Billboard Hot Rock Songs – Week of November 12, 2016

November 1, 2016

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Each week, I check out the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart, and then I rearrange that top 25 based on my estimation of their quality.

Original Version
1. twenty one pilots – “Heathens”
2. twenty one pilots – “Ride”
3. X Ambassadors – “Unsteady”
4. Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, & Imagine Dragons with Logic, Ty Dolla $ign ft. X Ambassadors – “Sucker for Pain”
5. Coldplay – “Hymn for the Weekend”
6. Fitz and the Tantrums – “HandClap”
7. Disturbed – “The Sound of Silence”
8. The Lumineers – “Ophelia”
9. Bastille – “Good Grief”
10. Kings of Leon – “Waste a Moment”
11. blink-182 – “She’s Out of Her Mind”
12. Alex Da Kid Featuring X Ambassadors, Elle King & Wiz Khalifa – “Not Easy”
13. Zach Williams – “Chain Breaker”
14. Green Day – “Bang Bang”
15. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Dark Necessities”
16. Skillet – “Feel Invincible”
17. twenty one pilots – “Cancer”
18. Beck – “Wow”
19. The Head and the Heart – “All We Ever Knew”
20. Avenged Sevenfold – “The Stage”
21. Judah & the Lion – “Take It All Back”
22. Phantogram – “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore”
23. Metallica – “Moth Into Flame”
24. The Lumineers – “Cleopatra”
25. Highly Suspect – “My Name is Human”

Jmunney’s Revision
1. You Don’t Get Me High Anymore
2. Wow
3. My Name is Human
4. Unsteady
5. Dark Necessities
6. Ride
7. Good Grief
8. The Stage
9. Moth Into Flame
10. Ophelia
11. Waste a Moment
12. Cleopatra
13. Take It All Back
14. Cancer
15. Hymn for the Weekend
16. All We Ever Knew
17. Bang Bang
18. The Sound of Silence
19. Heathens
20. Not Easy
21. She’s Out of Her Mind
22. Feel Invincible
23. Sucker for Pain
24. HandClap
25. Chain Breaker

Billboard Hot 20 – Week of November 12, 2016

November 1, 2016

jmunney Billboard Charts, Billboard Hot 100, Music , , , Leave a comment

Each week, I check out the Billboard Hot 100, and then I rearrange the top 20 based on my estimation of their quality.

Original Version
1. The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – “Closer”
2. The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk – “Starboy”
3. twenty one pilots – “Heathens”
4. DJ Snake ft. Justin Bieber – “Let Me Love You”
5. D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty – “Broccoli”
6. Bruno Mars – “24K Magic”
7. Ariana Grande ft. Nicki Minaj – “Side to Side”
8. Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber and MØ – “Cold Water”
9. Zay Hilfigerrr and Zayion McCall – “Juju on That Beat (TZ Anthem)”
10. gnash ft. Olivia O’Brien – “i hate u, i love u”
11. Shawn Mendes – “Treat You Better”
12. Sia ft. Sean Paul – “Cheap Thrills”
13. Maroon 5 ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Don’t Wanna Know”
14. Hailee Steinfeld & Grey ft. Zedd – “Starving”
15. Kiiara – “Gold”
16. Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane – “Black Beatles”
17. The Chainsmokers ft. Daya – “Don’t Let Me Down”
18. Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna – “This Is What You Came For”
19. Sia ft. Kendrick Lamar – “The Greatest”
20. twenty one pilots – “Ride”

Jmunney’s Revision
1. Gold
2. The Greatest
3. Starboy
4. Cheap Thrills
5. Side to Side
6. Cold Water
7. Black Beatles
8. Ride
9. Broccoli
10. Closer
11. 24K Magic
12. i hate u, i love u
13. Starving
14. Let Me Love You
15. Don’t Let Me Down
16. This is What You Came For
17. Don’t Wanna Know
18. Heathens
19. Treat You Better
20. Juju on That Beat (TZ Anthem)

This Is a Movie Review: Doctor Strange

October 31, 2016

jmunney Cinema, Movie Reviews , , , , , , , Leave a comment

doctor-strange-close-up-with-buildings-in-background

This review was originally published on News Cult in October 2016.

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Rachel McAdams

Directors: Scott Derrickson

Running Time: 115 Minutes

Rating: PG-13 for fantastical bumps and bruises and a gruesome accident

Release Date: November 4, 2016

Now at 14 films strong, the Marvel Cinematic Universe shows no signs of abandoning its (consistently profitable) template: initial humbling, transformative origin, world-threatening climax. Doctor Strange is not interested in (or prohibited from) straying from that template, but it does mess with the rules in ways that do right by its protagonist.

That transgressive attitude is there right from the start. Stephen Strange is a highly respected and highly arrogant neurosurgeon whose superheroic path is catalyzed by a car wreck that is as horrific and as indulgent as a PG-13 rating allows. The comic book model often begins with these intense powder kegs, but they are rarely this visceral, unless they are making a show of being “adult,” which is not what this entry is all about.

With his hands left stubbornly tremorous, Strange is enticed by the promise of an alternative treatment in the mountains of Nepal. While initially prone to skepticism about the sorcery he encounters, he hears out the pitch, perhaps because all characters played by Chiwetel Ejiofor or Tilda Swinton exude confidence. Convincing Strange could have been drawn out, but that likely would have been tiresome, so instead he is soundly convinced by a cosmic trip that achieves cinematic psychedelia unheard of for decades.

Of course, this all leads to a grand climactic battle – this time, a traitorous rebellion led by a former pupil (Mads Mikkelsen). As usual, the entire planet is at threat, but Dr. Strange is sly about how this comes to pass. With much of the action taking place in the “Mirror Dimension” or “astral planes,” the world at large generally has no idea what is going on.

Basically, while Doctor Strange must work within constraints, it has no intention of dialing back the pizzazz. And why should it, considering that so many of its characters can bend the very nature of reality? The film’s most striking visuals – rolling skyscrapers, warped cityscapes – are obviously reminiscent of Inception. That earlier dreamscape flick famously utilized primarily practical effects, while Strange quite obviously employs CGI. That is not a knock – this is perhaps the most artful use of impractical effects of all time. As Stephen Strange learns in his hero’s journey, it’s all about playing to your strengths.

Doctor Strange is Recommended If You Like: Inception But Wish It Had Been More Maniacal, 2001, a Healthy Helping of Looney Tunes

Grade: 4 out of 5 Astral Bodies

 

What Won TV? – October 23-October 29, 2016

October 30, 2016

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In this feature, I look back at each day of the past week and determine what shows “won TV” for the night. That is, I consider every episode of television I watched that aired on a particular day and declare which was the best.

comedy-bang-bang-the-haunted-gun

Sunday – Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Monday – Jane the Virgin
Tuesday – Atlanta
Wednesday – Documentary Now!
Thursday – The Good Place just got even good-er.
Friday – Comedy Bang! Bang! takes us to the gun show.
Saturday – The end of Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency let us in on a little secret.

Watch And/Or Listen to This: Bruce Springsteen’s Rejected Harry Potter Song

October 28, 2016

jmunney Conan, Music, Television , , , , Leave a comment

“Cause there’s no class to teach Defense Against the Broken Hearts”

Billboard Hot Rock Songs – Week of November 5, 2016

October 25, 2016

jmunney Billboard Charts, Billboard Hot Rock Songs, Music , , , Leave a comment

Each week, I check out the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart, and then I rearrange that top 25 based on my estimation of their quality.

Original Version
1. twenty one pilots – “Heathens”
2. twenty one pilots – “Ride”
3. Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, & Imagine Dragons with Logic, Ty Dolla $ign ft. X Ambassadors – “Sucker for Pain”
4. X Ambassadors – “Unsteady”
5. Coldplay – “Hymn for the Weekend”
6. Fitz and the Tantrums – “HandClap”
7. Disturbed – “The Sound of Silence”
8. The Lumineers – “Ophelia”
9. Kings of Leon – “Waste a Moment”
10. Avenged Sevenfold – “The Stage”
11. Bastille – “Good Grief”
12. Green Day – “Bang Bang”
13. Zach Williams – “Chain Breaker”
14. twenty one pilots – “Cancer”
15. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Dark Necessities”
16. Kings of Leon – “Walls”
17. blink-182 – “Bored to Death”
18. The Head and the Heart – “All We Ever Knew”
19. Skillet – “Feel Invincible”
20. Kings of Leon – “Reverend”
21. Beck – “Wow”
22. Phantogram – “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore”
23. Judah & the Lion – “Take It All Back”
24. Metallica – “Moth Into Flame”
25. Kings of Leon – “Around the World”

Jmunney’s Revision
1. You Don’t Get Me High Anymore
2. Wow
3. Unsteady
4. Dark Necessities
5. Ride
6. Good Grief
7. The Stage
8. Reverend
9. Moth Into Flame
10. Ophelia
11. Waste a Moment
12. Take It All Back
13. Around the World
14. Walls
15. Cancer
16. Hymn for the Weekend
17. All We Ever Knew
18. Bang Bang
19. The Sound of Silence
20. Heathens
21. Feel Invincible
22. Sucker for Pain
23. HandClap
24. Bored to Death
25. Chain Breaker

Billboard Hot 20 – Week of November 5, 2016

October 25, 2016

jmunney Billboard Charts, Billboard Hot 100, Music , , , Leave a comment

Each week, I check out the Billboard Hot 100, and then I rearrange the top 20 based on my estimation of their quality.

Original Version
1. The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – “Closer”
2. The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk – “Starboy”
3. twenty one pilots – “Heathens”
4. DJ Snake ft. Justin Bieber – “Let Me Love You”
5. D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty – “Broccoli”
6. Bruno Mars – “24K Magic”
7. Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber and MØ – “Cold Water”
8. Ariana Grande ft. Nicki Minaj – “Side to Side”
9. Maroon 5 ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Don’t Wanna Know”
10. Shawn Mendes – “Treat You Better”
11. gnash ft. Olivia O’Brien – “i hate u, i love u”
12. Sia ft. Sean Paul – “Cheap Thrills”
13. Zay Hilfigerrr & Zayion McCall – “Juju on That Beat (TZ Anthem)”
14. Kiiara – “Gold”
15. The Chainsmokers ft. Daya – “Don’t Let Me Down”
16. twenty one pilots – “Ride”
17. Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna – “This Is What You Came For”
18. Hailee Steinfeld & Grey ft. Zedd – “Starving”
19. Justin Timberlake – “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”
20. Tory Lanez – “Luv”

Jmunney’s Revision
1. Gold
2. Starboy
3. Cheap Thrills
4. Side to Side
5. Cold Water
6. Ride
7. Broccoli
8. Closer
9. 24K Magic
10. i hate u, i love u
11. Starving
12. Let Me Love You
13. Don’t Let Me Down
14. Can’t Stop the Feeling!
15. This Is What You Came For
16. Don’t Wanna Know
17. Heathens
18. Luv
19. Treat You Better
20. Juju on That Beat (TZ Anthem)

Son of Zorn 1.5 Review: “A Taste of Zephyria”

October 24, 2016

jmunney Son of Zorn, Son of Zorn Episode Reviews, Television , , , Leave a comment

SON OF ZORN: Zorn (voiced by Jason Sudeikis) in the "A Taste of Zephyria" episode of SON OF ZORN airing Sunday, Oct. 23 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT on FOX). ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: FOX

“Can you use your karate to open up this pickle jar?” http://www.bubbleblabber.com/review-son-of-zorn-a-taste-of-zephyria/

The Simpsons 28.5 Review – “Trust But Clarify”

October 24, 2016

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THE SIMPSONS: Lisa and Bart investigate Krusty’s suspicious new “Krustaceans” candy in the all-new “Trust But Clarify” episode of THE SIMPSONS airing Sunday, Oct. 23 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Lisa receives Hollywood’s highest honor. http://www.bubbleblabber.com/review-the-simpsons-trust-but-clarify/

SNL Review October 22, 2016: Tom Hanks/Lady GaGa

October 24, 2016

jmunney Saturday Night Live, SNL Weekly Recaps, Television , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- "Tom Hanks" Episode 1708 -- Pictured: (l-r) Kenan Thompson, Beck Bennett, Tom Hanks as David Pumpkins, and Kate McKinnon during the "Haunted Elevator" sketch on October 22, 2016 -- (Photo by: Will Heath/NBC)

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — “Tom Hanks” Episode 1708 — Pictured: (l-r) Kenan Thompson, Beck Bennett, Tom Hanks as David Pumpkins, and Kate McKinnon during the “Haunted Elevator” sketch on October 22, 2016 — (Photo by: Will Heath/NBC)

This review was originally posted on News Cult in October 2016.

Love It

Black Jeopardy – If memory serves me correctly, Tom Hanks is the first guest to appear on both Celebrity Jeopardy and Black Jeopardy. I thought this concept had been played out, as it has already explored well-meaning white people who don’t mean to be offensive, and black people who defy easy categorization. But I had not considered a possible appearance from the “Make America Great Again” crowd, which at first seems like an easy target for meanness, but instead there is a pivot towards common ground like conspiracy theories, that one guy who fixes everything, and Tyler Perry. Race and class are both big factors in this country.

100 Floors of Frights – SNL enters a late, compelling entry for the most popular Halloween costume of 2016: David S. Pumpkins. Any questions? At first, Hanks’ Mr. Pumpkins gives off a Paul and Phil vibe of “goofy ruining spooky.” He and his skeleton pals are certainly delightfully out-there, but there is a lingering sense that this sketch may have blown its load too early with a too-soon reveal of the main attraction, but then it takes it to another level by doubling (or 73-ing) down on Pumpkins and saying, “We knew just how to scare you the whole time.”

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