Sunday, March 30, 2008

Central Coast Road Trip

Well a BIG thanks to the lovely FANNY B for a wonderful road trip up to the old Central Coast!

With the soundtrack of Pnau, Paul Mac, Cut Copy and plenty more bangin' tunes on the way up we had a bloody ball.

Just remember to "slap that" Fanny B, and that leads me to my slappin' 5 of the week:

Chew Fu - Sweet Dreams
The Presets - This Boy's in Love
Utah Saints - Something Good 08 - radio edit
Madonna - 4 Minutes (featuring Justin Timberlake and produced by Timberland)
Roisin Murphy - You Know Me Better

Reviews on the way Roisin Murphy, Wicked, Guys & Dolls and a whole lot more films.

Film Freak: Never Back Down

The latest in teenage dramas is like watching The OC meets Fight Club, this teen drama involves street fighting and the usual teenage angst themes.

This movie stared two extremely good looking blokes in Sean Farris and Cam Gigandet, this however is not enough to keep your attention for the entire two hours.

The story line has a few holes in it however the production is sleek enough to hide this.

A total of two punches for this film.

GIG - SHAKE SHAKE

This week's gig pick was Shake Shake at Surry Hill's great "Excelsior".

I stuck around for The Vignettes who performed a very White Stripes style set with a male vocalist and female drummer, who bashed the hell out of her kit! They performed a fantastic cover of Madonna's "Hung Up'.

I saw a sneak peak of Le Kingste who also performed well to quite a full room of music lovers and a lot of random emo's.

Emo's also were the flavour at the Smashing Pumpkins and I wanted to know what is up with the Emo thing? Maybe I am getting old however, boys can you please give you penis some room to move in your jeans, or our population will never grow.

The Not SO Smashing Pumpkins

Well well, time to see one of the most successful alternative bands of all time.... After break ups, line up changes, Zwan, Billy's solo career and a few very interesting albums the Pumpkins were back for the V Festival.

Now when we got their distortion was on the menu, and then came a solid hour of amazing hits "Perfect" (a lovely acoustic version), "Today", "1979", "Everlasting Gaze" (my personal fav) and more.

This however was ruined by another 10 minutes of distortion, as I left before an obvious encore (I hate encores!!!!! - stop wanking out the back and just play your set straight PLEASE!), I heard the crowd echo my thoughts of the substandard behaviour towards the end of the gig.

The hour in the middle made the show however Billy is really turning into a complete tosser.

A total of 2 stars for last decades hottest property.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

PUMPKINS TONITE!

Check out the review SOON!!!!

Some other random shit that come through my inbox:

It tells you how many hours and how many seconds you have been alive on this earth and when you were probably conceived. How cool is that?
After you've finished reading the info, click again, and see what the moon looked like the night you were born. This is neat.
http://www.paulsadowski.com:80/birthday.asp

Joke o da Week

An old man goes into a chemist to buy some Viagra
“Can I have 6 tablets, cut in quarters?”
" I can cut them for you " said the chemist
" but a quarter tablet will not give you a full erection. "
" I am 96 " said the old man .
" I don ' t want an erection . I just want it sticking out far enough so I don’t pee on my slippers"


THANKS DONNA LOUISE! x

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Leggy Lanai turns 40

One final birthday shout out for Lanai! Happy 40th this Saturday honey bee, don't do anything I wouldn't do!

Reminder - The Excelsior this FRIDAY

Check it out this Friday at the Excelsior, young Fresh new Aussie music... $10 entry guarantees a root*....

* Dependant on how much beer everyone else consumes...

Monday, March 24, 2008

Film Freak: Step Up 2 The Streets

Well I have never seen the original of this new franchise. However I don't think you need to. Another hip hop fused dance film with a hot young Lass playing with the bad coloured boys.
This films content is bleak at the best of times, however the dancing, soundtrack and visual effect of this film is incredible. The choreography featured in this film is top class and makes so of the "So You Think You Can Dance" look fairly lame.

However the moments without dancing leave you rather empty and wanting the dancing to return to the screen before you hurl.

Missy Elliot's two new tunes featured in this dope, off the hook, joints n jam filled film really add something as her music still continues to REPRESENT the hip hop world. With a lack of new strong female talent coming through Missy's music is a must in this attempt to save hip hop.

Overall Hip Hop comes up the real winner in this film with artists like Timbaland, Ludacris and Missy all coming up true winners in the highly competitive hip hop game.

A total of 3 and a half crankin' stars for this visual spectacular!

Film Freak: The Black Balloon

Well another Aussie film that really hits home with a slightly dysfunctional family dealing with real issues. A great soundtrack using the lies of the Go Betweens and the dreamy Josh Pyke really sets the mood for this well crafted film.

Toni Collette is terrific as usual and the young boy Rhys Wakesfield is not only half good looking but quiet talented. As for the young Gemma Ward she plays and acts out quiet a sweet and caring girlfriend for young Rhys (ex Lucas from H&A for all the trash bags out there).

The story is great, the script is well written and the extras at the school (the men only are all very hot young Aussies), well done to the casting department.

Overall another Aussie hit and a nice tale of compassion and coming of age.

Total of 4 spunky hot stars.

Special Wishes

Happy 23rd Phillip

Happy engagement Chris & Belinda, still full from all the lovely food @ your party

Happy birthday Mr Andrew Smith for this Friday

Happy birthday for next tight arse Tuesday, April Fools Day, Stephanie

If I missed anyone else, SORRY

Friday, March 21, 2008

Office Politics

Hello all,

Hope the Easter weekend is used to have a nice long break from work, howeer today I wanted to look into the workplace though for this week's BLOG entry on " Office Politics".

I was sent this dozy of an email the other day outlining some of the slight frustrations found in a modern workplace, maybe a slightly dysfunctional one at that.

Hi All
- (bad grammar where is the comma)

Just a friendly reminder to everyone of some general housekeeping things:
- The friendliness is over after this line , look out!

General Office Space
I know we have limited storage space, but could everyone please try to keep boxes etc lying around the office to a minimum and could I please ask that everyone have a "detox" of their desks and surrounding areas.
- Is there a safe injecting room in this office, that may help some people "detox"?

Kitchen
Could EVERYONE please make a greater effort in helping to keep the kitchen clean. I know we have a roster to assist with this, but if everyone did their bit and cleaned-up after themselves it would be a much easier job for all.
- CAPS equals yelling in emails and creates anger, well negative way to get people to co-operate.

Fridge
Please be mindful that the fridge is there for everyone to use. Please do not fill the fridge with plastic bags and bulky items.
- In other words your fat slobs stop eating or you'll all end up in the Biggest Loser, crying, on the scales, being offered $50,000 to stay fat or humiliated in some other way or another.

There will be a clean out of the fridge tomorrow afternoon. Please remove anything you want to keep and take it home with you. Don't panic - butter etc will not be thrown out, but anything left in the fridge that is not labelled, out of date or wrapped in a million plastic bags will be.
- One million plastic bags, one million plastic bags, I don't think Sydney city uses a million shopping bags in all the shopping centre's combined. I am desperate to see this plastic fridge, it sounds like an environmental disaster!

Also, I hate to have to say this, but please DO NOT EAT OTHER PEOPLE'S FOOD!
- Another Biggest Loser reference, maybe closed circuit security camera's should be put into this high security one million plastic bag fridge. Yelling again, may create angry or send people to eat MORE!!!!

Boardroom / Training Room
To avoid confusion and embarrassment in some cases, please ensure that you book a meeting room when required. In the last few weeks, there has been a lot of movement in the office with external people coming and going. It is particularly embarrassing when we have nowhere to put them. Please also remember to tidy up the meeting rooms after use.
- Are people getting caught rooting in this training room? That would cause embarrassment and possible confusion for virgins not used to this form of training. So in short, book a root and take your used condoms with you, THANK U!

Please take note of the above and make a little extra effort.
- Note taken, whoever sent this is a Nazi

Thanks in advance for your co-operation.
- Go root a dog


There we go office politics, it's all about eating, rooting in meeting rooms and writing in caps to get the point across.

I wonder whether any productive work gets done in this office or whether people just eat, root and yell?

Sounds like my type of office, I'll have the meeting room with the ONE MILLION PLASTIC BAG FRIDGE all day next Tuesday for my Easter long weekend "detox".

Cheers,

Andrew

Happy Flippin' Easter


Sunday, March 16, 2008

Film Freak: Vantage Point

Can I maybe make a BOLD statement when it is only March, Action film of 2008. One of the best car chasers I have seen EVER!

Matthew Fox, Dame Weaver and a few real hot men, made this a very watchable cast and a fantastic action film.

The story is a few very different people's version of one day in hell for the US President.

This movie has twists, turns, drama, lust (well I lusted half the cast), action and more action!

Definitely one for the big screen and definitely one before someone at work ruins the end.

Vantage Point rates high on my radar, 4.5 stars.

WELL DONE MR G, YOUR NUMBER ONE

http://www.ariacharts.com.au

Katie Noonan Does the ACO, Radiohead, Amy Winehouse & More!

Katie Noonan and the ACO, SOH Concert Hall - Sunday March 16th 2008

Well what an afternoon of fine music. The Australian Chamber Orchestra teamed up with Katie Noonan for their national "Sublime" tour. The music was truly sublime as Katie performed with the Orchestra's first half of classical pieces while the second half was dedicated to contemporary covers.

The covers ranged from Sting to Radiohead and from The Beatles to Amy Winehouse. Some strange off beat album track choices however her voice is so magic that anything coming out of her mouth would sound sweet. I think even a cover of Dennis Leary's past hit "Asshole" would even sound sublime coming out of her mouth.

The crowd loved her and her wonderful two costumes and pumps she could have quiet easily broke her neck in.

The highlight for me was the Sting cover "A Thousand Years".

Overall she is a true Aussie Diva and definitely one of Australia's best voices, next to Mr G.

Total of five out of five, for the Australian Orchestra appealing to the very hard to please youth of today and for Katie a sublime songbird who I have loved ever since I heard "Spawn" on JJJ, many a year ago.

*****

Joke of the Month

Judge asked a prostitute "So when did you realize you were raped?"
Prostitute replied, wiping her tears "When the cheque bounced."

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Film Freak: Death Defying Acts

The new Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones film is an interesting look into the world of magic and psychics.

Zeta-Jones daughter is amazing a true performer and definitely one to look out for in the future.

Guy Pearce is aging quiet well and has come a long way since his days on Neighbours.

Possibly wait for DVD for this one, overall 3 stars.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Reviews to Come

Hi all,

Reviews coming soon:

Guys & Dolls

Katie Noonan & The ACO

Roisin Murphy

Tunes to check:

Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree
Mr G - Naughty Girl
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Happy Hump Day!

Time Wasting Emails

Hello Australia,

Well one thing in the working day we all love is those time wasting emailers. I got sent a beauty today and I thought I would share it with Australia!

SUBJECT: XXXX going home

Hi all

I don't feel well so am leaving at 3pm. I hope to be back in the office tomorrow.

Kindest regards


Time Waster
Professional Emailer
Usually comes from the Marketing department
XXX
Direct: (02) XxXxXxXx
Mobile: Only losers put their mobile numbers on business emails
Fax: (02) XxXxXxXx
Email: sendmespam@waste.com.au


This message (including any attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you should not disclose, copy or use any part of it - please delete all copies immediately - THESE EMAILS ARE USUALLY DELETED IMMEDIATELY
Save A Tree - Please do not print this email unless you really need to. - I BETTER KEEP THIS ON FILE!

GIG PICK - Check it out!


Sunday, March 9, 2008

Ben Lee gives us MOORE!

Ben Lee and super surprise guest Mandy Moore - Factory Theatre, Enmore

Well first things first, new venue, and my reaction to it:

1. In the middle of nowhere, however had a fab pub nearby with steak sannies from $9.90!
2. Beautiful inside
3. Friendly staff
4. Returned tickets for souvenir on exit, LOVED THAT!
5. Plenty of room and still very intimate
6. Casual and cool

Venue rates 5 stars!

To the concert, Dash and Will were the support act and did a good job of warming the very cosy room. Two girls and one back up dude. Apparently it was only their 7th show, so props to them.

Then on she came, Miss Mandy Moore the super surprise guest. She has ditched pop for a more folk sounding almost country vibe. And to be honest it wasn't half bad, her crowd interaction was a little forced but she is from Hollywood.

She finished with a FAB rendition of her debut single "Candy", bubblegum pop at it's best. She was a true joy to watch as she went through her 8 or so songs.

Then he came out with only his guitar and a keyboard dude.

He cruised through all his hits including "Into the Dark", "Cigarettes will Kill You" and "Away with the Pixies", he has ditched the encore concept - BIG SNAPS Ben! I hate encores! He finished with a great version of "Catch my Disease" & "Were All in This Together".

A great Aussie performer put on yet another FAB performance! Well done Mr Lee!

Performances rates 5 Stars!

Nothing to Shout About

Shout - Lyric Theatre - Star City

Well another Wednesday night preview and the chance to see young Anthony Callea's husband Tim Campbell in action.

Well, all I can say is disaster! Mark Holden, John Paul Young and a few other has beens head up this lame RSL style jukebox musical.

Tim Campbell is a lovely guy making him no bad boy Johnny O Keffe. Unfortunately this musical misses in all aspects.

Drab ballad after ballad (it's advertised as a rock n roll affair), short first half and way too long second half, bizarre first act finishing sequence and basically overall it just sucked.

I really like Tim Campbell and wish him all the best after his H&A days are over but he has to choose better roles and better musicals that even before it opens it appears it may be closing early.

Shout rates half a star.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Delays

Sorry again about the delay in getting the last few reviews up! It has been an extremely busy period.

Reviews coming soon Ben Lee @ the Factory Theatre, Roisin Murphy @ the Metro and Shout.

Just a quick happy 50th birthday to the lovely Chris Murray!

A couple of quick album's that are on high rotation at present:

Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Janet - Discipline
Mr G - Naughty Girl
Sia - Some People Have Real Problems

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Cyndi Lauper, State Theatre

Well girls just wanna have fun alright, this true performer blasted her way through her early hits and new songs which probably 6 people in the venue knew.

Her "True Colours" track + 10 + minute story was amazing.

Her given encore (she can't leave the venue without performing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time after Time) was great, she just goes nuts for her age and really had the crowd going ballistic!

A truly fantastic concert and one that will stay with me for a long time.

Opening Nite - The Hatpin

Hatpin, SeeMore, PayLess Centre

Peter Cousin's strikes AGAIN! Holy shit! No this is actually quite a good musical based on a disturbing true story. Caroline O Connor is terrific in this dark, gritty and very low budget production.

The second half is a little long so maybe avoid the toilets at interval and give yourself a well deserved break mid second act.

Overall the best thing Kookaburra has put it's name on to date!

FILM FREAK

RAMBO (R18+)

Well you don't see many homo's running off to Rambo on the pre Mardi Gras weekend, but hey I like to be different. Well firstly this movie deserved every bit of it's R Rating with extremely strong violence and they even threw in the C word for good measure.

A bit of a dated theme however overall a good action film, violence, war, more violence and even a Cobra snake.

If you want to see limbs flying and old Sly Stallone more buff than ever head to the movies for a true love story NOT!

Melbourne does SPAM!

Spamalot - Her Maj, Melbourne

Well another fab weekend in Melbourne has gone by for my lovely friend Heather's 25th birthday. Happy birthday lovely lady!

I also dropped in to the theatre to catch "Spamalot". Now I thought I would hate this so much but it actually turned out to be a wonderful music. It was not too long, funny, the songs were short and the crowd really seemed to enjoy themselves.

The lovely Ben Lewis was handsome as ever (ex Priscilla background dude) and the main woman "Lucinda Shaw" had an amazing voice.

Overall amazing costumes, great sets and a damn fun arvo at the Theatre!

Good Vibrators 08

Good Vibrations - 2008


Well the bus ride across town to Sydney's Centennial Park nearly turned me away from this years Good Vibrations festival. I thought I was back at school on the bus with all the popular people. You know the ones, the people who always thought they were amazing at school and by 25 now have been divorced and have a few kids. Well the bus ride was pretty much a trip down memory lane, lucky the festival was nothing like high school.


Muscles put on an amazing show, to quote the slapper next to me "his music is like so good, but he is like so totally ugly". Well he is no stud muffin but his tracks like "Sweaty", "Ice Cream" and a few others from his debut are shit hot!


The "Star Bar" had some awesome beats going on and Cypress Hill showed they could still pull a crowd.


Calvin Harris proved he may well be just another one hit wonder with "Acceptable in the 80's".
Kanye West was this years headline and he did something very tricky. He pissed off all the teeny boppers who knew one or two songs by playing an amazing medley of album cuts and rare singles and radio hits such as "Flashing Lights". "Can't Tell me Nothing", "Through the Wire", "Homecoming" and more. His singles went off, especially "All Falls Down", "Gold Digger", "Good Life" and the finale "Stronger".

Overall a great day, in the sun with hot beats and hot people.

Until next year farewell Good Vibrators!