Review Site of Jorge Orduna
Thanks to a friend, we were able to go to see The Aquabats, at Globe Iron in Cleveland, Ohio. The band shared the stage with the Koffin Kats and Mike V and the Rats! I was able to meet Mike V at one point, and that was really cool. I was having a lot of fun so I did not get a ton of shots from the show, but here are a few that I did capture. I’m no professional photographer, so do not expect glorious ones, just a little documentation of the show.
I’m not a big gamer. I have a PS4 and a Switch, but they don’t get played much by my hands. Therefore, I cannot comment much about the video game this movie is based on. Though the 2015 PlayStation game inspired the film, I can’t recall it ever coming out. Going into this movie without that background is fine, so don’t feel like you’re missing out in any way, shape, or form.
The movie follows Clover and her friends as they search for her sister. Her sister has been missing for a year, and they find themselves being hunted by a killer in a mask. Whenever someone dies, time resets, and they are trapped in a cycle of the same night over and over again. I presume they have to figure out the issue with time, and escape the house and land before dawn.
As I stated before, I have no idea about the video game, so whether it is a good adaptation is beyond me. Does it capture the spirit of the game? I don’t know, maybe? It seems to be a tough call, but from what I’ve heard, it does honor the spirit of the game in a way.
Let’s talk pacing and how the time loop mechanic works. I found that it was a good overall movie with some frenetic moments. There are jump scares, as is the norm with horror movies in 2025. Each loop carries a new perspective, and some interesting gore and thrills for those who are fans of that.
Don’t expect Oscar-caliber performances in “Until Dawn”, but rather enjoy the romp for what it is, a time-traveling nightmare. Put yourself in the characters’ shoes, and you’ll find yourself thinking about the fright that comes with being hunted down and unable to get out of the cycle. IT’s a nightmare, if nothing else, and something that lends itself well to the overall delight of horror fans.
“Until Dawn” is not great, but it’s good enough to recommend. It’s streaming cheap now and will be available on Blu-ray and whatnot. Click here if you want to buy it, or rent it, or do whatever you want.
Max Roach is a name synonymous with drums. He is a great drummer, and that’s about as simple as I can put it. Fly back to 1966, and we visit a record from Roach called “Drums Unlimited”. Sometimes referred to as a “manifesto” of sound, the recording is a story-driven device that is both subtle at times and bombastic in the way it moves through production. It is more than background music, and Roach commented on that at one point. To quote Roach, “I wanted to create a concept where drums could play themes and variations like any other instrument”, which is why “Drums Unlimited” is so important overall.
At first listen, the record seems to fit well with the jazz records of the 1960s. It has a coffee house feel, and the record walks through some upbeat moments, playfully drawing on the experimentation of jazz music. You get this at the starting line with the first track, which features a drum solo, and plays as a starting point to a somewhat rhythmic recording.
The record doesn’t just sit with solo work, as the band showcases talent with the second track, clocking in over 12 minutes, presenting a steak-house quality invitation to reason with instruments. The horn section has been noted as hard bop, and players Freddie Hubbard and James Spaulding bring forward a playful nature. There are waves of sound here, including stand-up bass, piano, and of course, what we all came here to listen to, drums.
Making up the rest of the cast on “Drums Unlimited” is interesting for those who generally follow jazz music. Otherwise, you’re not going to know who these players are. These guys include Freddie Hubbard, James Spaulding, Ronnie Mathews, Jymie Merritt, and Roland Alexander. These players, above all, bring together their talents to create a memorable jazzy record.
People generally like “Drums Unlimited”, and many have noted that the drum solos and breaks are good with swinging jazz pieces to complement it all. Major review sites talk about how creative this record is, and many find it to be an essential piece to their collection, so you’re in good company if you’re eyeing this one to add or stream.
At first glance, I thought this was just background music. However, upon listening to it a bit more, I realize that this is an excellent record for tuning into instruments. Whether you like drums or just want something jazzy to dance or drink to, you’ll love how “Drums Unlimited” plays to Max Roach’s and company’s strengths.
Feel like streaming or owning this jazz gem from Max Roach? Click here to get it on the cheap.
An hour and five minutes of hip-hop is what you get when you decide to put on the debut studio record from Talib Kweli. Starting things off on “Quality” is Dave Chappelle, keynote speaker, who tells a random story with a cool soothing beat. Then, we are treated to Kweli’s rhymes. Forget what you know about the popular hip hop you’ve heard in the present, because this isn’t mumbling, it isn’t street or gangster, it’s a bit more conscious. Talib has stories to tell, from various circles of his views, and other topics that you would expect from rap’s heaviest hitters.
“Quality” is just that, it’s clarity of sound, clear vocals, clean lines, and choruses that will have you floored at times. There’s a lot to unpack from this record, and something for everyone. Whether you’re a college student trying to just mellow out with background music or you’re a hip-hop head that wants to revisit some of the best in the business, you’ll find that “Quality” features something for everyone. It has a sensibility, an honesty in the lyrical development, and an optimism, as Pitchfork magazine put it. It’s a reflection of an artist who is not just about bravado but is also a storyteller with a focus on political affirmation, social studies, and street-wise knowledge. Production from Kanye West and others makes this a must-listen to record, twenty-something years after it was initially released.
In the mood to stream or perhaps spin a vinyl? Click here and pick up this gem.
There are a few books that I have read that are past the 1,000-page mark. Chances are, that you too have not ventured into a lot of reading that pushes that many pages. The closest literary work that comes to mind is The Holy Bible. Even that book, I have not read thoroughly, and I consider myself to be a Christian…of sorts.
Stephen King, prolific author, published “IT” in 1986, and it was his 22nd book overall. A lot has been said about the book and the movie adaptations, so this review will not cover new ground. However, as an avid reader and writer, I wanted to put my thoughts down into a compartmentalized review for the one reader who will probably venture to look at this page.
Let’s begin with the strength of “IT” and the mentioned characters. We are not facing a single character, but rather a group of characters in a group called the Losers’ Club. Each one is carefully written out with backstories and emotional connection points. You can blame the book’s length on the immense task of writing for each character and including their stories. Each story is drawn out, sometimes to nauseum, but it is essential to paint the broader picture of what the group will face off against in the latter parts of the book.
Alongside the backstories, there is a pendulum moving back and forth regarding the timeline. The timeline is not set linearly, as much as there are flashbacks, forward progress, and isolation points in the story. “IT” handles this by throwing you into the story from past to present, with character stories that draw from their life experiences as children and adults, but not all at once. There is a switch between children and adults, and it adds depth to the characters, as well as breathes life into the story arc on a larger scale.
Perhaps one of the greatest strengths of “IT” is the exploration of childhood trauma, memories, fear, loathing, and loss of innocence. This is juxtaposed in the back-and-forth storytelling that King positions throughout the narrative. Whether you’ve grown up isolated from a lot of trauma or you’ve experienced abuse of any kind, you will find that King writes as an expert in the field, painting pictures vividly of what it is like to pass through the fires of each theme. Beverly’s narrative touched me the most, especially when she was abused as an adult and had to escape the grip of her husband. Beverly’s abusive story arc hit home for me, and those who read it can attest to the realism that is placed in the way King draws the picture.
The characters themselves lend credence to a larger setting, the town. Derry becomes a character in the book in how it is positioned. The city, the people, the history, and the stories that are etched into the larger portrait tell a story of evil. “IT” is not for the children, as they say, and it showcases that through brutal moments, including gay bashing, sexual tension, abuse, and more. A paper could be written about the town of Derry as the centerpiece of the madness on its own, but it is another puzzle piece you must reflect on as you read. The characters must contend with the town as a character, setting, and overall organism.
Thus far, we have discussed talking points on a positive scale. I want to express that I loved the book, but some moments are not so appealing to the masses. You may have stumbled on this review, considered reading “IT”, and are on the fence. Well, let’s talk for a few moments about criticism.
The length of “IT” is well over 1,100 pages. That is not an exaggeration of any kind. Stephen King went to town writing, and the book will take you time to push through. That can be seen as a negative to some people and a positive to others. I, for one, found it to be of “epic” proportions, which is a personal opinion.
The content is graphic. I don’t think anyone expects anything less from Stephen King. There is a reason why he is the “king” of horror. Whatever critic you decide to read, or when you place yourself into the book, you will find a complexity or harshness to some of the story. The evils aren’t always supernatural either, albeit they aren’t pulled away, but it’s often the real world that is scary, especially the abuse that comes with “evil” as a moniker.
Fan of linear structure? Then you will not find this book to be pleasing in that regard. The book jumps around time line-wise, so if you wanted point A to point B to be a straight line, you are reading the wrong book. “IT” jumps from past, present, and way past and future all in the same breath. It is fast paced, mind you, but it still leaves the reader a bit disoriented, mainly due to the length. You spend so much time in one place that by the time you finish, you’re left trying to remember all the details that come with the past, and of course, the present. That is not a detriment to the story, but if you’re not a fan of jumping around, you will find that King pushes you around regarding time placement.
As stated earlier, there is not much that can be said about “IT” by Stephen King that hasn’t already been said. The book is long, no exaggeration there, and it is scary. However, the most terrifying parts of the book deal with the loss of innocence and the evil that people do, rather than the supernatural, as some may take it. I found myself tearing up at times with the realism of the abuse suffered by the characters, and cheering them on as they fight insurmountable odds. This is a beast of a book that demands your attention for more extended periods than most.
Haven’t read “IT”? Check it out from your local library for free, or click HERE to order a copy and have it delivered straight to your door. Remember, it’s a behemoth, and you’ve been warned.
Hellcat Records has put out some of my favorite albums of all time. They have consistently floored me with the quality that they have put out, and it’s interesting to see the many different arrays of options that they put forward. In 2002, while I was graduating high school, they would release “Sing Sing Death House” by the Distillers, and I fell in love with one Brody Dalle. Everyone else who saw the punk rock beauty, including Tim Armstrong of Rancid fame, did, too. Eyes closed, however, The Distillers are more than a pretty-faced fronted band, they have a strong ethos in the punk rock world, and the record proved to be just one hell of a ride.
The second studio album from the band finds them with clever production, stronger bass-heavy rhythms, and vocals that were unmatched at the time. “Sing Sing Death House” starts the punk rock quest fast and heavy with “Sick of It All”, and doesn’t let up throughout the record. I love the bass guitar on this record, and the rest of the frenetic pace just complements it so well.
So many good songs come through with this release, including the opener, then of course “I Am A Revenant”, “Sing Sing Death House”, “City of Angels”, and much more. While under 30 minutes, the band could paint a portrait of punk rock ethos and much more, within good production value and breakneck speed. One heck of an album, that’s what you get with “Sing Sing Death House”.
Stream The Distillers or buy the vinyl all by clicking here, yeah, just one click.
I’m late to many bands, and one of the bands that I just didn’t jump into was that of 5 Seconds of Summer. I didn’t know much about them, and to be fair, didn’t think I was missing a whole lot. Then comes this blog, and I start to write, and we are here looking at the 2004 “5 Seconds of Summer” record, and it comes at you with a very polished approach overall. The opening track alone has been polished to a shine, and catchy as all hell in a way that pop punk wishes it could be all the time. With the opening anthem, the band puts you on notice that they are sweethearts, not your average punkers.
This is where the rubber hits the road, though. You’re either going to love the sweet sounds that “5 Seconds of Summer” comes through with, or you’re going to balk at the simplicity and harmony. The guys are often likened to Blink-182, and rightfully so, their guitar work at times and melodies are much like the So Cal Punk act, but with a little more polish, to a fault.
I have a hard time getting my head around all of the offerings that “5 Seconds of Summer” has to offer. It is 16 pop punk tracks that lean heavily into pop, to the point where you will think that this is a boy band. I don’t hate the record, but I also don’t remember much of it hitting me hard. It kind of washes over you like a bar of soap. Yeah, it’s effective, yeah, it’s catchy as hell, but it’s going to divide you. Turn your brain off if you’re going to put on this 2014 record. It’s an evolutionary record that will either grow on you or cause you to shake your head in disbelief. Either way, 5 Seconds of Summer was on to something with this record.
Not into streaming? Get the vinyl by clicking here.
The dream of the 1990s may be alive in Portland, but a sense of nostalgia lives on in the hearts of many people of a certain age. I grew up in the era of baggy jeans, gangster rap, and pop punk takeovers. Someone called me an “elder emo” at one point, and I wasn’t offended.
Skateboarding was a way of life for me in a small bubble. I lived alongside the western coast of California. I was drawn by the extreme world of going fast, flying through the air, and technical showmanship that comes with skateboarding tricks. It wasn’t just a matter of riding, diving, and showing off; there was a counterculture to it all. There was a slightly rebellious ethos, albeit within the confines of “sports”, as some parents would note.
“I used to skateboard”, was something I never thought I would utter. I remember running into people saying that, and I would laugh. I would scoff at getting old enough to call it quits. I had moments of doubt and eventually stopped.
What happened?
I blew out my knee in high school and limped around a lot. I was playing hacky sack, and a student slipped and ran into my knee, dislocating it. I recall not skateboarding for a few months. Then life happened, and I wasn’t spending all of my time trying to learn how to kickflip, and well, I just gave up on it all.
It was too hard to skateboard.
I wanted to live the lifestyle and be part of the cool kids.
Skate or die! That was our cry.
There are other ways to support the skateboarding world. I collect boards now. I put them on the wall, and I admire them from afar. But as far as getting on a board, that’s a thing of the past.