *wink wink*

Links below the video:



Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Ranker Top 25 Hottest Girls from Christmas Movies

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Santa's Gun Club

Abby Elliott

Shay Maria Will Make Your Eggnog Spill

Nothing says Christmas like a hot chick in a red bikini dancing around looking sexy. AMIRIGHT?

So let's all see model Shay Maria in "Fly on Through The Sky": A California Christmas, a new stop motion video by Kaloopy. Oh Santa baby!

A Stocking Full of Christmas Funnies

More Christmas comics to make up in advance for your crappy presents you may receive!

An Ingram Hill Christmas

We're getting closer now to the visit from the holly, jolly one. I've actually gotten all my shopping done, shockingly, so now I can just get to the point where it's all about holiday beer, eggnog, visiting family, my favorite holiday songs and holiday beer (yes, again).

Here's one of my favorite bands, Ingram Hill, doing Santa Claus Is Back In Town acoustic style. It's available on iTunes. Can Justin Moore sing or what?

Metallica 30th Anniversary Show Part 1

Hard to believe it's been 30 years since Metallica started melting faces off, but they recently had their 30th anniversary shows in San Francisco for fan club members only. Actually I've only been a fan of the band for 27 years but it feels like 30 for me too I guess. They've just released a 27-minute long recap of sorts of the 1st show of 4 and I've posted it below. I wish I could have been there, but I also wish I'd win the lottery and that ain't workin' out for me either. So I guess a video will have to do for now... but I'm hopefully there will be a DVD release of some sort.

The set included a salute to Cliff Burton's dad and appearances by Apocalyptica, Jason Newstead and Biff Byford (Saxon!!!!). They played 21 songs including the previously unreleased track "Hate Train" off the Death Magnetic sessions. So watch this, I insist! I've posted the full setlist I found for it below the vid.



Setlist:

01. The Call Of Ktulu
02. No Remorse
03. The Shortest Straw
04. Leper Messiah
05. The Day That Never Comes
06. Carpe Diem Baby (first time performed live)
07. Hate Train (previously unreleased song from "Death Magnetic" sessions)
08. Please Don't Judas Me (acoustic; NAZARETH cover)
09. Wherever I May Roam (with fan-club member John Dent)
10. Sad But True (with John Marshall)
11. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth (impromptu jam by Robert Trujillo)
12. No Leaf Clover (with APOCALYPTICA)
13. One (with APOCALYPTICA)
14. Harvester Of Sorrow (with Jason Newsted)
15. Damage, Inc. (with Jason Newsted)
16. Motorcycle Man (with Biff Byford)
17. The Prince (with Sean Harris, Brian Tatler)
18. It's Electric (with Sean Harris, Brian Tatler)
19. Helpess (with Sean Harris, Brian Tatler)
20. Am I Evil? (with Sean Harris, Brian Tatler)
21. Seek & Destroy (with everyone)

Acoustic Hurt

When I do my year-end top concerts post it'll be tough to pick-and-choose as we've been to see some killer shows again this year, including Kenny Chesney, Foo Fighters, Keith Urban, Apocalyptica, Motorhead, Sevendust, Journey and much more. But we saw a show on Friday night at Stickyz that will have to be in the running. It was rockers Hurt doing an acoustic set and it was fantastic. Very intimate setting in the small club and they stripped down their heavier songs and played stuff from all their albums before the set was over. A killer show you must see if you're a fan. You can find quite a bit from this short acoustic tour on YouTube but here's one to give you an idea... this from the Louisville stop at Uncle Slayton's playing "Rapture".

Do You Like Hot Toddies?

This is The Hot Toddies, an all-girl quartet from Oakland, CA, and their version of "Santa Baby".

Heidi - vox, bass & guitar
Erin - vox, guitar & bass
Jessica - keyboards & vox
Sylvia - drums

Buble Duets Like a Boss

In my opinion, last night's episode of Saturday Night Live was the best of the season so far. I'm not surprised really though, Jimmy Fallon was the host and I love Fallon. Michael Buble was the musical guest and I think this was the best bit of the night...

"Michael Buble has a new record of Christmas duets with some of the hottest acts out, including Justin Bieber, Sting, Kanye West and Taylor Swift!"

Sunday Funnies