ROTR Organizers Announce Early Details For 2014 Festival

Courtesy: MSO PR

The 2013 edition of the annual Rock on the Range festival was one of the biggest that organizers of the annual event have ever experienced.  2013 saw the annual event completely sell out.  Seeing the success that the festival had in 2013, festival organizers have announced that the festival will now expand to three full days this year. The festival, which will run from May 16^th – May 18^th this year, will be headlined by three very big name acts.  Those acts are Guns N’ Roses, Avenged Sevenfold, and Kid Rock.

While the trio of aforementioned bands will headline the once again expanded festival (last year saw the festival expand to three nights) are big names in themselves, they won’t be the only bands to perform at this year’s show.  Also scheduled to perform this year are: Seether, Five Finger Death Punch, Slayer, Staind, Motorhead, Chevelle, Alter Bridge, Mastodon, Black Label Society and Killswitch Engage among many others.  The complete lineup of bands scheduled to perform at this year’s ROTR Festival is listed below.

2014 ROCK ON THE RANGE BAND LINEUP

Guns N’ Roses, Avenged Sevenfold, Kid Rock, Five Finger Death Punch, Slayer, Staind, Motorhead, Seether, Chevelle, Alter Bridge, Mastodon, Black Label Society, Killswitch Engage, Bring Me The Horizon, Theory of a Deadman, Down, Black Stone Cherry, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience, Pop Evil, Of Mice & Men, Adelitas Way, Trivium, Gojira, Suicidal Tendencies, The Pretty Reckless, We Came as Romans, Fuel, Redlight King, Miss May I, Reignwolf, Thousand Foot Krutch, Texas Hippie Coalition, Rev Theory, Skindred, Kyng, Fozzy, Heaven’s Basement, Butcher Babies, Nothing More, Exodus, King 810, Devour the Day, We As Human, We Are Harlot, Kvelertak, Jim Breuer Band, One OK Rock, Twelve Foot Ninja, Avatar, WERM, Monster Truck, Wilson, Crobot and Truckfighters with comedians Jim Breuer, Jim Florentine and more.

Audiences will note that along with the lineup up some of the biggest names in the rock world, this year’s festival also boasts the return of the ROTR Comedy Tent.  Jim Breuer, Jim Florentine, and a number of up-and-coming comedians will perform at the ROTR Comedy Tent.

Weekend passes including Field General Admission, Stadium General Admission, hotel and VIP packages and a stadium four-pack go on sale Friday, January 24^th at 10am ET.  More ticket information is available online at http://www.RockOnTheRange.com.  Additional information and updates on this year’s festival is available online at http://www.facebook.com/rockontherange and http://twitter.com/rockontherange.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Williams’ Latest Live Release A Unique Performance

Courtesy: Image Entertainment

Harland Williams is one of the most unique individuals in the modern history of stand-up comedy.  This comedian has already made millions laugh with his roles in the likes of Half Baked, Dumb and Dumber, and Rocketman.  He has also entertained the masses with his stand-up routine all across the late night talk shows.  Now, Williams is back again with a live DVD unlike any that his counterparts have released.  It’s unlike anything that audiences have seen, too.  For all intents and purposes, Williams’ new DVD, A Force of Nature is less a live release than a one man show set out in nature.

As odd as it may seem to have a one man show outdoors, it’s actually rather smart. What audiences get in this new DVD release is just Harland Williams, a series of cameras, and nature; nothing else.  Williams even notes to viewers that there are no audiences to cue them when to laugh.  It’s just audiences watching him perform.  And if he thinks viewers should laugh at one point or another, he throws sunflower seeds at the camera.  Yes this is juvenile to say the least.  But in its own bizarre way, it may make some audiences laugh.  Speaking of knowing when to laugh, most audiences won’t have to worry about knowing when to laugh as his material is so off the wall that one can’t help but laugh, even as disturbing as some of his material is.  He spends roughly a good ten minutes going on a rant about what he calls “SOs” or Successful Orgasms.  Needless to say, this material is not something that would be considered safe for younger viewers.  But older audiences won’t be able to hold back the laughs, as childish as Williams acts throughout this part of his act.  It’s just one part of what will keep audiences watching and laughing.  Williams also goes on rants of sorts about hecklers, predator drones, and so much more.

Williams’ act aside, another factor that makes his new release interesting is its production values.  Considering that Williams spends his entire near hour long performance outside, he must have had a wind screen on his mic.  That’s assumed as there’s no wind noise going through his mic.  And the camera work adds to Williams’ almost manic delivery.  This may come across as something minor to most audiences.  But as he notes early in the program, what audiences get in this performance isn’t one of those performances held in what is essentially a controlled environment.  Even the production crew is at the mercy of Mother Nature here.  And considering how small his space was in which to perform, the camera crew did an impressive job of staying up with Williams’ constant movement rather than leaving viewers feeling dizzied, trying to keep up with him.  It’s one more positive to the overall experience.

Needless to say that considering Williams brand of comedy both in his material and in the presentation, Harland Williams has created in A Force of Nature a stand up performance that is unlike anything else.  The production values of this release add their own positive element, too.  It all comes together to make for a DVD that is a good introduction for Williams’ new audiences, and an equally entertaining piece for more experienced audiences.  It’s available in stores and online now.  Audiences can keep up with all the latest from Harland on his official Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/officialharlandwilliams on his official website, http://harlandwilliams.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/harlandwilliams.  Audiences can even get all of his latest podcasts online for free at http://bit.ly/buaFvX.

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Dick Van Dyke Show Blu-Ray Set A Welcome Re-Issue

Courtesy: Image Entertainment

The newly re-issued Dick Van Dyke Show: The Complete Series is one of the most welcome box sets of 2012.  This fifteen disc box set brings together the show’s full five-season run from 1961 to 1966.  At a time when so much programming on television today is anything but family friendly, this re-issued set resurrects one of television’s greatest programs for a whole new generation of audiences.

This new Blu-ray release isn’t the first time that the Dick Van Dyke show has been released to the public.  But it’s a welcome return for one of television’s most revered names and sitcoms.  From funny episodes such as ‘All About Eavesdropping’ and ‘Never Bathe on Saturday’ to the hilarious ‘Coast to Coast Bigmouth’, the show had more than its share of laughs throughout its run on CBS.  The show’s episodes have never looked better.  What’s makes it even more of a joy to watch is that it is a relic of a bygone era in television.  Add in a bevy of special features, and any true classic television buff will find this a welcome gift under the Christmas tree this year.

The Dick Van Dyke Show is one of the most respected and revered sitcoms in television history first and foremost for its writing.  Unlike so much of today’s programming, this is a classic sitcom in which every episode was a stand-alone episode.  Viewers didn’t have to worry about missing an episode or another to be able to enjoy the show.  Every show was a different episode all in itself.  In comparison to so much of what is on television today, being able to enjoy each episode without having to know what happened in the previous episode is a breath of fresh air.  It’s something which today’s generation knows next to nothing about as so many network programmers have leaned more in favor of serials.  With any luck, the resurgence of shows such as this and The Carol Burnett Show among others will prove to those programmers the value and importance of this style programming.

That fans can enjoy The Dick Van Dyke Show without worrying about each episode’s storyline from one to the next is one of the most important values of this show.  It isn’t the show’s only value, though.  The show’s writing also goes into its general content, too.  Again, in comparison to so much of today’s programming, this show is one of those breaths of fresh air in that it’s something which the entire family can enjoy together.  It mixes great physical comedy with family friendly jokes that will get the entire family laughing from one episode to the next.  The proof is in the pudding.  The show’s episode, ‘Never Bathe on Saturday’ earned the show a Primetime Emmy in the “Outstanding Comedy Series.”  That’s just one of its accolades.  For those who have never seen this classic episode, Rob and Laura go to a hotel for a romantic honeymoon.  But when Laura goes into the bathroom of the couple’s hotel room to try out the tub, she gets her toe stuck in the tub’s faucet.  The resulting jokes and comedy are proof of why the show won its Emmy for this episode.  Like so many other episodes from this classic sitcom, it’s a simple story with a simple and family friendly story that is still one of the show’s most beloved episodes to this very day.  And it’s just one tiny piece of evidence of what makes this show so timeless.  Thanks to Image Entertainment, families and fans can enjoy every episode and find their own favorite with every watch.

The show’s writing exhibits both intrinsically and extrinsically, the show’s value.  The writing makes all the difference in the show’s continued success nearly five decades after it ended.  Now on its new Blu-ray release, the writing continues to play a major role in the show’s continued success.  The show looked great on its original multi-disc DVD set.  Now on its new Blu-ray re-issue, the footage has never looked better.  It looks even sharper than ever.  It is crystal clear.  Given, the older grainy footage of the older DVD release is great for creating an extra sense of nostalgia.  But seeing it cleaned up so precisely without losing any quality from the original masters is incredible in its own right.  There are those who will and have had their own say about how the footage has been cleaned up.  But the very fact that there are those who want to preserve the show should make those critics change their minds.  Keeping in mind the outstanding quality of this show’s transfers to HD, its overall writing, and the equally interesting bonus features that have been carried over from the previous DVD release, The Dick Van Dyke Show on Blu-ray will be a great addition under the tree for any classic television buff this holiday season.

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Artist/Comedian Jim Bianco Releases Video For New Single

Jim Bianco has got to be one of the most immature and funniest individuals around.  This singer/songwriter has just released a video for the lead single from his new album, Loudmouth.  The song in question is titled, ‘That’s What She Said.’  No, really.  It’s exactly what listeners think.  It will bring out the immature child in all of us and make everyone laugh.  The video for ‘That’s What She Said’ is a complete farce.  It presents Bianco dressed like a wanna-be gangster in some scenes, as one of those kids from Jersey Shore in another, and even in a speedo (yes, he really went there) in others.  How’s that for a thought?  The whole time, the entire song is loaded with nothing but “That’s what she said” jokes that will leave the teenager in any of us laughing. 

The video for ‘That’s What She Said’ can be viewed here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvspyImWCAo.  After checking out his new video, audiences can get all the latest news and more from Jim Bianco online at http://www.facebook.com/officialjimbianco, http://twitter.com/JimBiancoTweets, http://www.youtube.com.user/jimbianco, and http://jimbianco.com. 

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Portlandia Season Two Another Laugh Riot

Courtesy: Independent Film Channel/Video Services Corporation

It’s time for another trip up the road to the one and only Portlandia.  The second season of this twisted, bizarre and completely outlandish sketch comedy show is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray.  One part Saturday Night Live and one part The Kids in The Hall, this little show that could is obviously a niche show.  It’s not for everybody.  But for those who are open minded enough, this oddity of a show is a good escape from everything else currently cluttering the airwaves.

Portlandia’s second season offers more than its share of laughs.  Those who are not entirely enthused over this season are likely missing its whole point.  As with Season One, this second season continues to completely poke fun at the standard holier-than-thou too hip for the hip 90’s crowd who are stuck in that age to this day, as well as other groups.  For instance, audiences are introduced to Spyke and Iris as they plan their wedding in the episode, “Cool Wedding.”  Both Spyke and Iris fit that stereotype.  And seeing them trying to go against the grain in planning the wedding will leave anyone laughing.  It’s complete absurdity.  But there’s also a certain amount of truth to their characters as there are people still like them out there today.

Courtesy: Independent Film Channel/Video Services Corporation

Another great example from Season Two of its success comes in the form of “One More Episode.”  This episode pokes fun not just at the world of science fiction and its sometimes overly devoted fan base.  Audiences get to see what happens when Carrie and Fred start watching the recent Battlestar galactic series on DVD.  They keep saying they’ll only watch one more episode.  They become so wrapped up in the series that they lose sight of everything else.  They even become so obsessed that they go off in search of a man they think helped write for the show (but obviously didn’t).  Again, there actually is a certain amount of truth to this as there really are people like that.  The addition of guest stars Edward James Olmos and James Callis as themselves make this one even funnier.

Fans will also laugh out loud as a young man with the Surfrider Foundation tries to get a woman to sign his petition to ban plastic bags.  When she declines, his parents and even his grandparents get involved.  There’s even a great politically incorrect bit during the season’s first episode, “Mixology” that will no doubt stir up some debate among audiences.  It all comes together with the season’s other bits to make for plenty of laughs and a great escape from the current river of mindless reality television that currently pollutes the airwaves today.  Portlandia is now available on DVD and blu-ray. 

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Paul Rodriguez’s New DVD A Funny And Touching Performance

Courtesy: Image Entertainment

Paul Rodriguez’s performance in his new DVD, Just For The Record is interesting.  His story of coming from Mexico to live in different regions of California will illicit both laughs and even some tears.  That combination of emotions makes for a performance that any comedy fan should see at least once.  It gives a whole new face to what people think of as comedy.

Just For The Record opens with Rodriguez sharing his story of how he and his family came to America from Mexico and moved to Fresno, California.  He makes light of his youth there, bringing about plenty of laughs, especially at the expense of his parents.  At the same time, he also openly expresses his admiration for his parents, and everything that they sacrificed for him, making for plenty of laughs and warm memories.  One of the best of those memories was his story about a bicycle that he got as a boy.  He tells of some money that he got from his parents.  He tells his audience that his father explained to him that he knew Paul wanted that bicycle so badly. So his parents sacrificed the money for it so that Paul could have the bicycle.  He even brings it out on stage.  The story’s punch line comes as he tells his father’s reaction after that.  It instantly makes that warm memory suddenly a laugh riot.  He expands a little bit, telling how he’s gone through this relationship issue and that.  But through it all, that bicycle had been a constant in his life.  That alone is worth its share of laughs.

Rodriguez’s performance offers even more laughs throughout his near ninety minute performance.  But he also offers some more serious moments, too.  One of them comes as he tells the audience about his time living in Compton.  He tells the story of how he experienced a drive-by first hand and saw a girl get shot in the head right next to him.  He explains how he took off his own shirt and wrapped it around the girl’s head in an attempt to save her.  He ties this in to later being subpoenaed as part of the case against the men arrested for the drive by.  The thing is that he was in the military on the other side of the world at the time.  This little tie-in anecdote makes for some laughs, lightening the mood a little bit.  But he never loses his audience.  That in itself is impressive.  He tells his audience that the men arrested for the case were convicted and sent to jail, and closes with how he hopes they stay there and rot.  This single moment shows that while Rodriguez has great comedic timing, he also has heart.  He knows just how to balance comedy with more serious matters in order to make for a show that will keep even home audiences watching from start to finish.

Just For The Record offers even more laughs and heartfelt moments than can be listed in one sitting.  Needless to say, anyone who wants an escape from the constant barrage of negativity in the news and the work-a-day world will greatly benefit from sitting down with this new DVD from a man who is even on his own not just one of the Latin Kings of Comedy, but one of the Kings of Comedy in general.  Fans can always get all the latest news, tour dates, and more from Paul Rodriguez online at http://www.paulrodriguez.com.

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New Steve Martin Box Set Is One Wild And Crazy Retrospective

Courtesy: Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory has proven time and again throughout 2012 why it is one of the leaders in home entertainment.  With releases of so many classic Nicktoons and even the entire original G.I. Joe series alongside the release of the horror classic, They Live, and so many great music releases, one can only wonder what Shout! Factory will do next to top itself.  What to do?  What to do?  How about a triple disc DVD box set profiling the early career of entertainment legend Steve Martin?  Bingo!

“Steve Martin:  The TV Stuff” is the latest release from Shout! Factory’s stable of top notch releases.  Anyone who is a fan of this veteran comedian/actor/musician/author (heck, just call him a jack of all trades), will find this to be an invaluable addition to their own home library.  The triple-disc set follows Martin’s career from 1978 – 2005.  While audiences won’t find much in the way of his work on Saturday Night Live, they will love seeing his 1978 stand-up act taken from HBO archives.  This nearly hour-long performance is funny.  There’s no arguing that.  But audiences should also know that it isn’t meant for younger audiences due to language and other content.  That aside, it’s still a great piece of nostalgia for any comedy fan or fan of Martin himself.  Some of the best moments in this performance include his banjo playing and his magic (yes, magic) act.  On a similar note, audiences will really enjoy the commentary included on each disc. 

The commentary included on this first disc of the set includes some history from Martin himself.  He explains how he eventually came to work in front of the camera versus behind it.  He explains that he originally wanted to be a magician when he was growing up.  That would account for the addition of the little magic act in his original 1978 stand up set.  He also adds some interesting other tidbits such as how he started his early television career writing for very famous television shows including:  The Smothers Brothers, Sonny & Cher, and The Cher Show.  There’s even mention of where is now famed bit with the fake arrow through the head came from.  Each disc contains its own commentary from Martin.  This is just a tiny sample of what audiences can expect.  And as this reviewer has pointed out so many times before, factors such as this are more proof of the importance of bonus features on DVD’s and blu-rays.  This is one of those cases where the bonus commentary adds so much more to the entire viewing experience.  So kudos once more to Shout! Factory for this inclusion.

His 1978 HBO stand-up act and the commentary are just a couple elements that make this box set enjoyable for any Steve Martin fan.  Also included in the set are his NBC television specials.  Those specials include many of the skits from throughout the years that he’s done.  Fans will love the likes of “Turtle Boy.”  And hearing country legend Johnny cash discussing astrophysics with Steve in his Steve Martin Variety Show skit is hilarious.  There are even appearances by Martin’s SNL cast mates in one of his later TV specials. 

“Steve Martin:  The TV Stuff” may only be comprised of three discs.  But in those three discs, Shout! Factory has managed to compile so much footage from Martin’s career.  Whether it be the skits, the interviews, the standup material, or even the bonus commentary by Martin, this triple-disc set is a wonderful retrospective on his career on the small screen.  The new set will be available in stores and online tomorrow.  It can be ordered direct via Shout! Factory’s website at http://www.shoutfactorystore.com.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.