5 Techno-Horror Movies

 

Ghouls and boo's are in the air and it's time to share some film's to watch for the season. In this article I'm going to focus on the underrated sub genre of horror, the techno-horror genre. Technology is embedded in our lives at this point, and it's always a little scary when a film focuses on technology going wrong in our lives. So here's 5 techno-horror films you may want to check out.

5. Ghost In The Machine 

                                         

This 1993 film is a blend of sci-fi and horror and deserves a lot more love than it get's. It didn't make a dent in theaters when it was released that year and found some success on cable TV but still not enough that it has become lost to time. The film follows a serial killer in a town called the "address book killer", who through some wild circumstances conscious is transferred into the electrical grid when he dies. He goes on a rampage continuing his killing via electronics, on the way to his primary victim Terry (Karen Allen) and her son Josh (Wil Horneff, better known as the leader of the opposing baseball team in The Sandlot). 

It has some interesting deaths in the film and should have a more popular cult status 30 plus years later. It is available on Youtube if you look hard enough. If you are able to find it and give it a shot, you won't be disappointed. 

4. Brainscan

This 1994 film starring Edward Furlong, still pretty popular from his role as John Connor in Terminator 2. As an isolated socially akward teenager who plays a video game, that turns his life upside down. The video game becomes reality and reality becomes video games. As actions in the game suddenly occur in real life.

Soon Furlong's character Michael is greeted by a character in the game The Trickster. Playing mind games, he encourages Michael to harm those around him. Sending him into a deep spiral as he tries to loosen the grip the game has on him.

BrainScan is available on Tubi.

3. Pulse

This 2006 film starring Kristen Bell and is an adaptation of a Japanese film released in 2001. It follow's Bell as a young college student who is investigating the suicide of her boyfriend. What soon follows is a strange web of the internet no one could foresee. A computer virus that connects the living world to a realm of the undead. And they are coming for the living through the internet.

Pulse is currently available on tubi and plutotv.

2. Feardotcom

                                                          

Another new millennium film highlighting the danger's of the world wide web. 2002's Feardotcom follows a New York City detective investigating a string of gruesome murders, which all appear to NOT involve foul play. Through some detective work, the culprit turns out to be a website featuring torture murders. When visitors to the site see the content, it actually drives them insane. The detectives have to race to find out who is behind this website.

This cult classic is available on tubi and Pluto.

1. Lawnmower Man

This 1992 film based on a Stephan King short story, follows a mentally disabled man who becomes the test subject for a new product through the use of virtual reality and medication. The product grants him enhanced intellect and eventually newfound powers including telepathy and telekinesis. Soon the subject begins to use his newfound powers to enact revenge on those that have wronged him. And drunk with power plans to merge with a mainframe system and "infect" systems around the world.

The film spawned a sequel which went deeper in the virtual reality aspect, and is considered a cult classic. It's also available on Tubi.

Read More

11 Forgotten Sketch Comedy Shows

This year three of the greatest sketch comedy shows ever produced celebrate milestone years. Saturday Night Live celebrated 50 years on air, In Living Color celebrated 35 years (where's our documentary or something?), and MadTV celebrated 30 years.

Well these shows are iconic and classics. It got me thinking about the numerous sketch comedy shows that are less revered. Or even forgotten about all together. Here are ten forgotten sketch comedy shows.

 House of Buggin'

In 1995 in an effort to replace In Living Color, Fox took the same concept and handed the reins to John Leguizamo. Who at the time was still a semi-fledging comedian and actor, with a all Latino cast they set out to strike gold again. Beside's Leguizamo the only other known cast member at the time was Luis Guzman, one of those actors you never know the name but see his face and go oh him. Who has gained renewed fame playing Gomez Addams in Netflix's Wednesday series.

House of Buggin' ran from January to April that year lasting only 10 episodes. Ratings decline and creative differences between Leguizamo and the network led to it being cancelled. Funny enough, MADTV was it's replacement.

Apollo Comedy Hour

Many people don't remember nor know this, but the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York once hosted a sketch comedy series. That's right to go alongside the very popular Showtime At The Apollo syndicated series, producers decided to create a sketch comedy show. Filmed at the theater it was dubbed the Apollo Comedy Hour and aired in syndication from 1992-1995. So it had some success, but not a great deal since it's not well remembered. 

Cedric The Entertainer Presents 

In the fall of 2002, the WB network gave king of comedy Cedric The Entertainer his own sketch/variety show. A throwback to the days of variety shows in the 60's and 70's. Alongside his former castmate Wendy Raquel Robinson from The Steve Harvey Show, and additional cast members. Each week Cedric and company played a variety of characters such as his famous cafeteria lady sketch . Cedric would even sing and dance to complete the Entertainer part of his name.

The show only lasted 18 episodes before being cancelled.

Doggy Fizzle Televizzle

In the early 2000's Snoop Dogg decided he wanted to become more mainstream. At the same time a trend spearheaded by Snoop was saying words and flipping them to end in "izzle". Hey, the early 2000's were a great but weird time.

So MTV decided to give Snoop his own sketch show, Doggy Fizzle televizzle. Snoop Dogg put on his comedic chops and for eight episodes expanded his horizon. Some of the jokes landed, some didn't but it's perfect capsule of the 2000's style of comedy.

Hype

Another WB network sketch show that did not land. Hype just recently hit it's 25th anniversary since it's debut. Wasn't much fanfare behind it, because sadly no one really remembers it. Hype featured mostly unknown comedians to round out it's cast, and the target of it's topics was focused on pop culture. And how pop culture had a hold on society. Not sure where thing's went wrong but the show only lasted 17 episodes.

In The Flow with Affion Crockett

In 2011 Affion Crockett who was considered a rising comedy star at the time, was given his own show on Fox. Executive produced by Jamie Foxx, hopes were high for this sketch comedy series. Unfortunately those hopes were dashed and the series only lasted six episodes. Not sure if it was Affion's style of comedy, the time slot, lack of promotion or other factors. It died a quick death and pretty much has been erased from many folks memories. 

The Jenny McCarthy show

In the mid 90's Jenny McCarthy was one of the "it" girls in Hollywood and pop culture. Her popularity and time hosting Singled Out on MTV. Led to her getting her own sketch comedy show on the network in 1997, effectively showing she had a "goofy" side and comedic timing. The show only made it 19 episodes before MTV pulled the plug, and Jenny and audiences moved on to something else.

The Lyricist Lounge Show

Once upon a time MTV actually still believed in music, and some of their shows were actually based around music. In 2000 the sketch comedy show The Lyricist Lounge Show debuted, which combined traditional sketch comedy. With rapping throughout the sketches sometimes improvised. The show had a few resident rappers on the cast, and many rappers made appearances on the show. It only lasted one season despite it's format being unique, and is known for introducing Tracee Ellis Ross to the scene.

Party Over Here

In 2016 Fox tried their hand again at striking sketch comedy gold. A new sketch series created and produced by Andy Samberg and his Lonely Island team. Featuring a small handful of cast members, the show tried to become a hit for a new generation. Airing in MadTV's old timeslot of 11:00 pm on Saturday night, it just didn't catch on and was cancelled after 10 episodes.

The Underground

In 2006 Showtime partnered with comedy legend Damon Wayans to bring a new sketch comedy show to the airwaves. In Wayan's word's it would be "In Living Color on Steroids" and The Underground was born. Wayans bought along his son Damon Wayans Jr. and a host of young comedians to make a new comedy favorite. It didn't catch on and was cancelled after 11 episodes. 

The Newz

The Newz debuted in the fall of 1994 and stand's out from every other sketch show well loved and forgotten. Playing in syndication, it aired DAILY with a new episode Monday-Friday which is no small task. That format allowed it to hit 61 episodes before being cancelled in March of 1995. Unfortunately the syndicated method, which likely resulted in overnight airings in many markets led to it not finding an audience. And it has disappeared in the mind's of many.

Read More

Is 2005 The Greatest Year For Music Debuts?

 This weekend the DMV area is celebrating the 20th anniversary of two musical superstars, Chris Brown and T-Pain. T-Pain performed last night at the MGM National Harbor, to celebrate 20 years since his first album Rappa Ternt Sanga. Which produced singles I'm Sprung and I'm 'n Luv (with a stripper).

Tomorrow Chris Brown kicks off a three night stadium show at Nationals Park, dubbed Breezy Bowl. Celebrating 20 years since his self-titled debut album which produced the debut single Run It, Yo (Excuse Me Miss), Gimme That, Say Goodbye, Poppin' and the classic album cut Ain't No Way.

Talking about both artists celebrating 20 years in the game, a light bulb went off about who else debuted in 2005. Now I typically stay in my lane of movies and TV, but I went down a deep rabbit hole and had to share.

 Jeezy of course just finished his orchestra backed 20th anniversary tour for Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101. Keyshia Cole went on tour this past summer to celebrate The Way It Is. That's four artist right there, so who else are we missing?

Though a lot of his actions have turned fans on him and he's proven to be a clown. Trey Songz released I Gotta Make It In March of 2005. Bobby Valentino started telling woman to slow down that year. While Pretty Ricky hit the scene that summer replacing Jodeci as the male group freaks of R&B. Teairra Mari aimed to be the princess of R&B when her album released that year.

Omarion breaking away from B2K released his debut solo album in February that year, kind of counts but also maybe not depends on how you look at it. 

While Ne-Yo's debut album In My Own Words technically did not release until February of 2006. He released two chart topping singles in 2005 to prepare fans for what's to come, Stay and So Sick. 

Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Paul Wall and Mike Jones bought Houston to the mainstream scene, with their respective debuts. The Game bought west coast hip hop back with The Documentary. While a icon by this point, Bun B stepped out and dropped his first solo album Trill. Again up to you if that counts or not.

Outside of hip hop and R&B while technically not their debut album, pop rock band FallOut Boy released their major label debut album From Under The Cork Tree. Which produced two songs still beloved to this day, Sugar (We're Going Down) and Dance, Dance. Paramore and The Fray both hit the scene in 2005.

Then we have the Barbados Queen herself, the one and only Rihanna. Who before announcing she was pregnant. I 100% expected her to do a stadium tour and was waiting for tickets to drop. She released Music Of The Sun which really was a prelude to what she could do, when given control. Hey, sometimes you gotta get your foot in how you can.

That is a long and impressive list, when you factor in star power and longevity. I'm sure there are a few I am missing. However, when I look at this list and look at other years that featured a host of musical Debuts. I really don't think anything tops the year of 2005.

I'm sure those kind of stats aren't measured anywhere. From where I'm sitting it is the greatest year ever for musical Debuts.

Read More

10 Well Loved Shows I Havent Watched

 

If you follow my blog you know I've seen alot of movies and TV shows. Of course there is so much content out there you can't watch everything. So I decided to compile a list of 10 show's old and fairly new that are beloved and I've never seen. Hopefully I'll get to some of these one day.

10. Succession

A modern era drama about the big business of wealthy people, death, taxes and inheritance as a family awaits the demise of a media mogul and the family's patriarchy. Now that is drama as we've just seen with the Murdoch family (which the family in the series is loosely based on.) I've heard the show is also funny and has high praise from critics to common folks. I think I thought the show was about the stock market more than family drama, so I didnt give it a chance. It's on my list to watch so maybe one day.

9. Chicago Fire

First I knew Chicago Fire has been on the air for a while, I had no idea it debuted in 2012 and is now entering it's 14th season. I've never really been into TV shows about fire departments, and thats the likely reason I haven't tuned into this NBC staple.

8. Curb Your Enthusiasm 

Larry David's HBO series which debuted in 2000 and across several years just ended it's 14th season in 2024. The largely improvised mockumentary style show about the nitty gritty days of life, I probably would really enjoy if I turned it on. I just havent made my way to turning it on yet.

7 Schitt$ Creek

Starring comedy legend Eugene Levy, his son Dan Levy, Annie Murphy and Catherine O'Hara more famously known as the mom from the Home Alone films. The quartet play a formerly wealthy family who must rebuild their lives in a small hometown they own after losing everything. It's relatively unknown network Pop TV's most popular show. Has gained a cult following and won several awards, and yet I've never watched it.

6 Sons Of Anarchy

This FX drama about a motorcycle club that dabbles in criminal enterprise and alot of family drama was extremely popular during it's original run from 2008-2014. I know alot of people loved it but past knowing Peggy Bundy was in it, and seeing a few clips. I couldn't tell you anything about Son's Of Anarchy.

5. Big Bang Theory

Working in I.T. the assumption is that I'm well intuned in "geek" culture. While I enjoy superheroes and sci-fi properties that is furthest from the truth, which maybe why I never really watched Big Bang Theory. These social akward brianics are on another level in geekdom, and remind me several socially awkward people I've worked with over the years. So in my mind there's no need to watch the show, cause I know real life people like the characters.

4 How To Get Away With Murder

Every Thursday evening in the late 2010's my wife was in front of the TV, immersed in Shondaland. How To Get Away With Murder alongside Scandal were two of her favorite shows during their airings. And I always was watching something else while it was one. My understanding is the show was dramatic, high stakes, and soap operaish. With rapid fire witty dialogue and storylines you just never knew how they would end. Even with all that hype, I always passed on it.

3. The Office

A show that made the mockumentary style sitcom popular in the mid 2000's, well into the 2010's and beyond. Helped make Steve Carell a star and is still very relevant today. Never seen a single episode, seen plenty of clips and memes though. I will admit dry humor shows are hit or miss to me and sometimes I just don't give them a chance. Which I think is the case here despite all the good reviews the show has.

2. Better Call Saul

This one I consider kind of a oxymoron. I loved Breaking Bad and think it's one of the greatest TV dramas ever. As for Better Call Saul never gave it two minutes of my time. My wife said it's just as good as Breaking Bad, but I think since the character of Saul on the OG show. I could take or leave, I didn't see the point of him having his own show and I never tuned in.

1. Homicide Life On The Streets

One of the greatest cop TV dramas ever, filmed in my hometown of Baltimore and I've never seen it. In my defense the show debuted in 1993 on my 7th birthday, and it wasn't a show I should have watched nor 7 year old me would care for. As the years passed I just never sat down and watched it and it took a while to make it to streaming. It's sitting in my peacock queue waiting for me to press play.

Read More

5 I.T. Films

 I had no idea until recently that there is such thing as National IT Professionals Day, a day meant to celebrate IT professionals who keep the world running. It's hard to keep up with these random days but it comes from a good place so I'm cool with it. I work in IT as a desktop support manager, so I figured why not use this holiday to highlight some films that focus on the I.T. industry.

5. Sneakers

I will give this film a great deal of credit for being ahead of the curve, focusing on IT and computer hacking well before it became the juggernaut on the world it is now. Released in 1992 this thriller has an all-star cast Sidney Poitier, Robert Redford, Dan Akyrod, Ben Kingsley, and River Phoenix.

The film follows a team of hackers and pentesters hired to retrieve a mysterious black box, and clear one of the members name. Well the team gets more than they bargained for with the black box. It's a mix between a thriller and crime caper with some computer geek stuff mixed in.

4. Antitrust

This 2001 film stars Ryan Phillippe, Rachel Leigh Cook, and Tim Robbins. Phillippe leads the film as a young programmer who lands a dream job at a major software company. Slowly but surely he learns the job, and the life around him is a very dark place.

It's a very thin satire wrapped in a drama of the big companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Apple, and Google. As well as their tech geek ceo's. How they crush the little man as new products are invented and the cost that comes with it. You'll notice the similarities soon as the movie starts.

The movie is currently available on Tubi.

3. SwordFish

SwordFish as a movie is kind of all over the place, and more known for Halle Berry's topless scene than anything else. This 2001 film stars Hugh Jackman as a hacker, blackmailed by John Travolta's corrupt federal agent. Who plans to hack government systems, steal funds and use ut to support his criminal and terrorist efforts. Meanwhile there's a game of cat and mouse going on with other law enforcement agencies on his tail.

 The plot is a little too overly complicated, and the Matrix influenced action scenes are a bit much for a film supposedly set in reality. Truthfully it's an mindless yet ambitious action film that as I mentioned is a little all over the place.

2. The Net

1995's The Net starring Sandra Bullock, is probably one of the first popular 90's movies that focused on the internet. Sandra Bullock is a recluse systems analyst who gets tangled up in some stuff she wants nothing to do with. When a floppy disk from a connect with details of some government big corporation quarrel. Is sent her way, she soon finds her life upside down and her on the run.

It's by no means a masterpiece. It is however a good moment in time film, of just how strong the internet was back then during its infancy. And how computer systems were ingrained and could change our world within a finger snap.

The Net is currently on Tubi.

1. Pirates of Silicon Valley

Don't be misled by the title of the film, there is no action with pirates involved. Instead this 1999 TV-movie that originally aired on TNT, should be a prerequisite viewing for any IT related major these days. It stars Anthony Michael Hall and Noah Wylie, respectively playing Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.

Showing both men's journies as they developed and built Microsoft and Apple. Showing their grit and determination, as well their trials and tribulations. Being a TV movie its no more than 90 minutes, and it doesn't go too deep into both men's quirks. If you like learning about start ups before they were called it, and how to push forward on a "grand" idea. Watch it!

Read More

Songs I Use To Calm My Fussy Kids

 

The lore of taking care of little ones goes, that when they are fussy, tired and no matter what you do they just wont calm down. Play some white noise, sing a lullaby, maybe even go on a car ride.

I've used the method of playing some r&b to calm both of my daughters down. I aim for ballads mostly but long as its soothing I'll trt it. There have been a few songs I thought would work that didn't.

For the ones that do work, here are ten songs I play when I need to get the kids to relax.

Enigma-Return to Innocence

This song is one you'll never know the artist or the actual title by name. However, when the beat kicks in it instantly takes you back to either those 90's music commercials, an episode of Cold Case, or the ending of Man Of The House starring Chevy Chase and Jonathan Taylor Thomas.

The song mesmerizes my daughter and she just looks at the ceiling while it plays.

Paul Weller-Thinking of you

When I worked at a grocery store, this song was a staple in the Playlist. And eventually found its way into my head on repeat. The guitar riff and backing band is soothing. Which has helped calm the little one down and help her fall asleep.

After 7-Nights Like This

This song performed in the classic 1991 film Five Heartbeats. Was covered by the band After 7 for the soundtrack, and it's a favorite of mine. A true throwback to the motown era of music.

When the bass hits and you hear shoo boom doo dee doo. You feel the soul in the group's voice. My daughter evidently feels it too cause she chills out.

Temptations-My Girl

Speaking of the Motown sound,  an all time classic has knocked the kid out on a few occasions. Not sure if it's David Ruffin's voice or the horns that mesmerizes her. If I play it while she's fussy, she's out in a blink of a eye and that is A-ok with me.

Lenny Kravitz-Ain't Over Til It's Over

This is another song that was frequently played in the super market. I had no idea it was Lenny Kravitz's song though. When my oldest daughter would get up in arms fussy as a baby, screaming at the top of her lungs.

Soon as we turned this on either home, in the car and a few times while we were out. It instantly bought her down and she chilled out.

Even now she bops her head and gets lost in the song when it plays.

Michael Jackson-Human Nature/Never Can Say Goodbye

When I saw the Michael Jackson one cirque du soliel show in Vegas years ago. This mix combining Never Can Say Goodbye and Human Nature had me in a choke hold. Both in itself are beautiful songs so combined its magic.

Good to know the legacy of MJ still resonates and this song instantly calms the fussiness.

Bruno Mars-It will Rain

This Bruno Mars creation for one of the Twilight films, is one of his best in my opinion. You hear his pain in the song, the piano keys are strong but not overbearing. And it sounds like the perfect song for a dreary day just staring out the window.

I guess the idea of a raining day making you sleepy, works for all ages. Cause the kiddo definitely falls asleep as this plays.

New Edition-can you stand the rain

Another song discussing rain, New Editions probably most loved song and best ballad. The harmonizing, the beat, the birds chirping in the beginning. Are all subtle hints its time fo relax and calm down just a little bit.

Which helps when you have a fussy baby or toddler you need to relax. This song gets the job done 

Adele-Chasing Pavements

It's no secret Adele has one of the strongest and gifted voices in music history. Every time she belts out a song you feel that it came from deep down her soul. Chasing Pavements between her voice, and the orchestra backing will have you singing along with raw emotion.

This song is one of my Ace in the holes, if no other song has worked to calm the kids down. This usually gets the job done and they are out like a light.

Rihanna-Stay

One of Rihanna's most powerful ballads. It's a sad song but also soothing and relaxing. For an adult listening it may just have you thinking about life. For a baby that just needs to calm down, it has the right chords and vocals. To get them to chill out and it hasn't let me down yet.

Read More

A Rant: Iconic Theme Songs, Bring Them Back

 It's September which means it's time for a new fall TV season. While fall TV is not a big of a deal as it once was. It is a staple in the media and living room landscape. Giving new television shows a chance to reach audiences, while old favorites return to the air for new stories to tell. 

While we gear up for this season, I wanted to touch on an issue Hollywood has had for the last 15 years or so. TV shows today especially sitcoms, do not have noticeable theme songs that one can instantly associate with the show.

I know the economics of the industry likely played a part in this. As a 30 second to minute and some change intro, cuts into time available for an ad. So today you get cold opens that go right into the show, or if you do get a theme song it's a little instrumental jingle. That's all we get. However it is detrimental to the shows branding and particularly for new shows, the ability to grab an audience attention and draw them into the series.

It's time Hollywood, streamers, broadcast  and cable networks get's it's head out its ass. Hire some damn composers to make music with lyrics, spend a couple hours filming intro's and slap them on the beginning of series. Even show's that may not necessarily be considered classics, are still revered today because they had catching theme songs.

Even classic shows the Fresh Prince, Golden Girls, Friends, Martin, Family Matters, Full House, and Living Singles of the world. While they were great shows, the theme songs that were catchy and instantly associated with them. Gives them additional life, making people who weren't even born during these shows original run. Feel connected to them and enamored with them.

Hollywood, bring back TV theme songs. It's way overdue, the industry needs it. Creators and producers need them if they ever want their shows to have longevity decades down the road. And the fans need them, we need some new tunes to hum and sing to.

Read More