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Keaton’s Cop Movie Review
Keaton’s Cop is a movie I have been wanting to see for many years.
I’m sorry it took me so long to get to it, but it was worth the wait.
I’ve been a Lee Majors fan since I was in middle school, and a fan of Abe Vigoda and Don Rickles for many years also.
And I’ve been a fan of the distribution company of this movie, Cannon (MGM now owns their catalog.), since I was in the 3rd grade.
It delivers everything I wanted and more. Action, comedy, over the top in most ways, and I loved every second of it.
The story centers around Abe Vigoda having to be protected by Lee and Don’s characters (Spoiler alert: Don gets killed.) from getting killed my mobster hit men.
Very basic story, but I think the movie is so much fun.
Lee’s character loves to shoot and hit people out of windows.
There is a fun/funny car chase.
Some good shoot outs and explosions.
Lee and Abe work really work together. Abe especially is funny as always.
Don actually plays against type and is a little more straight laced and not cracking jokes.
It’s kind of a buddy cop type movie that has action and is serious at times, but even then, it’s quite funny I think.
I was very entertained.
It may not be for everyone, but if you like a fun action/comedy that’s soooooo not meant to be taken seriously, then Keaton’s Cop is a movie for you.
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Michael Schenker My Years With UFO Album Review
Michael Schenker has been one of my favorite guitar players since I was a teenager.
I first heard him on the Scorpions debut album “Lonesome Crow”.
I was completely blown away by his playing.
I then got into the band UFO, in which he played guitar for a few times over the decades, recording some of the best hard rock music you could possibly hear.
He also has his own band MSG (Michael Schenker Group), in which there have been many lineups of, and he’s recorded A LOT of albums over the decades with MSG, UFO, and other off shoots, and even solo instrumental albums (Acoustic and electric ones. I highly recommend his instrumental album “Adventures Of The Imagination”. My girlfriend Mariah loves it too.).
50 years after the first UFO album Michael played on (called “Phenomenal”), he has released a newly recorded album of UFO classics featuring many singers and musicians.
It is called “My Years With UFO”.
Guests include Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Axl Rose (Guns N Roses), Slash (Guns N Roses, Slash’s Snakepit, Velvet Revolver, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators), Biff Byford (Saxon), Erik Gronwall (Skid Row), Joey Tempest (Europe), Jeff Scott Soto (Sons Of Apollo, Journey), John Norum (Europe, Dokken), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force), Adrian Vandenberg (Vandenberg, Whitesnake), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Rod Steward, Blue Murder, King Kobra), Stephen Pearcy (RATT), Roger Glover (Deep Purple), Joel Hoekstra (Trans Siberian Orchestra, Whitesnake, Night Ranger), and others.
Star studded lineup of singers and musicians, but ultimately, it still comes down to the songs and Michael’s phenomenal guitar playing. And he is still PHENOMENAL!!
So, if you are a UFO or Michael fan or a fan of any of the guests, then this album is for you.
Crank it up!!
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My Favorite Albums Released in 2024
It’s now January 3 of 2025 as I type this (Happy Birthday John Paul Jones and Stephen Stills!!), so it’s time for me to give a listing of my favorite albums released in 2024.
Many great ones were released and there’s still many I have not bought and listened to (hopefully someday I will), but until then, here it goes:
1. Riley’s L.A. Guns “The Dark Horse”-This album was initially released digitally early in 2024 but eventually was released physically later in the year. I bought it on digital and preordered the CD. Let me tell you: I love what Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns of L.A. Guns have been doing since they started working together again. They’ve released 4 awesome albums since 2017 and have another coming this April. Having said that, I also like Riley’s L.A. Guns. Their album Renegades is amazing, as is The Dark Horse. Just a great, raw, rock and roll album. I cannot recommend this album enough. Sadly, drummer Steven Riley passed away so I’m guessing this particular version of the band is no more, but either way, they made two awesome rock and roll albums. The Dark Horse is by far my favorite album of 2024.
2. Ace Frehley “10,000 Volts”-I’ve been an Ace fan since I was 15 years old (I’m 42 as I type this.). I love his work in KISS and his solo work. This is another solid album by the one and only Space Ace. I think it’s his most catchiest album, too. Every song is quite good, and if you are a fan of Ace or of good hard but catchy rock and roll, this album is for you. Rock on Ace!!
3. Sebastian Bach “Child Within The Man”-Wow what an album!! Baz is still making awesome rock albums. This is one of his best ever. I love every single song and loved hearing a lot of these songs when I last saw Baz in concert (review here). Do yourself a favor and check out Child Within The Man. Incredible rock album.
4. Burton Cummings “A Few Good Moments”-The singer of The Guess Who put out a phenomenal solo album in 2024. Called A Few Good Moments, it contains 17 awesome songs. Burton is still a great singer/songwriter and I love these songs so much. Thank you sir for this great album.
5. Deep Purple “=1”-Deep Purple are still making phenomenal albums. =1, to me, is one of their best albums ever. I wish that more bands/artists that have been around for decades would still make albums. Especially albums as great as this one. Get this album. You won’t regret it.
6. Judas Priest “Invincible Shield”-The second “Heavy Metal” band is still making phenomenal albums also. Invincible Shield is another awesome album in a long and awesome discography. Priest rules!!
7. Saxon “Hell, Fire And Damnation”-Saxon is another band that’s been around for decades and keeps making arguably their best work. This album is another one of their best.
8. Mark Farner “Closer To My Home”-I had looking forward to this album for a long time. The singer/songwriter/guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad has still got it!! Such a great new album. Thank you sir for making this album.
9. Russell/Guns “Medusa”-Great White singer Jack Russell and L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns recorded a very good album in 2023 and released it in early 2024. If you are a fan of Jack and Tracii, this is the album for you. Sadly, Jack passed away later in 2024, but he was still singing great all the way to the end. Godspeed Jack!! Thank you for your music, and your kindness!! And I’ll always miss you.
10. Bon Jovi “Forever”-This album is kind of a miracle because singer/songwriter Jon Bon Jovi has had vocal issues for the past few years. I’m a fan of all of their albums, some more than others, but I like/love all of them, and this is no different. Lots of very good songs on here, great lyrics, and Jon is singing good. I’m glad that Jon and the band were able to make this album. Bon Jovi Forever indeed!!
That is my top 10 albums of 2024. Here are some honorable mentions:
Mr. Big “Ten”-Solid album from this great band.
Black Country Communion “V”-Another very good album from Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian.
Motley Crue “Cancelled”-Not an album, but a 3 song EP. I wish it was a full album because Motley is one of my favorite bands ever, but I’ll take what I can get. I’ve played these songs a bunch and I’m glad that the band is still making new music. I wish guitarist Mick Mars was still there (He put out a solid solo album in 2024 too, listed below.) but nevertheless, Motley still rock and I still love the band no matter what.
Mick Mars “The Other Side Of Mars”-I’m glad Mick was FINALLY able to release his debut solo album. It’s very heavy. Thank you Mick for this!!
The Black Crowes “Happiness Bastards”-Welcome return to Chris and Rich Robinson. Rocking album!!
Punky Meadows “Wrap Me Up”-Not an album, but a phenomenal Christmas original. It should be a future classic.
Like I said earlier in this post, there is so many more albums that were released in 2024 I have not yet bought and heard, but having said that, this is my definitive 2024 list of albums.
Hopefully 2025 will be another great year for new music!!
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Punky Meadows’ Wrap Me Up Single Should Be the Next Christmas Classic!
Angel guitarist Punky Meadows has written and released a new Christmas single called Wrap Me Up.
This is a song that should be the next Christmas classic.
It’s new, but it sounds as if it was written and recorded back when the Christmas classics were made.
Punky assembled a great group of people on this song, most notably singer Gabriel Levine. Wow what a voice.
All the vocals and instrumentation on this song is phenomenal and should make you feel good listening to.
I cannot say it enough that this song should be a HUGE hit and be played at Christmas every year.
Thank you Punky for writing, playing on, and producing this song.
Seek out this song. Trust me you will love it.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!
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I Finally Met Michael Jai White! Thank You Sir and Thank You Galaxycon Columbus!
For the first time, I went to Galaxycon Columbus.
I had been to the one in Louisville in 2019.
It’s a HUGE event, with several stars and vendors.
I wanted to meet so many people at this event because it was really stacked with stars.
Stars such as Hayden Christensen, Weird Al Yankovic, Keifer Sutherland, Ernie Hudson, Kurt Fuller, John Cleese, William Katt, and people I had met before like Danny Trejo, Nick Castle, George Takei, and also several wrestlers I had seen or met before like Rick and Scott Steiner, Sting, Lex Luger, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Arn and Brock Anderson, Mick Foley, and others.
I did see most of them, but having said all of that, I only went to meet one person who I had never met before: Michael Jai White.
He is an actor/director/writer/producer/martial artist/teacher/great and humble person.
I have been a fan of his work for some time now, particularly his movies Blood And Bone, Never Back Down 2 and 3, Black Dynamite (the movie and animated series), Outlaw Johnny Black, Welcome To Sudden Death, Undisputed II, Falcon Rising, the first two Universal Soldier movies, Skin Trade, Triple Threat, The Vigilante Diaries, Accident Man, The Dark Knight, Spawn, Tyson, just to name a few.
When I went to get his autograph, I brought with me my Outlaw Johnny Black DVD.
As soon as he saw that, he lit up, saying “now that is my favorite”. And I said “well I’m really glad I brought it”.
I also asked him about whether he will do anything more with Black Dynamite, and he said he is trying to work on a sequel. I hope it happens because I love that movie and it’s 2 season animated series so much.
I later got my picture taken with him and he remembered me saying “good to see you again”.
And when I went to his Q&A later on, I asked him about Outlaw Johnny Black, and he gave me a very good answer (last video listed below).
I cannot say enough about this man. He’s very talented, but more than that, he is a very good person who does not see himself as a big deal, but he sees himself doing what he needs to do in life. And I applaud him for it.
Thank you so much sir for meeting me and being so kind. I cannot wait to see your upcoming movies (one of which he said at his Q&A) he is making right now as of this writing in Louisville, Kentucky, which I find very exciting. And he said he finished another movie recently too. Busy man.
Oh and before Michael’s Q&A, there was a “Celebrity Match Game” game that I watched live.
Based on the famous game show, this iteration of Match Game consisted of emcee Elgin David and celebrity panelists Dave Willis, Leva Bates, Roger Craig Smith, Stephen Kramer Glickman, Dana Snyder, and Guy Hutchinson playing the main part of the game with two contestants chosen out of the studio audience.
I’ve loved Match Game for many years so this was fun to see as well.
Well, that pretty much covers my day.
I wanted to meet so many others, but frankly, I could not afford to meet anyone else.
But meeting Michael was the main reason I cared to go to this event, which as I said above was HUGE, located at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
When I found out Michael was going to be there, I had to go.
And if he would not have been there, I would not have gone.
So thank you Michael for coming to Galaxycon Columbus and for Galaxycon Columbus for booking him.
Thank you so much.
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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Van Zant Always Look Up Album Review
Brothers Johnny (Lynyrd Skynyrd/solo artist) and Donnie Van Zant (38 Special) have released their first album as a duo since 2007.
Called Always Look Up, it is a Christian album featuring Johnny and Donnie’s great vocals and songwriting in a phenomenal way.
This album is extremely positive, powerful, and inspiring.
You don’t have to be a Christian to enjoy this album, although it would help.
Either way, I find this album to be a feel good album and we as a world need words and songs like this more than ever.
Johnny and Donnie have provided a great service with this album and I thank them both very much.
All of these songs would sound great in churches or anywhere for that matter.
Give it a listen and I dare you to not feel good afterwards.
And thanks guys for signing it too (courtesy of Talk Shop Live)!!
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Wrestling With The Devil By Lex Luger Book Review
I’ve been a wrestling fan since I was six or seven years old.
One of the wrestlers I grew up loving was “The Total Package” Lex Luger.
After reading his book, Wrestling With The Devil, I am an even bigger fan of Lex.
The book covers his upbringing, playing sports, getting into wrestling and what I think was a great wrestling career, his unfortunate problems, and ultimately his great redemption and finding God and Jesus Christ.
This book is very inspiring and even with the problems that Lex has had and experienced, he proves that it is never too late to come out the other side and be a better person and have a better life.
Thank you Lex for this great book. I’m so glad I became a fan of yours when I did and as I said, I’m an even bigger fan now. Thank you sir and God Bless You.
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Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus Movie Review
I’ve been a Charles Bronson fan since I was in the 3rd grade.
I grew up watching his movies and am still a fan to this day.
I’ve even made my girlfriend Mariah a fan of Bronson.
However, as much of a fan as I am, there was one movie in particular I had never seen until many years after it aired on television.
Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus was a TV movie released in 1991, actually when I became a fan, but I just missed it.
Hey better late than never.
This is quite the departure for what Bronson had become known for at this point.
He started off playing all kinds of different roles, but later on, he became known for playing killers, cops, and basically all tough guy roles. And he did them well.
This movie brought him back, I think, to being a more well rounded character actor.
He plays Frank Church, a newspaper reporter who has covered so many big stories in his career. However, his editor/friend played by Ed Asner, gives him the assignment of a lifetime: writing a piece in reply to a little girl named Virginia asking the newspaper if there is indeed a Santa Claus.
Bronson’s character is also self destructive, having lost his wife recently, so he is struggling. However, he does find inspiration and is able to respond to Virginia with this great, touching piece declaring that there is indeed a Santa Claus.
This is a very heartwarming and inspiring movie.
Also starring Richard Thomas as Virginia’s Dad, this is a great Christmas movie and just a great movie for the whole family to see.
Yes quite a departure from what Charles Bronson had become known for, but if you only know of his tough guy roles, this movie I feel will pleasantly surprise and show you that he really could act.
Although he does have one moment in the movie where he punches someone, his character here has much more depth and it was refreshing to see, even though I love his tough guy roles tremendously.
Also, I miss him very much.
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Red One Movie Review
The day after I saw the great movie Wicked (review here), I went back to my local theater to see the movie Red One.
I’ve been looking forward to this one for some time and I was not disappointed.
Dwayne Johnson (The Rock in WWE) plays Callum Drift, the body guard and friend of Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons), and is one day away from retiring.
However, Santa is kidnapped and Callum has to find him.
A great cast includes Chris Evans (Jack O’ Malley, who ends up helping Callum and he’s awesome in this movie), Lucy Liu (Zoe, who is a top government agent working alongside Callum), Kiernan Shipka (Gryla, the main villain who is a shape shifting witch plotting to imprison every person on the naughty list in a snow globe), Kristofer Hivju (Krampus, Santa’s brother), and Bonnie Hunt (Mrs. Claus).
This is already a favorite of mine and I want to see this movie many more times over the course of my life.
It is a fun action movie (which I’m all about) and it’s also a fun Christmas movie for everyone to see.
Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans make a great team in this very fun, action packed, Christmas thrill ride.
Red One is a great movie. Period.
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Wicked (2024) Movie Review
My girlfriend Mariah went to see the movie Wicked and loved it. She really wanted me to go see it so I did.
I was not sure I would like it, but as it turned out, I loved it.
This movie mainly focuses on the characters Elphaba Thropp (played by Cynthia Erivo), later known as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda Upland (played by Ariana Grande-Butera), later known as Glinda The Good. It focuses on their relationship, which is not good at first, but they both later become friends.
If you are a fan of The Wizard Of Oz or a fan of this story, then I think you will enjoy it.
Along with Erivo and Grande, Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh plays Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum plays The Wizard of Oz. That’s just some of the great cast.
And the songs are phenomenal too and it’s a beautiful looking movie.
This movie is also part 1 of a 2 part story. I know some people may not like this aspect of it, but I’m ok with it. It’s more to look forward to.
Like I said, if you are a fan of The Wizard Of Oz or of musicals, I cannot imagine you not enjoying this movie.
I’m not an expert on this story and I loved it.
Go see it!!
