All that talent and he can act too!

11:40am 17 Mar 2010 11 comments

As regular readers of this blog will know, if it doesn't involve flickering pictures in a darkened cinema, I don't get out much. (OK, so I went to Cliff Richard and the Shads recently, but that was for me dear wee Mum, plus I was paid to go...)

So last night was a nice change of pace, when the lovely music editor (thanks, Vicki!) bestowed me with some comps to see Harry Connick Jr with his fabulous 14-piece band.

There are few words to describe how brilliant the show was, but I'll try to summon some as this is my job...

And yes, before the pedants descend, this counts as movie-related since Connick starred as a tail gunner (not a euphemism) in the WWII movie Memphis Belle, and a pilot in Independence Day, and Sandra Bullock's leading man in Hope Floats, and Grace's husband in Will & Grace (not a movie, I know, but I enjoyed it), and the bartender in PS I Love You, and the love interest in Renee Zellweger's straight-to-DVD romcom last year, New in Town.

The James Hay Theatre turned into a little piece of New Orleans (pre-Katrina) with some incredible jazz stylings. I have to agree with my fellow blogger Simon Sweetman, who says in his review: "Connick's charisma is his best trick, his finest instrument and the perfect accompaniment to any of his songs," but his velvety voice and keyboard skills, not to mention his way with the bongos and trumpet, were not to be sniffed at.

Predators, vampires and the A-Team, oh my!

01:45pm 15 Mar 2010 22 comments

There's something for everyone, it seems, especially if you like sequels, franchises and reboots of old brands...

First up there's an interesting-looking sneak preview of Robert Rodriguez's reboot of the Predator franchise, Predators (see the preview footage of Predators here), in which an elite group of warriors is hunted by an alien race. Looks like an inriguing cast, with Danny Trejo (he once made me waffles), Adrien Brody, Topher Grace (as an elite warrior - surely not!), Alice Braga, Laurence Fishburne, and a teasing glimpse of new breeds of Predators! Predators is due to hit New Zealand cinemas on July 8.

Then there's the (squeal!) first look at the next Twilight instalment (click here to see the new trailer), with Eclipse - due out on July 1 - getting all hot and heavy as Kirsten Stewart's clutzy heroine Bella is torn between a spunky white vampire and a spunky brown werewolf.

Decisions, decisions. It's like being a cat person or a dog person. At some point, you've gotta pick sides.

Me, I'm willing to sit through Eclipse as long as we get to see the lunacy of the final book, Breaking Dawn, on the big screen. Two tantalising words - vampire caesarean. (Maybe Marilyn Manson should direct... or at the very least Tim Burton.)

Losing a Lost Boy

09:23am 11 Mar 2010 14 comments

When I heard Corey Haim's name mentioned on the radio news as I was driving to work, I knew it could only mean one thing.

Corey Haim is dead.

Haim dies of a drug overdose. Age 38.

This name may not mean much to people who weren't horomonal teenage girls growing up in the 80s with teen heart-throb pics plastered all over their walls (and ceiling), but Corey Haim was one of the two Coreys. 

Corey Haim and Corey Feldman seemed to be everywhere at one point - often together. The Lost Boys, Lucas and License to Drive were all Corey-fied. Corey Haim was the cute one. (Feldman the ugly, funny one.)

Your Oscar verdict - was film the winner?

09:23am 09 Mar 2010 23 comments

Well, the Oscars are over for another year.

It was another history-making occasion with Mo'Nique invoking the name of the first black woman to win an Oscar, Hattie McDaniel, and Kathryn Bigelow breaking through the glass ceiling to become the first woman to win the best director statue.

It was a fairly tense three-and-a-half hours, with Avatar and The Hurt Locker pacing each other throughout the ceremony, splitting the technical awards fairly evenly between them.

But in the end it was The Hurt Locker that came through as the little film that could, beating the big, blue, 3-D Goliath that was Avatar.

You've gotta wonder if the words: "I'm King of the world!" were still ringing in the Academy's ears when it came to posting the ballots. Surely a reluctance to see Jim Cameron crowing all over again was at least a factor in voting for his ex-wife's film rather than his. Not that she doesn't deserve it, but Hollywood prefers humility in its victors rather than cock-o-the-walk arrogance.

Oscar awaits

11:42am 08 Mar 2010 3 comments

Margaret Agnew

It's Oscar day! The most importantest, most seriousest, botoxingly prestigiousest, self-appointedly momentous event of the year.

This afternoon - Sunday LA time - the women's fashions will be judged harshly, the men's orange skin and freshly dyed hairlines perused closely, copious body make-up smeared over tuxes accidentally and the glittering prizes awarded to the gushing few (most deserving and otherwise).

Sadly, my invitation to attend must have been lost in the mail (again) so I'll be spending  the afternoon in front of SkyMovies and my laptop, hopefully with some hot tea and bickies on the side. Glamorous, I know.

I like the idea of the drinking game with themed cocktails (se cartoon to the right), but it may be a bit early for it...

And if you're wondering what people such as Razzie winner (what a class act for showing up to accept it), and likely Oscar winner for best actress, Sandra Bullock is up to before the ceremony begins, here's the likely scenario. Sort of like the high school dance only more expensive.