Again.

Another compilation of the tracks I have on repeat at the moment. How excited are you?

10. Plan B- Suzanne



This song is a perfect example of twisted, grimey genius. It actually gave me nightmares after hearing it, and that is not to be underestimated. The Leonard Cohen sample sounds so eerie and distant against the guitar and sound effects superimposed- and, oh my god, the chainsaw sample freaked me out beyond comprehension. It's totally, totally fucked up, but you can't help but be intreigued by it, and you always want to listen again.

9. Rihanna ft. The Dream- Hatin' On The Club



A friend of mine has instilled in me for life a love for Rihanna. I can't help but love this track- I love how pained Rihanna sounds when she sings "Because you took my love.." It's essentially heartbreak mixed up with R&B and made to sound voerly commercial. But somehow that manages to be a good thing.

8. Cornershop- Brimful Of Asha



This song is a TOTAL feel-good summer jam! It came out when I was really young, so I've only just discovered it properly aside from a few listens on The Vault. Nobody, no matter how cool, can resist singing along to the insanely happy chorus. C'mon, now.. "Brimful of Asha on the 45.."

7. The Cure- Just Like Heaven



I never really understood why people harped on about The Cure until I heard this song. The melody is beautiful and the lyrics make me giddy, because you can really picture Robert Smith and his wife laughing and flirting on a clifftop and leaning in for their magical first kiss. Aaaaw. His voice is so passionate throughtout, and it thickens when he gets to the line "You are just like heaven."

6. Jeffree Star- Prisoner



You either love or hate Jeffree Star, and I LOVE him. He's edgy, he's unique and he's in yuor face, but most of all, he's amazing fun. This is a stomping electro-dance track with obsessive emotions laced through it- possibly written by a stalker of the same magnitude as Every Breath You Take. But, y'know, with 808s and stuff.

5. Tegan And Sara- Take Me Anywhere



T&S are a favourite of mine at the moment. I love their introspective lyrics laced with "the big mystery" (they're twins and yes, they are both lesbians). I love their melancholia teamed with cherriness, which makes for interesting listening, particularly in this wistful guitar-led track. I apologize; all I could find on YouTube were live versions of the track, but I beg of you, download it.

4. Jamie T- Sheila



A friend got me into Jamie T, and I love this song- essentially a narrative of several tragic youths meeting horrible ends. With a riff reminiscent of the Gorillaz Dare, Jamie T tells about alcohlic fathers, drug dealers and abusive lovers with a classic London spin-cum-fresh new talent style. I couldn't help loving it, becuase he really captures the psyches of his characters; "When I fall, no one catch me, alone, lonely, I'll overdose slowly."

3. Trip- River Pheonix




I am seeing Trip live in a couple of weeks and I can barely contain my excitement. He is like the lovechild of Joe Strummer and Mike Skinner, except even better. Everything I have heard, I love; it's essentially street-smart punk littered with pop culture references. Think Blur meets The Sex Pistols meets Wiley.

2. Passion Pit- Cuddle Fuddle



Passion Pit are something special. Their quirky, European-style beats keep me amused, and the shrieky vocals are strangely alluring. Their songs all involve catchy hooks and tinkly instruments in the background, and I can never resist singing along to, "Oh my god, just please don't ever let me go.."

1. Eminem- Beautiful



Eminem is back with a vengeance. This track is the best thing I have ever heard from him, and this is coming from a die-hard fan! It's bluesy, brooding melancholia, with lyrics about depression and a slice of life history. Think Stan minus the whole murder angle- and it even has a sample of some sort that fits in. It's addictive, but be warned: it will probably make you feel like jumping off a cliff.

My Favourite Comedians

I've been watching way, way, way too much stand up recently; but in doing so, I've had a lot of laughs, let me tell you! I thought I'd make a little compilation of some of my favourites of the moment, get you giggling along!

Russell Howard





Possibly my favourite comedian of the moment. His DVD had me in stitches from beginning to end- I'm not sure what it is about him that's so funny, but whatever it is, he pulls it off, because I've watched this again and again! "And what do poofs get? AIDs, bumlord!"

Michael McIntyre







I LOVE HIM! Observatonal comdedy is my favourite type- I love it when you can giggle and say, "That's true, as well!" McIntyre has this down to a fine art. He makes me belly laugh. And I wish I had a clip from his DVD to show you- maybe the "No Jew" part!

Alan Carr







He's gayer than the gayest gay, but that adds to his method of comedy. I can't help it, I adore him, he's adorable and funny. He's one of those 'so ugly he's cute' guys. Oh, I can't sum him up. Watch him and I guarantee that you'll either love him or hate him.

Jimmy Carr







It's a shame I couldn't find his Live At The Apollo performance on YouTube, but these skits are more than an acceptable alternative. I love Jimmy Carr's ironic manner and the way his jokes are always close to the bone. I'm not easily offended, so I just laugh and laugh!

Lee Evans









Oh, come on- you HAVE to like Lee Evans, bless his sweaty little heart. I can't help but laugh at him, and his XL tour was what got me into comedy in the first place. He's like the big Daddy of stand up, so kudos to him.

Funniest Shows On TV

Although I admittedly don't watch an awful lot of TV, the genre I plump for in general is comedy because I like a laugh. It just lifts my mood, and I forget whatever shit is on my mind because I'm giggling like a loon.

The IT Crowd









This is a new found love affair, but oh my God, I've never laughed the way I do at this show. I never did catch it when it was on TV, but thanks to the wonders of 4OD, I'm now fully updated and completely in love. There are about 4u8603560 funny moments per half-hour episode, and I LOVE Chris O Dowd! Then the guy that plays Moss is adorable. Seriously, watch the clips, and if you don't laugh, you're made of stone!

The Inbetweeners









This is the funniest and yet the most acurate comedic portrayal of teen life I have ever seen! It's funny; the character Jay actually really reminds me of one of our group of friends- in fact, it's uncanny! I can't sit through this show without pissing myself and neither should you. And the new series is on, dontcha know?

Only Fools and Horses









OFAH = classic comedy. In fact, the best sitcom that was ever produced. It's one of the only good things my Dad introduced me to, and I am so grateful because even after 47678962098 watches of every episode, I still giggle like a maniac. I piss myself every time- David Jason is a comedic genius, and Nicholas Lyndhurst is ideal comedic foil. I still prefer Unc over Grandad, although it's close!

Bottom









I love, love, love Rik Mayall! Ever since Drop Dead Fred (a long standing favourite) I'd been clamouring to check out the infamous sitcom starring Rik and his partner, Adrian Edmondson. And, althuogh you might think the slapstick nature of the show would put me off; it had the opposite effect! I love this show because it's just so silly, and I can't help laughing!

More choooons..

I seem to have a thing about lists. Or, as they aren't in order, 'compilations' is the word, I guess. So here are ten songs I love right now (:

10. Shontelle- T Shirt



It wouldn't usually be my thing- it's reasonably cliché, very mainstream and not particularly deep. But something about the smoothness fo Shontelle's voice and her feelings in the line 'When I'm missing you' has let the song worm it's way into my heart.

9. The Who- Baba O'Riley



I have only recently discovered the genius of The Who- shocking considering my prowess in the classic rock genre. This is certainly my favourite track so far; the synthesizer is so original, and I can''t get over the raw emotion in his voice when he sings 'Don't cry/Don't raise your eyes/ It's only teenage wasteland.' It's a classic.

8. Dashboard Confessional- Hands Down



This is "Hands Down" my favourite Dashboard track ever because of the absolutely adorable lyrics about the best date the lead singer ever had. "And you stood at your door/ with your hands on my waist/ and you kissed me like you meant it' evokes images of some dark moolit street in the pouring rain, no? And I love Chris Carraba. A lot.

7. Filter- Take A Picture



When I first downloaded this song, based on the line 'I feel like a newborn' (having heard it in a movie) I kind of assumed it was a soft rock love song. Wrong. It's a song about being drunk on a plane and stripping. I love it even more because of this, and the guys silky smooth croon-y vocals. This version is live, though.

6. Kerli Koiv- Walking On Air



I adore this song because it's so unlike anything I've ever heard before. I can't put my finger on what makes it so distinctive; the video certainly helps. I can't even remember how I found it but it's worked it's way to the top of my heart, so it's worth a listen.

5. Blink 182- Apple Shampoo



This is an old love affair that's been recently rekindled. It's one of my favourite Blink songs, and in honour of their reunion (can you say YAY?!) I've been listening to them a lot lately. This is in their early days when they were all thrashy and most of their lyrics were toilet humour, so it's nice to see a hint of the serious side to come.

4. Asobi Seksu- Nefi and Girly



I heard this song on a trailer for Skins and I've been addicted ever since. It's my most played song on iTunes, which must say something. I love the high pitched vocals, basic beats and profound lyrics combined with a simple but devastating riff. And the band name means 'casual sex' in Japanese.

3. Art Brut- Good Weekend



Art Brut: daft, poppy, shouty, simple, stunning. There you go, that's the band in five words. This song is their best one. All together now; 'Got myself a brand new girlfriend!' Sorry but this video was the only one I could find that wasn't live, so it has pictures of freaking owls on it. Ignore that and listen to the song, I beg you.

2. Tujiko Nuriko- White Film



Thank you, Skins. No really; thank you. This song is so simple but that's half of it's charm. I love Tujiko's whispery vocals; the song is so heartbreaking somehow. It always gets me in the zone; I'm not sure what zone, though, and if that's a good or bad thing.

1. The Dodos- Walking



Well, within a day of downloading, this song had 38 plays on my iTunes. It's just a simple, acoustic-y song with in depth lyrics and for some reason, it's brooding melancholia combined with the sighing vocals of some unnamed man attracted me to it.

Best kisses continued!

Well, after I finished my little compilation of amazing screen kisses, more and more kept flooding back to me. So, here's part two!

Titanic



It's a classic, okay? And, cheesy as some people think it is; I disagree. It's a gorgeous love story. I have a huge girl crush on Kate Winslet and I think she's amazing whatever she does, but this is so her finest hour. And Leo? Everything else he's ever done pales in comparison with this movie. This is probably the greatest and most heartbreaking love story ever commited to celluloid, and this scene emphasises that to the max. The cinematography, the scene, the score... just everything.

Just Like Heaven



I have the biggest crush in the universe on Mark Ruffalo. He is so, so, so, so, cute and every time I watch this I imagine my face on Reese Witherspoon's body. It's such a gorgeous setting for a kiss and the light is amazing as well as that beautiful slow pan around the garden. Aaaaah. Oh, and I totally love that guy at the end. "Righteous!"

Notting Hill



Okay, Hugh Grant is like, my dream guy. I know he's old enough to be my Dad; but that grumpy British thing with the floppy dark hair and those baby blues is irresistable. Damn you, Julia Roberts, for your perfection: but the scene in the garden takes my breath away. "Now what in the world could make that ordeal worthwhile?" .. "Nice garden." This is a classic scene from a classic movie, and even the Ronan Keating doesn't take that away.

Vertigo



Anyone who knows anything about cinema will have heard something about this groundbreaking kiss. Like I said before, Hitchcock was the master of his art in every way, and that definately includes screen kisses. This one has the same sort of surreal feel to it that the Rear Window kiss had, and indeed, James Stewart is also the male half of this kiss; the female half has been replaced by Kim Novak, an astoundingly elegant blonde not unlike Grace Kelly.

Ever After



It's always upset me how underrated this movie is because it truly is beautiful. Dougray Scott - trés, trés hot. I love anything with Drew in it, because she's got this earnest beauty and a real talent for acting. But this scene is so cute: Henry doesn't care about classes anymore, he doesn't care who she is, where she's from, what she did, as long as she loves him. Anything that has me paraphrashing the Backstreet Boys has to be special, no?

Breakfast At Tiffany's



Audrey Hepburn is possibly the most beautiful woman who ever lived. George Peppard is really, really cute in this movie: fact. He's so eloquent, I'd kill for a guy like him. This scene is one of the best moments in cinema: it's raining, Audrey is in it and "Moon River" is playing in the background. It's perfection, to be honest. If I can find a love like Holly Golightly and Paul Varjak (in the movie version, anyway) I'll never want for anything more.

Ghost



I don't even want to think about how much this scene has been taken the piss out of, but to be so well known, it has to be special, right? Demi is gorgeous, Patrick is steamy, and the Righteous brothers are playing in the background of possibly the most tender sex scene in history. There's little else to say, so watch it and see for yourself. Sorry about the shit quality of the video!

The best movie kisses.. ever

I was watching a movie with my friend last night. This movie was fairly mediocre; except it had the most amazing kissing scene ever. And it got me thinking about screen kisses; and, being as cool as I am, I decided to compile a list of them. Not in order or anything; just a collection of my personal favourites.

The Girl Next Door



This is the best movie kiss, ever, ever, ever. The way Emile Hirsch runs up to Elisha Cuthbert, pushes the other guy out of the way and just kisses her like he totally means it absolutely kills me. I don't know a girl who wouldn't want a kiss exactly like that. Everything about it is perfect, not least of all the music (David Gray, who I love, expecially that song!) and the look on her face when he kisses her. And I love the whole swinging angle thing- reminiscent of Vertigo, no? I'm sorry that this is taped from a TV but it's the best version I could find on YouTube. Enjoy- I certainly did.

My Blueberry Nights



This is defined as an 'art' movie, so I guess this is an 'art' kiss; in that case, give me some art kisses please? I've always had a weak spot for Jude Law, which definately helps; but I love the shots interspersed with the gorgeous upside-down kiss (way better than the Spiderman one) of blueberry pie (watch the film. It's like a theme.. oh, it's hard to explain, but isn't it beautiful?)Who knew Norah Jones was such a good actress, too?

Cruel Intentions



Ignore, if you will, the infamous lesbian kiss. This has to be one of the best kisses/sex scenes in history. It is so, so, so beautiful, with beautiful music and beautiful acting and real, frank chemistry between two actors who eventualy married. I'd acutally say maybe this kiss ties with The Girl Next Door as my favourite- please, watch this clip and appreciate how beautifully, perfectly done it all is.

The Notebook



I know it's cliché to like this movie- it's so mainstream now-but this kiss had to be in the list because it really is amazing. To be kissed in the pourng rain- a dream of any girl, no? I love the way the anger turns into pure indiluted passion between two people who are in a very bittersweet form of love. Just a beautiful movie and a classic kiss.

Rear Window



Hitchcock knew how to do a movie kiss, that's for sure. I'm not even sure what it is about this clip that strikes me so much. Maybe it's just how stunning Grace Kelly is. Maybe it's the way the footage is filmed to give it a dreamlike quality. Maybe it's the sleuth half-smile that comes on James Stewart's face when he sees Grace in front of him. I don't know, but it makes for one of the best kisses in history.

A Cinderella Story



Again, a thoroughly mediocre movie gives way to a beautiful, beautiful kiss. The music is probably what clinches it for me (I love Jimmy Eat World) but Chad Michael Murray might have something to do with it. I hate Hilary Duff, so she knocks some points off, but then the rain (ending a drought in the movie) makes up for it. It's maybe a bit thick and frothy; but in a good way. Honest.

Brokeback Mountain



Some people hold unmitigated grudges aganst films demonstrating same sex relationships. Well, not me. This is one of the most fantastically stunning movies I have ever seen in my life, and one of the tenderest love stories. I've never cared more about two characters, and the cinematography of this kiss is beyond amazing. The awkwardness is there, but firmly hand in hand with something deeper: two straight men who are hopelessly in love. Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger at their absolute finest.

Gone With The Wind



Often considered the best movie of all time, Gone With The Wind is famous for its' kisses between Rhett and Scarlett, and you can see why. The thing is, this kiss is romantic at the same time as being exactly the opposite. Clark Gable's strength and forcefulness domintate the screen as much as Vivien Leigh's defiance to make for a very interesting Hollywood kiss between two of the most attractive people who ever lived.

The Last Kiss



I LOVE the dialogue before this kiss. I love the delicacy that Braff touches Bilson with. I love how this is one of the only movies in the world that you actually want the affair to win out over the girlfriend- don't get me wrong, Jacinda Barrett was amazing and all, but really, Kim and Michael just needed to be together. I adore Kim; she's exactly the sort of wayward, free spirited beauty that I'd love to be, but this looseness is coupled by an endearing vulnerability and a need to be cared for. Such a good movie!

Never Been Kissed



This is one of the best atmospheric screen kisses I've ever seen. The tension at first, the tears in Josie's eyes; she thinks Sam isn't going to come and she thinks she's lost him for good. The tears well up and she thinks it's over. Until the cheering erupts and there he is; he runs into the middle of the field and kisses her in the most romantic way I've ever known. All this, and to a soundtrack of the Beach Boys? What more could you want? (BTW: the credits from the end of the movie are tagged onto the end of this video. It's really annoying.)

Movie Review: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Having read the play by Edward Albee some months ago and having a high opinion of it, I thought it was about time I got around to watching the film, starring the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor and the astounding Richard Burton. And I wasn't disappointed: not only was it an extremely faithful adaptation, the cinematography incorprated soem new ideas which reduced the clasutrophobia of the original setting and made it even better!




This is one of my favourite clips from the movie: Taylor is s beautiful and so ugly at the same time, and the agony on Burton's face slays me. And is this or is this not the best line delivery in history? "I hope that was an empty bottle, George. You can't afford to waste good liquor on your salary." Just a taste of the acerbic, ironic and downright insane themes of the play.

See, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is possibly the most exquisite example of mindfuck literacy ever written. The basic premise is that of a dysfunctional, middle-aged couple, George and Martha, and their marriage that is as full of hatred as it is anything else. They invite an attractive young couple who are young in town to their house and chaos ensues when Martha lets slip about their 'son'- who is revealed to be imaginary, a figment of the couple's imagination to dull the boredom of their lives. But the way this revelation is unfolded is so, so, so screwy.

Albee was quoted as saying that Taylor was 'quite good' and Burton was 'incredible' and I must agree. While Taylor recieved the most hype, because she was such a beautiful woman playing such a vulgar role, Burton's raw emotion in the role was beyond incredible. There's a moment in the film where George begins laughing hysterically until the giggles descend into sobs, and the feeling etched onto Burton's face could not have come from anyone else because it was so utterly convincing. He quite stole the show, actually.

Thought provoking? Definately. But it's also exquisitely filmed, perfectly cast and the meticulous attention to detail does not go unnappreciated. And here, I leave you with a clip of Burton getting angry as an example of why this movie is so intelligent.

Movie Review: Fight Club

I guess Fight Club isn't a film you'd expect me to like- mainly 'cause I'm female, I suppose. But I do; and you know why? Because the layers of the film fascinate me. Never have I seen a film with so much meaning crammed into it. The basic theme of schizophrenia; the homoerotic overtones; the Nietzchean philosophies; the concept of self destruction as self imporvement; everything.

I think the film is one of the most notorious for symbolism, and foreshadowing, and thematic devices: all these interesting insights into what is going to happen. But it somehow manages to do it without giving it all away; I wasn't expecting the twist ending at all. It's so dark.

Well, the narrator is severely, for want of a better word, fucked up. You can tell that from the beginning, even before you discover his split personality. A philosophical insomniac obsessed with Ikea, he spends all his time of business trips talking to 'single serving friends' on airplanes and going to support groups for diseases he doesn't have. Then he meets Tyler Durden- and suddenly, his Scandinavian furniture is lost in a fire and they move in together. Slowly, the narrator (who is nameless) develops the same views as Tyler, feeling disdain towards capitalism and hatred for being 'by-products of a lifestyle obsession'. Some of Tyler's world views are the deepest things I've ever heard:

"Fuck off with your sofa units and strine green stripe patterns, I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say let... lets evolve, let the chips fall where they may."

"Man, I see in fight club the strongest and smartest men who've ever lived. I see all this potential, and I see squandering. God damn it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need. We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War's a spiritual war... our Great Depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off."

"You're not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your fucking khakis. You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world."

And it's this loathing for a consumer culture that fuels the events of the entire film; first, going back to primitive means in fight club, and then by taking a step further and trying to pull the economy apart. These men believe in hurting each other, not as a solution, but as a means to numb everything else. They only feel alive when the punches are flying.

I've always been fascinated by mental illness of any kind, so the insights to schizophrenia in this film were amazing. It poses so many questions: how do two people co-exist within one mind? Are they seperate entities within the same entity? Can one act without permission of the other? The film, rather than necessarily answering these question, simply makes the mind boggle even more; but I didn't mind this fact at all. I can't imagine anyone walking out of the cinema after watching this film not having a debate with themselves about it. The scariest part is that the narrator is such an everyman; sure, you imagine crazy people screaming and rubbing shit on the walls, but what about the other type of craziness? The much scarier kind? The more common kind?

I loved the effects in the film. It's so loaded with symbolism and implications. For example, the dingy colour palette served to reinforce the themes of primitive behaviour and disdain for the brightness of modern enterprise. The contrast was adjusted on purpose to make people look uglier than they were, because they wanted us to know that everyone's ugly in their own way. And my favourite part is the cue mark: the part where Tyler points out a 'cigarette burn' in the corner of the film. This represents the turning point; it signals the departure from reality and into the psychosis of the narrator. Man, I love symbolism.

Ad the homoerotuc overtones. How genius is Fincher? With a film like Fight Club- where the twist ending is pivotal- there had to be some kind of distraction. Something to make the audience squirm and ease them off the foreshadowing. And the answer was to subtly imply homosexuality! Like the infamous bathtub scene- while nothing in the film is overtly gay, the nudity (although not seen) and intimacy between the two men was intended to unsettle audiences. God, I wish I could think of something so intelligent. But then, the whole of Fight Club is intelligent- that's why i love it so much.

And, I'm sorry, but I have to add in typical teenage girl style: how hot is Brad Pitt, even when he's playing a figment of someones imagination? Answer: VERY.

The burning question...

The one on everyone's lips.
What do we make of the new Skins?

Well, I'll sum it up in short, and then ramble on about it later:
Better than I thought. I mean, it doesn't begin to compare to series 1- that can never be beaten, in my eyes. But, considering it's a new cast, new story arcs and new year, I'm pretty fucking impressed that the production team have made a good job of a bad idea. Let's review, shall we?

Okay, I'm keeping my eye on the twins. There's something very, very interesting there- the dominating dynamic hiding Emily's lesbianism? Very good TV. Although Katie annoys the shit out of me sometimes- I wanted to punch the screen when I heard her say 'With tits like mine, you've got to flaunt 'em!' But, to their credit- amazing dress sense and very intriueging storylines. Them, I'm excited about.

I've always loved Effy. She's gorgeous, she's sassy and she has amazing taste. Hell, I wanna be her. So cool and in control, and somehow she's so sussed. She can always sense people's real feelings. She has the possibly best eye make up ever. Plus she takes the most outrageous outfit in theory and makes it look hot in practice. Bitch. She works the raven haired beauty thing and I'm so jealous. And as for Naomi- can you say gorgeous? And her dress sense is out of this world- all the slogan tees, florals and statement jewellery. Plus, she's making me want to get involved in politics. This is a big influence- I'm the laziest person in existence. Can I please be her?

Freddie? One word for him: HOT. The actor who plays him actually hails from the one-horse town I was born in, so I can't help but feel smug walking down the streets and knowing that Luke Pasqualino roamed the same grey roads and still made it to somewhere better than a factory job. So thanks for the hope, and marry me? Kthx.

Although I'd have a bit of Cook if you waved him in front of me. While my penchant is for that gorgeous Italian Peterboroughian, I must say I get some of my man candy from Cookie. Although his episode last week was reasonably shit. But I forgive him because he's easy on the eye. Not like that annoying fucking JJ. What a bellend. Although I must admit, the actor is really cute. He can have a hug.

Pandora? Annoying, unrealistic, just a teensy bit cute- but she provides some comic relief. And while I know I would never meet 17 year old so wet behind the fucking ears, she makes interesting viewing, at least. Although someone like Effy would never, ever, ever hang out with her. End of. Rules of the teen universe. And as if you eat a whole bag of cocaine, you fucking anus.

And Thomas.. aaah, Thomas. What a cutie! I love his French accent, I love translating what he says, I love his mild and polite manner, I love his intuition, and I would love to kidnap him and keep him as my very own. Please.

So there are my thoughts on the new characters. And courtesy of YouTube and E4, the best sites EVER, I'll show you the bits I've loved best- and the bit I can't wait to see!

Next week: Emily and Naomi kiss. OMG!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0Y3MXSNmzI&feature=channel

And the best bits so far...

Cooks arse. Oh yeah.

http://www.e4.com/video/EIF8I5cTXtIxVdd2BF53w/play.e4

Twins arrive at college. Hint of whats to come?

http://www.e4.com/video/4D6QwAUNZ7PB7JuaR5Hjs/play.e4

And I can't find the bit of Effy and Cook's sly fuck. I wish I could. Compelling shit.

So the new Skins? I'll be watching and I'll be analysing. But so far: I'm impressed. And that ain't easy, guys.

Hello, my pretties..

Okay, on the Skins site on E4, the actors have compiled playlists of songs that make them feel like their character. Their absolute favourite songs- the songs that are special to them, and why. Basically, their 'eclectic' playlists. And I totally wanted to jump on the bandwagon- I mean, my musical tastes are nothing if not eclectic. (Oh, and I'll make a post later about my opinions on the new Skins. It has to be said.)
So here we go:

1. Annie Lennox- No More 'I Love You's'
This is an absolutely amazing song from the queen of soul. Possibly my favourite ever track from the better half of the Eurythmics. Even better than the Dracula one.

2. Archie Bronson Outfit- Dart For My Sweetheart
Okay, yeah, I head this on Skins series 1. And yes, every time I hear it, I see Skins. But that is not a bad thing. And the guys screamy-angst vocals? Unbelievably catchy.

3. The Smiths- Bigmouth Strikes Again
I love The Smiths. Love them. But this song's brutal lyrics and amazing riff captured me beyond anything else. Morrissey is truly a god- who else could write the haunting line "Sweetness, I was only joking when I said/ by rights you should be bludgeoned in your bed?"

4. Kim Carnes- Bette Davis Eyes
Okay. I admit it. I heard it on a hair dye advert. But I'm totally hooked to Kim's husky voice and this song about a chic and beautiful girl using her looks to get what she wants. Amazing.

5. The Long Blondes- Once and Never Again
I actually love Kate Jackson. This is undoubtedly my favourite obscure indie band of late, particularly this song, talking about a 19 year old girl who feels like her wankerboyfriend is everything to her- and her Mum is begging her to ease up a bit. Genius.

6. Jeffree Star- So Fierce
I've mentioned this song before, but I have an enduring love affair going on with it. It always makes me want to party, and it's so imploring and careless and effortless and desperate all at once. Hello, oxymoron- JStar is the master of mystery. And never efore has a song made me want to strip so much.

7. The Subways- Alright
This little-known treasure of a band are actually one of the best bands I've ever seen live. The frontman and the chick totally knew how to comandeer a crowd. And the emotion in this song amazes me.

8. Royksopp- Remind Me
This band did a backing song to a T-Mobile advert once- but they're so much more than that. This song proves it- they're the cutest quirky electro/indie outfit I ever did see!

9. Robyn- Handle Me
I know she's gone a bit mainstream now, but to me, this pint-sized Swedish atom bomb is the perfect pop star- she's not a sellout, she's quirky and she makes irritatingly catchy beats like this one.

10. Weezer- Beverly Hills
This is on the 90210 trailer. Don't let that fool you- it is a good song. So much fun, I love Weezer for their irony!

There you go, drool over my individuality or something. Skins post coming soon!

Movie Review: Closer

I literally finished watching this movie a second ago, and it's gotten under my skin so much that I felt compelled to write about it. It's one of those critically acclaimed but unfortunately not so well known plays, and I think it's almost better that fewer people know about it; because not everybody deserves to know the gritty yet surreal tale of four people in a tangled web of lust and deceit, all relating back to the cause of almost every break up: love, or lack of.

Okay, so Jude Law is in it. And if I could choose anyone in the world to chain to my side forever, it would be Jude Law. Anything with him in it is automatically hugely appealing to me because, he is hot. I mean, those baby blues? That clipped London accent? The messy hair and the earnest roles he always plays? Yes, please. And, although he's kind of old and I probably should not think this, Clive Owen (who plays Larry) is just a little bit hot, too. I mean, come on- there's something about his accent and his pervy character. It's so wierd; but then Closer is designed to turn the tables. The people who seem good aren't; the people who you think you've got pegged as evil turn out to be human. Everything is upside down, just as it is in the real world.

But I didn't just turn to this play-turned-movie for the man candy. Oh no; Natalie Portman is in it, too, and ever since her performance in The Other Boleyn Girl as Anne Boleyn (a personal heroine, in a twisted sort of way) I've been intrigued to see what else she can do. And what I've discovered about her is that I always like her best when she's playing cynical, bitter, jaded women who are as sly and clever as they are seductive and charismatic. First Anne Boleyn, then Leslie the gambler in My Blueberry Nights. But never have I seen her so exquisitely portray a multi-dimensional character, one who you can intenely love and hate simeltaneously. Alice Ayres is a fascinating girl, alright, and Portman was just perfect. And I'm always a fan of Julia Roberts- the woman is a legend, although I think her performance was far overshadowed by Portman's brilliance. Except the scene where Anna and Larry are breaking up and she utters the fabulous line, 'He tastes like you but sweeter!'

Just the ups and downs of the people in the story intrigued me; like, no one is ever totally good or bad and this movie just decided to baldly state it for once instead of employing the usual good guy/bad guy routine. And how much more interesting it is! To see Jude Law being so cute at the beginning, then becoming such a wanker towards Alice, and then doing a full 360 and falling apart because she leaves him is far more compelling viewing than watching him schmooze women (although I'd happily watch that, too, thanks). And the concept of lies and truth; the use of irony and strong language; god, there aren't enough words to describe the effectiveness of Closer.

This is my favourite scene in the entire movie. It combines the real and the surreal; the glitz and what lies beneath it; the drama and the lull and the beautiful and the ugly. It sells sex and pain and anguish and whats more, it does it really well. Natalie Portman is absolutely dazzling as she plays an almost-whore, and the irony in the fateful line 'Lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off.. but it's better if you do' is astounding. Undoubtedly, Closer is the best movie I have seen in months, maybe even years.

Listen to these songs right now.

Another top 10 of my current favourites is gonna ensue. Readers, feel priveleged- I'm sharing some of my best kept secrets and I hate everybody knowing about my obscure bands. So here we go; the 10 I can't stop playing right now.



10. Tegan & Sara- I Know I Know I Know

I actually love T&S, although until recently the only song I really knew was Nineteen (which is fucking amazing, go away, find it and download it.) But then this song randomly appeared on my iTunes shuffle and I've had it practically on repeat since. The lyrics describe the difficulties of a long term relationship and the voice of one of the girls (I forget which one) is so desperate and poignant as she sings 'Tell me this love hasn't changed me, hasn't changed me at all..' If you love alternative Canadian duos who are related, you'll have hit the jackpot!

9. The Reindeer Section- I'll Be Here When You Wake

The Reindeer Section are one of those adorable ensemble groups, consisting of various members of different bands. The brains behind this one is the guy from Snow Patrol, who decided to round up after a drunken night out. Well, if this beautiful soft-folky song is the result then he can make as many drunken pacts as he likes! I love this song- I love the soft, dreamy vocals, the cute and slightly vague lyrics and the incessantly catchy flute hook. It makes me want to hug the nearest person.

8. Hot Chip- Ready For The Floor

I used to loathe this song with a vehement passion because it was my alarm signal, and can you imagine anything more annoying than being woken up by 'Do It Do It Do It Do I Do It Do It Do It Now' being sung over and over? No. But eventually I grew to love this quirky piece of electro-alternative pop and the band's hairy lead singer after a spot on NMTB. And it SO gets you in the mood for a party- try dancing around your bedroom, hairbrush in one hand and glass of wine in the other. Works a treat!

7. Dresden Dolls- Night Reconnaisance

The Dresden Dolls are firm favourites of mine because they're unlike anything else I've ever heard, branding themselves 'Brechitan Punk Cabaret'. And this song certainly doesn't disappoint. It's a story of being a high school misfit, detailing the cliques to an energetic piano riff and Palmer's volatile vocals, and then describing the outcast's acts of vengeance, stealing gnomes from the lawns of their enemies. It's so quirky, and yet so loveable. I searched high and low for the hilarious video on YouTube, but they've removed it because of 'copyright issues'. Wankers.

6. Oasis- The Importance of Being Idle

Undoubtedly my favourite Oasis track ever. I've never heard sloth be described so articulately and insightfully. Now I was never a fan of the band, to be honest- and it angered me when people made comparisons with the Beatles. But in this song, I can see where they're coming from. It's such an intelligent and well structured track, and the Gallagher vocals are as strong as ever before- he's almost wailing, but he's making it a good thing. And the video is absolutely fucking killer- what a homage to the Kinks.

5. The Beatles- Eleanor Rigby

This is definately my favourite song by The Beatles, and coincidentally it's my most played on iTunes (75 times, if you're interested). It's so chilling to me- I love songs that tell a story, and this is primarily a well crafted tale of loneliness in a man and a woman, simply featuring amazing vocals and a legendary string arrangement. I could listen to it for hours at a time because it's so beautiful to me and the lyrics are so amazing. It makes you understand Beatlemania that bit better because, churning out songs like this, they deserved to be worshipped that way. Oh, and skip to like, 30 seconds in- that annoying intro is not The Beatles fault!

4. Belle & Sebastian- Piazza, New York Catcher

Belle and Sebastian are in my top three favourite bands, and this is my all time favourite track by them. It manages to be happy and sad, light and dark at once. It's so simple and so pretty, with such cute lyrics with so many double, triple, quadruple meanings. Stuart Murdoch is so fucking intelligent with his words and I absolutely love his voice, which is in a heavenly place between whispering and whining.

3. Lady GaGa- Love Game

I must say that, after hearing Lady GaGa's album, the fame, I know for sure that pop/electro crossover artists everywhere will be quaking in their boots. She's young, she's hot and she's definately smart. She makes credible, fresh dance tracks with an electro vibe laced through them, complete with sexually ambiguous lyrics and tight leather outfits. And Love Game is the one I keep coming back to, although I recommend Boys Boys Boys strongly, as well. Pave the way for GaGa mania!

2. Smash Mouth- All Star

It's so uncool to admit this, but I first heard this song on the opening credits of Shrek! Don't let this put you off. It's biting anf cynical with amazing uses of irony and guitars. They're the perfect pop band: amazing, good quality tunes with a feel good factor and catchy hook, minus the formation dance routines and matching outfits. Smash Mouth: The most underrated band ever. How come Westlife made it big and they didn't?

1. Third Eye Blind- Semi Charmed Life

Again, it's majorly uncool to admit it, but I heard this song on an episode of Sabrina The Teenage Witch. Expecting a light-rock./power pop fare involving lyrics about loving your baby, I was surprised and extremely amused to discover that underneath the relentlessly cheery melody and 'do do do do's' are dark and cynical lyrics about the ups and downs of crystal meth addiction. The contrast between the content and the first impressions are so amazing that it had to be number one!

Oh, Atticus..

Everyone has heard of To Kill A Mockingbird. But I guess not many people my age have read it without being forced to. I'm one of the minority that did- I picked it up on my holiday this summer and ever since I've picked it up and reread it countless times. Why? Because, simply, it is a great novel with a great message and wonderful narration. It's a portrait of innocence being corrupted; of the injustice of society in the 1930's through the eyes of a child. And no voice is more resonant in describing how ugly the world can be.

I wanted to read it just to see what all the fuss was about. Usually, I tend to hate anything that's too mainstream or too well known- I like to feel like I've discovered something wonderful that is a secret just for me. But after reading this book, I didn't mind; infact, I wanted other people to read it just so that something inside them clicked the way it did with me. I wanted everyone to understand how Scout felt. I wanted everyone to cry for poor Tom Robinson, the real 'mockingbird' of the title.

It was such an insightful book and it remains a big favourite of mine. It was such an accurate portrait of humans, especially back in the 1930's. People were so judgemental and harsh; so quick to derride other people. I wanted to throw a brick at most of them, but it was just the norm. I thanked the lord to be living in much fairer times, with much more equality, for both gender and race!

And can I just say again, poor Tom Robinson? I cried, cried again and cried some more at his plight which probably makes me a bit sappy but I don't care. And I totally love Dill, who was based on another wonderful writer of the time, Truman Capote (of Breakfast at Tiffany's fame) because he was a childhood friend to Harper Lee. Their 'engagement' made me smile. I love the contrasts between naivety and corruption in this book. Actually, I love everything about it. I even loved Calpurnia, although I would totally stove her head in if I lived with her.

Movie Review: St. Elmo's Fire

Yay for the Brat Pack! I think everyone who has ever seen this movie really, really wants a group of friends exactly like this. Dysfunctional, maybe; but so, so tight. You just know automatically that these seven people would do anything for eachother, even though they get on eachother's nerves. I mean, you can tell that Jules totally wants to run Billy over in that scene outside his house, but you know she still cares.

Although definately one of the 80s classics, I don't think St. Elmo's Fire can really be called a teen movie, cause it revolves around college graduates. However, it definately has a teen film vibe to it- just some of the raw emotion and some of the issues. But then, one of the strongest themes in the film is the characters immaturity and inability to break away from their college lives, so I guess it's to be expected.

One of my favourite things about the movie is that, although it's a complex plot, the film doesn't sink under all the information. Often, movies with ensemble casts load too much information in, and it feels like you're watching three movies at once, which is trés confusing. But with St Elmo's Fire, everything was woven together so intricately that you really did feel emotions for those people. You got to know that so well that you truly cared. You cried when Jules tried to kill herself. You wanted to comfort Wendy over Billy's ignorance. You longed to tell Leslie about Alec fucking the blonde sales girl. And I think that marks a brilliant movie.

Oh, and did I mention that three of my favourite 80's heartthrobs were in this? I was madly in love with Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club as the rebel, and Emilio Estevez was pretty hot in that, too, with his brooding 'troubled athlete' persona. Then Andrew McCarthy in Pretty In Pink has me drooling every time I watch it because he has this certain cute smile and way of flicking his hair that will be a non-negotiable requirement for whoever I marry. His pessimistic writer character in this bore some similarities with myself, so I guess I drew some paralells between Kevin and I and that's why I like him the best. Although it's definately Demi Moore's best film. It's even better than Ghost. Oh, and this scene made me the happiest girl alive because it combines two of these hotties talking about love. Every young girl's dream, much?

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I wish I'd been a teen in the 80s.

Movie Review: Pretty In Pink

It's probably quite obvious that I have an unhealthy obsession with 80s teen movies by now. And Pretty in Pink is a total classic. It has Molly Ringwald starring, who was the original Brat Pack girl, playing her trademark role as the poor but intelligent and cute girl from the wrong side of town. And she is admired by the hunk that was Andrew McCarthy in the mid 80s. Ooh, I have such a crush on him!

The plotline is fairly simple. Andie Walsh is a pretty young teenage girl who makes her own clothes because she has no money, and looks after her father who is still in pieces after her Moms abandonment. She's quirky and smart, she has a job in a record store and she is best friends with Duckie- a quirky guy with unusual dress sense who just happens to be head over heels in love with Andie. Not that she realises- although throughout the movie it couldn't be more freaking obvious. And then there's Blane McDonnough. He's a rich senior heartthrob with money who could have just about any girl- yet all he wants is Andie.

Of course, this causes some problems with his snobby friends, who feel that Blane dating Andie is lowering the tone of their social circle, yadda yadda. But in the end, in typical teen movie style, the triumph over their respective difficulties- Andie's dad finally gets back on track after realising her mum is never coming back, and she makes up with Duckie, and Blane tells his clique to go fuck themselves- love conquers all, and the closing scene, with the hazy kiss in the parking lot, is every sixteen year old girls dream for their prom night.

I have to say, I always felt a lot of sympathy for Duckie. He was the cute, eclectic one and it seems that those kind of people always lose out, doesn't it? It did make me a little sad that he was so deeply in love with Andie that he gave her up because he knew it would make her happy. Well, Andie, if you don't want him, can I please have him? Jon Cryer is so cute, I wanted to put him in a jar and keep him!

Although not my favourite Brat Pack movie- that title has to go to The Breakfast Club- it's certainly one I could watch over and over. This has to be my favourite scene in the whole movie:



It’s cute, it’s sweet, it’s maybe a little bit predictable. But it shaped every teen movie you see today- without Pretty in Pink, Mean Girls would never have been. So give it the respect it deserves.

Sick like Sid and Nancy?

I'm aware how fucked up it is that I'd love a relationship like Sid and Nancy's. I mean, it's crazy- their tumultuous 21-month relationship, littered with heroin and squalid hotel rooms, is hardly the stuff love stories are made of. Except that it is, in a way. Think about it: almost every movie you see has some attractive young couple fighting adversity and winning, only to live happily ever after. Sid and Nancy were fighting adversity, alright; it's just that they lost in the end. Whatever you want to say about them- and I guess there's a shit load of bad stuff that you could easily throw at them- they were deeply in love.


Their entire relationship fascinates me. I suppose I have a complex for beautiful, fucked up people in love (hence my Kurt and Courtney obsession- the Sid and Nancy of the 90's, much?) and they don't come more beautiful or fucked up than Vicious and Spungen.

The thing that triggered my interest was, I admit, the movie Sid and Nancy. I know that Johnny Rotten has been very vocal about his hatred of the movie, but I love it. And although not the most factual account of what happened- there's a list of small errors on Wikipedia longer than my arm- I think it captured the basic essence of the two of them. It certainly showed the basic dynamics between them- the screaming, shouting fights, Nancy's incessant whining and the drug fuelled nights were naturally the dominant state, but there were odd moments of tenderness between the two that showed everyone that actually, underneath all the shit (of which there was a lot, admittedly) they were crazy about eachother.


And this admission will probably render me mentally ill, but I was so in love with the notion Nancy was obsessed with- live fast, die young. Go out in a blaze of glory. See, I have an irrational phobia of old age- so to die young and beautiful with someone you love as much as they loved eachother is not as disgusting to me as it is to most people. In fact, I think it's romantic. And I guess in the end they got what they wanted. Sid died on 2 February 1979, less than four months after Nancy was found murdered in the bathroom of their squalid bedsit in the infamous Chelsea Hotel. And I know everybody hates on Nancy all the time, cause she was a total pain in the ass but I actually felt pretty sorry for her. She was mentally ill- you look it up, you'll see she had a huge of psychological problems. When I hear people ragging on her non stop, I can't help but pity the silly bitch.

Now comes the part where we talk about whether Sid killed Nancy. And my answer? I don't think he did. I know they argued furiously almost al the time, but I honestly and truthfully believe he loved her too much to stab her the way she was stabbed. I was always a fan of the Rockets Redglare theory; that shifty bastard was there that night, and something wasn't right about it. But they're both gone now- they've been gone for 30 years. It doesn't matter anymore how they died. The point is that they died. They got their blaze of glory, I guess. It's just a shame that the blackness of drug addiction and dingy bedsit rooms had to pervade over their last months on earth. I'll end this rant with a poem Sid wrote about Nancy some months after her death. When I read it, it made me cry.

You were my little baby girl,
And I shared all your fears.
Such joy to hold you in my arms
and kiss away your tears.
But now you're gone, there's only pain
and nothing I can do.
And I don't want to live this life,
If I can't live for you.
To my beautiful baby girl.
Our love will never die...