First Thought:

I have been a huge Metallica fan for a longtime, but never went to go see them in concert. Like many people, I feel that since the Black Album, the quality of their music has declined. Although unlike many “hardcore” fans, I actually liked the Load and Reload Cds, but agree that St. Anger was garbage.  Death Magnetic came out and I am digging it and figured I better go see them before they die (or before I do). Overall, I was excited.

The Bill

The Sword, Machine Head, Metallica

The Venue

Allstate Arena – Great views…AWEFUL SOUND. The stage was a giant rectangle about 3/4 the size of a baskeball court. With 8 microphones placed throughout the stage and Lars’ drum stand sitting on a rotating circle stand in the middle.

The openers: I actually missed the first opener “The Sword” as me and the boys were out at Harry Carays having some pregame drinks. We got there in time to see the incredibly dissapointing sounds of Machinehead. I have a couple friends who are big Machinehead fans and they rave about their live shows. I even think I may have seen Machinehead at a big radio show 10+ years ago. Anyway, all we heard was one big  jumbled mess of drums and bass. Could not hear any lead guitar or the singer. Couldn’t tell where one song ended and the other began. To sum it up…I think even without the bad Allstate arena acoustics, these guys would have sucked balls.

The Headliners:

Metallica came out and immediately I was dissapointed, but again it was because the audio mix in the arena was soooo piss poor that I couldn’t hear Kirk Hammett or James Hetfield (the 2 main reasons I like Metallica). They opened up playing a couple of their new tunes and then  mixed it up with older songs from the Black album and before. They didn’t play anything between Black and Death Magnetic…which was good. Fortunately, the sound got better as the night went along and I enjoyed the concert much more.

The Good: One, Sad But True, All Nightmare Long, Cyanide, Master of Puppets, free audio download of concert

The Bad: That Was Just  Your Life, Fight Fire with Fire, the black Metallica beach balls that fell from the ceiling during Seek and Destroy (cheesy).

Set List:

1. That Was Just Your Life
2. The End of the Line
3. Harvestor of Sorrow
4. For Whom the Bells Toll
5. One
6. Broken, Beaten, Scarred
7. Cyandide
8. Sad But True
9. Welcome Home (Sanatarium)
10. All Nightmare Long
11. The Day That Never Comes
12. Master of Puppets
13. Fight Fire with Fire
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
16. Die Die My Darling
17. Whiplash
18. Seek and Destroy

Overall: I would definetely see Metallica again…but only if they played at a different venue. The All State needs to be blown up and rebuilt for the 21st century.

Rating: 3 Magic Donkey Hats

monkeyclown MonkeyClown, Music 1/27/09, All State Arena, AllState Arena, Concert, Death Magnetic, january 27th 2009, List, Machinehead, Metallica, review, Set, Setlist, The Sword

Next

First thought:
Nicholas Cage, Jessica Biel, and Julianne Moore, it’s got to be decent.

As its progressing thought:
Really?!?!?!?  Is this really happening and am I really watching this right now?  Wait, my kid just screwed around with the remote and I’ve missed a little bit of it.  Okay, I’m back. . . still not much going on.

The Ah-ha thought:
There it is. . .Jessica Biel finally utilizing her stunning looks.

Final review:
The movie isn’t that bad.  However, its not Nicholas Cage’s best flick (Leaving Las Vegas, IMO) and Jessica Biel proves again that she cannot act and is primarily the “eye candy”.  Is that so wrong?  The idea of a magician who can see 2 minutes ahead in the future is a little far stretch to help save the country from a nuclear bomb, isn’t it?  I must say that I did like the warehouse scene, but that’s only because I like guns and a little action in movies.

Rating:
1 1/2 magic donkey hats

monkeyclown Movie Jessica Biel, Jualianne Moore, Next, nicholas chage, review

Blades of Glory

First thought:
Will Ferrell (Chazz Michael Michaels) and Jon Heder (Jimmy MacElroy), a mix between Old School and Napolean Dynamite, it can’t be that bad.

As its progressing thought:
Can Jon Heder play any other type of character?  I’m picturing Napolean Dynamite on ice skates, seriously!
Ah ha thought(s):
Jenna Fischer (Katie Van Waldenberg) actually looks cute in this flick.  Normally, no real idea/attraction to her.
The “thing” between Jimmy MacElroy and Katie Van Waldenberg could be the best part of this whole thing.

Final review:
Will Ferrell can be described by one word, HILLARIOUS!  However, his latest movies have been a little sub-par and a little more on the annoyance side.  There are plenty of good laughs on the behalf of Chazz, but it seemed like he was the only one that was making me chuckle.
Like I said before, can Jon Heder play any other type of character?  I get this feeling that he can only play characters that seem half mentally challenged, and plays them all the same.
The Waldenberg family provided plenty of laughs, which might have held this movie together.
Unless you are an ice skater, former ice skater, or die-hard Jon Heder fan, you probably won’t find this flick that all exciting.  And no, I am neither of these.

Rating:
1 1/2 magic donkey hats

monkeyclown Movie Blades of Glory, Chazz Michael Michaels, Iron Lotus, Jenna Fischer, John Heder, review, Will Ferrell

Blood Diamond

First Thought:
This movie is going to be an intense expose on the diamond industry and I better go to the bathroom before the movie starts.

Starring:
Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly

Plot:
The ongoing struggle for diamonds in Africa and the effects this natural resource has on families, commerce, and government.  Three characters lives become intertwined and connected through circumstance and personal gain—an American reporter (Connelly) looking to exploit the biggest diamond company in the world, a diamond smuggler (DiCaprio), who’s trying to find the ultimate diamond and leave Africa and a local fisherman (Hounsou), who buried a huge diamond while enslaved for a rebel faction and who’s kidnapped son is now a soldier in the militia.
As its progressing thought:
1) Jennifer Connelly is a complete babe who I would marry tomorrow—and a fine actress.
2) I was shocked by how rebels in Africa kidnap and train young boys to fight and kill by brainwashing, drug use, and propaganda. 
3) Africa is a fucked up place!

Overall:
Djimon Hounsou gives a griping performance as man trying to save his family and survive the harsh realities of Africa. DiCaprio gives one of his better performances as a fast talking diamond smuggler who struggles with his ethics.  Dicaprio and Hounsou are a great combination on screen and their characters are perfect together.  This movie sheds new light on the diamond industry notifies the public about conflict-free diamonds. All of the characters in this movie have a moral fiber about them that helps to carry the movie. The action scenes were good, realistic, and fast paced.  It’s better than The Patriot but it’s no Gladiator and it’s definitely not Braveheart.
 
Rating:
4 magic donkey hats

monkeyclown Movie Africa, Blood Diamond, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly, Leonardo DiCarprio, review