Culture Brats

DVD Review: Don't Let The Riverbeast Get You!

2013-05-21T11:00:00.000-04:00

When I was little, I watched an endless parade of highly unbelievable but engrossing horror and monster movies. The list was endless and questionable: Toxic Avenger, Swamp Thing, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Rodan, Konga... What this said about my parents' propensity for using the television for extended babysitting sessions was one thing, the other important aspect of all this was the eventual sharpening of my instincts and ability to spot quality kitsch. I spent the better half of my weekend watching and dissecting Brain Damage Films' Don't Let the Riverbeast Get You! and I'm certainly glad I did.

The Riverbeast is like the strange but warmly familiar hybrid of your cast-off Return Of The Jedi Admiral Ackbar Halloween costume from 1983 and the Creature From The Black Lagoon. He appears only after (and a kindly narrator warns you of this previous to the movie's start) two quick bright red flashes on screen that could potentially send anyone prone to fits of epilepsy into a bit of a spiral.

You have your usual horror movie archetypes: the man that returns to his hometown after a long exile, his group of lifelong friends that will help him along during his journey, a woman who seemingly appears out of nowhere like a deus ex machina to help him locate a creature that is doling out destruction and terror in heaping tablespoons, and a final showdown that made us all cheer while scarfing down the last bowl of Orville Redenbacher.

Sure, I had a few complaints. The Riverbeast, while deadly to the townspeople, actually grew on us and we found ourselves cheering for him to decimate the entire population or at least most of the cast. The women were a bit too hypercritical, a few plot lines seemed to go nowhere, etc. But who the hell cares? The Riverbeast was afoot and he was getting ready to use his somewhat odd but still effective brand of movie monster terror to slow-walk his way right over your ass and own this movie.

I don't want to give away too many plot points, because honestly there aren't that many of them, but if you love goofy horror flicks and a good solid menace rising from your local waters, Don't Let The Riverbeast Get You! is worth a watch.

First Look: The Kings Of Summer (Red Band Trailer)

2013-05-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

Still really looking forward to this one!

The Kings of Summer Red Band Trailer from Nick Offerman

Song Of The Day: Stardog Champion, "When We Fall"

2013-05-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

Before you go digging out that Mother Love Bone CD, give this song a listen.

From 2013, here's Stardog Champion with "When We Fall."

Enjoy!

Gag Me With A Tweet I: Boy George, Slash, Richard Marx, And More

2013-05-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a brand new feature on Culture Brats: Gag Me With A Tweet, a weekly look at some of the best tweets from some of our favorite '80s musicians, actors, and celebrities!

Just saw @lanadelreyin concert. She's like a mythical princess! Utterly gorgeous from top to toe!
— boygeorge (@BoyGeorge) May 19, 2013

Watching "Adventure Time" w/my boys. Makes me feel like I smoked massive bong hit. Paranoid that that my kids think I look high.iiii]; o'
— Slash (@Slash) May 19, 2013

I need a Peet's Coffee like Gucci Mane needs a bail bondsman.
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) May 19, 2013

For the Modern Family series finale, are the characters going to watch the documentary they've been shooting this whole time too?
— Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) May 19, 2013

FOOLS confuse motion with progress. A rocking chair is moving but it ain't going anywhere!
— Mr. T (@MrT) May 18, 2013

I was thinking today about doing a pet clothing line. I think it would be extremely credible.
— Nikki Sixx (@NikkiSixx) May 18, 2013

Kanye West Does SNL

2013-05-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here's Kanye's performances in case you missed the season finale:

"Black Skinhead"

Song Of The Day: Tracey Ullman, "They Don't Know"

2013-05-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

From 1983, here's Tracey Ullman with "They Don't Know."

Enjoy!

New Music Fridays: CSS, "Hangover"

2013-05-17T18:00:00.000-04:00

New Music Fridays: Holy Ghost!, "Dumb Disco Ideas"

2013-05-17T17:00:00.001-04:00

New Music Fridays: Blue Stahli, "Never Dance Again"

2013-05-17T16:00:00.000-04:00

New Music Fridays: Crystal Fighters, "LA Calling"

2013-05-17T15:00:00.000-04:00

New Music Fridays: Blue & Gold, "Ghost Man"

2013-05-17T14:00:00.000-04:00

Ghost Man by Blue & Gold

New Music Fridays: Cherry Poppin' Daddies, "I Love American Music"

2013-05-17T13:00:00.000-04:00

New Music Fridays: BEACH, "Ibuprofen"

2013-05-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

New Music Fridays: American Authors, "Believer (Brooklyn Version)"

2013-05-17T11:00:00.000-04:00

New Music Fridays: Jeanne Marie Boes, "The One"

2013-05-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

"The One" (Single) Studio Version by Jeanne Marie Boes

New Music Fridays: The Parson Red Heads, "Times"

2013-05-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

New Music Fridays: Sourpatch, "You Knew"

2013-05-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

You Knew by Sourpatch

Song Of The Day: The Joy Of Painting, "Dontchu Wanna"

2013-05-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

From 2013, here's The Joy Of Painting with "Dontchu Wanna."

Enjoy!

Dontchu Wanna - Single by The Joy of Painting

Riot Fest Might Be The Best Festival Of 2013

2013-05-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Just check out this lineup:

Fall Out Boy!
Blink-182!
Violent Femmes!
Motorhead!
Rancid!
Blondie!
Public Enemy!
Guided By Voices!
Bad Religion!
Dinosaur Jr.!
X!
Saul Williams!
Kitten!

And many more:

CONTINUE READING >>

Song Of The Day: Adrian Belew, "Oh Daddy"

2013-05-16T07:00:00.001-04:00

From 1989, here's Adrian Belew with "Oh Daddy."

Enjoy!

Seven Questions In Heaven With Kelsi Luck

2013-05-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

Describe your music for our readers who may not be familiar with you.
My sound is a little bit of '60s throwback with more modernized beats and edgy, fun lyrics.

Who are your musical influences and idols?
I am strongly influenced by iconic pop females such as Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Gwen Stefani.

What was the first album, cassette, or CD you bought with your own money?
The first CD I ever bought was a Spice Girls record!

CONTINUE READING >>

The Michael J. Fox Show Will Be The Best New Show On Network TV

2013-05-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

Or is it just me?

Song Of The Day: Jet, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?"

2013-05-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

From 2003, here's Jet with "Are You Gonna Be My Girl."

Enjoy!

First Look: The Congress

2013-05-14T11:00:00.000-04:00

Wow... this looks seriously messed up.

First Look/Listen: MC Frontalot, "I'll Form The Head"

2013-05-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

Badass!