Top 10 Countdown: June 29, 2019

10. Grayscale - If I Ever See You Again
Last week: 3.


9. Taylor Swift Ft. Panic! At The Disco - ME!
Last week: NEW!


8. Sum 41 - Our For Blood
Last week: 10.


7. blessthefall - Welcoem Home
Last week: NEW!


6. Simple Creatures - Adrenaline
Last week: 8.


5. Mayday Parade - Never Sure
Last week: 7.


4. Carousel Kings - Lock Meowt
Last week: 5.


3. I Prevail - Hurricane
Last week: 4.


2. Seaway - Pleasures
Last week: 2.


1. New Found Glory - This Is Me
Last week: 1.

Special: Aladdin, The Last Laugh, Reign Of The Supermen Mini-Reviews

Aladdin:

Synopsis: A street rat frees a genie from a lamp, granting all of his wishes and transforming himself into a charming prince in order to marry a beautiful princess. But soon, an evil sorcerer becomes hell-bent on securing the lamp for his own sinister purposes.

My thoughts: Aladdin was quite the spectacle to experience. Will Smith did great as his own version of the Genie (RIP RW). Aladdin and Jasmine (Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott respectively) had great chemistry and did extremely well. I expected a bit of Guy Ritchie flair that was not included and I really wish they did away with Jafar's creepy wedding to Jasmine that makes zero sense but all in all my complaints are minimal as Disney added enough to not make this feel like a simple retelling of the classic story (a la Cinderella and Beauty & The Beast) even if they didn't do a complete 180 like Maleficent that remains the gold standard of Disney live-action remakes.

Final verdict: 5 lion-shaped caves out of 5.

The Last Laugh:

Synopsis: When retired talent manager Al Hart is reunited with his first client, Buddy Green, a comic who quit show business 50 years ago, he convinces Buddy to escape their retirement community and hit the road for a cross-country comedy tour.

My thoughts: The last laugh appears to have happened before the film starts since there is very little that is actually funny in this movie. Near the end they pivot to a sweet endearing angle and it would've worked had Chase and Dreyfuss or the writers give us a single reason to care. In the end we get a senior citizen buddy comedy that relies on viagara/erection jokes to get by. Perhaps the target audience, old men who feel like their life passed them by, would find something of value in this film, but where I'm sitting I just don't see it. Ask me again in 40 years I guess?

Final verdict: 2 creepy old men out of 5.

Reign Of The Supermen:

Synopsis: It's been months since the unfathomable death of Superman, and the world is still shaken when four Super Heroes arrive in Metropolis, all battling to be the reincarnation of the Man of Steel. Even Metropolis isn't big enough for these brawlers, it's only a matter of time until dark forces make their moves from the shadows

My thought: Part two of the Death of Superman storyline is just as good as the first even if they didn't stray too far from the storyline everyone knows and loves but they give us enough easter eggs to get excited about the future of the DCAU even if they started skirting away from it more and more in every passing year I'd rather have this then just a barrage of Batman and Justice League films every few months.

Final verdict: 4 clones out of 5.

Top 10 Countdown: June 22, 2019

10. Sum 41 - Out For Blood
Last week: NEW!


9. Alexisonfire - Familiar Drugs
Last week: 9.


8. Simple Creatures - Adrenaline
Last week: NEW!


7. Mayday Parade - Never Sure
Last week: 8.


6. State Champs - Criminal
Last week: 4.


5. Carousel Kings - Lock Meowt
Last week: 7.


4. I Prevail - Hurricane
Last week: 5.


3. Grayscale - If I Ever See You Again
Last week: 1.


2. Seaway - Pleasures
Last week: 3.


1. New Found Glory - This Is Me
Last week: 2.

Special: Emo Meme Review #2

It's been a hot minute but we're back with another emo meme review that's not so much a meme but more of an image list like the previous one. This time it comes from @AlanHerrington on twitter who asks a simple question.

Now right away lets get the band out of the way: It's Silverstein, no question there. But Silverstein has an extensive back catalog how do I narrow it down to just 15. Well first some ground rules I'm making a point to represent each album so at least 1 song must appear from each of their 10 albums (yes even Short Songs and the Early Years count). So let's do an album by album breakdown of the top 3 songs to narrow it down.

The Early Years:
Bleeds No More, Red Light Pledge, Summer's Stellar Gaze

I think Bleeds No More is the obvious choice here, plus it frees up a different selection from WBIEF below since it also appears but I don't think the other 2 have any shot.

When Broken Is Easily Fixed:
Bleeds No More, Giving Up, Smashed Into Pieces

Smashed Into Pieces is the winner here, Bleeds No More is already in but I don't think we'll be able to squeeze Giving Up in. Sorry.

Discovering The Waterfront:
My Heroine, Smile In Your Sleep, The Ides Of March

As much as I'd love to hear Ides live I think there'd be a riot if I didn't include at least 1 of the big singles from this record. I prefer Smile In Your Sleep myself but we'll see if we can make room for Heroine later.

Arrivals & Departures:
If You Could See Into My Soul, Love With Caution, Still Dreaming

If You Could See Into My Soul is such an underrated gem in their catalog it's a shame it and this album gets overlooked I'm going with that one.

A Shipwreck In The Sand:
A Hero Loses Everyday, I Knew I Couldn't Trust You, Vices

I'm honestly not in love with this album like others are so I don't feel super strong about any of these songs so lets give the people what they want now, Vices, so I can take liberties later on.

Rescue:
Burning Hearts, Darling Harbour, Sacrifice

This is such an underappreciated album and I'm going to take my first liberty and grab Darling Harbour. Sacrifice or The Artist is usually the ones that gets played so easier to give us a deep cut here.

Short Songs:
Brookfield, Sleep Around, SOS

Does it matter? SOS I guess since it's the longest one but none of these songs are getting played otherwise.

This Is How The Wind Shifts:
Massachusetts, On Brave Mountains We Conquer, Stand Amid The Roar

Stand Amid The Roar is my pick here but all 3 of these songs are so good they can likely make it on this list. Silverstein better do a 10 year tour for this album or I'll be sad.

I Am Alive In Everything I Touch:
Face Of The Earth, The Continual Condition, Toronto (Unabridged)

Face Of The Earth is probably my favourite song but I'm tempted to go with The Continual Condition so I think I will. Face Of The Earth may still sneak in though.

Dead Reflection:
Cut And Run, The Afterglow, Whiplash

Whiplash gets the nod here since I already allowed the pop-punk style Darling Harbour in. But again I could see both these songs get in still.

Now that we got our initial 10 lets do a pair of tournaments for the other 5. Final four from first tourney move on and 1 last tourney where the champion continues on.

So there's our first 4 wildcards only one to go...

Looks like Sacrifice will take the last spot so our songs are in setlist order as I'd like/expect to hear them:

1. Stand Amid The Roar

2. On Brave Mountains We Conquer

3. Smile In Your Sleep

4. Bleeds No More

5. Darling Harbour

6. Whiplash

7. Smashed Into Pieces

8. If You Could See Into My Soul

9. SOS

10. The Continual Condition

11. Sacrifice

12. Massachusetts

13. Vices

14. My Heroine

15. The Afterglow

Top 10 Countdown: June 15, 2019

10. New Found Glory - Eye Of The Tiger
Last week: 10.


9. Alexisonfire - Familiar Drugs
Last week: NEW!


8. Mayday Parade - Never Sure
Last week: NEW!


7. Carousel Kings - Lock Meowt
Last week: 8.


6. The Story So Far - Light Year
Last week: 5.


5. I Prevail - Hurricane
Last week: 7.


4. State Champs - Criminal
Last week: 1.


3. Seaway - Pleasures
Last week: 4.


2. New Found Glory - This Is Me
Last week: 3.


1. Grayscale - If I Ever See You Again
Last week: 2.

Special: The Secret Life Of Pets 2, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, Happy Death Day 2U Mini-Reviews

The Secret Life Of Pets 2:

Synopsis: Max faces some major changes after his owner Katie gets married and now has a child . On a family trip to the countryside, Max meets a farm dog named Rooster, and both attempt to overcome his fears. Meanwhile, Gidget tries to rescue Max's favorite toy from a cat-packed apartment, and Snowball sets on a mission to free a white tiger named Hu from a circus.

My thoughts: That synopsis I stole from IMDB says it all... "Meanwhile" this film had 3 separate storylines that in the end crossed over (one barely) that left me thinking the whole time that this would've worked better as a series of shorts or even a TV series. Illumination could kill it with this in episodic format but instead we get a bunch of episodes woven together in a movie. I'm complaining a lot about this but really the film wasn't bad I just couldn't get over the fact they thought this would pass for a feature film but hey, at least it was redeemed somewhat with the crossover at the end even if it was too little and too late.

Final verdict: 3 super-heroic bunnies out of 5.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum:

Synopsis: In this third installment of the adrenaline-fueled action franchise, super-assassin John Wick (Reeves) returns with a $14 million price tag on his head and an army of bounty-hunting killers on his trail. After killing a member of the shadowy international assassin's guild, the High Table, John Wick is excommunicado, but the world's most ruthless hit men and women await his every turn.

My thoughts: Everyone's favourite killing machine is back in part 3 and although I can see fatigue eventually setting in, it doesn't yet at film #3. The team behind chapter 3 successfully build a world outside of John and the hotel while not sacrificing any of the intense fight choreography that you've come to expect. It'll be interesting to see what they have up their sleeves for chapter 4 as it's gonna be hard to up the ante on this one.

Final verdict: 4 deaths by library book out of 5.

Happy Death Day 2U:

Synopsis: Jessica Rothe leads the returning cast of HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U, the follow-up to Blumhouse's (Split, Get Out, The Purge series) surprise 2017 smash hit of riveting, repeating twists and comic turns. This time, our hero Tree Gelbman (Rothe) discovers that dying over and over was surprisingly easier than the dangers that lie ahead. Jason Blum once again produces and Christopher Landon returns to write and direct this next chapter, while Happy Death Day executive producers Angela Mancuso and John Baldecchi are newly joined by EP Samson Mucke (Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse).

My thoughts: Not nearly as strong as the first but I liked that they gave a reason for this sequel to happen even if it added an odd sci-fi element into the horror film. They even throw some action and dramatic elements into it for good measure and by all accounts it works well, something you can't say about most horror sequels.

Final verdict: 4 sci-fi twists out of 5.

Top 10 Countdown: June 8, 2019

10. New Found Glory - Eye Of The Tiger
Last week: NEW!


9. Eat Your Heart Out - Carousel
Last week: 9.


8. Carousel Kings - Lock Meowt
Last week: NEW!


7. I Prevail - Hurricane
Last week: 8.


6. The Interrupters - Gave You Everything
Last week: 2.


5. The Story So Far - Light Year
Last week: 5.


4. Seaway - Pleasures
Last week: 7.


3. New Found Glory - This Is Me
Last week: 4.


2. Grayscale - If I Ever See You Again
Last week: 3.


1. State Champs - Criminal
Last week: 1.

Special: Godzilla: King Of Monsters, Detective Pikachu, The Dirt Mini-Reviews

Godzilla: King Of Monsters:

Synopsis: The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species - thought to be mere myths - rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity's very existence hanging in the balance.

My thoughts: Lots of action, more than it's predecessors which let's be honest, is what I want out of a Godzilla movie. The human drama angle is a nice cherry on top but shouldn't be the main focus like in the most recent Godzilla. They seemed to have learned from their mistake adding action but the human drama angle was not great, but whatever, I got to see Godzilla throwdown with a few different monsters so I'm happy.

Final verdict: 4 giant monsters fighting out of 5.

Detective Pikachu:

Synopsis: The story begins when ace detective Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry's former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu: a hilariously wise-cracking, adorable super-sleuth who is a puzzlement even to himself. Finding that they are uniquely equipped to communicate with one another, Tim and Pikachu join forces on a thrilling adventure to unravel the tangled mystery. Chasing clues together through the neon-lit streets of Ryme City - a sprawling, modern metropolis where humans and Pokémon live side by side in a hyper-realistic live-action world - they encounter a diverse cast of Pokémon characters and uncover a shocking plot that could destroy this peaceful co-existence and threaten the whole Pokémon universe.

My thoughts: It's probably the fanboy in me but I really loved this movie. Seeing Pokemon in the real world interacting with humans just warms my heart. The big reveal at the end I seen coming but it still makes for great storytelling and I hope we get to revisit Tim and Detective Pikachu in the future even if this seems like a difficult film to sequel without taking a giant awkward side-step.

Final verdict: 5 Pokemon partners out of 5.

The Dirt:

Synopsis: Based on the bestselling autobiography from Mötley Crüe, the film is an unflinching tale of success and excess as four misfits rise from the streets of Hollywood to the heights of international fame.

My thoughts: This was little more than a reason to show the band doing various things that are considered "bad behaviour" while painting them in a nicer light. It was mildly interesting since I knew nothing about how Motley Crue came to be and their careers but overall this movie doesn't offer too much.

Final verdict: 5 Pokemon partners out of 5.

Top 10 Countdown: June 1, 2019

10. With Confidence - Paquerette (Without Me)
Last week: NEW!


9. Eat Your Heart Out - Carousel
Last week: NEW!


8. I Prevail - Hurricane
Last week: NEW!


7. Seaway - Pleasures
Last week: 8.


6. Fever 333 - One Of Us
Last week: 3.


5. The Story So Far - Light Year
Last week: 7.


4. New Found Glory - This Is Me
Last week: 5.


3. Grayscale - If I Ever See You Again
Last week: 4.


2. The Interrupters - Gave You Everything
Last week: 2.


1. State Champs - Criminal
Last week: 1.