Vslyke
@vslyke.bsky.social
Music, sports*, TV, screaming into the void. Small piece of the BobServe team.
*Braves/Pittsburgh Pirates/White Sox/Penguins/Titans/Carolina Panthers/UGA
*Braves/Pittsburgh Pirates/White Sox/Penguins/Titans/Carolina Panthers/UGA
2007's "Hot Fuzz" is a loving parody of the buddy cop genre that builds in lots of laughs and action. Remarkably, the film works as both parody and as a part of the genre. The casting is also exemplary, particularly Jim Broadbent and Timothy Dalton as a pair of the village's leading men.
8/10
8/10
November 13, 2025 at 5:57 AM
2007's "Hot Fuzz" is a loving parody of the buddy cop genre that builds in lots of laughs and action. Remarkably, the film works as both parody and as a part of the genre. The casting is also exemplary, particularly Jim Broadbent and Timothy Dalton as a pair of the village's leading men.
8/10
8/10
1987's "Hollywood Shuffle" is a funny and sharp satire of the Black experience in Hollywood. The film tries a bit too hard to be everything to everyone, which can result in whiplash as the movie switches between parody and sincerity, but it lands its punches and jokes equally well.
7/10
7/10
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1987's "Hollywood Shuffle" is a funny and sharp satire of the Black experience in Hollywood. The film tries a bit too hard to be everything to everyone, which can result in whiplash as the movie switches between parody and sincerity, but it lands its punches and jokes equally well.
7/10
7/10
1966's "Blindfold" is an entertaining farce that does not take itself too seriously. There's some notable plot holes and the movie fails to build up enough suspense but the film generates a decent number of chuckles and Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale have solid chemistry.
6/10
6/10
November 12, 2025 at 3:18 AM
1966's "Blindfold" is an entertaining farce that does not take itself too seriously. There's some notable plot holes and the movie fails to build up enough suspense but the film generates a decent number of chuckles and Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale have solid chemistry.
6/10
6/10
1941's "The Little Foxes" fully brings 1900's South back. The movie is brimming with betrayal and the poison of greed, racism, and sexism adds resonance, but the slow as molasses pace badly dates the film. An electric Bette Davis performance redeems the movie, particularly the second half.
7/10
7/10
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 AM
1941's "The Little Foxes" fully brings 1900's South back. The movie is brimming with betrayal and the poison of greed, racism, and sexism adds resonance, but the slow as molasses pace badly dates the film. An electric Bette Davis performance redeems the movie, particularly the second half.
7/10
7/10
2014's "Get On Up" is most notable for Chadwick Boseman's performance as James Brown. Boseman nails the character and the performer, elevating a pedestrian script that is often painfully unsubtle. Nelsan Ellis is also excellent as Bobby Byrd and you cannot go wrong with using Brown's music.
7/10
7/10
November 8, 2025 at 8:17 AM
2014's "Get On Up" is most notable for Chadwick Boseman's performance as James Brown. Boseman nails the character and the performer, elevating a pedestrian script that is often painfully unsubtle. Nelsan Ellis is also excellent as Bobby Byrd and you cannot go wrong with using Brown's music.
7/10
7/10
1996's "Executive Decision" is a technically competent thriller that fails to differentiate itself. The special effects have aged very poorly and the movie is a good bit longer than it needs to be. Overall, this is the sort of film destined to be seen on cable or in a hotel and forgotten.
5/10
5/10
November 6, 2025 at 8:23 AM
1996's "Executive Decision" is a technically competent thriller that fails to differentiate itself. The special effects have aged very poorly and the movie is a good bit longer than it needs to be. Overall, this is the sort of film destined to be seen on cable or in a hotel and forgotten.
5/10
5/10
"Hard Headed Woman" by Margo Price features my pick for the song of 2025, "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down", and keeps the momentum from that titanic opener. This is a tight and stylistically varied album that is both timely and bound to be a classic.
5/5
youtu.be/uyhzsMWC4sw?...
5/5
youtu.be/uyhzsMWC4sw?...
November 5, 2025 at 10:16 PM
"Hard Headed Woman" by Margo Price features my pick for the song of 2025, "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down", and keeps the momentum from that titanic opener. This is a tight and stylistically varied album that is both timely and bound to be a classic.
5/5
youtu.be/uyhzsMWC4sw?...
5/5
youtu.be/uyhzsMWC4sw?...
1986's "'Round Midnight" is shot like a documentary but this fictional story fails to create interest. However, the film benefits from a strong leading performance from Dexter Gordon, some lovely jazz, and evocative ambiance, making this a minor success despite the limp plot.
6/10
6/10
November 5, 2025 at 5:53 AM
1986's "'Round Midnight" is shot like a documentary but this fictional story fails to create interest. However, the film benefits from a strong leading performance from Dexter Gordon, some lovely jazz, and evocative ambiance, making this a minor success despite the limp plot.
6/10
6/10
The self-titled Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats album has the sound and vibe of a great Americana or soul album but the vocals frequently cross a line into parody. Additionally, the songs themselves are not compelling, so any flaw in the performances sticks out.
2/5
youtu.be/1iAYhQsQhSY?...
2/5
youtu.be/1iAYhQsQhSY?...
October 30, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The self-titled Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats album has the sound and vibe of a great Americana or soul album but the vocals frequently cross a line into parody. Additionally, the songs themselves are not compelling, so any flaw in the performances sticks out.
2/5
youtu.be/1iAYhQsQhSY?...
2/5
youtu.be/1iAYhQsQhSY?...
1999's "The Limey" benefits from its unorthodox editing and the strong central character. The 60s reunion angle is a additional small bonus. However, the plot and (especially) the script are only ok and the strengths of the movie can only barely carry it the finish line.
6/10
6/10
October 29, 2025 at 6:14 AM
1999's "The Limey" benefits from its unorthodox editing and the strong central character. The 60s reunion angle is a additional small bonus. However, the plot and (especially) the script are only ok and the strengths of the movie can only barely carry it the finish line.
6/10
6/10
"The You and Me That Used to Be" by Jimmy Rushing lives up to its pedigree (DownBeat Album of the Year) and its legacy (Rushing's final recording session). The band is supportive and gives Rushing the spotlight, allowing him a graceful and evocative final act.
4/5
youtu.be/JaY5EigRBlI?...
4/5
youtu.be/JaY5EigRBlI?...
October 20, 2025 at 9:47 PM
"The You and Me That Used to Be" by Jimmy Rushing lives up to its pedigree (DownBeat Album of the Year) and its legacy (Rushing's final recording session). The band is supportive and gives Rushing the spotlight, allowing him a graceful and evocative final act.
4/5
youtu.be/JaY5EigRBlI?...
4/5
youtu.be/JaY5EigRBlI?...
"Perfectly Imperfect at the Ryman" by Margo Price gathers highlights of Margo's 2018 Nashville shows. While more celebratory than revelatory, the set list is strong and her reinterpretations are consistently successful, creating an engaging and fulfilling album.
5/5
youtu.be/QGx1gMl2fas?...
5/5
youtu.be/QGx1gMl2fas?...
October 20, 2025 at 3:47 AM
"Perfectly Imperfect at the Ryman" by Margo Price gathers highlights of Margo's 2018 Nashville shows. While more celebratory than revelatory, the set list is strong and her reinterpretations are consistently successful, creating an engaging and fulfilling album.
5/5
youtu.be/QGx1gMl2fas?...
5/5
youtu.be/QGx1gMl2fas?...
2005's "Brick" is a detective story set among high schoolers (like Veronica Mars or Twin Peaks) but is seedier than those shows. While a bit too convoluted, this debut of Rian Johnson is stylish and gripping. It also manages to be both wildly original and a worthy homage to film noir.
8/10
8/10
October 19, 2025 at 5:40 AM
2005's "Brick" is a detective story set among high schoolers (like Veronica Mars or Twin Peaks) but is seedier than those shows. While a bit too convoluted, this debut of Rian Johnson is stylish and gripping. It also manages to be both wildly original and a worthy homage to film noir.
8/10
8/10
"Hold On, I'm Coming" by the Soul Children collects some rarities and singles by the Stax vocal group, including a few late 70s tracks. This format makes the group seem fairly identity-less, which means there's a little bit for everyone but only a little bit.
2/5
youtu.be/_qPESC4Aav0?...
2/5
youtu.be/_qPESC4Aav0?...
October 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
"Hold On, I'm Coming" by the Soul Children collects some rarities and singles by the Stax vocal group, including a few late 70s tracks. This format makes the group seem fairly identity-less, which means there's a little bit for everyone but only a little bit.
2/5
youtu.be/_qPESC4Aav0?...
2/5
youtu.be/_qPESC4Aav0?...
2007's "There Will Be Blood" is an epic look at a California oilman, beginning at the middle of his life. Expertly acted and consistently compelling, the film falters only by choosing not to even attempt to explain Daniel, instead leaving him as an unrelatable vengeful demon.
8/10
8/10
October 14, 2025 at 8:28 AM
2007's "There Will Be Blood" is an epic look at a California oilman, beginning at the middle of his life. Expertly acted and consistently compelling, the film falters only by choosing not to even attempt to explain Daniel, instead leaving him as an unrelatable vengeful demon.
8/10
8/10
1963's "Hud" has a good sense of place and some good acting but the plot is so simplistic and moralistic that these virtues hardly register. It is no wonder that so many people ended up rooting for Hud, the film is so outwardly contemptuous of him that you naturally feel protective of him.
6/10
6/10
October 12, 2025 at 6:18 AM
1963's "Hud" has a good sense of place and some good acting but the plot is so simplistic and moralistic that these virtues hardly register. It is no wonder that so many people ended up rooting for Hud, the film is so outwardly contemptuous of him that you naturally feel protective of him.
6/10
6/10
1993's "Menace II Society" is a harrowing and bleak drama that does not give or accept any excuses. Even the joy and love sprinkled throughout the movie fold back into the grim plot. Evocatively shot and painstakingly authentic, this searing film overcomes a fairly thin and disconnected plot.
8/10
8/10
October 7, 2025 at 6:12 AM
1993's "Menace II Society" is a harrowing and bleak drama that does not give or accept any excuses. Even the joy and love sprinkled throughout the movie fold back into the grim plot. Evocatively shot and painstakingly authentic, this searing film overcomes a fairly thin and disconnected plot.
8/10
8/10
I'm sorry, I simply refuse to believe this Steve Avery score. You're telling me ELEVEN percent of correct answers for that square were him?
October 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I'm sorry, I simply refuse to believe this Steve Avery score. You're telling me ELEVEN percent of correct answers for that square were him?
"Wrong Side of Memphis" by Johnny Dowd is as creepy and unique as billed. However, the songs cover familiar ground and the production is so sparse that a (hypothetical) record exec would have been right to meddle. This is "raw" but like meat you'd need a little seasoning to get it down.
1/5
1/5
October 5, 2025 at 3:30 AM
"Wrong Side of Memphis" by Johnny Dowd is as creepy and unique as billed. However, the songs cover familiar ground and the production is so sparse that a (hypothetical) record exec would have been right to meddle. This is "raw" but like meat you'd need a little seasoning to get it down.
1/5
1/5
Motion to call the Tigers/Mariners series the "Andy Van Slyke series"
October 5, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Motion to call the Tigers/Mariners series the "Andy Van Slyke series"
I don't know about "best" but this one absolutely whips
October 4, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I don't know about "best" but this one absolutely whips
1958's "Big Deal on Madonna Street" is a warm and comedic heist film that shows a bumbling group of criminals' attempt to pull off a complicated heist. Filmed on location, the movie manages to make the gang relatable, ultimately turning into an examination of the human spirit and camaraderie.
8/10
8/10
October 4, 2025 at 5:27 AM
1958's "Big Deal on Madonna Street" is a warm and comedic heist film that shows a bumbling group of criminals' attempt to pull off a complicated heist. Filmed on location, the movie manages to make the gang relatable, ultimately turning into an examination of the human spirit and camaraderie.
8/10
8/10
1958's "Elevator to the Gallows" is a tense crime drama that hinges on the humble elevator. This taut film offers little suspense but enthralls nonetheless. The Miles Davis score puts an already great movie over the top, pairing an American icon in his prime with exemplary French film noir.
9/10
9/10
September 30, 2025 at 4:34 AM
1958's "Elevator to the Gallows" is a tense crime drama that hinges on the humble elevator. This taut film offers little suspense but enthralls nonetheless. The Miles Davis score puts an already great movie over the top, pairing an American icon in his prime with exemplary French film noir.
9/10
9/10
"Electrically Speaking" by Love captures Arthur Lee performing in the early 90s. The sound quality is still rough, Lee has clearly aged, and there's no MacLean this time. As such, this is a lesser live album, albeit worthwhile listening for die hards.
3/5
Couldn't find a video for this album. :(
3/5
Couldn't find a video for this album. :(
September 29, 2025 at 9:28 PM
"Electrically Speaking" by Love captures Arthur Lee performing in the early 90s. The sound quality is still rough, Lee has clearly aged, and there's no MacLean this time. As such, this is a lesser live album, albeit worthwhile listening for die hards.
3/5
Couldn't find a video for this album. :(
3/5
Couldn't find a video for this album. :(