Month: November 2021

Welsh singer Jamie Miller’s music career took off after he came in at third place on The Voice UK in 2017. Since then, he has gone on to build a massive following, sign a major record deal, and tour the globe. Miller is currently working on music for his highly anticipated debut album but before its release, the singer stopped by Uproxx studios to react to his favorite videos from his musical idol: Bruno Mars.

For the latest segment in Uproxx’s React Like You Know series, Miller sat down to show his love to Mars’ Silk Sonic track “Leave The Door Open,” as well as “When I Was Your Man” and “Versace On The Floor.” Miller admits he’s a little biased when it comes to his opinion on Mars’ music. He even successfully auditioned for The Voice by giving a rendition of Mars’ track, “When I Was Your Man.” “He’s like my god, so I was just thinking that anything that comes out of his mouth — he’s incredible,” Miller said.

Of course, it would be hard to speak about Mars’ music without discussion his new duo with Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic. Miller loved their debut single “Leave The Door Open,” and has the perfect way to describe why .Paak and Mars work so well together. “They’re both so talented in two different ways. I feel like [.Paak] brings the sauce while Bruno brings the flavor,” he said.

Watch Miller react to Mars’ videos above and check out more of Uproxx’s React Like You Know series here.

Some of the artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Early in Alexandre Moratto’s new film, 7 Prisoners, 18-year-old Mateus attends a small going away party thrown for him by his family. He scolds his mother for buying him a new shirt worth “a month of groceries.” He’s about to leave their poverty-stricken corrugated shack in the sticks for a new life in the big city. Soon a smiling man with a gold watch hands Mateus’s mother a wad of cash and congratulates Mateus for the big opportunity upon which he’s about to embark.

Would you believe, that what Mateus finds isn’t exactly what he was promised?

Like White Tiger, another foreign-language exploration of class released on Netflix earlier this year, 7 Prisoners was produced by Ramin Bahrani (along with City of God director Fernando Meirelles and others) and finds a tidy metaphor for capitalism in miniature. Somewhere along the van ride between his hometown and Sao Paulo, Mateus (Christian Malheiros, a pitch-perfect combination of boy and man) and the handful of fellow migrant workers traveling with him essentially become stateless persons. They have their passports and cell phones confiscated, work long hours scrounging scrap metal, and the man with the gold watch disappears, never to be seen again, replaced by a gun-toting, shark-eyed overseer named Luca (Rodrigo Santoro from Westworld). Luca promises retribution if they try to escape.

Movies that are merely about how sad or how brutal poverty is (or, God forbid, how beautiful) are pretty boring. The beauty of 7 Prisoners, written by Thayná Mantesso and Alexandre Moratto, is that it’s much more concerned with how exploitation actually works. 7 Prisoners is at first a prison break narrative, with Mateus and company carefully studying their surroundings and Luca’s behavior searching for the hole in their defense that will allow them to escape. Yet soon it transforms into a story about the process by which the charismatic yet evil Luca tries to convert Mateus from slave to overseer. As Amsterdam says of Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York, “It’s a funny feeling being taken under the wing of a dragon. It’s warmer than you’d think.”

Luca, a hard-drinking misanthrope who does seem to have some humanity buried deep within him, is a wonderfully memorable character. Santoro manages Luca’s push-pull between charity and wrath, sympathy and punishment perfectly. Meanwhile, you can see how this process to turn subjugants into participants in the process of exploitation works diabolically well. Remove all hope, dole out the occasional crumbs of security in exchange for obedience, and provide constant and vivid examples of what life could look like without those crumbs. “Well, I guess it could be worse” is the mantra of the permanent underclass.

7 Prisoners is a bit like Deep Cover for slave capitalism. It maintains constant suspense, as we wait to see what’s more important to Mateus, his personal advancement or his loyalty to his friends and family. White Tiger and, to an even greater extent, Parasite and Sorry To Bother You used artifice and the fantastic to craft endings that were symbolic and true to the material, but also cathartic and edifying. 7 Prisoners, texturally rich, suspense-filled, and strong on memorable characters as it is, doesn’t manage this trick nearly as well. In the end, it doesn’t feel like much of a trick at all, content to be merely insightful rather than exciting.

7 Prisoners refuses to cheat, almost to a fault. (It’s art, you’re allowed to cheat a little). That makes it slightly disappointing in the end, but not enough to undo what an adroit snapshot it is of the way exploitation thwarts organization and dulls its opposition.

‘7 Prisoners’ hits Netflix November 11. Vince Mancini is on Twitter. You can check out his film review archive here.

After a pandemic-prompted 2020 postponement and more delays in 2021 that saw Downtown Atlanta’s Shaky Knees Festival first production since 2019 moved to this past October, the fest will be back to its usual late-spring/early-summer weekend in 2022. With over 50 bands across four primary stages, it goes down from April 29th to May 1st.

Coming into its ninth year on the festival circuit, Shaky Knees has always been forged on rock and roll and the 2022 lineup totally reflects that. Green Day, Nine Inch Nails, and My Morning Jacket will serve as the headliners for the three-day affair. Tickets go on sale tomorrow and the lineup is filled with tons of buzzy acts that slot in with ease in Atlanta’s sweeping Central Park.

Beyond Green Day, Friday highlights include legacy rocker Billy Idol, flawless Austin staples Spoon, Atlanta stalwart Faye Webster, and Vancouver duo Japandroids, performing their undisputed best album Celebration Rock in full. The lead up to Nine Inch Nails on Saturday will feature the Scottish synth-pop of Chvrches, psych rock mind-melters King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, the surging Japanese Breakfast, and the always-excellent Kurt Vile & The Violators. Ahead of My Morning Jacket’s festival closing set on Sunday will be the funk-fusion vibes of Khruangbin, and one of the best festival bands on the planet, Death Cab For Cutie.

Shaky Knees Music Festival’s ninth edition takes place April 29 to May 1 at Central Park in Downtown Atlanta. Three-day passes and one-day general admission, GA+, VIP, and Platinum tickets go on sale tomorrow, November 11th at 10 a.m. ET here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

A few days after Twitter unveiled its first subscription service, another popular website has announced a big change: YouTube is hiding the dislike count on its videos.

“Earlier this year, we experimented with the dislike button to see whether or not changes could help better protect our creators from harassment, and reduce dislike attacks — where people work to drive up the number of dislikes on a creator’s videos,” a statement from the video platform reads. The thumbs down option was still available during the experiment (god forbid SnyderCut69 not be able to show his displeasure with the Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer), but after making it so that the dislike counts weren’t visible to the public, YouTube found that users “were less likely to target a video’s dislike button to drive up the count. In short, our experiment data showed a reduction in dislike attacking behavior.” The change is permanent beginning November 10 (that’s today!).

YouTube hiding the dislike counts made me curious to learn the most-disliked YouTube videos of all-time, a list that I found is dominated by kid’s songs. Of the 10 most-hated videos ever, five are labeled either “music video for children” or “educational video for children.” But there’s a video that people hate even more than “Baby Shark”: “YouTube Rewind 2018: Everyone Controls Rewind.” The eight-minute video has over 19 million dislikes compared to only three million likes.

No wonder YouTube canceled the YouTube Rewind series:

2018’s video was viciously panned by the YouTube community… Creators argued that the company was shifting focus from the “real community” — including controversial creators like Logan Paul and PewDiePie — in favor of more advertiser-friendly choices.

There have only been four most-disliked videos in YouTube’s history: “~YouTube Worst Video of All Time~ vote 1 star, leave comment,” Justin Bieber’s “Baby” music video (twice!), Rebecca Black’s “Friday” music video, and finally and forever, “YouTube Rewind 2018: Everyone Controls Rewind.” Baby Shark will never gets its chance to reign supreme.

(Via YouTube and Polygon)

The Witcher turned out to be far more enjoyable than it ever needed to be. The series has already spawned an anime movie (Nightmare of the Wolf) and a prequel series (Blood Origin) in the works, along with other planned spinoffs, including an animated, family-friendly series. The flagship series will deliver Season 2 in a little over a month, and everything is coming up grunty. Well, except for the fact that Geralt will talk more and grunt less this time around, but the point is this: The Witcher fans are lucky to have Henry Cavill in the role, and he’s lucky to have the role. He’s a tried-and-true nerd and a huge fan of the video games, and by god, he wanted this role.

However, the powers that be were apparently not so keen to give Cavill this role for awhile. Showrunner Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich previously revealed (to Hollywood Reporter) that she met with Henry and loved his enthusiasm, but she couldn’t offer him the job because scripts didn’t exist yet. Then she, uh, auditioned “207 other potential Geralts,” yet “what I realized is that I started to have Henry’s voice in my head as Geralt.” At the time, she added, “When I called him I was really embarrassed. I told him I was so sorry, I had to see a whole bunch of other people to know it was you and he was so grateful for that because it really meant he was meant to be Geralt.”

Well. Henry sat down with Hollywood Reporter and clarified a bit to explain that, when that call came, his agent kind-of tried to talk him out of that possibly-too-late audition. Mind you, Henry was still down, but still, a close call:

“I pursued, pursued, pursued,” Cavill says of the role. “A couple months after they had gone through their casting process, my agent called and said, ‘They’ve asked you do an audition — you don’t have to do this.’ I’m like, ‘I’ll do it.’ They said, ‘Really? Are you sure?’ I said, ‘Of course. It’s The Witcher.’”

Everything worked out as it should have worked out, but boy, what a roundabout way to get there. Cavill added that he’s “absolutely” down with completing Hissrich’s intent for seven seasons (or more), and he’s good with it, “as long as we can keep telling great stories which honor [author Andrzej] Sapkowski’s work.”

The full Hollywood Reporter piece is well worth reading, partially because it paints Henry as the best candidate to be the next James Bond, without even trying. Yet I really don’t think, you know, that Henry’s got the time to pick up the martini? He’s doing more Enola Holmes and much more of The Witcher and The Highlander reboot, and the list goes on. Dude’s deservedly busy, and he’s also gotta have time to play his video games.

The Witcher returns to The Continent on Friday December 17th.

(Via Hollywood Reporter)

The only thing that makes the most wonderful time of the year even more wonderful? Knowing it’s the most wonderful time of the year for everyone. This year, Netflix is making sure everyone is included in the holiday cheer with their upcoming original movie Single All the Way, the streaming service’s first gay holiday romantic comedy. Written by Chad Hodge (Good Behavior, Wayward Pines) and directed by Michael Mayer (The Seagull, Smash), the film follows a pair of best friends who grow ever closer to one another over the holidays despite a series of family interventions that nearly makes a mess of everything, according to the trailer’s description.

Desperate to avoid his family’s judgment about his perpetual single status, Peter (Michael Urie) convinces his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to join him for the holidays and pretend that they’re now in a relationship. But when Peter’s mother (Kathy Najimy) sets him up on a blind date with her handsome trainer James (Luke Macfarlane) — the plan goes awry.

In addition to Urie, Chambers, Najimy, and Macfarlane, Barry Bostwick and Jennifer Coolidge also star in the upcoming holiday romp. If that line-up has you excited, you’re not alone. In a recent interview (via Entertainment Tonight), Urie praised the film’s writing and called the casting a “gay Christmas miracle.”

“Chad Hodge has written a laugh-out-loud-funny and lump-in-throat-sweet movie that Michael Mayer will effortlessly lift off the page. My mom is Kathy Najimy, my dad is Barry Bostwick and my aunt is Jennifer Coolidge — if that isn’t some kinda gay Christmas miracle, I don’t know what is.”

Single All the Way hits Netflix on December 2.

Following the tragedy at Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival last weekend, news about deaths and injuries has surfaced. It was reported yesterday that Scott is being sued by the family of a 9-year-old who was trampled during the crowd crush. The boy is currently in a medically induced coma and he’s not the only Astroworld attendee in serious condition: It is now being reported that a 22-year old Texas A&M University student named Bharti Shahani has shown no brain activity since she was injured at Astroworld.

Houston’s ABC 13 reports that Shahani is in critical condition and is currently on a ventilator. Shahani attended the festival with her sister Namrata Shahani and her cousin Mohit Bellani, and Bellani described the scene, “Once one person fell, people started toppling like dominos. It was like a sinkhole. People were falling on top of each other. There were like layers of bodies on the ground, like two people thick. We were fighting to come up to the top and breathe to stay alive.”

As for Shahani’s prognosis, unfortunately, things aren’t looking good. Shahani’s father Sunny says, “The doctors, they say the chances of survival are nothing, which I have not even spoken to my wife until now. We keep saying we’ll pray. I request all of Houston to pray for her. Maybe the prayers might work as a miracle for her.”

The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign, which so far has raised about $45,000 of its $50,000 goal.

Dunkin’ may be one of the most popular coffee chains in the US, but many Canadians are partial to the Toronto-based chain Tim Hortons — and Justin Bieber is apparently no exception. The “Peaches” singer has teamed up with the popular coffee and donut chain to collaborate on three brand-new, albeit a little bizarre, flavors of donut holes (which they’re calling Timbiebs, a variation on the chain’s usual name for donut holes, Timbits).

The new flavors will officially hit shelves on November 29, but Bieber is already hyped on the collaboration. Introducing the flavors in a commercial for Tim Hortons, Bieber arrived to the chain’s headquarters to brainstorm creative flavor ideas. The three he landed on are Chocolate White Fudge, Sour Cream Chocolate Chip, and Birthday Cake Waffle. “Doing a Tim Hortons collab has always been a dream of mine,” Bieber said in a statement about the project. “I grew up on Tim Hortons and it’s always been something close to my heart.”

Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer for Tim Hortons, is equally as excited about the brand partnership. “What’s amazing about working with Justin is he has an authentic, lifelong relationship with Tims and he was so invested in working on Timbiebs and our future plans together,” Bagozzi said. “He knows exactly what our guests already love about the Tims brand and he’s helping us deliver new menu innovations that we know they’re going to love. We’re really looking forward to what’s next.”

Watch Bieber’s Tim Hortons commercial above.

“Good morning, f*ckers” is the pronouncement that kicked off the press release announcing the latest EP from Cleveland emo quartet, Heart Attack Man. Talk about forcing someone’s attention. The band certainly lives up to their borderline aggressive magnetism on the five-track EP Thoughtz & Prayerz, which finds the band facing their own demons and turning up the dial on their songwriting craft. The EP is a document of what the band calls “being on X-Games mode with your emotions and sh*t,” which is a very fair summation of what to expect on Thoughtz & Prayerz.

To celebrate the new EP, Eric Egan sat down to talk Bob Mould, Cleveland, and 8 Mile in the latest Indie Mixtape 20 Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

Really really really good

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

What people do with our music is out of our control once it’s out there, but I really just hope people can get something positive out of it and use it as a soundtrack and motivator to improve their lives. There’s a place for everything, but I think our corner of the music world is overly saturated with self loathing, negativity, and not enough genuinely lifting each other up.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?

Cleveland freaking Ohio baby! Also shout out the Big Windy Apple AKA Chicago.

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

Bob Mould. Between Hüsker Dü, Sugar, and his solo work, I always find myself going back to his work and continually feeling inspired. His writing changed punk and alternative rock forever, so I will take any chance I get to put respect on his name.

Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

Oh man… this is tough… there are so many good vegan breakfast spots all around the U.S. so it’s hard to pinpoint my absolute favorite ever, but we went to the Spiral Diner in Dallas on my birthday two years ago and that was really good. That’s standing out to me in my mind right now. I forget what I got, but I remember I got an obscene amount of food and was very happy. We drove all day after that and I was bummed we were spending my birthday driving at first, but it ended up being a really enjoyable day.

What album do you know every word to?

Fake Blood by Heart Attack Man

What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?

Bob Mould full band concert in 2015 with my dad was number one and The Killers with my mom and my sister in 2018 was a close second.

What is the best outfit for performing and why?

I’m from Cleveland, so I gotta go with a long sleeve shirt with shorts because I speak for all Clevelanders that that’s our city’s preferred ideal fit.

Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

Everyone knows it’s @awlivv.

What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?

I’d probably have to say “Champagne Supernova” because I use it as a vocal warmup song and I like to warm up in the van.

What’s the last thing you Googled?

“Oldest Chinese takeout restaurant”

What album makes for the perfect gift?

Thoughtz & Prayerz by Heart Attack Man.

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

When I was on tour with an old band, we stayed at a meth house in Compton once and our hosts locked us inside. They were very nice and I appreciate them letting us stay the night, but I didn’t realize it was a meth house, and also getting locked inside was kind of inconvenient because I left my toothbrush in the van, so I had to just kinda rub my teeth with my finger and some toothpaste.

What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?

I don’t have many tattoos, but I guess my favorite one is the X’s I have tattooed on my feet. I was 18 and straight edge, and glad to say that I’m now 28 and still straight edge. They hurt really bad but I got them done and then played a show right after; it sucked!

What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?

I don’t listen to the radio really, but if Garth Brooks comes on I’ll hang out.

What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Made me feel welcomed and wanted. Kind of a simple answer, but it’s not easy to do and I hold on whenever I feel it.

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

I have no real serious life regrets really; I’m pretty at peace with having taken the good with the bad, so I wouldn’t necessarily alter the course of my life per se; however, I would definitely like to go back in time with some cash and a laundry list of vintage t shirts to go on an eBay shopping spree with young me, because prices are nutso these days!

What’s the last show you went to?

One Step Closer and Magnitude at Mahalls.

What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?

8 Mile.

What would you cook if Obama were coming to your house for dinner?

Obama is a multi millionaire, so nothing unless if he’s paying me haha.

Thoughts & Prayerz is out now via Triple Crown Records. Listen here.

At 7-3, the Chicago Bulls find themselves tied atop the Eastern Conference, thanks in part to free agent acquisition Alex Caruso and his versatile, pestering defense and secondary ball-handling. Meanwhile, Caruso’s former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, are floundering at 6-5 for a litany of reasons (injuries among them), in part because of insufficient point-of-attack defense, an issue Caruso could considerably rectify.

After meeting with Bulls brass during free agency and receiving an offer, Caruso, appearing on The Old Man and the Three podcast, said he and his representatives returned to Los Angeles asking the organization to match that offer.

“(The Lakers) said no,” Caruso said. “We asked for something else that was a little less, (they) said no, so we said, ‘OK, well, if that’s what it comes to, I’m ready to go to Chicago and start the next chapter.’ It’s been great. I think it’s been a great decision for me.”

Caruso, who signed a four-year, $37 million with Chicago, said the mid-level exception, which is roughly $10 million annually, was a target range of his during negotiations. When JJ Redick asked if the Lakers’ initial offer was higher or lower than two years, $15 million, Caruso implied it was lower.

He also said the Lakers’ initial offer before he met with any other teams “wasn’t an offer (he) was going to accept because (he) was going to be able to get considerably more money from another team.”