As is often the case, I get very attached to actors in shows I watch. Sean Bean of LOTR fame is cast perfectly as Ned Stark. It is unfortunate I find it difficult to shake off his Boromir character, but that’s coz he looks so similar in what looks like a “period” costume. I don’t mind, I like Sean Bean. I first saw Sean Bean in Patriot Games (1992), a film starring Harrison Ford. Bean plays an extremist Irish republican who attempts an assassination of a British Royal. This made me ask “Is he Irish?”, I still don’t know (can someone educate me?). Other similar dark roles are in Ronin (1998) with Robert de Niro, where he had a small role. A bigger role was beside Nicolas Cage in National Treasure (2004) as main villain Ian Howe. Another gem is his appearance as Odysseus in the film Troy (2004). And of course, who can forget him as Boromir in Fellowship of the Ring (2001). He also appeared in a British TV series with the title role of Richard Sharpe, a soldier in Napoleonic times.

A few future roles to watch out for are in upcoming films Mirror, Mirror (2012), a movie about Snow White, and Pan (2012) about Peter Pan. Also to look forward to is the TV drama Missing alongside Ashley Judd, also coming out this year (2012).

The show has a theme that varies from episode to episode. His guests are prominent personalities and critics, who are delightful to watch as they are immersed into an often amazing adventure encapsuled in a three (or more) course feast.

Most recent episode we’ve watched is his Fantasy Feast. Here he builds a version of a Cinderella pumpkin, an apple from Snow white and a Hansel and Gretel edible house.

Heston’s feasts airs in SBS every Thursday evening, 8.30.

Here’s a video of her winning single.

Kinda catchy.

Anyhow, I also came across some writing from Reynolds. A nice, funny piece of light reading… enjoy!

After which I’d be able to find a copy online, and if I love the tune I’d hunt the album, then other works by the artist.

I thought I’d share some of my thoughts about my latest finds. Some songs mentioned here are uploaded in my Multiply site [if they're not there yet, i might put them up in the future].

The Cat Empire. This is an Australian alternative band from Melbourne. I’ve heard my friend Malu rave about them ever since I’ve known her. I happened too see them do an unplugged special on TV some weeks ago, and they are fantastic! They are kind of like a ska, swing, jazz rock band, heavily seasoned with Latin influence, in my opinion. I have all of their three albums now, and I like listening to them when I’m in need for a pick-me-up. My favorite would have to be the album So Many Nights.

Fat Freddy’s Drop. A New Zealand band I heard about from friend Shamin. They are great to hear to mellow out without getting droopy-eyed. [They had a gig last night here in Sydney, and was invited to come see it. But seeing I am feeling somewhat impoverished at the moment, no fancy events for me yet =P]

Damien Rice. First heard the song Delicate by this American singer, played in the House MD soundtrack. I have got to be enamored with the songs by Damien Rice the most at the present time. They are simply divine. I don’t know what it is, but even with not much instruments, the bravado just blows me away. I would have to say, I mostly play his song Cannonball to cheer myself up. Listen to it. It’s a great song.

Some Australian music artist samples. The Arias (music awards in Australia) were held last week, and I got to listen to Aussie music artists play in sequence, which was good. To sample a bit of music work from some Aussie artists, I’d recommend the following tunes:

Ben Lee – Catch my disease
Silverchair – Straight lines
Shannon Noll – Loud
The John Butler Trio – Better than
The Veronicas – Pull me up
Ricki Lee – Can’t touch it
Delta Goodrem – In this life
Sneaky Sound System – Pictures

These specific songs sound a bit pop and upbeat. If you like Jason Mraz I would give Ben Lee a chance. Rocklovers would dig Silverchair and Shannon Noll. Those who like Counting Crows will probably like The John Butler Trio. Techno is back with Sneaky Sound System. I’ve downloaded most of the albums these songs are in, and I’m mostly satisfied with what I hear.

Matt Corby (Australian Idol 2007). I’ve been a faithful viewer of Australian Idol since last year. This year’s competition will be, I predict, a total hands-down vistory for 16-year old Matt Corby. He has the best taste in music, and incredibly talented on vocals, piano and guitar. To show you how he picks his songs, here’s a quick list:

“I Wish” by Stevie Wonder – (Top 24)
“The Scientist” by Coldplay – (Contestant’s Choice)
“Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin – (Rock)
“Got to Get You into My Life” by The Beatles – (Disco) TOUCHDOWN!
“The Blower’s Daughter” by Damien Rice – (Acoustic)
“Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve – (Brit pop) TOUCHDOWN!
“Another Day in Paradise” by Phil Collins – (Year you were born) Bottom 2
“The Music of the Night” by Michael Crawford – (Judge’s Choice – Mark Holden) TOUCHDOWN!
“Transatlanticism” by Death Cab for Cutie – (Contestant’s Choice)
“20 Good Reasons” by Thirsty Merc – (Australian Made)

A TOUCHDOWN is given by Mark Holden, a judge, when he reckons that a performance was excellent. As you can see from his songs, you’d realise that Matt would have strong vocal prowess and wide vocal range. The acoustic and melodious tunes are perfect for him. If he doesn’t win, he’d still make a great addition to the music community.

I have here a bit of commentary on some Aussie shows I get to watch sometimes on the tellie [I wish I could just get used to the shortening of words, "bogan" as Ali calls it. I love hearing them talk that way hehe] I know I shouldn’t have any time to spare [believe me, I don't!], what with all the work that comes with a phd. But then, guilty pleasure is primetime mindless shows on the tellie. I didn’t do any ‘research’ so I could be talking about ‘franchised’ shows here. Anyhow… If my supervisor sees this list… I am soooo dead [I swear, I don't get to watch them all the time!]

Sunrise - this is a morning show on the Seven Network, much like the Pinoy “Magandang Umaga Bayan” or “Unang Hirit”. There are a couple of other morning shows in the other channels but I’ve seemed to become more familiar and at ease seeing the hosts in this program than others. I can’t seem to exit the flat without a glimpse of the local temperature flashing on their screen folio.

Thank God You’re Here – Channel Ten. a kind of reality bit that challenges comedians to do improv on scenes pre-arranged for them. The first line of every scene is always “Thank God you’re here!… (blah blah)” and the actor would have to figure out what’s going on and do punch lines on the spot. A very clever show.

Rove – Channel Ten. The show is much like Letterman without the band, but plus the host Rove McManus that can be endearing, creepy and addicting. The humor is poppy in a way but then is quite informative especially when I miss watching showbiz news. This is where I heard about the Britney dance and that youTube video with the guy bawling “Leave Britney alone!”

Temptation - Probably the only show worth watching in the Nine Network? I like watching it when I’m stuck alone with dinner, which happens rarely now. Anyhow, it’s one of those game shows that’s fun to answer to and kick in the air towards the contestant’s face when they couldn’t get the answer. The questions are tough though! And the prizes are astounding. Cars, jewelry, trips… Well at least to me they are

Australian Idol - Channel Ten. [shivers] Heavens to Betsy… I never imagined myself to ever be a reality junkie. Actually, I’m not. I only find myself watching a teeny bit of Amazing Race, Survivor and American Idol. But then, it’s about waiting for Mark Holden award a touchdown and Kyle Sandiland chatter like a man-beyatch [again, in an endearing, creepy manner]. And there’s talent too. One thing, and I think I can say the same for all other Idols, it kinda sucks to watch towards the end, coz most of the guys are already quite good singers/performers, and it’s hard to see them get eliminated. And in that sense, it’s too entertaining!

So You Think You Can Dance – Channel Ten. this is just starting out, but I’ve been seeing the American airing and it looks fun! I watched the season with Benji Schwimmer emerging as winner. By next year it’ll be Australians swinging onstage. It’s much like Dancing with the Stars, though they’re not celebrities, but they could be professional dancers I think. The premise is much like Idol, only dancing.

The Chaser’s War on Everything – ABC. A satire that I get more news updates from. When I first watched The War, I was astonished at how vulgar they can be with their politics-bashing. I like the show, but for some reason I just can’t stand Chas. Members of the show are being called to court now for the naughty stunt they pulled on APEC this September 2007. That stunt involved the following: a motorcade, Canada, fake ids and stickers, Osama bin laden.

Rock Wiz [did I spell that right?] – Channel Ten or ABC? I’ve seen this show but once but it was thrilling! Some rock personalities come aboard for a quiz show, and it can be funny and awesome! I love how they go back to the classics, and it’s so fun to relate to the songs of legend!

Of course there are the other tellie series: Prison Break [Seven], House [Ten], Heroes [Seven], Numb3rs [Ten]… and the Simpsons! [Ten]

I’m going to have to settle watching TV shows in little chunks now, especially having missed ALL the premiere episodes in the past several weeks! [AArrrgh!] If only I can let people imagine just how tired I had been each night!? I waited patiently for the premiere of House, only to fall asleep after 10minutes into the episode… on the lounge couch! Bugger…

—–

Oh let me just add that there is also a Pinoy news broadcast [ABS-CBN] that I try to catch each morning at 6.50am. Though often I miss it either coz I wake up at 7.25 am (the airing ends 7.20) or because I jump in the shower at 6.30 and just forget about it. There is also a Pinoy cooking show on Sunday afternoons, and a Pinoy Music show on Saturday afternoons. Both of these shows are community-based, so they’re not really fancy enough to be noticed easily. But it’s nice to tune in at times, to see some Pinoy skin on Aussie media.

Catching up with blogging is hard especially if you have lots of materials with little time to blog.

Heroes cast were here in Singapore when Pen was here the second time around. Hiro Nakamura, Officer Matt Parkman, Dr. Suresh and Nikki/Jessica Sanders were present.

Singapore crowd is rather tame and well-behaved unlike screaming faggots in the Philippines.

Photo above was taken before the actors arrived. Waiting for 3 hours made everyone somber.

There were lots of people waiting to see the actors but even more people in the stage. WTF?! They were obstructing our view!

Ali Larter, Gren Grunberg and Masi Oka

Even though Sylar and Peter Petrelli were there, Hiro Nakamura himself can gather a crowd. Not to mention Dr. Suresh for the Indians.

Greg entertaining the crowd.

It was a super short show that lasted for only 10minutes. I didn’t even hear Masi Oka talk.

Ali Larter thanking the crowd for showing up. Surprisingly, she is beautiful in person. Pen pointed that out to me and I couldn’t agree more.

There’s Dr. Suresh in the background. It’s really an enormous effort to get a good shot of them. I have one Singaporean teenager in front of me who kept on raising her point & shoot camera infront of my lens. Whenever she do that, I gave her a quick shove. Hah!

Masi Oka didn’t even wave at our direction. No good shot of him. He was shy and was just in the background watching Greg perform his antics.

Pen and Cia. “Pa-picture na nga lang tayo sa poster!”

I had a hard time making my traits with the limited selection over at the site. This is the best I can come up with. [pen edits with hers too]

All you need to do is leave a comment in this entry telling who is your favorite Transformers and why.

I’d easily pick Jazz. I would’ve picked Optimus Prime or Bumbleebee but people everywhere are also choosing them. So I’d go with the lesser known Autobot. More than that, Jazz is an uber cool car taking the form of a Porsche. Jazz for me is cooler than Bumbleebee, Ironhide or Ratchet. Prime’s cargo exterior is still a mystery for me (where the heck does it go whenever Prime transforms?!). Hot Rod will be another choice as he is another sports car in the cartoons but he is not one of the original robots of the show. And when Hot Rod became Rodimus Prime, kids all over are craving for him.

Jazz was among the first group of Transformers that were released in 1984. He was a fan favourite since the beginning with his youthful and earthen personality. Jazz transformed into a Porsche on Earth and transformed into a hovercraft with a style similar to a Porsche on Cybertron before his body was reformatted. Jazz was always a high-ranking Autobot and had a close relationship to the Autobot leader Optimus Prime.