My life's Playlist

While on tour in Europe, to alleviate the boredom on the bus, our tour leader suggested people pick songs for moments in their life i.e. their funeral song, the song they listen to before they go out to party, the song/s they listened to growing up etc.

I was at the back of the bus in a fevered stupor and couldn't be bothered going to the front of the bus.

So here are my picks.


- My funeral song (and funnily enough, it's the first song I listen to before I head off to work)

Florence and the Machine and my favourite version of Never Let Me Go

 

- After listening to this song, I get pumped up and ready to take on the world.

And yes, it's Florence and the Machine again - my favourite version of Shake it Out (funnily enough, also the first song I listen to before heading home, usually after the gym)

Songs I grew up with and that would be the 90's and hip hop was damn good back in those days.

Here's a selection

Naughty by Nature

Will Smith before he was a "blockbuster" actor

Run DMC vs Jason Nevins

A bit of TLC never hurt anyone

From teenage years to a song we had to select for "baby making music" 

All yours Michael.

Song that I'd listen to when I did go out, which is not much these days, getting too old for this shit

Take it away Stevie but you've got to check out the dance moves!

A couple of songs I'd listen to "chill out" 

Who better to chill with than Bob?

To quote Bones "Do you know Massive Attack?" 

And finally an Australian song.  I could have gone with AC/DC, Men At Work, Barnsey but I thought this was pretty damn good. 

That's my list. What's yours?

My Love for Florence and the Machine

I was hesistant to say how I feel about Florence and the Machine as "Love", but I can't deny it.


I love Flo and I love her song writing and I love her voice.

Of course I had seen her music vids, heard of her by name, but never actually heard her songs.

When I'm at the gym I listen to my ipod and watch the music vids.

I only heard of Flo and her sound from an episode of How I Met Your Mother.

I thought this song sounds good and powerful.

The song of course was Shake it Out.  And then I read and heard all the praise, sought out
some advice from a former DJ mate (who advised she wrote angry lyrics) and I bought her two albums with no hesitation.

I say Shake it Out is my fave song, but then I hear her other songs and then I say THAT'S my fave song.

So, let's just knock this on the head.

THIS is my favourite version of Shake It Out

THIS is my favourite version of Never Let Me Go, which is also the first song I listen to in the morning. Guess that means this song is my favorite Flo song!

I regret the fact I discovered Florence so late, because she is touring Australia in May, 2012 and her concert in Melbourne is sold out!!

I'll just have to wait till next time.

As with all songs and artists I like, I appreciate the fact that I can undrstand what Flo is singing about and that her songs actually tell a story and is not mindless lyrically.

As always when she hits those high notes, I have a big goofy grin on my face.

Movie Review - Headhunters

When: March 10, 2012
Where Hoyts Chadstone SC

Movies, like songs, are categorized, action, comedy, thriller, even a combination of genres, however sometimes a movie comes along and it just cannot be defined.  In the music industry, these are easily placed into the "Alternative" category.  But for movies, especially if it's a foreign language film (i.e. NOT english speaking) it is usually tossed into the "arthouse" section by the majority of the viewing public. 

As Joey from Friends would say "How many times do I have to say, I don't want to watch a movie where I have to read!"

I heard about this Norwegian movie Headhunters from a few trusted film critics whose opinion I listen to. 

First off the bat, I would say Headhunters is a cross between Catch Me If You Can and a bizzaro She's out of my League plot line.  The script is great (and from what I've read, it is based on a book) and keeps you guessing as to what is actually going on.

I heard on radio that the guy who plays the main character is the Norway version of Steve Buscemi....and that's the first thing I thought of when I saw his face.  The main character is an Art Thief.  And as the movie unfolds, it is explained that he really isn't doing it for profit.  And as a short guy myself (standing at 165.5cm) I can see why he'd want to compensate his lack of height by lavishing gifts on a tall blonde viking goddess that is his wife. 

Moving right along, his job allows him to do recon on "prospects" which fits the profile for his side job.

Unfortunately, it seems one of his prospects doesn't take kindly to something being stolen from him.  And for poor Roger Brown, his world just went up the creek without a paddle.

There's a side commentary about the hypocrisy and stupidity of men when it comes to relationships with women.  As Eddie Murphy once said "Watch the guys faces when you ask them to think their girlfriend is cheating on them with another man".

The film moves at a decent pace, with many jaw dropping moments, even a weird game of "chicken" where if Roger Brown blinked, he wouldn't blink again.

And I could throw in Die Hard as a point of reference for this movie....Roger Brown just found a way to stay alive in the most unbelievable, disgusting and crazy ways imaginable. 

The movie starts as an art theft gone wrong and ended up as a "What you see is not what you think is happening" movie. 

I will most definately buy the DVD because I was too busy catching my breath after the whirlwind last few scenes to actually comprehend what really happened. 

I hope word of mouth will enhance this movie's reputation, because in the end that's all you need. 

Rating: 9/10

PS. 

As I was making my routine inspections of movie posters after viewing Headhunters, I thought it was an indication of film society when there were SO many promo posters for 21 Jump Street and I could not find one poster promoting Headhunters. 

However to my relief, it seems there's already a Hollywood verson.  I just hope their version will be as good as the Hollywood treatment for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

The big question is, who will play Roger Brown?  It is very juicy role.  Unfortunately Steve Buscemi is a bit old, otherwise he would be perfect!

Movie Review - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (US Version)

When: February 25, 2012
Where: Hoyts Chadstone

I promised myself to finish reading the Millennium Series before I embarked on the films. I know

of course of the original Swedish versions, but I thought I'd have a look at the US version for now.

In short, if I could fist bump the cinema screen I would have.

The casting was perfect, all the good bits from the book was transferred succinctly to the script and

all unnecessary story background and character relationships were cut.

Now for those who have not read the book:

There are 2 separate introductions to the main characters.  The main characters don't interact with each other until later in the film. Which can be frustrating (you would not believe the patience required when reading the books, but boy was it worth it!)

Mikael "Kalle" Blomkvist has been discredited, successfully sued after having a story blow up in his face.

He is involved with a magazine called "Millennium" which will also suffer the repercussions.  He's ready to lick his wounds when he gets a call from a Henrik Vagner to assist in the disappearance of his niece.

Henrik had commissioned a security firm to do background on Blomkvist which leads us to the cool entrance of Lisbeth Salander.  Just a note, Lisbeth's boss "Armansky" has an underdeveloped role in the film, I hope they expand his role (as it should be) for the sequel.

In short, Blomkvist has to investigate The Vagners.  Which is one FUBAR of a family. Nazis and Drunks and perhaps a killer?  Henrik persuades Blomkvist to do a fresh investigation on the disappearance of his niece Harriet Vagner.

In the other story, Lisbeth is a ward of the state which means she cannot buy anything or do anything without someones approval.  Due to an unfortunate event, she lands with another Legal Guardian who is one nasty piece of shit who deserved everything he got.  Which makes you appreciate the fact that YOU DO NOT WANT TO MESS WITH LISBETH SALANDER.

The characters eventually meet when Blomkvist requests a research assistant.

Through research and Lisbeth's uncanny computer skills, they stumble upon the fact they have discovered a serial killer.

And I'm sure plenty of women would also want to be "working" with Daniel Craig : )  But as in the book, Blomkvist is a bit of a man whore.

And for those who complain that the movie focused on their relationship, it is directly associated with the book. 

Scene by Scene is nearly a carbon copy of the book, which I'm very glad of.  As a Stephen King reader,  I have been more than disappointed at the hideous transference of his novels to film.

One complaint:  There should have been more golf swings!

"I need money"

"Sure...." *reaches for wallet*

"No, I need 62000"

"I don't have that money"

"You have 65000 from your two accounts.  I'm sorry that I know that, but I do"

9/10

Bring on The Girl Who Played With Fire and I wonder, will characters also say "And have you stuffed something in your bra?"