Planet UnEarth

Hosted by Sean Pary and James Liotta, Planet UnEarth is a talk show like no other! Unleashing local talent onto national TV, this light comedy entertainment program gets up close and personal IN BED with their celebrity guests! Making the migration from Foxtel to Go! Planet UnEarth delivers comedy sketches, interviews, red carpet events and celebrity guests to TV screens across the country!

It's edgy, it's comical, it's youthful, it's a little bit inappropriate at times but Sean and James will get to the good stuff out and all the inside information that other talk shows neglect. They will dip into all facades of art, film, fashion, comedy and even food! Serving up a platter for you to indulge in!

For more info:
Like: https://www.facebook.com/PlanetunEarth/
Follow: http://twitter.com/PLANETunEARTH
Watch: http://youtube.com/user/PlanetunEarth
Check out: http://www.planetunearth.com.au/

December 2014 on Channel 9 GO! 

An Umbilical Experience

The Umbilical Brothers in KiDShoW (Not Suitable For Children)
The Playhouse Theatre Arts Centre
Melbourne $34-$39
www.comedyfestival.com.au
www.umbilicalbrothers.com.au 

 In their latest instalment You are taken on a joyous roller coaster ride of the minds of the Umbilical Brothers on a tangent you may not expect but will hilariously respect!!! The Playhouse is the perfect venue for the talented duo as they perform a kids show.. or is it? To a grownup audience.

 The show inclined from witnessing two average actors acting like idiots on stage to two extremely talented performing artists. They manipulate their body and voice to create the ultimate viewing experience which not all comedians have the capacity to do. You are willingly forced into following the theatrical style of non naturalism and you will LOVE it! Through the use of gesture and sound you are introduced to a character who does not exist physically but he is there. This was a seamless performance and you can see the performing relationship between Dave and Shane is so strong and that is what makes their work so tight and perfectly executed!

There is clear Brechtian influence in this production. Soundscapes, direct addressing to the audience and song are some of the theatrical conventions that The Umbilical Brothers adapt in their work and the audience is not bewildered either! Despite the title, this is not a traditional kids show, nothing like the Brady Bunch... we'll not really, you will have to see for yourself!

Get on board the Umbies crazy train because this ain't no typical stand up experience, it's a production of belly felt laughter, curiosity and amazement. Go and check them out, the shows are reasonably priced and you won't regret the spectacular experience... they even do signings and photos after the show to complete your Umbies Experience!

..That was so last year

It is now 2014! Wow 2013 went so fast! I feel like all I did was study and work but both have paid off and I managed to have loads of fun and gain many opportunities and experiences that I will always cherish through the coming years.   Here they are...

Highlights of 2013
Scoring a radio Interview with George Kapiniaris Listen here!
Meeting another inspiration- Jane Turner (Kath from Kath and Kim) and this time we were both out of costume!
Attending the King Kong Musical Red Carpet
Seeing the fantastic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Catching up with Sophie.. check out her blog!
5 Day holiday to Sydney organised the day before!
The Good the Bad and the Ethnic
Getting this blog up and running again!
Those spontaneous day trips that started at 12pm
My 21st Birthday Party
Those Gold Class Experiences
Completing my degree!

Fine dining

...and now let's go Back to the Future 2014!
Attain a job in the Media or film and television industry
Gold Coast in January!
Maybe Europe?!?
New media projects
Getting my bloody licence!

Beach days 

I'd like to thank my readers and friends who check out this blog, even just to stalk or insult. Your page click is worth so much!

 'It's going down.. TIMBER, you better move- you better dance!' -Pitbull

....yes I am going to quote Pitbull, Dal'e

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

They're a Weird Mob

Walter Chiari stars as Nino Culotta an Italian immigrant whom just arrived in Sydney, Australia expecting to commence work as a sportswriter for his cousin's magazine. With his cousin and sponsor out of sight, Nino is left to fend for himself in this new land and to look for work and a place to stay. Despite such an insecure start, Nino's optimism allows him to find accommodation temporarily in Kings Bloody Cross, attain a job as a builder's labourer, learn the Australian lingo and all within a few days of being in the country!

This film was one that perhaps gave the Australian Film Industry a second chance at surviving and it was fantastic! Hilarious to watch, great character development and great shooting locations such as Circular Quay, Manly, Bondi and on a Sydney Ferry. These all formed a wonderful movie that could promote the Australian landscape and our bizarre culture. Nothing was shot in a studio either thus real locations were used to enhance each scene.

This movie was based off the bestseller book, 'They're A Weird Mob' written by an author in disguise as Nino Culotta. Chiari is in almost every scene and his energy level and comic timing was seamless. I would watch this movie again, such great acting, scripting and editing. Try and find yourself a copy of this classic which revived the Australian Film Industry.

Interesting facts whilst viewing 'The story of the making of They're a Weird Mob' 

• Extras got paid $9.50 to lay on the sand, surf and enjoy the sun during filming beach scenes at Bondi and Manly.

•  Even the scenes in the water at Bondi Beach were shot... in the water! 

•  Film budget was $600,000 AU which can be argued as not a big budget film.

Prisoners

This movie may nearly be three hours long however it's storyline advances at a pace where you lose track of time and are heavily involved within this well executed thriller. Australian talent aka The Wolverine, Hugh Jackman plays the father who has one of his daughters abducted and he attempts to take the law into his own hands as he captures a suspect until he gets the answers he wants. 

Throughout the film you are constantly guessing who the true capturer is and toss between suspects in your mind after you see what nonhuman things they have done. Jake Gyllenhaal plays detective Loki and is assigned to this case and convincingly portrays  his role which contrasts smoothly alongside Jackman's hot headed and abruptive nature in this film. 

The timespan did delay my viewing thinking that it would drag out but thankfully I was wrong and would class Prisoners as one of my favourite thrillers. Go check it out!!!! 

The Hunger Games Catching Fire

Disclaimer:: So I haven't read the books, haven't even seen the first film.. in fact I never really have had any interest in this novel to movie series... so my perspective will not be as informative and critical to those fans or consumers of the Hunger Games franchise. I went to see this movie with a good friend- (because going to the movies alone is a tad weird!) and I am kinda glad I did!

Staring the amazing Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark,  Catching Fire is based on the recall of these two into the 75th Hunger Games. 

When watching the film, with no prior knowledge I was a bit ... ok quite a bit- confused as to what was happening. I was especially not with a full understanding of the film up until the presentation of The Hunger Games. I felt it dragged on way too much, too much talking and I even dosed off asleep for 10 minutes or so and I do not think that even impacted my understanding of the film. Despite that,the costuming was amazing, and special effects were pretty cool. The bond that grew between the main characters definitely allowed me to side with them and form an attachment with those whilst they fought in the Hunger Games. When the games started, I was interested in this movie and that was at least 1 hour into this film. If I didn't pay for the ticket I would of turned the DVD off but I am kind of glad that I didn't as the energy of the games itself, won back my interest into the film and I will definitely consider watching the first movie to better my understanding. 

Jennifer Lawrence is a fantastic actress, focused, and although expressionless in most of the film, you are able to develop a soft spot for her as her acting is immaculate. Nothing compared to Kristen Stewart's expressionless face!! Jennifer does so well! I can't wait to see her in 'Dumb and Dumber To', which is in production stage at the moment (expected Nov. 2014!)

I would give the movie a 3/5 It redeemed itself from the long and boring first hour and was enough to encourage me to see the first!

I would say, if you have not seen or read anything to watch the first film, first- (WHICH MAKES COMPLETE SENSE AND IT WILL MAKE THIS MOVIE MAKE COMPLETE SENSE, - I hope!) 

100 films I should have already seen..

I have a bit of time on my hands so I have decided that I need some good movies to watch!!! Where do I start? I need some ideas so I checked out this list found on TotalFilm of 'The 100 Greatest Movies' and decided to do a little coding to help me select the next film to watch. I also hope that my coding allows you to pick your next screening! BOLD AND BLUE and it is for YOU! 

Key:
BOLD - watch and didn't like it all too much
BOLD AND BLUE -WATCH THIS, I LIKE A LOT!!!
Pink - I want to watch 

Here is the list...

2001: A Space Odyssey 

Alien 

All About Eve 

Amadeus 

Amelie 

American Graffiti 

Annie Hall 

The Apartment 

Apocalypse Now 

Avatar 

Back To The Future 

Badlands 

Bambi

The Battle Of Algiers 

Belle De Jour

The Bicycle Thieves

The Big Lebowski

Black Narcissus

Blade Runner

Blue Velvet 

Bonnie And Clyde 

Boogie Nights 

Brazil

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari 

Casablanca 

Chinatown 

Cinema Paradiso

Citizen Kane 

City of God 

The Conversation 

The Dark Knight 

Das Boot 

The Deer Hunter 

Die Hard 

Dirty Harry 

Donnie Darko 

Don't Look Now 

Double Indemnity

Dr Strangelove 

ET: The Extra-Terrestrial 

The Exorcist 

Fargo 

Fight Club 

Finding Nemo

Gladiator 

Glengarry Glen Ross 

The Godfather 

Goldfinger 

Gone With The Wind 

Goodfellas 

Half Nelson 

Halloween 

Heat 

His Friday Girl 

It's A Wonderful Life 

Jaws 

King Kong 

L.A. Confidential 

Lawrence Of Arabia 

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy 

Manhattan 

Metropolis 

Millers Crossing 

Monty Python's Life Of Brian 

Nashville 

Network 

Night Of The Living Dead 

No Country For Old Men 

North By Northwest 

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest 

The Passion of Joan of Arc 

Persona 

The Philadelphia Story 

Psycho 

Pulp Fiction 

Raging Bull 

Raiders Of The Lost Ark 

Rear Window 

Reservoir Dogs 

The Seventh Seal 

Sideways 

Singin' In The Rain 

Some Like It Hot 

Star Wars Ep IV: A New Hope 

Star Wars Ep V: The Empire Strikes Back 

Sunset Boulevard 

The Sweet Smell of Success 

There Will Be Blood 

The Third Man 

This Is England 

This Is Spinal Tap 

Tokyo Story 

Touch Of Evil 

The Truman Show

Vertigo 

West Side Story 

When We Were Kings 

Withnail and I 

The Wrestler

If you have some movie recommendations or films you want me to review, like my facebook page and leave a comment! www.facebook.com/thesmallcombo

George Kapiniaris Interview

Check out my interview with Comedy, Stage and Television Screen legend

George Kapiniaris

Well known for playing Memo in Acropolis Now and his standup work these days George is currently in the Musical,  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and touring with The Good the Bad and the Ethnic! 

For more info about George check out his website georgekapiniaris.com
Or book tickets to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at: chittychitty.com.au (not JUST the perfect musical for kids!)

Ja'mie Private School Girl

Princess Pictures have yet again produced another series based around the Chris Lilley character, Ja’mie King. The third series is centred around Ja’mie’s final three months of year 12 at the private all girls school, Hillford High. The bitchiness, the stories, the language, the rules, the clichés all are present in this series and the mannerisms are so accurate that it’s scary. The series is highly relatable,moreso than Summer Heights High, due to the fact that I went to an all girls high school and the prestige, assemblys, grovelling and special hierarchy. All on a bigger scale but it was all there and precise. It made me reflect back three years ago to my final year of school and made me laugh so much. Especially when her Mum rocks up at the bustop at 3:07pm and Ja’mie says,

 “I told you 3:10 not 3 fucking 07!”

I remember Dad picking me up from friend’s houses and being a couple of minutes early and I would crack it because he was too early. I could also pick out characters and match them up which is quite sad but you could always pinpoint the popular from the quieter girls. This show is hilarious not only are we laughing at the show but we are laughing at ourselves. Great Stuff Lilley!

Comedy Series

Melbourne has decided to be more winterous this spring than normal, and so, to cope from the depressing news that Sydney is 26 degrees and Queensland is averaging around the 30s there is no better way to survive the dull weekdays and weekends then chucking in a DVD. 

It's been a 'Serie(ous)' few months and I thought that it would be appropriate to share with you some of my favourite light comedy series. From sketch shows to slapstick, from stupidity to parody. Here are some of my favourites that never get old! They may date but that makes it even more entertaining and reminiscent. It doesn't matter if episode 1 or episode 20 is played these shows will not get you lost on the plot and they are so easy to follow.

Kath and Kim

Acropolis Now

Some Mothers do 'Ave 'Em

The Brittas Empire

Seinfeld

Absolutely Fabulous

Kick

Fast Forward

Perfect Strangers

Big Girls Blouse

Summer Heights High

The Office (US)

Mr. Bean

The Hangover Part 3

My initial thought - another rubbish sequel because the first movie did so well.. so why not make 3! The trend of creating sequels and a whole franchise out of a film because the first one attained a decent box office audience really deterred me from making any effort to go out and see this movie. In fact the second Hangover movie to kick off the franchise was really terrible in my opinion and lacked any sort of substance or interest. I love comedies, grouse out comedies are okay too.. IF they have a decent storyline and plot! Thank God the 3rd instalment of The Hangover, restored my faith in America's ability to create at least a decent comedy with a meaningful action/ thriller plot. I have seen a lot better but I have surely seen a lot worse and too recently have I seen the latter. Yes there were times that were unnecessarily crued and relied on language to squeeze out a laugh but it was ok to sit through. I would not classified The Hangover Part 3 to be better than the first, however it was satisfactory enough to sit through maybe once more.

Comparing the first and third movies, the characters did grow and mature and acted wiser than I expected. I am glad that a new hangover did not allure them into the complication of this movie and that the writer's drew from the past to create a synopsis of the film but made it very new!

Bradley Cooper always pulls off a great performance and Zac Galifianakis is well...Zac Galifianakis. It's a comedy with a simple plot so I don't really want to give much away.. but I have a link to the trailer below if you are interested.

I recommend you watch this movie with no expectations and you might get more out of it than you initially thought! Will this be the final of the franchise? It does say 'the end' but we have to see!

2.9/5 stars. Not too bad!

Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)

'How can anything hurt when it makes you feel so good?'

- The young Annette Kellerman, Million Dollar Mermaid

Esther Williams

Million Dollar Mermaid (1952) tells the story of the controversial Australian swimmer, Annette Kellerman. Brought up by musical parents, Annette grew up with rickets. Each day she would teach herself to swim and eventually overcame her disorder contrary to what she was told by her doctor and others. She broke records in the water and was given the opportunity to go overseas to share her talent, despite her father' wishes that she maintains within a musical environment.

Fortunate enough, Annette swam the Thames River in London, creating a massive reception and of course making headlines. The movie frames Annette as a remarkable woman, whom created much controversy over her one piece bathing suit deemed as skimpy and inappropriate for a woman to wear in that time. However, steered towards her success more than rejection.

In 1908 Kellerman was arrested on Rivere Beach for baring her legs. These days It's hard for us to believe that she was accused of indecent exposure for wearing a one piece bathing suit and not a bikini! Regardless, she compromised and sowed stockings to her one piece so that it was accepted.

The Real Annette Kellerman

I quite  enjoyed this film, perhaps because I had to create a 7 minute drama solo on Annette Kellerman. The major differences from he screen versing reality were strikingly evident that in reality Annette was a busty, fuller figured woman who can be argued as much less attractive as her casted on screen representation played by Esther WIlliams.Also Sydney looks incredibly 'hollywoodize' in the film and the Australian accents not evident in the movie at all. The film is still reasonably censored by the Hays Code, which was still in effect during the production of this film in 1952.

Although the scenes where Annette is performing at the hippodrome may have been a bit far from mirroring the reality, Busby Berkeley does an outstanding job in the choreography and staging and you can see his musical influence in his work. He creates effects on stage rather than relying on the post production of the film, which creates more of a spectacular admiration of the performance.

Amazing staging by Berkeley

I think that I am more attached to this film than I would normally be to any other 1950s, drama-genred film. When I first watched Million Dollar Mermaid in 2010, my viewing was more for a 'confirmation of research' and I watched this film more intently than normal. I really do enjoy this film and if you get the chance or find a copy, I would highly recommend you give it a go! It is long but doesn't drag on as much as I found other 1950s and prior, films to traditionally do. It tells the story of Annette, does glorify it a bit but Esther Williams does a remarkable job and you will fall in love with her performance as much as I did.

Upper Middle Bogan

The latest ABC comedy series, Upper Middle Bogan, has become my latest fixture.. as of today!

Annie Maynard plays Bess, who finds it difficult to bond with her upper class mother; until she realises that she is not her real mother. This series is about an educated mother's connection with her biological family after finding out she was adopted. Her real family is a bunch of bogans and it was interesting to see another Kath and Kim formula hit the ABC. It was interesting to see Glenn Robbin's play Bess' real father. I have always loved the work of Glenn Robbins and although this wasn't a drastic character change from Kel, the glass eye and interest in racing was a little bit different from the man bags and purveying of fine meats. Michala Banas who is cast as Amber, takes on similar characteristics as Kim Craig, the separation from her husband, the hair and the attitude. I have just streamed two episodes online from iView at the moment, but I definitely will continue to view this show. It's a cross between Housos and Kath and Kim. The camera work is also shaky and fly-on-the-wall like the original Kath and Kim series (when it was with ABC) and it's similarities are enough to draw me into the show as a regular! The creators, Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope (The Librarians) have the essence of this show down pat! Well done!!

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/upper-middle-bogan/

The Complementary Cinema Indulgences

Here are some of my favourite movie complementaries! A good movie viewing experience has to incorporate at least one of these in my opinion. Put away the popcorn, upgrade to a warm and classier, almost/meal-like indulgence! This list is more tailored to a gold class or home cinema viewing experience, however, bonus points if you can sneak the hot food into a regular cinema without getting caught! Warning this post may tease an empty stomach!

MnMs

choc centred with a crispy colourful shell! A bag of these go down well.. just be careful not to leave them in your hand for too long... colourful hands!

Boysenberry Choc Top

I love ice cream! It would have to be one of my favourite sweets and I always look forward to my choc top  or drumstick when watching a movie. So yum!!!

Chips & Twisties

Try mixing them up in a bowl! I recommend plain chips and the traditional cheese flavoured Twisties! When I was little I used to always have a bowl of the two mixed up and it overrides popcorn ANYDAY!

Nachos

Feeling a little bit like a meal? Add some mince meat and have the altimate mexican nachos with melted cheese, glacamole, salsa (hot for the chilli lovers), sour cream and of course corn chips or Doritos!

Wedges

Wedges and sour cream are always nice, better than the hot chips and sauce experience.

Roasted Potatoes with Herbs

Roasted potato pieces with herbs are a classier version of the wedges and complimented by a nice glass of wine will make your home viewing a little more classy!

A Cocktail or glass of Wine

Drink time! Soft drink can leave you a bit gasy but you need a nice drink to sip along with your hot meal. Why not have a Cocktail or glass of wine! Just don't get too tipsy.. especially if you are watching a movie like Inception with tangents and story lines and worlds happening all at once, you don't want to be too intoxicated and add extra storylines and worlds to the movie! A glass of bubbly can always make a movie funnier than expected.

Bloglovin

I am currently experimenting with social blogging sites so give my blog some loving on BLOGLOVIN!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

My Top 10 Australian Movies

Australian films get a bad wrap, if it isn't the hatred of hearing our own voices, it's the comparing to Hollywood big budget films. I think it is very hard for the average Australian moviegoer, in a society surrounded by American film and TV content to embrace our own product. It is quite a shame really, yes, our film's can be quite morbid or tacky at times, but why can't we embrace that? An what really annoys me is that an Aussie film can gain some success.. only if an American is cast as a main actor, or half of the film is funded and produced with American assistance. Red Dog, The Great Gatsby, Australia, really? These films had a major American influence and to be honest, I really can't see how Red Dog is portrayed amongst the Australian public as a decent film. I will leave my rant for another time because I have a lot to say. 

Anyway....

Regardless of the film budget funding these films have helped shape Australia, creating jobs, shape the Australian identity in a world wide scale or are just so fun loving. The tacky to the attempted films of sophistication, these films all have a special form of art that makes them so iconic and memorable to be in my top 10!

10. Take Away (2003)

9. Tomorrow When the War Began (2010)

8. Crackers (1998)

7. Beautiful Kate (2009)

6. Cosi (1996)

5. Kath & Kimderella (2012)

4. Wolf Creek (2005)

3. Animal Kingdom (2010)

2. The Wog Boy (2000)

1. The Castle (1997)

Speed (1994)

I'm incredibly slow when it came to catching up on the 1994 classic and I still have not quite caught up to the sequel yet! However, I'm glad I did view this film as it was very different from my expectations. Assuming this film was going to be a lot like Jaws or Duel I was mistaken and THANK GOD! The acting is pretty good, the 90s is clearly reinforced and the concept is slightly different to your typical car chase film... in fact it's more of a thriller than an action. Thrillers have really grown on me and surprisingly so have hybrid action-thrillers! I love a good storyline or plot which is usually omitted from an action genred film. Unfortunately action films (especially these days) are loaded with special effects and shooting and neglect to show any intelligent scripting or interesting plot and I find nil interest in the genre whatsoever. When I have given the genre a chance I've just been disappointed. 

When viewing Speed I am glad that this film took a different path and encouraged a vested interest to be had. I must admit the first part of the film relating to the lift scenes did leave me a little hesitant as the gray and steel colour palette really doesn't sit with me well and led me to believe that this was a 'boring mundane stupid film'. I'm ever so glad those scenes just set up the storyline motivation and didn't reflect the entire movie.

I was humoured when words were uttered but lips weren't moving and some obvious continuity errors. I am not sure if I was over watching the film or they were just so obvious! Despite that I thoroughly enjoyed this film and am looking forward to viewing the sequel!  3/5 rating for me but worth the lengthy watch! 

Paranormal Activity 4

The fourth installment to the Paranormal Activity franchise was obviously ridiculously predictable, a very weak plot and left me disappointed. I am a bit of a horror and comedy fan and I did like the first 3 films for that reason that they left me feeling a little jumpy and laughing at the ridiculous shots and 'pool cleaner'. I watched this film by myself at home in contrast to the prior screenings where I was in a packed cinema and I thought this reception context would 'scarify' the film a bit more- I was mistaken.

The film follows a teenage girl's suspicion that her neighbour's kid is strange and has brought in a bad vibe into her family home. This time to capture the establishing shots of the living room, bedroom and kitchen, her boyfriend uses a recording program easy to set up on each device. The other films had me guessing a little bit more than this one trying to piece together the relationship to the demon a family member had however not in this film. The footage of the abducted boy was the first thing we as a viewer see on the screen and then it goes straight to the main plot where we instantly elate the boy to the missing child. I hope I haven't spoilt..what was only to spoil but it was an editing mistake and should of been shuffled at least a bit later into the film.

However, a major disappointment was when Hunter was reunited with the demon and a group of people suddenly appear and then CUT! Pitch black, The End. Despite my major disappointment I did get a few jumps in this film, yet it wasn't enough to resurrect my hope that the movie would pan out more interesting.

However, in saying this..somehow I am interested to see the 5th instalment of the film set to be in cinemas around October this year. Why??? I really don't know why! I might have got sucked into this franchise, you know it's bad but you still wanna see it.