The Guardians of the Galaxy: Marvel's Space Heroes Energize The Screen

Who are the Guardians of the Galaxy, the heroes of Marvel’s latest move hit? They’re a rag-tag group of heroes who go on an outer space adventure to retrieve a mysterious object, the origin of which will be familiar to Marvel comics fans. The team has existed on the printed page in various versions since 1969, but they’ve always been on the second (some would say third) tier of Marvel characters, despite some surges in popularity in the 80s & 90s. However, Marvel Studios was very clever about making this the latest entry in their cinematic universe. The film is a thrilling, fun-filled romp, combining the fast paced action & humor of films like the original Star Wars & Raiders of the Lost Ark, with a nod to 80s B-movies like The Last Starfighter.

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is an earth man who is kidnapped as a boy by alien scavengers called the Ravagers. Now an adult & a member of the group, he fancies himself a Han Solo-esque outlaw named Starlord. Quill’s planning to double cross the Ravagers and sell a powerful orb he’s stolen to a third party. Along the way, he runs into an assassin named Gamora, the adopted daughter of super-villain Thanos, a living tree named Groot, and a genetically altered, gun-toting raccoon named Rocket. While they initially clash, they end up banding together to stop a fanatical alien warrior named Ronan, who plans to use the orb to destroy the planet Xandar. Despite a peace treaty that ended a war between Ronan's people and the Xandarians, he wants to annihilate them. Our heroes gain another ally in Drax The Destroyer, who’s seeking vengeance against Thanos for the death of his family. In fact, Thanos may have plans of his own for the orb.....if Ronan will turn it over to him. And is Quill a hero.....a rogue,.....or both? Will he & his friends save the day?

That may sound like a lot of plot, but it moves quickly, and there are space battles, prison breaks, a bit of romance, a lot of funny lines and a host of 70s rock tunes, courtesy of Quill’s Walkman and his favorite mix tape, which was a gift from his dying Mom. The characters are well developed despite the focus on humor & action, and their backstories will obviously be further explored in future installments, especially the identity of Quill's father....a being his Mom referred to as an "angel" before her death. Long-time fans will pick up on myriad references to other Marvel comic book characters and stories, which are obviously laying the groundwork for other Marvel films, but you don’t need to be familiar with any of that history to enjoy this movie. Sit back, relax & enjoy the ride. It’s a perfect summer popcorn flick, and the most fun you'll have at the moves this summer.

The cast is top notch; Pratt literally becomes a star before our eyes with this breakout performance; he’s got a sense of humor, cockiness, savvy (and dancing & singing skills) to spare, and the supporting cast is wonderful; Zoe Saldana is impressive as Gamora, and the voices of Bradley Cooper as Rocket and Vin Diesel as Groot add surprising depth & gravitas to their computer generated characters. Wrestler Dave Bautista proves himself a powerful ally and a perfect comic foil as Drax, and you’ll see a lot of familiar faces in smaller roles, including Glenn Close, Michael Rooker & John C. Reilly. The film was directed by James Gunn, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Nicole Perlman. Gunn and his team have done a great job with the visual elements of the film; the effects are great, and this movie looks like an old school, big budget space adventure.

I’ve tried not to give too much of the film’s plot or pleasant surprises away. But if you like entertaining action-adventure films, and you have a soft spot for 70s and 80s sci-fi (and 70s pop music) you’re sure to have a good time watching Guardians of the Galaxy. The movie has a great sense of energy, a rollicking sense of humor, and a real dose of heart. It’s one of the best Marvel films yet. As always with Marvel movies, make sure to stay until the end of the credits, for an additional scene or two. And remember: The Guardians of the Galaxy will return. The Guardians of the Galaxy is currently in theaters. Here’s a link to the film’s trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B16Bo47KS2g.

Next time: A look at a biography of singer Laura Nyro

The Godfather of Soul & The "Jersey Boys" Head To The Multiplex in Two New Films

Since the successful release of Ray (2004), the biography of Ray Charles, which starred Jamie Foxx, the musical bio-pic has come back into vogue, and two new releases continue the trend. James Brown was one of the most powerful, innovative performers to ever grace a stage. The “Godfather of Soul” helped bring funk into the mainstream, and has inspired countless other artists, including Michael Jackson, Prince & Mick Jagger. Get On Up (2014) tells the story of Brown’s life, and attempts to give us some insight into this legendary musician. The film moves back & forth in time, taking us to some of the high points (and low points) of Brown’s career, from his beginnings with the group The Famous Flames, to his worldwide success as a soul/funk/R&B superstar, scoring hits with songs like “I Feel Good” and “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag.”

Chadwick Boseman (who played Jackie Robinson in 42), is amazing as Brown. He’s got the wild, yet graceful athleticism of Brown’s stage performances down pat, and it’s not mere mimicry. He inhabits the role – right down to Brown’s speech patterns & the way he walks. It’s an astonishing performance. There’s an excellent supporting cast including Viola Davis as Brown’s mother, and Nelsan Ellis as Bobby Byrd, the soul icon's musical collaborator & closest friend, who gets pushed to the background in Brown’s rise to the top. Some of the female roles in the film are too thin & lightly sketched, but all of the actors are solid in their roles. The musical sequences, including some of Brown’s most famous songs & musical moments, are fantastic. Particularly interesting are the recreations of his triumphant 1962 concert at the Apollo Theatre (which became a classic live album) and his 1964 appearance at the multi-artist concert The T.A.M.I Show, where he blew his fellow acts (including The Rolling Stones) off the stage with an electric performance.

The movie does jump around in time a little bit too much, sometimes moving back to complete a flashback scene we saw the first part of earlier in the film. And while the movie tries to give us a good overview of Brown’s life & career, balancing the story of Brown's successes with a look at his dark side, it skims over some of his issues with drugs & violence. But Boseman’s performance & the great music make this a must see for music fans. The film was directed by Tate Taylor, and written by Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth. Mick Jagger & Brian Grazer were two of the film’s producers; in fact, Jagger helped shepherd the project's journey to the screen. The movie is currently in theaters. Here’s a link to the film’s trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vptGSENcXeI.

The Broadway musical Jersey Boys has been a major success since it opened in 2005. A movie version of the story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons has been in the works for a while (Jon Favreau was once slated to helm the project) but it finally came to fruition with Clint Eastwood directing. The film adapts some of the play’s structure, with the characters addressing the audience as the tale of the group’s early years unfolds. We see the beginnings of the band as Frankie forms the group with his friend, guitarist Tommy DeVito, keyboardist/songwriter Bob Gaudio & bass player Nick Massi. While the group goes on to become one of the biggest selling acts of the 60s, personal conflicts & internal strife derail them at the height of their success. The movie features John Lloyd Young as Valli, Vincent Piazza as DeVito,  Erich Bergen as Gaudio and Michael Lomenda as Massi. The screenplay is by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, who wrote the original Broadway show.

While the movie is a musical, there’s a bit less focus on the music at times than you’d expect, though there are sequences depicting performances of some of the band's biggest hits. One thing that’s missing is a larger sense of the group’s success amid the other pop/rock groups of the 60s. There’s more of an emphasis on the dark side of the group’s rise to fame. It’s a very internalized story that keeps its sights on the group's dynamics, treating them like a family. The actors do a great job bringing these musical icons to life. Lloyd Young (who originated the role of Valli on Broadway) & Bergen as Gaudio stand out in the talented cast, and Christopher Walken shines in a supporting role as a mobster who helps the group get its start. I haven’t seen the play, though people who have tell me there’s more music, and a bit less less focus on the group’s downfall. But maybe the darker side of the story is what drew Eastwood (who also directed the Charlie Parker bio-pic Bird) to the project.

Like many film biographies, the movie is lighter on the details of the groups’ later years, and quickly sketches their eventual comeback, ending with the band's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Still, it’s an interesting story, and you’ll probably learn a lot about the The Four Seasons that you didn’t know before, including the group’s friendship with a young guy named Joe Pesci. Of course, there are also all those great songs on the soundtrack, including “Sherry” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” among others. In fact, the film’s at its best when showing the guys working on their music with producer Bob Crewe, who contributed a great deal to the group’s success. While you might not think of Eastwood as the first choice to direct a musical, he does a decent job, even though the film still somewhat betrays its stage origins. If you’re a fan of the The Four Seasons & their music, Jersey Boys is worth a look. The film has just about finished its run in theaters, but a video release should be announced soon. Here’s a link to the film’s trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY0YmsVNq_Q.

There's No Gridlock For Dave Mason's “Traffic Jam” in Hamden

Legendary rocker Dave Mason brought his  “Traffic Jam” tour to Town Center Park in Hamden, CT on Friday, August 1. The show was the last in the town’s 2014 outdoor summer concert series. Luckily, the weather held out, and there was no rain in sight during the evening. Kicking off the show with “40,000 Headmen,” Mason led his stellar backing band through a solid set of Traffic classics & songs from his solo career. The first portion of the evening focused on Traffic, and included “Pearly Queen” & “Medicated Goo.” Interestingly enough, Mason performed a couple of Traffic tunes more closely associated with fellow member Steve Winwood, who sang lead vocals on the originals.  Mason altered the arrangements to “Dear Mr. Fantasy” & “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys” to suit his own bluesy style, and while the songs sounded different from the originals, the new versions sounded great.

After “Dear Mr. Fantasy” Mason remarked “it’s time for some Dave songs” and he launched into a group of solo numbers including the well-remembered 70s hit “We Just Disagree” and the often-covered “Only You Know & I Know.” He also performed a couple of tracks from his recent release Future’s Past, including “How Do I Get To Heaven” a song co-written by Jim Capaldi, another member of Traffic. Mason spoke warmly of working with him in Traffic and during his solo years. He talked about the genesis of the tune, which was left partially finished when Capaldi passed away in 2005. Mason later finished the song and recorded it. The emotional performance was one of the highlights of the concert. The excellent show finished with great renditions of “Let It Go, Let It Flow” (a personal favorite of mine) and a cover of “All Along The Watchtower.” By the way, Mason actually played on the Hendrix version of that song back in the 60s.

The crowd wasn’t quite ready to let Dave go, however, and he returned for an encore featuring another classic that he wrote “Feelin’ Alright,” which became a huge hit for Joe Cocker. The funky arrangement of the song was the perfect way to end the night with the appreciative audience grooving along as the evening drew to a close. Dave Mason’s “Traffic Jam” tour will be on the road for some more dates this summer, and if you’re a classic rock fan, this is most definitely a show you'll want to see. Here are links to Dave performing “Feeling Alright” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQcCqckIM_w, “Only You Know & I Know,” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecTQjNwYUss and “We Just Disagree” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCpQLZs2Eh8.

I’d also like to note that Remember September, an excellent jam band based in Trumbull, CT were a great opening act at the show. Their set featured songs from their CD The Roads We Travel as well as some new material. They have a cool sound that’s a mix of rock & funk and delivered some great grooves to kick off the evening. This was the group’s second visit to the Hamden Summer Concert Series after opening for Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes in 2012. They are worth checking out, and you can find out more about them at: http://www.rememberseptemberband.com.

Set List for Dave Mason:

40, 000 Headmen

Pearly Queen

Medicated Goo

Rock & Roll Stew

Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

Dear Mr. Fantasy

World in Changes

We Just Disagree

How Do I Get To Heaven

Good 2 You

Only You Know & I Know

Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave

Let It Go, Let It Flow

All Along The Watchtower

Encore: 

Feelin' Alright

A Perfectly Fine "Contradiction"

I first became a fan of British singer Paloma Faith when her sophomore album, Fall To Grace, was released in 2012. I enjoyed her powerful vocals and emotional, almost theatrical renditions of songs like “Let Me Down Easy” and the soul infused “Black & Blue.” Now the songstress is back with a new disc, entitled A Perfect Contradiction. The record opens with the funky, groove laden “Can’t Rely On You,” co-written & produced by Pharrell Williams, and it’s followed by the disco-fied “Mouth To Mouth,” which evokes memories of the Studio 54 era. It’s clear that this time out, the lady is having a dance party, and we're all invited. The album is full of old school R&B grooves, and you’ll also hear touches of soul, pop, jazz, & Motown in songs like “Other Woman,” and the fantastic “Love Only Leaves You Lonely.”

Faith co-wrote most of the tracks on the disc, along with a cadre of superstar co-writers & producers like Williams & Raphael Saadiq. There’s no denying she set out to make an album that evokes memories of an earlier musical era, but also has a modern feel to it. This is music that will make you want to dance & sing along. And for those fans looking for the Dusty Springfield meets Amy Winehouse style of earlier numbers like “Picking Up The Pieces” and “Beauty of the End,” that sound is also well represented here on standout tracks like “Only Love Can Hurt Like This” and “Trouble With My Baby,” as well as retro soul style of “Taste My Own Tears.”

Of course, none of this would work without Ms. Faith’s passionate voice & strong personality. She delivers strong performances & really brings these songs across; she makes you listen to her. While some listeners & critics find her a bit over the top & think her voice is somewhat shrill, I enjoy her work immensely. It’s a shame she hasn’t yet made a bigger splash in the US. If you’re looking for an enjoyable album that will reward you with some cool retro sounds and a modern twist, give A Perfect Contradiction a spin. Here are links to performances of “Can’t Rely on You,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQpiTOONIik and an acoustic version of “Only Love Can Hurt Like This” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oqRXI1Ck7k. The album is now available on iTunes, and other online stores..

Can Humans & Apes Find the "Dawn" of a New Day Together?

I was 5 years old when the original Planet of The Apes was released in 1968, so it took me a few years to catch up with the movie, when the film and it sequels were first being shown on CBS. Growing up a science-fiction, horror & monster story loving kid, I couldn’t wait to see these films. I instantly became a fan. Later the Apes movies became a staple of afternoon TV showings; remember “Apes Week” on the ABC 4:30 Movie in the New York area? Short lived animated & live action TV series were also spun off from the original, and “Apes” related items & toys were all the rage in the 1970s. In those pre Star Wars days, the Apes films were one of the first heavily merchandised sci-fi properties, and the series continues to have a loyal fan base. It was only a matter of time before the story was revived. Director Tim Burton tried his best with a 2001 remake that failed with both fans & critics. After that misfire, it took some time for the Apes saga to return to our movies screens.

Then in 2011, director Rupert Wyatt’s Rise of The Planet of the Apes was released. Written by Rick Jaffe & Amanda Silver, it‘s a well-made update of the Apes concept. The movie follows scientist Will Rodman’s search to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. The serum he comes up with gives his simian test subjects (especially an ape named Caesar, whom he adopts) enhanced intelligence. Of course, nothing ends up going the way Rodman imagined. The film concludes with Caesar leading a group of hyper-intelligent simians into the woods outside San Francisco, while a mysterious virus had begun spreading across the world. The movie was a success, and featured multiple tributes to the original series for fans, while still carving out a new spin on the story. The ending clearly left the door open for a sequel that could expand on this version of the saga.

The story continues with the recently released Dawn of The Planet of the Apes. It’s 10 years after the events of Rise, and the virus has wiped out most of humanity. The intelligent apes, led by Caesar (Andy Serkis) are living peacefully in the woods, and have started their one society. Meanwhile, some human survivors struggle to get by in San Francisco. The two groups clash when a scouting party heads into the woods to see if they can repair a hydroelectric dam and restart the city's power grid. Caesar’s lieutenant, a violent ape named Koba, distrusts the humans and wants to eliminate them. Malcolm (Jason Clarke), the leader of the scouting party, convinces Caesar humans can be trusted, and they will do their repairs and leave the apes in peace. He & Caesar begin a tentative friendship. But Dreyfus (Gary Oldman), the leader of the humans, may not share Malcolm’s peaceful intentions. He blames the apes for the loss of his family during the outbreak of the virus, and its aftermath. And the militant Koba has his own (self-benefitting) plans for creating conflict between the two groups.

There are some great action sequences & some jaw dropping use of CGI that’s well-integrated into the film. Andy (Gollum from Lord of The Rings) Serkis & the others who perform the motion capture for the ape characters are excellent. The human actors, including Clarke, Oldman, and Keri Russell are fine in their roles, but in this film, they’re almost the supporting characters. The apes & their world are so fully realized in this visually stunning film that it’s nothing short of amazing. Director Matt Reeves & his crew have done an outstanding job. The script this time is by Jaffa & Silver, returning from the first film, co-writing with Mark Bombeck. There are a couple of nods to the classic film series, including snatches of dialogue & some cues in Michael Giacchino's score that recall previous music in the original series by Jerry Goldsmith & Leonard Rosenman.

Like the original films, the movie holds up a mirror to issues that are going on in society today. The movie wraps its social & political commentary around an entertaining story. There are no clear-cut villain here, among the humans or the apes, though there are deluded & selfish characters on both sides of this conflict. While the “end” of civilization has different causes in this version of the story, man’s pride & inhumanity to himself is still part of his downfall. The movie ends on an ambigious note, setting things up for another chapter in the series, but the future of humanity (and the apes) is definitely uncertain. I’ve stayed vague on the plot details so as not to spoil it for fans who haven’t seen the film yet. If you’re a fan of the Apes saga, you’ll enjoy Dawn of The Planet of the Apes. As with the best chapters of the original series, this is thought-provoking, well produced science-fiction storytelling. The movie is currently in theaters. Here’s a link to the film’s trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sHMCRaS3ao.

The X-Men At The Movies: Past & Present

The X-Men began their long run in the Marvel Comics universe in 1963, and have continued in various titles to the present day. The mutant super-team has also had a successful run in movie theaters, starting with 2000’s X-Men, directed by Bryan Singer, who also directed the 2003 follow-up, X2. The films were helped immeasurably by the wonderful performances of Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Ian McKellen as his adversary Magneto, and Hugh Jackman as the loose cannon Wolverine. Both of those films were well received by fans & critics, though the third entry, 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand was met with mixed reaction, as was the 2009 solo film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Many fans felt the series had lost its focus, and moved away from the solid stories & character interaction that made the first two films so successful.

In 2011, a prequel film entitled X-Men: First Class, directed by Matthew Vaughn, was released. A talented cast, including James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult and Michael Fassbender, played younger versions of the team. Their origin was re-told against a Cold War backdrop. The intriguing story & excellent performances re-energized the series, and the film was a success. Another Wolverine solo movie, The Wolverine, followed in 2013. Then fans began wondering what was in store for the next film in the series; would there be a movie bridging the two eras? What would be the next stop in the cinematic journey of our favorite mutants? Singer, who had left the series after X-2, then returned to produce X-Men: First Class, decided to come back to the director’s chair, and opted to tackle one of the comic series most powerful & well-remembered stories: Days of Future Past.

Originally released as a two-part tale in the Uncanny X-Men comic series in 1981, the story tells of a future where mutants are hunted down & killed or placed in internment camps. Produced during the book’s now classic run by writer Chris Claremont and artists John Byrne & Terry Austin, it’s now considered one of the most iconic X-Men stories of all time. The film version is a sequel to both The Last Stand & First Class. In a dark time when both mutants & the humans who help them are exterminated by robots called Sentinels, Professor X & his former enemy Magneto, who are now allies, come up with a plan to stop this timeline from occurring. With the help of team member Kitty Pryde, they send Wolverine’s consciousness back into his younger self in the 1970s, to warn their own younger selves about what is going to happen if this horrible future is allowed to unfold.

Once Wolverine finds the current X-Men, it’s a race against time to stop an event that triggers the creation of the Sentinels by a scientist named Bolivar Trask, played by Peter Dinklage. Trask is lobbying the government to activate the robots as a defense against what he perceives as a threat to the world: mutants. Meanwhile, the future X-Men try to stay alive as the Sentinels continually attack their rebel hideout. The direction by Singer & the performances of two generations of X-Men stars, including Lawrence in a standout role as Mystique, are excellent. McAvoy & Fassbender perfectly capture the younger Professor X & Magneto; you can see how their characters will grow into the older versions played by Stewart & McKellen. Dinklage (Game of Thrones) makes for an excellent villain, and there are some interesting twists on the original story. In fact, fans who were displeased by the events depicted in X-Men: The Last Stand should watch carefully in the film’s closing moments.

One thing to be aware of is that if you’re not familiar with the X-Men universe, the film may be a little hard to follow at first. A lot of the supporting characters are quickly introduced, and have minor roles in the story. But this is a solid superhero film that should please X-Men aficionados. The story is exciting and fast-paced; there’s a good balance between some standout action sequences & nice character moments. The movie is currently finishing its run in theaters, but a video release should be announced soon. Here’s a link to the film’s trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK2zYHWDZKo. Fans will be happy to know there's already a sequel in the works: X-Men: Apocalypse, based on another famous comic story, as well as several spin-off films featuring some of the team's members. The X-Men's cinematic future appears to be a bright one.

Earth, Wind & Fire's Electrifying Vibes

Earth, Wind & Fire  - photo by John V

Earth, Wind & Fire brought the funk, soul and R&B to Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday night.  Longtime members Philip Bailey, Verdine White & Ralph Johnson led the band through a powerhouse 90-minute show, raising the roof on the place, and enthralling a very enthusiastic crowd. Kicking off the night with the one-two punch of “Boogie Wonderland” and “Sing A Song,” the show’s energy never flagged. Bailey’s amazing voice, White’s nimble bass playing and Johnson’s powerful percussion, helped the group sail through an energetic set of EWF hits, like the classic Beatles cover “Got To Get You Into My Life” and some fan favorites, such as the moving “Devotion.” One of the top songs of the show was an electrifying version of “Reasons” featuring Bailey’s best vocal performance of the evening. That robust falsetto is still going strong after all these years, and hasn't lost any of its power.

The evening featured one classic song after another; “Fantasy,” “Shining Star,” “September” and a cool version of one of my personal favorites, “Serpentine Fire.” The group truly knows how to pace a show like this. You’d get a couple of fast & funky numbers to get the crowd on their feet, then they’d take it down a bit for a powerful ballad like “Keep Your Head To The Sky,” another highlight of the evening. Of course, the excellent band, including the celebrated EWF horn section, added immeasurably to the show’s success. The group also includes Bailey’s son Philip, Jr. on vocals; he also did a wonderful job. EWF truly operates as a unit, and there are no mere “hired hands” in this outfit. These were expert players at the top of their musical game, and they were all given the chance to shine during the night’s performances. Every member of the group was outstanding.

I cannot say enough positive things about this fantastic band, and this fabulous show. The audience, including myself, were clapping, shouting, rising to their feet and dancing throughout the concert. In short, we were enjoying ourselves immensely, and the band looked like they were having a great time as well. As the evening reached it’s apex with “September” and “Let’s Groove” you could feel the sense of happiness, joy & good vibes reverberating throughout the arena. Earth, Wind & Fire are on the road this summer; you simply have to check out this excellent band live, and experience this funkified, testified, groove-filled show. Very highly recommended. Here are link’s to the band performing “Serpentine Fire” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoI1XPqXQ90&feature=kp and “Got To Get You Into My Life” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cByrcn4-iAw.

Set List:
Boogie Wonderland
Sing A Song
My Promise
Shining Star
Serpentine Fire
Saturday Nite
On Your Face
Sun Goddess
Kalimba Story
Evil-Breakdown
Keep Your Head To The Sky
Devotion
That's The Way Of The World
After The Love Has Gone
Reasons
Got To Get You Into My Life
Fantasy
September
Let's Groove
Encore:
In The Stone