Movie and Music Reviewer

2010-10-08T06:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, so time for a new post. I should be busy working on the Linkin Park, 'A Thousand Suns' review that I promised last week, but unfortunately I have not had the chance to listen to the album. My reasons for this are very distressing (well to me at least anyway)…

Still feeling the need to purchase “Compact Disks” as I like to own an album physically I took a trip into HMV. Some people may find this a strange concept, but please do not judge. Going to an actual shop to buy music used to be common practise.

For your information, CD’s are a round disc with a hole in the middle. One side is covered with a logo, the other side is shinny and looks very easy to scratch or damage. You can’t fit these into an iPod or a normal MP3 player, but you can conveniently still buy a “Compact Disk” player from most electrical retailers.

I am happy to report that once you have made these important purchases neither of them will work. As soon as you take the CD out of its flimsy box it gets scratched or the player will get a particle of dust on it and die!

So you then ask yourself the obvious question...

What is a CD good for???

Well they make lethal Frisbees or decent beer mats.

What is a CD not good for???

Playing the new Linkin Park album

I will no download the album as god intended and hit you up with the review after the weekend.

On a brighter note over the past few days there has been bugger all on the TV so I will be reviewing a golden oldie (ish) named Eragon and a more recent release which was so bad I can’t for the life of me remember the name of right now…

Between now and then feel free to tell me what you think of the new Linkin Park, 'A Thousand Suns' album and follow the Blog so you don’t miss any of my very important updates!

Thanks for reading.

The Bad Lieutenant, Port of Call New Orleans Movie Review

2010-10-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

Movie Name: The Bad Lieutenant. Port of Call New Orleans

Movie Type: Action/Drama

Year of Release: 2010

Available on DVD: Yes

Directed By: Werner Herzog

The Story:

Terence McDonagh (Nicolas Cage) is a cop who quickly finds himself on the wrong side of the law struggling with a drug and gambling addiction. Set in a post Katrina New Orleans, Cage is searching for the killers responsible for the murder of a family who lived in a tough part of town well known for drug dealing and crime.

Cage’s girlfriend, Frankie Donnenfield (Eva Mendes) is a super hot, high class call girl also battling a serious drug addiction. The pair become entangled in each others issues (and I don’t mean forgetting to pay the gas bill type of issues) leading to an incredible cycle of events that would test the will of a Saint, let alone a drugged up lunatic with the slightest grasp on reality…

As mentioned before I am not a writer and so the passages above may make this film sound very serious. In fact it has a razor sharp plot covered by a cloak of very dark comedy. This movie is simply a work of insane Genius!

The Good News:

Where do I start with this movie??? It’s a tough call because I thought it was bloody brilliant! The cast was incredible and included great performances from Cage, Mendes, Kilmer, Xzibit and Coolidge just to name a few.

The story was deep, well thought out, very well written and had me guessing the whole way through as to how this roller-coaster storyline was all going to turn out. The direction was crisp and driven giving a perfect blend of violence to drama ratio.

Many people criticize Cage's acting ability as yes, he pretty much looks and sounds the same in every film, but he knocks the ball out of the park whilst playing a manic substance abuser.

The whole movie has a very modern feel to it. In parts the camera work and lighting give the illusion of a reality TV series. This coupled with the shots when Cage is literally tripping his nuts off gives almost a release of the tensions he is quite obviously suffering.

In short, if I had a star system for rating The Bad Lieutenant I would give it 4.5 out of 5.

The Bad News:

Honestly, I didn’t notice to much wrong with the film. There were a couple of slightly wooden scenes and these drifted a little, but they were short and forgettable as the remainder of the film was so good.

Summary:

The Bad Lieutenant is a great movie and I highly recommend it if you don’t mind horrific language, violence, scenes of a sexual nature and drug taking.

Check out the trailer by following the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-GpX3TTvrE

Things To Come This Week!

2010-09-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Take a look at what is coming this week.....

- Our first music review: The New Linkin Park Album. Check the review and buy the album!

- The Latest Nicholas Cage Movie: The Bad Lieutenant, Hot or Flop?

- Online Affiliates Program: If all goes well you will have the option to purchase the latest movies and music directly from this blog through an Amazon Associates Program.

- Check out the latest widget: Listen to the music through this blog before you buy it!

- We had a massive 61 unique visitors last week, which I am very proud of considering this blog is only 2 weeks old. Feel free to leave comments or thoughts on the movies and music I review. If you have any suggestions I am always open to them... Spread the word, follow the blog, love the movies and kick back to your favourite music...

Thanks for reading,

JD

Robin Hood The Movie Review

2010-09-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

I had to sleep on this one before deciding to write this review. The layout may seem a little backwards, but this has been done for a very good reason. Read on to find out why…

Movie: Name Robin Hood

Movie Type: Action

Year of Release: 2010

Available on DVD: Yes

The Story:

I think everyone knows the Robin Hood story. He robs from the rich to feed the poor blah blah blah. Well not this time! This is a prequel to the Robin Hood story we have all grown to love, or hate over the years.

Our fearless hero Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe), plans escape from the crusades with his “band of merry men” and finds himself travelling to Nottingham in order to deliver a dying Knights final request. To complete this task and escape back to England from France, Robin is forced to assume the identity of the recently deceased Knight, Robin of Loxley. Arriving in Nottingham he meets the Maid Marian (Kate Blanchett), who was married to the unfortunate Loxley. Robin is asked by Loxley’s blind, ill, crazy father too continue his ruse and permanently assume the identity of his dead son in order to save and protect their land.

With King Richard firmly out of the Picture, his brother Prince John assumes the role of King. His stupidity and arrogance set the country on a fast downwards spiral and open to attack from nearby enemies.

If I go into any more detail about the remainder of the movie there would be little point in watching.

Summary:

You may think this an odd place to start a review but is total necessary. Firstly I will say this is a very watchable movie. The story is great and offers an interesting twist to the many other well known Robin Hood myths. Some of the action scenes are fantastic and this coupled with some very clever CGI keep your eyes locked onto the screen. Some of the acting is a little wooden and a few important scenes become increasingly cringe worthy, but overall well worth a watch!

The Bad News:

This is the reason I wanted to get the summary in quick…

Crowe’s acting is in a word, shocking in this move and I do not mean in a good way. His vocal coach (if he had one) should be hung, drawn and quartered. The accent starts off Irish, moves to Kiwi, then to almost Scottish with a few hints of Northern England thrown in for good measure. For the first 30 minutes of the film I found this very distracting.

There are a couple of speeches that left me feeling very flat and uninspired. I am convinced it wasn’t the script but more the way they were delivered. I am a fan of the crazy Kiwi, but he just didn’t do this film justice.

Some very cheesy moments include a ride into battle where Marian is leading a number of children to their imminent death with the blessing of Robin?!?!

I could continue to rip this film to pieces, but I won’t like a few other who have also “had a go” at reviewing this movie. The reason is this…

The Good News:

There are parts of this movie that will make you laugh out loud. The references to old English sayings and some slightly more modern are very clever. The film is witty, well directed and has a great story that has been altered to give a more realistic impression of the Robin Hood story.

Where Crowe fails to impress he is supported (almost carried) by Blanchett and other cast members. The small tribe that form the “Merry Men” are highly entertaining and have been cast perfectly. Their timing and acting ability make this movie very enjoyable.

In short…

Good (not great) movie. Please don’t make a sequel!

Check out the trailer below... Thanks for reading

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f3toYy63KA&feature=pyv&ad=6425565217&kw=robin%20hood

Our First Movie Review! Shelter.

2010-09-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

Name: Shelter

Movie Type: Horror

Year of Release: Released 2010 and on Sky Box Office now!!!

Available on DVD: Yes and will cost upwards of £10

The Basic Story:

A criminal Psychiatrist, Cara Harding (Julianne Moore) takes on a case of a patient David (Jonathan Rhys Myers) who has a multiple personality disorder. Up until recent times (in the movie) this had been classed by other psychiatrists as a make-believe illness. Whilst Cara attempts to cure David, she entangles her family and friends into a web of evil and horror. Sounds creepy, and it is!

The Good News:

Being a horror movie addict, I often feel let down as a potential great story is slowly murdered over 2 hours by bad acting and worse direction. I can happily report with this movie that is not the case! Moore delivers a great performance as a slightly unhinged professional ,juggling a family and a stressful job. Myers trumps this and gives a flawless performance as the patient with more personalities riding around inside him than a London bus at rush hour.

This movie is gripping almost right from the start, and builds on the intensity at a perfect pace, offering just enough of the storyline to keep your interest. It also throws in the odd “jump out of your seat and change your pants!” terror that any good horror should deliver.

This is simply a great movie that I would highly recommend.

The Bad News:

As we all know nothing and nobody is perfect (with the exception of an ice cold beer on a hot day), and so we move to the minor downfalls of the movie.

The plot is similar to this review – OK, but with a few holes that could have been tidied up. Parts of the film had great visual potential, but in my opinion were not taken advantage of (you will understand if/when you watch it). Finally, the mind bending, pant-wetting terror that you expect from a good horror was in sight but was once again not maximized.

Summary:

Awesome movie. Don’t watch on your own if you are a bit of a wimp. Hardened Horror buffs, take it for what it is and enjoy! Check out the trailer below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSAU4-ClVxs

The All New Movie&Music Reviewer

2010-09-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

Thank you for visiting the new Movie&Music Reviewer.

If you have any suggestions for this blog feel free to drop me a line. These reviews are based on personal opinion and I hope that you enjoy either commenting on these posts or using the information to check out new and old movies and music.