Month: September 2022

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

HOT LUNCH JAM (by Irene Cara: 1980 Fame movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                         RUNNING TIME: 4:10 Min.

From 1980’s Fame film soundtrack, Irene Cara performs this tune written by Michael Gore, Lesley Gore, & Robert F. Colesberry.  The song is performed onscreen as an impromptu lunchtime jam session by students in the High School of Performing Arts’ cafeteria.

REVIEW:

Given the cafeteria-inspired lyrics, Irene Cara’s charismatic vocals somehow transform “Hot Lunch Jam” into a relatively catchy tune.  In part, its up-tempo rock melody syncs well with Cara’s performance.  Though it is the least memorable of Cara’s three solo tracks, this song retains an innocent charm.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6 Stars

Categories
Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Rock & Symphonic/Metal

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU {2016 Cover} (by Amy Lee: Recover, Volume 1)

SUMMARY:                          RUNNING TIME: 4:09 Min.

Covering U2’s “With or Without You,” Evanescence’s lead vocalist, Amy Lee, performs this track for her 2016 solo album, Recover, Volume 1.

REVIEW:

If not for the familiar lyrics, one might not even recognize Lee’s Halloween-ish take on such a seminal U2 hit.  She certainly deserves credit for re-imagining the ballad through the lens of Evanescence’s indie rock sound.  The closest comparison one might draw is to Ciara’s version of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It, Black,” when hearing Lee’s slow-paced vocal performance merge with the creepy melody.  

Still, Ciara has nothing on Lee, musically speaking, as far as producing a eerie vibe.  Lee’s cover, in that sense, is in a league of its own.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        8 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Categories
CD's Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

GHOST STORIES (by Coldplay)

SUMMARY:                    RUNNING TIME: 42:47 Min.

In 2014, Atlantic Records handled the North American distribution of Coldplay’s sixth studio album: Ghost Stories.  Its eventual accolades include a 2015 win for Billboard Music Awards’ Top Rock Album and a 2015 Grammy nod for Best Pop Vocal Album.  Ghost Stories consists of these nine tracks:

                                                              Running Time:

  1. “Always in My Head”                                 3:36
  2. “Magic”                                                     4:45
  3. “Ink”                                                        3:48
  4. “True Love”                                               4:06
  5. “Midnight”                                                4:54
  6. “Another’s Arms”                                        3:54
  7. “Oceans”                                                    5:21
  8. “A Sky Full of Stars”                                   4:28
  9. “O”                                                           7:46          

Note: Alternate versions of this album exist, including a Target exclusive with three additional tracks.  

REVIEW:

For aficionados of low-key pop rock, Ghost Stories smoothly fits the bill.  No particular track dominates this album, but the radio-friendliness of “Magic” or “Midnight” are the highlights.  As terrific as this album’s playlist is, Chris Martin’s vocal delivery and the melodies themselves often sound too repetitive to make sufficient distinction between them. 

Ghost Stories, as a result, comes off as a slightly above-average effort from Coldplay.  Yet, the album’s artistic classiness still presents welcome potential in expanding Coldplay’s fanbase.    

PACKAGING:

Sporting some pretty neat artwork, the album insert includes technical credits and other obligatory info.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         7 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics

THE FLASH (BART ALLEN): THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE # 13 (2007 DC Comics)

Written by Marc Guggenheim.

Art by Tony S. Daniel; Jonathan Glapion; Marlo Alquiza; Pat Brosseau; Tanya Horie; & Richard Horie.

Cover Art by Tony S. Daniel.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Full Throttle: Conclusion,” DC Comics released this series finale for August 2007.  Valerie & Bart’s Aunt Iris desperately try to prevent an imminent Speed Force explosion from annihilating the West Coast.  Meanwhile, a powerless Bart must face alone the vengeful onslaught of a full Rogues’ gallery, as well as his own demented duplicate: Inertia. 

Given a heads-up by Iris that he must stall for precious time, the current Flash fulfills his destiny to the heart-breaking finish.  Cameos include Tim Drake’s Robin, Nightwing, Jesse Quick, and Jay Garrick. 

REVIEW:

Bart Allen’s evolution from a brash Impulse, then the Teen Titans’ Kid Flash, and finally now a worthy inheritor of the Flash mantle is well-played.  Though the 30th Century time travel ramifications are deliberately murky, writer Marc Guggenheim ensures DC’s fourth Flash a worthy send-off.  Guggenheim’s scripting is matched by the art squad’s excellent visuals.  Even though Final Crisis effectively overrode this plot two years later, one could argue the tragic outcome is still a maturing Bart Allen’s finest hour.    

Note: Poor sales ended Bart’s new solo title, as far as testing DC’s long-term successor to the Wally West franchise.  Still, this glorified maxi-series is an intriguing stopgap during Wally’s two-year absence. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The “DC Nation” column includes cover reveals for Justice League of America # 10; Countdown # 45; and this issue’s one-shot sequel, All Flash # 1.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             7 Stars

Categories
Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes)

FANTASY ISLAND {1984}: ETERNAL FLAME / A DATE WITH BURT (Season 6: Episode 16)

SUMMARY:                RUNNING TIME: 51:00 Min.

First airing on ABC-TV on March 5, 1983, Don Weis directed this episode.  Concurrently depicted, a newlywed couple (Oakes & Boomer) blissfully seeks out romantic immortality while a middle-aged spinster lands a dream date with her favorite Hollywood celebrity. 

Specifically, the young Westons find a magical lagoon is a portal into an alternate reality where an ancient civilization still exists on a remote island.  As it ominously proves for one of them, supposed immortality is indeed sold for a steep price. 

Meanwhile, at risk of losing his iconic James Bond-like role to a teenager, aging action-film icon Burt Hunter (Ely) resorts to manipulating his biggest fan, Margaret Winslow (Dee), to persuade the franchise’s disinterested producer (Landsberg) into saving his career.  Tattoo and a young girl (Spelling) contribute to an adoring Ms. Winslow’s unlikely romance with her self-involved heartthrob.

Mr. Roarke: Ricardo Montalbán

Tattoo: Hervé Villechaize

Diana Weston (“Eternal Flame”): Randi Oakes

Alex Weston (“Eternal Flame”): Linwood Boomer

Maatira (“Eternal Flame”): Stella Stevens

Ra-Mas (“Eternal Flame”): Alex Cord

Vaal (“Eternal Flame”): Nicholas Worth

Soldiers (“Eternal Flame”): Uncredited

Maidens (“Eternal Flame”): Uncredited

Margaret Winslow (“A Date With Burt”): Sandra Dee

Burt Hunter (“A Date With Burt”): Ron Ely

Various Party Guests (“A Date With Burt”): Uncredited

John Pike (“A Date With Burt”): David Landsberg

Christy (“A Date With Burt”): Tori Spelling

Yvonne (“A Date With Burt”): Terri Lynn

Stuntmen as ‘Pretend Thugs’ (“A Date With Burt”: David Cass Jr. & John Tuell

Additional ‘Thug’ Stuntmen (“A Date With Burt”): Uncredited

Island Dancers: Uncredited

Island Inhabitants: Uncredited

Note: Worth later played one of Montalbán’s evil henchmen in 1988’s The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad.

REVIEW:

Reminiscent of a seven-layer dip, melted cheese oozes throughout this inane episode.  Aside from producer Aaron Spelling’s glaring nepotism casting his young, pig-tailed daughter, one is left with a middling pair of love stories struggling to remain watchable. 

Both storylines serve up laughably clichéd pap, including a long-lost Egyptian/Greek/Roman civilization appearing freshly-minted from some second-rate Hollywood costume-and-prop department.  Most likely, viewers are lucky to tolerate a single viewing.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       3 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Marvel Comics

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN # 638 (2010 MARVEL Comics)

Lead Feature Written by Joe Quesada.  Lead Feature Art by Paolo Rivera; Joe Quesada; Miki; Richard Isanove; & VC’s Joe Caramagna.  

“Spidey Sundays” Back-Up Feature Written by Stan Lee, with Art by Marcos Martin; Muntsa Vicente; & VC’s Joe Caramagna.

Cover Art by Paolo Rivera.

SUMMARY:

In the second-to-last installment of the four-part “One Moment in Time,” Marvel Comics released this 40-page issue for October 2010.  As a comatose Aunt May recuperates in a New York hospital’s ICU, Mary Jane is alerted by her Aunt Anna of a prowler at her home.  Little does Mary Jane know that the incarcerated Kingpin has sent a snarky underworld assassin to start eliminating her family, as revenge upon Spider-Man. 

Leaving a sleeping Peter behind, Mary Jane does her best to confront this threat alone.  It’s up to Spider-Man to intervene and make one more fateful decision re: his lost secret identity.

Note: There‘s at least two variant covers: one ‘Mary Jane’ cover from Quesada and the other is a ‘Women of Marvel (Mary Jane & Black Cat)’ portrait from artist Jelena Djurdjevic.  Unfortunately, sample images aren’t  available here.  

REVIEW:

Clearly source material for the big-screen Spider-Man: No Way Home, this issue exemplifies Mary Jane’s natural heroism under fire.  Confirming why Peter needs Doctor Strange’s help again, Issue # 638 doesn’t disappoint spelling out the emotional exhaustion Mary Jane and her ‘boyfriend’ Peter share.  Equaled by the art squad’s upper-tier visuals, writer Joe Quesada’s script does exactly what it needs to do.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The credits page offers a summary-to-date of “One Moment in Time.”  Stan Lee’s two-page “Spidey Sundays” feature continues, with the Hulk and Doctor Octopus as its guest stars.  There’s also an “Amazing Spider-Mail” letters-and-answers column, with a cover reveal for Issue # 641.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 7½ Stars

Categories
CD's Jazz & Blues Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

HIGH HEELS {aka Tacones lejanos or Talons Aigulles} [1991-1992 Movie Soundtrack]

SUMMARY:              RUNNING TIME: 42:00 Min.

Released in 1992 by Island Records, this album is the mostly instrumental soundtrack for Pedro Almodóvar’s 1991 Spanish language crime drama, High Heels (aka Tacones lejanos or Talons Aigulles) starring Victoria Abril.

Japanese composer/musician Ryuichi Sakamoto produced and performs most of the soundtrack; however, Spanish vocalist  Luz Casal performs Tracks 7 and 15.  The album’s twenty tracks are:

                                                              Running Time:

  1. Tema Principal                                              3:05
  2. Taco – Nes Lejanos                                       1:58
  3. Trauma                                                        3:04
  4. La Guitarra de Becky                                     1:04
  5. Plaza                                                           1:12
  6. Besos                                                           1:12
  7. Un Ano de Amor (performed by Luz Casal) 3:21
  8. El cucu 1                                                     4:28
  9. El cucu 2                                                     4:20
  10. Aesinato                                                      0:35
  11. Interroga – Torio                                           4:25    
  12. A Punto de Confesar                                     1:09
  13. Tele 7                                                           0:14
  14. El Arresto de Rebeca                                     1:04
  15. Piensa en Mi Sonata de Otono (performed by Luz Casal) 4:30
  16. Sonata de Otono                                            0:52
  17. La Liberacion de Rebeca                               1:58
  18. El Secreto de Letal                                         0:58
  19. El Viaje en Ambulancia                                 0:22
  20. Titulo Final                                                   3:03  

REVIEW:

Not overstaying its welcome, this mostly jazz-flavored soundtrack briskly flies by.  Suffice to say, it consistently exudes a sultry vibe updating film noir, with some occasional bits of levity.  The only exceptions are Tracks 8-9, which resemble pulsating techno-dance, but they still seamlessly blend into Ryuichi Sakamoto’s deft handiwork. 

Including Luz Casal’s classy chanteuse-style tunes, the High Heels soundtrack offers a solid addition to any favorite jazz or soundtrack playlist.    

PACKAGING:

The case’s back cover, as well as an insert, list all twenty tracks, but neither one provide running times.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6½ Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Movies & Television (Books) Mystery & Suspense

VERONICA MARS: THE THOUSAND DOLLAR TAN LINE

Written by Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham

SUMMARY:

Released in 2014 by Vintage Books, Veronica Mars series creator Rob Thomas teams up with author Jennifer Graham to concoct an immediate 324-page sequel to the Kickstarter-funded feature film. 

Set a few months later, 28-year old Veronica has resettled in Neptune, California, as her father, Keith, recuperates from a near-fatal vehicular assault.  Keith uneasily supports his daughter’s presence, but he would much prefer Veronica returning to a play-it-safe-life in New York City as an attorney. Running a struggling Mars Investigations with her receptionist/hacker, Mac, Veronica accepts a high-profile case from the city to locate college co-ed Hayley Dewalt, who ominously vanished during a riotous Spring Break party.

Veronica’s instant suspects include a disgruntled ex-boyfriend and even Hayley’s jealous older brother.  Worse yet, the blonde sleuth discovers that the illicit party hosts are really heirs to an ultra-dangerous Mexican drug cartel.  Then, another bombshell drops: a second party girl vanishes; only it turns to be Veronica’s previously unknown, 16-year old step-sister.  Hence, Veronica’s dual cases are rocked by the re-appearance of her long-estranged mother, along with a step-father and much younger half-brother that she never knew of.    

Shocking revelations are pushed into the light, as Veronica seeks out the truth.  Still, there’s the potentially fatal reality that, with her father physically unavailable and boyfriend Logan overseas in the U.S. Navy, she has no back-up this time.

Notes: Sprinkled in the text are occasional F-bombs.  The second (and presently last) novel in this series is titled Veronica Mars 2: Mr. Kiss and Tell.

REVIEW:

Very slickly written, this Veronica Mars caper is far superior to bare-bones movie novelizations. Painting boozing Spring Break college co-ed stereotypes with an unflattering wide paintbrush, the novel’s mystery initially delivers on its ominous premise.  Yet, upon conveniently adding Veronica’s mother and her new family to the plot, subsequent twists revert The Thousand Dollar Tan Line to a somewhat clichéd “this only happens in movies and television” vibe.

Staying plot-focused, co-authors Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham still effectively resurrect Veronica Mars, making it easy to visualize Kristen Bell, Enrico Colatoni, and Percy Daggs III reprising their roles.  The plotting, in that sense, is faithful to the TV show’s style of gimmickry rather than merely phoning in a blatant cash grab.  

Thomas & Graham’s concerted effort at devising necessary depth makes their mystery both stylish and multi-layered. The reader’s subsequent payoff is a solid finish worthy of the TV series. Hence, for stalwart fans, Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line becomes the next best thing to a filmed sequel to the 2014 film.   

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

The first page provides thumbnail bios and photos of the co-authors.  There’s also a brief dedication to fans.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 7 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics

COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE # 3 (2007 DC Comics)

Lead Feature Written by Adam Beechen.  Lead Feature Art by Eddy Barrows; Julio Ferreira; Tanya Horie; Richard Horie; & Phil Bausman.   

Back-Up Feature Written by Justin Gray.  Back-Up Feature Art by Fabrizio Fiorentino; Tanya Horie; Richard Horie; & Rob Clark Jr.

Cover Art by Ivan Reis; Oclair Albert; & Rod Reis.

SUMMARY:

In this ten-issue series, DC Comics released this 52-page installment for December 2007.  The 21-page lead feature is entitled “The Home Front: In the Time of the Plague.”  In San Diego, Animal Man & his wife, Ellen, save a wounded Starfire and a terrified, young Maxine from their infected young son wielding a knife.  Earth-based physicians initially suspect that Starfire is likely the alien carrier of the virus. 

A emotionally-drained Ellen voices her marital suspicions re: Buddy’s feelings for a presently-powerless Starfire (who is also wary of her married friend’s feelings).  With Lady Styx’s virus rapidly accumulating new disciples, an outmatched Animal Man and Starfire become trapped in an invisible bubble with this army of assailants by a large UFO.

On Rann, fugitive Adam Strange’s family desperately tries to escape the same virus rioting on their planet.  Yet, Strange’s propensity for improvising miraculous heroics may have finally run out of luck.

At 17 pages, Forerunner’s ongoing back-up story is entitled “Part Three: The Realms of the Conjurors.”  On a magic-dominated Earth-33, Forerunner is captured by its reality’s version of the JLA: the League of Shamans.  Yet, a showdown is imminent once Dark Angel reveals her present disguise.     

REVIEW:

Through there isn’t anything extraordinary about this issue, the lead feature possesses both solid storytelling and high-caliber visuals.  As for Forerunner serial, her face-off vs. the League of Shamans is interesting.  Even if the story can’t be described as memorable, there really isn’t anything wrong with it, either.  It’s just middle-of-the-pack storytelling. 

Countdown to Adventure # 3, as a whole, ensures a welcome read for 52/Countdown fans.  Specifically, the dual storylines make some satisfactory progress.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

A standard “DC Nation” column includes cover reveals for Crime Bible # 1; DC Infinite Halloween Special # 1; Lord Havok & The Extremists # 1; and Countdown to Adventure # 4.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6½ Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics

THE FLASH (WALLY WEST) # 224 (2005 DC Comics)

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Howard Porter; Livesay; Pat Brosseau; & James Sinclair

Cover Art by Howard Porter; Livesay; & James Sinclair

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Rogue War, Chapter 5,” DC Comics released this issue for September 2005.  In Keystone City, Wally West, Jay Garrick, and Bart Allen are outmatched facing the tag-team of Hunter Zolomon’s Zoom and the time-traveling, original Reverse Flash (aka Professor Zoom): Eobard Thawne.  Another potential wildcard would be Flash’s Rogues, as how they might take advantage of this situation.  With the Pied Piper and Ashley Zolomon as witnesses, an abrupt time distortion has evidently restored the present-day Linda’s pregnancy to full labor.    

Abducting a battered Wally into a repetitive time loop, via the Cosmic Treadmill, the two Zooms force the Flash into his worst horror: Specifically, he is made to witness over and over again his wife Linda’s tragic miscarriage caused by Zolomon. Only a miracle can help a defeated Wally now: will it arrive in time?

Note: “Rogue War” concludes in Issue # 225.

REVIEW:

Though its time-traveling element is nebulous, Geoff Johns’ scripting is still relatively well-played.  The caveat is predictably reducing Linda Park-West to a damsel-in-distress plot twist.  As compensation, Johns ensures that a certain last-minute cameo makes obtaining Issue # 225 practically a given for Flash fans.  Up to the task is this art squad supplying consistently terrific visuals.  Readers, however, may have minor trouble distinguishing Zolomon from Thawne due to their near-identical costumes.  Note: Bart Allen’s Kid Flash also has a similar yellow-and-red color scheme. 

Though some plot points should have been presented more clearly, The Flash # 224 is a prelude to pivotal changes impacting Wally & Linda’s future.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The “DC in Demand” column includes cover reveals for Catwoman # 45; Green Lantern Corps: Recharge # 1; Wonder Woman # 215; and JLA: Classified # 10.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     6 Stars