Arts
From Art to Smut: Reviews by Scott Sherman
Max Martini's Entertainment Shorts
Max Martini's Entertainment Shorts
Rating Scale  - “No need – it’s that good!” - “What the hell – just one!”- “Oh yeah – that’s better!” - “You’ll need ’em!”- “Wake me up when it’s over!” |
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| ATB – Addicted to Music Radikal Records www.radikal.com |
Trance Anthems & Chillout Tracks
Andre Tanneberger (better known as ATB) is a thirty year-old German-born Capricorn who has recently completed his second US tour and is releasing his fourth CD in the US called Addicted To Music. Andre says of the title of his latest CD, “I am indeed addicted to music. When I produce an album, diversity is really important to me. I love making tracks sound as different as possible. I don’t ever want my albums to be boring or just a bunch of tracks, but always changing, fresh, and engaging.”
The two opening tracks “In Love with the DJ” and the single “I Don’t Wanna Stop,” point you directly to the dance floor. From there, the album moves into a gently oscillating pattern, alternating between glistening trance (“Sunset Girl,” “I Will Not Forget”) and what ATB calls “the spherical beats” of chillout tracks (“We Belong,” “Break My Heart”). The album has 13 tracks and features the Canadian vocalist Roberta Carter Harrison (of the Wild Strawberries) on a number of them. Andre says, “Emotions are very important to me. Feelings are often neglected, especially in dance music. With Roberta on vocals I know I’m going to get the depth and warmth I’m looking to bring out in my songs.”
The US album package also includes a special bonus CD with a trailer of the companion DVD and 40-plus minutes of live video footage from ATB’s performance in Chicago in 2002. ATB’s previous US release albums include Dedicated, Two Worlds, and Movin’ Melodies. He has also produced remixes for Enigma and Bob Marley. This album will definitely please diehard fans as well as those just discovering trance anthems and chillout tracks.
Max’s personal Martini Rating =
| By Hook Or By Crook Wolfe Video |  |
Transfascinating
By Hook Or By Crook is a rarity – no surprise that it created quite the buzz on the independent film festival circuit, including being an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival. Now on DVD thanks to Wolfe Video, the DVD also includes commentary, interviews, and outtakes.
The story centers around two main characters. Shy is the small-town loner from the Midwest who dumps his diner job and hitchhikes to San Francisco in pursuit of a better life through petty crime. Upon his arrival in San Francisco, Shy comes to the aid of Valentine, who is being beaten up on the street. Valentine is in search of his birth mother and makes random calls from the local phone book. They soon develop an unexpected friendship that leads them towards understanding themselves and the crazy world around them.
The movie is gritty and dark but leaves you with a sense of hope. The most fascinating part of the movie for this reviewer was finding out that the film co-stars and was written and directed by a pair of transgender San Francisco performance artists: Harriet “Harry” Dodge (Cecil B. Demented) and Silas Howard (of the band Tribe 8). Howard plays Shy who responds to a group of young kids early in the movie that ask “are you a boy or girl?” with the simple reply “both.” and Dodge plays Valentine with her braided beard and short attention span who self-describes as “a two for one.”
This movie is appropriately beyond classification and will likely turn some viewers off while being hailed as a masterpiece by others. Regardless of your opinion of the movie it will be clear that Silas and Dodge’s performances are amazing.
Max’s personal Martini Rating =
| Puppetry of the Penis: Win Media |  |
Hold Onto Your...
It has been on stages across the world and now you can experience this ancient art right in your own living room. Two caped Aussies (Simon Morley and David Friend) turned a pastime into a lucrative 40-minute presentation of some of the most hilariously funny and amazing feats you are likely ever to see. Make no mistake this is not a sock puppet show and not for the faint of heart. It is live (well, taped live) and in the flesh (literally).
Puppetry of the Penis picks up where The Full Monty movie left off. You will get to see such astounding “penis installations” as The Pelican, The Windsurfer, The Eiffel Tower, The Loch Ness Monster, and just in time for BBQ season, The Hamburger (the dynamic duo’s signature creation). You also get to watch the audience’s reactions, which are almost as much fun to watch as the show.
The DVD also includes a 50-minute bonus “cockumentary” that follows Simon and David through the trials and tribulations of the first ever Puppetry of the Penis tryouts and a “handy” D.I.Y. (do-it-yourself) Dicktricks Handbook (be sure to read the warnings before attempting these stunts at home). Who says playing with yourself is bad for you – it certainly hasn’t been for Simon and David!
Max’s personal Martini Rating =
Max is willingly to try anything once, does enjoy an occasional martini or two, but prefers Tab®!