June, 16, 2005 archives

assault on precinct 13 is basically a zombie western set in 1970s los angeles. the gang members making the assault have a thin motive and not much of a strategy or a sense for self-preservation. the pacing of the film is pretty slow, but it holds up pretty well — amazingly well considering its budget. it certainly rose above its potential.

assault on precinct 13 is a more typical action movie. it has been relocated from los angeles to detroit, and the biggest problem with moving the setting to the modern era is waved away with a cellphone-jamming magic wand. the bad police officers making the assault are developed somewhat as characters, and aren’t nearly as self-destructive. although the remake/reimagining looks better and has better actors and acting, it doesn’t even rise to meet that potential.

• “we used to be friends,” by the dandy warhols: the theme song from veronica mars, and a catchy song
• “blackbird,” by eros: one of two remixes of beatles songs from beatles regrooved
• “let it be,” by eros: the other beatles remix, and the better of the two
• “somewhere over the rainbow / what a wonderful world,” by israel kamakawiwo'ole: you’ve heard this before in some movie or commercial, and it’s probably one of the most beautiful songs ever
• “kung fu fighting (rob smith mix),” by carl douglas: part of a whole album of “kung fu fighting” remixes, this version isn’t a whole lot different from the original — still a classic, if goofy, song from a one-hit wonder
• “hotel california (spanish mix),” by gipsy kings: an awesome spanish version of the eagles’ “hotel california”
• “rhapsody in blue,” by george gershwin: another incredible piece of music, and the soundtrack to the best segment of disney’s fantasia 2000