DVD PICK OF THE WEEK - LADY SNOWBLOOD

This weeks DVD Pick of the Week is the Japanese classic titled , Lady Snowblood. I had always heard that Quentin Tarantino was influenced heavily from this film while making Kill Bill I. After seeing this movie I can see many things that Quenten "borrowed" from this film including the music. A tale of revenge and bloodshed as Lady Snowblood sets out to avenge those that wronged her mother. As she tracks down each of the offenders they are all destined to meet their doom. One lady is in so much fear that she eventually hangs herself. Lady Snowblood is so angry that she didn't get the chance to kill this lady looks angrily at the hanging body and then takes a sword and cuts the lady's body in two. What? Yep, I kid you not! HAHA! A blood spattered, action packed film that lovers of this blog are sure to enjoy. There is also a Lady Snowblood II that I am currently in the process of watching so I'll let you all know what I think.
Anyway, here's the trailer for Lady Snowblood!

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK - THE LOST BLADESMAN

This weeks DVD Pick of the Week features action superstar Donnie Yen in The Lost Bladesman. An action packed film that I thoroughly enjoyed. Although not great, this film still is good enough for my coveted pick of the week. Now when I went to Chinatown this past weekend I asked the lady if she had this movie. She told me it was all sold out. She could see I was close to tears (HAHA!) so she said she was holding a copy for someone but she would sell it to me! What? Yep, these ladies really do take care of me in Chinatown. Anyway, check out the trailer or go see the movie but it's currently only playing in China. What?

SONG OF THE DAY - ALTON ELLIS

Once again I've had a song rattling around my head for the past few days. The song is by reggae great Alton Ellis with his hit, 'I'm Just a Guy". I wasn't really that hip to Alton but had heard his name quite a bit. I recently discovered a blog from Spain that allowed me to download several of Alton's cd's and they are all winners! Anyway, this song was recorded way back in 1967 and falls under the category of "Rocksteady" in the reggae genre. Anyway, check it out and hip up!

REGGAE CD PICK OF THE WEEK - DENNIS BROWN

This weeks Reggae CD Pick of the Week is "Dennis Brown Sings Gregory Isaacs". Now for those of you that don't know, Dennis Brown is considered The Crown Prince of Reggae and his vocal stylings are second to none. On this cd Dennis Brown sings the great hits originally recorded by another reggae legend Gregory Isaacs. Such hits that Gregory Isaacs originally made famous such as Night Nurse, My Only Lover, Border and many more are all given a unique interpretation by Dennis. Don't be fooled by the cheesy artwork on the cover as this is some serious music here! Anyway, check the link to hear some samples or listen to Border from this cd. Check it out! http://www.amazon.com/Dennis-Brown-Sings-Gregory-Isaacs/dp/B0000C8APB/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1308532644&sr=8-5

JAZZ CD PICK OF THE WEEK - FREDDIE HUBBARD

This weeks Jazz CD Pick of the Week is Freddie Hubbard and Oscar Peterson with their cd titled "Face to Face". This cd swings and features an all-star cast. Along With Freddie on trumpet is Oscar Peterson on piano, Joe Pass on guitar, Niels-Henning Orsted Petersen on bass, and Martin Drew on drums. Standout tracks for me include the Miles Davis tune "All Blues". Although I wasn't able to find this track on YouTube here is a lovely ballad from this cd titled "Portrait of Jenny". Check it out! I've also noticed this cd with a color photo one the cover like shown or a black and white photo. Mine has the black and white cover photo so I don't know if it's a bootleg, an import, or what......

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK - SHAOLIN

I had known about this movie titled "Shaolin" starring Andy Lau for several months now but was never able to find a copy with decent English sub-titles. Well that is until now! Due to my resourceful nature I have recently found another Asian dvd shop that is very close to my job and a place that I can stop by on my way home from work. I'll just tell the wife I was working a little late. HAHA! Anyway, this may save me many trips on the train to Chinatown although I will still pay an occasional visit to my favorite sales ladies because they really get a kick out of an American that's an Asian cinema fan. Anyway, this movie is an update of an older Jet Li movie titled "The Shaolin Temple". Although Jackie Chan as listed as a co-star of this movie he really has a very small part in this movie as a Kung Fu chef. What? Anyway, a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed as it told the story of ruthless Generals and how in a power struggle wipe out Andy Lau's family. This leads him to join the Shaolin Temple and adopt the ways of the Shaolin monks. Anyway, check out the trailer or go see the movie! SAXOMAN recommended!

SONG OF THE DAY - WHAT?

OK, now don't think this is a new part of my blog and that I am going to post a song every day because I'm not. Anyway, on the way home from work Friday I was listening to the song "Fu Manchu" by Desmond Dekker. For some reason this song has been in my head all weekend long. Anyway, for those of you that aren't hip to Desmond Dekker and his hit "Fu Manchu", check it out! Hopefully it will stay in your head too! HAHA!

WORKING AT A RECORD STORE

Back when I was a kid I thought that the coolest job in the world would be working at a record store. When I used to go into these stores I'd look at the person behind the counter and think to myself "What a life". I mean you played music all day, read the latest music magazines and then ring up the occasional sale. This seemed like heaven to me and the ultimate job but maybe it was just the part of listening to music all day that appealed to me. I dunno...... All I know is I never did get a chance to work in a record store. Come to think of it, it still seems like a pretty cool job to me. Oh well......

REST IN PEACE - GIL SCOTT - HERON

I read the sad news this morning that Gil Scott -Heron has passed away. A sad, sad day. I have always been a big fan of Gil since he first burst on the scene with his hit "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". I am pretty sure I have all of Gil's cd's and they are all winners! Gil was a poet, an activist and a man who's music had a message! There are many that say that Gil even was the first rapper although he failed to take this credit (or blame) and instead referred to himself as a "bluesologist". I even got the chance to see Gil back in the day and it was an unforgettable experience. Rest in peace Gil Scott-Heron. You will be sorely missed. Here is Gil performing one of his many hits "The Bottle".

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK - OLDBOY

Although I had originally seen this movie a few years back I recently picked up a copy on Ebay. This Korean movie is a dark, disturbing (and entertaining) film about a businessman who is abducted and locked up in a private prison for 15 years. He is unexpectedly freed and given a new suit and a cell-phone. He also has 5 days to discover the mysterious person who had him imprisoned. He then seeks vengeance on all those involved and finds that his enemys tortures are just beginning. A wild ride and not for the faint of heart or sqeamish! What? Anyway, check out the trailer or go rent the movie.