State of Play (2009)

Director: Kevin Macdonald
Release Date: April 17, 2009
Genre: Crime / Drama
MPAA: Rated PG13
Universal




The ORB's take: A good drama, nothing too intense, nothing unexpected.

Movie Review:
This movie is better than television mini-series drama, so it it worth a rental. "Russell Crowe" puts in his usual performance; good acting, and he will draw you in even if it doesn't seem interesting. gives a decent performance, and plays his character well; a lying congressman caught in a web of deceit and murder - painting the same picture of what we already think Washington congressmen are. "Rachel McAdams" probably gives the best performance in this movie of top actors and actresses. She gives us smart dialog and handles her character very well, making you want her and "Crowe" on the screen at the same time throughout the movie. The movie's plot is simple; Congressmen gets caught in lies, journalists ("Crowe, McAdams") have to come up with what they are permitted to publish without having all the witnesses, and a murder interweaved in the middle of it all. That is all I can let you in on, there is a small twist, but it is predictable. This movie is worth a rental only because of the actors that are in it. Pop some corn and enjoy.

What to Watch For: Rachel McAdams, Russell Crowe

You Might If You Like These:
Lions for Lambs
Hollywood Land
The Sum of All Fears

Official State of Play (2009) Site
IMDB

Gamer (2009)

Director: Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor
Release Date: September 4, 2009
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi
MPAA: Rated R
Lionsgate



The ORB's take: I have seen and wasted my time on a lot worse movies than this - it's about mind control, what did I expect.

Movie Review:
This is a sad attempt at a modern rehash of the 1987 "The Running Man". On paper the plot line and concept sounds like it could be interesting, but some things are better left on paper or in someone's head. The expectations of great graphics in this film was assumed as well, but instead ends up producing mostly grainy, choppy images. "Gerald Butler" seems to be in every movie coming out this year - three of them in 2009 - hopefully his next film due out in a few weeks will be worth our time. This movie is about a television show that a smart computer programmer came up with after developing a mind control system that allows you to control humans. The game involves convicts that are on death row and places them in suburban war type scenarios. They are controlled by gamers that move them around the different stages and get them through the adrenaline, wanna-be "live" video-game levels to live for another stage. The goal for the convict is to survive an impossible amount of stages and he will be set free of his death row sentence. A modern day remake of "The Running Man" would, could, and should work, but the attempt here involves stupid one-liners, and boring virtual-world concepts. Wait for the TNT movie special or when it shows up on HBO. If you enjoy the "Crank" franchise you will probably enjoy this flick as well.

What to Watch For: The credits.

You Might If You Like These:
The Running Man
Crank


Official Gamer (2009) Site
IMDB

Muse "The Resistance" (2009)

Artist: Muse
Label: Warner Bros.
Album Type: Alternative Rock
Released: September 15, 2009







The Orb's Take: Scratch the last 3 tracks and you have a great album.

Album Review:
First I'll start off with the simple facts: If you are a "Muse" fan you will / or should have already had purchased this album and you are not / will not be disappointed. Second : If you have never heard of the English band that calls themselves "Muse", this is a solid album, but not the best album to start with. Their third album "Absolution" would be the best album to start listening too one of the most creative, talented bands out there in the industry today. Now with that out of the way, their fifth studio album "The Resistance" has eight solid tracks out of eleven. The last three tracks on the album might as well be instrumental tracks, and would have been better off being on a bonus disk rather than the full length album. I would have rather have had three more great songs, instead of musical symphonies without any point, not that they are talented, well put together tracks; they just don't fit in with the rest album. Just like their last album "Black Holes and Revelations", "Muse" defiantly gives us a different sound on this album, adding a different style to their own unique sound. You can close your eyes multiple times while listening to this album and hear the influences of "Queen" and "David Bowie". While I thought the last album introduced more of a pop sound to some of their songs, I think this album throttles back a bit on the pop sound and gets back to more of the classical sound that "Absolution" gave us. I have had the opportunity to see this great band live, twice, and they are the only band that I would actually travel a long distance to go and see - one of the best live bands I have ever seen. This album will translate very well in their live show; if they are ever in a city near you, don't hesitate, go and see them - I promise you will not be disappointed and you will become a long-life fan.

What to Listen to: "Resistance", "MK Ultra", "Uprising"

You Might If You Like These:
Queen
The Verve
Radiohead

Official Muse website
Muse MySpace Page

The Used "Artwork" (2009)

Artist: The Used
Label: Reprise Records
Album Type: Alternative Rock
Released: September 1, 2009





The Orb's Take: Take note, this lead singer knows how to convey passion throughout an album.

Album Review:
If you like "The Used" then picking up this album should be an purchase that has already happened. This album is very well mixed, and the track listing is very strong. Great writing, solid drumming, and intense guitar sounds is what "Artwork" is all about. Bert McCracken's intensity and passion he omits in his vocals is what puts "The Used" on a different level when it comes to this type of music. After listening to this album it made me more aware of the "K-Mart" shop-toy-bands that are putting music out today that you hear every time you turn on the radio because it can't stack up to a band like this. "Artwork" is the fourth studio album and the first album that new drummer Dan Whitesides has been featured on. McCracken refers to their sound on this album as "Gross Pop" - calling it nosier and messier. If you have heard "The Used" and you like them, you will not be disappointed at all in this album. Future artists and lead singers take note of how to convey intensity, passion, and quality throughout an album by listening to "Artwork" before you put out something just to put it out.

What to Listen to: "Blood On My Hands", "Men Are All The Same", "Meant To Die"

You Might If You Like These:
My Chemical Romance
Story Of The Year

Official The Used website
The Used MySpace Page