New Music: Nas -The Don

Once upon a time, those outside of the New York tri-state area saw Nas as just another NY rapper benefiting from east coast bias.  That was nearly 18 years ago, and the chipped toothed kid from Queensbridge has long since proved his lyrical worth in spades.  He’s now a respected elder statesman, and these days new music from him is seen as manna from heaven.  About an hour ago, he blessed fans with his latest work, a song titled “The Don.”  It’s the second single from his forthcoming tenth album Life is Good.

Happy Birthday Ash: ‘Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn’ Turns 25

In the late 1980’s, the Horror genre came under heavy fire from detractors.  Slasher and Splatter films had become very popular with the teen demographic and seemed to be skewing younger by the day.  The home video market had made such extreme fare more widely accessible to small children than ever before.  Buckling under public pressure, the MPAA began cracking down on envelope pushing horror films.  As is often the case with such crackdowns, certain films were unfairly persecuted.  One in particular suffered the same fate at the hands of the MPAA as far more grisly fare.  This was despite the fact that it was essentially a slapstick comedy.

Short Film Review: Chase

Early one morning on the I-95, an apocalyptic high speed chase is underway.  The entire police department is in hot pursuit of four sexy speedsters.  Given the manpower involved, these ladies shouldn’t be hard to snare.  However, they have more than a few tricks up there sleeve.  The interstate is their playground.  

Happy Birthday Riggs and Murtaugh: ‘Lethal Weapon’ Turns 25

By 1987, the "Buddy Cop" film had been around for a couple of decades.  During the opening half of the decade, it was redefined by Walter Hill’s racially charged 48 Hours.  However, times were changing, and the gospel of high-concept filmmaking was spreading rapidly through Tinsel Town.  Producer Joel Silver, a huge proponent of that particular approach, would apply it to a rather dark screenplay by a UCLA graduate.  The resulting film was a bit lighter, but retained much of the script’s ferocity. In the process, a franchise was spawned and the "Buddy Cop" film was changed forever.

Short Film Review: Street Fighter X Tekken: The Devil Within

Ryu (Dan Southworth) is at war with himself, literally.  Having recently uncovered the “Satsui no hadou” ("Surge of Murderous Intent") within himself, the karateka struggles against its immense power.  This epic battle attracts the unwanted attentions of Kazuya Mishima (Mark Mushashi), who has fully embraced his own dark nature.  Kazuya takes advantage of Ryu’s weakened stake and moves in for the kill.  Ken Masters (Rueben Langdon) happens upon the fight and rushes to the aide of his troubled comrade.  As these warriors collide, the “Devil Gene” threatens to completely overtake its host.

DVD Documentary Review: The Frank Matthews Story: The Rise and Disappearance of America's Biggest Kingpin

In the world of drug trafficking, Frank “Black Caesar” Matthews was the first of a new breed.  Born during the waning days of WWII, he spent his childhood in Durham, NC as a chicken thief.  He decided to cut his education short in the seventh grade, and eventually made his way to Philadelphia, PA.  After making a name for himself in the local numbers racket, he relocated to Brooklyn, NY.  While working as a barber, he continued collecting numbers, but eventually decided to try his hand in the smack trade.  Feeling that they had enough Black dealers under their employ, La Cosa Nostra refused him sponsorship.  Undeterred, Matthews soon made the acquaintance of a Cuban Cocaine supplier.  

Short Film Review: Ruthless

His Chinese gun smuggling ring dismantled, Triad gangster Lee has designs on moving his operation stateside.  He’s even found a gwailo benefactor to help make this dream a reality.  Alas, old demons come back to haunt him, preventing his plans from truly coming to fruition.