Tuesday 31 January 2012

THE 2 BEARS

THE 2 BEARS - WORK


CHECK IT OUT

The 2 Bears, a side project of Hot Chip's Joe Goddard Well known from his recent hit 'Gabriƫl' has teamed up with dance-floor veteran Raf 'Daddy' Rundell to make an album of South London deep house reminiscent of late 80's early 90's house titled 'Be Strong,' tipped to be one of the debuts of 2012.
The final prelude to the release of they're highly anticipated debut album, 'Work' is the new single from The 2 Bears. 'Work' provides working-class poetry sounding like club music for grown-ups wanting a decadent summer of love return without their troublesome kids tagging along. Already hammered in clubs and on radio by the likes of Andrew Weatherall, Erol Alkan, Annie Mac and Pete Tong.
Mixes by courtesy of Toddla T, Oliver $, Supabeatz and Franky Rizardo.

RATE: TWO THUMBS AND A FINGER guaranteed floor filler









Monday 30 January 2012

MATTHEW'S DAY OFF ADVERT

FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF ADVERT


Rumour has it Matthew Broderick going to reprise his role as Ferris Bueller the iconic slacker created by John Huges. Produced for a comparatively small amount by todays standers it went on to be highest grossing film of 1986. Many have tried to replicate the Ferris formula but with little success, if anyone remembered the television spin off with Jennifer Anistion best we forget, I can't see anyone attempting it any day soon. The cleverer teasers by HONDA have done exactly what they were supposed to tease a generation who grew up in the 80's and now have teenagers of their own. The 80's and John Huges invented the teenager so why not take one of the most recognizable characters of that period and put him in advert and ask Todd Phillips of "The Hangover" fame to direct it. The advert will mimic famous scenes from the film and is due to be showcased on the night of the Super Bowl. Who knows if this goes well next year we could have Molly Ringwald advertising Stannah Stair Lifts.


Remember advertising's all about stealing from the creatively rich to sell to the financially poor. 









Saturday 28 January 2012

lomography

LOMOGRAPHY


Lomography proberly one of the largest photographic/artistic communities in the world a community that share a common interest in the actual camera and its creative attributes only exclusive to the LOMO. They have been around for years but the culture surrounding them has grown exponentially. It was initially a backlash against the digital dominance of  the photographic culture both professional and amateur, but has since developed into an invaluable  creative tool, the images created by Lomos every one unique due to the cameras mechanics are constantly being recreated within film and advertising if your into film and you haven't already get your hands on a LOMO and you may never go near another digital still camera again, okay maybe a slight exaggeration but you will fall in love with them I have.






Thursday 26 January 2012

ARTIST C215

C215


A few years back I was cycling around Berlin when I came across this stencil of an old man's face so full of character with these intense eyes that seemed to follow me down the ally, so like any itch I had to scratch it so went back the next day with my camera photographed it and set about finding out more on C215. A reclusive anti-commercial French artist who uses the stencil medium to create his work the detail employed to create these characters takes his work beyond that of stencil or graff art. The portraits of the people of PARIS, BERLIN, LONDON are more akin to social documentary so hold a far greater significance when viewing modern life through art.


                                                     SHOT IN BERLIN



                         C215 in his own words.

Tuesday 24 January 2012

THE OSCAR NOMINATION

THE OSCAR NOMINATIONS 2012



Best supporting actress
Berenice Bejo
Jessica Chastain
Melissa McCarthy
Janet McTeer
Octavia Spencer
Best supporting actor
Kenneth Branagh
Jonah Hill
Christopher Plummer
Nick Nolte
Max von Sydow
Best actress
Viola Davis
Glenn Close
Rooney Mara
Meryl Streep
Michelle Williams
Best actor
Damian Bachir
George Clooney
Jean Dujardin
Brad Pitt
Gary Oldman
Director
Michel Hazanavicius
Martin Scorsese
Alexander Payne
Terrence Malick
Woody Allen
Best picture

War horse

Moneyball

The Artist

The Descendent

The Help

Hugo

Extremely loud and incredibly close

Tree of life

Midnight in Paris




Best original screenplay

The Artist
Bridesmaids
Margin Call
Midnight in Paris
A Separation

Best adapted screenplay

The Descendants
Hugo
Ides of March
Moneyball
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Best foreign language film

Bullhead
Footnote
In Darkness
Monsieur Lazhar 
A Separation

Best animated film

A Cat in Paris
Chico And Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Rango 
Puss in Boots







Sunday 22 January 2012

UMIT BENAN

UMIT BENAN 2012


This is possibly a tenuous link to the last review but military theme seems to be the dominant creative trigger at the moment, with a constant stream of inspiration whether it be in film, theater, art, music or fashion it's the gift that never stops giving from a creative perspective obviously.






DRIES VAN NORTEN 2012
Dries Van Norten  is always raced ahead of the chasing pack and nothings changed. His new collection is inspired by Frank Zappa and Oscar Wilde takes the idea of tailoring and military iconography, psychedelic imagery.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS


Ralph Fiennes brings Shakespeare to the screen for his directorial debut which may come as no surprise to many who are familiar with his work away from Harry Potter. What would have been a surprise? If he had decided to make an all guns blazing action CGI weapon laden  robot army gunning  down wizards competing for mythical lands with a well oiled Gerard Butler leading the charge, now that would have been a surprise but I debut Kenneth Branagh would be happy? So for him to bring Coriolanus to the screen for the first time was a brave one like most modern adaptions of Shakespeare screen writer John Logan has applied a contemporary narrative to the play flattening the complexities of the original text and simplifying story the, taking the war and political aspects of the play and playing it out through the media giving it a populist spin by using real life news anchorman JON SNOW (playing himself) as a unintruesive narrator of sorts. This plot device came in handy when  pacifying an increasingly annoying girl who felt the need to be spoon fed the entire film by her partner who was equally uniformed and even going on to tell her 'I think their in Afghanistan'. Ralph Fiennes plays down the theatricals as the brilliant Roman general Caius Martius Coriolanus ( I had hoped for a more bombastic and arrogant portrayal of Coriolanus taking on board the historic as well as the Shakespearian text) and arch nemesis and enemy of Rome Aufidius played by the aforementioned Gerard Butler. 


The film has a linear flow to it  moving from the conquering hero, enter the scheming  opposition of Brutus (James Nesbitt) and Sicinius (Paul Jesson) fueling a popular up rising that results in the exile from Rome of Coriolanus. Wrapped only in his blanket of vengeance  he seeks out Aufidius, trekking through a depressing Serbian landscape to Volscia  an unrecognizable  Coriolanus offers his life to spite the country that banished him, but  Aufidius takes pity on him and allows him to lead the assault on Rome. 
Jon Snow pops up to warn us of the approaching Volscian  troops lead by Coriolanus, the fallen general rises like a Phoenix from the ashes on route to take back land that abandoned him as the army fails to withstand his approach and the politicians run scared their last hope is his mother ( just think how many wars could have been avoided if the power that be had just sent in their mums) yes his mother volumnia who persuades him to dissuade from destroying Rome. The role of Volumnia is devoured by Vanessa Redgrave the harsh love she exhibits is uncomfortable but very watchable both hers and Brian (Man hunter) Cox as Menenius are the standout performances in what I predict to be the first of many attempts to reinterpret this play. As much as I loved the film there were a few niggles I need to get off my chest the supposed riots felt bit subdued I've seen more violence seen at a guest designer sales at H&M and the Jeremy Kyle style uprising in the TV studio was a little jarring. 


Verdict: When it comes to re-inventing Shakespeare BAZ LUHRMANN's Romeo and Juliet  has set such a high bench mark it's  going to be hard match visually or narratively.
TWO THUMBS


THIS IS HOW IT'S DONE


CORIOLANUS


Screenings at cornerhouse amc odeon



OTHER SHAKESPEARE SCREEN ADAPTATIONS

The Taming of the Shrew, (1929), featuring Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford.

Romeo and Juliet, (1935). Directed by George Cukor.

A Midsummer Night's Dream, (1935). Directed by Max Reinhardt and William Dieterle.

As You Like It, (1936). Directed by Paul Czinner.

Henry V, (1945). Directed by Lawrence Olivier. 

Macbeth, (1948). Directed by Orson Welles (War of the Worlds, Animal Farm, 1984).

Hamlet, (1948). Directed. by Lawrence Olivier.

Othello, (1952). Directed by Orson Welles. 

Julius Caesar, (1953). Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.

Romeo and Juliet, (1954). Directed by Renato Castellani. 

Richard III, (1955). Directed by Lawrence Olivier. 

Othello, (1956). Directed by Sergei Jutkevitsh. 

Forbidden Planet (based on The Tempest), (1956). Directed by Fred M. Wilcox. 

Throne of Blood / The Castle of the Spider's Web / Cobweb Castle (1957), (derived from Macbeth). Directed by Akira Kurosawa.

The Tempest (1960), (TV) starring Richard Burton. Directed by George Schaefer.

Hamlet (1964), starring Richard Burton. Directed by Bill Colleran and John Gielgud.

Hamlet, (1964), directed by Grigori Kozintsev.

The Taming of the Shrew, (1967), starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Directed by Franco Zeffirelli

Romeo and Juliet, (1968), directed by Franco Zeffirelli. 

King Lear, (1970), directed by Peter Brook. 

King Lear, (1970), directed by Grigori Kozintsev.

Macbeth, (1972), directed by Roman Polanski (Bitter Moon).

Antony and Cleopatra, (1974), starring Patrick Stewart and Ben Kingsley. Directed by Trevor Nunn and John Schoffield.

Comedy of Errors (1978), starring Judi Dench and Francesca Annis and directed by Philip Casson and Trevor Nunn.

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, (1980), (BBC-TV) starring Patrick Stewart and directed by Rodney Bennett.

The Merry Wives of Windsor, (1982), (BBC-TV), starring Ben Kingsley and directed by David Hugh Jones.

The Tempest, (1982), directed by Paul Mazursky. 

Ran (1985), (based on King Lear), directed by Akira Kurosawa. 

King Lear, (1987), directed by Jean-Luc Godard. 

Henry V, (1989), directed by Kenneth Branagh. 

Romeo and Juliet, (1990), starring Francesca Annis, Vanessa Redgrave and Ben Kingsley. Directed by Armando Acosta II.

Hamlet, (1991), directed by Franco Zeffirelli. 

Prospero's Books, (1991), (based on The Tempest), directed by Peter Greeneway. 

As You Like It, (1992), directed by Christine Edzard.

Much Ado about Nothing, (1993), directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Othello, (1995), directed by Oliver Parker. 

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, (1996), starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes. Directed by Baz Luhrman.

Hamlet, (1996), starring Kenneth Branagh, Richard Attenborough, Judi Dench, Billy Crystal and Kate Winslet. Directed by Kenneth Branagh. 

Twelfth Night, (1996), starring Helena Bonham Carter, Nigel Hawthorne, Ben Kingsley, Imogen Stubbs and Mel Smith. Directed by Trevor Nunn. 

Looking for Richard, (1996), directed by Al Pacino. 

Shakespeare in Love, (1998), starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush and Judi Dench. Directed by John Madden, written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard. Loosely inspired by Cesario / Viola of Twelfth Night Or What You Will and Romeo and Juliet.

10 Things I Hate About You, (1999), (based on The Taming of the Shrew), starring Julia Stiles and Heather Ledge. Directed by Gil Junger.

A Midsummer’s Night's Dream, (1999), starring Calista Flockhart, Michelle Pfiffer. Directed by Michael Hoffman. 

Love's Labour’s Lost, (2000), directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Hamlet 2000, starring Ethan Hawke, Julia Stiles, Kyle MacLachlan. Directed by Michael Almereyda

MONTY PYTHON'S HAMLET



Friday 20 January 2012

HAYWIRE

HAYWIRE


HAYWIRE is Steven Soderbergh's latest offering with his lead actress plucked from the world of mixed martial art we've not got one eye on oscar and another on the acceptance speech but what we do have is a female action hero who could give JASON STATHAM a run for his money. Gina Carano plays Mallory a former marine turned private black-op agent working for the government. Unfortunately for Mallory her boss and ex-boyfriend Kenneth (Ewan Mcgregor) has more twists than a Curly Wurly and so starts the adrenalin pumped head rush that is HAYWIRE the monosyllabic Gina Carano is totally believable as she kicks, punches and shoots her way through the film from Barcelona to New Mexico. Performing some breathtaking stunts along the way the roof chase in Dublin was one of many elaborate and memorable action sequences as was the neck breaking choreography in her with fight with Paul (Michael scene stealing Fassbender) the man given the job of disposing of her unlucky. With an all star all male cast Gina Carano more than held her own, the subdued cinematography was a little distracting and some of the fight and action scenes could have been cut a bit quicker  JOHN WOO style but apart from that it was a good bit of action candy. TWO THUMBS AND A FINGER






TOP 10 FEMALE ACTION HEROS


1. ROSE MCGOWAN CHERRY DARLING
    PLANET TERROR
2. SIGOURNEY WEAVER ELLEN RIPLEY
    ALIEN
3. ANNE PARILLAND  NIKITA
    LA FEMME NIKITA
4.LINDA HAMILTON SARAH CONNER 
    TERMINATOR 2
5. RENE RUSSO LORNA COLE
    LETHAL WEAPON 3
6. GEENA DAVIS CHARLEY BALTIMORE
    THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT
7. GINA GERSHON CORKY
    BOUND
8. DEMI MOOR L.T JORDAN O'NEIL
    G.I JANE
9. UMA THURMAN THE BRIDE
    KILL BILL 
10. MILLA JOVOVICH VIOLET SONG
    ULTRAVIOLET
MILLA HAS GOT FORM RESIDENT EVIL, R.E AFTERLIFE AND R.E EXTINCTION, JOAN OF ARC, 45. 


PLANET TERROR


SCREENINGS AT ODEON AND AMC

dark matters exhibition

Even though we're only in january. I can predict the DARK MATTERS  exhibition being near the top of my list, my pick of the show is obviously going to be film related as film is a bit of an obsession of mine. But that aside R. LUKE DUBOIS's KISS is visually stunning. Check it out



Monday 16 January 2012

SHAME

SHAME
If I were a psychotherapist and Brandon walked into my office seeking help, my initial thought would be what help could this man possibly need from me. He is a confidant, charismatic self assured successful good looking New Yorker who exudes  charm too much charm to be honest, maybe  that could be his problem an inability to connect beyond the superficial so only able to project an unrealistic elevated sense of himself. 
ME;            Mr Sullivan how can I help you .
Brandon;  Call me Brandon.
ME;            Ok Brandon how can I lighten your burden.
Brandon:  I don't know, I've spent my life trying to forget.
ME;            Well enforced amnesia clearly hasn't worked as you would not be sitting in front of me today if you weren't hoping I could pick up the fragments dropped over time and pieces you back together, so in your own time. 
Brandon:   Where should I begin. My routine consists of waking up masturbating, going online searching for porn the more deprived the better, more masturbation, go to work, more masturbate (in the staff toilets as the office is open plan). Get on my computer at work  look for more porn, bastards have taken it away to get it clean, more masturbate  get stressed more masturbate. Then go for a drink after work pull a pretty blonde dump my junk in a public place just for the frill of it, put her in a taxi, then go on the hunt for more fresh meat. Get home get on the laptop look for online sex hook-ups download more porn masturbate some more then indulge in emotional flagellation then try and get some sleep.      
ME;              So what's happened to disrupt your routine.
Brandon;    My sister.
ME;              What about your sister.
Brandon;    Coming back into my life, like a tornado she sweeps everything up in her path, including me.
ME;              Is she really that destructive, or is she just a syphon for your internalized aggression, someone to hang the blame on when things in your life aren't going so well.
Brandon;    Sissy is selfish, unthinking, self absorbed, irresponsible, gullible, desperate, needy,  fragile, she exhibits a level of volatility I'm not comfortable with.    
ME;              She shares your volatility along with your DNA. You're constantly bathing your demons why?
Brandon;     Because she will always be there even when she's not there, when she sings she sings only to me, when she fucked my boss she was fucking me.
ME;               Have you ever been in love Brandon or at least flirted with the idea.
Brandon;     Briefly her name was Marianne.
ME;               How did you meet.
Brandon;     At work.
ME;               So why didn't it work.
Brandon;     It was to pure... I Couldn't bring myself to soil it so I ended it.
ME;               And your sister.
Brandon;     She needs me, she will always need me.  
ME;               Why.
Brandon;      Because even my blackest night is brighter than her with here lightest day.

You could accept my psychoanalyst or you can go and see the film.  In my professional opinion I suggest you go see the film.    TWO THUMBS AND ONE FINGER 


             
Venues screening SHAME in Manchester Cornerhouse and Odeon

Friday 13 January 2012

MY TOP TEN favorite DAVID CRONENBERG films

 CHOICE CUTS
Every friday I select one of my favorite film directors, and yes you guessed it I make a list. This weeks prime cuts come from Canadian cult director  David Cronenberg. It was the films of  Cronenberg  that reinvigorated the horror genre during the seventies and eighties, his work was and still is inspired by the writing of William S Bourroughs, J. G. Ballard and Vladimir Nabokov, hence his continual use of symbolism  and his interpretation of science, social intercourse and the mental deconstructing of his characters, not forgetting the ever present undercurrent of psycho-sexual tension. And when he's feeling lazy the overt displays of sexuality. These characteristics have since became the blueprint of the modern horror genre.

1. SCANNERS [1981]

2. VIDEODROME [1983]

3. THE FLY [1986]

4. DEAD RINGERS [1988]

5. NAKED LUNCH [1991]

6. CRASH [1996]

7. RABID [1977]

8. EXISTENZ [1999]

9. SHIVERS [1975]

10. THE BROOD [1979]



                  SCANNERS

                  RABID: Rabid exploited the unexpected acting talents of porn star Marilyn Chambers. Who was the second choice after Sissy Spacek dropped out.       

                  STEREO [1969]
A little extra tip bit for you to enjoy. A taste to of things to come extastensial sci-fi

Also  checkout CRONENBERG'S principal cinematographer Peter Suschitzky most recent work, Dangerous Method and the up and coming COSMOPOLIS starring none other than Robert TWILIGHT Pattinson.





Tuesday 10 January 2012

cat powers

A massive fight fan as well as being a massive MANNY PACQUIAO fan imagine my delight to find one of my favorite vocalist collaborated with him on her latest single.        CHECK IT OUT plus all the proceeds go to charity so go and download this track. 


                                


                                 


Sunday 8 January 2012

MY TOP THREE MUSIC VIDEOS OF 2011


SUUNS [PIE IX]


HERE WE GO MAGIC [CASUAL]
                   
FOSTER THE PEOPLE [PUMPED UP KICK]    
                 

MY TOP TEN FILMS OF 2011

MY TOP TEN FILMS OF 2011


1. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
    directed by: LYNN RAMSAY


2. DRIVE
    directed by: NICOLAS WINDING- REFN


3. SNOWTOWN
        
         directed by: JUSTIN KURZEL


4. PROJECT NIM


         directed by: JAMES MARSH


5. THE DEEP BLUE SEA 


          directed by: TERENCE DAVIES


6. RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES


          directed by: RUPERT WYATT


7. MELANCHOLIA


    directed by: LARS VON TRIER


8. TT3D CLOSER TO THE EDGE


          directed by: RICHARD DE ARGUES


9. SENNA


          directed by: ASIF KAPADIA


10. TAKE SHELTER


             directed by: JACK NICHOLS




THE ONES THAT CAME CLOSE


BLACK POWER MIXTAPE 1967- 1975
directed by: GORAN OLSSON


THE HUNTER
directed by: RAFI PITT


TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
directed by: TOMAS ALFREDSON


MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
directed by: SIMON CURTIS


WEEKEND
directed by: ANDREW HAIGH