Wednesday, November 27, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Adoration


What can I say Naomi Watts and Robin Wright you cougars you! So I hadn't seen an Australian film in what felt like forever (even though this was a French co production) and tonight was the night. So Adoration what can I say two mothers share their sons in a rather unnatural manner. But hey each to their own. No judgements here, but I will give a star rating, but first up the trailer:



So is this romp any good? Well yes and no, it's way too long and nowhere near enough nudity from young Xavier Samuel. He is really growing on me!

But this really is a film for a rainy day, one you save up if their is nothing else on. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it, it stretched out that little bit too long and left me feeling like this was a little unbelievable.

Adoration: it rates two COUGAR stars. Watch out Courtney loves Cocks your Cougourtown crown is well and truly stolen.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - The Counselor


I read some Youtube comments about this film while I was searching for the trailer and I realised before I review I should give a massive "Strong Bloody Violence" warning and a realistic take on how no matter how easy a deal on selling/transporting drugs is, it isn't. So here's the trailer before I get deeper into it:



First up Cameron Diaz is extremely sexy and ruthless in this role, something which I enjoyed seeing her play rather than just another Charlie's Angels, Something about Mary, rom com type role.

Drugs and Mexico equals a bad ending for all as far as I am concerned and Ridley Scott did not hold back. I really enjoyed the tension created in the film and the five star cast including Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz and the very handsome Michael Fassbender.

Look this movie really wouldn't appeal to anyone who dislikes violence, seeing how the underworld of drugs really works (so it's nothing like Underbelly) or would be offended by Diaz fucking the windscreen of a car, yes this happens and yes this stayed with me long after I left the movies. I feel this week after seeing this and the Butler there is some damn good movies out at the moment and movies that stayed with you long after the credits ran (sorry Thor you left my memory five minutes into the actual film) meaning I think it's a school term and the award season is on the way.

Further to this The Counselor is an enjoyable watch and worthy of it's almost 2 hour running time. 4 drug mule stars and the hope that one day greed and peoples stupidity will out grow them from putting many people in danger when getting these drugs from Mexico to the USA.

Friday, November 22, 2013

It's the weekend - MUTHA FUKKKKKAAAAAA


Am I happy about this, hell yes and I have so much on so stay tuned for reviews, opinions and general observations:

The Counselor @ the movies tomorrow!


Carrie - Saturday matinee - grab tickets and more info HERE

Sunday afternoon - some Grease - grab tickets and more info HERE

Talk again soon kids, it's been real…..

Thursday, November 21, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - The Butler


Big epic dramas don't get much bigger than this and the cast alone is massive. Forest Whitaker, Oprah, Mariah Carey, Robin Williams, Vanessa Redgrave, Jane Fonda, James Marsden and the list really does go on and on.

This film has received good reviews and then a few people made mention it was a little like a Lifetime TV film. However I really did dig this film. America really has gone through a lot and now to have a black president it shows that America has come a long way from it's racist and hate fuelled past.

Yes for me who knew little about American history (and the more I learn the more I dislike the country and everything it stands for) I was pretty disgusted. As I always say we are all worm feed at the end of the day, yes when we pass we are all equal, rich or poor, black or white, religious or not, we all just burn or rot in the ground. Whatever comes next who knows but the end game is we are all human and their is nothing more ugly than racism, we only have to get a Sydney bus to see it.

So back to the film and again another film where all roles are acted oh so well and the cast just all shine. I really enjoyed this film and for you to make up your mind if you see it this weekend take a look below:


I have to go high on this one I rate the Butler a big step for America 4 stars. Well done Butler team.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Thor: The Dark World


So the second Thor film is out and when going to see these comic book films it's best to go Gold Class right? Right. So I did with scones, jam and cream in tow. Nice.

Now to the film, it is really nothing all that special, I still think the Iron Man films are the best of this bunch, maybe next to the Avengers mega superhero film. Captain America is also not to bad and a little easier to follow. Speaking of Captain America he also made a little appearance in this film to help plug the next Marvel film, the Captain America sequel - Winter Solider.

So Thor is it any good? Not really it's good to look at and the whole Loki/Thor family issues thing gets a little tired.

In a story a little hard to follow and Hemsworth only removing his shirt once in this edition it's a little underwhelming. For so much hype and a US Number One position I was to be honest expecting more. Natalie Portman is always nice on the big screen but I couldn't help but feel this film could have given more or maybe like the solo Wolverine films, Thor needs the rest of the Avengers to be more exciting.

So let's check out the trailer:



So Thor, it's not all bad but it's not all good, Thor storms into the cinema and rates 2.75 superhero stars.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Jessica Mauboy LIVE - In Pictures


Here she is in all her glory - Yes it's a two post kinda morning:







It's BEEN a LONG week.


It's been a very long week so here is a summary, after three boot camps (all of which were all killer and simply no filler - thanks Mark, Pete, Carmel, Harry + Hilary), 5 days of working, eating up a storm (thanks for a Yum Cha plus dessert buffet yesterday Ms Julie N) and finishing up the week at that venue - The Star for a wee bit of the Mauboy!

Now I had beef with the Star last week on this very BLOG and today is no different, man that place Friday/Saturday is nothing short of a cunt fest.

Can I just say the Event Centre is the second new venue to Star City in my memory the last one was destroyed after a couple of one offs and the last run of the Rocky Horror Show with Iota.

This venue is trying to be an iconic concert, conference, god knows what else. Can I say sitting up stairs and trying to get out, let's pray their is never a fire in that place or that's just say their will be a lot of crispy patrons.

Now to the vibe, with security guards on every corner and glass allowing you to peak into the casino and tempt you to gamble away your weeks wage. I do have huge issues with Casino's and I have since the new food court said The Star is on the way up and up but these last two weeks I have been disappointed. With the car park full again I have to say with James Packers new Casino on the way, the Star it's time to clean up your act - FAST.

I will be reviewing young Jess over HERE soon. Photos also to come here. Over on Flashing I have featured the GREAT comeback tune from Lily Allen, Luscious Jackson, Flume and Ducksauce are also all over there. Unfortunately due to a busy week I am waiting to the Summer period to get on blogging a wee bit more. So keep an eye on Flashing Off the Record over Summer for the year wrap up, an album of the year and over two months the HOTTEST 200 songs of 2013.

And a BIG Happy Birthday to my one and only Miss Alex P XOXO

Sunday, November 10, 2013

A DIRTY, ROTTEN Sunday..


Oh boy their is not many times when one leaves the theatre after a musical feeling like WOW! But actually Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is actually FAB. Take a look below:




You can grab some tickets here and it is currently on until early December 2013.

I heard this DIRTY remix on the radio whilst trying to get to an Olly Murs gig but Star City is quite possibly the most CUNTED place in Sydney and has no parking in it's carpark on a Saturday and Sydney City Council their is no parking for more than 2 ticketed hours. So thanks Star City I missed a UK X Factor superstar. Star City carpark what a fucking liberty!


Kylie Minogue - Slow (Frames & Felix Lloyd Edit) from Thanassi on Vimeo.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Captain Phillips


I really enjoyed this film, first up. I wasn't expecting the world but this film and Tom Hanks really delivered. This was like Gravity really edge of the seat stuff, I love a film that really grabs you and shakes you by the balls, here is the trailer:


If you are keen for a well made and well acted film this is it for you. It was a super hot Saturday and I couldn't think of anything better than hanging out in a nice cool cinema and watching what could be a very terrifying experience.

The film also did not make the pirates out to be demons but also showed their desperation as well as Captain Phillips ordeal.

Captain Phillips, it still has a chance to make my end of year film list, 3.75 pirate stars.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Gravity


I haven't been to the pictures for a while but last night I broke that cycle, I dipped into some Gravity. This film has done extremely well and by viewing the trailer their are reasons for and against it's success:



This movie is tense, Bullock and Clooney hold your attention for the entire 90 minutes. I was extremely surprised how much I got into this film. The dialogue is great or vast but it all seems to work and visually it's brilliant!

I have to say I went in with limited expectations and I think that is the best way to approach a film in 2013 and to have those limited expectations exceeded I was very happy leaving a very empty Fox Studios. Oh sorry the Entertainment Quarter with a lack of Entertainment or people.

So without criticising the white elephant that is the Entertainment Quarter anymore I have to say this is a really fun ride in space. If you were thinking you needed to hear one more good thing before you paid the $40 for a movie ticket these days, let this be it, it is really fun, so off you go.

Gravity rates an outer space 4 bright Sandra Bullock with a bad haircut stars.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Cup Day + Coronation Chicken


Yes it was the day that the race that stops the nation took over TV screens and venues all around this very nation, however today I was introduced to a new and exciting dish. Coronation Chicken, thank you Steph darling it was divine.

Now it's almost hump day and thank god the weekend is almost here so I can catch up with some films. I am proud to say I will be seeing "Gravity" tomorrow with the darling Mrs Lamb so look out for a review in coming days as I totally miss the pictures.

Also look out for lot's of end of year wraps and my much anticipated Christmas gift register LOL!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

2013 Album of the Year + Summer Stuff


So it's been a hot weekend and that can only mean Summer is on the way....

Last year I gave you Frank Ocean as the album of 2012 and this year I will reveal on Boxing Day around 10am the BEST album of 2013. So far their are 6 big albums in the mix. I will go over them soon but you can catch all the latest (including my 5 Star (YES 5 Star) review of Beyonce) over at Flashing OFF the Record NOW!

So calendar of events thus far for Summer over at Flashing OFF the Record:

Monday's - A Summer List - ranging from the best Men & Women of 2013 to the best in each genre of 2013. Let's face it with new albums from Tina Arena and Celine Dion lately there is a lot of quality releases from me to countdown 20 to 1.

Tuesday's - Album of the Year updates - Various other posts

Wednesday's - Album of the Year updates - Various other posts

Thursday's - By popular demand, we will THROWBACK on Thursday's

Friday's - Album of the Year updates - Various other posts

Saturday's - Album of the Year updates - Various other posts

Sunday's - The weekly Countdown continues over Summer with lot's of number 1's!

So back to the album of the year race and to be honest we have had a massive number of nominations lately and with the releases schedule slowing down there is maybe room for one or two new nominations before the year is done. Last year Flume was a super late entry but ended up being the Australian Album of the Year. Controversially I might leave this to Triple J this year unless I get more Aussies in my list, otherwise Rufus you are my Australian Album of 2013.

Speaking of Triple J very excited about Dig Music and the announcement that Triple J goes from two stations (JJJ & Unearthed) to three! But here is my verdict on the J Awards Nominations thus far:

Flume - Self Titled. We all know my verdict on this album it was the Australian album of 2012 on this very BLOG on Australian Day 2013, so Triple J you may be a year behind however Flume is all killer/ no filler and to top this off it's getting a deluxe release real soon, best of luck Flume not that you require it buddy.

Rufus - Atlas. The BEST Aussie dance album of the last 11 months, I love it, from "Take Me", "Desert Nights" to "Tonight", this album is a real dance floor filler. Well done boys.

Big Scary - Not Art. Not bad, not super excited about this.

The Drones - I See Seaweed. BORING!

Jagwar Ma - Howlin'. I have got to say I love reading NME and seeing an Aussie band being celebrated, and Jagwar Ma have done this. Very proud of Jagwar Ma, great stuff boys, "Man I Need" is such a great tune.

Cloud Control - Dream Cave. Again like Big Scary, kinda boring.

Now to my Album of the Year Nominations which are not limited to local releases:

1. Rudimental - HOME

Spawning such hits as "Hell Could Freeze" with up and coming rapper for rent Angel Haze, "Feel the Love" & "Not Giving In" featuring big #1 name in music this year John Newman and "Waiting all Night". The album is a definite chart favourite, but will it be the album of 2013?

2. Disclosure - Settle

The second album of the year also feel into the smart UK dance group and showed these two young brothers have more to offer than a couple of hot singles and a red hot EP. This album was one I was really waiting for and let me tell you it delivered. From hits like "You & Me", "F For You", "White Noise" and some killer album cuts, I am so proud of this album. What an achievement.

3. Kanye West - Yeezus

A few people questioned me on this choice, but Kanye did what Daft Punk couldn't and that was make an album not just a couple of songs surrounded by horrid filler. "Black Skinhead" is one of the best singles of 2013 and "New Slaves" oh my god, amazing. I loved "Bound 2" and some way out samples. I am so excited about where Kanye is headed into the future. He is the ultimate pop star. And I mean pop star in the best possible way.

4. Rufus - Atlas

The third dance album but the first Australian album for 2013. Wit Rudimental and Disclosure in the mix this is going to be tough for the Sydney boys but with hot club airplay at present for "Tonight" and a lot of early love for "Take Me", Rufus are on top of the Australian dance scene taking over Empire of the Sun, The Presets and maybe even Cut Copy despite that killer tune and video for "Free Your Mind".

5. Haim - Days are Gone

Like Disclosure I could hardly wait for this long player and was their any disappointment? HELL NO! Haim are the real deal. The album flows and album cuts like "If I Could Change Your Mind" are just bliss. "Honey & I" is just wonderful too. This is a debut album to be so proud of and I really hope they have a big career ahead of them.

6. Lorde - Pure Heroine

As far as MEGA hypes go Lorde is the queen of the mega hype machine and she has delivered "Royals" is up there with the biggest songs of 2013 next to "Get Lucky". "Tennis Court" showed she has what it takes and "Team" is a real anthem. Will Lorde's album go onto great things? Is she going to still be big in 2014? Time will tell but as far as debut records go this is damn good.