Tuesday, April 19, 2011

A Brief Movie Review for 'The Merry Gentleman' (2008)

Director = Michael Keaton
Rating = 3/5 Stars ***

This was sort of a strange one, and may leave wondering what exactly the point of the plot was...but I suppose their aren't movie-rules that state a movie must leave you feeling that it had some value to you as the viewer. Also, do not that the title and cover of the movie most definitely do not convey the movie at all, in fact if you go by the cover and title you might think it is some sort of early 19th-century-English-romance story. Main character Kelly Macdonald escapes her physically abusive husband and starts a new job in a new city across the country only to be caught up in between a cop who is interested in her and a suicidal killer who seems to be killing off a list of people, although we never actually find out what that is all about in the movie. This movie was not really all that suspenseful or myserious, and I suppose that it is meant to leave lots of open ends and fill-in-the-blanks for the creative movie-viewer type. Wouldn't watch it a second time, but worth watching once.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Feature Song of The Day = 'L.A. Lights' by Grum (2010)

Today's feature song is L.A. Lights, by UK electro-artist Grum. Grum (Graeme Shepard) has been active on the synth-electro music scene since 2007 and he originates out of Leeds, UK. L.A. Lights comes off of his May 2010 debut album titled Heartbeats, which I would highly recommend checking out if you are into the synth-electro scene and are fond of artists like Cut Copy, Van She, The Presets, Miami Horror, and Tesla Boy.  If you like what you hear be sure to visit his MySpace page HERE, and note that you can purchase this album now on ITunes or Amazon.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Now They Call Them Oldies: 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' by Procol Harum (1967)

This week's 'Oldie' goes to British rock band Procol Harum and their 1967 debut #1 song A Whiter Shade Of Pale. This song was released in May of 1967 on their self-titled debut album, and went to #1 on the  UK Singles Chart in June, and stayed there for 6 weeks, and it would turn out to be their best known song years later. Procol Harum originated out of Richmond, London, UK and consisted of Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher, Ray Royer, David Knights. According to their Wikipedia page the band was named an acquaintance's burmese cat, and that the name is actually latin for "beyond these things." Come back next week to see the results of the next oldies list shuffle!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Fragrance Review for 'Allure Homme Sport' Cologne For Men (2004)

Fragrance = Allure Homme Sport for men (2004)
Brand = Chanel 
Rating = 5/5 
  
Now, I have many favorite fragrances, and I will review them all, but Allure Homme Sport (Eau de Toilette) for men is one of my favorite favorites for sure.This pungent and sporty fragrance was introduced by Chanel in 2004 and it is one that will most definitely announce your presence when you enter a room. This brilliant fragrance lasts all day long, so I recommend it to those of you who are looking to receive comments on how good you smell and also who want one that lasts (T'is not for the timid or subtle). It has been described as containing cedar, orange, aqua, white musk, amber, and tonka bean...so basically you have to smell it, and it is most definitely sporty, casual, or dressy. I highly recommend this fragrance to those who want to noticed.




A Brief Movie Review for 'The River' (1951)

Director = Jean Renoir
Rating = 5/5 Stars *****

A Beautiful movie really, and makes me want to go to India too, although I might be a bit skittish about all of the wild cobras hanging about. This is quite a good movie and different from standard formulas, and is old enough to dodge much of that too which is nice. Good cinematography, especially for the 1950's, which makes it seem very inviting and almost a heavenly place really (always sunny). The Radha dance is amazing too, which is why I used it as the video-preview below, but you should also check out the trailer for the full preview HERE. and you have to see it to know what I am talking about. Check this one out for sure.

Feature Song of the Day = 'Miss Adventure' by Sons Of Rico (2010)

Today's feature song goes to Australian indie-rock-pop band Sons Of Rico and their song Miss Adventure. Perth-based Sons Of Rico (associated with Birds Of Tokyo) have been active on the Aussie-rock scene since 2004 and is made up of members Alex MacRae (vocals and guitar), Brett Murray (keyboards), Glenn Sarangapany (guitar and vocals), Rob Stephens (bass guitar), James Trewenack (bass guitar), and Adam Weston (drums). Miss Adventure comes off of their latest album titled Reactions, which was released in October of 2010. For more info on the band you can check out their MySpace page HERE.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Song Of The Day = 'Bad Gal' by Savage Skulls & Douster (feat Robyn) (2010)

Today's feature song goes to Savage Skulls & Douster (feat Robyn) and their song Bad Gal. This poppy dance-floor filler is really a collaboration between tropical-house artists Savage Skulls (Carli Lof and Mans Glaeser), Douster (Hugo Douster), and Swedish singer/songwriter Robyn. Bad Gal was released in September 2010 as a bonus track on Robyn's Body Talk Pt. 2 album, and the music video (as seen below) was released in January 2011. It can also be found on the Savage Skulls and Douster Get Rich Or High Tryin' Digi-EP. Don't miss this one, especially if you're looking to fill some dance floors.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

A Brief Movie Review for 'Conversations With Other Women' (2005)

Director = Hans Canosa
Rating = 3.5/5 Stars ***'

This movie is about a ex-couple who have reunited after 9 years, and find out what they each have been up to and how they both still harbor feelings for each other. They use the split-screen technique which is rarely seen, annoying at first, but actually effective as you get to see both actors faces during conversations (which is what this movie is all about) and thus get more out of them. Check this one out, its worth watching, although I doubt I'd watch again.

Michael Pawlyn Do-Lecture: Bio-Mimicry and Learning from Nature

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Feature Song of the Day = 'The Gordon Shumway Experiment' by Yae!Tiger (2011)

Today's feature song goes to Australian indie-rock band Yae!Tiger and their song The Gordon Shumway Experiment. Yae!Tiger are a Newcastle-(Australia)-based rock band who have been active on the music scene since 2007 and consists of members Vincent Scagnetti, Brooke Cotton, Cat St Clare, Ska Macaque, and Jill Reeves. The Gordon Shumway Experiment comes off of their latest album Casualty Of The Avalanche, which was just released on February 11th, 2011. For more information on the band or their music then check out their website HERE, or get the free and legal mp3 download of this song at their Unearthed page HERE.

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Episode 1 Part 1

Great Show, be sure to check it out, and here's to The Food Revolution ;-)

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Feature Song = 'What Will Be Will Be' by The Green (2010)

And the song of the day is...What Will Be Will Be, by Hawaiian island-music group The Green. The Green come from Honolulu and Kailua on the island of Oahu and consists of JP Kennedy (Guitar & Vocals), Caleb Keolanui (Lead Vocals), Zion Thompson (Guitar & Vocals) and Ikaika Antone (Keys & Lead Vocals). The group formed in April of 2009 and have since released a self titled studio album which is now available on ITunes. For more information and music head on over to the artist's website HERE.

A Brief Movie Review for 'Shades Of Ray' (2008)

Movie = Shades Of Ray (2008)
Director = Jaffar Mahmood
Rating = 3/5 Stars ***

Shades Of Ray is a romantic comedy about an American with a Pakistani father and Caucasian mother, and focuses on his struggles with being bi-racial and how that affects his romantic life. Good movie, the characters get a little irritating at times and are somewhat believable, but I do think this movie addresses issues of race and ethnicity well, in that it shows how despite the world being supposedly past racial/ethnicity issues that there are still massive hurdles that romantic partners and everyday people of different backgrounds have to deal with that makes their lives harder than they already are. Also it is a romantic comedy so its not that serious.