I loves Harpo

People love to slag off Oprah. I mean they really do, even Madonna made a cutting remark way back in 1991 – on film no less.

Whatever anyone thinks of her, I kind of love her. She bought Sophia to life in ‘The Color Purple’ and that is enough for my ever lasting devotion.

I love the fact she has put her name behind ‘Precious’. This means that more people will see the film which is a good thing. Independent film needs any champion it can get.

Her film company, Harpo Films has picked up the rights to ‘Will You Be My Black Friend?’ which is based on a GQ article written by Devin Friedman about his attempts to add some flavor into his circle of friend.

This is a very interesting idea and although the aim will be humorous, there is a very serious point. People find it difficult to step outside of their own social demographic and seek the comfort of the similar. Races, sexualities, religions, castes and class all tend to stick together and when we do branch out it tends to be with someone who shares a common demographic.

The film is being planned as a star vehicle for Chris Rock, who (if he reigns it in a tad) could make for a very funny yet socially conscious film about race relations - I am still waiting to see his documentary 'Good Hair'.

I just hope it is not going to be a ‘lets make white people dumb’ type of film because that will do nothing to improve interracial relations in the world – something Oprah I am sure will make sure of.

Bad Reviews

"In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so."

So Ed Gonzalez slated ‘Precious’ but then the man seems to slate most things I hold dear.

He really does not like ‘Awards’ films at all by looking at his review roster – his taste is all over the place and VERY different from mine and that is a good thing. Variety is after all not just a entertainment industry magazine, it is also the spice of life.

But there are so many critics out there giving their two cents on everything they can.

And we need critics, for they give us a platform from which to debate and their points are often very valid.
However everyone these days is a critic and the difficulty is filtering those with something valid to say against those who want to rant or worse yet, have an agenda.
What is the saying about critics?
Those who can’t' criticise those who can.

I read his review last night and felt deflated, but what was I expecting, 100% unanimous good reviews?

Of course people are going to hate it. There are going to be those critics who go in wanting to hate it just as there will be those who go in wanting to love it. And in both cases they will look for things to help their argument.

I mean I did not watch ‘Changeling’ objectively, and loved picking it apart. Fair? Not at all, but it is what we do. Our criticisms come from a personal place. Our entire lives will affect how we view everything.

So maybe when a critic slates film i love (or are wanting to love) I should make up a reason for this person reacting this way...to soften the blow.

Although I loved this part of his review:

“So, between Precious and An Education, Lone Scherfig's horrid BBC Afterschool Special, we now have the official theme of the upcoming Oscar season: the uplift of the races and sexes through higher learning.”

Wow. That is just..... sounds so ........ UGH ......... sexis......... racis........

Never mind.

I shall not criticise......... and when I do, I shall be honest and have no agenda (previous reviews do not count - hee he). If I do not like 'Precious' I will eat humble pie.

Imelda Slim

What does Queen of all things footwear, Imelda Marcos and Fatboy Slim have in common?
Well a lot as of very recently.

Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) is working with Talking Heads lead David Byrne on a concept album about the life of the former first lady of the Philippines.

According to Cook: “Each track is sung by a different singer and there's some very interesting guests on there” which is very exciting when you consider some of the artists rumoured to be taking part.

Although unconfirmed it looks like we will be having Candie, Sharon Jones, Santigold, Tori Amos, Martha Wainwright and Cyndi Lauper.

Can you imagine what will happen with all that talent on one album? I am hoping the results will be as orgasmic as the line up of singer with the talent of Cook.

It will be dance based, but will tell the story of Marcos, ala ‘Evita’.
Apparently it is not just about shoes.
Now that would be a challenge. An album all about shoes.

Don't Worry, Don't Panic

Basement Jaxx have been around for roughly 15 years. They started in Brixton, London and began a night club. Ten years ago they released their first album, and since then have been releasing some of the best dance music. One could only imagine if Madonna were to ever seek out their production skills.

Just listen to what they have been capable of over the years.

‘Red Alert’ – 1999



‘Jump N’ Shout’ – 1999



‘Romeo’ – 2000



‘Where’s Your Head At?’ – 2001



‘Do Your Thing’ – 2002



‘Good Luck’ – 2003



‘Oh My Gosh’ – 2005



And now their latest, from an album that is nothing short of amazing, please lend your ears to ‘Raindrops’ – and go out and buy their album.

Discriminating Oscar

“Nice white kids
Who like to lead the way
And once a month
We have our "negro day!"

I was reading this piece over at Awards Daily and began to get really mad. Seriously, “it flamed, flames on the side of my face” kind of mad.

It seems the anti Semitists of the world are causing a wee bit of a rukus due to the Polanski case. And of course the focus is on film, him being a director and all.

Of course this will not affect the awards race in any serious way. Polanski won an Oscar and any film dealing with the holocaust is awards fodder.

What it did get me thinking about is the other films out there about ‘minorities’ that this type of thing could happen to.

‘A Single Man’ has some very strong reviews in its favor, however its Best Picture chances are hindered by the subject matter. It will be considered a gay film – a terminology I hate, but it is something we use. The general public needs that distinction in case they wander into it thinking they are seeing the latest Coen brothers film. Imagine their disappointment at realizing they have paid admission to a gay film.

A gay film.

I mean is that label there specifically to slot it into a category of specialist cinema – out of reach for the general public? Like foreign, documentary errrr snuff (actually they sick way the world is going a snuff film would get more of an audience).

Sure ‘Brokeback Mountain’ crossed over but it had the added heft of being directed by a very respected STRAIGHT director.
Tom Ford is gay and this is his very first film as director.

Last night my BF wanted to watch ‘I Love You, Man’ and my reaction was: “But it’s a straight movie!” – so I am just as bad, but I argue it is about time tables were turned.
I mean my lovely gay dollar/pink pound goes out to supporting more straight aimed films than even I can imagine, and what do I get for thanks? Black Sunday that’s what!

And speaking of that movie, it was technically a race drama, but no, all non white film in Academy history has ever won Best Picture Oscar until last year with 'Slumdog Millionaire' which was directed by a white man.

How does this affect the chances of ‘Precious’?
Firstly will the film be nominated? Most people say it is a foregone conclusion that the film, director Lee Daniels, and actresses Mo’Nique and Gabourey Sibide will all be nominated.
How likely is this?
The film is supposed to be powerful stuff, and that can go a long way. It is a very difficult novel to read and even after the 4th time reading it I could not see how this movie could be made – and that is just for the abuse depicted.
So well done firstly for making the film, and secondly for it getting the overwhelming reaction it has received.

Will that reaction be enough in the end? It is difficult enough for a black film to get a nomination when directed by a white guy. Since 1970 I count ‘Sounder’, ‘A Soldiers Story’, ‘The Color Purple’ and ‘Ray’ and that is it people. Only four films.

‘Precious’ is winning festival awards and scoring extremely high with critics. Could it be that finally the mental melting pot is catching up with the physical?
Last year ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was the champ of the season which shows that popular and affecting story telling can help erase the lines that race has drawn.
Can ‘Precious’ do that even further?

A Funny Year

It is a funny year for Best Picture. Firstly the Academy’s choice to have 10 Best Picture nominees seems a little ‘broad’ to me. It is as though they are trying to get the public at large thinking they are relevant again after snubbing ‘The Dark Knight’ last year.
However if you look at all the predictors on the web, no-one is actually predicting two of the most popular films of the year, both summer block busters.

‘District 9’ and ‘Star Trek’ are no-where on peoples radar, and that is a shame because they were two extremely well received big budget and popular films with critical support.
‘District 9’ is, out of the two, definitely the film that could surprise.
With its message of unity and humanities ugliness so current today, it will speak to people on many levels (human drama, political, action adventure, sci-fi .......and more).
This is a summer blockbuster that could still be in with a shot, but it is a long one unless its Oscar campaign is as creative as its advertising campaign then anything goes.
It could end up being the only Peter Jackson film in the mix.

Could it be that Academy’s idea of increasing the nominee pool will allow more variance back fire a little? Variety is not something that us predictors are even thinking about or seriously considering.
With the exception of ‘Up’ there no other unconventional genre being thrown about. No documentaries, no foreign films, just more of the same – drama’s, serious comedies and musicals.

Genre aside, there is an interesting mix of films being considered – none of which were on anyone’s radar at the beginning of the year. The only conventional ‘Oscar’ films are ‘Bright Star’, ‘Nine’ and ‘Invictus’. Right now it seems that any of those could make it in, or left out – who knows?

No-one knows anything about Peter Jacksons emotional special effects extravaganza ‘The Lovely Bones’. It is one of those films that seems like it could easily fail – and this is not wishful thinking – I want it to be great.

‘Inglourious Basterds’ is a movie that was initially dismissed, but it seems to have this magical growing buzz. People are still going to see it and there is very strong support for it. It does seem likely that the film could make it in.


Also we have ‘A Single Man’ about a gay man grieving for the loss of his lover. Not Oscar fare, but the ole boy has been getting a little more open minded as the years go on, so you could see the love for the film translate here.

The four films that seem the most likely is the Iraq war film that plays like a summer blockbuster ‘The Hurt Locker’. The festival fav about a corporate down-sizer ‘Up in the Air’. A story about an English teenager growing up too fast in ‘An Education’ and finally the film that is the least likely on paper to get a nomination – ‘Precious’ – about an overweight black illiterate teenage girl who is pregnant for the second time by her father.
I do not think I have seen anyone predicting this film for a win, but why not? ‘The Color Purple’ guilt may factor, as may Obama, as may the growing black members of the Academy.

Whatever the reasons for the lines in which people are predicting, we can all agree that it is a strange year.
There is nothing that screams WINNER yet for Best Picture. Best Actress is a stronger category than Best Actor, and the same for the supporting categories.

And this is the reason no one can get the heads wrapped around predicting what will happen.
In such a strange movie year, with new nomination rules, what we thought to be straight-forward is all of a sudden very perplexing.
Small films, who did well on the festival circuit, are being considered front runners, and unknowns are giving amazing performances.

Madness I tell you!!

What will be wonderful and hysterical is if, come nomination morning, we see a flux of films no one could bother to predict because they did not fit what the Academy usually likes.
We have always wondered just what would come in 6th, 7th or 8th.
Now we will find out!

Getting my calendar ready

20 days until I see ‘Precious’

Surprise you it may not, but it is raining today in London.
Considering we have had a pretty long spell of rather sunny warm weather, this is the first proper sign that winter is indeed upon us.
Aside from the few panics I have had of late, finding a cat sitter for when I go home over Christmas, it is a rather exciting time – winters come, and I forgot my mittens.

Firstly, we have said holiday which just brings out the very best in me. I love the holiday. Spending time with friends, cooking, baking, listening to Christmas songs (the B.F. is not a fan of the season……I am determined to make the Grinch’s heart break the heart measuring machine).


Then you have the fun and frolics of New Years.

However this is the season of the Oscar film. Suddenly the cinemas will be filled with high brow films for adults (as well as a few silly holiday family films) and we will all have a clearer picture of how the awards race will shape up (although here in the UK opening times are so f*cked up – sure BAFTA members get their screeners, but the public usually have to wait until February)
We also have the top ten lists for the year, and the various critic awards will announce, hopefully throwing in some names that were thought of down for the count to shake up the race.

Here are some dates to look forward to:

Dec. 1
• Gotham Awards
• Indie Spirit Award nominations announced
Dec. 3
• National Board of Review honorees announced
Dec. 1
• L.A. Film Critics voting
Dec. 14
• New York Film Critics Circle voting
Dec. 15
• Golden Globe nominations announced, 5:00 AM
Dec. 17
• SAG Award nominations announced
Jan. 3
• National Society of Film Critics
Jan. 5
• PGA Awards nominees announced; final polls open
Jan. 6
• NAACP Image Award nominations (date tentative)
Jan. 7
• DGA Awards feature film nominees announced; final ballots mailed
Jan. 11
• WGA awards screen nominees announced
Jan. 12
• National Board of Review gala
Jan. 15
• Critics Choice Awards
Jan. 17
• 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards
Jan. 23
• 16th Annual SAG Awards
Jan. 24
• Producers Guild Awards
Jan. 30
• 62nd Annual Directors Guild Awards
Feb. 2
• Academy Award nominations announced

This doesn’t even count in Boston Film Critics and Chicago who do also count (not as much as N.Y. and L.A. though)

More often then not most of the precursors will try and emulate what they think Oscar is going to do. In terms of the acting nominations, the Golden Globes and SAG’s are the best precursors for Oscar, although the naked golden man does like to do his own thing from time to time.
This is the thing, you can never accurately predict what is going on in the minds of the Academy at large.
It is a clique.
They have no problem voting for an outsider as a nominee, but do they really want them to be part of the winners circle?
I liken the Academy to a Fraternity or Sorority or a Soraternity. They make you jump through hoops before they feel you are ready.
Sometimes you can get in as a fluke (or a weak year) but this is a popularity contest and largely winning one has less to do with talent then it does with who they like, they really really like.

And yes, talk shows and campaigning goes a long way, but in the end it is up to each individual and who they want to see walk up that podium.

I am still holding out hope for Gabby Sidibe. I mean can you think of a more emotional moment?

Anywho, we have the various awards coming up, and they will give us a better idea of what is happening. For all the pre Oscar awards, which are your favourites?

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Roisin is back!

A highly-pregnant Roisin Murphy performed two brand-new tracks, "Royality" and "Demon Lover," the other night at Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2010 show in Paris.

This is mainly to preview some of her new tracks.

A MUST BUY!!!

'Kill Bill 3' Ooohh

If you can handle all the translating!!!

Exciting news indeed, but wouldn't it be called 'Kill The Bride'?

Seymour can make it better

Can you think of another good way to start the weekend?

Soul destroying

So I was at work flipping through Vice Magazine and came across an interview with Lars Von Trier. He was of course being interviewed about his movies (mostly focusing on ‘Antichrist’).

What interested me was these questions about Björk in ‘Dancer in the Dark’

"Vice: In an interview some years back you described the presence of a black president in 24 as sickeningly politically correct. PWND!

Lars Von Trier: Yeah, I didn’t see that one coming, but I think it’s a very nice development. As long as they don’t go and elect a woman.

V: Right on.

LVT: I’m joking, of course.

V: Of course you are, but you do seem to like bullying women and you broke Björk. For God’s sake, man, what’s wrong with you?

LVT: Maybe it’s because I was never much good at talking to women, but when they work for me they have a contract and they have to listen to me and do what I say.

V: A revenge-of–the-nerd kind of thing?

LVT: Seriously, it’s true that I pushed Björk a lot, maybe too far, but I was also very happy with her performance. She gave everything she had. As a director you do what you can to get the performance you want, that’s your job, and sometimes you have tap into people’s past experiences and memories to bring that out. I usually have very good relationships with my actresses, but Björk and I didn’t get along.

V: And now she’ll never act again.

LVT: Yeah, and that’s not all, she even wrote Nicole Kidman a letter telling her not to do Dogville.

V: Really? What did she say?

LVT: She said I had destroyed her soul.”

Sure she cried a lot, and had to dance and sing (get up and do her thing) but I wonder what Nicole’s reply would have been after the ordeal of being abused, raped and shackled?

“Bitch…are you serious”

Now I must watch ‘Antichrist’. I get the feeling Charlotte has been but through more. Does he torture his actresses more and more as his film’o’graphy grows?

OH HAPPY DAY!

My delicious and handsome blank (I am nearly 34…I cannot say boy friend anymore) has booked me tickets to see ‘Precious’ at the London Film Festival.

I am elated beyond belief. He knows I am dying to see this film, but it is not like I have talked about it THAT much.

So I skipped on over to the BFI site to see what else was showing. Basically all the big Oscar contenders.

Then I noticed something horrific. All films like ‘A Serious Man’, ‘A Single Man’, ‘Up in the Air’ and ‘An Education’ are all ‘FULLY BOOKED’. SO I went over to the critics darling, Sundance triple winner and Toronto winner and saw this:


Do the British not want to see it?
Why on earth not?
I thought they would be throwing on their freshly hunted fox fur, jumping into their Bently’s and bombing down Bond Street to get to the nearest cinema to see the film about a 16 year old black, poor and obese illiterate girl pregnant for the second time by her father.
Do they not want to know about black people unless they wining sports, getting elected for president or singing ‘Old Man River’?

Even my bibles, Empire and Total Film have no mention of the film. Sure, beyond the film festival, it does not have a UK release date, but scheesh, report on it. I really do not want to read yet another piece on ‘Avatar’.

Am I the only ‘white’ person in the UK who is dying to see this movie?

Mini Review – ‘The Black Balloon’

Although this film came out last year, I am finally getting around to seeing it.

‘The Black Balloon’ centres around a family trying to raise an autistic teenager, Charlie (play impressively and believably by Luke Ford)

The film mainly concerns itself with Thomas (a wonderful Rhys Wakefield) who has moved to a new town in Australia due to being an army brat and must go to a new school and make friends all while trying to hide his brother who his is ashamed of.
The boys in the school throw rock at the ‘special bus’ and make constant jokes about retards and spastics. On film it seems unnecessarily cruel, but if memory serves, kids are bastards.
Thomas’s one beackon of light comes in the form of Jackie (model Gemma Ward) who takes a liking to him, and accepts Charlie.

Although the movie never tries to pull at your heart strings, or make judgement on anyone, you cannot help but feel for Thomas. Being a teenage is hard enough, without having a brother who cannot speak, he cannot control his rages, he can have instant, violent mood changes. He runs through the neighborhood in his underpants. He throws a tantrum in a supermarket and he rubs his feces into the carpet.

When Thomas screams that he hates Charlie, you understand his frustration. He wants a normal life.

It is Maggie, (Toni Collette) the mother who lets you understand the family dynamic and how after all these years they have managed to stay together.
Of course, Toni Collette's performance as the mother of an autistic son, is a remarkable thing. She has created a mother who is emotionally and physically worn out, but she keeps on going for her son. She has to remain strong because the other men in her life are at breaking point.
Also noteworthy is Gemma Ward who creates a spontaneously warm young woman who cares for Thomas, sympathized with him, accepts Charlie without question.
Not the type of film that is major awards fodder, but still one worth seeking out.

Grade B

Terrified

I am sh*t scared to see this movie. I do not do well with gore and blood. I am ok if it is a slasher movie, but this is cerebral.
I am not sure my poor fragile little mind can take it.

Where the Wild Things Are - Featurette.

Mini Review ‘The September Issue’

What with the DVD release of the film last week, I was able to cozy up at home with my guapo and watch this highly entertaining doc.
People going into this wanting any of the following:

An Expose of Editor in Chief – Anna Wintour
An all out bitch fest ala ‘The Devil Wears Prada’
An insight in Haute Couture

You will be disappointed.
Instead you get a behind the scenes look at how the mega influential, annual fashion bible, the September issue of Vogue, gets put together. Sure, you do not get into the articles or advertising, but you do get to enjoy a lot of fashion.
Wintour is not the ice queen Meryl Streep had you believe. She is quick to laugh with the designers and advertisers (buttering them up perhaps), but in the office she is focused and, yes, cold. Photo shoots get scrapped and clothing gets discarded with a simple quiet ‘no’, sometimes a reason is given and they all serve her vision for the magazine.
You feel for the people under her at times, but you understand her point of view. This is the Editor in Chief of Vogue – come prepared with the best you can offer, and be able to back it up – she is a busy woman.
Getting under the skin of Wintour is going to take a lot more focus than director RJ Cutler has time for. You get a few insights into her life (her daughter respects her, but does not think much of fashion) but nothing to give you that “Eureeka!” moment. Is that needed? Not really. The cast of entertaining characters are more than enough to make up for lack of depth. André Leon Tally is Editor-at Large is bitchy camp at it’s best. Most of the people at Vogue are in fact highly entertaining (or rather annoying – depending on how you look at it)

In fact, the true star of the film is Creative Director, Grace Coddington. Former model for Vogue became an assistant editor after a car accident prevented her from modelling. She worked her way up to her current position and is responsible for creating the photo spreads. Her vision for clothing, hair, make-up, accessories, and location make for some of the most beautiful photo’s in fashion.
With her frizzy red hair, pale skin and dedication to black clothing one would think her plain. She is extremely witty and opinionated. After 20 years of working at Vogue, it is a sight to behold to see someone so in love with what they do, that they are reduced to tears when their hard work is rejected.

Wintour may be the brains behind the magazine, but Coddington is the beauty. What she does can only be described as art (see below).

Grade: A-