Album Review: For Your Entertainment

So Adam Lambert's album has finally dropped. You remember Mr. Lambert? The guy who graciously congratulated Kris Allen when he won American Idol, while Lambert himself placed second? The guy who really should have won? Can you tell I'm still a little bitter over that? Well, never mind, because the runner-ups first album is out and *whew!* it is good.

For Your Entertainment is exactly what I was hoping for. Sleek, thumping synth pop with a few ballads thrown in for good measure. A chance for Lambert to show off his glam roots and his vocals that reach all the way to the cheap seats.

The title track, also the first single (the cover of which is shown on the left here, as I've already shown the album cover in a previous post), allayed all fears when it came out a few weeks prior, but there's so much more on here. "Music Again" is another favorite of mine and many critics as well. It's that rare song that captures sheer joy. Tracks like "Strut" and "Sure Fire Winners" handle the heavy beats while "Whataya Want From Me", "Soaked" and the like handle the angst. It's all good people. Even the bonus track, the soapy ballad from the movie 2012, "Time for Miracles", can give you the chills.

If you'll forgive a little schadenfreude on my part, I hope Lambert kicks Allen's butt in album sales. That's the only way I'll feel that there's any justice in the universe.

My Verdict: Go out and buy it! Help make my sense of justice a reality! You won't regret it!

Movie Review: A Christmas Carol

So I'm finally in the holiday spirit, and I went and saw Disney's new version of Dicken's classic Christmas fable, A Christmas Carol. Though it's generally received mixed reviews from critics, I'm officially in the camp that is loving this eye popping, fresh yet faithful retelling of the perennial holiday favorite.

I've always been a big fan of this story, ever since I was a kid, and it remains not only one of my all time favorite Christmas tales, but one of my favorite stories in general. At it's heart, A Christmas Carol is about redemption, and how it's never too late to seek it. It's also about the transforming power of the holiday season and what it means to so many people. And it's a ghost story for Christmas, which means I was meant to like it.

Aside from a few action sequences thrown in to spice things up (you'll know them when you see them) this version is very faithful to Dickens original text. This may mean that some naysayers out there will find some of the slow parts a bit boring. To them I say, it's called building suspense. Just let it all unfold. The added action scenes balance the quieter moments nicely, and there are some genuinely frightening scenes as well (so I caution all with small children, this may not be for them).

Jim Carrey stars as Ebeneezer Scrooge. Say what you will about Mr. Carrey; you may write him off as the rubber faced comedy actor from the Ace Ventura movies. But given the chance and the right circumstances that dude can act. He's held his own with the likes of Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet in other films, and here he convincingly plays not only Scrooge at different stages of his life but also the three ghosts of Christmas. It's quite the feat.

The posters and commercials all talk about Carrey, but there's a full cast of actors involved in this. Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes, Robin Wright-Penn, Bob Hoskins, etc., many of whom also played multiple roles. It was fun trying to guess which characters they were (see how many you can get right).

The special effects are just incredible; I can't stress that enough. Digital 3D is such an awesome technological step in movie making, and here it's used to the hilt, at times making you feel like you're flying through Victorian London. And the motion capture technology used to create the characters seems to have come a long way since The Polar Express. The animated figures look much more life-like and the 'dead eyes' that were complained about in Express are long gone.

My Verdict: Go see it, preferably in the theatres where you can take full advantage of the 3D (you can't get that at home, you know).

Album Review: Reality Killed the Video Star

Part of the thrill of purchasing my new car was following my uncle's example and also getting a new album, to be the first thing played on my new stereo. My choice? Robbie Williams' latest offering, Reality Killed the Video Star (clever title, nes pas?)

Williams' albums can generally be sorted into four categories: experimental mixes (The Ego Has Landed, Sing When You're Winning, Escapology), booty shaking club tracks (Rudebox), downers (Intensive Care) and records where he's clearly trying to be Frank Sinatra (Swing When You're Winning). Reality would fall somewhere in the first category, as most of his albums do. Some songs you can dance to, some you can't, but all have their own charms and messages. Really, those types of albums are Williams' strong suits, when he can just cut loose and write whatever the heck he feels like, and I got the impression here that he's feeling a little thoughtful right now, perhaps due to his recent bout with rehab for prescription drugs.

One thing that caught my attention with this particular album was that Trevor Horn had a hand in this. He's well known in the music industry for many, many things. For me though, he will always be the man who produced one of my favorite albums; ABC's The Lexicon of Love. Mr. Horn's presence can be felt quite prominently on Reality in the sweeping violins and other grandiose musical additions thrown into Williams' tracks.

The first single, "Bodies", is by far my favorite song here. I'm still not entirely sure what it's about...it seems to be a mix of body image angst and spiritual crisis. But it's got a sense of urgency about it that's hard to miss or resist. The second single, "You Know Me", is a light, lovelorn song which, and I'm not sure why, somehow seems to involve rabbits. "Starstruck", "Blasphemy" and "Difficult for Weirdos" are all tracks I'd recommend, but the album is good as a whole.

My Verdict: A great record that'll make you think and make you dance. Now Robbie, PLEASE come and play in Toronto! Don't make me come over there.

My new car, and other famous rides!

First off, sorry you haven't heard from me very often lately. Things have been mucho busy these last few weeks.

Part of the business has been the joyous experience that is car shopping (heavy dose of sarcasm there). But that all came to an end today! Yes ladies and gentlemen, I have a brand new car! A 2009 Honda Fit Sport. As much as I'm going to miss my little black 98 Toyota Tercel, which has served me faithfully for about eight years, I really love my new set of wheels. It's spacious, practical, fun and gorgeous. Look at that color! Plus it has an excellent sound system, perfect for listening to the latest tunes via radio, CD or iPod through an auxiliary jack. Al's moving on up in the world.

This whole process has got me thinking about cars in popular culture. And boy have there been a lot of them over the last few decades. A car in a movie or TV show can almost become another character. Depending on the make and model, cars can add an element of power, or sophistication, or just fun to the storyline and become an extension of the heroes. I'm sure many of you have your favorites examples, but a few of the hot wheels that I've enjoyed over the years are, in no particular order...

The 'Striped Tomato', otherwise known as the red and white Gran Torino from Starsky and Hutch (both the seventies TV show and the film adaptation). A car that's seen more high speed chases and police action than most marked cruisers could ever hope to.

Dean Winchester's black 1967 Chevrolet Impala from Supernatural. Also known at the 'Metallicar' by some fans, due to it's owners musical preferences, it's joined the Winchester brothers on all of their mystical, demon infested high jinks. This series couldn't be a road show without the reliable Impala.

James Bond's Aston Martin. Really, no car list is complete without this little number.

K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Three Thousand). Yes, many hardcore Knight Rider fans are going to be mad at me for choosing this version of K.I.T.T. over the original in David Hasselhoff's series. But in spite of the critical panning I liked the 2008 update. Either way, in KR, the car actually is one of the main characters, thanks to artificial intelligence.

The General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard. Yeeeeehaaaaaw!

The yellow Oldsmobile Delta 88 from every single Sam Raimi movie. This car has seen rampaging Deadites, spider loving superheroes and even old western shootouts. No wonder it's been nicknamed 'The Classic'.

The Mini Cooper, both classic and new, from The Italian Job. Due to it's size and speed, it has been proven to be the perfect car for a heist. Plus it's just a classic, urban English car. It's just cool.

So there's a short list, though there are many more out there. Perhaps someone, somewhere, will make the Honda Fit a classic car. In the mean time, it will be a classic to me, and yet another step in the road to adulthood.

Christmas bells are ringing...waaaaay too early!

I watched my hometown's Santa Claus parade today, which for me is the official start of the holiday season. The only problem is that I seem to be behind the times in that regard.

I'm sure you've noticed this too, but it seems that as soon as Halloween was over and done with Christmas commercials began appearing on TV. Then all the consumer-related locations were decorated to the hilt. Even some places started playing holiday music (I hate that).

But one thing that I found really odd was the release of Disney's new digital 3D version of Dickens perennial holiday favorite A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carrey...on November 6th.

Am I missing something here? It came out the weekend after Halloween, people! Does that not seem early to most of you? A film critic pointed out that most holiday movies are released the week of the American Thanksgiving. Why muck about with that?

It's not just with movies though. My library's region even had their Christmas parade on the 8th. I participated, because really how many opportunities do you get to be in a parade? But I could not shout out "Merry Christmas" while waving to people from the float, despite my coworker trying to coax me to do it. It just felt silly to be passing on seasons greetings in November.

Now don't get me wrong, I am no Grinch. Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year, no question. But I do not like two months of it. It's just too much. By the time December 25th actually comes around I almost feel sick of it if I've had too much exposure to it. I always have to pace myself, and I do not start with music or decorations until December. Besides, it almost feels like we don't even have a November anymore. November is a great month! It's melancholy and crisp, a last burst of fall before winter officially moves in.

I will go and see A Christmas Carol at some point, because it's my favorite Christmas story and this version is in 3D. But not yet. I may have to tape the upcoming Madagascar Christmas special too, because the 17th is still too early. It's all I can do to not join Scrooge and shout out "Bah, humbug!" Anyone else feeling overwhelmed by the early Christmas surge?

Pop Culture Birthday Gifts

Before we get started, allow me to wish one and all a Happy Guy Fawkes day! If you're not familiar with the English holiday that's why God invented Wikipedia.

Anywho, yesterday was my birthday, and I'm not ashamed to say it was the big 28. And while I celebrated the mini achievement of lasting one more year on this planet the world of pop culture offered a few treats of its own these last few days to mark the occasion.

First up, I got to listen to Adam Lambert's new single "For Your Entertainment". Without overselling it I have to declare it was AWESOME! Just the kind of synth dance pop I expected from the true winner of last years season of American Idol. I cannot wait for his album to drop (November 24th people, mark our calendars). And even though public opinion is divided, I'm in the camp that really likes his album cover, pictured here. It's what you call 'cool retro'. Care to join the debate?

I downloaded the new Lady Gaga single, "Bad Romance". Another hit for Gaga, with a refreshing mix of nonsense lyrics, a hard bass line and a general sense of a fashion catwalk. Plus, the accompanying music video is visually stunning, a little sci fi and a lot absurdist, all in a good way (check it out here).

The Glee soundtrack came out. Pure bliss.

A couple of new DVDs now sit on my shelf; Flight of the Conchords: Season 2 and American Dad: Volume 3. And may I just say that neither show gets nearly as much credit as it deserves.

And finally, I have joined the gaming world by purchasing a Wii. Ever since acquiring one I've been attempting to conquer the sports featured on Wii Sports with great delight, though I recommend stretching ahead of time, because my shoulders were killing me the next day (yes I am that out of shape). I can't wait to try other games.

A fun birthday all around. Here's to another year.