A Series With The Guy That Played Joey!

EPISODES

Created by David Krane and Jeffrey Klarik.

Starring Matt LeBlanc, Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig.

Despite its rocky start, Episodes has turned in to something really special. A simple story about two British show runners trying to make it big in LA who struggle to adjust to the change of pace leading to drastic repercussions on their relationship. Matt LeBlanc is funny as a larger than life alter ego of himself while Tamsin Greig was hilerous as the quick witted Bev alongside Stephan Mangan as the bumbling, old romantic Sean.

But the real stars here were John Pankow and the goregously mezmormising Kathleen Rose Perkins. Perkins' character Carol is one of the most investable characters in the show and her struggle against being successful on her own merit or by shagging her way up the ladder is one of the strongest plot lines. Pankow plays the pompous, womanizing and all round ass hole, Merc Lapidus. But Pankow establishes Merc in seconds and his witty insults towards British culture had me in stitches.

Another highlight was the onscreen chemistry between Greig and Mangan, I'm almost a litle surprised to discover they weren't a couple because they bounce off each so well.

My favourite scene is easily from episode five, when Bev pours her heart out to Carol and both women moan and talk about each others insecurities over a spliff. Comedy gold in more ways than one!

But forget what the critics say and don't believe me, check this series out for yourself!

McAdams gave me a Morning Glory!

It's been over a month since I did a film review, so it's time to whip one out for this month. So read on if your interested in finding out what I thought about Rachel McAdams' latest flick, Morning Glory.

MORNING GLORY

Starring Rachel MCADAMS, Diane KEATON & Harrison FORD.

Directed by Roger MITCHELL

This movie almost slipped under the radar for me and had it not been for the beautiful Rachel McAdams, I probably wouldn't of given it a look at all. After fantastic performances in films such as The Time Travellers Wife and State of Play, McAdams pulls it of the bag again as the plucky Becky Fuller, a young, ambitious TV news producer who wants nothing more than to be running the most successful breakfast news show in America.

After being released by her local network, Becky captures a dream role at a New York network. But the job isn't as easy as she first imagined and her skills as a producer are really tested under the watchful eye of her new superiors and colleagues who just believe that she is a naive little girl in a big man's world. And no one is more under that impression than pretentious, egotistical but legendary news anchor, Mike Pomeroy played by Harrison Ford.

Quite happy to live out the rest of his contract doing as little as possible, Mike is forcibly employed by a desperate Becky as the struggling breakfast show, Daybreak, faces the chop all together. But Mike's off and on screen bickering with co-anchor, Colleen Peck played by the wonderful Diane Keaton, cause Becky further problems. But when the ratings start to rise, Becky learns that controversy is the key to success and pushes her team to it's limits with daring stunts, embarrassing features and everything else other than actual news...sound familiar? *cough* ITV's Daybreak *cough*

Matt Mallory, John Pankow and Jeff Goldblum supported the main cast fantastically, particularly Pankow whose chemistry with McAdams shone through. But McAdams' onscreen partner, Patrick Wilson, failed to impress as love interest Adam. However in all honesty, he isn't really given a look in - I'm not sure if the writers decided to write him in last minute to help appeal to it's female audience better, it was almost as if they were forcing unnaturally into a Rom-Com genre when the rest of the film really wasn't! It's almost a shame and does slightly weaken the overall movie.

And as the film develops, a funny relationship is forged between hardworking Becky and cranky Mike as she tries to force her man to come around to her way of thinking. However it's only when he risks losing the only person in his life that actually cares, Mike is forced to make a rash move to keep Becky at IBS's Daybreak.

All in all, Morning Glory is an amusing flick for anyone who wants some light hearted fun. And it's audience was a weird one, quite a few more men turned out to the pictures than most "fun" flicks and when I managed to get the chance to see it, I was a bit confused that I appeared to be the only man accompanied by a female partner...the rest, seemed to be watching it alone!? What did they think Morning Glory was...a porno? Thankfully, they appeared to keep their hands away from their crutch!

Definitely worth a watch though, despite my nitpicking, I did enjoy the film and I feel it was a positive start to a New Year in Hollywood! :)

Ten Songs I Shouldn't Love...But Do!

That's right, this article is exactly what it says on the tin. Ten songs I absolutely love but really shouldn't. From Robbie Williams classics to the only song by the Buggles anyone actually remembers. But I don't just want to tell you mine, I want to know all of your guilty pleasures too. What songs make you jump up and boogie while everyone vacates to the bar, what tunes do you sing when your driving on your own, what hits are your embarrassed to admit liking. Whether I've already listed them or not, shout your guilty little secrets to the sky...or just to the comment bar below. Either way, lets share some dirty secrets.

These are in order at all, just in order of what comes to mind.

1# - Robbie Williams - Rudebox. I don't know why the words "Do the Rudebox. Cause you so nasty!" appeal to me at all but for some reason, do! This song is crap, I know that, it's from one of the worst albums in history...but still, Rudebox does something for me. So I think you should all "Shake your Rudebox!".

2# - The Undertones - Teenage Kicks. Remember the Undertones? You kids have probably never of heard of them but some of you may have heard there extremely cheesy hit, Teenage Kicks. Why do I love this? I sang this when I fronted a rock band back at school and it went down a storm. It's some what nostalgic I guess and while it's a little annoying, is a classic in my book!

3# - Kelly Clarkson - Because of You. I'm sorry but I love Kelly Clarkson, so much so I'm not even embarrassed to admit this. My friends always take the piss out of this little fan crush but I'm sorry, she is awesome. And if anyone says other wise, I hit them. Because of You is a beautiful song, the version with Reba McEntire is perfection in song form.

4# - Christina Aguilera - Hurt. Despite not even knowing how to spell the artists name (I had to check ITunes before I submitted this post), I love Hurt by Christina Aguilera. She lays a beautiful vocal on top of a moving medley but for some reason, everyone hates Christina. It's a sin to hate Christina...and after her Superbowl performance, I'm starting to see why!

5# - The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star. No one on earth should like this song but unfortunately, I do. This song is annoying, cheesy and terribly auto tuned by for some reason I can't stop listening to it. Maybe it's due to my love of Life On Mars/Ashes to Ashes but for some reason, I always seem to belt this song!

6# - Aerosmith - I Don't Want To Miss A Thing. It's the ultimate in cheesy rock ballads but this song has many memories for me. This was the song me and boys belted out on Rockband, then in the karaoke bar and then at my leaving party before coming to university. And for that reason, I love it...even though maybe I shouldn't.

7# - Adele - Make You Feel My Love. It's not particularly cool to like Adele but her cover of Bob Dylan's Make You Feel My Love always takes my breath away. It's not so much a guilty pleasure but it's not one I'd readily admit to liking. Much love to Adele as she is currently her new album, she's doing it for big guys and girls everywhere.

8# - Cyndi Lauper - Total Eclipse Of The Heart. This really is a guilty pleasure. I actually remember hearing this for the first time as I was rummaging around the storage workshop when I was about nine or ten and I found my Dad's old cassette player and cassette collection. For some reason, this song always stuck in my mind and I always find myself singing it when it comes on the radio.

9# - The Corrs - Dreams. It's not so much Dreams, anything from the first three album feels significant to me as they were always on in my car as a kid. Mum was a massive fan and I think her and Dad even watched them in concert once. It rubbed off on me and I love sneakily listening to a bit of the Corrs. But Dreams was also by Fleetwood Mac, so it kind of felt appropriate to select that hit!

10# - Lady Gaga - Poker Face (Acoustic Cover). Is a straight guy even allowed to like Lady Gaga. Personally, I don't care, I never was one to follow trends or dominant hegemony's. Gaga is a good song writer, producer and singer. The acoustic version of Poker Face proves that and that's why I'm not ashamed to put this on my list.

So now you know mine, what are yours. List them below in my comments and I may even talk about them in a few blogs time! See you all next time. Don't forget to follow me, you guys seem to be such losers when it comes to following. Follow me damn  it!

What next, Nolan to Arsenal for fifty million!?

 

As the news settles in this morning that Newcastle forward Andy Carroll has joined Liverpool for a record breaking fee believed to be in the region of thirty five million pounds, football fans across the country will wake up this morning wondering how high transfer fees will spiral to next! With only one cap under his belt and a current injury hanging around, is he really worth it?

Not only that but leaving the Merseyside club, Spaniard Fernando Torres joined Chelsea for fifty million making him the fourth most 'valuable' in the world. Unlike Carroll's brow raising deal, Torres' move is less controversial with numerous pundits suggesting that the player deserves the high price tag despite a dip in form at the start of this season. But is football going mad? Are transfer fees becoming a little ridiculous!? 

With the country suffering through a recession, is it fair that large quantities of money are bouncing around from club to club? Should players such as Torres be earning one hundred thousand a week while our nurses are getting no more than twenty five grand a year or our fireman on about twenty eight million!?

Newcastle fans won't be pleased to have lost their most valuable player and manager Alan Pardew will have a lot of explaining to do at his next press conference. Who can he turn to fill the void left by the Geordie hitman? Having not secured any type of replacement before the deadline closed at midnight, can Newcastle really survive with only unreliable Shola Ameobi, inexperienced Leon Best or nineteen year old Nile Ranger at their disposal.

And having promised to keep the services of the Magpies number nine, Pardew will have to face the wrath of the passionate Geordie fans. They'll be angry that public enemy number one, Mike Ashley sold Carroll down the river but the realists will understand the offer was too tasty to turn down!

Spotlight #8

Being Human returns to our screens this Sunday in the UK on BBC Three so I thought I'd take a moment to expose it to those who are unfamiliar with the BBC hit. A fantasy comedy about three friends who live together in a house in Bristol in an attempt to live normal lives. But this is a little tricky when one of you is dead. It also doesn't help when your two housemates happen to be a vampire and a werewolf!

This incredibly hilarious show stars the beautiful Lenora Crichlow as ghost Annie, the talented Aidan Turner as vampire Mitchell and the charming Russell Tovey as the bumbling George. Now in it's third series, George's girlfriend and now werewolf (courtesy of George) Nina played by Sinead Keenan has also joined the main cast.

The show has received critical acclaim over the years and has been such a success, those thieving Americans have made a remake for an American audience...don't have many ideas of their own these days!

With nemesis Henrick back from the dead, what is in store for our foursome this season!? We'll just have to wait and see. But good news for Eastenders fans, particular those of the recently departed Stacey Slater; actress Lacey Turner stars in the first episode! But if you can't wait until episode one, check out this back stage sneak peak below.

What's Going On Pardew?

I never really rated Alan Pardew as manager and I was shocked when he was appointed as Chris Hughton's replacement at Newcastle late last year. All that Hughton had achieved over his year in charge was more than enough to justify keeping him in the hot seat until at least the end of the 2010/11 season. He didn't need to go and certainly not for the likes of Alan Pardew. 

However, like everything we eventually just get on board - unsettling the ship will only do harm to the club. But so far, Pardew has failed to make an impression. Despite a good result against West Ham, he didn't get things right in that appalling defeat to Stevenage or the draw against rivals Sunderland and his inactivity in the transfer market is worrying. His promise to bring in two new players has yet to be fulfilled and with time running out on the clock, he better get in there quick.

We lost out on a couple of a good partners for Andy Carroll and it seems as if Pardew was looking in all the wrongs places. Instead of looking at proven Premiership performers such as Roque Santa Cruz and Robbie Keane, he was interested in Championship striker Jay Bothroyd - a player not good enough for Newcastle at this current time. And now he seems to have changed his thinking completely to make up for the lack of transfers by claiming Ameobi and Best are now good enough. Granted Shola Ameobi can do the job as a backup striker for the time being but any manager who thinks he's capable of being in the squad week in week out is crazy. The star performances against Sunderland and West Ham were one offs, that isn't going to come every week from either player.

We also need to strengthen our back four by purchasing a stronger right back, perhaps letting someone like Ryan Taylor go to help fund the move of a new addition. And our left side, a position that has never been properly filled on Tyneside, really needs looking at again.

As for Pardew, only time will tell whether he can keep the ship steady and holding out against Spurs will be his next battle. A win is unlikely but a draw will be an important point on the board. And the following game against Fulham is a must win, particularly with a probable defeat against the Red Devils looming.

Am I Now A Virgo?

According to recent reports,  the Moon's gravitational pull which forces the earth to twist on it's axis, hasn't been accounted for since the zodiac signs were discovered over 2000 years ago. Which could mean that the star signs that people associate themselves with based on when their birthday falls within in a year, could in fact be completely inaccurate.

Due to the theory known as the Earth's "wobble", scientists believe the star signs have been shifted forward by approximately a month meaning those of us who consider ourselves Libra's, such as myself, are now Virgo's as the sign now applies to the dates September 16th to October 30th, while Libra now picks up from the 30th of October and continues until November 23rd. What a bummer!

According to Pedro Braganca who said in a October 2007 article written for LiveScience. "This wobble--called precession--is caused by the gravitational attraction of the Moon on Earth's equatorial bulge." 

"Over the past two-and-a-half millennia, this wobble has caused the intersection point between the celestial equator and the ecliptic to move west along the ecliptic by 36 degrees, or almost exactly one-tenth of the way around" He added.

There are surveys that believe that one third of Americans believe in starsigns, the number is thought to be very similar in the UK too. So for those of you who do follow your sign, here is the new setup:

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16

Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11

Pisces: March 11-April 18

Aries: April 18-May 13

Taurus: May 13-June 21

Gemini: June 21-July 20

Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10

Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16

Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30

Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23

Scorpio: Nov. 23-Dec. 17

Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20

But these aren't set in stone. It is being debated that there is actually a thirtieth sign called Ophiuchus and if that is indeed true, Scorpio could go through further changes. Stay tuned for more updates!

Still Not Met Their Mother.

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER

6x13 - Bad News

Starring JOSH RADNOR, COBIE SMULDERS, JASON SEGEL, ALYSON HANNIGAN & NEIL PATRICK HARRIS. 
Directed by PAMELA FRYMAN

How I Met Your Mother returned to fine form after a slippery start to Season Six with episode 13, Bad News. As we counted down to the dramatic ending that is set to change the course of the series, we followed Lily and Marshall once again as they worried about their fertility while friend Robyn was taunted by former coworker and rival Sandy Rivers at work in her new position at Worldwide News.

The episode really was thrilling as we were taken on emotional roller coaster that came to a dramatic climatic in the closing minute. We laughed and unexpectedly cried as Lily comforted Marshall with some heartbreaking news and it's something none of us saw coming.

Alyson Hannigan's other half Alexis Denisof was in fine form as Sandy Rivers, Robin's old cohost from Metro News One while Bill Fagerbakke and Suzie Plakson were delightful as ever as Marshall's parents. While Jennifer Morrison's character Zoey has seemingly been forgotten, you can almost let it slide as Ted's nemesis has weighed this season down like a dead weight, so hopefully it's a sign that she won't be rushing back to our screens anytime soon.

And finally Barney's doppelganger was finally revealed, even though Lily was convinced the man in the white lab jacket was still her womanizing friend. Only fitting that Barney's alter ego was a fertility doctor, something that even Barney tried to use to his advantage.

Of course, we can't forgotten the brilliant countdown that was used to keep us hooked until the very end. While easy to miss, for those that did notice it could of been rather distracting at first but the ultimate payoff at the end made the whole gimmick make sense and when the bad news was finally revealed, it made the countdown all the more meaningful.

Follow Me, Add Me, Subscribe to Me and all that jazz...

You can follow me by joining the Google Friend Connect application at the bottom of the page. For the lazy people amongst us, here is the direct link. CLICK ME!

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Spotlight #7

First Spotlight of the new year goes to the band The Script and their latest album: Science & Faith.

Follow-up to The Script's debut album from Dubliners Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power. "For The First Time" is the lead track and is the inspirational key to The Script’s second album Science & Faith - an addictive blend of hip hop rhythms, flowing melodies, sparkling hooks and poignant, story-spinning lyrics, with Danny’s mellifluous soulful vocals riding high over huge, anthemic choruses. Finding weighty, emotion-packed mini-epics came thick and fast, Science & Faith is far from a difficult second album. (Amazon)

When Script first exploded on the scene in 2008, I wasn't a huge fan and it wasn't really until they released their third single, Breakeven that I decided to check them out properly. I was pleasantly surprised and they quickly joined my collection of alternative artists such as Keane, Coldplay and U2. When Nothing was released late last year, I eagerly awaited their new album despite being disappointed by the lead track For the First Time when it was released in September, but I was very pleased with my purchase when I finally downloaded it just after Christmas.

As I said, Nothing was almost an instant hit for me, with beautiful melodies and a cracking chorus and while initially disliking For the First Time, it has since grown on me. If You Ever Come Back has a very similar sound to Nothing but the lyrics didn't seem to speak to me as much as the latter. This = Love is one of my favourite tracks from the album, with really rhythmic versus and an explosive, catchy chorus. I usually find the title tracks are often one of the worst numbers on the album but Science & Faith is an exceptionally good tune!

The album isn't quite as eclectic as their first album, The Script, but is packed full of brilliant songs that will have you toe tapping for hours. If you loved the 2008 album, you'll love this too. Buy it at iTunes, here. 

Never Trust A Tourist

 

THE TOURIST

Directed by FLORIAN HENCKELL VON DONNERSMARCK.

Starring JOHNNY DEPP, PAUL BETTANY, TIMOTHY DALTON and ANGELINA JOLIE. 

Panned by critics, unloved by audiences and a huge loss at the box office for Depp and Jolie's winter action thriller but does it really deserve all the bad press!? That's quite a loaded question so lets simplify that shall we - did I like it? Yes, yes I did. At the heart of it, the Tourist is about an ambiguous woman who's loyalties are split between love and morality, a woman who is clutching at the final straws of a lover who had to abandon her when a robbery went wrong.

On paper the plot for the film is very promising and the trailer confirms that promise creating a dark, sensual crime thriller set against a beautiful Venetian back drop with plenty of action, romance and dark humour. Except the actual reality is disappointing as the execution is poor and had it not been for Depp and Jolie, this film never would of made it to release. The final product isn't entirely bad but it just isn't what it said on the tin. It's more of an edgy chick flick than french style thriller.

The final pay off does leave you feeling somewhat cheated, the character you thought you knew isn't who you thought you were and while in an unworldly sense of logic seems plausible, doesn't seem possible due to the face to face time the audience shared with the character - at one point we were almost in the characters head and the twist almost makes the earlier scenes completely pointless. It does somehow feel as though the producers made a last minute change to reunite the couple and in doing so, jeopardises everything that had happened so far.

But there is beauty in the beast. The visuals are stunning, the shots were perfect and everything seemed so pristine. Whether it was the actors, the European landscapes or the lavish architecture - there was eye candy everywhere! The script at times was good with witty charming dialogue, full throttle Bond style chase sequences and intimate romantic moments but overall seemed to suffer a bit of an identity crisis. The genre also seemed to switch from scene to scene and had it been better established, the tale may have received better feedback. There were moments of comedy which were quickly lost once the tone became more action thriller with Depp's character Frank running for his life. But it's the performances by the key three players that really do save the day.

Without Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie or Paul Bettany, the film wouldn't be worth watching. With rumours that Tom Cruise was originally in the main role alongside Charlize Theron, I'm kind of glad Depp and Jolie got on board as Cruise never could of pulled off the role as well as Depp. Depp was charming as the bumbling old romantic Frank Tupelo and Angelina Jolie puts in a stellar performance as the shady seductress Elise Clifton-Ward while Paul Bettany also does well as determined inspector John Acheson.

However despite it's bad points, the Tourist isn't an awful film. If you go in with realistic expectations, if you just want to sit and enjoy a good flick, then this film can deliver. Just don't expect a perfect action thriller as advertised - it certainly isn't that!

As New Years Day Draws To A Close...

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As New Years Day draws to a close, I thought it was time I wished all my readers the best of luck of lucky for 2011. I'm sure as always, it will have it's ups and downs but as long as your happy, then life can't be half bad can it? So Happy New Year to you all and best wishes for the future.

What's coming next for the Proclamations of Dantay - more of the same really. Reviews, articles and blog style ramblings from yours truly. Expect a review of The Tourist starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie sometime this month and possibly also a review of the new Colin Firth film, The Kings Speech. Other than that, plenty more Spotlights coming your way soon with lots of other bloggy goodness.

And again, Happy New Year one and all.