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Movies & TV / Re: What was the last movie you saw...? Part IV

« Last post by KiloDeltaCharlie on Today at 05:08:38 PM »

Another couple of quick reviews...

Toy Story 5

The return of most of characters but it's noticeable that Tom Hanks as Woody takes a supporting role for the most part with Joan Cusack as Jessie taking the lead. Obviously Tim Allen's Buzz is as always asignificant supporting character.

The toys find their importance to Bonnie becoming more secondary as a kid friendly tablet called Lillypad (Greta Lee) comes into her life and allows her to connect with other kids her own age... kids who don't play with toys! Bonnie gets into trouble with her new friends and the toys have to help her out.

It's not a bad film, but you have to ask yourself if it was really necessary. Most commentators say the series should have ended after Toy Story 3, but that film topped $1 Billion so they weren't going to give up on that free lunch. Then Toy Story 4 came out and it was weak... BUT it too topped the Billion, so this one was inevitable I guess.

Whilst better that Toy Story 4 this is still way short of the first 3. 6/10

(And yes this one too has topped $1 Billion))

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Minions and Monsters

The Minions find themselves in 1920s Holiywood, they see films and decide that they would really like to make a Monster movie. With some contacts they meet along the way they get access to equipment and manage to find some real monsters from a spell book. Things then get a little out of hand...

I like the Minions, their films don't always work, but this one is nearly the best film they are involved in. It looks gorgeous, the slapstick is great and they pay homage to some classic silent movie moments. Still doesn't quite better the original Despicable Me... but it's very close! 9/10

Movies & TV / Re: What was the last movie you saw...? Part IV

« Last post by Charger on Today at 12:50:09 PM »

NO WAY OUT

A Navy commander is signed to the Pentagon by the Secretary Of Defence, and soon it becomes evident that they both love the same woman, when the woman is killed by the secretary a cover up is put into place to find a mysterious russian spy. Commander Farrell who has kept his affair secret must find evidence to prove the secretary is the killer before the noose around his own neck gets too tight.

Roger Donaldson's early work is a political spy thriller that has one heck of a twist at the end you don't see coming.

The cast does a great job, Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Will Patton and Sean Young are all rather brilliant, but the movie is painfully slow to get going, but once it does it's a decent enough thriller.

Not among the greatest in this genre but not the worst either, could have used a bit hastier script though.

* * *

General Discussion / Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now (Part IV)

« Last post by Zzzptm on Today at 09:34:41 AM »

I agree that Ride the Lightning is a tune that doesn't flow with the rest of the album. I either play it first or omit it and have a better listen. For a final album, it does the Megadeth legacy well. Mustaine has some strong writing for the tracks, and I keep coming back for those lyrics.

Solo Projects / Re: New Iommi album in the works

« Last post by Vyn on August 04, 2026, 06:51:49 PM »

I always enjoy hearing Tony talk about music. Thanks for the link!

General Discussion / Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now (Part IV)

« Last post by Thelemech on August 04, 2026, 06:30:40 PM »

I like it for the most part but it's not as good as Dystopia though it is better than I expected
I am not feeling the cover of Ride but the rest of the album is a valiant attempt at a bookend to the Megadeth discography
What are your thoughts on the final record?

All Them Other Guys / Re: The Black Crowes All Summed Up

« Last post by Zzzptm on August 04, 2026, 03:56:50 PM »

OK, here's my ranking of their 10 studio albums:

1. Shake Your Moneymaker - 1990 release, excellent work, great intro to the band. Sharp playing all around.
2. Happiness Bastards - 2024 release, every bit as good as the first album, I just deferred to SYM because it was done first.
3. A Pound of Feathers - 2026 release, a real banger of an album. Close third to what's in front of it.
4. By Your Side - 1999 release, it's a return to form after some wandering around musically, and it's quite strong.
5. The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion - 1992 release, there are some who consider this the Crowe's finest, and I won't argue with them. But it lacks the intensity of the other top five albums, in my opinion. This is when the band started to ramble and experiment and go down the Grateful Dead road, which isn't where they're strongest. Hard rocking is what the Crowes do best, and that's what's got the top four where they are.

6. Amorica - 1994 release and that erosion of their core sound is in greater evidence here. It's still a great album, in spite of a reduced hard rock edge.
7. Warpaint - 2008 release... they're still wandering around in the ozone, but remember that they used to be a hard rock band.
8. Lions - 2001 release... this album is OK, but not outstanding.
9. Before the Frost - 2009 release and if you want folk music or bluegrass, this one has got what you're looking for. If you want hard rock, pass.
10. Three Snakes and One Charm - 1996 release and they've lost their steam at this point. Does nothing for their legacy. It's OK, but forgettable.

I'll add that those who put Southern Harmony as their favorite Crowes album also like the more experimental/rambling albums and aren't thrilled when the Crowes get back to basics as they've done in their latest reunion. But to those guys I'll say this: Happiness Bastards got a Grammy nod because the rest of the world thinks it's a damn good album.

All Them Other Guys / Re: The Black Crowes All Summed Up

« Last post by KiloDeltaCharlie on August 04, 2026, 02:08:38 PM »

I do own $hake Your Moneymaker... but if my memory serves the disc is faulty and doesn't play. I think I bought because I liked the song Hard to Handle off of it.