The Reality of Sunday Night TV {Right here in Australia}

The heavyweights are on TV here on Sunday Nights in Australia and I'm not just talking about the fatties on the Biggest Loser. So aside from the ABC & SBS it's wall to wall reality TV on Sunday nights now on Australian Television. So great for the actors and creative talents this country has to offer.

So over on Seven over 2 million people (apparently according to the ratings) tuned into watch MKR finally end. After months of racially stereotyping, bringing out the worst in people and some crafty editing created a truly horrible show. And the food wasn't even that good they served up.

Over on Nine the Voice continued as Delta, Seal, Joel & the new gay on the end showed off some off Australia's new talents. Look don't get me wrong there is talent here but the way they get exposed may not win them long term fans and yes the proof is in the pudding. Anthony Callea is no longer wanted by any major record label, he is playing at South's Juniors and don't even mention Casey Donovan. In the industry I am in I am granted access to sales figures for some of these former stars and let me tell you 9 times out of 10 it's not pretty.

Over on Ten the weigh ins continued and to me, someone who once watched a full series of this show has now realised this show has really run out of steam. It's old, nothings new, the tears are predictable, the coaches have their work cut out for them and with more and more Australian's just taking the easy road, it looks like this show is not achieving what it sets out to.

The ratings for Loser suck, the Voice is flying high season 2 and MKR has been the biggest show of 2013 which is seriously upsetting.

So our night of TV nights is now a forgettable experience and the reality TV just keeps coming with almost a Celebrity Splash starting and is that a Celebrity Apprentice starting in 1 hour on Nine just means Australian TV is going down the toilet super fast.

Now to the new drama on the Australian screens "A Place to Call Home", a poor mans Downtown Abbey is all I can come up with, unoriginal yes but so is this show and man has Nomi Hazelhurst had a jam donut or two recently, good grief woman.

Yes let's just hope Foxtel can deliver with new series "Wentworth", there is a reason Australian TV is flat lining and tonnes of people are downloading, it's about quality and poor productions.  2 million might be watching MKR wrap up but there are 21 million other Aussie's out there with a brain and the Internet and Game of Thrones is on now, so to you Seven, Nine & Ten, it's time to take some risks and give drama a go again.

Here is what is happening in the USA, it's a damn sight better than here:




So dear readers this is my last blast on Australian reality TV because I figure 2 million Australian can be wrong and 21 million Australians can be right.

Super Producer Part Three

So on my other little BLOG Flashing off the Record tomorrow, my little series Super Producers will continue. Who will it be? Last time around it was FLUME and the first round was CALVIN HARRIS so who have we got coming tomorrow, I will give you a clue, he is behind one of this year's best party albums with loads of guests.

And tonight a brand new countdown across on Flashing off the Record, will Daft Punk and Pharrell's powerhouse to continue to keep Calvin Harris (former Super Producer) away from number one? Find out tonight later and a Super Producer tomorrow.

And speaking of Super Producers, my second entry and Australian Album of 2012 is on tomorrow night @ the Hordern, and yes I will be there enjoying FLUME after Viet class, so tune in for a review soon.

Until then enjoy the warm Sunday.

Saturday Night

It's Saturday Night and the weather is cooling down, the nights are short of light and the end of financial 2012/2013 approaches. Yes we are almost halfway through 2013 and in saying that over @ Flashing off the Record we have no Album of the Year Nominations thus far but with some tasty new dance releases from Rudimental and Major Lazer I smell one just around the corner.

Also I also feel another Super Producer moment coming, and with a bag load of great new releases on the way including:

Little Boots
Noah & the Whale
MS MR
Vampire Weekend
Daft Punk
Laura Marling
QOTSA
City & Colour
Jimmy Eat World

So what a huge line up of albums on the way.

Also movie wise so much good stuff on the cards, I am also having movie withdrawals it's been like forever.

TV, The Big C is almost here, Dexter and True Blood are super close and I need to get into the Americans when it wraps up soon.

So this Saturday night I invite you if your home to discover some ace new music and discover the delicious dance supplied by Major Lazer and Rudimental, wait for my album of the year nomination or check our some trailers for some awesome new shows and upcoming films. It's almost Winter and the time of the year to enjoy some beautiful Entertainment.

Don't forget their will be a new countdown over @ Flashing off the Record tomorrow, can Daft Punk and Pharrell hold onto number one?

Who Put the C in Comedy... Joel Creasey

So Sydney Comedy Festival has found it's way into town in 2013 and brought with it a real fun line up. A few shows direct from Melbourne and Adelaide's Comedy Festivals have come up to the wonderful city of Sydney.

So it was off to Harold Park Hotel for a fun evening of light comedy and a Drama Captain who clearly does have an acid tongue.

Joel's show ran really nicely with some singing, some improv acting and basically tales of his failed relationship and observations on popular culture. I always enjoy popular culture references and Joel's acid tongue about topics such as Home & Away and alike suited me to the core.

For a young Gay Joel is in comedy company with over achievers like Josh Thomas and Tom Ballard. Their are also up and comers like Rhys Nicholson and more making waves in the Comedy pond and all competing for your entertainment pink dollar.

If I had to choose I would always choose Josh Thomas over Tom Ballard and now Joel Creasey over Tom Ballard but I still hold high regard for Josh, he talks about being gay in a different way and not the stereotypical way, and stereotypes are fine but I just happy to be one of those gays who lies more on the line of Triple J rather than Today FM which Joel Creasey made mention of JJJ listeners being hipsters without hygiene. Funny and some what try.

So yes it was an enjoyable start for me to the Comedy Festival and Joel has some more dates still to come here in SYDNEY so if your looking for a fun night out and a few laughs, give Mr Creasey an hour of your time, it's fun non offensive and a nice way to end a long day.

Well done Joel will definitely be checking out your next show, 4 stars.

Over @

So my new BLOG is alive and kicking and with much new music around and kicking it's a bit of a reminder of what you are missing if you don't click through the below: For a look into the world of Rudimental you should head HERE

An Aussie legend remembered in VIDEO

Sunday's massive new music countdown with Daft Punk and lovely man Pharrell on top of their games, check out the full LIST

And finally Major Lazer have released the party album of 2013 (so far) checkout their Saturday Soundtrack and get shaking that Bubble BUTT

Still to come over here @ Randy Andy, I need to return to the Cinema, and more TV than you can poke a stick @, and speaking of TV here is where we are at with Game of Thrones this year:



So far to me, this is the most overrated series of the season. Let's just hope True Blood, Dexter & the Big C:Hereafter don't disappoint in their upcoming seasons. Oh so much TV to watch, oh such a cold winter.

Happy Tight Ass Tuesday!

11 People in One Room (On a Monday Night)

So I made a social statement last night about the state of bogans descending on Sydney from various angels from the North & the West and today in a little old classroom at a university in Sydney I made another social observation and here are my findings.

Yes yesterday was a bit of fun and I got a little more serious towards the end but the true point was why are people from outside the city so different to us city folk and what makes us this way? And tonight in a room of 11 sitting down to learn a foreign language it was the complete opposite, it was 11 individuals all sitting around to try and better our understanding of another language.

I strongly believe Australian's in the Asian region should be learning another language, particularly one of one of our close neighbours. More importantly also learning about where some of our Australians have come from and how they got to be in this fine brown land.

In looking around the room and hearing peoples introductions it is obvious that some of us city folk are involved in relationships where languages are important part of their relationship, folk who are fluent in six languages and aiming to make ten, folk who are keen to learn about other cultures and folk in general who want to learn more and experience more out of life.

It was truly inspiring and interesting to meet a journalist, a medical student, a lawyer, a man who at 13 lost his mother and speaks 6 languages & multiple people involved in relationships where we are committed to open the line of communication to in laws who we prior to this involvement may not have been able to communicate with.

I find hearing from new people, people who you wouldn't just normally strike up a conversation with so interesting and exciting. I also find this so enlightening to hear stories and peoples backgrounds. This is what makes Australia great and also what makes Sydney such an amazing place, diversity really is amazing and through diversity you can learn so much, so much more than the course I originally signed up for.

Bogans are one thing to learn from and admire but people from all over Sydney who run grocery stores and speak multiple languages to medical students to who can't speak their parents tongue.

So my Monday night, aside from learning another language (well a lit bit) I walked home realising the world is such an interesting and amazing place and no matter how much you feel your life is hard/easy you just need to get into a room of 10 or so strangers and do an introduction session and listen. Listening is such a valuable tool, so instead of staying in and watching the cunted train wreck that is MKR or the Voice (Abby Dobson - why? Your so talented) go out meet some new people and learn from other experiences that this fine and rich world we live in.

The End.

Bogan V Bogan

Today marks the A League grand final and one thing couldn't be more of a sure thing, the crowd will be bogan V bogan. And in around 1 hours time this event will kick off with multiple bogans from very different regions all wanting their home squads to smash it.

Yes the A League has been a little out of the spotlight as the season rolled through, the press mainly stuck to the NRL, the AFL (in Melbourne & Adelaide) and by the press missing a lot of the season one newcomer team (the Western Sydney Wanderers) & the poor old Central Coast Mariners who have come close but never taken a title.

The best thing about these two teams (beside the beginners luck for the Western Sydney team) is the bogan origins of the two squads. And I can happily say this without too much hatred coming my way as I am from one of these delightful spots. And the other spot well it's not called the Wild Wild West for nothing.

Sydney's Western suburbs are tough, rough and some women have more fake items on their bodies than Nicki Minaj.

The Central Coast for years has been described as Druitt by the Sea, the Mental Coast and short skirts described as Gosford skirts (halfway to the Entrance). So with the fashionistas descending upon Sydney's Allianz Stadium (formally Sydney Football Stadium).

So it was interesting on my way into my weekly Thai massage to see these two tribes of baggy jean wearing ladies who are one KFC bucket away from giving Precious a run for her money. Yes the seats @ Allianz Stadium may not be suited to some of these larger brides.

It's funny that these regions also harbour many failed Biggest Loser contestants. I am sure half their entrants this year who tried out for the show came from postcodes in these districts.

Not stereotyping but trying when you go shopping at Erina Fair or Parramatta Westfield's it is like seriously back the fuck away from the food court and drop and give me 20.

Ys it's not only weight but the styles that only St Vincent de Paul clothing bins would reject. The hair, the nails, the families. Why is it some of these people choose to have children and bring them up to be a version 2.0 of themselves, seriously get a dog people. And then people who would have dreamy children only get dogs?

So not to be mean any longer but truly it's rather funny that this bogan fest is going down today, right before the unfortunate bogan fest of ANZAC Day where many Australians don't remember those of the past but choose to drink the day away and forgot those who served all those years ago. And this comes from me someone who does not believe in war and feels the war in Iraq is one of the most crazy wastes of time, money and human life in modern times.

Let's just hope the America's wake up and leave North Korea only, or this could be another 10 years of wasted resources, human life and money. I just hope Julia G doesn't stuff up and support this American arm flexing competition where there ego is more important than human lives.

OK rant over but in all honestly go the Central Coast, I am a proud pure breed Coastie, yes it's a dump but a beautiful dump, the Western Suburbs on the other hand...... LOL

Spoiler Alert {Dexter Season 8}

So the excitement builds for Dexter Season 8, and the bad news first up is it is totally confirmed that it is the final season. Such a sad face right now. I have however been scanning the TV blog's websites and more and I have found everything from a possible spin off to returning cast members. So here is something a little exciting with lot's of really bad words, it's Deb so look out if your ears are super sensitive.



This little clip came out a couple of weeks ago too:



And a little while back we were given this tit bit:



So how do you feel about Dexter wrapping up? Australian lady Yvonne Strahovski is back and she was the one I was reading may star in a Dexter spin off. I kind of feel that Dexter will be back on our televisions, iPad's, laptops and USB sticks. The show has been a huge cult favourite with positive DVD sales, good ratings for USA station Showtime and constantly good critical feedback. So there it is come the end of June we will embark on the final Dexter ride.

And finally on another TV note GLEE has now officially been renewed for a 5th and a 6th season, wow Fox was feeling generous, so I guess we can expect many more seasons of ratings blockbuster (at least in America, Australians are too busy getting dumber watching the Voice, Celebrity Apprentice) The Following.

Thursday TV Update

So it's heating up on The Following with only two more episodes on the way, so sad, no Kevin Bacon soon. So here is a quick little preview at the 2nd last episode which I am oh so pumped for (something about a Cult, I don't know, weird):



Bates Motel is also heating up as we are halfway through the first season (it's already been renewed for a second):



I haven't had a chance to check out Da Vinci's Demon's but it is definitely getting a fair share of attention, if your keen have a look below:



Looks a bit random for me. Now to some of the last Aussie drama's on the way. Underbelly is coming back and let's see if it follows the same formula as the last 3 series:



Other than Underbelly Australia really has limited home grown drama, at least decent drama, Packed to the Rafters and Winners & Losers don't count. They bore me to no end and Offspring, Asher Keddie has done better work in the past.

Glee had a super powerful episode last week and really got a lot of Americans talking, shame their is no movement on the out of control guns in that country.

So without a fifth series lined this episode could be one of the last, please FOX throw Glee a life line:



Unfortunately one of my filler shows "Cult" just became too much of a poor man's "The Following and has vanished from the US TV Guide, sad because once you have already watched multiple episodes you just want to get the job done.

I am most pumped for the return on the Big C:Hereafter (I am currently re watching season one - SO GOOD!) I am about to but new tissues as this is going to break my heart fare welling this gem of a show:



So with the cooler months approaching, I have given you hours of enjoyment to look at. Until tomorrow and beyond, give Flashing off the Record a look it's Throwback Thursday

New Music Ahoy + Film Previews {Potential Spoiler Alerts}

IT's been a BIG few days in new music and as this is more a film/travel/theatre and live performance BLOG, I thought I would share some links to the hottest new tunes floating around on this wet Tuesday morning:

Empire of the Sun round off this week's Tight Ass Tuesday Tune Day

Basement Jaxx are back on the books with a great new tune and the countdown has three delicious new entries that arrived a little late this week over here

Richard Kingsmill always serves up a tasty amount of new music Sunday nights on Triple J and here is a list of the latest awesome tunes

Music is coming up thick and fast now we are heading up to the end of the financial year so keep an eye on my Flashing off the Record BLOG for more new releases, super producers, album of the year nominations and the weekly countdown.

Until hump day today, enjoy more mega upload of film reviews below and still to come @ the Cinema:

Iron Man 3



The Great Gatsby



The Hangover Part III



The Wolverine



Laters, don't get too wet today...

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Olympus Has Fallen

Why with such high expectations comes such rubbish? That's how I felt as I left the cinema tonight and usually I would sleep on what to write away about the latest film I saw but it is time to let my acid tongue rip. So one this movie couldn't have come out at a better time with tension in Korea at fever pitch and two if after visiting America earlier this year I didn't think the country had issues after seeing this I now definitely know why more and more people are turning their backs on America.

With America and Korea for me it's like Iraq all over again, go on invade another country waste ten years and claim victory. Make the rest of the world live on McDonalds and think Modern Family is actually cutting edge comedy.

Oh boy I could rant all night, even American's I know think the country is in serious trouble. With high unemployment, lunatics with rifles and a homeless problems that would take years of fighting, the country may as well give up and start from scratch. So to the movie, it starts off great and I really got into until the pro America bullshit started. It almost started a fight in the cinema I was in with people laughing at the American flag being destroyed and laughing at the White House falling. Yes gone are the John Howard years of Australia loving the USA.

Don't get me wrong I love me some HBO, Showtime and Vampire Weekend but when it comes to everyday run of the American bible belt America I think the world would be better off if they kept this to themselves. So with a horrid ending and Gerard Butler most likely not the first choice for this role. He was good but really? He ain't even American. Aaron Eckhart was fine, Angela Bassett good but the real stand out for me was Dylan McDermott (as SPOILER AMERT - a double crossing Korean loving American LOL!) thank god for American Horror Story too, Ryan Murphy can you become Aussie?

So really without giving too much away, it's an action film, it's pro America and it's beyond a joke during the final scenes. Really this is nowhere near as good as action heavyweights of recent times The Avengers, Dark Knight & Dark Knight Rises. For all the media about the Korean struggles this is just kinda lame, 1 Star.

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - First Position

- Actual film released 2011 (Toronto Film Festival)/ May 2012 - USA

Wow it took a little while for this fine documentary to make it to OZ huh? LOL

Well stage mums unite, ballet dancers stand tall, dance fans beware, this doco is going to pull at your heart strings. Well received by most critics and David & Margaret both seemed to love it, so I went in thinking this would be ace, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

I was enthralled by the opening sequence. The young stars chosen so well and you really invested your time at the cinema in them.  Michaela DePrince does have to get a special mention, her  tale from Sierra Leone would even touch Alan Jones black heart. Joan Sebastian from Colombia was also super sweet and talented and young Aran Bell just outstanding.

I was close to tears, I loved the outcomes, I loved the well produced, slick documentary from start to finish, it was such a feel good hour and a half a great way to spend your Saturday night.

I urge you all to go check this one out, at a time when there is so much pressure on young people this is truly inspiring.  I am not a doco fan at the best of times but really this is just supreme. It sticks to it's 90 minute running time with no editing required and really captures the lives of the amazing young dancers it focuses on.

It will be my documentary of 2013 for sure (I pretty much will probably see one or none for the remainder of the year) and will also in general be one of my favourite movie moments of 2013.

For a little sample see below:



My next cinema experience is tomorrow and a full review will be coming soon it's for this slightly different film:



Until then, don't forget another new COUNTDOWN is coming later on tonight over @ Flashing Off The Record. Also this week over @ Flashing Off the Record:

Saturday Soundtrack w/ AlunaGeorge
Friday Dance Off! w/ my personal SONG O the WEEK Jessie Ware
Throwback Thursday w/ Ben Lee
A Closer Look @ Charts & My Countdown w/ Clips from Frank Ocean & Rufus
Tight Ass Tuesday Tune Day w/ Tegan & Sara

So give it a look now what you waiting for?  So to First Position's full score out of 5 after all my Today Tonight/ACA cross promotions? Well it's easy 4.25 pointed shoe stars out of a possible 5.  Go see it!

Enemy of Average PART THREE - Nicki Minaj - High School Music Video

So since I launched my pretty tight music BLOG "Flashing off the Record" I have neglected music over her at Randy Andy but Nicki Minaj just begged to be my last target for the Enemy of Average. Her new video was reported on a BLOG I was reading during the week and I instantly turned into a 100 year old man. I was shocked, appalled and revolted all in one instant. Let's lock at the evidence for and listen to for that matter cause really this is something else.

 

 Ok so now yes it's like 90% of the other pop music videos in 2013 but remember this?

 

Ok so if 5 & 3 years olds looked up to Super Bass will 5 & 3 year olds be singing:

She love me like a brother But fuck me like a husband Pussy like a oven Too hot to put my tongue in All I had to do is rub it The genie out the bottle Pussy so wet, I'ma need goggles She tell me that's it's mine

Yes this is our future Australia/Worldwide right from America it's an icon appearing on American Idol inspiring young kids to pimp themselves out. Now I love Azealia Banks who has such classic lines as:

And fit that tongue tongue d-deep in I guess that cunt gettin' eaten I guess that cunt gettin' eaten I guess that cunt gettin' eaten I guess that cunt gettin' eaten I guess that cunt gettin'...

But Azealia does not aim to be a Teenage/Tween Age icon, Azealia is clearly aimed at the grown ups (and increasingly the gay audience out there who drop their fair share of C bombs). So what I am getting at is when I first heard of this Nicki Minaj it was on Kanye's killer jam "Monster":

 

And I thought damn this woman got shag, she got style, it was amazing and then her debut album dropped, disappointment across the world. Everyone was expecting Minaj to drop an original outstanding sassy album instead we got a watered down RnB pile of pants. Why do I class this as average then? Because when Minaj went down the RnB pop path she also lost her cred, when she was announced as a judge on Idol, she lost more cred, when her and Mariah had that dodgy fight, more cred down the toilet and with her constant releasing of near nude videos, her horrid tracks, "Beez in the Trap", "Pound the Alarm" and then comes here rap for rent appearances on next to anyone's singles. Her worst appearance was clearly the half cooked Madonna/M.I.A collaboration "Give Me All Your Luvin", just a mess.

So yes Minaj you may be earning millions just for showing up for American Idol, teenagers may love you, but soon parents will stop and listen to these lyrics and Minaj will become a modern day Marilyn Manson. Minaj is not only setting young girls up for teenage pregnancy and god knows what other STD's (the High School music video I am pretty sure some new STD's were created) kids will contract.

Yes Minaj cover up, do it for the ladies, being near naked and having half baked songs isn't the way to go, get back to your Monster verse days and become a real artist, not a plastic pin up for strippers and hookers. Minaj you are so Average even Celebrity Splash has more street cred than you (until it airs that is). Who will be my next Enemy of Average, time will tell but Minaj dude seriously I have seen porno's that are less rancid than this, bitch chill.

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Side Effects

Now an idea of a Wednesday later afternoon/early evening movie is divine to me, so in saying that Side Effects was a divine well acted and interesting film.  This week I have now seen two intelligent and thought provoking thrillers, which is a genre I love but seems to be largely ignored in 2013. A good thriller is hard to find in between the blockbusters, the rom coms, the gross out comedies and the sequels.

So Side Effects struck a chord with me and the acting is sublime, Jude Law is excellent, Catherine Zeta-Jones stunning, Channing Tatum for me does nothing but in roles like this he actually can act, even though a role in Gi-Joe seems to be more comfortable and Rooney Mara is just superb in the leading lady role.

The film has some great twists and turns and by the end I was a little confused with how it all went down but in the end I was left thinking which is something you rarely do after leaving the cinema in 2013, the only thing I was thinking after watching A Good Day to Die Hard was WHY???

This film has sort of slipped under the radar in this country so if there are still screenings this weekend go check this out. Side Effects rates a solid pill popping 4 stars.

BLOG LOVE {I Heart Blog's}

So I love blogging but in loving blogging I also love reading and sharing other BLOG's some great music research and discovering new talents for me is done off music BLOG's.  But also I love all sorts of BLOG's, I think blogging is a lot more personal than random Facebook posts or throwaway tweets but a full BLOG entry and to follow someones BLOG is like a stranger becoming a friend.

So I decided today before I post another film review tomorrow (spoiler alert - Side Effects) here is my BLOG loves:

Well I have to give myself some promotion here first up with my new music BLOG, make sure you tune in tomorrow it's Throwback THURSDAY ladies:

FLASHING OFF THE RECORD

Now to a mate, a young lady I share coffee with most days, this BLOG is a lot of fun and I love my Laraine :)

BOHEME BIMBO

Back to music, it's time to an Australian Pop Music BLOG, I really love auspOp and they add good new tunes, competitions and loads more goodness, so check it out below:

AUSPOP

Jon Ali's BLOG is another great music BLOG with loads of free downloads and loads of video firsts and new music before you even know your favourite band is back in the recording studio, have a listen and a peek below:

JON ALI's BLOG

Now for some TV action and TV Tonight publishes ratings regularly, great updates on your favourite shows, renewal notices and cancellations and loads more, it's updated regularly and with a BLOG content is king and content here is gold:

TV TONIGHT

So that's it for tonight but I am sure I will deliver more BLOG love your way in coming months, whatevers, so tomorrow don't forget a trip to the movies with "Side Effects" starring Jude Law & Catherine Zeta-Jones, plus the up and rising Rooney Mara, AWESOME!

Until tomorrow here is the trailer to wet your appetite:

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - The Company You Keep {PREVIEW}

So when I went to Wikipedia page for this film and it was actually released at a few film festivals last year and will probably get limited release here (despite the killer cast) and it is no surprise that this film will only get a limited US release.

This film, this day is so important, it's main focus (in my mind) was Americans (probably the ones watching HBO & Showtime) who dare to think that what the government and military is doing is completely wrong and the older I get the more I see it, surprise the Americans are in the wrong and it would probably be better that they stayed away from other countries issues and fixed their own problems before taking on others.

That said my rant about the US (inspired a lot by an ABC news report yesterday morning where the Americans are blaming China for North Korea, oh boy) is what others I assume others in the 70's would have been thinking about the US's involvement in Vietnam.

So enough Political rubbish this is a movie review so, I mentioned killer cast well here is a taste:

Robert Redford (also part produced and directed by)
Shia LaBeof (as handsome as ever)
Susan Saradon
Anna Kendrick (is there anything this girl can't do)
Nick Nolte (hard to understand but it's always funny when the old folk of society swear)

There are many more in this edge of the seat thriller/drama, it does run a little long over the two hour mark but it does really hold ones attention for the most part.

I enjoyed this cinema experience and can hardly wait till my next (Olympus has Fallen - next Monday) and I think the cinema is the place to see these more involved movies as I (personally) was at home I would have some other Apple product on the go and only pay attention to half of what is happening (like I am doing now with Game of Thrones episode 2).

So all this said (most of which was not about the movie) but this film deserves a look in and maybe some people should also ask themselves, what does a country in debt, massive issue with the homeless and unemployment have to gain by getting in the middle of other countries business?

I'll leave you with that and the star rating of 3.5 stars for the Company You Keep, look out for it at the Dendy or other indie cinemas.

Daylight Savings BITCHES

After seeing the divine and simply amazing xx last night (review over here) and smashing a very budget breakfast @ IKEA in Tempe what to do with one's extra hour on the fall back not spring forward Sunday 7 April 2013?

Well I have found so many YouTube gems when researching my xx review and man o man is there some great music out their at the moment? Also whilst researching and finishing episode 9 of the final ever series of Spartacus, and watching another episode of the poor man's The Following "Cult" from the CW, it has been a TV catch up extravaganza.

So has that filled up my extra hour? Well no, it's time to catch up on some Q&A as I am so loving Josh Thomas at the moment I could hardly resist, blogging hearing Josh and four others plus Tony Jones talk about religion, a subject in 2013 which is so interesting to me? Does religion matter? What is Easter to us none religious folk?

Anyway so all this thinking, watching, eating, researching and wondering are North Korea going to actually defy America and make President Obama commit to another war which is sorta not their business?

Oh additional time, it's something none of us have in our busy day to day lives being constantly connected to the internet through our smartphones, our workplaces or wi-fi at home and our wi-fi at the local McDonalds. So is life in North Korea not knowing of the internet us Westerners know? So no Net Nanny for young kids to not accidentally access hardcore porn, order arms and weapons, find out how to make bombs or join a cult.

I often pounder without the internet and without social media how different would we be? Could people go five minutes without checking in, stalking their latest squeeze or being connected to the 24 hour news feed?

So many questions so few answers, so today in my spare hour I am seeking answers of some frequently asked questions I ask myself?

1. Would life be better without the Internet?
2. What does Religion add to today's society?
3. How did North Korea get to where they are now and why are they so angry, or are they angry and it's been a slow news period and this is yet another media beat up?

That is all, until tomorrow or my next film review, tune into Flashing off the record tonight for a new countdown - HERE

It's all happening over @

My new BLOG, now despite Google's spell check and a lot of other garbage going on, my new BLOG is going on and moving fast so check out my Throwback Thursday, Saturday Soundtrack and more RIGHT NOW Look out on this BLOG for new film reviews including this little gem:

 

Also in TV news this new gem with Hugh Dancy has just started on NBC, it's well worth a look:

 

And with Californication now done for a year and Game of Thrones starting back up, my dance card of TV shows is totally full, sad but true the dick fest that is Spartacus - War of the Damned also concludes next week, what show will replace it with it's fair share of male nudity? That's it for today happy Saturday and tune into Flashing off the Record for a record breaking new Countdown tomorrow HERE

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Warm Bodies {Australian Preview}

So I saw this film's trailer in the USA and thought you know what this is different, if it were a TV show it would be a mix between The Walking Dead & One Tree Hill. With an Aussie & English lead this American film revolves mainly around the two mains, Nicholas Hoult & Teresa Palmer.

The other main is the lovely and dreamy Dave Franco, he kinda looks a little meaner than older brother James but oh so fine. Anyway using indie music and 80's hits the movie moves through like a normal rom com and zombie film. It's a small film but in my mind it achieves what it needs to in it's 97 minute running time. Well edited editors, no one needs a two hour rom com. The movie opens here next Thursday (11 April) and if your keen the trailer is really your best guide to know if it's worth an hour and a half of your time:



I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this film and thank you Marcus for my invite (as many people know credit card bills and holidays a go go, momma is on a budget) I would give this a nice event three Zombies not as scary as Walking Dead and not as loving as One Tree Hill stars. Warm Bodies - Opens Thursday 11 April.

A Ride on the 470 bus in Sydney = a fun time for all

Oh dear Sydney buses and public transport in general have a bad wrap and today was my turn to have a crack at Sydney buses, and did I see anything racial or generally ugly? Well no, it was weird I saw couples kissing before they spilt before they headed in different directions for hump day at work, I saw some serious iPhone gaming action and basically general day to day shit?

So where are these racists and why are they hitting out at people who bombed this fine brown land (apparently Adelaide & Melbourne were bombed - weird huh I never learnt that in history class) who now have the hide to ride our Sydney buses. So is this racism isolated to the 470 buses or are all Sydney people a bit on the racist side? I personally find racism fucking unattractive and basically I have from time to time heard comments and found myself tut tut tutting away like a mad person on George Street asking for a dollar. Basically what I saw this morning is what I as a little old fella from inner city Sydney would love to see all the time.

Happy travellers in shitty weather on their way to a job they probally don't like but have a massive mortgage and therefore probally have two jobs they dislike. Concluding tonight's rant before a light hearted movie review on this BLOG tomorrow I just want us all to get along hey (like the Guy Sebastain song), we are all worm feed at the end of the day, so you know if someone eats with chop sticks and not a knife and fork they probally didn't try and bomb Adelaide years ago and if someone speaks in a different language on public transport, embrace it if we were all the same this place would totally suck.

So next time your on the 470 bus just smile at your neighbour, just chill and think if someone did come by boat here you the "so called Australia's" great grandparents or distant relatives probally did too, therefore the whole boat people argument is a bit old, sorry Tony Abbott I know you like to refer to people as boat people but frankly I wish you, Julie Bishop and Ms Christine Pyne would get on a boat on a one way trip out of here.

Tuesday is TV Day!

As I hear My Kitchen Rules in the background of my one bedroom inner Sydney City flat I really wish the three main Australian Channels (Nine, Ten & Seven) would have zero Australian content, saving us from another series of Australia's Got Talent, The Biggest Loser or X Factor, but no the same old shit gets rolled out year after year, extending the finals to go over to try and beat the other channels new mega million dollar reality train wreck.  And then I look at the last two nights of US TV.

With the return of Game of Thrones all major Torrent sites crashed last night, Marilyn Manson returned on the season finale of Californication and Shameless the US remake lead into the season finale with cliffhanger's a go go.  Not only did HBO launch into series three of the ratings and cult killer Game of Thrones they also gave us a taste of the tasty sixth season of True Blood. Less Alan Ball and hopefully for fans return to it's glory days the preview gave us little but it also gave us hope (queue Barack Obama speech):



With Revenge also airing and now in hiatus till late April the American screens have been hot with new and old drama and non reality based programs. Bates Motel has had a strong start for a new series and aired it's third episode with new season winner The Following almost wrapping up a killer first season. It's ratings have been a winner and it appears everyone loves them some Kevin Bacon.

So really drama is alive there is some great writers and ideas out there, just none of them on our major networks, HBO, Showtime & multiple other major US channels are just killing it, while back home ABC & SBS seem to be the only stations with some creative flair. Thank god for Josh Thomas's recent honest drama/comedy in "Please Like Me", it was six episodes of Steps madness (you'll get it if you watched the series) and really made me smile from episode to episode.

Come on Australia pull ya finger out and put on some decent telly cause right now as I advised my Mummy Sharda there are some killer shows out there right now and now of them are homegrown hits.

What a way to Start & End the long weekend, with Bruce Willis, Of Course.

After starting the holy Easter Long Weekender with a bit of Bruce I thought it only good n proper I end it with some more Bruce and catch "A Good Day to Die Hard".

Now unlike Gi-Joe: Retaliation this movie sucked (HARDCORE), the Aussie dude (even from NSW) Jai Courtney was terrible as Bruce Willis's son in Russia and the whole movie on a whole just sucked big time. Full review to come below but in the meantime if you have a spare two minutes to kill here is the trailer:



So the long weekend of Easter is done and dusted and with only just over 20 days till Anzac Day, holy hell how can we survive that long till another National holiday, come on Gillard and election winner would be giving us a May National Holiday, like May Day, White Paper Day, New Glasses OPSM Day, Media Reform Day, fucking any day just another public holiday where Chinese restaurants can charge a $2 per head public holiday surcharge.

After catching a movie, having my weekly Thai massage it was time to enjoy some yummy dumplings in Ashfield after a failed battery in the car, times are tough mother fucker.

So Brooke & Marcus have a FAB wedding and see you on the other side of a Vietnam visit XXXX

Now to my second:

What's On @ the Movies 2013 {Easter Style} - A Good Day to Die Hard

So much sucked about this film, from Bruce Willis just looking bored to his son Aussie Jai Courtney looking more Russian than Willis's spawn, to the lack of plot that in the end was just like that was 90 minutes of rubbish and not even good rubbish.

Okay so the action film bar is high after the Avengers, Dark Knight, various other Comic Book Superhero films and basically the fact that the writing and casting for action films is usually a lot higher than this muck.

Like seriously there were moments where I just wanted to slap Willis out of a Delta Goodrem induced coma. Unfortunately unlike his small but fine efforts in Gi-Joe as above mentioned he just lacked something and Willis is a star who is doing well, I mean the Red 2 movie could be real bad, the first one was shit enough, but to make a sequel, really? Is the just cash in factor too much in the States at present, I mean Grown Ups 2, FML x 20!

So with all this I give this poor excuse for 90 minutes of action 1 star, mainly for the fact that Willis can do so much better.

So that wraps up my coverage of Easter for more, head over to Flashing off the Record, with my Welcome Note, it's all music, 100% of the time.

Sleep tight and hope Tuesday come down sort of hump day tomorrow isn't too much of a killer.