07 December 2010
05 December 2010
GLCW Blizzard Brawl VI – December 4th, 2010
I didn't take notes this year so it's possible I'll misremember something.
Beginning of the Show Chatter:
A Proclamation from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is read, praising promoter Dave Herro.
Dave acknowledges we tend to boo ring announcer Jeff Lynne but defends his friend for all the good he's done in the past for GLCW and getting Blizzard Brawl off the ground six years ago. Dave calls him 'Capable' Jeff Lynne.
Armando Alejandro Estrada returns, reminds us that he retired last Blizzard Brawl, and then informs us that he's here to unretire. Somehow he refrains from making a Brett Farve joke. He promises something big later in the show in his regained position as Commissioner.
This all took time but doesn't last forever. It didn't feel as long as some opens in the past.
Match One: Trios Match – Dysfunction, Tony Scarponi (sp?), and Chase McCoy vs 'El Vato' Jose Guerrero, Billy Goat, and El Grande Something or Other
Dysfunction, Tony, and Chase come out playing three distinct heels: Dysfunction loud and obnoxious, Tony quiet and dismissive, and Chase intense with outbursts of anger.
'El Vato', looking a bit out of shape, had a problem or two with some moves, but generally did fine, mostly playing Ricky Morton (spent time as a face being beat up by the bad guys during a tag match). 'Billy Goat', wore a goat mask and worked that gimmick but butting his head into people and such. I guessed it was local worker Bobby Valentino and was later told I was right. He also played Ricky Morton for awhile. I thought he was the best worker on his team. El Grande Whatever was just a fat guy in a mask.
Hot fun opener to get the crowd going and it worked. All three faces pinned the heels at once.
Match Two: Matt Longtime vs Scotty Too Hotty
Crowd, as normal, are pro-Scotty. We, as normal, were pro-Longtime. Our 'Heel Corner' fully fired up at this point as the guys around us turned out to have a similar attitude to us. We also discovered that a dozen kids does not equal One Herman. A rest hold spot ran longer than it may have been planned for as these kids started cheering for Scotty and our Mr. Herman shouted over them, killing the growing face heat and silencing the kids. After a minute or two the crowd realized they needed to cheer for Scotty in order for things to progress and did. While I missed seeing it, apparently Scotty grabbed Longtime's tights to get the win.
Scotty celebrated the win with the owner's son Kal who'd accompanied him to the ring but Longtime returned for revenge. He knocked Scotty down to the ring and began to chase Kal. We chanted 'Hurt the Kid' which just felt wrong and clearly would have been anywhere but in wrestling. Scotty recovered to save him and was able to dance and pose with Kal.
Match Three: Ego Fantastico vs Silas Young vs the Hurricane
Silas played a grumpy heel, doing his best to not participate at first so Hurricane could mock him. Ego (announced as being from Mexico City, Wisconsin, also wearing a mask) and Hurricane were faces but willing to wrestle each other. Ego over-rotated on a couple of his flips but these were minor flubs in an excellent match. Hot match filled with good spots and a decent story. I wish I had more to say about this match but it just clicked and worked. My Best Match of the Night.
Brief Hall of Fame moment:
Daemon Nelson gave a little speech inducting them into the PWR (Pro Wrestling Report) Hall of Fame. He kept dragging the crowd into his thoughts as if he spoke for us all. He didn't say 'I think we'd all agree...' but rather 'all of us here say...' or words more to that effect. While I like Demolition a lot and think they're a great tag-team but 'Best Ever' is a bit of a stretch. I quickly rattled off a half-dozen tag-teams that I'd declare as better in some way, no offense meant to Demolition. I also thought taking the opportunity to complain about the state of tag-team wrestling in a company that Demolition hasn't worked for in nearly 20 years was similarly pointless to me. Still, it was Daemon's moment to say what he wanted.
Match Four: Tag-Team Championship Match: Demolition (champ) vs the Urban Assault Team w/manager Angel Armoni vs Electric Eric Freedom and Psychotic Someone or Other w/ manager Joey Eastman vs 'The Dream Team' Brutus Beefcake and Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine
I might have the managers associated with the wrong teams. Greg Valentine needed some help getting into the ring. Brother Bruti had a ring in each nipple. The match was announced as a 'fatal four way' which should mean that the first pinfall would win the match but it played out as an elimination match. The Urban Assault Team was eliminated by Demolition. Freedom and Psychotic were eliminated by Zodiac and Hammer. The Demos then pinned Disciple and Valentine to retain their belts. This was a good fun match, if busy, especially considering the average age in the ring was probably about 50.
Intermission.
During intermission our Mr. Herman discovered that an old high school chum is a promoter on the South Side. While we talked to him, Angel Armoni approached to say hi and we got to interact with him. Funny guy.
Match Five: Ladies Championship Match: Traci Brooks vs ODB vs Sarena vs Mike Some Radio Guy (champ)
Mike Some Radio Guy makes sexist remarks and brings out an actual lady wrestler (Something Cruz I think) to represent him in the match. Women wrestling over a women's belt; what a concept! Traci and ODB get eliminated. Some Radio Guy returns to take over, directing his representative to go make him a sandwich while he takes care of business. She slugs him low and leaves him. Sarena spears him and gets the pin. She has an emotional moment over the belt upon receiving it. Nice match with good action and some comedy but not as comedic as some previous GLCW Ladies matches.
Match Six: GLCW Heavyweight Championship: Rhino vs Al Snow (champ)
Armando Alejandro Estrada appears to announce himself the number 1 contender to the belt. Rhino attacks Al Snow outside the ring with a chair before the match, laying him out. Al gets rolled into the ring and Estrada forces the referee to start the match and count the fall. He does and Rhino wins.
This is where the show gets derailed. Small things can add up and make a mess of good intentions. While the crowd was confused by this turn of events, Rhino grabs a microphone and says... something. The mic doesn't work and, even though we weren't that far back, I couldn't hear a thing he said. We began chanting 'What?' trying to get his attention but it didn't work. No one explains what happened but a minute or so later Al manages to roll Rhino up and Al is announced as the winner of the second fall. The match continues.
The match continues well enough but I got the feeling that the crowd is still largely lost and confused. Al manages to win the match and 'Capable' Jeff Lynne announces the end of the second fall again before quickly and unclimatically announcing the match is over and Al won. The combination of the confusion with this mistake triggered a rather energetic from the crowd, at least from our section. We immediately and lustily booed.
Estrada attacks Al, knocking him out, pins him, and becomes Champ. This is one step too far. Security and Medical personnel come out to check on Al and carry him from the ring. When we should have been applauding Al or concerned for him, we were too busy griping about the way things didn't come together. We were disappointed.
Match Seven: Mr. Anderson vs Matt Hardy
Ken Anderson comes to the ring wearing an Aaron Rodgers Packer jersey (earlier he was wearing a Clay Matthews throwback jersey) and explains he can't wrestle, blaming it on his current employers and not a recent chairshot to the head that went wrong and left him with a concussion. He removes his jersey to reveal a referee shirt. The crowd warms to the local boy coming home.
Match Seven: Shawn Davari vs Matt Hardy
Davari comes out with a rant that quickly gets the crowd hating him. Matt Hardy is easily the face once he emerges. The match is about to start but Davari grabs the microphone in order to ask Anderson to call things down the middle. He calls upon various pieces of wrestling continuity referencing how the Hardy Boys have caused him grief in the past. All this is starting to go a little long and then Matt and Shawn start having a crowd cheer off, pointing to different parts of the crowd to get a reaction from them. While the crowd generally reacts positively to Matt as opposed to Shawn, there is a moment where the cheers fade and one loud boo follows them, to the amusement of Mr. Anderson.
All this goes on for a bit long. Once the match actually starts, Davari and Hardy brawl in the crowd on the other side of the ring, making it impossible for us to see what's going on. Around this time we notice that it's already after 11, which seems late for one of these shows, and most of the children have been taken home, no doubt due to the lateness of the hour. By the time the match returns to the ring, it's too late for our section of the crowd, perhaps the entire crowd as most of the match continues in a weird, tired quiet with the occasional outburst. Matt Hardy ends up with the win. He calls Mr. Anderson to the ring to finish out the show as this is his turf. Ken talks a bit more and then the show is over, round about 11:30.
It was a really good show with great moments up until the last couple matches. The problems with the title match as well as Estrada 'stealing' the title did feel like a drain on the crowd that never completely faded. In general, the crowd seemed to die partway through the main event, but I'm not sure how much of that opinion is due to our section, and especially our group, going 'eh' after the stalling and the talking and the brawling we couldn't see. We expected better of the main event and the combination of issues during the title match derailed it. It was a great show that just stumbled severely enough at the end to make you walk out with a sour taste in your mouth.
There was no announcement of the next card which I thought was odd.
Beginning of the Show Chatter:
A Proclamation from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is read, praising promoter Dave Herro.
Dave acknowledges we tend to boo ring announcer Jeff Lynne but defends his friend for all the good he's done in the past for GLCW and getting Blizzard Brawl off the ground six years ago. Dave calls him 'Capable' Jeff Lynne.
Armando Alejandro Estrada returns, reminds us that he retired last Blizzard Brawl, and then informs us that he's here to unretire. Somehow he refrains from making a Brett Farve joke. He promises something big later in the show in his regained position as Commissioner.
This all took time but doesn't last forever. It didn't feel as long as some opens in the past.
Match One: Trios Match – Dysfunction, Tony Scarponi (sp?), and Chase McCoy vs 'El Vato' Jose Guerrero, Billy Goat, and El Grande Something or Other
Dysfunction, Tony, and Chase come out playing three distinct heels: Dysfunction loud and obnoxious, Tony quiet and dismissive, and Chase intense with outbursts of anger.
'El Vato', looking a bit out of shape, had a problem or two with some moves, but generally did fine, mostly playing Ricky Morton (spent time as a face being beat up by the bad guys during a tag match). 'Billy Goat', wore a goat mask and worked that gimmick but butting his head into people and such. I guessed it was local worker Bobby Valentino and was later told I was right. He also played Ricky Morton for awhile. I thought he was the best worker on his team. El Grande Whatever was just a fat guy in a mask.
Hot fun opener to get the crowd going and it worked. All three faces pinned the heels at once.
Match Two: Matt Longtime vs Scotty Too Hotty
Crowd, as normal, are pro-Scotty. We, as normal, were pro-Longtime. Our 'Heel Corner' fully fired up at this point as the guys around us turned out to have a similar attitude to us. We also discovered that a dozen kids does not equal One Herman. A rest hold spot ran longer than it may have been planned for as these kids started cheering for Scotty and our Mr. Herman shouted over them, killing the growing face heat and silencing the kids. After a minute or two the crowd realized they needed to cheer for Scotty in order for things to progress and did. While I missed seeing it, apparently Scotty grabbed Longtime's tights to get the win.
Scotty celebrated the win with the owner's son Kal who'd accompanied him to the ring but Longtime returned for revenge. He knocked Scotty down to the ring and began to chase Kal. We chanted 'Hurt the Kid' which just felt wrong and clearly would have been anywhere but in wrestling. Scotty recovered to save him and was able to dance and pose with Kal.
Match Three: Ego Fantastico vs Silas Young vs the Hurricane
Silas played a grumpy heel, doing his best to not participate at first so Hurricane could mock him. Ego (announced as being from Mexico City, Wisconsin, also wearing a mask) and Hurricane were faces but willing to wrestle each other. Ego over-rotated on a couple of his flips but these were minor flubs in an excellent match. Hot match filled with good spots and a decent story. I wish I had more to say about this match but it just clicked and worked. My Best Match of the Night.
Brief Hall of Fame moment:
Daemon Nelson gave a little speech inducting them into the PWR (Pro Wrestling Report) Hall of Fame. He kept dragging the crowd into his thoughts as if he spoke for us all. He didn't say 'I think we'd all agree...' but rather 'all of us here say...' or words more to that effect. While I like Demolition a lot and think they're a great tag-team but 'Best Ever' is a bit of a stretch. I quickly rattled off a half-dozen tag-teams that I'd declare as better in some way, no offense meant to Demolition. I also thought taking the opportunity to complain about the state of tag-team wrestling in a company that Demolition hasn't worked for in nearly 20 years was similarly pointless to me. Still, it was Daemon's moment to say what he wanted.
Match Four: Tag-Team Championship Match: Demolition (champ) vs the Urban Assault Team w/manager Angel Armoni vs Electric Eric Freedom and Psychotic Someone or Other w/ manager Joey Eastman vs 'The Dream Team' Brutus Beefcake and Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine
I might have the managers associated with the wrong teams. Greg Valentine needed some help getting into the ring. Brother Bruti had a ring in each nipple. The match was announced as a 'fatal four way' which should mean that the first pinfall would win the match but it played out as an elimination match. The Urban Assault Team was eliminated by Demolition. Freedom and Psychotic were eliminated by Zodiac and Hammer. The Demos then pinned Disciple and Valentine to retain their belts. This was a good fun match, if busy, especially considering the average age in the ring was probably about 50.
Intermission.
During intermission our Mr. Herman discovered that an old high school chum is a promoter on the South Side. While we talked to him, Angel Armoni approached to say hi and we got to interact with him. Funny guy.
Match Five: Ladies Championship Match: Traci Brooks vs ODB vs Sarena vs Mike Some Radio Guy (champ)
Mike Some Radio Guy makes sexist remarks and brings out an actual lady wrestler (Something Cruz I think) to represent him in the match. Women wrestling over a women's belt; what a concept! Traci and ODB get eliminated. Some Radio Guy returns to take over, directing his representative to go make him a sandwich while he takes care of business. She slugs him low and leaves him. Sarena spears him and gets the pin. She has an emotional moment over the belt upon receiving it. Nice match with good action and some comedy but not as comedic as some previous GLCW Ladies matches.
Match Six: GLCW Heavyweight Championship: Rhino vs Al Snow (champ)
Armando Alejandro Estrada appears to announce himself the number 1 contender to the belt. Rhino attacks Al Snow outside the ring with a chair before the match, laying him out. Al gets rolled into the ring and Estrada forces the referee to start the match and count the fall. He does and Rhino wins.
This is where the show gets derailed. Small things can add up and make a mess of good intentions. While the crowd was confused by this turn of events, Rhino grabs a microphone and says... something. The mic doesn't work and, even though we weren't that far back, I couldn't hear a thing he said. We began chanting 'What?' trying to get his attention but it didn't work. No one explains what happened but a minute or so later Al manages to roll Rhino up and Al is announced as the winner of the second fall. The match continues.
The match continues well enough but I got the feeling that the crowd is still largely lost and confused. Al manages to win the match and 'Capable' Jeff Lynne announces the end of the second fall again before quickly and unclimatically announcing the match is over and Al won. The combination of the confusion with this mistake triggered a rather energetic from the crowd, at least from our section. We immediately and lustily booed.
Estrada attacks Al, knocking him out, pins him, and becomes Champ. This is one step too far. Security and Medical personnel come out to check on Al and carry him from the ring. When we should have been applauding Al or concerned for him, we were too busy griping about the way things didn't come together. We were disappointed.
Match Seven: Mr. Anderson vs Matt Hardy
Ken Anderson comes to the ring wearing an Aaron Rodgers Packer jersey (earlier he was wearing a Clay Matthews throwback jersey) and explains he can't wrestle, blaming it on his current employers and not a recent chairshot to the head that went wrong and left him with a concussion. He removes his jersey to reveal a referee shirt. The crowd warms to the local boy coming home.
Match Seven: Shawn Davari vs Matt Hardy
Davari comes out with a rant that quickly gets the crowd hating him. Matt Hardy is easily the face once he emerges. The match is about to start but Davari grabs the microphone in order to ask Anderson to call things down the middle. He calls upon various pieces of wrestling continuity referencing how the Hardy Boys have caused him grief in the past. All this is starting to go a little long and then Matt and Shawn start having a crowd cheer off, pointing to different parts of the crowd to get a reaction from them. While the crowd generally reacts positively to Matt as opposed to Shawn, there is a moment where the cheers fade and one loud boo follows them, to the amusement of Mr. Anderson.
All this goes on for a bit long. Once the match actually starts, Davari and Hardy brawl in the crowd on the other side of the ring, making it impossible for us to see what's going on. Around this time we notice that it's already after 11, which seems late for one of these shows, and most of the children have been taken home, no doubt due to the lateness of the hour. By the time the match returns to the ring, it's too late for our section of the crowd, perhaps the entire crowd as most of the match continues in a weird, tired quiet with the occasional outburst. Matt Hardy ends up with the win. He calls Mr. Anderson to the ring to finish out the show as this is his turf. Ken talks a bit more and then the show is over, round about 11:30.
It was a really good show with great moments up until the last couple matches. The problems with the title match as well as Estrada 'stealing' the title did feel like a drain on the crowd that never completely faded. In general, the crowd seemed to die partway through the main event, but I'm not sure how much of that opinion is due to our section, and especially our group, going 'eh' after the stalling and the talking and the brawling we couldn't see. We expected better of the main event and the combination of issues during the title match derailed it. It was a great show that just stumbled severely enough at the end to make you walk out with a sour taste in your mouth.
There was no announcement of the next card which I thought was odd.
28 November 2010
25 November 2010
'What is Gum?'
I am reasonably comfortable with my skills and where their limits lie. My inability to update this blog on a more consistent basis is a fine display of those limits. It is very possible that I am too modest regarding these skills. On many occasions I've told a story or pitched a movie or worked out some wrestling booking and been told how I should be working more professionally in some of those venues. While perhaps true, I generally demure from such comments. I know I'm not up to that speed. If put in that setting, I might get up to that speed but I don't know that would be so.
My week in Florida reminded me of that lack of 'speed'. It made me feel like I've lost a step. Normally speaking, I'm the abnormal one. I'm the one that's 'playing'. This can cause some frustration in others and I've had to become more 'serious', especially in the workplace.
Then I go to Disney where everyone plays. You don't really think about it but the Cast Members, even those 'just' funneling you in and out of a ride, are always one. In fact some of the best rides are the ones where the Cast Members add a little something; whether that be a Pirate 'accent' or loudly smacking a wall during a quiet moment at the Haunted Mansion. I was chatting with 'Muppet Labs Technicians' at the MuppetVision 3D show and they even stayed in character when we were talking normally. It managed to throw me off. They were doing my 'thing' back at me.
I got thrown in deep early on in my trip. Most of the characters you meet are silent as they wear costumes that prevent speech. Mickey and Donald and such communicate via gestures. The human characters don't have that impediment and are eager to interact with you, give you a moment.
On my first day of the trip, we were heading for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride when we saw Ariel was at the Meet and Greet spot in Adventureland. As we had a six year old girl with us and the line wasn't long, we stopped. As Ariel is a pretty red headed girl, I also got in line. In an effort to not take too much of her time and trying to not be too creepy, my pal and I decided to approach her together. I expected to say hi, make a joke about Neptune or something undersea, get my picture taken and move on. That's not what she had in mind.
“What are you chewing?” she asked me as I approached.
“Gum,” I answered, suddenly backpedaling because I didn't know if I could chew gum in the presence of royalty. She was totally confused by my declaration and it led me to showing her the wad of gum within my mouth, which really had to be a bad idea when interacting with a Princess.
Her face crinkled up at this sight. “Did it look like that when you put it in your mouth?” I assured her that it looked better beforehand when it was still a stick of gum. “A stick?” Despite my gestures, it became clear to me that our concepts of the word 'stick' were not the same. “Why?” she questioned. I pointed to the fact that it made my breath minty. This was also lost on her. “Are you going to swallow it?” she wondered. I offered to do so but explained that this wasn't the normal procedure.
By this point, she was totally confused. “You put a stick in your mouth to make your breath minty but you don't eat it?” She turned to my buddy standing behind her, adding “No offense but you humans are weird.”
Then we politely linked arms and took a picture together.
I was on the defensive the entire time. I kept up, essentially playing the straight man, but never took control of the situation and turned it back to her, asking her about life under the sea. I didn't think of it quickly enough.
I wasn't ready. I've lost a step. Or perhaps I never had the step.
I also think she's awesome and have a crush on her. Me like a pretty redheaded girl that messed with me so successfully? No shock there.
My week in Florida reminded me of that lack of 'speed'. It made me feel like I've lost a step. Normally speaking, I'm the abnormal one. I'm the one that's 'playing'. This can cause some frustration in others and I've had to become more 'serious', especially in the workplace.
Then I go to Disney where everyone plays. You don't really think about it but the Cast Members, even those 'just' funneling you in and out of a ride, are always one. In fact some of the best rides are the ones where the Cast Members add a little something; whether that be a Pirate 'accent' or loudly smacking a wall during a quiet moment at the Haunted Mansion. I was chatting with 'Muppet Labs Technicians' at the MuppetVision 3D show and they even stayed in character when we were talking normally. It managed to throw me off. They were doing my 'thing' back at me.
I got thrown in deep early on in my trip. Most of the characters you meet are silent as they wear costumes that prevent speech. Mickey and Donald and such communicate via gestures. The human characters don't have that impediment and are eager to interact with you, give you a moment.
On my first day of the trip, we were heading for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride when we saw Ariel was at the Meet and Greet spot in Adventureland. As we had a six year old girl with us and the line wasn't long, we stopped. As Ariel is a pretty red headed girl, I also got in line. In an effort to not take too much of her time and trying to not be too creepy, my pal and I decided to approach her together. I expected to say hi, make a joke about Neptune or something undersea, get my picture taken and move on. That's not what she had in mind.
“What are you chewing?” she asked me as I approached.
“Gum,” I answered, suddenly backpedaling because I didn't know if I could chew gum in the presence of royalty. She was totally confused by my declaration and it led me to showing her the wad of gum within my mouth, which really had to be a bad idea when interacting with a Princess.
Her face crinkled up at this sight. “Did it look like that when you put it in your mouth?” I assured her that it looked better beforehand when it was still a stick of gum. “A stick?” Despite my gestures, it became clear to me that our concepts of the word 'stick' were not the same. “Why?” she questioned. I pointed to the fact that it made my breath minty. This was also lost on her. “Are you going to swallow it?” she wondered. I offered to do so but explained that this wasn't the normal procedure.
By this point, she was totally confused. “You put a stick in your mouth to make your breath minty but you don't eat it?” She turned to my buddy standing behind her, adding “No offense but you humans are weird.”
Then we politely linked arms and took a picture together.
I was on the defensive the entire time. I kept up, essentially playing the straight man, but never took control of the situation and turned it back to her, asking her about life under the sea. I didn't think of it quickly enough.
I wasn't ready. I've lost a step. Or perhaps I never had the step.
I also think she's awesome and have a crush on her. Me like a pretty redheaded girl that messed with me so successfully? No shock there.
16 November 2010
Rule No 1
If you're planning a trip to theme parks, get some exercise before you go and make sure you have some comfortable shoes. I hadn't been walking enough and apparently hadn't broken these shoes in properly. Massive blisters. Very unpleasant.
Beyond that, great time so far. Have tried new stuff and it's panning out. This is a Good Thing.
Beyond that, great time so far. Have tried new stuff and it's panning out. This is a Good Thing.
07 November 2010
Looking Forward
This time next week, unless something horrible happens, I'll be in Florida. Yep, more Disney and Universal Studios for me! I can't wait. For the past couple months, my brain has been giving me bursts of memories of Main Street USA while at work. I'd pick up the phone, someone would start talking to me, and, boom, there'd be this vivid memory in my head, like my brain was reminding me why I was doing this and that it would be okay. For about a month it was always Main Street USA, which I thought was odd. Of late, it's become more random: walking to Pirates, getting on the ET ride at Universal, being in the restaurant in Tomorrowland, all different, all enjoyable.
I'm sure it'll impede my posting for the week I'm gone. It will give me something to talk about. If you're not in the mood for another discussion of the Theme Parks, be warned that's coming.
I can't avoid that. It'll be too much fun to not review.
I'm sure it'll impede my posting for the week I'm gone. It will give me something to talk about. If you're not in the mood for another discussion of the Theme Parks, be warned that's coming.
I can't avoid that. It'll be too much fun to not review.
25 October 2010
Music Monday - Scary Time
I'm gonna scare you but not with monsters and such. I'm looking for the truly frightening.
Like a British sequel to 'Convoy'
'Live action' Smurfs?
And, what is clearly played constantly in the lowest levels of Hell (if Hell existed, which it doesn't unless you count the DMV)...
I have clearly lost control here. I can't stand the chicken dance...
Like a British sequel to 'Convoy'
'Live action' Smurfs?
And, what is clearly played constantly in the lowest levels of Hell (if Hell existed, which it doesn't unless you count the DMV)...
I have clearly lost control here. I can't stand the chicken dance...
22 October 2010
'Frankenstein's Daughter' Review
'Frankenstein's Daughter' – 1958
Synopsis:
A descendant of Doctor Frankenstein uses chemicals and good old-fashioned cadaver pieces to follow in the family tradition.
Thoughts:
I was a Monster Kid. I read books about old Horror movies. Every week I watched 'Shock Theater' with the local horror host Toolouse NoNeck and the classic film he had to present. I don't know how many films I saw that way. I clearly remember seeing three: 'The Green Slime', the original 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers', and 'Frankenstein's Daughter'. It was a movie clearly trying to tap into the teen monster trends of the time. I didn't remember it being a very good movie but vividly remembered a sequence where a character gets run over by a car in order to be added to the creature being assembled. After a long day of this and that, I popped in this movie, curled up on the couch, and fully expected the movie to interact with my existing tiredness to assist me in dozing off.
The movie woke me up. Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to claim its a lost classic or anything like that. As tired as I was that night for the movie to engage me to the level that it woke me up is quite an accomplishment. It gets points for that.
Its not a perfect movie but it has a lot going for it. The story is reasonably solid for what it is, with a feeling of progression. The 'bad guys' aren't immediately evident as they aren't caricatures. At the same time they are 'updated' versions of the characters as we'd see them in a movie set in the 1700s or 1800s. Loyalties and levels of sanity alter as the story progresses so that the characters move forward. Stories of monsters are dismissed as stories until proof is received.
I was also impressed with the makeups. The creatures are rather hideous looking. It gave me the impression that the filmmakers knew they needed to deliver something wild here and spent enough of their budget making this right.
On the downside, there's a character or two that just disappears, removed from the story by dialogue rather than action. There's also an acceptable but pointless party sequence with a song.
I've seen better films and plenty that were worse. If you have an interest in older monster movies, this may appeal to you more than you expect. If you can't deal with black and white films or horror movies where people don't get ripped in half while on screen, well, then this won't work for you.
Recommended with reservations.
Synopsis:
A descendant of Doctor Frankenstein uses chemicals and good old-fashioned cadaver pieces to follow in the family tradition.
Thoughts:
I was a Monster Kid. I read books about old Horror movies. Every week I watched 'Shock Theater' with the local horror host Toolouse NoNeck and the classic film he had to present. I don't know how many films I saw that way. I clearly remember seeing three: 'The Green Slime', the original 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers', and 'Frankenstein's Daughter'. It was a movie clearly trying to tap into the teen monster trends of the time. I didn't remember it being a very good movie but vividly remembered a sequence where a character gets run over by a car in order to be added to the creature being assembled. After a long day of this and that, I popped in this movie, curled up on the couch, and fully expected the movie to interact with my existing tiredness to assist me in dozing off.
The movie woke me up. Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to claim its a lost classic or anything like that. As tired as I was that night for the movie to engage me to the level that it woke me up is quite an accomplishment. It gets points for that.
Its not a perfect movie but it has a lot going for it. The story is reasonably solid for what it is, with a feeling of progression. The 'bad guys' aren't immediately evident as they aren't caricatures. At the same time they are 'updated' versions of the characters as we'd see them in a movie set in the 1700s or 1800s. Loyalties and levels of sanity alter as the story progresses so that the characters move forward. Stories of monsters are dismissed as stories until proof is received.
I was also impressed with the makeups. The creatures are rather hideous looking. It gave me the impression that the filmmakers knew they needed to deliver something wild here and spent enough of their budget making this right.
On the downside, there's a character or two that just disappears, removed from the story by dialogue rather than action. There's also an acceptable but pointless party sequence with a song.
I've seen better films and plenty that were worse. If you have an interest in older monster movies, this may appeal to you more than you expect. If you can't deal with black and white films or horror movies where people don't get ripped in half while on screen, well, then this won't work for you.
Recommended with reservations.
19 October 2010
What Am I? Seven?
My sinuses have been giving me issues for the past couple months. I dunno if it's an issue I've always had that's just worse this year, or me getting old, or allergies or what exactly. It's not the biggest deal in the world but it's something I've been more aware of lately than years past. I've been taking some herbal remedies to combat the congestion but, for awhile, wasn't as consistent as I should have been.
My mom told me a story of a friend of hers that took these herbs for a couple months and then leaned weird or something and had all this green fluid ooze out of her nose and sinuses. It sounded really gross.
It made me more consistent with my herb taking. I want green ooze too.
My mom told me a story of a friend of hers that took these herbs for a couple months and then leaned weird or something and had all this green fluid ooze out of her nose and sinuses. It sounded really gross.
It made me more consistent with my herb taking. I want green ooze too.
18 October 2010
Music Monday - Doctorlike?
Things occur to me in strange ways. I also have a habit of seeing things just through the filter of my Crazy World. Like where everything relates to Doctor Who.
Thomas Dolby? He kinda looks like Peter Davison.
And in this twisted world of mine, the lead singer of A Flock of Seagulls looks like Colin Baker, or at least his mopy brother.
Yes. I am not right.
Thomas Dolby? He kinda looks like Peter Davison.
And in this twisted world of mine, the lead singer of A Flock of Seagulls looks like Colin Baker, or at least his mopy brother.
Yes. I am not right.
12 October 2010
A PSA from Brett Favre
Hi. I'm Brett Favre and I've been playing football for a long time. I've gotten my share of injuries over the years but the worst one may be the hidden one. I've got postal... connie... well, I can't say the word but Dr. Nick says I got it. It's this brain thing from taking all those hits over the years. I forget how old I am or what's going on or who people really are. It can be embarrassing, like when you realize you're with a girl that looks like your wife, but isn't. Football is slowly killing me, like when I drink beer while taking pills, I mean when I DID do that, cause I don't anymore. I won't quit football because I have nothing else to do with my life. So when you see me under a pile of Viking defenders, remember I'm putting myself out there for your entertainment.
Dang, that's right. I play for the Vikings now. No wonder Coach gets upset when I throw towards a green jersey. Well heck, I only had to do that for like a billion years. Old habits are hard to break...
Dang, that's right. I play for the Vikings now. No wonder Coach gets upset when I throw towards a green jersey. Well heck, I only had to do that for like a billion years. Old habits are hard to break...
11 October 2010
Music Monday - Minnesota Music is Not Just Prince and Bob Dylan
Timing is everything. The 1980s and early 1990s were a hotbed of music around the nation. Grunge would become the dominate musical style and the Seattle 'scene' became the in thing.
It wasn't the only scene. What might have happened if the next big thing was... Minneapolis?
Information Society's brand of techno pop was both of the time and of the future. Change the colors in the video, heavy up them beats a bit and you might still have a hit today, even if the lead singer looks like a young Vince McMahon with a weird haircut.
I remember watching Trip Shakespeare videos quite often on 120 Minutes, you know, back when the M in MTV stood for 'Music'. I remember liking them but not enough to grab an album. A different formation of this band would later hit the big time under the name SemiSonic.
Powermad brings the metal! Long hair, squealing vocals, powerful guitars. Where's Strong Bad to love this?
The Replacements were one of those bands that I thought everyone knew about. Maybe they did then but they don't now. I should know them better. Paul Westerberg is full of awesome.
Aw what the heck, I covered Husker Du already so I shouldn't again. Ah! After Husker Du, Bob Mould formed Sugar and cranked out an excellent album in Copper Blue. 'How can I explain away/something that I've never done?' Love that lyric!
It wasn't the only scene. What might have happened if the next big thing was... Minneapolis?
Information Society's brand of techno pop was both of the time and of the future. Change the colors in the video, heavy up them beats a bit and you might still have a hit today, even if the lead singer looks like a young Vince McMahon with a weird haircut.
I remember watching Trip Shakespeare videos quite often on 120 Minutes, you know, back when the M in MTV stood for 'Music'. I remember liking them but not enough to grab an album. A different formation of this band would later hit the big time under the name SemiSonic.
Powermad brings the metal! Long hair, squealing vocals, powerful guitars. Where's Strong Bad to love this?
The Replacements were one of those bands that I thought everyone knew about. Maybe they did then but they don't now. I should know them better. Paul Westerberg is full of awesome.
Aw what the heck, I covered Husker Du already so I shouldn't again. Ah! After Husker Du, Bob Mould formed Sugar and cranked out an excellent album in Copper Blue. 'How can I explain away/something that I've never done?' Love that lyric!
04 October 2010
Music Monday - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
I gravitate to what is called 'novelty' records: parodies of songs, stuff not meant to be taken seriously, or stuff that's just weird. I collected tv show theme songs as a kid. Probably still would except there aren't any anymore. I also like monsters: Frankensteins (I know the name belongs to the Doctor, bear with me here), vampires, kaiju, and such. The good naturedly creepy.
When they combine, oh boy!
I've got an Elvira's Monster Hits tape somewhere I've had for years but I'm sure I heard 'I Put a Spell On You' on the radio as a kid. It's the sort of song that all sorts of people have covered over the years. For my money, nobody puts the creepy in it better than Screamin' Jay Hawkins!
Seriously, what is going on there? I don't know but I love it and it sounds like he's in tune. Classic.
Also on that tape was his 'Little Demon'. I think Mojo Nixon took Jay's 'gotta have at least one freak out in every song' theme but who cares? This dude is nuts!
Love. It.
When they combine, oh boy!
I've got an Elvira's Monster Hits tape somewhere I've had for years but I'm sure I heard 'I Put a Spell On You' on the radio as a kid. It's the sort of song that all sorts of people have covered over the years. For my money, nobody puts the creepy in it better than Screamin' Jay Hawkins!
Seriously, what is going on there? I don't know but I love it and it sounds like he's in tune. Classic.
Also on that tape was his 'Little Demon'. I think Mojo Nixon took Jay's 'gotta have at least one freak out in every song' theme but who cares? This dude is nuts!
Love. It.
02 October 2010
It'll Be November Soon
At lunch the other day, I leaned back from my exciting peanut butter sandwich and closed my eyes. It's nice to be working but it does wear me out some days. I sighed and tried to get comfortable in my car.
I tasted barbeque sauce.
Why would I taste barbeque sauce? Peanut butter tastes nothing like barbeque sauce. Why would I even be thinking about it?
Suddenly, it wasn't even the taste of barbeque sauce, it was barbeque sauce on a hamburger with bacon. It was a happy taste. Suddenly, I was elsewhere.
What was the name of that restaurant? It's in Frontierland, near Splash Mountain. Casey Jones maybe. It's getting later in the day. I'm hungry. The burger is good. I'm surrounded by items made of wood. The table, the chairs, the walls are all made of wood. I'm very comfortable. I lean over the table as we chat and eat.
When we walk outside, it's grown dark. The Magic Kingdom lights up, glowing in the dusk. Things are good.
I tasted barbeque sauce.
Why would I taste barbeque sauce? Peanut butter tastes nothing like barbeque sauce. Why would I even be thinking about it?
Suddenly, it wasn't even the taste of barbeque sauce, it was barbeque sauce on a hamburger with bacon. It was a happy taste. Suddenly, I was elsewhere.
What was the name of that restaurant? It's in Frontierland, near Splash Mountain. Casey Jones maybe. It's getting later in the day. I'm hungry. The burger is good. I'm surrounded by items made of wood. The table, the chairs, the walls are all made of wood. I'm very comfortable. I lean over the table as we chat and eat.
When we walk outside, it's grown dark. The Magic Kingdom lights up, glowing in the dusk. Things are good.
27 September 2010
20 September 2010
Music Monday - Covers
Cover songs can be fun. Sometimes they're just a cheap way to be a familiar song into a movie without paying the big money for the original. I say booo to that. Do something to make the song your own. This week I'm keen to feature a few songs that take that concept to a whole new level.
Disco is dead. Do you know what killed it? DEATH METAL!
Bert and Ernie. Peanut Butter and Jelly. Electric Guitars and Bagpipes? Yes, really. If you've ever wanted to hear a bagpipe play the guitar riff from an AC/DC song, this is the place to see it!
Rap and Metal have intermingled since the 1980s but Rage Against the Machine threw a bit ol' slab of Funk in there as well.
Stir your brain up. Mix things together and see what happens when two things collide. Get chocolate in your peanut butter, sucka!
Disco is dead. Do you know what killed it? DEATH METAL!
Bert and Ernie. Peanut Butter and Jelly. Electric Guitars and Bagpipes? Yes, really. If you've ever wanted to hear a bagpipe play the guitar riff from an AC/DC song, this is the place to see it!
Rap and Metal have intermingled since the 1980s but Rage Against the Machine threw a bit ol' slab of Funk in there as well.
Stir your brain up. Mix things together and see what happens when two things collide. Get chocolate in your peanut butter, sucka!
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