the sand-box

Film and Music Reviews and random thoughts with a conscious."We all think that we're in a desert, but we're really stranded in a sand-box" -original quote © SFB 2008  

[thesand-box]

Cover of Billie Jean by Michael Jackson by Mackenzie Bourg - If you haven’t seen this cover yet, where have you been? You are truly missing out if you have not been following Idol this season. I have been listening to Mackenzie Bourg’s performances and get more impressed each time.

You may remember Mackenzie from his performances on the Voice. But what the Voice lost, Idol gained.

It’s difficult to take on a Michael Jackson song, do something new to it and not mess up the message or timeless aesthetic of the song. Mackenzie somehow smoothly avoided doing that and instead created a moving performance of Billie Jean that pulls the listener into the song. Now that’s what I call a good rendition.

[thesand-box]

Truth Songs - beautifully crafted songs by this couple to bible verses. This deserves a feature! Lovely voice and playing. Subscribe to their channel here!

[thesand-box]

Be the Starlet ... Be the Heroine ... Be Be-you-tiful!

FUND the Indiegogo campaign for Hello Beautiful!™ -- the lipstick line of multicolored lipsticks for multicultural women -- and become part of a beautiful journey!

[hellobeautifulbodycare-deactiva]

We loved styling this photo with the holiday reef! 

SHOP >>

[thesand-box]

“Dead Come To Life” by Jonathan Thulin ft. Charmaine is a short film/music video. Love how both of these elements mesh together to create a symbolic story of God sending Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. If we only listen.

[ginaatinukeknight]

[ginaatinukeknight]

[healthyhairtotoe]

[createdbyhfaith]

HANNAH FAITH

17.09.14

[thirstless]

Royal Tailor has fun covering “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift. Really funny to watch and good all at the same time!

[thesand-box]

Behind the scenes: Pentatonix demonstrates how they hand clap rhythmically to the beat in their music video for "White Winter Hymnal" 

I think it looks super cool & proves that you can "keep the beat" in music by using your body! Watch their "White Winter Hymnal" music video if you haven't seen it. Such a treat!

[thesand-box]

Two Cousins Sing To Jesus And It'll Send Chills Up Your Spine. Seriously, Incredible!

The performance Aldrich and James give of Jesus Culture's hit "Rooftops" is sincerely amazing. I can't quite believe how incredible their talent is, they were blessed! WOW.

[thesand-box]

Royal Tailor with "Ready Set Go" ft the Capital Kings. Who knew Christian music could sound this good? KLove has been holding back on us. Listen to Air1radio station instead for more variety. I first heard Royal Tailor there. With influences by MJ, Maroon 5, and Bruno Mars, Royal Tailor's newest album "Royal Tailor" is adding something new to the Christian music industry... R&B, soul, and soft-rock. Love it!

[thesand-box]

Jesse McCartney Wants To “Get Back Together” but Isn’t “All About Us”

There are mixed messages behind the intricate beats of the new Jesse McCartney album Technicolor. And overall the content of the songs lyric wise is less than stellar. Initially I had expected McCartney’s newest album to be about finding a worthwhile relationship. As he said in a 2013 interview with Billboard, Technicolor is about “finding that special someone who puts the color in your world.” And yes, some of the album’s songs reflect this sentiment. “Tie the Knot,” “Back Together,” and the title track “Technicolor Part I” all speak to committing to a relationship. “Tie the Knot” was especially different because, although maybe nonchalantly, it talked about marriage, which is something unheard of in today’s music unless it’s described as “something dumb to do” a.k.a Bruno Mars’ “Marry You.”

The fact is Jesse McCartney can’t make up his mind about relationships and as a result neither can his album.

The mixed bag of songs varies from being those with starry-eyed lyrics like “I’ll reminisce with the stars tonight and think about how we knew them all by name / But they don’t shine half as bright ever since you walked away” to songs about drinking, carousing, and one night stands. “All About Us” picks up on this note with lyrics like “I know that she’s someone that I can trust / But commitment somehow feels like givin’ up / And I love this girl, but do I love her enough / To be all about us?” So Jesse wants to get back together but is not digging the commitment thing.

Overall, I was unimpressed by the lack of tact in the content of the album. The lyrics to majority of the songs are raunchy and pointless. I was especially disappointed given that the music itself has a fresh sound and recalls an old-school vibe of live band music that is a dying breed (it would already be dead without Michael Buble).

Jesse McCartney’s album sends mixed messages about wanting a relationship without committing. So what seemed early on like it was going to be a great album falls short of being notable because of the mixed messages & EXPLICIT content. His talent is truly displaced.

[thesand-box]

Belle film trailer 

[thesand-box]

Excellent film, Belle is now in theaters. If you haven't seen it already, hurry and do so before it leaves the big screen. Exceptionally done! 

View the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/embed/cJ3VUbfJWD0

[thesand-box]

Movie Review: Gimme Shelter is Worth the Watch

Gimme Shelter features Vanessa Hudgens in a starring role and is about a girl struggling to find a place that feels like home. The DVD for Gimme Shelter was recently released and is available now.

Seeing the film for the first time, I did not know what to expect. Gimmie Shelter is one the first films I would consider a “hard-core” acting role for Vanessa Hudgens who started out her career in the High School Musical films with Disney and later acted in Beastly. Gimme Shelter is a far cry from High School Musical and yet it remains a “watchable,” harrowing experience. Vanessa does an excellent job of capturing the main character’s trials and emotional conflicts. She does more than just cut her hair, mess up her makeup, and cry a few tears. Vanessa truly “owns” the role she plays and as this film is based on a true story… it leaves you reflecting on the reality of homelessness.

From the opening of the film Vanessa’s facial expressions, to the change in her walk and voice, embodies the character.

The supporting cast of James Earl Jones, Rosario Dawson, and Brendan Frasier also add to the intensity of the film.

This film should be given more attention. It’s moving and it’s more than your average independent movie.