Get rid of Swizz, might find the old X

So, I was listening to the new DMX album, Year of the Dog (Again), and can't help to think what might become of X if he dumped Swizz Beats and got new production. I like Swizz, but lately, he hasn't really done jack that sparked my interest. You can tell a Swizz beat from a mile away, and after being executive producer of what like 10 Ruff Ryder albums?, his sound is anything but fresh or innovative. Does Ruff Ryders even still exist? Eve--gone, doing movies and making appearances on Gwen Stefani albums, Yung Wun--MIA, Drag-On--MIA, do I really need to go on? The people that were supposed to lead the forefront for the big RR, are nowhere to be found. Maybe they're taking some long needed R&R for the weak albums they put out. So, instead of switching things up, getting a new camp, and sounding different, X and Swizz put out another exasperating album. Sadly enough, we hear glimpses of the old X on the first single, "Lord Give Me a Sign," but even it fades into obilvion with X's rap career.

But, I keep thinking maybe if X would drop Swizz Beats and partner up with another camp, he might get his old swagger back. Then again, it was Swizz who helped him attain multi-platinum status the first time (but probably never will again). I keep rooting for X, even though he's spent, just like I keep wishing Mike Tyson would get his head out of his ass and start boxing for real again. He got rid of Don King, so his next logical step is to see if he can pay Robin Givens enough money to use her as a punching bag (again). But, I guess Mike and X can always hook up and do an album called "Ear of the Dog." Hee hee. Low blow, I know, but you chuckled.



Anyway, did you hear that G-Unit might pick up Ras Kass? What???? Ras has put out some pretty weak stuff lately, but if he actually got a chance to release an official pressing of Van Gogh, with some new material added, I think that might help re-spark his career. You can't touch Soul on Ice! He definitely doesn't need to end his career by signing to G-Unit. 50 has a lot of cheddah to offer, but losing your street cred and becoming 5o's puppet ain't where it's at. Look at Mobb Deep, what was their last single and album called? Forgot already too, didn't ya! When will we hear from Mase or M.O.P.? Probably on 50's next album which will drop before theirs. Do we really need another Banks or Yayo album? I know J3 disagrees, but I think Buck is the tightest in that camp.

Anywho, more to come as I get a chance to listen. Funny jam of the week, "Ass Cheeks on My White Tee" by Venny Outrageous, Southern Smoke 26 Mixtape.

Most Erotic DVDs of 2005-06

Okay, this definitely explorers the "and More" area of my mind, but I think it's worth a visit. I'm not a perv, well, maybe I am, but I do have a vast interest in all type of movies. Plus, I can always pull the trump card and say, I'm male, so my libido is always on high. Either way, here are some choice flicks that can hold their own to Sharon Stone's performance in Basic Instinct, and I'm not talking about the lame sequel.

#1 Cheeky-Tinto Brass definitely knows how to titilate both figuratively and physically. And yes, the title rings true to it's content.















#2 9 Songs-This was voted my best of 2005. Not quite porno, and much quite edgier than Cinemax After Dark, but label it "Art House" and you can push the envelope to the max.














#3 Brown Bunny-Story is slow/boring and makes no friggin sense, but can you really go wrong with topless Chloë Sevigny giving a full-blown BJ (no pun intended)? Hey, Sony didn't think it was too over the top, so who are we to judge? :) But, every time I see her on Big Love, I just can't help to think...














#4 Ken Park-Expect scenes of mass confusion when you put Larry Clark in the director's chair. One scene with a leather belt gives new meaning to choking the chicken, just watch and see. Hey, maybe Sony will get even ballsier and pick this one up too.














#5 Prozac Nation-I had to add this one just because of Christina Ricci's nude frontal scene. We may never see Wednesday Addams' jewels like this again!














#6 Havoc (Unrated)-Princess Diaries actress, Anne Hathaway, decides to break away from the family scene and bare it all for a new audience.














#7 When Will I Be Loved-Naughty Neve Campbell is now just Party of One, instead of Five, and will make you "Scream" for more in this erotic thriller.














#8 This Girl's Life-Juliette Marquis makes her debut appearance, and you can tell from the jump, she has the ability to go far with her Angelina Jolie-esque persona.














#9 Battle in Heaven-This one may having you saying, "What the F***." Funny dialog and a little eye candy makes it worth a watch and read (subtitled).














#10 Lie With Me-With decent actors and storyline, this one teases enough to keep your interest, but if you're expecting Ron Jeremy and Nina Hartley type action, watch a porno instead.

10 most shocking/extreme movies of 2005-06

#1 The Descent-trust me, it's that good, so I had to mention it again. Unrated DVD coming Winter 06 from Lionsgate! UK release cover shown.











#2 Feed-taking shock-cinema to a new level. Obesity fetish horror could be the next niche genre, no?, well this film is highly recommended anyway. Available now from TLA Releasing!












#3 Calvaire (The Ordeal)-"Squeal, Pig!" You've heard rumors about what woman-depraved Backwoods folk do, right? Well, it now extends globally. Available Oct. 3rd from Palm Pictures.












#4 Chaos-reminiscent of Last House on the Left, without Hollywood restraints or censorship. Straight "up-in-your-face" hostility, violence, rape, and disgust. Coming Sept. 26th from Razor Digital Ent. Thanks for the advance copy, Ron.














#5 Aftermath/Genesis-necrophilia is always interesting to catch on film, and gives good meaning to the phrase "dead-lay." Available now from Unearthed Films/Anthem Pictures.













#6 Three Extremes-even though the other shorts are pretty good, the most memorable and noteworthy is Dumplings. Ever tried aborted fetus dumplings? They're said to be yum-yummy, and eating them is like stepping into the fountain of youth (bonus!). Avail now from Lionsgate.













#7 Masters of Horror: Imprint-Takashi Miike's entry into the MOH series, which Showtime chose not to air because of it's extreme violence and delicate subject matter. Did we expect anything less from Japan's best horror director, who laced us with such classics like Audition, Visitor Q, and Ichi the Killer? Naw, and I'm sure it's well worth the wait. Anchor Bay Sept. 26th. UK release cover shown.












#8 Slaughtered Vomit Dolls-vomit-gore claims to be the latest sub-genre. This flick gets tiring really quick, but after viewing a little nudity and extreme up-chucking, I made it through. Yack-in-a-cup, drink-it-up, yack-in-a-cup, drink-it-up. Like the cover, the movie will have you saying, "What the F---?" too.












#9 Murder Set Pieces-the latest film by Nick Palumbo, director of Nutbag, tries to give you that Hostel-esque feeling, but fails miserably. Don't get me wrong, there are some sweet gore scenes, mostly stills, but the main actor is horrible. He may very well be German, but his accent and acting suck.














#10 Slaughter Disc-nice entry in the horror-porn genre. If I didn't know better, I'd think the lead actor was my boy, Scotty G. Their mannerisms are so indistinguishable. The film in a nutshell: a naked goth chick doing the bump-bump, a few killings, more bump-bump, and lots of laughs. Worth a watch.












Xploitedcinema.com and Diabolikdvd.com are the best websites to order obscure cinema from around the world. Pick up an all-region DVD player, and you can view movies that may never see the likes of a U.S. release.

Rap and horror's cross pollenation

It’s nothing new to see rappers sprinkled in b-horror acting roles, remember Snoop Dogg in Bones? The latest rapper/actor witnessed is N.O.R.E. in 7 Mummies. Not hard to play the role of an escaped convict with punchy one-liners, but an easy one to make your debut. This movie is reminiscent of From Dusk til Dawn, with mummies instead of vampires, but these guys aren't your run of the mill undead. They have martial arts skills and can almost fly, as they kick the crap out of the living. Still, it’s mildly entertaining at best.
Horror is nothing new to rap music, and I won’t go into explicit detail, but do suggest an article in latest Rue Morgue magazine, which chronicles the roots of what has been labeled horrorcore. My own brushes with this subgenre start in the late 80s/early 90s with the Geto Boys and Ganksta NIP, the staple for early Rap-A-Lot releases. But, other works include, but aren’t limited to, Whodini, Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and DJ Magic Mike. Newer listeners may identify ICP, a revamped Esham, and Necro. But, it makes sense the cross pollenation occurred, when rap roots, esp. gangsta rap, came from the grisly streets depicting struggle, drug use, murder, and exploitation. I’m sure that’s what sparked my interest, and has kept it, since it was so different from the life I led. Still, we’ll continue to see more rappers become thespians, and the b-horror circuit is a good place to start.

New to this bloggin

Okay, so I wanted a way to drop knowledge on the subjects I have the most expertise, ie. rap/hip-hop music and horror cinema. I could have chosen the oh so popular my space, but through a friend (J3), found this quaint little spot and it seems to fit.
Currently in my deck is Pimp C, Pimpalation, which was a disappointment to UGK fans from the days of wayback. We've gone from classics like Pocket Full of Stones to Jazzy Pha produced tracks and brainless verses from Mike Jones and Slim Thug, not to mention a rendition of "I Miss You" by Aaron Hall. Don't get me wrong, some of the beats will have you noddin, but with lackluster rhymes (how many more times do we have to hear about candy paint?), it easily gets thrown in the pile of "next time I listen to will be 6 months from now." Bun B came correct with his latest, so you'd think he'd have helped Pimp make some better verse decisions, then again, with bills stackin up and his rep on the line, Pimp had to drop something, the fans expected it. I'd easily have waited another 3-6 months for a better attempt. Maybe the next UGK disk will be more pleasing.


On another note, my horror pick this week is The Descent, coming soon from Lionsgate. If you watch it on the big screen, be aware that the ending is trimmed down to better suit the American audience. You'll have to wait for the Unrated DVD to see how it really ends. I bought an import several months ago, and it was well worth it! It's already my pick of the year, unless Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Beginning can top it. We'll have to wait and see. More to come, so stay tuned.