New Order Concert. Birmingham. 29th April 2012.

New Order Concert.  Birmingham.  29^th April 2012

I got to Birmingham around 4pm on Sunday afternoon. It has been a horrible day and the rain was indeed heavy.  We had changed trains and yet none of this had damped our mood for the excitement of seeing New Order play.

We had only decided to stay overnight and book a last minute hotel on Sunday so I was glad I had time to get ready rather than rush straight to the venue.  My husband went to find the venue and get something to eat. I knew the venue doors opened at 7pm and he still was not back by 6.30 so I started to get a bit worried. (Not about him, but that we would be late getting to the venue!).

He arrived and we rushed out the venue in the pouring rain.  I was absolutely soaked as we stood outside the venue for about 20 minutes getting wetter and wetter but everyone in the queue was also getting wet so it was ok.

We were thoroughly checked (I have a tiny handbag for venues but they still pulled everything out of it) and tickets were checked twice.  Our plan was that hubby gets the t-shirts while I run to the front to save us a space. This we did with ease.

The DJ was playing from the moment we got in and my hubby (an ex DJ himself) loved what he was playing and how much work he was putting into it.  I personally do not like such a dance orientated feel but did appreciate how enthusiastic DJ tin tin was.

Next came Jake Evans and I have seen him before at the Troxy so had an idea of what was to come.  But even so, Jake did not disappoint. Jake is  very talented and can sing (I love his voice) and also play guitar really well.  His songs are good and I cannot understand why more people do not come early to hear him.  He is awesome and if it were about talent, he would already be huge! He finished with "Easy on my soul" which is a fantastic track and will be on his album (due for release soon).

The DJ came back while the roadies set up for New Order.  They did a similar set to the Troxy (for those who had been at the Troxy).  It started with Elegia followed by Crystal and Regret.  The crowd were going crazy! New Order are really loved and I really did enjoy this concert. It was great to be front row singing with Barney and the other die-hard fans!

Barney was not feeling well and speaking to others who had attended the Manchester concerts said he cut a few songs from the set list. New Order fans will not be disappointed as all the expected song choices are in there.  Personally I would love to have seen them do Hellbent (the new track from Total) and 1963 (one of the cut songs).  Ceremony and Temptation were absolutely fab.  They finished on Love will tear us apart.

I should mention that I am only 5ft tall and yet I am feisty.  We were right at the front by the barrier but if those behind me thought they could get away with pushing or pulling me away they had another thing coming.  I ensured I stayed right at the front for the whole concert.  Be warned of messing with the girl with the red trousers on!!

We left the concert on a high and even the rain had stopped!! Roll on Wednesday in Brixton Academy, London.

See my photos here: www.flickr.com/jasminestormie

Lock out

Lock out 

Guy Pearce is playing snow, a hard man with a harder job.  To get the president’s daughter out of a prison in space. Simple enough!

I liked this film very much. It felt very much in the vein of the 80’s action films such as Arnie and Stallone's films, where humour, action and violence all have a part to play. Guy does this brilliantly and the film is an enjoyable action film.

The baddies are played by Vincent Regan and Joseph Gilgun and both give excellent performances.

Verdict: If I liked it, You can take your girlfriend to it!!

Battleship

Battleship 

This is made by the same people who made Transformers, so you know already the standard of the graphics you are about to see.  You will not be disappointed.

The first 15 minutes of the film are irrelevant and could easily be cut out of the film and not be missed. The story is of two brothers, one is in the Navy and one is a loser. The older brother insists on dragging his brother into the Navy to stop him wasting his life away.

For anyone who has played the game “Battleship” it is clear why the title fits the film. There is strategy involved and for someone who normally avoids all war films with a passion, I really did enjoy this film.

The character development is good, and you get to care for the characters and their situation. I also loved the alien aspect of it. They have been well designed and you do get to see what they look like!

The male gender will especially enjoy this film as you have male bonding, war, brotherly love, action and lots of things blowing up as well as aliens!

Verdict: A family film for those aged 12 and over.

The cold light of day

The cold light of day 

I love an action film with Bruce Willis so I thought this would be a no-brainer. Unfortunately Bruce (who is excellent as usual) is killed during the first 15 minutes of the film so they obviously couldn’t afford him for a whole film!

The main problem I have with this film is I did not warm to Will Shaw (the main character) played by Henry Cavill. The story is set in Spain and I quite liked the premise of the film. Will’s whole family are kidnapped and everyone seems to be against him on all sides. I didn’t understand why they tell us about Will’s company going bankrupt when that story never got explored further. (What was the point?!).  The love interest turns out to be his sister so not really comfortable with that twist either.

At the end of the film it is all happy families again but why are they not grieving for Bruce (who plays Will’s dad)?

Verdict: Good action sequences but don’t expect to care for the characters.

Titanic 3D

Titanic 3D

The most significant thing I can say about Titanic that you don’t already know is there was a stream of crying women in the ladies toilet afterwards. This film still makes an impact all these years later.  The film was sold out even though everyone has this on DVD at home.

Is it worth going to see in 3D? No is the short answer. The effects are disappointing. However, if you haven’t ever seen it on the big screen, it is worth making the effort as this is a cinema size film for a large screen. (Yes bigger than 50”!!).

You know the story. Unsinkable ship sinks! What I love about this film is how accurate the sets, clothes and people are. The only added characters are those in the Jack/Rose story. I love how it deals with class, love, disaster, history all in one film. This film rightly deserves all its accolades and awards. And to see it this year, 100 years after the disaster is a perfect time to see it.

The moral of this story is one I believe in and for those who miss the meaning it is this: Life your life and make each day count.

Verdict: This film has lost nothing over the years. It is a winner all the way.

Mirror Mirror

Mirror Mirror 

This is Snow White with a modern twist. And overall it is a good story. I like that the women are empowered and that the handsome prince is very handsome. (And for those my age, the king ain’t half bad Sean Bean no less)

The dwarfs’ names have changed and that is a bit of a shame, but they are brilliantly acted.

The only criticism is Snow White herself (played by Lily Colllins – Phil Collins’ daughter).  I found her wooden and one dimensional.  Julia Roberts was outstanding in her role as the wicked queen and I totally loved her indulgent attitude to life. Maybe it’s my age that I feel a bit sorry for the original Pretty Woman looking at her wrinkles (“They are crinkles not wrinkles!”).

Verdict: Worth a watch just for Julia Roberts alone!   

I bit you adieu!

Machine Gun Preacher

I know my review of this film is late (It is available on DVD/blu-ray), but I felt compelled to write a review of such a current subject.

The film stars Gerard Butler as Sam Childers, a man who is no-where near next to God, in fact he is rather a bad soul, when he finds his wife and child have found God in his absence in prison.

He goes along to church with them and is baptised (I felt to remove guilt for the bad things he had done rather than any real beliefs) but this does change his life when he hears from a guest minister about what is happening in Sudan.

Things change rapidly here and you have go to with the flow. Sam sets up his own church for “sinners” and has suddenly built his own construction business and moves from a trailer park to a very nice house.

What is moving about this film is the story that is unfolding in Sudan. This is a true story and a very current subject matter, Kony and what he is doing to the children in Africa.

This film is not easy viewing, but is educational and shocking in equal amounts and you do feel you are on a journey with Sam.

Some films try to pull on your heart strings, but this one doesn’t need to as the real story is so horrific, I challenge you not to be moved by this story.

Verdict: Once seen, not easily forgotten.