• Ladies and gentlemen,

    In case you were wondering what I have been doing since my road trip through Quebec two months ago, I simply wanted to update my blog with a few pictures taken over the past two months. I have spent some quality time with friends in Gatineau, Longueuil, Montreal and Ottawa. We attended concerts, played video games, played mini golf, took short road trips, visited museums, watched movies and went to restaurants. I'm having plenty of fun these days even though I'm feeling a little bit exhausted right now because I have always got a lot of things to do. I will have a week of vacation in about two weeks which will be very welcome and I'm already having some interesting ideas and plans for it right now. 

    Have a very nice weekend,

    Sebastian Kluth

    Spending time with friends

    Me inside a traditional cell of the Ottawa Jail Hostel 

    Spending time with friends

    Playing mini golf in Chelsea 

    Spending time with friends

    One of my friends at Mackenzie King Estate

    Spending time with friends

    Me at Mackenzie King Estate 

    Spending time with friends

    Me on a random walk through Old Longueuil

    Spending time with friends

    One of my friends in Old Longueuil

    Spending time with friends

    Me playing piano in a park in Old Longueuil

    Partager via Gmail Delicious Technorati Yahoo! Google Bookmarks Blogmarks Pin It

  • The Magnificent Seven (2016)

    The Magnificent Seven is the remake of a remake that neither has the epic intensity of the original ''Seven Samurai'' movie by Kurosawa Akira from 1954 nor the outstanding acting skills portrayed in John Sturges' ''The Magnificent Seven'' from 1960. Still, this new version offers a fast-paced ride involving great actors, gripping action scenes and fitting settings that bring back the spirit of a cool genre that has gone out of vogue over the past four decades to a new generation.

    The different characters are introduced in short but fitting ways. They are unique and likable enough to make the audience care about them. Veteran Denzel Washington convinces as cool and clever law enforcer with a mysterious past and plays a strong lead character in his very first western. Chris Pratt convinces as cunning and humorous gambler underlining his status as one of the best young American actors. Vincent d'Onofrio stands out as cranky and quirky trapper and proves once again that he is one of the best choices to play odd and unusual characters. Ethan Hawke does a respectable job as haunted sharpshooter but it would have been interesting to get some more background information about his versatile character. The other actors and actresses are solid but have the problem to portray somewhat stereotypical characters such as the silent Asian killer, the proud Mexican assassin, the courageous Indian practising strange rituals or the brave young widow determined to seek justice and revenge. While the diversity of the cast might attract a larger audience, it feels somewhat forced and definitely unrealistic from a historic point of view.

    The first hour is dedicated to the introduction of the seven gunslingers, the mistreated villagers and the pitiless villains in an entertaining way. The second hour is almost entirely based upon the showdown between the gunslingers and the villagers on one side and the villain's private army trying to reconquer the village on the other side. The battle scenes are quite diversified and intense involving numerous gun fights, a very destructive Gatling gun, archery shots, explosions with dynamite, knife throwing, numerous traps and some hand-to-hand combat. Despite its length, the final battle never gets redundant. Some of the fights seem to be unrealistically exaggerated in the beginning but end up being more grounded ad realistic towards the end. Despite its generous rating, there is a lot of violence in these scenes and both sides of the belligerents have a heavy price to pay. It only fits the traditional western genre that both heroes and villains aren't invincible and politically correct but actually swearing, smoking, killing, drinking and dying in this movie. Those who were afraid to get a politically correct contemporary plastic product might be relieved that this film actually respects the original movie and its first remake as well as the style of several western classics from the sixties. 

    In the end, there isn't anything wrong with this entertaining movie. Both traditional western aficionados and younger generations should enjoy this fast-paced western with its authentic settings, intriguing characters and furious action scenes. While this revamped version is missing Kurosawa's epic storytelling or the stunning performances by legendary actors such as Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner and Charles Bronson in the first remake, this new interpretation comes surprisingly close to the quality of these two movies and is worth to be watched at your local movie theatre.

    Partager via Gmail Delicious Technorati Yahoo! Google Bookmarks Blogmarks Pin It

  • The Girl on the Train (2016)

    ''The Girl on the Train'' is a psycho thriller in the key of but not as good as ''Gone Girl''. It's recommendable for genre fans but far from being a highlight.

    The movie deals with the disappearance of a nanny and is told through numerous changes of time, space and perspective. We constantly switch from the present to events that have happened a week, two months, four months, six months or even several years ago. Numerous parts of the film take place in recurring closed spaces such as an apartment, a house, a psychologist's office and a train. Most parts of the movie are told through the eyes of an alcoholic divorcée while other parts are told through the eyes of the mentally unstable nanny. Other parts are however told through a third person view from an omniscient narrator. These constant changes aren't forming a clever puzzle as in a movie like ''Memento'' but only harm the coherent flow of the film and evoke an illusion of diversity to compensate for a rather shallow plot. The only advantage of this procedure is that the movie is focusing on character development by giving some vital background information about the main characters. The disadvantage is not only that the structure is confusing but also that many mysteries are revealed too quickly. In the last third of the movie, it becomes so obvious what must have happened to the nanny that it drastically decreases the tension of an initially promising story.

    While the acting of all actresses and actors involved is really good, it's difficult for the audience to identify with any of the characters. Most of them are twisted, shameful and repulsive in one way or another. Most characters are either particularly dishonest or menacingly violent or even both in certain cases. While there are interesting things to discover about each character, it feels unrealistic, pessimistic and exaggerated how negative each main character behaves in this film. This might add to the movie's overall sinister mood that suits the genre but it also feels too simplistic and partial.

    Another weakness is that despite its numerous changes of time, space and perspective, many parts of the movie are repetitive and predictable. The middle part of the film is particularly slow-paced. In the beginning, it's still intriguing to see the helpless alcoholic divorcée having a breakdown or the fragile nanny having a meltdown when confronted with her emotions but when these things are happening for the third or fourth time, these scenes lose their initial efficiency despite great acting performances by Emily Blunt and Haley Bennett. 

    In the end, what kept me watching this movie until the end are its sinister mood and the great performances by Emily Blunt and Haley Bennett. The below average plot and repetitive storytelling patterns are the downsides of this film. My recommendation would be to read the critically acclaimed novel of the same name instead of watching this slightly above average film.

    Partager via Gmail Delicious Technorati Yahoo! Google Bookmarks Blogmarks Pin It

  • NoFX - First Ditch Effort (2016)

    Most punk bands have that one album where they get rid of their carefree, juvenile and rebellious spirit and sound dark, grown-up and serious. In the case of Southern Californian punk rockers NoFX, this one album might be First Ditch Effort. The record deals with the drummer’s reflections on his drug abuse in ‘’Six Years on Dope’’ or the singer's negative behavior in the past in ‘’I Don’t Like Me Anymore’’. Some songs also deal with identity problems such as gender dysphoria in ‘’I Am a Transvest-lite’’ or social phenomenons such as the abuse of prescription medication in ‘’Oxy Moronic’’. Other tracks are dedicated to deceased punk rock icons or friends as ‘’I’m So Sorry Tony’’ which honors No Use for a Name front man Anthony James Sly or ‘’Sid and Nancy’’ that goes back to the conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Six Pistols bassist Sex Pistols and his girlfriend Nancy Laura Spungen.

    The lyrical topics also have an impact on the sound of the record. While this is still undeniably a punk rock record, several songs are slightly slower than the band’s standard tracks from the past. Many songs have a thoughtful and melancholic atmosphere instead of the straightforward and angry attitude the band is known for. While most albums of the band included at least a few more humorous tracks with joyous ska influences, there are none of this kind on the new album. At a few select moments, a trumpet can be heard on a few songs but instead of adding a joyful tone, it sounds rather sad. Several tracks include numbing electronic sounds and others even include extended melancholic piano passages supported by dramatic female guest vocalists.

    While this change of style might be unusual at first contact and maybe even disappoint some fans of old date, First Ditch Effort is a very creative, detailed and rich album that truly unfolds after a handful of spins. Especially the more experimental tracks turn out to be consistent growers. The elegiac piano sounds, sad female backing vocals and the short speech in ‘’I’m So Sorry Tony’’ are among the most intense moments of the record. The pessimistic album closer ‘’Generation Z’’ offers a thought-provoking statement about the need to save our devastated planet for the sake of the next generation. The melancholic track includes sad vocals by a female infant and a critical speech of a concerned woman ending with the words ‘’I’m sorry to be the one to inform you but man- and womankind has unfortunately been pronounced dead.’’

     

    In the end, First Ditch Effort is one of NoFX’s strongest record because it’s so different. Despite a darker, more gown-up and very serious tone, this album is still a first class punk rock record powered by emotions and filled with truly inspired lyrics. Fans of old date should give this album a chance to grow on them while First Ditch Effort might even attract a new audience. If you are looking for a strong rock album with meaningful lyrics, this one’s for you.

    Final rating: 8,5/10

    Partager via Gmail Delicious Technorati Yahoo! Google Bookmarks Blogmarks Pin It

  • Tainted DickMen - Tornado Thrashing Bomber~全世界総メタル化計画 (2016) 

    Tainted DickMen offers a brutal, carefree and entertaining fun ride through grindcore, hardcore punk and thrash metal territories with eleven songs clocking in at twenty-three minutes. Sloppy English lyrics about mostly humorous topics meet a surprisingly diversified musicianship with tracks below one minute but also above four minutes. The band gained some attention with its crazy, funny and juvenile video clip for the straight opener ''Don't Be Afraid'' that convinces with a tight main riff, a fast guitar solo and versatile vocals varying between hysterical screams and menacing grunts. Aside from being a candidate for the coolest video clip of the year involving dinosaur statues, farm animals and a naked drummer, this energizing opener sets the tone for the rest of the record and is a true winner.

    The Japanese quintet manages to come around with a few more complex tracks featuring rhythmic mid-tempo passages, efficient guitar solos and a few sound effects as in ''S.E.M.I.'', ''Over the Ball'' and ''Invader''. These tracks prove that the band can actually write quite consistent tunes that remain fully addicting despite longer running times. Some of the shorter tracks are also quite stunning. ''Grind Samba'' features indeed some short and simplistic samba rhythms. The short closer ''Let's Go South New Land'' starts like a surf rock song from the late sixties before it turns into a fast grindcore tune. The band even has an instrumental tune called ''Take Up Arms'' that is easily the record's most melodic song focusing on a catchy guitar melody that could almost come from a classic heavy metal band.

    To keep it short, Tainted DickMen consists of surprisingly great song writers despite some hilariously awful English lyrics. This record finds a solid balance between a few longer and complex tunes, a handful of short and brutal attacks and many songs in between both extremes. The band even finds a solid balance between ferocious thrash metal tracks, pitiless grindcore eruptions and recurring hardcore punk influences with simplistic riffs and violent gang shouts. This straightforward album is really addicting and the sympathetic band clearly enjoyed itself while recording this release which has a vividly infectious vibe. If you feel like having some violent musical fun, grab this record, turn up the volume and get the party started. I hope to hear more from these crazy Japanese soon as I could really see them touring internationally with a band like Iron Reagan.

    Final rating: 8/10

    Partager via Gmail Delicious Technorati Yahoo! Google Bookmarks Blogmarks Pin It