Prince: Sign O’ The Times getting released in IMAX? Seeing the film again in theaters after decades is reason enough alone for celebration. Over at Vanyaland, I talked it up for the V3: Weekend. From the desk of senior writer Michael Christopher: Decades before Prince left us hanging at the afterparty for his 2013 Mohegan Sun performance – though he... Continue Reading →
Scott Lucas Talks ‘Lifers: A Local H Movie,’ Vinyl, and His Favorite Concert Docs
It's been about nine years since I waxed on my affinity for Local H in this space. TLDR: I've followed them since college; they were one of my (if not the) first in-person interviews I did; I've probably seen them more than any other band - save for The Afghan Whigs/Greg Dulli-related projects - and... Continue Reading →
Mick Jagger’s Debut Acting Role ‘Performance’ Arrives at Criterion
If the Rolling Stones were one of the hottest bands of the late '60s, then frontman Mick Jagger was on fire. An expert at preening and posturing, it was only natural an opportunity to appear on the big screen would eventually come calling for the singer. His debut acting role in 1970’s Performance, however, looked... Continue Reading →
Chazz Palminteri on the Lasting Legacy of ‘A Bronx Tale’
Roundly recognized as one of the top films of the '90s, A Bronx Tale first began as an autobiographical one-man play by Chazz Palminteri, who went on to star in the cinematic adaptation, which is also notable as it marked the debut of Robert De Niro as a director. Perhaps most interesting, Palminteri has continued... Continue Reading →
‘We Are the World’ Doc Unveils Stories Behind Hit 1985 Charity Single
Arguably the best-known charity single in music history, and most star-studded for its time, “We Are the World” is the subject of a new documentary from Netflix titled The Greatest Night in Pop. Released this week on the streaming service, the film details the lead up to a single night in January 1985 when dozens... Continue Reading →
35 Years Ago: Alice Cooper Makes a Comeback with ‘Constrictor’
Back when I was a wee lad, I thought Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives was one of the greatest films ever made. What can I say? Back then all I needed was some jump scares, ridiculously obscene kills, a fitting soundtrack and I was sold. The year after it came out, it ran... Continue Reading →
35 Years Ago: Stallone Strikes a Cult Classic with ‘Cobra’
Sylvester Stallone wasn't just the biggest action star of the mid-80s, he was the most popular actor at one point. It was during the run when the Rocky franchise delivered hit after hit and Rambo was seemingly following in the same footsteps that he took the lead role in Cobra, about a loner cop fighting... Continue Reading →
40 Years Ago: ‘Friday the 13th Part 2’ Makes Jason a Killer
The resurgence of the horror genre was in full swing by 1981, and the slasher subgenre led the way. It was also a prime time for sequels, and the first one for Friday the 13th came out that spring. This time, however, it wasn't Mrs. Voorhees who was stalking the sex-crazed, heavy partying camp counselors,... Continue Reading →
25 Years Ago: How ‘Humans Being’ Spelled Disaster for Van Halen and Sammy Hagar
It was really going downhill in early 1996 for Van Halen with Sammy Hagar, and the drama surrounding "Humans Being," a song they initially did for the soundtrack to the film Twister, was the final straw for the second era of the band. Over at Ultimate Classic Rock, I did a deep dive on just... Continue Reading →
Making Ted Demme Laugh 20 Years Ago, When ‘Blow’ Joined a Long Line of Drug-Smuggling Classics
I've got a bit of a special place in my heart for movies by the late director Ted Demme. His 1996 film Beautiful Girls was already one of my all-time rewatchables by the spring of 2001 when I was invited to attend a college press junket in New York City for his new movie Blow.... Continue Reading →