Trailer of the Week: The Masque of the Red Death (1964)

This is one of the better Roger Corman Poe films with absolutely no connection at all to current events...

At least I hope so.

Movie Song of the Week: "Walking in Space"

I must admit that I have always had mixed feelings about the various songs inspired by drug culture -- perhaps because I know too many real-life examples of the downside of the lifestyle inspired by said culture that can't be explained away as DEA propaganda.

And yet there's no denying the poetry in such songs like this one -- even if it reminds me of the old saying involving moths and flames.

It doesn't hurt that this particular song from the 1979 movie Hair featured a nice solo by actress Betty Buckley -- an actress usually best known for having played the gym teacher in the 1976 thriller Carrie. Ms. Buckley did such a nice job on her solo that I did not realize until recently that the young Vietnamese girl who mouthed her words on screen wasn't the real singer of the song. The things one learns as one gets older...

Pop Song of the Week: "Poison"

Alice Cooper has issues with women? Surely you jest.

Movie Song of the Week: "Eddie's Teddy"

It's yet another musical number from everyone's favorite call and response movie. Personally I find it a bit scary to contemplate how many audience responses I remember in regard to this movie. Perhaps because I heard the same responses repeated almost every time I saw this movie. (And you don't even want to know how many times that was.)

As usual, my favorite character in the movie -- Columbia -- has the best line but the rest of the number is pretty nifty too. And by the way, her name is Columbia, not Colombia.But most of you knew that already, right?

TV Song of the Week: "Herod's Song"

From the 2000 UK TV version of the movie Jesus Christ Superstar, it is yet another version of a familiar tune, this time sung by actor Rik Mayall. That's right. Lord Flashheart plays King Herod. For what it's worth, I had trouble believing it as well.

Movie Song of the Week: "King Herod's Song"

Wait! King Herod had a song?

Pop Song of the Week: "Down by the Water"

PJ Harvey manages to combine creepiness and sexiness in a music video that should be about mermaids but isn't.

Movie Song of the Week: "Cell Block Tango"

The six merry murderesses of the Cook County jail present a musical tribute to Patricia Pearson's book When She Was Bad -- not to confused, of course, with the Death Row Mambo.

Movie Song of the Week: "Relax"

It seems almost impossible to find an official version of the "Relax" number from the 1984 Brian DePalma movie "Body Double" on the Internet, which is probably just as well since even the comparatively "tame" music video is more than a bit NSFW.

Anyway, the first time I saw Body Double, the audience reaction was such that I was never quite sure if they were laughing with the movie or at it. No doubt you might have the same reaction to the shamelessly over-the-top video as well.

Movie Song of the Week: "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)"

Just in time for Lent -- which starts next week -- it's the late David Bowie singing the title song from the 1982 version of Cat People. As is the case with High Tension, I must admit that I keep going back and forth on this film but I must admit that I still find the title song pretty memorable. I'm not sure if this is the official music video for this song, but it's close enough for government work. I hope you all enjoy it.

Pop Song of the Week: "Historically Accurate Disney Princess Song"

A certain online critic on my blogwall is always calling for more items about princesses. I'm not sure if this is exactly what she had in mind but this certainly qualifies. Of course, it also provides ample proof that Rachel Bloom of "Fuck Me, Ray Bradbury" fame is not just another one-trick pony.

Iconos de Cine (Amor Oscuro)

Pop Song of the Week: "Mandy Goes to Med School"

It's surprising how few pop songs there are to be found involving such a controversial subject. And quite frankly, as melodramatic as Amanda Palmer's song is, I can't help but admit that I prefer it to those tunes that have been written by people who seem to believe that the ideal viewpoint on this subject is best expressed by the type of people who will never be in any danger of passing the Blade Runner turtle test. At least she dares to provoke a reaction.