I have recently discovered the fine art of cigar boxes, my most favorite are the Romeo Y Julieta wooden boxes. One day walking to work I saw in the window of Galley 7’s display some vintage cigar boxes so it stopped me in my tracks and low and behold I saw that there was a sign for an invitation to open all art mediums and give people a chance to show there creativity and imagination by altering cigar boxes.

Even better Gallery 7 is holding this competition as a fundraiser to help support the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival. The artistic boxes will be offered for sale during the performances and all of the money made through the selling of these art forms will go to the Coleman Hawkins Society.

It’s very easy to participate and I encourage everyone to show their artistic side! Cigar boxes are available at Gallery 7 or you may use your own, submissions will only be accepted through Saturday June 9th. The cigar boxes that are completed and the entry donation of $10 should be submitted to Gallery 7 (118 North 7th, open 11-7 on Fridays and Saturdays) they will be displayed at Gallery 7 leading up to the concert weekend on June 15th and June 16th. The Cigar boxes will be judges in the following categories: Musical Theme, Most Manipulated and Altered, Beautiful, and Bring a Smile. A awesome ribbon will be given to each of the category winners on Friday, June 15th at the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival. So come out and think outside the box and show your creative side and also help a beautiful cause!

Anyone even slightly familiar with St. Joe’s growing music scene more than likely knows the name Jesse James. James has been a very active part of the city’s music community for several years and now, he is ready to take the next step in his musical evolution.

On May 31, James will unveil his latest side project Jerkface, on Magoon’s always welcoming stage. Following James’ normal acoustic set as well as a set by Tuning Fork TV sensation Brean Reiley, Brian Shanks, a drummer who recently moved here from Kentucky via New York, will be joining James for a set by their new project. The possibility of a bassist being added to the group is still there but as James told me, “I like the two-piece dynamic. With just Shanks and me, it’s very raw. I like it.” James describes the band as part instrumental, part punk and very different from anything he has done before. Jerkface is creature built upon all the styles in which James finds comfort. There is surf rock like that of Dick Dale, The Ventures and Los Straitjackets, the psychobilly of The Cramps and Reverend Horton Heat, punk rock in the vein of Social Distortion and the straight up dirty guitar instrumentation of the late great Link Wray.

However, fans of the other bands that James is involved in need not worry. His other popular bands (the greaser punk/ Springsteen rev up The Sticky Throttles and the rock n roll gems If You See Kay, in which Jesse plays drums), aren’t done. James told me he is not slamming the door on those bands because he still really enjoys being a part of them. He is just branching out, trying new things, pushing his boundaries, trying to catch the next big wave so to speak.

Musicians and artists of all types need to challenge themselves to grow. If they do not, like anything else that needs attention, it will die on the vine. Complacency makes for boring life and a boring life is not living. Jerkface is just the next piece in the puzzle of James’ life. A life as far as I can tell, has not been a boring one.

Make sure to check out Jerkface at Magoon’s on May 31st. The show is 21 and over and there is no cover.

The Avengers (2012) – (PG-13)

Director – Joss Whedon – Serenity, “Firefly”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Glee”, Much Ado About Nothing (upcoming), “Dollhouse”
Starring – Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Clark Gregg, Tom Hiddleston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Bettany, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skarsgard, Cobie Smulders, Ashley Johnson

I consider myself lucky that I grew up in the household that I did. My two brothers and I grew up reading comic books … and they have always had a special place in my heart as a world of fantastical make believe in which anything could happen (superpowers, flight, time and space travel, characters die … and magically come back to life years later!). We boys luckily had a father who still read his Batman comics as we were growing up and he allowed each of us to find our own comic niche – my older brother liked the individuals with superpowers who called themselves The Avengers (hmmm …) while I found myself identifying more with the mutant X-Men (I had “mutating cells” [cancer] as a child) and it was my little brother who loved Spiderman. Two of us have experienced seeing our favorites come-to-life on screen for over a decade now and my older brother has finally been given the opportunity to see his beloved superhero team “assemble” to save the day. And … well … I’m thinking it was worth the wait!

Marvel Entertainment has been playing around with several of these feature characters for years now as Iron Man and Hulk have both had two movies apiece made about them (although the Hulk movies are questionable whether or not Marvel is including them in the Marvel canon of film). Thor and Captain America have appeared on screen one time each … which was last year. Throughout each of these films, one character has tied them all together, S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson – Pulp Fiction, Snakes on a Plane, Jackie Brown), who has teased the audience (of fanboys/girls) with the hope/dream/fantasy of a grand future collaboration of mega-strong superheroes. It has worked out best for The Avengers that most of the onscreen characters have all been seen before and provided with a nicely-written and well fleshed out backstory in their own films. Going into this new film, no time is wasted in introductions to Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr. – Sherlock Holmes, Tropical Thunder), Thor (Chris Hemsworth – Cabin in the Woods, Star Trek), Captain America (Chris Evans – Fantastic Four, Sunshine), Hulk (newbie Mark Ruffalo – The Kids Are All Right, Shutter Island) or Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson – Lost in Translation, Match Point) whom have been introduced in (mostly) their own features (sans Black Widow who has not had her own film). The only new addition to the team the audience has not seen before onscreen (he did have a blink-and-miss-it cameo in Thor!) is Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner – The Hurt Locker, The Town), an assassin with mad archery skills! As most of the audience knows the characters and their situations (such as their reluctance to join a team), the movie wastes no time getting to the heart/core of the story/situation which allows for the action to begin early on in the film.

I found this to be both a plus and a negative as I was thrilled to get to see our favorite Avengers costume-up and take on some baddies here and there; but at the same time there wasn’t much heart in the first half of the film. The human element is pretty much missing as the only person with an emotional connection is Iron Man’s assistant Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow – Shakespeare In Love, The Talented Mr. Ripley [one of my favorite films of ALL time – shout-out!]) who fears for her boss’s (is he finally more?!) safety. Potts only has one early scene and Iron Man and the rest of the Avengers are called away to a massive air-base that has been launched into orbit to investigate a matter that becomes the film’s central plot. For most of the film, earth is all in hindsight … and the action takes place far away in space as Thor’s trouble-making brother, Loki (an awesome Tom Hiddleston – Thor, The Deep Blue Sea, War Horse) has made a deal with the leader (The Other) of an alien race known as the Chitauri who promises him a Chitauri army to basically take-over the earth. All Loki has to do is retrieve a magical/mystical device known as the Tesseract that has unknown powers and capabilities. It is most obvious that Loki succeeds on his first part of this mission … or we wouldn’t have a film. It is what Loki (somewhat unknowingly) unleashes on the world that sets up the film … and one has to see it to experience it.

There is a LOT of action in The Avengers – perhaps a bit too much at times – but the point is very apparent that The Avengers mean business (even those with “lesser powers” have moments to shine). As mentioned, most of the beginning action/story occurs in space (or simply not on earth) and I felt somewhat detached from what I was watching. It was only after the action centers on Manhattan and the viewer sees and hears a frantic population funning for their lives in the city streets that a human connection to this story is finally made. Yes … it is a comic book film; but what has made so many of these comic book adaptations so successful of late is their human story (namely The Dark Knight). Without a “real-life” connection we are simply watching bigger-than-life happenings in awe … it is only after the world (people like you or me or our friends and family in Manhattan) are in danger that the movie becomes more grounded. The film needs this … it needs to be connected to the earth for there to be a bit more of an impact.

Mark Ruffalo steps into the shoes of scientist Bruce Banner for the first time here (it was previously played by Eric Bana and Edward Norton), and he has made him his own (it helped that Ruffalo was able to act through the entire movie as Hulk wasn’t ALL CGI this time compared to others). Hulk is given some of the film’s better action sequences … and his treatment of Loki in one scene is howl-worthy. Woot! I appreciate Johansson’s Black Widow – she’s a tough female who holds her own and it is kind of disappointing that Marvel has no plans to give her her own film (Natasha Romonoff has an interesting and film-worthy backstory in my opinion). The Avengers also gives the audience a bit more of a glimpse into S.H.I.E.L.D. by giving Fury more of a role and more-heavily featuring two other agents with pivotal moments in the film – Phil Coulson is played by Clark Gregg (Coulson was in Thor, Iron Man and Captain America) and Maria Hill is played by Cobie Smulders (“How I Met Your Mother”). I am one who believes both Evans and Hemsworth are actors of limited-means; but I won’t deny that Hemsworth highly resembles his comic book alter ego. Everyone is pretty-much passable here but the standout has to be British thespian, Tom Hiddleston who plays the diabolically mischievous Loki. His sneers, grins and leers are excellent … and there is no doubt as to what Loki is thinking when Hiddleston fixes his glare onto someone/something.

The film becomes almost TOO BIG and it feels as if the earth’s mightiest heroes might not be able to pull it off … but knowing that Marvel has signed these stars up for a second and third film lets us all know they don’t have an epic fail here. The film is nice to look at – pretty faces and some nice action scenes – and it is fun to actually listen to as well (the banter between our heroes can be hilarious if one can catch what they say). A lot of credit must go to the director, Joss Whedon, who hasn’t failed me yet, either. Whedon’s other foray into space – the Firefly/Serenity series are worthy watches … and he doesn’t let a big story ever take over. Him and his film are both great. I don’t think this one will disappoint. Bring on the popcorn and the sequels … !

Grade: B

W.E. (2011) – (R)

Director: Madonna – Filth and Wisdom (2008)

Starring: Abbie Cornish, Andrea Riseborough, James D’Arcy, Oscar Isaac, Richard Coyle, Natalie Dormer, James Fox, Judy Parfitt, David Harbour, Katie McGrath, Annabelle Wallis

This is the film the studio tried to tout as Madonna’s “directorial debut”; but I am fully aware that I watched the stinker-of-a-film called (fittingly and not) Filth and Wisdom a few years back starring some relative unknowns that was directed by none-other-than Madonna herself. The film was filth/garbage (not depraved … just NOT good or worth anybody’s time) and UN-wise. I guess we can say “She tried” … she really did. I was actually surprised to read that the pop musician was going to try her hand at directing again … and I am almost horrified to say that I am impressed with (parts of …) her sophomoric effort. (She stands not a chance I guess … we all enter into the film with prejudice). It is much like her music … I like some of it and some of it can be passed upon (FYI – my favorite song of hers is her lesser known and stage-y “Take a Bow”). The same can be said – “take it or leave it” — about her acting (ugh … but please remember her nice turn in the baseball pic A League of Their Own and her playing sultry chanteuse in Dick Tracy). Madonna has “IT” I will readily admit … people are fascinated by her (or they loathe her because of “IT”) … and her true talent is onstage behind a microphone as a performer; but she shows a few moments of brilliance in W.E. that I cannot deny/disregard. It will not be a film for everyone; but for those who like dramatic romance and period pieces I think there are parts here to appreciate and enjoy.

To be honest, it requires a bit more than two exceptionally well put-together/executed scenes in a movie for me to fully recommend it. While W.E. has a bit more going for it than those two scenes (ahem … check out those haute couture costumes! For which it won an Oscar nomination), it being a partial romance/partial costume-drama about some lesser-than historical figures (for Americans I must add) doesn’t help its chances of catching-on or being appreciated. Madonna directs W.E. with a simplistic style that allows for total admiration of what one can see on screen (she has a vision that cannot be denied although a more deft director might have made the film more impactful) and a simple orchestral score by Abel Korzeniowski also never distracts from the carefully unfolding drama Madonna wants an audience to enjoy and become immersed in. It is apparent that she wants her audience to feel as passionate about the subject matter as she does … and this could have been the case if W.E. didn’t suffer from the Julie &Julia effect and decide to tell two different stories (one contemporary and one historical) … with varying degrees of success.

The MUCH-more interesting of the two stories is based on real-life historical figure (and social pariah), Wallis Simpson (played by rising-star Andrea Riseborough [wow! … she’ll win an Oscar one day]- Brighton Rock, Made in Dagenham, Happy-Go-Lucky) whose (doomed) relationship with one-time King of England, Edward VIII (James D’Arcy – Master & Commander, Hitchcock, An American Haunting), caused him to abdicate the crown to his younger brother, the stuttering George VI (as in THE film The King’s Speech … yes, it is THAT other story). Undoubtedly a misunderstood figure (to some degree), the twice-divorced American was reviled by much of the British Empire after she caught the eye of the young Prince of Wales as she was dancing (he was a mere prince at the time of their meeting) who proposed to the beauty after becoming king. As she had two living ex-husbands (whom the film briefly introduces – one being a disgustingly brutal drunk), Wallis could not become Queen of England which resulted in Edward having to make a difficult choice – crown on his head or ring on his finger. Historians and cinema goers know (thanks to The King’s Speech!) that he chose the ring. Love conquers all … or does it?

It is understandable why Madonna has decided to paint a portrait of a much-more-sympathetic, wronged Simpson in W.E. (on this level, her story works) as the Nazi-sympathizer rumors that dogged Wallis and Edward the rest of their lives (for various reasons) wouldn’t allow for Wallis to be a tragic figure. Riseborough is (simply!) great in W.E. and her commanding performance (tears and all) garners a lot of respect (oh THAT dance … read further). “If only the movie had been ALL about Wallis and Edward” is a sound lamentation as the contemporary, parallel/framing story featuring a romantically-challenged, (very) affluent-yet-lonely NYC housewife (Abbie Cornish – Limitless, Bright Star, Sucker Punch) who finds herself obsessed with the Wallis/Edward story as a Sotheby’s auction of the married couple comes to NYC is bland-and-lifeless by comparison (uhm … she can afford to go to a Sotheby’s auction!).

Just as the historical figure and story of Julie & Julia was more interesting and entertaining, this film’s historical Wallis is more engrossing than her contemporary counterpart too. The movie’s two best scenes — the abdication montage of Edward’s and a hypnotic and mesmerizing Wallis dance ditty — are ones any director should feel proud of capturing on film and it is a shame that the rest of the film doesn’t measure up to these (there are a few laughs at very uncomfortable moments). These are both 4-star scenes; but there is too-much of this “other” stuff in W.E. that pales in comparison. Had the film strictly been about Wallis and Edward I think a recommendation would have been forth-coming and on its way; but the average “everyday” of an uber-rich 1998 New Yorker is less-than-inspiring … and this lessens this film’s potential by quite a bit.

W.E is NOT a great film … the taking-on of a second story is unnecessary as Wallis is a fascinating character ALL on her own; but Madonna gives the film-goer a few moments of inspired magnetism with W.E. Late late late in the film Wallis dances (as mentioned) again for her (ailing) husband … and I dare any movie watcher NOT to be enthralled with Wallis’s dance (check out that Gary Oldman Dracula hair!) which I believe is one of last year’s finest scenes. She checks us out … points to us … and dances. GLORIOUS! I wish the rest of the film were that good; but it isn’t as a lot of it feels like a television perfume commercial. Cornish’s Wally (yawn) isn’t interesting … and sharing the screen with Riseborough’s Wallis doesn’t help. The reason to see this film is to one-day-be-able-to-say “I remember Riseborough when …” The film isn’t one that merits the utmost respect like a Best Picture nominee; but W.E. does have its moments. I believe the historical figures depicted here deserve some historical remembrance and significance. Madonna tried here … she truly tried. One half is unnecessary … thanks to Andrea Riseborough she elevates the film above mediocrity.

Grade: B-

Another big event is coming to St. Joseph, happening in the middle of downtown on May 17th at the Snakebite Club. Many of you know of and have seen Spike TV’s Half Pint Brawlers, what some of you don’t know is that two of the cast live right here in St. Joseph. The were also in Jackass 3D! Remember the bar scene? Yep thats the kind of action we are talking about!

‘Beautiful Bobby Dean’ and ‘Little Kato’ (long lost brothers and then reunited years later) face off at the club. No ring, no rules, just two brothers duking it out. Best give them plenty of space, they tend to need it! Their father is ‘Lord LittleBrook,’ one of the most famous midget wrestlers in the world. Bobby started wrestling at 8 years old, and has been professional for the past 13 years. ‘Little Kato’ been at this gig for over 20! I’ve heard it said that while Kato is wiser and has more experience, Bobby is faster and younger, so the bets are about even.

Bobby is regular downtown and bouncer for the Snakebite on weekends. Brad Estez, a bouncer for the club and a wrestler himself, suggested to Roger Harris, owner of the Snakebite, that they host the Half Pint Brawlers and bring the crowd in locally. Roger is excited for the event and expects a full house, tickets are going fast and he doesn’t know when it will be hosted again. Only a few handfuls remain so you best get them while the getting is good.

Expect the extreme this Thursday night. Whatever props and objects around can and will be turned into weapons of blunt force. ‘Beautiful Bobby Dean’ also told me that “Midgets are like strippers…the more dollar bills you throw will be picked up and stapled to their bodies.” He has the scars to prove it. Not all walls are guaranteed to remain intact during this match.

The event is limited to 110 people, and you must have a ticket to enter. (Sorry 21 and older only). Show starts at 8pm with the doors opening at 7pm. Tickets are $10.00 each and can be purchase at the Snakebite and at Tuningfork TV (see Tim Parker). For more information call (816) 752-8391.

In the early Fall of 2011 the band, Injected Element, decided to call it quits due to both personal and band member issues. “When you win trophies back to back, you and your fans are on a major high and when you don’t follow it up right or you don’t work hard after that, it seems that the love for the band fades away,” says Pat. The band lost all passion for what they were doing and it felt like a business instead of having fun. You have to have an equal line between business and fun, and at the time, that’s what they lacked. When guitarist, Shaun, had to step away due to personal issues only Jordan and Pat remained. Jordan wanted to keep going and wanted to find new members, but Pat didn’t want to because he felt it was hard to replace the original members. “When it’s time to call it quits, it’s time to call it quits, and at that particular time it was for the best,” states Pat. Now the time has come for Injected Element to rise above the ashes.

In the beginning Shaun and Pat had a goal; that they weren’t going to stop looking for the perfect pieces until they were satisfied. They had a vision that brought a lot of different aspects to the table that weren’t there before. Injected Element is now way more diverse because they don’t want to consider themselves as a strictly metal band. The band has a sound that’s got a metal, hard rock, alternative feel to it. If the band were to categorize their genre it would be a metal core/hardcore sound, but not to the point where it has whiny vocals. Now with Les Paul Jordan leading the vocals, it gives the band that unique sound they were missing. “It’s not just me bringing something to them, it’s them bringing something to me too,” says Les Paul. He too, like IE, is a perfect fit. He has played in a few bands before, but nothing like the seriousness and talent of this band. “Whenever you work with a screamer for five years and then you bring in a guy that predominantly sings, but has the ability to be a beast when it comes to screaming with a lot of range, he adds to what we had before.” says Pat. Shaun and Pat feel that somebody is shining a new light on the band, and Les Paul is that somebody. If you were to ask Les Paul a year ago who Injected Element was he couldn’t tell you. In a way that works out for the band because he doesn’t know what they sounded like before. Injected Element also brought in Josh Lee to play bass. Josh and Pat met at Aftershock during the California Dreamin’ Semifinals. “I had mentioned it to him, but I didn’t really think much about it,” says Josh. He also adds, “I could feel myself adding my bass lines to their music and I felt the energy of their music.” Pat asked Josh if he would be interested in playing for Injected Element and Josh was thrilled about the opportunity. Josh is very proud to be a part of the band and was blown away after their first gig. Tyler, who has played guitar for the band for three years now, also felt that the band needed to come back. “I feel like there is still a hell of a lot of energy and there are many people that still need to hear this. He gets his inspiration from the music he listens to, like the modern type metal and all the harmony that’s incorporated into it. Kyle, joined the band in June of last year as a guitarist and is the youngest member of the band at the fresh age of 18. His mother, who is a friend of the band, influenced him to audition. “It’s still pretty exciting and new,” states Kyle. “We are like his big brothers,” says Shaun. Pat adds, “We have all gone through what Kyle is about to go through and we all can guide him the right way.” Just like with Fires of Eden’s bass player, Mark Amos, they both have this great opportunity as young musicians to learn from the older, wiser musicians.

Injected Element is the type of band that respects other bands and really enjoys having friendships with them because when it comes down to it, they are all musicians aiming for similar goals. Recently, Pat subbed in for Fires of Eden’s drummer and that right there goes to show just how much they support and respect other bands. People can say what they want about other music scenes, but I believe our local scene is much tighter than any other city. I have personally witnessed bands attending fellow bands’ shows and that is a major sign of support and respect. They all help each other out when a hand is needed which is really awesome. There are going to be people that absolutely love what you are doing, but then there are also people that tell you, “You need to do this,” or “Change that.” You have to give everybody the same amount of opinion; it doesn’t matter if they love you or hate you. In doing that it makes you become a better musician because it helps you think about what you can do differently to improve yourself. “Everybody’s opinion matters when it comes to your art because they are the ones that pay to come see you,” says Pat. He also adds, “We need our IE fans, we need people to critíc us because in turn it makes us better.” The sound that these guys make together is a very well put together package.

The band entered in the California Dreamin’ Contest as Blunt Force Drama which is now Injected Element. As Pat states, “We entered into the competition solely to gain exposure and for the ultimate prize of going to California to play at such venues as Whiskey a Go-Go.” The contest is put together by Cory O’Meara, owner/promoter of Stratgazer Entertainment, and also friend to the band. Once they won the first round the band started to feel the itch come alive again. The second round was the last round that they played under the name Blunt Force Drama because they felt that IE was back. All of that hard work paid off because the band made it to the finals and now get to showcase their music at the Rocklahoma concert. Rocklahoma is a four day festival in Pryor, Oklahoma in which national, regional, and local bands play in front of a very large crowd. The eight bands that made it to the California Dreamin’ Finals will play at the event as a consolation prize. The California Dreamin’ Finals are June 14 and will be held outside at Aftershock Live Music Venue in Merriam, Kansas. The band also has a show at Hammerjacks Rock-N-Roll Dance Club June 1st, which will be their first show in St Joe since reforming. It is a very important show for both Injected Element and their fans. On June 2nd the band will again perform at Aftershock for the American Cancer Society benefit show alongside Federation of Horsepower. Injected Element plans to have merchandise and a CD available before the end of the summer. “We want to put a quality CD out for fans and hopefully they never want to take it out of their CD player.” says Pat. For any information about Injected Element you can find them on Facebook, Reverbnation, and as always right here on tuningfork.tv!