audio review : Curtain Call 2 ( album ) … Eminem

audio review : Curtain Call 2 ( album ) ... Eminem

Eminem should’ve come up with a different title. Curtain Call made conceptual sense coming after the Encore album. This new one, based on the cover artwork, attempts to merge the concert/stage theme with, of all random things, a pinball game.

Musically it covers every Eminem album since that first Hits compilation, which, since he’s made one good album in all that time; one man’s “trash” is another man’s treasure; results in a lackluster affair. Even his raps have gotten corny and verbose.

“Oh,” he mocks on Rap God, “he’s too mainstream.” It’s kind of true though. His first two LPs were fun, edgy and provocative. Relapse was a gratifying throwback. Imagine a cringey Ed Sheeran, Rihanna or Beyoncé chorus on one of those albums.

my rating : 3 of 5

2022

video review : Mean Girls 2

video review : Mean Girls 2

Perhaps the 2 should’ve been swapped with Too. This is a movie about a trio of Mean Girls; North Shore high schoolers known as The Plastics; but it’s a whole new class. The original members graduated years ago along with all their schoolmates, including Cady. Here her role of a fresh face in a strange new world is played by a loner named Jo.

It’s an unnecessary sequel that plays more like a conceptual remake, but it’s an aesthetic match not only when it comes to the attractiveness of the girls but the decency of the plot. The movie never really gets good; the constant comedy attempts only sometimes hit the mark; but it’s about as entertaining as the first movie if not a bit better.

my rating : 3 of 5

2011