Monday, December 29, 2014

Film Freak 2014 - The Water Diviner


War movies/TV shows are all the rage right now (timing is everything with the recent anniversary of World War 1) and with a heap of war films on the way:

The Imitation Game - New Years Day
Unbroken - World War 2 based, 15 Jan 2015
American Sniper - Recent times and events, 22 Jan 2015

That's just January 2015 and on TV Channel Nine is following the ABC's Anzac Girls with Gallipoli starting early in 2015.

Now to the Water Diviner and Russell Crowe/Channel 7's latest effort.


Jai Courtney for me was the eye candy standout (FUCK - he is hot!) and Ryan Corr was just brilliant as Russell's son. Look this movie like all war movies is not everyone's bag and there are real eye rolling moments but this is a decent Aussie film at a time where there has been limited good Aussie flicks.

Felony was still my pick for 2014 but this on a large scale and casting wise was well done.

It's up for a few awards at the AACTA Awards and not being nasty but it will probably grab a lot of them due to the competition.

It's great to see a big budget Aussie film but maybe some of the big moments felt a little more Telemovie which may be due to the Channel 7 involvement.

Overall I enjoyed this and the session on a Sunday afternoon of a long weekend was packed. Maybe the Hobbit is not everyone's bag. I give this 3 Stars and will now potentially see some more War films for comparisons to be drawn.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

So Wet N Wild (Sydney) word must have got out...


That the park is a disaster.


Guess all the Season Passes didn't sell this year right? I know only one couple who returned in the second year to the world's worst Wet N Wild. And I can say this after recently visiting the Wet N Wild in Kapolei and a year or so ago the Gold Coast Wet n Wild. And actually in regards to other water parks this park truly blows compared to:

1. The above 2 Wet N Wilds
2. Waterbom, Bali
3. Wild Wadi, Dubai
4. Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon in Orlando
5. World Waterpark, Edmonton

Yeah so I have been to a few water parks across a few continents and honestly management at Wet N Wild Sydney, you have FAILED the West and failed the people of Sydney.

40 minute lines, for a large amount of space in the dead zone area, you have limited rides and one of the WORST fake beaches EVER.

I have always been told if you are going to do something, do it to your best ability and clearly the Wet N Wild franchise is being let down here.

When Sydney's beaches are bumping it was always going to be a good idea to make something for the West to cool down, but this isn't it, just jump online to their Facebook page and see the rage.

Wet N Wild you have been in my sights for a while as this BLOG stands up to average and I like to consider myself an enemy of average and if anything your park is totally AVERAGE.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

(Not so at the) Film(s) Freak 2014 - The Interview


On Sunday I posted my Movies of the year and this film made it (without seeing it) as the Most Controversial film of 2014. Last year James Franco's indie film Spring Breakers took out that title. Now comes a film by Sony which was pulled from the release schedule and then released online and shown only at a few select indie cinemas in the US.

The whole Sony Hack thing is going on and on and not only has this film been a big pirate hit this Christmas so has Madonna's Rebel Heart, so it's a long weekend for pirated material.

Now I want say how I got my hands on a copy of this film to give me two cents worth but let's just say I would have seen this movie and paid the admission fee to see it, however it angers me in 2014 that with companies complaining about piracy you don't just have a WORLDWIDE release date. We live in Australia not the middle of bum fuck nowhere. We love movies, music and entertainment.

Releasing films online and only having this available to Americans is always going to have some piracy issues.



Look all in all, there are a lot of fucks and a lot of ass sex jokes. Sometimes I don't know whether James Franco wants ass sex or whether he hates ass sex? It's an age old question to be thinking about on a Christian holiday weekend really.

Look this film isn't all bad but it's not great, there are few laugh out loud moments and it sort of just goes to show this holiday season (Boxing Day Movies - New Years Day films) is a little sub standard.

I want to see Into the Woods but I think Annie is enough of a musical film for a little while and I have already booked Taken 3 for the Open Air Cinema in February so I have little to look forward to film wise.

Sad face.

However I will be changing the title of my film reviews in 2015, so any suggestions drop me a line in the comments.....

Next up aside from the film can I also just say last night in the City (Boxing Day Evening) was magic, the city was alive, pumping and wonderful showing Sydney is a truly amazing city, no tragedy of threat or media beat up will kill peoples spirits.

The Interview I don't like to give a rating to films I don't see in the actual cinema so no ratings here just if you have a spare two hours and you like Franco, maybe give it a crack.

Until next time...

Friday, December 26, 2014

1,900 Posts and mid way through Summer Slack


So Christmas is done, I hit the Boxing Day sales today and tomorrow I look forward to a (regular) weekend. Escaping Sydney was divine, except god love bad tattoos and the Central Coast. My word if I had my time again I would study tattoo removal, fuck me senseless there are some rank tattoo's around. No offence folks but if you have a shit tattoo you are well on the way to becoming a bogan.

Bogan behaviour also revolves around this time of the year:

1. Thinking your a cricket expert even if the idea and possibility of running a single run would leave you puffing.

2. Drinking yourself into oblivion for the sake of it. Oh it's a public holiday or I have tomorrow off. I should just get shit faced and disgrace myself in front of friends and families.

3. Hitting the sales at the shops with your tramp stamps on display and wearing yesterday's Dotti and Supre numbers.

4. Eating Macca's and feeding your poor kids a shit load of bad food.

Now leaving bogans for a minute and the fact that as someone who doesn't really have Christian values or small children, I am very happy when I close my eyes and pass out at the end of Christmas, the lead up is terrible, the crowds and the frantic bullshit prior to the big day is horrible and there are always issues.

I must say I had a fairly pleasant day but I must say I can do without the lead up, the pressure and then all for what? So Boxing Day for me is the real treat, it's all done and dusted.

Now to the next big one New Years, and no plans, makes me nervous and excited all at once, could it be my year of going to bed before midnight? Fingers Crossed.

There we have it 1,900 posts, thanks again for reading and maybe shaking your head or saying hmmmm that made me think. I love the internet and still wonder about Sony films and the Interview, so film companies and media companies really think countries outside America are not going to Pirate your work when you release films online only available in one region?

God luck to Sony, this hack has been massive and only today more new music from Madonna has leaked, man if only artists would learn long lead in releases just don't work!

Good night one and all and Happy Holidays x

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas & Thanks for Reading


Thanks for reading in 2014, y'all rock, here is a little look back (musically) at the year that was 2014. Have a very happy holidays one and all....

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Best Television of 2014


So it's been an interesting year of Television, some US shows wrap over two years like Revenge which runs for ever and ever with all the breaks it takes. The Walking Dead does breaks best by cutting the season in half, 8 and 8 episodes, 8 in 2014 and 8 in 2015 for Season 5.

The Blacklist fails to do breaks well and this year it felt like it was only on for a week or two and then poof it was gone. Thanks for the memories.

New shows came and some are already gone, Hostages (a disaster, the trailer had SO much promise), How to Get Away with Murder had me hooked from day one and I can't see this one disappearing from the screen anytime soon. The 100 is a new teen drama on the CW who seem desperate for a hit however The Flash & Arrow (both comic books adapted for TV) seem to be the next big thing after The Vampire Diaries.

Glee over Fox is coming to an end next year after a sad season last year without Finn and Simon Cowell's The X Factor (USA) got the boot after a couple of seasons and no major stars. Unlike the UK where a star per season seems a definite. And another good year over in the UK this year however Fleur should have totally won.

Fox also brought life back into the 24 series with 24: Live Another Day and continues the serial killing drama/thriller The Following. Not that the second series had anything on the terrific debut season.

Over on FX they continued to have a dream run with American Horror Story & keeping the American theme going the Americans also continued to impress the critics and despite the Bridge's second season better than the first the axe came crashing down on it.

TNT also called it a day for the rebooted Dallas and over on HBO True Blood wrapped up with a rather lame finale, much similar to Dexter last year.

Mistresses took the crown for the campiest and most soapy drama without Dallas to compete with and despite Dallas being way better, Mistresses lives to see another season.

Hannibal like The Bridge (however unlike the Bridge it will be back for season 3) proved sometimes a show is better the second time around. And sometimes in Under the Dome's case the second season is a bit of a mistake.

HBO delivered hit after hit, in every genre, comedy Veep, Girls, Getting On, mini series/telemovie The Normal Heart, new drama/thrillers True Detective, The Leftovers and gay dramas are done with ease on Looking.

Over on Showtime (my other main favourite) Shameless continues to improve, Homeland season 4 came out on top and the critics loved it, Ray Donovan improved in leaps and bounds and his wife just delivered some killer one liners and new comer The Affair was a great addition to the stations already good roster. Californication wrapped up and I was 100% satisfied but good to see it go off before it got completely bat shit crazy. Speaking of bat shit crazy, Nurse Jackie will also wrap up next year which is another show which does need to call it a day, she is sober, she is on the pills and back and forth.

So 2014 it's been a lot of time in front of the box and there has been some good, some bad and some damn terrible. I won't even talk about Australian TV which is all bad (besides the ABC, Wentworth and if Foxtel would release Devil's Playground - I am sure this is good too).

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Musically – the Sound of 2014


For the big 200 of 2014 and the Album of 2014 these will all be posted on my other BLOG Flashing off the Record as follows:

1.       200-101 of 2014 posted late Boxing Day
2.       100-1 of 2014 posted late Australia Day 2015
3.       Album of the Year (2014) will be posted mid-morning on Boxing Day

Flashing off the Record is also the home of countdowns and end of year wraps all Summer long so bookmark it NOW!

Happy Holidays folks and drive safe!

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Best Movies of 2014


BEST hyped film of 2014 - Two Way Tie:

1. Wolf of Wall Street 

2. Dawn of the Planet of Apes

Last year was a three way tie so I am getting more decisive.

BEST jump out of the seat film - Annabelle (a prequel to last years winner - The Conjuring)



BEST Teen drama/coming of age/comedy blah - Two Way Tie:


1. St. Vincent

2. Men, Women & Children



BEST film of 2014Three Way Tie:

1. Bad Neighbours

2. Gone Girl 
3. Nightcrawler

2 serious films and one stellar gross out comedy, I couldn't pick sorry!

BEST small film - Pride



BEST 3D movie - NA I only saw Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 3D and let's be honest if I wasn't at a flash screening it would have blown.


BEST Aussie Movie - Felony



BEST Music film - Begin Again




BEST controversial film of 2014 - The Interview is causing a real stir right now (hey?) but I haven't seen it nor did I seen anything really controversial in 2014, it was a bit of a PC year for me and the movies in 2014.




BEST Drama Two Way Tie:


1. Gone Girl

2. Nightcrawler

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Film Freak 2014 - Annie {2014 Version}


Featuring new music from SIA and Beck, and an all star cast and crew how could this go wrong? Well according to Wikipedia most reviewers (and early illegal downloaders) are hating it.

Yes that's right like a lot of strange things happening with Sony at present Annie was uploaded to a peer to peer piracy site on November 27 weeks before the release. It looks like this might happen a lot more with the Sony hack gathering loads of data, emails and god knows what else.

I saw the recent stage version of this musical and bloody Alan Jones was cast in the show so it took every fibre of me not to storm the stage and abuse the old queen.

That said this musical actually makes good use of the big screen (other musicals - like Jersey Boys fail to make the jump to the big screen) and also continues to throw in the big songs whilst as above add new ones by musical genius and hit maker Greg Kurstin.

The film is produced by some of the A List in Hollywood including the Smith family (Will, wife and wives relo) and Jay Z. Random huh?

Sia even actually features in the film randomly however I have to be honest I did not pick her.



Look musicals aren't everyones bag and musicals on the big screen too aren't huge sellers but this is actually one of the better ones, Jersey Boys kind of sucked I rated it two stars earlier this year.

Sia's "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" is great and some of the other tunes (not the musical ones) really work too.

It's been a hard week, the lead up to Christmas only gets more challenging year by year and I think the kids and mothers attending the screening I did all really enjoyed themselves. It's not going to win any major awards nor smash box office records but I actually really enjoyed myself. That said it is a little long, but really films need to stick to 90 minutes or less or really have something to say.

3 Stars for a different look at a classic musical.

Check out me other BLOG for some additional music from the film and Album of the Year nominated artists Sia.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Film Freak 2014 - Horrible Bosses 2


I can't remember if I saw the original at the cinema or two screen watched it at home, cause basically I forgot all references to the first film. Not that it mattered much as this film just plods along and could be seen individually.


Look this movie doesn't need long to review, it's another in the gross out adult comedy genre. All sex jokes, 14 year old boy humour are explored here and by the end of the film I learnt a few more dirty one liners but other than this I didn't take much away from this cinema experience.

Admittedly it's not a great time at the cinema with school holidays starting and Christmas around the corner there is a big lack of entertainment this first month of Summer.

Horrible Bosses 2, let's hope there isn't a third in this series but look it's OK for a laugh or two and Chris Pine is not too harsh on the eye.

Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx and co's potty mouths rate 2 Stars for pretty much not the best comedy of 2014.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

How good is Homeland Season 4?


I felt almost a little ill watching this back with the events in Sydney this week however I couldn't resist as this season has seen the show get it's shit together and come back to life.

Unlike what happened in Sydney this week Homeland is (thank god) mostly fiction, however this season's return to form has not only seen viewers who dropped off last season or the ended of season 2 but long time fans rejoicing that a great series has seen the light and returned to it's once great story lines.

Here is a look at what is shaping up to be a massive finale next week:


In these troubling times sometimes watching Hollywood dramas can just take your mind away for an hour or so.

My heart was heavy yesterday for everyone involved at the Lindt Cafe and I was so touched by all the flowers and tributes in Martin Place. Sydney is one hell of a strong city, we will rise up and continue to be the best city for living. No matter whether you black or white, gay or straight, young or old, Muslim or Buddhist or born here or immigrated here, we are all Sydney siders and we are all amazing positive people. People power works.

Sorry to get all soapbox mid week but it's been a week from here and fucking hell Christmas is almost here and people all seem to already be up to pussys bow.

Be safe all, have a great day and be nice to people, say hello to a stranger or do something to help another human being, that is how shit like Homeland does';nt go down.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

#IllRideWithYou


Thank god for #IllRideWithYou after yesterday's terrible events, but again the Daily Telegraph, hang your head in shame.


Again incorrect facts and stirring hatred, The Daily Telegraph, you are NOT for Sydney but for more money in Murdoch's pockets and all staff should be ashamed of themselves.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Film Freak 2014 - St. Vincent


I was really taken by this film, St. Vincent was just a perfect pre Christmas way to chill. The acting is sublime and after a bit of a miss withe Exodus: Gods & Kings which I think I was a little easy on by giving it three stars as almost everyone who else has seen the film hated it. And not just disliked it I mean hated it with a passion.

Lucky an advance screening of the wonderful St. Vincent was on this weekend and especially around the announcement of the 72nd Golden Globe awards where St. Vincent collected two nominations and rightfully so.



Bill Murray is beyond perfect, however above and beyond this Melissa McCarthy is terrific as a non outrageous and compassionate mother, Naomi Watts is terrific as a lady of the night and young Jaeden Lieberher was just wonderful.

This is a heartwarming tale and a truly great film, it's nothing flash with special effects, there are no super heroes, no large scale action scenes, this is about people and there relationships. I long for great films like this and St. Vincent is is scrapping in at the tale end of the year for a go on my list of favourite films of 2014. I will publish this very soon and hopefully see a film or two before I post this.

So St. Vincent, not the singer but a truly wonderful movie.



I lift the cinema feeling overjoyed (I even teared up a little) and happy to escape the pre Christmas crowds to a nice cool cinema. This is a perfect little film, 5 Stars. Yeah that's right - 5 stars.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Another Day, Another Day closer to Christmas and Summer Slack


Yes my posts are getting a little lacking at this time of the year as the Christmas parities and the catch ups build up I find I have such limited time to jump on the PC (other than my work one) and smash out a little BLOG entry!

After weddings, Christmas catch ups and a massive pile of work I am so looking forward to Christmas and continuing to smash through more of Hart of Dixie and discovering some other trash to catch up on.

After consuming a lot of new series and returning series over the past weeks I must award my favourite show of recent weeks to the fantastic Getting On (US rework). Season 2 has been wonderful and full of laughs much like the below:


I am so sad the finale (yes only a six episode season) is on next week:



Tell everybody Getting On is the perfect remedy to a busy Christmas lead in.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

December is Music Month!


Over on Flashing off the Record I am posting like mad, the album of the year will be announced on December 26th (Boxing Day - in Australia) and the first half of my 200 best songs of 2014 will go live 200 all the way down to 101.

Most Mondays (excluding around Long Weekends) I will also post a summer music list, a recap on the best of the year that was 2014 and more.

Coming soon to this BLOG though, like David & Margaret (final show tonight - ABC) I will post my favourite films for 2014. I saw a lot and you will find out my best for the year!

It's December, its Summer and it's heating the fuck up.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Film Freak 2014 - Exodus: Gods and Kings


Please don't laugh dear readers as I was tired after a wedding yesterday and I woke up early to assist at the Santa Fun Run so excuse me for not realising that Exodus: Gods & Kings had a bit too do with Religion.

I just went along for the free air con and Joel Edgerton waxed to the max.

Anyway heres how wonderful it looks:



I for one am not religious but some of the scenes took me (way back) to when I forced into going to Sunday school. I am not sure what happened but one week we just stopped going? No real great loss.

Anyway the film is LONG but moves by at a rapid pace. One minute crocodiles are attacking and the next a mysterious cloud is killing children.

It was a good picture when tired and escaping storms. Come on how fucked up was the storm yesterday afternoon/early evening Sydney? Wow!

So climate change is not true hey? One whole week of storms each and every day, I can never in my 32 (almost 33) years remember this as a start to summer/end to spring.

So yeah I am not into religion but into Joel and Christian's performances and appearance during this film. I have to say I did almost nod off a couple of times due to the cinemas air con set to -40 degrees. Another form of Climate Change for you Andrew Bolt.

But all in all, look it's a blockbuster, it's got some good scenes and some sexy men, three stars.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Film Freak 2014 - Nightcrawler


What a fantastic film, it's not often I open up a film review (sometimes more an opinion piece) on a film I have taken in. But Nightcrawler and Jake Gyllenhaal are just perfect.



After seeing Gone Girl I was assured no other film would even close to it's brilliance however Nightcrawler came along and I was just beside myself the entire film. No wee break, no boredom, just plain glued to the screen the way I am sure director Dan Gilroy would want for his directorial debut.

He has written/co-writtern a few films and married to the wonderful Rene Russo who I forgot was in the Thor films but is just a standout in this terrific feature.

I am not going to ruin any of the film except say this is a near perfect film.

Everything about what is really a simple idea, turned into a truly wonderful crime/thriller.

If you get some spare time between Christmas shopping, Christmas parties, end of year do's this is a MUST see. Like Gone Girl this is perfect cinema. Yeah I'm doing it, 5 Stars of pure perfection, well done team.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Film Freak 2014 - Men, Women & Children


What a disturbing film, but in a good and weird way.

Social media is fucked up, and going through high school in 2014, even more fucked up. Juno director, Up in the Air director & writer Jason Reitman returns with his 2014 effort Men, Women & Children.

Adam Sandler does such a great job in a serious role seriously, he is really a shit down and out dude and I think this role was perfect for him. Elsewhere Jennifer Garner is a complete psycho and the rest of the cast is fantastic.



A lot of this film upset me, a lot took me back to high school where kids were cunts but at least I could go home and that was it, now Instagram, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, SnapChat, Tinder and more can all follow you 24/7. At school, after school and on weekends. Just horrid.

So Men, Women & Children, I was close to tears, I thought it was an important film for young people to see and not follow what they see on the screen.

Like First Contact recently screened on SBS this could be a good tool for current High School students to see what's really up.

Men, Women & Children, it's the best thing Sandler has done in years (who could forget Blended - it was a bit LOL, but also a bit shit) so I give it 3 Stars.