Movie Review "The Last Temptation of Christ)

 To the readers I apologize, I've been busy since I moved to Texas in the beginning of the month,but here is the April Issue enjoy!!

Review   “The Last Temptation of Christ"

 This 1988 film by Martin Scorsese is based off of a book that carries the same title by author, Nikos Kazantzakis.  It has been a target for controversy and protest since it first came to life, due to the content which was conceived. The plot of the book, as well as the film, concerns the life of Jesus Christ before his ministry and his ongoing battles of doubt, temptation, and belief that he was not the Messiah that was prophesied in early biblical scripture. Before the film even begins, it states- just like the novel- that none of the story is based off of the gospels, which have been the basis of what people believe to be the most accurate to the life that Jesus might have actually lived. If any of it is true, I don't think we will ever know, since most of the accounts were written after his death, and the debate of his existence has been speculated for years. The film, however, was made really well, and definitely makes you think about certain aspects not just in Jesus's life, but more so the life of man himself, and the temptations he deals with in daily life.  Scorsese never disappoints when it comes to setting and dialogue, and I felt he portrayed the story and message of the film in a brilliant way. In this particular story, the character of Jesus is portrayed more as a mortal man who had various feelings and doubts of what his purpose really was.  It has been stated many times, that he was created in the image of man.  However, with a purpose being to free the human race from oppression, how could he have been able to relate, if he didn't share the same feelings  such as anger, doubt, depression, fear and lust that mortal man is faced with on a daliy basis?  The biggest part of the controversy was his temptation of lust, and visions of himself engaging in sexual activities with Mary Magdalene, which is actually brought on when he is  tempted to leave the cross  to be with Magdalene, get married, have children, and grow old like any mortal man. Now while some might depict this as blasphemous, I depict it as being logical in a sense, since man has been tempted to do wrong and stray from the right path for many years.  Even for him, being tempted would have kept him from doing the right thing or fulfilling his purpose. To me, this was more or less showing the human side of Jesus, and the constant torment he could have endured to take the easier path and not full fill the mission he was sent to do. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and what they think, but I think this story is less biblical and more or less shows that even the holiest of men can fall into temptation.

"The Witch" Movie Review

March issue has been posted as well. Enjoy...

"The Witch" movie review

The recently released horror film, "The Witch," has been getting a lot of hype since its release back in mid-February. The psychological horror film, which is the directorial debut of film maker, Robert Eggers, brings a different take on the horror genre, showing that man’s fears can be far more terrifying than myths.  It basically showed that man’s fears and ideas implanted by religion, government, and tradition, can drive them to do insane things, some of which still happen to this day. The variety of occult symbolism, and the embodiment of female empowerment, definitely showed face in the film as well.   This would have definitely hit a chord for that time period, when woman were suffering oppression, and free thinkers were often killed for their beliefs. I almost felt that the witch itself was a manifestation, or symbol, for the bad happenings that would befall the family, and the lingering horror that still dwells to this day, where despair seems to run rampant. I felt that these were great points to bring up, and I felt the execution on it to some point was done pretty well. My main complaint about the film was that I felt it dragged at certain parts, and that points could have been made sooner.  I also felt that it needed more action, to cut the tension of the story, and keep the viewer enticed. I was waiting with anticipation for something to happen, yet I was left still waiting in the end, which was a bit disappointing. The few scenes of gore definitely hit a curb with me and helped break the tension a bit, but I felt like a little more of that might have helped the film out a bit to even out the dialogue and message. I'm not going to write off and say this was an awful film, because it was definitely the contrary, but I think someone who isn't much for extensive dialogue  might find the film a bit lack luster. I suggest checking it out, and giving it a chance, but if you're expecting horrific gore throughout, you will be disappointed

Feb Issue up. Review on John Carpenter's "Cigarette Burns"

hello everyone,

Sorry it took me a bit and that the Feb issue is late,but to make up for it. I'll be posting up a separate post with the March issue as well.

Here is the Feb issue enjoy!

"Cigarette Burns" Movie Review

  "La fin absolue du monde,"  “The absolute end of the world,” is a film within the film depicted in the eight installments in the Masters of Horror series, entitled "Cigarette Burns."  Directed by well-known film maker, John Carpenter (The Thing, They Live, Halloween, Vampires") it unveils the madness within man that he blindly can't see for himself. Carpenter paints a macabre portrait, revolving around all the characters involved, as they all eventually see the horror and torment within themselves that drives them to the brink of insanity.  The main characters, Kirby Sweetman (played by Norman Reedus) and the private film collector who hires him, Mr.Bellinger (Udo Kier) are both tormented by their dark past.  Kirby is tormented by the death of his wife and the guilt that is brought to him by his father in law.  While Bellinger's past isn't described too much in the film, it’s implied in the early and late stages of the film that he harbors dark demons within. The chilling climax brings to full circle what the film ends up bringing out in both characters.  The concept is brilliantly executed, and the idea of underground and banned films has always been a fascination to me since I got into the underground film genre. I think what I loved most about the film itself is man’s obsession with the unknown, wanting to know what lies ahead no matter how horrifying it may be.  Film makers and writers can make or break an audience by what they often show or write, and sometimes hearing about it isn't enough.  Only true revelations can be revealed by what the eyes see and the mind interrupts.  The journey and the search can bring clues that in the end will either cause the progression of the soul or the total destruction of it.  I don't want to give too much away, and I feel like writing a synopsis of each scene will ruin the experience.  I figured it'll be better for one to see it and enjoy the journey as much as I did. As the film itself states, "Some films are meant to be seen".

New Issues coming soon...

hello everyone, I have been way busier than normal and haven't had the chance to work on let alone post new issues of the zine. I have two issues in the work so expect the Feb and March issues to be out soon. I have a lot of new ventures ahead and I can't wait to get things on a roll.

Enjoy the past issues and I will update everyone on the status of the newer issues in the near future...

Cryptic Void "Pschomanteum" Review

 I know its a bit late,but I have been busy as hell already this year. I just wanted to say I hope everyone is having a happy new year so far!! Here is the first issue of Cryptic Inscriptions to start off the new year!! 

Cryptic Void "Pschomanteum" Review:

 As far as the United States goes, Texas is the state for grindcore, and promotes a host of kick ass bands. Cryptic Void is definitely one of them. The members themselves are no strangers to the underground scene.  They have all played in numerous grind and death metal acts over the years, and they have paved the way with their previous outfits. I have to state, from start to finish, that I love the sheer intensity of this album.  Even though there are a lot of great blasting grind sections in this, Cryptic Void knows how to throw bits of groove and old school riffs into the mix, balancing everything out, and not leaving the material sounding bland and repetitive. Production is flawless on this album; every nuance is audible and not buried in the mix, with all the instruments and musicians complementing each other well, and not over shadowing each other. The natural drum sound on this album is a definite enjoyment for me.  I don't mind triggers on occasion, but I enjoy hearing the natural sound of the kicks and not the over produced type writer sound that a lot of bands in the underground seem to embrace. Even though this material leans more towards an old school approach, which is definitely not a bad thing, it still feels fresh and still kicks you in the teeth, leaving you wanting even more. My only complaint is how short the album was, but its grindcore, so less is definitely more at times.  I can't wait to hear more and hope these guys continue punishing listener’s ears for years to come. Check them out at their bandcamp page and also on their west coast tour.

http://crypticvoid.bandcamp.com/


January 21st Houston, TX
January 22nd San Antonio, TX
January 23rd Phoenix, AZ
January 24th Los Angeles, CA
January 25th Los Angeles, CA
January 26th Oakland, CA
January 27th Fresno, CA
January 28th Flagstaff, AZ
January 29th Albuquerque, NM
January 30th El Paso, TX
January 31st Austin, TX

Enjoy see you next month!!

Final Inscription 2015

     The final issue for 2015 for Cryptic Inscriptions. I hope everyone has enjoyed the past issues and this one, and I have a busy year planned for 2016,but will attempt to get these up during the year.Enjoy.

                                            Society headed for Collapse:
                             1984, Fahrenheit 451, We and Brave New World

   These four masterpieces, by these great literary masterminds, post the question I think we need to ask ourselves in this day and age.  Are we losing grip of the very freedoms we take for granted? In the age of advancement, where technology is booming, and it seems as man is caging himself in a mechanical prison, we seem to be moving closer to the horrors that these writers were conjuring back when these novels first came out.  All these novels bring this subject to the table under different circumstances. Orwell's "1984" describes a society that is under surveillance by the power know as big brother, Huxley's "Brave New World" describes a society where mankind is reduced to an enslaved, drug-induced culture, where a man called the "savage,"  is more in tune with his own emotions than the advance culture who condemns him.Zamyatin's communist satire "We" about One State, a nation who is willing to believe whatever it's told even if it means sacrificing their own freedom, while finally Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" on the other hand, tells of a society that burns books for their knowledge and power, that they fear will rise question to the propaganda and fear that is being instilled in them. It's almost terrifying to read how spot on these novels are, and how much more truth than fiction these stories profess. The ignorance and fear of man is the greatest threat to his freedom and his well being.  We could be leading ourselves into an age of imprisonment.  I definitely recommend reading all four of these in your lifetime.

Water Torture "Pillbox" LP review

Its been a busy past few months for myself, which always seems to be the case,but here is a new article as always. This article right here is about one of my favorite new bands that's starting to make an impact in the underground. Check them out you won't be disappointed!!

Water Torture "Pillbox" LP

  Buffalo, New York's power violence/noise duo, Water Torture, offers up a debut LP, with crushing low end and decimating interludes of noise chaos in between.  I also like how even though this has noisy appeal, there are catchy riffs and well thought song structures amongst the chaos.  The mix of the noise/ambient interludes with the grind/sludge, make for a great pair, and it also adds build up to the chaos that is ahead. This makes for an impressive debut full length, and I hope the band continues to build on their chaotic sound!!

Last article for 2015 in the works....