Magnet Releasing: Sushi Girl (2012)

Sushi Girl (2012)

Tony Todd, James Duval, Noah Hathaway, Andy Mackenzie, David Dastmalchian, Destin Pfaff and Kern Saxton

Fish has spent six years in jail. Six years alone. Six years keeping his mouth shut about the robbery, about the other men involved. The night he is released, the four men he protected with silence celebrate his freedom with a congratulatory dinner. The meal is a lavish array of sushi, served off the naked body of a beautiful young woman. The sushi girl seems cationic, trained to ignore everything in the room, even if things become dangerous. Sure enough, the four unwieldy thieves can’t help but open old wounds in an attempt to find their missing loot.

Magnet Releasing
http://magnetreleasing.com/

4/5 This might not be your cup of tea, I say more tea please... it is monstrous in violence, torture and blood. You might get the sense of a Quentin Tarantino clone of Reservoir Dogs as you follow in the doorway. A few twists and turns as you make it to the table to enjoy a little sushi.

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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Intrada: In Country - James Horner

In Country [1989-2013]
Music by: James Horner

Released By: INTRADA

Special Collection Volume 230
Date: 1989
Tracks: 17
Time = 51:31

World premiere release of emotionally rich James Horner soundtrack for Norman Jewison film about soldier's reconciliation with Vietnam war and himself, starring Bruce Willis, Emily Lloyd. Dramatic, moving tale inspires Horner to write music with great melodic depth. Haunting minor-key trumpet solo often gets deserved spotlight. Line remains one of Horner's finest. Military backdrop plus tender friendship in story also inspire ideas both reflective, dramatic. "Three Generations" (both as piano solo & piano with orchestra) is incredibly tender piece.

5/5 Powerful, epic, gentle... one of Horner's best work and another great release from Intrada!!!

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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Worlds of Ulli Lommel

 

 “Within every one of us is 

a painter, a dancer, a storyteller.”

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Biography: Ulli Lommel (born 21 December, 1944 and also known as Dataa Shigan – Apache name for “First Hand”) is a German born actor and film maker noted for his extensive career in both Europe and the U.S. and his collaboration with Rainer Werner Fassbinder (1968-1977) and Andy Warhol (1978-1984). 

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To a greater or lesser extent we all choose how to live our lives. Some of us opt for adventure, others grab at hedonism, some are marooned by tragedy, most embrace a quiet existence regulated by routine and pension plans. Ulli Lommel, star-dusted actor and notorious movie director, has led a bold, unconventional and fortuitous life. He has sung a duet with Elvis Presley, bankrolled Rainer Werner Fassbinder¹s first film, collaborated with Andy Warhol and directed almost 50 provocative, polemic, haunting feature films. The story of his remarkable life – with its passions and doubts – will be celebrated in the Volksbühne Berlin 2013 vaudeville show “Fucking Liberty“, written and directed by Lommel himself.

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Ulli Lommel

http://ullilommel.com/

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I wanted to bring you closer to the works of one man "Ulli Lommel" who has worked with some of the most prolific names in art, theater, music, film and that includes himself.  Always reinventing himself from project to project, finding that string that pulls you in... bringing you closer to the edge, his edge. He asks you to jump, will you jump? Talent cannot always be written, it has to be seen... here is a talent you need to see, touch and hear!

I wanted to share more with you, but I am asking you to jump... learn more about this man so now take that leap... [CLICK HERE]. After that journey... please transport to Mr. Lommel's site above... see many glorious things.

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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Michael J Lewis's "Chisos" [Short Film]

Information about the Project: My film, “Chisos” is a live action 12.5 minute short, for which I have written both the music and the script. The film is music-driven. The score is already recorded. The music is highly dynamic, dramatic and emotional. Classically based, with hints of the Blues and Country. Chisos has no dialogue or sound effects, but is by no means a silent film. The story is brimming with fantasy, action, drama and romance.

Michael J Lewis: I am an Emmy award-winning composer. I won the Emmy for “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.” I have scored films starring Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Reeve, Charlton Heston, Katharine Hepburn, Richard Burton, Roger Moore, Vincent Price and many more. I have also written commercials for IBM, Ford, Texaco, 3M, 7-UP, Chevrolet and countless others. I wrote the Broadway musical, “Cyrano,” for Christopher Plummer, which won him a Tony award.

Where: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/chisos

Just a little support to a friend on the Howlin' Wolf Family!
Good Luck to Michael and team!!
-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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Chisos - Short Film Promo from Chisos Movie on Vimeo.

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La-La Land Records: John Dies At The End [2013] - Brian Tyler

John Dies At The End [2013]
Music by: Brian Tyler

Released By: LA-LA LAND RECORDS

It's a drug that promises an out-of-body experience with each hit. On the street they call it Soy Sauce, and users drift across time and dimensions. But some who come back are no longer human. Suddenly a silent otherworldly invasion is underway, and mankind needs a hero. What it gets instead is John and David, a pair of college dropouts who can barely hold down jobs. Can these two stop the oncoming horror in time to save humanity? No. No, they can't. Written by David Wong

5/5 It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Brian Tyler's work, what you may not know that he has teamed up with Don Coscarelli director of the film Phantasm. They both worked together on a film that starred Bruce Campbell called "Bubba Ho-tep" and it's that that makes me a fan. It's a great fun trip into the minds of these two talented minds... welcome the journey.  Well in my mailbox there it was, the new release from one of my favorite labels, composers and directors... JEALOUS?

Next to see the film, then a check on my film bucket list!

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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Intrada: Gladiator (Unused Score) [2013] - Jerry Goldsmith

Intrada: Gladiator (Unused Score) [2013]
Music by: Jerry Goldsmith

Released By: INTRADA

Special Collection Volume 231
Date: 1992
Tracks: 18
Time = 35:51

World premiere release of unused Jerry Goldsmith score for Rowdy Herrington boxing tale with Cuba Gooding, Jr., James Marshall, Robert Loggia, Brian Dennehy. Goldsmith anchors with tiny syncopated motif for low keyboards, basses, percussion, then surrounds with variety of larger ideas that grow from it. 

5/5 Another hidden piece from the Master "Jerry Goldsmith" and I tell you if you are a fan of this film and of Goldsmith it is a must for your collection!!

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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SUSHI GIRL!

The best way to watch SUSHI GIRL is to go into it knowing as little as possible.  Let the story reveal itself through the progression of the movie's run time.  I say that because there really isn't much to this movie plotwise.  That is a good thing and a bad thing.  I like simple stories but by the end of this film I felt like I had seen all of this before.  That isn't to say SUSHI GIRL is terrible.  How could it be?  Look at that cast!  Tony (CANDY MAN) Todd, Mark (THE STAR WARS) Hamil, Michael (ALIENS) Biehn, Jeff (PLANET TERROR) Fahey, Danny (MACHETE...I guess) Trejo, Sonny (KILL BILL) Chiba and Atreyu from THE NEVERENDING STORY, Noah Hathaway all star or make cameos in this film.  I am just going to say that the makers of this film love Quentin Tarantino movies and eighties films.  Me too so I already know that I am going to like this movie. 

I am not going to tell you what the story is about.  All I can say is that it is about a bunch of bad guys sitting around a table eating sushi off some naked chick and then a bunch of stuff happens.  I will say this.  SUSHI GIRL is wonderfully directed and never ever gets boring.  Every single person on screen is interesting and unpredictable and given a moment to shine.  Most of the characters are villains and you never know with villains how they are going to react.  That is why I love gangster films so much.  A gangster can be funny and charming and then all of a sudden without a moments notice they go off and kill somebody like it was nothing at all.  This movie is full of people like that.  Mark Hamil has been transformed into the dandy but vicious and sly Crowe.  He is really the star of this show.  You can't take your eyes off of him.  Hopefully a role like this that expresses his acting range will open more doors to his career.  No longer will he be known in as just Luke Skywalker.  The use of blood and gore is excellent as well.  The blood is dark and thick and it looks real and not C.G.I.  It perfectly amplifies the brutality and ugliness of these men and their actions.  The violence in this movie is heavy stuff.  It is not taken lightly.  Click here to continue reading the rest.... 

Jason

Lakeshore Records: Snitch [2013] - Antonio Pinto

Snitch [2013]
Music by: Antonio Pinto

Released By: LAKESHORE RECORDS

In the fast-paced action thriller Snitch, Dwayne Johnson stars as a father whose teenage son is caught in possession of a package that, unbeknownst to him, contains enough narcotics to warrant a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years.  Desperate and determined to rescue his son at all costs, he makes a deal with the U.S. Attorney to work as an undercover informant and infiltrate a drug cartel on a dangerous mission – risking everything, including his family and his own life.  The film is directed by Ric Roman Waugh from a script written by Justin Haythe and Ric Roman Waugh.

5/5 It's a great piece it took me in a different direction musically, you think by the trailer and the promotional art it was going to be a bombastic score... I found it to be much more of a powerful journey.
-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

Imagine it's Chinatown, Los Angeles, 1937- Phillip Lambro

Los Angeles, 1937: Unused Score Of A Film Chinatown [1000 units]
Music by: Phillip Lambro

Released By: Perseverance Records

Perseverance Records is releasing “Los Angeles, 1937,” the unused score by Phillip Lambro from Roman Polanski´s movie “Chinatown” (1974), starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. For reasons explained in the extensive liner notes by film music writer Gergely Hubai, the soundtrack was ultimately rejected by Paramount. Now, this score is available for the first time – and on Perseverance Records exclusively. 

5/5 Are you a fan of Chinatown, right who isn't... now imagine every aspect of this film shared, well that is what you are getting here a hidden gem by Phillip Lambro. This is the unheard dialogue from Gittes to the director to the screen, why it is so important to hear... it's really good. Lambro captures the idea and if you close your eyes... imagine your favorite scene, you can hear this score playing in the seedy side of Chinatown. It's classic and it's part of a cinematic history... it will find you being catapulted to 1937 Los Angeles.

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

MovieScore Media: 4 Assassins [2013] - Andre Matthias

4 Assassins [2013]
Music by: Andre Matthias

Released By: MOVIESCORE MEDIA

A winner of six awards at the Action on Film International Film Festival in 2011, 4 Assassins is a tense drama with action elements starring Miguel Ferrer (Traffic, RoboCop, Mulan) and Will Yun Lee (Die Another Day, Total Recall, Elektra). The music is written by German composer Andre Matthias, who in director Stanley J. Orzel’s words uses “haunting flutes, stirring strings and deep percussion to heighten the characters’ expressions and reflections”. The score combines traditional Western musical semantics with Asian influences as the film takes place, and is produced in Hong Kong. The soundtrack also features the end title song “Like Ashes” by Mad Carousel.

Our digital release co-insides with the North American DVD release of the film. A limited physical (CD) release of the album is available from Kronos Records.
 

5/5 You cannot go wrong on this score, it looks sleek, it is sleek and it's that one you will enjoy... I am not to familiar with Andre Matthias' work... but I am going to find out more. Great Job!

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

Todd Farmer - Days of the Dead [Interview]

So in my life I have met a handful of cool... interesting people, Todd Farmer is no exception and so ought to tell him he just that cool. Wait I think I just did and I would do it again.. I thought I would let you all read below and come to the same conclusion as I have. Thank you Mr. Farmer

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

-Tell us a little about yourself from the writer to the actor, which do you find to be more rewarding?

Todd Farmer: I was the kid telling ghost stories around the campfire. I was the storyteller. And the liar. Because sometimes life would need a rewrite and I was just the guy. This less than stellar trait also made me a decent to okay actor. The great thing about writing is that it's a wonderful way to vent creativity.

While I did act in college, writing was and still is my true passion. Acting in the movies started out as a fluke. Just a gag. Look, pop, I'm on the big screen! But a funny thing happened. I noticed how the writing and acting really did compliment each other. Acting was making me realizing things about character... it made me a better writer. And writing had given me such a unique point of view into the mind of the character that my acting was better.

As an actor you can touch relate and touch people's lives with your performance. As a writer you provide the actor with the blueprints to touch lives but writing is so very therapeutic that you inevitably touch your own life and many times heal it.

-Were you happy with the outcome of the "Days of the Dead" convention, is there anyone you were happy to meet of a celebrity nature?

Todd Farmer: Days was my first official convention where I had a table and meet fellow horror lovers like myself. I had a blast. I made new friends and I danced. You can't beat that. Early on I spoke with Bill Moseley and he's such a lovely man. Have gave me some invaluable dos and don't s. Later I spent time with Sid Haig and it's so very clear why these men are icons in the industry. Truly wonderful human beings. Charismatic and simply fun to be around. And I had the pleasure of befriending Joe Knetter and Sarah French and I got them, can see a long friendship with these two... if they'll have me, of course.

Every year I really am drawn to those who love horror. They are not as the media would have you believe. They are kind and decent and respectful. Way more-so than those bloody romcom fans. Horror lovers understand there is no good without evil, no light without dark. And it is in that understanding that I have found my comrades.

-Being the point of view of the writer, your work has made it possible to work around some iconic actors/actresses... How much involvement do you have in the actual filming and working around these people... do you find yourself in any "awe" moments?

Todd Farmer: Normally the writer would have zero interaction with actors. We come in early and we leave first. By the time the actors come on stage the writers are normally long forgotten. So the fact that I've partnered with Patrick Lussier makes me that much more blessed in my career. Patrick has always kept in the loop. Asked my opinion and I've always put his vision first. It's been a wonderful partnership and I'm blessed to have it.

My first movie I worked with Kane Hodder and of course I was star struck! But what a wonderful man. A complete professional. I would have broken my lovely nose on that production but Kane, a stuntman first, saved my pretty face. Jensen, Kerr, Jaime, Edi, Kevin and Tom Atkins! The entire cast of MBV was a thrill to work with. And then comes Drive Angry. One word. Fichtner. I got to act with Bill Fichtner. That will always be a high point. Amber Heard. Patrick and I wrote this spunky female lead and Amber walked in and took command of it. And not only is there that, but I can proudly call both she and Fichtner friends now. And finally there's Cage. The man was a rock star. He knew every line, nailed every delivery. He's a one-take actor. Patrick says action and Nick nails it. So yeah, I've been blessed and star-struck. I love my job!

-Can you tell us your involvement in upcoming projects "Heavenly Sword" and "The Monkey's Paw"?

Todd Farmer: I wrote a screen adaptation for the video game Heavenly Sword a couple years ago. Animation takes some time but I've been told it's almost done! I get to screen it in a week or two. Then in April, if all goes as planned, I'm taking it with me to the Gold Coast Film Festival in Australia where I'll screen it with a live audience. I loved playing the game so writing a story for it was so much fun. While I spend most of my time in horror I'm secretly a huge action and fantasy fan so it was a fantastic experience.

Monkey's Paw falls on the opposite end of the spectrum. It's the darkest, most disturbing story I've ever written. Based on the short story we have a fantastic director and one he's wrapped the remake of The Crow then I'm told we're moving into production. Of course, I should make some calls to see if that's still the plan!

-Got to ask at least one "Jason X" how did you come to pick up the character from "Jason Goes To Hell" and then choose to have him romp in space? Part II: what connections did you have and getting to play "Dallas"... share please? [Jason X is by far one of my favorite films of the series]

Todd Farmer: Where to begin... First there was Freddy Vs. Jason. It had been in development for years when I arrived on the scene and it was two years later before we started talking a stand-alone Jason film. We talked about picking up after JGTH but the challenge was Freddy VS. Jason. We had zero idea where they would end up going with their story and we didn't want to do anything that would screw up the chronological order of events. THEN there was the very real concern that Mike DeLuca (now a good friend, he produced Drive Angry as well) did not want to make another Crystal Lake movie. I suggested setting the story in the future in a Blade Runner society. It wasn't long before that was deemed too expensive so I suggested Aliens. Let's set it in space. And that's how it happened.

Dallas was my first acting fluke. Or goof. I was asked if I wanted to play a part. I said yeah. They asked which part? I suggested Dallas since his part was one of the meatier of the grunts. And that was day one of shooting. I was the very first character shot. Still pretty cool when I think back on it.

-If your life was a song title, what would that be and why?

Todd Farmer: Wrong by Depeche Mode. The lyrics will make that very clear. 

TODD FARMER: http://wendago.com/

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Six Strings with... Rod Abernethy

I wanted to thank Rod for the great oppurtunity to chat about his latest release "Rod Abernethy: The Upward Turn [2013]" {CLICK HERE} and the great score work he has done. 

Thank you!

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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-With a mix of scores under your credits do you prefer video game or film/television work?

Rod Abernethy: I love composing for both film/TV and video games. Both have their differences, but through the years they have become more similar in the way that I create them. Film and TV always allows a more linear approach, and the range for emotion and intensity can vary from low to high. In Video Games, there's usually a limited amount of emotional range and intensity...a low/exploration, mid, and high/confrontation intensity. This goes for almost any style or genre that I'm composing in.

-How much creative control do you have working on any of your projects and where do you find inspiration?

Rod Abernethy: When composing for projects, I'm always given direction by the audio director but I usually have a great amount of control in my scores after we've decided what style and genre is needed for the project. In most cases, they've hired me because they're familiar with my work and trust me to deliver the best music I can create for them.

Finding inspiration can come from many sources. Sometimes I'm given "guide" tracks of pre-existing scores so we can "cut to the chase" of what they're looking for. Other times we start a dialogue from ground zero after I've seen a video clip or gameplay and they say "what do you think"? I'm very lucky to have a vast experience in music to pull from when it comes to inspiration.

-Game music is much more of an art than just music, do you feel that vintage gaming should be remembered in modern gaming and do you have a favorite game modern/vintage/both?

Rod Abernethy: Funny you bring up the question of game music as art, because I'm speaking at the 2013 Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco this year about that same topic. Yes, vintage gaming should always be remembered, just as early silent film is remembered as the early beginnings of the art of cinema. I love the vintage 8-bit game soundtracks, most of those early game composers had to be extremely creative with only three tracks of limited audio. There's a lot of hidden genius in that early stuff.

I have so many favorites of old and new games. To name just a few is hard, but top of my list is for early arcade type games would be TRON and R-Type. Lately, my favorite games are Journey, Diablo III and Mass Effect 3.

-Tell us about your latest release "The Upward Turn" how would classify this music... does it lean more to your game style, film/television or neither?

Rod Abernethy: The Upward Turn is a mixed bag, but hopefully it still sounds like me:) It leans on alternative and ambient electronic, but there are traces of orchestral and rock throughout the tracks...you could say it's a collection of short stories that I've been carrying around in my head for a couple of years. Many tracks started as recordings that I made of "found objects", like tapping on a metal railing, or bowing a wine glass with a cello bow...things that you don't normally think of as musical objects. Then I use pitch correction, granular synthesis and other digital audio software to mangle and mold them.

-When did you know that this would be the cover for this release and where did this art come from... does it hold a special meaning?

Rod Abernethy: There's a warehouse door in my neighborhood that I walk by going to and from my studio. It's always been a favorite image of mine with it's muted colors, broken in panels and peeling paint....the overall aging of the wood. One day I took my camera and snapped a ton of photos....long before I needed art for the album cover. Then the idea of using these pics came to mind when sequencing the tracks for the album. Special thanks to John Bergin, Lakeshore Record's Art Director, for his crafting the photos into a fantastic cover.

-Where does a typical day begin and end for you, are there typical days?

Rod Abernethy: Great question. A typical day is usually getting up...make coffee,drink coffee...go to the studio...make more coffee, drink
coffee...compose. The end of the day is my favorite time of day when my wife, son and I sit, eat dinner, talk about our day and maybe watch John Stewart. Sometimes I continue composing at night depending on my schedule. And the coffee routine begins again the next day:)

These are not typical days for anyone. I feel like we're all currently living in an accelerated world that's increasing in speed. I'm not exactly sure which direction and where we're headed to. Hopefully listening to this album will help someone slow down for a few moments...it helped me slow down while creating it.

http://www.rodabernethy.com/

SLASHERS GONE WILD is unwatchable...BUT I WATCHED IT ANYWAYS!

SLASHERS GONE WILD is not a very good movie.  In fact I am not sure it is really a movie at all.  What we have here looks more like a collection of kids in bad generic slasher costumes acting like Pro-Wrestlers in their backyard for a rejected cable access show trying so hard to be horrific and funny but being too adolescent to understand how to do either.  The "movie" is one long ugly smear across the t.v. screen that goes on and on and on never developing into anything remotely resembling a movie.  SLASHERS GONE WILD tries to have fun with the slasher genre.  I appreciate that.  The problem is every possible concept, visual, and story element is so poorly conceived and thought out that it makes you wonder what were they thinking  I don't think they were.  By the way I don't think that two of the three slashers on the DVD cover are even in the film.  Who the heck are they?  I could be wrong though.  This "film" hurt my eyes a lot so it was hard to tell who was who sometimes.
 
There is no plot or story to SLASHERS GONE WILD.  Yes, it does try to tell a story but it is kind of hard to do so when you have no script and it is painfully obvious that there was no script.  Almost every scene is just some guy who is suppose to be a slasher stabbing, cutting, mutilating or whatever some person tied down to a chair, table or couch.  This collection of scenes become more and more irritating as the film goes on because you realize that THIS is how the whole "movie: is going to be and none of it makes sense.  Here is the premise.  A reporter is in a room and starts investigating a website where slashers compete (by sending videos of themselves killing people I presume) to join a business of some sort that is nothing but slashers who kill people who pollute the environment.  The winner gets to join the club and receives pills that make them a super unstoppable Jason Vorhees like killer.  Problem is you don't see the slashers compete on some show where they are running around killing hapless victims which would be a great idea.  No, instead we just see guys with victims tied to objects cutting on their victims while ad libbing mostly audible lines and laughing after every word they say.  It is really annoying. Click here to continue reading...


Jason

Perseverance Records: Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters - Dana Kaproff

Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters (Limited to 500)
Music by: Dana Kaproff

Released By: Perseverance Records

Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters is a 2012 documentary film directed and produced by Ben Shapiro. Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters is distributed by Zeitgeist Films and is released in theaters on October 31, 2012.

An acclaimed photographer with the eye of a filmmaker, Gregory Crewdson has created some of the most gorgeously haunting pictures in the history of the medium. His meticulously composed, large-scale images are stunning narratives of small-town American life—moviescapes crystallized into a single frame.

5/5 This a very peaceful journey that Dana Kaproff is taking us on subtle tones of piano work, you won't feel overwhelmed... just relaxed. Some great work here!

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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Varese Sarabande: Side Effects - Thomas Newman

Side Effects [2013]
Music by: Thomas Newman 

Released By: VARESE SARABANDE 

Release Date: 03/05/13
Digital Release: 02/08/13

SIDE EFFECTS is a provocative thriller about Emily and Martin (Rooney Mara and Channing Tatum), a successful New York couple whose world unravels when a new drug prescribed by Emily’s psychiatrist (Jude Law) — intended to treat anxiety — has unexpected side effects.

The creative and compelling score has been composed by Academy Award nominee Thomas Newman (Skyfall).

4/5 It's a great release from Thomas Newman and one cool track "The Forgotten People" by: Thievery Corporation...
-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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KeepMoving Records: Clockwise - Maciek Dobrowolski

Clockwise [2013] (Limited Edition of 500)
Music by: Maciek Dobrowolski

Released By: KEEPMOVING RECORDS

Clockwise tells the story of Saad Ben Khalaf, a singer/drummer who sells old watches in Souk Wakef in the center of Doha, the capital of Qatar. Saad had a troubled childhood: he is an orphan rescued from a shipwreck, which was crushed in a devastating storm. As the only survivor of the tragedy, Saad was found and raised by Atique Ben Barud, who knows all too well how it feels to be the last of his kind. Atique was one of the three men who learned the forbidden art of Fijiri and is the only one who could still share the secret if he weren’t killed immediately. Through one of the magical watches in his collection, Saad take a trip back to the 1930s where he learns about his stepfather’s secret and also falls in love with Jeena, a beautiful female jinn who may be able to lift the curse on Atique.

Keepmoving Records
http://www.keepmovingrecords.com

5/5 So far there have been some great score releases in the new year of 2013, I am going to say this is one of my favorites. It's sweeping melodies... gliding you to a faraway place a wondrous. Maciek Dobrowolski keeps this score moving from track to track I am new to his work, I will keeping my eye on his musical talents. For More: http://mdobrowolski.com/

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

Intrada: ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ / HELL IS FOR HEROES

ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ / HELL IS FOR HEROES

Music by:  Leonard Rosenman / Jerry Fielding

Released By: INTRADA

Intrada Special Collection Volume 236
1979 / 1962

World premiere of two dramatic soundtracks to Paramount films directed by Don Siegel. Appearing first is brief score by Leonard Rosenman for intense, highly regarded WWII action film HELL IS FOR HEROES starring Steve McQueen, Bobby Darin, Fess Parker. Rosenman launches with one of his most exciting "Main Title" sequences of his career, then settles in for closer look at psychology of men in war. Intrada presents complete score in stereo from original three-channel scoring session masters. Second up is longer, highly complex score by Jerry Fielding for Clint Eastwood prison picture ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ. Combination of director Siegel, star Eastwood, composer Fielding guarantees success, this one is no exception. Deliberate movie allows composer to examine confined spaces, cold conditions of containment through use of 'musique concrete' techniques. As Fielding described score in 1979 lecture: "It's all hardware... steel on steel... it's Alcatraz.

5/5... Who else is with me... been waiting for these for a very long time and here they are!
-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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Intrada: Cahill: US Marshal - Elmer Bernstein

Cahill: US Marshal [1973-2013]
Music by: Elmer Bernstein

Released By: INTRADA

Intrada Special Collection Volume 229

Great release for Elmer Bernstein fans! Intrada proudly offers world premiere release of Bernstein's powerful score for iconic John Wayne western from 1973, directed by veteran Andrew V. McLaglen, also featuring George Kennedy, Gary Grimes. Bernstein writes larger-than-life main theme for Wayne's U.S. marshal figure, then surrounds with action music as Cahill tracks down, does battle with trio of bank robbers. Lengthy initial robbery sequence ("Killers") is an action music highlight, but equal in excitement is climactic showdown ("Various Troubles"). Night time scene in "Cemetery" allows composer to display gifts for quiet child-like musical gestures, atmospheric ideas. To present complete score, courtesy Warner Bros., Intrada was given access to entire scoring session masters, recorded on 2" 16-channel tape, one of earliest scores recorded in then state-of-the-art multi-track format.

5/5 John Wayne and Elmer Bernstein, period!
-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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Monstrous Movie Music Has A Secret... I am willing to SHARE!

Monstrous Movie Music
http://www.mmmrecordings.com/

About Monstrous Movie Music: Our goal in this CD series is to re-record the scores from science-fiction, fantasy, and horror films of the past in a manner that's as faithful as possible to the original movie studio versions. Engineer, Hubert Geschwandtner

Rather than using standard classical microphone set-ups as if the music were written for the concert hall, we have close-miked the orchestra. This not only creates a more powerful and immediate sound consistent with the dramatic intentions of film music, but it also reveals additional instrumental detail.  Just as the visual nature of film demands close-ups, film music has similar requirements, such as when the drama dictates that a single oboe must dominate over the rest of the orchestra.

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Soundtrack Releases:

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-The Last Man on Earth

-The Brain from Planet Arous / Teenage Monster
-Destination Moon
-Missile to the Moon / Frankenstein's Daughter
-The McCullochs
-Rocketship X-M
-Kronos / The Cosmic Man
-Ship of Fools
-The Intruder (and other music by Herman Stein)
-This Island Earth (and other invasion films)
-Mighty Joe Young (and other Ray Harryhausen animation classics)
-Creature From The Black Lagoon And Other Jungle Pictures
-Monstrous Movie Music
-More Monstrous Movie Music

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This is a great independent label of awesome score music, classic score music... I have enjoyed every note they have chosen to share. They bring you back into a world of music once forgotten, you should never forget... they respect and honor some of the great composers. I want to thank the people at Monstrous Movie Music for bringing those memories, great memories back to the world... I wish them years of success. I am proud to be able to call them friends and I will bring any new releases to your attention.

Thank you!

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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Perseverance Records: Creep Van - Dennis Dreith

Creep Van [2012]

Music by: Dennis Dreith 

The second feature by the filmmakers, who brought you the nightmarish "Gag", again features a score by Dennis Dreith, probably best known for his music to the Dolph Lundgren actioner "The Punisher". Not nearly as dark as "Gag", "Creep Van" features a wide range of music, from rock to surf to sitar to heart pounding horror and a killer End Credits song by Brian Stewart (Harley Krishna from the "Gag" soundtrack), who co-composed some of the tracks.

The movie already sold 20,000 copies in WalMart stores around the country, so make sure you get your copy of the soundtrack.

Perseverance Records
http://www.perseverancerecords.com

Limited to 500 copies. The first 30 copies will be signed by the composer.

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

La-La Land Records: STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE COLLECTION

COMING FEB. 12th FROM LA-LA LAND RECORDS

STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE® COLLECTION

Burbank, CA -- La-La Land Records proudly announces its forthcoming release of STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE  COLLECTION, a limited edition 4-CD soundtrack set that showcases musical highlights from episode scores as heard in all seven original seasons of the beloved sci-fi television series STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE  (1993-1999). This special collection of music features more than five hours of incredible score, selected from some of the most acclaimed episodes of this enormously successful NEXT GENERATION spin-off. Limited to only 3,000 units, this special set will be released on Feb. 12, 2013, at www.lalalandrecords.com at 1pm (PST). The retail price will be $49.98.

Silva Screen Music: Gives Us A Taste of Score Music!

SILVA SCREEN RECORDS PRESENTS:

FILM MUSIC 2012 : Film Music 2012 is the sixth installment in the acclaimed annual “Year Book” concept from Silva Screen. Snapshot of the best on offer in a cinematic music 2012 year, this engaging compilation features music as varied as themes from the The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Ted, Skyfall and The Hunger Games.

Silva Screen Music
http://www.silvascreenusa.com/



01. End Titles (From “Ted”) - Walter Murphy (The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra)
02. New York City Surprise (From “Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted”) - Hans Zimmer (London Music Works)
03. Fate and Destiny (From “Brave”) - Patrick Doyle (The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra)
04. Freedom's Call (From “Lincoln”) - John Williams (The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra)
05. Snow White and the Huntsman - James Newton Howard (The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra)
06. Life (From “Prometheus”) - Harry Gregson-Williams (London Music Works)
07. Over Hill (From “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”) - Howard Shore (The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra)
08. Imagine the Fire (From “The Dark Knight Rises”) - Hans Zimmer (London Music Works)
09. The Avengers (From “Avengers Assemble”) - Alan Silvestri (London Music Works)
10. Young Peter (From “The Amazing Spider-Man”) - James Horner (London Music Works)
11. Rue's Farewell (From “The Hunger Games”) - James Newton Howard (The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra)
12. Skyfall - Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth (The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra)

Digital Album: SILED4696
Release date: January 29, 2012

Music from The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings: A unique collection of the very best themes from Howard Shore's scores for the blockbuster trilogy The Lord Of The Rings plus music from the 2012 smash hit The Hobbit

One of the most respected and honored composers in cinema history, Howard Shore’s career spans five decades and includes scores for many of the most popular and critically successful films of the modern era - The Silence Of The Lambs, Seven, Gangs Of New York, The Departed and Hugo. Shore’s soundtrack from The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy remains his most towering achievement, winning three Academy Awards.

Performed by The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Evan Jolly and Nic Raine

CD & Digital Album: SILCD1397
Release date: February 26, 2013

It's a nice way to get a collection of score music in one place, though for me I always prefer the original... this is a nice stepping stone if you are not sure.

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

La-La Land Records: Battlestar Galactica News!

LA-LA LAND RECORDS RE-ENGAGES IN THE CYLON WARS WITH TWO NEW SOUNDTRACKS COMPOSED 

BY BEAR MCCREARY

Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome on March 12th
Caprica: Original Television Soundtrack in April

(February 5, 2013 – Burbank, CA) La-La Land Records announces the release of two new soundtracks Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome on March 12th and Caprica: Original Television Soundtrack in April. Bear McCreary (The Walking Dead, Battlestar Galactica) composed the music for both series.

"In scoring the Battlestar Galactica prequels Caprica and Blood & Chrome, I returned to the unique combination of world and orchestral sounds that defined my previous score,” McCreary described. “But, both prequels had their own distinct approach. Caprica was interlaced with delicate chamber orchestra textures, solo harp and other-worldly source songs. Blood & Chrome is energized by heavy distorted-synthesizers and searing electric guitar performances. Listeners will hear, however, that all three series have a common musical DNA."

LOVECRAFT GOES TO THE MOVIES: THE CLASSICS THAT INSPIRED THE CLASSIC HORROR FILMS

New York: Fall River Press, c2011, ISBN 9781435136175, $9.95

REEL DISAPPOINTMENT: A RELUCTANT REVIEW OF

LOVECRAFT GOES TO THE MOVIES: THE CLASSICS THAT INSPIRED THE CLASSIC HORROR FILMS

I am no longer sure what I expected out of this collection of Lovecraft’s works, but I know it didn’t deliver. Each story is preceded by a brief notation about the film that was based on the attending story, but what should have been a fun, campy read that included the Lovecraft tale, turned into a sigh of relief that the book cost no more than ten dollars. The information that should have lit up the book and was supposed to be instrumental in creating this collection just laid there like a footnote and the best thing about it was the introduction by Michael Kelahan. Where were the film reviews? Cast and director commentaries? Interviews and promotions materials? Film history of this ilk should be fun. As it were, I just bought yet another collected works of Lovecraft.

Maybe I was expecting too much, but I am thinking that the book would have been better served in a larger format and with accompanying movie posters and cast memorabilia as part of the presentation. I was certainly expecting a bit more that the blasé delivery of rote information anyone could find on the internet, and which – if complied by itself – might have consumed a whole five pages of text. I just may have just been lazy enough to buy this book for the limited film information, but by God I am ashamed. Can I rate this with negative tentacles? Well then let’s call it one limp tentacle…and only because it’s a cheap Lovecraft collection for the limited budget.

KC Redding-Gonzalez

Perseverance Records: The Witches Of Eastwick - John Williams

The Witches Of Eastwick [1987]
Music by: John Williams

Released By: Perseverance Records

Perseverance Records is proud to announce the reissue of the soundtrack to Witches Of Eastwick by the legendary John Williams. As with all of our reissues from the Warner/Elektra/Atlantic vaults, it's a straight up reissue of the original LP - remastered and priced just right at $12.98.

If you could compare a film composer to a rock star, John Williams is our genre's equivalent to the Beatles. He's the biggest selling, most recognized composer of all time. It is rare if you can't find SOMEBODY who hasn't heard or loved his music. Williams' music has touched so many people in the form of Star Wars, Jaws, E.T., Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Dracula, Home Alone, Jurassic Park, Catch Me If You Can, Harry Potter and so many more. With Witches Of Eastwick he created a change of pace from what he became known for. It was a playful, wonderful and brilliant score for a comedy film. When you watch the film, even Jack Nicholson whistles his own theme! The score was nominated for an Academy Award. If you missed out on the Collector's Choice reissue from a few years back, we are offering it with new artwork and remastered sound.

5/5 Now I am not a fan of the film when it was released, but I always was a fan of the Master John Williams... I shouldn't even need to tell you who that is. Over the years it has grown to be a classic for myself and this tale of love gone bad... really bad. This at one time was a very difficult scores to have in your collection, well it has been re-released for your witching pleasure. You not be disappointed, I still ask myself was this a chick flick or horror film [you know the scene with the cherries]?

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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MovieScore Media: Lost Years: A People's Struggle for Justice - Darren Fung

Lost Years: A People's Struggle for Justice [2013]
Music by: Darren Fung

Released By: MOVIESCORE MEDIA 

Directed by Kenda Gee and Tom Radford, Lost Years: A People’s Struggle for Justice is a political and historical documentary about Chinese immigrants in North America and Oceania, featuring an immensely beautiful orchestral score by Canadian composer Darren Fung, who employed the forces of the China National Symphony Orchestra for the recording of the music.

The score mirrors the epic proportions of the narrative, spanning over 150 years, and is a mix of traditional western orchestral writing and Chinese folk music, featuring instruments such as the erhu and pipa. The score was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for ‘Best Original Music for a Non-Fiction Program or Series’. 

-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

WARM BODIES: A zombie movie for girls....and this guy.

WARM BODIES is the story of Romeo and Juliet with zombies and people instead the Capulets and the Montagues.  I can't think of any zombie movies where the main character was a shambling incoherent rotting corpse.  That is really cool.  Nicholas Hoult plays a zombie named R who is looking for more in his undead existence than just walking around and eating people.  Things begin to change however when he sees Julie for the first time.  Julie is not a zombie.  She is very much alive but instead of wanting to eat her R falls in love with her.  For some reason she is able to make him feel something for the first time in a long time.  R brings it on himself to protect Julie played by Teresa Palmer from his fellow undead zombies and some skeleton people.

There is a reason why WARM BODIES was previewed in front of BREAKING DAWN part 2 and that is because there really isn't a whole lot that happens in this movie.  That is not to say that WARM BODIES is a bad film.  Quite the contrary.  It is just that this is a romantic comedy, so a good portion of this film is solely focused on the relationship building between R and Julie.  That is the whole reason to watch a film like this in the first place.  And while Nicholas is a very likable zombie he is still a zombie.  The whole plot about R having a hard time trying to get this girl to like him because he is dead kind of gets old.  The film can't help but drag a bit.  WARM BODIES doesn't give you the high energy the trailer promises.  Some of that I believe is due to not using the music more effectively in the film and the writing overall could have been smarter.  Still WARM BODIES is a good film.  It just isn't a great film.  Click here to continue...


Jason

UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DAY OF RECKONING...This movie is on drugs!

Finally after following the production of this film for like two years I am able to watch DOR.  I don't have On-demand and it never played in any theaters near where I live so I had to wait for it on Blu.  It was worth the wait.  Now I really can't write about this film without spoiling a majority of what happens in the film so be warned.  Spoilers ahead.  I will say this.  DOR is one trippy action film.  This isn't your typical finger/toe chopping, bat bludgeoning, machete hacking shoot'em up.  This film will make your head hurt.  Beware the white flashes!

The awesome Scott Adkins stars as John whose family was murdered by Luc played by Jean-Claude Van Damme.  Since REGENERATION JCVD has escaped the government and has become Marlon Brando in APOCALYPSE NOW.  He has gone up river into hiding converting other Universal Soldiers who are hunting him down.  He has a mind freeing injection he gives soldiers who are programmed as sleeper agents for the government.  When given the injection their vision strobes to white flashes causing the soldier to see the truth and the audience member watching too long at the screen to convulse on the floor uncontrollably and evacuate their bowels into their pants in front of their friends.  At least that is what happened to me.  Word of warning.  Don't stare at the screen too long when the strobing happens.  It will hurt your head.  The piercing sound effects don't help either.  Can't imagine what that would have looked like in 3D.  Absolute hell, I imagine.  JCVD plans on creating his own clone army to fight the government that created the Universal Soldier program.  Fight fire with fire.  That sort of thing.  John is given the injection but it does not work.  His memories help him resist which lead to occasional bizarre episodes of John seeing Luc in mirrors and such messing with his mind.  John has to take the journey up river to find Luc and ultimately himself.  How deep.  CLICK TO CONTINUE...


Jason

Monstrous Movie Music: Ship of Fools - Ernest Gold

Ship of Fools [1965]
Music by: Ernest Gold

Released By: MONSTEROUS MOVIE MUSIC 

Ship of Fools [MMM-1962] is one of the most-desired scores by the incredibly-talented Ernest Gold.  Nominated for 8 Academy Awards, this 1965 star-studded powerhouse drama features a magnificent “Main Title,” a memorable love theme, and more original Viennese waltzes and dance cues than you can shake a ship at.  Gold displays his gift for melody in this unique and delightful score that emphasizes chamber music over bombast.

5/5 Ping Pong... was never so good! It's classy... it's Hip!
-Jeremy [Retro-Z]

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