Animated movies have really come into their own in the past 15 years. Sure, they’ve been around since movies were invented but ten years into the 21^st century the availability of computer technology has really made the medium come to life. The latest offering is the DreamWorks Animation offering Megmnind, which features the voice talents of Saturday Night Live alums Will Ferrell and Tina Fey. Other voice actors include Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill.

The story is reminiscent of the Superman story, but with a few changes and told from Megamind’s (Ferrelll) point of view. Both he and Metroman, (Pitt) are sent to earth as infants from separate planets that are about to be destroyed by a black hole. They are charted on totally different paths, Megamind headed on a rough voyage through the galaxy and a crash landing in a prison yard and Metroman getting a smooth trip with a landing in a posh mansion.

The story of the two characters is typical of a superhero/super villain, with Metroman doing everything right and Megamind getting put in time out in school and after repeated situations the blue skinned genius has the epiphany to pursue his destiny of becoming a super villain.

Every evil genius needs a damsel to put in distress and that is Roxanne Richie (Fey). She is not a shrinking violet who screams while tied to a chair over a pool of hungry alligators, she is a tough cookie who has endured many, many Megamind kidnappings and Metroman rescues. Megamind kidnaps her when Metro City is about to honor Metroman with the opening of a museum and it all takes off from there.

The movie is very funny and while it has the trappings of being a kids movie, it is typical of recent animated features with enough inside jokes to keep grown-ups interested. The music selections, heavy on AC-DC, Ozzy Osbourne and Guns and Roses, favors the MTV generation of parents as well The movie has cartoonish violence which, while flashy and very visually compelling it didn’t prompt me to explain what was going on to my ten-year-old son.

A drawback to the movie is that for the most part, the best parts of the movie have been shown in the TV ads and what’s in between doesn’t add very much to it’s balance. This is to say that I came away from the theater with a sense that I had seen the movie before I had actually sat down and watched it on the big screen, if that makes any sense.

My son loved it, of course, but anything animated is pretty much a grand slam with him.

The movie is rated PG for cartoon violence and language, but on the language side I don’t really see why. There’s nary a four letter word in it. It is offered in 2D and 3D versions.

Has it been a long time since you Rock and Rolled? Well there is no need to wait any longer. Jason Bonham is bringing the Led-Zeppelin Experience here for you to enjoy. This is the ultimate live Led Zeppelin event to go to. The biggest Led Zeppelin songs performed LIVE by Jason Bonham and his all star band along with an over the top multi-media experience. You do not want to miss this show.

Jason started this event to celebrate the life and music of iconic Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, as well as mark the 30th anniversary of his untimely death. Jason received approval from Led Zeppelin’s front man, Robert Plant himself and since then, JBLZE has been on tour hitting cities in the U.S. and Canada.

The all-star band for this event consist of; James Dylan on vocals who formerly played with Virtual Zeppelin, Tony Catania on lead guitar who has played with Jason Bonham for years, Michael Devin formerly of Whitesnake on bass and Stephen Leblanc on guitar, petal steel and keyboards.

ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE said it best,
   "With state-of-the-art lighting and effects, dazzling video treatments and a crisp, thundering sound, the JBLZE offered a set of Led Zep gems that were strikingly faithful to the originals. The band tore through a set that included "I Can’t Quit You Baby," "Dazed and Confused," "Kashmir," "The Lemon Song," "When the Levee Breaks," "Moby Dick" (which featured a video of father and son pounding out the drum solo) and, of course, "Stairway to Heaven." The encore of "Whole Lotta Love" coupled with "Rock and Roll" earned a standing ovation.

This is one event you cannot afford to miss!

WHEN: Wednesday November 17th

WHERE: Spirit Bank Event Center 105th & Memorial

TIME: 8:00pm

TICKETS: www.spiritbankeventcenter.com

Dinner Recommendations: Savatano’s Pizza, Schlotzsky’s, and Genghis Grill

It was a misty, chilly November night in Tulsa. The kind of night you want to curl up on the couch with some hot cocoa and snuggle up with the one you love. But instead, thousands of people made their way down to the BOK Center for a night of entertainment with two legends in their own time; Elton John and Tulsa’s own, Leon Russell.

Elton John and Leon Russell released “The Union” on October 19th, 2010. This tour features hit songs from both solo careers and the collaboration they made together on this album. As we all settled in and the room filled with fans, Elton John came walking out on the stage just a bit past 8:00pm. Elton greeted the fans and told us all this was going to be an exciting show with it being held in Leon’s hometown. For those that thought this album was the first for these two to work together; Elton informed us that he had performed with Leon in Tulsa in 1971. With that, Elton gave a warm welcome to Leon Russell as he took the stage for his solo set.

Leon Russell came out with his flowing white hair and beard, wearing a cowboy hat and Hawaiian-style shirt.  As he seated himself at the piano, he started off the night with his hit song “Tight Rope”. The people were already on their feet from welcoming and honoring Leon as he came out; as soon as the song started, the dancing and singing along began.

Leon gave a beautiful performance of his songs. The vibe of the entire night felt more like being with family and at times even at church with the gospel-country sound of many of the songs. Leon went on to play  more favorites, “A Song For You” and “Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms”; which ended with a lengthy gospel sounding jam session with “Stranger In a Strange Land.”

Leon Russell Photo Gallery

{gallery}entertainment/2010/elton_leon/leon{/gallery}

Photos by: Kevin Pyle

Elton John came out dressed in black with his infamous glimmering jacket style. He wasted no time tearing it up with “Saturday Night’s Alright (for fighting).” There was no way to sit during this song; everyone was on their feet and dancing. Looking around the arena, numerous fans sporting Elton John style glasses, there was a family in front of me that had some that lit up and were flashing. Elton was electric for the whole evening. After almost every song, he would get up and bow and thank his fans. He was incredibly gracious and thankful to everyone. Elton was also very playful on stage. He kept making silly faces and saying comments to people on the front row; even hopped up on the piano and jumped down at one point. His voice sounded amazing; I have never seen anyone that was more alive and so down to earth. Elton played many of his hit songs; just to name a few were “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, “Rocket Man”, “Benny and the Jets.” He then ended his set with “I’m Still Standing.”

At this time, Leon Russell came back to the stage and they began their set for “The Union”. It was surprising to see so many people singing the words to the songs with the album just coming out last month. It was impressive to see the age-range at this show as well. There were so many young adults and more matured ones, who were undoubtedly true fans. Elton and Leon started off with “If It Wasn’t For Bad.” This song has that familiar Leon Russell Tulsa Sound. The first song that Elton and Leon wrote together for this album was “A Dream Come True.” It has a great bluesy-rock-gospel sound; the back-up singers add just the right touch to make this song an all-out jam-fest.  This set ended with “In the Hands of Angel’s”, a song Leon wrote about Elton. Elton said that no one had ever written a song about him before. The fans honored Leon with a standing ovation after this song as he left the stage once again.

I have never been to a show that went this long (over 3 hours) that did not include an intermission.  Elton John went right into another set of his hit songs, among them were “Levon”, “Candle in the Wind”, and finished on a high note with “The Bitch Is Back.” The lights went dim for the encore; moments later Elton came back to the stage and starting from one end to the other, he signed autographs on t-shirts, concert tickets, programs and more. This went on for seven minutes, I actually timed it. It was incredible to see Sir Elton John do something so selfless and so wonderful for his fans. I have never before seen any artist take so much time out of their show to do something like this. It was a genuine act of kindness and gratitude toward the people that love him so.

Elton John Photo Gallery

{gallery}entertainment/2010/elton_leon/elton{/gallery}

Photos by: Kevin Pyle

Elton John ended the night right before 11:30 with “Your Song” that he dedicated to everyone in the arena. There was so much love in the air as he waved and thanked all his fans for coming to the show. This was a fantastic night! Both Elton and  Leon are masters of the piano; they are truly in a league of their own. With the hit songs from each solo set and to see Elton and Leon jam out with their incredible band together; the only word that comes to mind to sum up the entire event is “magical”. It was a night of music history that will remain in our hearts forever.