PROGRESSIVE MUSIC TITANS DREAM THEATER RELEASE MUSIC VIDEO FOR DEBUT SINGLE “INVISIBLE MONSTER” FROM THE UPCOMING ALBUM A VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD

Watch the Video For “Invisible Monster” HERE: 

THEIR 15th STUDIO ALBUM SCHEDULED FOR WORLDWIDE RELEASE ON OCTOBER 22nd NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER HERE:

Part 1 of the In-Depth Behind The Scenes Interview About The New Album Can Be Seen Here:

As anticipation grows for the release of their 15th studio album, GRAMMY-nominated and millions-selling progressive music titans Dream Theater are releasing the music video for the first official single “Invisible Monster.” The song comes from their upcoming InsideOutMusic / Sony Music album A View From The Top Of The World scheduled for release worldwide on October 22nd. The new track clocks in at 6:27 and showcases the musicianship and creativity that has garnered the band fans around the globe. The video for the song was directed by William “Wombat” Felch (Mudvayne, HellYeah, Crobot, Static-X, Nefariant) and follows the story of an artist’s internal struggles as the band is showcased performing the track. The piece of art created by Felch in the video now lives inside DTHQ. The video for the song can be seen here: https://youtu.be/s0Wmg7Tq4Pk.

“It was written after we’d written a bunch of material. A lot of the music was super energetic and upbeat tempo-wise. Mike suggested we do something a little different though. So, we started working on a more mid-temp song. The hook, riff, and melody changed so naturally. I equate it to ‘Pull Me Under’ back in the day where we’d just start playing, something would come out, and we’d be like, ‘Whoa, that’s cool’. There’s a serendipitous moment where it happens. Lyrically, it’s about how anxiety plagues people. It’s like there’s an invisible monster beating you. You don’t see it, but it’s haunting you all of the time,” explains John Petrucci.

Dream Theater recently released an in-depth behind the scenes interview about the making of A View From The Top Of The World. The interview is a 3-part docuseries hosted by ProgReport Editor In Chief Roie Avin as he interviews the band about creating the new album. The interview takes place at the band’s new headquarters DTHQ – the space where the band recorded their latest album. Part 2 of the interview will be released on September 29th and the final part will be out on October 10th. The first part of the interview is now live and can be seen here:  Also, an animated video for album opener “The Alien” (viewed over 1.4 million times) that clocks in at 9:32 was released last month and can be seen here: 

A View From The Top Of The World is now available for pre-order in various configurations including a limited Deluxe Box incl. Gatefold 2LP (180g bright gold vinyl) with exclusive alternate cover, limited deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook with exclusive alternate cover, Zoetrope Slipmat, Beanie, Enamel Keychain, 8 x Artcards, Poster, Hand-Numbered Certificate of Authenticity in a Lift-off Lid Box. The album is also available in a limited Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook, Special Edition CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g 2LP+CD+LP-booklet. The Blu-ray contains a 5.1 surround sound mix with full album animations, plus ‘Digging For A Spark – A View From Inside DTHQ’, a specially filmed documentary that gives a glimpse behind the scenes of the band’s new home-base and the making of the new album. The album is also available for pre-order digitally and fans that pre-order the digital version will receive an instant download of “The Alien.” A View From The Top Of The World was produced by John Petrucci, engineered and additional production by James “Jimmy T” Meslin and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap and available for pre-order here:

Dream Theater – comprised of James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, John Myung and Mike Mangini – was in the middle of a sold-out world tour in support of their last release Distance Over Time and the 20th anniversary of Scenes From A Memory when a Global Pandemic brought the world to a stop. The musicians found themselves at home with LaBrie in Canada and the rest of the group in the States. As fate would have it, they’d just finished construction on DTHQ (Dream Theater Headquarters) —a combination live recording studio, rehearsal space, control room, equipment storage, and creative hive. With LaBrie in Canada, he initially wrote with the band via ZOOM on a monitor in DTHQ. In March 2021, he flew down to New York, quarantined, and recorded his vocals face-to-face with Petrucci. The album ultimately threaded together lean and uncompromising hooks with tried-and-true technical proficiency.

The track listing for A View From The Top Of The World is:

1) The Alien (9:32)
2) Answering The Call (7:35)
3) Invisible Monster (6:31)
4) Sleeping Giant (10:05)
5) Transcending Time (6:25)
6) Awaken The Master (9:47)
7) A View From The Top Of The World (20:24)

L to R: John Petrucci, Mike Mangini, James LaBrie, John Myung, Jordan Rudess Photo Credit: Rayon Richards

4 Nerve-Wracking Moments We Endured While Watching The Invisible Man

Who doesn’t love a good thriller? 

Sometimes, we watch, and it’s okay, and other times, we catch a good one, and we’re tense and terrified the entire time!

That’s the effect The Invisible Man had on everyone. 

There were many moments in this film that left us on the edge of our seats with our hands buried in our hair—just stressed out. We desperately wanted to figure out how Cecilia was going to beat something she couldn’t see!

With that in mind, let’s get into the four most terrifying moments that left us cringing in suspense. 

[SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT!]

Cecilia Trying to Escape From Her Home

The movie starts with Cecilia trying to leave her husband and the extravagant fortress of a home they shared. We can tell she’s already planned this “escape”, but watching her try to get out of the house is enough to make the hair stand up on your body. 

Perhaps, the tensest moment in this scene is when she accidentally kicks the dog bowl and makes a lot of noise. Still, then as a viewer, you were probably annoyed that she almost got caught up trying to take the dog along with her. 

Leave the dog—save yourself!

Her attempt to save the dog allowed the husband (Adrian) to nearly catch up with her. Right as she hops in the car with her sister, he smashes his hand in the window as they drive off. 

She Finds Adrian’s Phone in the Attic with Recent Pics 

If you think your husband’s dead but you find his phone in the attic buzzing, it’s only natural to be a little creeped out!

There were already some strange occurrences that she didn’t pick up on like the handprint on the shower door, or his breath behind her when she was standing outdoors. 

When she locates the phone, she notices that it’s Adrian’s phone with a text message that reads “surprise.” This is a pivotal moment in the film because it’s the moment that she realizes that he’s around in some capacity.

Then, it only gets more insane when she ends up pouring the can of paint and sees the outline of a man!

The Infamous Restaurant Scene with Her Sister

At this point in the film, her sister has had it with her because she believes that Cecilia sent her a nasty email, but it was Adrian (of course). 

Suddenly, when she’s sitting at the table with her sister at the dinner table, a knife rises in mid-air and quickly slices her sister’s throat! Of course, Cecilia is terrified, shocked, and in a state of paralysis. There’s no way she can prove her innocence at this moment. 

The audience feels more for her because it seems like Adrian has won with all of his carefully pre-meditated antics. 

The Final Revenge

When Cecilia’s in the mental hospital because everyone thinks she’s completely lost her mind, she gets a visit from Adrian’s brother, who drops a bomb on her. He tells her that Adrian switched her placebo birth control pills and she could be pregnant!

At this point, could you imagine being pregnant with the seed of a psychotic, abusive man? 

His brother tells her that she should consider going back to Adrian because he’s not dead! Ultimately, she agrees to meet with him, only to give him a taste of his own medicine!

She plays the victim and cries a bit to excuse herself to the restroom where she secretly puts on the invisible suit. Can you believe she comes back out and slices his throat, goes back to take the suit off, and then perfectly positions herself to scream in disbelief in front of the cameras? 

Oh, and the police were outside. 

Smart girl. 

She got the money and her freedom, even though she lost her sister. 

Love Thrillers, But Hate the Anxiety It Brings? 

Some of us love scary movies of all sorts. However, the intense emotions that some films bestow is a little much for some people. 

Besides, who says your stomach has to be tied in knots the entire time?

Some people want to watch thrillers without the added anxiety that the jump scares bring to the table. 

We bet you didn’t know that CBD pairs exceptionally well with scary movies and thrillers because the compound encourages full-body relaxation—making it the perfect product that’ll lighten the mood when needed. 

Sure, specific product selection is up for debate because there are so many amazing products on the market, but CBD capsules give you all the CBD you need to kick back and enjoy whatever comes your way. 

Even if it’s a psycho, abusive husband who created an invisible suit to torture his wife!

Blu-ray Review: “The Invisible Man” (2020)

DIrected by: Leigh Whannell
Starring:  Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen
Distributed by: Universal Home Video
Running time: 124 minutes

  • Film: 4 out of 5 stars
  • A/V: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

There’s a great joke I first heard in the eighth grade that deals with a mishap involving Superman, Wonder Woman and the Invisible Man.  I can’t relate it hear but believe me, the punchline is killer.  So is the latest incarnation of the Invisible Man.

We open on a couple in bed.  As Adrian (Jackson-Cohen) sleeps, Cecilia (Moss) gets up, gathers some things and makes her way quietly out of the state of the art house.  Doing her best to avoid cameras and not set off alarms, she makes her way to the road, where a ride is waiting.  But she will soon find out that you can’t run away from some things, no matter how hard you try.

Genuinely terrifying, with a tour-de-force performance by Ms. Moss, “The Invisible Man” starts off slowly and clumsy.  20-minutes in I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to see a rehash of “Sleeping with the Enemy,” only with a Patrick Bergin that I couldn’t see.  But just as that thought came into my head, writer/director Whannell flipped the switch, taking the film into directions I never would have imagined.

There have been many attempts at filming H.G. Wells’ story of a man with the power of invisibility, from the 1933 Universal Horror Classic “The Invisible Man” starring Claude Rains to the 2000 Kevin Bacon-starrer “Hollow Man.”  Heck, even Kurt Russell and Chevy Chase have taken comedic shots at the story.  But here, the main theme is terror, especially to an audience who is on the edge of their seats, intently staring at the screen and looking for the slightest hint the bad guy is there.

Moss is a revelation here.  Best known for her television and streaming work (“Mad Men,” “The Handmaids Tale”) and a strong supporting turn in last year’s Jordan Peele horror masterpiece, “Us,” she has the unenviable job of basically interacting with a character that the audience never sees.  Whether arguing, pleading or physically fighting with our villain, it’s just her on the screen, yet you feel her terror, especially when she is violently struggling with an entity that she (nor the audience) can see.  Mr. Whannell, no stranger to horror thanks to his involvement in the “Saw” and “Insidious” film series, keeps the pace moving (after the first half-hour) and uses his camera as an almost additional character.  The musical score, by Benjamin Wallfisch (“IT,” “Bladerunner: 2049), helps set the mood as well.  The result is the most terrifying film since the aforementioned “Us.”  If you’re a fan of horror, you definitely need this one in your collection.

Enter to Win a 4K Blu-ray Combo Pack of “The Invisible Man”


To celebrate the 4K Blu-ray Combo release for “The Invisible Man”, Media Mikes would like to give our fans a chance to to win one of two 4K Blu-ray combo pack copies. If you want to win this great prize, please leave a comment below or email us with your favorite Blumhouse film. This giveaway will remain open until May 25th at Noon, Eastern Time. This is open to our readers in US only. One entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Media Mikes will randomly select winners. Winners will be alerted via email.

THE INVISIBLE MAN follows a modern tale of obsession inspired by Universal’s classic monster character. Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) slowly begins to rebuild her life after the death of her abusive ex-boyfriend (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). But before long, she begins to question whether or not he is truly gone. In addition to the feature, THE INVISIBLE MAN delivers up twenty minutes of exclusive bonus content, including a chance to better get acquainted with the film’s leading actress: Elisabeth Moss, feature commentary with the writer/director and deleted scenes you won’t want to miss.

Film Review: “The Invisible Man”

THE INVISIBLE MAN
Starring:  Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen
Directed by: Leigh Whannell
Rated:  R
Running time:  2 hrs 4 mins
Universal

There’s a great joke I first heard in the eighth grade that deals with a mishap involving Superman, Wonder Woman and the Invisible Man.  I can’t relate it hear but believe me, the punchline is killer.  So is the latest incarnation of the Invisible Man.

We open on a couple in bed.  As Adrian (Jackson-Cohen) sleeps, Cecilia (Moss) gets up, gathers some things and makes her way quietly out of the state of the art house.  Doing her best to avoid cameras and not set off alarms, she makes her way to the road, where a ride is waiting.  But she will soon find out that you can’t run away from some things, no matter how hard you try.

Genuinely terrifying, with a tour-de-force performance by Ms. Moss, “The Invisible Man” starts off slowly and clumsy.  20-minutes in I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to see a rehash of “Sleeping with the Enemy,” only with a Patrick Bergin that I couldn’t see.  But just as that thought came into my head, writer/director Whannell flipped the switch, taking the film into directions I never would have imagined.

There have been many attempts at filming H.G. Wells’ story of a man with the power of invisibility, from the 1933 Universal Horror Classic “The Invisible Man” starring Claude Rains to the 2000 Kevin Bacon-starrer “Hollow Man.”  Heck, even Kurt Russell and Chevy Chase have taken comedic shots at the story.  But here, the main theme is terror, especially to an audience who is on the edge of their seats, intently staring at the screen and looking for the slightest hint the bad guy is there.

Moss is a revelation here.  Best known for her television and streaming work (“Mad Men,” “The Handmaids Tale”) and a strong supporting turn in last year’s Jordan Peele horror masterpiece, “Us,” she has the unenviable job of basically interacting with a character that the audience never sees.  Whether arguing, pleading or physically fighting with our villain, it’s just her on the screen, yet you feel her terror, especially when she is violently struggling with an entity that she (nor the audience) can see.  Mr. Whannell, no stranger to horror thanks to his involvement in the “Saw” and “Insidious” film series, keeps the pace moving (after the first half-hour) and uses his camera as an almost additional character.  The musical score, by Benjamin Wallfisch (“IT,” “Bladerunner: 2049), helps set the mood as well.  The result is the most terrifying film since the aforementioned “Us.”  By all means, go see it…even if you can’t SEE it!

Win Passes to the Kansas City Screening of “The Invisible Man”

Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at Universal to give readers the chance to be among the first to see the new film “The Invisible Man” at an advance Kansas City screening.

The film, starring Elizabeth Moss, will screen on Tuesday, February 25 at the AMC Studio 18 Theatre in Olathe, Kansas. The screening will begin at 7:00 pm.

All you have to do for a chance to attend is click HERE! On Monday, February 24th, random entries will be selected and will be sent their passes via email. Good Luck!

Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection First Time Ever on Blu-ray!

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, A LANDMARK COLLECTION SHOWCASING THE LEGENDARY MONSTERS IN MOTION PICTURE HISTORY

UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS: COMPLETE 30-FILM COLLECTION AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY ON AUGUST 28, 2018 FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Universal City, California, August 22, 2018 – Thirty of the most iconic cinematic masterpieces starring the most famous monsters of horror movie history come together on Blu-ray™ for the first time ever in the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection on August 28, 2018, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Featuring unforgettable make-up, ground-breaking special effects and outstanding performances, the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes all Universal Pictures’ legendary monsters from the studio that pioneered the horror genre with imaginative and technically groundbreaking tales of terror in unforgettable films from the 1930s to late-1950s.

From the era of silent movies through present day, Universal Pictures has been regarded as the home of the monsters. The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection showcases all the original films featuring the most iconic monsters in motion picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Starring some of the most legendary actors including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester in the roles that they made famous, these films set the standard for a new horror genre and showcase why these landmark movies that defined the horror genre are regarded as some of the most unforgettable ever to be filmed.

Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes a 48-page collectible book filled with behind-the-scenes stories and rare production photographs and is accompanied by an array of bonus features including behind-the-scenes documentaries, the 1931 Spanish version of Dracula, Featurettes on Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Jack Pierce, 13 expert feature commentaries, archival footage, production photographs, theatrical trailers and more. The perfect gift for any scary movie fan, the collection offers an opportunity to experience some of the most memorable horror films of our time.

The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes Dracula(1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Werewolf of London (1935), Dracula’s Daughter (1936), Son of Frankenstein (1939), The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Invisible Woman (1940), The Mummy’s Hand (1940), The Wolf Man (1941), The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), The Mummy’s Ghost (1942), The Mummy’s Tomb (1942),Invisible Agent (1942), Phantom of the Opera (1943), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), Son of Dracula (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), The Mummy’s Curse (1944), The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944), House of Dracula (1945), She-Wolf of London (1946), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954, and includes a 3D version), Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955), Revenge of the Creature (1955 and includes a 3D version) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956).

 

BONUS FEATURES:

  • Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries
  • 3D Versions of Creature from the Black Lagoon and Revenge of the Creature
  • 1931 Spanish Version of Dracula
  • Featurettes on Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Jack Pierce
  • 13 Expert Feature Commentaries
  • Archival Footage
  • Production Photographs
  • Theatrical Trailers

 

CD Review: RiotGod “Invisible Empire”

RiotGod
“Invisible Empire”
Metalville Records
Tracks: 12

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

“Invisible Empire” is the 2nd studio album release by the Red Bank, NJ based band RiotGod. The bands line up consists of Garret Sweeney- guitar, Mark Sunshine- vocals and Monster Magnet members Bob Pantella- drums and Jim Baglino- bass. “Invisible Empire” is being released via Metalville Records and is the follow up release to the bands self titled album “RiotGod”

Being a fan of Monster Magnet back in my college days I was curious to hear what the rhythm section of the band had going on as of late. Though a touch different than what I was expecting “Invisible Empire” still was a fairly enjoyable listen. Vocalist Mark Sunshine has a Robert Plant type sound to his voice that gives these 12 tracks a modern Led Zeppelin sound. The track “Loosely Bound” was a personal favorite of mine as I really enjoyed the guitar playing and overall feel of the song. The 12 tracks contained on “Invisible Empire” may not have enough of the Monster Magnet sound for hardcore fans of the band however, those willing to explore something different will find a solid rock album.

Track Listing:
1.)    Breed
2.)    Fool
3.)    Crossfade
4.)    Slow Death
5.)    Firebrand
6.)    Gas Station Roses
7.)    Tomorrow’s Today
8.)    Saving It Up
9.)    Loosely Bound
10.)  Lost
11.)  Hallow Mirror
12.)  Rebirth

Blu-ray Review “Griff the Invisible”

Director: Leon Ford
Starring: Ryan Kwanten, Maeve Dermody, Marshall Napier
Distributed by: Vivendi Entertainment
MPAA Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 93 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

If you are unaware of the name Ryan Kwanten, you may recognize the name of Jason Stackhouse from “True Blood”. Ryan is really breaking out from his role in “True Blood”, especially since last year’s great film “Red Hill”. This film is a fun twist on street super hero vigilantes, it’s “Kick Ass” meets “Batman”. It’s funny and also has some decent action and effects for a low budget film. I see Ryan Kwanten really coming the next big action star. He is slowly expanding from his star-role in Australia and building off his popularity from HBO’s “True Blood”. I think he is going to have a big break any day now.

The story follow shy and awkward office worker by day and vigilante super hero by night, Griff (Kwanten). Griff finds escape from “ordinary” life by this secret identity. Griff’s plans change when he meets Melody (Dermody), a who becomes fascinated by his fantasy identity. The two falling for each other and end up working together to defeat the everyday normality of life.

The special features on his disc are decent including a few behind the scenes featurette to start. There is one about the “Anatomy of a Scene” focusing on the following aspects; “Opening Sequence” and “Steadicam Shot”. It is definitely worth a watch. There are few deleted scenes, nothing special but also worth a watch. I really enjoyed the feature “Appear Calm: Diary of a First Time Director”, which covers the film from pre-production, to shooting, to post-production. There is a feature called “Rain Stops Play”, which is interesting and deserves a watch. “Patrick’s Set Tour” is brief but fun little set visit. Lastly we get a music video of “Don’t Give Yourself Away” by The Shadow Bureau, decent video but good song.

“True Blood” star Ryan Kwanten’s “Griff the Invisible” DVD Giveaway [ENDED]

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING, THE CONTEST HAS ENDED. WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AND NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EVERY WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

To celebrate the release of “Griff the Invisible”, Media Mikes would like to giveaway THREE copies of the DVD. If you would like to win one of these great prizes, please leave us a comment below or send us an email and let us know your favorite superhero and why. This giveaway will be open until Tuesday November 15th at Noon, Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States. Only one entry per person, per household; all other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends, Movie Mikes will randomly pick out winners and alert the winners via email.

Ryan Kwanten, of TV’s “True Blood” fame, stars in the charming, quirky and totally unpredictable romantic comedy GRIFF THE INVISIBLE, swooping in on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital this November 15 from Indomina Releasing. Critics have called Kwanten “a pleasure to watch” (Manohla Dargis/The New York Times) and “especially wonderful” (Robert Abele/Los Angeles Times) in the role of Griff, a shy and awkward office worker by day, who finds escape from his ordinary life by assuming the identity of a fantastic superhero each night. Rising star Maeve Dermody, two-time Australian Film Institute nominee for Best Supporting Actress (2009’s Beautiful Kate, 2007’s Black Water) and recent recipient of The Australian International Movie Convention’s Australian Star of the Year Award, co-stars as Kwanten’s equally oddball love interest in a film about how the world can make us invisible, courage can make us incredible, and love can make us invincible.

Synopsis
Griff (Kwanten), a shy and awkward office worker by day, finds escape from his ordinary life by assuming the identity of a fantastic superhero each night. Griff’s secret is jeopardized when he meets Melody (Dermody), a cute but unconventional daydreamer. She quickly becomes fascinated by his idiosyncrasies, which are equal only to her own. In the face of mounting pressure to live in the “real world,” it’s up to Melody to rescue GRIFF THE INVISIBLE for the sake of herself, Griff and their newfound love for each other.

DVD Bonus Material
Behind The Scenes Featurette
Anatomy of a Scene
o Opening Sequence
o Steadicam Shot
o Anyhoo
Deleted Scenes
Appear Calm: Diary of a First Time Director
o Pre-Production
o The Shoot
o Post-Production
Rain Stops Play
Patrick’s Set Tour
Music Video – “Don’t Give Yourself Away” by The Shadow Bureau

 

Related Content