tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38552687851408906002024-03-13T04:09:05.125-07:00Steve and J TVOh, It's on now!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-34743132311726357702018-04-27T03:00:00.000-07:002018-04-27T09:27:28.745-07:00Album Review: Vacation In Hell<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vuf6Pw6FIuk/WuKGK1rxO9I/AAAAAAAAF-U/PJzdRKKaA04JrNU1GvLdV47AobApiQgUwCLcBGAs/s1600/30072828_10108586489513030_6040054838068453098_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1061" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vuf6Pw6FIuk/WuKGK1rxO9I/AAAAAAAAF-U/PJzdRKKaA04JrNU1GvLdV47AobApiQgUwCLcBGAs/s320/30072828_10108586489513030_6040054838068453098_o.jpg" width="301" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">wtf did I just listen to?!</span></td></tr>
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"An album better than KOD. Vacation in Hell x Flatbush Zombies.", is what my cousin's Facebook status read. And always looking for new music, I immediately added the album to my streaming library for a later peep. Glad I did.<br />
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But first, a bad joke:<br />
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A J. Cole fan, a vegan, an iPhone user, and a native New Yorker walk into a bar. Who speaks first? <br />
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(source: random Facebook status I didn't even bother to like so I can't give proper props)<br />
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If you're reading this then you probably already know that J. Cole dropped his new effort, <i>KOD</i>, on 4/20. My Facebook timeline was 50/50 on it as I managed to play through it no more than about 5 times, which was more than I played <i>2014 Forest Hills Drive</i> and <i>4 Your Eyez Only</i>, <b>combined</b>.<br />
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*ducks*<br />
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Don't get me wrong, "No Role Modelz" and "Deja Vu" are classic tracks but 'eh' with the albums. And I can feel you shaming me for not diggin' J. Cole. Stop it! "Just because it's positive don't mean it's something I feel. Keep it real." - One Be Lo, "Follow My Lead".<br />
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So while I thought I was feeling <i>KOD</i> a bit, after only listening to the first two, yes, first <i>TWO</i> tracks off <i>Vacation in Hell</i> I knew I was kidding myself about <i>KOD</i>. I was taking multiple spins through <i>KOD</i> to <i>hear</i> what J. Cole was saying. But I've had <i>Vacation in Hell</i> on repeat simply because I want to <i>feel</i> it over and over again. It's dark, it's light, it's reflective, it's dope.<br />
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And it made me realize something else, I haven't heard any remotely grimy music since Graveyard Shift's unreleased <i>Still Waters</i> album. Or, to keep it to official releases, since <i>Lord Have Mercy On My Soul</i> by M.T. And <i>Vacation in Hell</i> brought back those vibes for me. That gritty sh*t. If you plug this in the aux cord then you and the crew are probably not going clubbing or bar hopping. Ok, I'll give you a dive joint but only if it's after hours.<br />
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And to boot, there's even a legit B-Side to the album! Like, who the hell are Flatbush Zombies?! Coming with thorough ass 19 track albums making [insert your favorite rapper]'s efforts look like mixtapes. It's like that. I have a short list of about 5, maybe 7, albums that I can listen to start to finish without skipping* and <i>Vacation in Hell</i> just made its way on it. I won't even bother trying to single out particular tracks because they all contribute to the vibe of the album and it's the vibe that I'm diggin'. #LetItRide</div>
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Finally, and most importantly: I bought it. So, it's going to be a really good summer thanks to Flatbush Zombies. Cousin, you came through clutch and don't even know it.</div>
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* - Witchdoctor <i>A S.W.A.T. healin' ritual</i> and <i>Diary of an American Witchdoctor</i> , O.C. <i>Jewelz</i>, Crooked Lettaz <i>Grey Skies</i>, Killah Priest <i>Heavy Mental</i> and <i>Psychic World of Walter Reed (P.W.O.W.R.)</i>**, Spark Master Tape <i>Silhouette of a Sunkken City</i>, Flatbush Zombies <i>Vacation in Hell</i><br />
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** - it's a 41 track double album!</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-55667068784018118292018-02-19T04:00:00.000-08:002018-02-19T06:13:27.656-08:00Movie Review: Black Panther<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not only is Black Panther breaking records at the box office, it's also re-energizing pride in African culture. Being that Black Panther is the first feature film of this generation about a black superhero, young black boys <i>and girls, especially girls</i> are seeing their likeness portrayed on the big screen like they never have before in there life. Hell, like I have never seen before and I'm 33!<br />
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And because of this re-energizing, some of the critical reception to Black Panther comes off like cinematic affirmative action citing that Black Panther is only receiving its fanfare because it's a "black" movie and simultaneously claiming that Black Panther doesn't deserve its fanfare because, well, it's a just a "black" movie. But au contraire, Black Panther is a great movie. Period. <br />
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Every movie has a plot, good movies have themes, but great movies tell a story.<br />
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One of the underlying themes that stood out to me in Black Panther is the adage, "you're not a man until your father dies." And as much as I hate that saying, I've lived it. But psychological thesis aside, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman), like most men in Western Civilization (Africa is in all 4 hemispheres so yeah) lives in the shadow of his father, T'Chaka. This was also true for Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). And after the deaths of their fathers, both T'Challa and Killmonger would set out to become men of their father's vision, the anchor of the story which set up Killmonger to become the best Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Villain, yet.<br />
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Marvel has been diluting super villains to a manner that even I consider to be an insult, just being a casual comic fan. Limiting my point to just within the MCU, no villain has had any impact, whatsoever, to a hero's character on the big screen. Not Mandarin or Whiplash in Iron Man, not Red Skull in Captain America, and not even Ultron in Avengers. Hell, Iron Man in Captain America: Civil War was a better super villain than any other MCU bad guy until Black Panther. In the comics, these uber bad guys challenged the character of the men behind the mask, pushing the heroes' boundaries. And heroes even died. Good guys were killed during the clash of convictions with their super villain and not for any amount of money or power.<br />
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Then along came Erik Killmonger.<br />
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The plot of Black Panther started as T'Challa bringing Ulysses Klaue to justice for stealing Vibranium from Wakanda, something which T'Chaka wasn't able to do. But as T'Challa nearly apprehends Klaue, the plot shifts to T'Challa protecting his throne from Erik Killmonger and the story of T'Challa stepping out of his father's shadow reveals itself.<br />
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The theme of Killmonger representing the ultimate revolutionary for people of color was not missed by me. But I saw it as the vehicle for the story of T'Challa becoming his own man as King and not following a legacy of good intentions - which, we all know, paves the road to hell. This is what made Killmonger's characterization unique because he was the unintentional end of T'Chaka's means. Killmonger was T'Chaka's legacy, in the flesh, which challenged T'Challa's worldview and elevated him from a forgettable bad guy to a memorable super villain. The idea that Killmonger embodied would even give him allies that used to support T'Challa because he accomplished what T'Challa failed to achieve.<br />
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So, Black Panther was not just about another hero saving the day, it was a clash of ideals between T'Challa and Killmonger, like the comics or cartoon series. Revolution against oppression vs outreach and uplift. The story ended with T'Challa changed as a person and how he would rule as king. As much as I empathized with Killmonger, as much as a part of me wanted him to win, I knew T'Challa would bring the brighter future for not only just Wakanda but the entire world. And the fact that people (ok, maybe just us black folks) are having this very dialogue is what sets the story in Black Panther so far apart from all of the other movies in the MCU.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Dap</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-82910556704072033222017-10-31T17:30:00.001-07:002017-10-31T17:34:43.753-07:00Thor Ragnarok Review: Big Monster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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So, where do I begin with this review of Thor Ragnarok especially if I don't want to spoil it? This is a tricky one considering the movie felt like a concurrent story of what Hulk and Thor were up to during Captain America Civil war, and based on how everything plays out, that is okay.<br />
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Visually, Thor Ragnorak is stunning! In thinking back to the first two Thor movies, I always felt like I was watching a hyped up version of a medieval action flick, but this time things were more modernized. Although Asgard still appears mostly magical technology is infused making Ragnarok less Middle Earth and more Blade Runner. As a Science Fiction fan, this was much appreciated!<br />
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Additional eye candy includes great action pieces featuring Thor unleashing some serious whoop ass, Hulk Smashing and Tessa Thompson simply being fine and handling business. <br />
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As expected the casting was solid and perfect for the film's aesthetic. The usual suspects were present with Chris Hemsworth and Mark Rufalo holding it down in their respective roles as Thor and Hulk. The chemistry between Thor and Banner/Hulk was priceless and really fit well with what could be considered a sibling rivalry at this point. It is clear these two enjoy screen time with each other. Thompson's role was something more complex as you can tell from the outset she's broken and is doing her best to conceal her truth. She nails her role and I hope she makes it into future films as her and Thor work well together.<br />
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Tom Hiddleston's Loki felt different this time out especially considering the circumstances that he and Thor now must deal with upon the arrival of Hela played by Cate Blanchett, who rocked her roll. Loki was a bit toned down and definitely was the running joke throughout the flick, but this is Loki we are talking about, so it worked. On the other hand, Jeff Goldblum's Grandmaster was odd to me as I felt like he could have been more sinister considering the world he created. Unfortunately, he felt like a forced comedic element and we couldn't get rid of him. Hopefully this is a one and done for the character even though I have always like Jeff Goldblum in science fiction roles. <br />
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The story was solid and really gets rolling rather quickly following the opening sequences. Thor and Loki definitely have a legit reason to play opposite each other in this one and that dynamic of two brothers adjusting to change is evident in this film. Their sibling rivalry is well-balanced and works well in the presence of other characters on screen. <br />
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So, I've covered the visuals, spoke to the story and have decided my next car will be named Tessa but I must now get into my gripes.<br />
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The dialogue was overrun with comedy and though it was funny, it felt as if the movie was making fun of itself. The script was littered with zingers and witty banter to the point the movie almost recognized it was a movie and was toeing the line of breaking the fourth wall. Even Hulk was in on the act and offered -get this- witty banter. You could literally see him setting up the punchline a couple of times making me wonder, when did Hulk start providing banter.<br />
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The 3D was disorienting, especially in the first 1/4 of the movie. The edges of the screen were nauseating and I observed everyone in the theater raising their glasses to relieve some of the stress several times throughout the screening. Additionally, the glasses cut the exposure of the screen making everything darker and more difficult for your eyes to focus on key elements. In the later stages of the movie this wasn't an issue as scenes were mostly in the daylight, but caverns and interiors were painful to watch. I seriously doubt Marvel can correct this issue now so pass on 3D and watch it in standard 2D - you won't miss anything and you will save a few dollars. <br />
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In closing, nothing pleases me more than to say this movie did not suffer from the Marvel Movie Middle. The 3M has been an ongoing issue for quite some time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and this is probably one of the only times the MCU managed the pacing appropriately! Hats off to them for finding the balance this time and I can only hope they have applied a similar formula for the third avengers movie.<br />
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Go see it, but not in 3D! <br />
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Best Moments:<br />
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<li>Thor put in work! They gave us several things we never saw before in his action scenes and I loved it.</li>
<li>Even though I felt they overdid the comedy, it was hilarious every single time. They just did it too much.</li>
<li>Big Monster!!!</li>
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-34475356387738017682017-07-30T04:00:00.000-07:002017-07-30T04:30:32.033-07:00Movie Review: Girls Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Girls Trip</i> roared into the box office last weekend to the tune of $30 million and my wife and I were glad to be apart of the opening weekend sales cause #BlackMoviesMatter. And while my #1 complaint about Black Hollywood is the lack of new faces, the reunion- based plot of <i>Girls Trip</i> completely defeated my hang up about the usual suspects (Regina Hall, Queen Latifah) in Black lead roles. #GetMoney tho. But <i>Girls Trip</i> did showcase one new(ish) face in Tiffany Haddish stealing the show as "Dina", the crazy friend.<br />
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I believe <i>Girls Trip</i> broke its own ground in a new sub-genre of Black comedies with its explicit adult humor a la <i>The Hangover</i>. You truly have something special when your mother is laughing at the peen-on-the-screen with you. This is why <i>Girls Trip</i> stands alone, in spite of color lines.<br />
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That said, I can't yet imagine when a group of Black friends and family will watch<i> Girls Trip</i> together outside of a movie theater. Classics like <i>Friday</i>, <i>The 5 Heartbeats</i>, <i>The Wood</i>, <i>The Best Man/Best Man Holiday</i> all have Black family get-together appeal. So while <i>Girls Trip</i> has that appeal, its more adult oriented like the Black classic movies on the opposite side of the spectrum such as <i>Boyz N The Hood</i>, <i>Juice</i>, and <i>New Jack City</i>. See the conundrum? But this is actually a good problem to have because that means producer Will Packer truly did something new.<br />
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#BlackMoviesMatter<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-14751877082750307222017-07-29T04:00:00.000-07:002017-07-30T03:40:47.112-07:00Back In The Day: Bone thugs n harmony - The Art of War<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Bone thugs n harmony released <i>The Art of War</i>, the follow up to the classic <i>E. 1999 Eternal</i> album, 20 years ago on July 29, 1997. Now, I'm no old fogie but kids today will never know the joy of their favorite rap group/artist dropping a double-cd album (or CD-only bonus tracks). Maybe that's the equivalent of <a href="https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2017/02/22/future-hndrxx-rocko-lawsuit/" target="_blank">Future dropping 2 albums in 2 weeks</a>?<br />
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Anyways, even though my parents wouldn't let me listen to Parental Advisory music in the 8th grade, the whole latchkey-kid things got me around that pretty easily. And while we're on the subject of kids and old fogies, why are all of you old people acting like "mumble rap" is unique to this generation? You sound like the impressions my mom used to do of Bone when you're mocking this generation's music.<br />
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Bone is still my favorite rap group and probably the last great rap group. And since I haven't listened to this album in at least 5 years, the nostalgia is too real listening to it while I type this blog. I'm talking movie soundtracks, internet message boards, Real Player, Real Audio files small enough to fit on a 3.5" floppy disk, bumming batteries on the school bus, dubbing CD's onto T.D. Jakes sermon cassette tapes for homies and vice versa.<br />
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I wish I could re-live it all again.<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-33123735105029192262017-07-10T04:00:00.000-07:002017-07-10T04:00:00.860-07:00Album Review: 4:44 (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When Jay-Z's new album, 4:44, first hit Tidal last week I was going to blame Republicans as to why I hadn't heard the release. It went something like forgetting to cancel a trial subscription because they have your credit card information causing you to cancel in a panic in which you trip and break your pinky toe to the tune of a $20,000 ER bill that you can't pay cause you can't get no healthcare cause free trials are a pre-existing condition.<br />
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Now, I'm no Jay-Z fan so I'll keep words like "classic" far away from my take on 4:44 and let his Day 1 fans decide that. But I'll gladly let anyone know that I thoroughly enjoyed 4:44 without rehashing lyrics or going into an in-depth track analysis because you deserve a break from yesterday. And now, since I've heard the album, that kinda kills the joke above (no healthcare, remember? Womp!). But I do have a unique take away from 4:44 I'd like to share with you - Producer No I.D. was Jay-Z's sole collaborator for the album. Now, if that's not a big deal to you then allow me explain why it should be.<br />
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In 1994, Nas' <i>Illmatic</i> album ushered in a new era of hip hop albums by featuring multiple producers on the instant classic. Nas unintentionally flipped the album creation process on it's head by inviting numerous chefs into the kitchen to stir the pot. And ironically, this was all due to the fluke that Large Professor was unavailable to (executive) produce the album with Nas!<sup>1</sup> So for the next 23 years the biggest names and album releases in hip hop have followed that formula with few exceptions. Yet, here again in 2017, Jay-Z and No I.D. could be leading the charge back to the classic formula of one emcee and one producer sharing a vision for an album, in its entirety.<br />
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I'm excited about the possibilities! Imagine the depth and breadth of sound that we could hear from the biggest names out right now, both emcee and producer, if they had to truly collaborate instead of merely donate. Future and Metro Boomin', Drake and 40, J. Cole and...uh, whoever. Even Kendrick Lamar! It's documented on this blog that I'm no Kendrick fan but I readily admit that Kendrick knows how to put together a damn album - no pun. So what sort of spectacle would Kendrick Lamar create if he had only 1 producer to bring his album vision to life! How would they push each other, feed off of each other?<br />
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But don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the many chefs that once contributed to the soup of an album. And irregardless [sic] if a lot of chefs didn't spoil the soup, how much better could the soup have been with only 1 chef stirring the pot?<br />
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Shout out to DJ Charlie<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/how-nas-illmatic-ruined-hip-hop">How Nas' Illmatic Ruined Hip Hop</a></li>
</ol>
Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-41926054998142218722017-07-09T04:00:00.000-07:002017-07-09T12:44:56.856-07:00Album Review: 4:44 (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4HZnr5nIFFI/WWBrHdWqYNI/AAAAAAAADYA/UCX2VvVUwVYft4s3XgGkD3cGle-htyjVQCLcBGAs/s1600/444-cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4HZnr5nIFFI/WWBrHdWqYNI/AAAAAAAADYA/UCX2VvVUwVYft4s3XgGkD3cGle-htyjVQCLcBGAs/s320/444-cover.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh great, another Jay-Z 4:44 album review! Not so fast, this is something much, much worse. This is me (over) analyzing an artist's work to make a very subjective point.<br />
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Jay-Z's latest effort, 4:44, struck a chord within me that I've alluded to in a previous post, <a href="http://www.steveandj.tv/2016/09/steves-top-5-esoteric-songs-albums.html" target="_blank">Steve's Top 5 Esoteric Songs & Albums</a>, where I proposed that Nirvana's song, <i>Heart Shaped Box</i>, was about Kurt Cobain's Anima possession.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eve; the reflection of a man's relationship to his mother</td></tr>
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But, first, what's an Anima<sup>1</sup>? And how can it "possess" you? Let me answer the easy question first: "possession" in analytical psychology just means something that you're hung up on; a 'complex', so to speak. Now for the harder question, pioneered by psychologist Carl Jung, an archetype<sup>2</sup> is an unconscious concept shared by humanity. And the Anima/Animus archetypes are counter-energies within a person that can mature along with that individual's psyche. The Anima represents the Yin to the Yang or the balancing feminine energy to the dominant masculine energy within men - nothing to do with sexual orientation cause we're all adults, right? Likewise, for women, the Animus represents the balancing masculine energy to their dominant feminine energy within them. Jung identified four major stages of development for the Anima/Animus archetype - Eve, Helen, Mary, Sophia for the males' Anima.<br />
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I'm losing you, I can tell, but just hold tight and let's work our way to Jay-Z through Kurt Cobain and Drake, first.<br />
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In Heart Shaped <strike>Coffin </strike>Box, Cobain sings:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I've been locked inside your heart-shaped box for weeks</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I've been drawn into your magnetar pit trap</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn [back]</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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Kurt Cobain was a Pisces and Courtney Love is a Cancer. So if Pisces and Cancer are Cobain's metaphors for himself and Love then it seemed more/less odd to me that he would address Love in 2nd person with "your" AND refer to her as a Cancer in 3rd person in the very same line. I believe he's getting at something bigger than just Courtney Love's "box" as seen in the next verse:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Meat-eating orchids forgive no one just yet</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Cut myself on angel hair and baby's breath</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Broken hymen of your Highness, I'm left back</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Throw down your umbilical noose so I can climb right back</blockquote>
</blockquote>
Cobain is heavy on the juxtaposing feminine symbols and pain - meat eating orchids, umbilical noose, sharp angel hair. And the term "umbilical" is uniquely maternal to which insight into Cobain's early home life sheds even more light on these references. Cobain's parents divorced when he was 9 years old and in his own words the divorce had a profound effect on his life as his mother would eventually give up full custody of him to his father<sup>3</sup>.<br />
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So, if Cobain isn't addressing Courtney Love with the "your's" then who or <i>what</i> is he talking to? I believe he's unconsciously addressing his Anima archetype which would fully encapsulate both Courtney Love and his mother. This would lend to <i>Heart Shaped Box</i> being about Cobain's attachment issues with his mother affecting his romantic relationships. Jung dubbed this stage of Anima development as Eve due to a boy's relationship to his mother/mother figure being his very first encounter with the feminine energy.<br />
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I'm almost to Jay-Z but quickly, how would an artist sound if, instead, he was fixated on his own physical desires? Well, that artist would sound like Drake as desire is the next phase of Anima development, Helen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleopatra (Helen); the reflection of a man's desires</td></tr>
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The women in Drake's music have been mostly nameless and faceless figures from his past that he once projected his idea of the perfect woman onto, with the exception of naming Courtney from Hooters on Peachtree - leave those Courtney's alone! But those relationships didn't work out and Drake has made a career of longing for The One. However, Drake does give names and faces to women he is currently projecting his idea of the perfect woman onto - Maliah Michael, Nikki Minaj, Serena Williams, and Rihanna. Drake is being driven by his own physical desires in search of his ideal woman. In contrast to Kurt Cobain, Drake is no longer focused on his attachment to his mother like Cobain's "umbilical noose". Instead, Drake keeps that maternal connection in check as heard on tracks like <i>Look What You've Done</i> and <i>You & The 6 </i>where he honors his relationship with his mother but heeds or discards her insight as he sees fit.<br />
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So what does all of this have to do with Jay-Z and 4:44? Well, let's go straight to the title track of the album, <i>4:44</i>. </div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Look, I apologize, often womanize</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Took for my child to be born</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
See through a woman's eyes</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
...</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I apologize to all the women whom I</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Toyed with your emotions because I was emotionless</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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This goes beyond Jay-Z attempting to right a wrong. He has an entirely new perspective of women through his wife, Beyonce, and their marriage. Furthermore, he's more embarrassed with the version of himself that made those decision than the actual decisions themselves. 'When you know better, you do better', right? Well, Jay-Z just didn't know better back then and he's saying "how could I have been so stupid?".</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I suck at love, I think I need a do-over</blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNW0R9bzgrs/WWCACb9J4jI/AAAAAAAADYQ/ocsQkLpykR8ZU3EiwIQcSCrF_PPEE4WLQCLcBGAs/s1600/Vilna%2Bblack%2Bmadonnas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="370" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNW0R9bzgrs/WWCACb9J4jI/AAAAAAAADYQ/ocsQkLpykR8ZU3EiwIQcSCrF_PPEE4WLQCLcBGAs/s320/Vilna%2Bblack%2Bmadonnas.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Madonna (Mary); the birth of your Self</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Now, you could make the point that not every man has to almost lose his marriage to realize his wife's worth and to which I'd say 'True'. But every man that values his wife doesn't necessarily do so with the conscious introspection that Jay-Z now has and the <i>Kill Jay Z</i> track is testament to that. And no, that's not a pass for his infidelity but that <i>is</i> how he learned the true value of his marriage with Beyonce.</div>
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So where does Jay-Z fit in the Anima concept of analytical psychology? Beyond maternal attachments and physical desires lies a form of the Anima that Jung dubbed "Mary", as in the mother of Jesus, in which a man can view women independently of his own notions. At this stage, a man has learned to harness his own internal feminine energy instead of being externally driven to it by overly focusing on his [non]attachment to his mother (Eve; nurture) or his own physical desires (Helen; carnal needs).</div>
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So for the 4:44 album as a whole, Jay-Z offers up something I haven't heard in his music: a new perspective. I wanted to quote lines but felt that they lost impact apart from the song. <i>The Story of O.J.</i>, <i>Smile</i>, <i>Family Feud</i>, and <i>Legacy </i>are songs where Jay-Z wants you to step back and see a bigger picture and offers up points that are rarely heard in hip hop about finances, community, and same-sex love - a big no no in the homophobic Black community and rap music industry. But he could only be this transparent by having already looked deep within himself, "Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." – Carl Jung<br />
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And there's my subjective point: Jay-Z has navigated the individuation<sup>4</sup> process to the point that he's truly woke. So it's not #StayWoke, it's #GetWoke. Something that a 20th century psychologist has been urging us to do for over 100 years. Eat your heart out, #BlackTwitter.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GkRpfuu_P2w/WWCArle4TAI/AAAAAAAADYY/LxzYuBSDz5gPMFK_LpG7Br6OE91jijmJgCLcBGAs/s1600/beyonce-grammys-performance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="630" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GkRpfuu_P2w/WWCArle4TAI/AAAAAAAADYY/LxzYuBSDz5gPMFK_LpG7Br6OE91jijmJgCLcBGAs/s320/beyonce-grammys-performance.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Madonna or nah? See What She Did There.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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If you made it this far then thank you for reading the ramblings of a mad man who's thought way too hard for too long about this. Here's some links if you want to dig deeper into this aspect of psychology:<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="https://thirdeve.com/2007/11/01/the-anima/">Anima</a><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anima_and_animus#Levels_of_anima_development">Anima 2 (wiki page)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archetype">Archetypes (wiki page)</a><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wywUQc-4Opk">Archetypes (YouTube video)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Cobain#Early_life">Kurt Cobain's Early Life (wiki page)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individuation#Carl_Jung">Individuation via Carl Jung (wiki page)</a></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-17215027120456316582017-06-26T09:00:00.000-07:002017-06-26T13:58:22.000-07:00Movie Review: Transformers - The Last Knight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before I dive too deep into this review allow me to say that if you or your child is only familiar with the live action Transformers movies then completely disregard this review because all is right, from your perspective. But to the many Generation X'ers, Millennials, or anyone familiar with the Transformers: Generation 1 cartoon and beyond, we literally had our hearts ripped out while watching Transformers over the years and The Last Knight was the last straw for me. The Transformers cinematic universe has just been flipped on its head and the next movie could either be the life or death of the franchise - if it isn't already too late. I now see why J didn't want to make this review as the tears are still fresh in my eyes as I type.<br />
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Ironically, from the very first live action Transformers, I attempted to witness to many jaded Generation 1 fans that the new movies were cool and didn't shake things up too much. But as the series transitioned from Witwicky to Yaeger it went the way of the Resident Evil series and began to wonder aimlessly for, well, substance. I know some people would stop me here and say 'well wuddabout Fast & Furious?'. At least there's an immediate point to each Fast & Furious movie without it being the end of the world every.single.time. To put it another way, saving today goes a lot further than saving tomorrow for a series' longevity.<br />
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Despite the very bad scripted comedy and Transformers looking too human-like in the face, my two biggest gripes with the series is 1) balance: how strong/weak should the Autobots vs the Decepticons or humans vs Transformers, in general and 2) background: what's the point of it all?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KLip_0-b4L0/WVEr8QbSZXI/AAAAAAAADO4/oyBk81BnACkR0bFOVTRnN1wt-8E8P5EZQCLcBGAs/s1600/632625318_preview_dumpster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="402" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KLip_0-b4L0/WVEr8QbSZXI/AAAAAAAADO4/oyBk81BnACkR0bFOVTRnN1wt-8E8P5EZQCLcBGAs/s320/632625318_preview_dumpster.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alternate Transformers: The Last Knight poster</td></tr>
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While the balance aspect has worked itself out there's still no point to it all after 5 movies. Five. The human role in the Transformer Universe has never been clearly defined other than bad comedy - humans have no real purpose in the Autobot/Decepticon war. But wait, Steve, they're on Earth and humans live on Earth! So what? The vague theme over the run of the series has been "home". The Transformers' home planet of Cybertron has been lost and now humans run the risk of losing their home, Earth. Somewhere in there lies the biggest missed opportunity for the Transformers story - to imagine an Earth with little or no human population as the Transformers new home. But no, Cybertron just won't go away which has made saving tomorrow (or Cybertron) just boring after 5 movies.<br />
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Having no point is how writers stretch to tie Transformers to different ages such as Ancient Egypt and Medieval times. Having no point is how Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) supposedly comes from a lineage of Transformer guardians that wasn't mentioned for 5 movies. Having no point is how Cade Yaeger (Mark Walberg) is "the last knight" with an artifact that does absolutely nothing in the war between Autobots and Decepticons. And, finally, having no point is how big names like Devastator, Galvatron, Nemesis Prime, and Unicron get taken in vain by script writers. (Remember, Devastator was in Transformers as a tank then resurrected in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen) Now, the story writers have made a bed that they have to lay in by introducing Unicron when all other elements of the Unicron storyline have already been introduced and forgotten in previous movies. Any rational person would say that this is an opportunity for the writers to create a fresh, new story. But fans are not rational, fans are rabid and I'm foaming at the mouth for blood. Steven Spielberg blood.<br />
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Primus help us all.<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-111419010979217522017-06-05T04:00:00.000-07:002017-06-05T06:25:05.878-07:00Movie Review: Wonder Woman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) aka Wonder Woman blazed into theaters Friday and kicked ass. From machine gun smashing to the $100 million debut, Wonder Woman [insert 'wonder' pun] on and off the screen and it's a pretty big deal.<br />
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Wonder Woman had been in Hollywood's limbo for years because minority lead characters (and directors, shout-out Patty Jenkins) that are women, black or gay, etc are risqué investments in the white male dominated superhero genre. And to add insult to that injury, the fact that those non-traditional factors are played up in a movie's success or failure is, well, rather f*cked up.<br />
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Anyways!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana would totally kick his ass.</td></tr>
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<i>Wonder Woman</i> is everything I'd expect from DC Films because, let's face it, DC <i>writes </i>better movies than Marvel Studios. Please debate me. While the screenplay wasn't of <i>The Dark Knight</i> or <i>Watchmen </i> proportions, it didn't wander aimlessly in the middle of the movie where Marvel always manages to let me down - especially with origin movies. And please also debate me on the fact that Wonder Woman is a better match for Goku than Superman. Proof? Wonder Woman went full on SSJ1 with "pain of loss". And if I just lost you with that last part then that only means that you have a normal life doing outside things instead of staying inside to binge watch Dragonball Z on a bright, nice day. But my point is that Diana Prince has no knowledge of her limitations, if she has any, unlike Superboy who has kryptonite and knows it. And this is the tidbit that has me convinced Wonder Woman will steal the show in the upcoming <i>Justice League </i>movie.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana, Princess of Themyscira</td></tr>
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Speaking of the <i>Justice League</i>, hopefully DC Films can keep this momentum going into November with the movie going public for the Justice League movie. And without Superman to start off, I'm pretty sure the League will fair just fine with Wonder Woman on the team.<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-16366400553632284332017-04-24T04:00:00.000-07:002017-04-24T06:38:55.946-07:00Album Review: DAMN.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Kendrick Lamar dropped his 4th major release, DAMN., on Good Friday - shout out to my Facebook timeline. Admittedly, Kendrick Lamar is the best MC in the game right now...but I am not a fan so my music library rolled into Good Saturday short on 1 Kendrick Lamar album.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>#Ducks<br />
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Whoa, wait! Now, I'd still bump some tracks on repeat like Swimming Pools (Drank), Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe (Remix), Alright, King Kunta. But they're at the very bottom of my playlist after running through Killah Priest, Spark Master Tape, Cousin Stizz, KiD CuDi, and even Drake. And those aren't comparisons, or even rankings, just the vibe I like to catch that Kendrick just doesn't capture for me. And then Kendrick dropped 'HUMBLE.' and it was hot garbage. Trash.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last time it was cool to tell b*tches and h*es "sit down".</td></tr>
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But, at the urging of my Facebook timeline, I gave 'DAMN.' a chance and, well, DAMN! This is the 1st Kendrick album that I've actually listened to more than twice. Let J tell it, I like "cerebral" music and 'DAMN.' just puts me inside Kendrick's head while 'good kid...mad city' and 'To Pimp A Butterfly' only put me in Kendrick's experiences.<br />
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I mean, I could sit here and quote lines to you that you already know from songs that you already repeat or just simply say that 'DAMN.' <i>felt </i>good! Albums like this is what I listen to while on the bike on a bright, sunny day. Or in the car with the windows down, sweating at the stop light while letting everybody hear all that sauce . Right now I'd say it's already the soundtrack of the summer and probably Album of the Year. Then to boot, 'DAMN.''s production felt like it had a Dungeon Family/Organized Noize feel to it at times. And I just knew that Andre 3000 was going to have a feature on the track, PRIDE.<br />
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HUMBLE. is still garbage, tho.<br />
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And what's better than an old school rocker/new school rapper collab a la 'XXX.'? Plus, has Kendrick taken his subliminal rap beef with Drake to another level? Is 'God.' a lowkey Drake shot? Is the Rihianna feature a lowkey Drake curve? (And since we can't call him black no more) Is melanated Israelite the new Hotep? Is #MakeItLookSexy the new challenge? Next time on Dragonball Z...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deluxe Edition cover of DAMN.</td></tr>
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I'm glad I gave this album a go because the 3rd time's a charm, right? Well, Kendrick hit a homerun with 2 strikes against him, in my book (I never checked out Section 80, life goes on).<br />
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Did I mention that 'HUMBLE.' is hot garbage?<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-56973593450647504392017-03-27T07:00:00.000-07:002017-03-27T07:00:01.883-07:00Movie Review - Steve's Take: Power Rangers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you missed J's review of Power Rangers, be sure to check it out <a href="http://www.steveandj.tv/2017/03/power-rangers-mature-take-not-for-young.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I was able to watch the movie Sunday and, well, here are my thoughts.<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-46407948649178558732017-03-24T09:01:00.001-07:002017-03-24T09:01:34.023-07:00Power Rangers: A Mature Take - Not for Young Kids<br />
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<img alt="Image result for power rangers 2017" class="irc_mi" height="393" src="http://cdn-static.denofgeek.com/sites/denofgeek/files/power-rangers-2017_589.jpeg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="605" />Before I get started, I want to go on record as saying; this rendition of the Power Rangers is not intended for small children. This one is for fans of the original series that debuted in the mid 90s - Think Christian Bale's Batman versus Adam West's - two different things. So if your kid is bugging you and wants to wear his or her costume to the movie - don't do it without screening it first. Now, on the the review.</div>
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The Power Rangers tells a darker more grittier origin story of the original "human" Rangers and how they came to be. The opening scene sets the tone as Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks) and Zordon (Brian Cranston) are introduced. It's at this moment you can gauge the visual of the movie and determine if you want your kids to continue.<br />
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The story flows as one would expect for an origins movie. The most notable thing is each character is working through some form of a social or personal flaw that limits his or her ability to easily fit within the team. As an adult many of their grips seem superfluous and a bit over-embellished such as the attractive cheerleader that suddenly is alienated by the other cheerleaders for reasons unknown. Just suck it up, they hate you cause they ain't you.<br />
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Humor abounds in this movie and I must say it comes along at the most appropriate times. We have Billy (RJ Cyler) the Blue Ranger to thank for the humor. His character is "on the spectrum" but is high functioning, a character trait that provides a great backdrop as his comments are always genuine and result in great laughs. He says what he thinks for better or worse.<br />
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The visuals in the movie are top notch and give us a take on the rangers that makes the spandex suits of the 90s look like... well the spandex suits of the 90s. The character models are a mixture of Tron Legacy with the Nolan Batman plated armor suit, resulting in a very impressive aesthetic. The only grip is, gamers and nerds alike will feel as though we've seen this design a million times - and we have. The Zords on the other hand did not impress much. Again, it felt like we had seen them before. Add in a lot of fast camera cuts and a limited capabilities and the Zords just don't make the cut. <br />
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The movie struggles in a few key areas: First, the initial meet up is rushed and defies logic as they (rangers) some how all end up in the same place at the same time in one of the most unlikely locations. Second, the movie suffers from what I call the Marvel Movie Middle, a condition where the middle section of the movie drags on for 30 minutes with no action, no major set pieces, nothing, just character development. For a movie that may pull in kids, this is a no-no, but then again, this reviewer is saying leave your kids under 10 at home for this one. Third, the buildup was a major disappointment. For all the training and character development that takes place the final battle just did not impress. They fought on foot, jumped in Zords, did some stuff that I won't describe (spoiler) then dipped out to the closing credits. For a kid dressed in a Halloween costume, this sucks and for a parent dropping dimes to get their young kids to this movie, it sucks even more!<br />
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As a fan of the first season and a half of the Power Rangers series, this movie is solid, even though I could have done without the Marvel Movie Middle. As for parents with kids begging to see this flick, screen it before you load up the SUV with all the kids in the neighborhood! If you think they can handle the profanity, a few butt shots, a baby oiled female in a two piece bikini and some really dark visuals, do what you do. Just be warned!<br />
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Oh and one last thing, the tail end of the movie and the post credit scenes more than make up for an extremely corny moment that takes place during the final battle. <br />
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-J<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-60364325158020534012017-03-07T21:25:00.000-08:002017-03-07T21:29:10.254-08:00Kong Skull Island Movie Review: Kong is More Than King<br />
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Kong: Skull Island is a visual masterpiece. Now, I'm sure this has been said before with other flicks, but when I think back to the stop motion King Kong movies that were made before my arrival to earth and how far technology has advanced, this movie is a marvel to behold. It was 2003 (14 years ago) that Hulk raised the bar on placing a CG character into scenes with live actors (Recognizing Jurassic Park as the OG of the bunch). Fast forward a few years and movies like Transformers and Avatar simply changed the game and challenged viewers to spot the difference between flesh and blood and ones and zeros. Kong is without a doubt something beyond any of my previous examples.<br />
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As of now, Kong is the King.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The story unfolds as Bill Randa (John Goodman) and Houston Brooks (Corey Hawkins) are making a pitch to round up some troops, still itching for action, to visit a remote island to conduct research. The round up of merry men and a few women include a photographer Mason Weaver (Brie Larson), a tracker/super survivalist James (Tom Hiddleston), and of course every one's favorite profanity professional Samuel L. Jackson (Preston Packard). Notice any oddities in the casting?<br />
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Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts knew exactly what we all wanted to see. A big ass Gorilla cutting up in the jungle and boy did that happen. From the outset, Kong is a force to be reckoned with. His eyes, his strength, his pure rage was on full display and before viewers realize it, they are connected to this abnormality in a way that is a bit unexpected. The CG places him perfectly in his environment and makes it difficult to discern real from fake thus making the movie going experience more immersive.<br />
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If setting the movie just after Vietnam wasn't a jab at the fragility of life, setting the story on Skull Island definitely set the record straight. If you think everything in Texas is big, check out your boy Kong and let me know how you really feel. Not a single human was a match for the environment and filled every moment with peril; just when you relax something new deadly is introduced that makes you say, they should have phoned it in.<br />
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With the exception of a bit of predictability thanks to foreshadowing and a few obvious, that's going to be a problem moments, the story and pacing are solid. Kong isn't just a big ol' meanie. He actually has a legit gripe and some common sense and it all actually makes sense. So if there is an underlying them to this movie it is, use some common sense people. Especially when the writing is clearly on the wall. <br />
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The action pieces were epic! Michael Bay [Transformers] could learn a thing or two about framing CG action so viewers can appreciate the character models. When Kong started to rumble in the jungle, there was absolutely no way Alonzo [Training Day] had shit on him. <br />
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Skull Island was a place of beauty and death all rolled in to one and it set the tone for the visuals as Kong was a visual marvel and packed quite the punch. This movie is a must see. Also, hang around for the post credit scenes, you won't be disappointed.<br />
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Final Thoughts:<br />
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<li>This is the King Kong we were meant to see.</li>
<li>Technology is simply amazing. </li>
<li>This movie would make for an awesome survival video game. I'm thinking open-world island with the ability to switch between Kong and human characters. It could work. You read it here first.</li>
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-J<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-41700013607720167742017-02-23T09:42:00.003-08:002017-02-23T10:33:29.015-08:00Movie Review: Get Out does thrillers right<div dir="ltr">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrUdcpZH-z8/WK8eybD-OwI/AAAAAAAAP8Y/Dpa7tz_tVWcpwej6VpWMSH8U-aY8MGUtACK4B/s1600/Get%2BOut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrUdcpZH-z8/WK8eybD-OwI/AAAAAAAAP8Y/Dpa7tz_tVWcpwej6VpWMSH8U-aY8MGUtACK4B/s400/Get%2BOut.jpg" width="251" /></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So let's cut to the chase. Go see Get Out! Now to the review.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Get Out is a very well-constructed psychological thriller that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Following a brief intro scene that sets the ominous tone of the movie the story starts with an interracial couple Chris and Rose played by Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams having pillow talk and planning a weekend trip to visit her family who happen to be white but very open to diversity; much to Chris's pessimism. Race is immediately introduced as a central theme in this movie and quickly rears its ugly head following an incident on the highway involving a police officer. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once the two reach her family's secluded home all appears well and events unfold as Rose said they would. Chris gets pulled into a tour highlighting culturally significant artifacts from around the globe and awkward statements on race, learns her mother is a psychiatrist specializing in hypnosis, and meets her nutty ass brother. Thanks to Rose's preparation Chris plays it cool and survives the afternoon. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The movie is heavy in foreshadowing almost from the beginning and that actually adds to the fun as Chris is a character shrouded in common sense. Because of this Chris and the audience become one as we see the same shit he sees and share similar reactions. By his second day with Rose's family both the audience, Chris and his homeboy Rod (comedian Lil Rel) are saying get the hell out. Unfortunately it is no easy task as more truths are revealed and Chris realizes the gravity of his situation. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The script is genius and has little to no plot holes. In fact it is grounded in common sense which makes the movie more enjoyable. For example, when Rose's nutty ass brother Jeremy is introduced Chris immediately goes on the defensive when he attempts to demonstrate a martial arts move on him. In lesser movies this moment may have come off awkward or even campy but Chris did what most sane adults would do and nicely told Jeremey I'm not the one (I'm paraphrasing here) - nicely enough that Jeremy got the message and swallowed a chill pill.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Speaking of Jeremy, imagine if the Joker took a night off to kick it at home with his family to meet big sis' new black boyfriend, share funny family stories, and debate the effectiveness of Juijitsu... pretty terrifying if you think about it. His eyes said he was a problem and Chris knew it as quickly as the audience did, but not to what extent.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The writers did a great job with reveals which seemed more effective than a traditional single plot twist. Again, a connected common sense was the real theme here. Each reveal wasn't a huge dramatic event and did not disrupt the pace of the storytelling once Chris knew he was in a jam. Each reveal was satisfying and seemed organic - nothing felt forced and it was gratifying that Chris' instincts aligned with the audience's. It felt interactive and appropriate for a movie with themes such as hypnosis and being along for the ride. Get Out felt like the love child of a video game and Being John Malcavich.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having only been recently introduced to Kaluuya in the Netflix series Black Mirror, it is evident he has a lot to offer as an actor. Williams on the other hand was convincing and would definitely make the cut if I was to take a white woman home to meet my family. The Armitage parents played by Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford went from cool to creepy to sinister real quick and yes...Chris was paying attention. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the end this movie is wildly entertaining and definitely worth spending your hard earned date money on. Just be sure to take good notes in case you ever end up in an interracial relationship. Ask yourself what would Chris do if shit gets real because I wouldn't want you going off for the weekend and being hypnotized into becoming a sex slave. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-J</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-48725152192335708332017-02-07T21:28:00.002-08:002017-02-07T21:28:52.436-08:00Movie Review: John Wick Chapter 2<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quW1wGUnZcw/WJqrhzG5OoI/AAAAAAAAPcA/dGQ0RASjXtwdAmJ0zYrdTStGEUUTWCp1ACK4B/s1600/johnwick2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quW1wGUnZcw/WJqrhzG5OoI/AAAAAAAAPcA/dGQ0RASjXtwdAmJ0zYrdTStGEUUTWCp1ACK4B/s320/johnwick2.jpg" width="208" /></a><br /><br />Before I begin this review of John Wick Chapter 2 I have a confession. I did not watch the original John Wick until it made it to Blu-Ray. I guess I had seen enough of Keanu Reeves wearing a court suite and fighting waves of minions. When I first saw the original trailer for the first installment, my conditioned thinking wouldn't allow me to spend date night money on a movie I felt like I had seen before. Obviously, my perspective changed after the first 10 minutes on my sectional.<br />
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Fast forward to this winter when I got my first glimpse of the Chapter 2 trailer and I knew I would not repeat the failure of my past with this character.<br />
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For the uninitiated John Wick is a highly skilled assassin deadly with anything from a number two pencil to most small arms. To the hitman community he is known as the Boogeyman due to his ability to get the job done - often in ways that seem supernatural. He is fond of dogs, really likes his car, and just wants to live the quiet life of a retired contract killer. Unfortunately, there are a few skeletons in his closet that call him to action.<br />
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This second installment opens with what I'd like to call a re-re-introduction to the lead character. Everyone's stereotypical bad guy Peter Stormare (Abram) has found himself in possession of something near and dear to Mr. Wick and it is here that the audience is subjected to some basic setup for a back story. This opening sequence jumps right to action and helps the viewer get quickly reacquainted with our good friend Jonathan. <br />
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Following the opening sequence the story jumps right into the primary conflict the protagonist faces. A retired John is forced to make a decision with dire consequences regardless of what he chooses to do. Unfortunately the one presenting him with the challenge, Santino D'Antonio played by Riccardo Scamarico, has no idea the amount of crazy he has unleashed when he gives Wick a little push. <br />
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Once things get rolling for John the movie does not disappoint. Staying true to the original John Wick, the action is frenetic and bloody. John's hand-to-hand skills still don't put enemies down quickly (he eventually gets the best of his bare knuckle foes), but as soon as that boy grabs a gun - we're talking video game style killing streaks with amazing gun katas, and cringe worthy head shots. <br />
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Thankfully, there isn't a ton of dialogue in the movie as the writers know what John Wick is all about - that action. They even play around loosely with captions and graphics for key dialogue moments. The graphics are used more as a gag, but due to the dark nature of the character and all the killing, it actually works well and provides a few laughs to break up the parade of death. The writers take the captions a step further with Ruby Rose's character Ares who is mute (from all indications) and uses sign language to communicate. Rose's silence proves to be golden for her as it makes her more badass and helps build up anticipation for her eventual scuffle with good ole' John.<br />
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<a 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" 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href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>The rapper turned actor Common also pops up as opposition for Wick and lets just say he raised his stock as an action actor to a new level. These two definitely make the movie entertaining and due to interesting turns of events, you get a lot of them going at it. Their attempts at killing each other are epic; even providing a few laughs throughout the middle of the film. <br />
<br />
Wick's background is relatively transparent but there was a subtle darkness to a few other supporting characters such as Lance Reddick's Charon, the concierge at the Continental and the Bowery King played by Laurence Fishburn. Future films may reveal more of their pasts and how they tie into a much larger organization or reveal multiple assassin circles. <br />
<br />
This movie is definitely a must see if you are a fan of gunplay, Ruby Rose, and dogs. Don't make the mistake I made with the original John Wick. Grab a ticket and enjoy this one at a local theater.<br />
<br />
Final Thoughts:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Who said it was the pen that was mightier than the sword? That was definitely an alternate fact.</li>
<li>I sat a few seats down from a dude with dredlocks that could not keep his mouth shut about how fine he thought Ruby Rose was. After about her 3rd pop-up on screen I think he conditioned everyone in the theater to feel the same to the point where we all believed her butt shot felt natural and was key to driving the story. </li>
<li>Glad to see John Wick is a responsible dog owner, but there is no way he walks in a public park with a Pit Bull off leash.</li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-57185764213150840102017-01-01T10:00:00.000-08:002017-01-01T10:32:49.265-08:00R.I.P. 2016 (2016 - 2016)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rgdwdzphTGA/WGk1ibBgrwI/AAAAAAAACgM/Tehtv9lPW94m1PswHVk9b_nOhsyr-QZpACLcB/s1600/2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rgdwdzphTGA/WGk1ibBgrwI/AAAAAAAACgM/Tehtv9lPW94m1PswHVk9b_nOhsyr-QZpACLcB/s320/2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I got something to tell y'all.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You won't believe me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I killed 2016 last night!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's right!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I shot it dead!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One in its head, One in its heart!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tore its fucking days apart!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I killed 2016 last night!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I knew that was it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cause when it came in my room it had a grin.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And on its neck and its face,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Was white and black and yellow and brown and red skin.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It had a bad white suit, it offered me a fruit,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And its pockets was bulging with a lot of loot.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I told it, 'I've been looking for you!'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I swear to God y'all</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All this is true,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I killed 2016 last night!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I shot it cold blooded</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It looked at me, its eyes flooded</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's gone y'all,<br />
Dead.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2016 no longer exists!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know my failures are pissed!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now we can get along and everything should be cool</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All the missteps are all confused, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They don't know what to do,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cause I killed 2016 last night!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did it for Marcus!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did it for Malcolm, Martin and Marvin!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did it for all God's sons!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And His daughters!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm the author,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I killed 2016 last night!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was never scared of its punk ass anyways.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm from the South! Georgia born and Georgia raised!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I shot it cause it's a hater,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This morning, I woke up and knocked on the door of my neighbors.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I told'em I killed 2016 last night!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tell the press, the F.B.I. and the cops, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh yeah, 2016's right up stairs in my room on the floor shot!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tell those christians and those sinners they can go to heaven!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I used my weapon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's gone for good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm just tryna clean up my neighborhood.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I killed 2016 last night!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dragged 2016 by its horns,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My thoughts are nuclear, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My mind is an atomic bomb.</div>
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I am the Bible covered by the Quran.</div>
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Kill '16, Yeah I did it, I'll admit it!</div>
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It was nothing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it was frontin'.</div>
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2016 has no power except what we give it, ourselves.</div>
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And ourselves we devour, again it has no powers.</div>
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I did it and you could too!</div>
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Just look for it,</div>
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Don't run from it, just do like I do!</div>
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Stare it in its face, </div>
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Face to face,</div>
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Let's go!</div>
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Toe to toe!<br />
Blow for blow!</div>
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You can't hurt me no more!</div>
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The Old, you gots to go!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Get out old 2016!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm almighty the king, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The author of light,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The warrior with wings, </div>
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Bearer of the cross and the light,</div>
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The rock, the faith, the judge of the living and dead!</div>
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Man from heaven, </div>
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Over hell I tread!</div>
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My angels sing!</div>
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Last night I killed 2016!</div>
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<br /></div>
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No lie, it don't exists no more!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So you do whatever you want!</div>
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You can achieve any goal you want!</div>
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You'll get that brand new car!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can go into the ether zones!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can beam yourself up! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2016 is gone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I killed it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/FfGbg3IIL0M" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I Killed 2016 Last Night</span></b></a></div>
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-2062609527041902552016-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:002016-12-31T06:00:17.941-08:00Year Review: Favorite things of 2016While some people can't wait for 2016 to #GTFOH, if you're reading this then you're blessed to still be alive. So as 2017 dawns upon us, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on a few of my favorite things at Steve and J from 2016:<br />
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5) <a class="OYKEW4D-e-i" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3855268785140890600#editor/target=post;postID=4361582038845811471;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=30;src=postname" style="border: 0px; color: #00838f; display: inline-block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: auto;">Album Review: Silhouette Of A Sunkken City</a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqG5sK33t9Q/VxWmVSVKL5I/AAAAAAAABsU/TmwvigpGMEYQ5VDkyAMdUM21bRbpOWcigCPcB/s1600/12983460_861816577298232_5784381440462589240_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqG5sK33t9Q/VxWmVSVKL5I/AAAAAAAABsU/TmwvigpGMEYQ5VDkyAMdUM21bRbpOWcigCPcB/s320/12983460_861816577298232_5784381440462589240_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2016 was the year of Trap Music...or is it Mumble Rap now? Any who, Gucci was out of jail, 21 Savage was stunting on his ex b*tch, and sending an unsolicited Friend Request to just ONE woman living in Georgia entitled you to boast having "broads in Atlanta". To everyone that says Rap/Hip Hop has lost its way, I'm here to tell you that you aren't looking (listening?) hard enough.</div>
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4) <a class="OYKEW4D-e-i" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3855268785140890600#editor/target=post;postID=7762361973555047760;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=18;src=postname" style="border: 0px; color: #00838f; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: auto;">VOLTRON Week</a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNbZNiMpSoA/V1ERe1UFGWI/AAAAAAAAB00/HgiAjg0a2TwCEBlRlzodHAwVtB6HBAMcgCPcB/s1600/voltron-feture-1-nf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNbZNiMpSoA/V1ERe1UFGWI/AAAAAAAAB00/HgiAjg0a2TwCEBlRlzodHAwVtB6HBAMcgCPcB/s320/voltron-feture-1-nf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If I had to choose between the most anticipated Netflix offerings of 2016: A) Dare Devil Season 2, B) Luke Cage Season 1, and C) The Get Down then I choose D. Create the G-Child? No! Voltron's reboot on Netflix. By the way, if you missed the reference then you're not cool enough for this blog. Oh, don't go Googling now!</div>
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3) <a class="OYKEW4D-e-i" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3855268785140890600#editor/target=post;postID=2430759424453557301;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=5;src=postname" style="border: 0px; color: #00838f; display: inline-block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: auto;">Kevin Hart: What Now? Movie Review</a><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-civP3OcFCDo/WGeoZasNwCI/AAAAAAAACf8/LlOxxmH46xIc7qlRfi5o2z6_4fjdahiBgCLcB/s1600/postersdb_kevin_hart_what_now_poster_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-civP3OcFCDo/WGeoZasNwCI/AAAAAAAACf8/LlOxxmH46xIc7qlRfi5o2z6_4fjdahiBgCLcB/s320/postersdb_kevin_hart_what_now_poster_2.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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I hope you 'laughed now' because a lot of people were crying later in the year. Here's to one of 2016's biggest smiles before, well, you know...</div>
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2) <a class="OYKEW4D-e-i" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3855268785140890600#editor/target=post;postID=1189494561278086511;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=12;src=postname" style="border: 0px; color: #00838f; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: auto;">Movie Review: The Purge - Election Year</a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nitkAuJEFrk/WGempJNLLoI/AAAAAAAACfw/_MgR4iRaZEwUzrOGzGeMvmhrDhUDU_KeQCLcB/s1600/file_749823_Purge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nitkAuJEFrk/WGempJNLLoI/AAAAAAAACfw/_MgR4iRaZEwUzrOGzGeMvmhrDhUDU_KeQCLcB/s320/file_749823_Purge1.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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Yeah, who thought that we'd be on the verge on living this, eh? Somewhere in middle-bum-f*ck-Egypt America there's a grown ass man eating Cheetos in soiled tighty whiteys with his sweaty thighs and arms sticking to a bean bag chair and thinking to himself, "Called it."</div>
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1) <a class="OYKEW4D-e-i" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3855268785140890600#editor/target=post;postID=234880285291953487;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=9;src=postname" style="border: 0px; color: #00838f; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: auto;">Album Review: Monda</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7HOEMdjKzE/V7Ey6HJ1CWI/AAAAAAAACH0/sQLdZYNH_5kSdofIhMzGtu2PPAZzEmaEQCPcB/s1600/monda.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7HOEMdjKzE/V7Ey6HJ1CWI/AAAAAAAACH0/sQLdZYNH_5kSdofIhMzGtu2PPAZzEmaEQCPcB/s320/monda.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin Stizz - Monda</td></tr>
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I'm embarrassed to tell you how much I love this tape because it's encroaching on d*ckriding territory. But trust me, I'm nowhere near the d*ckriding status (or as annoying) as J. Cole fans.</div>
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-76284589069132922812016-12-20T21:17:00.000-08:002016-12-20T21:17:11.898-08:00Movie Review: Why Him Feels Familiar<br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTEzOTM0MDg5MDNeQTJeQWpwZ15BbWU4MDE0MjYxMzkx._V1_UY1200_CR90,0,630,1200_AL_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for why him cast" border="0" class="irc_mi ij8D4HTTjrEQ-pQOPx8XEepE" height="397" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTEzOTM0MDg5MDNeQTJeQWpwZ15BbWU4MDE0MjYxMzkx._V1_UY1200_CR90,0,630,1200_AL_.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="208" /></a></div>
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Why Him feels familiar. Beautiful, wholesome girl brings uncouth social misfit boyfriend home to meet the family. Dad hates him then eventually they bond and they move on happily ever after. Am I making sense so far? If not, think Guess Who with Ashton Kutcher, the First House Party movie or the front door scene in Bad Boy's 2 when the guy came to pick up Marcus' daughter for a date. Oh, then throw in James Franco. </div>
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You pretty much get it. On the surface, the movie seems predictable. Fortunately, Why Him takes a few risks that work out well for the story. </div>
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Initially, I anticipated that the comedic elements would feel forced. Cedric the Entertainer is one of the first people we encounter in this flick and he clearly is not at his best in this film which left me wondering how stale the laughs would be. His character Lou is easily forgettable in this flick even though he is used to set the back story for the lead character. Thankfully, Walter White... I mean Ned (Brian Cranston) and his wife Barb (Megan Mullally) play two straight-laced parents with a penchant for sometimes loosening up a bit. <br />
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Franco plays tech mogul Laird Mayhew and is madly in love with Stephanie played by Zoey Deutch. Describing the character of Laird is simple - James Franco changed his name for the movie. <br />
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Although Franco is essentially type-casting himself in this movie it actually works. Mostly because despite his uncontrollable desire to impress Ned, he values truth and genuine interactions with people. Ultimately these strong character traits bring the two men to a point of understanding each other and their roles with Stephanie who happens to have a few surprises for her family.<br />
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Now back to the laughs. Opening with Cedric the Entertainer was hit and miss for me but casting Keegan-Michael Key as Laird's version of Alfred Pennyworth was genius. Gustav (Key) provides tone of well-time slapstick and comedic relief. Gustav only wants the best for Laird, and goes about supporting hi in some very interesting ways. <br />
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Although I was skeptical at first the story maintains a healthy balance of humor and relationship/family drama. Cranston is great as Ned and Mullally definitely cut loose a few times for some great laughs. Zoey Deutch is a cutie and wasn't too corny or predictable.<br />
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Final Thoughts:<br />
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<ul>
<li>This flick is worth the time and money. Check it out if you need some laughs in your life. Just bare with the writing for the opening scenes. After that, it's on!</li>
<li>James Franco has perfected being James Franco.</li>
<li>"Dragons and titties...BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" </li>
</ul>
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-91939129101579894622016-12-20T20:15:00.000-08:002016-12-21T22:39:36.163-08:00Movie Review: Passengers (2016) wait for it...<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTk4MjU3MDIzOF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMjM2MzY2MDI@._V1_UY1200_CR90,0,630,1200_AL_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for passengers 2016" border="0" class="irc_mi iE7gthkeWumg-pQOPx8XEepE" height="397" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTk4MjU3MDIzOF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMjM2MzY2MDI@._V1_UY1200_CR90,0,630,1200_AL_.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="208"></a>A few months ago, I saw the first trailer for what appeared to be a visually stunning science-fiction film starring Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. There was a space ship, hyper sleep, gravity defying action sequences and an ominous undertone that Pratt and Lawrence were in for a rough ride through the stars. With all of the visual stimulation the trailer showcased, I counted down the days until screening day. I'm a sucker for all films futuristic and science-fictiony. <br>
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The movie opens with very little setup as we are introduced to a giant ship traveling through space. As it travels, we get a good look at the technology it uses to propel and protect itself. Unfortunately an asteroid field gets the drop on this magnificent machine that somehow is unable to ward off the debris and sustains damage. Passing through the space rock triggers a series of events that ultimately awakens Jim Preston (Pratt) from hyper sleep only to find the rest of the ship's occupants are still knocked out. <br>
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Puzzled by his new circumstances he begins to explore the vessel seeking answers, but unfortunately the control room of the ship is closed off and protected by a door that only Batman can open. The only answers he receives early on come from an android bar tender named Arthur, whom he befriends. Through this friendship he learns that the ship is only about 40 years into it's 120 journey to a new colony on a distant planet. Whats worse is, although he's an engineer, he can't figure out how to return to hibernation so that he makes it to the new planet alive.<br>
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Although Preston has awaken early, the ship's guest services are fully functional. Well, sort of. It seems he couldn't be up sold and was quite comfortable with the economy package. So in a space travel kind of way he has to rough it for a year. Good for him Dance Dance Revolution is still around in the distant future.<br>
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Eventually all the time alone starts to chip away at him and he realizes he needs companionship.<br>
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I don't want to spoil the movie, but eventually his prayers are answered and boom, he now has a main space squeeze Aurora played by Jennifer Lawrence. And this is where the movie takes a turn I wasn't expecting. <br>
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The first half of the movie focuses solely on their friendship/relationship taking shape. It's cool and I guess makes you want to root for their success, but ultimately it's drawn out a little too long and made me check my watch a few times. They are the only two people awake on a space ship. They both know their fate if they can't return to hibernation and well, getting back to sleep probably isn't happening. So just Adam and Eve this thing and lets keep it moving.<br>
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As the two leads are busy courting each other and taking advantage of Aurora's frequent flyer miles trouble is brewing. Actually, it had been brewing for over two years, they just had no way of knowing. This is also where the "womp womp" moments begin.<br>
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The most captivating action pieces comes when the gravity drive goes haywire and the engine needs some attention. Fortunately Pratt's character is a mechanic - what were the odds?<br>
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In the end, I found this moving disappointing as the first half reminded me of slow-moving football game with neither team scoring. You just hope for a great half-time show and see if either team finally wakes up. Oddly enough that's exactly what happens in this movie, but I was left feeling like the second half performance was not worth the wait. <br>
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Here are my takeaways from Passengers:<br>
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<ul>
<li>I appreciated how much science was present in the movie regarding space travel. There is no warp speed here and they make it clear if you leave Earth bound for another planet say goodbye to friends and family.</li>
<li>I was bothered by the fact that the company that built the ship did not plan for emergency protocols. Several times it was mentioned that their technology doesn't fail. Really... That's how we are gonna roll in the future? </li>
<li>I'm guessing over the next thousand years humans are going to make some serious breakthroughs in birth control.</li>
<li>The math doesn't make sense. The ship contains 5,000 people. They are supposed to be awaken 4 months before arrival to the new planet. Aurora and Jim are awake for quite some time. Wouldn't food supplies, oxygen, water, etc run out eventually? </li>
<li>The ending was wack and not what I expected. In fact, the ending is what I was looking most forward to considering the movies various weak points. So when we finally reach the end of the story viewers are left with a very loose ending.</li>
<li>How hot is a red star? How hot is a fusion reactor? </li>
</ul>
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The movie provides great eye candy, but in the end, it's not enough. Redbox this one unless you just love all things Jennifer Lawrence or Chris Pratt. If you do decide to theater this one you should definitely catch the matinee and sneak your food in. </div>
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-J</div>
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-59344552260544988212016-10-14T15:30:00.001-07:002016-10-14T15:30:29.803-07:00Movie Review: Keeping Up with the Joneses<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b2/Keeping_Up_with_the_Joneses_(film).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for keeping up with the joneses" border="0" class="irc_mi iiguxpNmsXh4-pQOPx8XEepE" height="384" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b2/Keeping_Up_with_the_Joneses_(film).png" style="margin-top: 33px;" width="259" /></a><br />
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Keeping up with the Joneses is an action comedy/spy thriller that is wildly entertaining yet still has a bit of a dark side - meaning people die and somehow you can't help but laugh as it happens. It's four main characters are played by Zach Galifianakis, Isla Fisher, Gal Gadot and Jon Hamm and is set in a quaint suburban cul de sac somewhere in Atlanta, GA.<br />
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Galifianakis plays Jeff Gaffney, a straight-laced human resources administrator for a tech company. He and his wife Karen have just sent the kids off to summer camp and have no clue what to do in an empty house. All that changes when out of nowhere the house across the street is sold to buyers who have not so much as seen the house in person. Karen is intrigued by this and starts playing the role of nosey neighbor until one day she detects movement in front of the house. As she peers through the window, she sees a sexy and slender woman lock lips with a dashing man. <br />
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Without hesitation Karen breaks the ice with her new neighbors Tim and Natalie Jones, who at first seem normal despite telling amazing stories from their pasts. Initially the Gaffneys accept everything at face value until Karen notices some odd behaviors with her neighbors. Armed with motivation Karen sets out to discover the truth about her neighbors while trying to convince her aloof husband that something is peculiar with the newest members of their HOA.<br />
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As with every goofy movie neighbor who secretly prowls around someone's property searching for clues, someone always messes up and does something to alert the property owners of what's happening. This movie is no different except that the events unfold rather quickly and the tone of the movie takes a slightly darker turn, but still keeps a firm grip on the handlebars of comedy.<br />
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Once the secret is out about the Joneses all Hell breaks loose. Anything more to summarize the events moving forward would warrant a spoiler alert for this review.<br />
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Although Isla Fisher plays a significant role in the movie the two stars to watch were Gadot and Galifianakis. Mostly because I believe they had to do the most stretching to cross over into genres both are not really known for with Galifianakis having to do the least of the stretching.<br />
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Gadot does an excellent job maintaining her signature mysterious persona and is very convincing with the comedic elements of the movie. She successfully avoids selling out to the comedy and probably won't regret this role 4 years from now as she stays true to what makes her so appealing on camera. <br />
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Galifianakis was also a pleasant surprise in this action comedy. The Hangover star wasted no time breaking the mold of Hollywood type-casting by establishing Jeff as a fresh new character. He also shed a ton of weight and his signature beard and was almost unrecognizable in the opening scenes if not for his same goofy walk and voice. He also avoids the common comedic/action star character development and does not suddenly transform into a brave and calculated killing machine. He does manage to contribute to some carnage, but only out of fear and circumstance. <br />
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Keeping Up with the Joneses is a great movie even though the plot feels like something we've all seen already. The action sequences are well-paced and don't make you say "yeah right." <br />
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My final thoughts:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Gal Gadot should definitely be Lara Croft in the next Tomb Raider movie since Angelina is too busy divorcing Brad and building a family football team. I'll even lock in my vote for her to be motion captured for the video game. She's perfect for the role!</li>
<li>Zach should definitely be praised for his weight loss and repping for North Carolina. (He was born in Wilkesboro, attended NC State and is a member of a black fraternity - Kappa Alpha Psi) </li>
<li>A sequel should definitely be considered for this movie.</li>
<li>I slept on Gal Gadot. Now, I'm not saying I would throw it all away for her, but she makes skinny look really good. Just saying. </li>
</ul>
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own. Jay just does what he wants.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-24307594244535573012016-10-12T21:57:00.000-07:002016-10-14T15:38:54.582-07:00Kevin Hart: What Now? Movie Review<a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" 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" style="margin-top: -11px;" width="216" /></a>It's been a while since I wrote a movie review so what better way to return to the game than to share my thoughts on Kevin Hart's What Now. After all, I'm actually a Kevin Hart fan and love how he generates laughs by saying what we are all thinking out loud. His sarcastic approach has more than become his style, it is a formula that his audience can relate to. That said, I still had my reservations about What Now; mostly because I was not a huge fan of Let Me Explain.<br />
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I felt like Let Me Explain was forced with Kevin referencing familiar material. He had a few strong moments, but I eventually felt like I was laughing simply because it was Kevin Hart. <br />
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What Now? is a different animal.<br />
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The opening action sequences featuring actors such as Don Cheadle and Halle Berry were inconsistently funny. About the only thing that brought on the laughs was the over-the-top language people used during their tirades with Kevin. I will be the first to admit, it was pretty funny watching the beautiful and accomplished Halle Berry cussing at Kevin's 0045 persona and Don Cheadle's last words from off camera were priceless as well. Otherwise the opening action sequence felt a little dragged out. Fortunately, I'm just an impatient person and what felt like 30 minutes to me was more like 8 minutes in reality. In a way, the 0045 short did build a bit of anticipation, but probably not the way producers and writers intended. The resounding mood in the screening auditorium was mostly "Lets get on with it." <br />
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Once Kevin Hart hit the stage it was obvious he was on a mission to deliver the hardest laughs ever for a recorded comedy event. So that said, I'll get to the point of this review.<br />
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I laughed my ass off!!!<br />
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As a fan of stand-up comedy I have a very short list of memorable comedy moments from my lifetime that include binge listening to old Richard Pryor albums as a high school junior, Bill Cosby's Damnit and Jesus Christ bit, sneak watching Eddie Murphy Raw in the late 80s on VHS and the debut of Def Comedy Jam. After experiencing What Now? my list of great comedy moments has a new tenant and one that deserves a place among the greatest performances in modern history. Now, I am not saying Kevin Hart is now the G.O.A.T. of all comedians, I'm just saying this performance deserves to be recognized as one of the best ever. If comedians could win championships for live shows, he gets to hoist the trophy on this one. <br />
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If you need a good laugh, go see this movie! You will not be disappointed. Just be patient with the opening sequence. Use that time to make sure you have properly hydrated and have plenty of clearance in front of you for bending over laughing because after he goes up the elevator shaft, it's over!<br />
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-J<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-80177772603230199162016-09-12T06:00:00.000-07:002016-09-12T08:33:27.530-07:00Steve's Top 5 Esoteric Songs & Albums<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Honorable Mention - We Are Not Alone (Album)</b><br />
Donny Arcade's <i>We Are Not Alone</i> is a shortlist of every #StayWoke topic just a mere Google search away. Remember the quote at the end of the X-Files openings? Sometimes you just have to "Believe The Lie" because "All Lies Lead To The Truth". And I've dismissed a lot of information which, in turn, led me to other info that I've found very compelling - not saying it's the Truth but somebody has some explaining to do.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>5) Medicine Wheel (Song)</b><br />
<i>Medicine Wheel</i> by Lia Ices is, hands down, the most beautiful song I've ever heard. A medicine wheel is from Native American culture and was used for healing work, as well as other spiritual aspects of the culture. In the song, mankind makes up the spokes of the wheel to do the healing work to heal ourselves. "Cause it takes each color we each hold, to make that wheel that we'll design that we'll design". I've listened to this song 100s of times and still get chills from my favorite lyric, "Protect us from a foggy view! Oh, medicine wheel, remind us now that we'll get through!"<br />
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<b>4) Action/Reaction (Song)</b><br />
As most famously proposed by Carl Jung, "Archetypes" are collective memories shared by a species, particularly humans. And Choir of Young Believers' song <i>Action/Reaction</i> can be interpreted as a song about the Sacred/Divine Feminine, Sophia, of the Anima archetypethe representing feminine energy which ebbs and flows. According to Jung, the anima matures from Eve (nurture) to Helen (desire) then Mary (devotion) until finally Sophia (understanding) is realized in the process of individuation.<br />
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<b>3) Heart-Shaped Box (Song)</b><br />
Sorry, Nirvana fans, but <i>Heart-Shaped Box</i> is not about Courtney Love's vagina - that's not to take anything away from her vagina, though. But if you're familiar with Jungian Psychology and the Anima archetype then the lyrics express Kurt Cobain's crisis as an anima-possessed man, specifically about being unable to individuate from Eve to Helen. Don't believe me? Fine. But, remember, Kurt Cobain himself said that <i>Heart-Shaped Box</i> was about 'kids with cancer' so to extrapolate any other meaning from the song (like being about Courtney Love's vagina) is a liberty of interpretation and to call him a liar.<br />
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<b>2) Lateralus (Album)</b><br />
<i>Lateralus</i> is so heavily coded that even the order you listen to the songs has significance, seriously, just google "lateralus play order". Exhibiting themes including astrology, alchemy, and higher consciousness, <i>Lateralus </i>primed me as a high school senior for aspects of philosophy and spirituality outside of my Christian upbringing. Tool's front man, Maynard James Keenan, is no stranger to lyrical intricacies but I dare say that Lateralus is the most delicately woven set of ideas, lyrically and musically, that has ever been recorded. And I'm still learning from it.<br />
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<b>1) The Psychic World of Walter Reed (Album)</b><br />
Killah Priet's album, <i>PWOWR</i> (pronounced "Power") is over 2 hours of esoteric footnotes about concepts that, like <i>Lateralus</i>, you already have to be familiar with in order to catch the lyrics. From the Tarot to the Kabbalah and Sacred Geometry to Astrotheology, a Google search of any term or phrase you don't recognize will lead you on a journey that will make you distinguish between what you actually know from what you merely believe. Released in 2013, I didn't discover <i>PWOWR</i> until 2014 and since then it's been a staple for almost daily listening for the past 2 years. And every so often, I pick up on something new or a concept makes that much more sense.<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-31226959194870833482016-09-11T08:00:00.000-07:002016-09-11T08:00:33.200-07:00NFL: True Fan's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Alright, ladies and gents! You have until 1p EST to pick your team for the 2016 NFL season or forever get the sideeye! So who you wit?<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Now, I didn't say you had to follow your heart but definitely go with your wallet. I'm going with my bandwagon team from last season, Carolina Panthers, but now since I'm calling them my team for the 2016 season in Week 1 that makes me an official fan - see how that works?<br />
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So just know that any allegiance changes after Week 1, including Playoffs, puts you on the bangwagon so judge wisely between two pillars of ivory. (Priest!)<br />
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Ok, I'm stopping.<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-90318400681924048042016-09-11T06:00:00.000-07:002016-09-11T09:49:46.616-07:00Album Review: We Are Not Alone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Honestly, I forgot how I even discovered Donny Arcade and that he was dropping an album on what most people would consider to be conspiracy theory but here it is - <i>We Are Not Alone</i>. The LP ranges, in theme, from Ancient Aliens to the Secret Government making <i>We Are Not Alone</i> everything you'd expect if Alex Jones, himself, dropped a mixtape or if the NSA recovered Eric Snowden's browser history before wikileaks. And if you caught these references, well, your tin foil hat is showing so welcome, comrade!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><i>We Are Not Alone</i> goes beyond the typical hotep hustling that's focused solely on empowering a skin color and serves as an introduction into alternative (news) media affecting all creeds and backgrounds. And if all of that sounds too high fa-looting then the trap beats will make Donny's delivery more palpable. 3600, Annunaki, and Zzzz serve as the Red Pill while False Flaggin' and Stop Lying 2 Me encourage you to #StayWoke. And if the trap beats aren't enough then the 80s babies can surely appreciate the dual Layzie Bone cameos.<br />
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Donny Arcade is officially bringing a new age of conscious rap into the mainstream, above the underground of Killah Priest, Immortal Technique, and K-Rino. The Mos Def's, Talib Kweli's, and Black Thought's may no longer suffice as Donny attempts to reach beyond the Black experience to a Human one, through an aux cord near you.<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855268785140890600.post-2348802852919534872016-08-15T06:00:00.000-07:002016-09-10T21:14:52.499-07:00Album Review: Monda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was introduced to Boston's Cousin Stizz via a YouTube video that used his track"Fresh Prince" from his debut <i>Suffolk County</i> mixtape:<br />
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Since then, I've periodically checked for Stizz and after discovering his sophomore mixtape, <i>Monda</i>, in my notifications, I immediately put it in heavy rotation - heavy as in I literally wake up to the intro track, "Wanted To Live", everyday. Now, <i>Monda</i> is now serving as the soundtrack to my own #SummerSixteen, even without looking for revenge.<br />
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<i>Monda </i>hit the ground running with the hyped "Wanted To Live" and "Day Gone" as Stizz switched up his sound from <i>Suffolk County</i>. From there, he'd split the tape between old and new sounds while using his experiences since <i>Suffolk</i> as a spring board for new inspiration. So, as I could listen to <i>Suffolk County </i>without skipping tracks, I found myself getting stuck and putting <i>Monda </i>tracks on repeat, coincidentally tracks with Stizz' new sound. Tracks like "No Skrat", a bouncy, lowkey booty club banger - lowkey as in you walk in during day shift and wonder how you're broke before the sun went down - and "Every Season" and "Big Fella" with a reflective, motivational Stizz.<br />
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So while <i>Monda</i> is very much play-through worthy, it has more stand out tracks that uniquely separate themselves from the rest of the mix. This lead to me wanting more from Stizz and making <i>Monda </i>feel unfinished, in a good way. Even my wife, who is a very picky music listener, only skipped 1 track while bouncing to all of the others. Then again, she thought it was Wiz Khalifa, so there's that. But neither me or her listen to Khalifa like that so there's that, too. Seriously, though, I can't draw an honest comparison between Cousin Stizz and anyone else. Only that I get a similar 'coming into one's own' vibe I got from an early CuDi.<br />
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All of the above has made <i>Monda</i> my best music pick up this summer. Period. And the only thing keeping me off my millionth spin of Killah Priest's PWOWR (Psychic World of Walter Reed).<br />
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Disclaimer: Steve is an employee of Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner, however the views expressed in this post are of my own.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you already haven't, be sure and like That's Atlanta and SteveandJtv on facebook! And while you're at it, follow us on Twitter too! @ThatsAtlanta @SteveandJtv and subscribe to our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/steveandjtv</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900140736195652158noreply@blogger.com0