Casino Royale

I saw Casino Royale yesterday, and I can say it was easily the best Bond Film I've seen (to be fair, I haven't seen all of the old ones). I would best describe this film as a big "reset" button on the whole Bond franchise - wiping the slate clean and allowing Bond to be reconstructed and taken in a totally new direction.

As I'm sure many people have read in the reviews, there are no fancy gadgets, fewer cheesy throwaway lines and Bond is a much more vulnerable character. In fact, there is a new maturity to this movie, where the dialogue is much more believable and engaging. Also, the film reduces the amount of product placement, although its still quite obvious.

The car chase scene lasts for all of about 30 seconds before the more horrific and gruesome part of the movie - the new Aston Martin being totalled a spectacular but heart-rendering crash.

Much of the movie is based around a high-stakes game of poker, which was done relatively well, although they could have done more to ramp up the tensions. Having said that, this may have sacrificed some of the natural style of the film. Perhaps the biggest disappointment for me was Eva Green. I found her acting very wooden and her faux-aristocratic accent was quite contrived. And once the luvvey-duvvey stuff starts dragging on, i found myself disengaging and simply waiting for the inevitable twist.

Musically, it was interesting that there was very little use of traditional Bond theme, until the very end - where Bond is forged into the cold killer we know him as.

All in all, a corker of a film: 006/007

Keep an eye out for Richard Branson's cameo, as a passenger being frisked at the airport
Quote of the movie:
Bond: "Get me a Vodka Martini"
Barman: "Shaken or Stirred, sir?"
Bond: "Does it look like I give a damn!?"

Trial-by-Media

This morning, Ms. Hage-Ali, the Young Australian of the Year and member of Howard's "Muslim Reference Group" was intervied by Virginia Trioli on 702. She had recently been taken in for questioning by Police in regards to a cocaine racket, but released without charge. The Telegraph jumped all over this, running full page pictures and headlines, painting her as some sort of Drug kingpin. Only the fine print stated that she had been released without charge.

In todays interview, Hage-Ali strugged (and often failed) to hold back tears, as she was unable to defend herself. Apparently, she has been advised that any comments she makes may place her in contempt of court. Her frustration at the situation was very clear, and I felt very, very sorry for her.

Maybe its an elaborate act, but I doubt very much the emotion in her voice was enacted. What are today's headlines about that interview? Todays SMH: Hage-Ali silent on Drugs claims. Its bad enough that the media is jumping all over this, looking for a Muslim to string up, but that Morris Iemma suggested that her government job was in jeopardy, was inexcusable for a supposed statesman. This reflects, I believe, the sordid trial-by-media and political over-reactions being fostered by the Liberal Right in NSW, and Iemma, unfortunately, is playing their game.

In an unrelated piece of information I learnt today - Janet Albrechtsen is the only woman on the ABC board. Janet Albrechtsen!?! As far as I'm concerned, she makes Howard look like Gandhi! She's one of those crazy right-wing women (the other notable one being Miranda Devine) who have begun polluting the Australian Media with their vitriolic conservatism. Somehow, her presense taints the ABC in my mind.

But it IS art!!!

Hallelujah

I have discovered what I now consider to be one of the most awesome songs ever (big call, I know). Originally written by Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley has masterful reworked the song, in an almost unique situation where the cover version seems to have more passion, depth and meaning than the original.
See the live performance by Jeff Buckley on youTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=N05xfF6MxIM

Rudd on Radio / Media news

Well, I heard Rudd on the Radio this afternoon, and he sounded quite good. Now that Beazly has been cleanly deposed, I guess i'll have to put my misgivings about his loss to one side. Rudd seems to be able to bridge the Unionist, "Aspirational" and Intellecutal support base that Labor needs for success. Already, the similarities (in appearance) between him and Howard are being emphasised - I just hope he can sufficiently differentiate himself to gain the votes. Also, Garrett has been put on the front bench where I hoped he would - in the Environment portfolio. The Power and the Passion is now where it needs to be. Looking forward to next parliamentary year - should be thrilling.

As an aside, the ABC has lost one of its shining stars - Maxine McKewn - from the 7.30 Report and Lateline. She was a very effective interviewer who did not require the confrontational approach of O'Brien or the abrasiveness of Jones to keep her interviewee's on the straight an narrow. She will be sorely missed, and I'm beginning to worry about where the next generation of ABC journalists will come from.

As a further aside, Triple M are widely rumoured to be dropping "The Cage" from the morning Breakfast slot in Sydney (it will still be the morning show in Melbourne). Now, I'm a self-professed fan of the Cage, particularly with Peter Berner. I will sorely miss them. Marty and Fifi will be moved from Melbourne/Sydney afternoons to Sydney Breakfast radio. Ok, whilst I wouldn't change the channel when the come on, they done have the same sparkle that the Cage does. They tend to get bogged down in silliness and absurdities, unlike the sharper wit of Peter and Parko. I hate changes on radio - i like things they way they are. On the up-side, it looks like Will Anderson will grab the Triple M Afternoon slot. Hrmm... sold out, perhaps - he should go to 702 like the rest of the Triple J crew do as they age!

Avoca Holiday

Got back today from the most awesome holiday ever - beach house right on Avoca Beach. It was so good to meet up with friends - who I certainly haven't spent enough time with. Weather was good (not too hot) and we made pretty good use of the beach. The pooled cooking resources meant we ate like kings every day with each person taking a turn to create their own delicacy.

For me, pschologically and emotionally, this holiday has made me feel alive once more.

To all of the people who where there, thank you so much for everything. I love you guys!

Beazley and Rudd

So, its on for young and old. Rudd and Gillard have teamed up to try and capitalise on the internal schisms of the Labor party and gain the leadership. This is the last thing the party needs and will set them back several months.

On one hand, its true that Beazley has been unable to capitalise on what should have been a terrible few months for the Government. I believe Beazley is a really decent bloke, and an effective campaigner. However, his leadership is seen as "recycled" from two losses, and to be honest, the electorate as simply switched off.

On the other hand, Rudd is a relatively unknown quantity. He is a self-made man, having rising from real poverty (but unlike Latham, does not wear it on his sleeve). He is an intellectual and argues very cogently and effectively. These qualities, however, may be a turn-off in mainstream Australia. He probably only appeals (at a personality level) to devoted Liberal voters. A fresh face may pique the interest of the Australian public, and this may result in gains for Labor. Yet, the lack of experience may be a significant problem for Rudd.

I think one thing that many Labor dissenters are missing, is that whilst the Australian public is currently switched off to Beazley (due, in part, to his familiarity), they may think differently when actually placing their vote. Time and again, the Australian electorate has shown its preference for experience - whilst Rudd may be initially successful, like Mark Latham, he may fall flat at the actual ballot box. I think its possible that Beazley's current low impact may actually aid him closer to the election. Rather than trying to suss-out what the alternative is like, voters may focus rather on policy and substance, which could be a winner for the Labor party.

As such, I am hoping that Beazley win's tommorrows Caucus ballot. Unfortunately, many commentators suggest that unless Beazley wins by a large, convincing margin, the destabilisation will continue. And, many sources claiming inside knowledge, are suggesting the Rudd has the numbers to get across.

If Beazley wins, the first thing he should do (which he should have done on the first day when he returned as Opposition leader) is to reshuffle the front bench. Garrett needs to be brought in - some have suggested as Arts and Reconcilliation, but I would suggest that he would have a much greater impact in the Environment portfolio. They need to drop the deadwood, and ensure people are in positions that best match their skills and pbulic appeal. And finally, sort out the mess of portfolio (which range from the very specific to the extremely broad) - and match them 1:1 with Howard ministers.

Howard is the strength of the Liberal party - without him, they are nothing. Apart from Costello, Abbott and Hockey, the rest of the front bench are very weak - particularly Downer and Vaile. If the ministers can be destroyed in the public eye, this will help weaken the Lib's stranglehold on power.

Bat out of Hell III

This is not a bad album, but I question its worthiness of a "Bat out of Hell" title.

Firstly, the good: An excellent rendition of "Its all coming back to me now" - which is performed very powerfully. The Steinman songs on Bat III are not too bad either, with Meat Loaf finally doing "Bad for Good" - originally written for him in 1981. Brian May from Queen provides the guitar genius behind this one. "Seize the Night" is an unmistakeable Steinman set piece - and Meat does it justice. This song dramatically weaves in various themes from other Bat Albums, and is a very worthy 9:46 .

Unfortunately, most of the non-Steinman tracks are disappointing, starting with the title track: "The Monster is Loose". This song is heavy on guitar but light on soul and depth - it lacks the narrative and melodrama that we have come to expect. Other songs written by Motley Crue's Nikki Stixx, are also lightweight. Although a Steinman song, written for the Batman Musical, I found "In the land of the Pigs, the Butcher is King" to be particularly uninspiring, both lyrically and melodically.

So all in all, I'm a little disappointed with the Album - I think Bat out of Hell albums really should be purely Steinman's work. The sanctity of the holy Meat-Steinman pair should not be tainted.

See the Wikipedia Article here: http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_out_of_Hell_III:_The_Monster_Is_Loose