LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Owl City - All Things Bright and Beautiful Tour

OWL CITY

Literally a month after New Empire I was back at The Metro Theatre with my hands raised and voice warmed up for Mr. Adam Young – aka. OWL CITY!!! Here’s how the night went…

Breanne Duren

Breanne Duren started the night with her smooth, soft tunes to set the evening’s atmosphere. With nothing but her keyboard and her unique voice to get this show going, Breanne serenaded the audiences with her solo tunes. Encouraging us to dance for her final two songs and with voluntary ‘clap-alongs’ (as well as swaying from time to time!) for her earlier songs, it was soon established that this night was one where you would not stand still – and what kind of concert would that be!!!

I have tremendous respect for Breanne since she acted very professionally when a member of the audience was yelling out obscene things while she was performing. She kept a smile on her face and kept speaking to the rest of us, even if the person in question was yelling over the top of her. (Mental note to audiences: please DON’T come to a concert drunk. Others: Don’t laugh or give them death eyes if they do, it’ll only encourage them.) Otherwise, Breanne started the night brilliantly – I only hope I could’ve told her how much respect I had to her to her face. Nevertheless, I had a great time swaying, clapping and clicking with the crowd! (KUDOS to the young lady next to me who knew all the words to Breanne’s songs!)

New Empire

Do I really need to talk about this band?! Seeing as I reviewed their Sydney show a month ago, I’ll make it quick!

As always Jez, Pete, Kale, Kyle and Thom were a blast to sing and dance along with. New or old songs I was jumping and clapping. I surprised myself a little when I knew the words to some of the new songs - slips in the reminder: SYMMETRY release 16^th September 2011.

For more on this band see my last blog post: stricklyleisure.blogspot.com/2011/07/here-in-your-eyes.html

OWL CITY

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you’re in Sydney, Australia? The Opera House? Harbour Bridge? No. For Adam Young it’s, “P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney!!!” The crowd was up in a roar of laughter with Adam’s hello and his instrumental start. Entering to the sound of owl’s hooting (appropriate, right?) Owl City picked up where New Empire left off and expressed his delight of being with his Sydney fans on a beautiful Tuesday night.

Playing songs from Ocean Eyes and his current album, All Things Bright and Beautiful, the crowd was not short in knowing all the lyrics and joining Adam and the rest of the band in their dancing. Adam waved his hands about to keep us in time like a professional conductor as we happy sang along. Fans showed their appreciation as favourites like: Cave In, Hello Seattle, Meteor Shower, The Tip of the Iceberg, Vanilla Twilight, The Real World, Deer in the Headlights, Angels, Galaxies, Alligator Skies, The Yacht Club and more filled The Metro.

And what would a night be without their most popular song: FIREFLIES!!! Without a doubt, the beloved song was not short in voices as the entire first chorus was sung by the crowd. With a grin on their faces Owl City danced along with us. That’s what happens when we nocturnal few prefer “to stay awake when we’re sleep”.

The entire night Adam told us bits and pieces of his adventured here in Australia. From eating fish‘n’chips on the beach or shopping for Ugg Boots, his stories were never short of a chuckle or a cheer. One thing I loved the most was Adam’s some-what interpretive dance, whether it was with his guitar or just in general – it as infectious (and painful for me the next morning! Worth it!)!!!

I was absolutely glad when I heard my two personal favourites: Meteor Shower and Galaxies. These songs are such powerful songs about the incredible love and grace of God. Simple in their lyrics and absolutely dynamic in their musicality, I was put into a flash back to Easter Fest with Hawk Nelson. Jason said, “We have the best job in the world. Touring and making music are not just routines – it’s our ministry.” Such powerful words of truth! And I’m glad they’re not the only ones who see their passion for music as a ministry.

Overall…

BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT NIGHT!!! I seriously have never danced and cheered so hard in my life (sorry New Empire!)! I was so glad to have shared it with a close friend and I’m glad she had a great night out. Happy engagement Miss Lord!!! (Yes her last name is ‘L.o.r.d.’)

sL Star Rating: 5 Stars!

Next: SYMMETRY

FILM: Green Lantern

Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) was your typical daredevil pilot who loves a challenge. The only thing is, the challenge is sometimes facing his fear of being close to people. Scared by his emotional past, Hal has not been able to commit to anything. While he deals with his own problems on earth, the fate of the universe is in peril as a new threat has been released from its bondage.

Abin Sur (Temuera Morrison), leader of the Green Lanterns (the intergalactic space rangers who keep the peace), has been hit by Parallax (voiced by Clancy Brown) and must now flee to find a suitable replacement – which brings us back to earth.

The prerequisite to be chosen as a Green Lantern is to be fearless. When fear is a noun rather than a verb and is about to destroy your home planet, quitting is not an option. With his ring on his finger and his greatest power – will – at hand (pun not intended), Hal comes face to face with Fear and it’s a fight to the death.

The Story

Much like Thor I’m not big expert on the comic book story, so I have to take what I’ve been given. The whole idea of personifying (or should I say ‘alienifying’) fear is a little cliché. Removing the great names of ‘Green Lantern’ and ‘Parallax’, this is a story about facing your fears.

The storyline was sweet and simple wrapped in some warped science-fiction theme with cool masks and super-suits. But let’s face it. You can’t really have enough ‘face your fears’ movies can you?

The Cast

I’ll be honest, at first I wasn’t so sure if Ryan Reynolds was a great option for a super-hero film. Coming from his Wade Wilson/ Deadpool character from X-Men Origins: Wolverine role where he was comical, I just did not think his comedic charm was appropriate for a super hero film. And you know what? I think I’m right. Agree or disagree with me, you know that the comedic lines in this film were going to be 100% delivered perfectly by the comedy star. Don’t get me wrong! I’m not bagging Reynolds out! It’s just usually the comic relief comes from the supporting actors not the protagonist in super hero films – so I think it’s a fresh take on the whole genre. Correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t super heroes usually disturbed (Batman) or somehow depressed (Superman) – Green Lantern (according to cartoons) is the same. I suppose it’s a nice change to have a super hero who can nail the punch line once in a while.

Blake Lively in her brunette appearance delivered a very good portrayal of Carol Ferris, Hal’s childhood friend and love interest. Strong, smart and dangerous in flight, Lively lives up to her name and brought her character to life in order to resonate with many women today. Carol is the epitome of a woman who can hold a career and yet still want a solid relationship with someone. But as the storyline would have it, Hal’s not the ‘commitment type’. Nevertheless, she was amazing – Carol is definitely far from her Gossip Girl or Sisterhood roles. This is definitely a more serious role for Blake.

Peter Sarsgaard who plays Parallax’s protégé on earth, Hector Hammond, was a great super villain! He totally freaked me out and amazed me when fear consumed his entire being. I love how he fits in the political scene along with the climax of the film and even the romance dynamic of the plot. I think he’s one of the best super villains that I actually believe in. There’s a sense of humanity in him, unlike the Joker or Magneto (in the first few X-men films). I think it’s because he fit so well into the entirety of the film that he’s believable.

Mark Strong, aka. Sinestro was a great contrast to Reynolds’ comic presence. It would make sense considering he’s the predecessor of the Green Lantern company. He balanced out all the funny tones that Reynolds’ character had and made Hal a little more believable in terms of the film’s focus on his humanity. (Kudos to the writers in that regard.)

The Graphics

100% brilliant! All the cool will-made weapons were so well thought through and coincided with the personalities of each Green Lantern. I thought that was cool. I love that you knew that theses abilities weren’t real. Because their weapons were made from their imagination, the graphics were a little easier to marvel at (or laugh at).

The green screen scenes are hardly worth talking about really – I mean it’s a super hero movie. Majority of super hero films are all strings and green screen anyway! I supposed all I can say is: you turn a blind eye to the unrealistic because you knowingly submit yourself to the fictitious images on the screen.

Overall…

It a typical super hero movie – nothing new besides the inversion of who brings the comic relief. The storyline wasn’t anything new – just engulfed in a different hero. Graphics were cool, better than Thor. That’s about it.

sL Star Rating: 3.5 Stars – it just didn’t surprise me.

Next: OWL CITY!!!