Film: American Pie: Reunion

Trailer for the new American Pie that comes out in 2012. Looks like its going to be back to old times with these guys (maybe they're strapped for cash!)! My guess: it'll be a crappy film but have entertainment value meaning the 16-28 age range will go and see it. I'm looking forward to it, but not sure it's one I'm going to be forking out money to see at the cinema!

Film Quick Review: Another Earth

A cool film. Watched it this morning, really enjoyed it, but as ever have a few criticisms. While expecting to see most of the story unfold on the 'other' Earth, the film focuses much more on the emotional turmoil a young girl is going through, with the other Earth almost as a side story.

What I liked most about this film though was how it was shot. Experimental methods of shooting that makes the most emotional scenes very powerful. It was easy to tell it was going to be an inventively shot film right from the start when we see a car accident happen, shot from above. The acting, especially from the beautiful Brit Marling (above), and the directing, Mike Cahill (keep an eye on him in the future), are both great and full of promise for furthering their careers.

Howwwever, while these two (Marling and Cahill) may do their respective parts in the film well, they were also the screenwriters. The film is a very cool concept - a parallel universe available for people to travel to - but is badly done. 'Badly' is a little harsh maybe, but it has so much potential as an idea. A side story of an old Indian caretaker is somewhat confusing and unnecessary. Also an unnecessarily confusing final scene, that I guess is there to provoke the viewer. All a little confusing really.

Regardless, it is original, powerful (through acting + camera techniques) and is entertaining! Definitely worth a watch!

Film: The Dictator

THIS CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH!!!

Film Trailer: Madagascar 3

This looks amazing, I know it's not coming out until summer 2012, but I am a big fan of the Madagascar series. There are too many quotable lines to ignore it. If you've been living under a rock for the last few years and haven't watched either of the first two yet...do it now. I also recommend watching with friends so that others actually get the lines you are quoting.

Film Throwback: Blow

Blow is a film based on the true story of drug dealer George Jung, the man who made the cocaine boom of the '80s possible. This film is a secret gem. Starring Johnny Depp and the delectable Penelope Cruz, we witness the ups and downs of Jung's life. We feel elated when his deals go off, when he has so much cash that his apartment is filled with it and when he sweeps Cruz off her feet and makes it look easy. We share in Jung's misery when he is caught, when we finally realize that although his life may have seemed perfect and exhilarating, he loses the one thing he truly values...his family. Blow is touching because it is about a boy who vowed that he would never suffer in poverty like his father, only to grow up realizing that money doesn't matter.

8/10

N.B.

Depp's hair here is awesome too, there's definitely a good reason for why long hair is coming back into the fold (case in point brad pitt, ashton kutcher currently...oh and me).

Film: Another Earth

I am so completely wired right now. In the library. Crushing papers (kind of). Bumped into some friends (Haley Fuller & Teresa Skelly) and they were saying how much they liked a video I posted on my facebook. It is shot very well, which therefore creates a very powerful short video (on London 2012 Olympics). Because of this they recommended I watch a trailer for a film they saw earlier this year, so I did right away! Not only did they say it was one of the best films they have seen, they said it was shot very well - and you really get this sense from the trailer. The concept of another Earth is really cool and tonight I'm going to take a "study-break" to watch it I think.

Thank you H and T for the suggestion!

Music: Tim Berg - Before This Night Is Through

New Tim Berg (a.k.a Avicii) officially out today. A classic fist pumping tune different from the Avicci style feel-good electronic dance music. "I want to do bad things to you" at 2.18 is a catchy phrase that has its darker side. It is funny because I was talking about this the other day. I was saying we need more songs that give a simple message to someone when you are dancing with them, such as "Tonight I'm (loving) You".

I like the song, you should too.

Art: A "pompous" article taken from The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/02/saatchi-hideousness-art-world

Here is an article by Charles Saatchi. He sounds as if he has taken a quick break from his Occupy Wall Street tent to write this crass article. I would never put it is a simple as "enjoy[ing] having easily recognised, big-brand name pictures, bought ostentatiously in auction rooms at eye-catching prices, to decorate their several homes, floating and otherwise, in an instant demonstration of drop-dead coolth and wealth."

"Do any of these people actually enjoy looking at art?"

"I don't actually believe many people in the art world have much feeling for art and simply cannot tell a good artist from a weak one, until the artist has enjoyed the validation of others."

Here he suggests that art dealers/collectors basically have no opinion on the art in front of them but instead only go of what the public think.

This article has annoyed me, and now my breakfast has gone cold.

Give it a read. It is interesting, but "pompous".

Art: Sprinkle Dog

Just came across this really cool piece of art work - you wouldn't guess that it is made by more than 200,000 sugar sprinkles.

Not only is it a really cool finished piece of work from Canadian art student Joel Brochu, but it also shows the ingenuity that these art colleges are supporting. Clearly stemming from Georges Seurat's 'Pointillism' technique, it is a modern spin of a neo-impressionist masterpiece.

Film: Testing Slow Motion on the Gopro!

Here is a video I put together this afternoon on Final Cut Pro X, using either 25% or 10% of normal speed. Some of the clips I filmed in 120 frames/second - awesome!

Film: A Short Video I Put Together on the Flight to Florida

Here's a little video I quickly put together on the flight to Florida for Thanksgiving. Trying to get to grips with Final Cut Pro X so I can move onto bigger and better things!

My Youtube Channel

I am being a little more active with my youtube channel now so in case you'd like to check out my random videos (which I'll also post on here) here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/user/cwfj1992

Film: Gopro HD Hero2

Our month of negligence is over. Time to get back on track.

Video: 'Good God' Comedy

Forget 'Gap Yah', this is much more my humour. Here is a very funny comedy sketch (albeit old) from the same producers that brought you 'Gap Yah'... so I thought I'd share it. Very simple humour, but delivered so well, especially from the actor on the right.

I actually watched this without sound during lecture today and noticed how they use the camera to direct the audience's eye. The two most noticeable camera shots in which we see this is the opening one and one towards the end. The low shot at the beginning is similar to that which is brought into fashion by Orson Welles in 'Citizen Kane' (1941) in which the viewers perspective is very different. We are close to the ground which gives us a feeling we are not playing an active part in the exchange but we are actually there. The other of the camera shots I liked was the Point Of View (POV) camera angle when they are taking the man's phone. This is similar to the POV shot's that Alfred Hitchcock used to involve the viewer with the scene when creating suspense.

A very funny script, well delivered and craftily shot.

This Is Why I Desire A Career In Film

Revolutionary Technology: De-blurring

This new technology by adobe, works by means of algorithms, to guess at why an image has become blurred...and then correct it. I can't express enough how much easier this will make photography for amateurs and professionals alike. The obvious pro is that a great photo which had potential but was ruined by its blurriness can remain a great photo. The con is that this technology does makes photography too easy. A high level of photographic skill is achieved through trial and error, and taking photographs that are in focus should be a requisite skill of the photographer...not something that a computer can fix for those who take shortcuts. It seems like the internet will have to brace itself for droves of more artistic garbage. Next time I'll be sharing a link to adobe's program which automatically makes a great photo for you.

Music Video Competition

http://www.avicii.com/contest/

Here is a music video competition that looks awesome. I'm a huge Avicii fan (favourite song of mine is here) and now he has given his fans the opportunity to make a difference! If I didn't have so much on at the moment and the deadline was more than 12 days away I'd give it my best shot. I think I may try and make a music video to this anyway as it's a cool song - Levels. Chances are that it won't be finished for a few weeks though! Any ideas of what I could base it around, don't hesitate to contact me.

Film: Friday (1995)

I told the Joshua (the boy I mentor at the Community Charter School of Cambridge) that I would watch his favourite film, and subsequently decided to write a quick post on it. It was mildly entertaining and very easy to watch, but I couldn't stop thinking about how much better How High (2001) is. I don't really have much to say about this but not sure it quite ranks up with my top films (sorry to disappoint, Joshua). So if you are hungover or are really very bored, below is posted the full movie from youtube. Enjoy!

Trailer: J. Edgar (2011)

Despite being so bogged down with work at the moment, I just had to, had to, had to, post this trailer. This film looks like it's going to be amazing. Written by the guy who wrote 'Milk', directed by none other than Clint Eastwood, and starring the likes of DiCaprio, Judi Dench, Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer (from The Social Network), Josh Lucas (from The Firm), Ed Westwick (aka Chuck Bass), as well as a number of younger guys who often appear in smaller TV series looking to break into the scene. Well this is one film to do it in! All about the secrets of J. Edgar Hoover so is historic, dramatic and obviously fantastically produced.

Out on 9th November 2011.

Cheers to Matt Yarri for this one!

Steve Jobs

Music: Example and Flux Pavillion

This is my favourite song on Example's latest album (Playing in the Shadows) remixed by my favourite Dubstep DJ around... Doesn't get much better does it! However, when I started listening to this it wasn't at all the type of audible orgasm I expected. Flux has a very particular sound - strong lead, heavy sub - but here it is different. It's definitely still dubstep, don't think otherwise because you can't hear the Skrillex-esque WOB WOB WOB, but a very different vibe to usual. I like it, but then I love anything Example. I think it's maybe one of those Marmitey songs (you'll love it or hate it)... Check it out below.

Awesome Videos: DEFY

Defy trailer 2. The Danny Harf project from Sean Kilgus on Vimeo.

Some great shots and film technique here. Especially love the song, the touching up of the water to make it dazzling and the time lapses of the scenery.

This Sounds Fun

Hilarious

Absolutely love this guy's creeper smile!

Favorite Quotes: James Dean

"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."

Celebrating Our 2500 Hits

Film: George Harrison: Living in the Material World

This looks like something that is going to be very interesting. When we think of The Beatles, we think of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Star, but George Harrison is the one to have less publicity.

Only yesterday I was watching an interview with Martin Scorsese (the director of this film) on Orson Welles' Citizen Kane, and here his name comes up again. This film is going to trace the life of George Harrison in an intensely personal film, whilst weaving together previously unseen archival materials, home movies, and interviews.

Harrison died in late 2001 but to me is still today an innovator of new musical ideas. The film screens in two parts on 5th and 6th October, exclusively on HBO.

"George Harrison: Living in the material world focuses the imaginative and inspired eye of one of cinema's most pre-eminent filmmakers on one of the world's most influential men. The film takes viewers on the musical and spiritual voyage that was George Harrison’s life, much of it told in his own words.

Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese traces Harrison's life from his musical beginnings in Liverpool through his life as a musician, a seeker, a philanthropist, and filmmaker. Scorsese weaves together interviews with Harrison and his closest friends, performances, home movies, and photographs. Much of the material in the film has never been seen (or heard) before. The result is a rare glimpse into the mind and soul of one of the most talented artists of his generation and a profoundly intimate and affecting work of cinema.

The film includes interviews with Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, George Martin, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Tom Petty, Phil Spector, Ringo Starr and Jackie Stewart. They speak honestly and frankly about George's many talents and contradictions."

Fat Boy Slim - "Praise you"

In anticipation of the '90s dance tomorrow, which our good friend and room mate JR Thornton aka DJ R will be DJ'ing, I present 'Praise you' to take you into the weekend.

It's Friday y'all.

Role Models - Audrey Hepburn

Not only is she effortlessly elegant, gorgeous and my perfect woman, Audrey was also Goodwill ambassador of UNICEF. For those of you who don't know, that means that she was dedicated to helping impoverished children in disadvantaged nations. Definitely one woman worth emulating.

Art: {drum roll}... Caspar Jopling

Here's a few pictures of some art I did back in high school. They're much bigger in real life (judge it by the size of the clipboard/paint brushes). I can't be bothered to give you schpiel on influences and how I made them, so voila...

Art: Anish Kapoor

A very random post here - not that they aren't all random. Just flicking through some websites and saw these graphic designs (1, 2) which immediately brought British Sculptor Anish Kapoor to the forefront of my mind. He creates these large scale illusionistic pieces like this one below. I really like what he does and also him as a person. He also comes out with some prolific statements, and I feel he is a hundred percent dedicated to what he does (and for all the right reasons).

"One does afford oneself the luxury to come into the studio and all day, every day, spend one's life making aesthetic propositions. What an immense luxury."

"I think I understand something about space. I think the job of a sculptor is spatial as much as it is to do with form."

"I'm not an artist who has an agenda that's set by the work."

Dubstep Dance moves 1: The "dub-step"

Dubstep - Old School Internet Dial-up

Get what I mean?! Brings back memories!

For Those Economics-Enthused People Who Stumble Upon This.

It's unreal how much of a muppet this guy is. "Goldman Sachs rules the world". He's so brutally honest. So pessimistic and so selfish (maybe some would say deluded) - I mean who goes to bed dreaming of another recession.... but for some reason I like him. I really like him. He's got balls, and he knows it. He's making money and he's happy about it. A bit of an ar**hole, but a funny one!

Pink Floyd 'Animals' Recreation

So here is Pink Floyd's famous 'Animals' album cover where they pictured a pig floating above London's Battersea Power Station in November of 1976.

And here is an article of them recreating this album cover 35 years later.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Pink Floyd, but why on earth are they living in the past. The music industry is fast moving and despite this being a band who still sellout concerts I just wonder what on earth they are doing with this publicity stunt. If it's the attempt to advertise for a new album (which I highly doubt) good on them. If it's not, and they just want some money, I think they can go spend however much "a brand new, high frequency, welded PVC pig" costs, on something more worthwhile.

Johnny English Reborn: Guess the IMDB Rating.

So I just watched the new Johnny English as I'm a massive Rowan Atkinson fan. Mr Bean was absolute quality, despite the fact that if played in mute, or just with the laugh track removed it, it is a documentary of the sad life of a mentally handicapped man (give it a go).

In this movie however we actually have dialogue, like the first Johnny English and it doesn't take away from the physical comedic genius of Atkinson. His rolling eyes and bulbous nose are so versatile and work in unison with his James Briggs-esque presence.

There are a number of times I laughed out loud (to my embarrassment given I'm sitting in a library) and not that many times when I cringed at the strength or predictability of a joke. All in all, simple humour; an very easy-to-follow plot and decent enough acting. A good film for if you've got nothing to do, need cheering up or if you are a big Rowan Atkinson fan.

IMDB is generous enough to offer it a 7.2/10 which was about 1-1.5 higher than I guessed. A line from one of the critics: "Some laughs are LOL, some are muted, some are mere smiles, but the film's tone throughout is unpredictable, but we know it's only a matter of time before a punch becomes a punch line." I think that sums it up pretty well. Atkinson's been off the big screen for a while now but I'm glad he's back!

Trailer is here

Criticism of the day: What not to watch.

Bucky Larson born to be a star is about a grocery bagger with no aspirations in life who finds out that his parents were pornstars. Therefore, he decides that he should become one. This plot has the makings of a movie which could be hilarious, however it limits itself to toilet jokes and grade school sex jokes. The acting, cinematography and storyline are terrible and it's surprising that someone would go through the trouble of wasting money on producing a piece of shit like this. The funniest thing about this movie is a quote I found about the main actor "Nick Swardson is so void of talent that he should be banned from breathing." Probably give it a miss...I wish I had.

NEW Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris

Yay or Nay? To be honest I think its pretty shit - in the words of the wise JR Thornton: "Meh"

When it comes to two big names like this doing a collaboration, I feel its much more just to get a track out there, with not that much thought into it. I love a bit of Calvin but to be honest this isn't doing it for me. Much more in the mood for this song right now -

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Otherside (Tim Mason Remix) HD

Can't Decide Whether This Woman Rocks or Sucks

End of the Week

Download Link here

Andy Warhol. Too Real.

R.E.M Disbanding After 3 Decades

Brings a tear to my eye.

Music: Scroobius Pip

More a poet than a singer/rapper. Lyrical genius. Here are two songs I love. '1000 Words' tells the story of his near-death-experience and 'The Beat That My Heart Skipped' is one of his older but very catchy tunes. Very chill and to any Americans here you will probably appreciate the British accent.

Favourite Lyrics:

"I really want to know what she thinks of me, cos I'm loving every idiosyncrasy"

"Well good god damn and other such phrases, haven't heard a beat like this in ages"

"The pen is far mightier than the sword, he said, as he stabbed his pen in my leg and the ink mixed with the red"

"They say a picture's worth a thousand words, so with these thousand words, I'll paint a picture in your mind that breaks the rule of thirds

Que Profundo!

And thank you to everyone who has viewed this blog! 1000 hits! Awesome!

Trailer of the Day

This film looks a little more than just your normal run-of-the-mill law drama. Based on a true story, it appears to be a thrilling plot of a drug addicted lawyer who faces the big guns and gets into trouble along the way. What excites me most about the film is the total shift in role of Chris Evans - the star of this years Captain America: The First Avenger. He's a great actor (and he's from Boston, MA) that I think we will see much more from in the future. Out this Friday, has very good reviews and even at the moment holds a 8.1/10 on IMDB. A worthwhile trip to the movies I'm thinking!


And here's a CNN article related to the film.

Missing Missy

http://www.27bslash6.com/missy.html

A very funny email conversation between a hilarious graphic designer and a grieving woman. Worth a read, will only take a minute or two. Enjoy!

Because Max Likes 'Drive' So Much...

Here is an article that came out an hour or two ago about Nicolas Refn, the director of 'Drive', and what he is at work at now. If 'Logan's Run' is anything as good as 'Drive', with the talent of a Cannes Best Director Prize Winner now directing it, this is something we should be excited for. Check out the link above for 'Logan's Run' and also check out this link to see what the 1976 original version of the film offered to the spectator.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14991205

NEW TWO AND A HALF MEN

The new series will star Ashton Kutcher, who plays as a smart and attractive billionaire! Charlie Sheen may be dead, but it looks like producer Chuck Lorre is making the right moves to keep this shows popularity up. Catch it on CBS

My Next Purchases...

Swedish House Mafia: The Essential Selection

SHM took over Pete Tong's infamous Essential Selection a few nights ago on BBC Radio 1. It was incredible. Here is a download link. Happy listening!

Example's Most Recent Music Video...

If Only More People Understood This.

Virginia Woolf, Maxim Gorky and Inception

        Virginia Woolf      Inception "Spinning Top"      Maxim Gorky

Prior Reading:

• Maxim Gorky, “Review of the Lumière Program at the Nizhni-Novgorod Fair,” 1896
• Virginia Woolf, “The Cinema” (1926)

Maxim Gorky was present at the Nizhni-Novgorod Fair to witness the “soundless spectre” of Lumiere’s cinematograph – “the Kingdom of Shadows.” After witnessing moving photography of “all too familiar scene[s]” he writes this newspaper article not expressing his awe at the invention but criticizing it – first the lack of sound and then claiming “the movement of shadows, only… shadows” is a curse. The article is riddled with cynical and negative language, and it is not until the very end of the article when he, while not yet seeing “the scientific importance,” admits it could be “applied to the general ends of science, that is, of bettering man’s life and the developing of his mind.” Gorky, surprisingly due to its novelty, looks at the Lumiere invention how people look at modern day film today – what is in the film rather than the technique of creating it (in this case, a scientific breakthrough!)

Virginia Woolf approaches the art of cinema as something which is both whimsical but also constrained by the intentions of film-makers, by the comparison of a reproduction of Anna Karenina and the depiction of non descript, almost accidental objects (and their ability to redefine emotion). She questions the intention of cinema throughout and whilst proclaiming cinema should not attempt to depict poetry or novels (because of peoples personal mental perceptions) she also appraises its potential (“while all other arts were born naked, this, the youngest, has been born fully clothed”).

The art of cinema had progressed a great deal over the 30 years between Maxim Gorky and Virginia Woolf’s critiques, but both are somewhat cynical (Gorky at the lack of sound and monotony of film and Woolf at the destruction of human emotion) as well as respectful of the potential it has in society. I wonder what, if they were alive today, they would have to say on the direction film has taken (both that of art and entertainment film {Film Art: An Introduction}).

Woolf and Gorky both probe towards how the “eye licks it all up instantaneously, and the brain, agreeably titillated, settles down to watch things happening without bestirring itself to think.” Woolf suggests this through that direct quote but Gorky suggests it through the way he constantly criticizes what he is seeing (with the lack of sound) whilst not being in awe of the invention. This is where Inception is strongly connected, as it is a blockbuster which takes you further than just watching a storyline unfold, as it takes you into a dream world of endless possibilities.

Icon of the day: Johnny Depp

Absolutely love this guy and all his movies. He has a quirky style but it works bloody well for him. Lots of accessories and awesome facial hair... Also helping me bring long hair back extremely well!

Drive Review

Drive is an intriguing movie. It has a simple plot, and even simpler dialogue. The plot involves a driver who takes the wrong job. The character is very, very quiet. There are a multitude of awkward silences, which is an oddity for a pulp fiction action movie such as this one. Yet for some reason it works. And boy does it work well. The awkward silences and lack of backstory, make us wonder what Ryan Gosling's character must have gone through before he arrived in LA. This coupled with his amazing driving skills and general bad-assness make him an awesome character that the audience will love.

Drive really stands out in its car chase and action sequences, which are shot beautifully and don't detract from the artistic style of the movie. The 80's undertone which comes through in the movie's soundtrack and with the font of its opening credits supplement the movie extremely well. As a fan of the 80's this theme definitely added to the movie for me.

Drive, despite it's ultra-violent scenes, is a beautiful movie. One comes away from watching it with a sense of fulfillment that only a few movies are able to achieve. 8.5/10

Film: Potential Summer Experience

Something I'm keeping an eye on for this summer. One week of the basics to digital film making. Their summer camps/courses range from acting to music video filmmaking, and range from a week to a year. They hold the courses in different places so, out of convenience I am thinking of applying for a week long one in filmmaking at Harvard, before going off to Florence for a few weeks.

http://www.nyfa.edu/film-school/digital-filmmaking/1weekmoviecamp.php

Art: Michelangelo Quotation

"If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all." - Michelangelo quote

Film: Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound

Along with The 39 Steps and Psycho, Spellbound is definitely in Alfred Hitchcock's top 10 films. A great plot revolving around a psychiatric clinic and guilt complex which has been adapted to stage so many times since its release. If you haven't seen the film, and intend to, you should probably stop reading (because I mention possible spoilers). I am less approaching the plotline of the film and more try to pinpoint a moment in the film I feel irrelevant - yes I'm critical. Then I will talk about the viewers ability to co-construct the narrative in a plot.

Now to the only criticism I have when coming to irrelevance, the scene at the start of the film with Mary Carmichael. She is a patient at the clinic and from the instance we are introduced to her we know she is a tough patient (“watch her carefully, don’t take your eyes off her” – nurse). As the scene unfolds, he flirts with “Harry” and then proceeds to present herself as a difficult patient to Dr. Constance Petersen. One other patient’s story is shown to the viewer by Hitchcock, that of Mr Garmes. This is however relevant to the plot because of the guilt complex he has is relevant to that of John Ballantine’s. Another reason he is relevant and “Miss Carmichael” is not, is that he tries to kill another patient and himself – drawing together many different parts of the plot – how dangerous this guilt complex can be, the fainting of J.B in the surgery room, and also the recurring blade/knife motif. Mary Carmicheal, on the other hand, is an irrelevant scene that plays only the purpose of showing that they are in a psychiatric clinic, a scene Hitchcock could have manipulated in a different way.

As it says on pg.93 of Film Art, “The plot may arrange cues in ways that withhold information for the sake of curiosity or surprise. Or the plot may supply information in such a way as to create expectations or increase suspense. All these processes constitute narration, the plot’s way of distributing story information in order to achieve special effects.” When the viewer is co-constructing the narrative they are a part of the story’s plot. The scene in the film where I find myself co-constructing the narrative most, due to Hitchcock’s manipulation, is the one with Dr Brulov and J.B’s conversation late at night, coupled with Constance coming down the stairs in the morning. Whilst Dr Brulov lying dead in a chair seems all too predictable for a Hitchcock film, we cannot help but assume Dr Brulov’s ignorance when conversing with J.B at night. The recurring blade motif, with the strong camera angle of the razor in J.B’s hand, contributes to our co-construction of the narrative. What seems like a naïve Dr Brulov offers J.B milk and chats to him quite normally and it is only until the morning when our respect for Dr Brulov changes hugely. Not only did he realize the threatening nature of J.B he drugged him without either him, or us – the viewer, knowing. “Narrative tension is primarily about withholding information” – Ian McEwan, novelist. Hitchcock withholds this wisdom that Brulov has and for this reason, in our minds, we believe that J.B murdered him during the night.

Music: Benicassim Festival, Spain

This summer, Massimo and myself went to Benicassim to hear some music from popular culture. Performing artists included The Streets, Plan B, Pendulum, Chase and Status, Jack Beats, The Strokes, Mumford & Sons, Professor Green, Arctic Monkeys, Primal Scream... oh and not to forget Tinie Tempah, who was shit.

So yeah, we listened to a wide variety of music there with truly stirling company - Will, Clamshaw, Tom, Gaby, Becks, Carol, Charlie, Katrina and Chesca - all of which are the coolest people you'll ever meet. Music by night, beach/pool by day - a great life.

Best act for me had to be Chase and Status, and then Mumford & Sons. Two totally different genres but really great performers. I've seen Chase and Status a number of times now and this has to be the best form they've been on. Professor Green - who I am a massive fan of - was also great, playing some of his new stuff but also his last albums stuff such as Jungle.

I recommend this festival to general-music-enthusiasts rather than specific-music-genre-likers.

Beni-Bro's

Beni-Bitches

Art. Enough said.

A Pablo Picasso quote.

Which Two Are You?

Trailer of the day

I've been waiting for this one for a while and it looks set to be a winner. Ryan Gosling stars as a stuntman by day, criminal driver by night who eventually gets in trouble with the mob. Judging by the initial reviews he's going to play a more realistic everyday hero, which is a nice change from the slew of comic book heros we've had to put up with lately. Comes out sept 16th in the US.

Shout Out to some close friends (and their blogs!)

Firstly, JR Thornton (our roommate at college) is a keen blogger and music enthusiast. He seeks out and writes about a lot of new electro/house/dubstep music on Dancing Astronaut. It's a great site, growing quickly too.

Secondly, another music blog from a college friend - Reed Simmons. This one is much more homegrown and looks at a wide variety of music that he, and his friends at UVA enjoy. Check out Butterymuffin.

And finally, a good friend we met this summer at Barcelona this summer, Becky Mcilwaine, is studying fashion at Northumbria University. I often check out her blog - Snap Shot Mac - to see some cool stuff.

This is how I feel all too often - but life goes on.

Black Tie - a short stop motion animation we made last year

The Start of an Era

So this is it. The first post - with no relevance whatsoever to film, art or music. But just a hello. Max and myself have started this blog with the intention of it being a logbook of anything that interests us. This will vary from our views on scholarly texts, our views on film reviews, our views on trailers, our views on pieces of art work, our views on art exhibitions, our views on songs, and just about our view on anything else that takes our fancy. So here it begins.