You asked for it!

Usually, I feel that the reviews of Pluggedinonline.com are rather overbearing and perhaps a little ultra-conservative. Often times their reviewers will mention "negative elements" of a certain film and I won't even notice the scene when I do eventually watch the movie. Yeah, they're that picky about their reviews. I suppose that this attitude is understandable considering the general feelings of the audience that they are catering to (other ultra conservative, super picky, "Christian" parents).
So most of the time, I am rather frusterated when they give movies, such as The Matrix, Fight Club, V for Vendetta and other such R rated films with very healthy themes, a bad rap. But then there is every now and then a film that absolutely deserves every stereotypical Christian insult a film reviewer can give a movie. What do you think I am talking about............ of COURSE!!!! You guessed it; slasher flicks.
Specifically, I am talking about the new film The Strangers. I just read the review from pluggedinonline and I could not agree more.

WARNING: IF YOU REALLY DESIRE TO SEE THIS SICK AND TWISTED FILM, DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS. SPOILERS TO FOLLOW...

The film begins with a guy proposing to a girl, she says no. They go to house out in the middle of nowhere. (I do not know all the plot particulars, so I have no idea why they would spend a romantic weekend together after this guy had just be burned so badly.)
Anyway, the girl starts seeing things. The guy thinks that she is going crazy. Then three people in masks burn his car and ax in the front door and chase the couple around the house, until they finally catch them, tie them up and torture them to death. Heck, yeah...... that's a movie I want to watch. *rolls eyes*
The film also claims to be based on true events. I doubt that they are, but even if it's true... why should that matter? Why do you have to make a film about it and torture a theater audience as well. But then, if you buy a ticket, you signed up for it.

So go ahead, desensitize yourself. It should be fun!!!! (that was biting sarcasm, just so you know.......)

The plugged in online article can be found here.

Scott

Review of Showbread's new albums "Anorexia and Nervosa"

Sorry that it's been a while, but here it is the new review of raw rock!!!! I have given up a lot of the old rating system I was using. I am simply going to give you what I think about the album instead of trying to give you a bunch of fancy figures at the end of each and every review.



Well, the masters of "we don't care what the record labels or music scene think" have done it again! First, a little background as to what on earth is going on with the record, or more appropriately, record(S). Showbread came onto the scene in 2005 with the backing of Christian rock label extrodinaires, Tooth and Nail. "No Sir, Nihilism is not Practical" was met with great success and gained a strong fan base. The album's spastic emo/screamo/punk was second only to the band's live show with in addition to matching outfits and crazy stunts featured a "keytar."
Showbread hoped to gain even more popularity with their next effort, "Age of Reptiles," but to many of the bands fans that record was seen as "selling out," and never gained much steam. But soon the hype for a new album began, or wait, was it TWO albums? That is something that is simply not done in the record industry now-a-days, due to a little word called "profits." Showbread, however, was more interested in a story.
Each of the new albums follows the story of one of two sisters: Anorexia, who looks for meaning through good deeds, pride and success, or sister, Nervosa, who decides to gain happiness through the pleasures of the world and all the filth that it can offer. Each album then follows them through their own journey through the darkness and to their salvation in Jesus Christ. (Rather hard hitting for a rock opera, huh?)
But the music is just half of the package. Along with the records you get the jewel case booklet as well. But instead of lyrics and band thank yous you get a short story with each that you read along with AS the music plays. This helps you understand the story of the two sisters more fully. There are also many hidden clues and messages throughout the booklets, I am still trying to make sense of them. If you want any hints as to what they mean, I suggest that you start here at the official anorexia/nervosa forum.
I cannot recommend these albums enough (yes, you really should get both of them to get the full impact of the project). They are, however, very dark. Let me repeat that: VERY DARK!!!!! I was depressed for most of the day after listening to both the albums and reading the story. There is hope at the end of each, but you need to go on a rather trying odyssey to get there.

Two thumbs up in my book!!!
Scott