W♥M

Guns, gangs, and girls

Absolution (2024) Read More Liam Neeson Where we last saw actor Liam Neeson, it was for the “hitman with a heart of gold” movie Memory in 2022 - a remake of The Alzheimer Case. I mentioned for an actor in his 70s he was still very believable as an action star. …

Absolution (2024)
samuelgoldwynfilms.com

You guys know that I’m a massive Liam Neeson fan. I will see any film he stars in, including stinkers like Retribution (2023).

Neeson’s latest action thriller Absolution came out November 1, 2024, in theaters and is making its way to streaming services and home entertainment. I’ve previously mentioned that the actor is in his 70s and perhaps his time as an action star should be downgraded something a little slower.

Still, I love watching Neeson. It’s his voice or something. He plays a former boxer, now aging gangster (I’m not even sure he’s given a name!), but he’ll slip into his Irish accent sometimes. Who cares, he just sounds so tough!

I like the story, as predictable as it is. It’s one of those gangster with a heart of gold story or it’s a redemption story. Always enjoyable, but predictable. Of course, that one guy is the bad guy, of course he’s going to die soon (or contemplating suicide and has nothing to live for).

The action sequences and gunfights are the best part of the movie. Neeson is old (he looks it too!) and he doesn’t always move too fast… but when he hits a guy, “his ancestors will feel it!” It’s great. I don’t even mind that it’s a body double doing some of the action. Let’s face it, he’s no Tom Cruise.

The worst part of Absolution is the pacing. It’s a slow burn to get to the plot. Why are we spending time dining with his girlfriend? Why are we given all these dreams with his dad? I know it’s a way to tell the story of this gangster, but I felt those scenes didn’t really pay off at the end of the film. Can we just focus on trying to find out who put a hit on Neeson?

Sadly, given his advanced age, Neeson will likely stop doing action films this year (2025). His next film will be a reboot of The Naked Gun.

Dirty Angels (2024) Read More Eva Green The main character is Ethan Chandler (played by Josh Hartnett) as a gunfighter. He's recruited by Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) and Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton) to fight some old Egyptian evil. …

Dirty Angels
lionsgate.com

It’s been a while since I last saw Eva Green. In her prime, she was starring in various Frank Miller’s films like Sin City, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, and 300: Rise of an Empire. I love seeing her, and loved her television appearance in Penny Dreadful … but, like I said, that’s probably the last time I saw her.

I found out that she spent a few years suing a production company for not paying her, and the film, A Patroit, was ultimately abandoned. She then starred in a Philippines movie called Nocebo (it looks like a low budget movie) and a couple of French films based on Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers… which I never saw.

So, Dirty Angels is probably Green’s first major US film in quite a few years. Seeing Green on screen, it’s fascinating how much she’s changed over the years. I almost didn’t recognize her.

The story is about a military soldier who survived a hostage situation in Afghanistan, where her entire crew was killed. Years later, she returns to the country to help try and free several students captured by a group of terrorists. Green joins a group of other skilled women, like a mechanic, a technician, a weapon expert, etc. They posing as charity/medical team traveling in a dangerous country.

It does sound like a good setup for a movie, I was already picturing this as the A-Team or something, but as the story drags on, I realized it’s playing it too realistic… and too depressing.

As you can probably guess, I didn’t like this film. I think if you like military-type films, this might be really cool for you, but I just found it kind of boring and I didn’t really care for any of the characters. I wish there was also more action, and less on the terrorists.

Read more Movies.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Justice is Blind

Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (Television Show) Read More Zatoichi If you've never heard of Zatoichi, he's a blind swordsman, who wanders Japan in the Edo period as a masseur (although he seems to make most of his money at dice games). …

Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
tubitv.com

Do you ever wonder why there are so many Zatoichi films (26 in total)? That’s because it was really meant to be a serial for television, but back in the early sixties, televisions weren’t as common. By the mid-seventies, almost every home in Japan had a television, so Zatoichi continues his adventures in a television show. Between 1974 and 1979, a total of 100 episodes of Zatoichi were produced.

Distribution rights for those television shows were made available on DVD via Tokyo Shock, but they are somewhat hard to find and is expensive for subtitled shows. I have a few of those Zatoichi television shows at home, but gave up on trying to collect the whole 100 episodes.

The cool thing is that you can now stream those Zatoichi shows on Tubi for free as of September 2024. Remember how I own a giant Vizio 65” TV? Tubi is one of the apps on Vizio! This is just perfect. If you don’t have a TV, you can download the free app or watch it via your web browser on your computer.

Since I do own the DVDs, I have watched the first few episodes, but let me tell you - I have no memory of it! It’s good to re-watch the first episode and remind myself of the old television aspect ratio (4:3) and how almost black-and-white and grainy it seems. They must have shot this on cheap film. I wonder if some company might re-master or enhanced the shows to add a little more color and saturation?

If you’re itching for more Zatoichi, you can purchase each film on Amazon for about $4.50 each.

Eye for an Eye 2: Blind Vengeance (2024) Read More Defiant Defiant (目中无人), aka Blind Sword, a 2022 Chinese movie, is clearly a rip off of Zatoichi. You know me, I love Zatoichi, I own all of Toho’s films on DVD and Bluray (thanks to the Criterion boxset), and even owning the …

Eye for an Eye 2
amzn.to

I was pretty sure I’ve seen the first movie, yet the title Eye for an Eye 2 didn’t sound familiar. It turns out that I’ve seen the first movie, but it was titled Defiant. Of course, it was also known as Blind Sword… so the film makers didn’t even know what to call the first movie. The film was eventually re-titled to Eye for an Eye: The Blind Swordsman when it was released on Bluray by Wells Go USA.

Just before the new year, Eye for an Eye 2: Blind Vengeance dropped on streaming through Hi-YAH! subscription, and unfortunately, because it came from the source, the film felt like it was heavily censored. There were some moments in the film that just abruptly cut into the next scene. It’s possible that the director isn’t very good and made some bad edits.

The other thing is that the trailer advertised part two as a prequel, which it is not. I wonder if something got lost in translation? If you watch the new film, there is a husband-and-wife kill team recognized the lieutenant and said they served under his direction (indicating that this happened after the first film).

Eye for an Eye 2 starts off with a good action sequence, which sees the blind swordsman kill a bunch of criminals. Then the film flashback and explains how (and why) the blind swordsman ended up there.

While the first film was China’s blatant rip off of Zatoichi, the second film doubles up and also rips off Lone Wolf and Cub. This time, the blind swordsman (I don’t think he’s given a name) is traveling the countryside with a child. The young girl (age 10?) wants revenge for the murder of her brother (?). The father-daughter bounty hunters tracks down all the people who were responsible for her brother’s death.

I find the whole child as an assassin unrealistic. For example, am I to believe that a small child can hold onto an item in a tug of war with a grown man and wins? That’s stupid. Just any scene with the girl fighting, it just looks so stupid. A small child, weighing like fifty pounds, there is absolutely no way can kill a grown man. In fact, any scenes with the girl, I absolutely hated.

I also didn’t like was the inconsistent skills of the blind swordsman. One moment, he’s clearing out a room full of deadly fighters … but in another scene he’s bumbling around and walking into tables. It doesn’t make any sense! I know they had those scenes for comedy relief, but I would take it out! That tone doesn’t belong in this serious movie.

The last thing is that the final boss feared the child assassin. He’s shaking! What??!? It’s a small kid, can’t you defend yourself against a small child? Then later he faces the blind swordsman, and he’s confident and becomes a masterful fighter that can stand his grounds against the blind swordsman. Again, it’s inconsistent.

The only thing good about Eye for an Eye 2 are the fight sequences. I think those scenes are done very well.

If they are going to make a Eye for an Eye 3, I hope they kill off the kid right away and that sets up a revenge plot. You don’t need a story, it’s all action and kills. Also, make use of more darkness/turning out the lights scenes, it’s always a hoot to see Zatoichi take advantage of darkness… it also leaves it up to the viewers’ imagination and saves on budget!

Read more Movies.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

It's Greek to Me

In celebration of the news that film director Christopher Nolan (the guy who directed Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises), will be set to adapt Homer’s The Odyssey, for Universal Studios… I have watch two recent swords & sandals films. The Odyssey will be out in 2026, according to Deadline.

The Return (2024) Read More The Returned The Returned, originally French title Les Revenants, was described as "The Walking Dead with Brains". This is clearly an inaccurate description, despite the clever zombie/brains analogy. The Returned is … Ulysses 31 It’s such a great concept. It’s about Ulysses in the 31st century. He offended the gods, and was banished to unknown space… and the entire series is Ulysses trying to find his way home from his long odyssey. …

The Return
tiff.net

Not related to the horror French show “The Returned” (or the English re-make), this 2024 film The Return is a retelling of Homer’s Odyssey. Rather, The Return is closer to Ulysses 31, which was based on Odysseus’ story (using the Latin spelling of “Ulysses”).

Anyway, the film is only adapt the last section of Odyssey, which finds our hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, finding his way home after the Trojan War. The island, since he left, is lawless, and a group of murderous men are all competing for his wife’s hand in marriage.

Maybe I wasn’t paying attention, but after watching the film, I read that Odysseus was missing for ten years, now it made sense why no one recognized the old king or that everyone assumed he died in the war. Still, to me, it seems silly that no one would recognize Odysseus, but I suppose in those days, they didn’t exactly have Facebook or photographs…

Anyway, this is an excellent film directed by Uberto Pasolini, starring Ralph Fiennes, as Odysseus, Juliette Binoche, as Penelope, and Charlie Plummer, as Telemachus.

What sets this film apart is the wardrobe. Everyone is in Greek togas, just so weird to see with a modern eye. Once the stage is set, you find Odysseus washed on shores. He’s taken in by a stranger, who tells the old man what is going on. He brings the old man to the castle, and Odysseus asking for food. Everyone treats him as a beggar, and their cruelty turns to beating him.

Once the soldiers looking to murder Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, the old man had to fight them to save his child.

To try and save her son’s life, Penelope was forced to make a decision on her suitor. She tells everyone that if they can string Odysseus’ old bow and shoot an arrow through 24 axe-heads, then she will marry that person. The suitors all tried and failed, until the old man steps out and, indeed, stroot straight through, winning her hand in marriage.

What is crazy is this ending. Odysseus just starts shooting and killing all the suitors in the room. It was pure bloodbath, as Telemachus stepped in to help with the slaughter.

Shortly after everything is settled, Telemachus insists on sailing away to find himself and his destiny.

The Return is a little different from the books. In the original story, Telemachus went sailing in search of his wandering father, and when he returned to Ithaca, he found that Odysseus had reached home before him. The two, father and son, then slew the suitors who had gathered around Penelope.

I do like the movie a little better, only because it focuses solely on Ody, rather than his son.

Gladiator II (2024) Read More Ridley Scott What made the film interesting, at least to me, is that the soundtrack is by Dead Can Dance's Lisa Gerrard! So throughout the movie, you do hear that ethereal vocals, similar to her efforts on Ridley Scott's Gladiator. …

Gladiator II
gladiator.movie

Guys, I love, love, love the original Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000). I never wanted or needed a sequel. Why are we getting a second film, twenty-four years later?

Gladiator II has a brand-new cast of characters. I suppose bringing back Russell Crowe was impossible, given the long-time frame and, also, I think he died in the first film. Sorry, it’s been a long time since I saw the first film.

Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal as an exiled Prince of Rome. He’s taken prisoner after a war and becomes a slave-turned-gladiator. The rest plot sees various fights in the Colosseum … I can believe various animals like baboons and rhinos, but sharks in the arena defies all logic. I love Ridley Scott, man, but bringing in ocean water and sharks - that is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. It’s so dumb, that I threw my hands in the air and gave up on following the plot.

Anyway, I don’t want to give anything away, but this film does relate to Maximus from the first film… otherwise, this Gladiator II film should be its own thing.

The new film was made available to rent and stream on Christmas Eve (Dec 24), through your favorite video-on-demand platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV and Vudu.

Read more Movies.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Minneapolis: This Week (11/24/2024)

What’s happening this week.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

13-17 Nov 2024 Sound Unseen at Various Venues Read More Sound Unseen Sound Unseen, which hosted the event, reached out to the band, but they declined, forwarded their regards but fans will be excited to find out that they were busy recording their new record. Other bands on the actual …

13 Nov 2024 Wednesday
14 Nov 2024 Thursday
15 Nov 2024 Friday
16 Nov 2024 Saturday
17 Nov 2024 Sunday

Sound Unseen
at Various Venues
soundunseen.com

25th Anniversary Sound Unseen Film + Music Festival is underway and will end this Sunday, November 17. The music and film festival will take place at several locations throughout the city, including The Parkway Theater, Trylon Cinema, The Main Cinema, Bryant Lake Bowl, The Green Room and VFW Uptown.

According to MinnPost, “After a 25 year run, Sound Unseen will go on an indefinite hiatus.”

If you missed them in Minneapolis, they are doing a final showing at Rochester, Minnesota on December 5-8, 2024.

Sound Unseen writes:

The 25th Anniversary Sound Unseen Film + Music Festival Lineup Announcement is LIVE🚨

MPLS Nov. 13-17
ROCH Dec. 5-8
ATX Dec. 12-14

𝓣𝓲𝓬𝓴𝓮𝓽𝓼 & 𝓜𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓘𝓷𝓯𝓸 𝓪𝓽 𝓛𝓲𝓷𝓴 𝓲𝓷 𝓒𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓼!

Thanks to all of our sponsors and community partners for making 25 years spectacular. Let’s party! See less

Here is Saturday’s schedule


Sound Unseen Saturday Schedule

21 Nov 2024 Better Lovers with Full of Hell, Spy, Cloakroom at Skyway Theatre Read More Better Lovers New York’s Better Lovers are the hottest hardcore band in America right now. That’s because the supergroup features Greg Puciato from Dillinger Escape Plan, Will Putney from Fit for An Autopsy and three … Full of Hell Full Of Hell continues their North American headlining tour this Fall. This new run starts on October 26th through November 18th and hits most major markets on the east coast, midwest and west coast ... Cloakroom Cloakroom opened the show last night. These guys opened for Brand New back in July. They were great last night. They sound like the most professional and most together garage band you have ever heard. …

21 Nov 2024 Thursday

Better Lovers
with Full of Hell, Spy, Cloakroom
at Skyway Theatre
skywaytheatre.com

America’s favorite metalcore supergroup Better Lovers (featuring members of The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, and Fit for an Autopsy) are back in Minneapolis in support of their new album Highly Irresponsible.

The band is comprised of singer Greg Puciato (ex-Dillinger Escape Plan), guitarist Will Putney (Fit for an Autopsy), and three ex-members of Every Time I Die: guitarist Jordan Buckley, drummer Clayton “Goose” Holyoak, and bassist Stephen Micciche.

Better Lovers at Fine Line (11 May 2024)

When we saw the group in May 2024, they were the hottest band in town. The Fine Line sold out and we wrote, “The band basically played their entire debut EP, but also brand new songs, not yet released. They had a lot of energy, and the audience helps feed them the energy with plenty of crowd surfing, moshing/slam dancing. It was so intense, it would often spill over, and you can feel the moshing through the rumbling on the dancefloor.”

Cloakroom, Full of Hell, and Spy to open.

Tour dates:

November 3 Asheville, NC The Orange Peel

November 4 Charleston, SC The Music Farm

November 5 Orlando, FL The Abbey

November 6 Tampa, FL The Orpheum

November 8 Charlotte, NC The Underground

November 9 Richmond, VA Canal Club

November 10 Baltimore, MD Baltimore Soundstage

November 11 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer

November 13 Millvale, PA Mr. Smalls

November 14 Toronto, ON Opera House

November 15 Ottawa, ON Bronson Centre

November 16 Montreal QC Theatre Fairmount

November 17 Brooklyn, NY Warsaw

November 19 Detroit, MI The Magic Stick

November 20 Chicago, IL The Metro

November 21 Minneapolis, MN Lyric @ Skyway

November 23 Denver, CO The Summit

November 24 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex

November 26 Seattle, WA The Crocodile

November 27 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom

November 29 Berkeley, CA The UC Theatre

November 30 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory

December 1 Los Angeles, CA The Regent

December 2 Mesa, AZ The Nile

December 4 Dallas, TX Studio at The Factory

December 5 Oklahoma City, OK Beer City Music Hall

December 6 Lawrence, KS Granada Theater

December 7 St. Louis, MO Delmar Hall

December 8 Lakewood, OH The Roxy

22 Nov 2024 Mark Ambor with kenzie at Fine Line Read More Mark Ambor Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Mark Ambor is headlining the Fine Line, in Minneapolis, on November 22, 2024, in support of his new album Rockwood. …

22 Nov 2024 Friday

Mark Ambor
with kenzie
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Mark Ambor is headlining the Fine Line, in Minneapolis, on November 22, 2024, in support of his new album Rockwood.

Los Angeles-based indie pop artist kenzie to open. Her new album biting my tongue is out now.

Tour Dates:

Nov 1st - Houston, Texas

Nov 2nd - Dallas, Texas

Nov 4th - Austin, Texas

Nov 6th - Phoenix, Arizona

Nov 8th - San Diego, California

Nov 11th - Los Angeles, California

Nov 13th - San Francisco, California

Nov 15th - Portland, Oregon

Nov 16th - Vancouver, Canada

Nov 17th - Seattle, Washington

Nov 19th - Salt Lake City, Utah

Nov 20th - Denver, Colorado

Nov 22nd - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Nov 23rd - Chicago, Illinois

Nov 26th - Detroit, Michigan

Nov 27th - Toronto, Canada

Nov 29th - Montreal, Canada

Nov 30th - Boston, Massachusetts

Dec 2nd - New Haven, Connecticut

Dec 3rd - New York, New York

Dec 4th - New York, New York

23 Nov 2024 Pond with Fazerdaze at First Avenue Read More Pond The thing about Perth, Australia's Pond is that three band members is actually in another, more successful Australian band Tame Impala. Although, it would seem that Pond …

23 Nov 2024 Saturday

Pond
with Fazerdaze
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Australian band Pond is touring in support of Stung!. The tour will stop in at First Avenue, in Minneapolis, on November 23, 2024.

Pond at 7th Street Entry (24 Oct 2018)

We saw Pond in Oct 2018 and wrote, “Fresh from their recent appearance at Desert Daze, Australia’s Pond (not to be confused with American 90s band Pond) has sold out their 7th Street Entry appearance. It shouldn’t be a surprise, given how hot psych rock is at the moment... and the fact that Pond’s members are also in the incredibly popular Tame Impala.”

Fazerdaze to open.

Tour dates:

11.12.24 - Royale - Boston, MA

11.13.24 - Brooklyn Steel - Brooklyn, NY

11.14.24 - Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA

11.16.24 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC

11.17.24 - Mr. Smalls Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA

11.19.24 - Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON

11.20.24 - St. Andrew’s Hall - Detroit, MI

11.22.24 - Vic Theatre - Chicago, IL

11.23.24 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN

11.28.24 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC

11.29.24 - Neptune Theatre - Seattle, WA

11.30.24 - Revolution Hall - Portland, OR

12.3.24 - The Warfield - San Francisco, CA

12.5.24 - The Wiltern - Los Angeles, CA

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Crime Time: The Horror Edition

Read More American Horror Story I recently bought American Horror Story Season 1 and 2 on Bluray (my favorite season is still the third season Coven), and was listening to the Ryan Murphy's audio commentary for the pilot and noticed this brief Morrissey appearance. ....

Grotesquerie
fxnetworks.com

I have been enjoying Grotesquerie on FX (via Hulu).

The show is about Detective Lois Tryon trying to solve a series of gruesome murders. She unexpectedly teams up with a Catholic nun and journalist, Sister Megan. I like that they’re from very different worlds, but it’s the difference between church and state that can catch the serial killer.

The first few episodes are like something taken from the film Seven, because it’s some of the vilest and grossest murder you’ll ever see or heard described.

Although the show tells us that Tryon is an excellent detective, it’s kind of hard to believe because her character is so unprofessional and her personal life is often in her way of doing her job. She’s an alcoholic, her husband is in a coma, and she’s often in trouble with her boss. She’s not a likeable character, but it doesn’t matter, because she solves all her cases - and that’s what counts.

The first half of the series is very good, because it’s mostly about the murders and trying to catch the killer. Then it started turning to the supernatural or it seemed like a weird dream… That’s when the show started losing me.

If you stick to show and keep watching, the final episode will explain it all and it’ll suddenly make sense. Oh, that’s why she’s a terrible cop, oh that’s why the weird fire is following them, oh that’s why that thing was so fantastical… etc. All your questions will be answered and it’s a good twist of an ending.

The show was created by Ryan Murphy, who you may remember is the same guy who created American Horror Story series. I am a fan of those AHS shows, but sometime I feel like they have one good idea and the show struggles to maintain that idea for a whole eight or nine episodes. I think that’s why Murphy re-named the series to American Horror Stories, with each season contain several horror stories and ideas.

Anyway, if you like AHS or Seven, I think you’ll want to check out Grotesquerie.

Read More Silence of the Lambs Anyway, the Clarice show is based on the characters from the popular movie (and book) The Silence of the Lambs. We’re following the further development of FBI agent Clarice Starling. …

Longlegs
neonrated.com

There’s a serial killer loose. He’s murdering multiple families throughout Oregon… but how is he doing it without leaving any trace of being at the actual crime scene. These murders are horrific, and they only happen every twenty years or something weird like that.

FBI agent Lee Harker was asked to work on the case with agent William Carter, because of she demonstrated some psychic abilities. Through Harker’s skills, we find out that all the murdered families have one thing in common, that they all had a nine-year-old daughter born on the 14th day of the month. And it goes crazier and crazier as the film goes on.

For example, when Longlegs shows up in the movie, he looks like a crazy old man. What a weirdo. How is this the mastermind behind all the murders?

To me, the film works better as a cop chasing serial killer … and that’s when I am really enjoying the film. It’s the weird supernatural stuff that are introduced in the film that takes me out of the movie.

I think where it goes wrong is when it started introducing more supernatural elements into the film. It might work better if writer/director Osgood Perkins didn’t really have to explain the murders. Maybe it’s just better leaving it up to the viewer’s imagination.

The film came out in July 2024 and is Neon film’s highest grossing film (the highest-grossing independent film of the year) and it came out on Bluray and UHD on ‎ September 24, 2024.

Read more Movies and Television.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Piece by Piece

PIECE BY PIECE Read More Lego Five Free Movies Big Hero 6 (Disney) Ghostbusters (Sony) Ice Age (20th Century Fox) Jason Bourne (Universal) The Lego Movie (WB) …

If you're going to make a movie about yourself, you might as well make it a LEGO movie. How else could Pharrell have his whole body explode then be able to put his head back on? An appreciative “Thank You” goes to Sound Unseen for partnering with Focus Features to show us a sneak preview of Piece by Piece, a documentary/biography about Pharrell Williams. This Universal movie is in theaters this Friday, October 11th.

Honestly, the only thing I knew about Mr. Williams before going into the movie was that he wore a big hat and that his songs had a good beat. I counted about three colors of giant hats but there's so much more to this biopic, which does include his fashion sense but goes on to talk about the songs written and produced by him, the beats to all of his songs are extraordinary. Although I am saddened to say that The Neptunes are no more, the movie chronicles his start with Chad Hugo. It goes on to interview other stars that he's collaborated with, including but not limited to Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Busta Rhymes, Britney Spears, Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z (Mr Z to get his attention).

The movie starts out with him at a very young age and how he could see colors in his mind's eye when listening to songs, a fascinating condition called synesthesia. Animation then is the perfect medium leading to only something that can exist in an imagination. You can do so much more with cartoons than when you are restricted to a physical universe. So, although this was a family movie, yes, little girl sitting to the left of me, that is just smoke from a smoke machine Snoop Dogg’s entourage is pumping into the room, nothing more, wink wink.

PIECE BY PIECE - Official Trailer

quynh ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Rocktober: October 16, 2024

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

16 Oct 2024 Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert at The Fitzgerald Theater Read More Jim Henson Trivia: Jim Henson did the voice of Kermit the Frog, The Swedish Chef, Rowlf the Dog, Mahna Mahna, The Muppet Newscaster, Link Hogthrob, Waldorf and Dr. Teeth. ....

16 Oct 2024 Wednesday

Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert
at The Fitzgerald Theater
first-avenue.com

Experience Jim Henson’s Labyrinth like never before with Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert!. How this works is that you’re going to be watching the full movie, but with a full live orchestra band performing in sync to the movie. It’s probably not going to be bonkers like seeing a live version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but it’s the same idea.

Please note that there will be two showing: an early (2:30pm) and a late show (6:30pm).

Tour dates:

September 24th, 2024 Morgantown, WV Metropolitan Theatre

September 25th, 2024 Reading, PA Santander Performing Arts Center

September 26th, 2024 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre

September 27th, 2024 York, PA Pullo Family Performing Arts Center

September 28th, 2024 Concord, NH Capitol Center for the Arts

September 29th, 2024 Mississauga, ON Living Arts Centre

October 1st, 2024 Rutland, VT Paramount Theatre, VT

October 2nd, 2024 Medford, MA Chevalier Theatre

October 3rd, 2024 Patchogue, NY Patchogue Theatre

October 4th, 2024 Cranston, RI Park Theatre

October 5th, 2024 Pittsburgh, PA Carnegie Music Hall

October 7th, 2024 Cleveland, OH Agora Theater

October 8th, 2024 Louisville, KY The Louisville Palace

October 9th, 2024 Columbus, OH KEMBA Live!

October 10th, 2024 Lexington, KY Lexington Opera House

October 11th, 2024 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre

October 12th, 2024 Detroit, MI Masonic Temple Theatre

October 13th, 2024 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater

October 13th, 2024 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater

October 14th, 2024 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre

October 16th, 2024 St Paul, MN The Fitzgerald Theater

October 17th, 2024 Waukegan, IL Genesee Theatre

October 18th, 2024 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater

October 19th, 2024 Omaha, NE Holland Performing Arts Center

October 21st, 2024 Dallas, TX Majestic Theatre

October 22nd, 2024 New Orleans, LA Orpheum Theater

October 23rd, 2024 Atlanta, GA The Eastern

October 24th, 2024 Jacksonville, FL Florida Theatre

October 25th, 2024 Orlando, FL The Plaza Live

October 26th, 2024 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall

October 27th, 2024 Ft Lauderdale, FL Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker

16 Oct 2024 Superchunk with Quivers at First Avenue Read More Superchunk We know that Narducy would play with Bob Mould and also Superchunk. His solo project is called Split Single, with a debut album Fragmented World, in 2014. .... Quivers Golden Doubt is the new album from Melbourne’s Quivers. According to band members Holly Thomas and Bella Quinlan, the cancellation of their 21-date US tour (due to COVID), left them undeterred ....

16 Oct 2024 Wednesday

Superchunk
with Quivers
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Superchunk is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Foolish. This important album was the fourth album from Superchunk, previously known as Chunk, when Laura Ballance & Mac McCaughan formed Merge Records in the summer of 1989. If you love that album, here’s your chance to hear it played live.

Of the tour, Mac McCaughan said:

We’re excited to play a bunch of songs from Foolish (and as usual lots of other stuff) in the places where we made the record (Minneapolis and Chicago), some favorite towns we haven’t played in many years (Omaha, Lawrence, New Orleans), and one state where we’ve never played at all—this tour features our first show ever in South Dakota.”

Jason Narducy at the Cedar Cultural Center (28 Oct 2023)

We previously caught Superchunk’s live bassist Jason Narducy (who replaced Balance when she had to stop touring) in Oct 2023 and said, “Despite being around for four decades, he confessed he’s never played the Cedar Cultural Center. It’s not surprising, because the Cedar don’t normally book rock or punk bands, their focus is on World Music and the NPR audience. One of the stories he told early in his set was how his daughter was really into Destroy Boys. So, being the rock dad, he took his kids to Riot Fest and ultimately got the band (particularly guitarist Violet) to meet his daughter. She was crying “tears of joy”, and it was a moment she’ll probably never forget. What was the point to the story? Narducy ended, “The point is buy Destroy Boys records!””

Melbourne’s Quivers to open. We previously mentioned their Golden Doubt album in June 2021, and it looks like they have a new album Oyster Cuts, which just came out on Merge Records on August 9.

Tour dates:

Oct 14 Columbus, OH – Skully’s Music Diner

Oct 15 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall

Oct 16 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue

Oct 17 Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room

Oct 18 Sioux Falls, SD – Icon

Oct 19 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater

Oct 21 Austin, TX – Radio / East

Oct 22 Houston, TX – The White Oak

Oct 23 New Orleans, LA – Toulouse Theatre

Oct 25 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse *

Oct 26 Gainesville, FL – The Fest

* w/ Ted Leo & the Pharmacists

16 Oct 2024 Pokey LaFarge with The Tailspins at Fine Line Read More Pokey LaFarge Pokey Lafarge is playing a two-night residency at the Turf Club in St Paul in support of his new album Manic Revelations (Rounder Records). For some odd reason, the venue is listing …

16 Oct 2024 Wednesday

Pokey LaFarge
with The Tailspins
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

American musician and singer-songwriter Pokey LaFarge is touring in support of Rhumba Country, available on New West Records.

The Tailspins to open.

Tour dates:

Sep 12, 2024 The Charleston Pour House Charleston, SC

Sep 13, 2024 Colonial Oak Music Park St. Augustine, FL

Sep 14, 2024 The Social Orlando, FL

Sep 15, 2024 Key West Theater Key West, FL

Sep 21, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024 Tidelands Music Festival Bremen, ME

Oct 16, 2024 Fine Line Minneapolis, MN

Oct 17, 2024 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL

Oct 18, 2024 The Stache Grand Rapids, MI

Oct 19, 2024 Longboat Hall Toronto, ON

Oct 20, 2024 The Daca Community Center Dacre, ON

Oct 22, 2024 Crystal Ballroom Boston, MA

Oct 23, 2024 Infinity Music Hall Hartford, CT

Oct 25, 2024 Racket New York, NY

Oct 26, 2024 World Cafe Live Philadelphia, PA

Oct 27, 2024 The Atlantis Washington, DC

Oct 29, 2024 Motorco Music Hall Durham, NC

Oct 30, 2024 Terminal West Atlanta, GA

Nov 1, 2024 Saturn Birmingham, AL

Nov 2, 2024 Chelsea's Live Baton Rouge, LA

Nov 4, 2024 The Heights Theater Houston, TX

Nov 5, 2024 Antone's Nightclub Austin, TX

Nov 6, 2024 The Kessler Theater Dallas, TX

Nov 7, 2024 George's Majestic Lounge Fayetteville, AR

Nov 8, 2024 Knuckleheads Saloon Kansas City, MO

Nov 9, 2024 Delmar Hall St. Louis, MO

16 Oct 2024 French Cassettes at Studio B (Skyway Theatre) Read More French Cassettes Bay Area indie rock group French Cassettes will be co-headlining the Underground Music Café with Athens’ Immaterial Possession. Immaterial Possession is touring in support of Mercy Of The Crane Folk (Fire Records) and French Cassettes …

16 Oct 2024 Wednesday

French Cassettes
at Studio B (Skyway Theatre)
skywaytheatre.com

French Cassettes is headlining Studio B (inside the Skyway Theatre), in support of their new album Benzene.

Benzene was recorded by French Cassettes, engineered by guitarist Mackenzie Bunch and mixed by Nick Krill (War On Drugs, Generationals). The album title, a twist on songwriter Lorenzo Scott Huerta’s family nickname, ‘Benz’.

Tour dates:

Sep 29 3rd and Lindsley @ Nashville, TN

Oct 1 The EARL @ Atlanta, GA

Oct 2 Pilot Light @ Knoxville, TN

Oct 3 Fleetwood's @ Asheville, NC

Oct 4 Snug Harbor @ Weekend Friend Charlotte, NC

Oct 5 The Camel Early Events @ Richmond Heights, VA

Oct 6 Songbyrd Music House @ Washington, DC

Oct 7 Johnny Brenda's @ Philadelphia, PA

Oct 9 Baby's All Right @ Brooklyn, NY

Oct 10 The Rockwell @ Somerville, MA

Oct 11 The Iron Horse @ Northampton, MA

Oct 13 Small's @ Hamtramck, MI

Oct 14 Beat Kitchen @ Chicago, IL

Oct 16 Skyway Theatre @ Minneapolis, MN

Nov 14 Lodge Room Highland Park @ Los Angeles, CA

Nov 22 Greens on Tenth @ Modesto, CA

Nov 23 Felton Music Hall @ Felton, CA

Jan 11 The Independent @ San Francisco, CA, United States

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Dìdi

Dìdi (弟弟) Read More Trylon Cinema We caught the last showing for 7 Grandmasters, as part of the An Exploitation Extravaganza showcase, at the tiny 90-person non-profit Trylon Cinema in Minneapolis. … Sound Unseen Fat Wreck Chords (and some of your favorite punk bands: NOFX, Foo Fighters, Bad Religion, Against Me!) at the Sound Unseen Film Festival in St Paul. The film will come to VOD and Blu-ray/DVD on November 22nd via The Orchard and … Motion City Soundtrack Motion City Soundtrack can still qualify as a local band, despite their nationwide popularity and proof that they still connect in Minneapolis, was seen at a crowded main stage for their late afternoon set …

Didi, a movie about an awkward Asian teenager, won the Audience Award after its world premiere at the Sundance festival on January 19th, 2024. Although it is set for a theatrical release on July 26th it’s not making its way to Minnesotan theaters until August 9th so it was an absolute joy to see this state’s first sneak preview at the Trylon Cinema on July 25th.

The south Minneapolis theater in the Longfellow district seats 90. For every guttural laugh I had, the crowd amplified it making each hilarious scene even grander in scale. For every sad emoji moment, there were audible gasps and even exclamations, or more like whispers of “noooo....” For example, when the main character Chris decides to delete his old YouTube videos, forever lost to the ether.

The film was set in 2008, 5 years after MySpace was launched. It could be argued that at the time, this was the preferred social media platform since TheFacebook was not available to kids 13 and older until 2006. For those not familiar with MySpace, there was a huge music presence, making it a much easier way to consume the medium when the internet was young. And yes, I remember having to rate my friends, agonizing who would make it to my top 8.

There was a ton of great music reflected in the movie but the connection to MN is local artist’s Motion City Soundtrack has a song playing in one of the scenes as well as a new song titled “Stop Talking” written for the movie, that is the first song as the credits start to roll. Sound Unseen, which hosted the event, reached out to the band, but they declined, forwarded their regards but fans will be excited to find out that they were busy recording their new record. Other bands on the actual soundtrack include Belle & Sebastian, Hellogoodbye and Atmosphere.

On a personal note, growing up Asian, it felt like this movie was written for me. Like literally, my little brother is a skater who makes videos and we grew up in a town in California seriously close to Fremont where the movie is set. The subtext every time the mom, played by Twin Peak’s Joan Chen, asked Wang Wang if he had eaten yet, was one I had heard every time my own mother asked. But even if you’ve never frenched a French fry, I highly recommend seeing this movie.

DÌDI (弟弟) - Official Trailer

quynh ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Shawscope: Volume Three

Product Description High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of all fourteen films, including thirteen new 2K restorations by Arrow Films from the original negatives, and a new 4K restoration of One-Armed Swordsman by Celestial Pictures Original uncompressed Mandarin mono, plus Cantonese and/or English (where applicable) lossless mono options Newly translated English subtitles for each film Illustrated 60-page collectors' booklet featuring new writing by David West, Jonathan Clements and Dylan Cheung, plus cast and crew listings and notes on each film by Ian Jane New artwork by Tony Stella, Ilan Sheady, Tom Ralston, Jolyon Yates, Kung Fu Bob and Chris Malbon Hours of illuminating bonus features, including feature commentaries on each film, several cast-and-crew interviews from the Frédéric Ambroisine Video Archive, and the rare alternate Korean cut of Killer Constable Exclusive CD of music from the De Wolfe Music Library, as heard in The Avenging Eagle and other Shaw Brothers classics RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 26 2024 Read More Shaw Brothers Now enter Shout Factory, who also has a Shaw Brothers boxset in the works, set for release on June 13, 2023. They are releasing 11 titles, with special features yet to be announced. …

In my previous Shaw Brothers reviews, I mentioned that Arrow Video secured 26 titles from Celestial Pictures and they’ve exhausted all 26 titles in two “Shawscope” boxsets and a few single-only release like Come Drink With Me (which was not part of Shawscope Volume 1 or 2).

It would seem that the Shawscope sets were successful enough for Arrow that they’ve gone back to Celestial and licensed more titles. They’ve announced Volume 3 for release in November 2024, and perhaps a fourth volume is coming in November 2025.

Shawscope: Volume 3’s headlining title is the One-Armed Swordsman trilogy, the film that made “Jimmy” Wang Yu a star and solidify Chang Cheh as the main the director at Shaw Brothers Studio. The first One-Armed Swordsman was so successful, that almost all movies that came after followed that Cheh “Kung Fu” new style formula. Unfortunately, Jimmy Wang Yu had a falling-out with Shaw Brothers and broke his contract and went over to Golden Harvest and other smaller studios… that’s why David Chiang was brought to close out the One-Armed Swordsman saga.

Personally speaking, although I think One-Armed Swordsman is good, it’s probably not one of my favorite films to return to when I think of great Shaw Brothers-style movies. I would have to confessed that the best One-Armed stories (at least the most entertaining ones) was with Jimmy Wang Yu for One-Armed Boxer (from Golden Harvest) and its sequel Master of the Flying Guillotine (aka One-Armed Boxer vs the Flying Guillotine). Unfortunately the greatest One-Armed films weren’t done under the Shaw Brothers studio, so it’s not going to be included in Shawscope… but man, I would love a remaster of Master of the Flying Guillotine. I bought two version of the DVD, with the latter longer International or “Uncut” version had spliced in previously unseen footage. That version was hard to watch, because the longer version did not have the English dub and the video quality was not good.

Anyway, the rest of Shawscope: Volume 3 seems to be focused on wuxia films: Ho Meng-hua’s Lady Hermit, Cheng Kang’s The 14 Amazons, Taylor Wong’s Buddha’s Palm and Lu Chun-ku’s Bastard Swordsman … and lots of Chor Yuen’s wuxia films: Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan, The Magic Blade, Clans of Intrigue, Jade Tiger and The Sentimental Swordsman.

The only good titles that I see is Sun Chung’s The Avenging Eagle and Kuei Chih-hung’s Killer Constable (this one is fantastic!).

As you can tell, I’m only interested in the Kung Fu titles, basically four titles in this set… so I’m not really excited for Volume 3. Am I still getting it? Yes, of course, I’ll be buying Volume 3, but I’m in no hurry. Maybe I will wait for a sale or when I have extra cash, I just have no urgency to get this set.

It was certainly nice to save money after I last purchased the Shout Factory’s Shaw Brothers Classics: Volume Four (literally “a grand” total of about $1,000).

Read more Shaw Brothers.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Prince and Purple Rain - 40th Anniversary Celebrations

PRINCE - PURPLE RAIN ALBUM TRACKLIST 1."Let's Go Crazy" (Prince and the Revolution) 4:39 2."Take Me with U" (Prince and the Revolution) 3:54 3."The Beautiful Ones" (Prince) 5:13 4."Computer Blue" (Prince and the Revolution) 3:59 5."Darling Nikki" (Prince) 4:14 6."When Doves Cry" (Prince) 5:54 7."I Would Die 4 U" (Prince and the Revolution) 2:49 8."Baby I'm a Star" (Prince and the Revolution) 4:24 9."Purple Rain" (Prince and the Revolution) 8:41 Read More Prince There is a Prince Celebration kicking off Thursday evening, June 2nd, and continues to Saturday at Paisley Park. There’ll be Q&A with artists who worked closely with Prince, including his former wife and NPG dancer Mayte Garcia ...

40 years later, the sky is still purple and Purple still Reigns--

2024 represents the 40^th anniversary of Purple Rain, the legendary film and accompanying Academy Award-winning soundtrack album, that catapulted the then 26-year-old Prince Rogers Nelson to international superstardom, and remains as a respected and essential musical project, ranking amongst the greatest of all-time.

Directed by Albert Magnoli, “Purple Rain” was released in theaters on July 27, 1984, with a script he co-wrote being very loosely inspired by the musician’s own life – the film would go on to earn over $70 million worldwide at the box office.

Prince’s character was known as The Kid (a better movie moniker than his own childhood nickname, Skipper) with the world being introduced to co-star Apollonia Kotero as his protégé and love interest, as well as members of his actual band The Revolution and the group for which he had written and produced songs, The Time. The companion soundtrack album, featured hits “Let’s Go Crazy,” “When Doves Cry”, “Baby I’m a Star”, “Take Me With U” and “I Would Die 4 U” in addition to the title track, and would go on to sell more than 25 million copies.

Magnoli’s collaboration with Prince during the film’s production led to him becoming his personal manager for much of the 1980s which included through the recording of songs for Tim Burton’s 1989 adaptation of “Batman”.

===

On June 25, Warner Home Video will commemorate the 40th anniversary of Prince’s “Purple Rain” with a re-release of the film on 4K UHD and digital platforms. In addition to upgraded picture and sound, the release will be accompanied by most of the previous legacy bonus content (but not all, so keep that previous Blu-Ray) including commentary, eight music videos, and a featurette.

===

Additionally, lucky Airbnb users could soon get the chance to book a special-experience stay at the Longfellow neighborhood two-story, three-bedroom house in Minneapolis featured in "Purple Rain."

The Purple Rain House is one of 11 new experiential listings Airbnb is offering called "Icons" which includes a hangout with Kevin Hart, the balloon house from “Up”, and overnight stays at famous museums. Airbnb will select guests for Icon stays via an application and random lottery.

Most of the offerings are free for those selected, though some cost up to $100 per guest. Those who manage to stay at the Purple Rain House (available sometime this August) can "explore the home and go crazy for rare and special tracks from Prince's world in an exclusive studio session," according to an Airbnb release.

The reserved room, modeled after The Kid’s basement bedroom, is a replica of the one seen on film, with ambient purple lighting, Prince sheet music, and a mural of eyes peering over the bed. The experience also comes with an intimate tour, a myriad of memorabilia, unreleased recordings from the Purple Rain sessions, and the opportunity to speak with the star-studded hosts: Wendy and Lisa, Prince’s former Revolution band mates.

The house was purchased quietly by Prince in 2015 for $117,000 but was needing a near-complete rehab. The transaction was kept undisclosed until after his death in 2016 and though he never lived in the house, it has become iconic due to its location in the film.

===

A new coffee table book, Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years is just out, which includes rare photography and memorabilia in a slip-cased hardcover edition. Andrea Swensson, the former 89.3 Current DJ and host/co-producer of Prince | Official Podcast, takes a detailed look into his most famous work for its 40th anniversary.

Featuring a foreword by superfan Maya Rudolph and illustrated with performance and off-stage photography as well as memorabilia from top collectors, the book is a timely tribute to the album and film.

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The crown jewel of the 40^th Anniversary events is this year’s Celebration at Paisley Park, an annual gathering of fans (or “fams,” as he preferred) that launched in 2017, initially inspired by a week-long party Prince hosted in 2000. Taking place at the fabled Paisley Park studio and grounds and destinations throughout the metro, Celebration 2024 will celebrate the Purple Rain 40th anniversary for four consecutive days, June 20-24th. We were most recently on-site at Paisley last October, covering the impressive expanded album release of his later seminal album, Diamonds and Pearls.

Guests can experience live concerts, celebrity panels, exclusive concert footage, multiple activities in downtown Minneapolis, a newly curated Paisley Park Tour, a (VIP) boat excursion, gospel brunch, new talent showcase, and more.

Confirmed musicians for the weekend include Morris Day, The Revolution, and The New Power Generation (NPG). The Revolution (Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Bobby Z, BrownMark, and Dr. Fink) are set to perform two shows during Celebration 2024 on June 21 and June 22. The concerts will take place at First Avenue, the famous downtown venue that featured prominently in the film.

New Power Generation (NPG) performs on Saturday, June 22. NPG continue to play with the musical precision learned from when their famous leader was still front and center. Their shows are a kaleidoscope of the hits from all eras of Prince's career, but are focused on the late 80s/early 90s period when the original group was most active. We last caught the band live on back-to-back special appearances in Minneapolis back in 2018.

Morris Day is also set for Saturday, June 22 at Celebration. Day played an essential role in the development of the Minneapolis Sound of the 1980s. He went to school with Prince and sang in Prince’s first band Grand Central, before going on to become the founding lead singer of Prince's band, The Time.

After the first three albums with The Time, Day launched his solo career, releasing albums Color of Success, Daydreaming, Guaranteed, and newest album Last Call as well as re-joined his version of The Time and is continuing to tour under his own name. We caught Morris and co. live at Paisley in Jan 2016, a few months before Prince passed, and when the pair had some private time together, to make some amends. Celebration Tickets Here

So, gel your hair into a curly pompadour, find a frilly shirt and purple overcoat, and hop on your motorbike to purify in the waters of Lake Minnetonka and celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of Purple Rain this season, in Minneapolis and other points- Let’s Go Crazy!

 

illustration by Yann Dalon / Behance

John C ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / twitter.com