Since Arnold Schwarzenneger left the California governor’s office and politics he’s gone back to doing what he was good at (or at least good at during the 80’s and 90’s). His first couple of films since getting back in front of the camera has been average at best (though I must say that Last Stand was pretty fun).
Now, we have him back in another film, but this time around one that’s a very hard, gritty R-rating that he hasn’t done since ever. He’s always had rated-R films, but they had a certain fun tone to them. With David Ayer’s Sabotage it looks like Schwarzenneger is trying to flex his hardcore bones. It’s definitely a surprise to hear him curse like a sailor during the red band trailer.
Sabotage is set for a March 28, 2014, release date.
Ever since the premiere of the first official trailer for Marvel Studio’s Guardians of the Galaxy this song has embedded it’s catchy claws into my brain. I’ve even caught myself humming the song at work.
“Hooked on a Feeling” is a song I’ve heard and enjoyed in the past but never as more than a passing fancy. Maybe it’s how well the song fit in with James Gunn’s trailer for his space opera film. It’s so out of place that one cannot but fall in love with it.
So, while I let this musical virus work its way through my system I thought I’d share it with everyone else as “Song of the Day”.
Hooked on a Feeling
Ouga Chaka ouga! ….
I can’t stop this feeling Deep inside of me. Girl, you just don’t realize What you do to me. When you hold me In your arms so tight, You let me know, Everythings alright, ahahah
I’m hooked on a feeling, I’m high on believing, That your in love with me.
Lips as sweet as candy. Their taste stays on my mind. Girl, you keep me thirsty for another cup of wine.
I got it bad for you girl, But I don’t need a cure, I’ll just stay addicted, If I can endure All the good love, when we’re all alone Keep it up girl, yeah you turn me on.
I’mmm, I’mmm Hooked on a feeling. I’m high on believing that your in love with me. All the good love, when we’re all alone Keep it up girl, yeah you turn me on.
Ahaha I’m hooked on a feeling, I’m high on believing, That your in love with me.
I’m hooked on a feeling, I’m high on believing, That your in love with me.
I say I’m hooked on a feeling, And I’m high on believing, That your in love with me. I’m hooked on a feeling.
The ratings numbers for the mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead was again shocking critics and fans both. Ratings for the show just stupefies critics of the show who can’t seem to get a handle on why this show has gone beyond popular and into pop icon status. By now we can honestly say that the show’s writing will never reach the status of other current popular shows like True Detective, Game of Thrones or that of Breaking Bad. Yet, the show continues to appeal to millions of fans not just in the US but worldwide.
The Walking Dead is basically a horror soap opera that’s airs on a basic cable network. But each and every week the show airs a new episode it beats everything put up against and more than holds its own with NBC’s Sunday Night Football. It’s a show that has had and continues to have issues with it’s writing and some of its characters, but for some reason the whole affair resonates with the millions who wait with anticipation for each new episode and news to appear.
Even detractors and strong critics of the show (some of who, vehemently hate the whole thing’s success and popularity) manage to still watch the show if just to poke fun and tear it down. It’s almost as if by doing so they can find that secret ingredient as to why the show remains so popular and successful.
Tonight’s episode focuses on the rest of the prison group who fled their sanctuary after the battle with the Governor’s forces. Last week it was more on the fleeing Rick, Carl and Michonne and their journey from the brink of despair to at least a semblance of hope and acceptance. We begin with the duo of Daryl and Beth who fled the prison on foot.
It’s an odd pairing that puts together one of the show’s most badass and pragmatic characters with one of it’s most hopeful (at least now with Hershel Dead). It’s a cold opening and section of the episode which includes diary readings by Beth of her renewed faith and need to continue to live after the group arrives at the prison. Once again we see the ghost of Hershel looming over all the survivors like a shade trying to give them hope to live for the next day despite the travails and horrors they’ve just left behind and still looking forward to.
The same goes for pretty much all the little groups who made it out of the prison. We see each and everyone of them not just fleeing for their lives, but also trying to get find a reason to continue on. With Tyreese and his group of Lizzie, Mika and Baby Judith it’s to continue on if just for the sake of keeping the girls alive. His road seems to be the toughest with three little girls to keep safe which makes his reaction to seeing Carol alive (at this time Rick hadn’t told Tyreese about Carol’s confession in regards to Karen’s death) was one of relief.
With Sasha, Bob and Maggie we see a trio dealing with the events they’ve just fled in their own ways. Sasha seems to be the most pragmatic with wanting to keep moving forward, scavenge for food and find a shelter. On the opposite end of the spectrum we see Maggie still dealing with the murder of her father (Hershel) and not knowing if her younger sister is still alive and, worst yet, if her husband (Glenn) made it out. It falls to Bob to find a middle ground between the two women’s agendas. Ironic considering that Bob, in the first half of the season, who was always unsure whether he truly belonged in the group and if his own personal demons meant he was a liability (yes and, to a degree, yes also). When they come across the prison bus that Maggie thought Glenn was in full of zombies and its passengers either turned or devoured one could almost see the light of hope fading from Maggie’s eyes. So, it was such a relief (again finding relief of any kind seems to be one of tonight’s theme) when Glenn wasn’t on the bus in one form or another.
Then there’s the final section of the episode where we find out that Glenn definitely survived the attack on the prison, but was left behind (due to the fact he left the bus to try and find Maggie during the battle) all alone in the ruins of their former sanctuary. He doesn’t know whether anyone else made it out and if his wife was amongst them. For a moment when back in their cell room he breaks down and seems to want to just shutdown and not deal with this new world anymore, but once again his time spent with Hershel brings him back from the brink.
Even new to the gang, Tara Chalmers, looks like she’ll fit in with Rick and his gang. She seems to survive when everyone else around her dies. Tara also harbors her own demons with the biggest being her participation in attacking the prison and getting pretty much everyone in her group killed. She’s troubled and hurting emotionally which makes her a perfect fit for Rick’s group.
Yet, the episode tonight all ended it’s three different sections with a sense of hope. The biggest being news that a new sanctuary might just be close enough for them to find shelter and safety once more. The biggest reveal of all in tonight’s episode is the arrival and introduction of three new characters whose impact on Rick’s people may just be as important and game-changing on the show as it was in the comics.
With the group slowly finding their bearings it looks like the apocalyptic battle that sent them all in different directions wasn’t the end. Things are definitely not over for Rick and his people. Will this new sanctuary hinted at in tonight’s episode become a new Woodbury or will it be something that Rick and his people can turn into something even better than the prison. The prison was sanctuary but was never an ideal place to restart whatever form of civilized society the survivors were hoping for. Maybe this new place they’re headed to will be that place.
Notes
Tonight’s episode was written by Matthew Negrete & Channing Powell and directed by Tricia Brock.
At least now the question of what happened to baby Judith has now been answered.
Lizzy looks like she’s turning out to be the very proper sociopath.
We get some resolution as to what happened to Tara’s sister, but only through Tara’s recollection of her being swamped by zombies after killing the Governor.
Some very fine work by Greg Nicotero’s wizards over at KNB EFX with the zombie kills and flesh-eating (I think these two things are part of why people continue to return to this show despite detractors and critics yelling to everyone and no one why it’s stupid to do so).
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you all Sgt. Abraham Ford, Rosita Espinosa and Eugene Powell played respectively by Michael Cudlitz, Christian Serratos and Josh McDermitt.
Talking Dead Guests: Alanna Masterson of The Walking Dead, Joe Kernen of CNBC Squawk Box and Jim Gaffigan
For some this is the height of hair metal at it’s raunchy. Some even call this song one of the best metal songs out there (though that’s stretching the term metal like it was Plastic-Man). I, for one, call this one of the guiltiest pleasures to come out of the hair metal scene of the 1980’s.
I’ll just let the lyrics speak to the cheesetastic and raunchirific pleasure this song was and remains (especially in strip clubs) to this very day.
Girls, Girls, Girls
Friday night and I need a fight My motorcycle and a switchblade knife Handful of grease in my hair feels right But what I need to make me tight are those
Girls, girls, girls Long legs and burgundy lips Girls, girls, girls Dancin’ down on Sunset Strip Girls, girls, girls Red lips, fingertips
Trick or treat, sweet to eat On Halloween and New Year’s Eve Yankee girls, you just can’t be beat But you’re the best when you’re off your feet
Girls, girls, girls At the Dollhouse in Fort Lauderdale Girls, girls, girls Rocking in Atlanta at Tattletails Girls, girls, girls Raising hell at the Seventh Veil
Have you read the news In the Soho Tribune? Ya know she did me Well, then she broke my heart
I’m such a good good boy I just need a new toy I tell you what, girl Dance for me I’ll keep you overemployed Just tell me a story You know the one I mean
Crazy Horse, Paris, France Forgot the names, remember romance I got the photos, a ménage à trois Musta broke those French’s laws with those
Girls, girls, girls At the Body Shop and the Marble Arch Girls, girls, girls Tropicana’s where I lost my heart Girls, girls, girls
Vince: Hey Tommy, check that out, man!
Tommy: What Vince? Where?
Vince: Right there, man! Hey baby, you wanna go somewhere?
It’s been awhile since this feature graced this iconoclastic place. What better way to drop in for a visit than by introducing the ridiculously gorgeous Ms. Lee Hyori. She’s our latest “Hottie of the Day” and brings her unique talent and fame as one of South Korea’s best known exports.
Lee Hyori was born in May 10, 1979 and began her singing career as part of the South Korean pop group Fin.K.L. She would soon branch out with a successful solo career which continues through today. Like idols in Japan, Ms. Lee is one of the rare kpop idols who continues to remain popular and one of the most sought after performers (in addition to being one of South Korea’s premiere models) into her 30’s.
She’s run the varied spectrum of kpop look and fashion from the candy-colored vibe of the early 2000’s right up to the more mature and sexy trend hitting the Kpop scene in the last couple years. Her ability to adapt to the changing trends and fashions of the music industry in South Korea and Asia has allowed her to remain one of the region’s top acts. Plus, the rise of Kpop’s popularity in the West and Europe has gained her some new fans and following that should just help bolster her popularity to cross beyond regional boundaries.
I missed a couple of nights with a post leading up to Valentine’s Day. So, I shall make it up with a quickie, but definitely a classic choice for latest “Song of the Day”.
In what has to be one of the sexiest and raunchiest songs to explode from that little supergroup called Led Zeppelin in late 1969. Everything about this song oozes sex from Robert Plant’s performance to the silky riffs by Jimmy Page right up to the rhythmic pounding by Bonham on drums.
The song I speak of “Whole Lotta Love” and considered a favorite amongst fans of the group. Enough talk and just listen. I’m pretty sure there’s a sizable number of people who visit this site and go on the many social media outlets that owe their existence to their parents having this song on.
Whole Lotta Love
You need coolin’, baby, I’m not foolin’ I’m gonna send ya back to schoolin’ Way down inside, a-honey, you need it I’m gonna give you my love I’m gonna give you my love, oh
Wanna whole lotta love Wanna whole lotta love Wanna whole lotta love Wanna whole lotta love
You’ve been learnin’ And baby, I been learnin’ All them good times Baby, baby, I’ve been a-yearnin’, ah A-way, way down inside A-honey, you need-a I’m gonna give you my love, ah I’m gonna give you my love, ah
Oh, whole lotta love Wanna whole lotta love Wanna whole lotta love Wanna whole lotta love I don’t want more
Ooh, just a little bit Ah, ah, ah, ah Ah, hah, hah Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah No, no, no, no, ah Love, low-ow-ow-ow-ove Oh, my, my, my
You’ve been coolin’ And baby, I’ve been droolin’ All the good times, baby, I’ve been misusin’ A-way, way down inside I’m gonna give ya my love I’m gonna give ya every inch of my love (Ah) I’m gonna give you my love Yeah, alright, let’s go
Wanna whole lotta love Wanna whole lotta love Wanna whole lotta love Wanna whole lotta love
(Way down inside) Way down inside (Way down inside, woman, you) Woman (Woman, you) You need it (Need) Love
My, my, my, my My, my, my, my, oh Shake for me, girl I wanna be your backdoor man Hey, oh, hey, oh Hey, oh, ooh Oh, oh, oh, oh Hoo-ma, ma, hey Keep a-coolin’, baby A-keep a-coolin’, baby A-keep a-coolin’, baby Ah, keep a-coolin’, baby, ah, ah-hah, oh-oh
April 6, 2014 is when we return to the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. We will see a continuation of the war and the storm of swords which troubles the lands. The Red Wedding will pose consequences for those who participated and across the Narrow Sea the Mother of Dragons begins her conquest and plans her inevitable return to reclaim the Iron Throne that is her birthright.
Here is a 14-minute sneak peek that foreshadows the events foretold for the upcoming season where Winter is still coming.
“I know we’ll never get things back to the way they used to be.” — Rick Grimes
We finally see the return of AMC’s very popular horror series, The Walking Dead, after a couple months on hiatus. Last we saw the series seemed to have done a sort of reboot of season 3’s season finale. A season finale that people thought would include not just the Governor’s assault on the prison, but the scattering of Rick’s group to the four winds. Season 3 didn’t end as expected and to say it was anti-climactic would’ve been a major understatement.
So, out goes Glen Mazzara as showrunner of the show and in comes Scott M. Gimple as head honcho for season 4. The change has been a nice change for the series which can’t seem to get on a consistent narrative track. Sure, it’s had major moments when it’s best thing on TV at that given moment, but it’s a far and few.
Gimple has done a much better job this season of letting the characters grow and let them dictate how the season unfolds. The zombies continue to remain the main threat (this season has shown them to be even more dangerous than in season’s past) but now interpersonal conflict adds a new level of complexities to keeping everyone safe and alive for one day more.
The first half of the season saw many new characters introduced (some given to more time to develop while others just cannon fodder) and some leave and some die. The biggest exits happening to be that of Hershel and the Governor himself. Both end up getting their ticket punched in the very assault on the prison that fans of the comic book have been wanting to see since the end of season 3. With that reboot of last season’s finale out of the way and with Rick and his group surviving out in the wilds in their own separate ways we now come to the start of the second half of The Walking Dead season 4.
Tonight’s return starts off pretty much moments after episode 8 with the prison now in flames and zombies pretty much roaming everywhere. We get Michonne returning to find something or someone. In the end, she ends up finding two zombies she turns into armless and jawless pets to help her blend in with the rest of the herd. She also manages to find Hershel’s reanimated head which she destroys and leaves behind but not before pausing for a moment to remember al that she has lost once more.
The episode jumps back and forth between Michonne’s time spent after fleeing the prison and those of Rick and Carl. The father and son duo are having a much tougher time. Rick is too injured from his fight with the Governor and their supplies of ammo and provisions are next to nothing. It doesn’t help that Carl’s resentment towards Rick has come to the surface after the disastrous events at the prison.
This episode was really about Michonne and Carl dealing with the events from the previous episode. Michonne has seen the group she has begun to see as a family scattered everywhere and a place that was becoming home destroyed. Worst yet would be seeing Hershel, who she was beginning to connect with, killed before her eyes. This causes her to revert back to how we first saw her in season 3. Alone once again and dragging along two zombie pets to keep her safe. Maybe being alone and away from any sort of emotional attachment would be best for her, but her own subconscious makes it finally known to her that this is not so.
She could sleepwalk through the rest of whats left of her life in this post-apocalyptic world or try and retain some of the humanity and connection with others that she was having within Rick’s group. Or she could just give up and end up becoming like the very thing that has destroyed the world. We see this in a sort of flashback dream sequence where we finally get some backstory on Michonne and her life before the fall of civiization. We now know where she got her original pair of zombie pets and why she had such a strong reaction to holding baby Judith back in the prison. This flashback Michonne was not the badass, katana-wielding survivor we’ve come to know the past two seasons, but one who seemed well-to-do with a nice family and a young son.
Like everyone else in this new world order she has lost just as much as everyone else, yet she seems to have found a way to adapt and prevail while others fail and die or succumb to their basest instincts. In the end, she chooses to get back what she had lost fleeing the prison and the zombie salughter she initiates in doing so seemed not just cathartic for her character but for the audience as well.
As for Carl, we see him attempting to deal with his current situation on his own. His resentment toward his father’s inability to protect him, Judith and everyone at the prison has begun to gnaw at him. He sees Rick as a failure not just as a father, but as a leader. His needling of Rick by mentioning Shane’s name and everyone who has died under his watch sounds like harsh truth being exposed, but also makes Carl come across like a rebelling teen trying to prove to his father that he is better than him. As we see throughout Carl’s segment, he can take care of himself, but he also has so many close-calls that his bravado makes him out to be like a teenager playing at being an adult when everyone knows he still has further to go.
Yet, as much as Carl might not be ready to cut off the parental strings, Rick understands that continuing to treat Carl like a regular kid who must be protected from the dangers of the world doesn’t belong in this new world. The Carl that Rick was searching for in the first two episodes of season 1 is no more. His son has become not just a veteran and capable survivor like him, but one who has left his childhood behind in order to be more helpful.
The Walking Dead will always be about the zombies and how this new world has danger for it’s survivors lurking in every home, building and shadows both zombies and humans. Yet, the show, especially this season, has tried to explore what this world has done to these survivors and how it’s either brought out the best, worst and everything in-between. We’ve seen characters fail to live up to the very ideals that allows one to keep a hold on their humanity while others succeed. Tonight we saw two survivors who have made a sort of peace with their situation and now moving forward to try and live one day more.
As the tagline for the second half of season 4 points out: “Don’t Look Back”.
Here’s to hoping that the show’s writer take that motto to heed and continue to look forward instead of looking back trying to fix what needed fixing. The show is now halfway through it’s fourth season and, for good or ill, it needs to move ahead with what it has established and let the audience decide whether they should continue to watch week in and week out.
Notes
Tonight’s episode was written and directed by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman and series producer Greg Nicotero.
The cold opening for tonight’s episode was almost scene for scene out of the comic book with the exception of Hershel taking the place of Tyrese.
It was nice to see Aldis Hodge in the role of Michonne’s lover and father to her son. He was great in Leverage and nice to see him back on the small screen.
Michonne’s dream flashback gave us some answers as to her past, but it still doesn’t answer the one important question: where she got the katana and how did she got so proficient with it.
Still no word on baby Judith.
Talking Dead Guests: series producer and KNB FX head honcho Greg Nicotero and Michonne herself, Danai Gurira.
