Dredd
Netflix | Amazon | Epix | iTunes | Vudu
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Pete Travis
Starring Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey
Lionsgate
Originally Released: July 11, 2012

Dredd, the most recent adaptation of the hero/antihero Judge Dredd, who made 2000 AD the amazing comic book it was, was easily my favorite movie of 2012. Dredd is above and beyond that of the appalling version featuring Stallone in the 1990s, and though it has some faults, it comes with some of the most stunning cinematography effects and visuals, along with an exciting action chronicle that keeps your attention.

For those unfamiliar with the lore of Judge Dredd, sometime in the distant future, the human race is recovering from some kind of apocalyptic event involving radiation. The surviving society in the remains of the United States gather together in megacities, originally established to remain sequestered from radiation, but since expanded to gigantic proportions with a massive population density.

Classic Albums: Motörhead (Ace of Spades)
Netflix
DVD
Directed by Tim Kirkby
Starring Lemmy Kilmister, Phil Taylor, Eddie Clarke, Slash, Lars Ulrich
Eagle Rock Entertainment
Originally Released: April 27, 2005

"We weren’t even given credit as musicians. People thought we were fuckin’ wankers…"
РEddie Clarke, Moțrhead

There are many seminal albums that have stayed the course of the Metal genre over the years, but very few have reached across multiple genres becoming such a cornerstone in music history as Motörhead‘s Ace of Spades. The 1980 release was hugely prominent in its day, but is perhaps more so as time goes on.

While their albums Overkill and Bomber put Motörhead on the map, it was Ace of Spades that catapulted them to international stardom (or notoriety). The band was led by the god known only as Lemmy, and joined by guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke and backed by Phil “The Animal” Taylor (responsible for the invention of using double bass drum in metal songs).

In The Loop
Netflix | Amazon | Hulu Plus | iTunes | Xbox Live
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Armando Iannucci
Starring Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, Chris Addison, Gina McKee, Mimi Kennedy, Anna Chlumsky, James Gandolfini
BBC Films
Originally Released: January 22, 2009

With the big announcement over the last week of Peter Capaldi turning out to be the next Doctor for Doctor Who, I thought it might be timely to take a look at some of the work he’s been well-known for. The series, The Thick Of It, showcases one his most iconic characters: Malcolm Tucker, the foul-mouthed spin doctor in the British Government.

The series spawned a movie called In The Loop, where the government crosses paths with the American government in the planning for invasion of a Middle Eastern country.

The story begins with the leaders of the respective nations already planning on progressing forward with a preemptive strike on a country, in a comic parody of historic political events during the post-9/11 era. While the leaders convene committees and meetings across the globe to push the case for conflict, other operatives behind the scenes work on efforts to stop the warmongering.

Classic Albums – Metallica: The Black Album
Netflix
DVD
Directed by Matthew Longfellow
Starring James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Jason Newsted, Bob Rock
Eagle Rock Entertainment
Originally Released: November 06, 2001

With the buzz surrounding Metallica‘s upcoming movie, Through The Never, I thought I’d take a glance back at the band during a major turning point in their career that would see them go from heroes of the Thrash Metal scene, to a worldwide phenomenon. The Black Album became Metallica’s springboard to international recognition, propelling into the mainstream, an accomplishment that still largely divides fans to this day.

Prior to 1991, Metallica’s reputation was legendary among metalheads following underground movements. During the Eighties, as far as MTV was concerned, Heavy Metal was all glam and hair; with bands such as Ratt and Poison taking a front seat in the mayhem mainstream. But elsewhere, metalheads knew there was far more to the rapidly growing genre, and that there was more variety in the scene that involved less hairspray and less lipstick.

Rammbock: Berlin Undead
Netflix | Amazon | Hulu Plus | iTunes | SEN | Vudu | Xbox | YouTube
DVD
Directed by Marvin Kren
Starring Michael Fuith, Theo Trebs, Emily Cox
Bloody Disgusting and The Collective
Originally Released: January 19, 2010

Rammbock, subtitled Berlin Undead for American audiences and Siege Of The Dead for UK Audiences, is a short but well-produced zombie flick that is not only highly entertaining, but does quite a significant amount of work to avoid common walking dead memes and stereotypes. The tale is solidly devised, and is a considerably engrossing viewing experience that focuses less on the monster-aspect, and more on the characters, making it stand out as probably one of the best zombie movies you’ll see.

Set in Berlin, the story focuses on Michi, a man intending to join up with his ex-girlfriend under a ruse to return her keys, but with the intent of attempting to rekindle their relationship. Upon arriving at her Berlin apartment, he discovers her absent, but meets a young plumber’s apprentice working there.

And that’s when the shit hits the fan.