KIEFER SUTHERLAND DELIVERS ON RE-BOOTED 24

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THE GLORIOUS CORNER

Story By: G. H. HARDING

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Kiefer Sutherland

GABRIEL’S BACK TO FRONT --- Eagle Rock has announced the release of Back To Front – Live in London from Peter Gabriel on June 24, 2014. Simultaneously available on DVD, Blu-ray and DVD / Blu-ray Deluxe Editions, this release captures the complete live performance of the So album from start to finish.

Gabriel’s Back to Front concert included the classics: “Sledgehammer,” “Solsbury Hill,” “Don’t Give Up,” “Shock The Monkey,” “Big Time,” “Digging In The Dirt,” “Mercy Street,” “No Self Control,” “In Your Eyes,” and, “Biko.” The DVD / Blu-ray Deluxe Editions offer a 60-page hardback photo book which includes a second disc containing the theatrical version of Back To Front, featuring additional interviews and montage versions of “Solsbury Hill” and “Sledgehammer” utilizing footage from live shows across the years. The Deluxe Editions also contain a double CD of the complete Back To Front show.

This spectacular live concert, filmed at London’s O2 used the latest Ultra High Definition 4K technology, captures Peter Gabriel’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of his landmark album So. To mark the event Gabriel reunited his original So touring band from 1986/87 and for the very first time fans saw them play the multi-platinum selling album in its entirety. As a bonus, Back To Front includes ‘The Visual Approach’, a fascinating feature on the creation of the live show, the track “This Is The Picture” as filmed by fans on the night, and a montage version of “In Your Eyes”.

While the core of the performance is the So album, there is additional footage from the concert with unfinished, previously unreleased and re-imagined songs sitting effortlessly alongside classic hits reflecting what a multi-dimensional artist Peter Gabriel is. With innovative lighting and staging, Back To Front – Live In London offers a visual and narrative feast that puts the viewer inside a concert like never before.

Readers of this column know that I place Gabriel in the forefront of visionary artists; his work is nothing short of exemplary and the number of innovations he’s made is countless. His recent induction in Jann Wenner’s Hall of Fame (this year) speaks volumes. He’s also a member of Jann’s club via his prescient work with Genesis. One of a kind for sure.

Here’s a link to a recent interview in Rolling Stone HERE.

JACK’S BACK --- I loved TV’s 24 when it was on; I thought Kiefer Sutherland owned the role as Jack Bauer and was sorry to see it end; although, it seemed liked they had exhausted every possible angle. Monday’s night on Fox, 24 returned for a 12-episode run and though it seemed like each and every moment was re-booted from an earlier moment, I loved it. Sutherland, who looked great and was totally focused, delivered exactly what everyone wanted.

This installment is situated in Britain and it looked simply terrific; Jack didn't even speak for the first 40-minutes, then the action began. His initial mission was to rescue perennial-IT-sidekick Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub).Since we last saw her, Chloe had clearly read Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy because she’d turned into a tattooed emo-Goth working for an Assange-style hacktivist. Jack duly rescued her from CIA custody with the aid of an adrenaline injection and a rocket launcher. It was during this sequence that this comeback finally exploded into life.

As ever, the show didn't stint on the violence. There were headbutts, taserings and shootings. One surprise stabbing – a squelchy one right in the ear – was especially visceral. The trademark 24 lingo was back too, all “security protocols," “comms support," “schematics” and “dammit."

It was fun to work out whether characters were being played by British actors or Americans putting on dodgy accents. The terrific Stephen Fry even popped up briefly as the British Prime Minister, Alistair Davies. Also, Michael Wincott popped up as Chloe’s shadowy boss (Adrian Cross) … and, was spot-on terrific. William Devane (now President James Heller) is back, as is Kim Raver and Tate Donovan. Devane by the way, was awesome.

When 24 exploded onto our screens back in 2001, it was bold in its execution, exciting and timely, arriving shortly after 9/11. Does it seem tired now? Perhaps. Smarter, subtler US box set dramas – from Mad Men to Breaking Bad – have since come along and raised the bar in terms of characterization and dialogue.

However, 24 was always a sledgehammer rather than a paintbrush. This comeback still delivered crash-bang thrills and rug-pulling twists. The digital font on that ticking clock might look dated but its tension-building beeps still sent a shiver down the spine. Welcome back, Jack. I loved every minute of it!

EXPENDABLES ARE DEPENDABLE --- In one of the greatest assemblages of international star power — and muscle — that Cannes has ever seen, a baker’s dozen of Expendables 3 cast members are set to hit town on Sunday, May 18 for a full day of events. Attending are Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, Dolph Lundgren, Kelsey Grammar, Randy Couture, Kellan Lutz, Victor Ortiz and Glen Powell, along with director Patrick Hughes.

Millennium Films president Mark Gill told Deadline Hollywood the day will start with a screening of footage from the movie, followed by the action brigade arriving at the Carlton Hotel for a press conference and photo call. How will they get there? Why, in tanks of course!

Millennium, which is organizing the testosterone fest, is seeing that a stretch of the Croisette is shut down to accommodate the armored vehicles. At the Carlton, it’s also bought banners representing each of the characters which will adorn the facade. Later that evening, there will be a big soirée at the Palm Beach nightclub. That's how it's done folks!

CLOSING NOTES --- Monkee-Micky Dolenz and wife Donna at last night’s gala-Disney premiere for Jon Hamm’s Million Dollar Arm at the El Captain Theatre in Hollywood. Also on hand were co-stars Lake Bell, Bill Paxton and Alan Arkin; John Slattery and Harry Hamlin from Mad Men; Adam Arkin; and, Lisa Rinna …

The penultimate episode of NBC’s Blacklist Monday night was more on track than the last few episodes. James Spader’s chewing of the scenery is just outstanding. The EP addressed several building plot points all season … all to be answered next week …

Clint Eastwood's film version of the Broadway-mega hit Jersey Boys will screen the last night of the Los Angeles Film Festival (its 20th anniversary) on Thursday June 19. NY's Donnie Kehr, who originated the role of loan-shark Norm Waxman on Broadway, and now reprises it in the film, will be there front and center ...

When we told you that WFAN's Zach Martin was the new voice greeting Amtrak customers; we neglected to tell you that the rail-line has more than 85,000 passengers daily on more than 300 trains. Impressive! Go Zach!

 Photo By: Walter McBride/WM Photography/Retna