'Concert For Max: The Benefit Concert For Max Merritt'
(Destra Music)
The front cover of this DVD features the following pull quote from a reviewer for The Age: “Best benefit ever!” Is that even a thing? Best benefit ever? Has this reviewer seen every benefit show ever? Does he have, like, a canon of great benefit shows? What's the second best benefit show? The 12th? Where does Live Aid rank in comparison to Live 8? Are there benefit show fanatics out there, who keep track of this sort of thing and don't take any interest in other concerts? Is there a secret society of them, trading tapes and DATs to compare just which gigs did the most benefiting? I don't know. I don't think I want to know. Anyway, it's not bad.
Calvin Elder
'Three Days Grace: Live At The Palace 2008'
(Sony/BMG)
Boasting inspirational tracks like 'Animal I Have Become', 'Pain', 'Let It Die' and the torch song 'I Hate Everything About You', Three Days Grace have earned a hard-won reputation for their tender melodies. In 'Live At The Palace 2008', the Canadians win over a tough crowd with a series of heartfelt piano ballads, before issuing a plaintive call to heal the children, resulting in spontaneous hugs amongst the enlightened audience. Of course, this is all bullshit. Fans know exactly what to expect from the post-grunge rockers' latest release, and the rest of you are advised to stay well away.
Calvin Elder
'The Secret Diary Of A Call Girl'
(Hopscotch Entertainment)
You've probably picked up on this late night TV show because the title reeks of nudity and promiscuously graphic sex. Aha! Have you been taken in. Taken from the book 'Intimate Adventures Of A London Call Girl' by Belle Du Jour, the series is actually an honest look at the life and times (can we say ups and downs?) of a high-class escort girl in London. The trials and tribulations as it were. Critics have of course made the X-Rated ‘Sex in The City’ connections early on and well … shit am I kidding anyone? It is kinda smart with the main character's (Billie Piper) saucy to-camera dialogue and it's upmarket stylings but yes, of course, it's all about the nudity and promiscuously graphic sex. One of those TV shows Dad stays up late to watch because it's … ah …art? Truly gripping television.
Mikie Wojohowitz
'Beyond Our Ken'
(Hopscotch Entertainment)
I thought this was going to be one of those full on cult-busting docos, and I guess it is, it's just that it takes a subtle approach by letting the subjects hang themselves. This is the story of the Sydney 'group' - yes the word cult has been mentioned - Kenja. Some kind of self-potential realisation group with a deep and exotic name meaning …uh well it's a mix of Ken and Janet. For the first half Big Ken and Janet are given free rein with their philosophies - including 'energy conversion' - that quite honestly don't seem to amount to shit. The rest of the film is Ken and Janet defending themselves from cult-busters and family groups. The cracks start to appear all right, then there's a bunch of very strong sexual allegations and every interview with a past Kenja member widens it a little more. Here's a tip. Never join a group whose leader is filthy rich and wants to touch you up
Mikie Wojohowitz
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