Top Five: 30 Seconds To Mars Vids

There are three reasons for this blog.

Reason One: I am a little bit in love with this band and their epic scale videos. They are more than just pictures to accompany a song. They are mini-movies.

Reason Two: I went to see this band last night and they are now fully embedded in my little Emma-sized brain, so I am now trying to set them free.

Reason Three: I have noticed that whenever Jared Leto gets mentioned on this blog, my viewings go up.

Anyway, these are my five favourite 30 Seconds To Mars (or 30stm as I shall now refer to them as) videos so far, even though there are only seven to chose from. This is not necessarily my five favourite songs, just the videos which I think are the best.

5. Kings & Queens

The best bike ride ever. Literally all I have to say.

4. The Kill

Probably the most well-known of all the bands videos, and definitely the one that looks like it has had the most money thrown at it.

3. Capricorn (A Brand New Name)

30stm get down and dirty. I don't really understand this video, not gonna lie, but it looks cool so I like it.

30 Seconds To Mars-Capricorn

Vedran | MySpace Video

2. A Beautiful Lie

Not many vids can lay claim to having such epic backgrounds as this one (with the exception of Westlife who have shamelessly copied this video), and the sites of Greenland coupled with slow-mo shots is pretty damn cool.

1. From Yesterday

One of my most favourite videos, not just by these chaps. It's dramatic, there is a bit of facial acting, a hell of a lot of flags, fighting and, for the Leto-obsessed amongst us (you know who you are - thanks for checking out the blog btw!), a brief shot of Jared in his topless state. I'll save you from the 11 minute version.

While I'm at it, my top five favourite songs are:

5. Capricorn (A Brand New Name)

4. This Is War

3. A Beautiful Lie

2. The Kill

1. The Fantasy

Top Five: Dinner Party Guests

If I could invite any five people to a dinner party, who would it be?

(Let me know who yours are in the comments below).

1. Matt Bellamy.

One of my musical heroes and someone I find incredibly fascinating. Creative sorts interest me, and I would love to know how he gets his ideas. Although I suspect he wouldn't share those kind of details with me. I have plans to befriend him so he will let me join the band. I think I could be in charge of the triangle. Or buffing up Bellamy's guitars. Or throwing the balloons filled with glitter. You know, important things like that.

2. Joss Whedon.

Joss is THE man! He may also be one of the unluckiest men in the world at the moment, as his (in my humble opinion) awesome TV shows keep getting cancelled. Anyone who can come up with the dialogue of shows such as Buffy and Serenity has to be an awesome conversationalist. He also inspires loyalty from those who he works with, so he must be a nice chap.

3. Jared Leto.

Yes, he is being mentioned for about the millionth time. This particular choice may just be because I am going through a bit of a phase and want to kidnap the man. If he came to my dinner party, it would save me a lot of effort. He is too talented for his own good. He brings these things on himself.

4. Zac Efron.

He doesn't have to speak. He can just sit there and look pretty. This role could also be filled by others, but he is the current prime candidate.

5. Jane Austen.

Partly because I feel like I should have a female presence at this dinner party of mine. Partly because I admire her romantic notions. Partly because her stories are so timeless and loved by millions. And partly because I want to have words with her as to why the nice, dependable, loving man is never the one chosen in love triangles, while the female runs off with the rebel/bad guy/arrogant twit etc. I blame her partly responsible for this.

Special Guest Blog! Jared Leto Is Sexy: Let Me Count Five Ways

By Fiona Hunter (http://acousticdreamshardcorescreams.blogspot.com)

5) My-So-Called Life Era: Jared as a young ‘un. Anyone who was/is a fan of this show knows that it is almost entirely about Jared as Jordan Catalano. He was mysterious, brooding and blew completely hot and cold on Angela. But this was the huge attraction of him in it. That boyish floppy hair, the far off gazes, and the most random of words he came out with. This picture sums up his whole attraction as Jordan.

4) The Full-on Emo Look: This picture is taken from ‘The Kill’ which was the single that put 30STM on the mainstream map. Jared is completely embracing the emo image with his raven-black hair and long fringe as well as the angst he demonstrates in this video. I don’t think it needs explaining why this is one of my favourite pictures... TWO Jared's at once? It’s the dream.

3) The Revamp: Gone is the long hair and the dodgy Kurt Cobain inspired bleach (one picture which was definitely NOT going to make this top 5) and here arrives Jared at 37, a new 30STM album imminent and a short hairstyle to embrace. Now I’ve always been a fan of floppy fringes but cooooor, Jared looks ten times younger looking all clean-cut and polished. Plus you can see those baby blues better which is nothing but positive.

2) TOPLESS: Do I really need to explain this one?

1) A Beautiful Boy: Like ‘A Beautiful Lie’, get it? Pun-tastic. This is the epitome of perfect Leto to me. And because of this it's a whole video, not just a picture, because he needs appreciating all the way through this. Oh. My. Gosh. All the necessary features are present: his natural hair colour, all shaggy and floppy. A sexy amount of stubble. Those blue eyes looking at their most piercing. And finally, that borderline cheeky look in his eyes that screams “I’m Jared Leto and you want me”.

P.S. Just for the record, here is an example of a bad picture of Jared. A haircut can do a lot to a person and this shows how NOT to cut your hair.

Top Five: Rock Band Front Men/Women

5. Jared Leto - 30 Seconds To Mars

Maybe its just the fact that he is 'Jared Leto', but it is very hard to take your eyes off this man when he is on stage. His rock credentials are slightly let-down by the fact he tries to play up to it too much and tends to over-swear a little bit. Instead of being hardcore, it ends up being rather humorous.

4. Gabe Saporta - Cobra Starship

I just love Cobra Starship. He may not be the best singer the world has ever seen, but he doesn't pretend to be. He, and the band, are there to have fun and to make sure the audience have fun too.

3. Hayley Williams - Paramore

Not generally a fan of female fronted bands, as I sometimes find them a bit overpowered, but there is barely anything in the world that can outshine Hayley Williams. A huge bundle of energy and pretty much one of the best voices in the business.

2. Adam Lazzara - Taking Back Sunday

Vocal abilities? Check! Likes to climb the stage? Check! Facial fur? Sometimes Check! Microphone swinging? BIG check! Always looks like he is having the time of his life, and also happens to be a very friendly chap indeed.

1. Matt Bellamy - Muse

What. A. Legend. Armed with more gadgets than er... The Gadget Store, Bellamy is a force to be reckoned with. Has more musical talent than is really fair. Not sure what it is about him, but ideas seem more genius, just because he was the one to do it. He is also likely to be seen wearing very bright jacket, and may own one of the coolest collection of guitars ever. I may not be able to play the instrument, but I am still jealous.

Top Five: Worst Accents In Film.

The fact you have probably not seen, or even heard of most of the movies featured, probably says it all really.

5. Josh Hartnett - Blow Dry
Not even the pretty face makes up for the voice. Would have been much better if he had a non-speaking role.

4. Heath Ledger - Casanova
When good actors go bad. Not even entirely sure what accent he is supposed to be pulling off, but it sounds like nothing I have ever heard before.

3. Heather Graham - From Hell
The lack of accent ability isn't overly surprising when you consider the lack of general acting ability. Maybe a little harsh, but really can't understand why she is employed.

2. Dick Van Dyke - Mary Poppins
So notoriously bad, it doesn't need explaining.

1. Jared Leto - Basil
Leto, Leto, Leto. What were you thinking? Worst attempt at an English accent I have ever heard. This film is fairly terrible as it is. Definitely not his shining moment. Pretty hilarious watching him try though.