We have 3 double passes to Des Bishop’s show on March 14. Des is Irish-American and in his new show takes audience members on his honest look at Australian culture.

Continuing with the Irish theme, we also have 2 double passes to Jason Byrne’s show on March 18. Jason is a regular on Australian shores and has appeared on Good News Week and Spicks and Specks many times.

To enter leave your name and which show you’d like to see most in the comments section and winners will be drawn Friday March 12 at 5pm.

Good luck.

I’ve hesitated writing this review because, much like the situation in Iraq, after seeing The Green Zone I am confused and without a resolution.

The Green Zone based on the book Imperial Life in the Emerald City by journalist Rajiv Chandrasekaran is Paul Greengrass’s (Bourne Ultimatium series) latest directorial venture.  Matt Damon is the all American Action Hero Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller. In his comfort zone as the action hero, Damon brings us a character not too far removed from his portrayl of Jason Bourne – Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller. Viewers meet Miller in the weeks following the USA’s ’shock and awe’ invasion of Baghdad as they begin their hunt for Weapons of Mass Destruction. Only, as we all now know, the likely presence of WMDs are slim. Miller clues in on this after rogue intelligence leads them continually to sites lacking promise WMDs. Cue a mash-up of narrative and appearances from the CIA, corruption and collusion between Washington and Pentagon Special Intelligence Agent Clark Poundstone (played by Greg Kinnear), a haphazardly placed journalist from The Wall Street Journal, Special Forces being brutish and a chase for one of Saddam’s lead henchman and you have what could have been a thrilling suspense slash action flick.

Freddy (Khalid Abdalla), an Iraqi who helps Miller in his quest to uncover the truth is the strongest actor in this film. Even though his plight as a local being affected greatly by America’s invasion is only barely explored there are a few moments where he shines. He shines enough to remind the audience that amongst the dictatorship led by Saddam for many years were and still are Iraqi men, women and children just trying to get by. Locals who want nothing more than peace in their country.

My mother always said that if I had nothing nice to say I shouldn’t say anything at all and so, this is exactly what I am doing for the remainder of this review. There are fleeting moments in The Green Zone where you can see the potential this film had and that is the shame. It would be so much easier to instantly dismiss if it didn’t momentarily let us in on what it could have been. If you like action and war-related movies chances are you’re going to still take something away from the film. If you’re a Matt Damon fan and want to see him carry on in Jason Bourne-style wearing fatigues chances are you’ll also still enjoy the film. Unfortunately, all it leaves is a bad taste in my mouth and a disappointment of something that could have been so much more.

The Green Zone is released nationally on March 11, 2010. 

Green Zone Trailer

The 2009 AMP shortlist was announced in February, and by golly there are some great artists. It’s going to be an interesting outcome:

‘Privileged Woes’ by Oh Mercy
‘As Day Follows Night’ by Sarah Blasko
‘Kid Sam LP’ by Kid Sam
‘Black Across The Field’ by Lucie Thorne
‘Secrets And Lies’ by Bertie Blackman
‘For The Birds’ by The Mess Hall
‘Spitshine’ by Urthboy
‘Call Signs’ by Black Cab
‘Wonder’ by Lisa Mitchell

Stay tuned for more details about the winners coming up in the next couple of weeks….

photos courtesy of AMP

Partygoers can enjoy a different kind of bar experience at Mana and enjoy a cocktail while they test their skills on the best latest releases and classic games.  With no cover charge and no cost to make the most of the bar’s many gaming consoles, what’s not to love?

From Wii Sports to Guitar Hero to Street Fighter IV, The Mana Bar is offering an exclusive new look at the XBox Live game ‘Raskulls’ during their opening weekend. There will also be hourly prizes, giveaways, live entertainment and special guests.

Doors open from midday to midnight on March 20. For more information visit www.manabar.com.au

Attending The Polyphonic Spree’s performance at the Powerhouse last Friday night was, for me, much like achieving a life long goal. After missing their performance at Splendour in the Grass in 2008, (and having to listen to endless recounts of their fantastic set), I vowed that I wouldn’t miss them a second time around. I approached their gig, (part of the venue’s Carnivale hosted by Southern Comfort) with only the highest of expectations and, as hoped, they didn’t fail to deliver.

The orchestral-like band, throughout their history have consisted of 13 -27 members (I believe I counted 18 for this set) including in their ranks, amongst others; a flautist, cellist and a trombonist. The cumulative enthusiasm that The Polyphonic Spree displayed during their almost two hour-long performance was something that is not always experienced when viewing live music; they seemed to be enjoying playing to the crowd as much as the crowd enjoyed singing along to them. And enjoy it we did: chanting away to the old classics like Hold Me Now and Light and Day/Reach For the Sun.

At this point of the set I wasn’t sure it could get much better: the band were lively and frontman Tim DeLaughter was charismatic and charming as they started to perform some of their newer songs. From album to album, The Polyphonic Spree’s music retains a feel-good, “choral symphonic rock” quality (as described by DeLaughter), although perhaps a more mature range of sounds and lyrics is evident on the The Fragile Army album when comparing to Together We’re Heavy; but there was no doubt that both styles were well-received by the audience.

Perhaps my favourite part of the set were the cover-versions that the band performed. A spectacular version of Guns N’ Roses Live and Let Die was first up and it amazed me how they managed to perform such a rough, rock song in true Polyphonic Spree style. The band complemented the song perfectly and, for me, this was the highlight of the gig.

Audience participation, thankfully, was entirely appreciated by the band. Singing, dancing and chanting were not only encouraged, but proved integral to the bands’ encore. After a performance of Section 32: The Championship, DeLaughter left the audience repeating the mantra-like lines ‘all in good time/raise your voice’ whilst the band disappeared off stage for a good ten minutes. upon the return, the band were decked in their infamous white robes, a costume which has rendered certain fans to label the band a ‘cult’ (which DeLaughter flatly denies). Their encore was simply beautiful, including an amazing rendition of Nirvana’s Lithium and Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline.

After their performance had come to an end, I was left speechless. Not only had their set met my expectations, but exceeded them completely. It is not often that a band of The Polyphonic Spree’s calibre perform with such intimacy; the band members wanted to be there, and as a fan, I appreciated this more than ever. DeLaughter even spent time after the gig chatting to front-row fans; something which I can honestly say I haven’t seen before from a headlining act.

The set wasn’t just an ordinary example of live music; it was a truly outstanding performance and something that I won’t forget for a long time.

A Single Man, the movie adaptation by fashion designer Tom Ford of Christopher Isherwood’s novel of the same name is an exquisite exception. Starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore, Tom Ford has beautifully developed and extended the character layers and background stories the novel (perhaps deliberately) lacked. The complexities and contradictions of both Firth and Moore’s characters are given life by Ford in his script and wonderful visual interpretation.

Set in 1962 with the threat of the Cold War hanging over America, the movie tells the story of a “very serious” day for English professor George Falconer (Firth) who is struggling with the routine of life as he mourns the death his partner of 16 years, Jim (Matthew Goode). Throughout the movie you are introduced to constants in George’s life – his role as a teacher in an American university, his home in Los Angeles, and his long-standing best friend Charley (Moore). You’re also introduced to characters including Kenny (played by Nicholas Hoult) whose youth and effervescent composure seems to recharge George and bring him a sense of clarity when he needs it most.

Not surprisingly given Ford’s obvious design sensibility (rising to fame under GUCCI before starting his own eponymous fashion empire) the film is an aesthetic delight. His attention to detail is painstakingly obvious. You forgive being able to see the obvious mark of a wedding band on Firth’s finger and the terrible fake tans worn by Firth and Hoult in a later scene. You form the impression that in the movie’s construction there lies a man in astute control and a definite idea of ‘how how’ things should be. Like his fashion designs, the movie’s entire visual presentation is rich, understated, classic and timeless.  The filming techniques and contrasts employed tell the story just as much as the actors delivering the lines and in some cases carries a scene with a strength and fortitude that words would only serve to tarnish.

Firth’s portrayal of the conflicted and insular George is heartbreakingly beautiful and haunted by the grief the character feels after losing his love. The ‘wear and tear’ George carries in his face, mannerisms and distaste for daily life without his partner are balanced with warm and bright flashbacks to his time with Jim, a similar warmth that you see in the contrast between George and Kenny’s appearances. As in the book, Charley is only momentarily physically present in the story yet you always know she is the only other person who truly sits in George’s heart and soul.

Ultimately what A Single Man illustrates so well is that life is light and dark, it is cruel and unfair, it is blissful and at ease. Life is a wonderful contradiction that none of us can prepare ourselves for. Tom Ford has taken what was already a touching tale of love won and lost and made it so much more. He has given A Single Man a depth, dimension and human nature that will bring a smile to your face as you share the heartwarming moments George has with both Jim and Charley and it will make you shed a tear as you experience George’s struggle as if you were right along side him.

A Single Man is in cinemas now.

Words: Rosanna Mosely

Friday February 19

Clutch - photo courtesy of http://www.myspace.com/clutchband

Waiting in line to get into a concert and everyone was impatiently keen. You could hear the bands warming up through the walls, teasing us. It was Friday night, it was the Zoo, it was the Fumes and Clutch and it was looking to be a good night out. The Zoo always reliable had provided all the essentials; good set up, good crowd, great atmosphere and of course the bands.

The Fumes are an Aussie duo classed as a mix of alternative rock and blues. Having only heard a few of their songs I was impressed by how easily I was drawn in by the fast paced beat and fun character of theirs songs backed up by a strong rock sound. The riffs were sometimes smooth sometimes sharp but always interesting and always lively and met with some sweet drum work. They were thick and full with crunchy tones and nothing lacking.  I always love when a duo shows that two people is more than enough for a rock band, especially when they do it live.

The main event was Clutch: a well established American rock band that’s been touring Australia with their 9^th album ‘Strange Cousins from the West’. Since forming in 1990 the band has ventured through many music styles from metal and punk through to funk and most recently gaining some blues influence, all of which gave them a broad sound so that most music lovers could find something that appealed to them.

They started their set of with some smooth and funky blues before the singer got the crowd going with some hard rock like Mice and Men. They took us back to the basics of good honest rock with the riffs of 50 000 Unstoppable Watts. The vocals were raw and unpretentious which worked well with the hard-hitting lyrics and marching drum beat of Abraham Lincoln. Clutch pulled of some classic rock, bringing in some blues and metal to keep it interesting. Their music dominated the room and left no fan unsatisfied.

It did indeed turn out to be a good night.

The Festival runs at the Brisbane Powerhouse until Sunday March 21, 2010 and News Unlimited is excited to giveaway two double passes to Irish lad David O’Doherty’s ‘David O’Doh Party’ show on Tuesday March 16 at 7:30pm.

To go into the draw to win tell us the worst joke you’ve heard in the comments section below and we’ll announce the winners on March 11.

Good luck!

Wednesday Feb 17

Going into this gig I was sceptical to say the least. I am of the school of thought that any band who puts so much effort into developing their Youtube, Myspace and Facebook websites must inevitably lack substance and musicality. To be perfectly honest, Ok Go always seemed to be nothing more than a gimmick band cashing in on the internet social interaction craze. To say I was surprised is as much as an understatement as saying Chuck Norris’s acting is just ‘bad’.

These guys really now how to work a crowd, and they have the musical skills to boot. Their songs, albeit poppy and catchy, predictably containing that magical ‘hook’ that all DJ’s strive for, were driving and well thought-out; their live performance leaving a long, strong finish in the back-palate, like a fine wine.

The stage show was impressive and provided enough bells and whistles to astound even the strongest of critics. No literally, they played an entire song with bells – very cool.

My favourite of the on-stage gimmicks was the small cameras attached to the microphones of the three front men and a cymbal stand of the drummer to be projected on the large screen at the back of the stage throughout the set. Personally, I have never seen this done before and although a simple concept, I found it really effective.

Without even mentioning the laser pointers and the streamer confetti, this show certainly had enough to keep people interested. Bands that favour style over substance are frowned upon by this writer, but Ok Go showed that both were high on the agenda; most enjoyable. This is definitely one show to write home about.

Disclaimer: Obviously, I am kidding with respect to the Chuck Norris reference. He is a great actor and I pity the fools that dare say his name in vein.

Photo: “Press Passes”, Stephen Booth

If there is a music gig on, chances are Brisbane photographer Stephen Booth is in the crowd snapping the excitement and energy through his camera lens. Since the mid-90s, Stephen has taken more than 30,000 shots and during March the Brisbane Powerhouse will be showcasing 50 of his favourite photos in a unique exhibition called “Rock and Roll”.

The photos featured in this very special show range from intimate gigs in long lost venues, through to huge stadium extravaganzas – from a punk show in a car park to U2 in an enormodome. “Rock and Roll” will rekindle those musical memories we all have.

The exhibition will be at Brisbane Powerhouse from March 2 until April 5, 2010 from 9am – 5pm weekdays and 10am-4pm on weekends. Plus it is free entry!

Be sure to check it out.

For more information go to www.brisbanepowerhouse.org