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Showing posts from July, 2007

Book Buzz:-->"Intensity" by Dean Koontz (1996)

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"I got water on the brain. My mind is like a drain. Here I go again... Over the hill. My eyes don't seem too clear. I'm not sure what I hear. It seems I'm going clear... Over the hill." Ten Years After NO SPOILERS: Of all the books that fill the enormous catalog of Dean Koontz ...and there is quite a proliferation... Intensity ...a 436 page heart-thumper...would be somewhere close to the top. The anxiety Dean Koontz delivers to the reader is nonstop. And the pacing never lets up...which is impressive...as this thriller plays out in a single 24 hour period. In a nutshell... college gal, Chyna ...picks a bad weekend to spend with her friend and family...as a fantastically creepy psychopath...Ed Vess ...breaks in and brutally murders the entire household...save for her. Chyna escapes from the house and hides inside a camper. And discovers another victim...barely alive...and decides to do whatever it takes to keep this maniac from getting away with...murde

Classic Pick:-->Wilco - Being There (1996)

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"Displayers of affection and all good intentions, why don't you just send me the bill. Don't forget the flowers someday, I know you will." Wilco One of the record business traditions that has long been a thorn in my thumb is the obligatory double album . More often than not...the double album turns out to be a bad case of creativity-diarrhea. This kind of self-indulgence usually leaves me feeling like I've been hosed. Hosed, and scratching my head wondering why the artist didn’t pick the best cherry songs, release a regular CD…and leave the obvious filler cuts on the floor. Having been double-album burned on more than a few occasions...I approach these releases with less than average enthusiam. However...once-in-a-while a double-disc is released by an artist...and it really works. "Being There" by Wilco fits the bill and is a tour-de-force of musical pleasure. Loaded with a collage of 19 eclectic songs written by Wilco founding member, Jeff Tweed

Introduction:-->Randy Newman

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"Got a gun in my holster. Got a horse between my knees. And I'm goin' to Arizona. Pardon me boys if you please. I have been a desperado Raped and pillaged 'cross the plain Now I'm goin' to Arizona Just a Rider In The Rain." Randy Newman Sometimes we unfairly dismiss an artist simply by how we were introduced to their music. In Randy Newman' s case...perhaps all you know about him...is that he's been nominated for a lame..."Best Song" Oscar nearly every year. And that he finally won. Or maybe the only song you know by him is "Short People " ...which got a little radio airplay. Or maybe...you simply weren't in the right frame of mind to hear some of the songs Randy Newman was throwing down. In any case..I think I've listed a good choice of songs to help the newbie...get reacquainted with this "radio forgotten" genius. I admit...when turning someone on to Randy Newman music...I almost fe

DVD Pick:-->"White Heat" (1949)

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"Maybe I can love you Maybe be your friend. Maybe I can help you Your troubles to mend. Maybe sing a song for you That's what I know best to do. Anything you want me to...I'll be." Dave Mason NO SPOILERS: On watching this film...I was surprised by two things. The first was James Cagney's appearance. He was much older than I expected...with a paunchy face and build. The second thing I noticed...was how 5'8" Cagney completely dominates every scene he is in. Kinetic energy seems to just ooze from his body...making him appear even more capable of blowing his fuse at any moment. Cagney is that good. "White Heat" ...skillfully directed by Raoul Walsh is a fast paced cops & robbers film that allows Cagney to have a ball. Not only does he get to return to his bad guy gangster ways... But the role also calls for Cagney to be a little insane in the membrane...allowing him to push the envelope even furthe

Book Buzz:-->"Have a Nice Day" by Mick Foley (2000)

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"Got my dollars saved up, I can count them when I feel low. Your picture's on my bed at each motel I go. Gonna be with you soon, promise you, but until then... Remember, I'm marking time to see you again." Mott NO SPOILERS: Mick Foley represents everything that is right about professional wrestling. He is humble. He appreciates what he has achieved. And he is recognized...by fans and pro wrestlers alike...as doing whatever is necessary to please all those who come to the matches. In this surprisingly entertaining autobiography, "Have A Nice Day" by Mick Foley ...we learn what a long shot it was for him to rise through the wrestling ranks to finally achieve 'First-Liner" fame. Foley has earned the label as a the most fear-nothing daredevil in the business. Foley's high tolerance of pain has made for great action in and out of the ring. Dishing out, as well as being on the receiving end of many painful...often dangerous moves. Causin

Ramblings:-->Letter to Tom Waits & Paperbackswap

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" Now what's that sound from under the door? He's pounding nails into a Hardwood floor... and I Swear to god I heard someone Moaning low... and I keep Seeing the blue light of a T.V. show." Tom Waits An Open Letter to Tom Waits: Dear Mr. Waits, I am one of your biggest fans...although late getting on the bandwagon. You see...I used to believe that if a song or artist wasn't on the radio...well...they just couldn't be any good. I mean....our radio stations wouldn't lie to us...would they? Anyway...after getting a pretty good dressing down from concerned musical friends and family...I was soon taught to trip to my own beats. You see...I have learned to pay little notice to the media brainwash that lovers of music like myself are sadly bombarded with on a daily basis. Mr. Waits ...now that I have thankfully been awakened to explore and experience a much larger box of musical crayons...like talented artists like yourself who are virtually ignored by th

DVD Pick:-->"Duel" (1971)

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"A moon shining through a screen. Living on the edge it seems. You gave a kiss to me, Proving how good we'd be. Baby, you treat me like an enemy." Moon Martin NO SPOILERS: "Duel" is a thrilling TV movie directed by a young and talented Steven Spielberg ...and has since become somewhat of a cult favorite. Newly released as a Collector's Edition DVD ...I was surprised to learn that Richard Matheson ( "I Am Legend" fame) wrote both the story and the screenplay. One of the added bonus features has Richard Matheson explaining how he based "Duel" on a true experience while traveling with a friend. He, also discusses the development of the story...as well as his writing methodology. Very interesting! "Duel" revolves around an average soft-spoken kind of guy...David Mann ( Dennis Weaver ) ...traveling alone in his car...on one of his routine all-day sales trips. On th

Book Buzz:-->"King Rat" by James Clavell (1962)

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"And it took me years to figure out That there was nothing I could give to you. And years to figure out That there was nothing you would take from me. And how can I describe The way you slowly took my hope away. And all of the time I thought I knew you." Matthew Sweet NO SPOILERS: In this 496 page novel... James Clavell takes us to Changi Prison...a WWII prison camp filled with American and English POW...captives of the Japanese. Conditions are horrible. Rank means nothing. It soon becomes "survival of the fittest" for the prisoners just to stay alive. Enter The King . A low-ranking corporal who becomes the top-dog in camp ...(envied and hated) for his ability to manipulate others with his bartering skills....able to procure eggs and other foods...cigarettes...even medicine to keep himself healthy...And others. But at what a price? Clavell forces the reader to question our obligations...when it comes to honor and loyalty...and keeping ones foot out of the gr

Classic Pick:-->Stills-Young Band - Long May You Run (1976)

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" I guess the reason I'm so scared of it is I stayed there once and I almost fit. I left before I got out of it." Stills-Young Band In 1976 , the legendary Stephen Stills and Neil Young decided to go into the studio and cut an album to be known as "Long May You Run" . And..."cleverly" calling themselves the Stills-Young Band , expectations from the musical pundits were running high. Unfortunately, the duo’s album was found to be a great disappointment to the ears of critics and fans, alike...quickly... and unfairly ...labeling the music as sloppy and boring. Causing the record to go gentle into that good night. Even worse, the Stills-Young Band split-up only a few months into their promotional tour (more on this later,)... giving fans another reason to turn their backs. Giving this thirty year old CD a listen with fresh ears...I found the music to be a surprising collection of fresh, catchy folk-rock with a touch of some jazzy blues. Even more

Ramblings:-->Rick Derringer..&.."Facing The Music"

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"I wonder...is anybody here Or is this my private dream. I'm gonna pinch myself to see 'Cause it's such a scary, scary, scary dream." Rick Derringer "All-American Boy" ... the 1973 debut solo album by Rick Derringer was played regularly around my house while I was growing up. When my parents weren't cranking RD up on a Saturday morning...the Classic Radio stations would blast Derringer's most famous jam through the speakers on a regular basis. "Rock 'n Roll Hoochie Koo" was the opening track on his CD...and Derringer's signature number...easily clearing cobwebs accumulated from the night before. However...having heard this great jam a million times on the radio...it was the other eleven songs from "All-American Boy" I was drawn too. Many of the songs should have long been getting Classic Radio air-play. "Jump, Jump, Jump" is my favorite song from Derringer's gem debut. The last track on the CD

Book Buzz:-->"Geek Love" by Katherine Dunn (1989)

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"I wonder who started all this. Was God in love and gave a kiss To someone who later betrayed. And God less love sent us away?" Lou Reed NO SPOILERS: Just as some movies are lassoed with the "cult-status" tag...many books have also achieved the same word-of-mouth buzz that keep people recommending it over and over again. Of course, when coupled with this "cult-following" label...one finds it often necessary to add a certain ... caveat ...to the newbie...regardless of how good the movie...and in this case...book may be. "Geek Love" is the creation of Katherine Dunn ...and it is not for the weak of heart. Or stomach. Having left you with this warning... "Geek Love" is a 368 page novel that will definitely tip over your proverbial apple cart. And will literally force you to reevaluate your own ideas of what normalcy truly means. The story is told in flashback fashion...from childhood

DVD Pick:-->"Hang'em High" (1968)

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" Rotten peaches rotting in the sun. Seems I've seen that devil fruit since the world begun. Mercy I'm a criminal, Jesus I'm the one. Rotten peaches rotting in the sun." Elton John NO SPOILERS: Clint Eastwood is just one of a handful of actors whose movies I'll watch...simply because they are in it. (I'll get around to mentioning the others...later down the road). And... "Hang'em High" (1968) is just one of any number of Eastwood movies I could write about...But I recently put this one in my DVD player...so here you go. "Hang'em High" ...directed by Ted Post ...was the first western film Eastwood made in America....and followed his successful spaghetti Western trilogy with out hardly a blink. In this western... J ed Cooper (Clint Eastwood ) is wrongfully accused of stealing cattle by a posse who decide to string him up and hang him...High. He is fortunatel