Space Adventure Cobra 4KUHD BluRay review

Space Adventure Cobra The Movie: The 4KUHD BluRay Review

Discotek Media Release

Based on a Graphic Novel by Buichi Terasawa
Directed by Osamu Dezaki
English translation directed by Carl Macek

Opening Thoughts: I have never seen this movie before and most of Japanese animation pre Akira minus Lupin the 3rd, Gundam, and Ghibli films just don't interest me much. I can't really put my finger on why other than maybe when I got the animation from Japan was much more developed and it is just hard for me to watch from this era and before.

That said Discotek's release caught my eye simply for one reason. The 4KUHD BluRay format has been available for North Americans to use for almost 4 years. Up until Cobra's release in November 2019 no other anime from Japan has received a North American release.

I would think that release would have been Akira, Ghost in the Shell, or even Cowboy Bebop the Movie. So why does a film like Space Adventure Cobra the Movie from 1982 get that honor? I really want to know does the film deserve this honor.

Plot: Jane, a drop dead gorgeous bounty hunter, has captured the head of a notorious criminal. That causes unwanted attention from the people within the town. One of those mysterious strangers, who is cocky, arrogant, and probably thinks with his dick first in her opinion follows her. Jane just doesn't realize the man following her is the most wanted man in the universe. That man has been presumed dead for 2 years. The same man a vast criminal organization known as the Galaxy Pirates are scared of. That man is Cobra with hidden psycho gun for an arm that can makes him a deadly adversary.

The only thing Jane doesn't know is that Crystal Bowie, the leader of the Galaxy Pirates wants her dead. If Jane wants to live she has to put her trustinto a renegade cowboy by the name of Cobra.

Can Cobra help her escape the clutches of Crystal Bowie who looks like the love child of Darth Vader and Destro? Does Cobra have the wit to defeat the Galaxy Pirates? What makes Jane so special that the Pirates want her dead?

Review: Cobra himself is an interesting character that lends himself towards western audiences loving him. The best way to describe him as is the blonde Hans Solo of the universe. Cobra is not a good guy or a bad guy by any means, more of a guy with some morals that is not afraid to take on anyone as long as the end goal fits within his agenda. If that means stalking a hot lady and coming out of retirement to bang her, Cobra will do it.

Cobra's hijinks is what makes this film fun to watch. I wanted to see characters' reactions to him in the film from the moment he introduced himself in the first few minutes of the film. Those reactions are sometimes funny, sad, and even shocking. That there is probably the most enjoyable part of the film and worth the watch alone.

Then there is the opening credits it's as if the film producers want to Maurice Binder of James Bond threw a pile cash at him and said go nuts. Off all the films I have seen, I would put the opening credits in my top five of all time.

As far as the story goes, the film feels like it is three episodes thrown into one. What I mean is simply there are three different acts, in which the purpose of the film changes drastically. In which the first act has the best animation, action, story everything going for it. By the last act the film seems rushed to get it over with and push the narrative to a love conquers all story. It is not bad, but a been there seen that and lost my interest by then because a character I was deeply attached to was gone.

Though the one thing that was constant in the film was how menacing Crystal Bowie of the Galaxy Pirates was. Bowie delivered on all levels  the fear of him, the respect for him, and the hate for him all at the same time. The main question was always how can Cobra stop this indestructible force.

4KUHD BluRay Video Quality: I will be very honest with you, most animation from Japan in this era I think looks like absolute crap. Cobra does not fall in this category. I'll even say Cobra's animation for many parts of the first 2/3rds of the film in most instances is better than Akira.

That is what Discotek's 4K transfer on this 4K BluRay shows. I  don't think I have seen a film in which a 4K release adds a new depth atmosphere as well as shown in this release here. The colors are much more vibrant, which leads to a depth of a background that looks as if the filmmakers had multiple cels spread apart to give the film a 4 dimensional look that seems like I can walk right through my tv screen and be apart of the action.

I want to see this print on the big screen. 10/10 I couldn't ask for much more from Discotek.

Closing Thoughts: Space Adventure Cobra is far from being the best Anime production I have ever seen, but the film deleivers for the most part a fun atmosphere and some of the best animation you will ever lay your eyes on.

Would I rank this film higher than Akira? Yes

However I would not put this film storywise above than Nascica, Wings of Honnemaise, or the Castle of Cagliostro. Animation wise at one time this may have had some of the most gorgeous sequences in the history of animation.

Definitely worth watching gets a solid 7.5/10 from me. The last act is really what drags this film down for me.

Tammy and the T-Rex: The Gore Cut Edition

Tammy and the T-Rex: Gore Cut Edition 
released by Vinegar Syndrome 
4KUHD BluRay Review

Directed and Written by Stewart Raffill

Starring: Denise Richards, Paul Walker, Terry Kiser, Ellen Dubin, John Franklin, and Sean Whalen 

Opening Thoughts: A Stewart Raffill film that very few people know about. This is the guy that gave us Ice Pirates and Mac and Me. No wonder why my friend Brian was going nuts over this release. Raffill in the films of his I have seen of his is oblivious to how a regular viewer will see a film. A lot of what the hell moments leaving you wanting to interact with his films like the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Can he finally make a film that I take seriously?

One thing is for sure Vinegar Syndrome, a boutique home media label, thinks we all need to experience Tammy and the T-Rex in glorious 4KUHD in which this is their first release in that format. So what the hell is 90 minutes of my life if they think we should see this film.

Plot: Tammy, Denise Richards, is a smoking hot cheerleader that makes it difficult for men to get over her when they break up. Billy, George Pilgrim, is just one of those guys who can't move on. Scaring off every guy that tries to get together with Tammy, but this time a football player by the name of Michael who is now dating Tammy just won't give into Billy's threats.

It leads to a disastrous showdown between Billy and Michael, in which Michael ends up in the care of Dr. Watchenstein, Terry Kiser, and his personal assistant Helga, Ellen Dubin. Who has plans of creating his own Jurassic Park. The only thing is his T-Rex needs a brain. That brain is Michael's.

Waking up in the body of a T-Rex, Michael escapes the lab of Dr. Watchenstein. Now all Michael just has to do is figure out how to get Tammy back and how to get his body back, all while trying to avoid being recaptured by Dr. Watchenstein and without having the town's people kill him in fear.

Can he survive? Can he get his body back? Can he win Tammy's heart back? Can he stop Billy and his gang? I guess you will have to watch for yourself.

Review: As I said in my opening statement with never having seen this film before, Raffill went into the world of what the hell is this film supposed to be. Like Raffill's previous film Mac and Me he seems to want to make a film that profits off the success of a Steven Spielberg film, Jurassic Park. Like Mac and Me, this film is so bad that it is unintentionally funny. That is what I like about Raffill's films.

If you listen to the music in the film, Raffill seems to be detached that grunge music has taken over and fills this movie with hair metal. Then there is the clothing, this film feels like it should have taken place in the mid 80s. I make this judgment based on how much I think the opening sequences feels and looks like a film called River's Edge.

The funniest thing though is watching this film's special effects. There is one sequence in which, it looks like a Barbie riding on the back of the T-Rex. My god it reminded me of the Invisible Jet sequences in the Wonder Woman TV series. What is even worse you don't see the dinosaur move that much in the film from the legs down. So I feel the T-Rex is on a radio flyer being pulled by the crew.

As far as the acting goes, almost everyeve in this film is a character actor and plays how they should to try and make this film work. Denise Richards performance is hysterically funny. If you think Lea Thompson had it bad with making love to a duckie, then Denise's bubbly performance is epic in her interactions with Michael the T-Rex. Tommy Wiseau type epic.

That said, Ellen Dubin gives off the best performance in the film as Helga. Dubin's personality in this film reminds me of modern day performances of Billie Lourd, in Booksmart and the TV Series Scream Queens. I simply just couldn't get enough of her. She really stood out when the rest of the cast felt like they were in an episode of Mayberry.

Video Quality and Special Features: Like other companies who have released films onto 4KUHD BluRay, Vinegar Syndrome put all the special features on a seperate BluRay disc. Slightly annoying having to switch discs just to see the interviews. The big thing is if you want to watch the family friendly version the PG-13 cut is available in the special features.

As far as the video quality goes, for an older film this film had a nice grain without over accentuating the grain cough cough cough Ghostbusters. I feel like this presentation of the film, is how the director intended us to see this film on the big screen.There is one sequence near the end of the film that was distracting almost like a slight motion blur that looks like an authoring issue.

Closing Thoughts: The above picture gives the sheer absurdity of this film at its finest. A strip show for a dinosaur. That is a lot of the time what this film is mostly funny what the hell moments that has me on the ground laughing at the stupidity of what I just saw.

Should this film be experienced at home? Hell yeah, but only with large group of friends. To see the look on their faces is worth it alone. Though how this film should really be watched as is an audience interaction film like The Room at a movie theater. There are moments all throughout this film that I went to shout responses at the screen while the events in this film unfold especially now that the film's gore sequences have been fully restored.

Rating: 2.5/10 stars of you try to take this film seriously because you won't enjoy it.
9.5/10 stars if you just let yourself go, laugh at what is happening in the film, and don't take the film seriously. This film is not meant to be taken seriously at all.

Assigned Seating at the Movie Theater good or bad

Opening Thoughts: More and more movie theaters are adopting the assigned seating only option when you purchase a ticket to see a film. At first glance, that seems like a great idea, but is it truly a great idea. Sporting events, concerts, plays, and more have assigned seating so why shouldn't movies be the same way? A family of four can get seats next to each other and you no longer have to wait. Seems cool.

The AMC Experience: Minus Desert Ridge and Esplanade because those are advertised as a Dine-In experience, which I will cover later under Alamo, Roadhouse, and IPic Theaters Experience.

It's fantastic to get an assigned seat in advance to where I think I will get the best viewing experience. That is why I pay more for front row seats for concerts. Yet the reality is, I'm not trying to be as close as I can to the icons in a theater. So each person's idea of the best seat for viewing experience is different.

With stadium seating I like the middle row and middle seat. Usually I get that, but then here is the catch. I'm now stuck with that seat for better or for worse. This is where the pitfalls of assigned seating come in.

There are filmgoers out there who just don't seem to understand some people don't want someone sitting on either side of them they don't know. Now those people who are uncomfortable with that are ok if it is a sold out show or if that was the only space left for a family of four.

Speaking of a sold out show, you could end up sitting next to a couple making out, a person pulling out their phone during a film, people who their seats are assigned and decide to come late to the film sometimes 25 minutes into the screening, or yet worse someone who drowned themselves in cologne, perfume, or body spray. In unassigned seating, I could get up and move to different area no questions asked.

Is all that potential hassle worth buying an assigned seat in advance? I'd say no in my book. I have had to leave an AMC Theater three times this year as a result in the previews I could tell this seat is not going to work for various reasons. Staff is always nice and gives me a stub to see the film at a later time or tries to find me a new seat if there is one I think is acceptable from what is left. Yet I don't think it should come to that.

The Roadhouse, Alamo, IPic Theater, and Dine-In Experience: 

Assigned seating in these theatres falls into a different category for me. Are you really here to watch a film or are you really here to have a nice dinner? One thing is for sure these theatres have more rooms and lend themselves more to a date night or family out for dinner atmosphere. So assigned seating is essential for their type of service and success.

As a result they actually tend to have better customer service in these places, these issues while they happen is not as big, because the staff is watching. The only real inconvenience with these types of theaters is the marathon being ran in front of each row during the film.

Closing Thoughts: A few years back my favorite theater in town, The Film Bar Phoenix, was going to switch to assign seating. The owner Kelly Aubey got talked out of it or just had a Baby Yoda moment of wisdom. I think Kelly made the right decision. The negatives far outweigh the positives unless you are trying to provide that Dine In experience. Those are two totally different type of filmgoers. Unassigned seating sets the tone for a more exciting atmosphere.

The Top Home Media Releases in 2019

The Top Home Media Releases of 2019

Initial Thoughts: 2019 was a busy year in Home Media releases onto BluRay and 4KUHD BluRay. There are some stunning restorations that deserve a look at as well as mega boxsets that should be considered. I have broken this down to a few categories that will include Best Overall release for BluRay and 4K, Best Documentary, Best Video Restoration, Best Sound Restoration. As well as notable releases to check out.

Best Sound Restoration of 2019:
Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut

Apocalypse Now is always a great film, but honestly the film has always suffered in the audio category. I have watched multiple versions of this film and in the theater. My biggest issue was always feeling a vibration in my seat and sound after the explosions go off.

Coppola and Lionsgate have gone in and gave us the Cut he wanted along with an in sync audio that matches the action of the film. The video is gorgeous, but doesn't improve much from the BluRay. With the theatrical cut, Redux at nearly 4 hours cut, and this Final Cut along with the documentary Heart of Darkness you can't ask for much more.

Maybe for the 50th we will get the 5 hour workprint version. Disney will probably step in and say no.

I would say this is the best sound restoration since Universal's Dracula BluRay.

Best Video Restoration of 2019:
Der Golem Wie Er In Die Welt Kam

This was the easiest pick of the list. Der Golem had the most to gain from the previous home media restoration. F.W. Murnau always knows who to turn to get the best restoration done. Eureka! released as part of their Masters of Cinema series. The UK equivalent of Criterion.

With 3 scores to choose from and watch. The US Version to watch. A nice video essay Where Are the Jewish Horror Films? by Jon Spira included. A nice bang for your buck release.

This release is region locked and may not play on most US players.

Best Documentary of 2019: 
Severin's All the Colors of Giallo Mega Boxset with the Italian Giallo film All the Colors of the Dark

To be honest this for a long time in 2019 was my overall favorite release. 4 hours of Giallo trailers with Audio Commentary by the Queen of Giallo Kat Ellinger giving a history of these films was fantastic. You throw in a 3 hour Krimi history on top of that. A CD soundtrack of great Giallo songs from greats like Morricone you can't ask for much more unless you preordered Black Friday of 2018 and got Black Gloves to go along with this and the film All the Colors of the Dark with a brand new commentary from Kat Ellinger.

Best Overall 4KUHD Release of 2019:

Suspiria The Ultimate Edition by Koch Entertainment 

This is honestly a Suspiria fans wet dream. In one boxset you got Suspiria 1977 and 2018 on 4K UHD, BluRay, soundtracks for both films, and a grab bag of goodies that leave you on the verge of overdosing from too much I love it. This was the best release overall for 2019.

Best Overall BluRay Release of 2019:

Santa Sangre by Koch Entertainment

Another superb release that gives any Santa Sangre fan just about everything they would beg for in a Santa Sangre release the soundtrack, new interviews with Jodorowsky, and possibly the greatest horror/suspense film ever made in one package. One thing is for sure Koch Entertainment set a new bar with their releases this year that all labels should look at.

Notable Mentions for 2019:

2019 was a great year for obscure and legendary films for restorations. So much so that by not mentioning  a few companies I feel like I did them injustice.

Mention #1: Flicker Alley

Flicker Alley put out alot of great releases this year including The Last Warning and a film relatively unseen since the days of Cinerama The Golden Head a 70mm film that is filled with gorgeous colors and a scenic view of Europe in the 1960s

Mention #2: The Shining 4KUHD release

What can I say when a sequel comes out some companies go back to their back catalog and do a new restoration. The Shining's restoration almost made me vomit in the opening sequence from motion sickness. A vast improvement from the previous release surprisingly video wise.

Mention #3: Arrow's Macabre Visions: The Films of Mario Bava

This is a fantastic boxset from Arrow UK. The only thing is nothing really new since Arrow releases them separately before. You might be disappointed his best Giallo is not in this set Blood and Black Lace. Don't let that stop you if you are a Bava fan and live in the US with the ability to play region B discs. The cost is vastly cheaper than if you bought the region A discs from Kino here.

Mention #4: Second Run's BluRay releases

I think Second Run is not getting the love they deserve. They put out alot of fantastic releases by filmmakers from Europe not as well known to us for various reasons. It's always a solid product with great commentaries, video essays, written essays and more.

Closing Thoughts:

These are a few of my favorite releases from 2019 based on the hard work that went in to puta great product. What were some of your favorite 2019 home media releases?

Avengers: Endgame an Inside Look

Opening Thoughts: You are not going to meet much bigger of a Marvel fan than myself when it comes to comics. Now as far as the Marvel Cinematic Universe goes well Endgame equals the 22nd film in the series. That means we have had our fair share of great films, soso films, and duds in the bunch. Chances are if your favorite character has had more than one sequel then they have been in a terrible film. All I am hoping for is that the makers of this film can send off of some of the actors with well deserved send offs, but at the same time try avoiding unneeded filler cameos that distract from the plot or taking a certain mix tape too far.

Plot: Half the world's population is gone. Half of the Avengers no longer exist at the snap of Thanos's fingers. The remaining Avengers (Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Nebula, and Rocket Raccoon) each take the loss differently. Iron Man is disturbed  by the loss of Spider-Man and puts the sole blame on Captain America. The two have a lovers' quarrel, honestly they should just really get a hotel room together. Thor goes on a rampage to take out Thanos. Hawkeye becomes a vigilante that will kill everyone evil. Black Widow she wants to redeem Hawkeye's soul. Nebula well she is as cunning as ever. Hulk well he became a softy. Rocket Raccoon seems to have found a new home.

Five years have passed and the world looks like a scene put of Escape From New York. Instead of rebuilding the world seems content with dying. It all becomes a shock when a rat somehow pulls Ant Man out of the time vortex. Ant Man's ability to survive gives Cap an idea of how to save the Universe. The thing is he'll need the help of Tony Stark, who wants nothing to do with the Avengers.

Cap's idea is what if they can go back in time grab the Infinity Stones and snap their fingers to bring everyone back alive. It's a monumental task that will only work if all the surviving Avengers come back together. Will Cap be able to convince Iron Man to comeback? Can the teams collect all the stones? Will something get in their way? What will be the outcome? Watch for yourself to find out.

Review: Jokingly leading into this film all I heard were jokes about it is the longest Avengers film to date. So long that we should all get Depends if we want to make it through the film without defecating on our clothes. I can safely say that I didn't feel the urge to get up once and did not defecate myself. That said 22 films in leading up to what is really the finale of the first era of the original core Avengers left alot of ends to be tied up and can they give us a suitable ending worthy of watching 22 films.

The film started off a little slow for me, but that was to be expected. That said the emotions, the story, and everything leading up to the climatic final battle sequence was spot on. Mini films within the film in which was part The Longest Yard, part Indiana Jones, and part Doctor Who's Curse of the Fatal Death. I had alot of fun watching each team try to complete their mission and return with the stones. Honestly that is the best part of the whole movie. Right there though was where this film started going downhill in various ways. 

The main issue for me was the writers' extreme liberty they took with the original source material. They replaced Warlock with Captain Marvel, hello Warlock is the key good guy in the comic series he is as essential as Thanos is to the storyline. Then honestly they made Captain Marvel so powerful that the writers didn't know how to use her and she honestly became an afterthought you forgot about by the time the final battle sequence is happening. Only to show back up in what I would call bad timing that just takes away from the film. I am not going to say her convenient appearance ruined the film for me, but I will say that appearance in that final battle sequence took alot of the drama and suspense out of the film for me. I honestly think they could have left out both Warlock and Captain Marvel and the film would have been infinitely better. The reason is they are just too damn powerful.

With that in mind, the writers also had one scene in the battle sequence that was so forced in your face and blatantly obvious  I wanted to scream at them. I get it Disney wants to be cute and politically correct. It's the we've got this sequence in which the entire Avengers team is trying to get the Longest Yard for a touchdown. When all else looks like it is going to fail and Spidey looks like he is going to die. All of a sudden comes the line "We've got this!" screamed by every women Avenger who are now all standing  behind Spidey. It was done for laughs and cheers, but honestly unlike Ghostbusters this felt wrong like that is going to happen in a battle sequence with everyone spread so thin.

We then come to the finale of the film after the battle sequence. It's honestly the worst part of this film. The amount of time spent on the aftermath  which the story is already overwith and really just tying up loose strings while the band breaks up and all goes their own way could have been done in one sequence.

Closing Thoughts: Infinity War was a tough act to follow. The reason I am so tough with this review is because Endgame was supposed to be the bookend to a 22 film saga. Yet while I got a satisfactory closure, I just think the film could have been so much more with better script writing and weeding down the aftermath sequence. The final battle sequence is what it is while borderline good to ok the removal of Warlock/Captain Marvel character altogether would have helped this film out immensely. There is nothing wrong with the acting, comedy, and the first two thirds was great. It is just that last act left a bad aftertaste in my mouth. Where do I rank Endgame in the Marvel Cinematic Universe probably around 10 out of 22 films. As far as rating this film maybe it will warm up to me in the future if I fast forward through most of the aftermath sequence. The film is a 7 out of 10. 22 films in the fans deserved better.

Spotlight Look: In Reality (2018)

In Reality 
Directed by Ann Lupo
Starring 
Ann Lupo as Ann Lupo
Kimiko Glenn as Lallie
Miles G. Jackson as John

Opening Thoughts: I knew next to nothing about this film going into it other than what I saw in a trailer. The trailer showed scenes of the main character being interviewed, that she wants to tell the story of a past relationship, and at times scenes may go in and out of reality in a fantasy sort of way. The film looked enjoyable. I just hope we don't get another Izzy Gets the F**k Across Town type film.

Plot: Ann Lupo is talking with her friend John. All of a sudden she lets a bombshell out to John that she wants to make a film about their relationship. John becomes dumbfounded not sure what to think one thing is for sure he no longer has a poker face.

A few moments later we see Ann preparing a film for edits and suddenly we are thrown back in time three years. Ann is an film editor for a talent group  she seems to enjoy her job, but at times seems insane in the head. The only that might cure here is to find true love. Love conquers all and lifts us up to where she belongs in her mind.

Unfortunately in the love department she is not doing well except a relationship with a man to which she is nothing more than a F Buddy. Her life is so messed up that she goes in and out of it with visions in her head. It is almost as if different emotions like in Disney's Inside Out take over and screw with her to make her feel certain things she is not supposed to. One thing is for sure Hopelessness the Game Show host wants her to die alone.

The thing is Ann has a wonderful support group around her like her friend Lallie. Lallie is qwirky funny Asian girl who just wants to have fun, possibly a free love relationship with Ann, and loves sleepovers. You know sleepover you might see in Grease. The issue is Ann tests their relationship.

A test in which Ann never meant to test her in. The type of test that happens when a man enters a woman's life and friend gives every detail to her bff. What makes it worse it was an arranged date by a family member. That man is John.

John finds Ann cool and great to hang out with, but the problem is likes Ann just doesn't want to be her boyfriend. Ann believes she can convert John into loving her. The issue is everyone around Ann sees the relationship with John is killing her on the inside. So much so that they may be willing to end their own relationship with her.

Does Ann find true love? Is Ann able to salvage her relationships with her friends? Or does Ann become the crazy old cat lady?

Review: Ann Lupo's telling of her true life story is brave and inspiring. Not the kind of inspiring where we all get a happy ending, but the kind of inspiring that relationships in life all around around are just messy. You might view one thing going one way in life, but you are embarrassed when you misread a situation. I can count on one hand how many films I think get relationships right. On that one hand In Reality is one of those films that just stands out.

One of the clear reasons the film stands out is the dream like sequences you could see in Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or in Baz Luhrmann film. Ann beautifully is able to take the fantasy sequences in her daydreams and is able to make a beautiful Haiku out of those sequences while seemlessly able to combine them with the real world.

Yet the other reason the film stands out is the onscreen chemistry of Kimiko Glenn and Ann Lupo they just seem like they have been bffs for life. They remind me of French and Saunders or Fey and Poehler. Able to deliver comedic moments that seems like only they can. I don't laugh often in film, but these two made me laugh.

Final Thoughts: Director Ann Lupo is making her tour across country screening In Reality. I really think you should watch this film at a screening she will be at. Ann is funny and qwirky in a Mayim Balik or Aubrey Plaza type way. This film is clearly a must own film for me and is my favorite I have seen in 2019 so far. I hope to see more films from Ann Lupo in the future. I will warn you though this film might not be for everyone. I am giving this film a solid 9/10 for a fantastic story, acting in which I don't want to replace a single actor, magical sequences that shows just how fun film can be, and on the on screen chemistry of Lupo and Glenn.

The Day the Rock Hall Got it Wrong

The Day the Rock Hall Got it Wrong!?!?!

Last week the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame made herstory by making Stevie Nicks the first women to be put in the Hall twice. On the onset to the casual music listener that seems great. Stevie always had a lot going for her with listeners of all genres and outside of music as well.

The one thing Stevie never had going for her was a great solo career made up of prolific great songs that was the stuff of a legend. Instead most of Stevie's solo career success actually relied on her taking Fleetwood Mac songs putting her own touch on them for tours and throwing in one fantastic song "Edge of Seventeen". One great song in her solo career does not equal that she should be in for her solo work.

I am not saying she shouldn't be in the Hall, but she already is in the hall with Fleetwood Mac. Stevie got her recognition already and in a Hall lacking the presence of famous women she took away a more worthy candidate's spot. I am sorry I want the Hall of Legends not the Hall of Good.

Is Stevie Legendary? Yes in a mysterious way that leaves you in awe. A fashion sense that seems like only she can pull off. A spirit that makes you think she is the good witch in Oz. Should she be looked up at? Yes no issues.

I'll be the first person to admit Stevie gets more airtime than most artists do, but  it is mostly Fleetwood. She was recognized for Fleetwood.

By the logic the voters of the Hall used. We might as well throw in bands like Iron Butterfly and Steppenwolf for putting out one phenomenal song. You are not going to throw a sports player in for one phenomenal performance and you shouldn't do that for music either. Now Canton does recognize individual moments and put those moments in the Hall of Fame.

I think this is where Stevie should have been recognized a 2nd time. The Rock Hall placing individual songs that were so influential that it was a moment in time that should be remembered.

Edge of Seventeen is worthy of being in the Hall of Fame as a song by itself just as much as Steppenwolf's Born to be Wild and Iron Butterfly's InDaGaddaDaVida. Yet to recognize the bands themselves for more than that and say they deserve to be talked about in the same breath as  Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Doors os ludicrous.

There were alot of women shafted by the Rock Hall with Stevie getting in twice who have not yet been recognized or possibly were better suited to be the first two time women inductee.

Yeah I said it there was at least one women who defied the odds and should have been the first two time inductee who better represented America than Stevie ever could.

Tina Turner should have been the first two time woman inductee into the hall of fame. Tina is currently sharing the spotlight with Ike "Wife Beater" Turner. I'm sorry, but to escape conflict like that just to become broke then get back up on your feet to have a solo career that eclipses your duo career that says alot. Then to become arguably one of the three best women performers of the 80s on her own songs I have nothing, but the upmost respect for her.

If you came to me ten years ago and said Kate Bush should be in the Hall I probably would have laughed at you. Alot of things have happened between then and now. One of those things is that certain sounds of the past have become retro so much to the point that they are being copied today. Kate Bush in the last 10 years has became the most influential artiston female rockers of today. 

Lorde, Sia, Bats For Lashes, Florence and the Machine, and Lady Gaga are heavily influenced by Kate Bush it is about time we recognize her for her amazing career. Kate Bush is the most deserving lady currently not in the Rock Hall.

Ummm Hello!!!!! Houston we have a problem!!!! I'm baffled at how Stevie got in for her solo career before Whitney did. Whitney was a solo artist that for almost 15 years dominated the charts being played on multiple type of music stations. Whitney is a talent yes you may say she is R and B, but somehow she is in alot of people's collections who normally hate R&B. If 2Pac is in then Whitney should be in. Nothing Stevie can ever do whether in Fleetwood or as a solo artist ever measured up to the greatness of Whitney.

Well it is tough to put Siouxsie Sioux in as a solo act, but one thing is for sure she should be in with Siouxsie and the Banshees. Siouxsie love it or hate it is the Queen of Punk Rock and with the Banshees and ability to evolve with each album made a discography as years go by that is getting more noticed. Her influences can be felt through bands like Metric and Garbage. 

Pat Benatar was like no other lady in the 80s. Pat was unafraid to pick up the guitar and play in your face riffs one moment with a song like Hell is for Children and then the next moment deliver an anthem for women of all ages with Love is a Battefield. Unapologetic, rough, and a breath of fresh air she accomplished more in that time span as the female rocker than any other lady did including Joan Jett who is already in. You might not like her style, but you can't say she doesn't deserve to be in.

Rock Hall Voters take your jagged little pill and get over yourselves. Alanis Morrisette is a rock goddess that by far dominated the 90s. Untouchable really is the gap between today's women and the women rocker of the 80s. Stevie's solo career again is nothing on this caliber.

Sinead OConnor the lady who chose to sacrifice everything to make a statement about the social injustices of the world. Oh people remember that SNL incident like it was yesterday. They turned their backs on her only to find out she was right years later. Yet people seem to forget Sinead was that artist who bridged the gap between Pat Benatar and Alanis Morissette. She gave us songs Bout social injustices with a fantastic sound that even made Bono jealous. Yet her career didn't end that night she continued to deliver us fantastic music for years sure she had a few bad albums in there, but her comeback this decade despite her health issues is fantastic.

This is the top of the surface of women who have been shafted by the Hall and got shafted by Stevie's 2nd induction.

Captain Marvel Afterthoughts

Opening Thoughts: Captain Marvel is a film I wanted to see earlier, but to be honest both sides the Brie Larson haters and the unapologetic trolls who wanted to rub in the haters faces hey look what she has done in box office numbers really put a bad taste in my mouth. I almost refused to watch this film because of both sides actions. That said I had no vested interest in seeing the film either way other than some plot elements may affect Avengers Endgame.

That said let me make one thing clear and I will be unapologetic about. Do not jump on the bandwagon in support of Brie Larson as Captain Marvel if you refused to see Ghostbusters (2016) or the new Doctor Who. You are a hypocrite and a pos in my book and you can't have it both ways when it conveniently works for you.

Plot: Vers (Brie Larson) is a Kree desperately wanting to go into battle to prove herself and fight for her people, but her inability to control her anger makes her a liability to her team. So as a result she is still in training with her master Yon-Rogg. Yon refuses to take her on a mission until the great intelligence says she is ready.

That day finally comes in which Yon's team has to infiltrate the Skrull planet and get his agent back. The thing is Skrulls are shape shifting aliens that will fight to the end. The mission as General Ackbar will put It's a Trap. Nothing goes right and Vers finds herself stuck to a machine on a Skrull spaceship. That machine's sole goal is to bring the past out of Vers mind and lead the Skrull to Lawson and her secret weapon.

Vers escapes with limited knowledge about her past, but has to get to planet C53 before the Skrulls invade the planet and take Lawson's weapon for themselves.

Vers finds herself on Earth with no one to trust and being the last line of defense. Will Vers find an ally? Will Vers unlock the secret of the past? Can the Skrull Invasion be stopped? Watch and find out for yourself.

Review: Captain Marvel is alot of things, but one thing is for sure the film is not good and especially not great. The film is what you call a mediocre piece of a bunch of things thrown into a blender by writers hoping the public will just buy it. Not to mention a few actors completely misused who are capable of performances that can leave your jaw on the ground.

Let's just get the cat out of the bag and focus o  Brie Larson as Captain Marvel/Vers/Carol Danvers. I will be honest she is a great actress, but miscast in this film and let down by terrible writing. The film takes place in the mid 90s and once the film got to that point all I could say to myself was why does Captain Marvel have to look like DJ Tanner (Candace Cameron) of Full House. I couldn't buy her as Captain Marvel. Then we get into the writing of her character as a naive, weak most of the film, and mostly uncaring woman terrible. Carol Danvers is like the Wonder Woman of DC Comics. She is supposed to empower women yet they wrote her character so out of character for 90 percent of the film that not even Meryl Streep could have made her likeable to comic fans.

Then let us focus on the real problem of the film trying to tie this film into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sure the last few cameo scenes after credits were fine, but the meat and potatoes of the story is the problem. Hey writers we want you to somehow fit in Captain Marvel so it connects multiple films together to tie up loose ends and questions before Avengers Endgame happens. The thing was I have no questions going into Endgame  before seeing this film. So I am now watching a film that is a cross between Green Lantern and Dragonball Z that somehow is a prequel to Guardians of the Galaxy and I am seeing the main villain of Guardians working with Yon. Where is my element of surprise instead of saying really did we have to go this route?

That is the other issue the villain is mediocre and to be honest to make up for shortfalls we had to Disneyfy this movie making characters seem useless and unimpressive like Nick Fury. This is honestly the worst Marvel film since Doctor Strange.

I don't hate the film, but would never buy it. After multiple homeruns in a row with the MCU we get a strikeout. I rate this film in the 14th place out of 20 Marvel films. The only reason this film is not lower is because those films are real stinkers and this was a nice to see film that gets a 6/10 from me.

That said hats off to Annette Benning for delivering a performance that is the one shiny light on an otherwise completely hot mess of a film.

Closing Thoughts: When it comes to comic films I am the harshest critic you will meet. So you can take my review with a grain of salt. What I will say is this to the writers of MCU films. Get your head out of your butts and stop focusing on how many cameos you can get in film, how many films can we attach this too, and how can we Disneyfy this film for kids. Focus on giving us story that is solely on the hero and make that story about them if another character pops up fine, but don't do it to the point it is distracting.