Monday, October 5, 2009

Third Eye Blind

To preface...I've wanted to write reviews FOREVER. I don't know why I don't. Dina has even told me before that I should review CDs before. So I'm going to start with a concert review. Although it's four days removed from the show, here goes nothing.

Third Eye Blind. A band known mainly for having the catchiest pop single about crystal meth and blow jobs. I heard the songs when they came out and encompassed radio airwaves from 1997 to 1999. Semi-Charmed Life, Jumper, How's It Gonna Be, Never Let You Go, Deep Inside of You...and then they dropped off the face of the Earth. Their sophomore album never quite reached their heights of their debut self-titled, and their third effort, Out Of The Vein, suffered a worse fate. Soon after, Warned Bros. cut the band from their contract.

During this hiatus, I picked up their self-titled album and fell in love with it. There is not a band song on it. I picked up Blue and OOTV too, but neither are as good as their predecessor.

6 years later, Third Eye Blind have come back with an album that deserves recognition. Ursa Major is full of catchy hits, including the lead single, Don't Believe A Word. The first date of their tour was on Thursday in Ybor, and I had to attend. I've been waiting forever to see them in concert.

Needless to say, they did not disappoint.

The biggest statement I can make about their concert is, if you're not a fan, don't go. Every person around me knew every word to every song. The band kicked off the show with a rave-like jam while a lady danced behind the drum set. After this exhibition, they transitioned into the lead song from their new album, Can You Take Me. The song kicked off the show powerfully, and they didn't stop there.

Stephan Jenkins and company blasted through favorites like Losing a Whole Year, Crystal Baller, Motorcycle Drive-By, as well as new favorites such as Sharp Knife, Bonfire, and Water Landing. 3EB slowed it down a bit after, reaching a short acoustic set (complete with a couch). Fan favorites Forget Myself and How's It Gonna Be, as well as One in Ten, were played. After this, they jumped right back into action. The highlight came in the form of Don't Believe a Word, which cut off half-way into Semi-Charmed Life.

Stephan Jenkins is quite the showman. 44 years old and he moves like he's still 30. Barefoot, Jenkins jumped around and raced back and forth across the stage. His energy was exuberant, and every fan in the crowd fed off of it. His repertoire with the crowd certainly didn't hurt the matter either. You could feel as if he were singing every lyric right to you.

For the encore, the band busted out concert staples Slow Motion and God of Wine, concluding with a reprise of Bonfire. The newer tracks didn't slow the crowd down one bit, and the older songs still have so much life to them. I've rarely seen a crowd so into a band as much as I did with Third Eye Blind, and it was quite moving. Thirteen years after their debut album, coupled with a six-year hiatus, and the fan base remains strongly intact. As well it should.

Friday, August 28, 2009

-I'm surprised it took this long for Bradley Cooper to become huge. He was great in Wedding Crashers, which was what, 4 years ago now? Glad to see his name is making waves. Really enjoy his work. I even enjoyed his few moments in Failure to Launch...though I may be biased.

-I've listened to the first 4-5 tracks off the new Used album. I'm definitely picking it up Tuesday. I can't think of a better word than "dark" for what I've listened to. Maybe "desperate." The guitars, his vocals, both sound desperate. I love it. It's heavier than their last release, which is needed. I enjoyed Lies for the Liars, but there were a few tracks I really could have done without. Although I'm ALL for redefining your sound and not making the same album twice, the Used are at their best when they're heavy and screaming. Can't wait to listen to the rest of it.



-My hair has been growing for 16 weeks now. Woot.

-CM Punk is quickly on his way to dethroning Chris Jericho as the top heel in the WWE right now. He's purely brilliant. It's a shame Jeff Hardy is taking off since he was on the roll of his career, but Punk vs. 'Taker should be a phenomenal feud. The only thing I don't like is that at Breaking Point, it's a Submission match. 'Taker doesn't tap, and Punk shouldn't lose the belt this soon. I'll be okay with a screwjob ending since it's only the first match in their feud.

-That's all I got?

Monday, August 3, 2009

Raw August 3rd, 2009

**Opening Segment: Jeremy Piven and Dr. Ken promo, interrupted by the Miz and John Cena.

I have to say, Jeremy Piven calling "Summerslam," "Summerfest" just disappoints me. I don't want guest hosts that aren't fans. Dr. Ken cracked me up, because he did what he was supposed to do: be a sidekick. Piven came off like an actor and just didn't do it for me, and I really like him. Cena and Miz had their usual back and forth. I don't like Miz off of Raw. He's one of the few bright spots they have.

**Evan Bourne vs. Jack Swagger

Swagger is completely and utterly the future. It's not even close. Awesome moment, Bourne yelling out, "SWAGGER!" before he dropkicks him. Swagger stealing the push-ups during the match from Scott Steiner is a good idea. Too much of a squash, and really enforced Bourne getting a fluke win, which does no good for Bourne, who is mad over. Of course, the problem becomes where do they follow up? Swagger attacks after the match, which was too short to be anything special. Hey! It's MVP! They're following up on their feud! I thought it was D.O.A. but I'm glad it's continuing.

You know what was great about Shaq as guest host last week? He's a genuine fan, and you see him at events. His charisma for every segment he was in was real, and it really showed and made the night better.

**Piven/Ken/Big Show segment.

Big Show getting a U.S. Championship match? Nahhhh. No thank you. More Dr. Ken? Yes, please. I can't believe he's a real doctor. Makes it so much better.

**Mickie James and Gail Kim vs. Beth Phoenix and ...Jillian Hall?!

Where has Jillian been? Was she in the 6-woman tag match last week? Oh well. I wonder who's taking the pinfall here. This match seems like it will be a set-up for Mickie vs. Gail at the next PPV, which is great, but I hate seeing Beth lost in the shuffle. Either way, it should be win-win. I don't need Gail or Mickie as heel though. Keeping both as face is fine with me. Typical Divas match, but Gail Kim is always refreshing to see in the ring. Wow, really? Gail Kim took the pinfall? Maybe they are going the triple threat route. Nothing special, nothing harmful, just used to build to whatever match they're doing at Summerslam.

**Triple H vs. Priceless

I can only see this ending with Shawn Michaels making the save. Let's talk about D-Generation X vs. Priceless. I like the new D-X. I don't have a problem with it. It's fun, it sells well, and Triple H and Michaels have great chemistry. And you know what? They buried the Spirit Squad, but it was a terrible gimmick and they would never have gotten over as singles cheerleading stars anyway. But I don't want D-X making Priceless look like chumps. And really, they already do. The only significance they have is when they attack from behind. What is losing to D-Generation X going to do for them? And I really, HIGHLY doubt they'll win the feud with D-X. Especially since I see Triple H vs. Orton in HIAC at...Hell in a Cell.

Priceless needs to work on that high-low. Ted's going low and you can't really tell. Priceless went over Triple H CLEAN = FANTASTIC. Great booking. Because if Triple H beat them cleanly, there's no need for a tag match. And if it's a DQ, like I thought they would do, there's no heat on Priceless. This is the best thing they've done with Priceless so far and I'm SHOCKED that they did the right thing here. Triple H going, "ow, ow, alright, that hurt" is great.

"Randy's a jerk, Batista's hurt all the time, Flair's signing autographs at the BWF or something like that." BEST LINE EVER. OH COME ON! No Shawn?! Cockteases. Nevertheless, brilliant segment, and the right guys went over clean, which I did not expect at all.

**Piven/Ken/Chavo. Please, no more Chavo vs. Hornswoggle. I just don't care. Jon Favreau name drop! Is he a fan? Let's get him as a guest host. AHAHA! "It's the dude from Heroes!"

**Carlito vs. Primo

Okay. Let's give this some time and it could be good. It deserves it. Carlito gets the jobber entrance. Primo's a very, very solid wrestler that's only getting better. Carlito can bring the goods when he's feeling it but he could work on his psychology a bit. I'm sad neither of these guys have gotten really any mic time to build up this feud. That's a problem with many of these smaller feuds that won't make it to PPV: there's no mic time, just matches. But without vocals, it's hard to care. You can't relate to either wrestler as well. Emo Carlito wins. I hope this feud doesn't end and they get much more time.

*Chavo vs. Hornswoggle

Oh joy. I can't wait to see what the stipulation is. Remember when Chavo nearly beat Chris Benoit for the United States Championship? After he lost that feud, it was all downhill from there. He got the ECW Championship...I keep forgetting about that. No chance he ever gets that close again. I sadly feel like it's only a matter of time until he's let go. MARKSWOGGLE! Awesome green hat. The singlet would have made it, but the hat works very well for Smilin' Mark Henry. Squaaaash. Didn't Mark Henry try to kill Hornswoggle? I feel like he did. Who knows. Mark Henry looks like he's having the time of his life though, and it's made him the most interested he's been since...well, ever. He got some air on that heel kick.

**Piven/KEN/Orton Segment. Hey hey, c'mon Randy, leave Dr. Ken alone. That son of a bitch ruined Dr. Ken's mood.

**United States Championship: Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Big Show

Hey look, it makes sense! Big Show never got the US title shot that he was supposed to have at Night of Champions, and we get a title defense! Wins all around. Unfortunately, it's against Big Show. CHRIS JERICHO ON COMMENTARY! WIN!! Look at that...Jericho put over Kofi. He doesn't talk him down, he builds him up, so if Big Show wins, it looks more impressive. And if Kofi retains, Big Show lost to a great wrestler. JERICHO PUTS OVER CRYME TYME TOO!

Hasn't Lawler raked up a ton of belts in his day? Quick check of Wikipedia...aaaand yeah, it's a good thing Lawler didn't reveal because he'd outdo both Jericho and Show combined. DAMN. What a huge double leg drop. I don't like how explosive that kick out was, though. We get it, Big Show is huge. Really? Show was DQ'd? BS ending. No reason at all. Big Show looks dumb for getting disqualified instead of gaining another Championship, especially since they boast their 40 combined titles.

**Triple H makes a phone call. What is he using? Who doesn't use a cell phone, honestly? "I thought you didn't do jobs!" INSIDE JOKE!! Shawn hung up on Hunter? Awesome. I like the tension they're building. It makes me think we might get Shawn vs. Triple H at Wrestlemania after all.

**SARGE NEXT WEEK!!! He was a good commissioner, so why not?

**Lumberjack Match: The Miz vs. John Cena

Miz gets the jobber entrance. :-\ Jeremy Piven and Dr. Ken heel turn? Dr. Ken is a great heel. Hey look, there's Chris Masters. Welcome back, Masters. Okay, seriously, let's get Miz a win here. SERIOUSLY? They STILL let Cena win? Come on. This is fucking ridiculous. That's too much. Nice jump by Piven. This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen. They really let Cena beat Miz with 10 or so heels on the outside. Dr. Ken is still gold. Horrible main event finish. Cena is FINE if he loses to all of that. The only silver lining I can see is that Miz goes to Smackdown! and gets a bigger push...but really, he was doing great on Raw. I do not approve. Dr. Ken took a good bump, and is the best part of Raw. Some good booking tonight, some awful booking tonight.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Judd Apatow

WARNING: *SPOILERS for FUNNY PEOPLE*

I love Judd Apatow's work. 40-Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up? Loved them both dearly. In terms of what he's produced? Pineapple Express, Step Brothers, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Walk Hard, Superbad, Talladega Nights, Kicking and Screaming, Ron Burgundy, the Cable Guy, Celtic Pride (I enjoyed it), Freaks and Geeks...

Either way, I'm a big Judd Apatow fan. Needless to say, I was pretty damned excited for Funny People. Adam Sandler can be a phenomenal dramatic actor, as apparent by Punch-Drunk Love. The usual strong Apatow cast is in this...Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen...and the awesomeness that is Eric Bana. Not to mention all the surprise cameos scattered throughout the film.

I wanted to love this film. I'm sure I'll buy it when it comes out on DVD. But dammit, this disappointed me. And I'm in the midst of trying to figure out why.

The first half of the movie deals with Adam Sandler trying to come to grips with his death. The second half is a love story. They feel like two separate movies. I get that Point A leads to Point B, but it feels too far apart. The first half of the movie, he realizes what an asshole he's been all his life, and reconciles with his family, friends, etc. And he wants to reconcile with the love of his life. And what happens after that? He goes right back to being an asshole. So when the movie ends with him changing again, it feels like a retread of what already happened in the movie.

Jason Schwartzman, Jonah Hill, and Aubrey Plaza are all prominently featured in the first half of the film. So is Seth Rogen. By the time the second half rolls around, the first three are gone, and Seth Rogen takes a huge backseat. At first, it works, because he's the outside observer noticing things from an outsider's perspective. It just carries on too long and he fades into the background after being such a huge part of the film. The Jonah Hill-Seth Rogen fight also is incredibly unnecessary, and seems to only be added for heightened tension.

Maybe I didn't enjoy it much because a lot of the material hits too close to him. And yeah, it was very funny. There were a lot of moments that had me rolling. And as two separate movies, they both worked very well. But as a larger part of the picture, it didn't do it as much as I hoped for me.

I want to watch it again to reassess my evaluation, but I had to blog for the time being to help myself understand my thoughts on the film.

Friday, July 17, 2009

The two greatest North American performers today.

There's little question about it: Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho had the feud of 2008. Nothing could match the intensity both men dug down deep to find to promote this feud. The match of the year for the WWE was their big ladder match at No Mercy as well, where they hit every move on all cylinders. They haven't had a match that good since Wrestlemania 19.

But that's what saddens me. The two had a contest at Judgment Day 2008. It didn't begin their feud like Wrestlemania 19, and it didn't have the back story that No Mercy 2008 had, so it's largely overlooked. But my God, it's such a brilliantly booked match.

Every single time Shawn goes for a trademark move, Jericho counters. And vice versa. That's how well they know each other. It was a pure wrestling contest to see who the better wrestler is. Springboard Dropkick? Nope. Flying Elbow Drop? Nope. Lionsault? Countered. Sweet Chin Music? Not in the traditional sense. The match doesn't even end with a definitive move, it's just one man being better for three seconds. But make no mistake about it, this match is littered with greatness and deserves to be seen.

And how does it end? An actual handshake, because this time, it was about seeing who the better wrestler was that night. And both men came out looking like winners.