Hey all,

So in honor of my absolute favorite holiday ever, I’ve compiled a list of the best movies to watch around Halloween (in no particular order) that you’ve probably not seen. If you have seen them, major props!

-G

Number 1

Title: Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)

Director: Scott Glosserman

Genre: Comedy/Horror

Synopsis: This film tells the tale of the serial killer Leslie Vernon, as told by the film crew following him around on his murders to make a documentary. This movie puts an interesting twist on the way we perceive the scary movie villain and hero, and rolls it up nicely in a package that is both hilarious and scary. Oh and did I mention that the serial killer hunter in this move is none other than the original Freddy Crugar himself, Robert Englund?

Number 2

Title: Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter (2001)

Director: Lee Demarbre

Genre: Comedy

Synopsis: Readers who are uber evangelical or easily offended beware: This movie will scare the hell out of you. This over the top musical kung-fu masterpiece takes place in Ottawa, Canada, where Jesus Christ, along with the help of a Mexican wrestler, must save a group or lesbians from vampires with a lust for their blood. A fast cult classic, JCVH is so bad it will have you laughing so hard you cry.

Number 3

Title: Evil Dead (1981)

Director: Sam Raimi

Genre: Gore/Comedy

Synopsis: This movie is an odd combination of gore and comedy in the same way that Shawn of the Dead is, but the writing and acting is so much worse. There are times when the blood and guts are pretty graphic, but the cheesy special effects are so hilarious that this movie is a B-rated gem. Follow a group of friends to an abandoned cabin to party, and then enjoy as they battle evil demons who are after their souls. And the hero’s arm gets chopped off, so clearly he is forced to attach a chainsaw to his nubbin and hack his way to safety… its cliché awesomeness to the max. IF YOU LIKE THIS, SEE ALSO: Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness

Number 4

Title: Motel Hell

Director: Kevin Connor

Genre: Horror/Gore/Spoof

Synopsis: A farmer kidnaps unsuspecting travelers and then buries them in chambers underground, until he fattens them up to be served as burgers in his restaurant. While this movie is a spoof, is quite gory and actually a bit creepy. Maybe what scared me more than anything was the fact that I love burgers, and this movie had a severely adverse affect on my burger love for a little while, but it’s worth a watch in the spirit of the season.

Number 5

Title: The Innocents (1961)

Director: Jack Clayton

Genre: Suspense/Horror

Synopsis: When a governess comes to a lonely mansion to watch over what seems to be two young, well adjusted children, she soon finds herself questioning her sanity as the children seem to be overtaken by the souls of the former governess and groundskeeper of the property. Also known as “The Turn of the Screw,” this movie appears to be the basis for the idea of the move “The Others,” but is much more cinematically satisfying and well written as the lack of technology forced this black and white to create artful suspense through dramatic lighting and optical illusions.

I’ll be the first one to stand up and discuss how bad studio rap is now a day. I grew up in the days where Wu-Tang was easily the best you could ever be, and to this day I still believe that to be true. So when Lucy Vonne asked me to listen to the new Jay-Z album I was a little bit hesitant. Not to say I didn’t like Jay-Z, but I kind of always knew him as Beyonce’s boyfriend and the dude who gave A LOT of money to the Obama campaign (which made me like him a lot more.) Then I took a listen to The Blueprint 3.

First track that caught my attention was A Star Is Born (featuring J. Cole) which highlights all the people Jay-Z was either influenced by or was reminded of when he wrote the track. At one point there is even a Wu-Tang Clan reference which I got a real kick out of as well of mention twice of Nas, whose one of the biggest influences in Brooklyn rap, hands down. Jay-Z pulled out all the stops for this album when he recorded Empire State of Mind (featuring Al.) which to me personifies Jay-Z’s style in song. One of the coolest lyrics on the album is when Jay raps I make a Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can, I laughed for about twenty minutes about that, mainly because it’s true.

Another big highlight on this album is So Ambitious (featuring Pharrell) and proves that while rap might be over produced, it still has something to say. I was so inspired by what my teacher said/said I’d either be dead or be a reefer head/don’t know if that’s what adult should say to kids/especially when the only thing I did was speak in class reminds the world that because someone wants to be a rapper and follow their dreams that they shouldn’t be looked down on. Jay-Z obviously far surpassed people’s expectations and continues to do so with each album. While I’m sure the rapper is embarrassed to have Kayne West on his album after what will forever be known as the “Taylor Swift incident” it shows how diverse he can really be. I definitely recommend giving this album a listen if you’re into rap at all, it’s got the well produced vibe of a studio album and the heart and soul of underground hip hop.

I for one found Steel Nation’s debut EP to sound more or less like a poor man’s Integrity, who didn’t have the musical chops or songwriting ability to pull of the evil, creepy vibe that fills most Integ records. This made me think this band needs to really step it up or add in some other flavors to make them stand out, because this whole ‘trend’ of ripping off Clevo/Holy Terror bands is getting a bit overdone. Imagine my surprise when I heard that SN/Crucified split.

They seemed to be taking a lot more influence from Biohazard and Cro Mags and the like, while still retaining bits and pieces of their Clevo-sounding roots, and in this outing, seem to have captured the essence of what made those bands great and indeed possibly expanded upon the foundation those bands laid for countless hardcore and metal bands to influenced by. This new stylistic improvement gave me immense hope that a full-length would produce similar results, and sure enough, “Forever Wounded” does exactly that and then some.

The sound encompassed on here is what I would best describe as “Union Worker hardcore.” It’s exactly the kind of soundtrack I would want to hear after a hard day of laying iron or plumbing, as I sat down at home to a 12 pack of Budweiser and maybe some Monday Night Football. Make no mistake, this definitely fits the moniker “PA Hardsyle” that Steel Nation has adopted to adorn much of their merch. Although they doesn’t tread any new ground, Steel Nation pulls their musical punches so well, with so much conviction and severely bolstered songwriting chops, that it almost seems that they are simply paying homage to their influences while doing what they can to forge them into their own identity. By doing so they have created one helluva great listen.

If you prefer the sounds of the 90’s and early 00’s when hardcore was actually HARD and pissed off about the every day trials and tribulations that we all in our own ways endure, you’ll find a lot to like here. Steve and Neil’s trade-off vocals truly embody how a dual-vocal approach SHOULD be, and are truly what set the newer Steel Nation apart. The vocals really channel Even Seinfeld and Billy Graziadei, but do so in such a way as to have their own personality and not just emulate a previously done, classic vocal style.

Standout tracks definitely include straight-up thrashers “A War Within” and “Prayer for Isolation,” as well as more Clevo-inspired moshers like “Last Man Standing” and the title track, the former of which begins with an acoustic passage and lead-guitar noodling that quickly give way for a killer mid-paced groove with some seriously pissed vocals. The ridiculously catchy and heartfelt man-singing vocal passage at about 2:09 into “Downfall of Humanity” is a shining example that gruff yet-somewhat melodic vocals can be used tastefully and actually give a hardcore band’s sound more character. On the flipside, a lesser track would be “Odysseus,” which while is a great track in and of itself, doesn’t hold a candle to the much rawer version found on the split. My only other complaints are that the solo’s, which while well-executed and always fitting of the parts they accompany, they more or less eventually end up sounding pretty same-y, with the same scales being used. Point is, plenty of rock, just not enough variation of the rock. In addition to this, while Steel Nation’s revamped, much-improved sound and newfound enthusiasm for penning memorable hardcore tunes has made for an excellent listen, I don’t think they’ve quite found their nitch yet despite their complete 180 turn in the right direction. We can only hope this continues next time around and they create a hardcore masterpiece, because I definitely seem them as being capable of pulling such a feat off.

A brilliant singer-songwriter with a pension for child-like veracity fused with soviet piano chord undertones, Regina Spektor’s music is unlike anything else out there. She uses her voice as instrument, and makes percussion sounds with her tongue as she stretches the notes to give her music a branded style that is solely Spektor.

This Russian-American songstress performed Wed., Oct. 14 at the historic Radio City Music hall in New York to a sold out crowd, and wowed the audience with impeccable vocal candor. Only Spektor could sing about subject matter ranging from sunbathing, Jesus and God, to exaggerated drug use, sexual promiscuity and the Holocaust all with the same toe-tapping cheer that makes her music a quizzical combination of enlightening and innocent.

The show had a minimal light display that basically just changed color with the mood of the songs or refracted off a disco ball to give the hall a starry night feel, but it fit perfectly as Spektor’s presence alone was enough to light up the stage.

The opening band, Jupiter One, was actually pretty enjoyable. They were like a Vampire Weekend/David Bowie/Brian Wilson amalgamation that I didn’t hate. And I was not able to confirm this as I could find no documentation of who was in Spektor’s band, but I’m maybe 80 percent confident that the lead singer of Jupiter One is also a violinist in Spektor’s band.

Overall it was a memorable night, and as always Spektor was more than sincerely gracious to her crowd, stating her amazement at having the opportunity to perform at Radio City Music Hall. Check out the set list below, and please, please check out Regina Spektor, because anyone who can make the phrase “someone next door is fucking to one of my songs” sound innocent, deserves some recognition.

Set List

The Calculation

Eet

Folding Chair

Ode To Divorce

Machine

Laughing With

One More Time With Feeling

Two Birds

Blue Lips

-November Rain Solo-

On The Radio

The Call

Dance Anthem Of The 80s

Silly Eye-Colour Generalizations

Bobbing For Apples

That Time

Apres Moi

Poor Little Rich Boy

Ink Stains

Human Of The Year

Man Of A Thousand Faces

-Encore-

Samson

Us

Fidelity

Hotel Song

Love, You’re A Whore

Regina Spektor’s newest album, “Far,” is in stores now waiting for you to buy it. Here is the video of “Laughing With,” from the album.

I also have this less-than-great video footage, but if you are a fan, you may appreciate it. My seats were far away so I found someone’s footage of the show on Youtube and the sound isn’t bad.