Review: Public Enemies

Michael Mann knows how to film bank robberies. And when you have a man that knows how to film bank robberies making a movie about some of the most notorious bank robbers of all time, you know you are in for a treat.
The movie is based on actual events revolving around the pursuit and eventual killing of bank robber John Dillinger. He hangs with Baby Face Nelson and a crew of other wise guys who wield tommy guns like gangsters, which is convenient because they are gangsters. Real gangsters, not the shit we consider gangsters today.
Johnny Depp does a great job playing Dillinger. This role is so different for Depp, who usually explores weird-psychadelic-I'm-drunk-all-the-time roles. Dillinger is a likeable guy, a murder and notorious felon, but a guy you would have to invite to the party you are having because, well, he is the party. Depp covers this well, though I think if anyone else played the role I wouldn't have been too amazed. It was just odd to see Depp grounded.
Christian Bale plays the naive FBI poster boy Melvin Purvis, and is fantastic. I like how he never whips out the gruffy Batman voice, and he legit plays a character who thinks in tunnel vision and has no real experience or original ideas on how to catch Dillinger. This was good stuff reminiscent of Bale's great work in American Psycho or the Machinist, before he became an action movie icon.
Mann once again does a great job producing a well written screenplay and an authentic film. It doesn't FEEL like 1934, it IS 1934. And there is a big difference. He adds so many subtleties into his films, like the wise guy crew shoveling food into their mouths and hurriedly leaving their safe house to get ahead of the cops. That's right, bad guys have to eat too. And they do it on the run. I've said all this before in my induction of Heat into the HOF (back when I used to write HOF posts). Mann does a great job creating suspense AND having action, and they usually happen at the same time, which I think is a very hard thing to accomplish. You are worrying about one character while trying to dodge bullets with another. It's great.
Like the Celtics, the supporting cast in this movie rocks. It is so nice to see a movie where nearly every role is well acted, even the very minor ones. Stars of other movies play characters that are on screen for no more than a few minutes. It adds so much and makes the film consistent.
The movie does drag a little bit, it's just under two and a half hours, but there isn't really anything I would cut out. The story just takes time to tell.
I was happy to see a movie that had story line this summer.
Definitely check this movie out, it'll be a refreshing move from the shit storm of movies that has plagued theaters for the past few months.





- Dabs

Hall of Fame : Week 16

Last week it was brought to my attention that we, the writers at PtP, have been neglecting an overwhelming number of renowned masterpieces in favor of newly famed alternative and indie picks. While I disagree with the idea that newer albums be left out of the HoF simply because of their recency, I completely agree with the sentiment expressed…we really have been disproportionately been favoring newer music at the expense of some blatantly deserving seasoned picks. Considering the other writers at PtP have completely forgotten about this blog, the HoF, and deadlines, I took the liberty of doing a 70’s album induction week. Hopefully that gives us some leeway to induct newer picks while making sure important classics get the attention they deserve…Anthony, Dabs, and Pat…my backs getting sore from carrying your lazy asses….

2112 by Rush

In 1976 the Canadian three-piece known as Rush entered rock history by officially embracing progressive rock during its dying days…a bold move. For those unfamiliar with progressive rock, or prog, it is a widely ridiculed genre known for being a pretentious, overblown, and overlong fusion of synth rock and classical music. At its best prog is a guilty pleasure, at its worst prog can be frustratingly unnecessary and almost unlistenable.

Yet Rush was somehow different…

Unlike their fraternal brothers from England (Yes, ELP, Genesis, and King Crimson), Rush offered something different than classically inspired synth tunes…Rush gave us legitimate rock music that is fantastically complex yet unapologetically ballsy. Vocalist/bassist Geddy Lee screams throughout the album like a pissed off version of Alvin and the Chipmunks; axmen Alex Lifeson, who I consider to be criminally underrated, relentlessly wails the piss out of his guitar; and drummer Neal Peart arguably gives John Bonham of Led Zeppelin fame a rival…no small feat considering Bonzo played with tree trunks! This album is a big deal my friends.

2112 begins with its title track, a sprawling twenty minute epic complete with dystopic storyline and cheesy sci-fi sound effects…only in the 70’s could this track see the light of day. Although one would assume this would be like listening to ELP’s Tarkus all over again (dear God that song was brutal), surprisingly, Rush effortlessly pulls it off without coming across as self-indulgent. The Overture/Temple of Syrinx section is without question the most famous, and everyone’s favorite, but really the track should be listened to in it entirety…there’s a lot to be found here. The title track is easily worth the price of the album alone (it does take up half the album so that was a stupid comment, but whatever). Aside from the it’s signature song (which has historically dwarfed the importance of the other tracks), Passage to Bangkok and Something for Nothing keep the record driving along…c’mon people, the record had two sides!

In the end 2112 is a bold album that gave Canada something to be proud of other than plaid flannel. Despite being left off various “top albums of 70’s lists” (what the fuck Pitchfork?!) the album is an unquestionable a classic that’s earned its hall of fame status. I’d go on more about this album, but I’m a little tied up in saving human kind from a galactic totalitarian state banning music…I’ll see you in 2112.

Reggata de Blanc by The Police

Today it is almost universally acceptable to trash on Sting in the same manner that is acceptable to trash on Elton John or Phil Collins…the artists newer stuff completely dwarfs their older, superior work and not surprisingly, it leaves a bad aftertaste. It’s almost kind of sad. From my insular perspective, Sting has gone on to write annoyingly soggy slow songs that lack the bite of his earlier work with The Police (and Desert Rose is godamn annoying as well!). Even within the Police discography I suggest listeners be choosy. If you want a definitive Police album, follow one simple rule: only listen to their albums that have weird, foreign sounding names. It’s a fairly restrictive rule considering Ghost in the Machine and Synchronicity are arguably two staples of 80’s radio, but in actuality The Polices early stuff is what’s important.

The Police’s first album Outlandos D’Amour introduced the world to Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland, and Sting…three white dudes rocking out to a unique fusion of reggae, punk, and new wave. The album gave us the universially heard track Roxanne and is one of the greatest albums of all time. So how does a band top that? They give us Regatta De Blanc.

On The Police’s sophomore album, the energy of their debut is slightly toned down, making for a more atmospheric album. That’s not to say its dull, its just more refined. Stings trademark squawks still dominate the album, as does Steward Copeland's precision-focused drumming. Tracks like Message in a Bottle, Bring on the Night, Walking on the Moon, and The Beds Too Big Without You, are easily recognizable as the top tracks, but all and all the album is good from start to finish. In the end Reggatta de Blanc is a HoF worthy album despite the fact that Sting is now synonimous with terrible soft rock jams...oh how the mighty have fallen.

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac

As the genre of rock and roll is continually debased and watered down into mindless drivel year after year, listening to Rumours is an important reminder of what rock should be. Following their 1975 smash reinvention, the eponymously titled Fleetwood Mac, the band somehow managed to exceed anyone’s expectations…blindsiding rock listeners by creating arguably one of the greatest albums of all time (for those curious, on my personal list…its number 8)

Rumours is one of those brilliant albums that was born out of turmoil, much like Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks or the Beatle’s White Album. While conflict often times tears apart a band, it occasionally can lead to musical gold for those who can endure it. In the creation of Rumours, everyone in the band was miserable: Vocalist Stevie Nicks and guitarist Lindsey Buckingham were ending their relationship, bassist John McVie and keyboardist Christine McVie divorced the previous year, drummer Mick Fleetwood was going through a divorce with his wife, and to add fuel to the fire, their addictions with cocaine had become out of control. If there ever was a breakup album, Rumours is it.

Despite being forged under the worst of circumstances, Rumours isn’t the drag one wouldn’t expect it to be. Filled to the brink with hit songs, Rumours is a surprisingly upbeat take on breakups that comprised a massive portion of 70’s radio. By my count, eight of the eleven songs on the album receive regular radio play…that’s unheard of:

Second Hand News
Dreams
Go Your Own Way
Don't Stop
The Chain
You Make Loving Fun
I Don’t Want to Know
Gold Dust Woman

I’d love to go on about this album, but frankly, if you haven’t heard any of these songs before you just don’t know good music and probably never will…sorry. In the end any HoF that omits Rumours is damn near laughable…by not inducting this album we were showing the world how inept we really are…here’s to legitimacy bitches!

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie

As touched on in my write-up of 2112, there are definitely things rock musicians could pull off in the 60’s and 70’s that they never could pull off today. The Sci-Fi themed albums of the 70’s have clearly fallen out of favor with today’s mainstream musicians (at least the good ones), and looking back they come across as comical, but without question some of best albums of all time were built upon goofy sci-fi concepts…case and point The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust.

With Ziggy Stardust, David Bowie told the story of earth’s immanent destruction and the messiah-like extra terrestrial that arrives on earth to be our savior…only to be caught up in rock and roll style burnout. Weird…yes…a good listen…definetally. If 2112 is my induction of a prog rock classic, Reggata de Blanc is my punk pick, and Rumours is my selection of pop rock landmark, than Ziggy Stardust is my excursion into a staple of glam rock; a weird subgenre of rock defined by flamboyant lyrics, guitar driven sound, and of course, campy theatrical performances.

Like my previous induction of The Who’s Tommy, Ziggy Stardust must be listened to from start to finish to get the full effect; picking and choosing songs flat out kills the vibe. Sure Moonage Daydream, Starman, Ziggy Stardust, and Suffragette City have become radio favorites, but it is their place in the album that really makes them shine.

While Ziggy Stardust doesn’t garner the high reviews the Bowie's Low does, the first of his Berlin Trilogy and his work with Brian Eno, in my opinion Ziggy Stardust is the definitive David Bowie album. It's an overtop glam rock pleasure from start to finish. Bowie is at his best with this album, making androgynous love with the microphone while guitarist Mick Ronson injects enough hard rock balls into the album to make women orgasm on command….that’s right I went there…

-Matt

Review: Transformers – Revenge of the Fallen

“Autobots! Self-destruct!” Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is an incredibly painful experience that mindlessly sacrifices plot and character development for crude humor and stupid campy dialog. While the first film wasn’t exactly Oscar worthy, it was above all other things, enjoyable. RotF overstays its welcome, and by the end of it you’re willing to claw your way to the nearest bar just to drink away how bad this movie really is…where to begin?

Revenge of the Fallen is a frustrating example of a good franchise being spoiled by absolutely atrocious writing. Within the first thirty minutes of the film, it becomes blatantly apparent that the writers cared little for plot…and by writers I mean prepubescent schizophrenic monkeys at the apex of a sugar high. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is off to college leaving behind his brand new robot-transforming-Camero and his centerfold quality girlfriend Mikaela (Megan Fox) for the thrills higher education…because after robotic aliens attack and I get the girl of my dreams the first thing I’m concerned about is college…whatever…While moving out Sam conveniently finds a shard of the Allspark in his sweatshirt pocket from the first film, and after examining it, goes into epileptic episodes complete with visions of arcane symbols. These symbols were from an ancient language used by the Transformers when they came to Earth in 17,000 BC. From this flashback we are introduced to a new villain, The Fallen, who commands Megatron in manner plagiarized from Star Wars. As the film progresses, we learn that the Decepticons need these symbols to locate an ancient energy source capable of destroying our sun but essential in sustaining their race, so they set out to coerce the symbols from Sam. At this point the plot is so unrecognizable that I can really only summarize it as follows: stupid riddles, tied to an idiotic artifact search, drowned in dialogue from two Jar Jar Binks-esqe robots, topped off with the corniest out of body experience in movie history…that about does it.


So where did the plot go? Down the toilet is the best answer I can give, because the film is filled with enough “potty humor” to keep six year olds entertained for weeks…because somehow the writers thought the six year old demographic would lose interest in fighting robots that transform in everyday machines…yeah. In this movie we see: Sam’s mom high on pot brownies, we see a Decpticon's testicles, we John Turturro in a jock strap, Sam’s roommate taze himself in the nuts, two dogs feverishly humping, and a Decpticon feverishly humping Megan Fox. On top of all this, swears are artificially injected into the dialogue to give it more of an edge. While not offensively vulgar, these comedic failures really detract from the film and come across as tacky.

Speaking of dialogue, there really is no dialogue in this whole film worth remembering. Somewhere along the line the filmmakers thought it was a good decision to throw out the comedic banter between the humans and the Autobots from the first film, and just replace it with mindless chatter with no redeeming quality. Twin Autobots Skidz and Mudflap dominate this film with borderline-racist-quality Ebonics that will make any viewer question what their seven dollar ticket went to. And the Autobots from the first film? With the exception of Optimus Prime’s iconic growl and Bumblebee's signature radio-speak, they are completely silent throughout the movie…bummer.

Like The Matrix: Reloaded and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest before it, Revenge of the Fallen takes what was present in the first film and amps it up to the point of suffering. Yeah, we get enough explosions and robot fights to make eyes sore and our ears stop functioning, but there’s so much of it that it’s unsatisfying. An apple a day keeps the doctor away…500 apples a day will make your stomach explode. RotF suffers from trying to do too much with too little back it up, and it stretches itself thin. Unlike the first film, the audience is disconnected from the characters and therefore has no stake in who wins or loses. Revenge of the Fallen can be described as a dazzling achievement for CGI and an utter failure for all other things movie related. Avoid this hunk of scrap at all costs.

Stream This: Is that Dabs?

You all know the story. I stopped posting on the blog for a while, then that backstabber Dabs started running my name through the mud. To think I jumped through hoops to hire him on as PtP intern. Well anyway, he bounced once I came back, and for those of us wondering where he went and what he's been up to, I think I've found video evidence... apparently he is starting dance parties at weird festivals... catch him in the dark shorts in the video below.

-Anthony

Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Katahdin - Abol Trail

Ya, hiking’s not media. So sue me. We do it to be one with nature, and to realize how much our lives would suck if we were always stuck outside, forced to walk long distances without movies and games to keep our attention. The fact that I’ve now gone on upwards of 2 hikes makes me an instant expert: I’m pretty sure I’m ten times the hiker than the average sort of unathletic-pathetic-excuse-for-a-human that is usually attracted to the activity due to a lack of friends or adequate gaming systems. So here is my ongoing guide to the trails that I hike this summer. It’s a free taste, and I plan on combining my posts into a hikers guide that I will have printed and published... I can see it now, me on the talk show circuit, chatting it up with the Letterman’s and Conan’s of the world and ignoring all you people that I used to pretend were my friends.

Date of Hike: May 30, 2009

Hikers:
Cayle - 6’3’’, 121 lbs
Strengths: lanky frame, strong conditioning, heartless disregard for those less in shape than him
Weaknesses: sense of style will get him no where with Mother nature, skinny frame will provide little sustenance if we get lost and I am forced to resort to cannibalism

Parker - 6’, 168 lbs (soaking wet)
Strengths: disregard for his own life, daring, lack of dignity
Weaknesses: lack of dignity

Vete - 5’10’’, 175 lbs
Strengths: resilience in the face of certain defeat when blatantly overmatched by a cruel and unforgiving mountain trail
Weaknesses: Abol Trail on Mount Katahdin

Anthony (me) - 6’, 190 lbs (all muscle)
Strengths: strong back, raw sexuality
Weaknesses: none

Abol Trail

Abol was named after John Abol who found the trail in 1864 when... sorry, I can’t keep up with this charade. I’m pretty sure that the trail is short for “abolishment,” because the trail was a sin against heaven and Vete’s knees. It is the steepest climb up Katahdin, made only more difficult by the fact that I had to drag Vete’s dead carcass up and down the trail.

The Hike was steep and steady up to the treeline, and clouds obscured our vision as we stopped for water and wait for Vete to catch up breaks. I spent a good portion of the climb reassuring Parker and Cayle and saying stuff like:
“Vete wouldn’t want us to wait up anyway.”
and
“Don’t help him up that steep and dangerous incline, or he’ll never learn.”

A few wrong turns after we reached the table added another half mile to the hike as we went around to the opposite side of the mountain to climb some strange trail that was supposed to be closed. Parker kept group morale up by making up corny and offensively un-funny play on words like:
“The probably call it Abol because so few are a-ble to do it.”
and
“I’m AWOL for ABOL.”

Come to think of it I kinda hate that kid.

With gravity on our side, and only a few more wrong turns working against us, the hike down was a little easier than the trip up. At the bottom I speant the better part of an hour trying to convince Cayle and Parker that,
“Vete would want us to leave Katahdin without him if he wasn’t out by now.”

Eventually Parker went search and rescue for Vete and he emerged from the trail’s mouth a broken, hobbled, and relieved man. A good time was had by most.

Difficulty on a scale of 1-Quadricep Suicide
8

Beauty and Scenic Vistas on a scale of 1-ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews
7

Hike coolness on a scale of 1-Coltrain
9

-Anthony

Hall of Fame: Week 15

It's getting into full summertime mode here at the PtP offices. So what better way to start another amazing summer weekend than with a little HoF PtP? It's times like these that we prefer to crack open a few cold ones, while Anthony sips on his spritzer, and just enjoy the fruits of our past media consumption.

This week Matt pays homage to the king of fighting games and makes me want to get back into the old arcade, Dabs gives us a show that really probably represents the PtP crowd far too well and unfortunately was canceled far too soon. Anthony gives us an throwback to a true zombie flick where you don't have to worry about them running like cheetahs and leaping like monkeys; but damn don't you learn something about humanity. As for myself I explore a band that really reached its potential after it dumped some of its trash. Enjoy.

-Pat

The Game: Street Fighter II

Want to know if someone is a true gamer or not, ask them what is the greatest fighting game of all time…if they give you any other answer than Street Fighter II, their opinion is to be discarded and from then on they are to be considered a gaming novice. One can spend hours debating the best FPS, platformer, shmup, etc. as these are open to opinion. But in the world of fighters, it is impossible, yes impossible, for anyone to logically dispute Street Fighter II as the greatest fighting game of all time.

Question: Why go to the arcade when home consoles offer amazing titles for a one time fee? Answer: Because some arrogant shithead is at the arcade and thinks he can demoralize you in front of your friends using Blanca (Ken all the way baby!). Street Fighter II was amazing in that it was one of the few games responsible for revitalizing the arcade industry…once again lines were trailing out of your favorite arcade…enter the hardcore gamer. Sure one could take on the computer, but the real pride came from defeating your peers. SFII wasn’t the first fighting game…but it was the first to do it well, introducing several features that have become important staples of the fighting genre (multiple characters, different move lists, combos, refined one on one gameplay). Unlike any game before it, Street Fighter II promoted a player driven culture that has forever changed the world of gaming. Forget Doom WADS, forget downloadable map packs, forget Little Big Planet, Street Fighter II was one of the first games where players were responsible for game content. Instead of squashing pirating, Capcom legitimized it by adopting features of pirated SFII arcades in future updates (Championship Edition, Hyper Fighting, Super Street Fighter II).

Putting the historical importance of this game aside, Street Fighter II is as fun today as it ever was...anyone can take a shot at this fighter and enjoy it…its timeless. Released eighteen years ago, the game visually impressive; the characters still appear varied and unique, the backgrounds are still bright and colorful. In one fell swoop Capcom made Walt Disney look like a talentless hobo. Today the franchise shows no signs of slowing; Street Fighter IV, released recently has been met with great praise (…and is a blatant nod to SFII). Although we have been blessed with great franchises such as Tekken, Soul Calibur, Virtua Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and countless others, it is important to revere the king…long live Street Fighter II.

-Matt


The Show: Freaks and Geeks

How come all great TV shows are canceled prematurely? Oh, because America is stupid, I forgot.
Freaks and Greeks was a great come-drama based in 1980 that introduced some of the top names in current comedy and film: Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Jason Segel. The concept was great, two groups of friends living the real eighties of awkwardness, being dumped, ditched and doped up.
The Freaks were older, dealing with relationships and pot and the absolute shittiness that is high school. They skip class to smoke a bowl, party late night, and overall do the things I should have done in high school more often. The comedy was amazing, subtle and insulting in true PtP fashion. But even as they bitch about their dead end town and how their band should take it to the next level (and not just cover Rush), they seem to take for granted the fact that they all have each other's backs.

This element is found with the Geeks as well. Needless to say I could relate with these guys a lot. Pushed around, beat up, and completely overlooked by the female species (at least they were pursuing girls though, that is where Anthony went wrong. But at least he has Mulligan to massage him to sleep at night.) Classic moment is when lanky,coke-bottle-eye-glasses-wearing Bill drinks a bunch of beer from a keg and is rolling around on the floor. Or when he makes out with a chick. Basically everything Bill does is hilarious, including breathing.

The show reminded me of a Wonder Years for a new generation and sans the narration. There was no wise voice speaking in the background forcing the theme down your throat, it was hilariously acted out in front of you.

The show lasted a mere 18 episodes. A shame and failure for American television as we know it.
So I'm pumped to hear some Lincoln hatred on this one, bitches.

-Dabs


The Movie: Dawn of the Dead

31 years ago George A. Romero released the follow-up to Night of the Living Dead. Dawn, while not an actual sequel, was a spiritual predecessor, thematically carrying the torch of the original. This time Romero used the film’s setting, an abandoned shopping mall, to take aim on American consumer culture, as zombies wander from store to store without really distinguishing themselves much from their living counterparts that used to frequent its stores. Like any zombie film worth its salt the symbolism is there, and like any good zombie film it’s about as subtle as an axe to the head. Like the director’s original film, the movie is less about the zombies than the people trying to survive them. The survivors find refuge in the mall, and use barricades to isolate themselves from the walking dead. Romero is making the same point here as he was in the original: the living dead aren’t the biggest threat to humanity here... humanity is the biggest threat to itself. The 2003 remake of the film was well-made, but while it added faster zombies and zombie-babies it neglected the ironic humor and social satire. I prefer the latter, even though Zombie-Baby was undeniably cool. It all ends the only way that a zombie apocalypse can end... hint: It doesn’t end well.

-Anthony


The Album: One Day Remains by Alter Bridge

The formation of this band possibly was one of the greatest things that I got to follow with such amazing enjoyment words can’t even describe how it still makes me laugh at Scott Stapp. The birth of this band came from the gutted remains of what was Creed, and while that band was alright Alter Bridge took the best elements, being Mark Tremonti, Scott Philips and Brian Marshall, and left the suck that was Scott Stapp for the greatly talented Myles Kennedy.

First a little Scott Stapp disclaimer… If there is one band member above all else that I loathe it is this self serving prick. Never mind the fact that man literally licks Sanford’s nuts to increase his solo album sales, but his utter lack of talent and disrespect for his former band, music and the fans is to this day the epitome of what is a “tool”.

Back to the HoF… Alter Bridge did not disappoint with their debut album. There is literally not a bad track on it. The vocals are a far cry from the heavy grunge that Creed was known for in its early albums but rather this was more alternative with a lead singer who not only could actually sing correct notes and match chords, but also had a range that was just sick to listen to.

One Day Remains contains both fast/get up type music as well as some moderate contemplative tunes, I wouldn’t dare to call them slow, even “In Loving Memory” picks up the count shortly into the track but the message isn’t lost with it.
Bottom line was that Creed died creating the phoenix that is Alter Bridge and really nothing was lost, the only things were gains with Kennedy; a singer who these band members truly deserved, and the new sound/voice that really is enjoyable to listen to.

-Pat

Stream This: Auto-Tune the News

Sometimes you just come across something that has been out there for a while, but is just too good to pass up. There are currently four of these out, but being a Ron Paul fan this is def my fav. (although the newest one #4 is sick too)

-Pat