Movie Talk - The Men in Black Movie Franchise

I’m surprised that I haven’t talked about these movies here. While me and Liz were visiting some family, they were watching the latest Men in Black movie, Men in Black International. I hadn’t made my way around to seeing it yet especially since I knew it wasn’t received well. It turns out that Liz hadn’t seen any of the MIB movies, so we had a bit of a project back in March. All three of the original were on Netflix, so we were able to revisit a bit of childhood nostalgia… well nostalgia for me. I’d seen all three movies though I didn’t remember much of MIB3.

For those who don’t know, Men in Black was based on some comics of the same name, so you can also throw Men in Black in the comic book genre. They were done by Aircel Comics (which got bought out by Malibu Comics) in the 90’s. The series revolves around a secret group of government agents who interact different paranormal and extraterrestrial beings on Earth. They’re either protecting them or making sure they stay in line and don’t go on murder sprees. The movies just revolved around the alien stuff. The first movie was a big success and even spawned a pretty cool animated series that I fondly remember. It gets pretty spotty after that, but that’s how these franchises go. So, what did I think of all four movies?

Random Weird Music Videos - "I Can't Remember" by Peter Gabriel

I didn’t realize that I had another one in me. Recently, I’ve been looking at some of Peter Gabriel’s music. You wouldn’t think that a 37 year-old Black dude from the country would be into some Gabriel, but here were are. I mean, I did do a post on Genesis and Phil Collins, alright? I lost my “Awesome Black Dude” card years ago, and I don’t even know how I got it in the first place! I also didn’t realize that did a quick post on his biggest hit “Sledgehammer” years ago. Weird, huh?

Now, I’ve had his greatest hits album for a few years, and for some reason, listening to “Red Rain” for the first time in years sparked something in me. By the way, Stewart Copeland (the drummer from the Police) had a part to play in the song, and I think that’s another reason I kept coming back to it. I was scouring YouTube for some more hits I hadn’t heard before. I ended up looking at some of the early music he did after he left Genesis back in the 70’s and ran into a familiar tune, “I Don’t Remember.” Apparently, Gabriel had more than a few versions of the song out there,  and it does show up on the greatest hits album. The song was ultimately was released on his third solo album in 1980. It got a music video in 1982, and… well, there’s a reason there’s a post for it here.

So, what in the heck is up with this video?

• That Bass – The first thing you hear is the bass from Tony Levin who’s a great bass player. He’s mainly known for being the bass player from King Crimson, another Prog Rock group from the 70’s. Here, he’s playing a special instrument called the Chapman Stick which gives a pretty unique sound.
• A Man in Search of Something – We got Gabriel in the video in search for something. What it is, we don’t know, but my guess is a distant memory. I mean, walking through disheveled places littered with pictures, plasters of his face, and a crazed traveling dance group must mean something.
• WEIRD WHITE FOLK – Yeah, if you’re feeling unsettled by the travelling dance crew from Arkham Asylum, you’re not the only one. This was weird. I don’t know if they’re supposed to be demons, old memories taken form, or what. They kinda remind me of those aliens from Dark City. I know that they do make the video cool and kinda unsettling. It feels like Gabriel played with the box from Hellraiser, and these Cenobite wannabes popped out!
• Random Shamans – Yeah, what were the random shamans who use blowdarts and sit in disheveled apartments gonna do? Apparently transform into those white ghost/demon/alien things which is what happens to Gabriel towards the end. We even get a nod to another music video he did during this time, “Shock the Monkey.”
  

Overall, it’s a weird but good video. It also helps that the song itself is pretty good. Somehow, Peter Gabriel also evoked that weird, unsettling vibe to the album version of the song too. It kinda makes me want to check out the rest of that album. I’ve heard a couple of more songs from it and thought they were pretty good. Heck, since Gabriel’s released another album, I might go on and do a true deep dive. Anywho, I’m outta here. Peace, God Bless, and be careful out there. Also, make sure you don’t invite that traveling dance group from Wherever anytime soon. They'll either have sights to show you or want to whisk you away to their homeworld.

Random Weird Music Videos - Cameo's "Back and Forth"

You know, I haven’t talked about any weird music videos for years, so I might as well try to get back to that. This is called “Random Thoughts,” after all. Besides, some of these need a talking!

In the last few years, I’ve been trying to make my music catalog a little deeper. Thanks to Pandora, I’ve been able to listen to more than just the popular songs from certain groups. One of those groups was the funk/soul group, Cameo. Now, I only really knew about Cameo from their biggest hits like “Word Up” and “Candy”. What I didn’t know was that this group had quite a few hits under their belt. They started in the 70’s with a big booming band akin to most funk groups from that time. The changing music scene of the 80’s whittled that 14-member group to about five guys, but the funk persisted!

Now, the group had some wild music videos. Heck, most artists had some wild music videos in the 80’s. Today’s is no different. “Back and Forth” was a modest hit off from their biggest album, Word Up! I picked this because it goes into Weirdtown in the first second. Here are just some of things you’ll come across here:

• FLOATING CODPIECE – Seriously, the first thing you seen on screen is Larry Blackmon’s red codpiece coming at you on screen! Yeah, it lets you know to not take things seriously, but still, what the heck? It even makes cameos (no pun intended) throughout the video swinging like a pendulum!
• Sexy Dancing – If there’s one thing you’ll run into with Cameo’s videos, it’ll be a bunch of attractive people dancing. Of course, you got the women, but also get the men in on the action.  Even some of the members try to dance… just try. There’s reason they stick to just singing and playing music. If you really want to see the band get down, check out one of their first videos, "Shake Your Pants."
• Romance Troubles – The song’s message is pretty simple: love is a battlefield… wait, wrong artist. Anyway, anyone who’s been in a relationship knows that it can be a lot of “back and forth” between two lovers. You end up seeing two members getting into spats with their pretty nimble ladies and then going to the club for funsies.
• Body builders? – Apparently, someone had a bit of muscle fetish because we get a couple of body building men and women here. Even Larry Blackmon tries to show off his chiseled-ness.
• MILES DAVIS? – So, you’re wondering who the dude decked in black staring deep into your soul is, well that’s the legendary jazz musician, Miles Davis. It’s definitely one of the most random cameos ever. He did some collaborations with the group, so I guess that’s why he’s here. Either way, Random! It also doesn’t help that he looks like he might fight you in the corner of a dark alley!

………………………………..

In the end, it’s just another weird music video for Cameo. It’s not their best video or song, but it’s a good one. For me, their best song is either “Word Up” or “Attack Me With Your Love”. Those videos are pretty wild too. They have one that I may talk about one day because it is wild. Anyway, I’m outta here. Peace, God Bless, and be careful out there.

Also, don’t say Miles Davis’ name in a mirror five times in a row, or you’ll be visited by him like he’s Candyman or something.

“It’s a Video Game!” – Some Thoughts on Elden Ring

Well, as Timberland once said, “I shouldn’t have left you without a dope beat to step to.” I’ve been on a bit of a sabbatical from the blog. Heck, I was barely  posting for these last two years already. It’s not that I ran out of things to say. I just went to other platforms to say or see them. I never forgot about ‘ole Blogger though. There’s also the fact that I’m a family man these days. Things with Liz and Andy are good, fun, and sometimes a bit tiresome, but that tiresome part comes when you’re chasing a 19-month old around the house.

Another thing that took a lot of time from here was today’s subject: Elden Ring. Back in August 2022, I thought I’d bite the bullet and see what this Elden Ring game was all about. Well, it’s April of 2023, and I’ve put about 238 hours into this one playthrough… no, I don’t have a problem! When you’re married, have a toddler, have a job and other hobbies, you’d don’t get a lot of time to game. Outside of a couple of other games, Elden Ring has been the main game I’ve been on since that time. There were times where I wanted to give up, but I just wanted to see it through to the final boss, and I’ve made it there. Now, that final boss may stay unbeaten (this game was hard), but at least I can say that I ran the race.

This is Halloween 2! - A Little More of Jekyll and Hyde

Well, this took longer to get back to. This is what happens when you’re wearing multiple hats. Besides, I had to find one more Hyde story to finish this post off. Next on the Jekyll/Hyde marathon, someone decided to market this towards kids with an animated adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Then, Jekyll and Hyde invade the romance section of the library with Mary Reilly. Next, there’s a 2008 made-for-TV adaptation of the story starring Dougray Scott. Finally, we get a Jekyll and Hyde, an adaptation that takes the story in a weird direction.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1986)

First, we make it to the 80’s, and while there is probably a live adaptation around, the animated version caught my eye. Phelous hilariously reviewed it years ago, so it warranted a re-watch. In the movie, one of Dr. Henry Jekyll’s old maids recounts the events to kids she’s watching over. Dr. Jekyll creates the serum that ends up bringing out brings out his darker self named Edward Hyde. He ends up leading a double life. As Hyde, he makes a mess of things and even goes all “Jack the Ripper” on some folk. His friends, Utterson and Lanyon, notice that something’s off with him. As things get worse and worse, Dr. Jekyll tries to find a way to stop Hyde from coming back.

This was one hilarious reaction.