Blu-Ray Review: The Dog

Published on December 12th, 2014 in: Blu-Ray, Documentaries, DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies, Reviews |

By Brad Henderson

Just about everything Drafthouse Films has put out has been worth my time. . . so far. Their releases have been top-notch, from contemporary films to older titles. After seeing The Act Of Killing (review) I was anxious to see their next documentary acquisition. Now Drafthouse Films has released The Dog, about the “mastermind” behind the bank robbery on which the movie Dog Day Afternoon is based. We are introduced to the creepy, perverted, and overly annoying John Wojtowicz who also goes by The Dog, but I prefer to call him “asshole.”

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Music Review: Game Theory, Dead Center (Reissue)

Published on December 12th, 2014 in: Current Faves, Music, Music Reviews, Reissues, Retrovirus, Reviews |

By Chelsea Spear

Among the first run of American New Wave bands, the story of Game Theory is among the most quietly heartbreaking. While the ambitious musical and lyrical output of creative mastermind Scott Miller was never destined for an arena-sized audience, a combination of questionable management and bad record deals kept their music from an audience larger than the most ardent true believers.

Omnivore Records’ lush and expansive reissues are bringing Game Theory’s shimmering, melancholy pop to the widest audience it’s received to date. Dead Center, the second album they’ve repackaged and remastered, finds the 1983 iteration of Game Theory at an interesting point in their musical evolution. The production sounds more polished than on the home-recorded Dead Center, with a stronger low end and a greater sonic balance. Their arrangements show a greater sense of ambition, as well as the musical skill to back it up.

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The ScreamCast: Episodes 37, 38, and 39

Published on December 5th, 2014 in: Action Movies, DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews, Holidays, Horror, Movie Reviews, Movies |

There are three new episodes of The ScreamCast up for your listening pleasure.

Episode 37 – Prom Night (1980): Podcast includes Canuxploitation.com founder Paul Corupe in a discussion of this new reissue from Synapse.

Episode 38 – Monkey Shines (1988) & The Dark Half (1993): Brad and Sean discuss whether or not these films hold up on their new Scream Factory reissues.

Episode 39 – Raw Force (1982) & Christmas Evil (1980): Brad, Sean, and Brian discuss these two reissues from Vinegar Syndrome.

Music Review: Ty Segall, $ingle$ 2

Published on December 5th, 2014 in: Current Faves, Music, Music Reviews, Reviews |

By Less Lee Moore

Every time I hear someone complaining that rock and roll is dead, I cringe. This proclamation is usually accompanied by a rant against Miley Cyrus or whatever Top 40 artist is being hyped at the moment. Which leads me to wonder: is the concern that rock and roll is dead, or that it’s no longer at the top of the Billboard charts?

Any handwringing over the fate of rock and roll quickly falls apart in the presence of Ty Segall. For one thing, he’s clearly beholden to his forebears while still sounding vital and original. He also puts out a lot of music on a frequent basis. And he releases honest to goodness singles. Granted, a lot of bands release singles these days, especially via iTunes, but what makes Ty Segall’s singles special is that they come with B-sides, which, if we’re going the traditional route, is way more rock and roll because it evokes the format in which rock music ascended the charts: the vinyl 45.

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Concert Review: Sloan At The Phoenix

Published on December 5th, 2014 in: Canadian Content, Concert Reviews, Current Faves, Music, Reviews |

By Tyler Hodg

November 29, 2014
Toronto, ON

In support of their latest effort Commonwealth (review), Sloan arrived at The Phoenix in Toronto on November 29 to deliver a lengthy, energetic rock show—and man, was it ever good.

Although the band is originally from Halifax, Sloan has been based in Toronto for quite some time now. The group played two sets for the excited, hometown-ish crowd and departed from the stage proving they are still one of the best rock acts in the world. “The Commonwealth Tour” saw the band travel across North America for 22 shows, with this show concluding their venture.

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Music Review: Alain Goraguer, La Planète Sauvage (Fantastic Planet) Original Soundtrack

Published on December 5th, 2014 in: Culture Shock, Current Faves, Movies, Music, Music Reviews, Reissues, Retrovirus, Reviews, Science Fiction, Soundtracks and Scores, Underground/Cult |

By Noreen Sobczyk

OK, full disclosure: as a sort of sommelier of the strange, I’m embarrassed to say I had never seen La Planète Sauvage (a.k.a. Fantastic Planet) until recently. But never fear, because this should prove to even the most jaded, freaky, boogie children that it’s never too late to discover something mind blowingly cool. If you haven’t seen this gorgeously animated Science Fiction philosophical allegory, seek it out immediately. Do not pass go; do not collect 200 dollars.

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DVD Review: Swamphead

Published on December 5th, 2014 in: DVD, DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews, Horror, Movie Reviews, Movies, Reviews |

By Brad Henderson

It seems that throwback horror is becoming the next big thing, but it’s a delight when the film doesn’t recognize it’s a throwback. Unless it is done with finesse and skill, movies like these can fall flat quickly. On the other hand, we have films that are made in the same vein as those weird classics. They take us back to being little and staying up watching movies on VHS in our living room after our parents have gone to bed. That’s how I felt while watching Swamphead, a new title from Wild Eye Releasing.

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