All Killers, no Fillers.. All these things that I have done

Im beaming. Absolutely, fantabulously beaming. I just went to one of the best Concerts Ive ever gone to. But Im in a spot of bother, however. Like, how do I pull off writing about it and relating to people how truly great this concert was? Its a problem. I say that categorically because I will have a hard time overcoming one simple and unavoidable truism: concerts are never as important to the other people not going as they are to people who are going. The only exception: if those people not going... are envious because they wish they were. Its the only exception, the envy. If there is no jealously, its just human nature to fall in the other category and not really give a shit. Much like anything out there that is born out of individual tastes and opinions, concerts are deeply personal experiences that can only be shared effectively with others that own those same passions. Its not universal, not by any means, so anyone else that cannot identify with that kind of zeal, that kind of enthusiasm, simply just wont care as much, and eventually tune out. Maybe even get annoyed because its a waste of his or her time. Unless you are that one impossibly perfect person in the world that likes all music equally fervently, you are going to tune out. I admit it as well, I do it all the time. The first time it happened too me, a friend of mine, when I was in grade 12, was going to the U2 Achtung Baby Concert in Vancouver. He was unbelievably pumped for it, as you do, and talked endlessly non-stop leading up to and immediately proceeding the eventful concert. The problem? He was talking to me as if I felt the same way as him, when in actually I didnt really care. At the time I hadnt been to a concert yet, I was green and didnt understand how much impact a concert like that could have on a person. Moreover, I was more into Kid n Play and Boyz II Men. So sue me. I preferred Rap and R&B to U2. I was only 17 and knew dick all about shit. I wish I could take it all back because I absolutely adore U2 now, after I finally matured somewhat, but to my friend, that concert, at that time, was way more important to him than it was to me, and there was no way he would of been able to talk me up, change my mind and make me feel like he did. Only gorgeous girls have those powers. Funny enough, the not caring about a concert story happened again as recently as two days ago as well. Some of the older guys at work were scrambling to get rare tickets to Tina Turners show in Dublin next month. I thought they were nuts.

So How do you defend against that? How do you relate effectively and get the true guts of your point across? The only way I know is by being an unbelievably gifted storyteller and writer, become infectious with undeniable charisma; basically become Barack, that which I sorely am not. Not even if I possessed magically fairy dust to help my feeble skills. But I do suppose, Ill have to blindly and hopelessly give it a lash anyways. Its why Im full of trepidation writing this post; going into it, I just know there will be some profound ambivalence. But then again, haha, to be realistic this reaction of blank emotion is probably not new to any of the handful of people that still read this blog.

That concert was the Killers last night in Belfast. The Killers hold an important and soft spot in my heart, especially relating to my Irish side. When I first moved here in 2004, the fresh, new UK music scene I was exposed to was Snow Patrol, Franz Ferdinand and the Killers. The Killers were the only American band of the 3, but I didnt know that, they had a distinct UK music scene sound, and therefore were much more popular in the UK before anyone even heard of them in the States. If it weren't for the UK, I really think there would not be a Killers band right now. Hot Fuss was the album to have in the Summer of 2004. And the back to back line up of tracks 2 3 4 and 5, I contend, are the best 2 through 5 of any album out there, ever. (I didnt do much research into this one, but it feels right anyways) Mr. Brightside, Smile Like You Mean It, Somebody Told Me, and then finally anchored by All These Things That I Have Done. And All These Things is quite possibly my favorite song this decade.

Much like any classics, these songs are as good now as they were four years ago. They havent grown tired, or they havent to me anyways. Add Sam's Town, their second album to the mix, and add to that the recent Human release from the Day and Night 3rd Album, which I think is an absolutely sublime song ... it has the right ingredients, the right foundation for Concert Formidable. Or as good a concert as can possibly be for a band that is only 3 albums old.

I take it the Killers maybe dont quite resonate nearly as much as an Iconic rock act like the Rolling Stones or U2, and for good reason, they havent been around long enough. They dont even transcend as much as Coldplay... whose been around a bit longer, and have been incredibly consistent, like a rock n roll Will Smith. But it doesnt take away from the fact that the Killers do put on a really good show. I definitely think so. Proof is in the pudding video I posted below. I tried very hard to keep the camera still, but after a few seconds into the song, I couldnt physically stop myself from jumping up and down, excited like a baby with his first lolipop. So the video goes a little loco for just a little bit; that was me, I really I couldnt help it...

I love this movie

Whats up. Im just back to Ireland from a South American trip, but lets pay no mind to that just yet..

Guess whats on TV right now... its even better news.

The Fast and the Furious..

boyah. Ive only watched this movie about a 100 times... give or take a dozen. Its that astounding. Its soo good that when it plays for free on terrestrial TV, I go ahead and blog about it. I think the last time I did that was 4 years ago (oh gawd) with Karate Kid. And for the sake of this posting, Im not talking about 2 Fast, or Tokyo Drift. They barely count because it gots no Vin Diesel. Or Jordana Brewster.

Why is this movie so good? Classically its not. But in terms of a movie for a generation, theres no better. I cant really even explain it. Its just enjoyable to no end. It just is. It makes me giddy! Im giggling... its absurd. And its timeless, apart from that dated Ja Rule on the soundtrack and the dated Playstation in the chinese racer's car. What it does have, is complete ludicrosity. Like since when did NOs work that way, and since when was my future wife attracted to Paul Walker, and since when did people just casually pull out rolls of 2 large from their front pocket, to bet during line races. Better still, it is essentially the exact same movie as "Point Break" but with cars instead of surfboards. If you are going to rip off a movie idea, might as well use the best, right?

And most importantly, there is Marty and I's favorite movie scene of all time.. in the desert when Mia turns around and walks away as the dust flies... Ohhh soo much cinematographic perfection it blows the mind..

The bonus... Fast and Furious comes out this summer. New Model. Original Parts. Im excited beyond ... everything. I might even have to fly to New York to watch it with Jill, because it seems that appropriate. Seriously.. only if Eric and Marty were closer.

"For those 10 seconds or less, Im free" Is there a better enjoyably cheese ball line? NOPE.

Colombian Hostage Freed

I was at the airport boarding gates in Cali Colombia when this was happening. I was watching the TVs. It was breaking news on Colombian TV. It showed helicopters landing.. then I looked outside and helicopters were landing. Second time in my life were the live TV News that was being shown on TV was actually filming just behind me. A surreal moment when it happens... unbelievably surreal.

Link

Star Wars: Retold by someone who hasnt seen it..

This is funny..


Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.

.. you know, this, its exactly the kind of style I would explain 'Sex and the City'.. very the same.. almost the same.. " Like theres these 3 girls or maybe 4... they live in Manhattan, and they dont like it anywhere else, and they like hang out all the time because they cant keep boyfriends. and they like shop all the time too, and talk about how men are idiots, so instead they use them for sex... and stuff... "

If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow, where would it be??

Its a hard question. Only because sometimes we have many wants and have minds that change. Makes it hard to narrow down to one answer. At least thats the way I am.


Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Crush + Lovely on Vimeo.

But my bed at home is usually not the answer... for me, far away hills are always green.

Vampire, its the new Black

Its seems like you cant get away from Vampires these days. Even from Ireland, a bit outside and a bit behind the North American pop culture grapevine, I could still tell. The sense of it started this Christmas with the Stemcell girls, when I saw Jill clutching her Twilight part 3 book. Eclipse? I think thats what it was called. Jill and Crystal were raving about the series, even though I paid no mind, Im not the target audience. Girls are. Particularly preteen / teen ones. After noticing how the movie completely dominated the November / December box office, I was picking up on the trend.

Then there was my first day back to work. I was talking to my old Boss, shooting the shh..., catching up and trading Christmas break stories, and he complained to me how his household, particularly his 10 year old daughter has gone Twilight mad. Shes reading the books, obsessed with the cult of Twilight, and pestered her father to take her to the Theatre to watch the movie, and also persistently asking for a torrented version on the computer. Its getting pretty crazy, like High School Musical crazy. Ive even hinted towards this in other forums; Stephanie Meyers is quickly evolving into the new JK Rowlings, but with a odd teen romancy bent.

So there are four books. And a fresh movie. All essentially about Vampire romances. (The movie is shit though. I was curious and tried to watch it. I turned it off 30 after minutes, although my mind started wandering after only 10) Back in October, strangely enough, I started working my way through the new HBO True Blood series. And whats that about? Vampire romance in Louisiana (with loads of nudity this time). Unlike the unstoppable train of Twilight, this I actually followed, and enjoyed to some extent. It was completely different, good on the most part, not the best, but enjoyable enough, mostly because of its racy tone. And there is a supporting character dude, with a money Cajun accent. Cajun accents will make any show 10 x better, by formula. But still, it was even more of the same: Vampires (even though for me, chronologically the trend actually started with this show).

Funny enough, this all leads to the best part of the current Vampire rage, even though its the least publicized. It just happens to be the case that one of the best movies of 2008 is a romancy pre teen Vampire Swedish foreign film. I just finished watching it and Im beaming; seriously, it immediately motivated me to write this post. I was completely sucked in because of the story, the sympathic characters, the haunting yet innocent acting and most especially the breathtaking style. (eg. Successfully nailing the impossible task of combining blood and children without being disturbing) Its a masterpiece, the best movie Ive seen this winter. Awfully hyperbolic, considering I've watched the Wrestler, Gran Torino and Slumdog Millionaire all within the last couple weeks (no interest whatsoever in the story of Benjamin Bratt, Titanic Road or the Reader, apart from maybe Kate Winslet being naked loads, apparently).

The movie is 'Låt den rätte komma in' or Let the Right One In. Engrossing, its also impossible to describe because it has footprints in so many genres. Its a horror thriller, but at the same time a child's tale, and a preteen romance and yet a fantasy, but also a dark drama. The greatest importance is it lingers and makes you wonder about it after the movie is over. And thats exactly when I love movies.

Lastly, I dont believe it could of possibly come out at a better time, juxtaposition. Its the Anti-Twilight.

La Isla Bonita

This is a quick one. Need to pad the stats, starting early this year. It might be cheap but Ive learned my lesson well. Got to get my reps, and pad the stats.

More European music introductions. I am definitely taking credit for Bringing Leona Lewis to North America, I posted her video here on this blog in Oct 2007. And then she went on to blow it up in 2008. So thats got to be because of me.

So I want to introduce you to French star Alizee, the Britney Spears of France minus the crazy, but plus the exotic and the sexy.

Shes been around and been a star for a while now, about as long as Brit. And there's no chance she will ever break through in North America because shes french. So when she sings in English, its with a ever so slight accent. But she is cute as button, but like in heaven. A button in heaven. Cuz those are the cutest buttons.