Movie Review: CZ12 or Chinese Zodiac

Courtesy of Wikipedia

CZ12 or Chinese Zodiac (十二生肖) is an Asian action movie co-produced, written, directed by and starring Jackie Chan as Asian Hawk (or JC), a well-known   treasure hunter. He and his team set out to fine and collect the long-lost 12 bronze heads of the Chinese Zodiac signs that were looted in the 1800s by the British during the Opium War. Disguising as a National Geographic reporter, he and his partners Simon (Kwon Sang-woo), David (Liao Fan) and Bonnie (Zhang Lan Xin) set out to find the remaining lost bronze heads for MP Corporation to be sold in auctioned. During their adventure, they would meet Coco (Yao Xing Tong), a young activist and part of Professor Guan's team who is trying to find all the missing bronze heads and return it to motherland China; and Katherine (Laura Weissbecker), who is looking for her great-grandfather who was involved in the looting for the Old Summer Place. What will JC and his partners do once they find the treasure?

I was eager to watch this movie because I really love Jackie Chan's style of blending action and comedy in a sequence and this was his last action movie. Yep, you read that right, this movie is the last time we will see Jackie Chan do death-defying stunts and mind-boggling moves like no other action star has done before. Some critics have compared this movie to his past Armour of God franchise to which he almost lost his life. The movie was easy to follow with the sequence not moving away from the story line. The acting was great with him and his co-stars mixing drama and comedy at the same time to produce some laughs within the movie. The action sequences, the main forte of Jackie Chan, was brilliant. His co-stars also showed their skills especially Zhang Lan Xin who is a model and Taekwando champion in real life. There is one sequence where she showed her flexibility but picking up a box of keys with her left feet (in heels) and then doing a very low split afterwards. You can tell that some of the sequences have been CGI'd but the hand-to-hand combats were all for real. The various location of the film was fantastic from the wineyards and majestic gardens of France to the lush forest of Vanuatu. There were also cameo appearances by some of Hong Kong and China's biggest stars. And with typical Jackie Chan movie, make sure you stay for the end credits.

Fans of Jackie Chan will truly go and see this movie knowing that this was his last action film. This movie is definitely for you if you are an action-adventure junkie. Most film critics gave the movie a bad review but it has grossed more than $135 million in China alone (Wikipedia). It was just released in most Asian countries and will soon be released in Europe and North America.

5 Stars (★★★★★)

DID YOU KNOW:
Jackie Chan earned two Guinness World Record for this film - "Most Stunts Performed by a Living Actor" and "Most Credits in One Movie" with 15. He is the writer, director, lead actor, producer, executive producer, cinematographer, art director, unit production, manager, catering coordinator, stunt coordinator, gaffer, composer, theme tune vocalist, props and of course, stuntman. (TwitchFilm.com)
Eventhough this is Jackie Chan's last action film, there is a rumor of a sequel for the film (Jayne Stars)


CZ12 - Movie Site

Album Review: John O'Callaghan - Subculture 2013

Start the year with a bang with Subculture 2013!

It has been a great year for John O'Callaghan with numerous releases and gigs. And what a way to end 2012 and welcome 2013 with a new 2-disc compilation album, "Subculture 2013."

JOC begins our journey in disc 1 with a melodic "Bella Monaco" by Rex Mundi before increasing the beats courtesy of "Lightning" by MaRLo. In comes the vocals of Katrina Noorbergen in "Letting Go" by Full Tilt with emphasis on the bassline courtesy of Jorn van Deynhoven. The journey continues with the lovely strums and melodic beats of "Fireisland" by Solarstone and Aly & Fila.

Enter his remix of "Foolish Boy" by Emma Hewitt maintaining the melody while emphasizing deeper bassline and melodic breaks. This was also predominant in the next three tracks - Luke Terry's "No Control" in James Dymond remix; Jase Thirlwall's "Gobstopper" in Indecent Noise remix; and John's own track "Boban." These tracks will just make you dance until your legs get wobbly. He slow things with his mashup of "Whatever Happened To Puzzle Piece." This is one of the mashups I really like due to its flawless blending of two tracks.

Journey continues with his remix of "Falcons" by Solarstone and Giuseppe Ottaviani followed by the Aly & Fila remix of "When I Close My Eyes" by Alex M.O.R.P.H. This pure trance track featuring Hannah's voice will surely induce goosebumps. JOC increased the tempo with "Jackknife" by Sneijder before bringing in his remix of "I Don't Deserve You" by Paul van Dyk, adding his signature bassline to the melodic beats and the strong vocals of Plumb. He ends our journey with darker beats of "Airport" by Photographer.

CD 2 kicks off with the amazing MaRLo remix of "Pure" by Solarstone, combining pure trance with melodic bass. JOC kicks it up with "Crispy Duck," a track he collaborated with Orjan Nilsen. Funny name for a high energy track. He continues with Protoculture's "Perpetual Motion" before bringing in his remix of "I'll Listen" by Armin van Buuren and Ana Criado adding bass to a melodic track.

Deeper bassline and melodic rhythms come into play with Ottaviani's "Earthbeat" followed by JOC's "Earth2Self." This two tracks would surely get you dancing. This journey continues with a remix of "What Do You Feel" by Aeris and Jess Morgan before a touch of techy-trance comes into play in "Power Trip" by Chris Metcalfe and "Get The Edge" by Bryan Kearney.

He continues with his remix of the melodic track "Everything" by The Thrillseekers and Stine Grove before taking us higher with "Vaporize" by himself and Aly & Fila. Combining his signature bassline with the Egyptian duo's signature melodic riffs to produce this flawless track. He continues with "Muriwai" by Akira Kayosa and Hugh Tolland. The melodic break on this track would induce goosebumps. Then comes in his track with Kathryn Gallagher - "Mess Of A Machine" with emphasis on deeper bassline courtesy of Kearney.

In comes Deynhoven's goosebump-inducing "Headliner," before ending our journey with his remix of Gareth Emery's "Concrete Angel." His bassline and synths blends well with Gareth's melodic rhythms and Christina Novelli's strong vocals.

John O'Callaghan has surely given us another reason to keep us listening to trance. With it's flawless transition and high-energy beats, Subculture 2013 is sure way to start the new year with a bang!

10/10

Released Date: January 18, 2013
Label: Subculture Recordings, Armada Music

Pre-order:
iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/subculture-2013/id58690396
Armada Shop - https://www.armadamusicshop.com/Subculture-2013-John-OCallaghan-Arma343-AC184584.htm#

Tracklist:

CD1
01 Rex Mundi - Bella Monaco (Intro Mix)
02 MaRLo - Lightning
03 Full Tilt ft. Katrina Noorbergen - Letting Go (Jorn van Deynhoven Remix)
04 Solarstone with Aly & Fila - Fireisland (Aly & Fila Uplifting Mix)
05 Emma Hewitt - Foolish Boy (John O'Callaghan Remix)
06 Luke Terry - No Control (James Dymond Remix)
07 Jase Thirlwall - Gobstopper (Indecent Noise Remix)
08 John O'Callaghan - Boban
09 Mark Leanings vs. Space Rockerz & Tania Zygar - Whatever Happened To Puzzle Piece (John O'Callaghan Mashup)
10 Solarstone with Giuseppe Ottaviani - Falcons (John O'Callaghan Remix)
11 Alex M.O.R.P.H. with Hannah - When I Close My Eyes (Aly & Fila Remix)
12 Sneijder - Jackknife
13 Paul van Dyk ft. Plumb - I Don't Deserve You (John O'Callaghan Remix)
14 Photographer - Airport

CD2
01 Solarstone - Pure (MaRLo Intro Mix)
02 Orjan Nilsen & John O'Callaghan - Crispy Duck
03 Protoculture - Perpetual Motion
04 Armin van Buuren ft. Ana Criado - I'll Listen (John O'Callaghan Dark Mix)
05 Giuseppe Ottaviani - Earthbeat
06 John O'Callaghan - Earth2Self
07 Aeris ft. Jess Morgan - What Do You Feel? (Re:Locate vs Robert Nickson Banging Remix)
08 Chris Metcalfe - Power Trip
09 Bryan Kearney - Get The Edge
10 The Thrillseekers ft. Stine Grove - Everything (John O'Callaghan Remix)
11 Aly & Fila vs. John O'Callaghan - Vaporize
12 Akira Kayosa & Hugh Tolland - Muriwai
13 John O'Callaghan & Kathryn Gallagher - Mess Of A Machine (Bryan Kearney Remix)
14 Jorn van Deynhoven - Headliner
15 Gareth Emery ft. Christina Novelli - Concrete Angel (John O'Callaghan Remix)

This review can also be found on TranceHub - http://trancehub.com/reviews/albums/john-ocallaghan-subculture-2013/

John O'Callaghan - website | Facebook | G+ | MixCloud | SoundCloud | YouTube | @JOCofficial

Album Review: Cream Anthems 20 Anniversary

My First Review of 2013.. This review can also be found at TranceHub.com

Take a journey into 20 years of hits through Cream Anthems

Cream marked its 20 years of existence in the dance music scene with the released of Cream Anthems 20th Anniversary compilation. This massive compilation contains 60 tracks spread over three discs.

Disc 1 pays homage to dance and house music scene which includes Calvin Harris’ “I’m Not Alone”, “I Remember” by deadmau5 & Kaskade, and Swedish House Mafia’s “One” mixed with dance remix of non-edm tunes such as “With Every Heartbeat” by Robyn & Kleerup, The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” and Kid Cudi vs. Crookers’ “Day and Night.” There are also some old pumping dance tracks including “Drop the Pressure” by Mylo, Groove Armada’s “Superstylin’” and Red Carpet’s “Alright” in Den Hetrix & Raffa mix, mixed with the current hits such as Knife Party’s “Bonfire” and Nero’s “Promises.” The transition between tracks were smooth and the continuous pounding of the bass as well as the melodic synths and treble will surely keep you dancing throughout the disc.

Disc 2 brings on to a groovier side of the old school dance scene. And this was right from the start with the K-Klass remix of Bobby Brown’s “Two Can Play That Game”, and the Stonebridge Club remix of “Show Me Love” by Robin S. This 80s and 90s disco vibe continues with classic hits such as “You Don’t Know Me” by Armand van Helden and Duane Harden, remix of “Caught in the Middle” by Julia Roberts and “The Bomb!” by Kenny “Dope” presents The Bucketheads. Then comes in some break beats and synths sounds of Fatboy Slim in “Everybody Needs A 303” and Shakedown’s “At Night” before getting back to the disco grooves of Bob Sinclair’s “I Feel For You” and Boris remix of “Sing It Back” by Moloko. The groovy beats coupled with brass and percussion melodies will surely make you feel nostalgic.

Disc 3 brings us to the electronic scene of the 90s filled with house, techno and trance sounds. Kicking things off are the house tracks “Don’t You Want Me” by Felix and “Open Your Mind” by U.S.U.R.A. before techno takes over with the acid beats of Wink’s “Higher State of Consciousness,” Hardfloor’s “Acperence 1” and their remix of “Yeke Yeke” by Mory Kante. The came in trance hits such as Sasha’s “Xpander,” Chicane’s “Offshore” in Disco Citizens remix, System F’s Cry, the Gabriel & Dresden remix of “As the Rush Comes” by Motorcyle, Paul van Dyk’s “For An Angel” in the E-Werk remix and Tiesto’s “Adagio for Strings.” If disc one and two were concentrated on a genre, disc three gives you a doses of the edm genres and the transition between genres were perfect making it a worthwhile.

Cream Anthems 20th Anniversary album takes you to a journey of sounds through various genre of electronic dance music and how its melodies have evolved in the last 20 years. Cream has been in the forefront of dance club and festival scene and this compilation is truly a gem of edm hits. Congratulations to Cream on its 20th Anniversary!

10/10

Released Date: December 17, 2012
Label: New State Music
Order: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/cream-anthems-20th-anniversary/id581878576
More Info: http://www.creamfields.com/news/cream-anthems-20th-anniversary/

Tracklist

CD 1
01 Calvin Harris - I'm Not Alone
02 deadmau5 & Kaskade - I Remember
03 David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over
04 The Killers - Mr. Brightside (Jacques Lu Cont's Thin White Duke Mix)
05 Madeon - Icarus
06 Axwell ft. Max'C - I Found U (Vocal Remode)
07 Swedish House Mafia - One
08 Axwell, Ingrosso, Angello, Laidback Luke ft. Deborah Cox – Leave The World Behind
09 Kosheen - Hide U (John Creamer & Stephane K Remix)
10 Red Carpet - Alright (Den Hetrix & Raffa Mix)
11 Groove Armada - Superstylin'
12 Alan Braxe & Fred Falke – Intro
13 David Guetta vs The Egg - Love Don't Let Me Go (Walking Away)
14 Mylo - Drop The Pressure
15 Robyn with Kleerup – With Every Heartbeat (Tong & Spoon Wonderland Remix)
16 Kid Cudi vs. Crookers - Day ‘N’ Nite
17 Fake Blood - Mars
18 Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar (Zinc Remix)
19 Knife Party - Bonfire
20 Nero - Promises (Skrillex & Nero Remix)

CD 2
01 Bobby Brown - Two Can Play That Game (K–Klassic Mix)
02 Robin S – Show Me Love (StoneBridge Club Mix)
03 Degrees of Motion – Do You Want It Right Now (King Street Mix)
04 Seven Grand Housing Authority – The Question
05 The Brand New Heavies - Back To Love (Graeme Park Remix)
06 South Street Player - (Who?) Keeps Changing Your Mind
07 De’Lacy – Hideaway (Deep Dish Remix)
08 Sandy B – Make The World Go Round (Deep Dish Remix)
09 Gusto - Disco’s Revenge (Mole Hole Dirty Mix)
10 Ruffneck ft. Yavahn - Everybody Be Somebody
11 Armand Van Helden ft. Duane Harden - You Don’t Know Me
12 Juliet Roberts - Caught in the Middle (Def Classic 12'' Mix)
13 Kenny “Dope” Presents The Bucketheads – The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall Into My Head)
14 X-Press 2 - Muzik Xpress
15 The Original – I Luv U Baby (Dancing Divaz Remix)
16 Basement Jaxx – Fly Life
17 Fatboy Slim - Everybody Needs A 303
18 Shakedown – At Night (Mousse T’s Feel Much Better Mix)
19 Bob Sinclar – I Feel For You
20 Moloko – Sing It Back (Boris Musical Mix)

CD 3
01 Felix - Don't You Want Me
02 U.S.U.R.A. – Open Your Mind (Classic Mix)
03 Wink - Higher State of Consciousness (Tweekin’ Acid Funk)
04 Hardfloor – Acperience 1
05 Mory Kanté – Yeke Yeke (Hardfloor Mix)
06 The Fog - Been A Long Time
07 Rozzo – Into Your Heart
08 Slam – Positive Education
09 Da Hool - Meet Her At The Love Parade (Nalin & Kane Mix)
10 Sasha - Xpander
11 BT ft. Vincent Covello - Loving You More (Oakenfold & Osborne Vocal Mix)
12 Mansun - Wide Open Space (Perfecto Mix)
13 Guru Josh Project – Infinity 2008 (Jerome Isma-Ae Remix)
14 Chicane – Offshore (Disco Citizens Remix)
15 System F - Cry
16 Atlantis vs Avatar – Fiji (Lange Remix)
17 Motorcycle - As The Rush Comes (Gabriel & Dresden Sweeping Strings Remix)
18 Paul van Dyk – For An Angel (E-Werk Club Mix)
19 Olive - You're Not Alone (Oakenfold & Osborne Remix)
20 Tiësto - Adagio For Strings