Sir Alex Backs The Glazers...Again!!

So what does the fact that Sir Alex has again publicly backed the Glazer family and their ownership of Manchester United really mean? Well I don't think it means anything to be honest. Love them or hate them the Glazers own Manchester United and Sir Alex is their employee. No ordinary employee admittedly but do you really expect to hear any negative comments? Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful Manchester United manager in history, he is simply towing the corporate line and in my opinion, if he is happy, I am happy. I like many sincerely hope that Sir Alex is at the helm of Manchester United for many years to come and I am also hopeful that the Glazers do sell up to The Red Knights consortium but don't think for a second that that will be the end of any controversy at the worlds most premier club. OK for sure it would definitely bring some harmony to the club and would mean that the club would be run like Barcelona, by fans, but something will inevitably go wrong at some point. A key signing wont happen or the ticket prices will go up and then it will be back to normal. Maybe the biggest problem with the Glazer family is the obscene amount of debt that they have placed our beloved club into but that's the way business works. If it all went pear-shaped tomorrow there would be a plethora of ably financed suiters ready to take the controls of Manchester United so wave your yellow & gold as I do and wish for a better ran Manchester United but lets remember what Sir Alex has done for this club and how high he regards it current and future success and lets not worry!! If, as its been well predicted, Sir Alex leaves the club within the next year or two and no change of ownership occurs then I'll be worried.

Disney Sells Miramax

Miramax film studios, responsible for great films such as Pulp Fiction, No Country For Old Men and The Queen to name just a few, is to be sold by it's owners, The Disney Corp, in a deal thought to be worth $660m (£422m) to Filmyard Holdings which is a private equity firm. 
Mirimax was originally set up in 1979 by the Weinstein Brothers who named the company after their parents, Miriam and Max, had tried to buy back the company after selling in 1993 but they were beaten by the PE firm after the Weinstein Brothers' financial partner and supermarket magnate Ron Markle refused to back a bid over $600m.  
Disney's Chief Executive said "Although we are very proud of Miramax's many accomplishments, our current strategy for Walt Disney Studios is to focus on the development of great motion pictures under the Disney, Pixar and Marvel brands". This of course comes following a fraught relationship between the Weinsteins and Disney that came to a head when the then Disney chief Michael Eisner would not back the distribution of Michael Moores Fahrenheit 9/11.
The deal will also include Miramax's back catalogue of over 700 films that you can see by clicking the link Miramax Films.

"The Tides" Are Turning!!

The video below is "Routine Life" by a band called The Tides who are a Manchester band with awesome talent and potential. Recently signed to Soviet Union Records I saw these guys a few years ago as an unsigned band and was completely blown away by them. You can catch them in and around Manchester and I would strongly recommend that you do. Check out The Tides official YouTube page and have a listen to tracks such as "Fall", "Friendly Fire" and the haunting "Lights". Lead singer Liam Penningtons vocals are a revelation and has been regularly compared with the likes of Thom Yorke and Placebo's Brian Molko when it comes to his voice but please have a listen and make youre own mind up. Catch them here and catch them first at Automatic Fables. 

ROUTINE LIFE

35th Toronto International Film Festival

As usual its thought that the Toronto International Film Festival will not disappoint this year. With Oscar winners and nominees galore we can expect the usual high standard that we have become to take for granted from a festival that many consider to be second on to Cannes although some may argue that Sundance is up there too. Some great films are set to be showcased in Canada's second capital such as "Another Year" from Mike Leigh, Kevin Spacey's political drama "Casino Jack" and Robert Redford's eagerly anticipated "The Conspirator" about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. 

One Of The Funniest Scenes Ever!!

This scene from "Plans, Trains And Automobiles" is arguably one of the funniest scenes in film history!! The scene stars Steve Martin as the business executive just trying to get home and Edie McClurg, the Marathon Car Rental agent.

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Buried Alive!!

Have you ever wanted to be buried alive? Of course not, no sensible person in their right mind would want to, but see here that the "only in America" term still endures. As part of the San Diego Comic Con where the promotion for the Ryan Reynolds film "Buried" is in full swing, fans have been the given the chance to be buried alive. Each participant was buried for 15 seconds and just for fun their burial was captured on film and posted to the website. 
Check this link with caution!!

Tom Cruise & Cameron Diaz on Top Gear

You heard it here first!!
In this Sundays episode of Top Gear, Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz will complete a lap in the "Reasonably Priced Car". The pair are in town to publicise the release of Knight And Day (trailer on the right) and dropped in on the airfield set to drive the Kia Cee'd. How they both did will be revealed on the show but the Days Of Thunder star being the competitive guy he is will no doubt be keen to come top of the standings. Sources say that Tom had a great time in the budget car and had producers hearts inthier mouths as he took corners on two wheels!! Cameron Diaz however took things a little calmer but had to be rescued at one point by The Stig after just one lap. 
Tom Cruise then manged a ride in the Bugatti Veyron which was there to be test driven by the Stig for another part of the show. It was also revealed that Tom ran to the aide of an audience member who fainted during the recording!!
Tom and Cameron appeared at Leicester Square last night (Thursday) where the premiere of Knight And Day was shown prior to its national release on August 6th. 

Curb Your Enthusiasm Discovered

Having missed Curb Your Enthusiasm somehow over the past years I recently saw the film "Whatever Works", a Woody Allen directed film starring Larry David, creator of "Seinfeld" and star of Curb Your Enthusiasm so I thought I would give it a try. OK, so this is not the kind of show that is going to get the audiences of say a Friends or even a Seinfeld but that's not the aim here. 
Starting, as you do, with season one I found it very enjoyable. Following the day to day life of Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm tracks the trials and tribulations of a cantankerous New Yorker living in Beverly Hills who's simple life is made ever so cumbersome by his attitude to life and the life of others. Critics will say that Larry Davids "character", Larry David, is too unlikeable but I think that's where the comedy comes from and many of the situations that he finds himself in you will relate too more than you think. Guest stars a plenty in most episodes as Larry gets pissed off or pisses someone off most days over the simplest of things.
Curb Your Enthusiasm was prematurely ended after seven seasons but before you go and buy that box set that's just been reduced in price - stop - series eight has just been given the go ahead so more misery ensues.

Music Review - North Atlantic Oscillation

The North Atlantic Oscillation isn't only a climatic phenomenon in the North Atlantic Ocean!! Of course you all know about the fluctuations in the difference of atmospheric pressure at sea level between the Icelandic low and the Azores high!! Surely you know that it controls the strength and direction of westerly winds and storm tracks across the North Atlantic. It's highly correlated with the Arctic oscillation, as it is a part of it. 
Had you there for a minute!! 
No, North Atlantic Oscillation the band are a Scottish based trio with a haunting sound very much of they're own. With very computerised, atmospheric and harmonious tracks like "Drawing Maps From Memory" and "Ceiling Poem" all eleven tracks are nothing short of ethereal joy. Both mentioned tracks are taken from NAO's debut album "Grappling Hooks" which is filled with sounds that will have you floating away in the albums covers balloon. I urge you to sit down, relax and take a trip through the clouds with North Atlantic Oscillation.

                     

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times Entertainment Online

With its insightful reviews and news sections the L.A. Times has an enviable position as its based in the hub of the vast majority of US mainstream culture and media, Los Angeles, California. Being based in L.A. though is one thing but filtering the wheat from the chaff is another which the L.A. Times seems to achieve on more occasions than some other outlets. Check out the latest movie news & reviews, art & culture and/or the newest sounds hitting the boardwalks or just catch up on which celebrity is doing time this week if you really want to!! Click the link above and you'll be "drinking in L.A." in no time!! 

Check out the video here for a trip back to nostalgia. 

Bran Van 3000 - Drinkin In L.A. Video

Ferrari Hoping For A Big Step Forward In Germany.

German GP Preview at www.Ferrari.com 
With a great start to the 2010 Formula One season with a one-two in Bahrain Ferrari fans, myself included, would be forgiven for thinking that this was going to be a good year. We had kept hold of Felipe Massa who came second in the 2009 campaign and finally brought two-time world champion Fernando Alonso to Scuderia Ferrari. Sadly, it didnt last very long! The only visits to the podium since Sakhir were Felipe's third in Australia and Fernando's third in Canada and second in one of his home Grand Prix in Barcelona. All teams have been playing catch up to an invigorated Red Bull team where "best friends" Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel have taken up many of the podium places since Malaysia. However, due to Red Bulls seeming inability to take advantage of their far superior speed, teams like McLaren, Ferrari and even the Schumacher lead Mercedes teams are not out of it by a long shot. Indeed with consistency being the key its the McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button who lead the standings albeit by upto 24 points from the Red Bull pairing and with the new points scoring system giving 25 points to the winner, if Fernando and Felipe can put together a good run, Ferrari's 47 point deficit can easily be swallowed up.
New upgrade packages on both cars have both drivers in good spirits so heres hoping we can get back to winning ways and make this season a three horse race. With Germany, Hungary and fan & driver favourite Belgium in the coming weeks we could be looking at a very different leaderboard after Spa. 


Heres hoping!!

Just Flew In From The Windy City.....Southport!!

Just got back from a lovely weekend in Southport. Yes, you read that right, a "lovely" weekend in Southport!! OK OK, Southport has seriously had its fair share of suffering as the British public have chosen other parts of the UK to holiday. Indeed many have chosen to abandon these shores altogether but are we missing something in Southport? Well sadly the answer is no! Southport is an old relic in desperate need of a rethink but I doubt this area will ever get the injection of money and ideas that it needs. With its relatively richer cousin just over an hour away, Blackpool is the bustling seaside metropolis that Southport once was but will never be again. Sure, Southport has its advantages. Its much cleaner, inevitably quieter and a fraction cheaper to visit but when it comes to things to do its falls down spectacularly. A huge advantage over Blackpool is the distinct lack of stag and hen groups!! We stayed in a hotel in the Ocean Plaza area which we soon found was the hub of activity with now ubiquitous entertainment complex comprising of Nandos, Chiquitos among others and a Vue Cinema but outside of this area was nothing more than a shopping area containing the usual suspects that adorn every town centre in the country. Of course there is the beach which for many is the main and only draw to a place like this but in the typical British summer if the beach is off limits due to wind (as it was on this visit) then the kids are going to be unimpressed with the albeit quaint but out of date Lord Street shopping arcades. 

So does Southport have a place in the hearts of the British holidaymaker? Of course it does but that select few is a quickly dwindling and ever more demanding group. What made Southport lovely for me however was the company which can make anywhere on earth feel more hospitable than it actually is. 

On a day like this in.....Manchester.

Its an overcast day today in Manchester but the sun is trying its best to peep through. 
The Rock opens today in Bury. Its a new shopping centre that to be honest is probably full of the exact same high street behemoths that loiter money-grabbingly in every town and city centre in the country but we love them!! 
I will soon be adding Coffee Shop reviews to my blog so please keep coming back and if you know of any secret little coffee houses somewhere in Manchester or anywhere in the world that everyone needs to know about please email me on AutomaticFables@btinternet.com

Ethan Hunt is back...!!!

Mission: Impossible 4
Its official!! 
Tom Cruise is reprising the role of Ethan hunt for Mission: Impossible 4. Rumours were a plenty suggesting such but Paramount Pictures vice chairman, Rob Moore, told The Hollywood Reporter, "We are absolutely excited about having Tom star in this movie". Tom will co-produce with J.J. Abrams. Directing duties have not yet been decided. Filming is due to begin later this year for an expected release date of May 30th 2011.


Who should direct the new installment???

Music Review - Ilse Delange

Ilse Delange

Check out "The Great Escape", the stunning debut album from Ilse Delange. It will blow your mind!! A beautiful album filled with future classic tracks that will have your head back dreaming of summer. Think Lisa Loeb with a country twist. From the opening track "Reach For The Light" thru the title track and to the haunting vocal of "When" if this album doesnt grab you where you want to be grabbed i'll be very surprised!! So get in the garden, turn it up and life might just be complete.

Music Review - Alan Pownall

www.youtube.com/alanpownall
Think of a melancholy Paolo Nutini and you have the sound of Alan Pownall. Click the above links to make youre own mind up but I think this guy has a huge future. I first saw him play his first ever gig outside of London at the Deaf Institute in Manchester supporting Marina and the Diamonds and I was blown away by his sound. Alan's used to share a flat with Mumford & Sons so the inspiration is clear to see but he certainly has a sound all of his own. The new album, "True Love Stories", is out on the 19th of July with signed copies available from Play.com or with exclusive live bonus CD from HMV.co.uk both priced at £6.99. 
www.alanpownall.com/home

Film Review - Green Zone

Green Zone trailer
Green Zone is set in 2003 Iraq where locating WMD is the job of Chief Roy Miller (Matt Damon) but conspiracy theories and Clark Poundstone (Greg Kinnear) conspire against him in this gritty and powerful drama directed by Paul Greengrass (Bourne Supremacy & Bourne Ultimatum). Excellent film with Matt Damon back to common ground following the dissapointing "Informant".

Film Review - Youth In Revolt

Youth In Revolt trailer
Today I saw Youth In Revolt starring Michael Cera (Superbad, Juno). An oddly interesting film that has Nick (Cera) bringing his dark side to bear through his imaginary alter ego, Francois Dillinger, who is the devil on his shoulder. With cameos from Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta and Fred Willard this is a whimsical tale following a boys trip to acquire his love interest Sheeni (Portia Doubleday). With strange yet oddly appealing animations between scenes Youth In Revolt is an entertaining, funny and positive departure for Michael Cera. Well worth a watch.

Inception

Inception Trailer
Have a look at see what you think of the new film from Leonardo De Caprio directed by Christpoher Nolan (Director - The Dark Knight). Inception also stars Ellen Page (Juno) and is released Friday 16th July.

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Just thought I'd put this out there just in case any there are any budding coffee shop entrepreneurs out there. This is a link to my ad for my services. Please read and if you need any such assistance you know where I am.

Welcome to Automatic Fables

A very warm welcome to Automatic Fables. First I should explain the title of this blog. Automatic Fables is taken from two album titles of a band that I absolutely adore, R.E.M., Automatic For The People and Fables Of The Reconstruction. These are seminal albums from one of the worlds biggest bands. You may here reference to R.E.M. during the life of this blog for which I make no apologies.

The purpose of this blog is the same as many blogs out there I guess. To learn, to inform and to advertise!! Please feel free to chip in with your own insightful gems and if you have any questions about anything you see then please ask.

Enjoy!!

Dex.