Tune in Tuesday's: Let's Have a Quick Check-In

I missed last week, but I missed it with good reason(s):  For one, I nearly died on Saturday night, but that tale is for another time and place; and two, nothing really worth mentioning came out last week.  I’m not happy to report that this week barely gives us anything more, so I thought I’d combine the two weeks so as to not leave you hanging.  Let’s jump right in, shall we?

 

New TiTs:  Movies:  Cheech & Chong???, A Haunted House, Gangster Squad, Silver Linings Playbook, The Details, and The Guilt Trip. 

 

Apparently our ever-lovable, grandfather stoners decided to take the animated route with their latest adventure, Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie.  Well, ‘latest adventure’ is a bit of a stretch as what we have here are Cheech & Chong’s best stand-up routines made over in animation.  So, pretty much every Cheech & Chong movie rolled up into one, only animated.  Hey, I’m not complaining, I bet it’s funny as hell just like 90% of their live action movies.  It was fun to see them get back together a year or two ago, but from what little I saw, I could tell that it would be short lived (there may have even been rumors about another movie – not this animated one – but I’m sure that’s up in smoke by now.  Pun intended) and so I didn’t put forth much effort in pursuit.  I’m hoping this one shows up on Netflix soon, but if not, I’ll still live.  If you’re dying to check them, pick up one of their early albums or check out Up In Smoke or Nice Dreams (movies), funny as hell.

A Haunted House sounds like another one worth a few laughs.  I really enjoy the first 2 Scary Movie’s and that’s only because of the Wayans Bros.  I’m sure that sentence might bring upon a lot of backlash, but I stand it.  They’re funny to me.  Not all of their stuff is funny t o me (I’m talking to you, Little Man and White Chicks), but their TV show made me laugh and those Scary Movie’s made me laugh even more.  Obviously, I’m delighted that Marlon has returned to the horror spoofing genre so I’m looking forward to checking this one out.  I’m not betting it on being the funniest movie of the year by any means, but I like the Paranormal Activity movies and for my money, I wouldn’t have anyone else spoof other than a(ny) Wayans.   I sort of wish both brothers got together for this one, but I’m content with only Marlon, after all, one of my favorite comedies of all time is the critically-hated, The Ladykillers, with said actor and Mr. Tom Hanks.  Marlon is hilarious as Gawain, but that’s not to solely give him the spotlight, the entire cast is perfect.  And let’s not forget, Dude, the mighty Requiem For A Dream.  Marlon’s character had the best turnout in that movie (and book), but still a hell of a way to make a viewer like myself feel like shit.  It’s a crazy good performance on his part, you can’t doubt that.  Alright, enough gushing.

Last and definitely least is the gangster themed, Gangster Squad.  I mock simply because I have no desire to see this flick.  It’s probably pretty damn good, with some solid performances by some A-list actors, but the territory is out of my realm.  I find it boring and ultimately loathsome.  I recall watching Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, two incredible actors, in Public Enemies and nearly falling asleep (it was 2:00pm), that kind of action drama is just not up my alley.  I mention it though for all of you, this acting squad needs to keep working, so do them a solid and enjoy their picture.

This week brings us the release of the award-winning, Silver Linings Playbook.  This one I want to see.  Ol Robert told me it was good, so I’m ready to give it go now that the award season is over and it’s not being crammed down my throat every other commercial.  I like Bradley Cooper and could honestly take of leave Jennifer Lawrence (again, the cramming down the throat, what is it with this girl that makes everyone lose their shit?), but I’m really looking forward to Chris Tucker’s performance.  Mainly out of curiosity I guess, but it’s intriguing that this actor, who rarely acts, decided to make his comeback with a powerful drama.  Hell, I guess he could’ve been trying to cross over into the drama genre for a longtime and finally did it, but it seems like he specifically chose only this film to do (according to IMDB, he’s got a TV movie coming out this year – that doesn’t count as full-fledged actor in my playbook).

Another one that’s found its way on my radar is the dark comedy The Details starring Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks, Ray Liotta, and Laura Linney (JURASSIC PARK 3D was quite delightful by the way, I think it’s out now too on Blu-ray, pick it up!).  The plot revolves around some raccoons and a dedicated lawn maintenance husband and a “wild chain reaction of domestic tension, infidelity and murder.” – IMDB  Yeah, this one sounds like fun.  And if that kind of plot doesn’t turn you on, then go watch The Guilt Trip because that came out today also.  I’m an avid fan of the horror genre, but Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand together sounds devastatingly horrendous and I won’t do it.  If you’ve got the guts and the glory, then you are more man than me, or woman.  For shame, Mr. Rogen, for shame.  You had better redeem yourself in This Is The End, I’m super stoked to see that one.

 

New TiTs:  Music:  Rob Zombie, Phoenix, The Airborne Toxic Event, and Hanni El Khatib

 

Alert the presses, Rob Zombie has put out not only another movie, but another album as well.  Now I haven’t checked, but I can only assume thus far that this album will be either A) nothing but remixes of his old songs, Vol. 32 or B) there will be a few remixes of his older songs along with some subpar newbies.  I like the ‘ol Zombie, so I’m hoping for the latter, but it’ll be a long time before I know for sure.  Zombie hit his heyday for me with Hellbillly Deluxe.  The songs are kickass and still fun to this day.  And who doesn’t have Living Dead Girl on their Halloween playlist? 

Phoenix, the French outfit who hit it big four years ago with their album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is back with their latest venture, Bankrupt!  Autobiographical, perhaps?  One can only speculate before listening, but the track listening seems to sway in that direction:  Entertainment, S.O.S. in Bel Air, Bankrupt!, Drakkar Noir, and Oblique City.  I did enjoy Wolfgang Amadeus, so I’ll be sure to check this one out and let you know.

One that I will be picking up is the latest from The Airborne Toxic Event (does that make me weird?), Such Hot Blood.  These guys are a pretty cool Indie Rock band and I caught a live performance of theirs one day on TV and was impressed by how good they sounded, i.e. they sounded like their studio albums.  I really took notice of them with All At Once and the radio friendly track, Changing.  I know, I know, it’s a poppy tune, but it’s also fun to sing along to and the rest of the album holds up.  Well, both of their previous albums hold up, and positive points in my book for contributing Boots Of Spanish Leather to the Chimes Of Freedom – The Songs of Bob Dylan (Honoring Fifty Years of Amnesty International).  In a month of not much to look forward to, this one makes a welcome appearance. 

And to round out our Tuesday, it’s Hanni El Khatib!!!!  Who the hell is that, you ask?  Check out the video below and let that do the explaining.  This guy will be at the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta, GA this weekend and we will be joining him (if we make it to his set anyway).  He sounds like a lot of fun in the vicious sort of way, but nothing wrong with that.  Head In The Dirt is El Khatib’s second album and is produced by none other than Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys (great, great, great band) so that should give some sort of indication as to what kind of rock~n~roll sound this guy delivers.  Check out the video and if you like, check another one of his tunes, Come Alive.   

 

Alright, that about wraps her up.  Next week will be game-decision regarding the column, as mentioned above, we’ll be at the Fest all weekend and if you don’t find anything to read from me, don’t take it personally, I’m just trying to recover.  Sorry for the bluntness of today’s article, but it’s hard to express too much enjoyment for stuff you’re really not all that excited for, I’m awaiting that huge release for 2013, Phosphorescent took my surprise and now I’m striving to find something similar.  Who knows . . .  Anyway, have a great week and keep watching and listening, there’s decent stuff out there, stuff worthy of your attention and mine.