Friday, May 31, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - The Great Gatsby {2D}


After seeing the woeful Hangover Part III recently I thought let's give Hollywood (Baz Luhrmann style) another go, well before we get to the details here is the trailer (just for all you who missed it already LOL):



So now to the Leo and Tobey Fest plus heaps of Aussie kids in the mix. Look this film (first a novel) has been done a few times before but never in 3D and now this epic is getting the Baz Luhrmann treatment. It's grand, it's visionary, it's a tour de force of a film with a massive soundtrack (which I will get to next) and sometimes feels like one long (and I mean long) music video.

So the music video part is the first half with so much Lana Del Rey and Jay Z you may have mistaken yourself to have been listening to Triple J's Hottest 100.

Lana Del Rey proves she is still relevant with her track on the soundtrack "Young and Beautiful" which has now turned out to be her second biggest hit after "Video Games".



Aside from Lana, Jay Z is featured heavily in the opening 30 minutes as is the horrid Beyonce cover of the late and great Amy Winehouse hit "Back to Black".  Equally awful (relating back to Beyonce) is the Emilie Sande's cover of "Crazy in Love" is bland and dull.

It was very nice Baz included locals Goyte (only a small exert of "Hearts a Mess" is featured) and SIA gets on the soundtrack but not in the film.

The Florence song is sublime as is The xx contribution "Together".


From the soundtrack now and back to the movie. Some of the reviews have been way harsh and tall poppy syndrome comes into mind. Yes Australia was all sorts of fucked up and horrible but this is actually and EPIC and un love story. Leo is awesome and Carey Mulligan is a breath of fresh air on the big screen.

Joel Edgerton also deserves a mention as he was exceptional and I always really enjoy his work.

The Great Gatsby it's a vision and must be seen on the big screen, I'm pretty sure it would lose half it's shine on a home TV.

Baz Luhrmann gets a most improved award for this film, I was expecting nothing but the I actually left the cinema like wow that was a real cinema experience. The Great Gatsby, it's great but not excellent, 3.75 homegrown stars.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

{Educating Rita @ the Theatre}


Now showing @ the Seymour Centre - More Info Here

I do love a 10:30am matinee and I totally love a nice, feel good story that really makes you feel like you can archive anything. This is what a morning schools session of Educating Rita does to you.

I really had a good time at this show (despite some bad staging and long pauses in the dark - see it and you will know what I mean) and Sarah Robinson as Rita/Sarah was fantastic.

A good show and a fun couple of hours in the theatre, Educating Rita is an easy watch and I give it three stars with some of it's slight imperfections.

Now for something on a whole other level, this is new on VH1 and totally camp and fun (Bring it On style):

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Australia's Next Best Series, America's Promising Recent/Still Airing Programs


So for a while I have heard there is a series being developed about Van Nguyen, the 25 year old Australian executed in Singapore for drug trafficking. The story so sad, a human rights discussion could be started up again and with some of the Bali Nine in the same place right now, this show is very now.

Check and the trailer below and like me you may tear up, so Kleenex alert:



I picked up on a new US show this week which aired two back to back episodes on the NBC network, the network is struggling Hannibal's fate lies in the balance, Smash concludes this weekend and a lot of their new shows look truly horrid. But this Save Me, was actually good:



I have never really loved Anne Heche but she was pretty fun in this female lead comedy. As The Big C and Weeds have finished up we need more strong female leads in TV shows, network or subscription based in the US. The network ones are always going to be little safe while shows like Nurse Jackie will continue to use the C with pride.

Back now to our own local number Better Man, clearly this drama is heads and tails above House Husbands, Packed to the Rafters and the woeful a Place to Call Home, so I call this early, Logies just get them ready for some fine acting from David Wenham, Bryan Brown, Claudia Karvan (always sublime) and newcomer playing Nguyen Remy Hii. So keep an eye here for when the air date is for this amazing four part mini-series, I know I can hardly wait.

Also on my wait-list is True Blood season 6 (will this be there last):



Dexter Season 8 and the final year of one of the best shows to ever air:



June is going to be a huge month of television and when these gems wrap up we see the return of:

Revenge (Third Season - Let's hope for a less patchy and more cohesive season)
American Horror Story : Coven (Witches this year, bring it! Ryan Murphy pure gold all over again)
Glee (Fifth Season - Since it's renewed for a sixth too will they play it safe again like the lame finale)
The Americans (Second Season - First just about to start airing in Australia on Ten)
Homeland (Season Three - The original Americans)

END OF POST.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Hangover Part III


First point - WHY???

When the original film came out, it was like wow, wrong, funny, what am I watching, did I just wee myself and then came the sequel (Hollywood can't leave alone a success like this - side note please leave Bridesmaids be!) which was fun but just the Hangover does Asia, much like a Getaway special less Catriona Rowntree.

So now the third movie, and only five minutes in you want to storm out of the cinema demanding your hard earned cash back.

Yes it's bad, it's that bad. America has now turned into a place where shit films are attacking the world, The Call, Olympus Has Fallen, just to name a few recent flops which were so average it is definitely not Oscars season.

The reasoning behind making this third film confuses me, it ditches the usual formula and delivers something even more tired. The characters look bored and even a cameo/new role for Melissa McCarthy playing the same role from Bridesmaids and the same role from Identity Thief, it's just let's role out the same old gags and hope for the best. The best doesn't happen, in a packed cinema there were no laugh out loud moments, the cinema seemed almost relived once the highly average Part III concluded.

As far as films go this is rock bottom, it's not a comedy nor of interest or relevance. Thank god there will be no Part IV cause I think you would actually need to pay audiences to attend, laugh and possibly sit through another clapped out instalment.

The Hangover Part III gives a big fat lame ass 0/5

Sorry Hollywood the magic just ain't there, but thanks to a certain witch for getting me in for free, cause honey boo boo child this film isn't even gold coin donation worthy, watch the trailer below and see the carnage unfold in 2.5 minutes:



Monday, May 20, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Snitch


Released all the way back in February in the USA and now here in the land of Australia, the Rock is back on the big screen after Gi-Joe and the soon to be released Fast & the Furious 200, he is definitely everywhere right now.

So down to the point, as I said last night the Rock and Susan Sarandon in the same film, random or good? Well I must say it had it's moments this film, it did take a while to set up this very easy to understand plot and really it could have been edited better to be slightly shorter and more to the point.

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed it when the action FINALLY kicked in but I must say the start needed a bit more gas.

The Rock and Susan, kind of weird but we all need to make a buck right?

Snitch, it's nothing new but I couldn't help thinking a TV show about cops and lawyers chasing the cartels controlling the drug scene in the USA.

So Snitch it's not going to win any awards but it's easy to watch and for some reason the Rock is easy on the eye, 2.5 Stars.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Random Sunday Rant


Morning/Afternoon/Evening dear folk,

In a week of budgets, budget replies, viewers dropping on reality TV, weather getting cooler and people getting their crank on.

Yes with Julia Gillard and co dropping their budget plans this week and Tony Abbott having his say it's definitely the financial time of the year (it's tax time next month ladies) and good news with reality TV, finally people are switching off and embracing either online viewing or something a little more simulating than Ricky Martin talking about God and making music with these random Voice people.

And yes with the weather getting cooler people seem to be getting crankier, especially at shopping centres and car parks (car parks at shopping centres = the worst) and is it time for another Public Holiday yet???

As I take up this BLOG entry I started yesterday, it's been one hell of a weekend, and as I sit down now to watch the UK Graham Norton version of EuroVision I can hardly think about another week of work, sad face.

So tomorrow AM tune in for a review on this film:



Yes the Rock and Susan Sarandon together, random I know..

So yeah that's reviewed tomorrow AM here on Randy Andy and over on Flashing off the Record it's been a huge week well it's been Dance Week and that comes to a close in a couple of hours with this week's countdown posted. Will Daft Punk still be number one? And in June some special music listed posted each Monday on Flashing off the Record, so stay tuned.

Until tomorrow Peace Out!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The BEST & some of the worst in new US shows


So it's almost time for Dexter and True Blood but also launching soon are heaps of new shows which the networks hope will avoid the chopping block and get some good ratings and good reviews as oh so many shows have been cancelled or finished up.

So let's take a look at the good, the bad and the down right ugly.

Australian show from the good old ABC "Rake" gets a US remake, I never caught the Aussie version but it's great to see Aussie shows getting some notice from the US:



Taking a leaf out of the UK books, "Gavin & Stacey" get a remake in the US and it comes in the form of "Us & Them". The UK version was a small show with a lot of heart, this looks like a big over the top badly made American flop. I can't see this one doing all that well.



The NBC has struggled of late, "Smash" has showed that TV can get so bad that impossible to renew this rubbish, the first season had promise and the second season was just all over the place. The heavily promoted "Hannibal" is also on the verge of being cancelled and the shows they have coming your way may even be worse.

Blacklist is yet another crime/spy type show, it looks OK but with Homeland and The Americans is this already a crowded market?



Dracula brings the dreamy Jonathan Rhys Meyers back to the small screen but I must say with True Blood flying high and Vampire Diaries doing great business for the CW is this too an overcrowded area too?



Now to the ABC (The CW - who I usually love - Gossip Girl, 90210, One Tree Hill and now Arrow is coming tomorrow or the next day and if there is anything ace I may share it with you then) and to be honest they have the most exciting shows so far....

Super Fun Nights starring our very own Rebel Wilson so could be a HIT or a massive MISS, she is proving to be a bit of a one trick of late, always being the jolly big girl, but anyway take a look below and see what you think:



Cashing in on all the Superhero films, it's a TV version of all our Marvel favourites, S.H.I.E.L.D welcomes action back to the TV, I think it could be fun, but make up your own mind, check it out below:



Trophy Wife actually looks a lot of fun, it's a sitcom about bad marriages and a man with a few EX's:



Lucky 7 looks like an American version of "Winners & Losers" LOL, have a peek below:



So there is a look at the ABC, they have also had a rough year, Revenge has not performed as well as expected & Grey's Anatomy just keeps rolling on. So let's hope these new shows breathe some life back into the ABC.

In local TV news great news, the Voice's ratings are sliding (which is not a good look heading into live performances) and House Rules had a shocking start, did Channel 7 learn nothing from Channel Ten (Biggest Loser) V Channel Nine (Excess Baggage)? Oh well reality TV your number is almost up.

Don't forget to check out my new music BLOG Flashing off the Record - It's Dance Music Week! Hello booty shaking!

Monday, May 13, 2013

RE: Mothers Day


A great family day to be had is Mothers Day but how many families had disagreements or issues yesterday, that is what I wonder. Whenever there is forced family time these hidden issues always seem to rise like a good cake.

But all those family issues aside I must say people watching yesterday was so divine, mums with their daughters, daughters with their mums and grandma's and to be honest who else in the world should we be more thankful for than our mums. Yeah some people think God is the shit but really this woman who gave birth to you spread her legs, shit and piss herself and lost all dignity to have you. This woman has helped you through thick and thin. Mum's are the shit in my books.

I loved people watching and seeing families connect (maybe in my opening only to disconnect if they were your typical Aussie family and get shit faced over lunch) and spend some quality Sunday time together. Broadway shops has never been quieter I must say, it was like lunchtime and everyone had legged it somewhere else.

And no I am not racist saying most Aussie piss it up the wall any chance they can get, I am full Aussie (unfortunately - at times) however I like to think of myself as not the Shire style Aussie, just inner city Aussie who looks at Australia Day parties (other than JJJ Hottest 100 ones) and thinks FML, other countries have culture and traditions, what do we have? Drinking and Celebrity Splash (oh shit that isn't even our own either - NOOOOOOO so all these reality shows have been created OS and then some dumb fat cunt at Nine or Seven thought wow cooking, wow celebrities being apprentices, wow home improvement and the list of fails goes on) and the odd BBQ.

So Mother's Day for me it's all about the positives, FAMILY, TIME TO CHILL & GOOD FOOD.

Other than this rant, I still love music and if you remember last year Frank Ocean's - Channel Orange got my nod of approval & now this year the race is finally on and first up:

Rudimental - Home

And also a new Countdown was also uploaded last night - so check it OUT!

This week hopefully I will catch Spring Breakers but if you love Music (& your Mum) keep an eye on Flashing off the Record for heaps of choice updates!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Iron Man 3 {in 2D}


The third (and possible final) in the Iron Man franchise. Marvel have had some massive success of late with the Avengers featuring Iron Man and the two other Iron Man movies were both hits. The only difference with these films are they are selling more tickets the more movies come out, usually these movies make a sequel and the audience shrinks, then by the third one everyone has moved on.

But Iron Man 3 starts well and ends well and even the middle bits are good. I like Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow and our very own Guy Pearce made a really evil bad guy.

The other bad guy in the film the "Mandarin" was a bit random, see the film and you'll find out why. This could have gone pear shaped but the use of comedy in the Iron Man films made this work OK.

Let's look at the trailer and I will finish off this review:



So it's big action and big action done well, the sequences are big, fab and just work super well. Like Batman's recent dark turn in the Christopher Nolan series and the recent reboot of Spiderman, these less cheesy more realistic films work so much better on the grand action scale.

So who do I recommend this film to:

1. Teenagers - who like action and easy to watch films
2. Young Adults - who also like a bit of humour in there action films
3. Older Comic Book nerds
4. Anyway who needs to escape for just under/over 2 hours

Yeah I don't think many people who aren't too high brow and up themselves would say this is a bad and brainless film, cause if this is the future of action films I like it, let's just hope for another Iron Man film or at least the next instalment of the Avengers.

Iron Man 3, it's fun and Downey Jr is super appealing on screen, 3.75 Stars for the Non 3D version.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Who Put the C in Comedy... Michael Hing


The Sydney Comedy Festival winds up this weekend and last night I saw my third and final comic. I have been a bit sexist this festival and stuck to comedians in minority groups, gays or ethnics. Basically gays and ethnics or a mix of the two make great comedians if like me as a young gay being bullied and shit makes you strong + sour = funny!

But I do love my lady comedians and I hope to god Judith Lucy does a new show soon.

So Michael Hing and my final entry in the Who Put the C in Comedy series, so a lot of comparisons can be drawn from Ronny Chieng but really no comparisons to Joel Creasy.

Hing and Chieng make lot's of references to being of Chinese heritage and I think Chieng does this better and with his slightly more aggressive tone it works better. But Hing is still a good storyteller and don't get me wrong but I talked about Hing today. He was born here, speaks only English, other than his appearance he is totally Aussie, he was schooled here and born in the Shire (FML for him) so really he is a total Aussie. To me being Australian has NOTHING to do with appearance but everything to do  with you as a person.

All people born/living here are Australian no matter the background, appearance or first language. Australians just need to get off their high horses and take people NOT on face value but as humans.

So after my rant "Occupy White People" kind of does not offend as the title may suggest, he skates around issues and former jobs, he impresses the largely younger crowd and drops the almighty C bomb once.

Michael Hing was entertaining but nothing as ground breaking and fun as Ronny Chieng, Ronny has a way with the audience and when his show is over you just want more, but with Hing I wasn't glad it was over but I had my hour with Hing and that was fine.

So Michael Hing's "Occupy White People", may need a bit more work but it's still fun and sold out so it can't be all bad.

Hing rates 3 stars.


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - The Call {PREVIEW}


- 16 May 2013

Coming to a cinema near you is a generic thriller that has so much promise, that yes it's hard to deliver and poor Halle Berry has another flop on her hands.

I saw the trailer for this movie countless times in the US when I was there earlier this year. To say I was excited was an understatement. This is the second movie in this vein, Olympus has Fallen looked awesome but it turned out to be utter and I mean utter shit.

The Call showed promise, it was tense, exciting and a fun joy ride (well not for the kid nap victim), however it took a woeful turn for the worst.

Cinema can be a good place to relax and unwind but when you find yourself going from tense moments to laughing out loud at moments which should be taken seriously.

Poor Halle you have to feel sorry for her, after that horrid (yes the critics were right) red hot mess Movie 43, she was globally bagged for her role in Catwoman (I actually liked this film) & everyone I talked to other than me hated New Years Eve.

So after sitting through 96 minutes of this the credits rolled and the whole audience laughed at a SUPER lame ending. Oh boy, it's made over 50 million in the US but here I think it will be lucky to get two weeks at the cinema.

So The Call, it's a call you would avoid kinda like a call from Manila or Mumbai, it rates 1 star cause I feel sorry for Halle.



Don't let the preview excite you too much.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

6 days till the first album of the year nomination


Only 6 more sleeps on Flashing off the Record until the first Album of the Year for 2013 nomination is announced. And let me tell you there has been some ace records this year....

MAJOR LAZER - FREE THE UNIVERSE



PHOENIX - BANKRUPT!



FOALS - HOLY FIRE



RUDIMENTAL - HOME



BIRDS OF TOKYO - MARCH FIRES



HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY - YOU'RE A SHADOW



So out of these who will be the first of the year's nominations? Tough to pick but one of these albums will take the spotlight as the first album of the year nomination over @

Also on Flashing off the Record:

Monday - My full Tame Impala review and if that wasn't enough they were my Saturday Soundtrack
Sundays - Countdowns ahoy! And very soon a full countdown of the best songs over Autumn, stay tuned.

See you round...

Monday, May 6, 2013

The Best Australian TV Series in Years (well since East West 101)


But of course it's on FOXTEL. Yeah why would the commercial networks bother with gritty, hard hitting TV? It's too hard, it's hard to market, it's bold, it's challenging, something Channel 10, 9 & 7 would clearly struggle with.

I'm talking about the new SOHO show Wentworth, the series based around the original Prisoner series which was a cult favourite in the 80's and I think Wentworth is headed in the same direction.

Danielle Cormack is outstanding as the lead and the supporting cast are all wonderful, I won't do a spoiler alert but the conclusion of the first episode leaves a great mystery to be solved.

I was super excited by the ending and the prospect of a decent Australian drama the first in a long while. Whilst America is churning out great shows left right and centre, FX, HBO, Showtime, Netflix, all killing it.

So if you have a Foxtel subscription I strongly urge you check out this great new drama, if not you can stream the first episode for free, how cool is that? Click here to watch some all female action.

For a little look into the show let's have a peek below:



Wentworth screens Wednesday nights @ 8:30pm, so basically you could watch quality local drama or Celebrity Splash? The choice is yours, it doesn't matter what you choose just know I will be judging you....

Sunday, May 5, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - The Other Son


- Actual Film Release 2012

A small film but a beautiful film of family and issues in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and how two families come to terms with their boys swapped at birth due to an evacuate after bombings on the night of their birth.

The film is in French (predominately) with some English and Hebrew & Arabic, thank god for SBS style subtitles.

The session I went to was a private screening as it seemed others were either enjoying the nice day or catching up on Celebrity Splash all over my Voice.

I really enjoyed this film, in two days I have seen two dramas and both are well done and have their strong points. this film helps bridge the gap between these war torn parts of the world.

If you are in the mood for some drama then this and The Place Beyond the Pines are definitely worth a look in.



Until next time I am sure a big Blockbuster is due to be review soon :)

The Other Son rates 3.5 so Frenchy so Chic Stars.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - The Place Beyond the Pines


- Film also released September 2012 as part of the Toronto Film Festival.


This indie movie has a bumper cast and a big (long) story to tell. It's almost like two movies in one as you go from one story to a total different tale.

It was a deep movie for a Friday night but with outstanding performances by Ryan Gosling & Bradley Cooper & the supporting cast are terrific too.

Rose Byrne and Ben Mendelsohn fly the Aussie flag for good measure (man has Ben done well for a former junkie) and readers all know how much I love me some Rose Byrne. It's been hard without her on the TV now Damages is done and dusted.

It is a good movie to fill a few hours this weekend as there seems to be a real shortage of decent films that don't happen to be monster blockbusters. That said I am still desperate to see Iron Man 3.

Check out the trailer below of The Place beyond the Pines:



How can Ryan Gosling pull off that horrid bleached blonde look? He can do no wrong really can he?

So after a long absence from the cinema it was good to be back and I rated this drama highly, quality acting, great story (stories) and it is always good to see realistic dramas are still out there.

3.75 Stars.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Triple Treat Thursday


Theatre, Comedy and Music all in this BUMPER review of Thursday May 2nd 2013.

First up THEATRE: A Clockwork Orange


So what happens when an overly gay production of a classic cult film takes the stage? Basically there was a moment while I was watching this and I decided I really prefer live music, comedy or film, this questioned my ability to sit through a 90 minute one act piece.

It has had great reviews, the mostly schools performance I saw seemed to enjoy it but for me it was lacking something, the dance pieces to classic indie songs like "Standing in the Way of Control" by the Gossip and The Scissor Sisters awesome cover of "Comfortably Numb".

The more of these songs coming over the top of the production the more of a red hot mess it became. The characters and supporting characters to the main Alex were so camp it was hard to believe that a man was upset to be raped when he was shimming around not two minutes earlier.  Maybe it's just I am not high brow enough but I know this was definitely not my cup of tea and with a few hours to spare it was off to Ronny Chieng.

COMEDY: Ronny Chieng - Can You Do This, No You Can't


Ronny Chieng is great his last show I saw at the Comedy Store was so much fun, he seems to have a lot of anger but then seeing him off stage he was totally shy and adorable. But I can't give that away you need to experience this for yourself.

And you must see Ronny Chieng, he is set for big things and he continues to build his following. I think personally he was has wide appeal, he gets in the Chinese, the young Uni crowd, the crowd that enjoys listening to a well educated dude. And to be honest he doesn't just use swears for a laugh.

His new show is well presented and in my mind should have been in a bigger venue, this dude seems to be building a loyal fan-base and I am sure he will be back in a bigger space next time.

Ronny has the goods and he also tells a damn good story and I truly think he is one of Australia's next greatest comedians.

MUSIC: Tame Impala - The Hordern Pavilion


Oh the stoners and hipsters were out in force and so was the weed trade. During one song I kid you not this massive puff of smoke went up in the air and I almost got stoned just at the sigh and smell. I think if there were drug sniffers dogs there they would have earn their keep for like the next six months.

The crowd was mostly trendy and clearly loved the fact Triple J continue to crown them Australian Albums of the Year.  Don't get me wrong their last album "Lonerism" was great, it had some great tracks on it, and seeing these live was a real treat.

Their seemed to be some technically issues going on but the band from Perth powered through and delivered some awesome garage rock that makes these guys famous across the world.  Tame Impala have played festivals across the globe and they always deliver a strong performance back home.  They played their hits "Elephant" & "Feel Like We Only Go Backwards" back to back. Very impressive, they also played my personal favourite "Solitude is Bliss" from their debut "Innerspeaker" early on to.

I left mid set as all the entertainment in one day was a little too much and it was cold and by looking at the set list other than "Mind Mischief" I caught all my favourites.

I will post a more comprehensive review of the gig over HERE


Until tomorrow, will we will look t my other favourite art form, Film, so BOOKMARK now!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

The Best TV Finale in years (if not this decade)


I have focused on the horrific TV formats lately but today I want to focus on



Kevin Bacon and co as part of The Following have wrapped up series one in the US and my god, what a finale. It was a flawless piece of television, it was no Olympus has Fallen with the good guys coming up trumps when there was no way in hell this would happen in real life. There was tension, there was drama, there was a great lead into to the already renewed second season.

I am so happy with this show, it has definitely been the pick of the new shows in the US 2012-2013 season.  Channel Ten claims Elementary is but other than Lucy Liu being shit hot the show is just another procedural police drama, BORING.

The Following has been a violent and interesting look at society and how one man can create such terror. With good twists and turns the Following is one of those shows that has lived up to all it's hype, rated well throughout the season and continued to out do itself.

Here's hoping series two will continue to be so fab!

And all eyes and minds continue to be focusing on the upcoming American Horror Story - Coven. Thank god for people like Ryan Murphy and Kevin Bacon, please don't sign up for Celebrity Splash or Celebrity Apprentice anytime soon you guys.