Movie Review: Scream 4

Damn I miss the Fall/Academy Award season. Till then, I'm stuck choosing between Scream 4 and CGI kid flicks. I really hope this is the FINAL chapter of the (less than) epic Scream saga because I don't think I can take anymore of this.

Not that Scream 4 is a horrible movie. It's not. In fact, it's actually kind of entertaining and succeeds in pumping new life into a long since stale franchise (anyone remember Scream 3?! Yeah, I don't either). The problem is, there's only so much you can do with these type of films and by now the Scream series has done just about everything possible. To borrow from Denzel in Training Day, "Shit's checkers it ain't chess!" (well he actually said....nvm) Catch my drift?

So back to the film itself. It's the fifteen year anniversary of the original Scream killings and Sidney (Neve Campbell) is back in her home town for a book signing when, low and behold, a NEW set of brutal murders takes place as another ghostface killer (Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang!) sets to terrorize the town anew. I have to applaud Wes Craven for his excellent casting. All the new Woodsborrow High kids deliver stellar performances. Not as great as Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan and Jamie Kennedy from the original, but Rory Culkin, Hayden Panettiere, Marielle Jaffe and Emma Roberts all do their best to bring this fourth installment of the franchise back to life, while the regular cast (Campbell, Cox, Arquette) continue phoning it in for those fat paychecks of theirs.

Scream kids, across generations.

That witty, self aware/"Meta" dialogue gets old fast and there are several glaring plot holes that had me scratching my head during the third act, but seriously, who cares. It's Scream 4 folks, not The King's Speech. So while this movie is far from perfect, Scream 4 is easily the best installment since the original. In fact, from a plot/continuity standpoint, this film serves as a near direct sequel to the first Scream, so if anything we should all be thankful that we can just erase Scream 2 and 3 from our memories and act like they never happened. Also, Marielle Jaffe is smoking hot in this movie and, there's a Kristen Bell cameo as well! Ms. Bell is worth the price of admission alone. At least for me she was.



*NOTE*
I should mention that the original Scream was one of my favorite movies growing up. I watched that film countless times thanks to the wonders of illegal cable/payperview channels during the mid 90's. If it seems like I'm being extra harsh with the Scream sequels, it's just because I love Stu and the boys from the original oh so much.

Karmin

new lords of Youtube

So it appears the new reigning champions of the Youtube universe are a dynamic duo from Boston called, Karmin. Amy and Nick met while attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music and released their first CD as Karmin in May, 2010. They've shot to fame this past month after their cover of Chris Brown's song, "Look At Me Now" went viral. It's got more than 6.5 million views on Youtube as I type this...and it's only been up for 2 weeks.



mfw Amy nails that ridiculous Busta Rhymes verse:

Keep in mind that I live in a bubble outside the normal world of pop music. I had never heard the original Chris Brown version of this tune until now and must say, I like Karmin's version MUCH better. Nick's arrangements make uber simplified pop dribble like this sound fresh, and Amy's voice, beauty and insane flow are entertaining as hell. Apparently Ellen Degeneres has fallen in love with them and had Karmin perform on her show last week. Their Youtube channel is filled with other awesome pop/hip hop covers like this and original works of theirs. I hope they can parlay this sudden break into something meaningful and long lasting.

I dedicate this next video to myself. I've been feeling a little under the weather this week (allergies) and think I might need a doctor...

Queens of the Stone Age @ The Wiltern. 4/12/11.

Queens of redemption

Queens of the Stone Age. Round 4. Lets go. My first QOTSA show was back in 2003 and remains one of my top concerts ever. Sadly, my last two Queens shows in 07' & 08' were totally disappointing. This show would be different though. On this night, Josh Homme and his merry men were set to play QOSTA's self titled/debut album in it's entirety, something I absolutely HAD to see.

Battling through traffic, we made it to the Wiltern just as the opening act, The Dough Rollers, took the stage. Their set was an unexpected treat. A bunch of spiffy young lads all decked out Buddy Holly style, playing some swingin' blues/country/old time rock n roll.

blurry rockers still rock

So the Queens came out and and immediately went into that sweet opening riff from "Regular John." All was right with the world once again. I liked Lullabies to Paralyze, their first "post Nick Oliveri" release fine and can listen through most of Era Vulgaris without skipping tracks, but there's something about these classic QOTSA songs that just grabs you from the beginning and basically never lets go. The haunting simplicity of Homme's self described "Robot Rock" is what I miss the most about this band. Back when Josh sang with a begrudging desperation in his voice and didn't overtly croon over every track. The band seemed somewhat aware of this also. They plowed through these songs like they had something to prove. Whatever the hell they did, it worked. My faith in Queens of the Stone Age has been restored. Highlights of the set basically amount to my favorite tracks off the album: "Regular John," "Avon," "If Only," "How to Handle a Rope," and my favorite QOTSA track, "Mexicola."


The band came back and did another set of hits from their last 3 albums. Jams likes "Little Sister," "Make It Wit Chu," and "Go With The Flow," served as a nice bookend to the stellar set that just preceded. The Queens are back. Long live the stone age.

*The remastered edition of their self titled debut album comes out in the US on May 17, 2011.
listen to the full remastered album HERE and swoon.*

Chill Mode w/ Best Coast.

I went to an epic metal show last night (re: sold out/max capacity/night with sweaty beardos) and devoured some late night chili dogs from Pink's after. Pretty wicked Easter I must say. In recovery mode this morning. Today's forecast, Best Coast all morning.

Best Coast - When I'm With You from Pete Ohs on Vimeo.

"Judas" in Judas Priest

It was announced earlier this week that guitarist K.K. Downing was leaving Judas Priest after 40+ years with the band. Yeah, a lifetime of metal. I still find it insane that any human can actually retire from a long and illustrious career of headbanging. Although I applaud Downing's achievements and contributions to the genre I love oh so much, I gotta say....WHAT A DOUCHE. He's quitting the band right before Judas Priest was set to embark on their final world tour, aptly titled Epitaph.

K.K. has finally issued a statement regarding his abrupt departure from Priest. He cites:

"...an ongoing breakdown in working relationship between myself, elements of the band, and the band's management for some time..."

Downing/Tipton Twin Guitar Attack is no more =/

as the reason for his departure. Boo-fucking-Hoo man. Dude is a millionaire. He's been with Priest since 1968! I really don't think it would have killed him to stick around for ONE LAST TOUR. Their legions of fans around the world (many of whom from impoverished, developing nations) don't give two shits about his discomfort within the band. They just want to see the Downing/Tipton twin guitar attack one last time and this stuffy old bastard has just robbed them of that.

I'm not the biggest Priest fan alive, but I must say they kicked serious ass at Ozzfest 2004. Maybe this is just a ploy to hype another Priest reunion? That seemed to work when Rob Halford rejoined the band after being MIA for most of the 90's. Now it will be a big deal when Downing returns to the fold in, oh lets say 2016? haha. Doubtful, these dudes will be bound to wheelchairs at that point. Who knows though. If this is for real and well, forever, shame on you K.K. Downing for being such a douche. And Tipton shreds all over him anyways!