Film Review: This Means War

Chris Pine and Tom Hardy play two CIA agents FDR and Tuck who end up falling for the same girl, Heather (played by Reese Weatherspoon). And despite having a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ that she won’t come between them, being in the CIA means that they have access to the technology to track and cause havoc with each other’s attempts to get the girl. But it’s not only between them that she comes between, buts ends up causing them to take their eye off their task of finding their target.

It’s not your typical spy movie. The basic story of fight for the lady’s hand is the main premise here and probably works with the idea that the pair are CIA agents. There is the comedy in watching the agents causing havoc in each others attempts. The side story of losing sight of their target is very much a back burner and not much being played to it which maybe would have been a  bit more interesting to see it being weaved a bit more into the story rather than just a filler. It’s just about the right length (approx 90 mins) as it can’t really be pulled out longer than that.

So long as your not looking for too much in a film, then this is good to pass the time. Maybe one of those films that the trailer drowns the rest of the film.

Rating:3/5

New Music Friday Special: Lisa Miskovsky & Kanon

We’ve got a special feature today. These two artists are celebrating their birthdays today!

Lisa Miskovsky is a Swedish singer/songwriter that many may have heard of thanks to the EA game Mirror’s Edge where she sang the game’s theme, Still Alive. This year, she entered Melodifestivalen, the Swedish Eurovision selection show with the song Why Start A Fire. She’s through to the final tomorrow (Saturday 10th March) so we’re wishing her all the best with it!

Official Site

And our second birthday artist today is Japanese classical-crossover artist and pianist Kanon (not to be confused with Kanon Wakeshima!). Many may be familiar with her songs for the animes La Corda d'Oro and Guin Saga. Last year saw the release of her album, A New Story, her 5th in her native Japan but the first to be released worldwide! The album saw her collaborating with Final Fantasy maestro Nobuo Uematsu

Official Site

New Music Friday: Vanquish

Meet Bee, Holly, Lizzy & Rianna collectively known as Vanquish, the latest British girl band to hit the music scene. We’re not too sure at the moment what to make of them, but you can check out the video for their first single The Harder You Love down below. The single comes out next month (apparently). You’ll be able to catch them support Westlife on their farewell tour.

Official Site

New Music Friday: Katie Sutherland

Not recognise the name? Ok, so if we’d to say… Pearl & The Puppets? With us now? Good. According to her, she really just coming out from under a stage name to perform under her own name.Hailing from Kirkintilloch, just Scotland she currently running a Pledge Music campaign to get her debut album released and she currently at 85%. Check out the track Sinner below.

Sinner by Katie Sutherland Music

Official Site | Pledge Music Campaign | Soundcloud

Film Review: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

You know that feeling you get that you’re somewhere that you shouldn’t be? That’s how it felt during as the people were filing in for the viewing of the latest film, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Maybe it’s to do with the fact that the film features older British actors/actresses that explains the older audience.

In the basic sense, it follows a group of elderly Brits from different situations all heading off to India to start a new life in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, only to find that it’s not what was sold in the brochure (and I’m sure some people have had holidays like that!), how the deal with it and how the country begins to change them in mindset and outlook.

As previously said, it features a cast primarily made up of older British actors/actresses (Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighly, Penelope Wilton, Tom Wilkinson, Ronald Pickup) you can see why the film probably attracts a more ‘mature’ audience. However, it’s balanced out with youngsters Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) and Tena Desae. It has it’s heart warming moments, as well as it’s sad. It shows that no matter the age, we’ve probably all been through similar situations. Great film that hopefully the more mature will enjoy, but anyone of any age who appreciates well matured talent will also enjoy.

Rating: 5/5

Marcus Collins // Seven Nation Army

Buy @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ Amazon.co.uk
Download @ iTunes

For those of you that don’t know who Marcus is, he was the runner up in the 2011 UK X-Factor competition, missing out to Little Mix. Now he’s releasing his debut single, a cover of the White Stripes Seven Nation Army

With it’s distinctive bass line, we can’t help feel that if the song had been kept at the same genre, we might like it a little bit more. Sadly, we’re not impressed with this first offering. First rule of doing a cover; do it justice! There’s just too many instruments, feels as if the song doesn’t fit his voice and that he is just trying too hard. We’re thinking if the single b-side (and now we see it’s apparently appearing on the album as the last track) Break These Chains would grab more attention than this (and that’s just basing it on a 1 minute clip!)

Rather worryingly, his album is out shortly but is this rushed album a mistake? Only time will tell…..

Rating: 2/5

New Music Friday: Military Wives & Marcus Collins

We couldn’t pass up an opportunity to bring you snippets from the 2011 Christmas No.1 group, Military Wives! The album, In My Dreams is released on the 5th March and features the no.1 single Wherever You Are as well as songs by Adele, U2 & Coldplay! Check out the samples below! We’ve wishing them the best with the album

Military Wives - In My Dreams by DeccaRecords

Pre-order: Amazon | HMV

2nd track for today comes from X-Factor runner-up, Marcus Collins! As you probably know, his debut single will be a cover of the White Stripes Seven Nation Army. But to be fair, we’re looking forward to the ‘b-side’ (at least on the digital version) to it, Break These Chains.  Check out a snippet below!

'Break These Chains' by MarcusCollins

Pre-order single @ Amazon | HMV | iTunes

Film Review: Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

The Force returns to the big screen with the what is possibly the first 3D version of the Star Wars franchise. Would you believe that it been 13 years since the film originally burst onto our screens and now, it's being brought to a newer audience.

There isn't much difference in the original film...well apart from some additional scenes or extended scenes that have been sneaked in. The 3D does work particularly for the pod racing and space scenes (and on the computer generated characters), though more was expected from the final fight.

Is it worth going to see? Well, we guess it depends whether or not how much of a fan you are. If you remember it first time round, then yes, maybe you'll want to check it out. Maybe you've got kids that will enjoy it. Still, most will use the excuse, it's Star Wars!

Rating: 4/5

One Direction // One Thing

Buy @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ Amazon.co.uk
Download @ iTunes

If there was ever a time for label to sit back and think about it’s releases, it’s probably this latest offering from the boys of One Direction.

One Thing is the third single to be lifted from their debut album Up All Night, but in some instances maybe it shouldn’t have. There’s something about the song that makes us think that, if more time had been taken, then the song could have been better.The chorus is great but sadly it’s the verses that let the song down. It feels like two different songs have been put together and they just don’t match.

Has more of filler feel than single material.  But the boys are apparently off to America now so maybe the ‘single’ is just to keep them notice. Not up to par with the previous two releases (no matter how annoying they were)

Rating: 2/5

Film Review: The Artist

If you thought the silent movie was a relic of the past, think again. The Artist in essence tells the tale of George Valentine, silent movie star who falls from fame with the introduction of the 'talkies' and Peppy Miller, the girl who goes from movie extra, to star of the 'talkies'.

From the moment that the opening titles roll, you are brought into the world of the movies from the era that is depicted in film. From the black and white colouring, the speech cards, the score and the eerily silence parts, it makes the film a joy to watch from start to finish. Although, you can't help thinking that Uggie the dog does steal some of the scenes.

Despite it's run time, it doesn't feel as long as it is, which, for the style of the film, probably plays in it favour. The film isn't for everyone but it's probably going to be one of the most different film out this year. Would recommend it if you're looking for something different.

Rating: 4.5/5

Brian Joo // ReBorn Part 1

Buy @ YesAsia.com | Download @ iTunes

The first time that we had heard of Korean singer Brian Joo was back in November 2010 when the duet with Jade Valerie was released online (see our original review of the post here). Now just over a year later, Brian has released his latest mini-album, ReBorn Part 1 on CD and available worldwide on iTunes (although for some reason, the Jade Valerie duet has been omitted, but we’ll still review it!)

The first 2 tracks on this album (Let This Die (Feat. Tiger JK) (너 따윈 버리고 (Feat. 타이거 JK) and Can’t stop (Feat. Jay Park & Benzino) (Can t Stop (Feat. 박재범 & Benzino)) are the only songs on this mini album that are sung in Korean. Next (if you have the CD!) is the first of the the English songs, starting with the duet with Jade Valerie Don’t Tell Me I’m Wrong. Our previous review was based on the single release, however it seems that for the album version that mixing issues with Jade’s voice have been rectified.

Let This Die (Extended Eng Ver.) (Feat. Flowsik From Aziatix) is the English equivalent of track 1 whilst track  5 (Can t Stop (Eng Ver.) (Feat. Jay Park & Dumbfounded)) is the English equivalent to track 2. Domino (Acoustic Version) is also in English and is just Brian with a guitar (full studio version in English & Korean can be found on his Unveiled mini album). The final track on the album is Let This Die (Instrumental) which we’re not sure, but you might be able to put both sets of lyrics to.

This is the first time that we’ve heard of Brian Joo and it’s probably an unfortunate thing that most of the songs on this album are in English. However, by the same token, it’s maybe a good thing too. Having the Korean versions along the English ones probably helps and gives a slight insight into what Brian’s sound is likely to be. These 6 track (not including the instrumental) have a pop/electronic sound to it which isn’t too far from what we can gather from previous releases.

Would be a good basing for anyone who’s wanting to check out Brian and his music. Not a track that we don’t like here!

Rating: 5/5

New Music Friday: Brian Joo & Angus Powell

First up, we’ve got Brian Joo, Korean singer who’s just recently released his latest mini album, Reborn Part 1 worldwide on iTunes (though sadly we lose his duet with Jade Valerie Don’t Tell Me I’m Wrong (which we reviewed back in Novermber 2010). This is the video for the English version of his song Let This Die.

Download mini album @ iTunes

Second offering this week comes from London based singer/songwriter Angus Powell. This is his latest track Monsters. We find there's something about his voice that keeps us interested...MONSTERS by anguspowellmusic

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