Mike Porciello's BEST OF DECADE

MOVIES

10) Dracula 2000
    2000 Dimension Films
    Written by Joel Soisson, Patrick Lussier
    Produced by W.K. Border, Joel Soisson, Wes Craven
    Directed by Patrick Lussier
    Starring: Johnny Lee Miller
              Justine Waddell
              Christopher Plummer
    Length: 99 minutes
    www.weinsteinco.com

More of a sequel, yet an updated version of Bram Stoker's all time classic. The movie features VanHelsing, alive and well, who has kept himself alive by shooting vials of Dracula's blood into his own veins, yet employing leeches to filter out the possibility of eternal life as a vampire. VanHelsing, an antiques dealer, still has yet to find a way to eternally destroy Dracula. When the evil incarnates undead, dormant body is stolen, it is up to VanHelsing to track him down, before he finds his living Lucy.


9) Terminator: Salvation
   2009 Warner Bros./Columbia Pictures
  Written by James Cameron, John Brancato, Michael Ferris, Gale Anne
  Hurd.
   Produced by Derek Anderson, Victor Kubicek, Jeffrey Silver, Moritz
  Borman.
   Directed by McG.
   Starring: Christian Bale
             Sam Worthington
             Moon Bloodgood

With this journey into the Terminator saga, we discover the reason behind Skynet's waged war against humanity. The special effects and imagery border on insanity, as this one is not to be missed! John Connor (Bale), leader of the resistance, and Marcus (Worthington), share contrasting, yet concurrent back stories, and the ending may leave you reaching for your box of tissues. We discover Skynet's plan for a T800, using human tissue, and we get to see the obsolete Terminators, including
the T600, which looks like Jason Voorhees, with a machine gun! DON'T miss this one, it has plenty of heart!


8) The Mist
  2007 Dimension Films
  Based on the novel by Stephen King
  Screenplay by Frank Darabont
  Produced by Frank Darabont, Martin Shafer, Liz Glotzer
  Starring: Thomas Jane
            Laurie Holden
  Length: 125 minutes

What would you do under strange and extraordinary circumstances? As a powerful Mist leaves Maine in a stranglehold, stranded shoppers in a supermarket are forced to come to terms with their own faith. What is it? Is it the apocalypse, is it just a passing storm? Is it something entirely more powerful out there in that unbreakable, unpassable mist? Find out! The ending, perhaps one of the most brutal and moving, will leave you breathless.


7) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre- The Beginning
 2006 Newline Cinema/Platinum Dunes
 Written by David Schow
 Screenplay: Sheldon Turner
 Prdouced by Michael Bay, Mike Fleiss
 Directed by Jonathon Liebesman
 Starring: Jordana Brewster
           Taylor Handley
           R. Lee Ermy
           Andrew Bryniarski
Length: 91 minutes
  www.newline.com
  www.bloody-disgusting.com/platinumdunes

Fire it up! I've always been a huge fan of the Big 4, and have approached the remakes with skepticism, yet overall, with a certain degree of acceptance. The original 'Chainsaw will always be the all-time classic, and although I liked the remake, I felt that both action and interest fell off the edge of a cliff midway through, at least for me. However, "The Beginning" (the prequel to the remake; a ballsy move to say the least) is probably my favorite in the entire series.

I will NEVER..............EVER take anything away from Tobe Hooper's 1974  classic, nor of Gunnar Hansen's portrayal of Leatherface, (which is still my favorite portrayal of the dead skin masked character) but this particular movie, had my blood pressure risen to the level of near volcanic eruption the entire time, on that evening that I cut out of a college class, and had the movie theater to myself. I was on the edge of my seat, and so naturally high with adrenaline and anticipation, wondering would happen next. Main point, I found "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning" to be the most entertaining in the entire series! I wish they
would make another one!

In the prequel, we get to see why the Brown family turned to cannibalism. It also explains who Leatherface (Thomas Hewitt Brown) was at one time, and why he is the way he is. The producers of this movie, in my opinion pulled a rabbit out of a hat, by giving us a good back-story. For those of you who pay close attention, Leatherface's mother's identity is also revealed. Being a fan of unmasking scenes, I believe it was the right choice to show Leatherface's real face in both Platinum Dunes ventures!
 
R. Lee Ermy, once again creates magic with his over the top performance, as a shaky, violent spirited hick, turned Sheriff. Good shootin' there buddy! This offering also is the first to actually live up to it's name of a "Chainsaw Massacre", as we see plenty of death and mutilation, via chainsaw, and not just 2 or 3 attacks!

I am highly respectful to Michael Bay and company for paying attention to the original Leatherface's appearance in both the remake, and prequel to the remake, by giving blonde haired, blue eyed Andrew Bryniarski, brown contact lenses, and a black wig; something that, in my opinion, Rob Zombie, and the late Moustapha Akkad, should have paid closer attention to, when choosing who would play Michael Myers. I've read that the TCM franchise is now officially done, so on a not so bitter note, I think Rob
Zombie should actually try his hand at a Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake. I think it would ultimately be much better received, than what he did to Halloween. Long live The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!


6)  Quentin Tarantino Presents: Hostel- Director's Cut
   2007 Sony Pictures
   Written and directed by Eli Roth
   Produced by Mike Fleiss, Eli Roth, and Chris Briggs
   Starring: Jay Hernandez
             Derek Richardson
             Eythor Gudjonsson
             Barbara Nedeljakova
   Length: 91 minutes
    www.sonypictures.com

Watch as consequence meets untimely fate, in this "torture era" classic! It will make you think twice about fooling around in a foreign country, be it with prostitutes, or letting your guard down in a night club! Somebody has  set a trap for you, hundreds, if not thousands of miles in advance! The ultimate will to survive is put to the test, as the uber wealthy actually will pay to murder somebody! Check out a lengthier review at this very website.


5) Saw
   2004 Lionsgate Entertainment
   Screenplay by Leigh Wannell
   Story by James Wan, Leigh Wannell
   Produced by Greg Hoffmann, Oren Koules, Mark Burg
   Starring: Leigh Wannell
             Cary Elwes
             Danny Glover
             Tobin Bell
   Length: 93 minutes
   www.lionsgate.com
   www.officialsaw.com

A torture era classic, that set the bar for psychological and physical torment, "Saw" will have you writhe in pain, asking yourself how much more can you take?! If it's not the gruesomeness that will get you, it will be your mind exploding from the suspense!

Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) demands the truest of heart, and testament of soul to escape death. Seriously, it's just fun watching rich people get f#cked up! If you're too stubborn to see your own greed, then you might just fall prey to Jigsaw! The franchise that just keeps coming, "Saw" may actually give Friday the 13th a run for it's money.
 
4) Freddy vs. Jason
  2003 New Line Cinema
  Written by Damian Shannon, Mark Swift
  Prouced by Sean Cunningham
  Directed by Ronny Yu
  Staring: Monica Keena
           Kelly Rowland
           Jason Ritter
           Robert Englund
           Ken Kirzinger

After many failed attempts to launch this movie, and after many scripts were turned away, this movie has finally seen the light of day. The pairing of the two villains as bitter enemies unwinds throughout, as Freddy and Jason are given a modern Frankenstein/creation makeover.

Freddy, (Englund) in the throes of obsolescence, is more of a joke to the teens (tweens) of Elm Street. Being the wise man shyster that he is, has a plan. Jason (Kirzinger, who by the way, was a victim of Kane Hodder's Jason in part 8, getting thrown through a window in Manhattan) long dead, can only be brought back by a Voorhees. Freddy, disguised as Mrs. Voorhees, resurrects the legendary killer, to do his dirty work for him. Trying to gain power from Jason's misdeeds, Freddy soon finds out
that he can longer  control the monster he created. Prepare for a fight to the death!

I too thought Kane Hodder should've been Jason, as the ultimate send off for him, and was disappointed in Yu's choice, as well as with the look and gait of Jason, but not of the kill scenes. Freddy, (not the 1 I rooted for, for the record!) was an older, wiser, slicker scumbag in this movie, which I thought was the right choice for the evolution of an aging anti-hero. Overall, a great storyline, and an intelligent movie, with superb acting.



3) Friday the 13th-The final Chapter
   2009 Paramount Pictures (Originally released in984)
   Screenplay by Bruce Hidemi Sakow
   Produced by Frank Mancuso Jr.
   Directed by Joseph Zito
   Staring: Kimberly Beck
            Peter Barton
            Crispin Glover
            Corey Feldman
     Length: 91 minutes
   www.paramount.com/homeentertainment
   www.fridaythe13thfilms.com


Forget about Raymond, everybody loves Jason! You will no longer find this type of Friday the 13th around, because Harry Manfredini's score, captivating you, and making you believe that there really is a deformed backwoodsman, who thinks that you're looking for trouble in his territory, no longer is involved in F13 films. Sure, I've seen 'em all, and will salivate when the remake of part 2 comes out, but this one will always be my favorite of the bunch. This is where the series hit it's stride, where it was supposed to end for good, and where it would've easily continued with Jason on the prowl, if the sheriff at the end, could've only said, "Ma'am, we didn't find the body of any killer". Still, The Final Chapter that launched a thousand more sequels and with a hardcore fan base, part 4 has been re-mastered for your viewing pleasure!

When does it take place? On Saturday the 14th, after he wakes up in the morgue? Who cares at this point, for mama's boy with the 1970's era goaltender's mask, is up and at it again, on his never ending quest to avenge the death of his mother. This time however, upon arriving home to Crystal Lake, little Tommy Jarvis (Feldman) has it in store for him. Ted White, who later revealed that he was reluctant to play the role of Jason, but did so for the money, was in my opinion, the best Jason. Perhaps, his
own anger and inhibitions about playing Jason, caused him to convey a more convincing job, rather than your average larger than life stuntman having fun. Friday the 13th- The Final Chapter, is the last of the really good Friday the 13th's.

I am, however, glad that they continued. After part 5's faux Jason, they brought him back from the dead, drowned him again, brought him back from the dead, drowned him again, brought him back from the dead, put him on a boat, drowned him again, blew him up, sent him to hell, shot him into space, oh boy!  He's probably living on Earth 2 at the moment, but without that, there would be no Kane Hodder, who came in at the right time of emerging technology to give Jason a face, a voice, and an audience to meet! Still, I'm a stickler for remaining true to the original formula, so it was good to see Jason with brown eyes once again in this one. Mark my
words, the new remakes, or "re-imaginings" as studios like to call them, of the re-launched F13 series, will not outlast the original, and will eventually turn out to be the resurrection of Godzilla. He gets blown to smithereens, only to come back fresh and new, every so often. 



2) Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door
   2007 Starz Media Inc.
   Based on the novel by Jack Ketchum
   Screenplay by Daniel Farrands, Philip Nutman
   Produced by William m. Muller, Andrew Van DenHouten
   Directed by Gregory M. Wilson
   Starring: Blanche Baker
             Daniel Manche
             Blythe Auffarth
   Length: 91 minutes
   www.jackketchum.net
   www.starzhoment.com
   www.moderncinne.com
   www.thegirlnextdoorfilm.com

A dramatic movie, which turns out to be gut-wrenching, about forced loss of innocence. Auntie Ruth (Baker), plays an alcoholic, divorced she-devil, who is forced to take care of her nieces, after their parents have tragically died. Davey (Manche) befriends the innocent, blossoming girl next door (Auffarth), and is  almost helpless to watch as Auntie Ruth allows the torment and abuse of her, at the hands of her sons and the neighborhood boys. He must play it cautiously, if he is to free the girl from hell. You will not believe your eyes. The symbolism and imagery runs rampant in this classic.



1) Signs
   2002 Touchstone Pictures
   Written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan
   Starring: Mel Gibson
             Joaquin Phoenix
   Length: 106 minutes
   www.touchstonepictures.com
   www.mnightshymalan.com

Mel Gibson plays a recently widowed, Episcopalian priest, who has abandoned his faith. Ultimately, he must dig within his own soul for the answers, if he is to save his family from xenophobia. Earth is under attack, and these beings are not out to eviscerate cows, but are coming for us one by one. But then again, religion says they're not real, right? Tying in our own beliefs, inhibitions, and the bonding of family ties, "Signs" will have the most desensitized of horror fans (including myself) rooting for the good guys!

I've always loved M. Night Shyamalan's work. The man, time in and time out, delivers a solid, well planned story, and  will twist in elements of the macabre, and any form of the supernatural, and unexplained. He will make you believe that the subject matter, no matter how bizarre, can happen. I too, agree with the boss (Terry Reid Wickham), that a Halloween remake would've turned out a lot better if M. Night Shyamalan was the driving force behind it. It would be real interesting to see what he would do. Maybe in 2018?

Michael Porciello comes out of the blizzard of '09 to give you his top 10 CD's of the decade!

Starting from 10, and finishing at 1, I have painstakingly narrowed my favorite musical offerings down to ten. I would've wanted at least 25, but I don't know if Terry Wickham's followers really have enough patience for such a delve like that. So, here's what made me tick ten times.

10) Heaven And Hell- "The Devil you Know"
2009 Roadrunner Records.
Produced by Mike Exeter.
www.heavenandhellive.com
www.roadrunnerrecords.com


Matthew 25:41" Then he will say to those on his left, 'Get away from me, you who are accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels"

Taking a passage from The Book of Matthew, and showing symbolic illustration on the cover, the 3/4ths Italian lineup, or rather the Ronnie James Dio Black Sabbath has returned with a vengeance! From "Atom and Evil", to "Breaking Into Heaven", this album will entertain you, as it leaves you wondering how these guys, at their advanced age, can still pull it off! It doesn't sound like the end is near anytime soon either!

"Rock-N-Roll Angel", a clever take on con artistry in the music industry, delivered apocalyptic, the trademark way Dio can write and perform it, is my favorite track on the album. I've never believed that any incarnation of Black Sabbath was Satanic, to tell you the truth. They just have a knack for writing songs of warning, with a heavy blues approach. Not as grindy as their last studio offering, "Dehumanizer", and more listener friendly, these gents are true masters in their own right! Check out "Bible Black".

Tony Iommi can still write these down to Earth, bombastic vibrato filled riffs, Geezer with fingers of steel, still lays down the law, and
powerhouse wheel footed Vinny Appice still beats his way into your head. This by far is the most talented Black Sabbath lineup EVER! I'm not sure if Ozzy will still be able to do what Dio can do at age 67.

9) Kingdom Come "Perpetual"
Produced by Lenny Wolf
2004 Frontiers Records
www.kingdomcome.de
www.frontiers.it

I've always loved Kingdome Come's sound, even if Lenny Wolf caught a lot of flack for trying to recreate Led Zeppelin. (Tell Oasis they're a Beatles ripoff, and see if one of the Gallagher brothers doesn't bitch slap you!)  So............. back in the 80's, the original lineup of Kingdom Come had 2 popular songs on MTV, "Get It On", and "What Love Can Be", and I've been a fan ever since.

Lenny Wolf can craft a song with a best of them, and is a multi-instrumentalist as well. My favorite song on this album "Crown of Moscow", a haunting little number is a perfect song to listen to on drive out east! "Perpetual" offers both a new and old sound approach, and is one for a fan of 80's metal, obscure tunes, and one for the collection.
 
8) Candlemass "Death Magic Doom"
Produced by Chris Laney
2009 Relapse Records
www.candlemass.se
www.relapse.com

Two albums into their post Messiah career, with Robert Lowe on vocals, these Swedish doom metal kings deliver the dark godly goods once again. "The Bleeding Baroness", and its theatrical wall of doom will make you scream along for the anti heroine.

Not too fast, and certainly not too slow, Candlemass always know how to lay it on loud, slow it down, power it home, and animate their dark poetry. That's what I've always admired about their style. That type of approach is a major function of what makes me tick, and keeps me coming back for more! You can't help but stop, and just listen! "If I Ever Die, I Wanna Know When and............Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy"!

7)Meshuggah "Obzen"
Produced by Ian McFarland
2008 Nuclear Blast Record
www.meshuggah.net
www.nuclearblastusa.net

A great return to from! For years, we've been missing a heavy heavy heavy Meshuggah, and on this album, you sure get your dose of it! "Lethargica", continues in the new toned down style, but the title track, as well as "Bleed", will give you what you're bleeding for! The poly rhythmic, experimental death metal outfit from Sweden, that is Meshuggah prove once again, why they are regarded in master musicians circles!

6 Year of The Rabbit
Produced by Ken Andrews
2003 Elektra Records
www.kenandrews.com
www.elektra.com

You know.......... I just CANNOT understand why Ken Andrews is not as highly regarded as Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails). For that matter I can't understand why the guy is not regarded as one of the most brilliant musicians/producers alive.

Years ago, I got up in the middle of the night, turned on either MTV or VH1, and saw a video, with these girls who dragged the drummer off of his stool, before the drum kit blew up. The song......"Stuck On you".........The group..........Failure. A few months later, I saw them share a double with the original Local H @ Irving Plaza in NYC. I could not believe how good that band was live.

I've followed Ken's career over the years, as Failure broke up, Troy Van Leeuwen went to Queens of The Stone Age, and am quite disappointed to say the least that this guy isn't up there with the likes of Reznor.

 Heavy on commercial appeal, coated with candy, but not at all sappy, year of The Rabbit is an album chock full of exploding brilliance. Ken Andrews is a natural for handcrafting straight-forward rock songs, with industrial overtones, and a wall of theatrics, all the while remaining true to the structure of the song itself. Got that?

Year of The Rabbit, will mesmerize you, and will lift your soul like a damn good painkiller! "Strange Eyes",and "Absent Stars", will take you into the stratosphere. "Hunted", another great one, you may find yourself singing along to, as it builds it's climax, and you will "Lie Down", as you get "Vaporized". Hunt down Year of The Rabbit, and play it alone on a cold night! Ken Andrews is a natural musician, and his songs are a natural high!

5) Queens of The Stone Age "Rated R"
Produced by Chris Goss and Josh Homme
2000 Interscope Records
www.qotsa.com
www.interscope.com

Former Kyuss guitarist Josh Homme fronts this straight up, in your face, stoner/theatrical/alternative rock outfit. Up until recently, former Screaming Trees vocalist Marc Lanegan was a carte blanche member of Queens of The Stone Age, penning, singing, and even performing songs live with the band.

Unfortunately after their next offering, "Songs For The Deaf", the band could never truly recapture their almost found glory.
 "Rated R", was surely an official soundtrack to the summer of 2000 for me, and I will never forget it! Straight up rock, complimented by pedal steel, and a splash of keyboards, songs like "Better Living Through Chemistry", will take you on a journey through psychedelia and back!

"Autopilot", a fiery, post grunge, dare I say power ballad, unwinds it's chorus, as it barrels it's way into your soul. Featuring Marc Lanegan on vocals, this one is easily my favorite on the album. "The Lost Art of Keeping A Secret", a K-ROCK staple, back when 92.3 played new and alternative rock music, is an anthem that nobody shall forget. The mere mention of the chorus may bring back sweet memories. So "Whatever you Do hu hu hu, please tell EVERYONE", about "Rated R", bring it back to life, and make it  the "Feel Good Hit", of your summer, fall, winter, and spring!

Guest appearances on this album also include Barret Martin (ex Screaming Trees), who leaves his mark with his thunderous, atmospheric trademark percussion, Dave Grohl (who as previously mentioned, played drums on all of the next album's tracks; "Songs For The Deaf", as a personal gesture of  gratitude to try and break the band wide open), and last, but certainly
not least, Judas Priest's Rob Halford.

4) Probot
Produced by Nick Raskulinecz, Adam Kasper, and Dave Grohl
2004 Southern Lord Records
www.myspace.com/probot
www.southernlord.com

Without a hint of Nirvana, and leaving no trace of the more professional radio friendly Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl assembles an awesome cast for this project; a delve into his underground metal roots. Cronos, Max Cavelera, Lemmy, Mike Dean, Kurt Brecht, Lee Dorian, Wino, Tom G. Warrior, Snake, Eric Wagner, King Diamond, and actor Jack Black, all were hand chosen to
create Probot.

Each song, done in the style of the vocalist's band, from the leftist punk/thrash of D.R.I., to the tribal grind-core of Sepultura, and Soulfly, Probot runs the gamut of who's who, and what's what in the skeletal framework of the heavy metal genre. A heavy hitter, this album augments the serious collector's repertoire. Look for a lengthy review of Probot to be posted soon at this very website. www.mantaraypictures.com. I'm just not done, sayin' good things about this one!


3) Slayer "Christ Illusion"
Produced by Josh Abraham
2006 Columbia Records
www.slayer.net
www.columbiarecords.com

"Christ Illusion", the first album to feature drummer Dave Lombardo, back in the fold, since 1990's "Seasons In The Abyss", proves that the mighty SLAYER mean business! This, the second album to usher in Slayer's newest musical evolution; a more dry, yet reclamation of their west coast punk roots, features less of their trademark dual guitar intros, like that of "South of Heaven", and a more stripped down approach to their all out assault. Still though, enough of their trademark exists, and it's that good of an album to me, to put it in my top 3.

A highly functional unit, these guys fire on all cylinders from the get go. From the opener "Fleshstorm", when "it's all just psychotic devotion", you will know no other way, but the way they slay! It's always there, masking itself, and revealing itself. The tradeoff solos from Kerry King, and Jeff Hanneman, screams, shouts, and prophetic warnings from Tom Arraya, and a strong back bone from drummer Dave Lombardo, who will pummel you mercilessly with his precision fast double bass kick, Slayer show no signs of slowing down., just a bit of dryness through age. At least they never made a ballad, right?!

It's good to hear Dave Lombardo's drum tone again. No offense at all to Paul Bostaph, but Lombardo always sounded like he was banging on hollowed out Oak trees, whereas Bostaph's drumtone in Slayer, was more punchy, and deadened. Pick this one up, you'll love it! I think it kicks the shit out of their latest, "World Painted Blood". "Supremacist", the first Slayer song to feature a blast beat (Lombardo), closes out this violent journey into world corruption.



2) Testament "The Formation of Damnation"
Produced by Eric Peterson and Chuck Billy
2008 Nuclear Blast Records
www.testamentlegions.com
www.nuclearblastusa.com

I really wanted to put "The Gathering" in here, but that album was released in 1999. This one is it's younger brother. Returning to the fold is guitarist Alex Skolnick, and believe me, the man wastes no time picking up where he left off.

Also in the fold, is former Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph, with a bit of a different sounding drum tone; like that of hollowed out Oak trees! On "More Than Meets The Eye", they go all out to prove that they are no flash in the pan 80's thrash group.

What I like and respect about Testament, is that they're never to afraid to experiment, and expand their wall of sound. They've always kept modern, and are always finding new ways.

"The Evil Has Landed" a song about 9/11, an inspiration to fight back, is my personal favorite. Also, this band is about good vibes. Yeah, Satan this and that, but look deeper into their words, and you will always find a peaceful message. I can't wait to hear what their next album sounds like, AND to check them out in concert again!

1) Corrosion of Conformity "In The Arms of God"
Produced by John Custer
2005 Sanctuary Records
www.coc.com
www.universalmusic.com

Again, this one pops up, because, I just can't put it down! Almost 5 years running! For a more lengthy review of this album, check it out in the review section of the boss's website, here at www.mantaraypictures.com.

 In brief, a former  anti Reagan punk band, (I'm just not a punk guy for the record) crossed over to more mainstream metal, and southern rock, to bring you 1994's smash "Deliverance" to sum it up, even though they had much more out before then, and afterward). Then they damn near blacken their sound to bang your head through the wall on "In The Arms of God"!

With riffs galore, and a manic vibe throughout, C.O.C. in my opinion hand delivered their best work to date on this one. "Dirty Hands/Empty Pockets", features all the styles the band is known for. Funk, southern rock, manic metal, and even their punk roots. My favorite "Backslider", about backstabbers, sounds like a 70's homage.

The band now is in hiatus, as vocalist Pepper Keenan is touring and playing co-lead guitar in Down, who keep plugging away. So who's to say for sure if there still is a C.O.C. Let's hope there is, but I don't know if they can ever top "In The Arms of God". Check out my lengthy review for this, at the review section. Finally, a word of correction. Guitarist Woody Weatherman, sings "Infinite War". Check out "In The Arms of God", buy the album, and salute the late and great Dimebag Darrell, to whom the album was dedicated. Amen.