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Zeitgeist: Moving Forward, Canberra Screening.

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In 2008, an old man with a vision, meets a young man with a camera, that leads to a documentary, that has started a global movement for social and systemic change.

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It has no head office, is not a political party, does not have any leaders, is not a centralised organisation, is not associated with any groups, and had 500,000 people register in under 2 years!

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The resulting “Zeitgeist Movement” is the activist arm of “The Venus Project“, an organisation started decades ago by Jacque Fresco, an industrial designer and social engineer.

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The Zeitgeist documentaries are the most watched Internet documentaries in history with over 150,000,000 viewings on-line alone, not including public screenings around the world and handing out of DVDs. (All done by self motivated volunteers with a desire to make the world a better place).

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Zeitgeist, a German word, literally translates as “time-spirit”, or more broadly stated as ‘the general cultural, intellectual, artistic, spiritual and philosophical mood or tone of an era or time period.’

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“War, poverty, corruption, hunger, misery, human suffering will not change in a monetary system. It’s going to take the redesign of our culture and values and it has to be related to the resources of the earth.” Jacque Fresco.

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The previous documentary, Zeitgeist: Addendum, examined the foundational sources of how society works and the root causes of our broadest social problems. Unlike other ‘the-system-is-broken’ types of documentaries, Zeitgeist: Addendum introduced us to a solution that is based on environmental-alignment and the use of the scientific method applied to society – an approach that is constantly updated to present day knowledge.

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The third documentary, Zeitgeist: Moving Forward, directed by Peter Joseph, is a feature length documentary work which will present a case for a needed transition out of the current failing socioeconomic monetary paradigm which governs the entire world society. The subject matter will transcend the issues of cultural relativism and traditional ideology and move to relate the core, empirical “life ground” attributes of human and social survival, extrapolating those immutable natural laws into a new sustainable social paradigm called a “Resource-Based Economy“.

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“A society without a vision of what the future can be, is bound to repeat past errors over and over again.” Peter Joseph, Director, producer, writer, cinematographer, composer, editor and narrator.

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About the film.
Screening in Canberra on Sunday 13th March (the global Zeitgeist Day), the 3rd documentary, Zeitgeist: Moving Forward, was recently released worldwide in more than 60 countries and over 20 languages.

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ZMF features experts in the fields of public health, anthropology, neurobiology, economics, energy, technology, social science and other relevant subjects which relate to social operation and culture. The three central themes of the work are Human Behaviour, Monetary Economics, and Applied Science. Put together the work creates a model of understanding the current social paradigm; why it is critical to move out of it – coupled with a new, radical, yet practical social approach based on advanced understandings which would resolve the current social woes facing the world today.

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One of the unique attributes of this work, which separates it in style from most documentaries, is that it has a parallel dramatic/cinematic theme, with notable actors, which abstractly plays out various gestures related to the overall message of the film. The work also vigorously employs numerous 2d and 3d visual abstracts/animations, while returning to the standard, traditional documentary orientation as the foundation.

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“Economists today are, in fact, not economists at all. They are propagandists of money value. This system is more wasteful than every other system in the history of the planet. So you are really dealing with not an economic system but I would go so far as to say an anti-economic system.” Dr. John McMurty, author: “The Cancer Stage of Capitalism”

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Canberra Screening Details:
Where: Lecture theatre 6, Manning Clarke Centre, ANU*
When: Sunday 13th March
Time: 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
Tickets: $10 concession $15 adult. (Includes a copy of the film). Pay at the door.
Contact: Grant Robb, 0422 957 422
* Not ANU sponsored. Just a great venue.

OCRF purchases new equipment to hasten discovery of an early ovarian cancer detection test

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The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) has provided major capital investment for the establishment of a new mass spectrometry (UltrafleXtreme MALDI TOF/TOF (from Bruker Daltonics) Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer) suite at the Prince Henry’s Institute (PHI).

In Australia, one woman dies of ovarian cancer every ten hours. This disease affects women – mothers, sisters, daughters – of all ages and has a higher mortality rate amongst women diagnosed than those diagnosed with breast cancer.

With the support of the community and our key sponsors including Gold Buyers – the financial contribution has assisted in funding this core piece of equipment vital in the research towards research into an early detection program for ovarian cancer.

While awareness of the disease has increased amongst Australians, four in nine women still believe that a pap smear will detect ovarian cancer. Unfortunately the reality is there is no simple early detection test. Ovarian cancer remains a silent killer, with two thirds of women diagnosed in the advanced stage of the disease; with 77% of these NOT surviving beyond 5 years.

“As there is currently not an early detection program for ovarian cancer, Gold Buyers hopes to raise awareness of this disease across our 130 plus stores nationally and is delighted to help advance cancer research through the support of this vital equipment,” says Mrs Wendy Stewart, Director of Gold Buyers.

This new equipment contains the latest in mass spectrometry technologies – a technique for the very high resolution analysis and identification of proteins, and of key importance in the identification and development of very low
abundance markers of early stage ovarian cancer. The equipment has already led to the identification of a number of proteins that have previously eluded analysis and will accelerate the research.

Can you imagine life without someone you love? Neither can we.
Help us to find an early detection test to save lives.
Donate at www.ocrf.com.au

OCRF logo.jpg (94 KB)

Brigadoon 2 April 2011

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Brigadoon and the International Cricket Hall of Fame Unite

Brigadoon & International Cricket Hall of Fame join forces.doc (99 KB)

Oscar win for 'The Lost Thing'

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 Shaun Tan’s The Lost Thing (Madman Entertainment) has won the Best Short Film (Animated) at the 83rd Academy Awards.  

 Directed by Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann, and produced by Passion Pictures Australia, The Lost Thing is a painstakingly detailed 15-minute animation based on Tan’s highly-acclaimed book of the same name. The Lost Thing also features narration by the Perrier award-winning Australian comedian, musician and performer Tim Minchin.

 As well as bonus footage, production artwork, interviews and more, The Lost Thing DVD ($29.95srp) features the brand new, 48-page limited edition book ‘What Miscellaneous Abnormality Is That?’, created exclusively for this release by Shaun Tan.

 A boy discovers a bizarre looking creature while out collecting bottle tops at the beach. Realising it is lost, he tries to find out who owns it or where it belongs, but is met with indifference from everyone else, who barely notice its presence, each unwilling to entertain this uninvited interruption to their day-to-day lives. For reasons he does not explain, the boy empathises with the creature and sets out to find a ‘place’ for it.

 The world of The Lost Thing is odd and idiosyncratic, with its own unique aesthetic. The central themes reflect a number of personal interests for Tan such as technology and the environment, perception, bureaucracy, social apathy and the importance of imagination.

 The Lost Thing was one of many nominations this year for films distributed by Madman. Other films nominated across a range of categories included Biutiful, Animal Kingdom, Exit Through the Gift Shop, Dogtooth, The Illusionist, Outside the Law and National Geographic’s Restrepo.

Palace Films’ Oscar-nominated Gasland and Blue Valentine will be out on DVD in April and June respectively.

 Following is the complete list of Oscar-award nominations:

Best Actor in a Leading Role – Javier Bardem, Biutiful

 – Best Actress in a Leading Role – Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine (Palace Films)

 – Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom

 – Best Animated Feature Film The Illusionist

 – Best Short Film (Animation) The Lost Thing, Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann

 – Best Documentary Feature:

Exit Through the Gift Shop, Banksy

Gasland, Josh Fox (Palace Films)

Restrepo, Tim Hetherington

 – Best Foreign Language Film:

Biutiful (Mexico)

Dogtooth (Greece)

Outside the Law [Hors-aA-Loi] (Algeria)

 – Best Costume Design I Am Love, Antonella Cannarozzi

 – Rama Gaind

 

Flickerfest Short Film Festival in Canberra!

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Tegan the Vegan

Flickerfest Lands at the Dendy Cinema in Canberra from Saturday March 26th!

Celebrating its 20th birthday this year and remaining Australia’s only Academy Accredited and BAFTA recognised short film festival Flickerfest roars around the country on it’s 30-venue national tour, heading south to Canberra for 2 days of the best of Australian and International Shorts.

With an opening night party and screening on Saturday March 17th and screenings continuing on Sunday the 26th, Flickerfest will be hosting 2 sessions of short film highlights, pulled from over 1793 entries and distilled into the crème de la crème of local and global short filmmaking.

Across the International 1 Program screening on the opening night enjoy the astonishing animation Babel – which challenges viewers with it’s ultra-realistic animation that recently won the award for Best Use of Digital Technology at Flickerfest 2011; and the winner for Best Short Film at Flickerfest 2011, the French screwball comedy ¿Donde Esta Kim Basinger?

The opening night screening also includes a delightful stop-motion animation from local Canberra filmmaker Marisa Martin, Tegan The Vegan. The film is about Tegan, a 12 year old student who finds out where meat comes from – and decides to become a vegetarian. She must contend with Elenore the Carnivore (voiced by Pippa Black, a campaigner for PETA). The plot is based partly on the story of director Marisa Martin who became a vegetarian when she was 12 after visiting an abattoir. It is narrated by Paul McDermott and voiced by Noni Hazelhurst and Charli Delaney.

On Friday March 18th the screenings continue with Best Of Australian shorts programme which includes several award winning films: The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan which took home the award for Best Australian Film at Flickerfest in 2011 and was the only Australian film to win an Oscar at this years’ Academy Awards! Also screening is the Flickerfest/IF Audience Award winning comedy When The Wind Changes; AFI Award winner and Flickerfest winner for Best Cinematography The Kiss and The Telegram Man starring Jack Thompson in his first ever short film alongside Sigrid Thornton and Gary Sweet.

Session Details & Ticket Prices:

$17/ $14.50 concession / $12.50 seniors-kids

Best Of International 1 – Saturday March 26th, 7pm
Best Of Australian Shorts – Sunday March 27th, 7pm

For more information head to www.flickerfest.com.au or www.dendy.com.au

May The Shorts Be With You!

Queanbeyan artists head to Gulgong

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Chris_ Harman_Column (red & white)_Stoneware Ceramic, steel_70.5 x 26.5cm_2009_image by Rob Little

Repeated Elements will open at Cudgegong Gallery this Friday and will feature works from local Queanbeyan ceramic artists, Christopher Harman and Debra Boyd-Goggin.

This show presents two individual ceramic artists who both like to repeat certain elements in their artwork, including forms structure, surface treatment and display.

Harman’s work, which has been shown in Munich, Chicago, London and Hong Kong stems from a fascination with plant formations, in particular the architecture of cacti, succulents and fungi.

Bold and bright colours sourced from plants, such as reds, bright greens and yellows feature strongly, he said.

“These create a striking or surreal sensibility. In contrast, I also use sand blasted white porcelain with no colour, to reinforce the eye to focus on the simplicity and silhouette of a form.

“My work imitates plant growth as the components multiply mathematically, repetitively and geometrically and evolve from a base blooming upwards.”

Meanwhile, Debra’s work develops from visual and spiritual experiences relating to her place of birth and growth in PNG & Central Australia. Today she spends much of her time working at her Queanbeyan studio.

“I was born in Papua New Guinea in 1975 and lived in the highlands of Tapini for the first few years of my life. I was the third born of six children,

'Black Swan' is memorable cinema

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Film Reviews

By Rama Gaind

BLACK SWAN

The arthouse style is the captivating appeal of Black Swan which is an intense and powerful psychological thriller.

The film will have you glued to the screen as Nina Sayers (played brilliantly by Natalie Portman) is the tightly-strung ballet dancer who is overcome with mental and physical anguish.

While she aspires to be the ‘perfect’ dancer, she is continually sidelined both in her personal life and professional career with the New York City Ballet.

Her mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) treats her as though she’s still a baby and she faces a few issues at work.

When lead dancer Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) retires Nina is given the lead role of Odette in Swan Lake, despite the company’s director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel), expressing doubts about whether she can allow herself the necessary abandon to play the White Swan’s alter ego, the Black Swan, with passion and sensuality.

The technical aspects of this film are excellent with smooth dance scenes and valuable digital effects. The performances are all superb.

However, the film rests on Portman’s slim shoulders. She’s proved how competent she is by winning the Best Actress awards at the Golden Globes and BAFTA – and is frontrunner for the Oscars later this month.

Natalie is in nearly every scene and does well in striking an emotional balance with the physical demands of her character. Nina is at once shy and nervous and easily overwhelmed, but intensely ambitious and consumed by undercurrents of sexual desire.

Director Darren Aronovsky (The Wrestler) has succeeded exceptionally well in delivering a disturbing portrait of a flawed individual. This is what makes for a memorable cinematic experience.

TRUE GRIT

 The Coen brothers, Ethan and Joel (Fargo, No Country for Old Men), revamp John Wayne’s wild west with this adaption of a Charles Portis novel.

Fourteen-year-old newcomer Hailee Steinfeld is the spirited, pig-tailed angel Mattie Ross who is seeking vengeance on the man who robbed and killed her father.

She hires whiskey-soaked, one-eyed, trigger-happy federal marshall Rooster Cockburn (Jeff Bridges) to find the killer.

This True Grit, while funnier than Wayne’s 1969 classic, is also darker, gentler and more violent.

It also stars Matt Damon and Josh Brolin with strong performances from them all.

The Golden Globe award won for Best Cinematography by Roger Deakins is well-deserved.

NO STRINGS ATTACHED

Starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher, this casual sex comedy is disappointing. 

THE NEXT THREE DAYS

Russell Crowe is a mild-mannered family man who masterminds his wife’s escape from jail.

Director of the Oscar-winning film Crash, Paul Haggis provides some sturdy, but unexceptional entertainment.

Triumphant true story of '127 Hours'

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Film Reviews

By Rama Gaind

127 HOURS

The Oscar-winning team of Slumdog Millionaire – director Danny Boyle, writer Simon Beaufoy, producer Christian Colson and Indian composer A.R. Rahman – are  back with another winner: 127 Hours.

Inspired by a true story, it is based on Aaron Ralston’s autobiography Between a Rock and a Hard Place.

This is the triumphant true story of mountain climber Aaron Ralston (played brilliantly by James Franco), who cut off his lower right arm with a dull knife to escape from beneath a boulder after being trapped for more than five days in Robbers Roost, Utah, in 2003. 

He didn’t tell anyone that he was going to Canyonland National Park and is caught in an isolated canyon. He gets a chance to examine his life, survive the elements and discover that he possesses the courage and ability to get himself out of his predicament through any means possible.

He holds on for dear life as he runs out of water, hallucinates, talks to his camcorder and recalls memories of friends, lovers (Clémence Poésy), family, and the two hikers (played by Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara) he met before his accident.

Boyle is a genius director: he capably meets the challenge by building up the anticipation and pulls it off remarkably, together with the expertise provided by cinematographers Anthony Dod Mantle and Enrique Chediak.

Not to be missed!

HEREAFTER

Death is the mainstay of director Clint Eastwood’s Hereafter that intertwines the lives of three individuals whose lives have been touched by death.

Matt Damon takes on the role of psychic George Lonegan, a loner, who is able to communicate with the dead, but has given it up to try and have a normal life.

Those who come to terms with the existence of the afterlife include a French journalist (Cécile De France) who survived a near-death experience, a British schoolboy (George and Frankie McLaren) looking for answers following his twin brother’s death and Lonegan himself.

The film, which addresses psychic phenomena in a sincere way, deals intelligently with death and bereavement – even though it works at a stealthy pace.

Scripted by British writer Peter Morgan, this is one movie that’s very different from his earlier works including The Queen, The Deal and Frost/Nixon. Morgan is said to have written the screenplay after the sudden death of a close friend.

An emotionally complex film, Hereafter would have been one of Clint Eastwood’s most challenging projects.

'Live' performances by Andy Bull and Owl Eyes

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By Rama Gaind

An inspiring body of work by these two entertainers will guarantee remarkable performances.

Sydney singer-songwriter Andy Bull and Melbourne indie pop songstress Owl Eyes will join forces for a string of dates in Sydney and Melbourne later this month and next month.

In 2009, Andy Bull released his impressive debut album We’re Too Young; a sprawling, imaginative collection of songs that earned him critical acclaim and the reputation amongst his contemporaries as Australia’s “songwriter’s songwriter”.

Less than a year later, Andy returned with The Phantom Pains EP a 6-track EP that casually defies the conventions he established for himself on his first release. Recording the EP in a single room with no separation between instruments, Andy and his long time producer Tony Buchen have discarded many of the formalities of the studio in favour of a raw sound that speaks to the vulnerability implicit in Andy’s lyrics.

The Phantom Pains EP is Andy’s most personal and exciting work thus far, and his musical contemporaries seem to agree, judging by the impressive list of friends who stopped by his house while he was recording it just to ‘do their bit’ and be a part of it all – a list that includes luminaries Lisa Mitchell, Little Red, Adrian Deutsch, Hungry Kids of Hungary and Deep Sea Arcade.  The EP is available now.

Young Melbourne singer-

Indie pop songstress Owl Eyes.

songwriter Owl Eyes will be co-headlining the tour following her performances at Hot BBQ and a cameo at Pyramid Rock Festival, as well as opening for Swedish indie-rock favourites The Shout Out Louds over summer.

Last year saw Owl Eyes launch her debut EP Faces, playing to a packed out room in her hometown of Melbourne and winning over new fans in Sydney.

The very sweet sounds of Owl Eyes have also been heard nationwide on the Illy track “It Can Wait” which has been getting high rotation spins on triple j, community and commercial radio and music video programs around the country. The first track from the EP “1+1” has also been getting a lot of love from triple j and community radio. Owl Eyes is undeniably talented and definitely worth seeing live!

Catch Andy Bull and Owl Eyes ‘live’ at the following dates and venues next month:

Wednesday, 23 February

Otis Bar, Wollongong, NSW

Tickets: Available over the bar and at the door.

Thursday, 24 February

Brass Monkey, Cronulla, NSW

Tickets: www.oztix.com.au & www.brassmonkey.com.au

Friday, 25 February

UNSW Beergarden, Sydney, NSW

Friday, 4 March

Pure Pop Records, St Kilda, VIC

Tickets: www.oztix.com.au

Saturday, 5 March

Toff in Town, Melbourne, VIC

Tickets: www.moshtix.com.au

Country music artists raise money for flood victims

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By Rama Gaind

There’s nothing like a tragedy to galvanise the community into helping those in need.

Like so many great people and organisations across Australia, the Country Music community has been immediate in creating ways to raise money for flood victims.

ABC Music’s country music artists have come together to create a 13-track digital album, Country Music Supports Flood Victims, to help raise money for the many thousands of people affected by the floods.  The proceeds from the sale of the album will go to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal.

All of ABC Music’s local country roster – Lee Kernaghan, Sara Storer, Catherine Britt, Steve Forde, Jasmine Rae, McAlister Kemp, Shea Fisher, Warren H Williams, Peter McWhirter and new artist Corey Colum, have donated tracks for the $10 digital album.

Sara Storer has conveyed the thoughts of all the artists:

“Watching the television coverage of the Queensland floods tragedy unfold from my home in Darwin, it has been hard to comprehend the enormity of the devastation. Queensland has always been one of my favourite places to tour and I have made friends with a lot of people throughout the state during the past ten years, many of whom have been directly affected by the recent events. My heart goes out to all those who have lost relatives and friends as well as those whose homes and property have been damaged or destroyed. I pray that recovery comes as quickly as possible”.

Adam Brand, from Compass Bros Records, has also contributed to this release, with his appearance on ‘Spirit of the Bush’ with Lee Kernaghan and Steve Forde. Kev Carmody also appears on ‘Children Of The Gurindji’ with Sara Storer.

ABC Music’s international artists have also been immediate in supporting Country Music Supports Flood Victims. Among them are Canadian artists Doc Walker, who performed shows at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Brisbane and Sydney. In March last year, Doc Walker performed shows in both Toowoomba and Brisbane and they were keen to contribute anything they can to help victims of the floods when they get here.

Chris Thorsteinson from Doc Walker said: “We have been shocked and saddened by the reports we’ve heard and seen through the media on the floods in Queensland and throughout Australia.  It is a shame that the beautiful area we were able to tour last year is being affected with such a disaster.  We extend our prayers and wish for everyone’s safety and a quick conclusion to this unfortunate event in Australia”.

While ABC Music’s other international artists Emerson Drive and Dean Brody, both of whom who will perform in Australia for the very first time at the CMC Rocks The Hunter festival in March, have also donated tracks.

Multi-ARIA winning designers Debaser have donated their graphic design expertise for the album cover and all label and publishing royalties have been waived for this release.

Country Music Supports Flood Victims is released exclusively through Bigpond Music, who have also agreed to waive their royalties and pass them onto the flood appeal.

ABC Music has thanked the artists, publishers, managers, Debaser, Universal Music, Bigpond Music  and everyone else who donated their talent, time and expertise for the production and promotion of this unique digital album.

Country Music Supports Flood Victims can be purchased at www.bigpondmusic.com

Track list shows notable compilations which will be sure to please. Enjoy!

1.  Spirit Of The Bush – Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand & Steve Forde

2.  Children Of The Gurindji – Sara Storer (featuring Kev Carmody)

3.  Country Singer – Jasmine Rae

4.  All Kinds Of Tough – McAlister Kemp

5.  Sleepy Town – Catherine Britt

6.  From Here – Doc Walker

7.  Humm – Peter McWhirter

8.  Something Beautiful – Steve Forde

9. Family – Warren H Williams

10.  That Was Us – Emerson Drive

11. West Australian Woman – Corey Colum

12.  Roll That Barrel Out – Dean Brody

13. Cowgirl In My Jeans – Shea Fisher

Powderfinger single sales to assist disaster victims

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By Rama Gaind

Another music group – Powderfinger – is helping to contribute to the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.

The destruction of the Queensland floods has stunned the nation.  In response, Powderfinger has released a never-before-heard track with all proceeds of the sale going towards raising the hopes and finances of those recovering from the disaster.

The group said: “The recent floods that ravaged Queensland have saddened and shocked us all. Our sympathies go out to everyone that has been affected and our condolences to those who have lost loved ones. The Powderfinger bandroom at Newstead went under, along with many of our wonderful neighbours’ businesses and we thank everyone who came to lend a hand in the clean up. We know that Fingers fans are extraordinarily generous and we appeal to you to help out one more time by purchasing our song, or donating to one of the suitable funds.”

The single titled ‘I’m On Your Side’, is available to purchase at www.powderfinger.com and www.getmusic.com.au/powderfinger .

Powderfinger, Universal Music Australia and Universal Music Publishing will donate 100% of profits from the single to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal to aid the victims of the Queensland floods.

Sony Music Entertainment's 'Flood Relief' CD

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By Rama Gaind

The devastating floods across Australia continues to bring out the generous spirit of the community as they come up with different projects to help the victims.

The Australian music industry continues to show its support.

Sony Music Entertainment Australia has announced its support for the victims of recent floods across Australia through the release of a special benefit compilation CD FLOOD RELIEF – Artists For The Flood Appeal.

Listen to some great music and also help those in need is the dual purpose of this special benefit collection to support the flood victims.

The response from both Australian and international artists wanting to lend their support has been so overwhelming that an additional disc was added making it a special 3 CD set.

FLOOD RELIEF – Artists For The Flood Appeal features 59 tracks over three CD’s and features Aussie artists including Midnight Oil, Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian, Tommy Emmanuel, Lee Kernaghan and Crowded House together with international artists such as P!nk, Keith Urban, Sting, Bon Jovi, Kings Of Leon, Beyonce, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, John Mayer, Bob Dylan and Jeff Buckley.

Sony Music proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to the Salvation Army Flood Appeal through the charitable arm of the Australian Sony Group of Companies, The Sony Foundation to support young people affected by the tragic floods.

Denis Handlin, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Entertainment Australia & New Zealand and President, South East Asia & Korea said:

“The floods in Queensland and throughout Australia have been devastating and affected the lives of so many people across the country. Sony Music Australia is once again proud to offer its support at a time of need through the release of this benefit CD.”

We have been overwhelmed by the response by both local and international artists wanting to contribute to the cause and our thanks go to all those artists and songwriters for generously donating their tracks royalty free,” Mr Handlin said. “We also thank Sony DADC Australia for kindly donating the CD manufacturing.”

“The effect of this tragedy and its terrible toll on life, families, communities and property has touched many people both here and around the globe. On behalf of Sony Music and the Sony Foundation, our thoughts and prayers are with those affected, and our immense gratitude goes to all the emergency service people and volunteers who have so generously given in this time of need.”

Guy Sebastian said  of his contribution to FLOOD RELIEF – Artists For The Flood Appeal: “Through such devastation it’s amazing to see the Aussie spirit as people unite to do what they can for those doing it tough. That’s what this CD is about”.

Jessica Mauboy also felt compelled to support this worthy cause. I think all of Australia is still in shock – it is hard to understand the full impact of these floods, but we have to do something and quickly. Each artist has donated all of their royalties from this CD. Let’s help people rebuild their lives and get back on their feet”.

No doubt, Australians will open dig deep for a most worthy cause.

Following is the impressive list of songs. Enjoy!

TRACKLISTING:

CD1

1. Midnight Oil – My Country
2. Powderfinger – Burn Your Name
3. Billy Joel – All About Soul
4. Bruce Springsteen – Human Touch

5. The Script – For The First Time
6. Foo Fighters – My Hero
7. Train – Hey, Soul Sister
8. P!nk – Sober
9. Sting – Fields Of Gold
10. Lee Kernaghan – People Like Us
11. Keith Urban – Better Life
12. Savage Garden – Affirmation
13. Birds Of Tokyo – Plans
14. Grinspoon – Minute By Minute
15. Ben Lee – We’re All In This Together
16. Kate Miller-Heidke – Our Song
17. Jeff Buckley – So Real
18. Troy Cassar-Daley – Sing About This Country
19. Tommy Emmanuel – Countrywide

CD2

1. Kings Of Leon – Use Somebody
2. Crowded House – Something So Strong
3. Beyonce – Irreplaceable
4. John Mayer – Waiting On The World To Change
5. John Williamson & Shannon Noll – Island of Oceans
6. The Go-Betweens – Streets Of Your Town
7. Bob Dylan – Shelter From The Storm
8. John Farnham – A Touch Of Paradise
9. Adam Brand – It’s Gonna Be OK
10. Adam Harvey – That’s What You Call A Friend
11. The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
12. Delta Goodrem – In This Life
13. Pete Murray – You Pick Me Up
14. The Hollies – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
15. Tom Petty – I Won’t Back Down
16. Jessica Mauboy – Because
17. M People – Search For The Hero
18. The Screaming Jets – Helping hands
19. Melinda Schneider Featuring The Australian Girls Choir – Courageous
20. Mark Vincent – You Raise Me Up

CD3

1. Bon Jovi – Who Says You Can’t Go Home
2. Guy Sebastian – Taller, Stronger, Better
3. Washington – Clementine
4. Alan Jackson – Small Town Southern Man
5. Tim McGraw – Last Dollar (Fly Away)
6. Hoodoo Gurus – Bittersweet
7. Daryl Braithwaite – Higher Than Hope
8. Tears For Fears – Mad World
9. Johnny Cash – Five Feet High And Rising
10. Human Nature – People Get Ready
11. Solange – 6 O’Clock Blues
12. Stan Walker – Choose You
13. Katie Noonan And The Captains – Page One
14. Amy Meredith – Young At Heart
15. Altiyan Childs – Beautiful Day
16. Lifehouse – You And Me
17. David Campbell – You’ll Never Walk Alone
18. Damien Leith – To Get To You
19. Straalen McCallum – Sometimes A Prayer Will Do
20. Bachelor Girl – Permission To Shine

Milton Black's prophetic words

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Book Review

By Rama Gaind

Milton Black Horoscopes 2011, By Milton Black, Published by New Holland, 448pp, $29.95

Reviewer: Rama Gaind

 With four solar eclipses and one lunar eclipse, 2011 will be a very interesting year astrologically….”

These are prophetic words from Australia’s leading astrologer and psychic Milton Black, but if his past predictions are anything to go by – then strap yourselves in for an exciting year.

Milton Black has brought together all the star signs in his 2011 guide and dishes out detailed forecasts for every month outlining best days, most stressful ones, love and friendship days and even best business days.

Find out what is your compatible star sign, your lucky numbers and how you will fare with relationships, family, luck and money. This fully comprehensive guide also highlights, love and relationships, opportunities, career and even gives advice on health and beauty.

Why not try some “moon magic” for hair care and beauty tips with moon cycles. Milton says follow the ‘secret’ method and then the moon cycles will work to your advantage. “Remember, don’t cut; only trim and condition, highlight and colour on these days….”

I’m particularly interested in my forecast which says that this year will “bring greater emotional and material security than you could possibly expect. Expect a full year full of extremes”. Even though the tempo of life is set to accelerate, “…overall 2011 will be a happy year for you”. Fingers crossed!

This compilation has a plain and simple format and is easy to follow and even cross-reference.

Exact forecasts

Renowned for his uncanny and accurate forecasts, Milton has been involved in astrology for more than four decades.

A practical and informative astrologer, broadcaster and entertainer, Milton’s predictions are appreciated by a wide international audience. An accomplished writer with published columns in several magazines including New Idea, Woman’s Day, Family Circle and Better Homes and Gardens,  he has made innumerable radio and television appearances.

He is also known for his forecasts on world politics and economics. Politicians, economists and traders have been known to visit his website to read his monthly newsletter predictions concerning future global economical trends, including subsequent stock market direction and possible overtones.

Milton is reported to have the largest full-time, private consulting practice in Australasia and his international clientele exceeds 678,000. His website attracts an average of 38 million hits per year!

Milton Black Horoscopes 2011 will provide you with the insight you need (maybe some answers too) for this year – whether it’s love, money or career opportunities. It did for me.

This is one guide that should be on your bookshelf.

Milton rightly says that destiny is in your hands. To succeed you have to show the world who you really are and what you can successfully accomplish.

Here’s hoping that this Year of the Rabbit will be quiet, giving respite after the Year of the Tiger!

Two Oscar-nominated films

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Kristin Scott Thomas in 'Sarah's Key'.

Film Reviews

By Rama Gaind

Two of the films reviewed have been nominated (in some categories) for the 83rd Academy Awards which will be held on February 27, 2011.

They are The Fighter and Blue Valentine.

THE FIGHTER

 Amazing performances are featured in this film which traces the life of professional boxer ‘Irish’ Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg).

 Special mention needs to be made of Christian Bale as Ward’s older half-brother and trainer Dicky Eklund who has a big problem with drugs.

 Golden Globe-winning actress Melissa Leo is Wahlberg and Bale’s on-screen mother with Amy Adams as a tough bartender, Charlene, who ends up dating Ward.

 This biographical sports film by director David O. Russell has resulted in him getting a nomination for Best Director. The film was also nominated in Best Picture and   Original Screenplay categories.

 As well, nominations have also gone to Christian Bale for Best Supporting Actor and Pamela Martin for Film Editing.   

 SARAH’S KEY

A powerful story about a journalist (Kristin Scott Thomas) who investigates a war-time atrocity in Paris. 

Sensitive, moving and rivetting drama.

 BLUE VALENTINE

Starring Michelle Williams (Oscar nomination for Best Actress) and Ryan Gosling, this is a disturbingly bittersweet portrayal of the breakdown of a marriage.

Tissues will be needed.

BURLESQUE

Christina Aguilera is the small town girl with a big voice who makes it to the top in a burlesque club that’s operated by a cash-strapped Cher.

 Worn-out material is generally well played with Christina and Cher dressing-up and having the time of their lives.

 While Christina lacks personality, the supporting cast is good including Kristin Bell and Stanley Tucci.