X-men Origins

X-Men Origins vol 1 The origins of the various X-men have been retold as comic story telling had evolved an gotten more sophisticated over the years. X-men origins is a definite 21st century take on the characters. Showing them in moral conundrums that exist in a shade of gray rather than black or white. Moral absolutes are harder and harder to find and evil gets more slippery as time goes on. This is a series that captures the complexity of life beautifully.

MC lars is more punk than you

MC Lars - this dvd is not punk rock I know I may give MC lars more credit than he is do, but i do find his rhymes clever and just nerdy enough to appeal to a guy like me. Is it schtick? maybe, but at least it is clever schtick. his attitude helps a bit as well. instead of the geek who gets beat up on by the jocks, MC lars is the class clown that always out smarts his teachers and has good taste in music and movies. I guess what it comes down to is that we laugh with Lars and not at him. This DVD has all his music videos up until the This gigantic robot kills album and a lot of backstage and other home video antics. it is lars in his natural element with pretty much backs up what i said about him. he takes on downloading, hot topic and emo with biting satire. You may not have to tale him seriously, but that doesn't mean you can't learn something..

The Red Wing

Kirkman's The Red Wing, if nothing else, is a pretty brilliant concept. a war fought through time. In My mind it is a concept that has almost infinite story telling possibilities, and is perfect for the comics medium. Lush art helps Kirkman's creation. What starts out as a study of father and son becomes even more against the back drop of technology, war over resources and environmental concerns. Really excited to see where this story goes.. - Brad Filicky

Classic albums - Nevermind

I am happy to see that the entire catalog of classic albums is now on Netflix streaming. I recently watched the episode on Nirvana's Nevermind. As much as I enjoyed it, i don't really l think i learned that much. Although i thought the interviews with butch dog were very vital. As great an album as Nevermind is, the band will never get out from under the long shadow of cobain's suicide. There is an obvious sense of sadness throughout the show, as seen in hearing Curt's hushed vocal takes on "Something's In The Way". As good as the dave grohl and the foo fighters are, we will always wonder what Nirvana could have been, where they would be... what we have is an incredible, culture changing legacy that will remain hopefully forever.

And the horse he rode in on

I know this book may be outdated now that we are way past the monica lewinski days. Thankfully kenneth starr is a footnote in history rather than somebody who actually change things or impeached a president. Hilary clinton talked about the vast right wing conspiracy and was laughed out. in carville's book he demonstrates that it did exist in the form of ken starr and his cronies. worth a read for sure.

Lana Del Rey- JJW

How many chances do we as the general public give this strange girl?
Her "video games" song is clearly set in the wrong key for her voice.
The melody is awkward at best.
She stands there frozen in time swaying her hair slightly as the band keeps fingers crossed at every performance that it will not be a repeat of the infamous SNL disaster.
Alas, she is consistently disappointing...

L'Arc- en- Ciel tickets to giveaway!

Do you live in NYC area and are you a fan of J pop? well Everybody's a critic has tickets to giveaway for their show on Sun Mar 25. To be considered leave a comment on this post why you are a fan!

Cowboy Junkies - Trinity revisited

Trinity Sessions is one of my favorite albums of all time. When the Junkies released this anniversary edition i was excited to check it out. The results are mixed. I love the guest artists simply because it proves the lasting influence the band and album have had. on the other hand the guests didn't always vibe with the Junkies.. I guess it just proves the chemistry of the band and the power of Margot's voice. it's worth picking up, and i love the original album more than ever.

American Splendor (the movie)

This film has been on cable a lot recently and I am amazed at how good a job the filmmakers did. The beauty of Harvey Pekar's work is dramatic simple life can be. Their is beauty in the mundane and nobody could find that magic like Harvey, so it was a wise choice to put the actual harvey in the film. This is easily one of the best movies based on a comic book ever made. It only gets better with repeated viewing..

Glastonbury Anthems DVD

British rock never seems to get the respect in America that it deserves. If more people could watch these performances that would change. Taken form various years in the Glastonbury festival's history, this dvd spotlights bands like Travis and Supergrass who should be bigger here than they are. granted their are performances by well known acts in the USA from Radiohead, Moby and Chemical Brothers. All in all it makes you wish you were there. A special treat from me was the Levellers. I had no idea they were that good.

Bitch monster

It would be nice to live a world where nothing ever bothers us. things can just roll off our shoulders. but we  were not all meant to be hippies. Some of us can turn into real bitch monsters. 

I am human, I get annoyed and yes, I get angry from time to time.

 It does not mean that I want change who i am entirely but I don't want to lose focus on what is really important. 

the only thing that helps, is when on the inside I am seeing red, but look into Brads eyes.

I remember love, being calm and  reason. 

he has this way of stopping me in my tracks without ever needing to say a word and I find myself back peddling out of the bitch monster zone into normal mode once again. 

so thank god for patient men. 

because deep down all ladies are crazy, even in short spurts...

 ROBOTS....

-JJW

Joni Mitchell

It seems like a lot classic artists had an awkward 80's. When i first put this dvd in the player i thought Joni would be in that list, but after I settled in to listening to the music i realized that Joni was kind of prog rock in the 80's. This seems to be the logical conclusion to her interest in jazz. It's not perfect but the ebbs and swells are not bad. the reinvention of her classic "Woodstock" at the end is a highlight. Give it a chance you may not be disappointed..

Goodfellas screenplay

It wasn't until after i graduated college that i became a fan of Martin S. Now I love his work. Goodfellas is no exception. His screenplay is pitch perfect. He wouldn't have been able to get the performances out of his actors if the script wasn't top notch. Martin S. knew what he wanted when he set out to make Goodfellas and his script is the logical conclusion of a perfectly executed vision. Brutal, ugly, powerful and breathtaking all at once..

The Art Of Being Trendy

The Art of Being Trendy- Jenny Joy

To one, the simple art of matching comes easily, and to others like myself it poses a problem.
I was working for a massive retail establishment, always being told to look good to sell big!

I get it, not being fashion forward minded, I started looking around to the people that I was working with to see what they were wearing.
This was at a time where I was seeing a lot of footless black tights and baby doll dresses and skirts accompanied by a cute blouse or whatever.
So I think to myself, Why the hell not! I can do this, I'm cute right?
I told myself today is the day! I asked two of my co-workers to shop with me and guide on this path of trendiness that has always alluded me.
I find the outfit and then get home and start pumping myself up for my new adventure at work the next day.
It starts off by passing the shoe section of the store a get a “Hey Red, looking` good!”
I now have a sudden spring to my step as I saunter onward toward my section of the store.
I meet up with my co-workers who all look very put together themselves and they tell me I did it!

And now we await the occasional walk by of upper management who check us out to make sure we are behaving or looking good … to be honest the woman that hired me looked more like one of my idols Howard Stern then she did a good looking woman. But low and behold here she comes. We are wearing similar things which should have made me feel better. As she gets closer, I can see her looking at me head back and with new eyes, but instead of kind eyes they turn into these tiny slits that seem to seethe anger. Still she looks on and never says a word... eerie...

I am of course a bit confused looking around me to see if there is something going on behind me that I may have missed. There she goes looking deep into my soul and walks off. I am shaken but shrug it off.
Then it was maybe a half hour later and I see her again which for a normal day was odd.
She is heading right for me! Oh no, I think this is it she is gonna say something.

She walks up to me and starts off with some crap about how she noticed that I bought a new outfit and how she appreciates my efforts of trying to be trendy, but then folks here it comes. Her next words to me were... but could you never do that again. Can you believe it!!! I was so stunned, that I was just able to get out a squeak of : cool... no problem, I was just trying something new.

You know, as that old broad walked off with her smug holier then thou face, I walked over to my friends to tell them. Through out that day she came up to me 2 more times. Once to say that my tights were were too sheer, she had me buy a new pair but didn’t like those either she said to avoid being sent home I could wear both pairs as layers.
Next was my skirt, she claimed it was too short and had me go buy another right then and there to hang lower. Now people, I am not a small girl and do not wear slut bag clothes that show off my ass, So that was over the top. There was no way I was inappropriate looking! But whatever.


To this day I have a hard time dealing with trying on new things or thinking about what is “in Style” because of her. Words hurt people, that is the lesson learned.


-Jenny Joy

Your all robots! So at least dress differently Geez!

The Wall Immersion box set

everyone has their favorite era of Pink Floyd. I have always had a place in my heart for the Roger Waters era. it was darker and grittier than the Syd era and slightly more sophisticated than the David Gilmore era. To me Roger's ego and vision gave us some of the best music of the 20th century. And the Wall was the best of the best. I loved how Water's vision was extremely personal, yet seemed to encapsulate the experience of living in the 20th century for every generation. Well it's the 21st century now and we have the Wall Immersion box set. 6 cps and one dvd all dedicated to The Wall. I'm sucked back into it like when i discovered it for the first time. What really grabs my attention is the two discs of demos. it is fascinating to watch the wall take shape. It's an inside glimpse of a genius at work. It takes work to get through it, but it is worth it. I can't wait until i see the Wall performed live at Yankee Stadium in July!

Dr. Oz show- Jenny Joy

A few weeks ago, I had the Dr.Oz show on where they had mentioned that If you signed up on the website you would receive this chip maker that made healthy potato chips.
I said Hell yes! and proceeded to fill out forms online. None of these forms happened to be offering me a chip maker, However, after further reading I see a posting where if you live in NY or NJ and want to be on the show to fill out yet, another form. I did it not thinking anyone would actually call me back.
the form i filled out did not have a specific show in mind, it was just a general outline of my age, height and weight. and what i would like to achieve by being on the show. To my surprise I did get a call back saying that they are going to be having a show soon where if I was interested then they needed me to send pictures of myself, full sized front back and side with a close up of my face smiling.
I had brad take the pictures and we sent them in. I got another call back. She asked me If I remembered a show they had on a few weeks before where the ladies on stage were all in sport bras showing off there bellies. Which was again odd because I did happen to see that show. I nervously said yeah... she goes on to tell me that Dr. Oz loved that show and they want to do another version, this time with the Butt! well, I got one of those :) she asked me to describe my butt, I said well it's not like you look at it and think Whoa! but you'd also see that It's not small either.
She loved it, I had her laughing.
then came time for the show, I was up in an awesome green room which was right across from Jimmy Fallon and the Roots. but sadly they were not around.. i did get scolded for trying to take a picture of the roots dressing room door.. She called me out by name, Ha.. weird.. shouldn't i be random butt # 14 to you? oh well, guess my ass made an impression, lol.
I had a blast, the nervous energy between everyone was running wild! Dr. Oz talked to me on the show which i was not expecting. by the time it registered to me that this was happening and i could see myself out of the corner of my eye on the big screen i spit out the best answers that i could on the fly and hope that i dont sound crazy when i watch it today...
I think the worst part was standing in there line up out in the hall ways or what seemed to feel like forever, as they looked over all of our butts..
Random people walking up to us saying how we are there hero.. We finally get on set and the audience goes crazy for us. I loved it! I learned a few tips and tricks and do not regret being on the show for one second! it was exciting.

The Actual

I like reading the classics. I don't read as many as I should, but i do enjoy them. I had never read saul Bellow before this little novella, but after reading it i want to read more of his work. Ambition, sexual obsession, love, this little story of an orphan all grown up and trying to make it has it all. The prose is hypnotizing in a good way. You will find it is all over way to soon. Now.. which of his novels should i read next? herzog perhaps?

Hold me closer,Tony Danza and other misheard lyrics

Hold me closer, Tony Danza and other misheard lyrics -Charles Grosvenor Jr.
-JJW
The concept of this book is the epitome of genius!
Inside you will find a multitude of artists who have lyrics that are commonly misunderstood.
Knowing how easy it is to fall victim to butchering a great song I am including a few that I would have sworn by, starting with Dido- White flag. ( correct: I will put my hands up and surrender) I thought... I will poke my eyes out and surrender.. which I always found odd, but hey?! You never know.
I would also like to add that this exact correction was one of the listed songs word for word I literally laughed out loud. Like see!! I knew it!
Then Pearl Jam black ( correct: I'm surrounded by some kids at play) I heard, I'm surround by donkeys and bears.... what can I say?
The title to this book has one of the funniest misheard lyrics to date, (correct: hold me closer tiny dancer) listed as hold me closer, Tony Danza. HaHa..

Here are the top 10 misheard lyrics I love from this book
10.No Doubt-Just A Girl-
Correct: take this pink ribbon off my eyes-
take this big chicken off my eye
9.for my Ohio friends- Alice in Chains: rooster
(correct: yeah here come the rooster)
Yeah he come from Wooster. 8.Will Smith- getting jiggy with it
(correct: getting jiggy with it)-
Hit a chicken with it
7.The white stripes- seven nation army
(correct: I'm gonna fight `em off)-
I’m gonna find a moth
6.Tool- schism
(correct: I know the pieces fit)
I know the pizzas thin
---One thing on this I will add is that tool is one band where when hearing the song ten reading the lyrics it's like never having heard it before. Like wha? Maynard is the only man I know who can make prison sex sound beautiful.. no joke.---
5. R. Kelly- I believe I can fly
(correct: I believe I touch the sky) –
Abby leave Ike, and touch this guy
4. rage against the machine- bulls on parade
(correct: they rally round the family with a pocket full of shells)
runnin' round the family, with a flock of polish elves.
3. Pink-get the party started-
(correct: I'm coming up so you better get this party started) –
I’ve gotta knife, so you better get this party started.
2. Outkast- Hey Ya!-
(correct: shake it like a Polaroid picture)
shake it like a corduroy preacher
1. Nine Inch Nails- Down in it
(correct: I was up above it)
I was up a bunny
So in closing I have to thank everyone of you humans who like me are creative enough to hear more then meets the ear in this case. This book is a great party piece. Sure to make your friends laugh and you might discover how in some cases like me with the Dido song, your not crazy after all. Haha. Or come up with a few more that didn't make the cut.
For the rest of you YOUR ALL ROBOTS!
Happy Reading!
-Joy

Blue Spear

I am a big fan of Com-x's 45 so i was pretty psyched when they announced a set of series expanding on the stories of some of the characters. First up is Blue Spear. Usually it is the story that grabs me with Blue Spear it was the art. Not that the story wasn't good, but the art was beautiful with impressive use of colors. 45 and the characters in it deserve tone near legendary. these spin off series should be just as good and if Blue Spear is any indication then they are well on their way. Recommended.

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