Dance! Sing! Repeat!

The Format (2001-2008) were incredible. Dog Problems is an absolute defining staple in the indie-pop genre in today and will remain so. Unfortnately, it's a record centered around a relationship theme that either hits you, or doesn't. Going along with that thought, i think it's probably a timing thing. Either way, recommended tracks in bold.

1. "Matches" – 2:10
2. "I'm Actual" – 3:47
3. "Time Bomb" – 4:01
4. "She Doesn't Get It" – 3:51
5. "Pick Me Up" – 3:46
6. "Dog Problems" – 4:11
7. "Oceans" – 4:48
8. "Dead End" (Means, Linda Perry, Ruess) – 4:08
9. "Snails" – 4:09
10. "The Compromise" – 3:27
11. "Inches and Falling" – 3:30
12. "If Work Permits" – 5:28

Almost the defining textbook example of an excellent space adventure 80's movie, The Last Starfighter also incorporates video games into this incredible story of a normal kid from a trailer park who finds out his name is written in the record book AND in the stars. The film doesn't disappoint at all any time during its 101 minute run time. I highly recommend it if you're into nerdy s**t like I am.

*****

Packed with an incredible cast, (Jack Black, Glenn Close, Natalie Portman, Jack Nicholson, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Sarah Jessica Parker, Martin Short, Michael J. Fox, and Christina Applegate) Mars Attacks! shines brightly even with the dark undertones from director Tim Burton. Not meant to be taken too seriously, the film provides plenty of interesting sub-plots and skin-vaporizing action sequences.

***1/2

This movie should come with a caution label, but that would be all too unacceptable for surrealistic director, David Lynch. In his mystery-esque thriller Mulholland Drive, a non-linear story/series of events is presented for the viewer not even to interpret fully, but just to observe and wonder, 'What the f**k is going on?'. A little longer, but overall not bad. I bet if you threw a couple back during the film, your brain wouldn't hurt as much as mine did.

***1/2

Grab the bonus track off Drake's upcoming debut So Far Gone here.
P.S. Drake played 'Jimmy ' in Degrassi: The Next Generation.

P.P.S. 'Congratulations' samples 'Viva La Vida' by Coldplay.

Spinning this record takes me back to the passenger seat in the cab of Joe Vigdal's truck freshmen year. Granted that we were also doing less than legal things whilst listening, it's an incredible record if you like ska or pop music. Not too poppy to be un-ska and not too horny (ha.) to be on some hxc shit, Progress had the one element that every good record has: I could not stop listening to it and not be angry. Recommended tracks in bold.

1. " – 0:28" – 0:28
2. "VCG³" (Rich Balling) – 3:44
3. "Consequential Apathy" – 2:36
4. "Analog Boy" – 4:13
5. "Get" – 2:42
6. "All the Time" – 3:55
7. "In All Rwanda's Glory" – 3:35
8. "Babylon" – 3:20
9. "Who Would've Thought" – 3:15
10. "Status" – 3:28
11. "Anyone But You" (Balling) – 3:03
12. "Nugget" – 4:59
13. "Progress" – 3:28
14. "Nothing Sacred" – 2:58
15. "Infection" – 6:53

Pee-Wee Herman was a icon for children that you either loved or hated. Mostly, this decision depends on whether you were introduced to him before or after Paul Reubens was caught masturbating in an adult theater in 1991 and arrested on charges of possession of child pornography in 2001. Either way, I vote we look past both of those disgusting, if not eye-opening circumstances and instead examine the film masterpiece that is Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. In Tim Burton's full-length film debut, he doesn't come close to disappointing with all of Pee-Wee's wacky run-ins and catch phrases. Plus, with the infamous bike/movie set chase scene at the end, how could the movie contain any bad elements? Answer: Danny Elfman scored the soundtrack.

*****

Wow. Maybe you've heard about 'Battlefield Earth' before because it's been noted as possibly one of the worst flops/movies ever. What sucks is I watched all two hours of it before I came to the same conclusion. This adaptation of L. Ron Hubbard's novel doesn't really help Scientology out as far as support from the public goes. I mean, if everybody already thinks your religion sounds super fake/science fiction-ish and then someone tries to make a movie that's not even a decent attempt at a science fiction movie, you're f**ked. Also, this movie stars John Travolta, Forrest Whitaker, and at one point Jimmy Fallon. Enough said.

1/2*

Upon first glance and the fact that I remember seeing this movie on USA all the time as a child, it would be appropriate to say that I had low expectations for 'Tremors'. I was banking on a textbook Kevin Bacon performance to lift it out of the crap category. Not only did I get textbook Bacon, I got a Reba McEntire that was actually tolerable AND cheap, but fun to watch gore.

****