Punk Rock Factory - It's Just a Stage We're Going Through (ALBUM REVIEW)

Come take a trip to the sausage factory to listen to Welsh punk rockers new musical covers album. Punk Rock Factory are a high energy welsh band who bring the punk rock nature to songs we already know BUT have never heard them before. PRF formed in late 2014 in South Wales, Uk, Peej (vocals, guitar), Benj (bass, vocals), Ryan (guitar) and Kob (drums, vocals), PRF combine everything you love about 1990s/2000s punk rock, and reimagine classic and hit songs like you've never heard them before and are now embarking into the musicals. PRF record, mix, film, write and pretty much have done and do everything from their home base studio titled "The Sausage Factory" and they gained a lot of success from these brilliant takes on classic hits and during the lockdown era of life in the UK they gartered up thousands of followers and views from social media apps like TIKTOK, which is where I discovered them and fell in love with the bands covers and I shared them about with friends to ensure they see the magic that is PRF, and they are only growing bigger, larger, better with fans and followers worldwide alike. They frequently bring friends along to their music to collab and enjoy the fun and to date the band has had guest performances from members of acts such as Protest the Hero, Bowling for Soup, Ice Nine Kills, Mest, Rufio, Ten Foot Pole, Zebrahead aswell as Encanto star Jessica Darrow and many more!

It's Just A Stage We're Going Through released on all music platforms and physical copies on March 31st. Be sure to check it out and purchase it where you get your music from.

The Tracklist

1: Rewrite The Stars

2: You'll Be Back

3: Waving Through A Window

4: December 1963 (Oh What A Night)

5: Defying Gravity

6: I Dreamed A Dream

7: City Of Stars

8: Mama Mia

9: Shallow

10: You're The One I Want

11: I Will Follow Him

There were no doubts that the kings of turning any song into a punk rock classic would churn out another belter of an album especially considering the way they went here with turning some of the classic iconic hits of musicals into punk rock tunes and boy, oh boy, they are chunes! On paper or in theatres these songs you know and love you may go "how could a band cover musicals and turn them punk rock?" well this question you ponder is answered, solved and heard here in PRF's newest album of course. The album starts off strong with Rewrite The Stars, and then we are hit with Hamilton heavyweight You'll Be Back, and then we get a sort of sombre song from Waving which does not feel so sombre but feels sort of like a battle cry anthem. There are songs here I never knew or heard of prior to this so my image of those songs will be just incomparable compared to this first time hearing them here on this album. The songs I have never heard prior to PRF's versions are You'll Be Back, Waving Through A Window, Defying Gravity and City Of Stars, and now I am afraid of hearing the original versions because I know they won't even come close to the epic-ness that Punk Rock Factory installed upon them with their takes. Defying Gravity for example I have always heard from friends who seen the musical Wicked that it is a song that even the most classical trained singers struggle with singing but here I felt it was perfect, Peej did it justice. I do feel a lot of the songs I don't know are ones which I need to grow into more with so with time I am sure to appreciate and love them more, but I am impressed and I enjoyed this album. You can without a doubt headbang, dance and sing in your underpants having the time of your life to these versions of those iconic hit musicals.

8/10

So if you want fun with friends, family or even strangers and want to down a few good pints and have a laugh together Punk Rock Factory always has your back, and It's Just A Stage We're Going Through backs that up once more from the band's amazing discography. 

Last weekend Saturday 25th March I watched the boys put on a hell of a show in a sold out Cardiff, Great Hall and I cannot wait to see them again! Thanks for reading my sausages!

Stay Punky!

John Wick 4 - Baba-YAY-Ga!

WOW!!!!

I was so excited and hyped up counting the days until I finally see this film and OH MY GOD!!!!!!

I am not going to sugar coat or spoil it BUT.................IS THIS THE GREATEST ACTION FILM OF ALL TIME?!

So John Wick 4 or John Wick Chapter 4 follows the story once more of Johnathan, sorry I mean, Mr. Wick who is an elite hitman that has been titled many names through this series mostly Baba Yaga BUT he's the one you send to kill the fucking boogeyman. If you have not seen any of the Wick films well this one will escape you and my god please get out from the rock you are living under and go delve into the phenomenal action films that are the John Wick movies. Mr. Wick was a retired elite hitman but after the events in John Wick 1 he is brought back into the world of hitmen, and after he loses everything he breaks the rules of the hit world organization and is out to essentially kill them all and no matter how many they send to silence Mr. Wick he keeps on killing every single one of them with brutality. Of course Mr. Wick is so creative also in how he kills and all the action and violence and gore is absolutely beautiful in such a twisted way of course. John has some friends left in the world, and we do get to see them in each film because John is a very respected man and not everyone will want to turn on him for any amount of money because of the killer he is.

****HERE'S A SPOILER SUMMARY OF THE SERIES****

CHAPTER 1: They Stole His Car & Killed His Dog

CHAPTER 2: They Blew Up His Home

CHAPTER 3: John IS On The Run

CHAPTER 4: John IS Taking Their Lives!

Each Wick film has improved upon its last entry and this one is single-handedly the best in the series and in my god honest opinion the greatest action film of all time. Keanu did 90% of stunt in this film which is insane. We know how Keanu is the nicest person on Earth or in Hollywood, and we also know to never fuck with him, he knows a lot of martial arts from these films and in his career, and he does study and training in Karate, Judo, Krav Maga, Jiu Jitsu in his personal life and is coached by world BJJ champions in his training also so yeah he can take you down anytime he wants to. The stunt team deserve Oscars and top awards for their work in any film BUT THIS ONE ESPECIALLY! I feel after these films the world needs stunt awards in these mainstream award shows because the hard work that goes into their craft is more than the actors most of the time.

The John Wick films have all held up high regards to the stunts, choreography and the world building they all have in the connected story of The Continental and The High Table. These films also have stellar visuals and lighting aswell as soundtracks and Chapter 4 was no different from shots high above ground to close up action shots of headshots to cars smashing henchmen and Wick alike. I cannot wait for what the future holds with prequel series The Continental and a spin-off film titled The Ballerina in the works. The kills are creative, stylish and BRUTAL! The action is top-notch and non-stop. I don't want to spoil anything of this film so, PLEASE GO WATCH IT! If you don't see it, Wick will see you!

In short, John Wick 4 in my opinion is the greatest action film of all time and will keep you hooked for its 2 and a half hour run time with total non-stop action! Mr. Wick will see you now!

10/10

MASTERPIECE!

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Be seeing you.

The Last Of Us TV SERIES REVIEW! - J-Ellie Baby!

With the first season of video game smash hit The Last Of Us wrapped up I got to give big love and props to Bella! She smashed it, although it took time to grow into her as Ellie, she more than delivered! Pedro as always is a mega star and his Joel was amazing.

If you did not know already, The Last Of Us (HBO) is a post apocalyptic series based upon the smash hit video game of the same name; The Last Of Us. The Last Of Us follows the story of Joel and Ellie, Joel a single father just making his way through the rubble of his life at the end of the world meets Ellie a fiery 14-year-old girl and Joel is tasked with escorting Ellie to a medical facility halfway across America to try and find a cure for the Cordyceps Fungus infection that has waged havoc upon the world. Joel finds out that Ellie is immune to the infection, so we go on a journey of highs and lows as they seek to endure and survive all threats to the key to humanity's survival.

It was so great to see these Easter eggs and moments from the game recreated and also big love and thanks to the cast and crew bringing in the fab cast from the game. This series deserves awards no doubt about it, all cast and crew involved and especially the prosthetics and make up effects were insane and are more than deserving of some top quality awards.

Only flaws are that; Episode 9 was rushed, I felt the left behind episode was pretty weak, there was a lack of salvaging and battles with clickers. Don't get me wrong, I loved the series. The story is strong and on the same lines in general as the game, but it's got some changes that make it different and stand out from the game of course which I actually loved and am a big fan of and the shots and locations used in the series were beautiful also, it's crazy how lush they could make a ravaged world look even in an apocalypse. Let me also say the other stand out characters were Sarah Miller (Joel's daughter), Henry & Sam, Tommy Miller (Joel's brother), Tess and of course Bill & Frank. Their respective actors who portrayed the characters I just mentioned were outstanding. Ep 3 focused mostly on the same-sex relationship of Bill & Frank, and it was a beautiful episode and heartbreaking. Sam & Henry's episodes were heartbreaking also and so unique since Sam in this series is now deaf, and he is actually played by a deaf actor and oh my god it made things more tense and interesting, and it was just gruelling seeing their fate on the screen play out. I got to say also in the first episode it is hard not to have fallen in love with Sarah she was such a lovely delight and the actress played her perfectly and even though we know her fate it still hit hard and shocked us when it happen, and it was same for Tess too. Tommy is fine it's just his heated arguments and scenes with Joel were performed perfectly. These have been the other characters who have stood out for me. 

I love the story of the first game also. The bond between Ellie and Joel is one of the greatest stories ever told in gaming. As far as video game adaptions go, this series ranks high. For what it's worth. I love the game's story and characters but the gameplay for me, I didn't like BUT I loved the show.

Overall I'd say it's a near perfect TV series video game adaption, and I'd give season 1 a.......

9/10

If you are asking yourself "Why did he put J-Ellie Baby! In the title of his review?" It's a simple play on words of Joel & Ellie, and it's something I think Ellie would find funny. So what did you think of the first season? Are you excited for more?

Thanks for reading and feel free to share the blog with friends and family and tag me for any discussions or ideas on twitter @ScottyJ193.

Stay Shiny Fireflies!

CREED 3 - AN OSCAR BOXER!

Michael B Jordan take a bow and I will put you forward to win some Oscars because this film DESERVES IT!

Creed 3 is the 9th? Film in the Rocky series but the 3rd instalment in the Creed series. After the events of Creed 2 we are 3 years down the line and Creed has hung up his boots after his wins and injuries to retire happily and spend his life with his family and his daughter. However, 18 years have passed, and an old familiar face has shown up into Adonis's life once again as we enter Jonathan Majors character "Diamond" Damian Anderson. All seems well and good but Dame goes for Creed's throat because Dame wants what he feels he is owed as he was sent to jail and Adonis left him behind. So now Dame forces Creed out of retirement for an epic showdown. Who will win?

First off, the cast was incredible! Soundtrack was great! FIGHT SCENES WERE EPIC ESPECIALLY THE LAST FIGHT!!!!

Michael B. Jordan more than delivered here in his directorial debut! I am excited for what he directs next! The relationship with Dame and Adonis will have people again on the fences as to who to root for as the lines get blurred with all the gripping drama. The family relationship with Creed was sweet and his daughter is so sweet, and she was a brilliant actor, I'm sorry to forget her name, but I am running on adrenaline after this film.

The final fight gave me chills! I heard Michael talk about putting in some knods of dragonball and my hero academia among other animes in this to show homage and what inspires him and OH YES I CAUGHT THOSE REFERENCES STRAIGHT AWAY IN THE FIGHTING!

This is the first film without Rocky in, and it was a shame I felt BUT maybe they will bring him back again in future, and we get a story out of it that keeps Creed going strong! With Rocky missing I was worried that this film would be lacking something, but it wasn't, and it showed Creed and Jordan can stand on their own. The theme of the film was basically about letting go of the past, and it did that and stood tall where other films would have faltered.

I do wish this film was longer, so we could have got more tense build up to Majors V Jordan showdown and I wish the fight was longer BUT I loved this!

I'd say this film deserves an Oscar and Michael deserves some for directing and his performance in this too. Overall a superb film that shows a lot of power on and off camera from Michael B Jordan, with a fabulous supporting cast and a gripping story.

9/10

Cocaine Bear - A GREAT BUMP! FILM REVIEW!

Alright, so I really enjoyed this! It was a good laugh! I went into it expecting a dumb fun, horror/comedy and what I got from it was pretty much as expected, but the horror was not so strong but hey that's fine because everything else was good. I'm sure there will be a more "serious" cocaine bear like film on a lower budget, but this was just laugh out loud enjoyment for an hour and a half.

To the uninitiated, this film is about a bear who indulge in Cocaine which it found in the forest from a failed drug run. Cocaine Bear is directed by Elizabeth Banks and stars the likes of Alden Ehrenreich, O'Shea Jackson Jr, Keri Russell and Ray Liotta.

The soundtrack licenced and original were so good! Action and gore could have been upped more I feel but still good. Comedy was just so good! Cast were excellent. The kids were amazing and like naturally funny. I can tell all involved with this film had fun and that translates to the screen also, and I appreciate it and I feel I got more out of it for that. The bear was as you can imagine a badass but also a funny character when it was getting its cocaine fix😂

Critically a 2 and half star film, however I am not a critic, I am a consumer of films and I really enjoyed this film and I had such a laugh with it hence why I am rating it 4 stars.

I would say this is a rewatchable, dumb fun, comedy that will continue to make you laugh or scoff amusingly so yeah defo worth buying on blu-ray. I want more please. Elizabeth Banks killed it here!

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Stay Shiny!