Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Top 5 @ 5 - Wednesday 30th July 2008

1. Custom Kings - Red Sails
2. Muph & Pluntonic - Don't Worry About Nothin'
3. Nine Inch Nails - Discipline
4. Girl Talk - Various cuts from Feed the Animals
5. Dawn Landes - Bodyguard

Keating - The Musical

The Seymour Centre

Well it's back and I finally saw the phenomenon that has been running for years now....

The songs in this musical all seemed familar due to the rip off riffs featured. This show was quick and to the point with a great depiction of the vile John Howard and wimpy Alexander Down syndrome.

The show has won numerous awards and seen by thousands and was enjoyed by this Sydney audience.

Keating rates a political 3 stars.

The Help Your Self awards 2008

Well another year and another long ceremony.

This year's awards were largely taken out by Company B's many productions and Billy Elliot.

Billy Elliot took out the major award of the evening for best musical, beating Guys and Dolls, Phantom and the never a chance Company.

Billy Elliot also won the best actor and actress in a musical.

The performances of the evening were not too bad, Vanessa Amorossi's was definitely the weakest and likewise for Paulini and John Paul Young's presentation.

The Party afterwards was nowhere near the sleaze fest of 2007's event.

Tune in soon for my Helpmann pics for 2009, but let it be said and published, that Wicked will not only win best musical next year but best actress for Amanda Harrison.

Stay tuned for more Helpmann picks of 09.

SeXpo

Hordern Pav

I think this should have come into town a week earlier to help celebrate World Youth Day but hey it made it.

The highlight was definitely the wonderful Bad Boys Australia.

I have seen more about sex in my local porn store however this was a bit of fun and I think all of Penrith rolled in the same night I did.

Sexpo, maybe check out your local porn store first.

Film Freak – Forbidden Kingdom

Another action/kids film and after seeing the Dark Knight film recently it is very hard to see another action film and not compare it to the action film of the year.

The story is very suited to children and sometimes the plot is well MIA.

The action sequences and fighting scenes and definitely the highlights.

This film may only appeal to the younger generation and not new age nana’s like myself, The Forbidden Kingdom may as well stay forbidden as it rates 2 stars.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Seals @ Taronga


Well it was a raining day in Sydney on Thursday (Shame it didn't rain last week for the World Youth Day rubbish) and I was witness to something truly beautiful, the new seal show at Taronga Zoo.
The Seals as you can see above are simply beautiful.
The show was amazing and I recommend everyone goes and sees it.
The Great Southern Oceans expansion is the latest and greatest addition at Taronga Zoo. This beautiful new exhibition at the Zoo over looks our remarkable city in Sydney, giving the Zoo and the new seals the best real estate in town.
The trainers at the Zoo are simply the most passionate people about their jobs and really care about the animals and their jobs, it is just a pleasure to see them all in action.
Make sure you make a visit to the Zoo to see this simply beautiful show.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Top 5 @ 5 - Monday July 21st 2008

Here is this week's top 5 tracks:

1. The Presets - Yippiyo-ay
2. MGMT - Electric Feel
3. Marlena Shaw - California Soul - Diplo Remix
4. Faker - Sleepwalking (Nathan Hudson is my future husband and indie rocks coolest sister!)
5. Justice - DVNO

Other essential albums and tracks:

Ladytron - Velocifero
Holly Throsby - A Loud Call
Lior - Corner of an Endless Road
Kraak & Smaak - Squeeze Me
Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
Girl Talk - Let Me See You
Scars on Broadway - They Say
Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

Wicked

The Regent Theatre, Melbourne
NOW PLAYING!

Well this is the most hyped up musical of 2008, Billy Elliot was last years and it sucked, however Wicked didn't, it excelled!

Amanda Harrison is perfect as the lead! And the understudy of Lucy Durrack, Erin Hasan, was sensational, a voice from the gods and a wonderful actress.

Rob Mills is definitely the weakest link however it doesn't matter, with great songs, amazing costumes and even more smoke and mirrors than the Phantom of the Opera, this is the musical event of the decade!

Wicked is simply blissful, you laugh, you cry and you are simply in amazement of the sets and characters running around the stage.

This show is exceptional and the theatre is beautiful!

Something Wicked has come over me as this is my second 5 outta 5 review!

Film Freak: The Dark Knight

Well the sequel to Batman Begins is the years hottest anticipated film with this being Heath Ledgers final film and boy, it could very well be his best!

The cast features the sexy Christian Bale, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman and stacks more.

This is the most amazing action film of 2008.

The Joker is simply amazing played by Heath.

The Dark Knight takes on a whole new level and leaves the 90's Batman films in the vault where they belong.

Batman movies are always great but this one takes it to a whole new level, the action, the story, the joker... this lush new film rates the first BIG 5 stars!

Follies - The Production Company

The State Theatre, The Arts Centre - Melbourne

Well this brought out all the stage favourites Patti Newtown (Bert's Wife), Anne Wood, Debra Byrne and a lot of yummy young ones.

The dancing was terrific and the acting and singing in this terrific theatre that is just another sensational piece of Melbourne's amazing arts district, it really is the capital of Australia in terms of the Arts.

Follies was a little long, yet amazing and a lot of fun.

The limited 6 show run rates 3 stars

Foodies Week: The Birthday Food Fuckers Guide to Sydney

Atom Thai, King Street Newtown - Monday and Thursday night:

Thai is always one of my favourite foods and this restaurant is definitely a cut above the rest in Newtowns monster load of Thai restaurants. The atmosphere is sublime and it's staff are simply the most lovely Thai waiters in Sydney.

The food is also Sublime and the fruit before you leave is a lovely touch, Atom Thai rates 4 Bangkok stars.

Pendolino, Strand Arcade George Street, Sydney - Tuesday Night:

The restaurant is a hidden secret in Sydney's CBD district. The food is Delicious and the staff are highly attentive.

The Quall was delightful as was the ravioli, for wine drinkers this place is amazing and you will love the decor.

The rates 4 spunky Italian Stars.

Ya Habibi - Lebanese Vegetarian fest - Wednesday Night:

Well a delightful setting in a town house upstairs with cushions on the ground and a warm friendly atmosphere.

The food was healthy, delicious and filling but not too heavy. The waitress was like a mother who whenever she entered the room everyone went quite and paid full attention to her.

This Lebanese treat rates 4 stars.

For more food fucker reviews quick your eyes peeled to my weekly e-blasts.

Film Freak: Mamma Mia!

The movie is an all star cast musical bonanza, but does it work.... well maybe.

Let's look at the cast Meryl Streep, Julie Waters, Colin Firth (spew!), Dominic Cooper (yummy) and many more.

Well the first plus for this movie is the scenery! The songs are well done and almost look like an evening watching Rage, one clip after the next.

The movie as a whole is enjoyable and definitely one of the better musical films (Sweeny Todd is still definitely the best musical film yet) and the acting by the majority of the cast is quite good.

This film is a camp, happy go lucky story and all around you leave the cinema feeling quite good.

I think this film will do okay but now Batman is open, maybe wait for this one on DVD, Mamma Mia rates 2 and half singing stars.

MATHINNA BANGARRA DANCE CO

Newcastle Civic Theatre
Now Playing: Sydney Opera House, Drama Theatre

An amazing afternoon of dance, colour in this heart wrenching story of a young girl across two cultures.

I love a matinee and I love being in the thick of the blue rinse crowd.

This company performed not only a flawless production with amazing dance but great costumes and a snappy score to match.

I am definitely looking forward to what they produce next year, a big 4 Nadioc stars!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Top 5 @ 5

1. Ladytron - Ghosts
2. MGMT - Electric Feel
3. Madonna - Give it to Me REMIXES
4. Pegz & Patto - Radio Active
5. The Presets - Yippayo-ay

These songs are totally hot check em out!!!!!

Final Week - The 18th birthday gift register

One Tree Hill series 4
Ladytron -Velocifero
Santogold - Santogold
Pnau - Pnau (tour edition)
Moby - Last Night
Good Buddha - Hit the Sky Running
Drapht - Brothers Grimm
Portishead - Third
Chasm - Beyond the Beat Tape
Underbelly DVD
90210 series 4
Californication series one
Birds of Tokyo -Universes

Film Freak: Kung Fu Panda

One word or maybe two Jack Black! I can't bear that man!

The movie I thought almost solely dealt with childhood obesity, but that's juts me. I have never liked kids films and was blackmailed into seeing this film (I am not lying!).

I have read a sequel is planned, surprise surprise, this movie is light, fluffy and at times a little boring.

Kung Fu Panda strikes out with one animated star.

Film Freak: Get Smart

Well well well another TV show remade for the big screen. First Sex & the City and soon to be in production Friends (spew!).

Get Smart is well acted yet almost void of a plot.

The movie stars The Rock who is quiet sexy now he has dumped wrestling!

Steve Carrell and Anne Hathaway have great chemistry and work really well together.

The movie has some funny bits, some good action scenes and over it pretty much works, Get Smart rates a big screen 3 stars.

A Night at the Theatre: The Pillowman

The Pillowman, Belvoir Street

Well a Friday night at the theatre is always a blast even in this dark comedy dealing with some very dark points.

The Martin McDonagh black comedy is acted so well and Dan Wyllie is outstanding and getting better looking by the day.

The show is clever, smart and extremely bleak at times yet amazing, the characters are all so interesting and have such a bizarre sense of humour.

The Pillowman was a delightful night out at the theatre and rates a big 4 stars.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Gift Register - The Final Countdown

Well the 18th is only moments away, please see a revised list below:

One Tree Hill series 4
Ladytron -Velocifero
Santogold - Santogold
Pnau - Pnau (tour edition)
Moby - Last Night
Good Buddha - Hit the Sky Running
Drapht - Brothers Grimm
Portishead - Third
Chasm - Beyond the Beat Tape
Underbelly DVD
90210 series 4
Californication series one

Birthday Bashes - July Edition

To my beautiful Dame, happy 21st for next Wednesday

Young Leah Williams happy 22nd birthday for the 16th!

To my sassy Mum happy 30th birthday for the end of the month

More birthday bashes coming soon!

The Phantom Strikes a year later

The Phantom of the Opera, Lyric Theatre Sydney

Well it is almost one year ago I was at the opening night of the Phantom of the Opera in Melbourne at the stunning Princess Theatre and now it was time to check out the show in Sydney.

Nearly a year into Phantom's touring schedule still with Auckland and Perth to come, Anthony Warlow is almost nowhere to be seen, especially in tonight's performance, the understudy Roy was on stage.

The show is visually spectacular and the costumes are amazing, however the songs are quite drab.

Overall the theatre was a busy for a Tuesday night and the crowd seemed to like what they see.

Overall Phantom rates a bright three stars for it's visual beauty.

Lior Live @ Lizottes

Sunday June 29th 2008

Well I am a long time fan of young Lior and he only seems to get more and more gorgeous as the years go on.

His old tracks definitely impressed the fans and his brand new tracks seemed very sweet. He missed my personal new fav "Ill Forget You" featuring the stunning Sia!

Lizottes is a wonderful live venue on the Coast bringing great food and great music together. The venue, the food and the sweet sounds of Lior made it a simply five star night.