DVD Spotlight: Pale Rider (1985)

 The title is derived from Revelations: "And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed ..." and the plot centers around a town besieged by a corrupt neighboring landowner and his hired thugs. Clint Eastwood, who directed the film, stars as Preacher, a mysterious stranger who rides into town at precisely the moment he is most needed. Eastwood has since referred to the character as a "ghost," an apt description given the seemingly supernatural timing of his appearances in the film, and the general strangeness others' reactions to him. (When he hears of  Preacher's arrival, the landowner Stockburn replies, "That man is dead", and when he finally faces The Preacher, Stockburn utters one word: "You.") In many ways, Pale Rider is the typical Western, but its dark moodiness, Biblical and mythological allusions, and Eastwood's stylistic vision set it apart from classics in the genre, with Preacher riding forth as one of Western's most unforgettable characters.

Click here to place a hold on Pale Rider.

Area Events: Buried Alive Film Fest, Nov. 12-13, 2010

Did your mama lock you in a closet and make you miss Halloween? Put some fright back in your night at the Buried Alive Film Fest in Atlanta (this Friday and Saturday), an annual unearthing of indie horror creations in a truly frightening setting: the Plaza Theatre in Ponce. Not scared yet?

Then read more about it here: http://buriedalivefilmfest.com/about/

Sweet dreams!

New in CD Music

In CD LATIN:

Ana Tijoux/1977 -- The US debut of Chilean MC Tijoux, who has had a huge career in Latin America. She was born in France, where her parents sought political refuge during Pinochet's dictatorship. 1977 is a largely autobiographical album and is considered one of the top ten world releases of 2009.

In CD LOCAL ROCK

Black Lips/(self-titled) -- the Atlanta band is loud and in-your-face, with a stage show that pushes the envelope, but this self-styled "flower punk" band offers a plate of angst-ridden, rhythm-heavy anthems that have taken them worldwide and landed their music in films like (500) Days of Summer and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Pylon/Chomp More -- named after a Faulkner novel, Athens band Pylon were an early influence on other college rock bands like R.E.M. and toured the country, often as an opening act for bands like Gang of Four, the B52s and U2. After the loss of guitarist Randall Bewley last year, Chomp More serves to highlight some of the best moments of early Athens rock.

In CD POPULAR

Taio Cruz/Rokstarr  -- this British singer-songwriter has launched a fashion line to accompany his new release, and is currently writing music for Justin Beiber's next album, due in 2011.

Roxy Music/(self-titled) -- though the British art rock band defined the look of early 80s glamour rock, they also brought an elegant, dreamy style to the punk-populated youth airwaves, later crossing over with the classic "Avalon." This was their first album.

Taylor Swift/Speak Now -- you've probably heard a few of these songs during Taylor's rounds of the tv shows; now hear the rest.

In CD ROCK

Bob Dylan/Best of the Original Mono Recordings -- this collection captures music from Dylan's first eight albums, in their original mono recorded form.