New releases for Jan. 17, 2012: Ani Difranco, Martina McBride, “Dirty Girl,” “The Ides of March” and more
Juno Temple in "Dirty Girl"
“Dirty Girl,” writer-director Abe Sylvia’s ’80s era indie drama partially set in Norman, is out on DVD today, along with George Clooney’s political drama “The Ides of March,” the faith-based film “Courageous” and “Twilight” heartthrob Taylor Lautner’s actioner “Abduction.”
In “Dirty Girl,” Danielle is labeled the ” dirty girl of Norman High” in 1987, and when she gets banished to special ed, she meets a shy, friendless, closeted gay boy. California, here they come, with the mismatched misfits played by Juno Temple and Jeremy Dozier setting off on a road trip. (Although the story is partially set in Norman, according to IMDB, it was all filmed in California.)
Here is a list of more CDs, DVDs and books out this week, as listed on Amazon.com and VideoETA.com:
CDs
Ani Difranco, “Which Side Are You on.”
Martina McBride, “Hits and More.”
Coldplay, “Mylo Xyloto (Special edition box set).”
Michael W. Smith, “Decades of Worship.”
Kathleen Edwards, “Voyageur.”
Guided By Voices, “Let’s Go Eat the Factory.”
Girls Generation, “Boys.”
Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez and Paul Motian, “Further Explorations.”
Bombay Bicycle Club, “Different Kind of Fix.”
DVDs
Abduction
Arena
Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star
Cold Sweat
Courageous
Dirty Girl
The Ides of March
Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain
Killing Bono
Merlin: The Complete Third Season
Mysteries of Lisbon
Sliders: The Fifth and Final Season
Undocumented
Books
Raylan: A Novel (Raylan Givens) by Elmore Leonard
Death of Kings: A Novel (Saxon Tales) by Bernard Cornwell
Shadows in Flight by Orson Scott Card
The Rope: An Anna Pigeon Novel (Anna Pigeon Mysteries) by Nevada Barr
The End of Illness by David B. Agus
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Kickstarter.com campaign raises $22,000+ for HD restoration of “Manos: The Hands of Fate”
The story I’m about to tell you is true. I promise. No matter how unbelievable it seems, this is happening:
A cinephile by the name of Benjamin Solovey is working on a high-definition restoration of the cult horror anti-classic “Manos: The Hands of Fate” for a future Blu-ray release.
Solovey has come by the original Ektachrome camera master of “Manos,” a low-budget horror film produced in 1966 by a small cast and crew in El Paso, Texas, and he wants to give film fans a chance to view a clearer, cleaner version of the movie than the blurry public domain VHS transfer ported to DVD now available.
Rumored to have been made on a bet, “Manos” is about a vacationing family who encounters a demon-worshiping cult led by the fearsome Master (Tom Neyman) and his freaky servant Torgo (John Reynolds). The movie had slipped into obscurity until “Mystery Science Theater 3000″ mocked it mercilessly in a 1993 episode that has become one of the most popular in the late, great TV series’ history. (It was actually re-released on DVD last year.)
Solovey started a Kickstarter.com campaign to help fund the HD restoration, with a goal of $10,000. The campaign has raised more than $22,000 and is continuing through Feb. 4. More than 300 people have backed the project.
Along with restoring the film’s visuals to their original, um, clarity – I couldn’t type greatness; my hands would not do it – Solovey plans on digitizing and restoring the soundtrack by an audio professional on a high-end mixing station. Yes, the haunting Torgo theme music will be new, improved and with us forever.
So, if the project goes as planned – and it seems to be going great guns right now – you will be able to buy on Blu-ray a copy of “Manos,” which MST3K’s Joel Hodgson described as “Every frame of this movie looks like someone’s last known photo.”
Wow.
-BAM
CD review: Mike McClure “Fifty Billion”
Country
Mike McClure “Fifty Billion” (598 Recordings)
Prolific red dirt pioneer Mike McClure tinkers with numerous musical styles and moods on his latest solo album, “Fifty Billion.”
The sinewy 10-track effort marks the Ada musician’s first release on his new 598 Recordings, which he founded with business partner C.P. Sparkman. Along with starting the record label, working with fellow Oklahoma musicians The Damn Quails and Tom Skinner on their new albums and reuniting with his seminal red dirt band the Great Divide, McClure found time to write or co-write all the songs on “Fifty Billion.”
The evocative Tex-Mex yarn “Outlaw’s Prayer” offers further proof that the multitalented McClure’s strongest skill is still songsmithing. The galloping epic provides an intriguing contrast to the wistful country road ode “Horseshoe,” which in turn diverges dramatically from the hard-edged country-blues rocker “Black Diamond.” The Tecumseh native then goes gospel on “Hell and Highwater,” complete with big-voiced backup singers, bouncy bass and hopeful horns.
With the folksy “Old Crow,” McClure shows he’s not too proud to pick up a few tricks from one of the group’s he’s mentored, namely The Damn Quails.
While not as showy musically, “Other Side of Midnight” effectively explores the heartache of lost dreams, while “Distractions” woozily taps into the zeitgeist of our overly busy times.
McClure also happens to be a formidable live performer, and he will join the Red Dirt Rangers, Jason Boland, Stoney LaRue and several other red dirt musicians at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Tom Skinner Family Fundraiser at Fassler Hall in Tulsa. The event will raise funds to help Skinner with recent medical costs and other expenses. For more information, go to www.fasslerhall.com.
— BAM
RiffTrax to return to theaters with “RiffTrax Live: Jack the Giant Killer” on Aug. 17
The giant from "Jack the Giant Killer" will get the teasing he so richly deserves Aug. 17 during "RiffTrax Live: Jack the Giant Killer."
Former MST3K riffers Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett will return to theaters later this month when NCM Fathom and RiffTrax present “RiffTrax Live: Jack the Giant Killer” in theaters for one night at 7 p.m. Central Wednesday, August 17.
The comedians from the cult classic TV series (and BAM’s Blog favorite) “Mystery Science Theater 3000″ will take the stage in Nashville, Tenn., to provide their signature wisecracking commentary on the cheesy 1962 fantasy epic “Jack the Giant Killer.” The event will be broadcast live from Nashville to participating Fathom movie theaters across the country. In addition to the not-so-classic movie bursting with Vikings, giant rubber monsters and an evil sorcerer, fans will be treated to free digital goodies as well as a new short from the guys and two original animated shorts from Rich “Lowtax” Kyanka of Something Awful.
The event will be broadcast to 500 select movie theaters across the country through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network. In the Oklahoma City metro area, the event will be shown at Quail Springs 24 IMAX, 2501 W Memorial; Tinseltown USA, 6001 N Martin Luther King Ave.; and Spotlight 14, 1100 N Interstate Drive in Norman.
Tickets for “RiffTrax Live: Jack and the Giant Killer” are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.
From left, Kevin Murphy, Bill Corbett and Michael J. Nelson are the RiffTrax team.
“Being able to riff Jack the Giant Killer live is a dream come true for us,” said Michael J. Nelson, RiffTrax creator and former host of the Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” in a news release. “Yes, it’s got a lot of eye candy: stop-motion giants, an evil sorcerer with an awesome beard, and as a main character, a dog that’s actually a Viking. Mostly, though, we’re excited to introduce the concept of the ‘leprechaun in a jar’ to the wider viewing public.”
Movie theater audiences at “RiffTrax Live: Jack the Giant Killer” will receive free digital goodies after the event — including a downloadable short, avatars and a digital photo of the guys — which can be accessed through a URL address that will be revealed on-screen.
A perfect vehicle for the comedic RiffTrax treatment, 1962’s “Jack the Giant Killer” was memorably described by The New York Times, which claimed “the acting is terrible, the dialogue is even worse.” When beautiful Princess Elaine is kidnapped by a hideous giant, it is up to the resourceful farm boy, Jack, to rescue her from his evil clutches. But no sooner is she free than the villainous sorcerer Pendragon bewitches Jack’s new love and locks her in his enchanted fortress. Now Jack must cross the ocean to brave dragons, two-headed ogres and an army of ghouls to save his damsel in distress.
“This hilarious live Rifftrax experience will have audiences across the U.S. rolling in the aisles of their local movie theaters,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom, in the release. “It’s always a treat to broadcast the RiffTrax guys and their wacky antics live into theaters for these side-splitting Fathom events. Fans won’t want to miss another chance to experience a RiffTrax event!”
Previous successful Fathom events have included “RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 From Outer Space,” in which the guys riffed the “worst film ever made” in August 2009; “RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-Stravaganza,” featuring “Weird Al” Yankovic in December 2009; “RiffTrax Live: Reefer Madness,” parodying the legendary cult classic in August 2010; and “RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill,” which took on the Vincent Price horror classic just in time for Halloween in October 2010.
For more information, go to www.rifftrax.com.
-BAM
Video: Ryan Merriman talks acting jobs, charity efforts
Choctaw-born and bred actor Ryan Merriman sat down last week with NewsOK video host Angi Bruss to chat about his role in the hot TV series “Pretty Little Liars,” his indie film roles in “Cheesecake Casserole” and “The 5th Quarter” and his charity work in Oklahoma.
Ryan was in town not only to visit family and friends but also to help raise money for the Children’s Hospital Foundation, an affiliate of Children’s Miracle Network. He made a special appearance last Friday at Cuppies and Joes, where the shop was selling cupcakes he created with proceeds going to the foundation, and hosted the foundation’s Roundup Shindig on Saturday night. To read my interview with Ryan, click here.
It was a big weekend in the OKC metro for the Children’s Miracle Network. Teen music sensation Greyson Chance took a break from his tour with Miranda Cosgrove to play a pair of hometown shows at Edmond Santa Fe High School. The shows were benefits for the Children’s Miracle Network as part of Double Wolf Dare Week, the school’s annual charity campaign.
Greyson’s shows and meet-and-greet raised $40,000. To read more, click here.
-BAM
Rifftrax live take on “House on Haunted Hill” airing in theaters nationwide tonight
Rifftrax stars Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett will celebrate Halloween with a live riffing event airing in theaters nationwide tonight. NCM Fathom and the stars of the late, great series “Mystery Science Theater 3000″ invite snarky fans of bad movies across the country to a haunted house party that will feature hilarious riffing on the horror classic “House on Haunted Hill.” Not only will the Rifftrax trio treat this Vincent Price classic to their signature brand of rapid-fire comedy, comedian Paul F. Tompkins also will join the guys as a guest riffer on a classic, never-before-seen short.
Movie theater audiences will receive FREE digital goodies after the event. A URL will be revealed on-screen during the event so you can logon and receive your free digital goodies!
Tonight’s event will be broadcast live to movie theaters nationwide at 7 p.m. Oklahoma time. Theaters showing this event in Oklahoma include the Spotlight 14 in Norman, Tinseltown USA and AMC Quail Springs in Oklahoma City, and the Cinemark 17 in Tulsa.
For tickets, go to www.fathomevents.com.
For more information on Rifftrax, go to www.rifftrax.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on September 15, 2010
Today’s featured event:
TULSA—Watermelon Slim plays with Dustin Pittsley at the Flytrap Music Hall, 514 E. 2nd Street, Tulsa, OK, tonight at 7 pm. Tickets are $15.
For more information, go to www.flytrapeventcenter.com.
For more events, go to www.oklahomarock.com.
—3D
What to do in Oklahoma on August 19, 2010
Today’s featured event:
The folks at Rifftrax have scheduled another live event that will be broadcast tonight into a theater near you. In case you don’t know, Rifftrax is an online endeavor of former Mystery Science Theater 3000 stars Mike Nelson, Bill Corbett, and Kevin Murphy, in which they provide humorous commentary tracks to all sorts of movies. (Their track for the recent Indiana Jones sequel, in particular, is not to be missed.)
Occasionally, the boys like to riff a movie live and have it broadcast to theaters across the country. In this case, their target is the cult film “Reefer Madness,” but there will also be new shorts by the guys as well. Digital goodies (such as shorts, photos, etc…) will be given to the audience. The broadcast will begin tonight at 7 pm (but if you miss it there’s an encore broadcast on August 24th). Theaters playing this event include the Spotlight 14 in Norman, Tinseltown USA and AMC Quail Springs in OKC.
For more information, you can go to www.Rifftrax.com.
For tickets, click here.
—3D
Rifftrax guys talk “Reefer Madness” live event, coming Thursday to theaters
On Thursday, the movie-watching wisecrackers behind Rifftrax will bring their mocking to theatergoers live, as part of the Fathom Events presentation of the unintentionally hilarious 1930s cult classic “Reefer Madness.”
Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett, formerly of “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” will present live humorous commentary with the film as it is presented across the country. This is the third nationwide live theater event for the Rifftrax crew.
The film will be shown at AMC Quail Springs 24, 2501 W Memorial Road in Oklahoma City; Tinseltown USA, 6001 N Martin Luther King Ave. in Oklahoma City; and Spotlight 14, 1100 N Interstate Drive in Norman. In Tulsa, the film will be shown at Cinemark Tulsa 17, 10802 E 71st St.
The event also will feature three brand-new riffs on three short films.
Matt Price of Nerdage has the Rifftrax guys’ thoughts on “Reefer Madness”; click here to read his feature.
–3D
Paltrow Releases Country Song
In conjunction with her upcoming film, Country Strong, in which she plays a country singer, Gwyneth Paltrow has released a song of the same name as a country single. Vince Gill and Patty Griffin sing backup on the song, and Tim McGraw co-stars in the film, so there’s plenty of country power surrounding both the song and the film.
For more on this story and other country news, go to www.cmt.com/news.
—3D
