Grafton Derby penned in for May 25

Published: The Daily Examiner

GRAFTONIANS will have to wait until May 25 for the next Grafton derby, according to a draft Group 2 draw.
The draw was released after Wednesday night's Group 2 meeting, where the existing clubs unanimously approved Grafton Ghosts and South Grafton Rebels' application to join the Coffs Harbour-based competition.
While it is only a draft and clubs are allowed to apply to Group 2 management for a change, both the Rebels and Ghosts have ruled out any opposition to the draw.

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Luke Douglas scores first international try for Scotland

Published: The Daily Examiner

Yamba's Luka Douglas scored his first international try to help lead Scotland to a 22-8 comeback win over USA.

Down 8-0 at half time in their Rugby League World Cup match at AJ Lee Stadium, Salford, Scotland rallied through tries to Brett Phillips and man of the match Brett Russell, which was converted by Danny Brough, to take a 10-8 lead in the 56th minute.

The Clarence Valley's time to shine came in the 62nd minute, when Douglas took a seemingly straight forward hit up from a penalty tap.

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The Counselor

I have never been in a more awkard situation than I was for the first five minutes (or so) of The Counselor.
The key to enjoying film is the experience of watching them in a darkened theatre on the big screen with a group of people. But there quite a few other things you should do before walking through the door.

The first lesson: make sure you watch or read at least one trailer or review before inviting two work colleagues, both in superior positions, to join you in enjoying a film.
If you're not careful, and the movie is The Counselor, the entire pre-title sequence is going to be one of the longest and most uncomfortable few minutes of the year.

A quick glance at the film's Wikipedia page reveals some controversy over "an explicit sex scene involving the film's female antagonist and a Ferrari windshield", another period of complete and utter uncomfortably you would be much better off avoiding.
And explicit is quite the understatement.

Another lesson: take note of the rating or classification.
They often leave a big (see obvious) clue about the film's content - which you would've seen if you saw a trailer. In the case of The Counselor, there is no better description - or warning - than "strong bloody violence".
Cormac McCarthy (The Road, No Country For Old Men) hits the spot by coming up with some interesting and unique exits for several characters, the most effective of which is known as the "bolito". The explanation of how the device works is superbly delivered by Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt in the role of Westray, an associate of Michael Fassbender's The Counselor.
We even get to see it put to use.

Fassbender leads the cast brilliantly as The Counselor, whose name we half-frustratingly half-awesomely never learn. I believe that's a masterstroke from McCarthy, director Ridley Scott and anybody else on the decision-making panel. While we connect slightly with the lead character as it's his life we've been thrust into, it also allows us to objectively judge him and his actions. This is an extremely good thing, especially given the consequences. Fassbender, who worked with Scott on science fiction hit Prometheus, will return to the big screen next year in the much anticpated X-Men: Days of Future Past (trailer here).
Javier Bardem (Skyfall) is solid as one of the more bizarre and "out there" characters in Reiner, an entrepreneur doubling as a drugs boss by night, while Penelope Cruz achieves similar success as Laura, The Counserlor's fiance. 
My biggest criticism is the casting of Cameron Diaz as Malkina, Reiner's girlfriend. The role is similar to that of Katey Sagal's Gemma Morrow in Sons of Anarchy: an attractive, smart woman in a relationship with a powerful figure who is actually more dangerous than their kingpin lovers. Diaz looked slightly ridiculous in the part, and I personally found it hard to believe in her character at all.

Sharknado

I have not had as much fun with a movie since Sharktopus, and before that Chicken Park.
Judging by the numbers, especially in the US, I wasn't alone.
In the vein of Roger Corman's filmic legacy (Sharktopus, Dinocroc, etc), Sharknado is a Syfy original movie obviously based on a doomsday combination of sharks and tornadoes (who would've thought?!?!). It pits Tara Reid and Ian Ziering in the lead roles, an estranged married couple who, like the rest of Los Angeles, are at risk of hilarious death via tornado-delivered sharks - tiger sharks, hammerheads - take your pick!
I don't even know what to write about this brilliance.
The screenplay is utterly hilarious, delivering such pearlers as "why is there a retirement homenext to an airport? Because old people can't hear" and "your son wants to go into a helicopter and drop a bomb into the tornado" - SPOILER ALERT - and it freakin works?!?!
There are a whole lot more ripper lines in there but you have to see it, or read a transcript.
Dodgy special effects only enhance the awesomeness and the comedic value.
Reusing identical footage time and time again has the same effect, as does the completely awkward interactions between the characters.
I can't even finish this. Do yourself a favour and enjoy it - it will be the best 86 minutes of your year.

Sharknado: 86 minutes (2013)

White House Down

A WILD action ride that mixes the gung-ho action sequences, a few ripper laughs and more betrayals than an ALP leadership ballot.

White House Down pits Channing Tatum in the driver’s seat of our wild ride through the heart of Washington DC.

Tatum plays Capitol policeman John Cale with a dream to protect President James Sawyer (played by Jamie Foxx) as part of his Secret Service detail.

Cale’s personal life is a bit more complicated, as he struggles to forge a better relationship with his daughter Emily (Joey King) who conveniently has a love for politics.

Cale’s interview for a Secret Service position is a disaster, but he lies about the outcome to impress Emily. To help his ruse succeed, he secure tickets to a tour of the White House.

Their relationship, as well as Cale’s ability, is put to the ultimate test when a group of mercenaries take control of the White House in an effort to kidnap the president.

White House Down is a much better film than what the trailer gives it credit for.

Where the trailer shows a predictable, action flick filled with cringe-worthy one liners, the film is a fun ride through the heart of American politics.

The jokes are timed to perfection, more of a reflection of James Vanderbilt’s writing (Zodiac, The Amazing Spiderman) than Tatum’s on-screen delivery – though Tatum’s charm and charisma and give them that extra oomph.

Foxx is simply awesome as President Sawyer, portraying an influential president who publicly inspires, but is as laid-back and chilled as everyone imagines Barrack Obama to be.

The trailer shows a sequence where Sawyer drops a rocket launcher from a bulletproof presidential vehicle, but the real gold is where he defends his precious Jordans.(basketball shoes)

Maggie Gyllenahaal supports the leads brilliantly as Secret Service agent Carol Finnerty.

Finnerty has a history with Cale, which is exploited for comic exchanges early on in the piece but becomes a central point of Cale’s evolution.

Joey King’s role as Emily is one to keep and eye out for as well.

Emily is a bit of a rebel without a cause when we first meet her, but she becomes a completely different person before our eyes when she arrives at the White House.

Her obsession with politics is made obvious from the outset, but it’s her undying passion that turns everybody’s life around.

Director Roland Emmerich sticks true to his “let’s blow up iconic American buildings” mantra from Independence Day, 2012 and The Day After Tomorrow, and delivers 130 minutes of awesome.