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Wednesday, March 24, 2020

ALBUM OF THE WEEK

Zack Snyder's Justice League: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists

“Hallelujah, hallelujah!..."

One of the strongest elements within Zack Snyder's Justice League was undoubtedly the music score by Tom Holkenborg (also known as Junkie XL). Although I'm a bit disappointed that his original score for the 2017 version of the film wasn't used (fingers crossed for a release someday), what he composed for this four-hour epic was amazing nonetheless. There are plenty of songs within this massive fifty-four track album to match every emotional, action-packed, and foreboding moment in the film: the League has their own triumphant song, there is a fittingly ominous theme for Darkseid himself, and Diana and the amazons have an ancient lamentation musical cue that plays during their own epic moments. It's also great to hear some familiar themes from previous DCEU films such as Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Wonder Woman. Lastly, the featured songs that bookmark the entire album are also so wonderfully done: Allison Crowe's rendition of "Hallelujah" was a wonderful way to end the film (as a tribute to the late Autumn Snyder) and Rose Betts' "Song to the Siren" honestly brings me to tears every time I hear it. Overall, this was an astounding musical score that adds another layer of greatness to an already great film...

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Monday, March 22, 2021

MONDAY MOVIE REVIEW

Zack Snyder’s Justice League

“I don't care how many demons he's fought in how many hells. He's never fought us. Not us united...”

After nearly four years, Zack Snyder’s original vision for the Justice League movie has finally arrived and, damn, it did not disappoint. Although this film follows the story of the 2017 version very closely, it adds so much more to the viewing experience on so many different levels. It was great seeing the world’s greatest superheroes back together again but it was also wonderful to see new heroes and villains being added to the story. Every single character in the movie, both the familiar and the new faces, gets the chance for the audience to know them better and they also have their own shining moment within the narrative. Without a doubt, my favorite new character is the diabolical and terrifying Darkseid, ruler of Apokolips and a legendary comic book villain in his own right. He looked so damn dark and intimidating, he was voiced perfectly by Ray Porter, and it was thrilling to finally see him in the DC Extended Universe. One of the things that disappointed me the most about the 2017 Justice League movie was the decision to replace the original composer, Tom Holkenborg (also known as Junkie XL), with Danny Elfman; Elfman is a legend, of course, and he did a good job with that score but I knew that Holkenborg’s music would have been something special and his soundtrack for Zack Snyder’s Justice League proved me right. He greatly impressed me with his work alongside the great Hans Zimmer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and this time around he brought epic, emotional, and engaging songs the perfectly suited what happens on-screen. The only negative thing I have to say about this picture is that it tries its very best to completely ignore the 2017 Justice League film and at times this mindset tends to affect the editing and pacing of the story; there were also a couple of lines and moments from that movie that are not in Zack Snyder’s (Pet Semetary, anyone?) and I sorely missed those. Other than that, I honestly loved this new version; there was plenty of action, but also some touching moments, great humor, and some very nice surprises within its four-hour runtime. More than anything though, Zack Snyder’s Justice League filled me with hope: hope for the upcoming DC movies featuring the Flash and the New Gods; hope for Ben Affleck’s Batman, because he is undoubtedly my favorite version of the Dark Knight and I want to see him again in future films; and hope for this version of the Justice League, the adventures they could have, and the new friends they make along the way. The silver “S” symbol on Superman’s black costume and the burning red omega symbol beneath Darkseid’s feet filled me with so much hope and excitement for the future of the DC Extended Universe. I loved what I saw and I can’t wait to see what happens next… 9/10

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Thursday, January 7, 2021

RETRO REVIEWS

Wonder Woman 1984 [2020]

“Life is good! But it can be better…”

As all of you know, 2020 was a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad year. So many lives have been impacted by the ongoing global health crisis and life may never be the same again. The film industry is only one of the social and economic entities that was negatively affected by the effects of COVID-19: some studios closed, some theater chains shut down, many movies were postponed or disappeared altogether, and many people had tough situations and decisions ahead of them. Despite all of these universal setbacks, a lot of great movies were released in 2020, one of which being the latest chapter in the DC Extended Universe. Wonder Woman 1984 was a wonderfully entertaining flick and a worthy sequel to the preceding film. It had an intriguing story with plenty of laughs, emotional moments, and action scenes that are to be expected from a superheroine epic. The excellent cast was probably the film’s strongest element, which also included a few great cameos (most notably one from a very “wonderful” woman). It’s always an immense pleasure to see Gal Gadot as the titular Wonder Woman, especially since she embodies the essence of Diana Prince both on and off screen. She kicked so much ass and also made emotional connections to the other characters and to the audience as well. It was also great to have Chris Pine back as Steve Trevor, for (maybe) the last time. Visiting from a galaxy far, far away is Pedro Pascal, who did an excellent job portraying the power-hungry Maxwell Lord. My favorite character this time around was definitely Barbara Minerva, played by one of my favorite comedic actresses Kristen Wiig. Not only did she bring her quirky charm to her role, but she also gave Cheetah strength and determination that fit the villainess so well; at times, the audience may even feel a bit of pity for her. Another thing that I loved about the movie was Hans Zimmer’s fantastic musical score; he’s one of my favorite film composers and this soundtrack was another great addition to his already legendary discography. Overall, Wonder Woman 1984 was an excellent movie, worthy of the titular heroine and an outstanding addition to the DCEU. With a third film in the series already in the works, I honestly cannot wait to see what’s in store for Diana Prince as she continues her trek across generations and across the earth, helping the helpless, bringing justice to the corrupt, and inspiring everyone with both hope and wonder… 8/10

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Wednesday, April 1, 2020

THE WEDNESDAY PHENOMENON

“And the dead shall outnumber the living!...” – from Descent of Ishtar

Every Wednesday, I like to bring to my readers real stories of paranormal encounters. Even though it is Resident Evil Week and the pictures in this post are zombie-related, I do not have a tale of the walking undead. The following story, told to me by my friend Victoria, is absolutely true, however. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did…

“I was working late one night at my dining room table and everyone in the house was asleep. I had the TV on with the volume low and I was working on some new projects for my pre-kinder class. As I was finishing up, my eyes began to get very drowsy so I wiped my eyes a bit to stay up just a little more to be able to finish. Just when I was done, I started to feel as if someone was watching me; it wasn't an uncomfortable feeling, it was more like a calmness in the room. However, just the thought of it gave me the chills. In that moment I looked up towards the walkway leading to the restroom and right in front of the hallway closet door, I saw a man standing just staring at me. I looked away quickly to my work and it took a few seconds before I realized what I had seen. I quickly looked up again, this time standing up from my chair and there was no one there. I packed up my stuff and decided that maybe it was time for me to head to bed. The next morning, I told my husband and daughter what I had seen and they began to ask me questions. All I could tell them was the description of this man I had seen, only what I could remember though since it happened so suddenly. He was a short, older man, maybe in his early sixties, he was wearing a long-sleeve red flannel shirt and some overalls, like what a farmer would wear. He was light-skinned and he was bald. I had never seen this man before and as I described him neither my husband nor my daughter could recall anyone we know or someone familiar. So, who knows who this mystery spirit, ghost, or time traveler was. About two weeks after the mysterious man appeared, we went to my mother's house for the traditional tamales preparation; my sisters had gathered there, too. They began to talk about our home: see, among our family, our house was called the round house. Mainly because the home itself was round inside with a chimney right in the middle made of rocks. My father had bought this house many years before I lived in it and by that time I was already in college back in the 1980s. My youngest sisters, Jessica and Yesenia, were left to be with my father when the purchase happened. They were talking about how the house was designed and built by the previous family who had sold it to my father. While listening, I began to get curious about who this family was and who had designed it. They also mentioned that once that family sold the place, they moved to Florida. I got up the nerve to ask what the man of the house looked like. My youngest sister said she was too small to remember, however my second youngest started describing him. She said she clearly remembered him because he reminded her of a typical farmer whenever they would go negotiate with him. He would wear a long-sleeve flannel shirt with overalls. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! She then concluded by saying he was bald and short, compared to my father. All I could think was that I was certain the man I saw was the owner and designer of our home. Maybe he had passed away and decided to stop by and visit his creation before moving along to the unknown. We will never know who this mystery person really was but one thing I know for sure is that this was definitely not just a coincidence…”

Do you have a real story about a ghost or a UFO you have personally seen? Hairy monster? Man in black? The grinning man? Share it with me and I will share it here on Side 4! With your permission, of course…

*Pictured above - A 1937 photograph of Felicia Felix-Mentor, a Haitian woman who supposedly died in 1907 and was brought back from the dead through a voodoo ritual…

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Wednesday, April 1, 2020

ALBUM OF THE WEEK - After Hours [Deluxe Edition] by The Weeknd

“Low life for life ‘cause I’m heartless…”

The Weeknd’s latest album is out and although it is not as epic as his previous work, Starboy, After Hours is nevertheless an excellent entry in his so-far stellar discography. The lyrics are well written and his voice is silky and strong, as always. Most of the tracks have at least a little of the dark, moody goodness that he is known for but several are little more pop-oriented than I expected. “Hardest to Love” definitely feels more like a J-pop or K-pop tune than the rest, not that that’s a bad thing. My favorite song (and the best one, in my honest opinion) is “Heartless,” the lead single; it has such a great, lively beat and excellent lyrics. The deluxe version of the album, which was released earlier this week, has a few extra tracks and some awesome remixes, including a sort-of chopped-and-screwed take on “Heartless” featuring Lil Uzi Vert. Overall, After Hours is a great collection of songs by one of my favorite R&B artists at the moment…

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Tuesday, March 31, 2020

TOP TEN TUESDAY

Resident Evil Games

“Enter the survival horror…”

This week on Side 4 is Resident Evil Week; with the imminent release of the Resident Evil 3 remake this upcoming Friday, I thought it would be fun to look about at the previous entries of this long-running and legendary horror franchise and see which I consider the best. This is all my own personal opinion by the way, so do not go raising an army (of the dead) against me if you disagree!

Number 10 - Resident Evil 6

Although it is not as refined nor as compelling and terrifying as 4 and 5, Resident Evil 6 is still an enjoyable entry in the series for a number of reasons. The story is pretty good and it is great to see a wide cast of characters both old and new team up or interact with one another. Graphically, the game looks nice and the action-oriented combat is still a lot of fun, even after all these years.

Number 9 - Resident Evil Code: Veronica

I remember first playing this game back when it was released for the Sega Dreamcast and many of Code: Veronica’s elements have stuck with me since then. The story was dramatic and the action was good, with a wide variety of enemies, and even though Claire was the star of the show, Chris and Wesker continued the next chapter of their rivalry as well. The haunting musical score is probably my favorite aspect of this game, as the elegant yet graciously-dark music suits the story well.

Number 8 - Resident Evil 2 [1998]

As with any great sequel, Resident Evil 2 built upon the strengths of its predecessor and provided gamers with an unforgettable survival horror adventure. It introduced us to fascinating and well-loved characters, the puzzles and setting were mind-boggling, and the monsters and battles were equal parts challenging and terrifying. The eerie music and well-written story are what makes 2 so memorable to me and it’s understandable why it is still one of the most beloved games in the franchise.

Number 7 - Resident Evil Zero

Resident Evil Zero served as a great prequel to the original video game, showing how Rebecca Chambers finds herself in the middle of a nightmare. Although the music was excellent, the monsters were badass, and the gameplay was first-rate, the game’s greatest strength is the astounding graphics: the beautiful painted backgrounds and the grim atmosphere were brilliant back when it was first released and the visuals still hold up very well, even today with the relatively recent high definition remaster.

Number 6 - Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Largely considered a fantastic return to form for the series, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard managed to masterfully mix both the old and the new, by taking the saga back to its survival horror roots and introducing many new elements at the same time. The shift to a first-person perspective was a fantastic new twist that allowed the player to experience and explore this fresh take on survival horror in an immersive fashion. The new characters, monsters, and horrors were great to follow and I am excited to see where the inevitable eighth installment of the series will take us.

Number 5 - Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

Building upon what came before it, Resident Evil 3 is the most technically refined of the first generation of Resident Evil games in many ways. Not only that, it also had a solid story with Jill taking the center stage and a plethora of new and interesting characters join her as they try to escape both Raccoon City and the most iconic and absolutely terrifying villain in the entire saga: the titular bioweapon Nemesis. Each battle with him is a grueling bout, with every victory providing both a sense of accomplishment but also the eerie knowing that he will return soon enough; I absolutely cannot wait to face him once again in the upcoming remake!

Number 4 - Resident Evil 5

Taking what was accomplished with the previous entry in the franchise and enhancing and enriching every aspect, Resident Evil 5 is undoubtedly one of the best of the saga. The story was a grand and thrilling journey that brought back fan-favorite heroes like Chris and Jill but it also introduced us to new ones like Sheva and Josh; it also showed the depths of the darkness within the ultimate antagonist of the series, Albert Wesker. Overall, it was an excellent game with an outstanding campaign, an absolutely fun Mercenaries mode, and an excellent assortment of monsters to mow down.

Number 3 - Resident Evil [2002]

Although the first Resident Evil was a great achievement in the survival horror genre, by the time 2002 rolled around it was already looking outdated. Enter this masterful remake, a visually stunning and technically striking video game, even by today’s standards. The music, the story, the setting, the gameplay, the characters, the terror, all of these elements came together in such an extraordinary way!

Number 2 - Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 is without a doubt my favorite game in the entire series, for a number of reasons. Not only did it manage to maintain the atmosphere of terror from previous games, it also revolutionized the entire franchise with its shift towards a third-person perspective and a shift away from zombies altogether. It was great to see Leon back in action and his journey turned out to be one of the most unforgettable video game experiences ever.

Number 1 - Resident Evil 2 [2019]

It can be said that the Resident Evil 2 remake is without a doubt the pinnacle of entire series: it skillfully maintained the mood of piercing horror of the first entries while at the same time perfecting the third-person action mechanics of later titles. Visually, this remake is both gorgeous and gory, the animation, cutscenes, and acting are all top-notch, and the music and sound design provide the perfect atmosphere for this artful retelling of Leon and Claire’s first battles against the undead. I cannot fully express what a thrill it was to see Resident Evil 2 redone in such a wonderful fashion and I am glad Jill and Nemesis are getting the same treatment with the upcoming Resident Evil 3 remake…

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Monday, March 30, 2020

MONDAY MOVIE REVIEW

1917

“I hoped today would be a good day. Hope is a dangerous thing…”

Side 4 is back, baby! And today, I am going to review the latest movie I have seen, one of my more anticipated ones. Even though this week on Side 4 is going to be Resident Evil Week (for a number of reasons), this film I am commenting on is going to break the theme I have planned for upcoming posts. Although, it can be said that 1917, in several ways, has some elements of the horror genre within. It is the story of two British soldiers stationed in France during World War I, Lance Corporals Schofield and Blake, who are tasked with delivering a message to a Division located across enemy territory, calling off an attack that will lead to the deaths of hundreds of allied soldiers. Throughout the film, there is a slow and deliberate growing sense of tension as Schofield and Blake, running out of time and always in danger of running into the enemy, trek across German-occupied territory to save the lives of their fellow soldiers, one of them being Blake’s older brother. The cast was absolutely excellent, with George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman portraying our young, determined, and, at times, desperate heroes very well. The movie also had a few cameos by some of the most talented (and some of my favorite) British actors around today, including Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The film was masterfully shot, visually striking many times throughout, and Thomas Newman’s magnificent score was equal parts epic, moving, and thrilling. The only complaint I have about the movie has to do with the story-telling structure the filmmakers decided to go with. They planned the shots in the film and the movement of the camera so that the entire story is told in two continuous takes, with one break roughly halfway through the story. Although this helps add to the growing tension and it is a dynamic way to present this picture, for me it detracts from the story-telling potential the film could have had with presenting multiple points of view. In this case, one of the films greatest strengths is also one of its greatest weaknesses. This is mostly a personal opinion however and, nevertheless, 1917 is a grand and epic journey that deals with loyalty, comradery, and duty told in masterfully-presented fashion. It also shows the undeniable horrors of wars without boundaries and hopefully such dreadful impulses can someday be purged from the psyche of humanity… 9/10

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Monday, October 1, 2018

MONDAY MOVIE MAYHEM

“You are one beautiful motherfucker...”

Side 4 is back with a vengeance! For today's post, I decided to catch up on a few reviews of movies I watched this past summer. So here they are:

Sicario: Day of the Soldado

Expertly directed by Stefano Solima, this movie was visually visceral with stunning tension and an equally unsettling musical score. It was great to see Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin returning as the hardened and deeply layered mercenaries we were introduced to in the first Sicario, but the standout performance of the film was undoubtedly the young but very talented Isabela Moner. Every bit as good as its predecessor, Day of the Soldado was a thought-provoking and thrilling picture, strongly relevant to the times with live in... 10/10, definitely a must-see!

Deadpool 2

As with any great sequel, Deadpool's second film brings together what made the first so great and enhances it. Ryan Reynolds is still perfect as the titular Merc with a Mouth, Josh Brolin made a badass Cable, but my favorite character was hands-down Zazie Beats as Domino, I just wanted her to have more screen time. Continuous jokes, awesome action, and an entertaining story really brought Deadpool 2 together in a great way and I'm looking forward to seeing Ryan back as this unique anti-hero again... 8/10

Ant-Man and the Wasp

This movie was a nice footnote in Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as both a pallet-cleanser and a slight prequel to the events of the truly epic Avengers: Infinity War. Paul Rudd is still hilarious and heroic as Ant-Man and we finally see Evangeline Lilly suit up and kick tons of ass as the Wasp with Hannah-John Kamen portraying an excellent villain as Ghost. This Ant-Man sequel was a fun and funny adventure and I'm interested to see what role Scott Lang plays in the Phase 4 of the MCU... 7/10

The Predator

I loved the first Predator movie and the homages and references to it and the other films in the franchise really tickled me, but aside from that the rest is downhill from there on. Numerous story and continuity problems really brought down what could have been a solid entry in this legendary series. Although the cast was great and there were a few good action scenes to enjoy, overall the Predator's latest outing was a mess, but, as a fan of the series as a whole, I wouldn't mind seeing where this journey leads us, the audience... 4/10

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

Retro Reviews: Superman Returns [2006]

“Why the World Needs Superman”

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Superman, who appeared in Action Comics #1 in June 1938. For this momentous milestone in superhero history, I thought it would be fun to look back at one of the less-appreciated films in the Man of Steel’s pantheon: Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns. Although it gets a lot of flack for it’s story and lack of action scenes , there are still an abundance of things I like about this picture. Foremost (as usual) is the ensemble cast: Brandon Routh was a great pic to play Kal-El/Clarke Kent/Superman in this “love letter” to the Richard Donner Superman movies for a number of reasons. First of all, he is a definite look-alike for the late Christopher Reeve, he was able to portray both the confident aspects of Superman and the meekness of Clark Kent. Kevin Spacey was a good choice for Lex Luthor, as was the great Frank Langella as Perry White; Kate Bosworth was a decent Lois Lane while Sam Huntington did a good job as Jimmy Olsen. Comedic actors Parker Posey and Kal Penn played Luthor’s hench-people Kitty and Stanford, respectively, and the deceased Marlon Brando even made an appearance as Jor-El. While there wasn’t a lot of action in this Superman flick (something Man of Steel [2013] made up for), there were still plenty of exciting and awe-inspiring moments, such as the airplane rescue sequence, the bank heist, and the final confrontation on Luthor’s kryptonite-infused island. The music by John Ottman was an excellent element as well: the soundtrack reused John William’s classic Superman theme while also bringing some emotional depth to the images on-screen. Even though it isn’t the best adaptation of the Man of Steel mythos, fans of superhero and comic book movies will find much to enjoy about Superman Returns and if you have yet to see it, definitely check it out... 7/10

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MONDAY, MAY 28, 2018

Monday Movie Review: Solo: A Star Wars Story

“I’ve Got a Good Feeling About This...”

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to watch the latest Star Wars flick in IMAX with a good friend and I took it; while I was a little dubious at the idea of Han Solo movie, the trailers nevertheless peaked my interest and, honestly, Solo was a really enjoyable adventure. The cinematography was one of things that I liked the most; the gritty worlds of this sci-fan saga were intriguing and, overall, the visual style was reminiscent of the previous Star Wars story, Rogue One (which I absolutely loved). The cast and the characters were the best parts of the film for me; it was interesting seeing a young Han Solo grow into the scoundrel we were first introduced to a long time ago. Joonas Suotamo returns for the third time as Chewbacca (taking up the furry mantel from the great Peter Mayhew) while Emilia Clarke was brilliant as the femme fatale Qi’ra (her arc was the most fascinating out of all the characters). Donald Glover was an excellent choice for Lando Calrissian, L3-37 (as portrayed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge) was the standout droid of this movie (similar to both BB-8 and K-2SO in more recent films), and Woody Harrelson was great as Han’s mentor Tobias Beckett. Paul Bettany, Thandie Newton, and Jon Favreau rounded out the rest of the excellent cast. While the story had a few hiccups and the acting was a little flat at times, the plethora of references, occasional revelations, and a handful of surprises helped elevate Solo above its faults and make it a story worthy of Star Wars... 8/10

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2018

Album of the Week: SR3MM [2018] by Rae Sremmurd

“You're So C-L-O-S-E to Me”

This past Friday, Rae Sremmurd released their third album and I didn’t waste a moment before purchasing it on iTunes. I’m absolutely a fan of the hip-hop duo: their first CD was pretty good and SremmLife 2 [2016] was even better (it’s definitely on my personal top 25 rap albums). SR3MM continues that legacy in many ways: their particular brand of hip-hop is apparent throughout each track. A few songs even include appearances by some of my favorite rap artists, such as Future and the Weeknd. Although I greatly enjoy almost every track on this album, my absolute favorite is “Close,” which serves as a perfect example of their unique style of hip-hop:  their music is composed of equal parts of eccentric beats, Swae Lee’s elegant vocals contrasting against Slim Jxmmi’s own rugged verses, and fantastic, memorable lyrics. I’ve listened to SR3MM almost every day since I bought it and it looks like it’s going to be played and replayed on my iPod many more times...

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018

The Wednesday Phenomenon

“Canens Umbrarum”

Ghosts are a fascinating subject to talk about because of their inherent significance: life after death, a world beyond the one we know, the infinite existence of the soul. Personally, I’ve never seen a ghost; as with UFOs, I feel I am not psychically sensitive enough to view people or things outside the visible spectrum of this dimension. I do not doubt their existence though, because human interactions with spirits are recurring events that are as old a humanity itself (or at least human consciousness). The question, ultimately, is then: what are ghosts? The spirits of former humans, long-since dead? Maybe. A psychic vision of times and places of the past, or even the future? Possibly. I honestly cannot answer with a high degree of certainty, but, as with countless things in this universe, I suppose it’s all probable. And with that, here’s a story of the supernatural from Diana, a friend:

“While living in the Peruvian Andes, I worked on a reforestation project at the foot of Peru’s highest glacier mountain called El Huascaran, which is known for wiping out the entire city of Yungay (whose population was twenty-thousand back in 1970) during an earthquake. The seismic activity facilitated ten million tons of ice to collapse and bury the community. Today the area is known as El Campo Santo and it is a popular tourist site where you can explore the remnants of the ancient city. These include the church, four palm trees that survived (though only one is alive today), a derelict bus, the tank of a gas station, and other unidentifiable objects. Many memorials are also erected throughout the ninety acre plot in memory of the many lives lost. On the south side of El Campo Santo, the new city of Yungay (which got built one kilometer away from the old city) is designated land for a nursery. I worked in there daily, tending to the trees I was to plant for my project. While working with other gardeners, one of them told me he had stayed late at El Campo Santo many nights and never experienced anything paranormal, except once when he did see the ghost of a little white dog walking into a grave. I did not experience anything paranormal either. Except this one time: while I was taking the night van back to my city from the regional capital, I saw a pair of automobile headlights shining perpendicular to the highway from within El Campo Santo. This concerned me. First of all, cars weren’t allowed inside El Campo Santo at that time of day and it was illegal to drive on undesignated areas, since the place is considered sacred. Second, my trees were planted from where the headlights were shining. I glued my stare to the headlights, but when our van was perpendicular to the headlights, they were gone and there weren’t any signs of an automobile ever being there. I suspected that perhaps it was people with flashlights messing around. A few months later I conversed with the city manager and he was telling me about creepy stories people recount, which are different from the paranormal. I had one of those myself: I once found a human skull while digging holes for the trees. At the end of our talk, almost as an afterthought, the city manager added, “oh yeah, and people also claim to see the headlights of a bus. They say they belong to the remnants of the one that is there in El Campo...”

Ever seen a ghost? An oddly-shaped UFO? A ten foot monster with hypnotic red eyes and large wings? If you have, message me your story and maybe it will be featured here on Side 4...

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018

Album of the Week: Light & Gold by Eric Whitacre

“Et Canunt Angeli Molliter”

Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of classical music, one of my favorite types of music; there are many things I like about this genre but I suppose, in essence, when an excellent composition comes together harmoniously, it is just a euphoric, exquisite experience for me. Anyways, one artist whose work I enjoy consistently is Eric Whitacre and his collection of choral compositions Light & Gold is outstanding. As you listen to each song, emotions such as hope, love, longing, sorrow flow through every note. The best tracks to me are “Lux Aurumque” (great song to start the album with), “The Seal Lullaby,” “Water Night,” “Nox Aurumque” (both a thematic/literal reversal of “Lux”), and it ends with the gorgeous “Sleep.” If you feel as passionate as I do about classical and choral music, Whitacre’s wonderful works are definitely something to behold...

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MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2018

Monday Movie Review: Avengers: Infinity War

“Destiny Still Arrives”

Ten years after the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with Iron Man [2008], the Infinity War is finally here and damn it honestly did not disappoint. From start to finish, it was an adventurous, exciting, chaotic, and emotional journey as we witness the Mad Titan Thanos claim the Infinity Stones while the Avengers join with the Guardians of the Galaxy in order to stop him. The extensive cast was impressive, and while each hero of the Marvel Cinematic Universe had their own spotlight moment in the film, there were several that stand out from the others, including Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), the Vision (Paul Bettany), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Okoye (Dania Gurira), and Captain America (Chris Evans), who had a pretty badass entrance in the movie. The Black Order (also known as the Children of Thanos) were also interesting and intimidating as the newest villains in the MCU; stand-outs include Ebony Maw (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor), Corvus Glaive (Michael James Shaw), and, especially, Proxima Midnight (Carrie Coon): she was the most intense of the group and she kicked a lot of ass . Nevertheless, the best performance in the film undoubtedly belongs to Josh Brolin, who in many ways transcends his role as a comic book villain to become a deeply tragic character: throughout the story, we learn more of what drives the Mad Titan, what his ultimate goal is, and we watch his already-formidable power multiply exponentially with every Infinity Stone he obtains. We also gain insight into the emotions of the character and Brolin does a marvelous job of portraying the silent suffering he endures, the explosive rage he unleashes, and the steeled determination he commands. Visually, the film was stunning, with every battle and every character being such a pleasure to look at on the big screen. Alan Silvestri's musical score was another one of my favorite parts of the movie; while we get a few reprises from previous Marvel films like The Avengers [2012] and Black Panther [2018], the music had such emotional weight to it, each track perfectly complimented the scenes they appeared in: from the heroic themes of the good guys to the dark melodies that accompany Thanos, it was all a perfect fit. After seeing it a few times, I can honestly say Avengers: Infinity War was an absolutely enthralling film that had plenty of action, a great sense of humor, and some pretty emotional moments. Whether you have been following the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the beginning, a fan of comics and superhero flicks, or just someone who enjoys a good blockbuster, there is a lot for you to enjoy here: Infinity War was worth the wait and undeniably one of the best comic book movies ever made... 10/10

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2018

Album of the Week: Damn by Kendrick Lamar [2017]

“Sex, Money, Murder: Our DNA...”

This week’s album of the week was chosen partly because it very recently won the Pulitzer Prize for Music (honestly very well-deserved, congrats to Kendrick) but also because, more than a year after its original release, it is still a deep and captivating album. The lyrics are both thoughtful and poetic, the beats are great to listen to, and the songs themselves are each mini masterpieces on their own. Although “Humble” is undoubtedly the best track on the album, my personal favorite is “DNA” because, following the prose-style intro “Blood,” it is such a strong opening for this record. Other exceptional songs include “Loyalty” (featuring the amazing Rihanna), “Pride,” and “Love;” I usually find myself playing these repeatedly. Overall, Damn is a striking work of music, the magnum opus of Kendrick Lamar, and arguably one of the best rap albums ever...

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THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018

Retro Reviews: The Mothman Prophecies [2002]

“Wake Up, Number 37″

On Thursdays, I thought it would be fun to go back to some movies and TV shows that I haven’t reviewed before and give them a score. For this first installment, I’m reviewing one of my personal favorites, The Mothman Prophecies. It’s based on the eponymous novel by paranormal investigator John A. Keel, which is itself based on the reportedly strange events surrounding the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia back in the 1960s. In the film, reporter John Klein finds himself drawn to Point Pleasant after the death of his wife. There, he learns of mysterious sightings of a creature called “Mothman” and he finds that his own destiny is inexplicably tied to the fate of the town. Directed by Mark Pellington (who worked on the visually stunning documentary mini-series United States of Poetry), the film is not your typical supernatural horror flick: because Pellington has experience directing music videos and documentaries, the film has a unique visual style, with the scenes involving the paranormal being given an almost-psychedelic look. Musically, the surreal score by tomandandy is honestly outstanding. Story-wise, the film is an interesting adaptation of Keel’s novel, not a straight-up word-for-word conversion of its contents but rather a intimate narrative that covers several themes present within the book. The cast is great as well: Richard Gere does a good job of relaying John Klein’s spiral into the chaos he finds himself in; Laura Linney is perfect as the strong, albeit skeptical, police officer who befriends John; Will Patton gives an absolutely tremendous performance as Gordon Smallwood (based on real-life contactee Woodrow Derenberger) who encounters one of the extra-dimensional beings and descends into madness. Overall, The Mothman Prophecies is just an interesting and entertaining horror movie with a great cast, good music, gorgeous visuals, and plenty of scares... 8/10

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2018

Album of the Week: Between II Worlds by Nero [2015]

“Let Me Satisfy”

I purchased this CD about a month ago, immediately added it to my pink second generation iPod Nano, and even now I still listen to this impressive collection of songs very often. The second album by the electronic trio Nero, Between II Worlds is a great follow-up to their first : Welcome Reality is an outstanding work and I love almost every song on there. Nero was originally composed of two members (Joseph Ray and Daniel Stephens), but honestly for their second album, they did the best thing they could’ve done and added Alanna Watson as an official member. Her voice is gorgeous and the handful of tracks she appeared in on their first album really stood out against the rest. The beauty of Between II Worlds is how each song has it’s own mood and this, through the lyrics and the music, allows the listener to empathize with each beat and idea that materializes. Some of my favorite tracks include, “Circles” (a great beginning for the album), “Two Minds,” “Between II Worlds,” and “Satisfy” (probably the best song, in my opinion). Techno, trance, dupstep, darkstep, these branching genres of electronic have always been some of my favorites and if you enjoy them as well, there’s a lot for you to like in Between II Worlds and the music of Nero, in general...