Muthagoose's Pick O' The Week

[muthagoose]

Back once again with another Pick O' The Week...


The Salton Sea

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Directed by D.J. Caruso, the cast is full of excellent character actors, including Anthony LaPaglia (Lantana), Peter Sarsgaard (Boys Don't Cry), B.D. Wong (Jurassic Park), Deborah Kara Unger (Crash), Adam Goldberg (Saving Private Ryan), and Luis Guzman (The Limey).

Danny Parker (Val Kilmer) is a jazz trumpeter who also happens to be a crystal meth addict. He developed the addiction after the untimely death of his wife. As we open, we have no idea what killed her, or why, only that Danny's life is a pretty ugly mess. Danny challenges you to figure out who he is, and why he's playing a trumpet in a burning room, in the opening scene of the film.) The tweaker world is a rich source of material, and this film takes pretty good advantage. You have to pay attention, though; It's tricky and hip, both in it's dialog and look.



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In the Imperial Valley of Southern California there is a little known body of water 226 feet below sea level, one of the lowest points in the United States. As there is no outlet from this sea, water is being removed only by evaporation, which results in a salinity level more than 25 percent higher than the Pacific Ocean. There is an eerie stillness to this vast sea, and a peculiar density to the water. This lake is the Salton Sea. Set against this remote and mysterious landscape, an unexpected and brutal crime leaves an innocent woman, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, dead at the hands of masked gunmen. Her husband's life is left in ruins, his every waking moment haunted by the recurring imagery of the murder he witnessed, but was powerless to prevent. "The Salton Sea" is a character-driven crime thriller about an unlikely hero entangled in a web of deceit and treachery. Full of unexpected twists and turns, this is a compelling and emotionally-charged story about loss and recovery set to the lonely resonant tones of jazz great Miles Davis' horn. Danny Parker (VAL KILMER) is a man in search of redemption, consumed by a sense of loneliness and alienation. Following the death of his wife (CHANDRA WEST), he is set adrift in a seedy underworld inhabited by an eclectic, and often comical, cast of characters united principally by their choice of drug: crystal methamphetamine. An accomplished jazz musician, Danny is now a low-life "tweaker" in Los Angeles who leads us through a frenzied maze, one from which he must emerge before his tenuous grip on reality snaps for good. In a bold attempt Danny secretly hatches a plan to serve as middle-man in a lucrative drug deal. With the help of his friend Jimmy "The Finn" (PETER SARSGAARD), Danny is introduced to Pooh-Bear (VINCENT D'ONOFRIO), a methamphetamine baron with a penchant for sadistic recreational games, who seals the deal. But in this mad world, nothing - most of all Danny - is what it seems.

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Muthagoose Says: This is a must see for any fan of films like Fight Club, Memento, Drugstore Cowboy or Trainspotting. I give it one of my highest recommendations.

[muthagoose]

Never has a more compelling and powerful show ruled the airwaves.

CHiPs - The Complete First Season

"CHiPS," which stood for California Highway Patrol, followed the daily beats of two state motorcycle patrolmen as they patrolled the freeway system in and around Los Angeles. Officer Jon Baker was the straight, serious officer while Frank "Ponch" Poncherello was the more free- wheeling member of the duo; both reported to Sgt. Joe Getraer, who gave out assignments and advice in handling the cases. Each episode saw a compilation of incidents, ranging from the humorous (e.g., a stranded motorist) to criminal investigations (such as hijackings) and tragic incidents (such as a fiery multi-car pile-up with multiple deaths. Other aspects of Ponch and Jon's daily work were highlighted as well; the social lives of both officers (they were both single) often provided the lighter moments. On occassion, Ponch and Jon were assisted by a female "Chippie" at first, the very beautiful Sindy Cahill; and later, the more wholesome Bonnie Clark. In 1982, Ponch got a new partner, Bobby Nelson (series star Wilcox left the show that year), while Nelson's younger brother, Bruce, was a trainee on the force. By now, the female "Chippie" was the attractive Kathy Lindahan.

DVD Features:
Introduction and Trivia Facts on select episodes by Erik Estrada
Featurette:The Ride Out of Spanish Harlem: A Retrospective Featurette with Erik Estrada

[muthagoose]

This museum resides in the same building as the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards. They have everything from some of the country's first toys to comic books to movie posters to the toys that we all grew up with. I highly recommend checking it out. It is really amazing a a hidden gem of Baltimore!

Geppi’s Entertainment Museum

Official Site:
www.geppismuseum.com/


New Exhibit at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars®

The Force™ is with Us: 30 Years of Star Wars® runs June 23 – September 15, 2007

"Great shot, kid, that was one in a million!" – Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Star Wars®

BALTIMORE – Han was congratulating Luke Skywalker after the farm boy-turned hero destroyed the Death Star with a single blast from his X-Wing Fighter, but he could have just as easily been talking to 32-year-old film maker George Lucas. In 1977, one film forever redefined popular science fiction and ‘event’ cinema. Lucas’ Star Wars®, and the enormous universe of characters and collectibles that it spawned, has become an indelible part of American and worldwide pop culture. From Jedi to Sith, Tatooine to Coruscant, and Amidala to Mara Jade, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum invites you to celebrate three decades of adventure in a galaxy far, far away.

On May 25, 1977, the line stretched from Grauman’s Chinese Theater down Hollywood Boulevard as sci-fi fans waited to catch their first glimpse of a new era in fantasy film making. With the rumble of a monolithic Star Destroyer passing over the heads of awed moviegoers, that era began with a flash of laser fire and the gleam of space-faring ships locked in pitched battle. Star Wars® had arrived, and pop culture would never be the same again.

In December of that year, Kenner was preparing a line of tie-in toys but was caught off-guard by the whirlwind success of the film. With no toys ready for Christmas, Kenner shipped its first Star Wars® product - an empty box with a mail-in certificate for the first four action figures ever made. The merchandising of a milestone movie had begun.

In the thirty years since the first Star Wars® film premiered, the empire that it spawned has grown to include five more films, cartoons, TV specials, books, magazines, toys, and collectibles of every conceivable category. Star Wars® has woven itself into the lives of generations of children, many of whom grew to adulthood and then introduced their own kids to the wonders of that galaxy far, far away.

The Force™ is With Us: 30 Years of Star Wars® showcases collectibles from the entire Star Wars® saga with special attention to the one movie that started it all on that mythic day in 1977. All items in the exhibit are courtesy of Thomas G. Atkinson, Director of the Star Toys Museum in Baltimore.

The exhibit draws from a wide-ranging collection that incorporates a complete set of Kenner's Star Wars® action figures from 1978-1985, including Luke with double-telescoping lightsaber and Boba Fett with non-rocket-firing backpack. Included is a Luke Skywalker AM Headset Radio with a bizarre pedigree:

"[It was] actually a re-painted, re-packaged Six Million Dollar Man toy," says Atkinson.

Also included is an example of the first-ever lightsaber toy (inflatable!), and a variety of unlicensed items that were released before licensed merchandise became widely available. Some items on display hail from beyond our country’s borders.

"[There are] foreign Star Wars® toys like the Canadian wind-up walking R2-D2 and wooden spaceship models from Japan," says Atkinson. "[Then there’s] Kenner's towering Death Star playset and its cardboard European counterpart."

"[We also have] items that remind us that Star Wars® came out in 1977 after all," adds Atkinson, "like t-shirts, model customized vans, vinyl record albums and 8-track tapes, and some remarkably primitive electronic games."

Also showcased are "found items" like those used to create the original props seen in the Star Wars® films:

"Luke’s lightsaber [was] actually a 1940s camera flash and the Death Star’s main weapon console [was] actually a TV studio's video control board," says Atkinson.

Some of the most sought-after Kenner Star Wars® toys seen in the exhibit met with limited initial success:

"Failed toys like Kenner's large-sized action figures and the Micro Collection [were] overshadowed in their day by the extraordinarily successful 3.75-inch action figures," says Atkinson.

The Star Toys Museum is housed at Meerkat Meade in Baltimore, MD. The museum is a nonprofit corporation formed to collect, preserve, and exhibit toys and other memorabilia relating to Star Wars® as well as other science fiction/fantasy cinema and literature, and their effect upon society. The museum has a complete collection of Kenner action figures and vehicles, Star Wars® Micro-Machines, and Star Wars® comics, as well as impressive collections of Star Wars® trading cards, plates, linen, posters, and various other items. Visitors are welcome by appointment.

Geppi’s Entertainment Museum is a 17,000 square foot pop culture museum located on the second and third floors of historic Camden Station at Camden Yards in downtown Baltimore, MD, just a few blocks away from the city’s famed Inner Harbor. Stephen A. Geppi, founder of Diamond Comic Distributors (the largest English-language comic book distributor in the world), publisher of Baltimore Magazine, and part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles, presents this unique exhibition of Americana and comic character collectibles spanning the 1700s to the present day. The museum exhibits nearly 8,000 pop culture artifacts including comics, toys, dolls, games and memorabilia of every conceivable category, all presented in an exhibition that entertains as well as educates visitors about the role of pop culture in our lives.

The Force™ is with Us: 30 Years of Star Wars® opens June 23 and runs through Sept. 15. Geppi’s Entertainment Museum at Camden Yards is located at 301 W. Camden St., Baltimore, MD 21201. For additional details log on to www.geppismuseum.com or call 410-625-7060. Group tours are welcome, and admission is free to museum members.

[muthagoose]

Red Dawn: Collector's Edition

The Ronald Reagan 1980s were all about going back to the future--rewriting the past to better suit Reagan's upbeat vision of the present. So, Sylvester Stallone's John Rambo (a psychotic, shell-shocked Vietnam vet in the original film, transformed into a flag-waving hero in the sequel) was able to go back to Southeast Asia and "correct" history by decisively (and single-handedly) winning that messy ol' war on behalf of America. Red Dawn is a paranoid cold-war cautionary tale that presents us not with a rosy alternative past, but with an ominous vision of the future, metaphorically plopping a piece of Russian-occupied Afghanistan into America's back yard. In this celebration of the Second Amendment, storm troopers from the Evil Empire descend upon the inadequately defended United States and hold America hostage. Stealthily avoiding the invaders, a motley group of red-blooded, small-town, gun-toting teenagers go underground to form the Wolverines, a guerilla resistance squad dedicated to making those Russkies rue the day they parachuted onto U.S. soil. It's a darn good thing those kids had the right to keep and bear arms, huh! Written and directed by macho filmmaker John Milius, the self-described "Zen fascist" who also cowrote Apocalypse Now, as well as the horrifying shark story Robert Shaw tells in Jaws.

The cast includes Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Jennifer Grey (a few years before she and Swayze took up Dirty Dancing), Charlie Sheen, Powers Boothe, Harry Dean Stanton, and Ben Johnson. Red Dawn was a commercial success, although audiences invariably split into two camps, finding it either patriotic or appalling. Whatever your verdict, the film remains a telling reflection of its era.



Muthagoose says: WOOOOOOOOLLLLLLVEEERRRRIIIIIIINNNNNESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

[muthagoose]

Hard Boiled (Two-Disc Ultimate Edition) [/size]

Plot Synopsis:
Mobsters are smuggling guns into Hong Kong. The police orchestrate a raid at a teahouse where the ace detective loses his partner. Meanwhile, the two main gun smugglers are having a war over territoriality, and a young new gun is enlisted to wipe out informants and overcome barriers to growth. The detective, acting from inside sources gets closer to the ring leaders, and eventually must work directly with the inside man.

Hollywood has a way of beating down talented people until they forget why they got into the movie business in the first place. Such a fate may be happening to John Woo, one of the most talented directors on the planet. Since he arrived to work in the U.S., he experienced both commercial success and critical acclaim with “Face/Off” in 1997. But since then, he’s been a gun-for-hire on a series of disappointing overblown productions. To fully appreciate the man at the top of his game, check out “Hard Boiled,” one of the pictures that catapulted him into stardom. Chow Yun-Fat stars in this stellar action-fest about a cop seeking revenge against the mob for his partner’s death. “Hard Boiled” has been out on DVD before, but now it’s being released in a special two-disk set with lots of extras, including featurettes with many of the principals, including Woo. Also, “Last Hurrah for Chivalry,” a little-seen sword saga made by Woo early in his career, is out separately and worth watching. Maybe Woo should sit down and watch these to remind himself what he’s capable of.

[muthagoose]

Vains of Jenna has been a great ally to Live-Metal.Net... stay tuned for another big interview in the days to come... lots of rock n' roll attitude!

VAINS OF JENNA - Lit Up/Let Down



If you're looking for pure Rock n Roll with attitude - these guys have it - and this is the album for you. The album is amazing full of energy, hard riffs and awesome lyrics.

Their stage performance is remarkable and memorable - I've seen them four times in concert and each show they rock harder than last. These guys won't fade away anytime soon. They rock!

If you're looking for a real rock performance check these guys out and buy their album!

[Ponyone]

Amen on that---The Vains have been ultra-cool to Live-Metal.net and I have a feeling we'll hook up with these rockin Swedes again!

But their album now!

Check out a vid here:
youtube.com/watch?v=jEjnQWVd024

[muthagoose]

Doug Stanhope : No Refunds

Doug Stanhope has updated his website. A total overhaul really. Check it out at:

dougstanhope.com/



"Doug Stanhope : No Refunds" premieres on Showtime this Friday, August 3rd at 10pm."

The DVD of the special will be available August 14th. You can pre-order it here:

dougstanhope.com/pages/merchandise.html

[muthagoose]

Darkman Trilogy
(Darkman / Darkman II: The Return Of Durant / Darkman III: Die Darkman Die)



Step into the dark side of adventure with the all-new "Darkman Trilogy" collection. The complete collection follows all the daring journeys and escapades of the classic action hero, "Darkman," as he assumes alternate identities in order to battle evil. Collect all three "Darkman" films in one amazing collection! "Darkman" - Dr. Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson) is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when a gang, led by the sadistic Robert G. Durant (Larry Drake), obliterates his laboratory.

Burned beyond recognition and altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake attempts to rebuild his laboratory and reestablish ties with his former girlfriend Julie (Frances McDormand). But his most challenging task lies within himself. Torn between his desire to create a new life with Julie and his quest for revenge, the man known as "Darkman" begins to assume alternate identities in this stunning, fast-paced action thriller from director Sam Raimi. "Darkman II: The Return Of Durant" - The crime-fighting master of disguises returns in this action-packed sequel to the hit motion picture. "Hard Target's" Arnold Vosloo stars as "Darkman," and Larry Drake reprises his role as the sadistic villain Robert G. Durant. Co-starring Kim Delaney ("NYPD Blue"), "Darkman II: The Return Of Durant" is filled with nonstop action, suspense and special effects which leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. "Darkman III: Die Darkman Die" - Arnold Vosloo returns as Dr. Peyton Westlake, a.k.a. "Darkman," the crime-fighting master of disguises.

In this action-packed adventure, Westlake matches wits with underworld drug-dealing villain Peter Rooker (Jeff Fahey), who will do anything to unmask the secret of Westlake's superhuman strength. Agreeing to an experimental operation on his ravaged body, Westlake is flung into a vicious game of survival for himself, his priceless research and the lives of two innocent people. One false move and he will be locked into darkness forever.

From Executive Producers Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert, creators of the original film, "Darkman III: Die Darkman Die," like its predecessors, is jam-packed with surprises, staggering special effects and never-ending thrills.

[muthagoose]

Robocop: 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition



It's hard to believe that it's been 20 years since the original Robocop stormed theaters, but here we are. And now, the classic sci-fi/action film gets the proper Special Edition treatment it so richly deserves (the out of print Criterion Collection DVD is actually superior, but good luck finding it). As far as the movie goes, we all know by now what happens: Peter Weller plays the slain cop turned police cyborg that seeks to avenge his death against the criminals (both street and corporate level) responsible. The DVD itself features both the R-rated theatrical cut of the film, as well as the "extended" uncut edition of the film (also available on the Criterion DVD) which originally received an X-rating in 1987. There isn't much difference between both cuts; only a few more seconds of bloody splatter, but it's the features which make this DVD set worth owning. Featurettes on the making of and history of the film with interviews with director Paul Verhoeven, producer Jon Davison, and stars Weller, Kurtwood Smith, Miguel Ferrer, and more; as well as looks at the special effects, and the Criterion commentary from Verhoeven, Davison, and writer Ed Neumeier. All in all, this is one DVD that is worth buying over again if you already own the bare bones edition disc, and it's good to see that the film finally gets the mass DVD treatment it so rightfully deserves.

[muthagoose]

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Seasons 1 & 2

Take the best elements from Seinfeld and Arrested Development and you have It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Combining the social-degenerate-buddy formula (three men, one woman) with the beyond-dysfunctional-family element, Philadelphia creates scenarios that are so hysterical, wrong, appalling, familiar, embarrassing, uncomfortable, and entertaining, the show is addictive like staring at a car wreck when you know you shouldn't, but you just can't look away; it's invigorating like a fresh, loud, wake-up slap on the face. The writing, the quick timing, and the performances are so natural, one wonders if anyone is even acting (but hopes to heaven they are). Danny DeVito joined the cast in the second season, in one of the best roles on TV. DeVito is "Frank," the buddy dad that just wants to be part of the gang, the dad that looks good on paper, but the experience for his kids is more like taking care of a vicious dog that isn't potty-trained. Three of his four talented cohorts (Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and Rob McElhenney) not only star in the series, but write it as well. Thanks to their new take on old themes and a willingness to stretch the boundaries of appropriateness and exploit the audiences' inner insecurities, originality is back on TV.

[muthagoose]

Here is a little secret for you fellas...

Check out www.ssupload.com/

You can watch movies via your browser there. Some of which are bootlegs of stuff still in theaters. Truly a "web gem".

Enjoy!

[muthagoose]

The Addams Family - Volume 3



Picking up where Volume Two left off, The Addams Family - Volume Three ends the series with the show's final 21 episodes. The 3rd of 3 cost-friendly volumes, The Addams Family - Volume 3 is a 6-disc (588 min.) set which features Full Frame (1.33:1) video; English mono audio; English subtitles; plus extras. Though The Addams Family (and rival show The Munsters) only lasted two seasons, decades of syndicated reruns helped to keep the show alive and popular with generations of viewers. Today you can preserve this classic B&W series in pristine DVD format. Here is a list of episodes contained in this volume, plus a list of extras:

1. Gomez, The Reluctant Lover
2. Feud in the Addams Family
3. Gomez, the Cat Burglar
4. Portrait of Gomez
5. Morticia's Dilemma
6. Christmas With the Addams Family
7. Uncle Fester, Tycoon
8. Morticia & Gomez vs. Fester & Grandmama
9. Fester Goes on a Diet
10. The Great Treasure Hunt
11. Ophelia Finds Romance
12. Pugsley's Allowance
13. Happy Birthday, Grandmama Frump
14. Morticia, the Decorator
15. Ophelia Visits Morticia
16. Addams Cum Laude
17. Cat Addams
18. Lurch's Little Helper
19. The Addams Policy
20. Lurch's Grand Romance
21. Ophelia's Career

Special Features:
* Commentary: On "Morticia, the Decorator" by Stephen Cox, author of "The Addams Chronicles"
* Commentary: On select scenes by Thing and Cousin Itt
* Bonus: Tombstone Trivia on "Cat Addams"


Two Snaps Up!

[muthagoose]

It is that time again! It's time for Muthagoose's Pick O' The Week!

This week it is:

COMMANDO: The Director's Cut

I eat Green Berets for breakfast and right now I'm very hungry!

If you think you've seen Commando before on DVD then you're gonna pass on this one, right?

WRONG!

This guilty pleasure is one of my all-time favorite testosterone pumping 80's Ahnuld action flicks chock full of some of the most memorable and hilariously over-the-top one-liners ever assembled in a single Schwarzenneger film with an exhaustive body count tally of 81 confirmed kills. Now it's finally getting the UNRATED Director's Cut treatment it deserves so we can see even more of the Governator at his macho 80's Republican finest.

The Commando Director's Cut DVD features the original 90-minute theatrical film and restores 96 seconds of mostly graphic violent shots that were trimmed to garner the film an R rating in this never-before-seen unrated version as envisioned by director Mark L. Lester restored back into the film via seamless branching. Additional DVD special features include director audio commentary, 3 deleted scenes which have not been added back into the film, two behind-the-scenes featurettes, photo galleries and more.

Special Features:

Commando Director's Cut is presented in widescreen (1.85:1 aspect ratio) with English 5.1 Dolby Digital and Dolby Surround audio, Spanish Mono, French Stereo plus French and Spanish subtitles.
Bonus content includes:

* Seamlessly branched Director's Cut with never-before-seen footage
* Audio commentary by director Mark Lester (on theatrical version only)
* Deleted Scenes
* Pure Action featurette
* Let Off Some Steam featurette
* Photo galleries with over 150 images
- Creating Commando
- Domestic Bliss with John and Jenny
- Kill Arnold, Kill!
- Trashing the Galleria

Don't deprive yourself of some pleasure. Come on, Bennett... let's party!

[muthagoose]

Waking Up Dead

How do you help someone whose life is spiraling out of control? Make a movie, and make him come face to face with his own demons.

For a solid four years, Emmy award winning journalist & filmmaker Fabio Jafet, documented the seedy underworld of the music business through the eyes of friend Phil Varone of Saigon Kick & Skid Row fame.

Jafet reveals what really goes on behind the scenes in a way never captured before on camera. Waking Up Dead captures the addictions, betrayals and pitfalls on the relentless road to rock stardom.

[muthagoose]

Poltergeist:
25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition DVD

What a combo! Tobe Hooper, the director of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, teamed up with family-oriented producer Steven Spielberg to make Poltergeist. The film is about a haunted suburban tract home in a development very much like the Arizona one in which Spielberg was raised. (Because it came out the same summer as Spielberg's E.T., it was tempting to see both movies as representing Spielberg's ambivalent feelings about childhood in suburbia. One was a fantasy, the other a nightmare.) Spielberg also cowrote the screenplay, which taps into primal, childlike fears of monsters under the bed, monsters in the closet, sinister clown faces, and all manner of things that go bump in the night. At first, some of the odd happenings in the house are kind of funny and amusing, but they grow gradually creepier until the film climaxes in a terrifying special-effects extravaganza when 5-year-old Carole Anne (Heather O'Rourke) is kidnapped by the spooks and held hostage in another dimension. Though not nearly as frightening as Hooper's magnum opus, or the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, which came along two years later, Poltergeist is one of the smartest and most entertaining horror pictures of its time.

[muthagoose]

SMUGGLED SOUNDS

This is definitely one of my go-to spots on the web!

View the Bootlegs:
live-bootleg.blogspot.com/

This is a great site to pick up some bootlegs for free. The artists run the gambit from The Beatles to Tool to The Police to Body Count to Jimi Hendrix to Joe Satriani to Dream Theater to Bjork to Slayer to Miles Davis to Ozzy to Dimmu Borgir to Iron Maiden... this site has it all.

Updated almost daily with great new shows!

[muthagoose]

Whitesnake, 20th Anniversary, 1987-2007 COLLECTOR'S EDITION



Track Listings:

1. Still Of The Night

2. Bad Boys

3. Give Me All Your Love

4. Looking For Love

5. Crying In The Rain

6. Is This Love

7. Straight For The Heart

8. Don't Turn Away

9. Children Of The Night

10. Here I Go Again 87

11. You're Gonna Break My Heart Again

12. Still Of The Night (Live In The Shadow Of The Blues) (Bonus Track)

13. Here I Go Again (Live In The Shadow Of The Blues) (Bonus Track)

14. Is This Love (Live In The Shadow Of The Blues) (Bonus Track)

15. Give Me All Your Love Tonight (Live In The Shadow Of The Blues) (Bonus Track)

16. Dvd - Still Of The Night

17. Dvd - Here I Go Again 87

18. Dvd - Is This Love

19. Dvd - Give Me All Your Love

20. Dvd - Give Me All Your Love (Live... In The Still Of The Night)

21. Dvd - Is This Love (Live... In The Still Of The Night)

22. Dvd - Here I Go Again (Live... In The Still Of The Night)

23. Dvd - Still Of The Night (Live... In The Still Of The Night)

[muthagoose]

Is there any better way to celebrate the holidays then spending a little time with Lt. John Claine? I think not. So after stuffing yourself with Free Range Rape Free Turkey on Thanksgiving, pop in the fourth installment of the Die Hard series!

LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD



Twelve years after Die Hard with a Vengeance, the third and previous film in the Die Hard franchise, Live Free or Die Hard finds John McClane (Bruce Willis) a few years older, not any happier, and just as kick-ass as ever. Right after he has a fight with his college-age daughter (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a call comes in to pick up a hacker (Justin Long, a.k.a. the "Apple guy") who might help the FBI learn something about a brief security blip in their systems. Now any Die Hard fan knows that this is when the assassins with foreign accents and high-powered weaponry show up, telling McClane that once again he's stumbled into an assignment that's anything but routine. Once that wreckage has cleared, it is revealed that the hacker is only one of many hackers who are being targeted for extermination after they helped set up a "fire sale," a three-pronged cyberattack designed to bring down the entire country by crippling its transportation, finances, and utilities. That plan is now being put into action by a mysterious team (Timothy Olyphant, Deadwood, and Maggie Q, Mission: Impossible 3) that seems to be operating under the government's noses.

Live Free or Die Hard uses some of the cat-and-mouse elements of Die Hard with a Vengeance along with some of the pick-'em-off-one-by-one elements of the now-classic original movie. And it's the most consistently enjoyable installment of the franchise since the original, with eye-popping stunts (directed by Len Wiseman of the Underworld franchise), good humor, and Willis's ability to toss off a quip while barely alive. There was some controversy over the film's PG-13 rating--there might be less blood than usual, and McClane's famous tag line is somewhat obscured--but there's still has plenty of action and a high body count. Yippee-ki-ay Motherfucker!

[muthagoose]

SEBASTIAN BACH - ANGEL DOWN

"A candidate for metal record of the year. A perfect ten out of ten!" - Muthagoose Escobar

Read the review of Sebastian Bach's 'Angel Down' here:

www.live-metal.net/interviews_sebastianbach.html

[muthagoose]

Superbad - Unrated (Two-Disc Special Edition)



"Superbad" follows the pre-College separation and sexual anxieties of best friends Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) over the course of twenty-four liquor and testosterone-filled hours.

"Superbad", first off, is an excellent movie - it's literate, likeable and there's plenty going on. Comparisons with "American Pie" are inevitable - same subject matter and so forth - but "Superbad" is a lot more demanding, and a lot more rewarding because of that.

Cera, Hill and Mintz-Plasse (Fogell) give outstanding performances, particularly the former pair - there's a believable and honest chemistry between these two actors and their friendship is completely plausible. Cera's the stronger of the two actors - his Evan's a believable and sympathetic kid - but Hill is equally strong during their shared scenes. While Fogell might have been included simply for laughs, Mintz-Plasse does an excellent job with what he's given, and his scenes of slapstick and comic sexual redemption are excellent antidotes to the sometimes more serious antics of Seth & Jonah.

Supporting cast is unusually good for a teen movie, with nods to Emma Stone, Seth Rogen, and Bill Hader.

The direction's pretty average, but competent nonetheless - where "Superbad" really shines behind the camera is in the writing. Writers Rogen and Evan Goldberg have created a series of beautifully-realised characters that strike the happiest of mediums between OTT slapstick and realistic empathy with the audience. We root for these foulmouthed, stupid teenagers right from the get-go, and by the film's end, we've definitely got a feel-good sense of satisfaction about what we've just seen.

"Superbad" (including a fantastic soundtrack, by the way!!) is, across the board, a thoroughly excellent movie. It's grotesque, vulgar, funny, touching and extremely well-made. Go see it right this minute!

[muthagoose]

Tramp's White Lion - Rocking the USA



Years after White Lion was top of the charts, singer Mike Tramp is still playing material from this once successful band. You can look at that two ways. In a negative sense as Tramp still tries to make a few bucks on past glories and positive as Tramps still pleases an audience that enjoys White Lion's music. Sixteen songs from White Lion's four official cd's are presented on 'Rocking The USA'.

Track Listings

Disc: 1
1. Lights and Thunder
2. Hungry
3. Lonely Nights
4. Love Don't Come Easy
5. Broken Heart
6. Fight to Survive
7. Cry for Freedom
8. You're All I Need
9. Little Fighter

Disc: 2
1. It's Over
2. Living on the Edge
3. Tell Me
4. Wait
5. Lady of the Valley
6. When the Children Cry
7. Radar Love

[muthagoose]

Nirvana: Unplugged In New York

While the album of the same name made its first appearance in 1994, and went on to become Nirvana's second best selling CD of all time, nearly 15 years have passed since that memorable initial broadcast. Now, fans will finally get the chance to see the release of the entire, unedited performance...with neverbefore- seen footage...on DVD...and in Dolby Stereo and 5.1 Surround sound. Mixed in surround sound by legendary surround mixing engineer Elliot Scheiner, this DVD allows fans to experience this performance like never before, completely unedited including the two songs not originally broadcasted ("Something In The Way" and "Oh Me" ), and with the best sound ever available (to anyone not in the studio for the original taping.) For the purists, also included on this DVD is the original 44 min broadcast version of the show, plus never-before-seen REHEARSAL performances. As an extra bonus to the DVD, a 14-minute interview segment called Bare Witness produced by MTV focuses on the recollections of those who experienced this magical moment in music history, those who produced it and interviews with the band from the day of the taping.




TRACKS:

1. ABOUT A GIRL
2. COME AS YOU ARE
3. JESUS DOESN'T WANT ME FOR A SUNBEAM
4. THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD
5. PENNYROYAL TEA
6. DUMB
7. POLLY
8. ON A PLAIN
9. SOMETHING IN THE WAY*
10. PLATEAU
11. OH, ME*
12. LAKE OF FIRE
13. ALL APOLOGIES
14. WHERE DID YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT?

*NOT ORIGINALLY BROADCAST

[muthagoose]

Justice League - The New Frontier



The creative team behind "Superman: Doomsday" and "Justice League Unlimited" explore the origins of the Justice League in the latest action-packed animated adventure "Justice League: The New Frontier".

Set in the 1950s, the US Government has taken serious actions against superheroes despite their heroic efforts. When a powerful entity threatens to exterminate all mankind, the world's greatest heroes must put their differences aside and band together to form the ultimate fighting force, the Justice League of America. Based on the award-winning graphic novel by comic book writer Darwyn Cooke, "Justice League: The New Frontier" is an amusing 75-minute animated feature that pays tribute to the Silver Age of DC Comics. Its strong and mature storylines are inspiring. The character designs, action sequences and slick animation style are among the animated film's strongest points. "

The New Frontier" features the fine voice talents of David Boreanaz, Lucy Lawless, Jeremy Sisto, Neil Patrick Harris, Miguel Ferrer, Brooke Shields, Kyra Sedgwick and Kyle Maclachlan.

"Justice League: The New Frontier" 2-Disc Special Edition blows away any previous DC Universe direct-to-video DVD. The animated adventure is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen format. The picture quality is excellent. Its 5.1 Dolby Digital sound is clear with good surround effects. The DVD includes the revealing "Super Heroes United", "The Legion of Doom" and "Comic Book Commentary" documentaries, two in-depth audio commentaries with filmmakers and comic book writer Darwyn Cooke, three bonus "Justice League Unlimited" episodes (The Dark Heart, Task Force X & To Another Shore), trailers and an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming "Batman - Gotham Knight". Overall, "Justice League: The New Frontier" scores an "A-"

[muthagoose]

THE LANGUAGE OF FEAR
By Del James

After being out of print for ten years, THE LANGUAGE OF FEAR, a short story collection by Del James is now available once again as a Dell paperback by print on demand. One of the top-ten most sought after horror/sci-fi titles, THE LANGUAGE OF FEAR featuring an introduction by W. Axl Rose, the book contains fifteen terrifying tales that run the gamut from a married man about to murder his wife on the command of a dial-a-porn hooker, to outlaw zombie bikers, to a stoned teenager locked in a savage war with his television set. THE LANGUAGE OF FEAR also features the short story "Without You" which was the inspiration for the Guns N' Roses video "November Rain."

About the Author:
DEL JAMES is a meat-eating, pro-choice, sober, atheist. He writes horror fiction, screenplays, and music. As a lyricist, James has co-written songs with groups such as Testament, The Almighty, The Outpatients, and Gun N' Roses, including two songs on GNR's Grammy-nominated Use Your Illusion album. James has directed several music videos and written live television for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is currently finishing his first novel, A Celebration of Pain. He likes to ignore his acquired wisdom and do things against his better judgment. When he's not touring the world, James lives in Southern California. Visit him on the web at www.languageoffear.com






"Del James has a personal knowledge of most of the situations he writes about, and has a love of the gutter from having been there." —W. Axl Rose



"Del James is fun. Of course, Hell is fun—if you're one of the demons. That's Del's day job. After a hard day in Hell, he writes down what he saw. Good reading." —John Shirley, author of Living Shadows



"Del James writes like a cross-fire hurricane. Full of primal force and awesome energy, his stories leap out from the page, grab you and won't let you go. It's a shame horror didn't wake up and get the message of THE LANGUAGE OF FEAR back in '95. There might be a genre left now if it had." —Paula Guran, DarkEcho.com



"The Language Of Fear could best be described as an updated Night Shift, the contemporary tales being short and nasty." —Cindy Baum, SCREEM MAGAZINE



"If Herschel Gordon Lewis had turned up with Black Sabbath and Charles Bukowski, it would play like Del James. This is pissed-off, heartbroken, rock 'n' roll horror: surprisingly tender, garage band crude, savage as a shotgun blast and audacious as an exit wound." —John Mason Skipp, co-author of The Long Last Call



Purchase the Book at Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Language-Fear-Del-James/dp/0440217121