Movie Review: Music & Lyrics

My step-father had relatives out for lunch today to celebrate his birthday, so to avoid all the 'oldies' I thought I would finally catch this movie - I've been dying to see it for ages.

I was pleasantly surprised - Hugh Grant is growing on me. I didn't really like any of his earlier stuff, but the last few years he's actually done quite a few good films. Drew Barrymore can seem to do no wrong, I've yet to see a movie of hers and not like her in it.

One of the previews was the next Shrek movie which looks absolutely hilarious! *huge cheesy grin*

Plot: Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant), is a washed up 80's pop star who’s been reduced to working the nostalgia circuit at county fairs and amusement parks. The charismatic and talented musician gets a chance at a comeback when reigning pop diva, Cora Corman (Haley Bennett) invites him to write and record a duet with her, but there’s a problem – Alex hasn’t written a song in years, he’s never written lyrics, and he has to come up with a hit in a matter of days.

Enter Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), Alex’s beguilingly quirky plant lady, whose flair for words strikes a chord with the struggling songwriter. On the rebound from a bad relationship, Sophie is reluctant to collaborate with anyone, especially commitment-phobe Alex. As their chemistry heats up at the piano and under it, Alex and Sophie will have to face their fears – and the music – if they want to find the love and success they both deserve.

A Tale From The Whale & Ale

I went out to dinner last night to the Whale & Ale - a new pub which has only recently opened up in Clarkson.

The service was excellent and they had an extensive menu. Our meals arrived within 10 minutes of ordering them and was very yummy and reasonably priced. But the flies, they were bad - and we were sitting inside!

I liked the fact that the meals area was completely separate to the bar (unlike the Old Bailey) and they also had an area that you could use as a function room but they had it set up for large groups dining out.

There was a large double fireplace where you can imagine people will congregate around come winter, and a pleasant decor with neutral, soothing colours.

Definitely somewhere I would go back to again to eat.

Movie Review: Reign Over Me

Lucky me! I won a pass to the preview of this movie. Surprisingly, Adam Sandler is very good in this role. There are a few 'lighter' moments in the film (cue the dental secretary and the crazy patient) which goes nicely with the overall theme. Definitely a must see!

Plot: Charlie Fineman (Sandler) is in shutdown. His wife and three daughters, and even the family dog, were victims of 9/11, and since then Charlie has alienated himself from anyone or anything that might remind him of them – including his in-laws, Jonathan and Ginger (Robert Klein and Melinda Dillon), who are unsuccessfully attempting to make contact with him. He has become an eccentric, solitary figure who glides through the streets of Manhattan on his scooter or endlessly plays the same video game in his large apartment where his kitchen is in a constant state of renovation for reasons known only to him. A protective landlady, Adell (Rae Allen), fends off any potential trespassers into Charlie’s life.

When Alan Johnson (Cheadle), a successful dentist and Charlie’s one-time college roommate spots him in the street, the two renew their friendship. Because Alan did not know his family, Charlie lets him into his world, hijacking his life to such a degree (like taking him to an all-night Mel Brooks Movie Marathon) that causes tension between Alan and his wife, Janeane (Jada Pinkett Smith). Although very much in love with his wife, Alan finds a certain freedom in Charlie’s friendship, which gives him a chance to disentangle himself from Janeane’s organisation of his lifestyle. But being Charlie’s friend is not easy; his grief and his suspicion that everyone is spying on him to force him to face the memories he is trying to suppress often lead to violent outbursts.

Alan knows that his friend needs professional aid and a breakthrough comes when Charlie agrees to visit Angela (Liv Tyler), a psychiatrist in Alan’s building. Help also comes from a most unexpected source in one of Alan’s ex-patients, Donna (Saffron Burrows), whose earlier offer of a very different kind of oral procedure to the nervous dentist and the almost disastrous outcome when he knocks her back, demonstrate that she may be a little unhinged herself.

Random Facts 12

1. People living at high altitudes have more red blood cells than people living at sea level.
2. The loop on a belt that holds the loose end is called a ‘keeper’.
3. Experts say the common cold will delay a child’s grown for the cold’s duration.
4. A ‘buccula’ is the name given to a person’s double chin.
5. Male monkeys go bald in the same way men do.
6. The pelican breathes through it’s mouth. It has no nostrils.
7. A lobster’s kidney’s are in its forehead and it’s teeth are in its stomach.
8. The highest rating that can be given to a top quality diamond is D-flawless.
9. Buckingham Palace has 600 rooms.
10. Elephants and short-tailed shrews get only two hours of sleep each day.

You've Gotta Love The Irish!

Some of the best Irish jokes I've heard have come from someone who's Irish. Just like us Aussie's, they don't mind taking the piss out of themselves.

For some good Irish laughs, head here.