Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra and James Hill - Live review

Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra and James Hill - Live review

To suggest they've been missed is to insinuate that the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra has been away for a long time.

Which, in truth, they have not.

But, you wouldn't know that from a packed Q Theatre in Auckland on a Saturday night and given the standing ovation they received at the end of the evening's show, they're certainly still loved. Immensely.

Though, I have to confess, I was worried for them as they took to the stage for the second half of this concert.

Let me explain why in two words - James Hill.

They've brought the Canadian ukulele player over to be part of their tour, with the affable mop topped bespectacled guy taking the first half of the show with cellist, Anne Janelle. And to say he will change the way you look at the ukulele is an understatement.

After a couple of numbers with the entire troop of the WIUO (including an opening number where the whole band ambled in in stages of their song, suggesting a warm family reunion or gathering of old friends) James and Anne took centre stage with an electrifying performance that mixed ingenuity with incredible cleverness and heart.

From a blistering cover version of Billie Jean to a Cole Porter-esque self-titled, "Lying in Wait", James dissected everything you know about the ukulele and showed simultaneously that genius can come easily to some. Throw in an improvised, electronica-style dubstep song, entitled "Number 8 Wire" where chopsticks were the driving force of the playing and quite simply, James redefined some of the way in which the ukulele is to be viewed. Beautifully supported by the haunting cello playing of Anne, the pair exuded an easy infectious charm which set the bar incredibly high for the second half.



And yet, there really was no need to worry about the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, who are already national treasures in our hearts. I've seen this rag-tag troop of 11 friends a fair few times now - from intimate settings to larger venues, they have an easy rapport which makes you feel you're jamming with friends and watching some mates sharing a few laughs and songs with a few beers.

There were certainly some laughs too - mainly at the expense of band member Andy, who'd chosen to wear a very short pair of cut off denim shorts on the day Auckland's Gay Pride returned. Though, Age Pryor, wearing a cape, and looking like the ukulele toting son of Evel Knievel, should probably count himself lucky to have escaped a gentle ribbing.

From the likes of Gene Pitney's The Boss' Daughter to Jessie J's Price Tag, and a blistering Brooke Fraser's Something in the Water, to Morecambe and Wise's mantra, Bring Me Sunshine, it was clear the WIUO has decided to pepper their set with a few new numbers while out on tour this time around. Maybe it's touring with James, but there's definitely a feeling the band's upped its game for this latest outing (and that's a great thing)- but not at the expense of the joyous fun element which has always been a major part of their shows.


Each song transformed into a raucous roof-raising singalong (no more than set closing fan favourite Africa and an encore version of Heartache, which brought in James and Anne along with balloons with lights in) which pushed the audience to heights of audio ecstasy and left them smiling stupidly. Easy charm, stage presence a-plenty and with a sense of musical mischief, the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra are on fire on this latest tour (which runs till mid March - full details on the WIUO site). Every single one of them brings something unique to the stage and every single note is pitch perfect choral harmony.

There's a line in Jessie J's song - "Just wanna make the word dance, don't care about the price tag" and I think that's becoming the WIUO's mantra in many ways. In truth, the show could have gone on longer than its 2 hour duration and we'd all have been happy. But, sadly, it had to end. They're here for a good time, we're all invited and we should be glad we can be part of such a blisteringly excellent show, which brings good vibes in abundance.

Brand new The Host trailer - and featurettes

Brand new The Host trailer - and featurettes

There's a brand new trailer for The Host and a few Host featurettes too.

A parasitic alien soul is injected into the body of Melanie Stryder. Instead of carrying out her race's mission of taking over the Earth, "Wanda" (as she comes to be called) forms a bond with her host and sets out to aid other free humans.

Starring Saoirse Ronan, Diane Kruger, William Hurt and directed by Andrew Niccol

Skyfall DVD and Blu Ray release details confirmed

Skyfall DVD and Blu Ray release details confirmed

Good news for fans of Daniel Craig as 007.

Details have been released of the upcoming DVD and Blu Ray release for Skyfall.


SKYFALL

The Highest-­‐Grossing Bond Film of All-­‐Time Comes Home

007’S Latest Mission Available to Own on Blu-­‐ray March 27th

Box-­‐office smash, SKYFALL, will be available to own in high-­‐definition Blu-­‐ray on March 27th.

Directed by Oscar® winner Sam Mendes and starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, SKYFALL’s high
definition home entertainment release follows the phenomenal theatrical success of  the 23rd installment
of the longest-­‐running franchise in film history.

Taking in more than $1 billion (USD),the British secret-­‐service agent dominated the worldwide box-­‐office and has become the highest grossing film ever in the United Kingdom, Bond’s home country.

Accolades continued with the recent announcement of eight BAFTA [British Academy of Film and Television Arts] nominations including Outstanding British Film; Supporting Actor, Javier Bardem; and Supporting Actress, Judi Dench. Adele’s “Skyfall” was recognized with a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award nomination for Original Song, one of the film’s five Oscar nominations.
The theatrical debut of Skyfall capped a year-long celebration of James Bond’s golden anniversary. Honouring 50 years since 007 first appeared on-screen, the global campaign was highlighted with the release of BOND 50, a collectable box-set featuring all 22 James Bond films on Blu-ray Disc for the first time in one complete offering. The box-set includes a placeholder for Skyfall so consumers can complete their 50th anniversary collection.
In Skyfall Bond’s loyalty to M (Judi Dench) is tested as her past returns to haunt her. With MI6 now compromised from both inside and out, M is left with one ally she can trust: Bond. 007 takes to the shadows – aided only by field agent, Eve (Naomie Harris) – following a trail to the mysterious Silva (Javier Bardem), whose lethal and hidden motives have yet to reveal themselves.
With the Blu-ray, go behind-the-scenes of Bond’s latest mission with more than three hours of in-depth special features. Shooting Bond brings adrenaline-hungry fans closer to the heart-stopping action and 007’s world of worthy villains, glamorous women, exotic locations and the coolest gadgets.

A Good Day to Die Hard: Movie Review

A Good Day to Die Hard: Movie Review

Cast: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch, Yuliya Snigir
Director: John Moore

Did you know it's nearly 25 years since Bruce Willis first went out as John McClane?

Bruce Willis and Jai Courtney star in A Good Day to Die Hard

In the fifth outing for the iconic cop, McClane's off to Russia to help his estranged son, Jack (Courtney) after he ends up on the wrong side of the law.

But, the son's not that keen on seeing the dad and when he winds up slap bang in the middle of a clash between the Russian underworld and the corrupt government, John McClane's got only one choice - to grab a gun and do what he does best.

Shoot people and save the day. And deliver some memorable quips and one-liners as he does so.

Except with A Good Day to Die Hard, that's really not on offer this time around.

In Die Hard 5, Bruce Willis looks unenthusiastic and even tired throughout the flick and the bond with the son (who I don't believe we've ever heard of before in the entire 4 other films) is strained at best. That's despite the best efforts of Spartacus star Jai Courtney, who in turns grimaces and looks angry as he tries to keep up with a) the betrayal plot and b) the enormous number of car chases throughout.

But, where is the fun in Die Hard 2013?

It's a faceless, dour and dare I say it, at times, dull and flat affair which transpires on the screen; formulaic and soulless, it's lacking any of the humour of the previous Die Hard movies. Even the bad guys this time around are from the rent a shop, Euro-baddies (where Taken 2 brought in most of their last outing as bad guys) - they're not memorable at all or even worthy of facing off against the pair.

Yuliya Snigir in Die Hard 5

Even shots of Yuliya Snigir flashing the flesh early on aren't enough to inject some life into this flagging, flaccid Die Hard movie. Director John Moore seems to jerk the camera around so much during the car chase sequences or in set up scenes that it loses focus right away - and with leaden dialogue not helping out either, A Good Day to Die Hard is nothing short of a letdown to fans of the John McClane franchise.

Which is a real shame because there are some moments when they've got this new Die Hard right. A sequence where the two McClanes drop through scaffolding like an old school cartoon and through windows to escape offers up something a little new to the action franchise - and even gives us a bit of sorely needed bonding and banter between the pair afterwards. Likewise, a scene where McClane Sr rues the times he's let down his son give the weary looking Willis an edge he needs and a humanity that in later life his character desperately needs.

Ultimately though, A Good Day to Die Hard is a succession of dumb action sequences (mostly involving cars and trucks before a ludicrous fiery finale in Chernobyl of all places) which hammers home what exactly is missing from the latest one - a sense of humour, some memorable moments and a real sense of triumph when McClane saves the day.

In fact, you could almost say that this is indeed A Good Day to put this to bed.

Rating:

Oblivion international trailer is here

Oblivion international trailer is here

Here's the new international trailer for new movie Oblivion, starring Tom Cruise.

Iron Patriot revealed

Iron Patriot revealed

This just in - the first look at The Iron Patriot in Iron Man 3.

Don Cheadle plays the role in the upcoming Iron Man 3 movie, starring Robert Downey Jr.

For now, though, feast your eyes on the first look at The Iron Patriot.

Monsters University trailer is here

Monsters University trailer is here

The return of Mike and Sully can't come soon enough for fans of Monsters Inc.

Which is why it's exciting to see the new trailer for Monsters University...

Monsters University hits the cinema in June this year.





Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right.