Month: May 2022

THE GRAND ENCOUNTER (by Dianne Reeves)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 50:00 Min.

In 1996, Capitol Records’ Blue Note imprint released jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves’ ninth studio album. The ten tracks are:

Running Time:

“Old Country” 5:01
“Cherokee” 3:22
“Besame Mucho” 8:12
“Let Me Love You” 3:46
“Tenderly” 4:54
“After Hours” 6:06
“Ha!” 3:27
“Some Other Spring” 5:24
“Side By Side” 5:08
“I’m Okay” 4:59.

REVIEW:

Revisiting old school-style jazz (i.e. the Mel Tormé-like Track # 7 and Track # 9’s standard cover), Dianne Reeves infuses the genre with vibrant energy, along with several new tunes. Among them, “After Hours” is a welcome lounge-style track that spells out the album’s timeless ambiance. With her band’s reliable support, Reeves ensures that the classy Grand Encounter delivers a gem for jazz enthusiasts.

PACKAGING:

The CD has a sturdy casing. Including some neat black-and-white backstage photos, the insert booklet has the standard credits and thank-you’s.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

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WWF WORLD CHAMPION HULK HOGAN, “ROWDY” RODDY PIPER, & BILLY JACK HAYNES VS. HERCULES, “MR. WONDERFUL” PAUL ORNDORFF, & “ADORABLE” ADRIAN ADONIS (WITH BOBBY HEENAN & JIMMY HART) {Six-Man Tag Elimination} (WWF television: Taped Early 1987)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 28:08 Min.

Taped for Boston Garden’s in-house NESN Network, this early (possibly February or March) 1987 six-man elimination tag match is an obscure prelude to March 1987’s iconic WrestleMania III. Gorilla Monsoon first interviews “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, who reiterates this six-man tag will be his last bout at the Boston Garden before his imminent retirement.

On one side is Piper’s arch-nemesis, “Adorable” Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart); along with The Heenan Family’s Hercules and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan). Opposing them are Hercules’ current adversary, Billy Jack Haynes; the legendary “Rowdy” Roddy Piper; and WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan.

Monsoon is the sole commentator.

Note: Of these six combatants, only Orndorff doesn’t subsequently appear at WrestleMania III. Monsoon even implies that “Mr. Wonderful” is scheduled for a WrestleMania III match; yet, whoever his opponent was supposed to be is unknown. One rumor is that Orndorff was held in reserve to substitute for a frail André the Giant, if necessary, as Hogan’s WWF World Title challenger.

REVIEW:

It’s no wonder that dynamite six-man elimination showdowns like this one inspired the inaugural Survivor Series later that year. After sufficient action, the WWF could have reasonably opted for a six-man count-out finish; still, give Vince McMahon’s company credit for letting this brawl play out to the end.

Nicely hyping two WrestleMania III grudge matches (Piper vs. Adonis in a ‘haircut’ showdown signifying Piper’s supposed retirement); and Haynes vs. Hercules), plus a perpetual World Title rivalry in Hogan vs. Orndorff, the showdown focuses on this six-pack of combatants.

The low-key presence of Heenan & Hart is an added bonus, as their usual ringside shenanigans aren’t needed to boost this match’s considerable star power. Even Monsoon deserves the necessary goods, as he is remarkably articulate on the mike without Jesse Ventura, Heenan, or McMahon to help sell the action to fans.

Though the eventual finish is standard-issue, Hogan deserves credit for pushing Piper to absorb the audience’s mass applause. It’s a welcome alternative to the Hulkster’s usual insistence on ‘sharing’ the credit.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos Sports (TV & Videos) WWF/WWE (Pro Wrestling)

BARRY WINDHAM VS. NWA WORLD CHAMPION “NATURE BOY” RIC FLAIR (2nd Annual Crockett Cup: Taped April 11, 1987)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 28:48 Min.

On April 11, 1987, in Baltimore, MD, on the 2^nd Annual Crockett Cup’s closing night, perennial contender Barry Windham challenged “Nature Boy” Ric Flair for his NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Without either manager J.J. Dillon or his fellow Four Horsemen, Flair would face Windham alone continuing their long-running title series.

REVIEW:

For that time, there’s only a handful of American stars that could equal a wily Flair in his prime, in terms of pure ring substance. One could visualize DiBiase, Hennig, Steamboat, Savage, and Bret Hart, but 1987’s remarkably agile (and no-nonsense) Barry Windham likely merits ranking No. 1 on such a short list.

Long underrated, Windham & Flair’s reliable title series was the NWA blue-collar answer to the WWF’s high-profile Savage vs. Steamboat (for the Intercontinental Title) feud, as far as dazzling its fanbase. This seemingly routine bout — at least, by this duo’s extraordinary standards — is no exception, given how Windham’s lanky athleticism alone pulls off some impressive feats, i.e. a top-rope dropkick.

Even if it dubiously looks like a ‘Battle of the Peroxide Blondes,’ this Windham-Flair showdown epitomizes gritty, no-frills NWA entertainment. During this era, Flair and Windham likely concocted innumerable title matches surpassing this one, but their Crockett Cup encounter is still a gem for any fan.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

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THE SUPER POWERS (NWA U.S. CHAMPION DUSTY RHODES & NWA WORLD TV CHAMPION NIKITA KOLOFF) VS. NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS TULLY BLANCHARD & ARN ANDERSON (NWA World Wide Wrestling: Taped December 1987 or January 1988)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 13:08 Min.

Taped in either December 1987 or January 1988, this non-title TV main event appeared on NWA World Wide Wrestling at an undisclosed arena. On one side are NWA World Tag Team Champions Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson representing the nefarious Four Horsemen; notably, J.J. Dillon isn’t present for this bout. Opposing them are the new NWA U.S. Champion: “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, and the NWA World TV champ: “The Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff, again appearing as ‘The Super Powers.’

Tony Schiavone & David Crockett are the match’s commentators. NWA World Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair and vengeful ex-U.S. Champion Lex Luger appear in late cameos.

REVIEW:

Though there’s a predictable cop-out finish, the reliable fireworks pitting these teams against one another is still terrific NWA television. The late plot twist re: Flair and Luger is an added bonus. Nicely played!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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“MACHO MAN” RANDY SAVAGE, WITH ANGELO POFFO VS. “RAVISHING” RICK RUDE, WITH JIMMY HART (CWA television: Taped 1984)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 9:39 Min.

Taped in Memphis, TN, the approximate date of this CWA grudge match is sometime in 1984. With his supportive father, Angelo Poffo, at ringside, “Macho Man” Randy Savage is the flamboyant babyface going up against his ultra-arrogant nemesis, “Ravishing” Rick Rude. Rude is managed by Savage’s ex-crony, Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart. A potential wildcard is “King Kong” Bundy, as he is Rude & Hart’s over-sized enforcer.

Lance Russell & Randy Hales are the ringside commentators.

REVIEW:

Watching Savage briefly pursue a galloping Hart away from ringside is likely this brawl’s top highlight. Still, Savage and Rude’s can’t-miss chemistry is such a treat that it’s disappointing this match doesn’t go fifteen minutes or more. More so, the late-80’s WWF missed a golden opportunity not booking this match-up in a high-stakes feud for a fiery Savage’s WWF World Title, when both were both in their absolute primes.

Fans will get a fun showdown (and a decent finish) here, but it certainly leaves one wanting more.

Note: Newspaper documentation exists advertising Rick Rude challenging Savage at least once for his WWF Championship (in this instance, shortly after the 1988 Survivor Series).

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

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THE HORSEMEN (RIC FLAIR, ARN ANDERSON, & PAUL ROMA) VS. NWA WORLD CHAMPION BARRY WINDHAM & WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS – THE HOLLYWOOD BLONDES (“STUNNING” STEVE AUSTIN & BRIAN PILLMAN) (WCW Saturday Night: Taped July 1993)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 21:33 Min.

Taped in early July 1993, this WCW Saturday Night TV main event evidently occurs in an unidentified Central Louisiana arena. On one side is NWA World Champion Barry Windham, who tags up with the obnoxious WCW World Tag Team Champions “Stunning” Steve Austin & Brian Pillman – ‘The Hollywood Blondes.’ Comprising ‘The Horsemen,’ their opposition is multi-time NWA/WCW/WWF World Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and their new recruit: Paul Roma.

Supposedly occurring two weeks prior to the next Pay-Per-View, this grudge bout is a warm-up for two pivotal Beach Blast ’93 title matches: a resentful Windham vs. his ex-mentor/partner Flair; and The Blondes vs. Anderson & Roma. Tony Schiavone & Jesse “The Body” Ventura are the match’s commentators.

REVIEW:

Despite Roma and Pillman not contributing much, the other four combatants are absolutely on their game. On-and-off rivals Flair & Windham and ex-Dangerous Alliance members Anderson & Austin salvage a clichéd finish with exceptional chemistry. It’s hard to imagine The Horsemen as babyfaces, but viewing the bout as heels vs. heels makes this six-man tag match an unexpected treat.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

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SPIDER-MAN 2

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2 Hours, 8 Min.

In 2004, Columbia Pictures released director Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2, theatrically and later to DVD. Peter Parker’s (Maguire) dual identity as Spider-Man continues to provoke multiple crises simultaneously. Coping with his beloved Mary Jane’s (Dunst) imminent nuptials to celebrity astronaut John Jameson (Gilles), Peter experiences slow-brewing tension with best friend Harry Obsorn (Franco), who already blames Spider-Man for his father’s death.

Above all, a freak accident sets in motion a deadly feud pitting Spidey against Peter’s former mentor, Dr. Otto Octavius (Molina), soon to be publicly known as the monstrous Doctor Octopus.

Peter Parker / Spider-Man: Tobey Maguire

Mary Jane Watson: Kirsten Dunst

Dr. Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus: Alfred Molina

Harry Osborn: James Franco

Aunt May Parker: Rosemary Harris

John Jameson: Daniel Gilles

J. Jonah Jameson: J.K. Simmons

Dr. Curt Connors: Dylan Baker

Robbie Robertson: Bill Nunn

Betty Brant: Elizabeth Banks

Norman Osborn / Green Goblin (flashback): Willem Dafoe

Uncle Ben Parker (flashback): Cliff Robertson

Notes: This title is also available in Blu-Ray, including as part of various combo packages, and as a digital purchase. Both Maguire & Molina reprise their roles in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home.

REVIEW:

The film deserves its reputation as the best of Maguire & Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, as its surefire creative content (including Danny Elfman’s instrumental score) is balanced by top-caliber special effects. The only caveats would be: first, too many maskless scenes to spell out Maguire’s facial reactions as Spider Man, which should leave Peter’s secret identity fair game to the public; and, secondly, one can cite the ludicrous runaway subway train sequence as a prime example of going ‘maskless’ in public.

Risking a plot credibility-killer, Maguire’s Spider-Man demonstrates a desperate burst of Superman or Hulk-caliber strength when, logically, his arms should have been ripped off. All super-hero fantasies aside, this subway scene should have been reworked, so an unmasked Spider-Man’s powers (not to mention, his secret identity) could still be grounded in some semblance of sci-fi reality. Still, the sequences before and after the subway rescue demonstrate Raimi’s Spider-storytelling at its best.

Though the movie misses the original film’s supplemental rock tunes, composer Elfman continues his Spider-Man repertoire to flawlessly narrate Raimi’s plot. With Maguire and the ensemble cast in vintage form, Spider-Man 2 sets an impressive bar for excellence that even Tom Holland’s Spider-Man films are challenged to live up to.

BONUS FEATURES:

Available languages are English, French 51. (Dolby Digital), and Spanish (Dolby Surround), as each of them has applicable subtitles. Disc 1’s extras consist of: commentaries from Maguire, Raimi, and producers Avi Arad & Grant Curtis; a technical commentary; blooper reel; a ‘Spidey Sense 2’ pop-up trivia track; Train’s “Ordinary” music video; four ‘web-i-sode’ featurettes hyping the film’s theatrical release; and some obligatory trailers.

The more extensive Disc 2 adds various documentaries and featurettes. Specifically, they are:

“Making the Amazing” – a 12-part step-by-step evolution revealing the film’s production through to its premiere.
“Hero in Crisis” explores new problems for Maguire’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
“Eight Arms to Hold You” ock-umkentary explains how Molina’s Dr. Octopus was translated from comics to live-action.
“Interwoven: The Women of Spider-Women” is self-explanatory.
“Enter the Web” is a close-up of behind-the-scenes work filming the ‘Pier’ sequence.
an Alex Ross concept art gallery used for the opening credits.
“Spider-Man 2: Spinning the Game” hypes Activision’s video game tie-in.
various weblinks.

PACKAGING:

Each disc has a separate casing. As indicated on the case, the contents are accurately advertised.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

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“TEXAS TORNADO” KERRY VON ERICH VS. WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION CURT “MR. PERFECT” HENNIG, WITH BOBBY “THE BRAIN” HEENAN (WWF Superstars: Taped January 1991)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:32 Min.

Taped in January 1991, for the syndicated WWF Superstars TV series, this title match’s location isn’t identified. Pitting former champion “Texas Tornado” Kerry Von Erich against two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion Curt “Mr. Perfect Hennig, it’s a rematch between second-generation stars. The quick backstory is that Von Erich upset Hennig at SummerSlam 1990 for the Intercontinental Title before losing it back to him a few months later.

With Bobby Heenan in Hennig’s corner, the unseen ringside commentators are “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Vince McMahon. Piper & McMahon mention “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase’s interference in Von Erich’s title loss, as they imply the possibility that DiBiase might resurface during this rematch. Also, Heenan’s desperation seeking reinforcements to help save Hennig’s title hints towards the Intercontinental Title match-up for March 1991’s WrestleMania VII.

REVIEW:

Given the minimal amount of time that Hennig & Von Erich are allotted, their star power at least ensures an okay TV bout. Hints seen in this showdown suggest the Von Erich vs. Hennig feud still has potential, if given the chance. For whatever reason, the WWF evidently didn’t trust them enough to conjure up a masterpiece worthy of their solo mid-to-Late 80’s primes.

Ironically, a Heenan-related plot twist steals the match’s heat, but it’s a fun bit of business, nonetheless. Too bad this title bout wasn’t given enough leeway to allow Hennig and Von Erich the spotlight their careers deserved.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars

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Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

RETURN TO THE PRESENT (by John Barry: Somewhere in Time movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:10 Min.

From 1980’s Somewhere in Time film soundtrack, composer-conductor John Barry delivers this instrumental tune (Track # 8). “Return to the Present” depicts playwright Richard Collier’s (Christopher Reeve) romantic journey back in time coming to an unexpected end.

REVIEW:

Reprising the main theme’s romanticism once more, John Barry’s symphonic work succeeds in gently shifting the film’s storyline towards its pivotal last stretch. Poignantly well-played!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

THE JOURNEY BACK IN TIME (by John Barry: Somewhere in Time movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:29 Min.

From 1980’s Somewhere in Time film soundtrack, composer-conductor John Barry delivers this instrumental tune (Track # 3). “The Journey Back in Time” depicts obsessed playwright Richard Collier’s (Christopher Reeve) efforts to desperately will himself back through time from 1980 to 1912 via self-hypnosis.

REVIEW:

Its melancholy is an ideal mirror narrating Richard Collier’s increasing frustrations until his peculiar time-traveling method finally succeeds. As a suspenseful storytelling mechanism, John Barry’s symphonic work is stellar.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars