MOVIE IN REVIEW- STAR TREK

In this week's movie in review we Star Trek from the very beginning. If you have wondered about some of the myths an how and where it all started. This is a good movie to see and tell others. It's not too long and it does not drag. The plot is very clear and actors are great for their role, the actors before them would be proud. I give it a "A" for quality,keeping my attention, special effects and star "trekness",( if that is really a word) and you can believe that Trekees all around will be living long and prospering.

MOVIE IN REVIEW- XMEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

There was a lot of buzz with the X-men movie with the origins of Wolverine and I will have to say the movie  didn't give the impact that a pre-sequel should especially according to Marvel comic book fans. There was some action and there was heartbreak but at the end you were left like me saying: "I saw more previews than the actual movie". Now Wolverine will have to claw it's way to stay in the top 5 of movies coming out in the summer of 2009. Whereas other people will see the movie and be content with it overall it still leaves it hanging perhaps for a sequel.

Dark Knight and Brandy for December 2008

Now out on DVD, the movie of the year, with all screaming fans saying the following:

"Why   So   Serious?"

 "The Dark Knight"

(Please reference Blog Review from "Word on the Street"- "I Knight Thee" in July 2008)

Out December 9, 2008 

Brandy gives a uplifting and touching performance and lives up to the title of her new CD "Human". It has a been nothing but easy for this R&B Diva. Four years ago she came out with her fourth album but since then she broke off her engagement, left Atlantic Records along with her manager and was involved in a car accident that caused a fatality. 

Brandy brings us back to all the emotions that we go through in life and how we can really just need music to get us through those hard times. It really invokes our "Human" side even though we may at times cloak it with laughter or solace. You have listen to it!!

Premature Evaluation: 'Twilight'

Premature Evaluation

Reviewing movies and music before they come out — without the movie or the CD.

From seeing the massive amounts of buzz associated with "Twilight," I swear I must have been in a hole for the past three years. Before last month, I had no idea what this was.

I need to talk to my teenage nieces more, I suppose.

This film adaptation of the bestselling novel by Stephenie Meyer is a love story between a 17-year-old girl named Isabella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen, a 108-year-old vampire who is 17 physically (Robert Pattinson). More vampires show up, Swan's family becomes endangered and action/drama ensues. (I'm assuming of course – otherwise it would be quite anticlimactic.)

108 and 17. This movie seems to be promoting statutory rape and I know it certainly doesn't follow the xkcd "Standard Creepiness Rule" of dating.

But onto the review. The trailer follows the industry standard of a vampire movie: desaturated colors and creepy gothic music. But there's an added element with horror sound effects intermingled with the clip.

The director seems to want to portray it as part-horror and part-romance, which is what it sounds like from the synopsis. That said, I wasn't drawn into it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy creepy love stories – Takashi Miike's "Audition" is among my favorites – but this trailer simply didn't peak my interest.

The acting is lackluster and the interlaced scenes don't say more than the typical sappy teenage love flick.

But Cullen killing the deer is entertaining.

And the soundtrack is a positive based on the samples off of iTunes. It's mix of pop-rock and gothic-rock medleys with catchy choruses.

Ultimately, this movie looks like it's going to end up being a mediocre adaptation of a popular book (like "The Da Vinci Code") with a soundtrack that's far more memorable than its film counterpart (like "The Saint").

Buzz level: One-and-a-half bees out of four

Premature Evaluation: Kanye West's '808s and Heartbreaks'

Premature Evaluation – reviewing movies and music before they come out. And without the movie or the CD.

When Kanye West's The College Dropout hit shelves back in 2002, it was filled with deep, introspective lyrics laced into soulful beats, and it was one of the best albums I've listened to this decade.

But since his strong solo debut, West has been going down a steady slope. Late Registration had its moments with the catchy "Gold Digger" and the rich "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," but as a whole didn't live up to its predecessor. Graduation took another step down. While the tracks featured full-bodied instrumentals and his rapping ability improved, his lyrics took a turn for the worse. He had something to say in his solo debut – he has nothing to talk about in this one.

West's latest effort, 808s and Heartbreaks, is supposedly a departure from rap as reports say West sings the entire album. And from listening to the first single off the album, "Love Lockdown," it is certainly a departure. Not just from rapping, but from West's trademark heavier beats. It's simple and danceable, but not as fun as his some of his previous efforts. "Heartless," the second single, features what sounds like repetitive Peruvian flutes over soft drum beats and synthesized vocals.

If these two songs are indications of what the rest of the album sounds like, it would be another step down as West endeavors into a more generic mainstream path – catchy, but ultimately not memorable.

Buzz level: Two out of four bees.

Key Your Heart to the R & B "Concert of the Year"

 
 
  Alicia Keys is coming to Denver at the Wells Fargo Theatre, Wednesday September 17th at 8:oo p.m.

My Favorite solo artist. Her concerts are always great and always reasonable to buy. You will not be disappointed at all.  

I HAVE MINE, WHERE'S YOURS? Tickets are on sale right now!!

 

For: General Public

Ages: For all Ages

Price: Varies from $49.50-$100.00

Getting to see Alicia Keys Live-Priceless!!

Coming to Denver: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down

I have a common, yet someone unusual last name — according to people I talk to, at least. So when I find someone who shares it, I tend to have a more critical eye on what they do — particularly when they're visible in the public eye.

Needless to say, I'm not a fan of Miss Tila Tequila's antics and her unique brand of music.

But this Thursday, a Nguyen with talent is coming to town. Virginia-based Thao Nguyen — or "towel" as she was called in kindergarten — and The Get Down Stay Down bring their alt-country sound to the Hi-Dive.

Place: Hi-Dive
Date: Thursday, July 24
Time: Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m.
Price: $10
Age: 21+

Check out her music at http://www.myspace.com/thaomusic.
Or (shameless plug) check out my review of her latest album at http://www.asiaxpress.com/Articles/2008/jan/thao/1.html.