[Mini Review] The Strain (TV Series)

Just a few quick words about the new FX show The Strain based on the novel of the same title.

Now I haven't been a big vampire fan (I was forced to watch Twilight and got hooked on those films) but the previews of a virus on a plane got me hooked enough to Google the show and novel, and do a bit of digging as well as purchasing the novel.

After seeing 3 episodes so far; The Strain is one show that I am quite enjoying and I think I continue to do so (unlike The Last Ship for example).

Why?

The acting is quite good, the writing sharp and effective and the vampires are very interesting (and frankly quite scary).

I'll do another post later describing more, but I would highly recommend it if you're a vampire fan- as well as if you're fan of drama/horror which makes you think, squirm and is slightly campy in a good way.

Twists n Turns- Deliciously camp, with a hint of cabtastic and a dash of cabgasm!

They say no one is perfect,  but young Matt Mitcham may just be such a thing despite past indiscretions.

In the week up to seeing the show,  I immersed myself by rereading his memoir and constantly tweeting my excitement (and no I'm not employed by him, just an eager squealing fan boi!) Rereading the memoir was a helpful thing as I was interested to see what could be condensed into a one hour intimate cabaret show. And like a book to film adaptation,  you ask yourself which was better and if the adaptation was a success?

The answer is a resounding hells yes!

The most moving thing for me was the fact that Mitcham not only personified his depression in a form of a self hating bitter queen,  but he successfully avoided the old cliché of the black dog. Too long has depression been personified as such and thus in my opinion had its meaning decreased. The fact is his depression is a central "character" in his life story thus far;  by having it on stage and so central,  it places a high focus on mental illness and thus encourages a greater focus on it.

But enough of that; that's just but one part of its awesomeness.

For an individual who (I'm assuming) has little vocal training, boy can this man sing! I hadn't viewed his YouTube channel before heading into the show, so hearing him sing was certainly a first for me. I'm no expert,  but his vocals were very soothing and enjoyable to listen to.

I must highlight right now the mention/ performance of his gold medal winning performance at Beijing 2008. It's hard to describe the magic of not only his vocals,  but his interpretive dance style. All I can say is that it reminded me of the musical style of the alternative band Antony and the Johnsons; but more specifically their collaborative presentation Swanlights (which has only been performed 3 times in the world).

It's hard to really describe the rest of the show except to say bravo! You'll have a wonderful time seeing Matt bringing his memoir to the stage; while not essential I would highly recommend reading it before seeing the show.

Now when's the next performance- I'm off to see it again!

Road trip anyone?

[Review] Political Animals the Miniseries (First 3 episodes)

So I've been sick for the last week and a bit, but more specifically I've had a few days off work the last few days and I've decided to catch up on a few shows that have interested me- one a recently premiered and already cancelled show Enlisted (which I shall review in another post) and the other a 2012 political miniseries.

Created and developed by the producer Greg Berlanti (Brothers & Sisters, Life As We Know It), Political Animals is essentially a fig leave for Belanti's fictional take on what then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton might have gone through during her time as the U.S's top diplomat.

Note the word fiction!

While it is easy to say that it was an imaginative idea to begin with, Berlanti does freshen the premise up having strong writing, performances by his cast as well as brilliantly what if propositions; such as the first gay child of a sitting president (pre-series). This plot has repercussions in the series; and from what I've seen so far, is a very moving story but yet also tragic as you can see this happening.

Apart from Berlantis' writing, the cast is the strong point. You have Sigourney Weaver as the lead Elaine Barrish; she gives a magnificent performance in any scene and you have no doubt that Weaver IS Barrish, and you also have no doubt why she still has a career. So far I will also single out Sebastian Stan as Elaine oldest son (by 3 minutes) and openly gay TJ. It is his performance and nuances to TJ that makes you blled for him; despite certain actions of the character.

I'll review more later- I have sort of started episode 4 (of 6), and had to turn it off because I was falling asleep. But from the tiny bit I saw of it; it looks like we shall be having a TJ episode.

Huzzah! 

Political Animals is rated M and is out on DVD now at JB Hi Fi ($19.98)

Goals,Aims and Outlook on life- Part 1

So I've decided (over the next few posts) to take inspiration from a good friend and I'm going to create a set of goals/aims that I want to achieve.

Ideally I would also post a time frame to achieve theme in- and I'll try- but at the meantime it's an opportunity to collate my thoughts and goals into one location. And by positing it it'll be online forever to haunt me (like all those sex tapes and full frontal pictures of famous people!)

So here goes nothing

Part 1

1. To move into another job/company. At this stage, while I generally do enjoy my job it really is annoying me at how frustrating management is, not to mention the unbelievable racism and workplace bullying going on there. And don't even get me started on our so called "union delegate"! So what do I want to go? Well I would like to stay in retail as it is enjoyable, but also maybe the law industry would be OK (as I've trained as a paralegal). I suppose you could call this goal my "sliding doors moment"- which path shall I go down?
   
2. Go bungee jumping. I'm not a thrill seeker per se, but bungee jumping just looks totally awesome and an adrenaline rush.
   
3. Network more. To be fair though I'm sort of achieving this at the moment; having joined a networking group and attending an event tonight (15th May); which is part of the Law Week celebrations (and thus overlapping with point 1 quite nicely.) While nothing could happen; you never know unless you try and I shall continue to try!
        

I'm keeping this post short, but I'll continue to add to it later.

Labels and Identity

Society has taught and indoctrinated into us the believe that unless people fit exactly into a box or archetype there's someone wrong with them.  In turn this leads others to judge them unfit and strange because they don't adhere to society's expectations.

Forgive me,  but what a load of shit if I've ever heard in my life.

Firstly let's look at certain type of labels that society deems we must be categorised into.  Some examples (not limited to these of course) are:

*gay
*straight
*bi sexual
*asexual
*trans*
*male
*female
*young
*old
*generation [x, y, baby boomers,  etc]

Admittedly most of these examples are related to sexuality and society's expectations that we must fall into one of these boxes.  But one can't disagree with the fact it's sexuality and the hetronormarative of society which causes the real fuck ups.

A good example is Chelsea Manning.  While we all know about her case,  the v response to her identification as a female borders on the offensive. With some media outlets still referring to her as Bradley,  they're also ignoring her attempts to find her own true identity.

It's our inalienable right to identify with whatever we want to be- not me,  our parents or even (God forbid) Tony Abbott- can tell us or force us to identify with what they want us to identify with.

If we don't have our own identity- free of labels and societal expectations- our we even bring true to ourselves?

A Rebellion is a Brewing!

Just a quick post to say that in a little over two months time; The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, is due for cinema release in Australia and I can honestly say I'm excited (but I assure you that I'm not Big Kev!)

After having reading the novel countless times I'm looking forward to see how they adapt this novel into the big screen. I saw The Hunger Games and then read the book afterwards so it was easy to contrast the differences. However, going into Catching Fire it's possible that I may have to contain myself (and no doubt other fans may need to) with our expectations on how we visualise the scenes in our mind, as well as how we already expect new characters to be, for example Finnick Odair.

I shall leave you with two opposing sayings from the series that are both quite lovely to both read and write from a writers perspective.

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"- Effie Trinket; the slightly nutty but also sweet(ish) District 12 escort.

Compare this with the following spoken by our beloved heroine Catnip Everdeen

“Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!” 

Monster Pies

Director/ Writer: Lee Galea

Country and Year: Australia, 2013

Viewing: West Hollywood (Melbourne Queer Film Festival), Sun Theatre

Running Time: 90 mins (approx)

So about two weeks ago I volunteered at the West Hollywood event for the Melbourne Queer Film Festival. Various films were shown over the three day screening, but the one I want to talk about (and was lucky enough to finally see) is Monster Pies.

Directed by Lee Galea and filmed in the western suburbs of Melbourne, in its simplest form monster pies can be described as a story of teen love and its journey. But frankly, that would be over simplifying this wonderfully crafted story, which is a testament to Galeas’ talent.

Going deeper, the story is about the two lead characters having to perform their own take on the immortal work Romeo and Juliet. And going into the movie, a viewer can have a rough idea of what road the movie plans on taking; however it's an enjoyable journey seeing the details.

A lot of the success in my mind of this movie is based on the fact that there isn’t one particular element that is more effective then another, rather it’s the sum effort that ensures that the audience connects to both will and mike. the acting itself by both leads are brilliant, with both lead actors (Tristan Barr as Mike and Lucas Linehan as William) emoting their characters feelings in more than just words, including facial movement and hand gestures.

Tristan Barr as Mike and Lucas Linehan as William

There’s a scene in it where it’s so moving, it makes you go AWW, which is then juxtaposed with the shocking scene afterwards that will either make you cry or if it doesn't it will leave a big impact on you. At the screening I was at, the sold out session literally gasped with shock at the surprise twist.

One thing that I found interesting was the interesting choice of cinematography that was used. For a movie whose ending is (spoilers); well less than happy ever after, the entire movie was primarily shot with a pallet consisting of bright colours, primarily of blues. Occasionally darker hues were used, but ironically it was used to highlight the happier scenes rather than the darker scenes.

Normally my issues with gay themed movies are the same; that is they are either poorly written, full of clichés or rely on the old favourite of full frontal nudity (I’m looking at you Eating Out series). Admittedly while in certain parts I did think that Monster Pies was clichéd, I would still see it and I have to admit this would have to be one of my favourite movies of 2013 and also one of my favourite Queer movies of all time.

The DVD is scheduled for a November 12 release date through TLA Releases (date correct as of going to publish).

Rating: 4 stars