I'm jumping the gun (heh) here, but an announcement seems imminent. According to Billboard, Guns N' Roses and Best Buy have reached an agreement to release Chinese Democracy exclusively through their stores in the US. Adding credence to this rumour is the fact that three tracks (Chinese Democracy, If The World, There Was A Time) were played at a Best Buy convention to some lucky vendors. And the fact that If The World will play over the credits of the Leonardo DiCaprio/ Russel Crowe film "Body Of Lies". I've a ton more to say, but i'm afraid things might fall apart at the last moment so, no more blogging until it's offical (even if the info turns out to be false and I wouldn't be able to blog for a year). If things work out, expect the next blog to be an homage to GNR, and maybe a series of blogs about the long journey to Chinese Democracy, even if the idea might not appeal to all of you. I'm literally gobsmacked that we're on the verge of some kind of release date after so many false dawns.

New layout sucks. But ye already knew that

3 more eps for season 1 of Dexter. My internet is still a bit dodgy but I plan on going on a binge tomorrow with Dexter and finish the season and maybe start season 2. Bought the season dvd of Spaced today based on a recommendation. Just need to buy Season 3 of Black Books and then I'm saving my money for some big buys with dvds and cds around Christmas (probably need to buy TDK on bluray as well as dvd).

Here's a quick score-o-rama of the films I've seen since last blogging:

Pineapple Express- 4/10: Awful film. James Franco was entertaining enough but the weak dialouge and script dampend the entire experience

Trophic Thunder- 5/10: Robert Downey Junior made the film. If not for him, this wouldn't have garnered a passing grade

The Dark Knight (again and probably for the last time seeing as only one cinema is now showing it and at an inoppurtune time)- 10/10

I guess that's it

Chinese Democracy starts now?

There's something wrong today

Just blogging randomly seeing as the internet is fast. Not much to say though, just wasting time while Dexter buffers. I've finally decided to watch this programme after hearing nothing but good things about it. I certainly hope it's as amazing as people are making out The other show I have to get around to watching is The Wire, which never aired over here but according to my Americans brandishing the boxsets, it's "da bomb". Too bad we don't have a dvd player. Not that they'd work anyway due to region differences

So, yeah, Rock Band 2 on Sunday. It leaked well in advance, meaning there's plenty of gameplay footage floating around. I'm only interested in the release of Shackler's Revenge from GNR. I have to admit, it's somewhat surreal to be talking about any offical releases from the GNR camp after so many false dawns, but this is legit and there was no last miniute pulling of the song by Axl. Anyway, here it is as in game footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25jA2dMm34M

I love it. I mean REALLY love it. I know it's going to divide people, but as far as I'm concerned, Axl has pulled off a miracle. I hope people will be able to put their predujices about Axl aside and welcome the new band with welcome arms, but i guess that's asking a lot.

Everyone seems to be enjoying Death Magnetic, as am I, but I'm going to talk about another album I bought. Diamonds in the Rough is the collection of B-sides from Avenged Sevenfold that came bundled with the Live Dvd of them I bought. It's actually got some of their best work and I would probably put it on par with City of Evil. "Demons" is one of the best songs they've ever written, "Crossroads" is simple excellent, as is "Tension" while "Until The End" is a great ballad. It has its share of filler (like all their albums) and "Flash Of The Blade" is just awful, but it's well worth checking out: 7.9/10

Damn, Dexter isn't even half way through. I hate my internet!!!

Went to see TDK again tonight (ha, thought I wouldn't mention it right?!) but I have seen other films in the interval. Well one at least. My first post- TDK film was Step Brothers, a mildly amusing Will Ferell veichele. I'm not really a fan of Ferell or these kinds of films due to their lazy humour but it passed an hour or so (felt overlong though- probably because of its lack of structure due to a non-existent plot) and I'm quite fond of John C. Reilly. I did laugh pretty hard at some bits and this gets a respectable (coming from me) 2.5/5

There are plenty more films I need to catch (not including Hellboy 2 which I still haven't gotten around to seeing). I'll probably be dragged to Pineapple Express at some point even though I really dislike the whole Seth Rogen/ Judd Apatow team. I look forward to seeing James Franco in a comedic role though. Now, Trophic Thunder actually looks like a genuinely funny film, which are rare nowadays, and I'm particualrly looked forward to Robert Downey Jr's role as an Australian Oscar magnet. I hold out hope for Burn After reading due to my love for the Coen Brothers. But really, there's one film on the horizon I'm looking forward to more than any of the others combined:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQW2MtibAmk

And just to round things off, one more vid. It's ages old but it echoes my feelings absolutely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDxgNjMTPIs

That's it. I have girl problems as usual but I ain't gonna talk about it. I'm pretty content with my life right now

Ah screw it, Dexter still hasn't finished buffering! I'm off for a pizza...

I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it!!! I suspect he would, and it wouldn't be pleasent.

So, here I am after a crappy summer. I'm flattered that some of ye actually missed me. Summer wasn't great. There were lows, mostly based around the fact I couldn't get a job (we're in the middle of a recession and no firm was willing to take a student like me on part time). But there were highs too, mostly based around a movie that moved me in ways I never expected. Still it's good to be back and as always, I give you some random bloggings about things that tickle my fancy...

Music?

It's been a disappointing year for music so far for me, but it seems I'm in the same boat as most people. All the big releases are set for the Autumn season and there seems to be plenty to whet the appetites of music lovers with bands as different as Kings Of Leon to Metallica releasing material. My eyes are more on a videogame for my musical palette to be satisfied though. Normally I wouldn't bat an eyelid at a game like Rock Band 2 especially considering it isn't out over here for another year, but the fact that it's set to feature the first "offical" release from Guns N Roses' neverending opus Chinese Democracy meant I sat up and took notice. Shackler's Revenge as the track is called is certainly not going to convince the skeptics but it's an interesting idea to release it through a videogame and with the rumours that a deal for release of the album has finally been reached means I too may have my musical tastes also catered to before the holidays.

Other than that there's always The Killers new album, Day and Age, in November. I went to see them a few weeks back and they were awesome. Exceeded expectations, they completely blew me away.

Anyway, to round off this section, you may have heard of the blogger who is threathened with jail time for posting links on his site for more leaks from Chinese Democracy. Hard to know how I feel on this one, I downloaded the tracks so maybe that too makes me guilty. Still, I ain't going deep here, I just want to rank the 9 leaks in order of preference

9. I.R.S

8. Better

7. If The World

6. Rhiad and The Bedouins

5. Chinese Democracy

4. Madagascar

3. There Was A time

2. The Blues

1. New Song (doesn't have an offical title but a standout track- very Estranged like)

The Batmaaaan.... from worst to best, ranking the Batman's big screen exploits!

7. Batman And Robin

Not just a bad film, I find it personally insulting as a Batman film. At least you knew what to expect from Batman 66, this is merely inexcusible. I'm not even going to post a poster of it, it's not worth it. Avoid it at all costs, it's the worst film of all time. Seriously. I'd make some ice joke right here like Mr Freeze does but it's giving me a migrane just thinking about this film

Rating: 0/10

6. Batman Forever

Bland as they come, but sorta entertaining (but you have to be really drunk). I once affectionately referred to this film as "Batman Forever a.k.a Joel Schumacer f**ks the Batman franchise in the ass: Part One", but it does have some redeeming qualities. Well, only one really... Nicole Kidman is a fox! Other than that, Robin is annoying and unneccessary, the villans are either in The Riddler's case, a Joker knock off, or in Two-Face's case completely out of character (tossing the coin repeatedly to get the result he wants is the biggest gripe I have with the film, I thank the gods the incredible Aaron Eckhart rectified this in the later, superior interpretation) and it introduced the world to the dreaded bat nipple. Nuff said...

Rating: 5/10

5. Batman 66

I don't really consider this an actual representation of the Batman character, so I take the film as it's meant to be; just a bit of fun. It's a comedy and the film version of the popular series featured such highlights as Batman fending off a shark with his trusty repellent. I take this film for what it is, it ain't Batman and I mostly dislike the direction the 60s series took this character but as a camp treasure, you can't help but be drawn in and it's at least better than either of the Schumacer pictures

Rating: 6/10

4. Batman Returns

I've got to be honest, I never got Tim Burton's interpretation of Batman. I know it has it's fans but it's a lot campier than on first inspection. it's this mix of the camp and the overall darkness of the pic that don't sit well with me, and although some would say it means the overall film could be defined as quirky and surreal, it just seems contrived and a bit of a nasty film to me. I'm glad the film is dark, but unlike the darkest film in the trilogy TDK, it's darkness is not derived from the character's and there own personal grapples with the darkness within and around them, it instead uses a gothic backdrop to almost become a horror film at times thanks to its rather disturbing and upsetting but this jars with the campy feel of the script and the dialouge. That is the biggest problem I've always had with Burton's films- the scripts and overall tone. It just doesn't know what it wants to say or what it wants to be about. Still, I have to give Burton credit for at least attempting to take the character and his history seriously and it is an entertaining film. It's just not Batman...

Rating: 7/10

4. Batman (89)

Pretty much the same gripes I have with Returns, the clunky script and the way everyone's out of character (Batman desn't kill!!!). Michael Keaton is a solid Batman but the show is indeed stolen by Jack Nicholson's portrayl as The Joker. He's incredibely entertaining and a great villain, but you can't shake the feeling that Jack just rang in the preformance as his version of The Joker is pretty much his "Jack" persona tailored to fit the character as it's more Jack Nicholson as Jack Nicholson playing the Joker (if that makes any sense). So overall, it's a great film but Nicholson is played more for laughs and not the dark vision of the character I wanted. I would have to wait some more years before a more faithful version of the character finally hit the big screen, as seen next on my list. Yes, I said next...

Rating: 7.5/10

3. Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm

Hopefully I fooled you there. Yes, we finally got a more faithful incarnation of the Clown Prince of Crime in this well scripted, surprisingly emotional story that delves deep in Bruce Wayne's pysce. It holds a special place in my heart due to my love for the animated series of Batman but it merits it's esteemed place on my list and was the best Batman film of the 90s

Rating: 8/10

2. Batman Begins

Christopher Nolan's stunning reboot finally put the focus where it belonged- on Bruce Wayne. The gritty realistic approach to Batmanwas to its advantage reminding us all why we feel in love with the character in the first place, stripping back the character to his essence. It finds it's influence again from both the darker comics in the Batman cannon, returning him to his pulp roots. It's the first live action Batman film to understand the character of Batman and we are finally given a faithful interpretation of the character. Minor gripes are Katie Holmes' preformance and the third act feeling a little out of place considering how carefully rooted in reality the rest of the film was. But I still consider this the first "real" Batman film. Not just a great movie... a great Batman movie

Rating: 9.5/10

1. The Dark Knight

I'll be quick but welcome to the only Batman film that gets all the characters right. All of them from the Joker to Gordon are spot on and it's all thanks to a cracking script, some of the best preformances in years and the pitch perfect directing of Christopher Nolan. I always knew the definitive Batman film would probably end up being my fave film of all time but this still crushed my expectations as here, finally, was the Batman film I thought would never be. Haunting imagery has burned into my subconcious and no other film has had such an effect on me. I've seen it multiple times and have no plans of stopping. Just incredible.