Alex J. Cavanaugh's Blog, page 44

Retro A to Z Challenge: Q – Queensryche 1988 (plus Batman Vs Superman, Captain America 3, and The Mummy reboot)

Queensryche – Operation Mindcrime – 1988
This album rejuvenated the concept album and showcases Queensryche’s amazing talent. Nikki is the confused and drug addicted young man who gets involved with a revolutionary group as their assassin. The song I Don’t Believe in Love was even nominated for a Grammy. When on tour for Empire in 1990, they performed this album in its entirety, and released it as Operation: Livecrime. This album is a MUST for any rock fan!

1988 fun facts –
*Cost of a new house...

Retro A to Z Challenge: P – Porcupine Tree 2007 (and Special Thanks)

Porcupine Tree – Fear of a Blank Planet – 2007
This band has undergone many changes over the years. Their earlier work is surreal and trippy, but they continued to progress and are now an outstanding prog rock band. The title is a play on another album, and there are six amazing tracks. The longest - Anesthetize at almost eighteen minutes – is by far the best, and like a blend of three songs. They are a mellow prog band, with great melody, and an easy introduction to someone venturing into the...

Retro A to A Challenge: P – Porcupine Tree 2007 (and Special Thanks)

Porcupine Tree – Fear of a Blank Planet – 2007
This band has undergone many changes over the years. Their earlier work is surreal and trippy, but they continued to progress and are now an outstanding prog rock band. The title is a play on another album, and there are six amazing tracks. The longest - Anesthetize at almost eighteen minutes – is by far the best, and like a blend of three songs. They are a mellow prog band, with great melody, and an easy introduction to someone venturing into the...

Retro A to Z Challenge: O - Ocean’s Twelve 2004 (Plus audiomachine and Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge)

Ocean’s Twelve – 2004
Usually sequels fall short – but not this time! Ocean and the gang returned with one more member as they attempt their biggest heist ever. All the cast members shine and it’s just as funny as the original. At one point, Julia Roberts’ character has to pretend she’s… Julia Roberts! Priceless.

2004 fun facts –
*Cost of gas - $2.10
*The social site Facebook launched
*SpaceShipOne was the first privately funded spaceship to achieve spaceflight
*The Taipei 101 opened, and at 1676...

Retro A to Z Challenge: N – Nightwish 2011 (and Ninja Secrets...)

Nightwish – Imaginarium – 2011
This is a symphonic metal band turned prog rock. A cool concept album, it tells a very strange tale and even has an accompanying film. Standout tracks are Storytime and I Want My Tears Back. Nightwish is huge in Europe and their videos are some of the most watched on YouTube.

2011 fun facts –
*The Discovery docked with the International Space Station for the last time on February 26 before retiring
*The first synthetic organ transplant was performed
*The Dallas Maver...

Retro A to Z Challenge: M – Megadeth 1985 (and SyFy's Face Off)

Megadeth – Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! – 1985
This was the first Megadeth album and featured the title song and Rattlehead Rock. The band was founded by Dave Mustaine after he was thrown out of Metallica. While not my favorite, it ushered in a new era in thrash metal. The band continues to produce albums, and Mustaine has since cleaned up his act. (He's a husband, father, and born-again Christian.)

1985 fun facts –
*Cost of new home - $89,330 / UK - $40,169 pounds
*Cost of gas...

Retro A to Z Challenge: L – Lord of the Rings 2001

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring – 2001
The three-movie saga launched with Fellowship, and the world fell in love with epic fantasy again. Director Jackson brought the story to life, creating a trilogy that was even better than the books. Nominated for ten, it won three Oscars and paved the way for the two remaining installments.

2001 fun facts –
*Cost of new house - $136,150.
*Cost of a gallon of gas - $1.46
*The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened after eleven years of repairs
*Wikipedia wen...

Retro A to Z Challenge: K – Kvelertak 2013 (and Rio 2 Movie Review)

Kvelertak – Meir – 2013
While not quite as good as the first album, Meir still delivers. It’s a crazy mash up of punk, metal, prog rock, death metal, and anything else they could throw in the blender. If you’re a fan of screaming metal, check out this unique band from Norway.

2013 fun facts –
*Cost of a gallon of gas - $3.80
*Cost of a movie ticket - $10.25
*A giant meteor exploded near Chelyabinsk in Russia
*Microsoft released the Xbox One and Sony released the Playstation 4
*House of Cards became...

Retro A to Z Challenge: J – John Carter 2012 (and new How to Train Your Dragon Trailer and George RR Martin Killing Characters)

John Carter – 2012
Loosely based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Princess of Mars, this film was supposed to launch a new epic series. A perfect blend of space opera, Western, and pulp fiction, the movie follows Carter as he is transported to Mars (Barsoom) and thrust in the middle of a war. Despite Disney’s mishandling of the marketing, this is fun and adventurous romp that deserved better. Although the material is now almost a hundred years old, it still feels fresh.

2012 fun facts –
*Cost of new ho...

Retro A to Z Challenge: I – Iron Maiden 1982

Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills – 1982
This became the band’s signature arena anthem. Those old enough to remember Headbanger’s Ball can recall the video being played on an infinite loop. The clips in the video were from old (and very un-PC) cowboys and Indians movies. The band still records and tours (they are HUGE in the UK) with Eddie as their mascot.

1982 fun facts –
*Cost of new house - $82,200. / UK - 23,644 pounds sterling
*Cost of an existing house - $67,800.
*Average income - $21,050.
*US...