Month: January 2021

JUSTICE LEAGUE ACTION: BATTLE FOR THE BOTTLED CITY (Episode 24)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 25, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.

Directed by Shaunt Nigoghossian, this episode first aired in the U.S. on June 17, 2017. At the Fortress of Solitude, Cyborg and the Atom oversee Superman’s microscopic visit to the bottled City Of Kandor. Brainiac seizes an opportune time to stealthily invade the Fortress and reclaim Kandor for his collection. With Cyborg immobilized, a resourceful Atom must ingeniously fight a running battle against Brainiac at the North Pole to recover Kandor (not to mention, rescue a miniaturized Superman).

Atom (Ray Palmer): Jerry O’Connell

Brainiac: John de Lancie

Cyborg: Khary Payton

Superman / Chancellor Al-On: Jason J. Lewis

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess.

REVIEW:

Having voiced Captain Marvel/Shazam and Superman for other DC animated projects, actor Jerry O’Connell makes it a cool hat trick by adding an entertaining Atom to his repertoire. Though John De Lancie is perfect casting for Brainiac, he isn’t given enough to do here. Instead, the showdown between Brainiac and his lethal robotic sidekick vs. the Atom riding a decapitated Superman robot is an inspired action sequence. Reliably voiced by Jason J. Lewis, Superman’s contributions late in this story are also well-played.

The chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, actually looks pretty good when paired with this comic book-worthy script. Considering the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, even adult fans should appreciate this exciting Justice League adventure.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).

JUSTICE LEAGUE ACTION: DOUBLE-CROSS (Episode 23)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 25, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.

Directed by Shaunt Nigoghossian, this episode first aired in the U.S. on June 10, 2017. Hired by the Penguin, mercenary-assassin Deadshot seeks a bounty on a captive Two-Face. Held prisoner by the Justice League while awaiting transport back to Arkham Asylum, Two-Face is impersonated by Plastic Man as a decoy to ward off assassination threats like Deadshot. The League’s ruse, however, takes some dangerous twists.

Plastic Man / Penguin: Dana Snyder

Deadshot: Christian Slater

Batman: Kevin Conroy

Firestorm: P.J. Byrne

Professor Martin Stein: Stephen Tobolowsky

Harvey Dent / Two-Face: Robert Picardo

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess.

REVIEW:

Ominously voiced by Christian Slater, the masked Deadshot (presumably, Deathstroke wasn’t available) makes an intriguing foe tangling with three Leaguers. Robert Picardo’s vocal take on Harvey Dent / Two-Face adds further luster to this episode. Some humorous bits from Plastic Man and Firestorm make for a fun contrast to the superb Batman vs. Deadshot face-off.

The normally chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, looks pretty good when paired with this comic book-worthy script. Considering the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, even adult fans should appreciate this well-played Justice League adventure.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).

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ONE MORE MINUTE (by “Weird Al” Yankovic: Dare to Be Stupid)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 25, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:04 Min.

Spoofing classic doo-wop, it’s the fourth track off “Weird Al” Yankovic’s 1985 comedy album, Dare to be Stupid.

REVIEW:

This amusing homage to old school doo-wop has “Weird Al” Yankovic at the top of his game. Not only are the lyrics a spot-on romantic parody, the melody is a well-played original. More so, the quality of Yankovic’s underrated vocals is impressive re: its mock earnestness saying goodbye (or more accurately, good riddance) to an ex-girlfriend. Reminiscent in spirit to Rick Dees’ “Eat My Shorts,” Yankovic delivers a LOL comedy tune worth re-discovery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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TALKING TO THE MOON (by Bruno Mars: Doo-Wops & Hooligans)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 25, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:37 Min.

This love song is the seventh track off Bruno Mars’ 2010 album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans.

REVIEW:

Somewhat reminiscent of Marc Anthony, Bruno Mars pitches an impressively smooth pop sound on this tune. Even more so, Mars puts forth here an endearing tribute to the doo-wop genre. Intertwining pop and R&B, the instrumentals are terrific backing up Mars. This track is certainly worth a download for home and work playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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NYC SONG (by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band: Eddie and The Cruisers II movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 25, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:07 Min.

This ballad was recorded by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band for 1989’s Eddie & The Cruisers II soundtrack. For the film, Cafferty handles actor Michael Paré’s vocals. The song itself narrates a montage sequence of Eddie Wilson’s new mid-80’s band bonding on the road between gigs outside Montreal.

REVIEW:

Reminiscent of the original Eddie’s “Boardwalk Angel,” one might even construe “NYC Song” as its own sequel of sorts. Not only is the tune’s storytelling well-defined, “NYC Song” benefits from John Cafferty’s vocals being in solid form. Further, this song’s low-key, semi-acoustic sound gives it a classy ambiance. Accordingly, this track certainly deserves consideration as a download option for soft rock playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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MASH: THE INCUBATOR (Season 2: Episode 12)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 25, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 25 Min.

First televised on CBS on December 1, 1973, Jackie Cooper directs this episode where Hawkeye & Trapper resort to increasingly desperate measures to scrounge up an incubator for the 4077^th’s medical lab.

Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce: Alan Alda

Capt. “Trapper John” McIntyre: Wayne Rogers

Lt. Col. Henry Blake: McLean Stevenson

Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly: Gary Burghoff

Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan: Loretta Swit (no appearance)

Major Frank Burns: Larry Linville

(Lt.) Father Francis Mulcahy: William Christopher (no appearance)

Cpl. Maxwell Klinger: Jamie Farr

Capt. Sloan (Quartermaster): Eldon Quick

Gen. Maynard Mitchell: Robert F. Simon

Major Morris: Ted Gehring

Col. Lambert: Logan Ramsey

Capt. Fox: Ralph Grosh

Betty Lou: Helen Funai

Nurses: Sheila Lauritsen & Sarah Fankboner

Soldiers: Jerry Harper & John Alvin

REVIEW:

Despite getting too heavy-handed at the climatic press conference, “The Incubator” is good satire re: ridiculous governmental bureaucracy vs. delivering practical solutions. The standout scene occurs in Henry’s office where Hawkeye & Trapper unsuccessfully lobby their local quartermaster for the badly-needed incubator. Guest star Eldon Quick’s deadpan reactions are hilarious as the duo’s unsympathetic foil. Similar kudos goes to Robert F. Simon’s typically gruff performance as a befuddled General.

Still, the outlandish tactics Trapper & Hawkeye deploy (i.e. going to Tokyo at least once) during their quest come off as exceedingly implausible for war zone surgeons. Though overplaying its hand, “The Incubator” remains one of MASH’s most entertaining Season 2 episodes.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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MASH: DEAL ME OUT (Season 2, Episode 13)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 25, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 25 Min.

First televised on CBS on December 8, 1973, Gene Reynolds directs this episode as the 4077^th hosts a bogus ‘medical conference:’ a marathon invitation-only poker game in ‘The Swamp.’ Among its players are: Hawkeye, Trapper, Col. Blake, Klinger, Sidney Freedman, and even Col. Flagg (in one of his earliest appearances). Various camp shenanigans force cast regulars in and out of the game during a memorable all-nighter.

Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce: Alan Alda

Capt. “Trapper John” McIntyre: Wayne Rogers

Lt. Col. Henry Blake: McLean Stevenson

Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly: Gary Burghoff

Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan: Loretta Swit (no appearance)

Major Frank Burns: Larry Linville

(Lt.) Father Francis Mulcahy: William Christopher (no appearance)

Cpl. Maxwell Klinger: Jamie Farr

Major Sidney Freedman: Allan Arbus

Capt. Sam Pak: Pat Morita

Pvt. Carter: John Ritter

Capt. Halloran (aka Col. Flagg): Edward Winter

“Whiplash” Huang: Jerry Fujikawa

Lt. Rogers: Tom Dever

P.A. Announcer: Todd Susman

Nurse: Gwen Farrell

REVIEW:

What a delight! The regular cast is all in, as a surplus of well-played wisecracks deliver the goods. Yet, this episode’s standouts are really the guest players. Terrific straight-faced performances are pitched by Arbus, Winter, a pre-Three’s Company Ritter, and the underrated Morita.

For high-caliber MASH laughs tinged by a dramatic Ritter-centered subplot, “Deal Me Out” is holding the necessary aces to win over viewers.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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MODERN WOMAN {Ruthless People} (by Billy Joel: All-Time Greatest Movie Songs)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 25, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:48 Min.

Borrowed from 1986’s Ruthless People movie soundtrack, this rollicking pop tune is included as a track for 1999’s All-Time Greatest Movie Songs compilation album.

REVIEW:

Billy Joel humorously captures the 1980’s ongoing battle-of-the-sexes, particularly inside a corporate setting. As high-powered (and befuddled) male chauvinists finally get their comeuppance, Joel describes contemporary women claiming their rightful place as equals while still retaining their femininity. Suffice to say, this boisterous song is a terrific addition to any playlist (including workouts, as proven by the montage it accompanies in Ruthless People).

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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MOONRAKER (Shirley Bassey: Best of Bond … James Bond, 2008 edition)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 25, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:09 Min.

From the soundtrack of 1979’s Moonraker starring Roger Moore, this James Bond tune was recorded by Welsh singer Shirley Bassey. This song has since been re-released on some compilation albums, primarily multiple updates of the Best of Bond … James Bond (which includes the franchise’s theme songs to date).

Note: Best of Bond .. James Bond includes a 40^th anniversary edition in 2002 and a subsequent update in 2008 for Chris Cornell’s “You Know My Name” from Casino Royale.

REVIEW:

It’s an impressive hat trick for Shirley Bassey, including 1964’s “Goldfinger” and 1971’s “Diamonds Are Forever,” as she maintains the record with three Bond title songs. Considering this time she is tasked with cooing about about a space shuttle (or, in the song’s context, the film’s villain), it’s up to Bassey to somehow transform the song into an analogy to seeking the perfect soul mate in marriage.

To her credit, her vocal magic has never sounded better. By poignantly bringing the lyrics to life, Bassey transforms “Moonraker” into a shockingly good, almost dreamy love song. Even if the gentle “Moonraker” isn’t a Top 5 Bond theme, it is definitely worthy of re-discovery. Bassey’s classiness alone makes this song an underrated gem.

Going a step further, her song is frankly the most enduring asset of the dubious ‘Bond Goes to Outer Space’ concept. Aside from its box office popularity at the time, “Moonraker,” in terms of actual cinematic merit, rates among the worst-ever Bond films. Just like she does with “Diamonds Are Forever,” Bassey’s title song admirably tries distracting viewers from how lousy the movie actually is.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Note: For a “Moonraker” instrumental, try Lifestyles’ 2001 Night at the Movies two-disc set. Its orchestral rendition of “Moonraker” (on Disc 1) is a great choice for any relaxation/sleep aid playlists.