MTV: The Crow Retrospective, Part V

Here is the fifth in my series of retrospective pieces on "The Crow" for MTV, which concludes with a look back on Brandon's personality and legacy.

MTV: The Crow Retrospective, Part IV

The Crow. Best. Soundtrack. Ever? Part IV of my retrospective on "The Crow" for MTV.

Check out the video for Helmet's "Milquetoast" from the soundtrack, directed by none other than Alex Winter from "The Lost Boys" and the "Bill & Ted" movies.

MTV: The Crow Retrospective, Part III

The Skull Cowboy Speaks! Yep, the scary principal from the "Smokin' in the Boys Room" video / scary mutant biker from "Weird Science" ended up on the cutting room floor and tells me all about it, exclusively in part III of my 15-year retrospective on "The Crow" for MTV. Check it out right here. Watch a work print of one of the deleted scenes below:

MTV: Michael Jackson "This Is It" Premiere

Here are a few stories from last night's premiere of "This is It." First, here is my report from the red carpet. Second, here is an article making use of some of my interviews at the after-party. I also spoke to one of the film's producers (also Michael's musical director) about why the decision was made not to address Jackson's death in the film. And below you can check out video of my interview with JC Chasez, which you can also read more about here:

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

MTV: The Crow Retrospective, Part II

Johnny Depp? Christian Slater? Bon Jovi?! Could you imagine one of these guys landing the role of Eric Draven instead of Brandon Lee? Check out Part II of my retrospective on "The Crow" for MTV, by clicking RIGHT HERE.

MTV: The Crow Retrospective, Part I

Check out the first part of my retrospective on The Crow for MTV, in celebration of the landmark comic book movie's fifteen year anniversary. I saw the movie six times in the theater and was The Crow for Halloween that year.

MTV: Gerard Butler Talks Sin City Sequels

Here is more of my interview with Gerard Butler, where he revealed to me that he and Frank Miller have discussed the possibility of him becoming involved with Sin City

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

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Rotten Tomatoes Show On Current: My On-Air Review of An Education

Megadeth Mixtape

Megadeth's output in the '90s and early 2000's was more of a mixed bag than Metallica's. The lows were much worse, but some of the highs shone more brightly. And with the exception of the consistently awful Risk, it was less consistent in direction.

Like Metallica, many of my friends gave up on this band after a certain album (usually Rust In Peace). While I slugged it out through the entire discography, I understand the frustrations.

Therefore, I present to you, the hidden treasures in the 'deth catalog. Like the Metallica Mixtape, I've arranged these in order of greatness. Please approach with an open mind. Ask yourself: could the guy behind KIB and Peace Sells really have produced nothing but crap for years? Check these out.

(These tracks are post Countdown and pre-Endgame).

01. "Sleepwalker" - 2007
02. "Vortex" - 1997
03. "FFF" - 1997
04. "The Desintergrators" - 1997
05. "She Wolf" - 1997
06. "A Tout Le Monde" - 1994
07. "Never Walk Alone" - 2007
08. "Reckoning Day" - 1994
09. "The Killing Road" - 1994
10. "Of Mice and Men" - 2004

*If somebody wants to try this with Slayer, please let me know. I'd be curious to hear what I'm missing from their later output. I stopped listening after Seasons, which had some great songs but was mostly uneven.

Metallica Mixtape

After I sent out a "tweet" that said everyone needs to accept that Load, Reload and the two newer songs on S&M are in fact great, I realized something.

I understand how / why many of my friends would reject those records in their entirety. But even accepting their misgivings about most of it (the image, the "ooh yeahs," songs like "Ain't My Bitch" which opens the band's foray into Alice In Chains / alt-rock / hard rock land), I am convinced there are gems buried in those records that most of my friends would otherwise enjoy when listened to in context.

And therefore, I present to you, a Metallica Mixtape culling together the brightest spots of what many (perhaps rightly) consider to be a dark period in the band's history. I'm talking about post-Black Album (I don't feel like arguing with folks who reject that record or its predecessor) and pre-Death Magnetic. Seek these songs out. But don't seek and destroy, seek and... Enjoy! Trust me. Please leave comments.

These are listed in order of greatness. So even if you make your way down the list and start getting turned off, perhaps the tracks towards the top will still surprise you.

01. "The Outlaw Torn" - 1996
02. "Bleeding Me" - 1996
03. "Fixxxer" - 1997
04. "Thorn Within" - 1996
05. "All Within My Hands" (acoustic!) - 2007
06. "No Leaf Clover" - 1999
07. "Minus Human" - 1999
08. "Only Happy When It Rains" (acoustic cover) - 2007
09. "King Nothing" - 1996
10. "Low Man's Lyric" - 1997

MTV: Gerard Butler Talks '300' Sequel

Is there a sequel / prequel coming to '300'? Would Gerard Butler participate? See below for the video and / or click HERE to see what he told me.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

MTV: Jamie Foxx Exclusive Movie News

I interviewed Jamie Foxx yesterday in Beverly Hills and was able to get him to exclusively reveal who he wants to direct the Mike Tyson biopic he wants to star in. Check out the story HERE and / or watch below.

MTV Shows

MTV: Forest Whitaker & 50 Cent

I spoke with Forest Whitaker last week about his role in Where the Wild Things Are and got some news about the Jeykll & Hyde project he has in development with 50 Cent. You can read that HERE.

Speaking Enagement: This Weekend

I'll be speaking on a panel discussing the '90s hardcore book, Burning Fight, this weekend. Details are in the flyer which I've posted here.