Flamingo

by Brandon Flowers

Released in 2010

Island/Vertigo

I've been a fan of Brandon Flowers' band The Killers, during that time I liked a lot of what they produced; indie-rock, pop, wave etc

They originally had a concert in Hong Kong but is cancelled because of Brandon's mother has died last year. The Killers decides to take a break during that time, but that wasn't going to stop Brandon from making music, instead he's going solo, releasing his own album titled Flamingo.

This is a lot different comparing to his past Killers' albums, this one is a more personal and it feels like it's an album made for Brandon himself and a little bit of American-ish rather than the colourful and rich "Mr Brightside" and "Spacemen". Although the album is produced by Brandon himself, but The Killers' Guitarist Dave Kenuing and Drummer Ronnie Vannuuci made a surprise apperances in the album.

Most songs have some of the gospel chrous and smooth rock, "Welcome to the Fabulous Las Vegas" is an introduction of the whole album, and for Flamingo for it's namesake.

The first single "Crossfire" has a bit of slow bit and more of a wisdom song than you can find somewhere else like Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire".

"Only the Young" has also a slow beat, which of course also feels a bit innocent in this song.

"Hard enough for you" a bearable confessions of Brandon Flowers made into the best love/redeption song along with the wonderful vocals of Jenny Lewis.

There are also more of optimistic songs like "Was it something I said" and "Magdalena" which feels a lot of songs made in 80's and also some tearful moments like "On the Floor" and "Playing with Fire" has their own sentimentality and religion metaphoric phrase.

Overall I think there's a big shift between His solo album and most of the Killers songs, but the formula hasn't been changed, I think it actually reflect upon the personal journey of Brandon Flowers with more of a intention of making into a more indie-rock and he sucessfully bringing a distinct Sam's Town feel with a mix of Days and Age in this album

9/10

Movie Review: Thor

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Actors: Chris Hemsworth, Naatalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgard

Date: 28/4/2011 (Hong Kong)

Best Marvel Super Hero adapted film next to Spider-man and Iron Man

OK, Thor, you might add that this is a half Shakespearian and half traditional light vs evil style film you can think with, thanks to director Kenneth Branagh’s field of experience.

Story-wise: The God of Thunder, Thor has been exiled by his father because of his action and he was sent to the earth along with his mighty Hammer the Mjolnir. In Earth, Jane Foster and her companion found him, seemingly after a few encounter, she falls in love with him.

Meanwhile on the other side of the universe, Thor’s half brother Loki, upon the terrible secrets of himself, has become king and began to take control of Asgard, and unleash the terrifying weapon attempt to kill Thor. But Thor, having worthy enough to possessed the power of the Mjolnir, against his brother’s plans and save his world and his new-found Earth.

Typical, yeah? well no, it isn’t really the kind of cliches we use to see in some super hero movies, it does develop Thor played by Australian Actor Chris Hemsworth, is an aggressive and energetic god, then when he is in Earth, he shown to develop more of a human natural emotions that is pretty much a weaker aspect of the film, especially the relationship of Thor and Jane Foster wasn’t that strong. Tom Hiddleston handled villain Loki very good for a perspective what he wants to do to make sure that he is the most love to his father. Anthony Hopkins’ Odin is a really surprising but yet the most dramatic role I’ve ever seen in a super hero movie, and I couldn’t say how much I love Kenneth Branagh’s direction on how to make Thor unlike any other comic book movies, maybe more of a Shakespearian movie mixed with a little Oedipus theme on it and building the relationship between father and son.

Other characters have been also ramped up for a great deal of Screenplay.Idris Elba cast as Heimdall, the gatekeeper of Asgard, there is a outcry that Heimdall should be white, not black. Personally I wouldn’t care, because that kind of things exists anyway (Kenneth Branagh’s role in “Much ado about nothing” is a nice tip). Clark Gregg reprise his role from 2 Iron man movies as Agent Phil Coulson (he has a wider role than the 2 Iron man films)

When it comes to production design, I’ve never seen Asgard as vivid and vibrate with match of what Earth would looks like, the CGI does provide a better close up for the much dazzling graphics in Asgard along with the frost giant home world.

At the conclusion, the whole film is great and added a lot of layer within the film, but Jane and Thor’s characters (along with a lot of earthlings) can be further developed, yep that’s all I can say for a film unlike other (note: except the films I’ve talked earlier).

9/10 

Note: It’s been confirmed that Thor will appear in the upcoming Avengers movie, and finger cross that if the upcoming Captain America would have the same success that Thor would have, then every-Marvel fans would rejoice the final masterpiece that Joss Weldon would direct.