Mike Porciello's BEST OF 2009

DVD/MOVIES

3) Ghost Month
   2008 Barnholtz Entertainment (Screener)
   Written and Directed by Danny Draven
   Starring: Marina Resa
             Shirley To
             Akiko Shima
             Rick Irvin
    Length: 100 minutes
    Rated R

Just can't put this one down! When a young woman is sent to the Far East, by an employment agency, to be a maid for a middle aged woman and her aging mother, she discovers that during Ghost Month, the macabre, and restless spirits of the dead, may be out for vengeance. There are certain rules she must play by, if she is not to become a victim. Uncovering the secrets of the family's history, and the reasoning behind the  personal haunting, this ghost/crime story is not to be missed. Check out a lengthier review, inside the review section at www.mantaraypictures.com

www.ghostmonthmovie.com



2) Bundy- A Legacy of Evil
  2009 North American Entertainment Inc./ Lionsgate
  Written and Directed by Michael Feiffer
  Starring: Corin Nemec
            Kane Hodder
            Jen Nikolaisen
            Shannon Pierce
   Length: 95 minutes
   Rated R

First off, I'm not a fan of censorship, and I'm glad the movie rating system has lightened up since the dark days of the 1980's. It does, however, concern me, only for my personal image that is, to review a movie like this. Only so, because I do NOT wish to come across as someone who is praising executed murderer/rapist Ted Bundy, by any means. I love women, and am not a fan of any random, unwarranted violence against anyone.  As these movies of all subject matter get sent to me for review, I owe these
studios both a positive write up of their products, and a personal debt of gratitude, for allowing me to be creative, as your own personal salesman, whose job it is to convince you to go out and buy someone else's labor, through his/her/their blood, sweat, and tears.

Ted Bundy was a sexually powerless human being, who gave in to his own frustrations, rather than seek help. I don't know an awful lot about the late predator, just minuscule facts, I suppose. Facts like he disguised himself as someone handicapped to lure a victim to her grave. He also warned parents to keep girly magazines, and horror movies away from their kids, years into his incarceration. The fact that women were his victims, makes him the ultimate creep, who probably could not have been rehabilitated. So that proves Capital Punishment is not just the best way, but sometimes the ONLY way, to deal with individuals as such! So that is my disclaimer to you, to hopefully convince you that I am not a malicious individual; hence, I'm just doing my job as a reviewer. This movie, 2nd on my top 3 of '09, was chosen for it's superb acting, and for it's insight into the one of the most horribly intelligent, delicate minds, that should have never been.

Director Michael Feifer offers you a movie, whose lead character is named Ted Bundy (Nemec). With his for loud clothing, and through his mannerisms, and even facial features, Corin Nemec looks an awful lot like the deceased Ted Bundy. So much so, that it is downright scary.

The movie opens with Bundy intending to throw a female victim into a fire, but first explaining what he will do to her. Kane Hodder, plays the warden of the prison, where Bundy spent the remainder of his life, before finally being executed. It's good to see the hulking Hodder playing the role of a good guy, for once. Let it be known too, that the man can act!

Sometimes displaying leadership qualities, and sometimes a 6 foot elf, Bundy leaves a lasting impression, no matter what. As he lures college age women into his lair, and goes on a cross country killing spree, this movie will certainly frighten you, and make you more aware of your surroundings, as you will see that what appears to be innocent on the outside, houses something even hell could not have on the inside. Not for the faint of heart, this movie has a lot of violence, blood, and graphic murder involved. One scene in particular, in a sorority house, is so graphic, that if you are not a fan of horror, you might actually vomit. Add to this movie, a dark settling, hippie-like, acoustical based score, to both balance the mood, and to throw a wrench into the works, and you are powerless to defend yourself. This is one of those movies, that you may have to keep reminding yourself,  "It's only a movie"!

Jen Nikolaisen plays Stephanie, Bundy's love interest, with a Cougar next door-like approach, and is a very talented actress. Bundy, just can't hold it together with her, and things wind up going awry real quick. Her life is spared though. Arrested, incarcerated, escaped, and re-arrested, and re-in carcerated, Bundy never lets up on his quest to feed his deviant addiction. You will never forget this movie for as long as you live. Your mouth will be agape, and it will frighten! Corin Nemec will have you believe that Ted Bundy was the walking, talking, violating Satan himself.

www.lionsgatefilms.com
 


1) Disney's A Christmas Carol
   2009 Image movers Int'l/ Walt Disney Pictures
   Screenplay written and directed by Robert Zemeckis
   Based on the novel by Charles Dickens
   Starring: Jim Carrey
             Gary Oldman
             Molly C. Quinn
       Length: 96 minutes
       Rated PG

What?, you say, "A Christmas Carol"? How so? I chose this as my personal favorite of 2009, because of it's over the top animation, and, because at heart, it's just a damn good ghost story, as far as I'm concerned!

Image Movers went to town with their extraordinary life-like animation, in this near word for word, near faithful adaptation, and augmentation, of Charles Dickens' classic novel "A Christmas Carol". Jim Carrey, plays a gaunt, bitter Ebenezer Scrooge, with such a thick and natural English accent, that if you didn't know it was him, you'd never think the man even set foot in America. Destined to be ranked up there as one of the best "Christmas Carol's" brought to life, this version also offers elements of
horror.

It starts right off, with Marley in his coffin, and later, when his ghost is heard ascending the stairway, then appearing to Scrooge, throwing his chains and lock boxes, then sickeningly flapping his rotted jaw, trying desperately to speak, you will see why it did not receive a G, nor a PG13 rating. The 3 ghosts offer a little fright as well, but ultimately The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come takes the cake! The silent grim reaper figure of death, chases Scrooge around the streets of London, via chariot, and will have you on the edge of your seat. Finally, small children may also be reduced to tears, as Scrooge's desolate grave opens up and swallows him whole, into a pit of burning hellfire. A great movie, with elements of horror sprinkled throughout, buy it when comes out! A modern
day classic!

I play by my own rules. I stick to many, and I also make them up, as I go along; never to listen to anyone else. With Disney's "A Christmas Carol", I felt it was the right choice to stick to what Charles Dickens had in mind. To add as much dialog from the book as possible, and even the 1800's setting and scenery, was the right way to return this classic to form, and not to destroy it's integrity. I loved all the others, including the musical, but what a great thing it was to see the ship righted! A near faithful adaptation, and augmentation would have worked better with a "Halloween" remake as well. I'm sure they'll be another remake in the next
20-50 years, it always happens that way.

Finally, I'd like to say that after seeing the trailer for the "A Nightmare On Elm Street" remake, knowing that they will make 2 more, so far it doesn't look like Jackie Earle Haley was the wrong choice to resurrect Wes Craven's creation, and Robert Englund's immortal Freddy Krueger, but I still believe that Jim Carrey would have made an awesome
Krueger!

 

BEST CD's

3) Muse -The Resistance
   2009 Warner Bros./ Helium 3
   Produced by Muse

 I believe that my best admiration often comes from things found in the middle of the night. At least half a decade ago, K-ROCK (formerly 92.3 FM, here in the New York area) was all over their song "Hysteria", but what sealed it for me was waking up in the middle of the night, turning on Fuse, and seeing the video for "Stockholm Syndrome". That afternoon I went out and bought the album, "Absolution", and have been hooked on Muse ever since. Now two albums later, the hard edged alternative legends release
their latest offering "The Resistance".

The solidified lineup of Matthew Bellamy (vocals, guitar, piano), Christopher Wolstenholme (bass), and drummer Dominic Howard, empower ever- expanding theatrics a little further, pushing the boundaries of progressive rock, and diving further into dark beauty. Starting off with "Uprising", a pounding, straight forward alternative rocker, the band kick things off with an in your face anthem. The title track, with it's cold and lonely soul moving intro, will offer a calming appeal, but soon breaks into a more Euro techno/synth pop feel. I've always loved how this band can attack. They rock hard, and they simmer it down with lush melodies.
Also check out "Guiding Light", as it builds up tempo, into an all out rocker! Always a great band to see live, check them out on their 2010 world tour. We'll drink to that!

www.muse.mu
www.warnerbrosrecords.com
www.he-3.mu



2) Megadeth- Endgame
   2009 Roadrunner Records
   Produced by Andy Sneap


I've chosen Megadeth's latest album, "Endgame", as one for the ages. A fan of the band in my teens, I stopped collecting anything Dave Mustaine and co. put out after "Cryptic Writings", writing them off as too commercial. However, I've always known that Dave Mustaine (fired from Metallica, how many times will he have to hear that for the rest of his life!?) was always the superior musician regarding the "Big 4". (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax) No matter how good or bad Megadeth have sounded, in my opinion, fact is, Mustaine has always assembled a top notch band to deliver his craft.   2009's "Endgame" finds Megadeth sounding very much old school. As a matter of fact, if they cut this album (with or without the "Rust In Peace"/"Countdown" lineup) right after  Rust In Peace", it would've been an awesome follow up! Heavy, and featuring blistering solo's from both Mustaine and Chris Broderick, and also in the vein of riff-oriented classics like "In My Darkest Hour", and even a ballad (oh well), "Endgame"
has something for Megadeth fans of all era's.

"Headcrusher", maybe the heaviest Megadeth song to date, will floor you! You will have "The Right To Go Insane", for "This Day We Fight"! Excellent job by journeyman bassist James LoMenzo, and drummer Shawn Drover, in laying the groundwork for a well rounded outfit, which is firing on all cylinders. I would've liked to have the previous mentioned lineup intact, but like it or not, Dave Mustaine once again, picked an excellent core of musicians to compliment his brainchild, Megadeth. Here's hoping that a Big
4 World Tour happens!   

www.megadeth.com
www.roadrunnerrecords.com




1) Hatebreed
   2009 Roadrunner Records
   Produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris

Vocalist, and lyricist Jamey Jasta has always had a penchant for picking your brain, and inspiring you to fight back, to do things your own way! On Hatebreed's self titled 5th album, it just keeps getting better! The band continues to pick up steam, and bulldoze everything in it's path. These guys are the true Kings of modern metal!

Returning to the fold is lead guitarist Wayne Lozniak, and starting off the hard hitting, in your face romp is  "Become The Fuse", an all-out blast furnace of double bass kick, riffs, and hardcore screams!  3Gun (rhythm guitar) keeps it alive and fighting, Chris Beattie (bass), and drummer Matt Byrne hold it up, and slam it home throughout. The band, approaching middle age, shows absolute zero signs of slowing down, or drying up musically. If anything, they sound like it will only get louder and prouder!

  "Not My Master", you might not want to listen to, if you know somebody who might push you too far one day! "Become The Fuse", expands a little on the previously mentioned, trademark blast-furnace wall of sound, that is Hatebreed. I hate to label Hatebreed as hard-core, or metal-core, because you really have to pay close attention to Jasta's lyrics, to really see what he is trying to drive home. On "In Ashes They Shall Reap", another shout along anthem, Jasta once again inspires thee to do it thy own way.
It's up to you, to turn it into something positive! Also included is a cover of vintage Metallica's "Escape". The most deadliest pit I've ever seen was at a Hatebreed concert, so stay in serious shape if you plan to last the evening!

www.hatebreed.com
www.roadrunnerrecords.com