This is Slick Rick’s first album since the 1990s and, from the sound of it, not much has changed. He still raps like Slick Rick and these lo-fi beats could have easily come from that era. That’s a good thing. The songs are indolently short and the set is short on singing; his most charming musical attribute; but it’s otherwise a proper follow-up to The Art Of Storytelling. Royal highlights include Landlord and Spirit To Fly.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
Rodolfo Bellato gives Aljamain Sterling a run for his money in this rescheduled bout against Paul Craig. After taking an illegal upkick to the face, he gestures a complaint to the ref; you don’t see that part till the replay; before appearing to fake a knockout, even going as far as to fight the ref. Impressive highlights for a future TKO transfer to the WWE.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
Punching bag Kris Moutinho fought his way back to the UFC with five wins (finishes) in a row only to get knocked out in the first round of this return bout. That says a lot about the skill level it takes to compete in the UFC. Perhaps he can stick around as a Brooklyn-Brawler-type jobber to showcase more up-and-comers like Malcolm Wellmaker.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
The Fly doesn’t get going until the title concept comes into play, which doesn’t happen until about the halfway point. That’s when Seth Brundle; an inventive scientist “working on something that’ll change the world”; begins to change himself. It’s a creepy and gradual transformation; the plot’s one big catch. The romantic love triangle the main characters are otherwise involved in is far less interesting.
my rating : 3 of 5
1986
He’s certainly not “the greatest of all time”, but Lil Wayne is a good rapper. Somebody apparently told him he’s also a good singer; he actually covers Weezer’s Island In The Sun; but they lied. The Bono feature; how many rappers have the clout to start a sentence with those words; is decent, but the best song is Cotton Candy with 2 Chainz.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
When the zombies from 28 Days Later invade your hideout, you do whatever you have to do to survive, so when Don leaves his wife to die, he has the right idea. I’d abandon the kids too; they restarted this mess; but he never gets the chance. Instead they’re coddled and ultimately sacrificed for by total strangers.
Movie clichés are favored over realism; what Don later does to make up to his aforementioned wife is profoundly stupid; but that’s par for the course. It’s what keeps the plot moving forward. This sequel is definitely worse than the original, but it’s interesting enough to hold your anticipation for the next 28 months.
my rating : 3 of 5
2007
This episode doesn’t get interesting until about a third in when a white CPR class attendant drops a verbal bombshell in response to being asked to practice on the dummy Louise just put her (“nigger”) lips on. The KKK is a contentious subject for a sitcom and the dialogue gets preachy on both sides, but George Jefferson’s eventual involvement creates not only an element of suspense but the main source of entertainment.
my rating : 3 of 5
1981
“Hype train derailed”, Billy Goff posts on X, but it’s not a total surprise. The wheels were getting wobbly in Bo Nickal’s last two fights. Cody Brundage and Paul Craig raised questions about a potential undefeated streak. Reinier De Ridder, his toughest opponent yet, answers them here by not only stifling his prestigious wrestling but defeating him “by knockout” via knees to the midsection.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
Anthony Smith is past his prime and this was promoted as his retirement fight, so it’s no surprise nor shame that he’d lose to a knockout specialist like Zhang Mingyang. It’s the way he loses; giving up in the first round but having the gumption to go after a prodder in the crowd as his family watches on; that’s embarrassing, especially considering he loss in a similar way in his previous bout.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
![video review : Vacancy 2 [ The First Cut ]](https://marcellee.com/posts/132815.jpg)
The trembly camera is a tad annoying and the plotting is somewhat hackneyed, but this Vacancy sequel, which serves as a prequel, is a decent follow-up. It’s not as thrilling as the original; part Twos rarely are; but there’s enough suspense to keep you checked in. The protagonist this time around is a “hillbilly” named Jessica staying at the Meadow View Inn with her fiancé and his friend.
my rating : 3 of 5
2008
![audio review : Temple Of Hip Hop [ Global Awareness ] ( album ) ... KRS-One](https://marcellee.com/posts/132800.jpg)
This is released as a KRS-One album, but it’s more like a mixtape to promote his new European Tour. The concept is established from the very start; “Welcome to the Temple Of Hip Hop 2025 Global Awareness Tour,” he says, which limits the set to not only a specific purpose but a specific date range.
The songs are what fans have come to expect; raw raps over boom-bap beats; but he should’ve saved the best ones for a proper release. The Tribute interludes, on which his industry peers praise him in the past tense as if he’s retired or dead, are reminiscent of the ones from the 1995 KRS-One album.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
This album is a year late; their first two releases came two years apart; but the Techno Bass Crew is forgiven as they were too busy winning Bass Sound Off USA. There are intergalactic laser beams on the cover, but is there anything here as electric as Machine Language? Subsonic Love perhaps. Other highlights include The Age Of Machines, Do It To Me and Undertow.
my rating : 3 of 5
1998