Monthly Archives: March 2011

George Michael Releases New Single "True Faith" For Comic Relief

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“Over the years, George has been the most tremendous supporter of Comic Relief. Out of the blue one year he gave us all the cash from the release of ‘As’, his single with Mary J Blige. Then he did a brilliant Little Britain ‘Lou and Andy’ sketch – which ended with the inevitable insult slung at him – “I don’t like him.” But most excitingly, he’s giving Comic Relief all the money from his new single, ‘True Faith’. It’s always so moving when people stick with us year after year – and we’re thrilled and delighted about the song, and the wonderful video that goes with it. We promise we’ll use every penny we make from it to save and change lives in Africa and all over the UK.” – RICHARD CURTIS

‘True Faith’ arranged and produced by George Michael was a hit for New Order in 1987 and was written by, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Hague who have also very kindly donated their proceeds to Comic Relief along with the publishers’ mechanical royalties.

The single, released through Aegean Records via Absolute Marketing & Distribution / Universal, will be available digitally on the 13th March and physically on the 14th March; both will also include an instrumental version of the track as a b-side. At 12:01am on March 19th – after the ‘True Faith’ official music video has been premiered for Comic Relief – the single and video will be available for purchase as a bundle exclusively through iTunes. Red Nose Day is on Friday 18th March, go to www.rednoseday.com to find out more. Comic Relief spends all the money raised by the public to give extremely poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa a helping hand to turn their lives around.

To stay up-to-date with George Michael news, visit his official website at
George Michael’s website or become a fan at Facebook.com/GeorgeMichael

Killzone 3 – The Review {Gaming}

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Shoot from behind cover? Check. Enter a battlefield laden with enemies whilst your captain screams orders at you? Check. Shoot from an armoured vehicle? Check. Spectacular set pieces? Check. Guns that look like middle-age cannons? Check.

Must be another First Person Shooter…

 

You can always tell when a fantastic game is about to hit the shelves because all the other games of that genre suddenly drop their prices to entice those players who might have missed on their game playing pleasures the first time round. In the case of Killzone 3, even the mighty Black Ops has reduced its hefty price tag and that has to be saying something.

But in all fairness, in this modern day of gaming First Person Shooters (FPS) are almost two a penny. Arguably, we are sitting in a saturated market full of big guns protruding into the screens facing even bigger enemies. On the very same day that Killzone 3 was released, the equally excellent Bulletstorm also arrived – and these are just two contenders to Halo and Call of Duty’s crowns. But does it have what it takes to last until the third round?

Killzone 3 has a lot going for it. Firstly, it is exclusive to the Playstation 3 and hence, has given game players a reason to cackle in retaliation at Xbox owners. Secondly, it has a strong pedigree, Developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, it is the fourth installment of the much enjoyed Killzone series. Finally, it is technically advanced. It is the first game in the series to be presented in 3D and the first to include motion controls using the PlayStation Move. All of this means that in the ring Killzone 3 is no underdog, and the blows that it will rain down upon any opponent are going to hurt like hell.

For those of you uninitiated to the world of Killzone, it is all about a war between two factions of humans. Enter stage left, the IS. All round good guys that will do whatever it takes and destroy whatever it takes to get the job done, and bring the war to an end. Enter stage right, the Helghast. A fascist, humanoid, army race with a passion for vengeance and hardship. They were hell-bent on overpowering the rest of the universe. That is, until the ISA decided to take them down way back in the original Killzone.

Killzone 3 picks up right where the sequel left off, with you continuing in your role as Sev, an ISA soldier with a chequered past, struggling to survive after being effectively cut off and left on the hostile Helghan home world after taking out Emperor Scolar Visari. It’s a predictable storyline you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy – or your worst movie – because like Black Ops, the spectacular set pieces and epic explosions ring ripples of movie blockbuster fantasy. And whilst you fight for survival as the protagonist, the game’s two antagonists, Orlock and Johann – played excellently by Ray Winstone and Malcolm McDowell – fight to step into the vacuum left by the deceased dictator.

As a single-player game I found Killzone 3 to be a largely exciting experience. The moral of modern day FPS is ‘don’t you dare rush in guns blazing thinking you are Rambo, if you do you will die’. This leads to understanding various cover techniques, and moving, outflanking and surprising your enemies in order to subdue them. Like Killzone and Killzone 2, your comrades scream orders at you, can revive you if you’re down and equally shout at you if they are about to die, need help or are pinned down enemy fire. This gives a sense of camaraderie which is nice to see. I also really liked the feeling of momentum in this game, that sense that you have to keep moving. And another key area which I think they got right was in the close up melee and hand to hand combat which is very satisfying.

On a technical level, this title is hugely impressive. The new environments look better and are a lot more colorful than its predecessor. The graphics are on par with the best titles of the genre, the guns, explosions and bosses just get bigger and bigger, and the levels are a lot more diverse than before. Most of the scenes, although linear, are well designed and so is the structure, breaking up standard missions with Call of Duty type breathtaking escapes and huge action set-pieces. There is always a lot happening on screen and a lot to keep your heart racing.

One thing I did like about this game is the fact you are not presented with wave after wave of enemies, and players of the previous two titles will immediately notice that the enemies are now smarter, able to cover more and react better to what you do. However, we all know the name of the game with this genre and that is basically shoot, shoot, shoot, duck and take orders – and that is it unfortunately. Like it or not, it does get repetitive after a while. I hoped that this title would have improved on Black Ops’ short completion time, however, I was wrong, it took me just over seven hours to complete which is abysmal. As for the last boss, well let’s just say it was over before it started.

I was quite concerned too by the number of cut-scenes in this game. Whilst not on the same soap opera level as say Metal Gear Solid, there is an awful lot of talking, and a fair amount of the game where action is taking place and you are left to just watch. Considering how short the game is, it would have been good to have had the hour or so movie part as actual game content.

Online play is what drives the lifespan forward after completion. Here the three modes on offer are all fun to play yet standard fare. You have the standard Death matches and more objective-driven options such as the new Operations Mode, where the highest-rated players get to see themselves in cut scenes between objectives which is all very good. I did notice though, occasional moments of slowdown in larger matches, which ruined my gaming pleasure, but will no doubt be resolved in future patches.

As previously mentioned, Killzone 3 was the first game to be completely made with both 3D and Playstation Move in mind. With regards to the Move, I am pleased report that it works beautifully well. Indeed, some would argue that this is precisely the type of game for which the Move was created for and in this aspect it is true. In play, it is very similar to the aiming mechanism seen in Resident Evil 5 and Time Crisis, manoeuvering with the controller, and aiming and firing using the trigger of the Move. You can also perform some neat actions such as twisting to reload and a stabbing motion to do the melee attack. Very nice indeed.

However, the 3D issue is another matter. Yes, stereoscopic 3D. Yes, it looks great and provides that extra level of immersion. For me, the thing I could not get tired of was using a sniper rifle. It just looks incredible. But on the other hand, I am very aware of this 3D fad and that some people sold their kidney for a decent HDTV, just so they could enjoy high definition gaming. In some ways it is just a tad too ambitious and outrageous to expect some players to go out and buy a 3D TV to experience the gaming delights here. So far for me, there has been insufficient 3D content out there to warrant buying one, but I am quite sure that for some gamers this will be the tipping factor where they will no doubt dash out and fork out over a grand to get one. But my honest advice with this is to just wait. Whilst it is good, it is really not ‘that good’.

So, the final verdict –

Killzone 3 is a contender that enters the ring punching way above its weight. The gameplay is solid, the action is intense and the Move functionality gives this game an extra edge. Though it can be repetitive for those tired of shoot-em-ups, those who enjoyed Killzone 2, Halo Reach and Call of Duty franchises will have a lot to look forward to with this title.

 

9.2/10

 

Killzone 3 is out on PS3 now

 

In The Realm of the Census – The Changing Face of Britain

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Any day now, postmen and women throughout the country will stumble, grumbling, to every residence in the UK delivering Census forms.

March 27 is Census Day. And every household will be legally obliged to complete it. Those who fail to do so, could, in theory, face prosecution, a fine up to £1000 and a criminal record.

For some, the ten-yearly pry into the affairs smacks of 1984 (what a shame that wasn’t a Census year) – and Big Brother.

The Government’s official line is that the Census is needed to ‘help government and local authorities plan the services and resources people need, such as transport, housing, healthcare and education’, although you can bet your last penny that there will be rabid frothing in a number of publications about immigration and Jedi Knights after the results are finally published.

The truth, at least according to the 2001 Census is more prosaic. Of course things have changed in 10 years, but the key facts of 2001 showed the population of 58.8m was lower than expected, a growth of just 17% compared to the European average of 23%. In contrast, Australia showed a change of 133%.

And while two areas of London, Newham and Brent, became the first in the UK to have a non-white majority, 87% of the population of England and 96% of the population of Wales gave their ethnic origin as White British. Only 9% of people in the UK said they were non-white.

As expected, London had the highest proportion of people from minority ethnic groups. Black Caribbeans accounted for more than 10% of the population of the London boroughs of Lewisham, Lambeth, Brent and Hackney. With the same figure for Black Africans in Southwark, Newham, and again, Lambeth and Hackney.

Yet countrywide, after white British and Irish, the largest ethnic population was Indian, accounting for a mere 2% of the population.

In the whole of England and Wales, just a little over 1% of people are Black Caribbean, while less than 1% were Black African.

Moreover, despite a media backlash over the Muslim community, Christianity is by far the main religion in Great Britain. There were 41m Christians in 2001, making up 72% of the population. In contrast, a touch under 3%  were Muslim – a total of 1.5m people. While that means that Muslims are now the second largest religion in the UK, people with no religion formed the second largest group, 15% of the population.

Under ‘Other Religions’, the largest of these were Spiritualists (32,000) and Pagans (31,000).  One cannot help but think TV programmes like Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer led to a large surge in the 7,000 Wicca, eclipsing the 5,000 Rastafarians.

An internet campaign to have Jedi Knight recognised as a new religion failed to resonate with the Government, who lumped them with the ‘No Religion’ crowd. Nevertheless, 390,000 called themselves Jedis.

Whether the Jedis actually met women and fathered children remains a question for this latest census, but the questionnaire continues to provide a fascinating snapshot.

The Census was introduced in 1801, when the UK recorded a population of just 10.9m.

Unfortunately, not even Frost has the space to document every change since, but hare are some key facts of our lifetime.

1911 – Population 36.1m

The average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime – The Total Fertility Rate – was 2.8, higher than it is today. Infectious diseases were the main cause of death.

Sadly, 110 out of every 1,000 babies died before reaching their first birthday – almost one in four.

A child born in 1911 had a short life-expectancy – 51 for a boy, 55 for a girl.

1921 – Population 37.9m

The 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic caused 152,000 excess deaths in England and Wales between June 1918 and May 1919. Most of these were infants, children, and adults under 40.

The Great War drastically reduced the male population aged between ages 20 and 40 with a total of 723,000 British servicemen losing their lives between 1914 and 1918.

1931 – Population 40m

With the loss of so many marriageable men, many women were single and childless. The Total Fertility Rate fell to just to 1.8 children per household.

However, improved public health and changing childcare practices lowered infant death rates, to 62 per 1,000 babies born.

Life expectancy was now 59 years for boys and 63 years for girls.

1951 – Population 43.8m

There was no census in 1941 because of World War II, so the 1951 Census highlighted 20 years of change.

The post-World War II baby boom led to a sharp increase in the number of children aged between two and four – 5.4% of the population.

Meanwhile, the impact of the National Health Service, introduced in 1948 boosted survival rates among all age groups.

Infant death rates fell to only 27 per 1,000. A boy born in 1951 was expected to live to 66 years and a girl to 71.

1961 – Population 46.1m

Most deaths were now caused by degenerative conditions such as heart disease, cancer and stroke, rather than infectious diseases.

An NHS programme of vaccinations again boosted survival rates with that of men aged between 45 and 64 catching up with women.

The late 1950’s/early 1960’s baby boom showed the Total Fertility Rate had gone back up to 2.8 children, matching the 1911 figure.

Infant death rates continued to fall – to 21 per 1,000 born. A boy born in 1961 had a life expectancy of 68 years, a girl 74.

1971 Population 48.7m

While the 1960’s baby boom boosted numbers in the younger age groups, the 1970s showed a falling birth rate, with a Total Fertility Rate of 2.1, due in part to the availability of the contraceptive pill for married women.

More people lived longer and fewer babies were dying, with just 17 out of every 1,000 lost before their first birthday.

A boy born in 1971 could expect to live to 69 years, a girl to 75.

1981 – Population 48.5m

In 1974, the National Health Service made free contraception available to all women, which contributed to a period of very low childbearing in the late 1970s. The total population actually fell by about 200,000.

Infant deaths also fell to just 10 per 1,000 and survival rates among older people improved too. There were now noticeably more people aged 65 and over.

Life expectancy at birth reached 71 and 77 years for boys and girls respectively.

1991 – Population 49.9m

Births once again gradually increased throughout the 1980s. This was due to a combination of the 1960’s baby boomers having children and anxiety over the safety of the contraceptive pill – in particular, the link to breast cancer in 1987.

Life expectancy at birth was now 73 years for boys and 79 years for girls.

2001 – Population 52m

The 1990s again showed slow down in the birth rate, to just 1.6 children per household. The infant mortality rate also continued to fall, with just six babies dying before their first birthday for every 1,000 born – a massive sea change from the 110 per 1,000 in 1911.

2011 – ?

Census 2011 is likely to be an eye-opener. The population of the UK is estimated to be a touch under 62m. And there will undoubtedly be big changes in the diversity of the UK in all areas.

It remains to be seen whether the plethora of Harry Potter books and films, Twilight and True Blood lead to a UK  full of wizards, witches, vampires, werewolves or Lonely Ones.

Watch this space.

The Frost Girls with Bethanie Lunn – How to Walk in High Heels!

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Friday February 18th 2011 – the first day of Fashion week. A flurry of high fashionistas making their way to the central point of all things chic – the quintessential week commencing all factor fabulous a La Mode.

 

The ladies of Frost Magazine were fortunate enough to be invited to a presentation hosted by none other than Beauty and Fashion pioneer Bethanie Lunn, on her talk ‘How to Walk in High Heels.’ Held at the exquisite May Fair Hotel Suites, we were greeted courteously by an array of cup cakes and bellinis – plus endless champagne for a gathering of high fashion women.

Bethanie presented her deep narration on high heel technique in a friendly, professional manner – highlighting the points us ladies all wanted to know. How to maintain posture, the do’s and don’ts of street chic walking and the imminent importance of looking after our precious feet. Lunn’s beautiful outfit was complemented by a delicious pair of daring pink shoes – in true illustration of her love for the femme fatale look – simply divine!
Sipping on our delectably fine glasses of champagne, we sat ourselves down in what can only be described as a ‘dream’ suite – presented with a narrative of Lunn’s acute vision and knowledge of good footwear, which in turn focussed on more paired up physical activities.
Lunn is simply a lady of 21st Century modernism, encompassing all the essential elements of style. Her profound knowledge and individual approach to the Beauty and Fashion industry is a true inspiration for a catalogue of fashion daring women. Establishing herself as a Fashion Editor and Stylist by the mere age of 22 is an accomplishment to marvel at. Her carefree manner, together with a strong vision for all facets of fashion, makes her presence all the more interesting and educational.
Through the course of the presentation, Lunn taught us the some tricks of the feline posture trade – breathing techniques, how to prevent slipping on untoward surfaces (which involves scratching the surface of the sole) and the ‘heel to toe’ step – enabling less distress to the front part of our feet. It wasn’t long before all us high heel wearing ladies took to the Bethanie Lunn Catwalk, to show what we had learned.
For someone who has walked in high heels since I was 16 (the height disadvantage made me do it!), Lunn’s talk really enlightened me and my fellow Frost girls on how important it is to look after our feet. In the hustle of everyday city life, we often choose to brave the pain of our delicate toes, without thinking of the consequence.
As fashion wary as we are, it’s imperative to maintain a friendly balance. Lunn masters and teaches the techniques to combining the necessary care along with an even level of manageability. By the end of her session, the once wobbly-heeled Frost girls were ready to purchase the highest pair of heels Louboutin had to offer!