Customer Reviews

Ladies & Ghettomen

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

El Cid should be one of those sprawling epics which fill a surround sound set-up in a manner consistent with Spartacus, Lawrence of Arabia, Braveheart, etc. However, with the production of this version apparently mass produced in China, we have a so-so release of a great epic. Advertized as 5.1 audio, it's really more mono, and some 2.0 with a hint of 5.1 in a battle scene. The clarity of the movie is somewhat better than fair, but sadly, it doesn't rank up there with the other epics which have been remastered with painstaking care. It's obvious there was not much attention paid to the digital process with this release. ...and, oh yeah, the Christians beat the Moors again in this movie.

I can't give high praise to the Malaysian (not Chinese btw) DVD of El Cid, but it is the best video we have had of it so far..which is not saying much.
The color quality is only just acceptable, but at least it is in widescreen, the first time El Cid has been avaialbe in anything other the Pan and Scan.
The sound could use a lot of work also.
I understand that except for "King of Kings" which was released and is owned by MGM, all of Samuel Bronson's films are tied up in legal disputes which prevents an American/British market native DVD version from being released. These legal problems do not exist for the Asian market, which is why they are our and why there can be sold in the US....legally, though it makes no sense, the Malaysian version is cnsidered a "foreign Language " version, and can be legally imported and sold. The legal dispute is why there are also no Native US or UK vesions of "55 Days at Peking" and "Fall Of The ROman Empire " available in the US.
Hopefully someday, this legal crap can be resolved and EL Cid will get the DVD treatment will bells and whistles it deserves.
In the mean time, I with many reservations, reccommend that Malaysian version for sale here. It it a long,long, way from what what the film deserves but it is alot better then the VSH pan and scan versions we have had to be satisfied with until now.
At least it has the roadshow version, not the cut down popular price version that has been on some VHS releases.
The three star rating is for the DVD treatment, not the film itself.

Anybody that read my review of his last solo set "back again" knows that i was at my wits end when it came to this cat+wasnt wasting another cent on him. So imagine my suprise when after recieving this cd as a "gift" (god knows that person got the look of 1 very aggitated hiphop fan when this was placed into my hand) and it turned out to be.....quite good. A HUGE HUGE improvement from the last crap he dropped. For starters, gone are the annoying casio sounding beats+cheesy rhymes(for the most part)and in come harder head nodding beats with smooth funky basslines that CHEEKS seems happier on. The album starts off with a kick a** 2min opener called "mass homicide" where Cheeks rocks a tight verse which pretty much sets the tone of the album over a crunching beat. Then comes "tonight" (another banger),then the 1st of 3 PETE ROCK (yes, the 1 and the same) produced beats "all i know" which is a jazzy beat with an r+b hook sang by Babydoll (who pops up all over the album). Then we got another r+b laced banger called "its alright" this time with the hook by Truth Hurts (DR.DRE's singer). Unfortunately right about here is where the album starts to lose points as it takes you on a rollercoaster type ride with crazy ups+downs. The suprisingly weak 2nd Pete Rock joint "keep it movin'" is only average by his standards+Cheeks sounds rather tired on it. Then a really strong "whats happenin?" (deepest song on here) comes up next where our hero talks about how peoples perceptions of him have changed+how he distances himself from his past life+just kicks it with the people he trusts most. Next is the 3rd Pete Rock track "turn it up" which is a back+forth rhyme between Cheeks and his new co-hort Madman. Its a nice jazz number with a hard beat. However none of the Pete Rock tracks on show here are at his usual high standard, instead an unknown producer to myself called UNSEEN steals the show with his funky beats all over the album. Then there's 2 r+b weak tracks (str8 from his "back again" days) called "the girls mine" and "all nite long". 2 words....honestly why?? Next however, is 1 of the most original sounding Cheeks songs ive heard in years, it has a Kanye West type feel to it+he sounds strongest here. Then there is the posse cut "blind fold" where Cheeks doesnt even appear, its just his way of introducing his new crew. Finally there's "lb family" where he spits bars with Madman+Babydoll singing over a funky rolling beat thats a smooth way to end proceedings. With a bonus remix of "its alright" on the end it more than makes up for his lack of effort, in my opinion, on the last time out. My money may come back outta my pockets for this cat if he can keep these results up. Strong return to form.

Mr. Cheeks exactly how I want to hear him! Lost Boyz musicstyle! Grimey lyrics. Nice cd and booklet! Great for my collection!

This Cd sounds focused right off the bat. Cheeks seems to try to strike a balance between the old LB fam and the solo Mr Cheeks we have seen in the past two records.

He is not a top notch lyricist nor is he insightful, but that is not why you buy a Mr. Cheeks cd. You buy a Mr. Cheeks cd because he is fun to listen to and when the beats are good then you can play it front to back and enjoy yourself.

The diversity of topics on this cd is not very extensive. We see Cheeks in his element which is girls, partying, and repping the fam. He is non threatening and won't offend anyone which makes it a good choice to have when taking a lady out.

Cheeks is the type of guy that laughs a girl out of her pants. He isn't on some deep thinking debonair don stuff or some teary eyed NE-YO stuff. Each has its place and you can enjoy Cheeks for what he is, a chill cat.

The intro "mass homicide and the second song "tonight" let you know Cheeks will be getting gritty and having fun on this CD. "All I know" is a real hot joint that has a nice beat with Cheeks giving us a glimpse into the LB lifestyle. You will probably have this track on repeat at some point.

"It's alright" feat. Truth Hurts has a pretty basic beat that doesn't really have a groove to it and the chorus is is kind of tired. Afte a few plays it will become better but it is never going to get over the hump of mediocrity. "What's happening is another beat that lacks a groove.

Now "What's happening is a definite head nod type beat and the chorus is tight (Babydoll adds some nice contrast Cheek's flow). "Turn it up" is laid back beat focused on how him and the crew see the streets, club, and hood. It is not a insightful song, but it is not trying to be. It is more of a shout out to the LB fam.

I actually thought the "the girl's mine" was good despite being a "guy wanting a girl" song because Cheeks does it better than most. He has fun lyrically on this song (put some wheels on your heels and skate before me and my team regulate) while also giving some bravado that makes this a good song to bump between clubs. "All night long" is alright and would be good on the way home from the club. The beat is laid back and would be fun to sing along with after a few pops.

"Four walls" is a where is Cheeks at right now type song and is the most serious on the CD. He is gritty and focused on this track. It has a sped up vocal sample on the chorus that is tight.

"Blind Fold" is a showcase for his people, but it comes up short of being a way to get listeners interested, in fact it may do the opposite. The lyrical themes are REALLY played out (how many times do we need to hear about people jumping out of Range Rovers with bug guns?). "LB Family" is an okay reminisce track, but it is kind of slow and feels depressing for no reason. "It's alright (remix)" is better than the original in my opinion, but either one could be passed over.

Cheeks has done it once again. That grungy, party sound is pure CHEEKS. This latest album is proof that the Cheeks/LB style is still around in a major way!

Mr cheeks still doin his thing. THe tracks are tight and in the LB flavour! if you feel the work done by the LB fam then pick this up! must get!