I went to see No Country For Old Men yesterday. Very good to a point. The point being the ponderous ending that left the whole audience audibly saying 'eh....' There are too many 'worthy' films with this type of ending. The films carry and audience for some time but then give them no reward in the end. They are like long jokes with no punchlines. Ofcoarse some ponderous endings work, but what happened to straight forward beginning middle and end film making. Theres nothing wrong with it. In the case of No Country For Old Men, you get the sense that nobody really knows whats going on, or trying to be said at the end; but to avoid seeming completly stupid come out of the cinema saying how 'profound the experience was for them, in a deeply quasi social scientific way'. Good for the most part though. And maybe I'll get the end eventually.
Cocophone are playing tonight in Whelans. They are a BalconyTV favourite. They've played twice in recent months. Here and Here. We like them because they have great melodic tunes...and they bring us little buddhas, biscuits and wine. Very biblical. Doors open at 8 and admission is 10 yo yo.
And finally check out this fantastic performance from BalconyTV.De
U2s Manager Paul McGuinness made a very interesting speech in Cannes yesterday entitled ‘The Online Bonanza: Who is making all the money and why aren’t they sharing it?’
The Amazing Few gig in Whelans last night was absolutely fantastic! A huge crowd turned out for Kieron Blacks band, in what turned out to be a thouroughly enjoyable night. There is not enough fun in music at the moment, so its refreshing to see a band with such spirit. With Kieron being a major supporter of the music scene in Dublin, organising gigs such as The Sunday Roast and The King Kong Club, the night was a proverbial whos who of the music scene. Its highly likely that the word 'proverbial' is wrong in this context, but me thinks it sounds good. Last night I spotted James Guilmartin, Jenny Lindfors, Robotnik, The Bloodred Mountain Band, Starturtle, Lisa McLaughlin, and truck loads more. Truck loads I say.
I was awoken today in the worst way. It still being dark, I opened my eyes. I heard footsteps. Suddenly my door opens. A man with a small light.
'Eh Hello'
'Fuckin Hell'
And with that he was gone. But I was out of the bed like a light. I actually ran for the balcony. If he came back I could shout for help. But from there I could also see him down on the laneway.
I go on about the junkie situation in Dublin from time to time. And being awoken by one who breaks in to your building and climbs 100+ steps, and enters your room highlights the situation further.
As I write this we have a man taking finger prints. In fairness to the police they were on the scene like a light, and they have managed to catch the guy.
Yadda yadda ya. Drugs, drugs, drugs. Bad, bad, bad.
To cheer ourselves up we will be at a gig in Whelans for Kieron Blacks 'The Amazing Few'. Rumour has is, that it will be 'absolutely fantastic.' Doors open at 7.30PM. Entry is 10 Yo Yo. And support comes from the always entertaining Robotnik.
Great to have Cocophone back on the Balcony yet again. They are a double act with a great attitude and great melodies. Aswell as that they always bring gifts to the Balcony clan. These gifts are most welcome. Note to all future performers. Bring gifts.
Cocophone will be playing in Whelans on the 30th of January. A genuine class act, so you should try get along.
Apart from that, a general musing really. Not even a musing. I've said it before and I'll say it again. There is a noticeable increase in junkies on the streets of Dublin. Whats most alarming is that they are on our main streets now. The streets that the Garda should at least have under control, if only to please the eyes of the multitude of tourists.
Yesterday I was walking by the pharmacy on Dame Street and I noticed a person walking towards me. He was a junkie/scumbag in the most exagerated sense. He walked like a cartoon version of Liam Gallagher. He wore a sparkly tracksuit. And crucially he had what appeared to be a large well rolled joint. Although as he was so out of it, I suspect there may have been more than green leaves in that doobie.
As I walked by the pharmacy I noticed that he stopped to look in the window. He kind of hunched down looking through the glass as if he was checking the terraine. It was beyond comical. I had to stop and watch. Maybe he was looking at a friend inside? Nope, not that I could see. I just stood and watched this guy. I had to leave at a certain point, but I have to say I wouldn't be surprised if he was a character from Naked Camera, and there were a few cameras hidden around.
You see it every day.
And another randomness. I was speaking to a few Egyptians last night. They are in town on official business. They siad they have hated Ireland since they got here. No culture, no women, and rain. They were held in Dublin Airport for an hour. That can't have helped.
It seems the Tom Cruise Scientology video which was leaked on line the other day has been removed. Here is another leaked vid that is even more bizarre. I really hope BalconyTV doesn't have a massive fan base of Scientologists. Note the way Tom talks about 'LRH' (L RON HUBBARD), and then salutes the giant picture of him. Its also bizarre the way Tom talks about 'cleaning this place up', because 'now is the time'.
Just incase your confused about LRH, here he is. Theres lots about him online, and all evidence suggest he was stark raving bonkers. Here is a small example.
We had some VIPs in town from London in recent days who are interested in moving BalconyTV to the next level. That will mean building a whole extra floor so:-) Terrible. Anyway, we went for a big schnazzy meal in LGuillotine with everybody eager to impress everybody else. I tryed to keep a hold of myself as I was aprehensive as to who may not get on with who. Pauline looking resplendid, was initially quiet and reserved, sipping her red wine, scoping the scene. Tom with no apologies was busting into stories of vintage cars, and Woody Allen. You do know Tom played jazz with Woody Allen? Four bottles of wine later, and there was no doubt things were going well. Where to next, was the question? After a minor debate, we settled on the The Long Hall for an authentic Dublin drinking experience. Just accross the road. Perfect. Glug glug glug. To the Morrison Hotel next. Mojitos for some, wiskey straight for others. It was joke time too. Long meandering hit or miss jokes, with questionable content. It was hillarious. We could do a show once with Tom telling his jokes. We would be shut down in a day. I think it was also this time, when my language started being litered with the F word. I'm pretty good with a few drinks on me. You may not notice that I'm drunk apart from turning into a preachy Geldof like character. F this and F that. With the night over, it was all a success. The more senior members of the group (and those with serious responsibilies) retired to there quarters, but for myself and Tom and one of the VIPs it was on with the show. The Czech Inn so. Just at the corner of Parliament Street. Always a good bet for a late night drink in Dublin. So while the London VIP enjoyed an apple juice, myself and Tom liberally doused ourselves in Czech beers. It was a site to behold. You had to be there. The next morning we were both on the deck. Tom claimed never to feel so bad in his life. I empathised with him. What now for BalonyTV?
Saw Bee Movie yesterday at last. Completly nuts. I'm a huge Jerry Seinfeld fan, but clearly he had too much control on this particular project. Has its moments though. On a seperate note, and again nothing to do with BalconyTV, has anyone noticed how infamous Roy Keane has begun styling himself on infamous Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?
Went to see Enchanted last night when I couldn't get into Charlie Wilsons War. Apart from a Hollywood ending that actually reminded me of a Disneyland ride, the film is charming and well worth the watch. On Saturday night I went to a new restaurant on Georges Street called The Cornerhouse Grill. It has a very cool New York vibe about it. I went to lunch there just after it opened when it was virtually empty. The food was very disappointing after a ridiculous wait. A month later, and I thought I'd give it a second chance. Anybody can have an off days. Myself and my friend waited over an hour without getting our food! Considering how much the food on the menu was, we thought it was best just to leave. Which we did. Very dissapointing. We went to Captain Americas, where we had some thoroughly average food, for a much more average price. If your wondering how this blog has turned into Food Critics Corner, well after getting hooked on Gordon Ramseys Kitchen Nightmares, after being given his bio as a Christmas gift, I now find it hard to go into a restaurant and not think 'FUCK ME'.
Another 100'000 views for BTV shows. The 100'000 views in roughly 20 days. So in reality we are getting about 150'000 video views per month now. Which we are pretty darn chuffed with. Where is all this going? We don't know.
Went to 'I Keano' again last night in the Olympia. I enjoyed it much more on a second viewing. I didn't feel under such presure to laugh. It's not the 'laugh out loud' musical that its being portrayed as, but it is brilliantly clever.
We've had a few late cancellations recently because of the weather. What's happening to RocknRoll? If playing in the rain, on a Balcony is not as RocknRoll as you can get, then I don't know what is. Anyway, fantastic to have Pamela Connolly back on todays show. By far one of the best talents out there. And she had no fear of the cold! Speaking of talent. Here is todays BalconyTV Hamburg...bloomin' marvellous!
We've gone through a bit a hairy patch with bookings. I was a bit neglectful over Christmas to the booking diary. And come the beginning of the year I was thinking crikey, maybe, just maybe, there are no more acts out there. Added to that, Ireland is flu ridden at the moment. New Years blues are obviously a factor also. But lo and beholdst, the bookings are flying in now. No need to fear. BalconyTV goes on!
Apart from all that, I woke up this morning to see Mrs Clinton won in New Hampshire. How the fup did that happen! Here I am getting all political again, but all the news shows yesterday were claiming Barack was storming away with it. Shows what they know. Ok, I need to stop this, for risk of losing much of our huge American following.
This is performance by Paul Brady and Eleanor McEvoy on Tubridy Tonight pre Christmas. Having had them both appear on the Balcony, and at our awards night, it was amazing to see them perform together. Legends.
As I'm sure your all aware at this stage, Pauline plays in the fantastic band Alan Alda. I'm positive your all aware of that. Anyway, here is their new video for the curious out there. Always Someone Watching
So the real reason we keep bringing Cocophone back on BalconyTV is because they keep giving us gifts whenever they return. The first time they came they brought us a little golden buddha. And when they came for todays show they brought a massive tin of Chocolate Kimberly. That is class. Thanks guys. You lead by example.
Movie Review time. The Assassination of Jesse James - Good, worthy, but laborious at times.
And finally, here is the final part of The BalconyTV Music Video Awards which we held in the Sugar Club in June. It is the encore by Red Kid. Enjoy.
A couple more vids today from The BalconyTV Music Video Awards which we held in June in The Sugar Club. We've almost uploaded the whole show now. The following segments include Lauren Guillerys performance, and the award for Best Band, which was won by RoySeven. LAUREN GUILLERY
I've just woke up to the shocking footage of Britney Spears being wheeled out of her home on a stretcher. Apparently she had a bust up about her kids after she was caught on some unknown substance. Add to that I've just learned that Britneys sister Jamie Lynn, and star of Nickelodeon Show Jamie 101 (or something like that) is preggers aged 16. Bloody hell. And I thought she was the clever one in the family. Anyway, Pauline, who has such a good knowlegde of Celeb gossip, and should probably be presenting whatever that celeb gossip show on TV3 is, just texted to tell me, that all this Spears malarky is old news. At this point your all probably thinking I'm a bit on the fruity side... In other news Barack won Iowa. Hurrah! Anyway, here is the most recent installment of Dublin Stories by The Diet of Worms to bring you bang up to date. Bloomin brilliant. Watch it.
Irish Broadband is completly and utterly bogus again today. Which means I am once again in the Internet Cafe uploading todays show. Irish Broadband Upload - 2 Hours, Internet Cafe - 10 Mins. Apart from that, has anyone noticed the new precident of computer devices having fans built in. At home over Christmas, playing PlayStation with my bro, I noticed my hands were suddenly frozen. The controller had a built in fan! I notice now that the mouse I'm using has one too. Is this really nessessary? Has everyone lost their minds?
Sorry for the complete lack of blogage over Christmas. We've been all a bit lazy over the festive period. Added to that, it took me bleedin ages to edit the year best of. I started it having no idea what I was getting into. It took me a full day. Bloomin eck. Apart from that, here is the first 10 seconds of 2008 from the Balcony. Sorry for the lack of sound. What are you gonna do?
