Monday, July 31, 2017

27 July 17 - Annabelle Creation

****This review contains NO spoilers****

Blogspot readers, answer this question ...if you dare...

How does an innocent object become a destructive possessed conduit for evil?


Well, that answer could be found in the latest Annabelle movie series coming out soon on August 11th in a cinemaplex near you. Annabelle Creation doesn't pick up where the first one ends but it explains how Annabelle became the creepy doll that's still locked away ...behind a case at Ed and Lorraine Warren's home. If you haven't seen the first Annabelle movie, that's okay but you may not understand the horrific ending to this new movie, blogspot readers. SouthSide shall briefly recap the first one for you.

After Annabelle Higgins and her boyfriend viciously and brutally murder her adoptive parents, this creepy doll is given to a pregnant mom to which creepy things begin to happen not just to this couple but other couples who come in contact with it. Enter the Warrens who investigate this possessed doll and the rest is history as someone would say. Now, Annabelle Creation gives you the backstory to how this doll became to be a conduit to evil. Briefly without giving too much away, a toymaker (Anthony LaPaglia) and his wife (Miranda Otto) tragically lose their young daughter to a deadly hit and run accident. It would take several years later for this couple to open their home as an orphanage to young girls yet there's something creepy about the couple and second floor that has couple of the girls spooked about their new home. Things do go bump in the night ...mysterious bell ringing from the first floor bedroom ...a locked room still preserved in time as if its waiting for the original occupant to return and life size doll secretly locked away inside that room amongst torn pages from the Bible. More terrifying creepiness and scares begin to unfold when one of the girls makes "contact" with the evil spirit housed within the Annabelle doll.

And that's where SouthSide will end her tale without reveal too much. Want to know the rest of this horror story? Then, blogspot readers, she highly recommends checking out Annabelle Creation when it comes out August 11th. 

DO NOT bring children younger than teenage because they will have nightmares for days.

That's how creepy and terrifying this movie was. There were moments when this movie would have you cringing in your seat from the many sudden jump scares to cause your heart to pound wildly ...while other times, the scares were so random and fast you didn't have a moment to prepare your reaction. This reviewer enjoyed how there was an atmosphere of mystery surrounding the Mullins couple when the orphaned girls first arrived to their new "home" and throughout their stay. She suppose that's what director David Sandberg was going for in this movie. The lighting and shadows during the night scenes do give off a little fright as well as the daylight too.SouthSide's movie companion also thoroughly enjoyed Annabelle Creation though having a few scare moments of her own upon seeing the porcelain doll for the first time. She did note (and so did this reviewer) that the Mullins backstory could have been a little longer instead of rushing to the "several years" later part. The movie-going audience didn't get enough time know the family before the tragic accident.

Overall, blogspot readers, it's a must-see from this reviewer. It does have its rightful place within The Conjuring series but DO stay not for one yet two special scenes during the credits. SouthSide shall not reveal what happens but one is another reference to The Conjuring movie which has her thinking there might be another movie in the works to explain that scene and the others that happened during The Conjuring. 

And just to remind you (again), the real Annabelle doll remains locked inside a glass case and gets blessed by a priest twice a month, blogspot readers.

Annabelle Creation
August 11th, 2017 

Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide


A special note to director David Sandberg, you mentioned there would a Saint Benedict medal given at the screening. Sadly, there wasn't and my teen (and myself) would like one as a keepsake for attending this movie..

Monday, July 24, 2017

18 July 17 - Galactic Empire photo gallery

Hey, blogspot readers - SouthSide snapped some amazing photos while rockin with Dangerkids and Galactic Empire...








 


 


 


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

18 July 17 - Galactic Empire



 
In a galaxy far, far away …okay, not that far, far, far away …there was an music adventure, blogspot readers. For SouthSide, it was a galactic experience, which included many months of nagging and stalking a particular band to perform.

And guess what? Her ‘hard’ work and efforts paid off.

Yes, blogspot readers, SouthSide is the ultimate Star Wars nerd …she has been one before it was fashionably cool to be a fanboy/girl after growing within the generation that watched the original trilogy (Episodes IV – VI) on the big screen. The prequels (Episodes I – III) and Rogue One totally re-ignited the Star Wars franchise for the next generation and beyond. Episode VII, to be honest, was this reviewer’s biggest disappointment. In her opinion, the movie seemed rushed and confusing.

Enter Galactic Empire. This Star Wars-themed, cosplay metal band took over Chicago’s Cobra Lounge for one awesome one-night only performance that included other rockin’ acts Luca, Guardrail and Dangerkids – currently sharing the tour bill with Galactic Empire as they invade the US on their "We Got Company US Tour 2017". SouthSide highly recommends checking the intense, energized performance by opening act Dangerkids. Established from Dayton, Ohio, this 5-member metal rock band incorporates continuous head-banding anthems, bouncing energy that’s not just contained to the stage but amongst their highly enthused fans too, and one totally awesome female drummer on the kit, blogspot readers! Meet Katie and she rocked the kit from start to finish like no other drummer this reviewer has seen before. Besides the metal sound and music with some lyrical rap and screamo, SouthSide found something interesting about Dangerkids that truly had her hooked. It was the message behind the lyrics. Taking personal experiences and writing songs about them, lead vocalist Tyler inspired the young audience members at this all-ages show to believe in their dreams …no matter what their struggle or dream, he challenged them as well as everyone else to go for it. And that’s what kids today needed to hear. It’s possible to achieve your dreams. Don’t let anyone bring you down, blogspot readers. Songs like Inside Out, Light Escape (a very deep and emotional song ...definitely tug at the heart) and album title track Blacklist wowed this reviewer into checking out more by Dangerkids such as Kill Everything (the band coming back from the “dead”) and If Collapse (battling yourself and your demons). Plus, added bonus – this band gives great hugs. So after the show, hang out with them and get hugged! Currently on tour with Galactic Empire this summer, they are working on finalizing details for an autumn tour, blogspot readers. In the meanwhile, check out SouthSide’s new friends, Dangerkids, at http://www.wearedangerkids.com and on Facebook …but she certainly recommends seeing this band live as the best way to introduce yourself to this hot rockin’ band

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Good versus evil …from epic space battles to the sweeping hot desert sands of Tatooine and underwater world of Naboo …memorable characters and an operatic storyline that everyone knows since 1977. Now, you can add one more element, blogspot readers – taking the iconic franchise movie theme music to a whole different level in which fans of all ages will thoroughly enjoy. SouthSide highly recommends checking out Galactic Empire while they’re currently invading the US during their summer 2017 tour. This metal band has taken John Williams’ Star Wars themed music and flipped it into a hardcore head-banging metal sound WITHOUT skimping or missing any memorable note and rhythm. They have perfectly recreated each Academy-award winning composition to fit a heavy guitar-driven and rhythmic drum rock band that has garnered a rapidly growing fan base around the world. And it’s not just the music, the entire band dresses in the iconic costumes to enhance your viewing experience. There was Dark Vadar as lead guitarist, Boba Sett on drums, Shadow Ranger on guitar, Bass Commander on bass and Red Guard on guitar along with an Imperial minion as stage manager. They’re definitely not wearing cheap costume remakes either …except for the footwear since it was a steamy summer night when SouthSide recently saw them. Throughout the headlining performance, this reviewer was wowed and amazed by the tiniest attention to details …loving the vocal verbiage of Darth via Dark Vadar taunting a rebel named “Tim” into joining the dark side to the lighting sequence and stage props to immerse everyone, young and old, into a Star Wars atmosphere as well as an audience member experiencing one of Dark's infamous death choke on stage because he’s a traitor working with the rebel alliance. 

That poor audience member had no chance against the power of the dark side, blogspot readers. To say, SouthSide was a total geek during this performance would be an understatement. She was SO stoked o finally see Galactic Empire live …up close and personal enjoying such tracks like the Main Theme, Duel of the Fates and The Forest Battle (Dark hates the cuddly Ewoks). The best moment of the night was when Galactic rocked out Cobra Lounge with their metal version of the Cantina Band theme song …watch for the Imperial minion/stage manager liven up stage with his dancing, blogspot readers. To not reveal any more spoilers about a live Galactic Empire performance, this reviewer will end her review here by re-iterating her recommendation – go see this Star Wars-themed metal band live and snag a their debut CD too (other merch include t-shirts, pins, posters) while they’re touring the states. Check out their hilarious videos posted on their Facebook. SouthSide loved their latest one showing the parsec run to the nearest Taco Bell. For tour dates and ticket information, visit the band’s Facebook page. Also visit Galactic’s YouTube page. You would be wise to attend this most impressive show, blogspot readers.

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide