Friday, July 10, 2015

"Masterminds" - Trailer



This movie is packed with some well known, comedy heavy hitters such as, Owen Wilson, Kristen Wiig, Zach Galifinakis, Jason Sudekis, and Ken Marino. The combination of these actors almost guarantees this is going to be a funny movie, or at least worth watching once. Just this trailer for the movie had me laughing - it's hilarious! The movie looks fantastic and totally original. I like how it's based somewhere in the south, and all the characters are dimwitted and/or inexperienced. These actors have each respectively starred in so many different successful comedy films.

However, this movie is directed by Jared Hess, who directed the indie comedy, "Gentlemen Broncos". Jared Hess' only box office hit was "Napoleon Dynamite" back in 2004. So I'm on the fence about this movie, because it's a cast of A-list actors being directed by the guy responsible for "Napoleon Dynamite" and "Nacho Libre", which almost ruined Jack Black's acting career. SO it's kind of a toss up...this director hasn't released a successful comedy in over a decade, but based on the trailer above, I think this will actually be a super funny movie and I'm definitely going to see it after it releases on October 9th, 2015.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

"Accidental Love" - Review



This is a surprisingly good movie for a silly, off-beat comedy. It reminded me of David Wain's movies, like "Wet Hot American Summer" & "They Came Together". Mainly because "Accidental Love" has that exact same ridiculous & random humor, but it's actually directed by David Russell - the guy that brought us "I Heart Huckabees" and "American Hustle". That makes even more sense, because this movie reminds me most of "I Heart Huckabees". Both films main characters had a struggle or a cause, as strange as it may be. Also, both films are small indie comedies starring some big names. So David Russell's style of comedy is very similar to film-maker, David Wain. However, there is a much stronger focus on character development and the story line itself in David Russell's films. Not to mention, his films go a little deeper and can be complicated at times.Whereas, David Wain's films are much simpler, and easier to digest. His films seem more focused on the stupid and hilarious things that happen to the characters in the movie. They're mostly light-hearted comedies watched by stoners... because they're just a little more ridiculous and fun. BOTH directors/producers are amazing and I'm a fan of both "Davids"!

David Russel was also the executive producer for the "Anchorman" sequel, "The Legend Continues". "Accidental Love" stars the beautiful Jessica Biel, and her character gets a nail stuck in her skull due to a freak accident. She doesn't have health insurance, so the hospital won't treat her. So, she goes to her local congressman for help, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, (first time Iv'e seen him in a comedy) and he did a great job playing this role. I don't know why there wasn't more marketing behind this film's release, considering it features some very famous actors like; Jessica Biel, Jake Gyllenhaal, James Marsden, Bill Hader, Tracy Morgan, and even Kristie Alley. It's a really funny & silly romantic comedy, I give "Accidental Love" a 7 /10

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

"Straight Outta Compton" | The N.W.A Story - Trailer



I remember getting in trouble when i was younger for listening to a N.W.A record. It was quickly labeled "violent music" and "gang-related", and people like myself were banned from listening to it. Mainly, because their music was so explicit and they emerged in a time when hip-hop music & culture was just getting started and people were shocked by the graphic nature of this new rap music and all the cursing. (which goes completely unnoticed these days)

You have to remember, N.W.A. debuted in the late 80's / early 90's,  when people were listening to music like Michael Jackson, Madonna and other pop stars like Whitney Houston. It was  the end of the rock n' roll era and there was nothing like "gangsta rap" back then, so this California crew's music quickly became controversial and was even  banned from playing on mainstream radio stations. Regardless, N.W.A. still sold over 10 million records in the US alone.

N.W.A stands for "Niggas With Attitude", which in itself, caused controversy. Not to mention, their hit single was titled, "F*ck The Police" which gained a lot of popularity, while also gaining more negative attention. Since the group started, they have changed members several times between 1986 - 1991. This movie is about the original crew: Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella.They are the founding members and most of them went on to have phenomenal solo careers.

Ice Cube, who is considered to be the foundation of the crew and wrote most of their songs, was the first member to leave N.W.A and started his own company as a solo artist. He quickly became one of the biggest names in rap culture, and it wasn't before long, he was in movies like, "Boys-n-the-hood" released in 1990, and "Friday", released in 1995. The remaining crew members were unhappy with Ice Cube quitting, and they released several tracks that disrespected Ice Cube and the first "rap-feud" developed between them. Next, Dr. Dre left N.W.A for Death Row Records, and joined Snoop Dogg and Tupac to become the new face of west coast rap. Original members, MC Ren and DJ Yella also went on to become solo artists but didn't go far. Eazy E unfortunately died from AIDS in 1995, just as he was beginning his solo career too.

These guys are legends and pioneers of rap music, they opened doors for so many other rap/ hip-hop artists to get a chance to share their music. Look where we are today, it's 2015 and rap / hip-hop music is still incredibly popular. I think it's official, hip-hop /rap music & culture is NOT a "fad" and it's certainly not going away anytime soon.

Monday, July 6, 2015

"Southpaw" - Trailer



This is why Jake Gyllenhaal is gaining so much popularity right now; he started picking better movies and projects to participate in. I don't usually watch dramas, but this movie looks wildly intense and centered mostly around his boxing career. Apparently "50 Cent" is going to be in the movie, which takes a little credibility away from the film. These are the type of movies Gyllenhaal seems to prefer, he's always playing dramatic roles and that's why he is so successful.

He has come a long way since "Donnie Darko" back in 2001, but he still has that same ability to bring that specific level of intensity to any role he plays. For example, "Zodiac" was a very intense movie, but it's only Gyllenhaal's performance in that film that made it so intense. Released in 2007; "Zodiac" was an otherwise, boring movie and a box office flop. Not ALL of his movies are good... there were some misfires along the way, including "Bubble Boy" in 2001, which is a horrendous piece of garbage. Then he was a gay cowboy in "Broke Back Mountain" in 2005, and he starred in the awful, big-budget movie, "The Day After Tomorrow" in 2004.

In fact, the only good movie Jake Gyllenhaal released between 2004 and 2010 was "Jarhead". He did a great job playing the part of an army soldier during the war and the movie received many accolades. Besides that, he starred in several indie drama films and  he actually got back into theater during that time period. Now that he is getting older, he is eligible for older roles and much bigger / better movies. For instance, he starred in "Source Code" in 2011 and "End of Watch" in 2012. Both are gut-wrenching, dramatic action movies, and have earned Gyllenhaal Academy Award nominations.

In 2014, Jake starred in the thriller, "Nightcrawler", which is arguably his best movie. He's nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his amazing performance in that film, bringing this charming, sociopathic character to life. This new movie, "Southpaw" could very well be his best performance, we'll have to wait until it's released om July 24, 2015. I look forward to seeing Gyllenhaal in this movie, and more big productions in the future.

Friday, July 3, 2015

"Key & Peele" Version of 'Les Mis' Musical



This is another one of my all-time favorite sketches from "Key & Peele". They're both actually very good singers, which makes this video even better. This is a parody of the famous play, Les Mis, which is performed by pretty much every High school or College. It's a famous musical play based on the novel, Les Miserables, written in 1862 by Victor Hugo. I've never actually seen the play or read the book.... but this video is STILL hilarious!

It's also well put together, with supporting cast / extras and many other great singers, they created a pretty awesome song. "One at a time" and the theatrics were surprisingly detailed for a parody sketch. It's a funny song and a cool video. Afterall, this is "Key & Peele" - MUST WATCH

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

"Get Hard" - Movie Review



This review is long over-due, the movie released in late March 2015 and I just saw it in late June. I said in my post of this movie's trailer, that there was a 50/50 chance of it being a comedy classic OR another one of WIll Ferrell's failed attempts at making a funny comedy. You can never be sure with him, but I'm a fan of Kevin Hart and I liked the premise of the movie. So, I was very open-minded when watching this movie and I ended up very impressed.

Will Ferrell plays "James King", a wealthy, naive, stock broker who gets framed for fraud and money laundering. The judge decides to make an example of this silver-spooned, white collar billionaire and sentences him to 10 years at San Quentin prison. He also gives him 30 days to get his affairs in order before turning himself in to serve his sentence. .

So, out of pure, naive, prejudice, "James King" asks the only black guy he knows to help him get prepared. As a wealthy, upper-class, white man, he has no idea about prison or how things work when you're behind bars. All he knows is the TRUE statistic that 1 out of every 3 black men end up incarcerated at least once in their lifetime. So he assumes Kevin Hart's character; "Darnell" is an ex-con. "James" is too dumb and naive to see that "Darnell" is obviously NOT a thug or hardened ex-con (It's Kevin Hart for F*ck sake!) and he offers him $30 thousand dollars to teach him about prison, rather than using his last 30 days of freedom trying to find out who framed him in the first place. It's actually a super funny movie with a good ending, cool plot and cool co-stars like "T,I" and Allison Brie (in lingerie!). 

Not to mention, it was directed and produced by Ethan Cohen, who has brought us movies like, "Tropic Thunder" and "Idocracy" (2 of my favorite movies). Not to be confused with Ethan Coen (the Coen brothers). Like almost ALL of Will Ferrell movies, it's a "Gary Sanchez Film"but this is his first time working with Ethan Cohen and together, they made a pretty damn good movie - I give "Get Hard" a 7 /10.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

"Key & Peele" - East / West Bowl Rap Songs



This is definitely one of my favorite "Key & Peele" sketches. It's a parody video about the "Superbowl Shuffle" rap song that the Chicago Bears actually made back in 1985. That is the only time in NFL history, a team has made a music video about winning a game. It's only been done once because it was so terrible, laughable, and lame. Athletes should just stick to sports, it was a stupid song and low quality video. The "Superbowl Shuffle" was terrible and "The League" also made a hilarious parody of that video too. Unfortunately, the cocky Chicago, Bears actually went on to win that Superbowl (Superbowl 20) by a blowout against my favorite team, the New England Patriots by 46 - 10 !

The "Key & Peele" spoof version of the "Superbowl Shuffle" is actually pretty good and really funny. Its the "East/West Bowl", and all the athletes with ridiculous names that have been introduced over the seasons are featured on both teams. Including Dan Smith, hes the only white player introduced and he is the most generic white guy with the most generic white guy name, but he goes off in the song and ends up being an awesome rapper. That's why it is imperative you watch at least the first 4 minutes of this video to truly appreciate it.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

ZZ Ward - Love 3x (NEW Music Video)



This is the newest single and music video from ZZ Ward and the first single off her new record, "This Means War", which releases Sep.18, 2015. I can't wait! ZZ Ward is one of my all-time favorite artists with a musical style that's truly all her own. I loved her last album, "Til The Casket Drops" - that was a phenomenal record from start to finish. So, I'm eager to hear more of this album and if it will be the same blues/ rock music. This single is a lil different; it has more of a Pop influence on top of her original style. It's a very happy, up-beat song about LOVE, which seems at odds with the album title - "This Means War".

Thursday, June 25, 2015

James Holmes - Movie Theater Shooting in CO.



Just like I discussed with a friend right after the Aurora, Colorado movie theater shootings; something is clearly not right about this case. Why has the media / news ignored this case since the incident happened back on July 20, 2012? The general public got it's first look at this "shooter" when he showed up in a Colorado court room with bright orange hair and a dazed look on his face. He seemed like he didn't know what was going on, or where he was. It looked like he was sedated to me. What's happened since 2012??   Why does the media want us to forget about this horrific event that claimed the lives of 12 people?! That seems like something we should be receiving updates about...He is now in isolation due to "suicide attempts". and his parents have gone into seclusion and haven't said anything to the media.

Furthermore, Why would a super smart, neuroscience student at the University of Denver with a bright future, suddenly commit such a heinous act? It doesn't make sense, how did a 25 year old with no criminal history know how to operate semi-automatic guns ? How did a college student even afford to pay for all those weapons and body armor...? Lastly, after committing a mass murder, why would the suspect just wait outside for the police to arrest him?? On top of that, he immediately tells the cops that his apartment is rigged with explosives and incendiary devices. Why would he tell them that, after spending all that time booby-trapping his whole apartment with explosives so elaborate it took the FBI two days to disarm it.... Where did he learn how to do all that??!

This doesn't add up....there is something they're not telling the general public (as usual). Just watch the video and you'll feel the same way.

I've been called a "conspiracy theorist" before, but that's because the United States has a long history of government fuck-ups and cover-ups. It's no secret that our government is trying to take our guns. Even if that means scaring the general public into surrendering their Constitutional RIGHT TO OWN GUNS. There are plenty of responsible gun-owners, and if there had been one in the theater that day - maybe there wouldn't be so many fatalities and they could've fought back. This was nothing more than a ploy by our own government to scare the people into giving up their 2nd Amendment right to bear arms.

Someone wound up James Holmes and set him loose! Witnesses reported seeing a second man dressed normally, sat in the front row and when the movie began, he got up and opened the EXIT door and let James Holmes inside as the man left. Jame Homes, who was waiting outside the back Emergency Exit door, came into the theater wearing a gas mask and body and threw gas canisters into the theater before he opened fire. The EXIT door only opens from the inside & that would explain why TWO gas masks were recovered at the scene in 2 completely different places (but of course, no one is reporting on that).

A genius with a bright future doesn't throw it all away randomly like this without chemical intervention of some kind. The government brainwashed this scientist and set him loose, it's no secret that the government has advanced resources like mind control. There are surely surveillance cameras inside the movie theater hallways, ticket booth, snack station,and the EXIT GATE! But for some suspicious reason, our government won't release any of the footage from that night to the general public. That would clear up whether James Holmes had an accomplice OR if he even did the crime. All we have to go by, is eye-witness accounts and one crappy cell phone video that doesn't show much. Why won't they release more information and security footage ?! SHOW US the surveillance video!! What is there to hide ?

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Smallpools - "Mason Jar" (Behind The Scenes)



A behind the scenes look at a Smallpools on tour, partying, and performing in different cities across America. It shows all the work and preparation that goes into setting up a good LIVE show and "Mason Jar" is playing in the background during the video. "Mason Jar" is an awesome song and hit single on both, the "Dreaming" EP and the "Lovetap!" LP.