Change Your Image
Metalsquirrel
Reviews
October Faction (2020)
You Need To Watch the Entire Season...
I can see why some people have given this show very negative reviews. However I really wonder how many of them have watched past the first couple of episodes. I say this because, for example, one reviewer wrote that there was race baiting In the first episode and that turned them off. However, you have to be more than a few episodes in before it is revealed why one of the characters was treated the way that they were and it had absolutely nothing to do with race. Others question the casting, the acting, and themes (infidelity, classism, gay characters, etc...). I get it but at the end of the day, if you watch all of the episodes you simply have to ask yourself-were you entertained? Honestly, I was very entertained and I hope that there are future seasons despite some of the minor flaws that are present in Season 1.
HaMidrasha (2015)
Low Rating is Misleading
I do not know why the rating is so low for this series. Overall it is very easy to get lost in and very entertaining. Maybe it is because you have to follow along with the subtitles for the most part or maybe it is because some people do not get the combination of grittiness and dark humor. Either way, if you are a fan of intrigue you should not sleep on this one-it is very good.
A League of Ordinary Gentlemen (2004)
Worth Watching
Given the dearth of of movies out there that treat bowling in a serious light, this documentary is well worth watching. I would definitely recommend it to anyone considering a career in professional bowling.
This documentary delves into the psyche behind the bowlers and the PBA commissioner. All in all, this analysis is actually very entertaining and informative.
The only parts of this documentary that I found lacking was a piece on the fans and the popularity of the sport world wide. PBA fans run the gauntlet among society and it would have been interesting to see a cross section of these fans. It would also have been interesting to show some of the international PBA regulars that compete on tour (they did show a brief piece on England's Stuart Williams but should have included Ameletto Monacelli or Mika Kouvunemi).
Again, this does not detract from this documentary. In fact, since there is such a lack of quality material available on this topic it is easy to see what was left out :)This is a good film and I recommend it without hesitation.
Rock Star (2001)
Rock Star promises much but stumbles (Warning!!! Contains Spoilers)
When I heard that a film was in the works based on the real life search for the replacement of former Judas Priest singer Rob Halford I was intrigued. After months of Internet hype, I was genuinely excited. After seeing the movie, however, I was left wanting.
(Warning!!! Spoilers Ahead)
Truth be told, there were aspects of this film that I enjoyed. For one, the original music written for Rock Star is excellent. Moreover, the previously released music supplied by Motley Crüe, Bon Jovi, and Ted Nugent rocks as well. However, therein lies one of the major drawbacks of this film-when the final credits rolled, I had an incredible urge to buy the soundtrack; not to see this movie again.
I did not rush out to see this movie again because I felt that I had been cheated story wise. The non-fictional events took place this way: A man works hard by day and at night, works even harder fronting a Judas Priest cover band. This cover band could have easily given in and started playing grunge or alternative music to please more people. However, they stick to the music that they love and one of them gets the opportunity to front the band that they all revere. When given this opportunity, Tim `Ripper' Owens, seizes it with both hands and to this day, is still the lead singer for Judas Priest. Seems made for Hollywood, right? A classic tale of holding on to your dreams, working hard, and taking advantage of the opportunity when (and most importantly, if) it knocks.
Something happened when the cameras started rolling though. What Rock Star became was a story of a man who gets an opportunity to fulfill his dreams but throws it all away because he mistreated his girlfriend. Moreover, he cuts his hair and starts an alternative band!!! I understand that Hollywood has to make a movie accessible to the public but turning a film that should have been about a love for a form of music into a trite `boy cheats on girl, boy loses girl, boy gives up everything to get girl back' love story is too much!
I know that some people may not understand that true metal musicians would find it hard to swallow this picture. I also understand that the audience that will find this film appealing are the people that are fans of Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston. Unfortunately, sticking to the original story that got George Clooney interested in this project would have made a better film. If you are looking for a date flick disguised as an ode to 80's metal then Rock Star is for you. However, you are not going to be satisfied if you think that Rock Star is the movie that finally chronicles the hard rocking 80's.