Slinky and Stig

Sons of Anarchy

2011-10-27T18:35:00.000-07:00

Just a quick one, but I just had to say how impressed I was with the first episode (pilot) of Sons of Anarchy. I was really dubious about committing to another new series, and a show about motorcyle gangs just didn't really appeal. I'm so glad I gave it a shot however! I think this could be the new replacement for Breaking Bad once I've caught up to regular programming with that series.

The first thing that struck me about this episode was the music. It took me a little while to figure out in what time it was set because of the 70's-esque funky rock music. If I was more up with modern music I'd have realised that it was the likes of The Black Keys and Lions that were creating that stoner rock sound.

The second thing I noticed was the HOT male lead. Ok, so I'm gonna go a bit girlie here for a moment, but wow. Charlie Hunnam plays Jackson (Jax) Teller, and he does a good job of the whole rugged, bad boy thing. He's also a pretty decent actor too....not that you would care much if he wasn't.

Even just from the pilot, you get a good idea of which characters you'll champion, and which you'll love to hate. Jax's mother Gemma is played by Katey Sagal (interestingly, also the voice of Leela from Futurama) and gee does she play the bitch well! Another stand out is Maggie Siff who plays an ex-girlfriend of Jax's, Tara Knowles. I'm looking forward to seeing some more of her after her very good turn as Rachel Menkin in early episodes of Mad Men.

Content is certainly not lacking here either. For just one episode, it certainly packs a punch. Think gunfights, explosions, warehouse fires (including crispy fried unfortunates) and a closing scene that actually made me cry. If you have been putting off starting this series, don't wait any longer! I can't wait to catch up to the rest of the world who are already enjoying season 4.

2011-10-27T04:52:00.000-07:00

Ok, so before I talk about Adele, I just have to say how awesome the season 3 finale and the first few episodes of season 4 of Breaking Bad have been! I think I'm going to be very sad when I catch up to regular programming!...Anyway, ADELE!

I am absolutely thrashing this awesome CD. Apart from being gorgeous, this girl has a serious set of lungs on her. 21 is a beautifully depressing album full of tales of lost love, heartbreak and life's complexities, all told passionately through Adele's rich vocal.

Her style is hard to pinpoint, but is some magic concoction of soul, blues and pop. Although some might compare her to the likes of Amy Winehouse or Duffy, there really is no comparison. The breadth of her talent is unlike anything I've heard in recent commercial music.

I think one of the most captivating things about this album is the storytelling. Characters spring into the mind fully formed, dressed with emotion and full of breath and life. I challenge anyone to listen to this album without identifying with at least one track. In fact the smash hit 'Someone Like You' is bound to bring wisps of nostalgia and longing to anyone who has ever left someone behind.

Adele's voice is just to die for. Although not what some might call perfect, her full contralto is so real and connected to the music. Fully capable of belting out with the best of them, where I feel she really excels is in the emotion conveyed in her softer moments. Don't worry, there are certainly some tracks worthy of a rousing shower chorus, but the intimate moments are the ones that really get me.

Hopefully she can manage to preserve and take care of this voice in the long run, as she has recently had to cancel many individual concerts and also half of her US tour due to vocal issues. It would be a real shame if this album wasn't followed by something equally as glorious.

Do yourself a favour and pick up this album where ever you can. I can honestly say I've been listening to it for months and still have never skipped a track.

Breaking Bad - Season 3 Finale

2011-10-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

So, I am in love with Breaking Bad . This is such a fantastic show. I stumbled across it while looking for a replacement for my beloved House after hearing it was in its final season. Basically I was looking for something to fill the void once House was gone.

I didn't expect to find it in this series about a highschool chemistry teacher turned meth cook. But this show is so full of action, suspense, plot twists and even a healthy dose of well timed humour that I found it hard to resist.

The acting across the board is really top notch, as is the directing and writing, which doesn't always take the easy way out. A standout episode for me is season 3's 'Fly', a bottle episode of the highest degree which somehow manages to pack as much (if not more) gut wrenching suspense as some of the big budget action episodes.

Abandoning my plan of watching an episode here and there to see if I 'got into it' I devoured the entire first season in one sitting. The second and third seasons followed suit in a similar fashion. That is up until last night....

Dinner is done, the Stig is asleep, Hubby is happily playing Deus Ex on the PC and I settle in for the finale episode of season 3 (alright, I know I'm behind....). And what happens? That's right, the power goes out! I could not believe it! But of course this isn't a problem because I'm watching it on my iPad right? Nope. I was watching it over AirVideo (an awesome app, by the way) which means the files are stored away nicely on my external drive. So basically...I had nothing :(

Ah well, the best laid plans.....

Anyway, now that Stig is down for his nap, it is on like Donkey Kong! Bring on Season 3 finale!!!

This is one instance I'm happy noone reads my blog....no spoilers :P

--Slinky xxx

Green Lantern

2011-10-25T01:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I was all set up to be incredibly cynical about this movie, and totally convinced that I was going to dislike it to some degree. I had every reason to feel this way. In the past, it's fair to say that comic books haven't translated so fantastically to the big screen. Spiderman was totally underwhelming. Batman is hit and miss. Transformers has it's good and bad points. Add to this the fact that I can't think of one good thing that Ryan Reynolds has been in, and that Blake Lively is best known for Gossip Girl, and I was ready to hate this film.

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good action flick, and who can resist a man in tights, but my viewing history has led me to be at least sceptical of any offerings in the comic-book-to-movie line.

DESPITE all this however, I was actually pleasantly suprised! I think this film's main saving grace is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. I mean, a magic green ring that charges from a magic green lantern that charges on the power of harnessed will? Well, to say it's a slightly tenuous premise for a movie is an understatement! The great thing about this movie though, is that it's all here. The baddies are bad (and suitably misshapen and tortured in spirit), the good guy is dashing and dangerous, there are special effects out the wahzoo and just the right amount of humour. This is a film that doesn't take itself too seriously and doesn't aim for being more than entertaining action.

Add to this that the cast is solid throughout, and the acting of a much better level than I expected, and you have one enjoyable film. Reynolds was great in the lead role, Lively less so. She was fine, but really didn't stand out for me, and I thought her character rather bland throughout.

This isn't a movie that will make you think, or challenges the genre, but I found it very entertaining.

Horrible Bosses

2011-10-20T06:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this isn't a movie that's going to win any Academy awards. It is however, pretty darn funny in parts!

Basically it's about three friends that all hate their bosses for various reasons, and end up deciding they would be better off if their annoying employers kicked the bucket.

Although the storyline in somewhat implausible, it does set the scene for some hilarious moments, and when events start spinning out of control, the guys find themselves in some pretty tricky situations.

The highlight of the film for me was Jennifer Aniston's portrayal of the maneater dentist who (quite agressively) sexually assults her employees and takes advantage of her patients while they are under. I was happily suprised by her very decent acting and spot on comic timing. Aniston's movies have been very hit and miss for me in the past, but I can say this one was a hit! She actually brought to mind Steve Martin as the dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, but that's another film entirely...

Overall I found the movie well acted and directed with some genuinely funny moments. It's along the same lines as The Hangover, so will likely appeal to fans of that kind of slightly filthy, irreverent, teen-in-adult-body humour. I'm glad to say it is a step above some other movies that shoot for this style but fail, eg. Couples Retreat. I give it four stars.

Back from the Dead?

2011-10-20T05:48:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well!

It really has been a long time since my last post! We have since moved to a lovely little town in far north Western Australia and are just loving our new country lives. I can't quite believe that it will be Stig's second birthday on the weekend! He has grown so quickly, and the time has just flown :)

Today I have randomly decided to ressurect my blog, in the hope of perhaps eventually making a little pocket money from it. I really have no idea how to do that though, so in the mean time I thought I should just work on honing my writing skills while I work out what exactly it is I am supposed to be doing!

Also I have no clear direction for this blog, other than my (momentary) resolution to post daily. I am thinking that I should stick to what I'm passionate about. As such, this blog will probably end up being mostly reviews of books and CDs with possibly a few snippets of gossip :P

Mostly it is just me procrastiating and putting off cleaning the house!

Anyways peeps, if you're reading, let me know. And I would love some suggestions on how to turn my useless ramblings into a profitable blog!

Movie - Twin Sisters

2010-12-05T23:42:00.000-08:00

I watched a fantastic movie on SBS last night. I hadn't planned on staying up after Ninja Warrior and The Unbeatable Banzuke (both brilliant shows!), but the husband was already snoring away, so I thought I might as well see what was on next.

Twin Sisters is a moving story of twin sisters separated at a young age, and how their different lives unfolded. One grew up in a privileged Dutch family, and the other in squalor on a farm in Nazi Germany. The story flicked back and forth between their time as young women, and a chance meeting near the end of their lives.

This film has some truly heartbreaking moments, as well as some unexpected twists. Based on real events, it's shocking to think today of how utterly war destroys. Not only the loss of life and destruction during battle, but the survivors ripped apart, their lives changed forever. Not just the waste of youth in the fighting, but those left behind, who are doomed to live a future not meant for them.

This film left me thinking how things might have been, not only for these characters, but for thousands of real people, but for the war. I wonder if any can say that their lives were better for it? Was there a 'gift in the darkness' for anyone? Or were all those touched by war changed for the worse? I guess we'll never know, because we have no way of knowing what might have been.

This film made me think also about the current state of affairs in the world today. War is inevitable. There has always been war, and there always will be. War is a lucrative business. I guess it's unrealistic to wish for peace. I wonder if a day will ever come when war is considered just some strange barbaric custom that our ancestors used to do? I wonder if religion (the cause of many a war) will one day be the same? I wonder if one day our lives will unfold lazily, as they were meant to. Not wasted.

Hmmm, some interesting ramblings...what do you think?

Susan Boyle - The Gift

2010-12-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

This morning I have done an absolute blitz of the house and now the Stig is in bed and my house is sparkly clean! And it's only 10:30!!

In an effort to motivate myself, I downloaded Susan Boyle's new album, The Gift. I thought this would get me in the Christmasy mood, and I also liked her debut album very much. My thoughts on this one? Well, just looking at the track listing, I was pleased to see that the line up was not just your usual list of cheesy Christmas tracks. There are a couple of songs on there like the Crowded House tune Don't Dream It's Over, that I was very interested to hear her take on. Unfortunately, although Boyle has a lovely voice, the album suffers from a bit of 'same, same but different,' syndrome. Apart from sounding very much like her first album, the tracks all sound very similar to each other. And her bland take on the Crowded House track left me somewhat disappointed. I mean, if you're going to cover a track, at least give it something new and fresh, right?

Anyway, I must say that I'll probably listen to the album again, despite these sentiments. I guess Boyle has just decided to stick to what she knows best, and although it's enjoyable for an album or two, it leaves me wondering how long she'll be able to keep doing it. Fans of her first album will probably enjoy this one, but be left with the feeling that this could be a downward slide into sameness and mediocrity.

South Hedland?

2010-12-04T15:52:00.000-08:00

Well I went to pick up the TV yesterday. And it was neither as big as they told me, nor as working. Apparently it starts of black and white whenever you turn it on before it 'warms up'. Not that that really matters, since our second TV makes a noise that renders it unwatchable.

It was lovely to catch up with B&D though, who I haven't seen in probably about a year. I did have to make some lame excuse about why I hadn't been to see B in Spamalot though, which she just finished. She was very gracious though and let me use the "Well, you have a child, I know it's hard to get out," excuse. I am so useless at going to see other people's shows! But I suppose since I haven't subjected anyone to any of MINE for the past year, that it's a fair exchange.

Anyway, we did have a lovely chat, but it was cut short by Stig being grumpy. I was mildly annoyed until I realised that it was actually 5pm and about time for his dinner. As a result we didn't make it to the shops, and the cake didn't get made. Maybe later today.

The Husband (he still needs a nick) slept through his alarm this morning and woke up when he would usually leave for work. I feel sorry for whoever is his partner today...shower in a can...need I say more?
I also got a message on Facebook from AM to say she's coming back from avacado packing over east and wants to stay for a night or too. I'm very excited to have my house buddy back, even if it's only for a couple of nights. Hopefully it's a Glee night!! :P

Also we have pretty much decided that we are going to apply for a spot in South Hedland. I'm still not sure how I feel about this, but I guess it must be done for the money. It's a really good chance to get ahead while Stig is still young. At least South Hedland is a relatively large town, and I should be able to retain some amount of anonamyinity there. It's free rent too, which means we'll be ahead already, even if we don't rent out this house. It's just strange. The amount of incentive there is to go there, you'd think SOMETHING has to be wrong with it. Ah well, we will just have to wait and see. If anyone wants to give me the heads up on South Hedland, feel free....

I get the distinct feeling that I'm talking to myself......

--Slinky xxx

TV Dinner

2010-12-03T23:03:00.000-08:00

So now I'm sitting here listening to the Stig talking/grizzling away to himself in the cot. Afternoon naps have not been too popular of late. This is probably a good thing though, as I'll have to get him up in a bit to go out and pick up a tv.

A friend of mine was chucking out an old school 51cm tv and I got in first to snavel it up! Our last kerbside tv is basically dead in that it starts making an awful whining noise after it's been on for a while. Enough to drive anyone insane. So I'm gonna replace it with a new kerbside tv, and thankfully, it's currently kerbside collection in our area too, so it can go straight out.

In other news I WAS looking for something inspiring to make for dinner, but came across a recipe for orange cake, and I think I have to try it. Looks like it's pizza and cake for dinner then :) Well for the big folk anyway! Sorry Stiggy.

--Slinky xxx

My First Post!

2010-12-03T20:01:00.000-08:00

So, this is my first post!

Probably noone is going to read this blog at all, but for the sake of my sanity I've decided it's probably a good thing to get my ramblings out onto paper..or screen...or whatever!

I was inspired by a friend who's starting his own blog on the 1st of January, as a kind of new years resolution. I thought that was a great idea, but why wait until then to start? I thought this way I could capture all the christmas crazyness.

I suppose I should tell you a little about myself too :)
I'm a 26 year old stay at home mum, with a 13 month old boy (that's Stig), from Perth, Western Australia. I guess my husband probably should have featured in the title of this blog too, but he really doesn't have any interesting nickname! I'll have to think one up for him to use in this blog. Suggestions welcome :P

Anyway, I guess there should be some point to this blog too, so once again I'm going to take a leaf out of my friend's book and say that I shall be reviewing any movies I watch. In addition, I'll review books too, and hopefully share some funny moments, good recipes and a bit of venting and moaning too.

Well, I had better sign off for now since Stig will be waking from morning nap any time now and I'd better have his lunch ready!
Suggestions on a good sign off line welcome too :P

--Slinky xxx