You've been busy, and maybe after the holidays, you are going to be looking for things to do. Here is what is new for you at the movies.
Why Him
Well, James Franco does make me laugh sometimes, and he does here as well. This is another comedy where the daughter is marrying the "wrong guy" and dad ain't to happy about it. Franco is Laird and he is about as goofy as they come. Brian Cranston is the dad who is being tormented by Laird.
This has some fun moments and is pretty funny throughout. We just never seem to get tired of this formula. This is rated a hard R, and well deserved. Kudos to Megan Mullaley who was quite funny here as mom, and there is a funny supporting cast.
Not great, but good fun
LA LA Land
This movie is going to win so many awards, it may need a tractor trailer to get them all home. This is is a wonderfully done movie that Hollywood will love to honor, because it is a story about - itself. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone star and both will be nominated for numerous awards as well.
This is a great mixture of old school musicals, and a modern one. The singing, the dancing, and the music in general is amazing. Incredibly filmed, superbly written, and acted brilliantly. It's a love story, a comedy and tragedy and a musical. This is as original as movies get, and this is an experience that every movie lover should not miss on the big screen.
One of the best movies of this year. Or any year.
Fences
Fences is a new movie starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. This was adapted from a play and this movie actually views like one. This is really serious drama, with a stellar story and an equally stellar performance by Washington who also directed this.
It's a story in the early 1960's of a struggling family in Pittsburgh, who are a victim of the times, timing of life, race and family background. This is very powerful and will make you uncomfortable at times with its honesty. This is not big on a music soundtrack, or anything flashy, this is simply great actors, being great telling a story that is tough to watch at times, but worth the time.
Terrific.
Jackie
A short Indy movie about former first lady Jackie Kennedy, and the days immediately following her husband's assassination in 1963. This stars Oscar winner Natalie Portman as Jackie. And this will be the role of her career. She is magnificent.
This deals with Jackie as a wife, mother, and first lady and takes you to places you never have been with the Kennedy's. This is wonderfully written, acted and produced. This also has incredible costuming, sets and a very strong supporting cast. Portman is amazing, and she will more than likely be nominated for another Oscar.
Limited release, but worth the drive to find it.
scott@wqmx.com
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Thursday, December 29, 2016
MUSIC - My Five Favorite Songs of 2016
2016 has been another solid year in Country Music, that was loaded with some good transition. There were some strong breakthrough acts this year that added a real nice seasoning to our already strong format. And for my ear, some of these artists and their great new songs and sound dominated my top 5 of the year.
5/ 80's Mercedes - Maren Morris. She absolutely has the chops to be a real player for years to come. Both of her singles were terrific as I loved My Church as well. This song is a great example of a newer sound from a new woman artist that talks directly to her audience and has a thunderous beat.
4/ Hometown Girl - Josh Turner. So great to have him back and it's worth the wait. This is a real nice mix of who Josh was, as it doesn't abandon the road he's traveled, and paves the way for a clear view of where he's going.
3/ May We All - Florida Georgia Line. I loved Holy too, but this a real nice song and a bit different from them as was Holy. Their 2016 songs have shown some real versatility. They are on a great roll these days and are cementing themselves as one of our largest acts.
2/ I Met A Girl - William Michael Morgan. Great song, done traditionally, sung by a young singer with a Stetson, that is totally believable. This song is among the ones that are really centering the format. A lot of singers I feel would have loved to have this song.
1/ Head Over Boots - John Pardi. Good example of the right song finding the right singer. This song also reminds us that with all the serious ballads and love songs out there, country music is still fun, and there's room for all kinds of country. Really fun song!
scott@wqmx.com
5/ 80's Mercedes - Maren Morris. She absolutely has the chops to be a real player for years to come. Both of her singles were terrific as I loved My Church as well. This song is a great example of a newer sound from a new woman artist that talks directly to her audience and has a thunderous beat.
4/ Hometown Girl - Josh Turner. So great to have him back and it's worth the wait. This is a real nice mix of who Josh was, as it doesn't abandon the road he's traveled, and paves the way for a clear view of where he's going.
3/ May We All - Florida Georgia Line. I loved Holy too, but this a real nice song and a bit different from them as was Holy. Their 2016 songs have shown some real versatility. They are on a great roll these days and are cementing themselves as one of our largest acts.
2/ I Met A Girl - William Michael Morgan. Great song, done traditionally, sung by a young singer with a Stetson, that is totally believable. This song is among the ones that are really centering the format. A lot of singers I feel would have loved to have this song.
1/ Head Over Boots - John Pardi. Good example of the right song finding the right singer. This song also reminds us that with all the serious ballads and love songs out there, country music is still fun, and there's room for all kinds of country. Really fun song!
scott@wqmx.com
Thursday, December 15, 2016
MOVIE REVIEWS - Now In Theaters
Here's a look at some of choices you have at the movies this weekend. And yes, the new Star Wars movie is out as well.
Collateral Beauty
This is a really good idea, and my feeling is this would read in a book very well. But as a movie, I'm not sure. This has an all star cast including Will Smith, Kate Winslett, Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, Edward Norton and others. So clearly star power is not the issue here.
This is the story of Howard, his friends and his advertising company. Howard has an extreme personal tragedy and retreats entirely from life. This is the story of bringing him back as best as he can be brought back. As he writes abstract letters to things like, Death, Love, and Time. And he gets an answer from each of them - but how?
This is done as well as it can be, problem is I think you need your imagination here more than your eyes. This is a story that doesn't transfer well to the visual. Plus, in this adaptation, the ending was insanely predictable. You will be way, way ahead of the movie, even though they think they are smarter than you.
This is emotional, entertaining, and pretty well paced. Is this great? No. But it's worth the time and money if you are in for a emotional ride at the movies.
Office Christmas Party
What can you say? It's 2 hours of footage from a huge office party. Big cast, some laughs, topical at times.
Story attempted, but you don't really care about it. You just want to see the party shenanigans and watch all of our stars again try their hand at non-scripted improvisational jokes.
Miss Sloane
Here comes another political thriller with an agenda that was supposed to make a big splash at the box office but did not, and will not. Jessica Chastain is terrific as Miss Sloane. She is a tough as nails, smart, slick Washington DC lobbyist with a great track record, this time taking on the NRA and trying to get control legislation passed.
But there are a few really big problems here. First, this is too long, and draggy at times. Second, even though Chastain is great, the character they portray is simply a horrible, ugly, lost, immensely terrible person in general. You are supposed to be pulling for her, but you really just hate her more as time rolls on. They try at the end to redeem her, but you could care less about her by then. This movie also becomes a lecture about, well basically everything, and her dialogue is simply not credible.
Chastain does a lot with a little, and she is to be commended. Also, these movies with anti-everything agendas for the most part flop and flop hard, as this will. And even a small 18 million dollar budget will still be a huge tanker.
scott@wqmx.com
Collateral Beauty
This is a really good idea, and my feeling is this would read in a book very well. But as a movie, I'm not sure. This has an all star cast including Will Smith, Kate Winslett, Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, Edward Norton and others. So clearly star power is not the issue here.
This is the story of Howard, his friends and his advertising company. Howard has an extreme personal tragedy and retreats entirely from life. This is the story of bringing him back as best as he can be brought back. As he writes abstract letters to things like, Death, Love, and Time. And he gets an answer from each of them - but how?
This is done as well as it can be, problem is I think you need your imagination here more than your eyes. This is a story that doesn't transfer well to the visual. Plus, in this adaptation, the ending was insanely predictable. You will be way, way ahead of the movie, even though they think they are smarter than you.
This is emotional, entertaining, and pretty well paced. Is this great? No. But it's worth the time and money if you are in for a emotional ride at the movies.
Office Christmas Party
What can you say? It's 2 hours of footage from a huge office party. Big cast, some laughs, topical at times.
Story attempted, but you don't really care about it. You just want to see the party shenanigans and watch all of our stars again try their hand at non-scripted improvisational jokes.
Miss Sloane
Here comes another political thriller with an agenda that was supposed to make a big splash at the box office but did not, and will not. Jessica Chastain is terrific as Miss Sloane. She is a tough as nails, smart, slick Washington DC lobbyist with a great track record, this time taking on the NRA and trying to get control legislation passed.
But there are a few really big problems here. First, this is too long, and draggy at times. Second, even though Chastain is great, the character they portray is simply a horrible, ugly, lost, immensely terrible person in general. You are supposed to be pulling for her, but you really just hate her more as time rolls on. They try at the end to redeem her, but you could care less about her by then. This movie also becomes a lecture about, well basically everything, and her dialogue is simply not credible.
Chastain does a lot with a little, and she is to be commended. Also, these movies with anti-everything agendas for the most part flop and flop hard, as this will. And even a small 18 million dollar budget will still be a huge tanker.
scott@wqmx.com
Friday, December 2, 2016
BROWNS - Learning in Earnest From Byner
Today at our WQMX Tree Of Lights Fundraiser I met Browns legendary running back, Earnest Byner. What a thrill for us.
For those who can remember, and for those who only saw it on the ESPN movie, Believeland, he is the player whose fumble at the goal line in Denver ended the Browns Superbowl run in 1987. That is what ESPN wants you to remember - The Fumble - but I have always refused to do that. Byner was a darn good football player who played on some darn good teams, who wouldn't have been darn good without him. For me, it was not his fumble, but Jeremiah Castille's great play when his team needed it. But it's not as good of theater for many.
I always thought Byner was unfairly judged. Truth is, what happened to Byner that day was tough for all of us fans to accept. It hurt. But now, 29 years later I have learned our pain, the fans, was nothing in the grand scheme of things. We got off easy.
The slow motion footage of Byner on the ground at Mile High Stadium was hard to watch as he is in emotional agony. And it's harder to watch now - than then. Because now, we realize, Byner was just a 25 year old guy, who in about 5 seconds had the entire weight of a major city placed on his shoulders, not just for that Sunday, but forever. He was made to carry the Browns, Indians and the Cavaliers failures from that moment forward. Think about that, he was only 25 years old at that time. It wasn't fair then, and it's not fair now.
Talking with Byner, it is clear he is comfortable in his own skin and has turned that early Sunday evening agony into a positive outlook. And we should be able to as well, as we only carry our own weight, and not the weight of all. Good lesson for all of us, life is filled with things that require perspective. Real perspective, and it's a good time of the year to be reminded of it.
Because if Earnest Byner can accept that what happened that day, was only a tiny moment in time, in a good life lived, the rest of us are charged to do the same.
For those who can remember, and for those who only saw it on the ESPN movie, Believeland, he is the player whose fumble at the goal line in Denver ended the Browns Superbowl run in 1987. That is what ESPN wants you to remember - The Fumble - but I have always refused to do that. Byner was a darn good football player who played on some darn good teams, who wouldn't have been darn good without him. For me, it was not his fumble, but Jeremiah Castille's great play when his team needed it. But it's not as good of theater for many.
I always thought Byner was unfairly judged. Truth is, what happened to Byner that day was tough for all of us fans to accept. It hurt. But now, 29 years later I have learned our pain, the fans, was nothing in the grand scheme of things. We got off easy.
The slow motion footage of Byner on the ground at Mile High Stadium was hard to watch as he is in emotional agony. And it's harder to watch now - than then. Because now, we realize, Byner was just a 25 year old guy, who in about 5 seconds had the entire weight of a major city placed on his shoulders, not just for that Sunday, but forever. He was made to carry the Browns, Indians and the Cavaliers failures from that moment forward. Think about that, he was only 25 years old at that time. It wasn't fair then, and it's not fair now.
Talking with Byner, it is clear he is comfortable in his own skin and has turned that early Sunday evening agony into a positive outlook. And we should be able to as well, as we only carry our own weight, and not the weight of all. Good lesson for all of us, life is filled with things that require perspective. Real perspective, and it's a good time of the year to be reminded of it.
Because if Earnest Byner can accept that what happened that day, was only a tiny moment in time, in a good life lived, the rest of us are charged to do the same.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
MOVIE REVIEWS - In Theaters Now
Let's look at some of the new movies in theaters this week, and see how we're doing.
Allied
Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard star in this amazing WWII flick, that everyone should see if you love well done, well acted movies.
This is full of nice twists and turns and features incredible performances from the entire cast. Pitt is making the best movies of his career lately and Cotillard is terrific and cold earn herself an Oscar nomination. She is terrific in this complicated role, and she delivers from tough to insanely sexy.
Allied. This is a must see.
Rules Don't Apply
Warren Beatty leads a huge cast in this movie taking place in the 1950's and 60's that deals with the intensely eccentric Howard Hughes and his empire, both the good and the really not so good. As good as this cast is the star of this movie is the young actress Lily Collins, who plays this amazingly naive young actress that finds herself involved with Hughes in Hollywood at RKO Pictures.
She is so good in this flick, she saves this. Oscar nomination? Possible. This is not a bad movie, but it is slow at times, but she makes it tolerable. This looks great, and has a nice soundtrack. But make no mistake, the versatile performance by Collins is the gas in the engine that it badly needs.
This is solid and worth the time, thanks to Collins.
Bad Santa 2
Billy Bob Thornton and the cast of crazies is back again, and more vile than ever in this sequel. This is the continuing story of our favorite vulgar Santa, his horrible life, and his never ending quest to try to get it right. Should be noted, the R rating was invented for this movie.
This is very harsh in every regard. This is of course like the original in its dark comedy feel, but we are climbing to a new low in colorful language and subject matter. Yes, there are some laughs here, and there are some ridiculous moments you can't help but laugh at. But, this is very dark, and incredibly politically incorrect. So if you are easily offended, pass this one by.
Plenty of tough dialogue, sexual situations, and downright raunchy. If it's total detachment you are looking for this may be your comedy. For me, this did get fatiguing after a while
Hard R rating. Not at all for any kid anywhere.
scott@wqmx.com
Allied
Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard star in this amazing WWII flick, that everyone should see if you love well done, well acted movies.
This is full of nice twists and turns and features incredible performances from the entire cast. Pitt is making the best movies of his career lately and Cotillard is terrific and cold earn herself an Oscar nomination. She is terrific in this complicated role, and she delivers from tough to insanely sexy.
Allied. This is a must see.
Rules Don't Apply
Warren Beatty leads a huge cast in this movie taking place in the 1950's and 60's that deals with the intensely eccentric Howard Hughes and his empire, both the good and the really not so good. As good as this cast is the star of this movie is the young actress Lily Collins, who plays this amazingly naive young actress that finds herself involved with Hughes in Hollywood at RKO Pictures.
She is so good in this flick, she saves this. Oscar nomination? Possible. This is not a bad movie, but it is slow at times, but she makes it tolerable. This looks great, and has a nice soundtrack. But make no mistake, the versatile performance by Collins is the gas in the engine that it badly needs.
This is solid and worth the time, thanks to Collins.
Bad Santa 2
Billy Bob Thornton and the cast of crazies is back again, and more vile than ever in this sequel. This is the continuing story of our favorite vulgar Santa, his horrible life, and his never ending quest to try to get it right. Should be noted, the R rating was invented for this movie.
This is very harsh in every regard. This is of course like the original in its dark comedy feel, but we are climbing to a new low in colorful language and subject matter. Yes, there are some laughs here, and there are some ridiculous moments you can't help but laugh at. But, this is very dark, and incredibly politically incorrect. So if you are easily offended, pass this one by.
Plenty of tough dialogue, sexual situations, and downright raunchy. If it's total detachment you are looking for this may be your comedy. For me, this did get fatiguing after a while
Hard R rating. Not at all for any kid anywhere.
scott@wqmx.com
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
THANKSGIVING - And Thanks!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and not by a little.
It's everything that is great about a holiday. Yeah, there's the "F's" Food, Fun, Family, and Football, and that's great. But for me, there is so much more. How cool is it we set aside an entire day, just to say - "thanks." That's it. Just - "thanks." And add another "F." Friends.
One reason I think this day is so powerful to me, is that I spent it away from my actual family for many years while I was moving around the nation in Country Radio. 21 in fact. What Thanksgiving did for me then, and does for me now is solidify my friendships that I have had for my entire life. And because of the road life has led me, my friendships are my guiding light.
I remember spending a couple Thanksgivings with my friend Debbie and her husband John. He is an amazing chef, and I am still in awe of him making, and me eating, a completely de-boned turkey - delicious! I spent a few a with my friends Ray and Debbie too, who have a very large family and they still made room for me, and Ray says they still set a place for me each year. My friends Tim, and Kelley invited me for a few, and we had amazing times there with us and their dogs. And my friends Don and Terri and their family, who have always made me feel welcome at Thanksgiving and every other day.
Funny, Ray, Tim and Don represent a combined 101 years of friendship to me. And how lucky am I (and the 4 of us) that we still get together a few times every year in Florida and play golf, eat, smoke cigars and hang by the pool. They are amazing friends. As are my friends Tex and Tammi, and Joe and Lori, and Kurt and Meg who represent another combined 105 years of friendship to me.
Everyone I have mentioned here is worthy of my thanks for so many reasons. Some because they were, and are amazing family when I was away from my family all those years. I am sure you have those people in your life too, who aren't technically family, but feel like it, and feel like it more in some cases.
Like mine. Happy Thanksgiving and - Thanks!
It's everything that is great about a holiday. Yeah, there's the "F's" Food, Fun, Family, and Football, and that's great. But for me, there is so much more. How cool is it we set aside an entire day, just to say - "thanks." That's it. Just - "thanks." And add another "F." Friends.
One reason I think this day is so powerful to me, is that I spent it away from my actual family for many years while I was moving around the nation in Country Radio. 21 in fact. What Thanksgiving did for me then, and does for me now is solidify my friendships that I have had for my entire life. And because of the road life has led me, my friendships are my guiding light.
I remember spending a couple Thanksgivings with my friend Debbie and her husband John. He is an amazing chef, and I am still in awe of him making, and me eating, a completely de-boned turkey - delicious! I spent a few a with my friends Ray and Debbie too, who have a very large family and they still made room for me, and Ray says they still set a place for me each year. My friends Tim, and Kelley invited me for a few, and we had amazing times there with us and their dogs. And my friends Don and Terri and their family, who have always made me feel welcome at Thanksgiving and every other day.
Funny, Ray, Tim and Don represent a combined 101 years of friendship to me. And how lucky am I (and the 4 of us) that we still get together a few times every year in Florida and play golf, eat, smoke cigars and hang by the pool. They are amazing friends. As are my friends Tex and Tammi, and Joe and Lori, and Kurt and Meg who represent another combined 105 years of friendship to me.
Everyone I have mentioned here is worthy of my thanks for so many reasons. Some because they were, and are amazing family when I was away from my family all those years. I am sure you have those people in your life too, who aren't technically family, but feel like it, and feel like it more in some cases.
Like mine. Happy Thanksgiving and - Thanks!
Sunday, November 20, 2016
MOVIE REVIEWS - Now in Theaters
Here is a look at some of the movies out at the box office for you now that "better movie" season is here.
Bleed For This
Miles Teller stars in this "real" movie with a "real" leading role for him. Based on a true story of a boxer in the 1980's who went to the top and became champion. His life and his career though become jeopardized when a car accident leaves him with a broken neck. The story is what he does next.
This has a real nice cast, and on the surface seems like a real good story to tell. Problem is this is a slow paced story that totally wears out its welcome. The performances are fine, but the main problem is, the main character portrayed well by Teller, is incredibly unlikable. He makes dumb decision after dumb decision, and after a bit, you quit rooting for him and just want this thing over.
Bleed For This is mediocre at best. Teller is strong, but this is simply marginal at best.
The Edge Of Seventeen
Hailee Steinfeld is as good of a young actor as I have ever seen. Her projects starting with her leading role in True Grit (2010) at 12 was a great start, and there have been many since. She is being handled very well, and this is another great project. She stars as a troubled 17 year-old girl who is a victim of her times, her environment and the death of her father. She is not popular with her classmates, and more importantly not with herself either.
This is incredibly well written and very well acted. This story is insanely spot on with the situations young people find themselves in more than we would like to admit. This is a great movie for parents to see, if you are willing to look at your own life honestly and see what is out there for your teens to handle. Great writing, and just a fantastic flick all the way around.
The Edge Of Seventeen. Steinfeld is amazing and this movie is strong.
Shut In (semi limited release)
For some reason this did not screen for critics and I don't understand why. Naomi Watts and Oliver Platt star in this thriller that has the feel of a King novel. A young stepmother who has lost her husband now has to care for her severely brain injured young son. So why is she being terrorized? What is going on in her remote rural Maine home?
There are parts of this that are a bit quirky and could be disturbing to some, but this is thrilling and suspenseful. This is a story you have not seen before in total and that is hard to do in a scary movie. It's short, tidy and for the most part well done.
Shut In. Gives you a jolt.
scott@wqmx.com
Bleed For This
Miles Teller stars in this "real" movie with a "real" leading role for him. Based on a true story of a boxer in the 1980's who went to the top and became champion. His life and his career though become jeopardized when a car accident leaves him with a broken neck. The story is what he does next.
This has a real nice cast, and on the surface seems like a real good story to tell. Problem is this is a slow paced story that totally wears out its welcome. The performances are fine, but the main problem is, the main character portrayed well by Teller, is incredibly unlikable. He makes dumb decision after dumb decision, and after a bit, you quit rooting for him and just want this thing over.
Bleed For This is mediocre at best. Teller is strong, but this is simply marginal at best.
The Edge Of Seventeen
Hailee Steinfeld is as good of a young actor as I have ever seen. Her projects starting with her leading role in True Grit (2010) at 12 was a great start, and there have been many since. She is being handled very well, and this is another great project. She stars as a troubled 17 year-old girl who is a victim of her times, her environment and the death of her father. She is not popular with her classmates, and more importantly not with herself either.
This is incredibly well written and very well acted. This story is insanely spot on with the situations young people find themselves in more than we would like to admit. This is a great movie for parents to see, if you are willing to look at your own life honestly and see what is out there for your teens to handle. Great writing, and just a fantastic flick all the way around.
The Edge Of Seventeen. Steinfeld is amazing and this movie is strong.
Shut In (semi limited release)
For some reason this did not screen for critics and I don't understand why. Naomi Watts and Oliver Platt star in this thriller that has the feel of a King novel. A young stepmother who has lost her husband now has to care for her severely brain injured young son. So why is she being terrorized? What is going on in her remote rural Maine home?
There are parts of this that are a bit quirky and could be disturbing to some, but this is thrilling and suspenseful. This is a story you have not seen before in total and that is hard to do in a scary movie. It's short, tidy and for the most part well done.
Shut In. Gives you a jolt.
scott@wqmx.com
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