1700+ Posts - HELL YEAH

After a few years, 1700 posts Randy Andy's Weak in Review has seen a lot, a hell of a lot. A lot of theatre, a lot of movies, listened to hours and hours of tunes and I am still ready for more films, more music (over on Flashing off the Record) and more views (Alan Jones style).

So what does 2014 behold? Well in 27 days I hit up Bali (again) fully business style though this time, yes Business Class over and back, hell yeah! Way more music lists, music news and all things music over at Flashing off the Record.

Also I am totally up for even more films than in 2013, 2013 saw me see a massive amount of films (some even twice) and this year promises to be the same.

So keep this page bookmarked, follow, get it on your iPhone and unlike Facebook slowing down, I ain't slowing down.

Until tomorrow, happy Lunar New Year (I know if your reading Mr Abbott you wouldn't know what that is so google it and while your at it stay away from the ABC please).

G night x

MEGA UPDATE - RANDY ANDY'S WEAK IN REVIEW

So it's been a while and I saw two movies Monday, ripped it up in Canberra over the long weekend and now find myself thinking Australia Day over, the summer slack period over and 2014 feels like it's in full swing. I just posted on my other BLOG Flashing off the Record a mega music update so if your keen for some music whilst reading my mega update go take a peak, you know you want to.

So first up let's look to movies:

FILM FREAK 2014 - 12 Years a Slave {Actual film released in the US in 2013}

When thinking back last year to The Butler and then thinking about this film, there is a big difference in quality and feeling. Yes we all loved Oprah's wigs but it really has nothing on 12 Years a Slave. I was warned about the violence and did find one scene particularly hard to watch but man Chiwetel Ejiofor was just spectacular. It was such a great film and so engaging, I really just loved this picture and on Australia Day my own white guilt just came washing all over me:



So 12 Years a Salve, it's not really for the light hearted by definitely worth a look in and it really makes you think. Oh America I can't believe your history sometimes, just shocking. 12 Years a Slave, wonderful 4 Stars.

FILM FREAK 2014 - Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones

One of the first new films for 2014 and after a year off my list for making me nearly shit myself live in the cinema the Paranormal franchise back. This time a little Latin, this time a little more mature.

With more language, almost sex scenes and some pretty big gun shots this Paranormal Activity film appears to have a bigger budget than the last few. I really enjoyed this film and with the Bridge (US edition) star Carlos Pratts playing a character it appears they are after some more accomplished actors.

You know this was a fun film, short enough for the audience not to get bored and still featured the frights you expect from this franchise:



I enjoyed this and if you enjoyed any of the four prior to this, check it out, 3 scary pants stars.

That's all for movies and I must say how happy I am to have The Following back on TV, season 2 has been great thus far, really liking where they are headed. Spoiler Alert here is where the USA is at:



I must say though a little disappointed with the new HBO gay drama "Looking", me thinks a whole gay cast is a little passé when you can have such great gay characters like in the US version of "Shameless" and of course the other HBO darling "Girls". So much TV right now so little time, also liking but not loving "True Detective" and really am quiet happy that "American Horror Story" is coming to an end, what a shitty season they have had.

Until next time, G Night x

Post Australia Day LOLidays

After a long weekend in Canberra and a movie double yesterday, the BLOG will be back tomorrow with one hell of a JUMBO ass update.

Until then, it's back to work, SAD FACE.

Film Freak 2014 - Wolf of Wall Street {Advance Screening}

- Film released in 2013 in other territories - cool way to combat piracy Australia!

So it was the year of the ladies at the Awards this year, the Best Actress category is so strong however  the Best Actor category is a bit blah, until I sat through this film. Leo is amazing! He plays Jordan Belfort oh so well and he is just getting better and better with age.

I loved this film, yes it's long but it didn't feel that way and Aussie newcomer Margot Robbie is fab, well done to the former Neighbours Star starring in a Martin Scorsese film she should be made now, for life.

This film had it all, nudity, oh so much language and drug use, drama and Leo on a roll. He is just getting better with every picture and even better looking too might I add.



I really recommend this to folk over the Australia Day weekend, other than this I believe the only new major film is a reboot to the Paranormal Activity franchise.

The Wolf of Wall Street will shock some but the full cinema I saw it with largely loved it, the large cast and Jonah Hill just being completely outrageous was super fun to watch.

I am going to score this one high, cause it's good, real good! 4.5 Wall Street Stars.

Film Freak 2014 - SUPER film Weekend

St George Open Air Cinema: 20 Feet From Stardom {Actual Film released in 2013 & up for an Oscar for Best Documentary}: Man this was good and I don't just mean good, I mean real good. Seeing this with a packed Open Air Cinema experience was pure bliss, hearing people sing along, hearing peoples reactions, just great.

I am a massive music fan (if you haven't noticed) so this was a great look at another side of the music biz. A side not a lot of people know about, the back up world. Take a look for yourselves below:



Real people, talking about real music, before American Idol, the Voice & the X Factor, this is real and this is really fine. 4.5 STARS! Cause let's be honest these folk are stars.

Indie Film: Inside Llewyn Davis {Actual Film released in 2013}: The Coen Brothers are back and this time they invite Justin Timberlake along for the ride. Look this isn't a big film nor was it the best film I saw over the weekend (and there was four!) but for a Saturday morning feature it beat Looney Tunes. The performances are all fine but in the past month when I have sat through 2 screenings of films like August Osage County and Blue Jasmine this wasn't that great.

Make your own mind up below:



Inside Llewyn Davis, it's a bit of a fun ride so 3 folk singing stars.

First proper 2014 Release: Jack Ryan:Shadow Recruit: I don't want to start the year nasty but if action films continue just to tick boxes this old duck ain't gonna be a happy camper. No sorry this was very formula driven (driven - including two car chases, yes all action films have at least one of these but this film upped the anti and delivered not one but two) film really gave viewers exactly what one expected and nothing more.

A little disappointing and the sad thing is I can't see this movie being remembered for long in 2014, it was to say the least very forgettable. However all this negativity it does come from a known author in Tom Clancy and look if you want an easy film to watch with no thought required maybe give it a go if all the dramas out there are not your film and it's the man's movie choice night.



Jack Ryan - it's not all bad but it's definitely not all good, 2.5 pass mark for the first official film of 2014 for me to review and be slightly annoyed at the admission price for.

Final film for the weekend: Saving Mr. Banks {Actual Film released in 2013} - Well, well, well after much talk I finally took a leap of faith into a Gold Class seat to check out what all the fuss and noise was about. Saving Mr. Banks, the untold (Disney) recount of how Mary Poppins appeared on our screens.

So Disney have had a really bad run of films which have attracted bad reviews and worst film titles such as the recent Lone Ranger outing and poor old John Carter to name a few.

However Saving Mr. Banks is not going to continue along this path as it's been a box office hit and nominated for a few awards along the way.

Look this does fall into the lovely and super easy to watch category but it is special. Emma Thompson is grand and Tom Hanks plays all American so god damn well.



The trailer unfortunately does give away many of Emma Thompson's great one liners but still as a whole it is a great little film. And I say little because it's not a huge tale to tell, it's essentially like Jack Ryan with Tom Clancy signing over to a studio the rights to his characters and the back story of a movie inside a movie.

So is it enjoyable? Yes and I think the big screen is the place for this film as it captures everything, the flashbacks, Emma Thompson in full flight and more.

Look I didn't think it was as grand as Blue Jasmine or August: Osage County but it's a decent and good drama for those who love well acted and well written pieces.

I don't regret it being on my end of year list for last year but I had a good old time, 3.75 Stars.

UPDATE: The Real Sydney Festival - 2014 {PART 5}

So in unfortunate circumstances I missed the Solange gig, major sad face but shit, shit that girl was getting on stage @ 10:20pm on a school night, what was I thinking? mmmmhhhmmmm

OK so the other Sydney Festival is in full swing and I heard something way too funny for words, opening night of Opera Dido & Aeneas as reviewed and told by a friend some man heckled the performers yelling "What's this all got to do with Opera".

Oh dear god this is why I ran this piece this year, Sydney Festival has as time goes on missed the mark, this is our city in Summer. Ok lets look at that line:

This is our city, in Summer:

1. It's Summer so in place of seeing a shit Opera complete with hecklers people generally like to be outdoors.

2. Our city, programming should be inclusive not exclusive to the art elite and the very people who usually go to the Opera for the one reason of telling their friends "Oh we did the Opera at the Opera House on Friday, how fabulous". Really they were bored shitless and wished they were home watching Geordie Shore.

So I took the two above points and outline some great acts in and around the City and last night I took my own advice and thanks to the sublime Claudia I had a super ball at the St George Open Air Cinema.

This is a well organised and amazing event, first of all the backdrop is divine, this is Summer and you couldn't get more Sydney if you tried. The Botanic Gardens are so sublime and really I can't say a single bad thing about how this is all run.

So I saw the Oscar nominated documentary "20 Feet From Stardom" and to be honest it was perfect (full review tomorrow in my usual Film Freak 2014 post) and so good for a music lover like me to see another side of the industry.

But really get along to St George Open Air Cinema it is a perfect date night and the food is supreme, great coffee and great view of this beautiful city.

Coming Soon more events to jam in ahead of the end of Summer (or the warm months so March 2014) and my reviews on:

20 Feet from Stardom
Inside Llewyn Davis

Halfway Thru SUMMER - Ode to Melbourne & Adelaide...

So Summer is halfway done and being a lucky little diva in NSW I am escaping the heat however Melbourne and Adelaide residents I can recommend a few indoor activities and give you another taste of Lily Allen's upcoming third album:



Now I know I usually leave music to my other BLOG, the now famous in France: Flashing off the Record, but I am currently celebrating great achievement in Australian music and celebrating 4 party starting albums so yeah.

Right so indoor entertainment does not get much better than:

The Movies, here are some of my killer picks these Summer season at the Movies:

1. August: Osage County - YES a five Star film, reviewed not once BUT twice. Currently $10 at Hoyts Cinemas till Thursday when Walter Mitty becomes the $10 film of the week.

2. Blue Jasmine - Golden Globe winning performance and seen twice and not to mention my film of 2013. Stunning, outstanding and limited screenings around the place.

3. Philomena - Just brilliant, Dame Judi Dench, divine...

4. American Hustle - Jennifer Lawrence you are fabulous!

New ones I am yet to see:




Also don't forget there is some theatre in Melbourne, you can always escape the heat and see young King Kong - grab some tickets right here NOW!

That's it dear readers, return for some more news in Real Sydney Festival soon..