The last few days have seen a new poster for the mysterious JJ ABrams film going by the codename 'Cloverfield' (and '1-18-08'). Thanks to forum user Hotdogs and Haggis for bringing to my attention, I'm really looking forward to this film and the poster looks really good, so I wanted to let everyone know about it :)
In the last week I've had the privilege of seeing two franchises of the 80's make a comeback at the cinema, Transformers and Die Hard.
First off, Transformers played more than a significant part in my childhood - not only were they my favourite toys, through the comics and cartoons the characters were so real that they were like family. I know I'm not the only one that felt this way about them, have a read at this good article for more info -> 'Transformers had human touch'
When I first heard that a Transformers movie was finally going to be made, I was both excited and fearful, just how would my childhood heroes be treated by Hollywood? Hollywood doesn't exactly have a reputation for being faithful to their source material, however with the news that Steven Spielberg was involved in the project gave me hope, however while the news that Michael Bay would be directing did not bother me (I loved Armageddon, The Rock and Bad Boys) it brought terror to many other Transformer fans. As the film developed, information came out about it: Bumblebee would no longer be a VW Beatle he was now a Camero and worst of all Optimus Prime was not going to be his usual flat nose truck but instead a different type of truck with flame design paintwork! Then the character designs were released, Megatron looked nothing like his original self, and to add insult to injury, he would no longer transform into a gun!!
Things did not look too good, however the trailers were then released (here and here) and things started to look more promising, the trailers looked good, the transformers themselves looked good. There wasn't too much else to do aside from wait for the movie to be released.
I was lucky enough to be in the USA when the release date came (here in the UK, the release is not until the end of July :( ), so there was no chance I would miss it!
To say the least, I am so glad that I saw it on release night!! The film is brilliant.
The action begins right at the start and sets the tone for the film, the Decepticons are their and they are very dangerous - with Blackout and Scorpnock tearing a military base to shreds. Time is then spent developing the story and human characters, making you realise that this film isn't just about giant robots beating on each other, this film is about the world and the characters (human and robot!) but it's not too serious, there is a good amount of humour throughout, even from the Transformers themselves, which only adds to the fact that they are alive and with personality. Around half way through, the action really starts to step up a pace as the real capabilities of the Transformers are shown and they do not disappoint.
What really makes this good, as a life long Transformers fan, is that although they Transformers are not a visually accurate representation of their original forms, this is them brought up to date for the new millennium. The key personalities are intact (Optimus Prime has the same honour and integrity, Megatron is still evil and Starscream still hates Megatron (and vice versa!)), which is what still makes this the Transformers, it's the characters we always loved with a new modern look. I'd recommend this film to everyone that ever knew of the Transformers!
Second up is Die Hard 4. Die Hard is one of the classic 80's action movies, already with two excellent sequels. With so long since the last one (10+ years), could the essence of the original be captured again? Thankfully, as Rocky Balboa has already shown, an 80's classic can be updated to the modern day and Die Hard 4 (or "Live Free or Die Hard" as it is known in the States) certainly does that. Bruce Willis is in fine form as John McLean again, with the stubbornness and wit we know and love, not to mention his ability to kill all the bad guys while still staying alive. Justin Long does well as reformed hacker helping solve the mystery of what is going on as the USA starts to shut down. The action is constant and certainly lives up to what is expected of a Die Hard movie!
I'd definitely recommend both movies to everyone, both are highly enjoyable blockbusters!
I'm sitting right now listening to 'Get In The Ring' by Guns'n'Roses and for a moment I let myself think "Maybe Chinese Democracy will capture the old GNR magic!". Well, we'll all have to wait until September now to find out as it seems most retailers have move the release date from 2nd April to Sept 07. Sadly, can't say I'm too surprised.
On the plus side, we've picked up a few good CDs recently, so expect a review or two soon! :)
It's been a slow start to the year with very few new albums catching our attention, however it looks like things are starting to pick up now. In the first few months of the year the albums of note have been Korn's "MTV Unplugged", Within Tempation's "The Heart Of Everything", Enter Shikari's "Take To The Skies" and McQueen's "Break The Silence", though not all of these will be to everyones taste. I personally question Korn's decision to release an 'unplugged' album, as a fan of most of their previous work I don't see the appeal of acoustic versions of songs that I loved for their 'Nu-Metal' sound. It always seems to me that it's an easy option for a band to gain 'artistic' points for going acoustic, but it's a distraction from the sound that actual made them popular in the first place... anyway, will stop before I get going on that one, that can be the subject of a future rant! ;)
Coming up over the next month or so we have the following hitting the shelves (and websites!):
Again, in advance of a gig (this time Trivium) I was checking out a band I've never listened to before on the way home from work, support band Annihilator.
I only got half way through their Best Of compilation which covers their first 3 albums: ALICE IN HELL (1989), NEVER NEVERLAND (1990) and SET THE WORLD ON FIRE (1993).
I haven't finished listening to it so I wont pass final comment but so far it definitely falls into the 'classic thrash' category, sounding like early Megadeth and Anthrax. Some of the lead guitar work is really outstanding but as a whole I dont think the songs are as strong as anything by the other big 2. First vocalist Randy Rampage definitely has the nuts-caught-in-trouser-zip typical thrash screaming style!
http://www.annihilatormetal.com/
When we were at the Motorhead gig a few months back I got to see and hear Clutch for the first time and I was really impressed. So much so that on a whim I bought a ticket for their own UK tour next month without really knowing much of their stuff.
So in a bid to get educated before the show I've been tracking down some of their stuff and on the way home tonight I listened to the rather excellent "Robot Hive/Exodus" album which I'd describe as a mix between Black Sabbath and jazz! It's not for everyone (as my Motorhead companions will testify to) but I love bands like this who offer something a bit different.
I'm looking forward to the new album From Beale Street To Oblivion due out in the UK on 26-03-2007 before they hit the clubs.
www.pro-rock.com
A little later than expect, we now have what we consider to be the top 10 albums of 2006.
