This Week In Song #3

Now I haven't really gone through any new albums this week, but sometimes I don't go through them. And like this week, sometimes I just blast one genre. This weeks was, you guessed it rap and hip-hop. But with the exception of Watch the Throne, I was largely stuck in the 2000-2007 years. People write off the 2000s as the start of the decline of hip-hop. I've always highly disagreed with that. If you wade through and push aside the Souja Boy's and the Wiz Khalifa's you can find great songs and albums.

Eminem- The Marshall Mathers LP

Now these are two of the best songs off what I call Eminem's best album. This first song is dark humored rant at women over a catchy beat in "Kill You". Why does is go off on women? Cause he can, and it makes for a damn good open to the album. Then we get the other end of the spectrum with "Kim". If you've heard this song before you know it's the story of a man who has been cheated on (and cheated himself) and he reaches the breaking point in an anger filled rage chronicling the last moments of his wife's life. This song hit's me HARD every time I listen to it, but it's too damn good to just skip over. 

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Jay-Z- The Blueprint

Now I featured "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)" in last weeks post, but I remember listing off a ton of runner up songs from the album. Well here's two of them and one even includes the man from above, Eminem. The Blueprint, I've always said is Jay's best album. All the tracks are top notch, beasts crisp, and lyrics on point. Fun fact Jay-Z wrote this entire album in 24 hours. If ya'll didn't think he was good, listen to this in his prime Jay-Z. He'll change your mind. Here's "U Don't Know" and "Renegade"

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Lupe Fiasco- Food & Liquor

This is a classic for me, even though it's only 5 years old it's still a damn good listen and gave me hope that new ideas and great lyricists are in this world. Lupe's voice and timing, down to breathing technique is smooth. Not to mention he can spit fire and sounds good doing it. The beats are all nice, and even though it's about my 50th listen to the album it never feels old to me. That's the sign of a good album with retaining value in my book. This is Lupe's freshman album too, last time I was impressed with a rappers first album was Kanye with The College Dropout. Not I featured "Daydreamin'" feat. Jill Scott last week. But please do enjoy "Kick, Push" and "Sunshine" from this great album.

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Talib Kweli- Eardrum

Now Talib you've probably never heard of outside of being on a few guest spots. BUT if you're a hip-hop head like me you know he's one half of Black Star with Mos Def and one of the best rappers in the last ten years. He's a true wordsmith and even his slow raps are usually quick and well done. Now most people would say Talib's best album is Quality from 2002 ("Get By" is an epic song), but Eardum has always been my favorite of his. The lyrics, beats, and multitude of guests make it a great album all around to listen to. The two tracks I've singled out from this album are "In The Mood" feat. Roy Ayers and Kanye West and "Oh My Stars" feat. Musiq Soulchild.

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Kanye West- The College Dropout

Haha you knew it was coming. What's a list of mine without my personal favorite. Mr. Kanye West. And with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy being like 1 millionth on a notch lower than The College Dropout this is his best album. He came in roaring with "Jesus Walks" and "Through The Wire" and kept the rap with songs like "Spaceship" and "Two Words." The beats are still great to me, though I can see how they could be heard as a bit dated after MBDTF. His rapping is great, this album has his best lyrical content,  and the guests are bountiful (Jay-Z, J. Ivy, Common, GLC, Consequence, Mos Def, Ludcris, Twista, and Jamie Foxx). This is what the mid-2000s hip-hop scene needed and after 2010s MBDTF he's changed the style yet again. Please enjoy "Spaceship" and "Through The Wire" (both mentioned above).

Halloween Movie Month [The Texas Chainsaw Massacre] and [Psycho]

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is, to my knowledge, one of the first horrors based off of a true story. If it's not the first, it's still one of the best. But it's not one of the "My son is possessed, let's call in an exorcist." true stories. It follows the story of 5 young  people traveling across Texas. They have to wait for gas, cause the tanker at the nearest station hadn't arrived yet. They decide to go to Sally's old grandparents house she use to visit as a kid. When two of them decide to go swimming in the old creek and stumble upon a house run by a generator. All hell breaks loose when the owner of the house, a madman wielding a chainsaw, terrorizes them. I really like it, it was made in 1976 and it shows. But even with the age it works well, the music is, to me, eerie a hell, and even the rustic farmland of Texas as they travel looks good. I may be a little bias living in Texas and driving with the scenery around me everyday, but it appeals to me. The younger ones, well, they scream and die well. Where it gets good is with Leatherface and (SPOILER) company. The last ten minutes, turned into a mind fuck as everything comes together at a dinner table. The movie is at a slow pace, and tells a good story. It's okay though, cause the last 30-40 minutes really crank it up and it's not a long movie to begin with so it all works out. I like this. It's not bloody, but the kills are sudden and violent (especially the truck one near the end), the story is true/good, and for it's time is creepy as fuck. Have fun watching, and don't drive through rural Texas in a group of five with a dude in a wheelchair.

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It was only a matter of time before Hitchcock, and what better movie of his than the exceptional Psycho. In case you've never seen a classic movie in your life the story goes like this. A woman and a man are in love, but can't get married. As the opening scene ends, the man goes back to his out-of-state home as the woman goes back to work at a housing office as a secretary. A rich man paying $40,000 in cash for his daughters house (as a wedding present) comes in. Even though the customer and owner are friends, he asks the woman to take the money to the safe deposit box in the bank. Opportunity strikes and snap judgments happen and the woman swipes the money and starts driving to her lover. On the way she stops a motel off the beaten path for the night, due to a bad storm. Little did she know that this night could be her last. First off, Hitchcock, amazing. The Birds, Strangers On A Train, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Vertigo, are all amazing films. But Psycho has always been my favorite, not just cause of the highly infamous shower scene either. The music, to the tee. Sometimes it's even creepily playing when seemingly nothing is going on, just to keep you on your toes. Also the acting is grand. Janet Leigh as Marion Crane to start off the film is pitch perfect and taking over the second half of great acting is Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates. John Gavin and Vera Miles as Sam Loomis and Lila Crane are a good chemistry as well. For the era, the kills are and look fantastic and really come outta nowhere. Also the story, and yes even the writing is great. And the end scene is just awesome to watch. I can't express how good this movie is and it's a shame movies today can't be like this. Watch it, you won't be disappointed.

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Halloween Movie Month! Movies #1/2: How To Be A Serial Killer and Red State

Halloween Movie Month! Movie #3: The Evil Dead
Halloween Movie Month! Movie #4: The Shining
Halloween Movie Month! {Bonus}: American Horror Story

Halloween Movie Month [American Horror Story] {BONUS}

Now this isn't a movie per-say, but I've been clamoring to watch this show once I first saw the trailers and previews running on FX. We open with two kids going into a house, breaking everything left inside, and finally being killed by a mysterious force. Now the main premise is the story of a who family moves into an old house, that used to be owned by a big-shot back in the day. Turns out the old owners before them were involved in a murder/suicide. The mother is a housewife who recently had a bad miscarriage, the dad is a psychiatrist starting to work from home, and the daughter is adjusting to yet another new school.  They all have secrets and problems to boot. (You'll see if/when you watch the episode.) The kills, from what is shown look standard and I liked not being able to see everything. Lets the mind fill in the blanks. But this is much more of a mind-bending show. Seeing things that aren't there, the kid from next door giving ominous warnings, people seeing even other people in two different ways. There's already so much to process from the premiere. Like I said, the family has problems, the psych aspects and explanations are cool, the scares work well, and the mind-bending parts that happen are very cool to see. The acting is good and real, the cinematography and visuals looks great, and the dark tones/lighting help everything along. All in all, it's a cable horror show that doesn't suck (so far) and works for me. Give it a try, so far, I like it.

Halloween Movie Month! Movies #1/2: How To Be A Serial Killer and Red State

Halloween Movie Month! Movie #3: The Evil Dead
Halloween Movie Month! Movie #4: The Shining

Halloween Movie Month [The Shining]

Now if you've never seen The Shining, you're missing out on one of horrors first fine films. It tells the story on the Torrance family, who take over the daily repair needs of a hotel that can't afford to keep it's doors open for the harsher winter months. From the start Danny's imaginary friend, Tony tells him a bad idea to go there. When they finally do arrive it's quaint at first, turning into a terror-filled hotel of real horrors affecting everyone's minds. Right from the start of this movie the cinematic looks of the mountains in Colorado are gorgeous. The first driving scene up, later in the movie when Shelly goes outside after months of Winter has dropped snow on the hotel and even the pull back of the hedge-maze looks amazing. Also the rooms and the hotel itself look unique and grandiose. Also the music is perfect. Happy in the happy times, leading to a scare it builds, and when something big happens it hits you. By the way, I love the use of the heartbeat behind the music in scenes. Perfect touch for this type of movie. The metamorphosis of Jack, by Jack Nicholson. is truly great acting in my eyes. Not saying Shelly Duvall and Danny Lloyd aren't good. Shelly is better than most lead horror actresses today, and Danny does as well as a kid can do acting. But with Jack, we start with a hard-working man. Wanting to get away and work on his life and be with his family. But at some points he starts to turn, and finally a psychopath emerges that's a pleasure to see on the screen. Nicholson's so good at his timing, the talk, even down to all the facial expressions. Just perfection. If you're looking for a bloodbath, find another movie. This one's gonna mess with your head, make you say "what the fuck", and maybe even make you jump a few times. Psych-horror at it's finest. This one is a must see in my book.

Halloween Movie Month! Movies #1/2: How To Be A Serial Killer and Red State

Halloween Movie Month! Movie #3: The Evil Dead

Halloween Movie Month [The Evil Dead]

So this is another movie I watched about a month ago (I swear I get to movies I've watched on the day soon enough haha). I've seen the series before and it's one I forgot to add to my list of top horror films in my introduction to what I'm doing this month. Sam Raimi, most of ya'll probably know him from Spiderman 1-3, has a flair for horror. It's how he basically started and it's in his blood. The Evil Dead follows the story of three couples who decide to take a trip up an old cabin in the woods that one of them bought. Upon arriving   strange things start happening after they explore the house and find an old mans tape (who did supernatural research) and play it. Now it becomes a fight for survival against seen and unseen forces. Now if you like blood and gore, like me, this movie is straight up your alley. Raimi spares no expense for gushing, squirting, bleeding, pooling, covering, and whatever other way blood can happen. Also, aside from all the other "kids", Bruce "Motherfuckin'" Campbell owns as the protagonist Ash. If you don't know Bruce, shame on you. He's a pro at doing B-movie horrors and also plays Sam Axe in one of my favorite shows Burn Notice. In this movie he acts as well as possible and when he's given a chance to be funny admist all that's going on, it works. Also the 80s horror music is quite chilling and surprisingly great. Works when they're a chase or death, and kept me on my toes. The acting is as good as it can get all around, the story is original, the death, blood, and gore are great, and it was a fun supernatural horror film to watch. Here's another one that's on the ole Netflix instant too. Go watch it.

Halloween Movie Month Post #1: How To Be A Serial Killer and Red State

Halloween Movie Month [How To Be A Serial Killer] and [Red State]

Now I've decided to do some movie reviews all this month of October. Trying to get in/watch a movie a day. And what better way than with a genre I love but have never really delved into, horror. Now as of now my biggest, and most favorite, horror movies, is the SAW franchise. Close second goes to Dawn/Day/Night of the Living Dead, Resident Evil, and 28 Days/Weeks Later. And some (or most) those movies will be watched reviewed this month I'd gather. But I'm going to start with two, more recent horror labeled films. One I watched about a month ago (Ahh that was a great night as I remember), and the party with me agreed that it was a very surprisingly good flick, in How To Be A Serial Killer. Also the one I watched just last week Red State. Without further adieu, here is movies #1/2.

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Now HTBACK (I'm going to abbreviate cause it's a long ass title) is one of them there hybrid genre movies as it's part horror as well as comedy. It follows the life of a serial killer, Mike Wilson, and his apprentice Bart, as he teaches him the ropes on how to have a normal life whilst being a serial killer. Now there is breaks in the movie as well where we get a psychologist giving us insight on a serial killers, thoughts, actions, motives, etc. And we also get introduction, almost like a sales pitch, to each rule for in fact, being a serial killer. Obviously this humor isn't Will Ferrell, this is still a horror movie. But it's the little things in Mike and Bart's conversations, and the presentation of the rules to live by. The horror is kept to a minimum, you see kills, but the bloodier ones (i.e. with a lawnmower) and other kills are kept off screen. To where you only see the bloody aftermath. Let's your imagination take over with what happened. The acting is solid enough, the lead Mike, played by Dameon Clarke worked well as a closeted demented killer. Also Matthew Gray Gubler (who I recognized from Criminal Minds) plays the never getting anywhere in life apprentice that wants to learn. Overall, it's a good watch. There's some nice kills, I loved the background psychologist aspect, and the funny parts like the steps/conversations will get a smile/laugh out of you. Never fear, it's on Netflix instant. So if my review is has any appeal to you, go on and watch it.

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Let me start by saying behind The Coen Brothers and Quentin Tarnatino, Kevin Smith is one of my favorite directors. Clerks, Clerks II, Mallrats, and Dogma are some of my top movies of all time. But this movie perplexes me. If you've seen my Twitter/Facebook posts you know my gripe. I couldn't find the horror or scariness of this movie. The story starts off with three friends who find a Craigslist-like post of a woman who wants to meet up and have sex. After some lies and a bit of a car accident, they get to the woman. She puts one beer in them, when she tells them to drink another and go in the room to strip down. They start to do as they're told and pass out. This where where the fun begins as they wake up in a cage, and tied up, in a radical church, with seemingly no way to escape. First off, I love the writing and monologues in this movie. The first classroom scene, the friends interacting, and the preachers sermon are grand and start the movie off on a fantastic note. It then turns into a escape and/or rescue mission film as people start getting shot and the FBI is called in. John Goodman comes in as well, and makes it instantly better. His humor, into seriousness over the course of the flick was nice. The only character I really connected to, and it show. The kills were nice, mostly gun shots. But a couple were to the head and outta nowhere. As I already said the acting was quite nice. My opinion is try it. If I ever buy it it'll be because it's ok as a thriller (not horror IMO), it's got good acting, and a great dialogue.

WWE Hell in a Cell 2011 Picks

There's been two weeks of build-up to this PPV since the debacle that was Night of Champions and I'll be damned if there were any real build-up, besides "I want my title back", "I'm sick of fluke wins" or "You cost me a title you're gonna pay." So this PPV I'll be post how I think the match is gonna go, who's gonna win and who I want to win. Simple enough eh? I hope so.

Sheamus vs Christian in a singles match

This could be another great match/feud for Christian. He brought Randy Orton up to some of his best matches in years, and Sheamus has been working hard and looking good as of late. This is one of those  "You're a whiny bitch" and "In turn you cost me a title" angles and I'm fine with that. They had two weeks to build-up. Hopefully this gets 15-18 minutes and let's Christian/Sheamus possibly steal the show.

Winner: Sheamus

Who I Want To Win: Christian

Kelly Kelly (Divas Champion) vs Beth Phoenix in a singles match for the Divas Championship

You all know the story, The Divas of Doom (Beth and Natyala) are sick of the current, let's be frank, shitty divas. Yet they can't get wins over the likes of Kelly Kelly and Eve. I think if Beth doesn't win here she's not gonna get the belt. Which is a shame cause she's the best diva currently on the roster.

Winner: Beth Phoenix

Who I Want To Win: Beth Phoenix

Sin Cara (Blue) vs Sin Cara (Black) in a singles match

Weird way to bring the real sin Cara back. But as long as he wins, I think he the black one, in a non-botchfilled match it'll be good. Nothing much to say, hopefully it's just a good match between the two.

Winner: Sin Cara (Black)

Who I Want To Win: Sin Cara (Black)

Mark Henry (World Heavyweight Champion) vs Randy Orton in a Hell in a Cell match for the World Heavyweight Championship

I like them putting the title on the monster and proprietor of the Hall of Pain that is Mark Henry. He's legit right now after taking out superstars and beating Orton clean at Night of Champions. But this is Orton and if things aren't going well he's one of Vince's WWE Viagra pills. I like Henry as champ, and I only liked Orton as champ cause of Christian matches. The Hell in a Cell match should be meh at best though.

Winner: Randy Orton

Who I Want To Win: Mark Henry

John Cena (WWE Champion) vs CM Punk vs Alberto Del Rio in a Triple Threat Hell in a Cell match for the WWE Championship

CM Punk finally get's his rematch from the Summerslam loss to Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio gets his rematch from his loss to John Cena at Night of Champions. Del Rio went nuts on Cena/Punk at the end of Raw and for the first time looked strong. CM Punk and John Cena have already proven they can go and put on a great match. Throw 'em in a Hell in a Cell and see what comes of it. I think it'll be the match of the night too.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Who I Want To Win: CM Punk