Category Archives: Pop Blitz

The Pop Blitz

April 7, 2013 Pop Bitez Leave a comment

The Pop Bitez Blitz

All the News That’s Fit to POP! Stick your thumbs wherever you’d like, but please, always remember to lubricate.

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• Arrested Development Returns May 26th

The Bluth family will finally be returning to their dysfunctionally hilarious and twisted ways next month.

Netflix said in a news release that it would post 15 new episodes of Arrested Development, constituting a fourth season of the cult favorite comedy series, all at once at 12:01 a.m. Pacific time on May 26 in every territory where the service is available. Plan your late night parties now and don’t worry about calling in sick to work as a result of sleep depravation, the 27th is Memorial Day!

Arrested Development originally ran for 3 seasons on the Fox Network starting in 2003 and sputtering to it’s conclusion in 2006. The series starred Jason Bateman at the center of a comically conniving family which included Michael Cera, Jeffrey Tambor, Jessica Walter, Will Arnett, Tony Hale, Portia de Rossi, David Cross and Alia Shawkat. All cast members have returned for this would be fourth season.

The series won the Emmy Award for outstanding comedy series in its debut season but never found a broad enough audience to satisfy the network suits and, though it inspired more than a few water cooler conversations amongst it’s most loyal fans, failed to show any noticeable life in the omnipotent Nielsen Ratings.

And to all of this excellent news we say, “Has anyone in this family ever even seen a chicken?“

• Roger Ebert Is No More

We’re sure you’ve heard by now, pseudo-celebrity film critic Roger Ebert is not pining or stunned but rather he is bereft of life, pushing up daisies, his metabolic processes are history, he’s off the twig, kicked the bucket, shuffled off his mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the choir invisible.

Yes, folks, he’s gone.

He was a critic, for better or for worse, sometimes insightful, sometimes imbecilic, and though it may seem hard now, I’m sure we’ll all survive just fine without him.

Lest you think we’re being a little too dismissive, ( a quality he turned into a very lucrative profession), we offer his original review of the David Lynch classic Blue Velvet, which earned lynch a Best Director Oscar Nomination in 1987 and swept the Independent Spirit Awards in that same year.

Yeah, we’re a little harsh today, but we are merely offering this observation as a realistic alternative to all of the awkward “tributes” sucking up unnecessary bandwidth this past week.

• Blue October Has Got A Deal For You!

One of our all time favorite heavy melancholy bands, Blue October, are currently in the studio putting together a brand new album for release later this year and are offering some pretty spectacular packages for those of you willing to help finance the recording of this new collection of rockin’ tunes!

Their press release reads, ” As many of you may know, we have already begun work on our new album. You may also know that a couple years ago we left the “major label system” in the music industry and are now a fully independent band, working for ourselves and investing in ourselves.

That investment takes a good deal of time, effort and teamwork to make the album we want to make for you and release it globally. That’s why we’ve partnered with PledgeMusic to allow us all to work together in making and promoting our new album.

We’ve put together what we think are some fantastic exclusives that you’ll only get through this campaign. Everything from a limited edition CD package of the new album and Skype sessions with the band, to a very exclusive acoustic concert/pre-release listening party for the new album.“

For more info on the sweet deals and particulars, check out the band’s page on pledgemusic.com and check out this video that features the band members talking about their specific offers. It all sounds pretty damn awesome and we can’t wait for the new music! Long live rock and let the corporates be damned!

• Only God Forgives

Ryan Gosling sure has come a LONG way from his Disney days and the Mickey Mouse Club! This flick is definitely high on our list of “must sees” this year. Look for Only God Forgives in theaters July 19th, see you there!

• American Psycho Revisited

Huey Lewis has finally responded to Patrick Bateman’s pop music rant in the cult classic American Psycho and the result is almost as hilarious as the original…almost.

We first recommend you watch the original monologue in all it’s twisted glory before you click on the Funny or Die link!

* And Huey Responds

• A New Use For All Of Your Leftover Post it Notes

Yes, we have largely become a paperless world these days and, make no mistake, a gazillion trees thank you from the bottom of their roots! Still, we’ve got a lot of excess paper product still taking up space, so…what to do? Well, if you find you’ve got too much time & Post it Notes on your hands you might do something like this! Enjoy!

• 10 Things On The Internet That We Don’t Understand

We Saw this little viral gem on the net recently and knew we had to share it with you, too funny!

• Jurassic Park 3D

Yes, this past weekend saw yet another needless rerelease of an old flick converted to 3D, Zzzzzzzz. We think this trailer covers our thoughts and feelings much better than we ever could here so, have at it suckers!

♦ Have a great week Popsters, until next time, Cheers!

Pop Blitz

The Pop Blitz

March 10, 2013 Pop Bitez Leave a comment

Hey there Popsters, Spring is officially around the corner, can ya believe it? FINALLY, Right?!

We’ve got some fun stuff for you today so, without further yada, yada, yada, let’s get it on!

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• The 2013 Sedona International Film Festival

Another Sedona Film Fest has come and gone and, just as in years past, the fest rocked!

I never get to quite as many films as I originally plan but the annual event is always an interesting mix of both established filmmakers along with a lot of up-n-comers and the conversations are always stimulating and memorable, I’m already looking forward to the 2014 Fest!

A special shout out and big THANK YOU to the festival crew, particularly Media Director Steve Carr who always does an expert job wrangling the talent and press!

And here’s your list of winners for the 2013 Sedona International Film Festival:

Chittagong, based upon actual events of India’s Chittagong Uprising, and Least Among Saints, the story of a solider back from war and a young man who has never known peace in his life who become unlikely friends, tied for the Audience Award for Best Drama at the 19^th annual Sedona International Film Festival.

Two new awards were presented for the first time this year. The Marion Herman Excellence in Filmmaking and Music went to Downtown Express, the story of Sasha, a young Russian violinist on scholarship at Juilliard caught between the world of classical music and the sounds of street music. The Heart of the Festival Award was presented to Vectors of Autism, a documentary about Laura Nagle’s journey with Asperger’s Syndrome. Marion Herman was among the founders of the Festival. She passed away last year.

Audience Choice winners were announced at the closing Awards Brunch this morning marking the official end of the weeklong Festival that featured 159 films.

Other Audience Choice Award winners were:

• Best Feature Film, Comedy: Fanie Fourie’s Labola

• Best Documentary Feature Film: Trash Dance

• Best Documentary Short Film: The Highest Cost

• Best Short Film: Pear

• Best Short Film, Runner Up: Karen Returns Something to Scott

• Best Foreign Film: Shun Li and the Poet

• Best Environmental Film: Go Ganges

• Best Animated Film: Wolf Dog Tales

• 1^st Annual Marion Herman Excellence in Filmmaking and Music: Downtown Express.

• Bill Muller Excellence in Writing or Screenwriting Award: Last Wil. and Testament

• Heart of the Festival: Vectors of Autism.

Director’s Choice Awards, which were announced on March 2 were:

• Best Feature Film, Comedy (tie): Liberal Arts; One Small Hitch

• Best Feature Film, Drama): Any Day Now

• Best Foreign Film: Lore

• Best Documentary: Stolen Seas from Estonia

• Best Documentary Short Film: Desert Dreams

• Best Environmental Film (tie): Bidder 70; Pad Yatra, A Green Odyssey

• Best Animated Film: Bunny

• Best Short Film (tie): Boo!; Stalled

• Best Student Short Film: Green Acres

• Independent Spirit Award: Common People; Peoria

• Humanitarian Award: Anyone Out There

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• Running Wild: The Life of Dayton O. Hyde

Though I didn’t see most of the winning films at the Sedona Fest, I was surprised to see Running Wild: The Life of David O. Hyde didn’t take any of the top prizes, you can be certain the votes had to be close, everyone I spoke with LOVED this movie and , some day, you will too.

It’s always a little frustrating, I’m sure, for you to hear us sing loud praises for a film that, at this point, you can’t see. It is for us as well, but we’re confident it won’t be long before this flick is available to a much wider audience.

In this true story of an inspirational cowboy we experience a cinematic adventure that examines the vibrant life of a conservationist and award-winning writer, who through extreme perseverance and enormous grace and wisdom is preserving part of American history for generations to come. RunningWild combines breathtaking scenes underscored with original music and intimate conversations. One of America’s last remaining true cowboys, Dayton Hyde a bigger-than-life, dynamic man who lived through the final decades of the American West has found himself, his destiny and his personal freedom in the threatened indigenous horses he is protecting and the native land he is saving. In the end, this visually beautiful and powerful film will be an inspirational testament for anyone who needs motivation on their own personal journey and reassurance that each of us can truly make a difference if we try.

We really can’t imagine loving a documentary more this year than we loved this one!

For more info on Dayton O. Hyde and his Wild Horses check out the website and, if you can, a small, (or BIG!), contribution would be a beautiful thing for you to consider, Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary

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• Bitter Party of Five

This has got to be one of the funniest web series’ I’ve ever had the pleasure of following, so much bitter, angry fun!

Five fairly successful actors, cast in a hot new NBC TV pilot starring Roseanne Barr & John Goodman, have been waiting for word about whether their show would get picked up. The hopeful five bonded and became practically inseparable until finally, in desperation, they made one phone call. THIS… is that phone call. And YES the phone call is real.

There are several episodes online at this point but it only makes sense we start you off with the first one and you can follow the rest on your own.

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• The Google Glasses

I’m sure you’ve heard all about the “Google Glasses” at this point and I’m sure I’m not alone in being slightly freaked out about this new kid on the tech block.

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• Sex Life of Video Game Characters

Sure, it’s subtitled but that doesn’t make this new viral hit any less hilarious, if you’re a gamer you are about to split your sides, enjoy!

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• Pop Bitez New Music PopCast for March

A brand new track from Eric Clapton’s Old Sock is just one of the many reasons you should tune into this month’s New Music PopCast! This week’s tune filled hour also features new music from David Bowie, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Boz Skaggs, Dido and many, many more! So, what are you waiting for? Turn it up!

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* And speaking of Mr. Clapton, we’re going to be attending the first date on the Guitar God’s 2013 North American Tour this week, check back next Friday for our full review of the show!

Thanks for stopping by, until next time Popsters, as always, Cheers!~ Scott

Pop Blitz

Pop Blitz for February 2013!

February 21, 2013 Pop Bitez Leave a comment

Hey there Popsters, it’s been awhile, hasn’t it? I certainly hope 2013 is treating you well, personally, things have been great at Pop Bitez and now that Winter is passing, (well, not passing as quickly as we’d all like, I know), things are beginning to warm up on all the news that’s fit to POP! So, without further yada, yada, yada, let’s have at it!

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♦ The 2013 Sedona International Film Festival

It’s almost hard to believe it’s that time again but The 2013 Sedona International Film Festival begins this Saturday, 2/23/2013!

The SIFF is, in our opinion, the absolute best film fest in the west! The film selection is always brilliant and varied, the parties are many and always affairs to remember and the stars, both figuratively and literally, gloriously illuminate the dark Sedona nights. This fest is always a class act, expertly managed and planned and the location…well, you have to SEE Sedona to BELIEVE Sedona and, even then, you have to pinch yourself a few times to make certain you didn’t just dream this place up!

Click on the video and our friend & Festival Director Patrick Schweiss will tell you all about it!

( Note to Patrick, next time shoot this promo OUTSIDE, ya gotta show off those spectacular Red Rocks buddy!)

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♦ The Sapphires

We loved this flick and we’re absolutely certain you will too, that is if Harvey Weinstein ever gets behind it and releases it in the U.S.

The film was a HUGE hit in Australia last year and the Weinstein Company purchased the film at the Toronto Film Festival for distribution but, as is often the case, the Weinsteins have been preoccupied with “Awards Season” and, as a result, have left this flick to collect dust on their golden shelf.

Rumor has it the film will have a “limited release” in the next few months. We strongly encourage you to keep and eye out for this one, it’s a small film and it’s unlikely Harvey will spend much on the media promotion so you will have to seek it out if you really want to see it, (and trust us, you do!)

If The Sapphires would have played the states this past year you can be sure it would have made our Top Films of 2012!

Here’s a quick peek for ya!

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♦ The Bryan Ferry Orchestra- The Jazz Age

We’ve always been big Bryan Ferry/ Roxy Music fans so you can imagine our excitement here at the Pop Bitez offices when we heard this release was coming, (and it’s been playing continually since we first received our copy).

Pitchfork has declared The Jazz Age as “Ferry’s most radical work to date” and we can’t argue with that observation, as far as we’re concerned it’s an instant classic!

True it might not be for everyone but if you’re open to the idea of throwing classic pop tunes into a time machine and jettisoning them back to the days of Duke Ellington and the Cotton Club you are going to flip for this bit of jazzy brilliance.

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♦ Monsters University

The push for the Summer release of Pixar’s Monsters University has officially begun and while we haven’t been all that impressed with most of Pixar’s sequel work, (and cringe at the talk surrounding another Finding Nemo), we still think this one has got a lot of potential and, hey, at least it’s not Brave II, (promise us that will NEVER happen!)

Here’s your first look at the new flick and, when you have nothing better to do, check out the website, it’s actually a whole lotta fun!

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♦ Oscar Weekend

Here come the Oscars, if you care, ( we barely do and we’re predicting extremely low ratings for this year’s broadcast). In honor of the night of the Golden God we thought we’d include this bit of viral fun today, it’s actually pretty damn funny, (and sung very well!) Enjoy!

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♥ We Love Geek Girls

If there is one website these days we find ourselves surfing a little too often and for way too long it’s Geek X Girls, as far as we’re concerned there is no trend hotter than Cosplay girls these days and….just check it out, m’kay? You’re welcome.