"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V

Hmmm.... the English lamb & mint were defintely better than the Australian Sausage Sizzle... by a mile... at least they are better at something! ; )

For those who haven't had a look yet... here's that invitation to Flixster again!

http://www.flixster.com/servlet/invite/64570573nmklxtfxzlABC

Thanks mainly to MattyT4, the community seems to be up and running... it's very cool! You should give it a go (it's addictive), or at least have a look if you have time (www.flixster.com). I'm up to 215 ratings... I set down the gauntlet for someone to beat that!... would be cool to see if anyone wants to have a better than "best friend" relationship with me too! ; ) Tell you what, first person to overtake me in the number of movies rated gets a DVD! - I get to choose it though! Some people have a bit of a headstart, so you'd better get cracking!

And now, to the all important reviews! Only a couple this week (Inside Man & V for Vendetta - see bottom).

Yeah, I know, I'm letting the team down.... I've been too busy dancing! If anyone ever wants to go for a salsa/swing/tango/modern jive - just give me a call!! I'll be there! Classes or social. Friday nights at the Park Hyatt rock! Thanks to Mel and Gideon for dragging my sorry butt out of the house! Looking forward to dancing amongst the grape vines on Sunday! Oh, and clubbing happening some time in the next few weeks - let me know if you are interested- probably end up at Seven this time.

Oh yeah... also, went to see Axle Whitehead again last Sunday! Show was not quite as good as the last one. Maybe that's the difference between a free show and a $18 show... heheh... they weren't quite as tight, but the atmostphere was more relaxed and rather appropriate for a sunday evening. If you are free this weekend-Sunday 9th April- I highly recommend heading on over to the Cornish Arms at 5pm. Geord & Jasmine, was awesome that you made it. Joe, lovely to meet you as well!

Next week - should have photos from Geordie's b'day and Latin Funk - Vibes on the Vineyard! It'll be a big one, make sure you tune in!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY for today GEORD! Also a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY for KATHERINE for Friday as well. Love you both! g xoxox

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MOVIE REVIEWS

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Inside Man: 3/5

Cast: Denzel Washington (Philadelphia, Training Day), Clive Owen (Closer, King Arthur), Jodie Foster (Panic Room, Silence of the Lambs)

In a nutshell: Only slightly better than average hostage movie

Synopsis: Owen is the head of a gang that takes a bank hostage, Denzel is the police negotiator, and throw in Foster who may or may not play for both sides. However will they get out?

Given the skill of such a cast, this was a most disappointing movie. It felt incredibly long, and despite some flashes of something a little more interesting than your common hostage movie, it just didn't happen. Jodie Foster is underutilised, Denzel Washington seems too hyper and not gritty enough, almost like he's taking the piss, and you barely even get to see Clive Owen's face. To its credit, there was a little more subtext going on than your average suspense movie, perhaps a little more understanding of the characters and the last 10mins are decent, but for some reason it chooses not to pursue the potentially intriguing bits and instead sticks with the usual hostage formula. The question is, how did a director such as Spike Lee manage to make such a non statement?



V for Vendetta: 4.25/5

Cast: Hugo Weaving (Matrix, Rings trilogy) , Natalie Portman (Closer, Garden State)

In a nutshell: Original and thoughtful - unlike most comic adaptations.

Synopsis: England in the future has been taken over by a dictator of sorts (John Hurt) - the mysteriously masked V (Weaving) hatches a grand plan for revenge and revolution, Evey (Portman) gets swept up in the vendetta.

This movie is kick arse! Don't go in expecting the special effects and fighting of the Matrix.. it's not that sort of movie, and it's probably not for everyone. However, the attitude and atmosphere that the Wachowski's are brilliant at instilling is all there. A few bloody fight scenes, but it's more the banter between the characters that make you want more. The beauty of this film is that it makes a political statement (revolution against a totalitarian state - US anyone?) well within the context of anit-hero-of-sorts movie, so it's not in your face...gives you something to think about if you want, or you can just enjoy the spectacle of it. Hugo Weaving is exquisite. You never really get to see his face for the whole movie, and yet he creates such a textured persona that you swear the mask is moving (oh, and it probably helps if you can get past expecting him to say "Missster Anderrrrson"). Natalie Portman is also very good, but I have a feeling she hasn't reached anywhere near her full potential yet...damn her for looking beautiful even with a shaved head! My only gripe would be it probably could have been 15mins shorter, but still, well worth a viewing or two.