RoKool

THE REV SEZ!!

ROKOOL

Welcome friends!!
Greetings,and welcome to my first installment of Rokool, here at therevsez.blogspot.com

I use this little segment fo hipping you to  shows and movies worth watching on your Roku, Netflix, or other computer TV.

Along with The Rhythm Revival Podcast and the upcoming book, here's a little something to waste time with in Cyberspace.
For those of us who still remember dial phones and eight track tapes, it seems like every day brings new challenges and choices, not to mention a whole buttloaddddddddd of options, within the options.

Roku: "Hey, Roku you, buddy!"
It sounds like poetry recited by Japanese sailors, but Roku is actually a little black box that hooks to your computer, and then syncs up to the T.V. giving you virtually limitless choices in movies, sports, and every episode of My Favorite Martian known to exist.

Remember when VHS first came out, and those bins of 1.99 tapes at every truck -stop and Walmart? Well. now you can enjoy, over and over, such classics as CB Hookers, along with ( for an extra charge), the latest Box Office Hits.
There are over 150 separate channels, and the sheer volume of choice can produce an "F--k It" reaction from ever the most patient senior.
So, much as I have done in the past with music, at least part of this weekly blog will be to help you sift thru the hundreds of choices and come up with something worth wasting ninety minutes on.
To find the channel or show, go to the main search icon, and type in the info I'll give you.
Beginning with the obvious:

Channel: Snag Films
Program: "Elvis:The Echo Lives On."

Aside from the fact that it's hosted by Casey Kassem, this isn't too bad a little 48 minute flick. If nothing else, it's pretty damn honest and full of a few surprises.

It opens with his famous "Without a Song" speech/ramble. 

For the last four years of his life, according to his favorite drummer, Ronnie Tutt, The King was pretty much of a mess, and as he mumbles and tries to focus, while accepting an award for "Businessman of the Year" from the Memphis Business establishment it's obvious that the life in general, and the pills have really begun to unravel him. This version of the Elvis saga presents a more complex man than we're used to seeing and does a nice job of interviewing some interesting  important to remember that back in in 1977, we still lived in a state of mass denial around addictions and drugs, and that Elvis, in trying to make up for the lost years spent making the horrible movies, had spent the last four years, doing road gigs. 

Not only that, but we find out that his coworkers always felt that Elvis had tremendous acting talent that never blossomed due to Col. Tom Parker's greed. There are the usual interviews with everyone from his hairdresser to members of the Memphis Mafia,and then some surprisingly candid ones with Tom Jones, Ursula Andres, and even Sammy Davis Jr.

There are a couple of absolutely beautiful quotes from Rev. Herbert Brewster comparing Elvis' music to "A harp of a thousand strings that only needed tuning," and focusing on his Gospel roots.  It finishes with a look at Graceland, pre-Priscilla take-over, and an appreciation of the legacy he left. 

Actually, a pretty accurate and honest picture of The King.                 

Channel: Zone Out T.V.
Program:All
Great logo, great motto:
"Zoning Out is better in HD!"
Finally, finally, finally, a high tech White noise machine and hypnotic pattern all in one. Remember how we used to laugh at the idea of virtual fires and Christmas trees?? 
This clever little station goes it one better with everything from virtual Koi in a psychedelic fish tank, to the L.A. skyline at night (gunshots and sirens extra), to a babbling brook in the High Sierras.
Put me to sleep in less than ten minutes, woke up and fish were still swimming, but now realizing they were being watched began to act a little coy. (Rimshot)
Love it.

Channel: NTD
Program: Learning Chinese Can Be Fun

Here we have the Pan Asian version of Juan Y Maria (remember them?) from High School Spanish Class.
It's aimed at kids as well, so along with teaching language, there are lots of sing-a-longs, and a couple of life lessons. 
So far, I've learned how to say "Hello," "Goodbye," and practiced drawing the Chinese character for Compassion.
With any luck, I'll know just enough Chinese by Christmas to embarrass myself at The Wok And Roll, my local Carry-Out.
I've renamed it : "Sesame Chicken Street". (double rim-shot).

Channel: Crackle
Program: American Grindhouse
You know those weird, gross, sick, Grade Z movies that Quentin Tarantino  John Waters, and Yours Truly are always going on about?
This five-star documentary features interviews with John Landis, Hershel Gordon Lewis and some of the original pioneers of this questionable genre. A fascinating glimpse into the world of fringe celluloid, going all the way back to, no kidding, Edison?!?!
They leave no rock of tastelessness unturned, everything from Ilsa to the nudie cuties of the thirties and forties, to the "educational" films that used to be shown around the country by hucksters posing as "medical authorities.
 The sub-plot of censorship is equally fascinating, the historical significance of such events as "The Paramount Case" are brought to light, and go a long way towards giving a better historical perspective on everything from "training films" to S&M fare, better known as "roughies."
Added Bonus:
Many of the films referenced can be accessed on Roku, should you realllllllly want to see nearly two hours of such gems as The Corpse Grinders or Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers.
Speaking of: 
Next week, check out my review of "After Porno, " a
Where Are They Now?" look at the Porno Industry of the Seventies and Eighties, and how it's former stars have fared after the lights went out. 
See ya then..........

Rev. Billy C. Wirtz is the host of The Rhythm Revival Radio Hour. 
Check him out at Rhythmrevival.podomatic.com