Thursday, August 20, 2009

Film Freak - Orphan

What is it with scary movies featuring Children and the words Orphan or Orphanage in it. The Orphanage was a terrific Spanish film from a few years ago and this film is no different it is a terrific horror/more thriller film featuring one fucked up young girl.

Well the movie itself is almost like every horror/thriller, it builds up suspension and builds the characters up and then all hell (literally) breaks loose!

This show has a terrific twist at the end that even though I was aware there was a twist I didn't see this coming!

Orphan is a solid thriller and doesn't go too nuts with the gore factor! I loved this and really got right into the thrills.

It rates 4 creepy kiddy stars.

STC - Once & For All Were Gonna Tell You Who We Are So Shut Up & Listen

Well last time I went out to check out a STC play I was sorely disappointed, however this interesting and high energy piece of theatre was definitely something you need to see to believe.

It is definitely something words can not sum up. I urge everyone to see it before it ends at the end of August.

If you liked Skins and you like music to match moods check this out it's outstanding! 4 and a half stars

Film Freak - GI JOE

I used to absolutely love GI Joe toys as a child, they were simply one of my favourite things growing up, however the idea of a toy turning into a movie, well.

It did work for fellow Hasbro toy Transformers however GI Joe failed to reach this level of action and excitement on the screen.

The story was fairly lame however the action was simply awesome once it kicked in.

The cast was also fairly impressive however after reading numerous bad reviews and hearing everyone else bad this picture I think a sequel is completely out of the question.

The story was it's main fault and the dodgy back stories of some of the characters was at times extremely predictable and quiet lame.

GI JOE rates an all American 2 and half stars

Top 5 @ 5 - Thurs 20 August 2009

1. Ducksauce - Anyway
2. Lisa Mitchell - Red Wine Lips
3. Akon's smash - Sexy Bitch
4. Dizzee Rascal - Holiday
5. Amanda Blank - Make it Take It (and other cuts from her solo debut)

Thom Pain (A Story about Nothing) - Belvoir Street (Downstairs)

The idea of a one man play may really not interest everyone but this young man in this play did a seriously good job of keeping the crowd interested and amused.

It was a fairly star studded audience with two Underbelly cast members enjoying a few laughs and watching a much different play to the stories they have been used to.

Thom Pain has unfortunately not finished but it was truly a good story.

A one man play can really rate quiet highly in my books and gets three solid stars.

Film Freak - Adam

This was one of the most delightful films I have seen all year!

Rose Byrne was simply outstanding! To be honest all roles were outstanding and this film maybe could be classed a chick flick but it so touching and some adorable.

Adam is the tale of a late 20's man who has just lost his father who he lived with and he also suffers from Aspergers Syndrome.

He befriends the beautiful Rose Byrne when she moves into his New York building and there they build a beautiful friendship.

The movie is so adorable and definitely one of the most romantic pieces and understanding films I have seen in a long time.

Adam rates a warm and fuzzy 4 stars.

The Promise - Belvoir Street

Now I have seen a lot at Belvoir St this year and everything up until now has been
simply superb, however this was another story.

Set in the cold war in Russia (less the accents) that revolves around 3 people involved in(meant to be a serious love triangle). However I never felt any love nor did feel the actors ever really cared that much for each other.

The revolving stage added a nice effect but after the two intervals and three acts it got slightly annoying. The two intervals also really started to become frustrating as the play itself annoyed me so much. Each time you would leave for another break you really wanted to just run out the doors.

I know this might sound harsh but the play really did not excite me and I unfortunately only have to give it a half cold star.

Film Freak - Cedar Boys

Like this year's The Combination this film takes on the Western Suburbs and the whole Sydney battle of East V West.

The Movie has a lot of different little stories pumped into the one movie. The drugs, the relationships and the family story.

I did enjoy this story a lot however I think it came a little too soon after the Combination but still a great little Aussie tale.

Cedar Boys rates a solid 3 stars.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Top 5 @ 5 – Tue 4 Aug 2009

1. Kid Sister – Right Hand Hi
2. Deadmau5 – I remember
3. Florence & the Machine – You got the Love
4. Major Lazer – When You Hear the Bassline
5. Philadelphia Grand Jury – I’m Going to Kill You

Helpmann Awards 2009 – Sydney Opera House

All I can say was this was way too damn long! However with lovely performances by the cast of Wicked, Chicago and an outstanding performance from Kate Miller Heidke there were times were this went at a good pace.

This was my third Helpmann Awards and hopefully my last, as I really need as many hours back in my life as possible!

The Helpmann Awards rates a lonesome 1 star.

Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk– Downstairs – Belvoir St

Featuring the highly sexy Conrad Colby less his shirt in a couple of scenes OOOOOOHHHHHH, this play was an amazing little piece which took the role of Macbeth and put a chick in his place.

I loved every part of this clever and interesting play, especially the dramatic ending.

Lady Macbeth rates a very saucy and fiery 4 stars.

Chicago – Take Two – Lyric Theatre

I had already seen this a few months ago and did enjoy it however I really enjoyed this show a lot more the second time even without the apparent star of the show Caroline O Conner. Her understudy was pretty terrific and I do really like Sharon Millerchip.

The back up dancers again proved amazing eye candy (and being only 6 rows from the front it was a nice view of some nice buns!) and Gina Riley basically just played Kim again.

I did enjoy the songs again particularly the BIG numbers however I still hate the interaction with the orchestra.

Chicago rates a racy 3 stars.

The Jungle – Darlinghurst Theatre

A very cute small theatre with some former FAB NIDA grads and a very gritty play linking together the lives of some very different and very exciting characters.

The play was a little long with the first act being around the 2 hour and then a second act only taking up another hour of my life. Don’t get me wrong the play kept me entertained for the full three hours however I think some strict editing would not have gone astray.

The Jungle was gritty and involved the audience quite well, 2 and half stars.