Friday Flashback - Goodness from the 80's

Terrific MP3 Hits from the 1980's for you to Download

Here’s some 80’s goodness for you to download and enjoy where I have also added a few specific requests apart from my favorites as usual. Starting with the lovely Annie Lennox -Eurythmics' 1986 hit “The Miracle of Love" from their third album ‘Revenge’, I have added the vintage funk band The Bar-Kays' re-release of their 1984 hit “Sexomatic” for its groovy soul flavor and the three-time Grammy Award-nominee Joan Armatrading’s UK top 40 hit "Drop the Pilot" from her 1983 album ‘The Key’.

If you are a fan of the new wave band “the Cars”, you’ll certainly enjoy Benjamin Orr’s 1987 radio hit “Too Hot to Stop”. Orr was the Cars’ bass guitar player and one of the vocalists behind many of their greatest hits including “Drive” and “Lets Go”. However, he is no more passing away in 2000. Other new wave additions include Jerry Harrison's (keyboardist + guitarist of Talking Heads) haunting “Man With A Gun”; British synth gay pop trio Bronski Beat’s 1984 anthemic hit "Smalltown Boy" and former Haircut 100 front man Nick Heyward’s 1988 hit “Tell Me Why” from his solo album ‘I Love You Avenue’

80’s rock fans will enjoy my addition of Billy Satellite’s 1984 debut Billboard Hot 100 hit "I Wanna Go Back", Pat Benator’s Grammy Award winning Billboard No.1 hit "Love Is a Battlefield" from her super successful 1984 album ‘Live from Earth’ and ex-Eagles Don Henley’s Grammy nominated all-time biggest hit "Dirty Laundry".

Considered as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time by Rolling Stone, Robbie Robertson’s “Shake This Town” is a request from a friend and is a great song with brooding undertones. Other requests include the former Chicago front man Peter Cetera’s "Daddy's Girl" from the 1987 hit soundtrack of ‘Three Men and a Baby’ and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jackson Browne’s “In The Shape Of A Heart”.

"Hold Me", a top 40 dance hit of Laura Branigan from her 1985 album of the same name and the 1988 Dance hit “I Want To Be Your Property” by the British act Blue Mercedes are personal favorites that I wanted to add in my last upload. Download and enjoy!!

1. Annie Lennox - Miracle of Love (4:33)
2. Bar-Kays - Sexomatic (12'' Mix) (6:25)
3. Benjamin Orr - Too Hot to Stop (4:19)
4. Billy Satellite - I Wanna Go Back (3:52)
5. Blue Mercedes - I Want To Be Your Property (3:15)
6. Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy (4:06)
7. Don Henley - Dirty Laundry (5:36)
8. Jackson Browne - In The Shape Of A Heart (5:42)
9. Jerry Harrison - Man With A Gun (4:37)
10. Joan Armatrading - Drop The Pilot (3:44)
11. Laura Branigan - Hold Me (4:47)
12. Nick Heyward - Tell Me Why (3:48)
13. Pat Benatar - Love Is A Battlefield (4:09)
14. Peter Cetera - Daddy's Girl (3:46)
15. Robbie Robertson - Shake This Town (5:23)

15 tracks in playlist, average track length: 4:32
Playlist length: 1 hour 8 minutes 2 seconds

Free Mp3 Download - 84.7 MB Zipped Folder – Multiupload link - http://su.pr/2OxVCQ
(links to Rapidshare, Megaupload, Deposit Files and More)

IF YOU LIKE EM, BUY EM!!

What I Saw This Week – 10 Movie Reviews

Here’s a quick round-up of my midnight movie sessions (new and repeats) during the last 2 weeks with reviews, ratings and download links of all the good flicks (wherever possible).

No Mercy (Richard Pearce, 1986/Thriller) – Richard Gere asks smokin-hot Kim Basinger How’s Bayou? And without waiting for a reply, handcuffs her into a S&M swampy love thang in the Louisiana outback. Basinger always seems doomed to play the unintelligent lust objects of good-looking, ruthlessly self-absorbed men, and here’s another performance to add to the roster. Gere’s looks are far more intense than his involvement in this part. A generic couple-on-the –lam thriller with more atmosphere than suspense but still watchable just for the electric chemistry between Gere and Basinger. Jeroen Krabbé also makes a great villain. Websnacker’s Rating – ***

Free Download DVDRIP Video weblink - Stagevu

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (John Hughes/1987/Comedy) – A worn-out advertising executive travelling home for Thanksgiving falls victim to an off-beat salesman when their plane is diverted due to bad weather. With no flights, it’s up to the two men to zigzag across country using any available means of transport, including the back of a farmer’s truck in a blizzard. A great comedy starring Steve Martin and the late John Candy made by the Home Alone director - the late John Hughes. The Cinemag "Total Film" has voted this movie the 10th greatest comedy film of all time. Websnacker’s Rating – ***1/2

Fled (Kevin Hooks/1996/Action/ Thriller) – A 90’s remake of The Defiant Ones (1958) starring Tony Curtis & Sidney Poitier, this features Lawrence Fishburne and Stephen Baldwin as 2 prison escapees who race against time to find an incriminating computer disk that could either bring down the Cuban Mafia or get them killed –whichever comes first. Hunted by the mob as well as the cops, the fugitives realize that on either side of the law, they lose. Co-starring a hot Salma Hayek and Will Patton. Websnacker’s Rating – ***

Bogus (Norman Jewsion/1996/Fantasy) – When his mom dies, young Albert (Haley Joel Osment - Fifth Sense) is sent to live with his Mother’s friend, Harriet (Whoopi Goldberg). Albert also brings his imaginary friend along – a gentle Parisian named Bogus played with aplomb by the French Superstar (Gerard Depardieu). Part playmate and part guardian angel, Bogus leads Albert and Harriet through an enlightening experience of trust, imagination and emotional bonding. In spite of a big budget and big stars, this movie miserably failed at the box office and also earned a Razzie nomination for Whoopie Goldberg. Websnacker’s Rating – **1/2

Phenomenon (Jon Turteltaub/1996/Fantasy) – When an ordinary small town guy (John Travolta) is struck by a blinding light, he is gifted with amazing intelligence and godlike telekinetic powers. Though his newfound genius turns him into a celebrity, old friends start to shun him. But as his intellect grows, so does his understanding of humanity around him, and a compassion for those who fear the changes within him. Except for an ending that I didn’t relish, this is a great movie to watch that also stars Robert Duvall, Forest Whitaker and Kyra Sedgwick besides a splendid soundtrack featuring Peter Gabriel, Eric Clapton and more. Websnacker’s Rating – ***

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A Shock To The System (Jan Egleson/1990/Thriller) – Michael Caine plays a New York advertising executive looking forward to his upcoming promotion. Everyone expects him to get it including his secretary, his co-workers and his wife. Not getting it would be…well… simply unacceptable. But his bosses pass him over because they say, he lacks the killer instinct. They are dead wrong. In this cold thriller, laced with wit and dry humor, Michael Caine lives out the fantasy that has probably been every junior executive’s dream at one time or another. Based on the novel of the same name by the British author Simon Brett. Will Patton, Elizabeth McGovern and Peter Riegert co star. Websnacker’s Rating – ***1/2

Free Download DVDRIP Video weblink - Stagevu

The Last of the Finest (John Mackenzie/1990/Action/Thriller) – Frank Daly is the head of a close knit undercover police unit. When close to cracking down on a drug kingpin, he and his unit are suspended. But these are not by-the-book cops. Instead of meekly complying; they mount their own renegade operation. What Daly and his squad members discover shocks even them; the drug operation is being protected by the federal government. Though Daly and his men know they are over-matched, they refuse to back down. A good action film starring Brian Dennehy, Bill Paxton, Joe Pantoliano and Jeff Fahey.Websnacker’s Rating – ***

The Prophet/ Un Prophete (Jacques Audiard/2009/Drama) – This 2010 Oscar nominated French import is a gritty, blood tinged prison drama set inside a small French prison. Featuring an atypical Arab Muslim hero, it defies stereotypical characterizations and explores multiracial and multicultural tensions that seem to define present day Europe. With stellar performances from the lead stars, a superb supporting cast and an eclectic euro soundtrack, this is a first rate foreign cinema that validates its Oscar credentials. Websnacker’s Rating – ****

Free Download Video weblink - Stagevu

Miss March (Trevor Moore/Zach Cregger/2009/Comedy) – Unless you wish to see a cheap imitation of Ace Ventura by one of the lead stars (who are also the film’s directors), this is a third rated sex comedy of a still-virgin loser who goes into coma during his first sexual encounter and then wakes up after 4 years to find that his girlfriend is now a Playboy Playmate. Barring a few genuinely funny jokes (which are really few) and a cameo by Playboy founder – Hugh Hefner which incidentally earned him a Razzie, this is forgettable fare. Websnacker’s Rating – *1/2

The Order aka The Sin Eater (Brian Helgeland/2003/Horror/Thriller)– Considering the fact that this had Heath Ledger, Peter Weller and was directed by Brian Helgeland, the writer of terrific movies like L.A.Confidential, Bourne Supremacy, Mystic River, the Taking of Pelham 123 besides many more, I had great expectations on this horror mystery thriller. Alas, this is an insipid muddle of Vatican religiosity and gothic drivel with some absolutely ridiculous dialogues that had me dozing off. Skip it. Websnacker’s Rating – *1/2

Flashback Wednesdays - Free Music Takeaway

Hard to Find Mp3 Rarities and More

This MP3 download post is a friend request that’s been pending for a long, long time. Not that I have been slothful but digging them out has been a herculean task of epic proportions. I use the word ‘Herculean’ since I have a colossal collection of ripped MP3s of various genres scattered around several computers and hard disks besides hundreds of cds and dvds of assorted denominations. Rummaging this enormous digital library of mine assembled over the last 10-12 years in one go this weekend had indeed been a taxing experience albeit a nostalgic trip to my evolving musical tastes and I enjoyed every bit of it.

I am sure you’ll all love this special collection of pop, pop rock and new wave hits (many of which you’ll probably hear for the first time). But before that, here’s a little history lesson on what’s in store inside.

On top is the hit single “Every Beat of the Heart” by the British rock band Railroad Children from their album “Recurrence" which became a No 1 Modern Rock hit in the US and also a Top 40 Hit in the UK. I have also added music from 3 Scottish Bands that demand a special mention. Del Amitri, the pop-rock guitar band from Glasgow; Geneva, British indie band from Aberdeen and my personal favorite pop rockers - The Big Dish with their immensely popular Top 40 UK hit single "Miss America".

For those of you, who thought Rupert Hines was just a producer for great acts like Underworld, Chris de Burgh, Tina Turner, Bob Geldof, Thompson Twins, Rush and many more, I have added a hit number “Arrested by You” from his solo ventures. You’ll also find Bruce Cockburn’s appealing anti-war anthem "If I Had a Rocket Launcher" (#88 in the US charts), WHO’s frontman Roger Daltrey’s 1985 hit “After The Fire" (#48 in the US charts), Warren Zevon’s sardonic radio hit "Searching for a Heart" and American songwriter Robbie Dupree’s 1981 hit "Brooklyn Girls" which scaled at #54 in the US charts.

Not forgetting my New Wave bias, you’ll find Eight Seconds' 1987 top-30 single "Kiss You (When It's Dangerous)" from their full-length album 'Almacantar', Eddie & the Tide’s “One in a Million” from their 1985 album “Go Out and Get It”, the 1987 hit “Kick the Wall” by Jimmy Davis & Junction and the super hit “To Live and Die in L.A.” from the movie/ soundtrack of the same name by the progressive British New Wave band - Wang Chung. It should be remembered that the movie’s director William Friedkin (Exorcist) was so impressed with their music that he purposely sought out Wang Chung to score for this 1985 cop drama starring Willem Dafoe and William Petersen.

For rarities, I have added Nick Gilder’s “Sabotage”, the hard to find Prime Movers' "Strong As I Am",

Shriekback's "This Big Hush" and Red 7's "Heartbeat” from the atmospheric soundtrack of Michael Mann's “Manhunter” – a prequel to the “Silence of the Lambs” that also incidentally starred William Petersen plus 2 superb tunes namely Tim Feehan’s “Where's the Fire” and La Marca’s “Hold on Blue Eyes” from the equally rare soundtrack of the Charlie Sheen supernatural flick “The Wraith”. Download and enjoy!

19 tracks in playlist, average track length: 4:21
Playlist length: 1 hour 22 minutes 54 seconds

1. Big Dish - Miss America (3:56)
2. Bruce Cockburn - If I Had a Rocket Launcher (4:59)
3. Del Amitri - Buttons On My Clothes (4:05)
4. Eddie and the Tide - One in a Million (4:07)
5. Eight Seconds - Kiss You (When It's Dangerous) (4:05)
6. Geneva - If You Have To Go (4:07)
7. Jimmy Davis & Junction - Kick The Wall (3:38)
8. La Marca - Hold on Blue Eyes(The Wraith Soundtrack) (4:01)
9. Nick Gilder - Sabotage (3:56)
10. The Prime Movers - Strong As I Am (4:36)
11. Railway Children - Every Beat of the Heart (4:08)
12. Red 7 - Heartbeat.mp3 (4:20)
13. Robbie Dupree - Brooklyn Girls (3:26)
14. Roger Daltrey - After The Fire (4:37)
15. Rupert Hine - Arrested By You (5:07)
16. Shriekback - This Big Hush (Manhunter Soundtrack) (6:10)
17. Tim Feehan - Where's the Fire (The Wraith Soundtrack) (4:25)
18. Wang Chung - To Live and Die in LA (4:53)
19. Warren Zevon - Searching For A Heart (4:18)

IF YOU LIKE EM, BUY EM!!

Link deleted! Sorry!!!

Remembering Jake Speed & Buckaroo Banzai

Cheesy, Retro but Great Action/Comedy Movies That You Probably Never Saw

When you are schoolboy young, one of the greatest dilemmas is branding yourself so your fellow classmates, your extended circle of friends and let’s not forget, all the pretty girls look up to you. Having been bestowed with neither Greek godish looks nor an Olympian body plus a terrible case of amnesia with mathematical formulas, I engrossed myself instead with books, comics, rock music, horror, sci-fi, fantasy and action movies and some more books - escaping into my own MTV infused imaginary world of flying saucers, serial killers, supermen, giant robots, dungeons, dragons, man-eating aliens and dazed damsels in distress.

Often, I would be so awed by something I would have seen or read that I would almost bore my classmates to death and the central character (mostly a super hero or a maverick private eye) would stay with me for days or weeks until a new one would supersede with even more vigor and panache. “Jake Speed” was one of them. The name of the hero in an awesome B movie of the same name, I was obsessively addicted to it that it almost became my pseudonym at school. You could find it in my notebooks, my bag, my bicycle, my watch, my cap and even my lunchbox.

Now looking back; I smile with amusement and satisfaction, content that in spite of all my perceived shortcomings, I was happy in my own imaginarium. So, reliving those carefree days of school and college, I present below some of the great supermen/super hero and action/comedy movies (which you have probably never seen or heard of) that inspired me and hopefully would do the same to you as well!!

For your added advantage, I have also added actual video web links of the some of them for your viewing pleasure.

1. Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (W.D.Richter/1984)– Cooler than James Bond, hipper than Indiana Jones and smarter than Conan the Barbarian, the fearless Buckaroo leads the team Banzai against the evil Dr. Lizardo and his slimy Lectrroids from planet 10. High speed, high-camp adventure spoof with one of my favs Peter Weller (Robocop) as the rock star/neuro-surgeon/super hero and a hilarious John Lithgow as his demented, scene stealing nemesis. Jeff Goldblum, Christopher Lloyd and Ellen Barkin co-star. A cult favorite now, this movie has inspired numerous movies, comics and spoofs the world over.



2. Adventures of Ford Fairlane (Renny Harlin/1990)- This movie starring the American stand-up comic Andrew Dice Clay as a maverick rock n' roll private detective is a weird diversion and certainly not for all tastes. Though made by the director who gave you massive hits like Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger and Deep Blue Sea, this was a box office dud in America. In fact, it won the 1990 Golden Raspberry for Worst Actor, Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay. It was also nominated for Worst Director and twice for Worst Supporting Actor. However, it evolved into a cult hit on video with distinct popularity across Europe especially in Norway, Spain and Hungary that continues to this day. Co-starring Priscilla Presley (ex-wife of Elvis Presley), Lauren Holly and Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street)


3.Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother (Gene Wilder/1977)– In the spirit of mentor Mel Brooks, Wilder’s first directorial effort is all skits – many of them hysterically funny but with little continuity. However, there’s a unique sweetness in this period comedy as well as a sense of craft that’s often missing in Brooks’ caustic work. The cast which includes Wilder, the late Marty Feldman and Madeleine Kahn as a conniving femme fatale is delightful and fun to watch.


4. Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (Peter Hewitt/1991)– Having completely missed the first part – Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure; thanks to a pen pal I got to see this exciting sequel first. Starring a young Keanu Reeves with great support from Alex Winter, Joss Ackland and William Sadler, this is a superlative sci-fi teen adventure comedy that hasn’t aged over the years though its not exactly superhero material. For those who have already seen it, the brilliant premise of Bill and Ted challenging Death to a game to win back their lives is a direct reference to the famous Ingmar Bergman film The Seventh Seal, in which a determined knight plays chess with the Grim Reaper in an attempt to save his life.


5. Billy Jack (T.C. Frank a.k.a. Tom Laughlin/1971)– An amazingly popular film back in the early 70’s reminiscent of Shaft, I saw it 20 years later when I was in high school. Strong silent half-breed Billy Jack (Tom Laughlin) is the liberals answer to Charles Bronson – he protects women and minorities against greedy white bigots. Laughlin directed and along with his appealing co-star and real life wife Delores Taylor, wrote and produced under various pseudonyms. The movie is melodramatic and manipulative as hell but it works: you’ll be rooting for Billy Jack all the way. Apparently, this pic was a big hit then but spawned two terrible sequels.


6. Cloak and Dagger (Richard Franklin/1984)– E.T’s Henry Thomas plays a little boy obsessed with the adventures of an imaginary hero in this hitchcockian adventure mystery. When Thomas witnesses an actual murder, no one believes him. Dabney Coleman shines in the dual roles of Thomas’ father and the fantasy playmate. A great watch for all times.

7. Eliminators (Peter Manoogian/1986)– Here goes the story – A man who’s half man/half tank seeks revenge on a megalomaniac who wants to be Julius Caesar. On his journey, he enlists the help of a beautiful young scientist (who has single –handedly discovered matter transport), her foot-high robot, a conniving river guide and a kung fu master. Sound like Wizard of Oz? Wait. They have to invade the castle yet. Actually, the whole thing is quite amusing. If your dream is to see Bing Cosby’s granddaughter in a wet T-shirt, this is your film. This movie was also released as "Decapitron.



8. Jake Speed (Andrew Lane/ 1986)– A fictitious storybook hero comes to life to rescue the kidnapped sister of the heroine in this cult hit action comedy which actually failed at the box office. Silly light hearted rip off of a hundred other adventure films but made with pizzazz and loads of style, this slowly grows on you and proves its cult following. And if like me, you’re a fan for this kind of stuff, it may just be what you have been looking for. Starring Wayne Crawford, Dennis Christopher and John Hurt, this has music by X-files’ Mark Snow and was novelized into a book after the movie’s release.


9. Remo Williams (Guy Hamilton/1985)– Based on a series of action/adventure mass market books, this movie translates into good action/adventure fun. Fred Ward plays the ex-cop whose death is staged so he can be resurrected as Remo Williams, super agent for a secret agency. But Remo’s transformation isn’t complete without an unrecognizable Joel Grey in amazing make-up as an oriental master who teaches him how to dodge bullets. Thanks to this movie, we’ll always remember that at one time there was scaffolding around the Statue of Liberty. Director Hamilton also directed many James Bond features including Gold Finger.


10. Romancing the Stone (Robert Zemeckis/1984)– If you can buy red-hot Kathleen Turner as a mousy romance novelist, you’ll have no problem with the other implausibilities here in this popular flick. A fast paced comedic action adventure following Turner’s repressed writer from New York to South America where she meets Michael Douglas, a cocky, self-absorbed soldier of fortune. Danny DeVito and Zack Norman make amusing lowlife villains. The real gem in this mad cap treasure hunt is sexy, funny, irresistible Kathleen Turner and her electric chemistry with Michael Douglas. One of the best films from 1984.


11. Traxx (Jerome Gary/1988)– All the action of Rambo with all the humor of Airplane. Meet Traxx – this man has just blown away six terrorists, dynamited a drug smuggling compound and baked a dozen cookies; he’s a chocolate chip’ off the old ‘Rambo” block… so reads the DVD blurb and pretty much sums up what Traxx is all about. Starring the former American Top 40 host Shadoe Stevens in the lead, Traxx is a wacky comedy but with an acquired taste. Enjoy.

Please share your comments especially your favorites. I would really love to hear from you all or email me.

Saturday Ear Candy - Free Mp3s to Download

Free Music For the Weekend
Its been quite a while since I shared MP3s on this blog. So, go ahead and download the zipped MP3 folder and let my tuneful collection of awesome earcandy wash over you. Its mostly Pop-Rock with a little bit of Electronic Synthpop, New Wave and Alternative Rock. Nothing too heavy, just great tunes and very goooood muzik. Enjoy!

Abra Moore - After All These Years (3:52)
Adam Cohen - Hey Jane (4:00)
A-ha - You Will Never Get Over Me (5:38)
Beloved - Hello (4:18)
Beth Orton/William Orbit - Faith will carry (6:13)
Bjork & David Arnold ft Paul - Play Dead (4:04)
Boo Radleys - There She Goes. (2:19)
Breit Brothers - When Its Over (3:43)
Collective Soul - Needs (5:21)
Conjure One - Tears From the Moon (4:19)
Crazytown - Starry Eyed Suprise (3:44)
Cure - Burn (6:39)
DC Talk - Consume Me (4:50)
Deepest Blue - Shooting Star (4:14)
Del Amitri - Driving with the Breaks On (4:40)
Depeche Mode - Dream On (4:20)
Devlins - Almost Made You Smile (4:57)
Diesel - Tip of My Tongue (3:53)
Hooverphonics - Eden (3:33)
Wartapes - Dreaming of You (4.33)

20 tracks in playlist, average track length: 4:27. Estimated playlist length: 1 hour 34 minutes 4 seconds. Hear all of them and if you like 'em, share your comments please.

FREE MP3s Download link - 89.8 MB Zip File - http://su.pr/2KRcbD