// Category Archive for: Reviews

Blu-Ray Review: Jimi: All Is By My Side

By Brad Henderson

Ever since I was a kid I’ve been fascinated by Jimi Hendrix. Everything about the guy, from his skills to his backstory, intrigued and inspired me and still does to this day. A few years ago I remember OutKast’s André 3000 being announced for a Hendrix film, Jimi: All Is By My Side. Ever since then it has been on my radar and I knew I needed to see it.

I’m sad to say it’s by far one of the worst biopics I’ve ever encountered.

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Blu-Ray Review: The Mule

By Brad Henderson

Leigh Whannell, along with his partner in crime, James Wan, erupted onto the scene with Saw back into 2004. Together they wrote some of the sequels, plus Dead Silence, and Insidious 1 & 2 (and soon to be part 3) Now Whannell has brought us a non-horror flick, The Mule.

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Blu-Ray Review: Compañeros

By Brad Henderson

As a kid I grew up on a variety of different films. My mother loved horror, dad loved westerns and action flicks, my grandma was obsessed with dramas, and I loved everything. I’m thankful for the upbringing I had because it made me who I am today. Even though I was a cinephile by the time I was seven or so, I still missed a lot of films. Now I’m 30 and I’m still making epic discoveries on my own. Recently I discovered one of the best westerns I’ve ever seen, Compañeros.

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Music Review: People On Vacation, The Chronicles Of Tim Powers

By Tyler Hodg

After a successful crowdfunding campaign, People on Vacation have returned with their sophomore album The Chronicles of Tim Powers. The duo—consisting of Ryan Hamilton (Smile Smile) and Jaret Reddick (Bowling for Soup)—have written fun, upbeat songs that include musical aspects of their previous bands, but thankfully are not rehashed music from their past. Although People on Vacation has been dubbed a “supergroup,” there really isn’t anything super about them; their music is down to earth and far from extravagant, significantly adding to the relatable feel that The Chronicles of Tim Powers possesses.

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Blu-Ray Review: Starry Eyes

By Less Lee Moore

So much of the success of Starry Eyes rests on lead actress Alex Essoe’s able shoulders. She beautifully embodies the role of Sarah, a budding actress who pines for the role that will catapult her into the pantheon of the Old School Hollywood ladies whose photos adorn her bedroom walls. Surrounded by struggling fellow thespians, one of whom (Erin) wants to cut her down at every opportunity, Alex’s insecurity and fragility is palpable and painful to witness. Forced to pay the bills working at a Hooters-type restaurant, she is thrilled when she gets an audition from the esteemed Astraeus Pictures.

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DVD Review: The Witch Who Came From The Sea

By Less Lee Moore

From the lurid Frank Frazetta-style cover art to its evocative title, The Witch Who Came From The Sea seems like it might be a female-fronted version of The Beastmaster. As intriguing as that possibility sounds, the film is something altogether different and much more profound. Directed by Matt Cimber (Butterfly, Hundra) in 1971, The Witch Who Came From The Sea wasn’t released until 1976, and even then, ran afoul of the MPAA for what they considered gratuitous violence, nudity, and rather dark subject matter.

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DVD Review: Wrestling With Satan

By Jeffery X Martin

One of the fascinating things about Christianity is you can do anything and call it a ministry. Hand puppets. Being a clown. Fixing cars. Shaving. Do it in the name of Jesus Christ, and it is a fully sanctioned activity done for the benefit of the Church Universal.

It makes sense, therefore, that there could be a professional wrestling ministry. The documentary Wrestling with Satan spotlights a six-year period in the history of the Christian Wrestling Federation (CWF). Led by the charismatic Rob Vaughn, who performs under the name “Jesus Freak,” the CWF is an actual independent wrestling company. His stable of wrestlers is highly trained and works well in the ring. Wrestling fans will appreciate the fact that the only special feature on the disc is comprised of seven bonus matches.

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Music Review: Bowling For Soup, Songs That People Actually Liked, Volume 1

By Tyler Hodg

Here’s something that might make you feel old: Bowling for Soup has been making music since 1994. With the release of their first official greatest hits album Songs That People Actually Liked – Volume 1 – The First Ten Years (1994-2004), the band reminds us all that music doesn’t need to be taken seriously to be enjoyable.

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Concert Review: Zola Jesus At The Horseshoe Tavern

By Less Lee Moore

January 22, 2015
Toronto, ON

At a time when Internet hype threatens to smother any semblance of genuine talent, it’s difficult not to be cynical. Rest assured, however, that Zola Jesus deserves all the praise. Nika Roza Danilova is the real deal.

For those wondering if Danilova can replicate the powerful vibes of her latest album, TAIGA (review), in a live setting, the answer is yes. Her already-amazing voice is actually better in person than on record, which is kind of astonishing. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

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Music Review: The Westies, West Side Stories

By Tyler Hodg

On the surface, The Westies appear to be nothing more than a generic soft-rock band, but when examined more closely, they are much more than what meets the eye (and ear). The stories behind the band and their music are equally intriguing, and both lend a hand in creating a more extraordinary picture, in the form of their debut album West Side Stories.

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