SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:53 Min.
Faith Hill released this patriotic single in 2012. It’s available as a digital download.
REVIEW:
The gently optimistic “American Heart” is definitely one of Faith Hill’s best ballads. Recommended!
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
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SUMMARY:
Released in 2016, this shorter-than-usual Funko is just slightly less than three inches tall. It can turn its head slightly left and right. This Funko Beagle has the breed’s standard tri-color (brown-white-and-black) markings.
REVIEW:
For beagle lovers, this Funko statuette is adorable. Durable and well-manufactured in hard plastic, this petite pooch (sporting those distinctive Funko-style black button eyes and a shiny black nose) is an impressive likeness of this excitable breed of hound. It makes a delightful desk or bookcase decoration.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:24 MIN.
Released on the official soundtrack for Disney’s 2009 animated The Princess and The Frog, this breezy Randy Newman-composed tune is sung by Anika Noni Rose’s blue-collar ‘Tiana.’
REVIEW:
Bringing its jazzy melody to life, Anika Noni Rose’s upbeat performance is a delight! For any Disney Princess hits playlist, “Almost There” makes an ideal all-ages download choice.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
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SUMMARY:
From JAKKS Pacific in 2003, this two-pack consists of a prominent WWE tag team of the mid-80’s: B. Brian Blair (with the moustache) and drop-kick specialist: “Jumping” Jim Brunzell, both in 6¾-inch form. Their attire consists of: yellow-and-black vertical striped trunks with matching wristbands for Blair (and white wrist tape on Brunzell); firmly attached black rubber knee-pads; and each with a variation of yellow-and-black wrestling boots. Blair also has white knuckle tape on his right hand. These Bees wouldn’t be complete without their yellow-and-black fabric masks to bewilder evil opponents and, whenever necessary, the referee.
Their limited mobility and ripped sculpting is a precursor to that of current WWE-Mattel ‘basic’ figures. Specifically, each figure’s articulation points allow or won’t allow: 1. Their heads turns both ways, though Brunzell’s head appears more flexible. However, Brunzell’s head is in a permanent nodding position. 2. 360-degree rotations are possible with the arms. The arms also bend at the wrists and elbows, so a classic bicep curl pose is possible. 3. The upper body will bow, but the waist & abdomen don’t move. 4. Sporting okay flexibility, the legs can bend at the knees and ankles, but they can’t extend into splits. Walking and kicking poses are workable. 5. Neither the legs nor the calves rotate.
REVIEW:
In terms of their resemblance to Blair & Brunzell, the likenesses are close, aside from the embellished physiques. Even Blair’s brown mullet and moustache are spot-on. In terms of production quality, these figures are well-sculpted and sturdily built. The paint quality is high-caliber. Their faithfully-rendered masks will tend to sag because the nose hole is slightly too big. For posing, the Bees stand up well when their feet are properly positioned. However, there aren’t peg holes in the bottom of the feet for display bases. Their elongated feet are instead protected by a ring at the bottom of each boot sole to provide balance for standing poses. For those remember Blair & Brunzell’s high-flying antics, seeing this fan-friendly duo again makes a welcome treat.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The sole extra is their detachable yellow-and-black masks. The masks are baggy enough to easily put on and take off.
PACKAGING:
The packaging is simplistic but effective. It offers some cool nostalgia re: the Bees’ wrestling legacy.
BRIAN & ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:31 Min.
Canadian songstress Leah McHenry (aka Leah or LEAH) released this alternative rock/electronica track off her 2015 album, Kings & Queens.
REVIEW:
Leah McHenry sounds reminiscent of Evanescence’s Amy Lee, but “Alpha Et Omega” quickly asserts McHenry’s presence by its heavier symphonic metal sound. As with some of her songs, McHenry subtly blends a Celtic-like melody into “Alpha Et Omega,” giving it more of an international flavor. Although the track becomes somewhat repetitive, the end result is more than satisfying.
BRIAN ’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 6:42 Min.
As a bonus finale for 1980 Flash Gordon movie soundtrack CD, Mista Lawnge of Black Sheep recorded this re-mix of the film’s opening theme by Queen.
REVIEW:
It’s a shame that the magic of Queen’s version is wasted. Mista Lawnge’s unimaginative remix is the equivalent of hearing a broken record. Wearing thin in seconds, this repetitive hip-hop track seemingly drones on forever. To justify its existence, Lawnge’s homage really should have been trimmed by at least a good two minutes. Including a pathetic warbling of Ming’s dialogue intro, there’s nothing here justifying the price of a download. For your money’s worth, go with Queen’s original version — complete with the gloating Ming (Max von Sydow) & Klytus (Peter Wyngarde) dialogue sample left intact.
BRIAN & ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING: 2 Stars
Note: A tantalizing alternative is the digitally-remastered “Flash’s Theme” (simply entitled “Flash”) available on Queen’s 2002 Platinum Collection set. Specifically, the film dialogue sampling is different than the soundtrack version.
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:01 Min.
Released on the official soundtrack for 2004’s Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale-headlining Van Helsing monster film, this instrumental track is from composer-conductor Alan Silvestri. The song is available as a digital download.
REVIEW:
Both creepy and operatic, its ominous vibe is perfectly suited for an epic horror film. Still, as high-caliber as Alan Silvestri’s work normally is, there isn’t anything distinctive about this particular track. It could just as easily blend into any number of gothic horror period movies, such as The Phantom of The Opera. Even so, Silvestri’s classy handiwork on “All Hallow’s Eve Ball” makes a good download choice for a suspense/horror film or Halloween party-themed playlist.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:00 Min.
For the 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, actress Lily James (as a young ‘Donna Sheridan’) covers this ABBA tune.
REVIEW:
Lily James’ vocals are ideal for this dreamy Broadway-like ABBA cover. Despite a charming piano-driven melody, this slower-paced track doesn’t emerge as one of the soundtrack’s most memorable efforts. It isn’t James’ fault so much, as the song’s jazzy lyrics tend to be more middle-of-the-pack ABBA. As a download option, this “Andante, Andante,” is a fine choice, but James sparkles on her gentle solo rendition of “I Have a Dream” from this same album.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:28 Min.
This 2014 single is a collaboration between composer-musician R. (Ray) Armando Morabito and German-based songstress Julie Elven. This track is available as a digital download.
REVIEW:
Upon hearing the classy electronica stylings of R. Armando Morabito, “Angel” sounds near-indistinguishable from similar themes by, for instance, Ivan Torrent or John Dreamer. Considering their equally high-caliber work, that’s a compliment to Morabito. Yet, what noticeably enhances “Angel” is the impact of genre regular Julie Elven. Her ethereal vocals add something special to the mix, making this track ideal for movie/video game soundtracks and/or trailers. Even more so, “Angel” treads close to European disco-pop in a vein similar to the late Robert Miles.
For epic enthusiasts, “Angel” warrants consideration adding to a favorite playlist.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:38 Min.
From her 2017 cover album, Turn Up the Quiet, Diana Krall offers her take on this 1926 Irving Berlin show tune.
REVIEW:
It’s a terrific cover. As part of Diana Krall’s Turn Up the Quiet album, it’s a delightfully droll treat to hear. Jazz enthusiasts might be inclined to add this old school tune to a favorite playlist.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
