Film Review: The wind the shakes the barley

A period drama set in 1920s Ireland. This film explores the impact of nationalism on a village and the consequences of Irish blood being spilt.

Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later, Red Eye) stars as Damien who is forced to choose between a medical career and independence of Britain during the Irish War of Independence.

His disarming blue eyes aren't smiling in this particular film about Irish nationalism. Freedom is symbolic throughout the film, in various shades of emerald. Some of the island were content to live under the British crown, others in a free state, others demanding complete freedom. 4/5

Inner city Perth nightlife Part II

I concur with Dave's comment about Little Creatures. After drinking that and Redback for 6 months, how will I ever go back to Melbourne booze?!

So, some more (have to seek out some good venues if I return):

Moon and 6-pence: Murray St near William St.
English pub, okay for sitting outside in the front with smokers.

CBD: cnr King and Hay Sts
Swanky bar/restuarant. Went there after work with some colleagues once. Nice place but seems a bit posh for the typical backpacker.

The Shed - opposite the Deen.
Yet another forgettable Northbridge venue. Literally is a shed with a corrugated iron roof. Classy. Has a windmill and a leaky water tank out the front, for a unique perspective of Australiana. Clientele: rejects from the Deen? :)

Paramount - James St
Northbridge nightclub complete with lengthy queues and a countdown clock out the front. Dance music and 80's covers. Petey still don't dance.

Geisha - James St next to Novaks.
Trance music, trippy stuff but only if you're on something. Tomas, those Red Bulls are lethal for one's tummy at 2am!

Malaga markets: Near where I worked, has food stalls and takeaways. Big screen TV for the footy finals on a Friday night. cheap happy hour.

The Moon. William St near the corner of Newcastle (close to Domino's pizza)
Groovy diner that serves drinks if you buy some food. Has Jazz on Thursday nights. Open 'til late.


Freo:
Didn't really go out much in Freo. Little Creatures, above, is good for brewery-tourism on a weekday afternoon in autumn.

Sail and Anchor: Home of the Matilda Bay beers, all for tasting. (So far have only seen Redback and Beez Neez in Melbourne - guess Dogbolter and Buckley's are too much of an acquired taste. Crema - their new coffee beer isn't too bad.) Live tunes on weekend afternoons. Prime location looking over Freo Markets.

Norfolk: Gritty worker's bar. Bottleshop open later than Sail and Anchor. Alledgely has music gigs but I never saw any. :(

Last movie from Perth

Last train to Freo: A train ride from Midland to Fremantle via Perth. I'd been living in Perth for 6 months, so had to see it.

It's the story of two louts who make life uncomfortable for their fellow passengers. Not a film for people who are uneasy about catching late night public transport. The two passengers from the outer suburbs are perhaps in Mark Latham's parlance loveable larrikins who take things a little too far when a pretty innocent young lady boards the train at Bayswater. Harrassment predictably ensues but all is not as it seems as our damsel in distress toughs out the journey. Plenty of Perth cultural references. 3/5

Film Review: Clerks II

When I was 18 I saw the first movie, now the sequel... Same cast, with cameos from people in Kevin Smith's other films, including Ben Affleck.

The first movie was a funny low budget black and white film about Dante, a convenience store clerk and Randall, the guy next door at the video shop.

Fast forward 14 years - the jokes are the same but the characters are now in their thirties and somehow even more pathetic because they haven't moved on. Parallels with my own life, I guess. :(

Still a funny film with lots of awkward moments about sex and fidelity. 4/5