Jersey Girl - Movie Review

This is a very good movie. Starring Ben Afleck, George Carlin, Liv Tyler and Raquel Castro. I must say with some of the movies Ben Afleck has done, and with George Carlin being in a more serious role, I was sceptical, but the trailor was so good I wanted to see it. I was not disapointed. Written by Kevin Smith, (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob), this stepped into a more serious and mature theme. 5/5 Stars.

George Strait music video for Troubadour

I saw George Strait's video for Troubadour. I already loved the song. The video takes kind of a nostalgic look at his career. I think I had already seen all the photos they used, but it was cool seeing it put in this video. Since we have moved back to Maryville, I have been taking lots of memory lane trips lately so this video makes a lot of since to me right now. And George is just so cool. 5/5 Stars

Bruce Springsteen - Live in KC

As a lot of you know, I am a huge Springsteen fan. I had a chance to go in 2001 and didn't. I've regretted it since. So when this time came around, I scraped up the $$$ and got 2 tickets. I went with my father-in-law, who also is a big BOSS fan. He hasn't been to many concerts. Not many tours go through Farm Town, Iowa. So I think the experience was pretty cool for him too.

Show start time was 7:30. We got there at 7:20 and about 1000 or so fans were still trying to get in. Security was pretty tight and not very well organized. We grabbed a T-Shirt and got to our seats by 7:45 or so. They were still working on setting up stage and lights. No explanation was ever given for the delay, but at 8:50 the show finally started. I know they usually play for about 3 hours, so I knew it would be a late night. He started off with a string of some new stuff, I had never heard. They were OK, what I could understand of it. Then broke into Hungry Heart. The set list was pretty diverse. After 30 years, it would be hard to pick 20 songs to do. So he did about 30 or so. Some of the best I thought were "Out in the Streets", "Badlands", "Youngstown", "The Promised Land", "No Surrender" and "Tenth Avenue Freeze-out". He dedicated "Devils & Dust" to the troops. The first Encore, had the best moments though. "Born to Run" was tops for the night, and "Rosalita" was pretty cool. The second encore had "Dancin' in the Dark" and some others, I can't remember. Max even sang a song for the first time EVER!!! Since this was the first tour without Danny Federici, they did "Sandy" in memory of Danny. Very cool.

They were still playing at 12:00 when we left. We both had to be up early the next morning and with a 2 hour drive ahead of us, that wasn't looking good. I really wanted to see "Thunder Road", "Jungleland" and "Born in the USA". But we got our money worth.

Because of the late start, and some of the new songs were just ok, I give this show a 4.5/5 stars.

Batman - The Dark Knight

WOW! I know everybody is saying that Heath Ledger should win the Oscar... and he should. This was not only the best comic book movie I've seen, but one of the best movies period. My only complaint was that they could have cut the last 20 minutes or so out, and put that in the next movie. Anyway, I can't wait for it to come out on DVD so I can buy it. I loved it. 5/5 Stars

Re-Review: Bruce Springsteen - Magic

Well, if you have read my reviews you know, I really came down hard on The Boss' new album "Magic". Well, since I am finally going to get to see him live in Aug. I decided to dig out the new stuff and get real familiure with it. I want to be able to follow all the songs he does. So after listening to this album again about 3 times, I have to re-rate it.

If you listen to rock radio, you have probably already heard "Radio Nowhere". Like that song, many of the others had to grow on me first. That is unusual for a Springsteen album. However, it is refreshing that he isn't afraid to try something new. He doesn't just release the same music with different names and places referenced. The good thing is this is still an E. Street Band record as well. I am just as much a fan of the band as I am of Bruce. Anyway, so if you like the Born in the USA album and if you liked new stuff like The Rising, you should go get Magic. However don't judge it on just 1 spin. Remember, let it grow on you. I now give this album 3.5/5 Stars.

Nerd Test

So my wife took a nerd test and got like a 38%. She made me take it to since I work on computers. I got a 63% rating which means I am a Nerd, but low on the totem pole of nerds. If you would like to try it yourself click the link below...

Dead Man's Bounty

Ok, from the best movie in a long time, to the worst movie EVER. I was so excited to see a western on the movie selection. What a disgrace. I was so disappointed, I may not rent a Lionsgate film for a long time. The music was terrible, the script made me want to puke and the acting was so bad, I couldn't even watch the damn thing. Fast forwarded it to the last 10 minutes after 20 minutes of crap, to find that the rest of he movie was crap as well. This movie could have been made by 12 year olds and been better. I don't normally bash writers and actors, but this was sooooo bad, it should never have been released. Maybe we could use it for our torture tactics in Iraq... 0/5 Stars.

The Bucket List

I have to say, this was one of the best movies I've ever seen. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman are great together. Two completely different characters, who find common ground in the fact that they both have been given months to live. They create a list of things to do before they kick he bucket...

I loved it. After renting it, I will now be buying it. Go get it today!!! 5/5 stars.

Pat Green new single "Let Me"

Wow!!! I love this song. The first spin it was just pretty good. Now I've listened to it about 15 times in the last few hours... This will be on Pat Greens new CD due out this fall (title TBD).

Let Me is a mellow song that lovers will fall in love to again. I really can't wait to see it live!!!

It was released to major markets yesterday. But has been played by some stations for a couple weeks. If you can't get it in your area, you can wait or just join Pat's fan club (The Dancehall - $29/yr) and listen to it as often as you like.

Thanks,
John

Bruce Springsteen - Magic

I am a huge Springsteen fan. However, If you like 70's - 80's Springsteen, I wouldn't recommend this one to you. It gets a little too political for a guy who says "I will never be in politics". There are a couple songs that I would listen to more than once. Other than that, I was very disappointed. If you want some newer sounding music from the Boss that lives up the the old stuff, I would suggest The Rising. I give The Rising 4/5 stars. On the other hand Magic would have to be 2.5/5 stars.

Eagles - Long Road Out of Eden

This is a 2 disc set that includes 20 all new songs. Some of the songs have the traditional Eagles sound such as "How Long". Some have a purely Don Henley feel and some have the Joe Walsh sound all over them. Now this being 2008 and not 1974, corporate execs have their hands in on this now. And you can hear it on some tracks. "What do I do with my Heart" has a early 80's Chicago feel to it, but almost sounds boy band from the Eagles. Still a good track though. So if you are an Eagles/Henley/Walsh fan, this is a good pick for you. 4/5 stars. $12 @ Wal-Mart.

Movie Review - Hell Town (John Wayne)

Released in 1937, Hell Town featured a young John Wayne playing the role of a smooth talking man on the run named Dare Rudd. He finds his way to Wyoming where his cousin, who is a big time cattleman/banker, is hesitant to help him out. However he promised Dare's father he would make an honest cattleman out of his cousin.

Dare, also self proclaimed "best poker player west of the Miss.", isn't interested in the honest work until he starts to fall for is cousins girl. With his newfound integrity, he sets out with a team on a drive. However after cattle thieves fail to get the cattle during the drive, they try to lure Dare back into his old habits beating him at his own game. It would take some miracle to rescue him and prove himself to his cousin and his new lady...

This movie is included in a DVD package available at Wal-Mart for around $10. It includes 20 movies mostly from the 30s. More to come...

Introduction to Mackey's Music Review & more

I am a 26 year old musician/song writer. I am above all a country music fan. However, my interest span a wide variety including, classic rock, big band, blues, some hip-hop and some modern rock. When I say country music, that is pretty broad though. I lump modern country, bluegrass, western swing and Texas country all in there (...and yes there is a difference between Texas country and what most of us hear on the radio).

I also love movies. Mostly action, comedy and drama. I will also be reviewing some movies. You may even see a book review or two. Who knows, I might get nuts and start suggesting restaurants to you as well. You never know.

So sit back, pop a top and prepare to be informed or, I hope, at least entertained. Don't take it too seriously. I don't take myself seriously too often, so I don't expect you to.

Thanks for stopping in.

John