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!!!

BLOG: NEW SITE!!! (Not really...)

Hey All!

Important admin news, stricklyLeisure will now be adding TUMBLR to the social networking family! Blogger.com has been so good to me these last SEVENTEEN months, but due personal preferences, I have felt the need to add to my writing. This site will still be open for my formal reviews so...I'm not disappearing!!! I'm still going to be here for all those who are worried I'm going to abandon them :D

This will be where I post all my reviews and give my star ratings. TUMBLR will be the more personal side of things - photos with friends, personal thoughts on movie trailers, funny back stories to events, etc. - so please don't be too shocked! I've just missed TUMBLR that's all :D

I hope you're all having a swell time doing what you do and I hope to be around more in the next coming years!

God bless and lots of love,'

sL

PS. OWL CITY and GREEN LANTERN next!!!

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: New Empire - Here In Your Eyes Tour

As you know, I always start with a little story before we actually go into my actually review – this review is not different. After getting into the city FOUR hours EARLY, my dear friend (Alyssa), sister (Andrea) and I decide to line up for NEW EMPIRE’s Here In Your Eyes Sydney Show at The Metro Theatre. We got a little confused about which end was the entrance, but eventually we made friends with a few girls who knew where to enter. Which is great too – considering Jeremy, Kyle and Kale walked out the doors at about 6pm-ish and about 20 minutes later Pete opened the door (was a little amused at the fans already at the door) and waved and wisely closed the door back again.

Overall, the night was a blast and I was so stocked to be able to be reviewing such a great show!

I Am Apollo

You cannot have a show without supporting bands! BIG, BIG, BIG KUDOS to the opening band, I Am Apollo, for starting the night with an amazing line up of hands-in-the-air-and-sway-them tune that automatically made you want to raise your voice for more and dance – even if you only had about 15 centimetres around you to move!

I Am Apollo’s performance made me want to pop, sway and slow-dance the night away. Their talents must be commended and supported – so much so, I bought their music on iTunes while I was writing this review! The band of 5 began the night with an energy that could only be lifted by the time New Empire hit the stage

Check out their music on: www.iamapollo.com

Sons Of Mercury

This band had high-energy from the moment they were setting up the stage! Happy to pose for pictures for and with fans, Sons Of Mercury, followed with a blast of electrifying sounds. Lead singer, Matt, was a great front-man as he encouraged the audience to dance with him and raise their hands in the air and jump to match the beat of the song.

Whether they were dancing or rocking out, Sons of Mercury did not fail to deliver in their highly energetic performance. Well done boys!

Check out their music on: www.myspace.com/sonsofmercury

New Empire

No doubt by the time 9:30pm rolled in you could tell that the crowd was pumped to have New Empire in front of them. But in tradition, delaying the stage time meant teaching their fans the value of patience. But it was worth the wait as New Empire started the night with Here In Your Eyes – appropriate considering that’s the name of their tour!

With a new album coming out soon, I loved the fact they played both NEW and OLD songs. As soon as I heard If He Hurst You (a personal anthem that means a lot!) I couldn’t help but sing at the top of my lungs! But as other crowd favourites such as: Hero (Andrea’s anthem!), Take Me Back, and of course their new single, Give Me The World filled The Lair everyone had their own way of showing their excitement in hearing their favourites. Whether it was head-banging, raising their hands to clap along, jumping up and down or just singing along – the crowd was happy to show their appreciation.

I love the fact they played upcoming songs – I will NOT attempt to name them because frankly in the mix of screaming fans and loud music I couldn’t really hear the names of the new songs (not to mention not knowing them from their melodies because, obviously, I hadn’t heard them before! :P) But I loved them all, ESPECIALLY the encore of the night: One Heart, Million Voices. After hearing that song I was like, “This next album is going to be E.P.I.C!!!”

From start to finish Jeremy, Pete, Kale, Kyle and Thom were amazing – I loved the transitions between songs and even instruments!!! At one stage Jeremy was at the keyboard with the guitar on his shoulders – skill times one hundred! I was amused by bass player, Kyle’s return to the cello by taking out his bow and shooting musical arrows to the crowd! They were all brilliant in their own way!

The Lair was a great place to hold the show – I was so happy to get hi-5s from both Pete and Jeremy when they were reaching out to the crowd. All 5 men are absolutely top-notch performers and they deserve all the “Wooohooos!” and “Yeahs!” they got on Saturday night.

It was great to have a chat to the boys after the show as well, fun fact – Thom knows McFly (that made my sister’s day I tell you)! 

If you have not heard anything by them checkout: www.myspace.com/newempiresound

sL Star Rating: 5 Stars

NB: This is the last review for a few months - I'll notify you guys via Facebook, Twitter or this blog if I'm back online. I'll try not to be a stranger :D

INTERVIEW: Meet MOLOTOV JUKEBOX, along with fans - Claire and Eleanor

With the hype of the new and FINAL Harry Potter film gracing our screens this week, I thought it'd be nice to see what some of the stars are doing outside of the cinema hit. Natalia Tena (aka. Tonks) has had her band for a while and a few Harry Potter fans are crying out to hear them in their respective countries. So it's time to meet: Eleanor and Claire.

Get to know these lovely girls as well as Molotov Jukebox...

First of all, let’s introduce you guys to my readers. Tell us THREE interesting things about yourselves.

Claire: 1- As well as a massive Potterhead, I am also quite the Whovian (Doctor Who Fan.) My favourite Doctor Who character is River Song. 2- I like to cook too, especially desserts and sweet stuff. And I decorate cakes. 3- I have a huge phobia of onions, which leads back into my early years.

Eleanor: Well, my name is Eleanor and I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I have a highly irrational fear of the Velociraptors in Jurassic Park and I love watching musical theatre.

Obviously you guys are big fans of Harry Potter Series (the books and the films) – but what is it about the series that you guys love so much?

Claire: I find that I can escape from the world into what JK Rowling has created. The series is so different to many books these days (cough-Twilight-cough) which don’t address world issues. Like, with the Wizarding Wars, there was the issue of genocide (Muggle borns/muggles/blood traitors against the blood purists), as well as some issues as they grew. I believe this is what has made the series special.

Eleanor: Harry Potter is a lot more than a story; it's about real struggles that real people deal with. The characters fight a war against hate and discrimination, which is something we are constantly battling in our world. They fight for love, something you can never fight for enough. The characters are also incredibly easy to relate to and real.

If there was one person from the cast you guys could spend a whole day with, it would definitely be Natalia Tena. Tell us a little bit of your appreciation for her – what is it about her that you love the most?

Claire: Well, Eleanor has had the pleasure of meeting her, and I unfortunately haven’t. But it is on my bucket list to meet her!

I find that Nat is very independent. She wears all these weird and wacky outfits, colours her hair, acts crazy. I admire people who don’t want to fit in, much like myself. Also, she is fairly musical as well, much like myself.

Eleanor: Well first off, she's insanely talented. Her Harry Potter character is Tonks, and she's been my favourite character for almost 10 years, and I've always loved her portrayal of her. She has an amazing voice and I honestly could listen to her sing all day. I love how real she is, she isn't a diva and she doesn't place herself on a pedestal. She's so humble and easy going, it's incredibly easy to love her.

The reason for this interview is to get Molotov Jukebox to be a household name. So tell us a bit about them. Who’s in the band and what do they play? Do you prefer one particular member of the band or is it pretty even?

Claire: They are a six piece band, with vocals, accordion, violin, drums, acoustic guitar, bass and trumpet. They don’t have a precise genre, however, on iTunes they are classified as Alternative. The members are Natalia Tena, who sings lead vocals and plays the accordion, Sam Apley, who does vocals too as well as play the violin, Adam Burke plays the acoustic guitar, Tom Wilson plays the bass, Angus Moncrieff plays the trumpet and Max Burnett-Wain plays the drums.

I like them all, but we talk to Tom quite often on Twitter, as he sometimes manages their account.

Eleanor: At the moment, I have the new edition of the song Double Dare on repeat, so I'm in love with Angus and his trumpet. But they really are all insanely talented.

By now you have favourites to recommend to others, what are TWO song’s you would recommend buying on iTunes?

Claire: My favourites currently, both from the new single, are Voodoo and Soldieress’s Lament. Both are very catchy and I recommend them.

Eleanor: Well of course you should buy their recently released EP Double Dare and also their single Laid to Rest. But my current favourites are Double Dare, off their new EP and Before I go.

Give us FIVE reasons why we have to listen to them.

Claire:

1- Different musical style to the modern style hitting the charts currently (no synthesisers)

2- You will LOVE them if you have a very broad taste of music.

3- The lyrics have a sense of realness to them; Trying is one of my favourites because it relates to me.

4- Very catchy rhythms and beats will get you up and dancing in no time!

5- Nat’s singing is beautiful!

Eleanor:

1-Each song is different; they don't repeat the same thing.

2-They don't sound like anything else on the radio.

3-They've invented their own genre called GypStep (Gypsy & Dubstep).

4-They care about their music and their fans.

5-They make you want to dance crazy and touch people inappropriately.

If Molotov Jukebox could come to Australia, where would they play and why?

Claire: I would love it if they came to play in my city, Adelaide, because nothing happens here! Plus, it is so expensive to fly and stay around Australia, because everything isn’t close together like in other countries. I would've loved to have gone to one of the Harry Potter conventions in Melbourne or Sydney in March, but due to the geographical issues of Australia, it is a bit of a pain in the bottom.

Eleanor: Sydney and Melbourne of course, as well as hopefully several other cities in New South Wales. Australia is big, but it would be ideal if they went to Western and South Australia too.

How much would it mean to you if they came and played a gig here in Australia?

Claire: It would be brilliant. Ever since their trip to Brazil, we have been asking for a trip here. (Other countries also followed us) Plus they have been to European countries too, recently Italy, so why should Australia miss out on the fun?!

Eleanor: So much! I've already had the immense pleasure of meeting Natalia, but to spend time with them all would be phenomenal. They are the first band that I've ever really connected with and developed a big love for, so it would be amazing to see them live.

How can people contact you if they want to sign the petition you’ve been sending around? Or get in contact with you if they knew a place you could have them play at?

Claire: The petition link is : http://www.gopetition.com/petition/41617.html - Our contact details are within the description as well.

Eleanor: They can contact me at my twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/eleanorclark) or tumblr (http://wotcher-remus.tumblr.com/). I also run the Molotov Jukebox fansite (http://fuckyeahmolotovjukebox.tumblr.com/). Claire runs a Natalia Tena fansite too (http://fyeahnataliatena.tumblr.com/). We help each other out with those.

Are you guys going to gear up for the premier of the FINAL Harry Potter movie?

Claire: If it was in my city, I would, however I will be attending a fundraiser one the day after release on the 14th. And I’m going as a Quidditch player for my house, Slytherin!

Eleanor: YES! I have my complete Ravenclaw uniform ready to go!

Coming up on sL: NEW EMPIRE LIVE in Sydney

FILM: To Save A Life

Jake was your typical jock - captain of the basketball team, cheerleader girlfriend, king of the parties - but as a series of events lead to his childhood best-friend taking his own life, Jake begins to question the worth of living. Driven to find the answers, Jake meets Chris, a youth pastor in the local area who seems to have promising answers.

But as one world begins to take shape, the other begins to crumble. Just as his new way of life seems to be working out, his past begins to catchup with him. Suddenly, Jake finds himself in a place where he does not know whether his new life is worth the cost of his past - maybe the answers he was looking for aren't worth finding.

The Story

This movie is a sea of themes that teenagers go through in the world today - drugs and alcohol, teen-pregnancy, popularity and belief. Many people today would not admit that through their teen years they struggled with the concept of God and the after life, this film delves into the search for meaning and the frailty of life. Engulfing issues in a delicate, yet powerful way, audiences are taken on a journey where you're faced to make your own calls as Jake makes his.

There are times where you scream at the characters and cry with them. This is a powerful testimony to what it means to live life to the full and why Christians believe what we believe. This film grasps the reality of the church we have today - that not everyone who goes are perfect and believers of the faith. It deals with the realities that contemporary churches need to acknowledge, no matter the size of the church.

Overall thoughts...

The reason I'm not going to talk about the cast or anything is because everything was top-notch and that the message of this film is clear. To Save A Life you must first know what to live for.

sL Star Rating: 5 Stars

Next on sL: Meet MOLOTOV-JUKEBOX fans: Claire and Eleanor!

BLOG: Apologies!!!

Hey guys!

Sorry for not being active - it has just been a bit hectic in my personal life and I haven't been able to go out and watch anything! Good news is I do have tickets to the up coming NEW EMPIRE!!! concert here in Sydney at The Metro Theatre. And I can't wait!!! I've also been trying to finish reading David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas and I'm almost done, but I just can't find the time to just sit and read!

I really am sorry. To make it up to you I will share the new video launch of New Empire's new song - Give Me The World.

God bless you all,

stricklyLeisure