THE SPECIAL EDITION: 3.23.10

THE WEEK OF MARCH 23rd 2010

GROUP EDITED by: TROY ANDERSON

DVD/BR SECTION by: Troy Anderson

FANTASTIC MR. FOX
Director: Wes Anderson
20th Century Fox

CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!

Special Features

Fantastic Mr. Fox proves that Roald Dahl is still relevant to adults that read his work as children. Modern kids don’t appreciate the appeal of a daredevil fox that is trying to mature, while being true to himself. Jason Schwartzman steals the show, but there’s plenty of admirable turns to be had. Honestly, I believe that Dafoe should always work with Wes Anderson. In a brief turn as a dastardly rat, Dafoe proves that he’s the George Raft of the modern era. Truly amazing stop-motion animation complimented by a wonderful script.

MAD MEN: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON
c. Jon Hamm, John Slattery, January Jones, Christina Hendricks and her lovely breasts as The Twins

CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!

Special Features

Mad Men: Season 3 shows that Don Draper has reached that iconic plateau among television characters. What once started as a tiny show on AMC has now sparked a cultural fascination with the Kennedy era. Cigarettes, liquored lunches and snazzy suits are welcoming back an age where you could have substance and style. This season, the Brits screw with Sterling Cooper. Don Draper has to deal with his personal demonds, while Betty deals with her pregnancy. Then, there’s Christina Hendricks. It’s cheap to keep talking about her breasts. She is a wonderful actress, but those breasts are perfection. Insure them, lady. Donate them to the Smithsonian.

THE T.A.M.I. SHOW
c. James Brown, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean

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Special Features

• New Commentary by Director Steve Binder
• Original T.A.M.I Show Radio Spots
• Original Trailer with Commentary by John Landis
• Commemorative Booklet

The T.A.M.I Show is the best filmed rock concert. Shot before Woodstock or Monterey, audiences were treated to pure rock presented before the Youth of America. The bands ranged from the soul of James Brown to Surf Rock to Girl Powered Pop groups. Look at the setlist and tremble:

Jan & Dean- (Here They Come) From All Over The World
Chuck Berry- Johnny B. Goode, Maybellene, Sweet Little Sixteen, Nadine (Is it You?)
Gerry And The Pacemakers- Maybellene, Dont Let The Sun Catch You Crying, Its Gonna Be Alright, How Do You Do It?, I Like It
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles- That’s What Love Is Made Of, You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me, Mickeys Monkey
Marvin Gaye- Stubborn Kind Of Fellow, Pride And Joy, Can I Get A Witness, Hitch Hike
Lesley Gore- Maybe I Know, You Dont Own Me, You Didnt Look Around, Hey Now, Its My Party, & Judys Turn To Cry
Jan & Dean- The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena) & Sidewalk Surfin
The Beach Boys- Surfin U.S.A., I Get Around, Surfer Girl, & Dance, Dance, Dance
Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas- Little Children, Bad To Me, I’ll Keep You Satisfied, & From A Window
The Supremes- When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes, Run, Run, Run, Baby Love, & Where Did Our Love Go
The Barbarians- Hey Little Bird
James Brown & The Flames- Out Of Sight, Prisoner Of Love, Please, Please, Please, & Night Train
The Rolling Stones- Around and Around, Off The Hook, Time Is On My Side, It’s All Over Now, & I’m All Right
All Performers- Show Close: Let’s Get Together

THE BLIND SIDE
c. Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw and Kathy Bates

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Special Features

There’s some
things about White America that I still don’t get. Having been a
Caucasian for the past 28 years, you would’ve figured that a lot of
this shit would just fall into my lap. Every couple of years, a film
comes along that makes Middle America stand up and pay a first-run
theatrical premium. They talk to their friends and make recommendations
to children that don’t care. Yet, they were able to get this movie to break 250 million and score a Best Picture nomination.

VIDEO GAMES

section by: Justin Clark and SCOTT!

JUST CAUSE 2
Eidos/Square Enix
360/PS3
Release Date: 3/23
MSRP: $59.99

CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!

I sorta pity this series. The first one, and if the demo is any indication, the sequel are not bad games in the least. Any game that allows you to lasso your enemies, and launch them Wile E. Coyote style attached to an exploding object can never be called bad. That’s just Earthly law. But their releases are the definitive cases of “too little, too late”. In the face of everything that’s been done with the sandbox action genre since the first game, this thing is outclassed before it even sees a shelf. Still, the first game was a perfectly nifty little budget title, and I expect the sequel to provide the same comfort when the current glut of newer, impressive games dies down.

RED STEEL 2
Ubi Soft
Wii
Release Date: 3/23
MSRP: $49.99

CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!

The first Red Steel was a dismal harbinger of things to come far as the Wii’s concerned. Sounded wonderful on paper. In reality, it was a lumbering, sloppy mess. That is to say, it was a launch title. The sequel has potential, at the very least: Ubi Soft ditched the uninspired modern day crime action for a sort of cel-shaded Sukiyaki Western Django motif which is an automatic 50 brownie points right off the bat. The game comes bundled with a Wii Motion Plus add-on, and while it’s still not the holy 1:1 standard we keep expecting and will never, ever realistically get out of that pearly white bitch of a system, early impressions say the gameplay style keeps things smooth as silk regardless. And, if nothing else, it’s gonna be real hard to shoehorn ancient extraterrestrial conspiracies into this game’s ending, right?

….right?

OTHER GAMES OF INTEREST

• Moto GP 09/10 (Capcom; PS3; 3/23)

• Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey; DS, 3/23)

• How To Train Your Dragon (Activision; 360, PS3, Wii, DS; 3/23)

OOOH: ON THE DLC TIP

GAME ROOM
XBox Live Arcade
Release Date: 3/23
Price per game: 240 MS 360 only/400 MS 360-PC dual ownership/40 MS single play

Chances are, if you’re reading this article, to quote Eddie Vedder, this is not for you. Virtually every game that has been, and will be offered through this service has been available on XBox Live long before this service has been offered. But unlike a service like, say, Playstation Home, there’s no pretensions here about this being more than a pure nostalgia grab for those who really, really miss the look and feel of an arcade, and in theory, that’s great. That said, it still fails from the outset seeing as you can’t see quarters lined up against the rim of the arcade cabinets, and the XBox itself doesn’t emit that old familiar bouquet of weed, Pepsi, and teenage failuresweat.

ROCK BAND TUESDAY

X Pack 01 ($6.99/560 MS)
•    Blue Spark +
•    The Hungry Wolf
•    I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts
•    Los Angeles

Little Fish
•    Am I Crazy + (XBL/PSN exclusive free track)
•    Bang Bang *  ($1/80 MS)
•    Darling Dear *($1/80 MS)

Ace Frehley – “Outer Space”
Carrie Underwood – “All-American Girl” +
OneRepublic – “Stop & Stare” +


(individual tracks are $1.99/160 MS points each. )
+ – Available in Lego Rock Band

Little something for everyone this week. If you like your classic rock, you have a pack from one of punk’s pioneers. If you like discovering the new shit, there’s three tracks from indie chick rock band Little Fish, one of which is even free. YouTubing them reveals a distinct lack of suck. Might be worth a shot. And lastly, if you hate yourself and others, you’re welcome to inflict Ace Frehley, Carrie Underwood, or OneRepublic on your system of choice too.

MUSIC

section by: Jeb Delia

VOLUME TWO
She & Him

CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!

She’s still our wide-eyed 21^st-century Carole King, he’s still the lo-fi Brian Wilson. Like the first album, the pop is irresistible, and Deshcanel’s writing is rescued from the nostalgic sweep by its lack of melodrama, and the matter-of-factness in her voice. The Persephone metaphor may be a bit strained, but as a piece of advice, “be kind to yourself” is refreshingly useful for pop music. Pick to click: Deschanel and Ward trading vocals on NRBQ’s “Ridin’ In My Car.”

 

BLACK ROCK
Joe Bonamassa

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HEAD FIRST

Goldfrapp

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I realize that calling pop music “disposable” isn’t, per se, an argument against it, but sometimes these kids make it a bit too easy to put their stuff behind you. And I’m going to assume that it wasn’t Allison’s idea to call her lyrics “life-affirming.” But at least she’s back on the dance floor this time, the music’s catchiness rarely falters, and I like that she’s got the sly cheek to reuse “I’m a believer” as the chorus to one song. The fact that she’s “Alive” and “Dreaming” means, I guess, that underneath it all, she’s more or less like you and me. Duly noted. If the 80’s continue to call to you, time to answer.

 

THE WAY OF THE WORLD
Mose Allison 

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For Allison’s first album in twelve years, producer Joe Henry sticks the legendary singer-songwriter-pianist in the middle of a small band of young session players (along with Mose’s singer-songwriter daughter Amy), and while there’s loads of the expected country-blues/jazz piano, cracked vocals, and wry wit (“I woke up this morning,” he snickers to that gal that done him wrong, “ I didn’t have the blues”), there’s also some lovely instrumental interplay, particularly between Mose and guitarist Greg Leisz. And the only problem with the duet with Amy is that it’s just one song: she’s a great songwriter and a highly idiosyncratic (to put it mildly) singer who needs to do a full-out collaboration with Pops while he’s still around.

Other noteworthy 3/23 music releases:

The Unthanks: Here’s The Tender Coming. Gorgeous, dreamy British pop-folk with strings and horns and McGarrigle harmonies well in place. Someone tell Colin Meloy to put down that OED and get back to work.

 

Woodhands: Remorsecapade. Maybe you miss The Human League more than I do.

 

The Courteeners: Falcon. Since the “Loudmouth Mancs With Big Guitars” franchise took a hit last year, these guys are ready to step up.

 

Sierra Leone‘s Refugee All Stars: Rise and Shine. Being actual refugees doesn’t automatically make for compelling music, but this’d be a nice changeup from that Bob Marley or Sunny Ade you were about to put on.

 

The Runaways Soundtrack. Call me a philistine, but I don’t know that Fanning is any less convincing a singer than Currie was; she’s certainly funnier.

 

Scorpions: Sting in the Tail. Bye bye, boys. Have fun storming the castle.

 

Skeletons: Smile. Producer Benedic Lamden doesn’t call himself “Nostalgia 77” for no reason: if you share his fond memories of Afro-jazz days gone by, seek this out.

 

Black Sands by Bonobo. Downtempo? In my day, youngster, we called it dub, and were happy to have it at all. Now get off my lawn…

 

Paul Revere & Raiders: Complete Columbia Singles. Fine, you’ve heard the hits, but how about “(If I Had It To Do All Over Again, I’d Do It) All Over You”? Hmmm?

 

Snoop Dogg: More Malice. Can’t imagine how anyone thought to reissue an album called “Malice In Wonderland” right about now…

 

I’m Still Here by Mindy McCready. Wait, Hit Girl has an album…?

 

Madlib: Medicine Show No. 3– Beat Konducta In Africa. Toe-tapping, hip-grooving, snips, clips, and blips from what seems like every country on the Dark Continent.

THIS WEEK’S DVD REVIEWS at CHUD

Did you miss a review this week? A lot of titles go unnoticed during the hectic news days around the site.

Click here to discover some of the latest DVD reviews.

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NEW RELEASES

*Blu-Ray prices are in BOLD BLUE

The Princess and The Frog                                       $16.99 $22.99 $26.99
Twilight: New Moon                                                $19.99  $24.99 
Fantastic Mr. Fox                                                    $19.99   $26.99
The Men Who Stare at Goats                                 $17.99   $22.99
The Blind Side                                                       $16.99   $24.99   
Mad Men: Season 3                                               $32.99   $32.99   
Toy Story                                                               $24.99   
Toy Story  2                                                           $24.99 
Brothers                                                                $19.99   $24.99   
Twilight in Forks                                                     $14.99
Bandslam                                                               $19.99
Astro Boy                                                              $19.99

HORRORFEST DVD Sale

$14.99 each or 2 for $25

Lake Mungo
Kill Theory
Zombies of Mass Destruction
The Reeds
The Graves
The Final
Dread
Hidden

$24.99 BLU-RAYs

Saw V
Taken

$29.99 BLU-RAYs

Inglorious Basterds
Gamer
Public Enemies
Angels and Demons
District 9
Gladiator
Surrogates
The Proposal

Buy 2 of these BR discs and get a $10 gift card. Buy 3 of the BR discs and get a $15 gift card.

Video Game Sales Update

All Fallout 3 DLC is 50% off (400 MS) on XBox Live.

Get a second Wii Motion Plus attachment free with Red Steel 2 at Toys R Us

Target

Free $25 Gift Card with XBox 360 Arcade purchase.

$49.99
Bioshock 2
Uncharted 2
Army of Two: The 40th Day
Forza Motorsport 3

$25
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
New Super Mario Bros

Best Buy

$50 Gift Card with XBox 360 Elite Spring bundle purchase (comes packaged with Halo 3 and Forza 3)
Free Wii Sports Resort with Wii system purchase
Mass Effect 2 is $39.99
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is $49.99

If you’re fortunate enough to be within range of a KMart this week:

Just Cause 2 is $44.99
Battlefield Bad Company 2 is $49.99

Dante’s Inferno, Modern Warfare 2, Army of Two: 40th Day, and Left 4 Dead 2 are $39.99

Buy one of these PS3 games:
God of War 3
Heavy Rain
White Knight Chronicles
Final Fantasy XIII

Get one of these for $30:
MAG
Uncharted 2
LittleBigPlanet GOTY Edition
Ratchet and Clank: A Crack In Time

Toys R Us

Nintendo DSI
$155.00 was $169.99
Nintendo DSi System has two built in cameras, built in music player and more. In pink, blue, white or black.

$39.99 each
MySims Agents
Toy Story Mania
Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll
Animal Crossing: City Folk – Game Only
Pokémon SoulSilver
HeartGold

Xbxox 360 Arcade System $199.99
Free $25.00 GiftCard with purchase. Quantities limited; no rain checks. Terms and conditions apply to GiftCards.

$49.99
Bioshock 2
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Army of Two: The 40th Day
How to Train Your Dragon (available March 23 at 8 am)
Red Steel 2 – Game Only (available March 23 at 8 am)
Forza Motorsport 3