OmarBradley

If I were to rank all the Peter Jackson Tolkien films, A Unexpected Journey would easily be last. I mean I hope Jackson just remembers how to make a good movie during the next two.

I agree, but in my opinion the LOTR trilogy only got better with each film. I'm thinking it will be pretty similar with The Hobbit trilogy.

Legendary? None. There really hasn't been a guitarist with that level of cult of personality since Slash. I hope another one comes along soon, but the new bands I'm hearing..... it's not looking promising. I'm not saying there aren't any good new guitarists out there, but none of them have that ndistinguishable characteristic that makes Jimmy Page, Hendrix, Slash, SRV, etc. so legendary. Originality is also part of it, and new bands are more generally more unoriginal than a <insert analogy here because I don't feel like thinking of one and it's 3AM>.

Yojimbo

Liked The Hobbit, looking forward to the next two.

Just watched a mini-series adaptaion of Jack London's Sea Wolf. Starring Sebastian Koch and Tim Roth; it was really great if you're into sea thrillers/Jack London (it's on Netflix).

Did you see the first Machete film? If you liked that, odds are you'll enjoy the second one. Very over the top, makes the first one look tame. And the trailer for Machete Kills Again...In Space is classic

Unfortunately, no. My Trejo catalog includes basically all of the Robert Rodriguez movies, Breaking Bad, The Killing Jar, and I think he was in the Spy Kidz movie. The problem with things like Grindhouse/Machete is that I haven't seen any of them, and I feel like if I watched one I'd have to watch them all, which I definitely do not have the time for.

Honestly, I don't think anyone compares to Slash when it comes to doing lead on a clean acoustic or electric. He is brilliant. So much expression in his playing.

So much expression when he plays ANYTHING on guitar. Its been said many times by famous musicians that a lot of the reason they thought he would be one of the greats is because he always seems so passionate playing. And he still is. Funny, because you'd think that should be that hard for guitarists, but there is something special whenever watching Slash. It really does seem like every time he's playing for his life (maybe a bit of an overstatement, but you know what I mean).

Thats the one thing I've always felt was lacking about post Slash GNR shows. Maybe because the guitarists didn't write the songs they don't get as into it, but the one thing I've always thought was the low point of current GNR shows is NONE of the guitarists up there exude that same emotion Slash does. That's why he's so irreplaceable.

I totally agree. Slash is my fave guitarist. Anytime I see him do solos on a clean or barely distorted guitar though... mind=blown. All these speed players are hiding behind effects (delay, wah, saturated distortion) and Slash coasts on just a touch of lead gain. You watch the Ritz 88 show, you can see how little distortion he actually uses. Then there's the solo in this version of Patience, that blows my mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njCUxuxjR1M#t=3m30s

Of course, Axl's voice there is also unbeatable.

That's the difference between a GNR concert and a Slash concert to me. At GNR, you're seeing a show, these are hired guys paid to play songs and put on a show (except Axl). At a Slash concert, you get a performance. He wrote the songs, he plays them because he wants to, not because he's paid to.

As for the effects, couldn't agree more. I'm not completely anti-effects, but I hate when guitarists (good or bad) cover their tone in delay, chorus, flange, etc. A bit of reverb and some EL34 distortion is all you need for straight up hard rock (GNR). Obvious exceptions for specific parts which call for effects though (KOHD intro, Jungle intro, etc.).

Listen sweetie,

I know you're trying to contribute, but you're sinking quick. Pathetic? Do you even have a clue of reality?

So your definition of being a fan is to bend over and take whatever GNR has got coming right in the ass then? The statement from Fernando is insulting. It's not proper grammar. I'm a fan of GNR, why? The music. The live shows. Not because some mommy is enabling and managing my favorite rockstar into more idiocy.

Cool, support the band all you want. But it's a simple concept. If someone is unhappy with the product they spend their hard earned cash on, they're in the right to complain if they're not happy with the product. Not sure if you're secretly in team brazil or something, but...ugh I'm done this isn't even a band it's a cover act.

Sums it up pretty well I think.

Ali: you're not going to change anyone's mind, people are pissed, as they should be. Leave it at that.

I think all I've seen this year is World War Z, The World's End, and Machete Kills. Loved all 3, but none are "movie of the year" quality.

Still looking forward to The Counselor, Ender's Game, and The Hobbit. I can already say with 100% certainty The Hobbit will be my favorite film of the year.

Yeah World's End was good. Machete Kills looked fun, classic Trejo, didn't see it though. I'm with you on The Hobbit.

Rush

And we joined within a week of each other... people are going to think something's up. Mod's can verify our IP addresses are different.

I guess I see, this is not so much as direct influence as it is similar chord progressions/scales/sound effects. As you correctly noted, color/timbre changes the sound of the riffs on CD even though the progressions, intervals, melodies, or effects may be the same as some 70's songs. I think that's what you're saying?

I understand what you're trying to do. But I do not understand your process in hearing these influences in these songs. 1987-1994 GNR? Sure, any time I'm listening I'll note which licks are Joe Perry, Jimmy Page, Rory Gallagher, Bo Diddley, and which arrangements are reminiscent of 70's standards (not many). But CD's connection to 70's rock is dubious at best.

EDIT: Now that I'm listening to Prostitute, I think I can hear a combination of Nights in White Satin, Rock N' Roll All Nite, Runnin' With the Devil, and Anthem in it.

I saw Kiss at Madison Square Garden in 2010. Disappointing, Buckcherry opened and much to my surprise they kicked fucking a$$. Saw Ace's band a few weeks later, probably paid 1/3rd of the price of a Kiss ticket, and got 3 times a better show. Looking forward to seeing Ace again. Ace and Peter should form their own band and call it Hug.

Albums? No. I'd like to hear it, but I wouldn't want to pay $100 to hear what is essentially already a cover band do even more covers. I do think it's time to switch out some of the covers though like Riff Raff, Rosie, Seeker, etc. Nothing wrong with them, just time for some new ones.

Though on an unrelated note: I am a big TPB fan, great name.

The problem with the film is simply the collaboration. Ridley is obviously great, and Cormac McCarthy is great. They just don't mesh well together and to be honest I wouldn't really expect them to. That pairing makes for a very awkward film with a script thats already awkward or not.

Ridley hasn't made a good movie though in a long time. His last good thing was Kingdom of Heaven, which was beyond excellent, and that was nearly 10 years ago. Since then, American Gangster was underwhelming, Body Of Lies was pretty forgettable, and Robin Hood failed horribly to live up to expectations. Prometheus seems to a toss up, as many loved it and many thought it was pretty bland. I am in the latter category and went in with pretty low expectations already. I'm not the biggest Alien fan, so I guess that has something to do with it, but I thought it was another pretty forgettable film, especially given the huge budget and star power. Fassbender was great, but everything else didn't really live up to expectations. I don't quite see him improving with a sequel.

God dammit, for some reason you and I have almost the exact same views on everything.

It failed hard this week. Ridley's already planning Prometheus 2.

That's been in the works for some time now I think. Thought Prometheus was good, not great. I'll see the second one, but I'm not holding my breath for anything amazing.

I heard when Scorsese offered him the role he had to go to Italy to find him since he was working there as a cobbler.

I think it was Ireland? And good call with John Hurt.

Daniel Day-Lewis is insane. He takes method acting to the point that is disturbing.

I read the during the filming of GONY he got pneumonia because he wore the Bill the Butcher outfit everywhere he went off set. And the crew apparently got pissed at him for him having them wheel him around the set of My Left Foot even when they weren't shooting. And apparently Paul Dano had a problem with him throwing those bowling balls at the end of TWBB. I'm sure there's more of this stuff, he should write a book when he retires.

I've been keeping tabs on this on Wikipedia since late 2010, cannot wait to see this movie. Haven't had the time this weekend, but I'll certainly see it this week. Great director, writer, cast, and plot.

EDIT: Just looked up some reviews...... not so good, I'll still see it though.

Fully agree with a few of those.

Day-Lewis is obvious and Spacey is great as well.

Totally forgot Rockwell. He was great in Moon.

Yeah he doesn't get as much mainstream attention as the usual suspects (pun intended). He was great in 7 Psychopaths, Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind, and supporting roles in Frost/Nixon and The Green Mile.

Kevin Spacey

Javier Bardem

Michael Fassbender

Brad Pitt

Bryan Cranston

Daniel Craig

Forgot to mention Cranston, good call. I really hope he starts primarily doing movies now that BB is over, I see an Oscar or two in his future if he lands the right roles.

Right now?

Spacey, Rockwell, Norton, Day-Lewis, Bardem, Kingsely, Fiennes (Ralph), Caine is still killing it. I like Fassbender a lot.

Even if "GN'R fans" are used to years and years of bullshit, I don't see how that would warrant the personal attacks. Skepticism? Cynicism? Sure, I understand. But, you can express those things without calling someone a loser or saying they're pathetic.

Ali

I guess I don't have an argument against that point. I can understand why people are upset, I just don't care this point. Personal attacks may not be warranted, but when its your job to be a liaison (person) to a group of fans (people), there is always going to be personal attacks. Example: President Obama, CEO's of major corporations, movie stars, celebrities, sports stars, etc. It's part of modern culture.

I too am curious how Snakepit material gets picked. I basically love most of those two records, but I am so confused when things get chosen from them. Like why of everything else does Just Like Anything get played?! I don't not like it, its just such a weird choice. And why Serial Killer after three years? Guess maybe it has to do with Myles' voice. I don't think he'd work on What Do You Want From Me, etc. But its so weird what gets chosen. I know they played Dime Store Rock once and then like never again. What the fuck is up with that lol? Guess you don't really know either. It would be one of the first questions I would ask Slash if I were to ever meet up. I'd love to hear stuff like Ain't Life Grand, Landslide, Life's Sweet Drug, Take It Away, Neither Can I. I just question why he picks stuff like Shine and Speed Parade and Just Like Anything over those.

As my signature will confirm, I've seen Slash something like 8 times. I think I've heard Just Like Anything 5 times, Mean Bone 5 times, and Speed Parade 3-4 times. Serial Killer 0, Been There Lately 0, and Beggars & Hangers On 3 times. That should be reversed. And yeah, whats up with Dime Store Rock being played once in 2010 and then never again? You hit the nail on the head with what should be played, ALG, Landslide, LSD, TIA, etc. I'd have to add Rusted Heroes, Monkey Chow, and The Truth to that list, though they might be too obscure to be played. Marc, next time you see Slash, tell him the fans (well two of us ) want more Snakepit if you could.

The only thing worthwhile on Ultimate-Guitar is the news section. And even thats a stretch. I really just visit it now to see what they'll get wrong about stories I heard 2 days before.

Their headlines are an abomination.

Agreed. More to the point, even if you didn't find his update worded as well as it could have been or as useful in its content as you would've hoped for, I don't see how it was worthy of insults being hurled towards Fernando. If nothing else, the statement was polite and courteous and undeserving of personal attacks as a response.

Ali

It's the fact that the "update" said nothing. In the mind of GNR management, it was an appetizing string of sentences which should have cooled fan tension. In reality, since the "update" had no content, it caused the direct opposite. GNR fans are smarter than people think they are... or they're just used to years and years of bullshit and can tell when they're reading bullshit. Probably the second one.