Getting: out of bed

What started as a persistent runny nose just kept on coming - after two days largely in bed, at least I'm back in the land of the living now.

On the plus side I got to do some reading - and even some time away from the 'puter was kind of nice.

LOLing: Japanese Tetris

Thanks to Bec for this one.

There's really nothing to be said about this - it's just compelling.
(And tell me you don't think about what you would do when faced with the oncoming walls like that - I'm thinking that this would be a fun option for a video game)

glumbert.com - Japanese Tetris

LOLing: Sarcastic Gamer's Wii Fit parody

I sit firmly in the Wii wannabe column - I think it looks like quite the fun games system and one day, when I'm being less responsible with my money, I'll probably pick one up.

This parody of the new fitness game/toy for the Wii by SarcasticGamer.com is a lot of fun though.

Pondering: The Garden Vein

I saw this notice on the board outside the local shops the other day and I still don't quite get what it means.

As ever, I have two theories.

1.- It's just about gardening - most likely a trainee landscaper (or even just an enthusiast) who likes to work in the garden and be given some free rein to try things out. Also one who likes to work for women.

2. (And this is perhaps more an indicator of my disturbed mind :) - Someone offering gardening services for sex (or near sex)

What confuses me is that the service is free and only for women - the "superficial play around afterwards" line adds to this, but as I say, could simply refer to trying some creative gardening ideas.

The whole "Garden Vein" thing also seems a little odd - just a little too visceral.

Jumping: on the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows bandwagon.

I picked up on the Harry Potter thing around the time of the 4th book (Goblet of Fire) and while I'm certainly no fanboy, I've enjoyed the series so far, books and films.

Given that the release of the final book in the series seemed such a hullabaloo, I thought it would be worth at least cruising past the lines at the bookshops on Saturday morning to see what was going on. (No small ask given the frostiness of Canberra mid-winter mornings)



Arriving at Dymocks at around 7.45, I was a little surprised to see that there were only about 20 or so people waiting and given that I had my pre-order receipt sitting in my bag, I thought I might as well be a part of the whole lining up thing.

Here are some of the pics I snapped and thoughts I had in the 1hr 15mins waiting time - as painstakingly typed in to draft text messages.

Here at 7.45 and there are about 20 people here already. Think im older by around 10 to 20 years at least. No costumes to speak of - one witch hat. General nerdy chatter.

Feel slightly self conscious with the people walking by.

One guy turned up who has already read the thing.

The guy 2 in front of me got here 30 mins earlier.

Borders opened at 8 to let people wait inside (ie browse) until 9.01.

The girl in front of me is reading sun tzu art of war.

My feet are cold.

A woman just shushed some singing magpies.

Shops open. Thats good.

Photographer would be a good cover to q jump.

Inside now. I handed over my docket.



Had to follow a black line of tape that winds around the book stacks. Makes sense.

Stuck in front of the motivation section right now.



Young gen y kids in front reading romance novels out loud.

Maybe I'm being a little cynical but giving out balloons from the local pie shop just seems a little lame.



Next to the classic novels as well.




Interesting to see ray bradbury in there with f451. The original 16th c monkey as well.



I must admit that it was a tiny bit exciting to see the books with their embargo tape passing by. Also that the bookshop (dymocks) staff at least made an effort to dress up.





This was the scene behind me.



The line starts to move - after a somewhat pissweak cheer.



Just a couple of people from the front now - see the books going into the cheap cheap bookbags.

The funny thing now is, that after going through the whole standing in the freezing cold, lining up with nerds and geeks and whatnot, i still haven't started reading the thing yet.

I decided at the start of last week that I should probably re-read HP6 first, to get back up to speed and put the whole thing into context but I haven't finished that one yet. (In fact, Harry has just arrived at Hogwarts for the start of the school year)

Which might seem to have made this whole endeavour a bit of a fools errand but it was interesting being there all the same.

Playing: tunes for Monday Sunset today.

Feelings Of Grief Paul Kelly Stolen Apples 5:55

From the new Paul Kelly album (thanks Jerry for putting me onto this) - a haunting tale of sadness that lightly hangs in the air. (I generally like to kick the show off with something that echoes the feel of the previous show but also gives the indication that the direction has shifted - in this case it's two hours of trad Celtic folk from Celtic Circle, presented by a collective of nice old folkys)

Helpless Nick Cave The Bridge: A Tribute to Neil Young 4:32

This song has the perfect balance between sounding like a Nick and a Neil song. A beautiful song treated with a lot of respect.

Gone Zombie Ghost Train Glad Rags & Body Bags 3:12

Interesting rockabillyesque track that sounds like it's on the move in the middle of the night through some driving rain.

Bury Me Deep In Love Jimmy Little And Kylie Minogue Corroboration 3:51

Beautiful collaboration on one of the best Triffids songs by an Oz icon and someone who should be one.

Radio Tokyo Vanlustbäder The People Versus Vanlustbader 2:33

Dirty, sexy rock instrumental with a 70s swagger

Negative Hearing Youth Group Urban & Eastern 3:05

Good rockin' pop track with heart

Off The Grid The Beastie Boys The Mix-Up 4:36

This could be the end credits of a 70s movie - it has an everything's ok now feel to it - then again it could also be a bit of a drug-den party vibe where the hero is tripping out a little and then goes off into a full dream sequence kind of thing - I like the stretched out spacy quality to this one as well as the dominant guitar in the latter parts.

Little scientist Dave Robertson Little Scientists EP 3:36

Gentle song with passion that would be well at home in the (sadly defunct) Candle records (Lucksmiths, Rob Clarkson, Darren Hanlon) lineup. Interesting spoken rave about the role of science in society in the middle. (I'll be interviewing this guy in the lead up to a gig he has in Canberra in the week of Sept 10)

Bookends of winter Dave Robertson Little Scientists EP 4:10

Nice floaty ballad with a slightly nostalgic melancholy air.

Hieronymus The Clouds Penny Century 3:47

Classic early 90s poppy rock goodness from one time Canberrans.

18 Sojourn Radio Single 3:00

Interesting rock track from a Melbourne band that skirts close to Wolfmotherish cliche but brings it all back to a solid independent 70s heavy rock sound. Worth keeping an eye on.

Tell me why Neil young After the goldrush 2:58

Neil doing Neil this time - simple acoustic guitar, reedy voice and great lyrics.

You're Not Cool Baterz Out of Hell 2:17

Zippy and smart tale of junkies and the cool scene mentality in a quirky track from beloved Canberra muso.

Cherry blossom girl Air Talkie Walkie 3:39

Beautifully orchestrated glidey pop from French electro maestros.

Salvation Jane Fred Smith Soapbox 3:18

Fun song about cricket and much more that just radiates happiness with a very light guitar and drums latin vibe.

A big star The City Lights Escape from tomorrow today 2:56

Easily my favourite song of recent years with an oz politics theme (not hard as these have been very thin on the ground) - back from the days when Tony Abbott was employment minister. Bit of a Fauves feel but slightly more rockin.

Black Betty Nick Cave Used And Recommended By 2:31

Just realised that I've put two Nick Cave sung covers in here today - guess we're all just lucky right. Long before Spiderbait wove their magic over this track, Nick had his own minimalistic crack at it - it's a whole other thing and it's also great.

Que Bonita Es La Vida Rubin Steiner So Frenchy, So Chic (Disc 2) 3:45

The interesting thing about songs in another language is that you focus more on other parts - the music of the singing and of course the instruments too. This track mixes up some clean guitar and piano sounds and makes them impossibly cosmopolitan.

Superstar Underground Lovers Evil. 3:43

One of the great undervalued Oz bands of the last 20 years, the undies are here doing their ethereal droning rock thing live.

Callbacks We Are Scientists With Love And Squalor 2:02

Firing up with some smart pacy indy rock

Miles Away Yeah Yeah Yeahs UNCUT - Neat Neat Neat 2:19

More cool rock - I'm not 100% sold on the Yeah Yeah Yeahs magic but this track is definitely a cracker.

A Martyr For My Love For You The White Stripes Icky Thump 4:16

From an album that continues to grow on me, nice use of loud soft loud in a sad one.

Further On Up The Road Johnny Cash American V: A Hundred Highways 3:25

Talking of sad ones, this is a heart breaker - particularly knowing that it was the man in black's last album ever and made around the time of his wife's death. One of a number of songs on this album about imminent death.

Playing: Rose and Camellia

There's something about the Japanese mindset that really fascinates me - it's in the music, the comic books (manga), the movies - and it's in this game, Rose and Camellia

I don't speak any Japanese (beyond domo arigato Mr Roboto, sushi and sashimi) so the meaning and purpose of this game eludes me but there is enough English in there to get the gist.

Essentially, you click and drag your mouse across the screen (in line with the arrow) to give your opponent a good slap - or to dodge their slap. Speed and accuracy seem to be factors.





I managed to get through 3 fights before going down to the slightly demonic looking harridan above.

Enjoying: The Little People project

I came across these photos by Slinkachu recently and they really are beautifully done - I don't know if there is any connection to these ones but it's still a great idea. (Click on the images for large version)

There are a stack more on this site - some of my faves include the guy sitting on the flower, coke and this one - urban camping.

Updating: Day 40 of the No shampoo challenge

There are nominally only 2 days to go before I hit the magical 6 week mark, at which point my hair should be healthier, happier and so on. I think it's going ok - though I believe it still looks a little on the dry side. It feels good at least and noone has been visibly gagging in my presence. (Which is always a pleasant change :)



(By the way, please excuse the late post - reimaging the computer and dealing with getting it all set up nice again. I'll tell you one thing - the new version of Flock sucks a little. I'm going back to Firefox until they fix it)

Watching: Manualist plays Bohemian Rhapsody

I find it hard to believe this is real but it really seems to be.

Soundtracking: Boonsville (and Monday Sunset)

The long rusty wheels of Boonsville, my big zombie film project are slowly grinding into action and it's about time. First stop is a teaser short "Woody and Dan" - a comedy about music and a boy from Melbourne and a girl from Sydney coming together in Canberra.

I'm writing again and I've had a go at putting the first draft of a soundtrack together, which (if you'll excuse the indulgence) will also be the show for tomorrow.

My Pal God Tales from the Oz Underground 76-89 3:21



This is one of my all time favourite songs and it acts as an initial spark point between Dan and Sharyn (Woody) when they met in the uni bar.

(The YouTube video brings some old VHS video warping to the sound of this song)

Quick way to hell The Fuelers Hot Dang 3:42

I'm pretty keen to bring a definite local feel to this soundtrack and I like the sound that these guys produce - this is a great slinky atmospheric track - I'd probably use the intro more

0020 Need you this way The Kleptones 24 Hours 4:13

Mashup is a bit of a must - I'm not thinking about licensing and legalities just yet but I would like to use something along these lines if possible - beautiful blending of Walk this way (Aerosmith) and Need you tonight (INXS)

We're rising The Negotiators Apples and Oranges 4:03

Every film needs a soaring rock guitar solo

Sunday song Snowbug Inextricably intertwined 2:13

Snaggy Melbourne-styled acoustica pt. 1 (for a quiet patch)

Fitzroy Strongman Sodastream Looks like a Russian 4:10

Snaggy Melbourne-styled acoustica pt. 2 (coming out of a quiet patch)

The Shadow Reel (Live at the Zoo) Soma Rasa Soma Rasa 4:01

Getting a little more lively - this track just shouts that things are hotting up.

Let's Roll 'Em Van Lustbader The People versus VanLustbader 3:33

Not entirely sure if this is for the soundtrack but I've been really enjoying this album in the last couple of days so had to toss it in - more good rock with a hint of Oasis meeting Primal Scream.

Previous Crimes Devastations Devastations 4:58

This song is a heartbreaker and the track that really put me on to the Devs.

.32-20 blues Tom Woodward 32-20 blues 3:16

Beautifully slurry feeling blues howl from local boy with soul

Blue Guitar Fred Smith Bagarap Empires 5:29

I like the feel of this track - it's really on the move, sense of travelling through the bush

Our way of life EYE Vs the Commonwealth Government Songs of Protest 1:17

Edgy and smart remix of the old Australian Government terrorism ad

Wonder Riff Baterz Out of Hell 3:03

There will have to be a Baterz track - the guy was a frackin genius. Quite possibly this one but Zombie Girl is another option. The guitar and word play here are great.

Faded Blue - Cyan Sigh remix (Telemetry Orchestra) B(if)tek Frequencies will be remixed 3:47

Near ambient electronica from one time locals B(if)tek, remixed by Sydneysiders.
If you're telling a story about music and Canberra, there has to be some electro.


Agnus Dei Rufus Wainwright Want two 5:45

What a voice on this guy - not sure if it's for the soundtrack exactly but you have to hear this song.

I remember a time when once you used to love me Dirty 3 Horse stories 6:12

People either love or hate the Dirty 3, I love the buckets of raw emotion they cram into each song.

It's ok Black Cab Altamont Diary 2:50

A great song from a very interesting concept album about the Stones concert at Altamont in 1970 that is credited with killing the hippy era

Metal for Melbourne The Beautiful Few Metal for Melbourne 6:42

More Melbourne acoustic-snaggery - perhaps more than we need, who knows. Still a beautiful song.

Happiness' border Youth Group Urban & Eastern 3:11

Rock song that opens like a big shiny sprinkler and rings with a Flying Nun kind of rock crystal clarity.

Save My Soul Inflatable Ingrid Single 2:55

If it's Canberra and it's about music - you really need something that has a metal quality to it - this is also a track by Monday Lunchbox presenter Paul.

(Another version of My Pal - performed by White Circle Crime Club performing in Antwerp (B), 30 09 2006, at the Break Down The Walls exhibition of Vaast Colson & Dennis Tyfus.)

Ordering: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Well I nearly missed the bandwagon but I got my pre-order in this morning for the final book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

There's not really anything I can say that hasn't been said a million times already - though I'm interested in how I'm going to squeeze in some quality reading time next weekend - given that as soon as I pick up the book I'm heading off to the coast to reunite with the PC, who's have a well earned break there right now.

Speculation has been rife that (in keeping with literary theory) that Harry will die vanquishing Voldemort but obviously we'll just have to wait and see.

I'm tempted to get to the store early to see the freak show (sorry, fans having dress-up fun - much as my colleague Len and his girl did for the HP5 film premiere at Tuggeranong the other night. Points to them both for being the only people in costume and for having the cojones to ride with it.)

Watching: Wingnuts

This clip largely speaks for itself - it's the audience debate section of last nights big controversial ABC documentary "The Great Global Warming Swindle" and followup discussion.

Evidently a bunch of Lyndon LaRouche acolytes (fascinating and odd man incidentally) were able to salt themselves through the crowd and claims that environmentalism is a science with a secret agenda of eugenics and that Carbon 14 (an underpinning principle of Creationism) disproves all the Climate Change Science make this a spectacular video.

I wonder how long it will be before the BAAAs (Bolt, Albrechtsen and Ackerman) jump up and down claiming that the crowd was deliberately made up of fruitloops.

Enjoy

Watching: Guy Pearse talking about Howard lies on Climate Change

I heard something about the explosive new book High and Dry: John Howard, Climate Change and the selling of Australia's future a while ago but seeing the author on Lateline Business last night really brought home how wrong the present government are being on this vital issue.

According to his website:

Guy Pearse joined the Liberal party in 1989 and spent the past eighteen years studying environment policy and working in the political ‘dark arts’. He’s been an industry lobbyist, political minder, consultant and spin doctor. He wrote the speeches of Australia’s former environment minister, Robert Hill.

More recently, his PhD research exposed the self-dubbed 'greenhouse mafia' - a cabal of lobbyists working for our worst polluting industries. What Guy discovered about the pervasive control these industries have over Australia's response to climate change persuaded him to leave the dark arts behind to write High & Dry - his first book.

There's no footage up yet on the ABC website (though I'll keep an eye out and update when I find something) but this guy absolutely wiped the floor with the Howard government last night - detailing particularly the way that big business have been writing submissions to Cabinet about policy (something that is always otherwise done by the appropriate neutral government department).

The fact that the guy really looks like a Liberal as well (and for our O/S readers, don't forget that Liberal here is evil neo-con pretty well everywhere else) - slightly puffy and born in a suit means that he will be much harder to discredit.

Though apparently plans for this are already in the works - the usual whispering campaigns trying to cast Pearse as someone who wasn't really working there and so forth, when it is clear that he has the government nailed.

Just wait until Howard's trained attack sheep, the BAAA squad (Bolt, Albrechtsen and Ackerman) wade into the fray.

Here's a promo clip for the book for now



Update: The Lateline Business interview with Guy Pearse is now up on the ABC website.

Click here for the video

Playing music: Songs for Lost Highway

Here are today's tracks - once again a little all over the place but quite a few nuggets in there, particularly Nina Gordon's take on NWA's classic, Straight out of Compton.

Straight Out Of Compton Nina Gordon Internets 1:50
Jesus Ranch Tenacious D Tribute Single 2:14
Jessica Adam Green Friends of mine 2:37
Empty Shell Cat Power The Greatest 3:03
Woody Guthrie Alabama 3 Last train to Mashville 3:52
What If Lucinda Williams West 5:41
Lonely Streets The Fuelers Hot Dang 4:34
The Biggest Mess Sunglass Sunglass 4:18
Stormclouds Ashley Davies Ned Kelly 2:11
Asleep in perfection Augie March Waltz 3:58
River Girl Amanda Brown Incognita 3:56
Love Is A Sweet Thing Randall Blair And The Wedded Bliss Tattoos And Taillights 4:14
Son of Sam Elliott Smith Figure 8 3:04
My drug buddy Evan Dando Live at the Brattle Theatre 2:55
I know y'know I know Tex Perkins Dark Horses 4:30
Walkin' after midnight Patsy Cline The Great Patsy Cline Disk 1 2:35
Jackson The Pleasure Barons Live in Las Vegas 3:03
You Took My Thing And Put It In My Place C.W. Stoneking King Hokum 2:50
Puttin' On The Dog Tom Waits Orphans: Brawlers 3:39
Coat Of Many Colors Dolly Parton The Very Best Of 3:05
The Killing Moon Grant-Lee Phillips Nineteeneighties 4:14
Pink bullets The Shins Chutes too narrow 3:53
If I Had A Ticket Ed Kuepper Character Assassination 2:54

Listening: Airbourne - Runnin' Wild - Track by track

I've already had one rave about the new album from old style Oz rock band Airbourne in a previous post here so I'll spare you that again - here's my track by track take on their album. (as promised earlier)

Stand Up For Rock'n'roll 4:01

Opening the album with a classic ACDC meedly-meedly-mee slow burning riff, this track launches into a powerful pub rock track that screeches the praises of rock from the high heavens to the fiery depths. Bon would be proud.

Runnin' Wild 3:38

More of a chugga-chugga opening this time but some great powerchords underneath. Love the chorus - "You can cry me a river, cry me a river of tears" which launches into a true singalong "runniiiiiiiin wild and free". It's simple and it rawwwks.

Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast 3:42

Now we move into Rose Tattoo territory - it sounds like the song of a late 70's suburban street gang, complete with Winnie Blues tucked under the arm of the tight tshirt. It's all about the rebellion and self-destruction and features another great, simple power chorus.

Diamond In The Rough 2:53

This is possibly as close as this album gets to a love song - it's the classic tale of how rich girls can't get enough of working class blokes (territory covered slightly differently in Pulp's Common People). Once more, it rocks out.

The chorus gets a little confusing though - with singer Joel O'Keefe pronouncing that "I can't get enough, of that diamond in the rough" - is he quoting the rich girl or are secret longings being revealed? (And no, I probably wouldn't say that to his face :)

Fat City 3:26

I don't know why but there is something about this track that says Motley Crue to me - it's a little more droning that some of the others even though it tries hard.

Blackjack 2:42

That's more like it - quick start into a hard rockin' boogie and more energy in a bar than the whole previous song - it's something about playing cards but I get the feeling that it's actually something else, I'm just not sure what.

What's Eatin' You 3:36

It's probably more a matter of my attention span but I'm starting to feel my attention drifting by this point - there's nothing wrong with this song in itself but the regularity of the tunes is starting to make them kind of blur into each other now.

It's still got a good dose of energy and you have to love J O'Ks screeching vocals and the power of the guitars, I'm just a bit meh about it I guess.

Girls In Black 3:15

Ahh that's better, I think the secret here is that when the songs drop below a certain bpm they just don't do it. Fortunately, this has cranked it up a notch.
Beyond that, there's nothing ultra-special here but it's still good rock

Cheap Wine 3:10

This one also reminds me a little of Rose Tattoo - something to do with the vocals - and there's nothing wrong with that. Great dirty gutter rock and/or roll music. This redeems the last 3 or 4 tracks.

Heartbreaker 3:56

This could be any one of a dozen ACDC songs - I don't mind acca dacca but I wouldn't call myself a fan or buy a tshirt - it's a nice raucous track that seems to have all the right ingredients but there's something extra that it's missing. Scratch that, it was a strong solo and that's there too. But still...

Let's Ride 3:28

Good finishing track - kicks the pace up a notch just when it needs it - once more, nothing outstanding but for what it is and in the context of the album, this is a good rocker. (There's something about this that reminds me of Car Chase City by Tenacious D on the Pick of Destiny soundtrack, which can't be a bad thing)


All in all - some pretty good rockin' that offers the promise of more - if they can introduce a little more variety and originality into the mix. 72%

Updating: stuff (hair + FAT awards)

I have a few things to update today so please excuse the higgledy piggledy nature of this post.

First up, the No Shampoo challenge - Day 33.



As you can see (I know it's not an awesome video but I haven't figured out how to properly use the HD camera and Dean Semler has stopped taking my calls), the hair is getting a little greasier but overall it still seems ok.

It still doesn't smell, it is a little flat and my scalp rarely itches at all these days. I'm a little curious about the white patch at the crown of my head - never seen that there before.

Next - the CIT FAT (Film and Television) awards.

This is another one I've been a little lax in reporting on - essentially the Communications Media and Music students at work here have an annual awards night / screening of the ten best first year student films.

This was a couple of weeks ago now and having had a bit to do with student films (both as a student and a teacher), I made some predictions on this blog about what I was expecting.

Some will be dark and showcase the extraordinary inner angst through a series of moody images of people gazing sadly into the distance and walking slowly.

This was a bit of a gimme and I was rewarded within the first 10 seconds of the screening with pretty much exactly this in the film "I hate" (which was still pretty well made)

Some will be great stories well told.

I was impressed that there was a fair bit of this - everything from simple documentaries about the experience of Asian students and migrants in Australia ("I want to be an Aussie") to the tale of an inventive old man ("The Shed") and a quirky 50's b-movie flick about the zombie menace which started off looking for all the world like a Douglas Sirk melodrama. ("Down by the lake")

Some will completely abuse the digital tools available in the editing software and apply filters and transitions all over the shop.

Nope, admirable restraint was shown here - although in general most of the films could have worked a little more on their sound.

At least one character will die for every two films (and possibly more).

This prediction was looking a bit wrong as well for a while but if you include references to deaths as part of stories, a couple of films (including a stylish but slightly thin Film Noir one that I don't remember the name of) pulled through gave me my minimum five deaths.

There will be at least two fairly funny Tropfest style one joke films.

Nope, totally wrong there.

Some of the films will appear to have been much more fun to make than to watch.

Some did look like they would have been quite fun to make but managed to stay enjoyable. Wrong again. (However, if it had been a screening of all the films made, I might have been closer to the truth)

Some will be far more fun to watch than they were to make.

Obviously hard to say but given the multitude of things that can go wrong on a film shoot, this is a bit obvious really.

Small pockets of the audience will cheer, laugh and applaud disproportionately when certain films begin (and at key points within the film)

Well of course you would, it's a huge buzz seeing your work on screen.

All in all, I was pretty impressed with a lot of the works here - particularly with the ones that I've named already and also with the bravery of the attempt at stop motion animation in "Blob the loser", which while rough, had heart and a funny bone.

Checking: the ANU film group programme

The ANU Film Group (ANUFG) run regular cinema quality 35mm film screenings several times a week at the Australian National University here in Canberra.


I worked for them for a few years as a projectionist before deciding that having more of a social life in the evenings would be nice and it's a pretty smooth operation and a sweet deal.

For a semester membership fee of $35 you get free access to all screenings - which for next semester is around 84 films. As I say, films are screened in Dolby digital sound from a 35mm projector on a screen larger than most of the ones I've seen in Canberra.

Some of the highlights I can see coming up:

• Friday 20/7 : The Host


• Saturday 21/7 : Reno 911: Miami


• Wednesday 1/8 : A Clockwork Orange


• Thursday 9/8 : Bobby


• Friday 10/8 : Death of a President


• Thursday 16/8 : Perfume: The Story of a Murderer


• Wednesday 22/8 : TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)


• Saturday 25/8 : Passport to Pimlico


• Wednesday 29/8 : Noise


• Thursday 30/8 : Ocean's Thirteen


• Saturday 1/9 : Priceless


• Saturday 15/9 : Whisky Galore!


• Wednesday 19/9 : Paris, je t'aime


• Thursday 20/9 : Transformers


• Saturday 22/9 : Blades of Glory


• Friday 28/9 : 28 Weeks Later


• Thursday 4/10 : The lives of others


• Friday 5/10 : Curse of the Golden Flower


• Friday 12/10 : Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix


• Saturday 13/10 : Gremlins + Westworld


• Wednesday 17/10 : As it is in Heaven


• Friday 19/10 : Clubland + Half Nelson


• Saturday 20/10 : The Simpsons Movie


• Thursday 8/11 : Sicko

There are double features on Friday and Saturday nights and occasional Sunday arvo screenings of kids films. The seats could do with some work but if you plan ahead and bring a cushion you should be fine.

Films always start at 8pm - doors open around 7 and the hardcore sad film group geeks tend to lob up around ten minutes later to secure prime seats but generally you'll get an ok spot if you get there 10-15 mins before the film starts. There are no trailers so when it says 8pm, that's what it is.

(If you're interested, Spiderman 3 is on this coming Saturday)

Asking: for your vote

Voting has now opened in the GetUp! Oz in 30 seconds competition and I'd really appreciate your help to make the finals. (Winning it I'm less fussed about as there are some great other ads but I'd love to make the top 10 at least.)

For those who came in late, this is a competition for average folk out here to make a 30 second political ad (which doesn't endorse any particular party) which GetUp! will put to air around the time of the upcoming federal election.

Here are my two entries - the animation is a tad shaky but overall I think they came out pretty well.

Good or just lucky?



Liagra



The process for voting is an interesting one - essentially you go to the Vote Now tab on the Watch the videos page and a random selection of 10 videos are displayed.

Voting is determined partially by which videos have the most viewings as well as how many votes are given. (This is the ten exclamation marks under the video - just click on however many votes/points you wish to give the video).

If the video you want to see doesn't appear first time (i.e. Good or Just Lucky OR Liagra) just refresh your browser until it's there.

I realise that it might seem as though I'm trying to sway the results and I guess I am - but I'm sure that every other filmmaker and their dog (or cat) are also going to be trying to round up votes the exact same way - so your support would be greatly valued.

Apparently measurement of voting is taken from the I.P address of the computer so you can only vote once for a video from any given machine. Voting runs from now until the 23rd of July.

Thanks (in advance) for your help :)

Playing: tunes

Here are the tracks for the show tomorrow (such organisation)

Jolene Dolly Parton The Very Best Of 2:41

A classic Dolly track

Runnin' Wild Airbourne Runnin' Wild 3:38

More OZ rock from Airbourne - nothing sophisticated, just balls out rawwwk in an AC/DC style.

Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast Airbourne Runnin' Wild 3:42

Rose Tattoo can take some credit for this one, turn it up.

Ace Of Spades Motorhead The Best Of Motorhead D1 2:51

While we're rockin', can't forget Lemmy

Idea of Fun The Stooges The Weirdness 3:17

I really want to use this song as the soundtrack to a First Person shooter video game

Velvety Frank Black 93-03 2:29

Changing the pace a little (but maintaining the rock)

Last nite (The Strokes) The Detroit Cobras Stop me if you think you've heard this one before 2:35

Great cover in a classic girl rock band style

Spring Rain David McCormack Write Your Adventures Down: A Tribute To The Go-Betweens 4:02

Former Custard/Titanics frontman brings his unique voice to an otherwise faithful Gobee's tribute.

Off The Grid The Beastie Boys The Mix-Up 4:36

Like the soundtrack to a great blaxploitation flick, I'll be coming back to this album regularly in coming weeks (and perhaps months)

Evidence Single Gun Theory The Monkey's Mask O.S.T 3:02

Beautiful acoustica from an underrated soundtrack.

The Underpants Song Los Capitanes No Butts! 3:41

Quirky track from one time local outfit

Nature Springs The Good, The Bad And The Queen The Good, The Bad And The Queen 3:10

Gentler and more hopeful in sound but still low-key - nice acoustic guitar work (including the squeaks and squeals from changing chords), some blips and bleeps, again with the fragmentary echoes of OK Computer (a compliment, don't get me wrong). Oh and whistling - who doesn't love a bit of whistling in a tune.

Brain Damage Dr. Israel Dub Side Of The Moon 4:06

Modern reggae take on a classic tune from Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon

Big Decision Elliott Smith New Moon 2:00

Zippy track for Elliot and another golden one.

300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues The White Stripes Icky Thump 5:28

Cruel Sea vibe/riffs - very nice.

Pick Me Up Dinosaur Jr Beyond 6:32

Returns to more conventional DJr ground but brings in some outthere whistly synth at points (I think) to keep the freshness up. Loving the guitar in this one, it's gold and has put the song up into my top 2 for this album.

Weeds The Negotiators Apples and Oranges 3:59

Great raspy rock track from occasional commenter Shane

If Jesus Drove A Motor Home Jim White Drill A Hole In That Substrate And Tell Me What You See 4:36

Courtesy of Jerry "Lost Highway" Schwab, this is a very cool alt.country/lounge track.

Love Is A Sweet Thing Randall Blair And The Wedded Bliss Tattoos And Taillights 4:14

More local treasure - nice melodic country pop complete with near oompah brass.

Human Fly Nouvelle Vague Bande À Part 2:49

Eminently listenable 80s alternapop hits jazzed up and given the French bossa nova/lounge treatment

Come Back Margaret Camera Obscura Let's Get Out Of This Country 3:47

Beautiful girl driven pop from Scotland.