The Mick's Den

Yatta! [Feb. 3, 2012]

2012-02-03T14:24:00.002-05:00

Just a quick blog post to confirm that I did indeed do my Japanese homework last night. You should all be very proud of me.
You may applaud now.

Dangerous Girls and Futures to Return To [Feb. 2, 2012]

2012-02-02T15:15:00.001-05:00

Holy hell, Danger Girl is awesome. What a breath of fresh air! I've been swamped by so many "deep and dark" comics lately that it puts a smile on my face to dive into something simple, fun and carefree. No depressing storylines. No overly long dialogue sequences. No real world logic. Just plain ol' campy fun, full of hot chicks and explosive action. I know I'm late to the party with this, seeing as Danger Girl was originally released in 1998, but hey, I couldn't read everything! That being said, the comic holds up VERY well in today's day and age and I cannot recommend it enough to my readers. It hit me so hard that it's inspired me to revive my old "Mick's Picks" video series. I'm working with an artist friend right now to come up with a title screen, so expect to see my first episode (Danger Girl, of course) sometime late spring.

Recently jumped back into my online Japanese courses. It's kind of a shame that Japanese has become the guitar for me: I study hard for months... and then I drop it like a hot potato. I come back months later, and I've forgotten most of what I've learned. So after 3 years of "teaching" myself the language, you'd think I'd know more than I do now. Sure, I know more than most people here, but that's not enough for me. I want to be able to watch my Japanese films and play my Japanese games without subtitles. Yeah, I'd like to talk to my few Japanese friends in their native tongue too, but my main reason for learning is the challenge of accomplishing something that is considered extremely difficult (Japanese does not share a root with any European languages) and that will allow me to enjoy media from that country the way it was meant to be. So yeah, I'm going ahead with this again, hopefully for good this time. I've already improved quite a lot: I give myself homework and I've printed out tons of course material. That's way more than I ever did. Anyways, wish my luck kiddos.

Recently rekindled my passion for cooking. Not sure why. I'm not going all Ramsay like I once did, buying tons of ingredients to try weird shit as much as I can, but I am cooking more complex stuff now. It's exciting. I'm looking forward to cooking in my new kitchen this summer. Should be envigorating!

This week's been pretty ho-hum, but the weekend's looking good. Having a few buds over to play Rock Band 2 on Saturday. That's right; we're going to dust off all the peripherals and rock it like it's 2009 (or was it 2008?)! Then, going to see Back to the Future on the big screen on Sunday! I'm so psyched! Never thought I'd get the chance to! I mean, I was 2 when it hit theatres back in 1985! I've seen it a million times, but this will be the ultimate viewing! It's going to be sick!

Alright, I must bid you all adieu for now. I'll leave you with this really weird yet awesome Skrillex cover:

Liam Neeson Is Awesome... and Your Passwords Suck [Jan. 30, 2012]

2012-01-30T17:59:00.004-05:00

Watched Unknown last night, a thriller starring Liam Neeson. Pretty damn good, gotta say. The man is really solidfying his status as an action star (although I wouldn't put him in the same league as Staham or something). Anyways, the film was well-paced, clever, and refreshing when compared to most so-called "thrillers" out there (y'know, the ones that make guessing the ending easy after five minutes). While you CAN figure out the obligatory plot twist halfway through the movie, it actually feels like it was planned that way. The way they seed clues here and there is very well thoughtout and I felt satisfaction once I caught on; like I had to work for it or something.

No, he doesn't reprise his role as Qui-gon. Although... MAN that'd be awesome.

Read an interesting article on Gizmodo today. It's about how our online passwords suck because we're too lazy or stupid to come up with hard ones. Most of us rely on some random word out of the dictionary, which is bad seeing as most password cracking software out there uses algorithms that try everything in the book. You want a safe password? Think of a sentence in your mind, or a song title, and use the first letter of each word as your password. Or, alternatively, stretch out a normal word, e.g. apppppppppllleeeee. Protect yourself, foo'!

Do you plan your meals? You should. You'll buy less at the groceries and you'll buy fresher since you'll know when you'll be eating it. I just started doing this and man, I've saved tons o' cash and I've lost weight because I've stopped buying frozen shit that's packed with sodium and other crap. Seriously, give it a shot. Take a piece of paper, right down every day of the week and give it a general category. For example, mine is SUNDAY = Salad, MONDAY = Fish, TUESDAY = Beef, etc. Fridays are my "bad food" day. Once you've got your general categories, start specifying for the week or month. This Tuesday, I'm having beef stew. Friday I'm having pizza.

Alright, that's it outta me! I leave you with this, because it's fuckin' stupid and exactly what you need to laugh on a Monday:

Shitty Weather & Egg Salad [Jan. 27, 2012]

2012-01-27T13:17:00.003-05:00

So apparently January is springtime in Canada. No, seriously. Came outside, dressed in my big winter jacket and scarf, expecting cold weather... only to discover it's warm and raining! The snow is melting because of it. So, the whole car ride to work was spent thinking "Goddamnit I'm hot. Too many layers!" What the fuck, global warming? WHAT THE FUCK! You're screwing with my mind and my body and I DON'T LIKE IT!

So I've been really into Subway's eggsalad sandwich lately. Why? I don't know. It's not even that good. I think the fact that it's relatively (key word is "relatively") healthy and costs only $5 for a footlong is what's getting me. Do my American friends have this offered in their chains? Or is it exclusive to Canada? If so, WHY is it exclusive to Canada? Are we some sort of eggsalad fanatics?

Went shopping for comics last night. Goddamn that's an expensive hobby. I barely bought anything and it cost me an arm. Problem with comics is they are essentially soaps on paper. You read a few pages, then there's a cliffhanger, you go "OMGWTF?!"... and rush out to buy the next issue as soon as it's in print. Yeah. Picked up the latest Hack/Slash, Uncharted and TMNT issues. Not sure what those are? Don't worry, my new, upcoming video series will introduce you to them... AND MORE!

Haven't played SWTOR in a few days and you know what? I'm not jonesing for it. Surprising, since MMOs have a tendancy to be extremely addictive. I mean, I still enjoy the game, but I don't find myself going out of my way to jump in. I much rather spend time with my girlfriend or listening to music. That being said, here's some new musak for ya:

The Week I Won't Enjoy [Jan. 16, 2012]

2012-01-16T08:32:00.001-05:00

So the weekend's over, a new week begins... and I'm dreading next weekend. Why? Because Friday, I have to go for a colonoscopy. That's some scary shit man! Sure, it isn't painful... but 10 minutes of discomfort is not something I'm looking forward to. On top of that, I have to go buy some crazy laxative to make sure I empty myself Thursday night. THAT'S GOING TO SUCK!!

And on a completely unrelated matter, have you met Egoraptor?

New Year, New Beginnings [Jan. 12, 2012]

2012-01-12T13:42:00.002-05:00

A new year has started, so I thought I'd try to post on a more regular basis. I'm also going to try to post "Mick's Picks" videos more often. At least twice a week. I'm going to have to prepare some in advance, mind you, but it'll work better.

Alright, let's start off with a recap of what's going on in the Land of Scott.

As you may or may not know, I lost both my father and my grandfather last year. So right there, 2012 HAS to be better than 2011. On top of the mental strain that caused, I suffered through some pretty bad physical problems. For those who are just tuning in, I've been living with IBS since I was 13. Of course, part of me has my doubts that it's something a little higher up on the "intestinal disorder foodchain", so I've been going through multiple tests to eliminate possible contenders. This set me back quite a lot financially, but you can't put a price on peace of mind. Anyways, I'm still going through tests and my biggest one of all is scheduled for Jan 20th: a colonoscopy. Yeah. I'm kinda freaking out. No one wants a buttcam shoved into, well... their butt.

Moving on to more positive things, I've signed for a loft apartment. I'm going to be the first owner, so it's kind of exciting to visit the site and see everything as it's being built. I'm really excited to move in this summer, mostly because my current pad blows ass. Don't get me wrong, the apartment itself is huge and has an amazing view (it's on the 15th floor), but the building administration is horrible. And that's being NICE. Ever since we (me and my roomie) moved in 2 years ago, there has been a leak in the ceiling. Whenever it rains, the living room gets a little wetter :P. We begged and pleaded with the bitch in charge and NOTHING has been done. She kept pulling excuses out of her fat ass like they were dingleberries, but we could see through her lies. Arg. Riles me up just thinking about it! CURSE YOU, YOU BLOATED WHORE! A POX ON YOUR HOUSE! DEATH TO YOUR FIRSTBORN! MAY THE HAIR IN YOUR ANUS BECOME ENTANGLED!

Phew. That felt good.

So yeah, new loft. It's gonna be sweet. I'm using the pre-move months to slowly get rid of junk that has been plaguing me for years. Stuff I just can't seem to get rid of. A hard one is my childhood toys. Man... that stuff is old and broken, but, y'know... sentimental value and all that. I'd try selling it, but nothing has its original box and most components are busted. My old Hot Wheels are kinda rusty, for example... so no one's gonna want that. My Ecto-1 is kinda beige... ugh. Makes me kind of sad to see them this way. My plan is to take pictures so I can show my kids in the future. It's a lot easier to store pics than a bunch of old broken toys. Once the pictures are snapped, I'm going to give it all to the Salvation Army or something. MIGHT be someone out there who can use them. They'll have fun, I'll have room.

I'm also going to need to sell furniture, because I'm going ALL NEW at my new pad. Leather couch, modern furniture... it's gonna be sweet. I'm a huge cyberpunk, so I'm trying to go for a cyberpunk look. Gonna have to work on mood lighting too. I won't have as much room to play with as my current place, but I'll figure something out. Speaking of which, not sure if I'll be able to throw parties like I used to. First, I don't think I'll have room. Second, I don't want people busting up my brand-new, expensive place lol. Luckily, there's some kind of conference/reception hall at my building, so that can be rented out for huge groups. Looking forward to seeing how it works.

Alright, what else?

Oh, well, I just started playing an MMORPG. I know, right? Hell has frozen over! I have been so anti-MMO over the years (because I don't like the idea of perpetually paying for a game)! Star Wars: The Old Republic is the one that did me in. Everyone knows I'm a sucker for Star Wars.

Actually, I kind of lost interest in the franchise years ago... but I tried the beta for SWTOR and thought it was really cool. Now I pay 15$ a month to play. Times they change!

Alright, enough babbling. I'll post some more tomorrow!

Uncharted: The Fourth Labyrinth [Nov. 12, 2011]

2011-11-12T15:18:00.008-05:00

So I picked up Uncharted 3 and plowed through the game in less than 48hrs. Yup, I'm intense that way :P

Anyways, the game was great, lots of crazy set pieces and what not. However, I found the story to be a little weaker than the previous two games. It felt rushed or something, almost as if they'd cut some important bits out of the final product to release on time. The ending really fell flat on its face; very anti-climactic.

"That's the ending? Yeeeeeeesh."

Regardless, I still hold the series in high regards, seeing as I'm an Indiana Jones nut and this is the closest thing to a 21st century version of the character and his adventures. That is why I picked up the first book (of many, I hope) in the series' literary debut! Entitled Uncharted: The Fourth Labyrinth, it seems to capture the spirit of the franchise very well, leading our hapless hero on a globe trotting adventure in search of fortune.

I thought I'd try something interesting: I'll post here after I finish one or two chapters, detailing how I feel at that point and if the book still holds my interest (no spoilers, don't worry). You down for that? No? Well too bad, I'm doing it anyways!

So, after the first three chapters, everything feels right! The book opens with an explosive chase sequence, then leads into Drake meeting up with Sully to investigate the book's main plot device. They introduce what I assume to be the "leading lady" of the story, and they make her quite likeable from the get-go. Only time will tell if she continues to have my respect :P Oh and chapter 3 ends with an interesting cliffhanger, so I'm looking forward to continuing the book soon!

Alright, that's enough for now! I'm going to go play some of the Star Wars: The Old Republic beta now! Gotta say, it kicks ass so far!

Fantasia 2011 Recap [Aug. 12, 2011]

2011-08-12T01:11:00.004-04:00

It's that time of year again, kids! Uncle Scottie's done with Fantasia and he's got all sorts of interesting things to share with you!

This year was quite crazy for me: I ended up seeing 24 films and 1 concert. That's over $200 of tickets, boys and girls. Luckily, most of what I saw ended up being pretty awesome! Got a good mix of action, horror, comedy, animation... from all over the globe!

Alright, let's get to it! Here are my picks for BEST OF FANTASIA 2011 (in no particular order)!!!

Superheroes

Why is this flicks awesome? I'll tell you why! It's Kick-Ass in real life! Seriously! These are REAL people in REAL life who have decided to put on tights and fight crime. FOR REAL. You've probably always wondered what would happen if someone decided to become Batman in your city. Well, this movie will show you! It's quite inspiring, really. Makes you wonder who's craziest: the people who want to fight crime... or the people who do nothing but sit back and let it happen.

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Attack the Block

Holy shit, you have to see this! It's hilarious, action-packed and British! Think Critters on steroids and you'll have a basic idea of how awesome this thing is. While all the special effects are incredibly well done, what really sells the film is its cast of noobs! That's right: other than Nick Frost, everyone's an unknown. Definitely makes this one stand out even more. Watch for it when it hits DVD in September!

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Burke and Hare

Only John Landis could take the story of two of history's most infamous murderers and turn it into a light-hearted comedy. The film is a laugh-a-minute kneeslapper that will make you feel proud to cheer on criminals. Lots of great dialogue from an even greater cast that includes Simon Pegg, Tim Curry and Christopher Lee! If you're tired of all the cookie-cutter tripe out in theatres and want a solid, old-school comedy, check this one out.

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Red State

Ok, this thing was branded as a horror movie, but that's bullshit. It's a thriller. No monsters in here folks. Now, seeing as this is a Kevin Smith movie (no, Jay and Silent Bob do NOT appear), you can expect lots of AMAZING dialogue and some seriously funny, albeit weird, moments. However, what really makes this movie stand out is the fact that it fucks with you every chance it gets. Seriously. You think you know what's coming up? You don't. You will leave the theatre only after you've scraped your jaw off the floor.

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Some Guy Who Kills People

This is a feelgood movie about murder. Oh, and ice cream. I don't want to give too much away, but what starts off as a slightly depressing movie actually ends on a great high. You'll walk out of there feeling like a million bucks. It's got comedy at all the right moments (some AMAZING one-liners) and a solid cast that truly makes you feel for their characters. Give it a lick. As for me, I'm buying this the day it comes out.

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Super

This is Kick-Ass for grown-ups. It's got lots of violence and crude humor. It also has a lot of great moments that will make you pump your fist in the air. You can't help but love the main character, even though he's socially retarded. If you're looking for a dark comedy that hits all the right notes and has Nathan Fillion as a Christian superhero, check it out! It's out on DVD now! Oh and watch out for the rape scene that comes from out of nowhere!

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The FP

I haven't laughed this hard in a while. This thing is so absurd you can't help but laugh at things that aren't even supposed to be funny. The actors are all noobs but have a bright future ahead of them. If you're in the mood for a stupid comedy that has one of the best ending scenes ever, this one's for you.

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Robot

This was my first Indian film ever... and it was AWESOME! Great story, lovable characters... and awesome music! I'm totally organizing a "Robot" viewing party at my place in the near future, but until then, check this out! Seriously, this was one of the coolest viewing experiences of my life... and I've seen a LOT of movies.

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Haunters

This is what Unbreakable should've been. Great story and great action. Lots of great dialogue too! Definitely one of the festival's highlights!

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Horny House of Horror

Oh yes. You KNOW this movie is going to be awesome just by hearing its title. It's one of the most interesting Japanese gore films I've in a long time, probably because the whole thing takes place in a fashion health spa. Lots of boobs, blood and batshit-crazy-insane ideas!

WARNING: This trailer is NOT SAFE FOR WORK

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13 Assassins

This is a great feudal Japan flick that has an interesting record: it has the longest action sequence in cinamtic history. It lasts an hour!

Terminator Salvation [Jun. 2, 2011]

2011-08-11T23:13:00.011-04:00

In the year 2018, mankind is on the verge of extinction as it is hunted down by Skynet, a self-aware A.I that sees the human race as a threat to its own existence. Using machines known as Terminators to carry out its deadly agenda, its reach can be felt throughout the world as what is left of humanity clings to life by a thread. In order to combat this threat, the old world's remaining military leaders have joined forces to create the "Resistance", whose sole mission it is to push back the machines and end their reign of terror once and for all.

Caught in the middle of this war is John Connor, a man who's entire existence has had only one purpose until now: survive... so that one day humanity can survive.

Wow, talk about an action-packed film! Not only that, it looked good too! None of that shaky, "cut the corners" kind of action.

There really isn't much to say about the movie that hasn't already been said. It's a good popcorn movie, it has a lot of tense moments and you walk out of the theater satisfied. How satisfied, though, depends on how steeped you are in Terminator lore. See, my friends were casual fans and they enjoyed the film. I, however, am a huge Terminator nut and I walked out of there with sticky jeans. Seeing how well McG and his crew stuck to the established Terminator contiuity really pleased me. They even added a whole bunch of subtle touches here and there that only T-heads would notice, such as how John Connor got the scar that we see for a split second at the beginning of Terminator 2.

He told you he'd be back.

The actors were all great, bringing believabilty to their characters. You really felt as if they'd been living under opression for years. Bale was excellent, as always, but kudos have to go to Anthon Yelchin, who played Kyle Reese. He nailed the role, a young Michael Biehn if there ever was one.

Two movies this summer and he steals the spotlight in both. This kid's got a future.

The music really fit the movie well, so I've got to hand it to Danny Elfman. He managed to add his mark to the Terminator legacy without shitting all over it. He didn't use any of Brad Fiedel's stuff (save for the trademark "DUN DUN DUN-DAH-DUN"), but what he did compose really sounded cool and fit the "Terminator" universe like a glove.

This is a great flick that is full of high production values and excellent acting throughout. If you're an action movie fan, it is a must see. If you're a Terminator fan, you've probably already seen it. If you haven't, though... what the hell? It's another great Terminator movie! To quote Christian Bale: "What don't you fucking understand!?"

"Star Trek" [Jun. 2, 2011]

2011-08-11T23:00:00.008-04:00

James T. Kirk rebels against anyone and everyone. Spock follows the rules and his inner logic. Both are members of Starfleet, a military organization dedicated to helping mankind explore the deep reaches of space. Unable to see eye to eye, they will have to put their differences aside as they must work together to stop an evil force that is hellbent on destroyng the Earth.

Well, it's official: this is, without a doubt, the Star Trek film that non-Star Trek fans (such as myself) have been waiting for. It starts from scratch, so you don't have to worry about getting lost in the shuffle of events that have already occured. Characters are introduced for the first time, the story doesn't make any vague references to events only "Trekkies" would remember and, more importantly, the "technobabble" is kept to a strict minimum. I went with a few girls and even they understood everything.

J.J. Abrams was extremely clever in how he approached this franchise reboot: he actually devised a way to start from scratch yet still maintain a link to all previous Star Trek episodes and films. I won't give too much away, but suffice to say that a certain plot device will shut any Trekkie's mouth if complaints are heard. For non-fans like myself though, the new plot and cast work extremely well and actually got me interested in all that was happening on-screen. There were even moments where I didn't want the film to end. Yes, you read that right.

Spock (Quinto) and Kirk (Pine)

The casting was spot on and each character felt unique and well-rounded thanks to the actors portraying them. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are perfect as Kirk and Spock, bringing their own twist to the characters while remaining true to their essences. Simon Pegg, while late to the party, really shines as Scotty, everyone's favorite Scottish engineer. There is true potential for his character in the sequel. John Cho and Zoe Saldana's performances are also great, but they pale in comparison to Anton Yelchin's Chekov. Every time he is on screen, you can't help but love every minute of it.

The cast (and, technically, crew).

Special mention must be given to Michael Giacchino, who's score fit the film like a glove and carried every scene masterfully. Looking back, I can think of a few scenes that would not have had the same impact if the score had been different or missing. It really became a character in its own right and must be commended. Here's to you, Mikey!

A great film that has already made countless new Trekkies throughout the world, it truly deserves to be seen be everyone. Give it a chance. You might not be a sci-fi fan, but if you like great characters, story and action, you'll most definitely walk out satisfied.

"Crank" [May 5, 2011]

2011-08-11T22:50:00.011-04:00

Hitman Chev Chelios (Statham) wakes up at home to discover he’s been infected with the Beijing Cocktail, a poison that causes vital organ function to slow down until the victim dies. He sets out on a quest for revenge and redemption after he discovers that he can beat off the effects for a while by keeping his adrenaline pumping. Using every means necessary to stay “cranked”, Chelios runs rampant through the streets of L.A. in hopes of getting everything that needs to be done, done.

As Hollywood continues to over saturate the market with remakes of tired films or “blockbusters” that try too hard and fail, it’s reassuring (not to mention refreshing) to see that certain filmmakers still enjoy creating something different without too much regard for what the fat cats have to say. You know the ones I’m talking about: they won’t necessarily get the best reviews or please all the audience members, but there’s enough strangely provocative material in their work that a few die-hard fans will praise the ground it walks on, turning it into a cult classic overnight.

With that in mind, first-time directors and writers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor pump out one of the coolest debut movies since Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, featuring an amazing cast and awesome soundtrack that rival the latter’s in terms of sheer coolness. While Crank won’t win as many (or any, for that matter) awards, it’s definitely won its fair share of fans. A love-it-or-hate-it kind of movie, it rewards patient viewers with great cinematography, excellent performances and a strange blend of dark comedy and action that all make for an excellent “popcorn” flick. Anyone looking for more, whether it be a convoluted plot or a sense of realism, will be extremely disappointed. However, by the time the 80’s metal-fueled Atari-esque opening is through, those people will probably have left the room, realizing that this film doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Don't mess with Statham... he will FUCK you up.

Whoever is left afterwards will witness no-holds barred filmmaking at its finest. Profanity, drug usage, nudity, excessive gore, female degradation, car thievery, public exposure, public sex, public property destruction… it’s all there and more. Probably the reason they went with Jason Statham for the lead: he’s played in movies that have covered all these aspects and looks like he might actually enjoy it. I mean, come on. You don’t become one of Hollywood’s rising action stars from having a British-bad-boy accent alone, do you?

Including the she’s-so-cute-she’s-sexy Amy Smart as a lead was also a wise choice, a perfect ying to Statham’s yang. Their on-screen chemistry as a couple was excellent in bringing out some great gut-busting scenes as Statham’s character attempts to hide (and later on reveal) his gangster lifestyle from his unsuspecting lover. Efren Ramirez (Napoleon Dynamite’s “Pedro”) also gets some laughs as the cross-dressing Kaylo and Jose Pablo Cantillo shines as Verona, the movie’s main antagonist. The only real casting gripe I have was with Dwight Yokam’s character, Doc Miles. While he had some importance in the script, his character felt bland and under-used. Then again, I suppose having a cool-headed, slow-talking man of science was just what the movie needed to give the main character a reason to hold onto sanity and the audience some time to catch their breath. After all, this movie is literally 1h30mins of non-stop action. Well, that’s if you don’t hit the rewind button too many times to see brutality over and over again. Trust me, though. It’ll definitely happen a few times.

A great “leave your brain at the door and put your body on cruise control” romp through the eyes of a man with nothing to lose that will leave most action fans salivating. Definitely not something to watch with analytical people who can’t let go of the real world, because they’ll ruin the fun there is to be had. Instead, grab your best bud and your best brew and let your senses take over. This is one wild ride you’ll enjoy from start to kickass finish.

Misfits- “American Psycho” [May 5, 2011]

2011-07-06T00:59:00.002-04:00

When a band breaks up due to internal conflict, it usually means a reunion will never happen. Sure, it can sometimes return with a new lineup, but it rarely works out in the long run and ends up being a mere shadow of its former self. Some, however, end up like The Misfits, a band that has risen from the ashes more than once to produce fresh material that compliments the back catalogue instead of desecrating it. This is quite a feat for a band that has gone through hell and back so often you can’t help but feel it is appropriately named.

A punk band at its core, The Misfits were responsible for the birth of horror-themed rock that is still popular today. They were big in the late 70’s/early 80’s, but unfortunately broke up in 1983. More than a decade later, they reappeared with a new lineup and released American Psycho, which demonstrated how a new vocalist and musicians can effectively rejuvenate an outfit that, for all intents and purposes, should have stayed dead. Gone was the straightforward punk sound and in came a powerful fusion of heavy metal and punk rock. Michale Graves’ soothing vocals brought exciting contrast to Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein’s metal-infused punk riffs while Jerry Only’s powerful bass playing complemented Dr. Chud’s incessant attack on the drums. It all came together to create a timeless album that is as inspirational as it is entertaining. It took The Misfits’ name to new heights and introduced a whole new generation to their music (myself included).

The Misfits' 1995-2000 lineup.

Featured are many now-classic tracks, such as the short-yet-powerful “The Haunting” (one of the shortest songs recorded by the band), the anthem “Don’t Open ‘Til Doomsday” (keep your ears open for the hidden track afterwards) and the title track, known for switching abruptly between intense heavy metal and classic-punk. However, there is one song that has always stood out among the rest: “Dig Up Her Bones”. With its incredibly catchy chorus and simple-yet-memorable riff, it has always been the song of choice amongst fans and new-comers alike. If you listen to one Misfits song, make it this one.

Even though Jerry Only is today’s only surviving member, American Psycho will always stand the test of time to prove that a band can rise from the ashes with an entirely new approach, sound and vision and succeed masterfully.

Kanno,Yoko- "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex OST 2" [May 5, 2011]

2011-07-06T00:54:00.003-04:00

Yoko Kanno is known worldwide for producing some of the most captivating film/TV music of the last decade, most prominently in her native country of Japan. She has rabid fans around the globe who track her work obsessively and with good reason. Her compositions are as varied as there are musical genres and Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Original Soundtrack 2 demonstrates this beautifully.

If someone were to ask you to classify this album, you’d have one hell of a hard time. It fuses a plethora of different styles and genres like soft rock, jazz and ambient electronica in order to create a truly unique audio experience that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of if they’ve seen the show or not. I personally have only watched a handful of episodes, but it was enough to have its music grab me and make me seek out the soundtracks. They are all quite excellent, but the reason I chose to review this one is simply because its flow is uninterrupted (mostly) and its sound can attract even the most casual of listeners with its wide variety of memorable songs.

From the opening track, “Cyber Bird”, to the closing number, “We Can’t Be Cool”, everything on this disc makes you feel like a million bucks. Featuring a good mix of instrumental and vocal songs, Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Original Soundtrack 2 is a “feel good” album in every way, full of fresh beats and superb melodies. Stand-out tracks are Jillmax’s “Get 9”, with its attitude-filled funk rock, Scott Matthew’s “Psychedlic Soul”, with its incredibly soothing atmospherics and Origa’s “Rise”, which is infectious beyond belief thanks to its techno-inspired rhythm and haunting vocals. Every other track is brilliant as well, so make sure not to miss one. Well, there is one song that begs to be skipped: “Go DA DA”. It was obviously recorded as a background selection and it fails to stand on its own outside the show’s context.

This is an album that anyone can enjoy and is highly recommended if you want to listen to something a little different and something a lot more refreshing than what you get flooded with on a daily basis. Yoko Kanno fans can pick this up without even thinking about it, because it is some of her most remarkable work to date. There really isn’t much more to say other than: what are you waiting for? Get to it, man!

Grapevine- "From a Smalltown" [May 5, 2011]

2011-07-03T22:59:00.006-04:00

Grapevine- "From A Smalltown" (2007)

Have you ever stumbled upon something so mind-blowing that the realization you’ve lived your life without it makes you feel like a sinner? That’s exactly what happened to me with Grapevine’s From A Smalltown. I popped the disc in, expecting harmless entertainment, only to find myself repenting after every jaw-dropping track. I couldn’t believe that such an outstanding outfit had flown under my radar, especially one that had been around since 1993.

Grapevine’s sound is kind of like a cross between early Oasis and The Back Horn’s lighter side, complemented by distorted guitars, strong bass lines and soothing-yet-edgy vocals. It all meshes together to create a rich musical experience that can appeal to many different tastes and moods. Sure, you can still air guitar to straight-cut rock tracks like “Forge Master” and “I Must Be High”, but the album’s real strong point is the plethora of other instrumentation used to add gusto to the mix. Subtle synth-organs create the perfect blend of upbeat rock and soothing lounge tones (as evidenced in “COME ON” and “indasutoriaru”), slide guitars find a way to conjure up southern rock vibes (“ran chiero ‘58” being a good example) and sprinklings of piano beautifully accompany softer pieces like “Smalltown, superhero”. It’s an album that can be enjoyed at any given moment, whether on a sad rainy day or a gorgeous summer night.

Small picture. Big sound.

I could go on about the excellent production, tight musicianship and brilliant arrangements, but I’ll just get to the point; From A Smalltown is a damn good album. That being said, if you happen to be one of the poor souls out there who’s lived life sans-Grapevine up until now, consider this a wake-up call.

VIDEOS

2009-12-30T02:04:00.009-05:00

2009-12-29T00:22:00.025-05:00

picks

Reviews are everywhere on the web these days. Seems everyone's got an opinion on the latest and greatest. Where this section differs is that I won't bother sharing my thoughts on "what's hot".

Instead, I'll give you recommendations on things to check out when you're looking for entertainment, and why they deserve your attention.

So, pick a category and let's get going.

Updated: whenever the hell I feel like it.

RANDOM TOMFOOLERY

2009-01-10T22:36:00.003-05:00

The pilgrimage!

Other Nonsense

Links

2009-01-09T22:14:00.003-05:00

BGK music courtesy of:

FAQ

2008-02-07T16:05:00.008-05:00

--Who the hell is "The Mick"?
The Mick is just some dude who likes to talk. Fuggedaboudit.

--What's the purpose of this site?
It started off as a blog (y'know, to rant about pointless shit) but eventually evolved into a site where The Mick's friends could come get recommendations on random multimedia to pass the time. Eventually, it just got bigger and turned into a portal for all his reviews and original videos. Sweet, huh?

--Why should I come back here after I've checked it out once?
Good question! Let's see...

-Weekly game, music, movie and TV show reviews/recommendations!
-Weekly original videos, ranging from totally awesome to totally retarded (which is awesome in its own right)!
-New features added regularly!

The Mick's Flicks

2002-08-11T22:44:00.004-04:00

Crank [2006]

Star Trek [2009]

Terminator: Salvation [2009]

The Mick's Turntable

2002-08-11T22:32:00.008-04:00

Grapevine- "From A Smalltown" [2007]

Kanno, Yoko- "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex OST 2" [2004]

M

Misfits, The- "American Psycho" [1997]

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Various Artists- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex OST 2 [2004]

STAFF

1999-05-14T20:16:00.019-04:00

Owner, Editor-in-chief, Head Writer

AGE: 27

LOCATION: Montreal, Canada

LIKES: Japanese culture, fine brew and the way the air smells on Halloween.

DISLIKES: Sunlight, brussel sprouts and ghetto speak.

QUOTE: "Groovy."

BIO: Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Scottie became obsessed with film and music at a young age, always looking for the latest and greatest. A love for literature eventually sank in, leading to a keen interest in the English language and writing. Previously a columnist for www.jame-world.com and Purple Sky magazine, Scottie now works as a freelance reviewer.

Special FX Supervisor and Director of Photography for Orignal Videos

AGE: TBA

LOCATION: Montreal, Canada

LIKES: TBA.

DISLIKES: TBA.

Insert random quote here.

CONTACT US

1999-05-03T02:11:00.002-04:00

The Mick- the.mick@hotmail.com