CD Review: Magic Time by Van Morrison

Van Morrison's voice alone has the ability to take you back to happy times and good memories. I can remember my wife and I in our first little apartment without a pot to piss in and listening to Moondance while we were cleaning, cooking or laying around. This album is alot more versatile than Moondance but it does have a similar effect. The music ranges from mellow to big band and swing to blues and rock. I don't know how he does it but it all fits together like an uncut puzzle. This is truly a great album through and through and if he doesn't get a Grammy nomination, then that would be a real shame. Van's voice is pure gold and all these years later, he can still belt them out as easily and fluid as ever. I implore you to get this record...it's a marvelous night! Fantastic, I enthusiastically give it a perfect score--***** out of *****.

DVD Review: Spiderman 2

Well, it took ages for me to get to it but I finally sat down long enough to check out Spiderman 2. I have to say, having seen Hellboy before this didn't help matters. I liked the movie, but like I said, Hellboy took the superhero movie to a whole new level. I still find the Spiderman series a little too cartoony. The Green Goblin in the first one was terrible, and while Doc Ock was a big upgrade, it just didn't feel threatening. The fight scene on the train was impressive and I did like the Peter Parker hero/regular life dilemma, as well as Doc Ock's own struggles but it was James Franco as Harry Osborn that really stood out in this film. I sure hope he returns for the third. Having said all that, the movie was a little slow and drawn out at times, but it's still heads and shoulders above most other superhero films except Hellboy, of course, and the X-Men series. I tend to like my heroes a tad on the darker side. I'm hoping with the impending addition of Venom to the third, that we get to see a darker side to this series. All in all, not great, but it was good enough to relax and veg out to. It gets ***1/2 out of *****.

Movie Tidbits

Topher Grace (TV's That 70's Show) will be in the next Spiderman movie, as reported by Variety. He will be playing an as-yet-unnamed villian in the film.

Kelsey Grammer (TV's Frasier) is cast to play Beast in X-Men 3, and I don't know what to think about that. I mean he has a good voice for it but BEAST?

Sony Entertainment has cast Kevin James (TV's King of Queens) to star in their family adventure movie Monster Hunter. He'll play a child psychiatrist that is able to see the monsters hiding under the beds and in the closets that scare the little kiddies. He then disposes of them, until he comes across one that is a little tougher than the rest, hmmm, could it be ...Rosie O'Donnell?

DVD Review: Darkness

This is going to be half a review because I could only sit through half of this terrible movie. This is one of the slowest moving movies I've ever seen, and as far as the unrated version...I didn't see anything to warrant that...maybe unwatchable, but not unrated. Everything about this film sucks- the acting, the score, the script, the film it was shot on, etc.. It basically plays out like a poor man's Amityville Horror. Family moves into a house, the dad starts to curse and act strangely (I hope my kids don't see it or I'm in trouble!) and only Anna Paquin has the foresight to see something's wrong. The movie is supposed to take place in Spain and I didn't know Spain was the rain capital of the world, at least that's what you'd think watching this. They could have rehydrated the Mojave if they didn't waste it on this film! If you want darkness, sit in a closet and close the door--don't get it from here. Another first--it gets 0 out of *****.

New Trailers!!!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/harry_potter/thegobletoffire/

The DaVinci Code
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/da_vinci_code/

A Scanner Darkly
http://www.apple.com/trailers/warner_independent_pictures/a_scanner_darkly.html

Cars (A Pixar Film)
http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/cars/

Close Your Eyes
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/close_your_eyes.html

Today is the Day!

The day has finally arrived! The end is near! Millions across the world will venture into their local cineplex to be witness to the final installment of Star Wars today. Me, however, I will wait for two more weeks to prove my diligence and patience (the fact that I hate crowds helps!) to see this epic of mega proportions. From the advance word I hear, it's better than Episodes 1 and 2, not that that's saying anything but it's good to hear. May the Force be with you all and with you all the Force be with-Amen?

High Tension Delayed a Week

LGF's highly anticipated lesson in brutality High Tension is being delayed a week for reasons unknown. It will now see the screen on June 10. It was previously set to open on the 3rd with no competition but will now have to be up against Mr. and Mrs. Smith which just looks like a high priced Suburban Nightmare if you ask me. I know which one I can't wait to see.

Horror/Sci-Fi DVD Releases for 5/24

Batman The Animated Series: Volumes 1-3
MPD Psycho
Possessed
Redwall Volume 1: The Siege
The Sleepwalker Killing
Speed Racer Volume 3

Lousy week for horror fans. I guess it's time to catch up on some releases you haven't checked out yet.

CD of the Month (May): Pretty in Black by The Raveonettes

There's nothing like finding a band you never heard of before and discovering great music that you've been missing out on. That's what happened when I came across The Raveonettes. I've never heard of this band before and let me tell you, I'm glad I found them. They have a hand full of albums out but Pretty in Black is only their second full length album. Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo are the driving forces behind this mellow, 50's-esque sounding group. They share mic time and sound really good together. The album is full of twangy guitar and echo effects and plain old good music. The opening track "Heavens" is a soft, melancholy piece that is just beautiful. There is also a cover of "My Boyfriend's Back", but I feel it and "Love in a Trashcan" are the two weak spots on the album. "Sleepwalking" and "Red Tan" are perfection and the rest of the album is solid. If you also haven't heard of them, give them a try. You'll be swept back to the drive-in, steamy windows and all. Pretty in Black gets ****1/2 out of *****.