I have long been a fan of The Streets. Not only is the man immensely talented, but he really knows how to craft a track that grows with each each listen.
If you are not familiar with him yet, please change that. Has a fantastic back catalogue, and for a white boy doing rap, he does what his more popular American counterparts do not, he crafts intelligent and thought provoking albums that have more to say than talk about bitches ho's and guns.
I am writing this before I go on vacation, yet I know I will have this on my iPod the entire time...can imagine listening to this whilst on the beach. However I will be getting ready to fly back by the time you read this, so please picture me listening to this, with my amazingly beautiful boy friend by my side sprawled out on a beach towel with waves lapping at my feet.
Friday, 12 September 2008
Thursday, 11 September 2008
My 'Sticky and Sweet' tour: part 4
Thank you for listening to my scary ramblings and incoherent tour plan. I see it so clearly in my head but getting down visuals is not my strong point.
Must be my edumacation is not so good.
Anywho...back to the finale.
After what seems like an eternity of darkness (1 minute) the screens once again come to life. A stomping update of 'Dress You Up' fills the air as video plays of Madonna dancing through out the years. Using tour and video footage inter-spliced with images from past tour back drops we see how the woman has really never stopped dancing.
The song continues as the stage turns into a manic dance floor of different levels. there are dancers at all levels dancing their hearts out as Madonna appears, clad in jean shorts, bangles and a Blondie T-shirt on the very highest. The dancers stop turn and look as she utters those famous words "You can dance...for inspiration". And so begins 'Into the Groove'. She comes down to the bottom level and her and her troupe perform choreography that appears so carefree. As the song end they all come to the end of the platform where she leads the audience "I'm tired of dancing here all by myself, tonight I wanna dance with someone else.....WHERE'S A PARTY!!!!" and so the next song begins in a seamless mix.
The entire song takes place on the catwalk with back flips and cart wheels and Madonna playing leap frog with her dancers. At the end she once again, and for the last time dons her electric guitar and lets the audience that there are four songs left, and they all have to dance dance dance.
She starts 'Ray of Light' and the screens show a video reminiscent of the video for the song, but done as a world tour ending in Malawi. The dancers back flip and hand spring up and down the catwalk in a display more captivating than any olympic gymnastic competition. She ends the song as the opening beats of '4 Minutes' start. The crowd goes crazy as she starts the song, but without the Justin Timberlake vocals which she performs. Half way through the track there is a break and Madonna and crew fall into a break dance dance-off before the song continues as the 'Peter Saves Paris Remix' and the stange turns into club-land with one of the most spectacular laser shows I have ever seen and the star leaves the stage as the dancers rave it up big style.
The screen turns from alight show to a DJ deck. You see a record being put on and the opening beats of 'Music' begin. The screens turn into an equalizer of rainbow colours as Madonna appears in a blue heavily sequined bustier and ripped baggy jeans. The music track as been mixed with Kylies 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' and Madonna sings and prances about the stage with abandon and even does a few lines of Minogue's hit. At the end we hear that ticking clock and that famous ABBA riff comes blaring out. Madonna's dancers rip off her jeans to reveal, yes, a leotard. Once again she sings a few lines from the ABBA hit and as the song comes to a close, and the audience has been whipped up into a frenzy, confetti comes showing down (made from recycled paper of course) and fireworks and lazer light up the sky.
Madonna bows and thanks the audience and disappears into the floor.
Then, after another minute or so there is a commotion on the stage. The Dancers have come back dressed in neon, and looking like extras from 'Fame'. A familiar Guitar riff starts from the dance hit 'The Music Sounds Better with You'. The beat kicks in and the dancers starts doing what appears to be a very 80's dance style. Then out comes Madonna. Wearing what looks like pirate pants with a baggy ripped t-shirt showing her bra and tons of bangles on her arms and beads around her neck, like a 2008 version of 1983 Madonna. She looks out into the audience and shouts "Come On, Come On, Come On, Let's CELEBRATE" and so begins the frenzied keens up that is the final song of the show 'Holiday'. The screen shows various cultures around the world celebrating various holidays, festivals with dance.
At the end a sweating and tired Madonna shouts "Thank you I Love You!" as the stange goes dark.
Must be my edumacation is not so good.
Anywho...back to the finale.
After what seems like an eternity of darkness (1 minute) the screens once again come to life. A stomping update of 'Dress You Up' fills the air as video plays of Madonna dancing through out the years. Using tour and video footage inter-spliced with images from past tour back drops we see how the woman has really never stopped dancing.
The song continues as the stage turns into a manic dance floor of different levels. there are dancers at all levels dancing their hearts out as Madonna appears, clad in jean shorts, bangles and a Blondie T-shirt on the very highest. The dancers stop turn and look as she utters those famous words "You can dance...for inspiration". And so begins 'Into the Groove'. She comes down to the bottom level and her and her troupe perform choreography that appears so carefree. As the song end they all come to the end of the platform where she leads the audience "I'm tired of dancing here all by myself, tonight I wanna dance with someone else.....WHERE'S A PARTY!!!!" and so the next song begins in a seamless mix.
The entire song takes place on the catwalk with back flips and cart wheels and Madonna playing leap frog with her dancers. At the end she once again, and for the last time dons her electric guitar and lets the audience that there are four songs left, and they all have to dance dance dance.She starts 'Ray of Light' and the screens show a video reminiscent of the video for the song, but done as a world tour ending in Malawi. The dancers back flip and hand spring up and down the catwalk in a display more captivating than any olympic gymnastic competition. She ends the song as the opening beats of '4 Minutes' start. The crowd goes crazy as she starts the song, but without the Justin Timberlake vocals which she performs. Half way through the track there is a break and Madonna and crew fall into a break dance dance-off before the song continues as the 'Peter Saves Paris Remix' and the stange turns into club-land with one of the most spectacular laser shows I have ever seen and the star leaves the stage as the dancers rave it up big style.
The screen turns from alight show to a DJ deck. You see a record being put on and the opening beats of 'Music' begin. The screens turn into an equalizer of rainbow colours as Madonna appears in a blue heavily sequined bustier and ripped baggy jeans. The music track as been mixed with Kylies 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' and Madonna sings and prances about the stage with abandon and even does a few lines of Minogue's hit. At the end we hear that ticking clock and that famous ABBA riff comes blaring out. Madonna's dancers rip off her jeans to reveal, yes, a leotard. Once again she sings a few lines from the ABBA hit and as the song comes to a close, and the audience has been whipped up into a frenzy, confetti comes showing down (made from recycled paper of course) and fireworks and lazer light up the sky.Madonna bows and thanks the audience and disappears into the floor.
Then, after another minute or so there is a commotion on the stage. The Dancers have come back dressed in neon, and looking like extras from 'Fame'. A familiar Guitar riff starts from the dance hit 'The Music Sounds Better with You'. The beat kicks in and the dancers starts doing what appears to be a very 80's dance style. Then out comes Madonna. Wearing what looks like pirate pants with a baggy ripped t-shirt showing her bra and tons of bangles on her arms and beads around her neck, like a 2008 version of 1983 Madonna. She looks out into the audience and shouts "Come On, Come On, Come On, Let's CELEBRATE" and so begins the frenzied keens up that is the final song of the show 'Holiday'. The screen shows various cultures around the world celebrating various holidays, festivals with dance.
At the end a sweating and tired Madonna shouts "Thank you I Love You!" as the stange goes dark.
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
'Skin' Trailer
Based on the true story of Sandra Laing and staring Sophie Okonedo is what I hope will result in her second Oscar nomination.
However the trailer does kind of dash those hopes (it is a small film company mind you) by coming across all too self important. Sam Neil does look mighty fine as does Alice Krige as Sandra's mother (she was wonderful in 'In the Line of Beauty') but there is not a-heck-of-a-lot of performance to see of Okonedo. Here is hoping they are waiting for the film to be released to surprise us all.
However the trailer does kind of dash those hopes (it is a small film company mind you) by coming across all too self important. Sam Neil does look mighty fine as does Alice Krige as Sandra's mother (she was wonderful in 'In the Line of Beauty') but there is not a-heck-of-a-lot of performance to see of Okonedo. Here is hoping they are waiting for the film to be released to surprise us all.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
My 'Sticky and Sweet' tour: part 3
The stage is dark.the video screens light up with images on planet destructions. Smoke, fire, animals in traps, pollution, collapsing ice caps, the fur trade, the sun. All edited to a remixed, and re-edited together version of 'Rescue Me'.
Madonna appears with her hair back. She is wearing simple black trousers and a black vest. The stand at a microphone and sings an almost acapella version of 'What it Feels Like for a Girl'. On the screens you see a time line of the various first's for women. From voting to the olympics and so on. The song slowly picks up the beat with the aid of drums and guitar.
Dancers come on and join in with Madonna for a exotic tango version of 'The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You'. The dancers are in couples with Madonna in the lead.
the screens show images of distance. From the streets of New York, to the ocean, across England to London in one long CG shot all the while Madonna and guitar sing an up tempo version of 'Miles Away'.
At the end the lights go down dramatically. You hear the opening few notes of the instantly recognizable 'Open your Heart'.
Madonna, now with a sheer black top over her vest comes out with her dancers. They perform a sexy Spanish version of the song before launching into a flamenco heavy remix of 'Keep it Together' complete with hand claps and percussion. Madonna and the dancers perform complex choreography whilst constantly holding hands up and down the catwalk and stage.The music stop and Madonna takes a moment to address the audience again. This time letting them all know that they are the one who keep her going and keep her performing. She gives a heart felt thank you before the screens light up with various images of her fans at various shows and public appearances. The opening guitar riff from 'Like a Prayer' fill the stadium and she launches into the original version of the song but with added beats and base. She and the dancers dance about almost freely whilst Madonna dances down the catwalk, looking at fans in the eyes and singing to them before getting the auditorium singing the mid break "Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone...."
This time Madonna with no music, just hand claps before ending in an energetic finale.
Sunday, 7 September 2008
My 'Sticky and Sweet' tour: part 2
I bet you were riveted dear readers! Chomping at the bit for part 2 were you?Well here we are. When we left off Madonna had performed 'Hollywood'.
The guitar from the video interlude is still going strong and we pick out a familiar riff. From the top of a tall staircase that has somehow appeared on the stage appears Madonna in ripped dark denim jean shorts, fishnets, heels and a white wife beater. Her hair is out and messy and she launches into early hit 'Gambler'.
She descends the staircase reminiscent to 'Express Yourself' from the 'Blond Ambition Tour' and rocks out with a troop of dances at the bottom.
This song mixes into a heavily guitar remixed version of 'Causing a Commotion'. On the screens are images of some of Madonna's early nude photo's mixed in with the sex book (all naughty bits covered of course).
There are sparks and smoke going off around her as she dances furiously down to the mid point of the catwalk.
At this point she collapses on the floor. I microphone emerges from the floor and Madge is handed a guitar. She grabs a stool and talks to the audience about heartache and love. She sits on the chair and begins a version of 'Borderline' that starts out lovely and acoustic before getting angrier and thrashier. At the end of the last chorus she screams out a big "F*ck You!!" to a cheering audience.
The Audience starts dancing again, this time to the beat of 'She's Not Me'. Madonna is joined by a male dancer and they dance together (Almost like 'The Waltz of eva and Che' from 'Evita' but sexier). She pushes him away and he goes off via moving platform as female dancers appear from different points of the stage and catwalk. The next song "Thief of Hearts' is remixed with a simpler and harder urban sound. Madonna is thrown boxing gloves and puts them on (still holding onto the mic) and takes on her apponents one by one in a make shift ring.
At the end, the woman are strewn about the floor and there Madonna stands triumphant in victory. She disappears into the floor and once again the stage goes dark.
Part 3 to come......
Saturday, 6 September 2008
My 'Sticky and Sweet' tour: part 1
So I am not going to the Madonna show this year. Sure I am bitter, although have no real interest to see the new album performed, I am however bitter that she finally decides to perform the hard rock version of 'Borderline' that I have been dreaming of for years!Bitch.
It got me thinking about how I would do the tour if I were tour director.
(you see I live in my head a lot.....in there Madonna and I are friends. After she read my blog and decided to grant me an interview we became inseparable. Because of this friendship and my influence she has taken acting back up and is getting great notices for a supporting role in a film I wrote staring Toni Collette. So it is only logical that she would ask me to be her tour director, I mean Christ! I am over seeing production of her new album. We are taking it into a new direction, experimenting with world music in the instrumentation, but keeping a more 'electro' sound)
Anywho....Picture this.
The Tour!
Opening video of Madonna's early New York years, re-edited to the beat of 'Give it 2 Me'. Over the top of this you hear her voice from begining of her first video collection:
"I went to New York. I had a dream. I wanted to be a big star. I didn’t know anybody. I wanted to dance. I wanted to sing. I wanted to do all those things. I wanted to make people happy. I wanted to be famous. I wanted everybody to love me. I wanted to be a star. I worked really hard and my dream came true.".
Dancers are dressed very New York early 80's and performing acrobatics on the floor and on wires. It looks like a circus. At the back of the stage on top of a moving subway car comes Madonna in fedora, tuxedo trousers, black bustier and cropped blue leather bolero jacket with trim. She launches into an energetic retro sounding version of 'Give it 2 Me', complete with age defying dance moves keeping toe to toe with her dancers.
Off come the jacket and into the audience goes the hat. We hear the familiar "I know you've been waiting.....yeah" as a urban version of 'Everybody' is belted out. the crowd go wild and the dancers and Madonna bump and grind across the stage.
When she is done to takes a minute and a drink of water. She asks the audience how they are doing before making a joke about how old she is.
Then the stage opens up to reveal disco balls, mirror tiles and flashing coloured lights, evoking Studio 54. Madonna slips on a fur coat and quips to the audience "don't worry, it's fake" before launching into 'The Beat Goes on". She is joined by two male dancers in a tightly choreographed routine reminiscent of disco's hay-day.
She casts off the dancers and looks out to the audience and asks all the women to scream before dedicating a stomping remix of 'Express Yourself' mixed with the beat of 'We are Family' to them. Madonna is alone on stage for most of this and dances, shimmies and spins down the catwalk, before being joined by the troop of female dancers at the end for a routine reminiscent of her version of this song from 'The Girlie Show'.
The stage goes dark for a moment and you hear Madonna's voice "Everybody goes to Hollywood".
The lights come back up and the disco set is replaced with stark black and Madonna sings 'Hollywood' while walking along the edge of the stage interacting with the crowd. On the giant screens behind are images from tabloids of young actresses/singers who have hit hard times with drugs, alcohol or depression. The version of 'Hollywood' is more metal guitar driven with a dark pumping beat than what has been heard before. Madonna leaves the stage at the end of the song just as the guitar quietens down and proceeds into 'Like it or Not' from 'Confessions on a Dance Floor'. This is a video montage of the various tabloid stories of Madonna throughout her career. The version of the song, like 'Hollywood' is more edgy and angry sounding with an electric guitar and she has even re-recorded the vocals to fit the sound.
Friday, 5 September 2008
“Notorious”
Ok, so I had a slight little eye rolling moment when I heard that Hollywood was going to be making a film out of the life of the Notorious B.I.G.. Not before you send hate posts, it was not because I do not think his story is cinema worthy, it is just I though “Oh great another bio-pic”.
That was until I saw that one of my all time favourite, and under used actors has been cast as Voletta Wallace. I get the feeling, if the role is big enough, Angela Bassett is going to hit this one out of the park.
That was until I saw that one of my all time favourite, and under used actors has been cast as Voletta Wallace. I get the feeling, if the role is big enough, Angela Bassett is going to hit this one out of the park.
'Coco Avant Chanel'
So I was reading months and months ago about the Coco Chanel movie staring Audrey Tautou as the famous influential designer (her suits never go out of style). Now it seems that Warners have sweeped in, in a vintage classic gown, to finance and co-produce the film.
The film will be looking at Coco's early life (what a great name), hence the title (translation for those of you who slept in French class 'Coco Avant Chanel' translates as 'Coco Before Chanel')
Did you know that sunbathing was never popular in Europe until Coco came back from holiday with a golden tan? Fashion and skin cancer....her legacy it so vast!
Well apparently the film will begin filming in just two weeks and be released next year. I hope to Madonna that Warner does not insist the film be filmed in English just to widen the audience. It could happen, but then again foreign films are not suffering as much at the box office as they used to. A foreign language film reaching £10 million is more common place than it was 10 years ago.
So far, in the production pics that have been leaked, Tautou looks a fierce tranny hot mess.
Thursday, 4 September 2008
"Winged Creatures" trailer
Oh goody. A multi cast multi story drama. And they say Hollywood is running out of ideas. (notice how poor Jennifer Hudson gets no lines in the trailer - tragic fore-shadowing or surprise attack?)
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
“Taking Woodstock”
Anything Ang Lee does I get excited. The man is a genius. Even this film, which is not something that I am overly interested in subject matter wise, is getting me all excited, not least because the wonderful and Oscar-less Imelda Staunton in it.
“Oh please Ang give her a role big enough to be considered a supporting actor. PLEASE!!”
I am not asking much.
“Oh please Ang give her a role big enough to be considered a supporting actor. PLEASE!!”
I am not asking much.
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Lady Sovereign
She is only 5 inches tall, but of attitude.
This track is yonks old, but I have been listening it lately and it just brings a smile to my face.
This track is yonks old, but I have been listening it lately and it just brings a smile to my face.
"Pride and Glory" Trailer
Ok so Ed Norton is brilliant. Colin Farrell has great potential. And this looks like it could be a condensed version of 'The Wire' which is not bad thing at all. However why oh why does a gritty cop drama need to rely of operatic music with a huge crescendo to sell it as a trailer. All I needed to hear was the set up of the family, the details of the murders and then the witness saying "It was a cop" to spark my interest. These mini movies need to stop. Like 'The Onion' said:
Monday, 1 September 2008
Sweetheart
You know there are those actors you love but still know when they deliver a bad performance.
I feel that way about Brenda Blethyn. She is one of those actresses that can deliver amazing performances ('Secrets and Lies') and then completely irritate the hell out of you like nails down a black board in parrot school ('Pride and Prejudice', 'Little Voice').
But I still love her.
After her small but effective role in 'Atonement' last year I have been thinking about how she needs to have another role that makes us sit up and notice. Then I went to the movie lovers bible (IMDB) and saw she has a film coming out next year called 'London River'.
It is directed by Cannes and Cesar inner and two time Golden Bear nominee Rachid Bouchareb. The film focuses on the 2005 London terrorist attacks and how two strangers meet while searching for their missing children in London.
It is bound to be emotional and compelling, but I am most curious to see how Blethyn handles the character. For an actress who can too easily go into characture, it will be interesting to see if she reigns it in.
I feel that way about Brenda Blethyn. She is one of those actresses that can deliver amazing performances ('Secrets and Lies') and then completely irritate the hell out of you like nails down a black board in parrot school ('Pride and Prejudice', 'Little Voice'). But I still love her.
After her small but effective role in 'Atonement' last year I have been thinking about how she needs to have another role that makes us sit up and notice. Then I went to the movie lovers bible (IMDB) and saw she has a film coming out next year called 'London River'.
It is directed by Cannes and Cesar inner and two time Golden Bear nominee Rachid Bouchareb. The film focuses on the 2005 London terrorist attacks and how two strangers meet while searching for their missing children in London.
It is bound to be emotional and compelling, but I am most curious to see how Blethyn handles the character. For an actress who can too easily go into characture, it will be interesting to see if she reigns it in.
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Something Borrowed
Is a book. More importantly it is a chick lit book. The plotline, by the way, revolves around a Manhattan attorney, Rachel, whose best friend, Darcy, has it all: money, good looks and a hunky fiancé called Rex. (really...fiancé not spaniel)
But when Rachel embarks on an affair with Dex, their friendship is put to the test. And then some.
Oh my! Saucy!
Then the news that Hillary Swank has bought the rights with the option to star comes out and there is a moan from movie audiences everywhere.
I take it she is playing Rachel, and that seems like a very unsympathetic character, so well done for stretching. Still though, Hillary Swank and chick lit??? just seems so wrong, like Renee Zellweger playing a black farm hand in a literary civil war drama.
The casting of Darcy will be a breeze as she is the one who is done wrong. They could cast Maleficent and she would still hold my sympathies.
But when Rachel embarks on an affair with Dex, their friendship is put to the test. And then some.
Oh my! Saucy!
Then the news that Hillary Swank has bought the rights with the option to star comes out and there is a moan from movie audiences everywhere.
I take it she is playing Rachel, and that seems like a very unsympathetic character, so well done for stretching. Still though, Hillary Swank and chick lit??? just seems so wrong, like Renee Zellweger playing a black farm hand in a literary civil war drama.
The casting of Darcy will be a breeze as she is the one who is done wrong. They could cast Maleficent and she would still hold my sympathies.
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