Category: Features

Posted on: January 20, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Smirnoff Sorbet Light Pineapple Coconut Vodka Review

Smirnoff’s Sorbet Light line is one of the few [product offerings that allow imbibers that want to have a diet beverage the ability to have it both taste delectable and still be wholly walloped by the alcohol percentage. The brand has a new offering – Pineapple Coconut – that contains 30% ABV. The vodka contains 78 calories in each shot (1.5 fluid ounce serving size), meaning that one will be…

Posted on: January 19, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Alaskan ESB Beer Review

The beer pours with a very bright copper color. The head that pours from the bomber is fairly substantial and with a slight off-white tone. An initial mouthfeel is fairly substantial and provides imbibers with a slight amount of carbonation; the light bubbly touch allows for a much greater gradient of flavors to be present in the ESB. The nose of the ESB links together hops with a sweet blend…

Posted on: January 18, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Young Detective Dee Rise of the Sea Dragon Blu-Ray Review

Young Detective Dee Rise of the Sea Dragon is a 2013 film that works as a predecessor to Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, and provides fans of the initial film with ample backstory and a plot that is at least as alluring as the first film. Mark Chao (Dee Renjie) and Carina Lau (Wu Zetian) step into their previous role, while the cast is further bolstered…

Posted on: January 17, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

The Following The Complete First Season DVD Set

The Following is one of the hottest shows on TV, looking to reinvigorate the cat-and-mouse, criminal and lawman genre utilizing hints of crime fiction, police procedural, and mystery genres.  The absolutely star-studded cast (Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Natalie Zea) took to the air early in 2013, and have captured a considerable viewer share throughout its initial 15-episode run. The dynamic that is present between the serial killer Joe Carroll (Purefoy)…

Posted on: January 17, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Abbey Dubbel Beer Review

The sweet notes that are presented to imbibers are moderated through the presence of a warming alcohol touch. The 9.1 IBUs of the Abbey Dubbel allow for an absolutely approachable effort that is much more meaty and fulfilling than more hop-heavy efforts. The fruit elements (banana, dark fruit, apricot) provide additional facets to the beer. The bold elements of the beer are refreshed through the presence of tart notes, raisins,…

Posted on: January 15, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Henrik Åstrom Interview

Can the music that you composed for Cowboys and Indians be enjoyed outside of the setting of the film? Does the context in which one listens to your music change based on how they experience the compositions? I always intend for the scores I write to stand on their own outside of the film. It is usually a challenge since most film scores need to be very subtle and can…

Posted on: January 14, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Sneak Attack Saison Beer Review

Effervescent without having some of the more dank and earthy notes typically present in the farmhouse ale format, Sneak Attack Saison has a tremendously easy flavor that dissipates quickly. The pour yields a very hazy, straw color with no head or lacing. 6.2% ABV is moderately perfectly by the warmer elements of the beer, while the 38 IBUs provide imbibers with additional complexity to the effort. Hints of pepper, spice,…

Posted on: January 14, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

The Art of Metal: Five Decades of Heavy Metal Album Covers Book Review

Metal may be the most maligned musical genre out there. But regardless of whether you think its rep is well-deserved or wholly unfair, there is no denying the powerful visual images that have been associated with it from the beginning, seen everywhere from album covers to black concert T’s. From the iconic Zombie-like figure of Eddie, Iron Maiden’s mascot, to the Misfits skull beaming from the front of t-shirts going…

Posted on: January 14, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Cars Can Be Blue – Trace the Tension LP Review

Though best remembered for the beautifully raunchy, but oh so catchy tune “The Dirty Song,”   Athens, GA’s duo Cars Can Be Blue are back with their strongest full length yet, Trace the Tension. Bringing to mind everyone from The Muffs to The Moldy Peaches, the band is still playful and still irreverent, but a tad more focused with this latest 14-song offering.   From the pumped up album opener “You…

Posted on: January 14, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Amberfern AquaEssence: An Ocean of Calm CD Review

Dr. Clive Brooks is Amberfern, and AquaEssence is a collection of tracks that he has created to elicit the sounds and experiences that one has when they are on a beach. From Avon Beach to the disc’s final track, Calm Waters Home, Amberfern has deftly created a release that will elicit memories of days spent on the boardwalk, playing around a swimming hole, or bobbing around in the ocean. At…