http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Thu, 16 Mar 2006 08:58:41 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/03/16/085841.php Jessica HorvathLovedolls Superstar: Fully Realized's recent DVD release is a great opportunity for trashy cult film fans to sink their teeth into something truly stinky. Ironically, this sequel to Desperate Teenage Lovedolls is a cult film about an Los Angeles-based rock band's cult who show their admiration for The Lovedolls by offing their enemies in really disgusting ways. For instance, an amusing run-in with hallucinogenics makes Lovedolls mullet-wearing fan Carl Celery carry out an assassination of competing rocker Brews Springstien. The great character names don't end their, allow me to introduce Lovedolls' bass player Kitty Carryall, guitarist Alexandria "Cheetah" Axethrasher, and drummer Patch Christ, formerly Patch Kelley. Collectively, they assemble the trashiest group of rock goddesses ever portrayed on film. The movie might be lacking in a budget and a comprehensible narrative, but it certainly doesn't lack in fake blood and crude behavior. With music by bands such as Sonic Youth and Dead Kennedys, Lovedolls Superstar may add itself to the highest ranks of trashy cult rock pictures. Personally, the movie is too tasteless to render a DVD purchase for myself; however, I did get a good chuckle out of the general Lovedolls experience, and would recommend it to anyone deserved of senseless laughter.The DVD itself is fairly well-designed with audio commentary by David Markey (director) and many others, deleted scenes, and a bonus featurette. It's good buy if you're looking into perking up your collection of obscure films, but if you're looking for a well-made film, don't even consider Lovedolls Superstar. Video45048@blogcritics.org Thu, 16 Mar 2006 08:58:41 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/03/15/052435.php Jessica HorvathThe Royal Albert Hall's live musical production of the assertively whimsical The Butterfly Ball in 1975, for many of you who don't know, was an adaptation of a children's book titled The Butterfly Ball and Grasshopper's Feast. The book of poems appears to have attracted a multitude of musical/artistic talents, including Alan Aldridge who illustrated the book as well as the Beatles Illustrated Lyrics. The live production of The Butterfly Ball was written, produced, and directed by none other than Tony Klinger, the producer of The Who's applauded documentary, The Kids are Alright. To top it off, most of Deep Purple were involved with the lavish music in some capacity. Roger Glover produced the music for the studio recordings, and Ian Gillan and David Coverdale offered their voices for a few of the songs. Did I mention that Twiggy also offers her vocal talents? And Vincent Price narrates as well so you know it's quite an interesting show, especially considering it's a children's musical. On the other hand, adult buyers should beware, this is indeed a children's musical equipped with grown people dressed in animal costumes. No, Deep Purple isn't wearing them, but there are many interjected sequences of people dressed up as animals (strangely enough, no grasshoppers and rarely any butterflies), which will definitely come across as a tad creepy and a little off-putting to the average viewer. I suppose the animal people are inserted to interpret the music somehow, but frankly, this reviewer didn't understand what was happening in most of these animal skits. I do know that The Butterfly Ball's main objective is clearly to inject the hippie philosophy of peace and love into the minds of impressionable young children, but the movie represents this philosophy in a sort of Mr. Rogers on a bad acid trip, creepy way. I hate to compare The Butterfly Ball to a bad acid trip, but I fail to describe it in any other way. The next time I put on this DVD, I might consider turning off the set, but keeping the sound on. The music is seriously enjoyable, and how can it not be? But the visuals are entirely laughable, and may even give small children nightmares for weeks. I know I certainly haven't been sleeping well lately since my journey to The Butterfly Ball with Twiggy and the gang. Video44984@blogcritics.org Wed, 15 Mar 2006 05:24:35 EST