2013
Tag: New York
video review : Cloverfield
A terrorist the size of Godzilla invades New York City and goes on the attack, breaking thru that big fourth wall in the process, for Cloverfield. It’s a Matt Reeves movie; an artsy creature feature of sorts; but most of the credit goes to Hud; the guy with the (shaky) camera. Lucky for us, he continues to record even as buildings start to fall and The Statue Of Liberty’s head goes rolling by.
my rating : 4 of 5
2008
video review : Raw ( comedy special ) … Eddie Murphy
When Eddie Murphy impersonates a gay guy imitating a police siren and a starving man’s reaction to eating a cracker, it’s laugh-out-loud funny, but such moments are fewer and farther between than the ones from his Delirious show.
That one rarely lets up. This one is funny; once you get past the corny introduction skit; but not nearly as often. He spends too much time on Bill Cosby, which isn’t one of his best impersonations, romantic relationships and sex.
my rating : 3 of 5
1987
video review : Mommie Dearest
I’m not sure why, but I get the feeling Joan Crawford might be mentally unstable. Perhaps it’s the way she reacts when she realizes her daughter’s dress is hanging on a, gasp, wire hanger. It’s one of the movie’s many examples of overacting but also its most iconic, and most hilarious, moment. All of Mommie Dearest’s best scenes, in fact, are ones in which she’s abusing her daughter.
To be fair, the plot is based on a book, a memoir, written by Crawford’s real-life adopted daughter, so we’re only getting one side of the story. When it comes to allegations of mistreatment, especially among dysfunctional families, the truth is often overdramatized for the sake of one’s own virtue. Her take is interesting though, even if barely enough to have been made into a Hollywood movie.
my rating : 3 of 5
1981
Making The Case : Jennifer Bonjean talking about defending R Kelly
2021
bnc.tv
audio review : Mama Said Knock You Out ( album ) … LL Cool J
“Don’t call it a comeback; I been here for years,” LL Cool J warns, “I’m rocking my peers, putting suckers in fear.” Why the battle rapper’s suddenly being coached by Marley Marl; the producer provides the music for every song here; as if he’s a member of The Juice Crew is anyone’s guess. They’re a good match though.
The album starting with a random jam about cars Boomin loud music instead of the go-hard title track comes across as an artistic blunder, though they’re two of its better cuts. Other highlights include Cheesy Rat Blues; a funny anecdote about going broke; along with the Ladies Love songs 6 Minutes Of Pleasure and Mr Good Bar.
my rating : 3 of 5
1990
video review : Short Circuit 2
Short Circuit 2 is better than the first one. They’re both corny, thanks mostly to the personality of the star robot, but this one has a better plot. It sends Number 5, now known as Johnny 5, to New York City to build toy replicas of himself. Of course all hell breaks loose from there.
There’s a ridiculous sequence involving a restaurant freezer and an answering machine; in a movie about a living robot, this bit comes across as the most implausible; but it’s a decent sequel. It would be better if it took itself seriously though. Johnny 5’s sense of humor is cringey.
my rating : 3 of 5
1988
The Next Revolution : Steve Hilton ranting about Joe Biden’s Afghanistan “disaster”
2021
foxnews.com
audio review : My Rhyme Ain’t Done ( song ) … LL Cool J
One good thing about music, especially lyrical music like rap, is that it allows you to escape from reality. LL Cool J does just that via a series of fanciful story Rhymes that start with God raising Michelangelo from the “dead”, at the request of the pope, in order to make a painting of the rapper’s “head”. By the time he’s in his TV, meeting The Honeymooners, you’re lost in the groove of the beat.
my rating : 4 of 5
1987
![audio review : Bad [ Bigger And Deffer ] ( album ) ... LL Cool J](https://marcellee.com/posts/108464.jpg "audio review : Bad [ Bigger And Deffer ] ( album ) ... LL Cool J")
Elegant Elliot Offen addressing his fans
2021
Elegant Elliot Offen dancing and promoting himself
2021
video review : Bitch I’m Madonna ( song ) … Madonna ( featuring Nicki Minaj )
There’s a party going on and I wasn’t invited. The scene; people having crazy fun at what looks like a lavish rooftop hotel suite in or near Los Angeles; is awesome. I especially dig the part where host Madonna prances her way up a red-lit graffiti-laced staircase and tongue-kisses a random girl. It’s nice to see she’s still being a slut in her 50s.
What the video would do better without are the cringey cameos from celebrities who obviously aren’t at the party. Having Beyoncé in your video, lip-syncing to your song, makes for ultimate bragging rights, even for a VIP like Madonna, but it also makes for an awkward edit. The one exception is Nicki Minaj, who at least raps on the song.
my rating : 4 of 5
2015