Category: Film News

Posted on

Music for all you record lovers

 

Have you ever lost yourself in a record store? Looking at all the vinyls, wondering how a previous generation’s method of entertainment still exists in today’s society? With digital formats of music allowing us to simply buy music instantly onto our devices, it’s hard to think that vinyls would ever make a comeback or how it could still continue to exist. Yet, when you look around, vinyls are still pretty much thriving in our mainstream culture being displayed in stores like Forever21.

Founded in 2007, Record Store Day (RSD) is an annual event held on the third Saturday of April, celebrating the culture of independently-owned record stores. This year, Record Store Day will on April 16th, 2016. As tradition follows, RSD will have three tiers of exclusive releases of discs. The tiers including RSD Exclusive Release, RSD Limited Run/Regional Focus Release, and ‘RSD First’ Release. The lists of the releases can be found here: http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases

The lists of exclusive releases include:

The All-American Rejects’ Move Along in LP format

The second album by The All-American Rejects released on July 12th, 2005. It had three top 15 singles, which helped the album become a double platinum.

The Animals’ Animal Tracks in 10” Vinyl

The third album in the United States released by the Animals first released in 1965.

Justin Bieber’s Purpose in 12” Picture Disc

Bieber’s fourth studio album released on November 13th, 2015. The album was made with the help of Skrillex and Diplo for their top 10 single, “Where Are U Now”. Other singles off of the album include “Sorry”, “Love Yourself”, and “Company”.

David Bowie’s I Dig Everything - The Pye Singles 1966 in 12” Vinyl

Go back to the 60s listening to David Bowie! The vinyl contains six tracks consisting of “I’m Not Losing Sleep”, “I Dig Everything”, and “Good Morning Girl”.

Dr. Who’s Genesis of the Daleks in LP Format

Doctor Who fans rejoice for the release of the Genesis of the Daleks! Travel back to the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) as he ventured with Sarah Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan as they challenge Davros, the creator of the Daleks.

Madonna’s Like A Virgin & Other Hits in 12” Colored Vinyl

Travel back to the 80’s back when Madonna first appeared onto the musical scene. Like A Virgin was released on November 12th, 1984!

And many more!

In the soundtrack of Red Roses & Petrol, Flogging Molly plays a huge role in the film creating the ambience, atmosphere, and the mood. Flogging Molly based in Los Angeles, California is an Irish-American Celtic punk band. After the release of Red Roses  Petrol in 2003, Flogging Molly has continued to release three albums, “Within a Mile of Home”, “Float”, and “Speed of Darkness” with a new album in the making to be released in 2016 with their new single, “The Hand of John L. Sullivan,” honoring the Irish-American boxer.

Currently on tour, Flogging Molly’s next local stop on their Splash Tour will be in San Diego, CA on August 6th at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air! Check them out at here.

Posted on

Let’s Celebrate Our Ancestors

 

In Asian beliefs, it is believed to always tie loose ends with a person before their deaths. Being in debt with the dead would only bring misfortune to an individual throughout the rest of their lives until the debt is fulfilled or repaid. Qingming creates a method for the Chinese to bring a closure to all their loose ends while paying their respects to their ancestors.

In China, Qingming, or Tomb Sweeping Day in English, is a day dedicated to paying one’s respects to their family’s ancestors. The origin of Qingming begins with Jie Zitui, who had loyally followed Chong’er, Duke Wen of Jin. However, when Chong’er became duke, he repaid all those who supported him graciously, but skipped over Jie. When Duke Wen attempted to find Jie for repayment, he never found him. Jie had moved into the forests with his mother, so Duke Wen ordered his troops to set the forest on fire. Accidentally killing Jie and his mother, Duke Wen ordered three days without fire to honor Jie’s memory. A year later, the duke returned to the grave to find a willow tree in blossom. The lost forest is still called Jiexiu, meaning “Jie’s rest.”

Honoring the dead, just like Duke Chong’er did, provided a sense of closure from remorse and allowed the living to say thank you to the dead. In the film The Nightingale, Zhu Zhi Gen travels across China to pay his respects to his late wife’s grave, as well to fulfill his promise. Qingming provides a way to honor one’s ancestors at their grave sites by sweeping their tombs, offering them tea, wine, chopsticks, and/or libations. Zhu Zhi Gen brings a nightingale to his former wife and said one last goodbye to her, and releasing it for one last flight.

The purpose of Qingming is to honor one’s ancestors and hope for fortune from them. So this year’s Qingming on April 4th, visit your ancestor’s graves and tie up any loose ends. Remember your ancestors’ legacy, enjoy their lives as well as your own, and wish for the best.

Posted on

Tune into Netflix for The Nightingale

 

Make it a date to stay home and hang out with your family and friends celebrating the Netflix release of the beloved film, The Nightingale.

In addition to iTunes, The Nightingale will be available for streaming on Netflix and available for purchase on DVD beginning April 5.

The Nightingale follows the story of Zhigen and his quest to go back to his hometown and free his bird as a promise he made to his late wife. The journey becomes a little more interesting when his granddaughter Renxing, a spoiled city girl from Beijing, joins him on the adventure while her father is out of town.

The two individuals share experiences and discover meaning to family and life that stays within their hearts (and hopefully even yours), forever.

DVD’s are available at indiemoviestore.com

For additional information on the Nightingale, visit the official page or like the official movie page on Facebook.

Posted on

Dive into Russia’s Historical Times through War and Peace

 

A mini television series has been broadcasted on BBC One based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel, War and Peace. This British-American show takes place in a historical period of time of the 1800’s during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia.

An all-star cast is featured including Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine, 12 Years a Slave), James Norton (Happy Valley, Rush), Lily James (Cinderella, Downtown Abbey), and Greta Scacchi (Ways To Live Forever, The Falling).

The story of War and Peace revolves around five aristocratic families as their fortune rises and falls through passion, romance, dishonesty, and scandals. The main characters played by Dano and Norton, who are on a quest to find true love during peacetime.

Ben Lawrence of the Daily Telegraph says War and Peace is “the greatest TV costume drama of the past decade”. This historical drama presents beautiful visuals and cultural representations you can feast your eyes on. The amazing scenes from the battleground to the ballroom are shown with such intimacy that it will take you back in time and make you feel a part of the story.

If you’re a lover of plot twist, gut-punching, heart-tugging shows, War and Peace provides the drama and romance you long for.

Since the first publication of War and Peace, the novel has been known as a difficult read and was often times a part of Russia’s school curriculum. In addition, BBC has published a special edition of the novel with over 13,000 copies sold since the edition’s release.

Posted on

Willie Nelson surprises SXSW attendees with a full performance

 

Willie Nelson surprised crowds with a special appearance at the popup Spotify House venue at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) on March 6.

Nelson performed a full set of classic country hits with his band just one day after his concert at Rodeo Austin. He played popular songs such as “Always On My Mind,” “On the Road Again,” and “Whiskey River.” Nelson’s albums “Shotgun” (1973) , “Red Headed Stranger” (1975), and “Stardust” (1978) were so successful that it made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music.

Spotify House is the official SXSW venue from March 13 through the afternoon of March 18.

Posted on

Can the real Greg Ellis please stand up?

 

The “new year, new me” motto was never really something people take seriously or literally. In this case, actor Greg Ellis, decided to change his name back to Jonny Rees last September. Fans of Greg Ellis went to to the web and post on forums asking which was it. One forum user said Rees decided to take it to Twitter to proclaim his real name and says reclaiming his name “feels strange, but authentic.”

Here’s proof that Rees did change his name from Ellis.

Even with the name change, fans still support Rees decision every step of the way.

Jonny Rees is still verified under @ellisgreg for his Twitter account, since @jonnyrees is already taken as a username. It may take a while for him to get his name back on Twitter, now the question is when. Awk-ward.