Review: Marilyn Manson - Born Villain

Originally published on www.soundblab.com

Its been three years since Marilyn Manson released his last album and Born Villain, his eighth studio album, has been in the works for a good two years. Overall, the album sounds like the sort of product you would expect from Manson by now after nearly two decades in the music business, filled with great rock beats and brimming with vocal angst which would get anyone rocking away at a gig or in a club.

Kicking off with the song 'Hey Cruel World', he sets the theme for the remainder of the album, with a quiet intro that smashes straight into heavy guitar riffs and loud drums, coupled with the angst-ridden yet at times sexy and as-sultry-as-rock-can-get vocals. The first half of the album is filled with some great tracks, in particular 'Pistol Whipped', which is a slow starter but an absolute rock anthem as it goes on. It sounds different to many of the other songs featured on the album.

As we move into the middle, Born Villain does get a little bit repetitive. Songs such as 'Overneath the Path of Misery', 'Children of Cain' and 'Disengaged' become a little bit tedious and samey-same as they tend to drone on a bit, and are ultimately a little boring. However, the album picks back up towards the end, resuming the rock and roll angst, guitar riffs and heavy drums which kicked it off, and are what any die-hard Manson fan would expect.

Other stand-out tracks from the album include 'Lay Down Your Goddamn Arms' with its up-beat rock tempo; 'Breaking the Same Old Ground', which is as close to a ballad as you're going to get on Marilyn Manson album; and the title track. Whilst beinga strong album track, there are much better songs here he could have lead with. The cover of Carly Simon's 'You're So Vain' is a definite highlight and becomes this album's 'Tainted Love'. It is always great to hear a new take on an old song and, with guitar and drums from Johnny Depp, this one is really striking.

Overall, we may have heard all this before from Manson but that doesn't stop it from being a pretty good album you will definitely listen to more than once.

More Film News ...

Originally posted on www.thefancarpet.com

Coen Brothers Have a Title For Their Musical Biopic

Both Ethan and Joel Coen have announced the title for their planned musical biopic.

The duo has titled the project Inside Llewyn Davis, and has also scored some funding for the new film.

News emerged a few months ago that the pair were working on a film that was believed to be about the life of American Folk music god Dave Van Ronk. But with the name now surfacing it looks as though the brothers have gone down the road of basing the film on his life rather than making it directly about him.

The basic plot synopsis that has emerged so far is that the film will look at Davies’ struggle in 1960s New York as a folk musician, which directly mirrors the life experience as Van Ronk.

There has been no further news regarding the plot behind this piece of information, but Scott Rudin is on board to produce and StudioCanal Films are co-financing the project.

There are currently no details about the cast or the filming schedule for the film, but hopefully it wont be log until details emerge.

Koepp Writing The Thin Man

Johnny Depp’s determination to get a new take on The Thin Man made looks as though it’s finally taking shape.

After getting Jerry Stahl to look into the project back in March nothing actually materialised and now it looks as though Depp has hired David Koepp to start writing the film’s script.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides director Rob Marshall has also been brought on board to bring the feature to life.

The novel for which the film will be based on finds retired detective Nick Charles (Depp) marrying and partying it up with a wealthy socialite named Nora, the pair also find time to do a bit of crime solving on the side.

Apparently the idea for the film is to combine the elements of the first two Thin Man films, that were made back in the 1930s, and maintain the setting of the period with a bit of Sherlock Holmes sprinkled throughout. There is also talk of room being left for a few musical numbers, which sounds strange, interesting and compelling all at the same time.

There is currently no word on when this project is looking to start filming but at the moment it’s still in its early stages, so fingers crossed it doesn’t go wrong like the last time.

Some Film News ...

Originally posted on www.thefancarpet.com

Swank Takes on Shrapnel

With comic con about to kick off Hilary Swank has announced that she will be staring in comic book adaptation Shrapnel.

The actress will also be adding Shrapnel to her list of producing credits as well.

Sharpnel was created by sci-fi writer Nick Sagan and Mark long, and is set in 2250 where humanity has spread across the solar system, however the majority of the colonies are under the control of the Solar Alliance, who rule with an iron-fist. Venus however remains a free world, where the last free members of humanity fight the Alliance’s intrusion.

Swank will be playing the role of former solar marine Samantha ‘Sam’ Vijaya, who helps to lead an uprising against the Alliance and the oppression they have enforced up humanity.

Shrapnel began its life as a graphic novel trilogy, but whether the film will advance into a trilogy will most likely be decided after the film’s release.

The writer, director or the release dates are yet to be confirmed.

Bonham-Carter the Lone Ranger

Academy Award nominated British acting royalty Helena Bonham-Carter has saddled up and may be joining the cast of The Lone Ranger.

Joining the actress as the newest potential signings to the film project are actors Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale and Dwight Yoakam.

Carter, who is currently wrecking havoc at Hogwarts in the last piece of the Harry Potter puzzle is apparently considering taking the role of the madam who runs a local brothel, and considering the eccentricity of the actress it sounds like a role she could truly bring to life.

Yoakman is currently in talks to play Butch Cavendish, the films villain who leads the Cavendish gang, who attack the Texas Rangers. Pepper, who is also in talks to join the film, is said to have his eye on the role of Captain J Fuller, a man who is assumed to be helping the lone ranger on his crusade against the Cavendish gang. Finally, Dale is up for the role of Dan Reid.

Carter and her other fellow potential signings will be joining an all star cast that currently includes, Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Ruth Wilson and Tom Wilkinson.

The film is expected to be released in late 2012.