What's Your Favorite Horror Film?

It seems that I'm always posting at the same time on here, pure coincidence, I swear ha ha. After reading the "Horror Movie" section in chapter 7, wanted to ask what everyone's favorite horror movie is.  I found it interesting how horror movie actors didn't make as much as other genre's actors in those days.  Not so much the case these days with all of the horror movies released.  So what's everyones favorite horror movie film?  Mine is probably the original Halloween.  It's such a classic movie.

The Departed

As a tie in to chapter 7 in Movie History: A Survey, I wanted to talk about the film The Departed.  I re-watched this movie on TV the other day and own the DVD and Blu-ray of this great film and I thought of it immediately when reading chapter 7.  "The Gangster Film" section of chapter 7 may not refer to this type of film exactly, but I often relate them to each other.  Of course, The Departed is a newer film and is a remake of the 2002 Japanese film, Infernal Affairs, but I find similarities between this movie and the movies of the past decades.  The plots are similar and most of the mobsters die at the end.  There are differences though, including the more brutal language and scenes in this movie.  I found it to be one of the most abrasive films I've ever seen, with excessive amount of swears.  All of the swears and violence do add a level of realism to the film which I really liked.  Anyone else feel the same way?

In honor of 50 years of the Bond films, I thought I'd blog about Agent 007.  As a tribute to one of my favorite Bond movies of all time, Goldeneye, the above image seemed perfect. I got the Bond 50 set on Blu-ray for Christmas, which also includes every 007 movie (with the exception of the Thunderball remake), a placeholder for Skyfall; and a bonus disc filled with behind-the-scenes content, Bond featurettes, and Skyfall behind-the-scenes special features.  It really is an amazing set, while the Bond movies look incredible on Blu-ray.  The audio and visual quality are unsurpassed when it comes to Blu-ray (well not unless you have the RAW footage).

Which brings me to Skyfall!  I was very impressed with Skyfall and the Skyfall Blu-ray.  It had a good plot, with the classic 007 novelties: girls, villains, and gadgets.  While the gadgets were toned down for this movie, the Bond girls are as beautiful as ever and the villain is scary psycho.  The Blu-ray is top notch quality and delivers true audio and visual excellence.   A beefy DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack and MPEG-4 AVC make this Blu-ray truly shine.  Since I'm taking a film history class, I wanted to talk about how the new Bond film compares to the older ones.  Simply put, it does!  Daniel Craig is magnificent in this film and is just as entertaining as Bonds of the past.  There are some really visually impressive scenes, such as the ice/snow scene, the opening blurry/narrow lens scene, and the introduction of the villain.  These scenes are shots that stuck with me and made an immediate impression.  Check this Blu-ray or DVD out.  What are you guys' favorite Bond flicks?

PAPER 1 DONE!...FILM CENSORSHIP

So I've finally finished Paper 1 in Film History class.  It was a tricky one, I must say.  Putting all of my information together and comparing/contrasting the different points was tough!  I used censorship as my main basis for my paper and I found some interesting information.  Censorship of film has a colorful past and folks back then didn't like homicide very much, it seems.  They didn't want any homicide scenes on film, nor any arson or poisoning either.  I found this a bit humorous and interesting.  Look at the movies of today and look at how much these themes are used: regularly.  We have come a long way from the censorship of that era, but there still is censorship in movies today.  All of this reminds me of a certain documentary I watched last year about film ratings.  I can't remember the exact name but it was something like "This documentary is not rated."

BACK IN ACTION! - MY TAKE ON 1913

Well it's been quite a while since I've posted on here.  Since my last post there has been an NHL lockout and the Bruins have only lost two regulation games.  It's been a rather eventful fall and winter.  Included in this fun is my Film History class which I've been enjoying.  Winter Storm Nemo has left me finding time to read and study.  Our first paper is due by the end of the week and I've been trying to find newspaper articles from my birthday month of March.  The only tough part is that they have to be from 1913.  I stumbled upon a few good ones and I was intrigued by the newspapers from back then.  The pictures look so foreign in their low quality appearance and the grammar of the text is far more eloquent.

I found a broad range of articles, scaling from how films are evil, to a couple's encounter with a wild animal.  It was so interesting to see how folks back then were concerned about the content in the films in that era.  They would probably pass out at the sight of some of today's gory and obscene films (reminds me of a new absurd comedy commercial I saw on TV tonight).  I'm all for comedy films, but some studios just take it too far and it just ends up being dumb and good for only maybe one laugh.  All of the articles were extremely interesting and seeing these newspapers from a century ago transported me back in time.  Do a quick google search or use http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.

P.O.D., 'MURDERED LOVE' - ALBUM REVIEW

Hard Rock veterans, P.O.D., are back with a vengeance on new album Murdered Love. 

Source: Razor & Tie

Being away for 4 years in the music industry may be a negative happeneing  for some bands, then there's P.O.D.  Taking time off from touring and recording proved to be a renewing experience for the band.  The new album Murdered Love is full of heavy riffs, feel good harmonies, and lyrics of truth; while showing that P.O.D. is fully clicking on all cylinders and have that youthful energy heard on their earlier albums.  I've been a fan of the band ever since I heard The Fundamental Elements Of Southtown back around 1999.  I have followed and loved P.O.D. no matter what and throughout every album.  My review will for sure be bias, but I'm not compromising.  

Murdered Love is what every die-hard P.O.D. fan has been wanting for years now; a return to the energy and grit that P.O.D. has always been known for.  The guitars feel refreshingly raw and there's a huge level of energy on the album.  Murdered Love covers every style of music that the band has played over their illustrious 20+ year career; everything from rock, to punk, hip-hop, to hardcore, funk, and some old school reggae mixed in too.  While I have loved every P.O.D. album, The Fundamental Elements Of Southtown, Satellite, Snuff the Punk and Brown have been my personal favorites.  Each P.O.D. album has something special about it and Murdered Love reminds me of all of those classic albums, while proving to be remarkably fresh and innovative.  Sonny raps on nearly every song and I find myself convinced that I'm listening to their  earlier records.  

Murdered Love is the perfect summer jam (and all year round) with many of the songs having a Cali sound that is undeniable, especially on tracks like "West Coast Rock Steady" and "Bad Boy."  There are elements of old school Snuff the Punk and Brown era P.O.D. in the songs "Bad Boy" and "Panic & Run."  There are also songs such as "Murdered Love," "I Am," "West Coast Rock Steady," and "On Fire" that are reminiscent of The Fundamental Elements of Southtown.  Tracks such as "Higher," "Babylon The Murderer," and "Eyez" really remind me of Satellite as well.  "Beautiful" is one of my personal favorite songs off of the new album with, perhaps, my favorite lyrics on the album as well, 

        

        "too weak too weary to try

          too angry inside, well so am I

          I'm all alone with nobody else

          so in need of help, I keep reminding myself that

          life is beautiful..."

"Beautiful" is one of the best songs I've heard in quite some time and has become an anthem for me to press on in times of struggle.  Guest appearances have always been a staple of P.O.D. and there are no shortage of them here.  Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed lends his screams to the song "Eyez" and former Testify guest vocalist Sick Jacken of Psycho Realm appears on the title track "Murdered Love;" one of the band's most powerful songs, telling of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  Then there's the Cali anthem "West Coast Rock Steady," which perfectly features a guest appearance by Sen Dog of Cypress Hill.  This is another highlight on Murdered Love and one that covers P.O.D.'s roots, as well as, the journey that they have been on in the last 20+ years.  "Babylon The Murderer" is a heavy, reggae song that harks back to the Satellite days, while being a tune that you can really bang your head to.  "Higher" is very reminiscent of "Alive," both being a proclamation of faith and telling how life is a gift that should not be taken for granted.  "Bad Boy" is a funk track that inhabits the older P.O.D. sound with an infectious, new groove, as well.  "Higher" and "Bad Boy" have such a feel good vibe to them that you may easily find yourself in a good mood while listening to these tracks.  Any fans that have been craving a throw back to The Fundamental Elements Of Southtown will be ecstatic when hearing the song "I Am."  Conceivably one of P.O.D.'s most powerful, moving, and heaviest tracks to date, "I Am" is a song of redemption and hope, while featuring Marcos' signature clean, delayed, guitar!!!  The Japanese bonus track "Find a Way" is a motivational song with a big time chorus, sick rap in the bridge, and a sound very reminiscent of Satellite or Testify.  

All in all, Murdered Love is hands down one of my top favorite P.O.D. albums, mixing together all of the elements and styles that P.O.D. has always been known for.  One of the things that really blew me away on the album (and makes it feel old school) was the background talking mixed into the songs, e.g.,  the end of "Bad Boy" or the beginning  of "I Am" (the beginning mic check from Sonny reminds me of "Checkin Levels").  Murdered Love is an album of hope and faith, while showing that P.O.D. has stuck to their roots and have broken new ground in the process.

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Purchase Murdered Love from payableondeath.com, Best Buy, Amazon , or iTunes.

Track Listing:

1. Eyez (featuring Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed)
2. Murdered Love (featuring Sick Jacken of Psycho Realm)
3. Higher
4. Lost in Forever
5. West Coast Rock Steady (featuring Sen Dog of Cypress Hill)
6. Beautiful
7. Babylon the Murderer
8. On Fire
9. Bad Boy
10. Panic & Run
11. I Am
12. Find a Way (Japanese Bonus Track)

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P.O.D. 'Murdered Love' Pre-Order Bundles Announced

P.O.D. has announced pre-order bundles for their upcoming album Murdered Love, set to be released July 10th. There's three different sets of bundles to choose from; Just The Music Bundle, Shirt Bundle, and Warrior Bundle. P.O.D.'s newsletter states, "All tiers will come with a CD, album digital download and an instant download of the song "Lost In Forever." "  

Source: Razor & Tie

It looks like the big difference between the Warrior bundle and the other two is the Murdered Love jersey and the SIGNED album artwork lithograph.  

Murdered Love pre-orders can be purchased from www.payableondeath.com.