D.J. Special Blend from Chicago's Blog, page 20

Movie Review: Creed

Creed is the seventh installment of the Rocky film series, and it is possibly the best. Directed by Ryan Coogler, it stars Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Johnson, the late Apollo Creed’s son. Sylvester Stallone plays Rocky, who has finally retired from boxing. The gloves are handed to the next generation, and the Rocky franchise is only one movie late in doing so.

Even the most die-hard Rocky fan had trouble accepting Rock Balboa, the sixth movie in this franchise. It is difficult to believe a 60 year old man can go 15 rounds with the current heavy weight champion of the world.

That is not a problem in the movie Creed. The characters are believable and Rocky is finally aging. In fact, this Rocky Balboa incarnation is very human. The Adrian and Paulie characters have passed away, but the audience still feels their presence through Rocky.

Coogler and Aaron Covington penned the story with Stallone’s permission, and the script does a great job at capturing and recreating Rocky type chemistry. The film uses most of the same tactics as previous Rocky flicks, but from an updated point of view. The movie captures the eye-of-the-tiger from the very opening moment.

Mary Anne Creed is Apollo’s widow. She is arguably the most endearing character you will ever see on the big screen. Casting Phylicia Rashād to play her is very important in pulling this off. Her part is small, but relevant.

Tessa Thompson plays the love interest, Bianca. The audience roots for Adonis and Bianca to be together from the first second her face hits the screen. It is a brilliant decision to make her character a musician. This allows her character’s music to control the mood of the scene whenever she appears.

Bianca’s drive and vulnerabilities make her human. Every moment of her character is believable, which helps make Adonis and Bianca the perfect on screen couple. The audience easily falls in love with them, and realizes they should be together more than they do at times. They are made for each other, just as much as Rocky and Adrian.

The movie’s fight scenes are good. Adonis’ first big time fight is beautifully choreographed into what appears to be one camera shot. Coogler uses this technique several times throughout the movie and it works. They also do a good job of capturing Philly’s culture in 2015. One example is the fact that the Rocky statue no longer stands at the top of the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

There are many events in this movie that will bring a smile to a Rocky fan’s face, including the big fight at the end. Every predictable moment is a moment that the viewer wants. The audience is all the way behind the Cinderella fighter that is in the unlikely position to shock the world. In keeping with Rocky tradition, there’s no telling who will win.

No Rocky fan wants to see Rocky pass away. Stallone talked about killing the character off in Rocky V, but it’s a good thing he didn’t. The Rocky character may indeed die one day. But for now he is still on the big screen, and this is the most human we’ve seen him since the first movie.

Rocky brought on a magical feeling from an unlikely underdog in 1977. Creed does the same in 2015.

U-Hype LXXXIX: Mixtape Radio

Nep Jennings heads of the podcast with “Empire.” We check out contributions from Che Blaq (pictured) called “The Fall.” Audiomercy featuring QuoKane debuts “No Frontin’.” Ty$on featuring Ak & Rico presents us with “Still Gon F*.” Migo House rounds out the podcast with “Golden Child.”

Touch the picture or click here to listen!

All of the songs on this podcast are in rotation on U-Hype Live! Tune in to the live stream every night at 9:00pm Chicago time. Follow Us on Twitter @BMSRadioChicago for 24-7 Urban Radio.

“Empire” – Nep Jennings
“The Fall” – Che Blaq
“No Frontin'” – Audiomercy featuring QuoKane
“Still Gon” – Ty$on Ft. Ak & Rico
“Golden Child” – Migo House

BMS Radio Chicago Top Songs November 15 – 21, 2015

Lil’ Dej takes the top spot with “Back Up Off Me” featuring Big Sean. In fact, Big Sean is on two top songs this week. “Here” by Alessia Cara continues to be a successful release. RdG featuring Ziplocghost and Fatboii are up to number seven with “Like Me.”









R. Kelly maintains at number eleven. Congratulations to Neeboii, who has a top ten hit single on his hands. “100” by The Game featuring Drake has been on the chart longer than any other song this week. “The Hills” by The Weeknd leaps five places to number 12, which makes it the hottest song this week. Peep the full chart below:

BMS Radio Chicago Top Songs November 15 – 21, 2015

U-Hype LXXXVIII: Mixtape Radio

Jerry White kicks off this podcast with “Used to Be.” New music from Buff Gudda. His new jam is called “Hatin’ on Me.” Kc Stackz’s joint called “Don’t Shoot” is also featured.

The Fallout is on the show with a nice number named “Where I’m 4rm.” Rwhisky Champ is back out there with his new joint “My Own Thang” featuring Tween T Styne. Jayy Queezy is “Making Noise” out of Illinois. Touch the picture or click here to listen.

All of the songs on this podcast are in rotation on U-Hype Live! Tune in to the live stream every night at 9:00pm Chicago time. Follow Us on Twitter @BMSRadioChicago for 24-7 Urban Radio

“Used to Be” – Jerry White
“Don’t Shoot” – Kc Stackz
“Hatin’ on Me” – Buff Gudda
“Where I’m 4rm” – The Fallout
“Making noise” – Jayy Queezy
“My Own Thang” – Rwhisky Champ featuring Tween T Styne

BMS Radio Chicago Top Songs November 8 – 14, 2015

“Cold Turkey” by Geechi Mouf featuring Fash Cash and Blocc hits number one. New music on the chart this week from Jerry White, Travi$ Scott, and Tory Lanez.

Alessia Cara leaps four more places to land at number six with “Here.” She has the hottest song two weeks in a row. R. Kelly is at number 11 with “Backyard Party,” even though it’s not summer anymore. The Weekend moves up three spots. N.W.A. is still on the chart after the most current episode of South Park. Monica is all the way up to number two. Peep the full chart below:

BMS Radio Chicago Top Songs November 8 – 14, 2015

BMS Radio Chicago Top Songs November 1 – 7, 2015

Chris Brown tops the chart for the second week in a row with his jam “Liquor.” Big Sean is new with “Play No Games.” That song has an interesting music video. Drake hits the top 25 with “Hotline Bling.”

Lil Durk and RdG are at number eight and number nine respectively. Geechi Mouf featuring Fash Cash and Blocc are heading upward. “The Norm” by The Rapper Quote is still in the top five. Sonic holds steady at number 14. Neeboi moves up three spots. Cara leaps twelve places to land in the top ten. She definitely has the hottest song this week. Peep the full chart below:

BMS Radio Top Songs November 1 – 7, 2015

Movie Review: The Peanuts Movie

Charles M. Schulz and his family did not want anyone to destroy his vision. With that being said, there is great news to report. The Peanuts Movie does a fine job at not messing up a successful comic strip.

There is a cartoon short that precedes the feature film. This caught me off guard and left me slightly frustrated. But I got over it once I thought about it and figured out what was going on. The short is entertaining. Then the movie begins.

As usual, the Peanuts’ main protagonist is a kid named Charlie Brown. He is a good person at heart that is always misunderstood. Charlie brown is obsessed with flying a kite, but is never successful. He is a lovable looser on the baseball diamond that suffers from low self esteem, depression, and anxiety. Also, his parents’ guidance is virtually nonexistent. Lucy messes with Charlie Brown’s head on a regular basis by moving the football when he tries to kick it. But at the same time she is the neighborhood psychiatrist, so she’s his only hope for mental salvation.

Even though there are ‘no dogs allowed,’ Snoopy and Woodstock give us our money’s worth. They take us on an adventure with the Red baron using only their imaginations and Snoopy’s type writer. In fact, the Peanuts do not use a single electronic device throughout the entire movie. Not a single computer, video game, tablet, or cell phone. (Bravo!)

The Peanuts TV specials leave us wondering if Charlie Brown needs Lexapro. But all the kid really needs is some good coaching from a father figure to help build his confidence. The problem with that is that the adults in this universe all sound like a trombone covered with the rubber end of a toilet plunger.

Charlie Brown never got a break back in the day. However, this movie does a good job at updating classic characters, while sticking to the script. The ending is awesome.

Peanuts cartoons are targeted to six-year-olds, so the pace is slow and the plot is simple. This movie could have very easily been ruined is so many ways. If you can get over the new school CGI 3-D animation, it does a fantastic job of not messing up. Charles M. Schulz did not want anyone to destroy his vision after he passed away. He would be proud of this movie.

Movie Review: The Martian

Abbott and Costello went to Mars. So did Robinson Caruso. Plus, many people’s favorite Looney Tunes character is Marvin the Martian. Fiction has been written previously about Mars, however there are new facts known about the big red planet. This movie capitalizes on our curiosity.

The Martian is set during a time in which the United States has established a space program to Mars that has already made multiple trips. Five astronauts make this particular journey, however Matt Damon’s character Mark Watney is left behind and presumed dead.

With all the communication devices down, the people on Earth have to first realize the astronaut is still alive. Then they need to send help, which could take at least four years. The astronaut has only one year worth of supplies, and room for everything else to go wrong.

The challenge for the filmmakers is holding the audience’s attention for 145 minutes with one man on a planet by himself. One thing working in their favor is our interest in how new science about the planet is worked into the film. The big question is what would a modern day 3-D movie about Mars look like?

The good news is that there are a satisfactory amount of surprises in the movie, and they come right on time when they are really needed. Most human beings would loose their mind if they had to be on a planet by themselves for four years. In reality, being trapped on Mars alone would be a very dark experience. However, the movie is a PG-13 feel-good experience.

With all the good things going for it, the not so good news is that the movie is just a bit too long. Maybe that’s done on purpose, as some type of artsy way of showing how lonely the guy really is by himself. I dunno what the deal is. All I do know is that after 120 minutes, I wanted someone to hurry up and save the day.

With that being said, the movie brings to life modern technology that would be needed to have a successful Mars program. It also incorporates new things we know know about the weather on the planet. The length of the movie is my only real complaint, and it is not a deal breaker.

Go see it if you are curious. Just be sure to sit comfortably in your seat.

BMS Radio Chicago Top Songs October 25 – 31, 2015

Chris Brown is at the top of the chart this week with “Liquor.” The Rapper Quote is still in the top five with “The Norm.” Monica is also in the top five this time around with “Just Right for Me.”

RdG takes another huge leap and lands in the top ten this week. “Like Me” is the title of his song. That’s also the name of Lil Durk’s top ten hit.

The Game, Janet Jackson, and Jidenna all stay in the top twenty with their former number one hits. Dawn Duchess is still in the top ten with “Champagne Bottles.” Peep the full chart below:

BMS Radio Chicago top songs October 25 – 31

U-Hype LXXXVII: Mixtape Radio

Hit music on this podcast from RdG featuring ZiplocGhost and Fatboii. Their new jam is called “Like Me.” New Chicago artist Chevy gets a first time spin. Additional contributions from Rouge Tha Mysfyt, Sonu Tha Kid, Esquire Ali, and Exel.

AMET Ricky gets a first time spin featuring DeeJay Riley and Shameire Jackson. Don’ Kashif and JusX Justice also hold it down on this podcast. Touch the picture or click here!

All of the songs on this podcast are in rotation on U-Hype Live! Tune in to the live stream every night at 9:00pm Chicago time. Follow Us on Twitter @BMSRadioChicago for 24-7 Urban Radio

“Like Me” – RdG featuring ZiplocGhost and Fatboii
“Go Up” – Rouge Tha Mysfyt fest. Sonu Tha Kid, Esquire Ali, and Exel
“Showout” – Chevy
“Clap For You” – AMET Ricky featuring DeeJay Riley and Shameire Jackson
“’96” – Don’ Kashif
“It Be Ok” – JusX Justice