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This Is Gwar poster

One of few music acts which can honestly claim to do something unique, in spite of latter day imitations, the interplanetary warrior heavy metal band known as Gwar is a phenomenon once seen, never forgotten. Since its inception in 1984, it has had 31 human members, and its spectacular performance art and mischievous media presence – which also makes room for serious points to be made about satire and censorship – has assured it of a big reputation. But how well does the public at large know the real Gwar? As Scott Barber’s documentary This Is Gwar, telling the band’s story, prepares for its home entertainment release, I spoke to backing vocalist Bob Gorman (better known as Bonesnapper) and drummer Brad Roberts (Jizmak Da Gusha) about why they feel that now is the time to put it all on record.

New Gwar album The New Dark Ages

“Well,...

Busby Berkeley’s musical comedy extravaganza not only gets away with a social message, it makes one of the best cultural statements ever about the Great Depression. Social upheaval suddenly being a real thing these days, we understand. The story is a romantic backstage musical but The Wolf at the Door is present in the dialogue, the lyrics, everywhere. This might be the sexiest of Berkeley’s musicals, with even star Joan Blondell teasing the nudity; but audiences were floored when the gala curtain number ‘Remember My Forgotten Man’ shouted out a cry for social justice. Warren William, Aline MacMahon, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell & Guy Kibbee star; and this is Ned Sparks’ best role, with additional gold-digging by pert ‘n’ perky Ginger Rogers.

Gold Diggers of 1933

Blu-ray

Warner Archive Collection

1933 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 96 min. / Available at Amazon.com / Street Date February 8, 2022 / 21.99

Starring: Warren William, Joan Blondell, Aline MacMahon, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell,...

Remember the Crash Test Dummies? The Canadian folk rock group scored a massive hit in 1993 with their oddball hit “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm,” but faded into obscurity when their follow-ups failed to connect. They are largely remembered today for the deep bass-baritone voice of frontman Brad Roberts, managing to create a memorable hook out of Roberts simply humming and “Weird Al” Yankovic’s “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” parody “Headline News,” where he used the template of the song to sing about Tonya Harding and Lorena Bobbitt.

The original band has...