Dumb and Dumber To review - Hardcore D&D fans only

Be warned: this is a movie meant only for hardcore fans of the 1994 original, and other moronic comedies in which plot, character and filmmaking coherence aren't important. If any fart joke makes you laugh, don't miss it. Everyone else probably already knows that they should avoid this movie, which is even more idiotic than it looks. Although for those forced to suffer through it, there's at least a strand of witty, absurd comedy faintly running through each scene.

After an utterly pointless 20-year practical joke, old buddies Harry and Lloyd (Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey) are once again a team, causing chaos everywhere they go due to their inability to understand pretty much anything that's happening around them. Now Harry needs a kidney transplant, just as he discovers that he fathered a child with Fraida (Kathleen Turner) nearly 23 years ago. So he and Lloyd head off to find his daughter Fanny (Rachel Melvin). She has been raised by a Nobel-winning scientist (Steve Tom) and his money-grabbing wife (Laurie Holden), who's plotting with the handyman (Rob Riggle) to steal his millions. All of them converge on an inventors' convention in El Paso, where Harry is mistaken as a genius, Lloyd falls in love with the wrong woman and everything climaxes in a vortex of mistaken identity and wacky slapstick.

While absolutely everything about this film is painfully stupid, filmmakers Peter and Bobby Farrelly have learned from making solid comedies (like There's Something About Mary and Stuck on You), and the script has an underlying wit to it that hints at a much better movie screaming to get out. But the Farrellys simply leave everything as mindless as possible, using a strangely clunky directing style that feels cheap and underplanned. While there's a steady stream of amusing throwaway gags, the plot and characters never develop into anything engaging, mainly because both Carrey and Daniels are encouraged to overplay every moment so badly that we begin to wonder how anyone could think this was even vaguely funny.

Everyone around them plays it relatively straight, staring gob-smacked at Carrey and Daniels' gurning, overwrought performances as if they're wondering how this could possibly work. And why they agreed to be in this mess. Then just when all hope is gone, something actually funny pops up where we least expect it, eliciting a stifled laugh. The plot may be blatantly predictable, the characters mere cardboard cutouts and the jokes obvious and inane, but it's all so breathtakingly stupid that it'll probably be a huge hit.

Night At The Museum - Secrets of the Tomb review - thin polt even by this franchises standards

Now in its third instalment, it's clearer than ever that this franchise is based on one joke that has been stretched far beyond the breaking point. And not too cleverly at that. Fortunately, this movie retains much of the deranged idiocy that made the second part rather enjoyable. So it's watchable even if there aren't many new ideas, and even if filmmaker Shawn Levy is far too happy to settle for unnecessary digital effects work where a bit of character comedy would have been much more engaging.

Back on the job as a night watchman in New York, Larry (Ben Stiller) is now orchestrating the museum exhibits when they come to life to provide spectacular shows for visitors who think this is all a special effect. Even his boss (the one dimensional Ricky Gervais) isn't sure what's really going on. But when a glitch in the magical Ancient Egyptian powers causes chaos, Larry learns that he needs to travel to London so he can reunite Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek) with his father (Ben Kingsley), who's on display at the British Museum. Larry's teen son Nick (Skyler Gisondo) comes along, as do his revived pals Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), tiny soldiers Octavius and Jedediah (Steve Coogan and Owen Wilson) and others. But in London, while sneaking around local night guard Tilly (Rebel Wilson), Larry's team awakens a statue of the knight Lancelot (Dan Stevens), who dives into their quest with rather a bit too much gusto.

Until Lancelot turns up, everything about the film feels oddly tired, from the starry cameos to effects work that strains to be clever. Then Stevens injects a badly needed jolt of blue-eyed charisma and warped comical timing that makes the rest of the movie rather good fun. Rebel Wilson's side-plot is also rather amusing, with some wonderfully ridiculous touches. And even the cameos get better, notably a scene on a West End stage that's genuinely inspired silliness. Coogan and Wilson offer some raucous banter to accompany everything that happens, and Stiller kind of hangs on for dear life. But the filmmakers don't really care about these characters; they're just trying to create something visually impressive that's also goofy fun.

The quality of the digital trickery is certainly impressive, most notably in some freak-out moments like a room full of broken statues trying to move with missing limbs. And a sequence inside an Escher painting is eye-popping. But there's little coherence between these set-pieces, and no real momentum to the thin plot. And there's also the problem that the filmmakers are clearly not interested in museums at all. They never make anything of the interaction with history or art (they don't even understand that a historical collection like the British Museum is unlikely to contain a dinosaur skeleton or an Escher painting). Instead they're just happy to provide a bit of high-budget, middle-brow escapism.

The Missing Series 2, more details and a twist to series 3?

Following the conclusion of the first series of The Missing last night, millions of viewers were given a surprise taste of a second series of the hit BBC One show. As the case of Oliver Hughes came to a startling conclusion - or did it? BBC One broadcast a cryptic trail revealing clues to a whole new series.

Made by New Pictures for BBC One, the series will once again be written by Harry and Jack Williams and will be told over two time frames but with a new case, new characters and new location.


Last nights trail was written by Harry and Jack Williams and was directed by Tom Shankland. It presented viewers with an intriguing, atmospheric sequence hinting at subtle clues pointing towards series 2. The sequence was accompanied by a voice over from the lead French detective, Julien Batiste (Tcheky Karyo):

“To lose somebody can destroy a person. But to find them again, when so much has passed... Well. Sometimes...that can be worse.”

Harry and Jack Williams, Writers (Two Brothers Pictures), say: “We always knew that the story of Oliver Hughes would have an ending. But in writing the first series we found there were many themes and issues we didn’t have the chance to explore. The response to the show has been fantastic, and we’re thrilled to be telling a brand new story which we hope will surprise and intrigue and tell an even bigger tale on an even more ambitious canvas.”

Charlotte Moore, Controller, BBC One, says: “The Missing surprised at every turn, weaving a gripping and complex story across two timescales which kept viewers guessing til the very end and demonstrated the range and ambition of drama on BBC One. I’m really pleased to announce that the incredible team behind the series will bring a new case to our BBC One audience and we can guarantee another challenging, contemporary story written by Harry and Jack Williams.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama commissioning, says: “Harry and Jack Williams’ original drama series has had the nation gripped for the last eight weeks and has proved both a critical and ratings hit with our BBC One audience. With a brand new and fresh case ahead - we can’t wait to learn what Harry and Jack have in store for series two.”

Now rumours abound this morning that series 3 has already been planned and that an idea being floated is that it may touch once more on Oliver and reveal he isnt in fact dead. Viewers didn't see what was in the van but assumed it was his body.. perhaps he was bound and gagged and in the hands of..well lets no go there but I am sure you could imagine.

See our interview with series one star James Nesbitt live on set, here

Hunger Games MockingJay,review and Jennifer Lawrence talks us through her character

'Mockingjay' storms the US box office yet again on its second weekend like we knew it would, but what has made this chapter of the 'The Hunger Games' storyline such a driving success among audiences? Leading lady Jennifer Lawrence had a few ideas.

'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1' has so far managed to gross in excess of $254.4 million worldwide - not quite as much as its predecessors but still an impressive number as Katniss Everdeen's new challenges in District 13 captivate fans across the globe. The woman herself, Jennifer Lawrence, also being enamoured by Suzanne Collins' story, has a lot to say about what intrigued her so much about the story and characters and how it feels to capture a book character and bring it to life.


'It's interesting when you're playing a character that's based off a book because we're huge fans of the books, everybody making the movies, and I was a huge fan of the character that I was reading', she revealed at a press conference. 'But at the same time my job is still the same, I still need to show up on set and do what feels real and find what feels authentic.' The realism and authenticity of the story - despite its vibrant setting and unlikely dystopian world - has certainly been enough to help fans relate to the story, and is the reason why so many people hold these characters close to their hearts. These are real people, with flaws and complex relationships and reservations about doing the right thing.

'Something that I really loved about these books when I originally read them is that it's a fantastic story, but it's also a very important story to tell about how powerful just one voice can be', Jennifer points out. 'It can be scary; it is always easier to go with the more popular vote and to follow the person in front of you, it's really scary to stand up to a voice that's bigger than you.

And so on to the film..
This four-part franchise, based on the Suzanne Collins novels, turns very dark with this strikingly bold third film, which once again makes the most of perspective to recount a parable about normal people rising up against oppression. This may be a sci-fi apocalypse, but the story is packed with present-day resonance and messy characters who are sometimes unnervingly easy to identify with. So while things get very grim in this chapter, it's still a hugely engaging film, packed with real-life humour and emotion. And it makes Mockingjay Part 2 unmissable.

The story picks up not long after the chaos of the Quarter Quell, when Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) realised that she had been a pawn for a planned revolution that cast her as the iconic Mockingjay. Now in hiding, the rebels need her to assume the role publicly, but she has other concerns. So she makes a deal with rebel President Coin (Julianne Moore) and her sidekick Plutarch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) that she'll help them if they guarantee safety for the captured Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), who has apparently been brainwashed so he can be used for propaganda purposes by the Capitol's President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Working with her old hunting buddy Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Katniss takes on the Mockingjay role, locking horns with Snow as the rebellion grows in strength.

Once again, director Francis Lawrence vividly tells the story from Katniss' imperfect point of view. This is a teen consumed with anger and confusion, and she can't figure out why she's so inspiring to everyone who looks at her. But she's beginning to understand her impact and how she can use it to help the people she loves. This makes her heroism remarkably human, rather than the usual noble movie self-sacrifice. And Jennifer Lawrence brings so much depth to Katniss that the character transcends even the most jarring plot points. Her internal journey also makes this much more than yet another dystopian teen adventure.

It helps that she's surrounded by such a powerhouse supporting cast. Moore and Hoffman add gravitas and shadings as considerate but realistic leaders. Harrelson shines in a few very strong scenes as the now-sober Haymitch. And Hutcherson has some properly wrenching scenes of his own. Hemsworth finally gets to add a bit of physicality to the action. And Banks steals the show as the now-refugee Effie, stripped of her Technicolor wigs and outfits but doing the best with what she's got.


As the film approaches its conclusion, it's clear that this chapter is a transitional one. Katniss has moved from a hapless puppet to the iconic Mockingjay, leading a nation to a war against tyranny. The next step will be all-out battle, so the final film in this series looks like it will be a proper epic. And what makes this franchise so much more important that most is the way it tackles properly resonant issues: this film can be seen as the moment the 99 percent finally rise up against the dominant 1 percent. We can't imagine that happening, but history tells us it probably will.

Win in time for Xmas..Megablue game packs worth £300

Win thrilling Megableu games!

We are giving away five cool games from Megableu. It’s hilarious fun for the whole family.

Capture the elusive Rhino with the amazing Spiderman Chase Rhino game. SPIDER-MAN jumps on his base and projects RHINO shadows on the walls and ceiling. Now it's up to you to eliminate the RHINO using your rechargeable gun and defend the city!

Make a guess of which piglet has the goo and place your PIGGIN'BOOGERS in front of the piglet. Dip your finger in the piglet's nose... Have you found the goo?

Do you dare to come close to the basket to snatch the diamond? COBRATTACK, guardian of the sacred diamond, watches you carefully. You may move as long as his eyes are green. But beware, if his eyes are red, he is watching you

Turn down the light and prepare yourself for a scary adventure with Ghost Hunt. Billy Bones sees dead people, his skull projects ghosts on the walls, the ceiling, high and low, ahead and behind... everywhere. Can you catch them!

Or can you face a game of truth or dare in Creepy Hand – where the bony green hand crawls around the table to choose a player to face their doom.

To win...ensure:

 If you came from twitter you follow me @jmyorks) and re tweet

from.facebook ensure you liked and shared the status.

Three winners will win packs of all 5 games. That's Christmas sorted!

Competition closes 5pm Friday 5th December. We will contact all winners that weekend and will need your details that weeked to ensure items are posted in time for Xmas.

Good luck

Rod Stewart Vinyl Box Set Releases

Rod Stewart is a five LP vinyl box set of all of Rod Stewart’s studio albums originally released between 1969 and 1974. Its sees a UK release on 1st December 2014

Each record will be pressed on 180g vinyl and we are promised ‘exact reproductions’ of the original artwork. The vinyl LPs will slot into a outer slipcase, with a tartan design.

The albums in this set are: 

An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down (1969), 

A)
1. Street Fighting Man

2. Man of Constant Sorrow

3. Blind Prayer

4. Handbags and Gladrags

B)

1. An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down

2. I Wouldn’t Ever Change a Thing

3. Cindy’s Lament

4. Dirty Old Town

Gasoline Alley (1970), 
A)1. Gasoline Alley

2. It’s All Over Now

3. Only a Hobo

4. My Way of Giving

B) 

1. Country Comfort

2. Cut Across Shorty

3. Lady Day

4. Jo’s Lament

5. I Don’t Want to Discuss It

Every Picture Tells A Story (1971),
A)1. Every Picture Tells a Story

2. Seems Like a Long Time

3. That’s All Right

4. Amazing Grace

5. Tomorrow Is a Long Time

B)

1. Henry

2. Maggie May

3. Mandolin Wind

4. (I Know) I’m Losing You

5. Reason to Believe

Never A Dull Moment (1972),
A)1. True Blue

2. Lost Paraguayos

3. Mama You Been on My Mind

4. Italian Girls

B)

1. Angel

2. Interludings

3. You Wear It Well

4. I’d Rather Go Blind

5. Twisting the Night Away

and Smiler (1974)

A)1. Sweet Little Rock ‘N’ Roller

2. Lochinvar

3. Farewell

4. Sailor

5. Bring It On Home To Me/You Send Me

6. Let Me Be Your Car

B)1. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man

2. Dixie Toot

3. Hard Road

4. I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face (Instrumental)

5. Girl from the North Country

6. Mine For Me

Butlins PWL Weekend - Hit Factory live!

Butlins announce partnership with Pete Waterman for brand new ‘Hit Factory’ Live Music Weekend

Jason Donovan

There was a time when our radios were filled with acts managed by Pete Waterman. Now, to celebrate 25 years of the PWL record label, Butlins Bognor Regis will be reuniting those very same acts when the pop impresario brings his stable of stars to the first-ever Ultimate 80s: Hit Factory Live weekend.

Rick Astley

Headlining the 6,500-capacity Bognor Regis resort will be 80s heart-throbs Jason Donovan and Rick Astley who will be joined by Sinitta, Sonia, Brother Beyond, Hazell Dean and other PWL stars. Resident DJs will also be providing daytime entertainment leading into the evening.

Sinitta

Mike Godolphin, Head of Entertainments for Butlins Live Music Weekends, says “Pete Waterman and the Hit Factory were the most successful music stable in the 1980's. It feels natural and exciting to have them as part of our amazing Live Music Weekends offer.”

Sonia

Guests can enjoy three nights of live music across four venues, all included in one price. Adding to the electric atmosphere of this brand new weekend are a silent disco and a pool party in the Splash Waterworld complex, as well as the opportunity to explore 10 bars and restaurants around the resort.

Nathan Moore (Brother Beyond)

Prices for Ultimate 80s: Hit Factory Live start at just £129pp for 3 days, including accommodation for the weekend based on four adults* sharing a Silver apartment, access to all of the available resort facilities and all live entertainment.  To book a Butlins Live Music Weekend or for more information call 0845 070 4734 

or visit www.bigweekends.com.

Hazel Dean

*Live Music Weekends are available for guests aged 18 or over.

Dynamo announces Leeds First Direct Arena Show

Dynamo brings his live tour to the first direct arena in December 2015

Dynamo fans will have the opportunity to see his magic skills up close and personal in what promises to be a spectacular and unique live stage production as Dynamo finishes his smash hit tour back in his home county of Yorkshire as he plays the first direct arena in Leeds in December 2015. 

Dynamo, whose real name is Steven Frayne, hit our screens just three years ago with his 
first series of Magician Impossible, in that short time he has quickly established himself as one of the world’s most known and most loved magicians, with his series airing in over 180 countries worldwide reaching over 250 million cumulative viewers across the world. He was recently awarded the highest accolade by the magic circle with his promotion to Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, a position only held by 300 magicians worldwide.

Dynamo said of his new venture, “After four series of Magician Impossible I was ready for a new challenge and for a long time I have wanted to take my show to the stage. I am hoping that like I did for magic on TV, I can reinvent the live magic show and produce something fans have never seen before. This is something I have been working towards for the last 20 years and I can’t wait to amaze audiences what I have in store for them”. 
Tony Watson, Director of Sales and Marketing for the first direct arena commented, "the 
arena has always aimed to attract the biggest names in entertainment to Leeds and in the world of magic, it doesn't come bigger than Dynamo. I'm sure his home county will take this opportunity to marvel at one of the worlds greatest illusionists." 

Dynamo will be visiting the first direct arena from December 16 to 20 2015 and tickets 
are priced from £32.50 and can be purchased from www.firstdirectarena.com, by 
phone on 0844 248 1585, or book your tickets from the first direct arena box office, 
now located at the venue, from 9am on Friday 31st October 2014. 

Review: Bjork - Biophilla - hypnotic

Bjork's fans will adore this film, which captures the last night of her Biophilia world tour with remarkable artistry and an attention to detail. Those who don't know her work might find it somewhat hard-going. Bjork's music is thematically deep and aurally complex, but the songs are often atonal. None are very easy to hum along with. Still, the creative filmmaking offers some ideas for future concert documentaries.

In September 2013 at Alexandra Palace in North London, Bjork gave the final live performance of her Biophilia song cycle about the elements and nature. So it's only natural that the film is introduced with narration from David Attenborough. On-stage, Bjork interacts with musicians Manu Delago and Matt Robertson, as well as a large choir of women from Iceland walking barefoot around her as they sing in eerie harmony. Filmmakers Nick Fenton and Peter Strickland then take the imagery from her video screens and layer it onto the movie. So for much of the film it looks like Bjork is performing on a stage floating in outer space, alongside a gigantic squid or erupting volcano. Then eventually the crowd resolves around her, participating in this celebration of the natural world.

With that Attenborough opening and Bjork's cheeky expressions, there's a nicely witty undercurrent to the whole film. And the cameras capture the performance from askance angles that reveal unexpected things about the amazing instruments Bjork has created with her musicians. Not only do they sound beautiful, but they are just as fascinating to explore with our eyes as the outrageous plasticky onion-white dress she's wearing. Accompanying this is an unusually sharp audio mix that lets us hear every sound. Although this only makes us wish we could understand the lyrics of the songs, which are often strange and moody and hardly seem like songs at all.


This is performance art, not a pop concert. So fans of Bjork's hits with the Sugarcubes may be disappointed. On the other hand, her fierce genius comes through in her dedication to this project. And even if we're never quite sure what she's singing, the images and certain audible words that help us understand the nature of the concept (song titles include Moon, Thunderbolt, Virus, Solstice and Crystalline). There's also no denying the raw power of Bjork's magnificent voice and the emotional feelings it conveys. This is such a skilfully assembled event and film that it has a hypnotic quality even for non-fans. But for Bjork's faithful followers, it's pretty close to heaven. 

BBC: The Syndicate Gets Third Series - this time in Scarborough

Anthony Andrews, Lenny Henry and Elizabeth Berrington head the cast for third series of Kay Mellor's The Syndicate.

Filming has begun in Yorkshire on the third series of the critically acclaimed, hugely popular BBC One drama The Syndicate, from the pen of BAFTA Award-winning writer Kay Mellor OBE, creator of Band Of Gold, Fat Friends, A Passionate Woman and In The Club.
It's 2015 and the once impressive Hazelwood Manor, which overlooks all of Scarborough and is the family home of the Hazelwoods, has now fallen into disrepair. Lord Hazelwood (Anthony Andrews, The King's Speech, Birdsong, Brideshead Revisited) is fading fast, but Lady Hazelwood (Alice Krige, Thor: The Dark World, Spooks), his second wife, seems more concerned with maintaining the lifestyle she's become accustomed to whilst his stepson Spencer (Sam Phillips, In The Flesh, Pete Versus Life) seems intent on spending his inheritance as quickly as possible. What is left of the estate is rapidly disappearing on fast cars, fancy yachts and living the high life despite rising debts... all behind the back of the ailing Lord Hazelwood.

Meanwhile 'downstairs' they have had to seriously reduce their staff; now there are only five left: housekeeper Sarah (Cara Theobold, Downton Abbey, Scrotal Recall, Call The Midwife), cleaner Dawn (Elizabeth Berrington, Stella, Trying Again, Crimson Petal And The White), cook Julie (Melanie Hill, Cilla, Brassed Off, Auf Wiedersehen Pet), groomsman/odd-job man Sean (Richard Rankin, The Crimson Field, Silent Witness, Black Watch) and gardener Godfrey (Lenny Henry, The Magicians, Harry & Paul, Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban).

Godfrey formed the lottery syndicate with his colleagues years ago as he was convinced he could work out how to win it mathematically. He is a high functioning person with Asperger's syndrome and as the series opens he is certain he's finally cracked the system. He gives cleaner Dawn a list of this week's 'winning lottery numbers' according to his statistics. A series of mishaps ensues and all seems lost - but then it hits them: seemingly against all the odds, they have won £14 million! Everyone is ecstatic. Dawn, pregnant with an unplanned third child, can't wait to tell her husband Andy (Kieran O'Brien, The Look Of Love, The Last Enemy), son Noah (newcomer Bradley Johnson) and beautiful daughter Amy (Daisy Head, Fallen, When The Heart Calls, Endeavour) who is reluctantly helping her out at Hazelwood Manor but has ambitions to become the next Cara Delevingne. And then, on the night of the win, Amy suddenly goes missing...

As we relish the joy of our syndicate's journey from downstairs to upstairs, the search for Amy becomes increasingly urgent. The police investigation uncovers clues and raises myriad suspicions. Secrets and backstories are revealed as we try to find out who has taken the young girl... and just how well do our syndicate really know each other?

We caught up with Kay Mellor who told us in a wind swept Scarborough: “The Syndicate 3 is a completely new series, with a fresh new world and brand-new characters, the staff of a crumbling stately home: the Cook, House Manager, Gardener, Cleaner and Game Keeper. It's about new money – ordinary people who win a life-changing amount of money on the lottery. I was excited by the idea of setting the syndicate winners amongst the old money of a crumbling stately home, where Lord and Lady Hazelwood's inherited money is fast running out. It's a delicious premise which enables me to look at class and social politics within the framework of a drama – 'downstairs' becoming instantly wealthier than 'upstairs'. I'm able to explore how the lack of money and greed have a devastating effect and how a sudden change in fortune can bring about its own problems.”

Also on location today was Lenny Henry, he told us: “I'm delighted to be filming series 3 of The Syndicate – I've been a big fan of Kay Mellor's since Band Of Gold and Playing The Field, so to actually be on set with her as writer/director is just lovely.”

Jamie T - Carry On The Grudge Review

'Carry On The Grudge' is the long awaited third studio album from Jamie T and marks a more downbeat sound for the 28-year-old, who seems to have written the album from where he was at that point of his life. Giving you tracks such as single 'Don't You Find' with its very downbeat, melodic sound which can only be described as beautiful; you can imagine Jamie T in a smoke filled room, a glass of whiskey just spilling out his soul, a side of this young man that we have not yet seen until now. Now that we have, it does send shivers down your spine, especially when the backing singers kick in. The track is truly what the doctor ordered on his return as the first single to promote the album.

Do not worry, though, if you are a hardened fan that loved the 'earlier stuff' - there are still glimpses of this here and there. The second single 'Zombie' is ironically upbeat; singing about zombies shouldn't work as a rule, but, as with all Jamie T songs, it does, and the music video to go with it is wicked. Two big thumbs up for both singles, the return of Mr T (Jamie T) is looking like it will be a successful one.

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplistic ones. 'Turn On The Lights' is plain and simple, with Jamie T's spiralling, clever lyrics accompanied by a repetitive beat and a nice guitar hook to finish the job. Keeping on the theme of simplicity, 'The Prophet' feels like Jamie has picked up a guitar and has had a bit of a rant in a jamming session; a bad thing this is not, 'Columbia' from Oasis' 'Definitely Maybe' was created the same way and that is an awesome tune.

There are pick-me-ups on the album that spring into action with the likes of fun song 'Trouble', although the lyrics are telling you "to hold on to what you got, you can lose it", the music remains happy, slightly crazy, in an Arcade Fire style. 'Rabbit Hole' is another example of the quick witty lyrics spouted out by the man himself and this is the track that will have you singing like an idiot in the car while you are bounding down the motorway.
Old or new from Jamie T, it is all good and with 'Carry On The Grudge' Jamie T has managed to find the perfect balance which, with the choice of 150 songs plus, in itself was a tricky task. On a positive, this could mean more music on the way rather than another five year absence.

If you are a fan of this guy, you will not be disappointed. Some songs may need a couple of listens for full absorption, but you will be happy nonetheless, and if you like his stuff on record, get off your backside and go and see him live.

Music: Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga - Cheek to Cheek review

One of the biggest trends in music today is that new rhythms, beats and backing vocals are sounding more and more like the old ones. Vintage and retro have defined some of the big hits of the last few years, from Pharrell's 'Get Lucky' and 'Happy' to Meaghan Trainor's 'All About That Bass'. Most of these sounds only call back to the 1970s and maybe the 50s and 60s for their funk and their groove, and for some people that's just not enough. So leave it to Lady Gaga, never one to go halfway on anything, to team up with good old-fashioned showman Tony Bennett to deliver us all the way back to the Roaring 20s and the era of swing with their collaboration album titled 'Cheek To Cheek'.

If you've come into this album thinking that this will be a blend of Lady Gaga's pioneering pop methods and Tony Bennett's timeless style, I regret to inform you that it has missed the opportunity to feature Tony Bennett's cover of 'Bad Romance'. 'Cheek To Cheek' plays it straight, with Lady Gaga ditching her usual brand in favor of a 20s crooner. This is all Bennett's wheelhouse, and she really fits right in. Lady Gaga fits effortlessly into the role of the saucy dame, best seen in 'Goody Goody' where she cops her native New York accent to complain that she is no "goody goody", adopting a sly attitude as Bennett tries to romance her in all the wrong (yet right) ways.

Bennett and Gaga are both at their best in the call-and-reply songs, employing fitting referential metaphors in 'They All Laughed', convincingly affectionate back-and-forth in 'Cheek To Cheek' and, what must be one of the most comical lines, fitting the words "silly gigolos" into the album opener 'Anything Goes'. Gaga and Bennett also deliver two solos each, although Bennett's 'Sophisticated Lady' and Gaga's 'Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye' and 'Lush Life' sound a bit too similar as slow-paced piano ballads in comparison to Bennett's string-dominated 'Don't Wait Too Long'. Other songs pack more instrumental flair, with the manic energy of 'Firefly' and the jazzy overtones of 'I Can't Give You Anything' conjuring images of smoke-filled old boys clubs. And, of course, the duo's rendition of 'It Don't Mean a Thing' closes the album with a bang.

There's little to criticise about the album. The album's songs have a tendency to sound a bit like each other, and while the short length of most of the songs keeps that tendency from getting in the way of the music, it also leads to songs ending right as a listener is getting into them. As a whole, though, the thing that is most striking about this album is its authenticity. Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett have great chemistry as performers and both clearly have a passion for the genre and its legacy in popular music. They successfully bring to life an entire style of music that hasn't entered, let alone dominated, the public perception in decades. If you're a big band fan or if you just have an open mind, 'Cheek To Cheek' has that swing you may not have even known you were looking for.

Walking Dead: Season 6 Green Light and More On The Spin Off

AMC has unsurprisingly renewed The Walking Dead for a sixth season. The news comes just days before the fifth season premiere of the zombie show hits U.S. screens. 

"We could not be more excited for October 12th as we share new episodes of 'The Walking Dead' with fans around the globe," said AMC president Charlie Collier.


"In advance of Sunday's season five premiere, AMC proudly confirms a sixth season order of this extraordinary series. Thank you to Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, the terrific executive producers, and the entire team who brings this compelling world and these rich characters to life. There's plenty more Dead ahead thanks to their impressive, collective effort."

The show remains the number one show on television in the adults 18-49 demographic and is now the highest-rated cable show of all time. Season six will see the return of Scott M. Gimple, along with producers Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, Greg Nicotera and Tom Luse.


Though the show almost certainly has a couple more seasons left in the bag, there are indications that AMC may be thinking ahead for possible alternatives to its prize-asset. The cable channel is moving forward with its Walking Dead companion series, featuring new characters in a different location. 

Of the spin off, Kirkman had this to say: "It definitely won’t be set in Georgia—I can at least say that. It’s important to us that this show exists on its own. The spinoff has to be a show worthy of existing, or else we’ve all sold out. So that’s something we’re all working hard towards doing, and I think we can pull it off. I think that the ideal situation is, when you’re watching the spinoff, you’re like, ‘Wow, this is a really awesome show.'"

"There are many corners of 'The Walking Dead' universe that remain unseen in the shadows. Being given the opportunity to shine a light into those corners and see what lurks out there is an absolute thrill," Kirkman said. "I know the fans are anxious to hear what Dave and I have been cooking up for this new universe of 'The Walking Dead,' and I'm happy to be one step closer to sharing it with them."

The Walking Dead returns to AMC on October 12 at 9pm so on your favourite torrent sites an hour later. No UK air dates yet.

Gone Girl Review: Worn Out - in all the right ways

Those who have read the blockbuster novel may be disappointed to know that author Gillian Flynn hasn't changed anything in adapting it to the big screen, so there aren't any surprises along the way. But they'll be glad to see the story so faithfully and skilfully adapted, with snaky direction from David Fincher and actors who add layers of new meaning to the characters. And non-readers are in for a thrillingly twisty experience as a mysterious conundrum shifts into a full-on thriller and then something much more intensely personal.

When Nick (Ben Affleck) discovers that his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) is missing on their fifth wedding anniversary, he has no idea what has happened. As recounted in Amy's journal, their marriage has been a whirlwind of sexy highs and dark lows, as both writers lost their jobs in New York and moved to rural Missouri to take care of Nick's terminally ill mother. As a result, their marriage ran aground, and Nick increasingly turned to his twin sister Margot (Carrie Coon) for support. As two police officers (Kim Dickens and Patrick Fugit) investigate Amy's disappearance, the media circus begins to paint Nick as a villain, led by rabid tabloid-TV host Ellen Abbott (Missi Pyle). So while he suspects Amy's stalker-like ex (Neil Patrick Harris), Nick has little choice but hire a high-powered lawyer (Tyler Perry) to defend himself.

Even at nearly two and a half hours, this film races along breathlessly as events and revelations continually shift the perspective. It's clear from the start that neither Nick nor Amy (in diary-entry flashbacks) are particularly reliable narrators. Both are a bundle of secrets, although Nick remains far more sympathetic. Affleck gives one of his most textured performances in years as a nice guy who struggles to look "nice" for the cameras. His isolation and confusion are hugely involving, which contrasts strongly to Amy's far too confident point of view. Pike manages to bring out the peeling onion of Amy's personality beautifully, offering telling glimpses of the real woman beneath the characters she seems to always be playing. And the supporting cast add details that twist their roles as well. Dickens and Fugit are a terrific double act, while Coon and Harris constantly offer surprising hints about their characters beneath the bravado and concern.

While gripping the audience with a continual series of jarring shifts, Fincher hones in on some of the stronger themes in the story. At the central is the idea that it's impossible to know the person you've married or what they're truly thinking. And around this is a lacerating exploration of the invasive, scandal-obsessed media. All of this emerges beautifully from each finely crafted scene, including another unnerving mood-setting score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (The Social Network) and tightly controlled direction from Fincher that carefully wrenches the audience from a curious mystery into a full-on psychological thriller and leaves us worn out in all the right ways.

Watch the trailer here 

Battlelines: Josh Warrington - Leeds First Direct Arena

Saturday  saw a blistering night of explosive boxing the hopefully cements Leeds First Direct Arena as a venue of choice for Matchroom Boxing, the promoters of this event, but also crowned Leeds’ very own Josh Warrington the new European Featherweight Champion  amongst wild  scenes that were beamed around the world. The world know Leeds and Leeds knows boxing…

This was the second night of Boxing, with Josh having successfully defended his Commonwealth Featherweight title in May. That fight was on the undercard that day but the seeds were sown for this night, ticket sales very healthy with buoyant walk up sales. The interest in this fight had been huge, with public workouts and weigh-ins across the city igniting interest in unusual quarters.

We are of course fiercely loyal to our home city but Eddie Hearn’s’ boxing and the Arena look a match made in heaven, rocking and bouncing in support of Leeds United fan Josh long before his main event fight.

Former two-weight world champion Ricky Burns made a less than convincing debut in the light-welterweight division, securing a 79-71 points win against Frenchman Alexandre Lepelley. He floored his opponent in the opening round with a right hook though to these eyes there was more than a hint of a slip or over balance rather that power that put him down, but he struggled to impose himself and, although he deserved his victory, was far from his best. The size of the scoring gap surprised some but given the flooring and the Frenchman having received a dubious point deduction, it wasn't too far wide of the mark in our opinion.

The quickest bout of the night went to Blackpool's Bryan Rose, fighting for the first time since losing his light-middleweight world title shot to Demetrius Andrade, barely breaking a sweat, recording a first-round knockout victory over Argentina's Ignacio Lucero Fraga


Earlier hotly tipped Huddersfield boxer Tyrone Nurse was up against Derby's Dave Ryan for the vacant Commonwealth light-welterweight title. A proper 12 round slugfest ensued and by his own admission later, that’s not his game, Undoubtedly he hurt Ryan, his eye closing early on but full credit for going toe to toe. A fiercely fought battle that Tyrone lost on points. One to watch though, he will be back and fancies another crack.


By now we had been joined in the press area by Massimo Cellino, the erstwhile President of our beloved Leeds United, which camp did he have a foot in we wondered given Josh was fighting an Italian, The LUFC connection though was there as photos emerged later of him being invited in to meet Josh pre-fight. Elsewhere various other LUFC legends were in evidence with Gary McAllister keenly watching with us ringside.

Led out by Leeds Rhinos Jamie Peacock and former Leeds United player Dominic Matteo – he who you may recall “scored a f****** great goal, in the San Siro”, Josh had the walk on music to really ramp the crowd up even more – LUFC anthem Marching On Together mixed with the Kaiser Chiefs hit I Predict A Riot.



Josh came out with real steel in his eyes, that energy from the fans powering him out of his corner. That first round was his, the second a little more measured but in the third you could feel the temperature rising a little, some searching jabs and a great work rate which ultimately led to Dieli hitting the canvas in the fourth round. Taking almost the full count he looked out of it to me but continued, one final barrage from Warrington and the towel was in. Josh jumped with joy as the Arena erupted again. Warrington, 23, also holds the British and Commonwealth belts is now unbeaten in his 19 professional fights and picked up his third belt in 12 months.

After the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that Boxing would return to the Arena soon and paid tribute to the fantastic atmosphere the fans had created. We will be sure via our publications and here, to ensure we tip you when this is announced, we cannot recommend these Matchroom Boxing events highly enough, slick, professional and one hell of a night out.

On a side note we offered exclusive preferential rates in our partner hotels in combination with this fight which sold out quickly. If you would be interested in this, without obligation please let me know as we have the potential to up our allocation.

For further information on future Matchroom Boxing events, please visit http://www.matchroomboxing.com/ Or follow on twitter @matchroomboxing

Lets Rock Leeds - Line Up and Early Bird Tickets...

After 7 years of 80s fun at Ultimate 80s Festivals around the country, Let’s Rock Leeds! returns to Temple Newsam on Saturday 21st June 2014. Today they have announced fabulous line-up of artists to bring you the very best of the 80s, and an action packed day of general 80s madness, there is plenty to do for everyone at this Family Friendly Festival!

Let’s Rock Leeds! offers something for the whole family, with entertainment for everyone. Children can enjoy our new “Let’s Rock! Playpen”, which includes tons of free stuff to keep the little ones occupied, including circus workshops with the Bigtopmania Circus, face painting, crafts, tricycles and the “Disco Shack”! With a super funfair including water rides as well as children’s entertainers from BBC/ITV, Let’s Rock Leeds! offers the perfect day out for all the family. Multiple bars and a wide range of quality food outlets, selling food from around the world.

2015 will see our new, funky 80s themed VIP enclosure, where you can pay a visit to our 80s stylists for the ultimate 80s makeover or sit back and relax in the comfy chill out zone or enjoy the outdoor seating area. The VIP enclosure includes a premium food outlet, coffee shop and full bar serving quality brands and 80s cocktails, plus of course the all important VIP luxury loos – essential at any festival!

Tom Bailey

Its the music that we are here for though... Increasingly with these 80s gigs we are seeing the same names over and over so hats off to Lets Rock that we have some new and rarely seen retro names, if you know what we mean..

Sam Fox

Thompsons Twins main man Tom Bailey makes a very very welcome appearance in Leeds having unexpectedly performed a couple of times this year. Its been far too long since songs like Hold Me Now, We Are Detective and Lies have been heard live. Tom is in great form, expect a show stealing set..

Five Star, those of many an 80s hit are rare performers, especially this far north but just like back in the day, its a sick show come Rain or Shine (ahem). Expect System Addict, Slightest Touch, Strong As Steel and many more.

Betty Boo

Sam Fox, ok lets forget THAT Brits appearance all those years ago, and remember so top pop hits like Touch Me, Nothings Gonna Stop Me Now. It might not be classy or slick, its certainly not the cream of the 80s but cheesy pop ahoy!

Bucks Fizz

Elsewhere on the bill Betty Boo makes a very rare excursion live and is sure to be Doing The Do though personally I will be eagerly anticipating Where Are You Baby... Eurovision winners Bucks Fizz will also be in Leeds, expect a sackful of hits: Making Your Mind Up, Land Of Make Believe, If You Can Stand The Heat and more.

That full line up then..
THOMPSON TWINS' TOM BAILEY / RICK ASTLEY / GO WEST / MIDGE URE / HEAVEN 17
FIVE STAR / T'PAU / BETTY BOO / BUCKS FIZZ / THE BEAT / SONIA / SAM FOX / JIVE BUNNY & THE MASTERMIXERS

Lets Rock Leeds is at Temple Newsam Leeds on 20 June 2015 and tickets goon sale 1st Novemeber 2015. For a limited time, EARLY BIRD TICKETS on sale now http://letsrock.gigantic.com/lets-rock-leeds/temple-newsam/2015-06-20-11-00

Lets Rock Leeds will be one of our featured shows this coming sumer so expect lots of news and interviews leading up to showtime!

Arnold Schwarzenegger Hits Leeds This Winter - Update

Earlier we broke the news that cheeky chappie interviewer Jonathan Ross is to interview 
Arnold Schwarzenegger, in one of his only UK interviews this year exclusively at the Centenary Pavilion, Elland road, Leeds on Friday 14th November.

Since then we have got word from Jonathon  "I’ve been a fan of Arnold Shwarzenegger’s since I first saw him on screen in Conan. Since then he’s continued to delight me and millions of others, in movies so familiar to us all they barely need mentioning. The Terminator, Terminator 2, Commando, Predator, Total Recall - some of the greatest action and science fiction films of all time. So it will be an enormous pleasure to get to chat to him about his life and work in such an intimate setting in Leeds. He’s a true superstar, and it promises to be a great night."

Iconic roles as The Terminator, Commando and Last Action Hero, Conan the Barbarian and most recently alongside other legendary action heroes in The Expendables 3 put Arnold up there as one of the kings of action movies and one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.

For Arnie fans that get tickets for the evening, a champagne reception awaits 
guests to the black tie event, followed by some amazing entertainment and a 
superb dinner. Jonathan and Arnold will then take to the stage and talk about 
his life, career and what the future holds for the Hollywood star – including the 
screening of the fifth Terminator film early next year! This is sure to be a once in a lifetime event and of course Leeds the natural venue!

Limited tickets are available to purchase from olexyfresh.com


Arnold Schwarzenegger Leeds 2014 Video from Olexyfresh Promotions on Vimeo.

Interview: James Nesbitt on set of new BBC drama The Missing

We were lucky enough to catch up with James Nesbitt recently on the set of upcoming BBC Series "The Missing". Starting in October this 8 x 1hr episode series is set to shock, surprise and intrigue..

What is The Missing about?
A family, a happily married couple and their adored and adoring four year old son called Oliver, go to France for the summer holiday. Through a series of fateful incidents, they have to spent the night in a little village called Chalons du Bois while their car gets fixed. 

It’s during the football World Cup in 2006 and we spend the day having a lovely unplanned family day in the village. By the evening, the car has been fixed and we plan to leave the next day. But Oliver has spotted a leaflet in the hotel about a local swimming pool and wants to go for a swim. Tony, who I think like a lot of father’s feels a bit guilty about working so much, says he’ll do anything to please his boy and takes him for a swim 
while Emily goes back to the hotel. 

When Oliver wants a drink they go the bar where there’s a big crowd watching the exciting France vs Brazil match on TV. For one second, Tony gets caught up in it 
along with the rest of the crowd. He’s been holding Oliver's hand and the next minute he knows he's not anymore. 

From that point on it becomes a nightmare. We follow Tony and Emily backwards and forwards between 2006 and 2014 as their marriage disintegrates and as Tony disintegrates. He becomes more determined, more obsessed and more driven by trying to find out what happened to his son.

How did you react to the scripts?
It’s all very well having emotional material on a story like this but it has to be well constructed and believable, you have to be able to invest in it. The writing in these scripts was exceptional. The first reading was utterly gripping and terribly painful yet I became invested in the story just from the first page and was desperate to know what happened. I was fascinated and intrigued by the awful reality of something like this happening. We know this is a story that the public are aware of but the different journeys these characters go through can only be described as hell. The scripts are so arresting and beautifully detailed, intricate yet truthful. I was blown away by them and knew it was something I had to do.

How would you describe Tony?
I've been very fortunate to have a director such as Tom Shankland who is an actor's director and an intelligent director. We worked a lot on what was not in the scripts because we wanted to paint a picture of a complicated man. We looked at what Tony was like in his childhood because he often refers to a difficult relationship with his father and that would have had a huge impact on the kind of parent he wants to be.

He is very driven and protective of his family but he also has a bit of a dark past and a temper. Tony has a lot of jealousy and rage but as a parent he is doting and as a husband he is loving. There are certain triggers that can be pulled which turn him into a character who acts very explosively, spontaneously and almost blindly at times. But, at his core, Tony is a good and decent man whose side we're on. 

What is Tony’s relationship with Emily like?
It’s been incredibly incumbent upon us to try and show the good marriage they had before Oliver's disappearance. Because it happened so quickly at the beginning, it is hard to show just how stable, happy and content they were before. They were good for each other and, because of Tony’s childhood, Emily had been a very good stabilizing force for him. 

We really looked for those moments so it makes their slow disintegration much more painful. This horrendous thing happens and it begins to illustrate the cracks instead of pulling them together. Those relationship cracks get bigger until they become crevices and, in a sense, they become different continents. 

We do find it difficult to play those scenes. You're always very wary as an actor of saying that it's been a painful process but it actually has. We've invested a lot in the characters and their relationship, as well as Oliver. Although we are at a place where they are almost separated, hopefully you can still see that there was a love there. 

One of the great tragedies about Oliver's disappearance is what happens to Emily and Tony. Once he went, everything went - not only the family, but the marriage as well.

What is Tony’s relationship with French Detective Julien Baptiste like?
Julian, played by the marvelous Tcheky Karyo, starts off very differently. We don't spend much time together in 2006 and the time we do have is intense, aggressive and confrontational. Tony is brought in for interrogation, which is horrendous. Often the shadow of suspicion first falls on the parents and you have to cope with that whilst going through the pain. Their relationship seems to be a strong mutual antagonism at the beginning, particularly from Tony directed towards Julian.

In 2014, that relationship again starts off quite frostily when Tony comes back with a new clue and Julian becomes re-involved in the case. Their relationship then spills into what is hopefully a believable and beautiful admiration, but also a friendship. It was interesting playing one relationship, with Emily, starting well and disintegrating and then 
another one, with Julien, starting terribly and blossoming.

Has there been any one scene that has been particularly difficult to film?
I have had to play the odd character with bits of emotion and usually have to prepare myself for those big scenes coming up. But on this it’s just every day! Some days it's hard to be ‘on’ and to tap into that. Various things can get in the way but you have to be pretty disciplined. It's a mixture of technique and raw emotion. Because the writing is so good and we respect the scripts so much and are so invested in our characters, it makes it easier. A lot of the time I'm adlibbing and I'm not even aware of it so it's almost like doing theatre.

How is Tony’s history of violence significant?
It is interesting dramatically but it also says a lot about his childhood and what he witnessed. Tony desperately wants to be a good parent since his father was such a bad one. Unfortunately he can't help but turn into the very thing that he doesn't want to be at times. Bits of his father come out of him and you see a man that is not perfect. He is not your stand out typical hero; he has flaws and is dark but is a driven family man which makes for a more interesting character.

Did you enjoy working in Belgium and with French speaking actors?
It's great to film in Europe and away from the UK because we’re surrounded by different countries and that really helps with the authenticity. We've had a lovely blend of French Belgian and Flemish Belgian in the crew and it's a great setting. It's difficult to be away from home but sometimes when you want to submerge or immerse yourself in something like this, you have to be away from your family. 

The other thing I have loved about being in Brussels is that I used to speak a lot of French, I started a degree in French years ago, and so I've been able to use that again. Tcheky workedtirelessly on getting the English language right and he is brilliant. I can see it’s been a challenge for the French and Belgian actors but they've risen to it beautifully.

What is different about Tony’s character in the past and present?
In 2006 there are small technical differences like Tony is a little bit more upright. It helps that his look is different and the fact that the world around him is different. In the aftermath, he’s very driven and wants to get things moving.

In 2014 it’s like he's beaten it away. He's still on the track, still obsessed and still looking for Oliver but he's a wreck. So the shifts are at times very subtle and at times very obvious.

How does Tony’s obsession affect his life?
He feels guilty that his son went. He feels it was his fault that he took his eye off the ball for a minute. It doesn't matter how much he convinces himself because he feels that guilt and you never get over that. It’s like he knows that his destiny is to carry that forever, or for as long as it takes, and the only way of getting rid of it is to just try and find out more about his son.

But the guilt is a terrible cross he has to bear and it has destroyed everything in his life. He sees his little boy in his head every time he blinks and so the obsession to try and redeem himself is tough.

So sell this to NotJustMusics' readers, why should they watch the show?
The characters are believable and their flaws are believable. It's a story that people have come across before in reality that we still read about and hear about so it’s accessible. It explores the human spirit, which sounds like a terrible phrase, but it’s something that we're interested in. It is a story about loss, hope and despair. It’s about the very worst we can be and the very worst that can happen to us but also about love - the need for love and the sadness when love is taken away.