“Burlesque: Heart of the Glitter Tribe” Review by Anthony T

It’s been a while since I decided to review a documentary for this site. There hasn’t been any interesting subject matter than interested me. When I heard about “Burlesque: Heart of the Glitter Tribe”, I was interested in it because I know about it about it but not in depth. It also helped that the trailer looked interesting to see what this is all about.

The film documents a group of burlesque performers who perform in front of people to explore themselves. They use their bodies to pretend to be someone different. The documentary also goes into the personalities and lives of these performance and the whole scene as a whole.

Going into this, I was interested in the subject matter as I’m curious into alternative lifestyles and sexuality documentaries. “Burlesque Heart of the Glitter Tribe” was an interesting documentary as this was an interesting look into the world of burlesque.

What makes this good was the fact that I got a look into the world burlesque and lives that the performers leave. Director Jon Manning does a very good job going into the lives of the performances and why they choose to express themselves through the art form of burlesque. It made the people that he focuses on interesting to watch as they come from different backgrounds. The other thing that I liked about this documentary was the fact the people that Manning interviews are likeable. He does that by focuses on the people themselves and their daily lives instead of making the purpose of the dance as the centerfold of the documentary. It helped keep me turned into the subject and interested in these people.

If there was one thing that I didn’t like about this, it was the fact that it didn’t focus on the promoter’s side of the subject. I would’ve at least liked to have known how a show gets put together. I was interested in knowing what makes a person want to put a show of this nature together or getting to the venue to finding the people who perform them. It would’ve made this subject more interesting as it adds to the art form. This would’ve made this a better film as I would’ve gotten all I wanted to know on this subject. Still, this worth checking out.

This was a good documentary that does a solid job going into the people that perform this art form for little or no money. Even though I was left wanting more in this documentary, “Burlesque Heart of the Glitter Tribe” that does a good job focusing on the performers and its subject.

Review Rating: Three Stars

Racing Documentary "Smash: Motorized Mayhem" Races It's Way to VOD

Xlrator Media recently send us information for their upcoming release "Smash: Motorized Mayhem". The documentary focuses on figure-8 school bus racing and people who attend and participate in this event.

"Smash: Motorized Mayhem" hits VOD and iTunes on March 21st.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/SmashMotorizedMayhem.

Plot Synopsis:

In rural Florida, blue-collar folks gather to witness a bi-annual wild event, Figure-8 School Bus Racing! Nineteen full-size school buses pack a puny 3/8-mile figure-8 track and race 20 harrowing laps to crown a victor.

"Smash: Motorized Mayhem": Official Trailer

Official Stills for the Upcoming Documentary "Burlesque: Heart of the Glitter Tribe"

XLrator Media recently send us over stills for the upcoming release of the documentary "Burlesque: Heart of the Glitter Tribe". The documentary focuses on the world of Burlesque and the performers and why they perform in front of a crowd.

"Burlesque: Heart of the Glitter Tribe" hits theaters in limited release on March 3rd and VOD platforms on March 7th.

Plot Synopsis:

BURLESQUE: HEART OF THE GLITTER TRIBE is a documentary feature about the passion and personalities at the heart of today’s new wave of burlesque. On stage and in candid conversation, twelve of today’s hottest performers reveal the naked truth about an exotic world where artifice is a route to authenticity and pretending to be someone else is the ultimate journey to become yourself. These burlesquers put it all on the line in performances that are sexy, funny, elegant and outrageous – and they bare more than just their bodies as they discuss their artistic vision, their financial struggles, the misconceptions that infuriate them and the community that sustains them.

"Kill Ratio" Review by Tim Hellman

'KILL RATIO': Three Stars (Out of Five)

A low-budget B-action flick; about a badass American covert operative, that's trying to defend the president of a poor European country against a ruthless military takeover. The film stars Tom Hopper, as the heroic badass, and it costars Amy Huberman, Lacy Moore, Nick Dunning, Brian McGuinness and Luke Pierucci. It was directed by Paul Tanter (a veteran of the genre), and it was written by Steven Palmer Peterson (a debut screenwriter). The film reminds me of the type of bad B-action flick I grew up on (one of the less memorable ones though); so in some ways it's kind of nostalgic, but it's mostly just bad.

Hopper plays James Henderson, a highly skilled (and somewhat witty) U.S. covert operative; that's on assignment in a small European country (with an unstable democracy). The country has recently elected a new President (Moore), who promises to bring new hope to the people there. The general of the corrupt country's military, General Lazar (Dunning), wants to do away with the new democracy though; by killing the President, and anyone else that gets in his way. He didn't count on James Henderson though (of course).

The film is exactly like so many 80s action movies that I watched as a kid, the kind that used to play repeatedly on TBS (most of them starring Chuck Norris or Dolph Lundgren). Hopper is definitely charismatic in the lead, and he thinks he's pretty funny. He doesn't have what it takes to be a big star though, but he could definitely keep doing direct-to-video movies like this (and TV, which he's already doing). The director and writer should probably stick to this genre as well. The movie is mildly entertaining, but I think you have to be a pretty big fan of the the genre to even get that out of it.

Official Stills for the Upcoming Action Film "Kill Ratio"

XLrator Media recently send us over stills for the upcoming release of the action thriller "Kill Ratio". The film stars Tom Hopper, Amy Huberman, Lacy Moore

"Kill Ratio" hits theaters in limited release on December 9th and VOD on December 13th.

Plot Synopsis:

An attack on the new President of a fledgling Eastern European democracy pits an American covert operative against the country’s ruthless military leader determined to seize control of the government.

Official Stills for the Sci-Fi Thriller "The Similars"

Xlrator Media recently send us stills for their upcoming sci-fi film "The Similars". The film stars Gustavo Sánchez Parra, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Fernando Becerril, Humberto Busto.

"The Similars" hits VOD on Novemeber 15th.

Plot Synopsis:

On the rainy night of October 2, 1968, eight people waiting in a remote bus station for a bus heading to Mexico City start experiencing a strange phenomenon. Threatened by paranoia and fear, the strangers show the best and worst of themselves as they try to unravel the mysterious condition that is invading each of them like a virus.

"It's So Easy and Other Lies" Review by Tim Hellman

'IT'S SO EASY AND OTHER LIES': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A documentary about the life of popular musician Duff McKagan. McKagan is most well known as the former bass player for the rock bands Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver. This film details his music career, and personal life; including a long battle with drugs and alcohol abuse (which nearly killed him). It's based on McKagan's own best-selling New York Times' memoir, and it was directed and co-written by Christopher Duddy (a veteran camera operator). The movie is informative, and somewhat inspirational, but it's also nothing too memorable (or entertaining).

McKagan started out playing with multiple Seattle punk bands (in the early 80s). Then, in 1983, he met rock musicians Slash and Steven Adler; by answering their newspaper add (seeking a bass player), in Los Angeles, California. The trio formed a rock group called Road Crew, before disbanding and joining Guns N' Roses (in 1985). His fame and fortune led to lots of consistent, and very addictive, drugs and alcohol abuse (although he was introduced to the harmful substances as a kid). It almost killed him, but he fought back. The movie tells this story, through several interviews and archive footage.

I think I would have liked this film, a lot more, if I was a fan of Guns N' Roses (or Velvet Revolver). I like some of their music (definitely), but I wouldn't call myself a fan. I do love punk music though, so that part of the movie was entertaining to me. I've also had some problems with excessive alcohol consumption, so that part of the film was interesting to me (and kind of inspiring). The flick is mostly uninvolving though (for me at least), and a bore.

Official Stills for the Upcoming Heist Thriller "The Last Heist"

XLrator Media recently send us stills for their upcoming release "The Last Heist". The upcoming thriller stars Henry Rollins, Torrance Coombs, Victoria Pratt and Mykel Shannon Jenkins.

"The Last Heist" hits VOD and theaters in limited release on June 17th.

Plot Synopsis:

A bank heist descends into violent chaos when one of the hostages turns out to be a serial killer. Trapping the well-organized team of bank robbers in the building, the killer is now picking them off one by one... Actor/writer/musician Henry Rollins (Black Flag) stars in this dark suspenseful thriller.

Official Trailer and Stills for the Upcoming Thriller "The Curse of Sleeping Beauty"

XLrator Media recently send us over the official trailer and stills for the upcoming thriller "The Curse of Sleeping Beauty". The film stars Ethan Peck, Natalie Hall, India Eisley and Bruce Davison

"The Curse of Sleeping Beauty" hits theaters on May 13th and VOD on May 17th.

Plot Synopsis:

"The Curse of Sleeping Beauty" is an entirely new, dark vision of the classic Brothers Grimm adventure. Thomas Kaiser (Ethan Peck) inherits an ancestral mansion that has been in his family for generations -- only to learn that he has also inherited an ancient curse stemming back to the Crusades. Forced into his new role as "protector" -- the guardian appointed to keep the evil demons in the house at bay -- Thomas must unravel the mystery of the house, while struggling to awaken the beautiful Briar Rose (India Eisley), held captive in a terrifying netherworld seen previously in his dreams.

"The Curse of Sleepy Beauty": Official Trailer

/>

Official Stills and Trailer for the Upcoming Viral Horror Film "Pandemic"

XLrator Media recently released stills and the official trailer for the upcoming release  of "Pandemic". The film stars Rachel Nichols, Alfie Allen with Missi Pyle and Mekhi Phifer.

"Pandemic" hits theaters in limited release on April 1st and VOD on April 5th.

Plot Synopsis:

Pandemic is set in the near future, where a virus of epic proportions has overtaken the planet. There are more infected than uninfected, and humanity is losing its grip on survival. Its only hope is finding a cure and keeping the infected contained. Lauren (Rachel Nichols) is a doctor, who, after the fall of New York, comes to Los Angeles to lead a team to hunt for and rescue uninfected survivors.

"Pandemic": Official Trailer

Official Trailer for the Upcoming Action Film "Admiral"

 
XLrator Media recently released the official trailer for the upcoming action film "Admiral". The upcoming film stars Frank Lammers, Sanne Langelaar, Barry Atsma, Egbert Jan-Weeber, Rutger Hauer and Charles Dance.

"Admiral" hits VOD and iTunes on February 23rd and theaters in limited release on March 11th.

Plot Synopsis:

When the young republic of The Netherlands is attacked by England, France and Germany and the country itself is on the brink of civil war, only one man can lead the county's strongest weapon, the Dutch fleet: Michiel de Ruyter.

"Admiral": Official Trailer

"Tokyo Tribe" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'TOKYO TRIBE': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A martial arts/action/comedy/musical flick, spoken almost entirely in rap verse! The film has been described (by it's marketing campaign) as "The world's first battle rap musical", and it's based on the popular Manga series, 'Tokyo Tribe2', by Santa Inoue. It was written and directed by Sion Sono (who's probably most well known for helming 2013's 'WHY DON'T YOU PLAY IN HELL?') and it stars Ryohei Suzuki, Young Dais, Riki Takeuchi, Shota Sometani, Ryuta Sato and Akihiro Kitamura. The movie tells the story of a futuristic Japan, divided into territorial gangs; until one gang leader breaks the truce. It's one of the craziest, and most bizarrely original films, I've seen all year!

Sometime, in the not too distant future, Japan is divided into separate street gangs; each representing a different faction, collectively known as the 'Tokyo Tribes'. The leader of one tribe, Mera (Suzuki), decides to break the peace, and join forces with another ruthless gang leader, Buppa (Takeuchi). Together they wage war on another tribe, and cause an 'all out war'. Blood fills the streets; as everyone turns to brutal violence, and continuous rapping.

The movie is really weird, and definitely not for everyone, but I like 'weird'; and I found myself really enjoying it. The film took a little while for me to get into, at first it's pretty jarring; but once I was 'hooked', I was completely involved and thoroughly entertained! The action is brutally violent, and many scenes are pretty twisted and sadistic; but it's also filled with catchy hip- hop music, and beautifully choreographed fight scenes. The performances are great, and the visuals are always interesting to look at. The film is sure to become a beloved cult classic, by many genre fans, while many others will hate it. You know you're witnessing 'great art', when people are completely divided!

Sion Sono's Futuristic Action Film "Tokyo Tribe" Blasts its Way to DVD & Blu-Ray

XLrator Media recently released information for the upcoming DVD and Blu-Ray release of Sion Sono's "Tokyo Tribe". The film stars Ryohei Suzuki and Young Dais.

No special features were announced.

"Tokyo Tribe" hits retail on December 1st.

Plot Synopsis

In a futuristic Japan, territorial street gangs form opposing factions collectively known as the Tokyo Tribes. When one of the gang leaders breaks the fragile peace, it triggers a brutal street war for supremacy. Based on a popular Manga series and told almost entirely in rap verse, TOKYO TRIBE is an ingenious mash-up of Yakuza gang violence, martial arts action and hip-hop musical.

"Tokyo Tribe": Official Trailer

Official Stills and Trailer for the Action/Thriller "Wrecker"

Xlrator Media recently send us over stills and the official trailer for their upcoming release of "Wrecker". The film stars Anna Hutchison and Drea Whitburn.

"Wrecker" hits VOD and theaters in limited release on November 6th.

Plot Synopsis:

Best friends Emily and Lesley go on a road trip to the desert. When Emily decides to get off the highway and take a “short cut,” they become the target of a relentless and psychotic trucker who forces them to play a deadly game of cat and mouse.

 "Wrecker": Official Trailer

Enter to Win a DVD Copy of the Documentary "Mateo"

XLrator Media recently send us over a DVD copy of the Cuban music documentary "Mateo" to giveaway to one lucky person.

Want to win a copy. You can send an email to facontest@gmail.com. Please include "Mateo" in the subject line.

Contest ends on October 19th.

Open to U.S. residents only.
 
Plot Synopsis:

Mateo follows America’s most notorious gringo mariachi singer on his misadventures in Cuba. Matthew Stoneman dreamed of pop stardom. Instead, he went to jail, learned Spanish, and emerged as “Mateo,” America’s first white mariachi singer. Mateo is on the brink of completing an album of original songs in Havana. But his estrangement from friends and family, his criminal past, and his love for Cuban women could derail him on his quest for fame.

"Mateo": Official Trailer

Documentary "Mateo" Heads to DVD

XLrator Media recently send us information for the upcoming DVD release of the documentary "Mateo". The documentary is about America's first white mariachi singer. The film has been getting great reviews from highly publications like Rolling Stone and The New York Times.

No special features were announced.

"Mateo" hits DVD on October 6th.

Plot Synopsis: 

Matthew Stoneman dreamed of pop stardom. Instead, he went to jail, learned Spanish, and emerged as “Mateo,” America’s first white mariachi singer. Mateo is on the brink of completing an album of original songs in Havana. But his estrangement from friends and family, his criminal past, and his love for Cuban women could derail him on his quest for fame. The New York Times calls it “a deeply complicated portrait of an angel-voiced musician.”