Introducing: Manikin

Introducing: Manikin

A band that I really enjoy watching and listening to in Austin. A post punk vibe with a unique sound that is peppered with other sounds. Had a moment to share a few words with Alfie from the band. I highly suggest you check them out and catch one of their shows in the area.

How long has the band been together and how did it form?

We form the band out of boredom- it's been almost a decade in the making and there's seem to be nothing to cover the void we all feel inside.

Where are some the most memorable places that Manikin have played at and why?

One memorable show was at Emo's where there was only one guy at the front dancing like he was doing the P90X commercial. it was a little show in it self. I almost forgot we were playing- it was that cool to watch.

What are some of the influences of the band, also any favorite local bands that you enjoy playing with?

Early Siouxsie and Joy Division, The Avengers, Prince and Michael Jackson, the Adolescence, The Vibrators, Madonna, the Normals, maybe Lydia Lunch and Richard Hell. Lots of stuff. We enjoy paying with The Hexie, Bottle Service,

On your most recent album, Stop the Sirens, how long did it take to record and write the songs for the album?

like five minutes- it comes to us in a dream and completely ornamented and ready to be disastered.

Can you elaborate on what the song Sirens is about?

it's about escaping but getting caught. Also Perfect Picture is another song that grabs my attention, can you tell a little bit more about? Our struggle is the same in any generation. The message is the same but with different author. We are not any better.

Do you have songs that are not released yet that you didn’t find to fit on the last three albums, any thoughts of working on a B-Side compilation cd?

We're breaking that mold actually. Soon we'll be as free as a caged bird.

How many albums do you have out and how do they differ from one another?

3 albums- they're different because the were made from different places in our lives. We're changing constantly.

How does the band develop songs? Do usually come up with a concept or just work off from each other jamming?

In a dream- I heard this question before or was I just dreaming again.

What are the upcoming plans for the band and thoughts about working on another album?

Focusing in making good songs- better songs.

Who does the art work for Manikin?

global consciousness does it

More info on the band can be found at:

http://www.myspace.com/manikin

http://www.themanikin.com/

Film Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Film Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox

The first stop motion picture from Wes Anderson based on Roald Dahl's children novel. Tells the tale of a Fox with his lady, Felicity, getting busted while stealing chickens on a farm also found out she is pregnant with a cub. Felicity convinces Mr. Fox if they live that he will find safer employment. Time passes, currently living in a hole and decided to find shelter in a new home at the base of a tree. Right in the front yard of the new home are three farmhouses which rekindles old habits and leads to them being chased down by the three farmers. With his new copilot the possum, he steals from all three farms. Many other characters are portrayed, such as the Badger ( voiced by Bill Murrary), Felicity (Meryl Streep), Mr. Fox ( voiced by George Clooney) and much more. The film is very uplifting and has the Wes Anderson quirks and dry humor.

Jarvis Cocker (Britpop band Pulp) makes a guess cameo as a song writer towards the end of the film while the farmers are in pursuit. Another brilliant soundtrack that's worth listening to over and over. The film over all is great and worth watching over a few times. I would consider this a borderline family type movie that's enjoyable. It was nominated for the 82nd Academy Awards for best Animated Feature and original score. I really felt it should have won both, well at least the Animated Feature Academy Award.

Director Guillermo del Toro's book series

Director Guillermo del Toro's book series

The Strain is the first novel of a vampire trilogy to be co-authored by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan.
The book was released on June 2nd, 2009 and the second installment, entitled The Fall, is to be released in September 2010. I'm going to to have to catch up on some reading real quick. I found this to be very interesting since one of his influences is H.P. Lovecraft.

Here is a link for more information on the series.
http://www.thestraintrilogy.com/

Film Review: Battle Royale

Film Review: Battle Royale

This is in my top ten favorite films.

A Japanese film based on a Japanese novel. Stars Takeshi Kitano along with Chiaki Kuriyama whom was GoGo in Kill Bill among others. The film takes place in the near future of Japan where much of the children have kinda caused the adults to have a fear of a threat. The story continues with the main character losing his father to suicide after his mother abandons him. Finding his mind clouded by disillusion and little respect for authorities like his peers. The class ends up on going on a bus trip to be gassed, kidnapped and slowly awaken to find metal collars around their necks in a cold tattered classroom with their old teacher. The teacher informs them that they have been selected to participate in a program called "Battle Royale" which means everyone has to kill each other off until there is one person left. The children are devastated and shocked by but proceed to a bloody slaughter of each other. Some get with the program and others that don't are slain by fellow classmates for survival. Fewer and fewer students are left from the traps set from their teacher and fellow classmates on a rampage. There is much to tell about this film and I should write a paper on how great this film is. The character build up in the film is great and you can relate to most of the students. The cinematography was a little above average but set the mood. The score of the film really set the mood. A very bloody and tasteful film of many themes.

Here is a film trailer from Japan. Enjoy.

Film Review:Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Film Review:Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

A Fantasy Film by Terry Gilliam, Monty Python Troupe, tells the tale about a traveling Theater Troupe that made a deal with the Devil long ago and a passage way in a mirror that explores ones imaginations. Staring Heath Leadger, Tom Waits, Christopher Plummer with cameos from Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell. The film was one of the most creative and interesting films with for Art Direction. I found Tom Waits portrayal of the Devil to be one the highlight of the film. Another would be the elephant temple and history about the curse/deal that the Devil placed. Sadly to say that this is Heath Leadger's last acting film role due to his death. The cameos appearances were obviously to replace the remaining parts for Heath but did fit very well. I'm not going to say this is his best performance but the film was great overall and looking forward to adding this to my personal collection. The camera work was amazing and the screenwriting also the character development. I found the film to be overall interesting and enjoyable for all ages. If you found this to be enjoyable also check out The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Time Bandits.

Film Review:Thriller

Film Review:Thriller

A 1973 Swedish Exploitation Film that was banned from the whole country for it's content. Also known as They Call Her One Eye. Tells the tale of a young girl who is sexually assaulted as a child that leads to her being mute. She's innocent and very vulnerable. During a walk down a road she decided to hitch a ride with a guy that kidnaps and cons her into becoming a heroin addict sex slave to some of the worst kind of people. She's stabbed in the eye for not doing her duty with a client. She eventually saves money for weapons, training in driving, long range shooting to fulfill her vengeance on the people that brought her down. She goes on a blood lust rampage. It had an influence on Elle Driver character in Kill Bill hence the eye patch. I found the film to be rather intense and would watch it again. The film soundtrack was on point and the camera work was ok. This film is pretty hardcore and extremely violent. It's banned in Sweden.

Film Review: The Prestige

Film Review: The Prestige

Based on the novel by Christopher Priest about rival magicians in the early 2oth century in London. Directed, produced and co wrote by Christopher Nolan and kinda was part of one of three films to explore stage magic during 2006. The film has an all star cast featuring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Micheal Caine and David Bowie. David Bowie portrays Telsa, very believable as usual from Bowie and adds his own personal magic to the film. A mysterious thriller. Begins with a fatal mistake with Chinese water torture device and sends the magicians into a stage feud. One of the magicians, Angier, stumbles upon a stage show with some sort of teleportation type device. Curiosity leads him to meet Nikola Telsa (David Bowie) in Colorado Springs. Telsa created a teleportation device and hands over an improved one to aide Angier in future performances. There is a twist towards the end that had me amazed. The picture itself was well shot and captured the time frame. Very entertaining film with a Hitchcock shade.

Toy Story 3 Review

Here's a video review of Toy Story 3!

Video:Organ Donor by Jeremy Messersmith

Video:Organ Donor by Jeremy Messersmith

Jeremy Messersmith - Organ Donor from Eric Power on Vimeo.

This has to be one of or maybe my favorite video Eric has done. I just love anything with a Halloween type theme to it. The video was smart and quirky. Animated music video for Jeremy Messersmith's song 'Organ Donor' off his latest album The Reluctant Graveyard. Animated/Directed by Eric Power www.clearproductions.net www.jeremymessersmith.com

Film Review: Taken

Film Review: Taken

Has to be one of my favorite films of all time. Luc Besson co wrote the script.Vengeance is a heavy theme and is my favorite theme in a film. A thriller to know. Liam Neeson stars in the film as a retired clandestine officer. He lives a humble life, an ex wife that despises him and a daughter he loves more than anything. Sounds like the formula for an American family these days. He is persuaded to sign off a parental consent form to allow his daughter to travel to Europe with a friend, both are very young and naive. He is a little bit paranoid about it all but allows it all to happen to help regain a bond with his daughter. As soon as she lands in France her travel buddy and herself are abducted into a Hungarian sex trade which only gives him a few days to find her with little to nothing of clues before she is gone forever. He travels to France with a mission to find his daughter and get justice for what happened. The action scenes in the film are amazing and Liam Neeson can so easily be the next James Bond after this role. The film was very realistic and frightening to know that situations like this take place every hour. The camera work in the film is amazing also the film score. All the characters were well created, also the dialog. A possible sequel is underway. A film with class and vengeance. I highly recommend this film.

Film Review: The Wolfman

Film Review: The Wolfman

A remake on the classic 1941 film with an all star cast. The plot was twisted a little bit from the original. The film was really fun to watch and was interesting at times. The film begins the main Character Lawarence on a theatre tour in London and informed of his brothers disappearance. He heads back to Blackmoor and visits his estranged father played by Anthony Hopkins. Lawrence finds a band of gypsy's camped out during a full moon. A rabid werewolf strikes and severely wounds him which turns Lawrence. There should have been more character development with Inspector Francis Aberline played by Hugo Weaving. The blue tones in the film really set the mood. There was a substantial amount of blood in the film is a stylish way to earn an R rating. This built the film up for me and Danny Elfman was the original composer. I'm still thinking if it would have been better to see the film in the theater to fully get the surround sound. Overall I found the remake to be not the best remake nor the worst remake.

Film Review:Pandorum

Film Review:Pandorum

Total insanity in space. Corporal Bower wakes from deep sleep among 60,000 passengers on a voyage to another planet for re population of the Human race. Soon wakes up the ship Captain and discovers what happened to the last sleeper ship. Exploring the ship they discover bodies and fast moving mutants running around the ship. Finding other survivors on the ship with a mission to save the ship by turning on the nuclear reactor. Things get crazier as the film progresses. The cinematography of the film was great and gave an overwhelming feel. The soundtrack was impressive. It's worth checking out for sure.

Film Review: Fourth Kind

Film Review: Fourth Kind

Blair Witch meets Fire in the Sky. Fourth Kind is a scifi/horror mock documentary on alien abductions in Alaska. Starring Milla Jovovich. Has a real eerie feel to it from the beginning, something that's just creepy in the sense that you don't want to look out the window after watching the film during the late night. Starts off with an interview with the wheel chair bound Dr. Abby Tyler at Chapman University. She tells her tale of a mysterious sightings of an owl with patients. After hypnosis she soon discovers the terrifying truth that they are victims of alien abductions. I found the film to be interesting and landscapes of Alaska make for a lovely backdrop on the film. I was scarred at first but not in the end.

Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson: It's all Understood



Jack Johnson is amazing in my book. This song hits the nail on everything with me. The sunset is just beautiful. I would really like to meet him someday. Hopefully in Hawaii.

Film Review: Predators

Film Review:Predators

This film kinda takes place as a sequel to the original Predator. I'm guessing the name Predators is in relation to Aliens. The film starts off with Adrien Brody falling from the sky to a remote jungle in the middle of a firefight with other people that fell from the sky as well. Soon they notice that they all kinda have something in common. A Yakuza assassin, Mexican Drug Cartel enforcer, Russian Spetsnaz solider, an African Ruff officer, an IDF Black Ops Sniper, a death row inmate on the FBI's top list, an American doctor and an ex Army Special Forces Officer. Sounds like a Tom Clancy novel to me. They all soon discover that they are being hunted on a game preserve planet by Alien hunters, the Predator. The film is nonstop action and suspense. I was at the edge of my seat with tourettes through out the film. The cinematography in the film is amazing also the character development. I see a sequel to this being successful.

Film Review: Exit Through the Gift Shop

Film Review: Exit Through the Gift Shop

One of the most interesting films I've seen in a while that kept me at the edge of my seat in laughter and amusement. The film is not entirely based on the illusive Banksy just to say. He does have a few clandestine like comments throughout the film which is really amazing. Shepard Fairey is seen much in the film, scenes of him at the print shop and posting up his art at night in some of the most daring spots. Other artists are captured on the camera while on their night ventures. There's even an amusing scene at Disneyland. I couldn't help laugh out loud during much of the film with it's quirkiness and wit. I honestly don't want to say too much on the film cause I just feel that you just need to watch it to understand. Another surprise would be the film music is by Geoff Barrow, the man behind Portishead. Banksy is from Bristol and so is Portishead, makes sense. I highly recommend to watch this film or add it to your DVD collection. This made in my top list of favorite films that I would watch over and over.

Film Review: A-Team

Film review:A-Team

There's been a trend of Hollywood remakes of old films and TV series in the past lately. Some good while some bad. The modernization of the A-Team was a smart witty action packed film that had me whistling the theme song when leaving the theater. Produced by Ridley Scott, it has the same plot of the old series with being sentenced for a crime they didn't commit and faced with impossible situations that they cleverly overtaken. The story starts off of as kinda of a prequel to the whole series, starting with them being set up then escaping from prison with a bit of vengeance and a bit wanting to complete a mission. The film takes place today with an Alpha team after the Gulf war, a bit of a Black water soldiers of fortune undertone at times. The location sets that changed kept the film at interest. The characters which makes the A-Team, many people were a bit hesitant about, were on point. Hannibal is played by Liam Neeson, Face is played by Bradley Cooper, Murdock was played by Sharlto Copley and B.A. Barckus is played by UFC Champion Quinton Jackson. I think most people were a little worried and may be opposed to the role formally played by Mr.T but the cast was very believable from the get go. There's always someone out that has to complain about something. Overall I found the film explosively amusing and well done for a remake.