Highlander Season 1 (1992)

Directors: Various

Writers: Various

Starring: Adrian Paul, Alexandra Vandernoot & Stan Kirsch

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103442/episodes#season-1

 I haven't really been keeping up the reviews as of lat because I've been on a Highlander kick. Just finished season 1 yesterday and didn't plan on talking about it until I realized there are people that have no clue what "Highlander" is. I was talking to one of my friends and she has never even heard of it. Such a disappointment... Anyway, I figured what with prospect of a new movie in talk. Maybe I should go ahead and give a little run-down on it.

 Highlander the series, a spin-off from the feature film franchise, follows the immortal Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) of the Clan MacLeod. (Not to be confused with Conner of the movies, as they say in the show "Same clan, different vintage".

 For those who don't know. The Highlander, in this case Duncan (In the movies Conner, the animated series Quentin and the anime Colin) is a legendary immortal from the Highlands of Scotland. Hence... Highlander. Being a highlander has nothing to do with being immortal. The immortals are a race that no one knows the true origins of. The basics are this: They don't die unless you cut off their heads. They live by the rule "There Can Be Only One". They all fight for the prize. To be the last immortal. When they cut off another's head they gain all of their knowledge and power (the quickening). They won't fight each other on holy ground. That is the basic rundown.

 So the series follows Duncan in modern times (the 90's) and has flashbacks to all kinds of different eras. The other two main characters are his girlfriend Tessa (Alexandra Vandernoot) and a kid he takes in, Richie Ryan (Stan Kirsch). There are all kinds of stuff going on it this series. The opening episode, "The Gathering" features both Duncan and Conner (Christopher Lambert). He takes on people that are not immortals as well... Episode 6 they are held hostage in a courtroom by a convicted killer (Andrew Divoff). Or in episode 8 where a mad scientist (Joe Pantoliano) kidnapping people from the emergency room to experiment on them.

 If you're a music fan like me, some of the guest stars include Joan Jett, Vanity, Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals) and Roger Daltry (The Who). Or if your a genre fan people like Andrew Divoff (The Wishmaster) and Marc Singer (Beastmaster). This season we are also introduced for the first time to Amanda (Elizabeth Gracen) who became a mainstay in the series and star of the spin-off Highlander: The Raven, and in the 22nd episode the secret society of watchers. A Great place to leave us hanging for season 2.

 So, obviously I'm a nerd for this series, but I think it stands the test of time. I love re-watching this show. It ran for six seasons, so I'll be dropping off a few more season run-downs. You can watch it on Netflix. I'm sure it's on syndication in televison somewhere as well...

Verdict: * * * *

- Xtoph

New issue of Darkfaery Subculture Magazine out now!!!

 The new issue of Darkfaery Subculture Magazine is out now with some reviews I wrote on the new releases of Social Distortion, Wanda Jackson and The Peculiar Pretzelmen.

- Xtoph

View the magazine online here:
http://issuu.com/darkfaerysubculture/docs/dfsm-february-2011?viewMode=magazine


Buy it here: http://www.magcloud.com/browse/Issue/158083

A taste of what's to come...

I'm working up my reviews for the latest issue of Darkfaery Subculture Magazine and I thought I give a taste of what's coming for it... Hope you enjoy...

- Xtoph

Social Distortion - Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes by Epitaph Records

The Dungeonmaster (1984)

a.k.a. Ragewar

Directed by: Dave Allen, Charles Band, John Carl Buechler, Steven Ford, Peter Manoogian, Ted Nicolaou and Roasemarie Turko

Written by: Charles Band, Allen Actor, Rosemarie Turko, John Carl Buechler, Dave Allen, Jeffrey Byron, Peter Manoogian and Ted Nicolaou

Starring: Jeffrey Byron, Richard Moll and Leslie Wing

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089060/


 Paul Bradford (Jeffrey Byron) is your every day run-of-the-mill computer nerd with a super computer that speaks to him. (Only in the 80's, right?) He's in love with his girlfriend (Leslie Wing) and wants to get married. Mestema (Richard Moll) is a very bored centuries old wizard looking for a good fight. He kidnaps Paul's girlfriend and challenges him to a battle of magic. Paul must complete 7 tasks to win back his woman.

 You gotta love the low-budget 80's flicks. Seven battles, means seven writers and directors each doing their own part to the anthology. What we have is something reminiscent of Sinbad's seventh voyage and Beastmaster in the modern world, pitting science vs. the occult. Only, Paul's just not as bad-ass as Sinbad or as likable as Dar. The directing ain't that great, and you can tell it's been pieced together. What I do love is Richard Moll. He is always the perfect cartoon villain. When I was a kid I couldn't look at him and not see Bull from Night Court, but he really pulls these roles off well. If you go in not expecting much but wanting to have a good time and a laugh then check this out. And if everything I mentioned wasn't enough...  Charles Band's segment "Heavy Metal" puts Paul up against none other than Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P.!!!

Verdict: * * *

- Xtoph

Coming Soon - H-P Presents: They Came From The Grave

 Coming soon from Horror-Punks.com: They Came from the Grave Vol.1 Featuring videos and trailers from the members of Horror-Punks.com with videos from: Mongrel-Others-Dragnun-Under a Nightmare-The Murdersquad t.o.-Dead United-Chef Brandon Perry-Spawn Atomic-Dr. Spookenstein-ZOMBIE!-The Spectremen-Ghost of Penely Chase-Werevilsdare-The Cloister Fuck-Fear Incorporated-Christophe-Pussing Eye Productions-Derek Young (Family Property)-The Quintessentials-Creep Creepersin (Creepersin, Creepersin Films)-The Monistats-Nightmare Alley-Six Gun Salvation-Lurking Corpses-Lugosi's Morphine-Batsupsidedown-Von Bones. Background Music "Bride of Frankenrock" by Batsupsidedown

You're Gonna Miss Me (2005) DVD

Director: Keven McAlester

Starring: Byron Coley, 13th Floor Elevators and Evelyn Erickson

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0791268/

 You're Gonna Miss Me is about one of the unsung heroes of Rock'n'Roll, Roky Erickson. The most amazing voice of our time. This man was a founding member of the first psychedelic rock band, The 13th Floor Elevators, and did a lot of early punk and horror-rock influencing... everyone. This film is about him and his struggles. Drug abuse, schizophrenia and poor health. It shows how he has risen above all this to keep bringing us this amazing music to this day.

 This is on the Netflix "Watch Instantly", but I suggest buying or renting the DVD so you can check out all of the awesome bonus features. There is a ton of live footage there too!

Verdict: * * * * *

- Xtoph

Wednesday 13 "Bloodwork" - CD - Angled Doors Review

Wednesday 13 returned this year with his long awaited new album "Skeletons". AT the same time he also released an EP of some extra material that he felt didn't quite fit in with the rest of the album. We're treated to 6 songs. The first two are what you wold expect form the horror maestro. "B-Movie Babylon" & "Return of the Living Dead". Then we get a cover of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers "Running Down a Dream" and a new rendition of "I Love To Say Fuck". The real gems on this EP are the last two tracks... acoustic renderings of "My Demise" & "Skeletons" re-named "My Demise B.C." & "Skeletons A.D.". These two tracks are worth the purchase price alone.

- Xtoph

Osaka Popstar And The American Legends Of Punk - CD - Angled Doors Review

 Osaka Popstar & The American Legends of Punk are kinds of a pop-punk supergroup. This band sounds nothing like any of their original bands, but is comprised of Punk Legends. Fronted by John Cafiero (Vox on Misfits "NY Ranger" and "Project 1950". Director of Insane Clown Posse's Big Money Hustlas) with Dez Cadena (Black Flag), Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & The Voidoids), Marky Ramone (The Ramones) & Jerry Only (The Misfits). This project is a lot poppier than any of their previous bands, but its still really good. There are a lot of covers on this album, but they are really fun. If your an anime fan you'll love the covers of the theme songs for "Astro Boy" and my favorite off the album "Sailor Moon". They throw in a couple Voidoid songs and also a punked up cover of "Man of Constant Sorrow", an early American folk standard dating back to 1913, but most recently known for the bluegrass version from the film "Oh Brother, Where Art Though?". This album ain't deep, but it is a lot of fun and you'll find it in your player a lot more than you'd expect.

 - Xtoph

Edd Byrnes "Kookie: Star of '77 Sunset Strip" - CD - Angled Doors Review

 Originally released in 1959 as a novelty record to coincide with Edd Byrnes popularity on the show "77 Sunset Strip" ('58-'63). This is a rockin' album. It's no wonder this was re-released on cd in 2001. Most of our generation won't know who Edd Byrnes is, which is sad. Go ask your parents, or grandparents. My generation might remember back in the day on the show "Married With Children" Edd appeared on an episode with metal band Anthrax doing a cover of the hit single from this album "Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb)". Anyway, this album is a good time. It shouldn't fall through the cracks to be forgotten.

- Xtoph

Jayne Mansfield "Too Hot To Handle" - CD - Angled Doors Review

 Jayne was the hottest thing to come out of Hollywood in the 50's and 60's. A lot of comparisons fell between her and Marilyn, but Jayne was always the one for me. This cd has her singing (also a lot like Monroe) a few hits from some of her films like "Too Hot To Handle" (Album's title track) and "Heimweh Nach St Pauli". German has never sounded so sexy. This compilation also includes an interview and a segment from the Jack Benny Show. 12 tracks in all. Definitely worth checking out.

- Xtoph

The Elm Street Group "Freddy's Greatest Hits" - Cassette - Angled Doors Reviews

Freddy's Greatest Hits

 Released in the 80's as a novelty item, this rare album is actually a lot of fun. If your into 80's synth pop, pop culture or just a horror buff that want's to complete your collection then this album is a must have. Nine tracks in all. It has a few originals and a few covers. "Wooly Bully", "In The Midnight Hour" & "All I Have To Do Is Dream" are all re-done in that classic 80's pop sound, but with Freddy Krueger voice-overs. Plus the originals like "Do The Freddy", "Don't Sleep", "Down In The Boiler Room" and more. Still waiting on this one to be re-released!

- Xtoph

Convoy - DVD - Angled Doors Review

 I'm sure you remember the classic song by CW McCall, well this is the movie. Kris Kristofferson plays the Rubber Duck. Him and some trucker buddies get fucked with by some small town cop and they get in their trucks and head for the border. The cops chase them and more and more truckers join up starting the huge convoy. That's the basic plot. Great film. Another must have.

- Xtoph

American Graffiti - DVD - Angled Doors Review

 George Lucas' classic coming of age tale. Great cars, great music and great times. The ultimate 50's nostalgia movie. It seems most everyone has already seen this, so there isn't much to say. It's a true american classic. Make sure to check out the documentary on the collector's edition, "Making American Graffiti".

- Xtoph

Hated: G.G. Allin And The Murder Junkies ( 1994 ) Netflix Review

Starring:  G.G. Allin, Merle Allin, Dee Dee Ramone, & Geraldo Rivera

Directed By Todd Phillips

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107086/


     With almost no other way to describe G.G. Allin, let me put it into two words, Disturbingly Poetic.  I'm not saying that G.G. offended me or anybody else I know, as a matter of fact, I really became a fan when I saw some underground VHS tapes of his last performances.  I still remember the first time I saw him Light a Sub Pop t-shirt on fire, piss on it, then finally shit on it.  That was  before one song had even been played.  As the show went on so did G.G.'s antics.  Self mutilation, shoving a microphone up his ass, throwing feces like a mad ape at the zoo, and attacking crowd members physically at will.  These were all staples at a Murder Junkies show, that is until the cops came to shut the whole show down.

     Todd Phillips ( The Hangover, Old School ) directed this 1994 documentary with an unflinching eye for the true Murder Junkies experience.  By the time the film was completed G.G. had already died of an accidental heroin overdose.  What was caught on film was nothing short of cinematic gold.  G.G.'s infamous house clearing at a NY small college, stints in the hospital, getting arrested for abuse and lewd conduct, and finally the imprisonment of G.G. for rape and torture of a woman.  As soon as he was paroled, G.G. skipped out on a meeting to go on another tour.

     Other Murder Junkies were interviewed to give their insight on such a legend.  Merle (G.G.'s brother ) often makes comments with almost no worry in his voice about his brothers beliefs and what makes him tick.  Even Dino the naked drummer makes quite a little scene himself by playing naked on his drum kit, and is none too shy about showing off "the goods".  The biggest impact on this disc was G.G. being himself.  At one point during the movie, G.G. is doing a spoken word, and begins to cut his body, and bang his head.  When the discussion of suicide on Halloween, live in front of an audience is brought up, almost everybody interviewed seemed to blow it off.  Now, when the same thing is said to G.G. at the spoken word event, he invites a female crowd member up to say it to his face.  When she does, G.G. begins assaulting her, until some fellow crowd members come to her safety.

     The biggest impact on me was when Geraldo interviewed G.G.  When asked typical dumb Geraldo'ish questions, Allin fired back exactly what was on his mind without flinching.  Maybe being named Jesus Christ Allin when he was born didn't help ( which was changed by his mother after the divorce to Kevin Michael Allin ).  Or maybe that growing up in a log cabin and getting lyme disease at an early age might have helped form the man that became G.G. Allin, Possibly it could've been the abuse suffered at the hands of a religiously fanatical father.  Who really knows other than the man himself?

     The film really focuses on the later part of G.G.'s life.  You get a sense that this whole movement would have been an epic thing to behold if you were able to see it. 

-Mr. What?- ( * * * * )

The Legend Of 1900 (1998) Netflix Review

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore

Starring: Tim Roth, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Bill Nunn

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120731/

The film opens up with a disheveled Max (Pruitt Taylor Vince) in a pawn shop hocking his old trumpet. He tells the pawn-keeper his story, actually the story of 1900 (Tim Roth) and amazing pianist he worked with on an old ship that brought travelers to America, The Virginian. 1900 was born and abandoned on the Virginian. Apparently his parents were immigrants and dumped him there. He was raised by some of the crew and never left the ship. Turns out he was a prodigy on the piano, could play like no one else. Spent his life there never once stepping off onto dry land.

The acting and direction could be a little hokey at times, going for that main-stream appeal (Think Titanic, but not as moving). Still it's an awesome story and worth checking out. There is a dueling pianos scene that makes it worth sitting through any of the crap parts. I really dug this.

Verdict: * * *

- Xtoph

Control ( 2007 ) Netflix Review

Starring:  Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Alexandra Maria Lara, Joe Anderson, James Anthony Pearson, Craig Parkinson, Toby Kebbell, & Harry Treadaway

Directed By Anton Corbijn

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421082/


     Early on in my life, I was exposed to the wondrous sounds of New Order.  The sound of the band left me feeling somewhat depressed, but at the same time enlightened.  It was only after my sister pointed out that New Order was the product of a tragically short lived  band Joy Division, that I had to find out more.  Not wanting to feel like an idiot, I set out to hear and see anything I could with Joy Division in it.  I soon discovered that Joy Division had that early New Order Sound, but the moment I heard Ian Curtis sing, I was completely floored.  It was as if Bowie and Iggy had a massive soul merge and added a touch of depression into the mix.  That was what I had envisioned when I saw Joy Division live on some VHS tape.

     After viewing some live performances, and watching interviews, I soon discovered that there was much more to Joy Division than I had originally thought.  Here was a band from Greater Manchester who all but pioneered the Post Punk movement of the late 70's and after being known as Warsaw changed the name to Joy Division.  Their 1978 debut  EP An Ideal for Living caught the attention of Manchester TV personality Tony Wison, who signed a contract in his own blood to get the band to sign to his label Factory Records.

     Upon signing to Factory records, Joy Division released their full length debut album Unknown Pleasures, which drew critical acclaim from the British Press.  Despite the bands fast growing success, everything wasn't so great for Curtis.  Being beset with personal difficulties, including a dissolving marriage and his diagnosis with epilepsy.  Curtis found it increasingly difficult to perform at live concerts, and often had seizures during performances, which lead him feeling embarrassed and even more depressed. 

     On the eve of the band's first American tour in May of 1980, Curtis overwhelmed with depression, committed suicide.  Joy Division posthumously released their second  album Closer, which contained the single "Love Will Tear Us Apart" becoming the highest charted single for the band.  After the death of Ian Curtis, the band went on and formed New Order, achieving critical and commercial success.

     All of the above mentioned content was almost on full display with the film Control.  Instead of making a run of the mill film about the rise and fall of the band, Anton Corbijn gave us the viewers, an absolutely beautiful piece of work.  Shot in Black and White, you almost feel as if you're with the guys when they attend a concert by fellow brits, The Sex Pistols.  Nothing was sparred at the expense of The Tragedy that was Joy Division.  Ian's seizures and the emotional aftermath, The spastic dancing, deep vocals, and pleading looks of depression were executed perfectly by Sam Riley.

      If you were ever a fan of Joy Division, or want to see an almost spot on film depicting what could've been an amazing force of music, then I would highly suggest Control to you.


-Mr. What?-  ( * * * * )

The Runaways (2010) Red Box Reviews

Director: Floria Sigismondi

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning & Michael Shannon

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1017451/

Well, this movie is about the all girl rock group The Runaways, which spawned heavy hitters Lita Ford & Joan Jett. This is my second time to see the film. I hated it the first time, and decided to give it a second go round. It's based on the book by their former lead singer Cherie Currie. I haven't read the book, so I can't tell you if it's like that or not. I can tell you it's a complete load of crap. Boring as hell. I am a huge fan of music biopics. I'm a musician. I love the history. I love knowing about a bands formation and demise. Where they actually come from. This film seemed to be more about Joan Jett & Cherie Currie making out and doing drugs than anything else, which may be enough for some people... but it wasn't for me.

I could talk about what this film has but instead I'll tell you what it didn't have. It didn't have anything on Lita, which from my understanding she didn't like it and didn't want to be a part of the film so they pretty much wrote her out. It didn't have anything on their bassists, several which went on to do some pretty awesome things. It also didn't put any focus on the band after Cherie left, which went on for at least two more albums if memory serves me.

Bonus features weren't much either. A 15 minute making of featurette with interviews with the actors, producers and Cherie. It was cool to find out Joan Jett was pretty much there on the set with Kristen Stewart the whole time helping her along. Dakota Fanning's interviews still freak me out though... she's so fake it's ungodly. Also one commentary track with Joan Jett, Kristen Stewart & Dakota Fanning. Getting to hear Joan through the movie is the only thing that made this salvageable for me.


Verdict: * * 1/2

- Xtoph

Get Him To The Greek ( 2010 )

Starring: Russell Brand, Jonah Hill, Rose Byrne, and Lino Facioli

Directed By Nicholas Stoller

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226229/

Extremely raunchy, "Get Him to the Greek" is also very funny. Like the film that first paired Jonah Hill and Russell Brand, " Forgetting Sarah Marshall," the new comedy is unexpectedly sincere about the thing that matters most in a relationship: trust. It is also creatively diverse in exploring the ways boy-men -- a misbehaving rock star on drugs, and his star-struck, increasingly addled handler -- will be boy-men.

Yes, that old song again. Needless to say "Get Him to the Greek" comes from producer Judd Apatow's stable. But this we do need to say: The Apatow stable has given us everything from "Superbad" to "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" to "Knocked Up," films devoted to foul-mouthed Peter Pans slouching toward adulthood, each exceptionally rich in comic detail. This latest entry is modest in scope, but it works. It's not heinously slick and calculating the way "The Hangover" was; it actually feels a little bit personal, in the "Almost Famous" vein (though it's a lot crasser in texture, properly so, I think) and the stars are required to act, not simply clown around en route to the next payoff.

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" director Nicholas Stoller wrote and directed "Get Him to the Greek," and one of its satisfactions is seeing Hill develop into a comic actor confident enough to relax on screen. In "Superbad," Hill played a strident motormouth who couldn't shut up. That's a tough personality to vary (though God knows it was true to millions of strident-motormouth adolescents everywhere). Here, his jowls may fill the frame, but his instincts for hanging back and underplaying come through. There's a sweetness to his portrayal of Aaron, a record-company gofer charged with flying to London from LA to fetch a substance-infested rock star on the wane, played by Brand, for a comeback concert at the Greek Theatre.

Brand's outlandishly narcissistic preener Aldous Snow was introduced in "Sarah Marshall." (In the same film Hill played an entirely different character from the one he plays here.)

Looking like a butch Tiny Tim, his tongue lolling about in a perpetual invitation of some sort, Brand refreshes the cliche of the high-living, inwardly hollow showbiz icon. "Get Him to the Greek" follows a familiar road to redemption, as Aaron becomes hijacked by Aldous' excesses and eventually stands up to his boss. With an effective deadpan, Sean Combs plays the label executive who believes in the supreme power of the mind game.

There's a side trip to Las Vegas, where Snow's estranged father (Colm Meaney) plays guitar in a Rat Pack tribute revue. I suspect audiences may be surprised at how seriously the story takes the father/son conflict.

We're not talking about Greek tragedy (though if they don't get to the Greek, it will of course be sad). As a director, Stoller's touch is uneven: When the trouble becomes violently physical in Vegas, the tone seems uncertain.

The bits I liked best are simple and confined. At one point, in a limo heading to the "Today" show, Snow wants very much to drink and to get high before wrangling with Meredith Vieira. Aaron's job is to prevent this from happening (though elsewhere he acts as his drug dealer, which Aaron grows to resent). As he gets progressively drunker and higher himself, Hill's nauseated reactions are priceless. He and Brand make a swell odd couple, and wisely the script makes time for its supporting players. Rose Byrne and Elisabeth Moss play the true loves of the self-doubting rock god and the wised-up music geek. The movie's a good, rude commercial comedy. How many good movies have we even seen this year?

( * * * ) Mr. What?

Crazy Heart (2009)

Director: Scott Cooper

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1263670/


 I'm going to keep this review short and sweet. It's about an aging whiskey drinkin' outlaw country music singer down on his luck and failing at his career. His protege has gone on to big fame and sold out arenas while he's stuck playing bowling alleys. I can re-hash the whole story, but what's the point. It's a damn fine drama with an amazing soundtrack. Jeff Bridges is the best I've seen him in years, Colin Farrell doesn't come off like a cartoon as usual. Robert Duval has a bit part and is also the producer. Which is funny... The movie totally reminded me of Tender Mercies, and is probably the best of it's type I've seen since TM came out. Anyway, this is definitely worth going out to see or picking up when it hits dvd. If you like a good drama or you're a country music fan be sure to check it out.

Verdict: * * * *

- Xtoph

Until The Light Takes Us ( 2010 )

Directed By Aaron Aites & Audrey Ewell


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014809/


"Until the Light Takes Us" is an icy, occasionally engaging look at the founding members, most of them Norwegian, of the "black metal" movement, an internationally known musical genre that might be Scandinavia's most significant cultural export of the past 20 years.

This is problematic for mainstream Scandinavia, since black metal is the abrasive music of a youth counterculture feeding off misanthropy, defiance and violent disdain for Christianity, globalization and anything else that might diminish old Viking beliefs and traditions. But whatever you think of them, don't call these guys Satanists. That really makes them mad.

Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell's documentary has a feel for the place that produces this phenomenon: long stretches of cold and dusk, stilted and liberally conformist. The desire to shock in this setting is understandable. But it's trickier to know why some of these young men, some from idyllic upbringings, developed a taste for activities ranging from onstage mutilation to a gleeful photo shoot of a band member's gruesome suicide scene, all the way to murder and setting fire to centuries-old churches. Long on atmosphere and short on context, the film dances around whatever points it wants to make, sticking solely to the players' points of view.

Part of the problem is an over-reliance on two people. One, Gylve Nagell of the band Darkthrone, was there at black metal's beginnings and appears to be a spokesman of sorts today. But he's not very interesting and his significance is left unexplained. More interesting in a comically deluded way is Varg Vikernes of Burzum, an arsonist and murderer who from prison (he was recently released) indignantly and pompously bemoans how his principled acts of protest have been interpreted as merely the work of the devil. Poor guy.

Overall Rating ( * * * )

Mr. What?