A Brief Movie Review for 'The Girl In The Cafe' (2005)

Movie = The Girl In The Cafe (2005)

Director = David Yates

Rating = 5/5 Stars *****

Excellent film, and one that actually has an important message to it too! You think this is a love story for the first half of the film, only to realize that there is much more to it which directly addresses the issue of inequality and all of its effects on the human world. Also great acting by the whole cast, Bill Nighy is always great, and Kelly Macdonald does a great job....hint, you can catch them both on the British TV Drama State of Play which was also good.

Feature Song of the Day = 'One Way Driver' by Blame Ringo (2010)

Today's feature song is One Way Driver by Australian indie-pop band Blame Ringo. Blame Ringo consists of band members Pete Kilroy, Rosco Pearson, and Jessiah Cocks, and they are based out of Brisbane, Australia. One Way Driver comes off of their 2nd and lastest release album titled Too Strange For Avery, which can be found and purchased on ITunes and Amazon. If you like what you hear go check out their website HERE, or their Unearthed page HERE.

Today's Feature Song = 'I'll Get You (feat Jeppe)' by Classixx (2009)

Today's feature song is I'll Get You (feat. Jeppe) by Los-Angeles-based DJ/Producer-duo Classixx. The DJ/Production-duo, previously known as Young Americans, consists of Michael David and Tyler Blake. Their name comes from their mutual love for classic compilations of various music genres. I'll Get You (feat. Jeppe) was released in 2009 by Kitsune Records, and it can be purchased on Itunes or Amazon. I highly recommend checking out the various Kitsune compilations if you like this song as they are loaded with heaps of goodies like this, and also head over to the Classixx MySpace page HERE for more info on them.

A Brief Movie Review for 'Twentieth Century' (1934)

Movie = Twentieth Century (1934)

Director = Howard Hawks

Rating = 2.5/5 Stars **

Twentieth Century involves some crazy over-the-top acting, and is a comedy about stage-actors. John Barrymore reminds me a lot of Kevin Kline as well as Gene Wilder, and this part a few decades later would have no doubt been played by Wilder. Carole Lombard does a good job at playing the typical Carole Lombard role. Entertaining for a night in, but a little too long for my taste, could have been a bout 1/3rd shorter and had same effect. No trailer for this one folks.

Today's Feature Song = 'Second Chance' by Peter Bjorn and John (2011)

Today's feature song is Second Chance by by Swedish indie-rock band Peter, Bjorn, and John. Peter, Bjorn, and John have been active on the rock-music scene since 1999, they are based out of Stockholm, Sweden, and consist of members Peter Morén (vocals, guitar and harmonica), Björn Yttling (bass guitar, keyboards and vocals) and John Eriksson (drums, percussion and vocals). Second Chance is a single release from their new album titled Gimme Some, which is set for release on March 28th, 2011. If you like what you hear then head over to their website HERE for more music and band info, Enjoy!

Feature Song Of The Day = 'Weekend' by Smith Westerns (2010)

Today's feature song is Weekend by Chicago-based indie/glam-rock group Smith Westerns. Smith Westerns have been active on the rock-music scene since 2007 and the group consists of members Cullen Omori, Cameron Omori, Max Kakacek, and Colby Hewitt. For more information on the band you can check out the January 2011 Rolling Stone Magazine brief on them HERE, or you can head over to their MySpace page HERE. Weekend comes off of their 2nd studio album which was just released on January 18th, 2011 and is titled Dye It Blonde. Bleh!

A Brief Movie Review for 'Feed The Fish' (2009)

Movie = Feed The Fish (2009)

Director = Michael Matzdorff

Rating = 2.5/5 Stars **

This movie is about a children's books author who moves from Los Angeles to a rural and wintry Wisconsin to get inspired to write. During his trip he meets a new girl and starts to get to know a few of the locals in the small town. Not a new plot outline by any means, but the movie is entertaining and lacks any real acting quality (mostly amateur actors I would guess) by any of the actors/actresses, but its really just a feel-good flick anyways, and oh yes, I do review every movie I watch and I know...I know.......

Fragrance Review for 'Burberry Men's Cologne' (1995)

Cologne = Burberry Eu De Toilette Spray (For Men)

Brand = Burberry (London, 1995)

Rating = 5/5 Stars

Another great men's cologne, in fact I probably won't even rate ones I don't like so all the ones that appear on this vlog are likely to be winners. However, do note that I have a bit of a cologne addiction so I am always checking out new ones and comparing them, thus this section of the vlog. Burberry men's cologne has a brighter scent that could go either as sporty or dressy, thus its versatile. This fragrance was released in 1995 and its been described as a blend of cedar, sandalwood, mint, lavender, and amber (which I believe gives it its punch). This scent lasts all day long when I have worn it. I recommend.

Today's Feature Song = 'Come Around' by Tim & Jean (2010)

Today's Feature Song is Come Around, by Australian indie-electro-pop duo Tim & Jean. Tim and Jean are Tim Ayre and Jean Capotorto who come out of Perth, Western Australia. They started up a MySpace page and ended up entering Triple J's Unearthed High School competition for unsigned bands, in which they made it to the finals with the song Come Around. They were later then selected to by that radio station to play at the Parklife Festival. They have not yet released an official album or EP, but they have played internationally and in America when they were a supporting act for Moby. If you like what you hear on this post then go check out their MySpace page HERE for more songs and band info, or you can also check out their Unearthed page HERE which includes a free and legal 128kbps-mp3 download of this song Come Around (which is also available for purchase at HQ in the ITunes store. If you listen to a few of their songs you will come to realize that Tim & Jean are Australia's answer to Passion Pit. Check it!

Today's Feature Song = 'A Common Tale' by Radio Star (2011)

And the song of the day is...A Common Tale by Australian indie-rock-trash-pop group Radio Star. Radio Star originate out of Melbourne, Australia's Upper East Side and consists of members Zack, Will, Patty and Jake. A Common Tale is a new single released in February of 2011, and is currently available as a free mp3 download on their Unearthed page HERE, and also be sure to check out their MySpace Page HERE for more info and music.

Feature Song of the Day = 'Don't Wake The Dead' by Guards (2010)

Today's feature song is Don't Wake The Dead, by Anaheim-based lo-fi-rock artist Guards. Guards is actually the solo-project of The Willowz lead-vocalist/guitarist Richie James Follin. This track comes off of the debut self-titled EP, and the single was also released on ITunes in November 2010 on the Kitsuné Mason Compilation 10: The Fireworks Issue. This a great track, with some wonderful vocals and a very simple message...enjoy the moment, live in the now!

Today's Feature Song = 'Stay, Please Stay' by Oh Mercy (2011)

Today's Feature Song is Stay, Please Stay by Australian/Melbourne-based indie-rock-pop band Oh Mercy. Oh Mercy are a 4-piece from Melbourne consisting of members Alexander Gow (vocals and guitar) Thom Savage (guitar, keyboard, backing vocals), Eliza Lam (bass, backing vocals),  and Angus Tarnawsky (drums). Stay, Please Stay comes off of their new album titled Great Barrier Grief which is set to be released on March 4th, 2011. Great Barrier Grief

A Brief Book Review for 'The Art of Learning' by Josh Waitzkin (2007)

Book = The Art of Learning (2007)

Author = Josh Waitzkin

Rating = 5/5 Stars ****

I recommend that everyone read this book! Its a auto-biographical work about the author's life, and his approach to learning new skills and achieving excellence in his 2 primary fields of Chess and Tai Chi Chuan. Author Josh Waitzkin is not your average bear, he was a child-prodigy at chess (many time world champion and in various tournaments), as well as a world champion in the martial art of Tai Chi Chuan, and all of this before the age of 30! Whilst being a high-achiever is not for everyone, it is still inspiring to read this book because the author details his own personal experiences and how he worked through his various challenges, which is probably the most helpful way that a person can share an experience with others. I find this very approach to be important as it is the true-experience and method of a real person, and not just the common beliefs that society holds about how true learning and achievement of the highest order is actually attained. Thanks to the author we get a window into that world, which is no doubt a wonderful contribution. If you are striving for excellence or trying to learn new things (most of us are I would hope) then this book holds something for you, so check it out. For more info on the book the author has a website you can visit HERE.