It’s not quite fair to call The Laughing Apple a comeback album. Since 2006, the artist who beguiled listeners in the ’70s as the spiritually curious Cat Stevens has released three discs under the mononym Yusuf—short for Yusuf Islam, his chosen moniker after adopting the Islamic faith in 1977. These works were his first foray into Western music after shunning the industry in the wake of his religious conversion, during which time he sold his guitars and focused instead on charity work and theological study. Fans were grateful for any new output following the decades of silence, but Yusuf’s...
- 9/21/2017
- by Jordan Runtagh
- PEOPLE.com
And then there were 12. In Night 2 of The Voice’s Live Playoffs Tuesday, viewers, along with coaches Gwen Stefani and Adam Levine, took a break from playing Chris Blue’s sublime “Love On the Brain” cover on a loop — or is that only me? — to send packing another six contestants, and at long last, reveal which singers would be competing as Season 12’s Top 12. Who scored, and who bored? Read on…
RelatedTVLine Items: Shania Advises Voice, Shooter Adds Criminal Vet and More
Team Gwen
Brennley Brown, “Fly” — Grade: A (saved by America’s vote) | “You’re my only girl — you’ve gotta go big!
RelatedTVLine Items: Shania Advises Voice, Shooter Adds Criminal Vet and More
Team Gwen
Brennley Brown, “Fly” — Grade: A (saved by America’s vote) | “You’re my only girl — you’ve gotta go big!
- 4/19/2017
- TVLine.com
Sara Bareilles may have made a name for herself on the pop charts with Grammy-nominated hits like “Love Song” and “Brave,” but the 37-year-old singer grew up a theater kid.
“My first introduction into music was theater cast albums,” Bareilles tells People, during a sit-down in New York City. “Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, The Secret Garden, Little Shop of Horrors, Chess — you name it, I was all about it.”
She had a chance to write her very own theater cast album with Waitress — the hit 2016 musical she composed about a waitress in a small town who enters a pie contest...
“My first introduction into music was theater cast albums,” Bareilles tells People, during a sit-down in New York City. “Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, The Secret Garden, Little Shop of Horrors, Chess — you name it, I was all about it.”
She had a chance to write her very own theater cast album with Waitress — the hit 2016 musical she composed about a waitress in a small town who enters a pie contest...
- 4/11/2017
- by Dave Quinn
- PEOPLE.com
This article originally appeared on EW.com.
Purple Rain may always be considered the crowning achievement of Prince Rogers Nelson’s career. But in many ways Sign o’ the Times — released 30 years ago today — is the definitive Prince album. Certainly, this ambitious (even for him) double LP is most representative of the many different musical shades of the Purple One. In celebration of the anniversary, EW is ranking all 16 tracks of His Royal Majesty’s masterpiece.
16. “It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night”
This nine-minute concert jam—recorded at a Paris stop on the Parade Tour—is the only song...
Purple Rain may always be considered the crowning achievement of Prince Rogers Nelson’s career. But in many ways Sign o’ the Times — released 30 years ago today — is the definitive Prince album. Certainly, this ambitious (even for him) double LP is most representative of the many different musical shades of the Purple One. In celebration of the anniversary, EW is ranking all 16 tracks of His Royal Majesty’s masterpiece.
16. “It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night”
This nine-minute concert jam—recorded at a Paris stop on the Parade Tour—is the only song...
- 3/31/2017
- by Chuck Arnold
- PEOPLE.com
Prince, iconic singer-songwriter and seven-time Grammy winner, has died at the age of 57. In 1986, to celebrate the release of his movie Under the Cherry Moon, Prince agreed to go on a blind date with a radio contest winner. People caught up with the lucky fan to discuss her night out with the music icon. Read the cover story below:First you win a contest, and then you win friends. That's how it happened for Lisa Barber, 20, a Sheridan, Wyo. motel chambermaid who last month dialed an MTV contest number and, by being the 10,000th caller, won a date with Prince and...
- 4/21/2016
- PEOPLE.com
J.D. Souther John David Souther Black Rose Home by Dawn (Omnivore) J.D. Souther's songs are better known as sung by other people, which is good for his bank account but puzzling if you've heard his fine LPs. I wouldn't be surprised if more people nowadays know of him from his acting on the TV series Nashville than from his career in music. If there's any justice, these three reissues will redress that imbalance.
After this Texan moved to L.A., he teamed with Glenn Frey in the band Longbranch/Pennywhistle (they kept co-writing songs after Frey founded the Eagles, notably "New Kid in Town"), lived upstairs from Jackson Browne, and dated Linda Ronstadt.
Browne told him to audition for David Geffen, who'd just started the Asylum label, and that led directly to 1972's John David Souther. Its original ten-song program, which kicks off with "The Fast One," one of...
After this Texan moved to L.A., he teamed with Glenn Frey in the band Longbranch/Pennywhistle (they kept co-writing songs after Frey founded the Eagles, notably "New Kid in Town"), lived upstairs from Jackson Browne, and dated Linda Ronstadt.
Browne told him to audition for David Geffen, who'd just started the Asylum label, and that led directly to 1972's John David Souther. Its original ten-song program, which kicks off with "The Fast One," one of...
- 2/12/2016
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
This month on the Newsstand, Ryan is joined by David Blakeslee to discuss the January and February (2016) Criterion Collection line-ups, as well as the latest in Criterion rumors, news, packaging, and more.
Subscribe to The Newsstand in iTunes or via RSS
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Shownotes Topics January Line-up February Line-up Latest newsletter tease (Paris nous appartient, Only Angels Have Wings) Manchurian Candidate Clouds Of Sils Maria Chimes At Midnight (Wex Arts Cinema Revival) Kieslowski films on Fandor Barnes & Noble Sale Criterion Blogathon Liv Ullmann, Angela Landsbury, and John Waters spotted at Criterion on Instagram 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days tease Shanghai Express Episode Links The Complete Lady Snowblood Lady Snowblood (1973) Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance (1974) The American Friend (1977) Bitter Rice (1949) Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) Gilda (1946) The Emigrants/The New Land The New Land (1972) The Emigrants (1971) The Kid (1921) The Graduate (1967) I Knew Her Well (1965) Paris Belongs to Us Only Angels Have Wings Liv Ullmann 4 Months,...
Subscribe to The Newsstand in iTunes or via RSS
Contact us with any feedback.
Shownotes Topics January Line-up February Line-up Latest newsletter tease (Paris nous appartient, Only Angels Have Wings) Manchurian Candidate Clouds Of Sils Maria Chimes At Midnight (Wex Arts Cinema Revival) Kieslowski films on Fandor Barnes & Noble Sale Criterion Blogathon Liv Ullmann, Angela Landsbury, and John Waters spotted at Criterion on Instagram 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days tease Shanghai Express Episode Links The Complete Lady Snowblood Lady Snowblood (1973) Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance (1974) The American Friend (1977) Bitter Rice (1949) Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) Gilda (1946) The Emigrants/The New Land The New Land (1972) The Emigrants (1971) The Kid (1921) The Graduate (1967) I Knew Her Well (1965) Paris Belongs to Us Only Angels Have Wings Liv Ullmann 4 Months,...
- 11/19/2015
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
Though Joni Mitchell's official website gave us a heartening update about the fact that she'd reportedly slipped into a coma, it's hard not to think about how singular Joni Mitchell's contributions are to the world of popular music. We've rounded up ten of the best covers of her work. 1. Crosby & Nash, "Urge for Going" This early Joni track would later appear on her "Hits" package, but it was originally just a tune that Judy Collins turned down. Here, David Crosby and Graham Nash whimdically trill it. 2. Judy Collins, "Both Sides Now" A signature track for Judy, "Both Sides Now" sounds as good with her chirp as it does in Joni's mournful soprano. 3. Led Zeppelin, "Woodstock" There's no song in Joni's catalog like "Woodstock" with its meandering recollection of the '69 rock festival and the energy around it. Led Zeppelin shreds it with this cover. Nice to see that...
- 4/29/2015
- by Louis Virtel
- Hitfix
Criterion repackages one of its earlier Ingmar Bergman inclusions this month, restoring his brilliant, enigmatic 1972 masterpiece Cries and Whispers for Blu-ray release. Financed with Bergman’s own money, the auteur had difficulty securing an American distributor, eventually finding an unlikely champion in Roger Corman, of all people, who had recently established his own releasing company, New World, and was in search of prestige titles to build artistic merit.
Rushed to theatrical release to qualify for Academy Awards consideration, it would secure five nominations, including for Best Picture and Director, winning Best Cinematography for Sven Nyqvist, before going on to be selected to play out of competition at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival (awarded the Vulcain Prize of the Technical Artist). In Bergman’s illustrious filmography, it’s unnecessary (and incredibly difficult) to endow any one title as his best from a body of work that sports a myriad of celebrated examples spanning seven decades.
Rushed to theatrical release to qualify for Academy Awards consideration, it would secure five nominations, including for Best Picture and Director, winning Best Cinematography for Sven Nyqvist, before going on to be selected to play out of competition at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival (awarded the Vulcain Prize of the Technical Artist). In Bergman’s illustrious filmography, it’s unnecessary (and incredibly difficult) to endow any one title as his best from a body of work that sports a myriad of celebrated examples spanning seven decades.
- 3/31/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
“Cries And Sisters”
By Raymond Benson
One of the late, great Ingmar Bergman’s skills as a filmmaker was to write and direct memorable roles for women. He was one of the few directors, such as Ford or Altman or Allen, who repeatedly relied on a “stock company” of actors throughout his career. While there were many wonderful male actors who worked for Bergman (Max von Sydow, Erland Josephson, Gunnar Björnstrand), we generally remember the women—Liv Ullmann, Harriet Andersson, Ingrid Thulin, Eva Dahlbeck, Bibi Andersson, among many—for baring their souls on screen in Bergman’s challenging, difficult works that always elevated the art of film to breathtaking levels.
Cries and Whispers is an excellent example of the power of the female actor. It’s essentially a four-woman chamber piece, taking place in the late 1800s in Sweden, about three sisters and a servant, their relationships to each other,...
By Raymond Benson
One of the late, great Ingmar Bergman’s skills as a filmmaker was to write and direct memorable roles for women. He was one of the few directors, such as Ford or Altman or Allen, who repeatedly relied on a “stock company” of actors throughout his career. While there were many wonderful male actors who worked for Bergman (Max von Sydow, Erland Josephson, Gunnar Björnstrand), we generally remember the women—Liv Ullmann, Harriet Andersson, Ingrid Thulin, Eva Dahlbeck, Bibi Andersson, among many—for baring their souls on screen in Bergman’s challenging, difficult works that always elevated the art of film to breathtaking levels.
Cries and Whispers is an excellent example of the power of the female actor. It’s essentially a four-woman chamber piece, taking place in the late 1800s in Sweden, about three sisters and a servant, their relationships to each other,...
- 3/30/2015
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
May God bless and keep you always, and may your wishes all come true. If one of those wishes is a special TVLine Mixtape dedicated to the music of Parenthood, we’ve got just the thing for you!
What follows is an assortment of songs sprinkled throughout Parenthood’s six seasons, including artist and album information in case you want to add them to your personal collection.
Spoilers abound, and we chose songs that made us laugh and cry — but we always love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. They might even come in handy if we ever feel the...
What follows is an assortment of songs sprinkled throughout Parenthood’s six seasons, including artist and album information in case you want to add them to your personal collection.
Spoilers abound, and we chose songs that made us laugh and cry — but we always love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. They might even come in handy if we ever feel the...
- 1/31/2015
- TVLine.com
Naomi Kawase, Michael R Roskam, Noomi Rapace among attendees.
Danish drama Key House Mirror, directed by Michael Noer (R), will open the 2015 edition of the Göteborg Film Festival (Jan 23 - Feb 2).
Ghita Nørby and Sven Wollter play the lead roles in the drama about an elderly woman who strikes up an unexpected relationship with a fellow care-home resident.
Jorn Donner’s docu-biopic of Finnish designer Armi Ranta, Armi Alive!, will close the festival.
Eight Nordic films will compete for the $125,000 Nordic prize with this year’s jury comprising directors Pernille Fischer Christensen, Pirjo Honkasalo, Anja Breienand Benedikt Erlingsson, as well as actress Maryam Moghaddam.
The nominees are:
Key House Mirror by Michael NoerMy Skinny Sister by Sanna LenkenIn Your Arms by Samanou Acheche SahlstrømParis of the North by Hafsteinn Gunnar SigurðssonThey Have Escaped by Jukka-Pekka ValkeapääHomesick by Anne SewitskyUnderdog by Ronnie SandahlWomen in Oversized Men’s Shirts by Yngvild Sve FlikkeDebut prize
The Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award...
Danish drama Key House Mirror, directed by Michael Noer (R), will open the 2015 edition of the Göteborg Film Festival (Jan 23 - Feb 2).
Ghita Nørby and Sven Wollter play the lead roles in the drama about an elderly woman who strikes up an unexpected relationship with a fellow care-home resident.
Jorn Donner’s docu-biopic of Finnish designer Armi Ranta, Armi Alive!, will close the festival.
Eight Nordic films will compete for the $125,000 Nordic prize with this year’s jury comprising directors Pernille Fischer Christensen, Pirjo Honkasalo, Anja Breienand Benedikt Erlingsson, as well as actress Maryam Moghaddam.
The nominees are:
Key House Mirror by Michael NoerMy Skinny Sister by Sanna LenkenIn Your Arms by Samanou Acheche SahlstrømParis of the North by Hafsteinn Gunnar SigurðssonThey Have Escaped by Jukka-Pekka ValkeapääHomesick by Anne SewitskyUnderdog by Ronnie SandahlWomen in Oversized Men’s Shirts by Yngvild Sve FlikkeDebut prize
The Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award...
- 1/8/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
What a year in rock music! There, I said it. Too much to take in. Like a rowboat taking in more water than I can bail out. I keep getting new music recommended to me by friends, publicists, old lovers, dudes on subways, songs blasting in hipster boutiques; freakin' new music was everywhere. I got tipped to U.K. acts such as punk rockers Sleaford Mods, poetry rapper Kate Tempest, and folkster Jake Bugg; there was a new pop rock opus by Dan Wilson, and soulful Brooklynite Selena Garcia, and much more. I could barely compile my "best of/favorites of 2014" list knowing that I'll probably discover even more music after I've completed it. But here goes...my ten favorite tracks from 2014, a few essential reissues, and my ten favorite albums, yes, albums, like on real heavy duty vinyl, with two sides and everything.
Singles:
"Brother" - Selena Garcia...
Singles:
"Brother" - Selena Garcia...
- 1/1/2015
- by Dusty Wright
- www.culturecatch.com
Chicago – The 2014 edition, the 50th Chicago International Film Festival, kicks off tonight on October 9th. The premiere film will be “Miss Julie,” an adaptation of the August Strindberg play adapted and directed by Liv Ullmann. The first weekend promises a scintillating variety of cinema indulgences.
HollywoodChicago.com contributors Nick Allen and Patrick McDonald have been sampling the festival offerings, and provide this preview to cover the first four days of the event. The depth and breadth of the films is a reminder to participate in the variety of the Festival, especially if interested in a particular country, for their cinema is a glimpse into their culture. Each capsule is designated with Na (Nick Allen) or Pm (Patrick McDonald), to indicate the author.
Opening Night “Miss Julie”
Jessica Chastain in ‘Miss Julie’
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival
Liv Ullmann, the legendary Swedish actress – and muse to director Ingmar Bergman – directs her fifth feature film,...
HollywoodChicago.com contributors Nick Allen and Patrick McDonald have been sampling the festival offerings, and provide this preview to cover the first four days of the event. The depth and breadth of the films is a reminder to participate in the variety of the Festival, especially if interested in a particular country, for their cinema is a glimpse into their culture. Each capsule is designated with Na (Nick Allen) or Pm (Patrick McDonald), to indicate the author.
Opening Night “Miss Julie”
Jessica Chastain in ‘Miss Julie’
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival
Liv Ullmann, the legendary Swedish actress – and muse to director Ingmar Bergman – directs her fifth feature film,...
- 10/9/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
By Anjelica Oswald
Managing Editor
For some actors, it is a natural progression to move from using their talents in front of the camera to testing their skills behind it. Though actors have been making the transition for years, 2013 was a particular popular year for actors-turned-directors. Among some of the releases throughout the year were Ben Stiller‘s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Lake Bell’s In A World…, her directorial debut. The 2013 Toronto International Film Festival was the directorial launching pad of Jason Bateman’s Bad Words and Mike Myers’ Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon, and the festival also screened Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s directorial debut Don Jon and Ralph Fiennes‘ The Invisible Woman.
Though many of these actors’ projects may not garner any awards, there are some that make their way to the Oscars, such as Ben Affleck’s Argo (2012), which won the best picture Oscar...
Managing Editor
For some actors, it is a natural progression to move from using their talents in front of the camera to testing their skills behind it. Though actors have been making the transition for years, 2013 was a particular popular year for actors-turned-directors. Among some of the releases throughout the year were Ben Stiller‘s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Lake Bell’s In A World…, her directorial debut. The 2013 Toronto International Film Festival was the directorial launching pad of Jason Bateman’s Bad Words and Mike Myers’ Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon, and the festival also screened Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s directorial debut Don Jon and Ralph Fiennes‘ The Invisible Woman.
Though many of these actors’ projects may not garner any awards, there are some that make their way to the Oscars, such as Ben Affleck’s Argo (2012), which won the best picture Oscar...
- 9/18/2014
- by Anjelica Oswald
- Scott Feinberg
If there’s one thing you can count on from the Toronto International Film Festival each and every single year, it’s that the fest is going to launch a ton of major Academy Award contenders. This year, that was no exception, as the race really has begun to take its initial shape in the wake of certain Toronto debuts. Much like with the recent Telluride Film Festival and Venice Film Festival, as well as the upcoming New York Film Festival, each major movie premiere changes the race a bit. It’s still early, but with the exception of the two major mysteries still to be revealed at Nyff in Gone Girl/Inherent Vice and titles that won’t really be making festival bows like Fury, Interstellar, Into the Woods, and Unbroken, we know who the players are. It’s just which flicks will be able to sustain buzz and begin winning precursor awards.
- 9/8/2014
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Nearly 30 sales companies receive financial backing to market their films in Toronto.
A total of 28 sales companies from eight European countries are to receive financial backing from to market their films at the Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 4-14) from European Film Promotion’s Film Sales Support scheme.
More than €150,000 ($200,000) in total is being reserved by Efp for Europe’s attending sales companies.
European films eligible for Fss support have to run in the festival and need to be available for Canada. Of the 39 supported films, 27 are receiving their world premiere in Toronto.
Amongst them are François Ozon’s The New Girlfriend, Bent Hamer’s 1001 Grams and Susanne Bier’s A Second Chance.
Michael Winterbottom The Face Of An Angel sees German actor and former European Shooting Star Daniel Brühl in a lead role.
Foreign Body by Krzysztof Zanussi, a co-production between Poland, Italy and Russia with one-time European Shooting Star Agata Buzek in a main role...
A total of 28 sales companies from eight European countries are to receive financial backing from to market their films at the Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 4-14) from European Film Promotion’s Film Sales Support scheme.
More than €150,000 ($200,000) in total is being reserved by Efp for Europe’s attending sales companies.
European films eligible for Fss support have to run in the festival and need to be available for Canada. Of the 39 supported films, 27 are receiving their world premiere in Toronto.
Amongst them are François Ozon’s The New Girlfriend, Bent Hamer’s 1001 Grams and Susanne Bier’s A Second Chance.
Michael Winterbottom The Face Of An Angel sees German actor and former European Shooting Star Daniel Brühl in a lead role.
Foreign Body by Krzysztof Zanussi, a co-production between Poland, Italy and Russia with one-time European Shooting Star Agata Buzek in a main role...
- 8/29/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
It seems as if the 2014 Toronto Film Festival lineup is more or less set. I'm not expecting any major additions after today's announcement and have taken another look at my current list of most likely films I'll be screening while in town, though this is largely based on title and director alone as I have yet to really dig into the titles unfamiliar to me so it's possible a few may find their way into the mix once all is said and done. That said, if you think there are some I'm missing please let me know... don't want to overlook anything. Note, I will be in Toronto from September 3-10 and expect I'll see about 18 movies maximum while I'm there. Right now the full list below is 48 movies not including the four I've already seen (but have yet to review) and the one I don't think I'll even have a chance to see.
- 8/19/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
I fully expect Xavier Dolan's Mommy to be announced on August 6th so you can go ahead and add that one to my "Must Sees" list below, but as of right now my list of films I consider absolute "musts" sits at 17 movies with another nine I'll make top priority after I schedule those and then another nine that will be dependent on my screening schedule because conflicts due arise meaning any of these may be on or off the table... schedule depending. I'm going to be in Toronto from September 3-10, which means six full screening days, which means seeing 18 films will be pushing it, which also means I'm going to miss a lot of movies I would really like to see... Hell, it might even end up being worth it to skip films with already established release dates -- Foxcatcher, The Judge, Wild, The Drop, Mr. Turner,...
- 7/29/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Csny 1974 (Rhino)
In my youth, which was their prime, I thought Csny was the greatest band in the world. Now I hear more to nitpick than I used to, but still, I knew I'd only be satisfied by the three-cd-plus-dvd edition of this release, which also includes a 188-page booklet (there's also a one-cd distillation available). It draws from nine concerts on their epochal 1974 stadium tour (plus a tenth, a December benefit appearance) to construct an ideal show of 40 songs, 21 with the full electric band on the first and third CDs and 19 acoustic (caveat: electric bass on a few) performances on the second CD.
Of course, these guys had already released a double live album, 4 Way Street, from their 1970 tour, but only eight songs here are included there as well. I'm not counting "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," because only a few seconds of the end were on 4 Way Street.
In my youth, which was their prime, I thought Csny was the greatest band in the world. Now I hear more to nitpick than I used to, but still, I knew I'd only be satisfied by the three-cd-plus-dvd edition of this release, which also includes a 188-page booklet (there's also a one-cd distillation available). It draws from nine concerts on their epochal 1974 stadium tour (plus a tenth, a December benefit appearance) to construct an ideal show of 40 songs, 21 with the full electric band on the first and third CDs and 19 acoustic (caveat: electric bass on a few) performances on the second CD.
Of course, these guys had already released a double live album, 4 Way Street, from their 1970 tour, but only eight songs here are included there as well. I'm not counting "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," because only a few seconds of the end were on 4 Way Street.
- 7/28/2014
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
With today’s announcement that David Dobkin’s film The Judge will open the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, I figured that it was a good time to talk about the Tiff lineup. That Robert Downey Jr. vehicle will seek to become an awards player, and it’s not alone. Each year, scores of titles descend on Toronto in order to distinguish themselves to Academy members and various precursor voters everywhere. The festival has a solid history of producing Oscar nominees, though the big time competition this year from the New York Film Festival will certainly shine a light on just how essential a stop this fest still is. For now though, it’s a big one, and well worth a bit of discussion. As mentioned above, the opening film is The Judge, which could be a Best Actor player for Downey Jr. or perhaps even a Best Picture contender if it’s better than expected.
- 7/25/2014
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
This morning the first wave of the 2014 Toronto Film Festival lineup was announced and so far it's an impressive list of films including films from Noah Baumbach, Mike Leigh, David Gordon Green, Jason Reitman, Bennett Miller, David Cronenberg, Antoine Fuqua, Edward Zwick, Mikael Roskam, David Dobkin and many others. One surprising detail is there was no announcement of an opening film so along with everything below there is still at least one biggie on the way, and while they say it has nothing to do with their "premiere" mandate, I wouldn't be surprised if it might be Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Birdman and they're waiting to see if it will be the North American premiere. Then again, could Birdman open both Toronto and Venicec But what else could it bec Maybe David Ayer's Furyc No chance for Christopher Nolan's Interstellar... or is therec Probably the films announced so far...
- 7/22/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
With only hours ago before the official selection for the Main Competition is announced, we’ve narrowed our final predictions to the following titles that we’re crystal-balling as the films that will be included on Thierry Fremaux’s highly anticipated list. Despite an obvious drought of Asian auteurs (we’re thinking the rumored frontrunner Takashi Miike won’t be included in tomorrow’s list) who’s to say there won’t be some definite surprises, like Jia Zhang-ke’s A Touch of Sin last year.
Several hopefuls appear not to be ready in time, including Malick, Hsou-hsien, Cristi Puiu, and Innarritu, to name a few. But there does appear to be a high quantity of exciting titles from some of cinema’s leading auteurs. We’re still a bit tentative about whether Xavier Dolan’s latest, Mommy, will get a main competition slot—instead, we’re predicting another surprise,...
Several hopefuls appear not to be ready in time, including Malick, Hsou-hsien, Cristi Puiu, and Innarritu, to name a few. But there does appear to be a high quantity of exciting titles from some of cinema’s leading auteurs. We’re still a bit tentative about whether Xavier Dolan’s latest, Mommy, will get a main competition slot—instead, we’re predicting another surprise,...
- 4/17/2014
- by IONCINEMA.com Contributing Writers
- IONCINEMA.com
Oh, you know what, we're feeling all twitchy. The Voice comes to an end tonight and we can't wait for all the action and the emotional crowning - who will it be?
Christina Marie, Jamie Johnson, Jermain Jackman and Sally Barker are still in the running, but first they just have to pull off three final performances. So no pressure, then.
Join Digital Spy as we bring you all the action - the show starts at 7pm, so get your pizza order in now...
21:05So that's it! We have a winner! Make sure you let us know what you think of all that in the comments... and we'll see you back here next year...
The winner of The Voice series 3, it's… @JermainJackman! #thevoiceukFINAL pic.twitter.com/eqMcNInYze
— BBC The Voice UK (@BBCTheVoiceUK) April 5, 2014
21:04So that's it! Jermain is crying his way through 'And I Am Telling You'.
Christina Marie, Jamie Johnson, Jermain Jackman and Sally Barker are still in the running, but first they just have to pull off three final performances. So no pressure, then.
Join Digital Spy as we bring you all the action - the show starts at 7pm, so get your pizza order in now...
21:05So that's it! We have a winner! Make sure you let us know what you think of all that in the comments... and we'll see you back here next year...
The winner of The Voice series 3, it's… @JermainJackman! #thevoiceukFINAL pic.twitter.com/eqMcNInYze
— BBC The Voice UK (@BBCTheVoiceUK) April 5, 2014
21:04So that's it! Jermain is crying his way through 'And I Am Telling You'.
- 4/5/2014
- Digital Spy
Oh, you know what, we're feeling all twitchy. The Voice comes to an end tonight and we can't wait for all the action and the emotional crowning - who will it be?
Christina Marie, Jamie Johnson, Jermain Jackman and Sally Barker are still in the running, but first they just have to pull off three final performances. So no pressure, then.
Join Digital Spy as we bring you all the action - the show starts at 7pm, so get your pizza order in now...
21:05So that's it! We have a winner! Make sure you let us know what you think of all that in the comments... and we'll see you back here next year...
The winner of The Voice series 3, it's… @JermainJackman! #thevoiceukFINAL pic.twitter.com/eqMcNInYze
— BBC The Voice UK (@BBCTheVoiceUK) April 5, 2014
21:04So that's it! Jermain is crying his way through 'And I Am Telling You'.
Christina Marie, Jamie Johnson, Jermain Jackman and Sally Barker are still in the running, but first they just have to pull off three final performances. So no pressure, then.
Join Digital Spy as we bring you all the action - the show starts at 7pm, so get your pizza order in now...
21:05So that's it! We have a winner! Make sure you let us know what you think of all that in the comments... and we'll see you back here next year...
The winner of The Voice series 3, it's… @JermainJackman! #thevoiceukFINAL pic.twitter.com/eqMcNInYze
— BBC The Voice UK (@BBCTheVoiceUK) April 5, 2014
21:04So that's it! Jermain is crying his way through 'And I Am Telling You'.
- 4/5/2014
- Digital Spy
Dynasty actress Kate O’Mara died on Sunday at a southern England nursing home. She was 74.
Kate O'Mara Dies
Mara passed away following a brief illness, according to her agent, Phil Belfield, reported Variety.
After falling ill earlier this month, O’Mara had tweeted a thank you message to her followers that were concerned over her health.
Hello all - thank you so much for your kind tweets. It's both humbling and completely overwhelming to read all of your messages. Much Love x
— Kate O'Mara (@KateOmara_) March 17, 2014
During the 80s, O’Mara, in one of her best-known roles, starred in Dynasty as Cassandra “Caress” Morell. Caress was the sister of Joan Collins’ character Alexis Colby. The popular show, which won five Golden Globes during its nine seasons, also starred John Forsythe, Linda Evans and Gordon Thomson.
Upon learning of O’Mara’s death, Collin’s took to Twitter to express...
Kate O'Mara Dies
Mara passed away following a brief illness, according to her agent, Phil Belfield, reported Variety.
After falling ill earlier this month, O’Mara had tweeted a thank you message to her followers that were concerned over her health.
Hello all - thank you so much for your kind tweets. It's both humbling and completely overwhelming to read all of your messages. Much Love x
— Kate O'Mara (@KateOmara_) March 17, 2014
During the 80s, O’Mara, in one of her best-known roles, starred in Dynasty as Cassandra “Caress” Morell. Caress was the sister of Joan Collins’ character Alexis Colby. The popular show, which won five Golden Globes during its nine seasons, also starred John Forsythe, Linda Evans and Gordon Thomson.
Upon learning of O’Mara’s death, Collin’s took to Twitter to express...
- 3/31/2014
- Uinterview
The Grammys are on Sunday, so let’s investigate its most bizarre category: Best New Artist. Both Christopher Cross and Esparanza Spalding have one. That’s real. And that’s why we’re counting down the ten best winners and the five worst losers. Because maybe we’ll learn something! That’s what I’ll go with.
10. Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee may not have had as gigantic a Billboard career following her Best New Artist win as some of the other stars here, but her debut album is such an assured, unpretentiously poetic, rich listening experience. “Chuck E.’s in Love” and “Young Blood” are whimsical and catchy while “Night Train” and “The Last Chance Texaco” are crackling, despairing portraits. She was also so rad, and that made her bohemian folksiness so much fresher than you’d expect.
9. Sade
If timelessness is a criterion for the music and musicians who win Best New Artist,...
10. Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee may not have had as gigantic a Billboard career following her Best New Artist win as some of the other stars here, but her debut album is such an assured, unpretentiously poetic, rich listening experience. “Chuck E.’s in Love” and “Young Blood” are whimsical and catchy while “Night Train” and “The Last Chance Texaco” are crackling, despairing portraits. She was also so rad, and that made her bohemian folksiness so much fresher than you’d expect.
9. Sade
If timelessness is a criterion for the music and musicians who win Best New Artist,...
- 1/22/2014
- by Louis Virtel
- The Backlot
American Idol‘s 13th season premieres tonight with a new(-ish) cast of judges including the irascible Dolphin Tale star Harry Connick Jr., budding U-Turn actress Jennifer Lopez, and grown-up Peppermint Patty Keith Urban. Maybe they’ll do a good job! I don’t know! But I’ll be there watching because American Idol is still, despite sinking (but relatively phenomenal) ratings, the greatest singing cotillion on TV. Here are five reasons why.
5. The Hollywood rounds give you the best highs and most hilarious lows.
Twelve seasons in, the Hollywood rounds of American Idol remain the most underrated part of the show and maybe the entire reality-competition genre. The bustling energy of the second tryout, where attention-starved contestants who’ve passed the city auditions jump to Hollywood and attempt group numbers in a Fanny Brice-on-roller-skates way, is often the best indicator of how truly talented and likable the auditioning contestants are.
5. The Hollywood rounds give you the best highs and most hilarious lows.
Twelve seasons in, the Hollywood rounds of American Idol remain the most underrated part of the show and maybe the entire reality-competition genre. The bustling energy of the second tryout, where attention-starved contestants who’ve passed the city auditions jump to Hollywood and attempt group numbers in a Fanny Brice-on-roller-skates way, is often the best indicator of how truly talented and likable the auditioning contestants are.
- 1/15/2014
- by Louis Virtel
- The Backlot
Parenthood, Season 5, Episode 10, “All That’s Left is the Hugging”
Written by Sarah Watson
Directed by Jessica Yu
Airs Thursdays at 10pm Est on NBC
This week, on Parenthood: Kristina channels her inner rabble-rouser, Ryan makes a choice, and Julia makes a rookie mistake
“Election Night”, the previous episode, felt very much like a midseason finale, with all of the season’s main arcs (so far) coming to a head or reaching resolution in one way or another. It came as a bit of a surprise, then, to find out that it wasn’t in fact the final episode of the calendar year, but rather the penultimate. After seeing this week’s installment, however, Katims’ choice not to end the year with the plot-heavy “Election Night” makes sense; “All That’s Left is the Hugging” is far more introspective and cathartic, seemingly tying up several of the year’s...
Written by Sarah Watson
Directed by Jessica Yu
Airs Thursdays at 10pm Est on NBC
This week, on Parenthood: Kristina channels her inner rabble-rouser, Ryan makes a choice, and Julia makes a rookie mistake
“Election Night”, the previous episode, felt very much like a midseason finale, with all of the season’s main arcs (so far) coming to a head or reaching resolution in one way or another. It came as a bit of a surprise, then, to find out that it wasn’t in fact the final episode of the calendar year, but rather the penultimate. After seeing this week’s installment, however, Katims’ choice not to end the year with the plot-heavy “Election Night” makes sense; “All That’s Left is the Hugging” is far more introspective and cathartic, seemingly tying up several of the year’s...
- 12/16/2013
- by Kate Kulzick
- SoundOnSight
It's the 90 minutes of television we've been waiting for all day long -- "Lady Gaga and the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular." This is going to possibly be the best thing TV has ever known.
In addition to Lady Gaga, the special is welcoming guests Sir Elton John, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, RuPaul and Kristen Bell. It's going to be amazing. So join us here starting at 9:30 p.m. Et for a live blog -- all the sketches, songs and GIFs. We can hardly wait.
All times Eastern.
9:30 -- It's here! Pepe the prawn is welcoming us to "Pepe's Holiday on Shaved Ice Television Spectacular." We would totally watch that.
9:33 -- The opening number is Rocket Number Nine Take off for the Planet Venus by Sun Ra, which ... if we had had to guess the opening song for this, we literally never would've guessed that song if we had until the end of time.
In addition to Lady Gaga, the special is welcoming guests Sir Elton John, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, RuPaul and Kristen Bell. It's going to be amazing. So join us here starting at 9:30 p.m. Et for a live blog -- all the sketches, songs and GIFs. We can hardly wait.
All times Eastern.
9:30 -- It's here! Pepe the prawn is welcoming us to "Pepe's Holiday on Shaved Ice Television Spectacular." We would totally watch that.
9:33 -- The opening number is Rocket Number Nine Take off for the Planet Venus by Sun Ra, which ... if we had had to guess the opening song for this, we literally never would've guessed that song if we had until the end of time.
- 11/29/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Hilary Mantel, Jonathan Franzen, Mohsin Hamid, Ruth Rendell, Tom Stoppard, Malcolm Gladwell, Eleanor Catton and many more recommend the books that impressed them this year
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Five Star Billionaire by Tash Aw (Fourth Estate) is a brilliant, sprawling, layered and unsentimental portrayal of contemporary China. It made me think and laugh. I also love Dave Eggers' The Circle (Hamish Hamilton), which is a sharp-eyed and funny satire about the obsession with "sharing" our lives through technology. It's convincing and a little creepy.
William Boyd
By strange coincidence two of the most intriguing art books I read this year had the word "Breakfast" in their titles. They were Breakfast with Lucian by Geordie Greig (Jonathan Cape) and Breakfast at Sotheby's by Philip Hook (Particular). Greig's fascinating, intimate biography of Lucian Freud was a revelation. Every question I had about Freud – from the aesthetic to the intrusively gossipy – was...
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Five Star Billionaire by Tash Aw (Fourth Estate) is a brilliant, sprawling, layered and unsentimental portrayal of contemporary China. It made me think and laugh. I also love Dave Eggers' The Circle (Hamish Hamilton), which is a sharp-eyed and funny satire about the obsession with "sharing" our lives through technology. It's convincing and a little creepy.
William Boyd
By strange coincidence two of the most intriguing art books I read this year had the word "Breakfast" in their titles. They were Breakfast with Lucian by Geordie Greig (Jonathan Cape) and Breakfast at Sotheby's by Philip Hook (Particular). Greig's fascinating, intimate biography of Lucian Freud was a revelation. Every question I had about Freud – from the aesthetic to the intrusively gossipy – was...
- 11/23/2013
- by Hilary Mantel, Jonathan Franzen, Mohsin Hamid, Tom Stoppard, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, William Boyd, Bill Bryson, Shami Chakrabarti, Sarah Churchwell, Antonia Fraser, Mark Haddon, Robert Harris, Max Hastings, Philip Hensher, Simon Hoggart, AM Homes, John Lanchester, Mark Lawson, Robert Macfarlane, Andrew Motion, Ian Rankin, Lionel Shriver, Helen Simpson, Colm Tóibín, Richard Ford, John Gray, David Kynaston, Penelope Lively, Pankaj Mishra, Blake Morrison, Susie Orbach
- The Guardian - Film News
As fans of "The Voice" know all too well, we've finally reached the point in the season where things get really wild. That's right: Season 5 has reached the live shows. With Monday's (Nov. 4) live performances, coaches Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green and Blake Shelton give up control over the fate of their artists, as America's vote now comes in to play. Who among their teams will make it to the Top 12? Let's find out!
Team Adam and Team Blake will take the stage tonight, but before that can happen, it's time for a special performance from coach Christina takes the stage with Flo Rida to perform the rapper's new single. Welcome to live show filler!
(Also, can we get an amen for the return of dapper Adam? Gone are the days of that sloppy, bearded mess of the blind auditions, with the clean-shaven, suited Levine back in his rightful place.
Team Adam and Team Blake will take the stage tonight, but before that can happen, it's time for a special performance from coach Christina takes the stage with Flo Rida to perform the rapper's new single. Welcome to live show filler!
(Also, can we get an amen for the return of dapper Adam? Gone are the days of that sloppy, bearded mess of the blind auditions, with the clean-shaven, suited Levine back in his rightful place.
- 11/5/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Carly Simon turns 68 today, and to celebrate, here are a few outfits, getups, and videos that prove she might be the underrated camp icon of all time.
Carly Simon rose to fame alongside fellow breakout singer-songwriters Joni Mitchell and Carole King, but let’s give the woman some distinct credit. First of all, “The Right Thing to Do” is about the loveliest jam I can think of, “Coming Around Again” is the best of ’80s joy, and in general she exhibits a warm cleverness that’s instantly endearing. And best of all? She is so, so wacky sometimes. Since today’s her birthday, I figured we’d celebrate with a quick trip back in time and discover Carly’s zaniest moments.
1. That time she decided she was Cleopatra in the “My New Boyfriend” video
Never forget that Carly loves to get down. Though her stage fright is notorious — she remains...
Carly Simon rose to fame alongside fellow breakout singer-songwriters Joni Mitchell and Carole King, but let’s give the woman some distinct credit. First of all, “The Right Thing to Do” is about the loveliest jam I can think of, “Coming Around Again” is the best of ’80s joy, and in general she exhibits a warm cleverness that’s instantly endearing. And best of all? She is so, so wacky sometimes. Since today’s her birthday, I figured we’d celebrate with a quick trip back in time and discover Carly’s zaniest moments.
1. That time she decided she was Cleopatra in the “My New Boyfriend” video
Never forget that Carly loves to get down. Though her stage fright is notorious — she remains...
- 6/25/2013
- by Louis Virtel
- The Backlot
• Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) is reportedly in talks to join Christopher Nolan’s (The Dark Knight Rises) time-travel epic, Interstellar. She’d be joining a cast that currently includes Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey. Since she’s started getting more significant roles, Chastain has never really ventured into pure science fiction territory (we’re not counting Take Shelter). She famously dropped out of Oblivion when offered the Zero Dark Thirty role, so we’re excited for her to take on a new kind of film. The two-time Oscar nominee (The Help, Zero Dark Thirty) is currently filming Liv Ullmann...
- 5/3/2013
- by Lindsey Bahr
- EW - Inside Movies
Top 10 Ryan Lambie 24 Apr 2013 - 07:37
From remote typing to making giraffes run around in a zoo, here's Ryan's pick of 10 strange and unnerving paranormal powers in cinema...
Telekinesis. Mind over matter. Distant mental influence. Whatever you care to call the paranormal ability to move chairs, bend spoons and cook ready meals with the power of thought, such phenomena are a common presence in popular culture.
This list is devoted to a few of the weird and sometimes unsettling use of paranormal abilities in movies. These are the unlikely and surprising uses of powers, and some of them could be quite useful in everyday life, if we were lucky enough to possess them - who wouldn't like to be able to do a day's typing without even having to get out of bed? If there are any scientists reading this (who just happen to be working in the field of...
From remote typing to making giraffes run around in a zoo, here's Ryan's pick of 10 strange and unnerving paranormal powers in cinema...
Telekinesis. Mind over matter. Distant mental influence. Whatever you care to call the paranormal ability to move chairs, bend spoons and cook ready meals with the power of thought, such phenomena are a common presence in popular culture.
This list is devoted to a few of the weird and sometimes unsettling use of paranormal abilities in movies. These are the unlikely and surprising uses of powers, and some of them could be quite useful in everyday life, if we were lucky enough to possess them - who wouldn't like to be able to do a day's typing without even having to get out of bed? If there are any scientists reading this (who just happen to be working in the field of...
- 4/23/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Veteran music engineer and producer Andy Johns died in Los Angeles over the weekend. He was 61.
During his illustrious career, Johns -- whose brother and nephew, respectively, are fellow producers Glyn Johns and Ethan Johns -- worked on such classic albums as Led Zeppelin's "II," the Rolling Stones' "Sticky Fingers" and Joni Mitchell's "Shadows and Light," Variety.com reports.
According to CNN, Johns was hospitalized late last month. The cause of his death is still unknown.
Born in Surrey, England, Johns began his decades-long career as a tape operator at the famed Olympic Studios in London, where he worked on sessions for the Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Axis: Bold as Love."
"In those days you could go into one studio and Joe Cocker was working, and then you're working with Jimi Hendrix in Studio One, or down the corridor Eric Clapton is doing something," Johns once said of his early Olympic Studios days,...
During his illustrious career, Johns -- whose brother and nephew, respectively, are fellow producers Glyn Johns and Ethan Johns -- worked on such classic albums as Led Zeppelin's "II," the Rolling Stones' "Sticky Fingers" and Joni Mitchell's "Shadows and Light," Variety.com reports.
According to CNN, Johns was hospitalized late last month. The cause of his death is still unknown.
Born in Surrey, England, Johns began his decades-long career as a tape operator at the famed Olympic Studios in London, where he worked on sessions for the Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Axis: Bold as Love."
"In those days you could go into one studio and Joe Cocker was working, and then you're working with Jimi Hendrix in Studio One, or down the corridor Eric Clapton is doing something," Johns once said of his early Olympic Studios days,...
- 4/9/2013
- by Dominique Mosbergen
- Huffington Post
Above: 1968 poster for Grand Prix (John Frankenheimer, USA, 1966).
Last weekend I came across a bizarre poster, which you can see below, for Nicholas Ray’s Rebel Without a Cause: a late 60s Czech design which reimagines James Dean as a long haired, barefoot East European hippie. This got me digging into the work of its author on the estimable and essential Czech movie poster site Terry Posters (named in honor of Terry Gilliam). The artist Eva Galová-Vodrázková was born in 1940 and, after studying at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague, designed numerous film posters between 1966 and 1972 (Terry Posters has forty-two of them on their site). Her bio says she gave up poster design after “normalisation changes in the venture,” whatever that means, and has since worked as a textile designer. What attracted me to her poster work is a certain devil-may-care quality—evidenced in her Rebel—coupled with a powerful sense of composition.
Last weekend I came across a bizarre poster, which you can see below, for Nicholas Ray’s Rebel Without a Cause: a late 60s Czech design which reimagines James Dean as a long haired, barefoot East European hippie. This got me digging into the work of its author on the estimable and essential Czech movie poster site Terry Posters (named in honor of Terry Gilliam). The artist Eva Galová-Vodrázková was born in 1940 and, after studying at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague, designed numerous film posters between 1966 and 1972 (Terry Posters has forty-two of them on their site). Her bio says she gave up poster design after “normalisation changes in the venture,” whatever that means, and has since worked as a textile designer. What attracted me to her poster work is a certain devil-may-care quality—evidenced in her Rebel—coupled with a powerful sense of composition.
- 12/21/2012
- by Adrian Curry
- MUBI
December is a month that increasingly sees few releases of new albums, so the closer this list gets to the present day, the fewer albums of importance there are to discuss, and most of those are hip-hop albums.
1967
Traffic: Mr. Fantasy Aka Heaven Is in Your Mind (Island)
Shortly after Steve Winwood quit the Spencer Davis Group (of which he was the lead singer and organist), he formed Traffic with some guys he'd jammed with at a club in Birmingham: guitarist/vocalist Dave Mason, saxophonist/flutist Chris Wood, and drummer/lyricist Jim Capaldi. After a couple of hit singles, they convened at a country cottage and put together the debut album by Traffic, titled Mr. Fantasy in their native country. By the time it was released, Mason had already quit.
The English and American editions were rather different. Not only did the U.S. LP (on United Artists) have...
1967
Traffic: Mr. Fantasy Aka Heaven Is in Your Mind (Island)
Shortly after Steve Winwood quit the Spencer Davis Group (of which he was the lead singer and organist), he formed Traffic with some guys he'd jammed with at a club in Birmingham: guitarist/vocalist Dave Mason, saxophonist/flutist Chris Wood, and drummer/lyricist Jim Capaldi. After a couple of hit singles, they convened at a country cottage and put together the debut album by Traffic, titled Mr. Fantasy in their native country. By the time it was released, Mason had already quit.
The English and American editions were rather different. Not only did the U.S. LP (on United Artists) have...
- 12/19/2012
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
1967
Jefferson Airplane: After Bathing at Baxter's (RCA)
This was the Airplane's second LP of 1967, and on it they took the studio freedom their two huge hit singles had earned them and went wild and unsupervised, making a real psychedelic album rather than the carefully contrived simulation of psychedelia that had been Surrealistic Pillow. The result had more avant-garde weirdness than hit singles (RCA had unrealistic hopes for "Watch Her Ride"), but the album actually coheres far better; for all the stylistic disjunctions and studio effects and Jorma Kaukonen's often-abrasive guitar sounds, and for that matter the nine-minute instrumental trio improvisation "Spare Chaynge," it flows organically, creating its own logic.
Cream: Disraeli Gears (I'm not even a Cream fan and I still have to acknowledge the brilliance of "Strange Brew," "Sunshine of Your Love," "Tales of Brave Ulysses," and "Swlabr")
Moody Blues: Days of Future Passed (early blast of prog-rock,...
Jefferson Airplane: After Bathing at Baxter's (RCA)
This was the Airplane's second LP of 1967, and on it they took the studio freedom their two huge hit singles had earned them and went wild and unsupervised, making a real psychedelic album rather than the carefully contrived simulation of psychedelia that had been Surrealistic Pillow. The result had more avant-garde weirdness than hit singles (RCA had unrealistic hopes for "Watch Her Ride"), but the album actually coheres far better; for all the stylistic disjunctions and studio effects and Jorma Kaukonen's often-abrasive guitar sounds, and for that matter the nine-minute instrumental trio improvisation "Spare Chaynge," it flows organically, creating its own logic.
Cream: Disraeli Gears (I'm not even a Cream fan and I still have to acknowledge the brilliance of "Strange Brew," "Sunshine of Your Love," "Tales of Brave Ulysses," and "Swlabr")
Moody Blues: Days of Future Passed (early blast of prog-rock,...
- 12/1/2012
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
Neil Young called her "sweet Joni from Saskatoon," but the best thing about birthday girl Joni Mitchell, who turns 69 today, is that her unmistakable chirp emoted everything from sweetness and naivete to weariness, staggering emotional intelligence, and a knack for conversational, but poetic wordplay that has gone unchallenged in the generations that've followed her. Among legendary singer/songwriters, she's a definitive legend, and as much sexist rock critics want to conflate her importance with her femaleness, anyone with a brain and ear can tell she's been a remarkably distinct artist in her own right. And if I'm being honest, I'd say her writing is more piercingly articulate than Bob Dylan's. Take that, Rolling Stone.
To celebrate her big day, let's wheel through 10 of her best clips and performances. I've included a few standards and a few rarer gems, so don't feel too angry that I've left out some greats like "A Case of You,...
To celebrate her big day, let's wheel through 10 of her best clips and performances. I've included a few standards and a few rarer gems, so don't feel too angry that I've left out some greats like "A Case of You,...
- 11/7/2012
- by virtel
- The Backlot
From Batman to Spider-Man, Wireless to Green Man and Carousel to Götterdämmerung, the Observer's critics pick the season's highlights. What are you most looking forward to? Post your comments below
Download a pdf of this calendar here
July
1 Pop The Stone Roses
The third resurrection of the Roses has already swung from thrill to farce. Fans gibbered with joy at their surprise Warrington gig in May, but by Amsterdam Ian Brown and Reni were at loggerheads. This last of three homecoming gigs at Manchester's Heaton Park will not be uneventful.
3 Film The Amazing Spider-Man
Marvel Comics' flagship superhero, the red-and-blue clad "web-slinger" Spider-Man, gets a Hollywood reboot not 10 years after the character was last blockbuster-ised. Impressive Brit Andrew Garfield plays Spidey this time; Marc (500 Days of Summer) Webb directs. Early reviews: amazing.
4 Dance Dance Gb
English National Ballet, Scottish Ballet and National Dance Company Wales join forces in a high-velocity...
Download a pdf of this calendar here
July
1 Pop The Stone Roses
The third resurrection of the Roses has already swung from thrill to farce. Fans gibbered with joy at their surprise Warrington gig in May, but by Amsterdam Ian Brown and Reni were at loggerheads. This last of three homecoming gigs at Manchester's Heaton Park will not be uneventful.
3 Film The Amazing Spider-Man
Marvel Comics' flagship superhero, the red-and-blue clad "web-slinger" Spider-Man, gets a Hollywood reboot not 10 years after the character was last blockbuster-ised. Impressive Brit Andrew Garfield plays Spidey this time; Marc (500 Days of Summer) Webb directs. Early reviews: amazing.
4 Dance Dance Gb
English National Ballet, Scottish Ballet and National Dance Company Wales join forces in a high-velocity...
- 7/2/2012
- The Guardian - Film News
In keeping with the theme of love, family, and relationship from my last post, I reached out to some famous friends to see what their thoughts were on the subject.
Singer/songwriter Matt Alber, filmmaker and photographer Bruce Labruce, actor and musician Daniela Sea (from Showtime's The L Word), TV personality and activist Danny Roberts (from MTV's Real World: New Orleans), drag superstar and electrosleeze pioneer Jackie Beat, composer and singer Holcombe Waller, and "Charlie" Swimwear designer Matthew Zink all weighed in on the same five questions:
1. If you could sum up your concept of "relationships" in one word, what would it be?
2. What is your favorite love song of all time?
3. If you could choose any actor to play you in the movie version of your life, who would it be? What about them is you?
4. How has the relationship between your mother and father influenced your ideas about love and relationships?...
Singer/songwriter Matt Alber, filmmaker and photographer Bruce Labruce, actor and musician Daniela Sea (from Showtime's The L Word), TV personality and activist Danny Roberts (from MTV's Real World: New Orleans), drag superstar and electrosleeze pioneer Jackie Beat, composer and singer Holcombe Waller, and "Charlie" Swimwear designer Matthew Zink all weighed in on the same five questions:
1. If you could sum up your concept of "relationships" in one word, what would it be?
2. What is your favorite love song of all time?
3. If you could choose any actor to play you in the movie version of your life, who would it be? What about them is you?
4. How has the relationship between your mother and father influenced your ideas about love and relationships?...
- 1/17/2012
- by Logan Lynn
- Aol TV.
Seems like the major labels will continue to mine the nostalgia angle with the hope that they can squeeze a few more ducats from aging music fans everywhere. Fine by me, if the music merits the "super-deluxe-never-before-heard-or-seen" treatment. And since I've been sucked into that black hole with the Dead, Stones, Rush, Hendrix, Jesus & Mary Chain, et al., I've missed some amazing music and culture this past year. No excuses now as I cram a full year's worth of culture down my gullet before Christmas. You can check out more of my favorite culture from 2011 in these Spring, Summer, and Fall articles.
Mia Doi Todd: Cosmic Ocean Ship (City Zen) - I was struck by her otherworldly vocals after copping her major label debut in 2002. Her ninth effort picks up where her critically acclaimed 2008 self-released effort Gea left off. And it's quite apparent that her time on the road opening...
Mia Doi Todd: Cosmic Ocean Ship (City Zen) - I was struck by her otherworldly vocals after copping her major label debut in 2002. Her ninth effort picks up where her critically acclaimed 2008 self-released effort Gea left off. And it's quite apparent that her time on the road opening...
- 12/25/2011
- by Dusty Wright
- www.culturecatch.com
Robert here with the first entry in Season 2 of Distant Relatives, the series that explores the connections between one classic and one contemporary film. This week we feature a request by Nathaniel himself. Feel free to make your own requests in the comments.
Two movies about two women
When Mulholland Drive was released to perplexed but ecstatic reviews in 2001, and then again when it was being declared the best film of the decade in many places nine years later, there were few mentions of a film that seems to be an obvious influence: Ingmar Bergman's Persona. Perhaps that's because the actual influence is as indefinable as the two films themselves. The Wikipedia entry on Persona shares a few non-specific sentences about its influence on Mulholland Drive paired with a note demanding a source for this information. So how do we know these films are related? Well they certainly seem like they should be.
Two movies about two women
When Mulholland Drive was released to perplexed but ecstatic reviews in 2001, and then again when it was being declared the best film of the decade in many places nine years later, there were few mentions of a film that seems to be an obvious influence: Ingmar Bergman's Persona. Perhaps that's because the actual influence is as indefinable as the two films themselves. The Wikipedia entry on Persona shares a few non-specific sentences about its influence on Mulholland Drive paired with a note demanding a source for this information. So how do we know these films are related? Well they certainly seem like they should be.
- 9/22/2011
- by Robert
- FilmExperience
Matthew Wilson Vanessa Carlton
The state of California has inspired a lot of great pop songs including “California Dreamin’,” “California Love,” “Hotel California,” ”Californication,” “Going Back to Cali,” “California Girls,” “California Gurls,” Joni Mitchell’s “California,” and, of course, the theme song for “The O.C.”
Now pianist and pop songwriter Vanessa Carlton, who was born in Milford, Penn., and lives in New York City, is weighing in with a song that namechecks the Golden State.
Here’s an exclusive...
The state of California has inspired a lot of great pop songs including “California Dreamin’,” “California Love,” “Hotel California,” ”Californication,” “Going Back to Cali,” “California Girls,” “California Gurls,” Joni Mitchell’s “California,” and, of course, the theme song for “The O.C.”
Now pianist and pop songwriter Vanessa Carlton, who was born in Milford, Penn., and lives in New York City, is weighing in with a song that namechecks the Golden State.
Here’s an exclusive...
- 6/27/2011
- by Christopher John Farley
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Righting the wrongs of festivals past, I would never have awarded the Palme d'Or to the awful Dancer in the Dark. But the jury got it spot on with Nanni Moretti's deeply-moving The Son's Room
The Cannes film festival is about to start, and today is the day for savouring the eve-of-battle atmosphere … as ever, a luxurious time of leisure before critics and journalists are all plunged into a frantic rush.
For me, the proceedings will be that little bit more hectic, as I am a member of this year's Un Certain Regard jury, chaired by double-Palme d'Or winner Emir Kusturica. My gibbering excitement about this has, so far, been unremittingly uncool. Last year, at this time, I blogged about an imaginary "No Cannes Do" festival, taking place in my imagination, consisting of 10 well-received or at any rate much talked-about Cannes films which for some reason never made it to the UK.
The Cannes film festival is about to start, and today is the day for savouring the eve-of-battle atmosphere … as ever, a luxurious time of leisure before critics and journalists are all plunged into a frantic rush.
For me, the proceedings will be that little bit more hectic, as I am a member of this year's Un Certain Regard jury, chaired by double-Palme d'Or winner Emir Kusturica. My gibbering excitement about this has, so far, been unremittingly uncool. Last year, at this time, I blogged about an imaginary "No Cannes Do" festival, taking place in my imagination, consisting of 10 well-received or at any rate much talked-about Cannes films which for some reason never made it to the UK.
- 5/10/2011
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Bosnian war drama As If I Am Not There received three Ifta awards for Best Film, Director and Script for the film's Irish writer/director Juanita Wilson at tonight's Ifta awards, celebrating the Irish film and television industry.
Martin MCCann was named Best Actor for 'Swansong - Story of Occi Byrn', while Amy Huberman was got Best Actress for 'Rewind.'
Pierce Brosnan and Saorise Ronan took home the supporting honours at the awards with Brosnan winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'The Ghost', while Ronan's part in The Way Back earned her the supporting actress honour.
In the international categories, 'The Social Network' won the best international film, with its star Jesse Eisenberg winning Best Actor. Annette Bening took Best Actress for 'The Kids Are All Right'.
Winners Of The 8th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards:
Outstanding Contribution to Industry...
Martin MCCann was named Best Actor for 'Swansong - Story of Occi Byrn', while Amy Huberman was got Best Actress for 'Rewind.'
Pierce Brosnan and Saorise Ronan took home the supporting honours at the awards with Brosnan winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'The Ghost', while Ronan's part in The Way Back earned her the supporting actress honour.
In the international categories, 'The Social Network' won the best international film, with its star Jesse Eisenberg winning Best Actor. Annette Bening took Best Actress for 'The Kids Are All Right'.
Winners Of The 8th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards:
Outstanding Contribution to Industry...
- 2/12/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Flicks News)
- FlicksNews.net
Top 20 Collaborations We LoveTop 20 Collaborations We LoveMusic has always been a bit better when two great minds come together -- look at Jay-z and Kanye West, who's highly anticipated album, "Watch the Throne," is set to release in March. Either way you spin it, the level of excitement is heightened when two musical geniuses come together. Take a look at the top 20 collaborations we love.Alicia Keys and Jay-ZJay-z and Alicia Keys' hit "Empire State of Mind" made us all feel like a New Yorker.Nicki Minaj and RihannaNicki Minaj and Rihanna are prepping to set the charts on fire with their song "Fly" from "Pink Friday." These two fun fly girls keep us amped for a good time.Mary J. Blige and Jay-ZThe king of hip-hop and the queen of hip-hop soul represent the best in music. Their collaboration on "Can't Knock the Hustle" is one of the...
- 1/12/2011
- Essence
The best soundtracks of 2010 are somewhat varied and random. Not always does a great film produce great music and sometimes a horrible film can have decent music, there is no pattern. Thus, I have made my own very subjective selective pattern. Using my main theory that a soundtrack is best when it reflects and capitalizes on the moments and story of the film and weaker when its motive is good music placed thoughtlessly in scenes, each inclusion still has its own exceptions. For instance, monotony is not a highly praised quality, but see how many Brian Eno and Broken Social Scene tracks are present on this list! So read, enjoy, agree or disagree because it is all in good fun.
10. It’s Kind of a Funny Story
Though I am generally disappointed that the Broken Social Scene score was not included anywhere on the soundtrack, the remaining inclusions of Bss...
10. It’s Kind of a Funny Story
Though I am generally disappointed that the Broken Social Scene score was not included anywhere on the soundtrack, the remaining inclusions of Bss...
- 12/20/2010
- by Kaitlin McNabb
- SoundOnSight
Last week I posted an early sneak peek at Disney's Tangled, the upcoming 50th animated feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios. During my time at the mouse house, I had a chance to speak to Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, co-director's of the project formerly known as Rapunzel. In this interview, Nathan and Byron talk about the short time they had to work on the film, why there isn't a short in front of it, (despite Disney saying they'll be doing shorts in front of all their animated films), how Rapunzel ranks amongst the other Disney princesses, Easter eggs in the movie and if they've already got future projects lined up. Unfortunately I had to share my 1-1 time with a journalist from France who managed to ask every softball question on the planet. So if there's a question here you don't like, just blame it on her. That's what I did.
- 9/13/2010
- LRMonline.com
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