Russell Brand Says We Shouldn’t Vote. Is He Right?

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

In this weeks New Statesman Russell Brand edits and rights a lengthy piece. Yes, that Russell Brand. He says he did it because a beautiful woman asked him (That would be Jemima Khan, his rumoured girlfriend). For his theme he chose revolution ‘because the New Statesman is a political magazine and imagining the overthrow of the current political system is the only way I can be enthused about politics.’ He goes on to say;

When people talk about politics within the existing Westminster framework I feel a dull thud in my stomach and my eyes involuntarily glaze. Like when I’m conversing and the subject changes from me and moves on to another topic. I try to remain engaged but behind my eyes I am adrift in immediate nostalgia; “How happy I was earlier in this chat,” I instantly think.

I have never voted. Like most people I am utterly disenchanted by politics. Like most people I regard politicians as frauds and liars and the current political system as nothing more than a bureaucratic means for furthering the augmentation and advantages of economic elites. Billy Connolly said: “Don’t vote, it encourages them,” and, “The desire to be a politician should bar you for life from ever being one.”

I don’t vote because to me it seems like a tacit act of compliance;

To be fair he does have a point. It is not possible to look at politics and not find something to be upset about. But his piece is hard to read and long winded. More about Russell Brand than the state of politics and what should be done. One feels he chose the theme of revolution because he could not make a logical and informed argument about any other aspect of politics. Just tear it down instead, eh, Russell?

Should Brand stick to the entertainment industry?

Brand goes on to say “We have succumbed to an ideology that is 100 per cent corrupt and must be overthrown”. Really? What country does he think this is? Italy?

He even mentions that the London riots were political. They may have started that way briefly but they were more about the need for a new TV in the end.

Being a politician is a hard job. To try and make this world a better place (and plenty of politicians do try) is much harder than being a comedian/actor/whatever. Russel Brands stream of consciousness in The New Statesman reminds me of a teenager who just became angry with the world. What, I think we should ask, did Russell Brand ever do for us? Because I know what politicians do; they get up everyday and they work a proper job. Some of them do it for the right reasons, some of them do it for the wrong ones, some start off good and become corrupt, but so far so the same as every other industry/establishment. I guess what really riled me about Brand’s essay of nothing is this: I have worked in politics. I interned for Zac Goldsmith, I campaigned for Tamsin Omond (her own party, The Commons) and Suzanne Moore (Independent). Both Tamsin and Suzanne would have been great and made a difference. Zac got elected and is doing well in Parliament. (On a separate note, Zac is the brother of Jemima Khan. Small world)

I campaigned for pretty much everyone at the last election apart from the Liberal Democrats, who in my opinion are dirty campaigners, and Labour, who did a lot of damage to the country but never seem to be brought up on it by the press or anyone else, while the Tories still pay for crimes done in the 70s/80s.

I don’t promise to be loyal to a political party as they can all go wrong and lose their way, caring more about being reelected and individual careers than the people they represent. Russel Brand seems to be pro-riot and anarchy. More about tearing things down instead of building them up. He doesn’t offer a solution and if his ‘eyes glaze’ when people talk about politics then how informed can he actually be? Has he done his research?, does he read the newspapers? I am not so sure. I have nothing against Brand. Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek were both great, but if you don’t know anything about a subject, best to keep quiet.

It may be that there is no one to vote for, only fools to vote against. But to vote against a fool is better than to not vote at all. And if you are still thinking of siding with Brand and not voting then just remember that he was the guy who dressed up as Osama Bin Laden the day after 9/11 and went to work at MTV, who rightly fired him. That is not exactly sound judgement, is it?

Ringo Starr Releases New Limited Edition Book ‘Photograph’

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Frostie

Legendary Beatle Ringo Starr’s highly anticipated limited edition book Photograph. Earlier this year Ringo delighted fans by announcing he would be opening his archive to share a lifetime of photography. Now this stunning book explores that archive in full.

In over 15,000 words of brand new text, Ringo tells us the stories behind more than 240 pictures. Each copy of Photograph is traditionally hand-bound, numbered, then signed by the author.

‘I love putting pictures together to show different times of my life. I was just taking shots because I liked to take shots, and now it’s turned into this, which is great. Peace & love.’ – Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr shares his life story in a memoir illustrated with 300+ pages of stunning photography that has remained unseen for decades. Ringo tells first-hand what it was like growing up in Liverpool, discusses his time as a Beatle, and much more. Photograph includes childhood photos and memorabilia saved by his mother (that even Ringo didn’t know existed until now) and forgotten slides of The Beatles in Miami (that barely survived). Told in hundreds of photographs snapped all over the world, from Paris to Washington, India to Japan, Photograph is Ringo’s personal account of his life and work.

‘We made some incredible music. The songs are still relevant; the kids are listening to the music today. It worked. And there were many, many magic moments, when it really worked.’ – Ringo Starr

‘These are shots that no one else could have. I just had the camera with me a lot of the time.’ – Ringo Starr

Ringo’s unique position and artistic flair has produced beautiful and intimate portraits of The Beatles, capturing sides of John, George and Paul that only a band mate would see – writing songs, having fun and lost in moments of quiet reflection.

‘This is how we saw most of the world when it got big for The Beatles: out of a car window, going to or leaving somewhere. That’s just how it was.’ – Ringo Starr

Coming November 22, 2013

Ringo’s Photograph launches this autumn, with special events hosted in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Readers can find out more, and order now, at RingoPhotoBook.com. The book will be priced £345.

Tears, hospitals, and other drama: what happened to the singing in the X Factor?

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Frostie

Every year it seems the X Factor moves further and further away from its roots as drama, sob stories, bitching and gossip overtakes the singing. But should we be surprised by this? It is, at its heart, a reality show as well as a singing competition, some would argue that it’s reality TV first and singing competition second.

It’s unlikely that the powers that be, ie. Simon Cowell, his production company and ITV are bothered by the lack of real interest in the quality of the singing. The X Factor is a money making machine and acts like it.

This year’s competition is now into the third week of the Live Shows and it shows that nothing has changed. With Sharon Osbourne back on the judges panel, and the same kinds of singers put through, it seems little will change. Although, even not being able to sing doesn’t mean the finalists can’t make a career – just think of One Direction – no one except Simon Cowell saw their success coming!

However, this hasn’t affected ratings which, although losing out to rival Strictly Come Dancing, are still pretty healthy for Saturday night prime time viewing.

Dropping like flies

The contestants’ health continues to be a contentious issue. Just what should happen if a singer can’t sing on the night? Should they be unceremoniously booted out or given a free pass through to the next round?

It’s clear that the policy, at least at the moment, is to push them on to the next week, which doesn’t seem at all fair to the other contestants. Last week, for example, Miss Dynamix singer SeSe Foster collapsed during the final rehearsal for the Saturday night live show. As she is six months pregnant, the producers sensibly took no chances and shipped her off to hospital, leaving her band mates hanging around backstage, knowing they are through to next week without even having to perform. However, it looks like it may well have affected their chances.

Last year, Lucy Spraggan was afforded the same privilege due to illness and, although it’ll certainly affect the other contestant’s odds, it probably doesn’t alter much long term. X Factor final betting is a hugely popular sport among eager viewers, and incidents like this will just remind them that they need to keep their eye on the gambling ball!

Helping out a friend?

The judges are getting on very well this year. Gone are the days of spats, rivalries and arguments like the series including Tulisa and Danni Minogue. Sharon O seems to be matriarch of the panel, with Nicole very much under her wing. However, the fact that Louis sent one of Sharon’s contestants home last week as reportedly led to the two judges falling out.

This definitely gives credence to the suspicion that the judges are doing ‘deals’ with each other when it comes to voting their acts out, which makes it much more about them than about their contestants’ singing abilities…

Is X Factor fixed?

So, is it a fix or not? With contestants like Sam Callahan and Kingston Road showing pretty abysmal live singing skills, it certainly seems so. However, it shouldn’t affect people’s fun, and it definitely shouldn’t affect whether people watch and bet on the show. It just means that you have to look at all the other possible reasons acts will go through, and bet accordingly. Whatever you do, don’t rely on the one with the best voice as that is certainly no guarantee – just look at the winner of 2012’s X Factor. No one even remembers his name…

One Direction: This Is Us DVD Released

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Frostie

Follow international pop sensation One Direction from their humble hometown beginnings to the global phenomenon in ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US, arriving in an “Ultimate Fan Edition” coming to Blu-ray3D, Blu-rayand DVD with UltraViolet^™ December 19^th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Also available in 3D format, the special edition Blu-ray release features both original theatrical and extended fan cuts of the feature film. The extended cut includes 20 minutes of new footage and four additional songs for fans to treasure.

As MTV’s 2012 Artist of the Year, Academy Award nominated director Morgan Spurlock (Best Documentary, Super Size Me, 2004) and producer Simon Cowell (TV’s “The X Factor”) give fans a captivating and intimate, all-access look at the journey of One Direction, chronicling the group’s almost immediate rise to superstardom. Never-before-seen footage from the “Ultimate Fan Edition” includes three exclusive featurettes with behind-the-scenes footage of Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis having fun at a radio station in Japan and paying a visit to Madame Tussauds™ wax museum to experience their own sculptures being created. This edition will also feature “Up All Night” – two mini movies previously only seen at the live concert. ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US comes with extended scenes and seven featurettes where fans will have the opportunity to go backstage with the group as they prepare for one of their biggest performances of the year and follow them on visits back to their hometowns with the cameras rolling. Also included is the Music Video for fan-favourite “Best Song Ever”, the lead single from the group’s new album Midnight Memories, released globally on November 25^th.

ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US will also be available on single-disc DVD featuring the original theatrical version of the film along with select featurettes from the “Ultimate Fan Edition.”

Win a new igbloo; music’s latest innovation which has been picked up by BAFTA.

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Frostie

THIS COMPETITION HAS CLOSED. Please click on the ‘competition’ tag for other competitions you can enter. Thank you.

Frost are bringing you the opportunity to be one of the first to receive an all NEW igbloo; music’s latest innovation which has been picked up by BAFTA.

BAFTA have backed the latest gadget to the market, igbloo, by inviting them to become an official gift partner to the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2014. Banishing tinny tunes and dodgy docks for good, igbloo from Stage One Technology – the innovators behind the all NEW Bluetooth music receiver – will bring music to the ears of Hollywood’s A-List, such as Kate Winslet, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.

Having only launched last week on kickstarter.com, the response from the public and media alike has been overwhelming, with people pre-ordering to secure their place at the front of the queue on igbloo’s launch day.

To have the chance to be the first of TEN lucky winners who will receive this latest gadget before anyone else , all you have to do is tweet the below to enter – the more you tweet the more chances you get!

“The BAFTAs are backing @igbloo, are you? http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stage1tec/igbloo-no-more-tinny-tunes-no-more-dodgy-docks”

‘Adventures In World Cinema’ Revealed As Theme of Cinecity, The 11th Brighton Film Festival

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Frostie

14 Nov – 1 Dec 2013
www.cine-city.co.uk
Adventures in World Cinema has been announced as the theme of CINECITY, The 11th Brighton Film Festival, which opens on Thursday 14 November with a special preview of Alexander Payne’s bittersweet and award-winning road movie Nebraska.

The festival runs until Sunday 1 December and features a packed programme of premieres, previews, treasures from the archive and free education screenings.

Opening night is always a highlight of CINECITY, which last year featured Colin Farrell in Seven Psychopaths; so there are high expectations for Nebraska, which was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival where leading man Bruce Dern was crowned Best Actor.

Tickets for all screenings go on sale on 25 October and events take place across the city of Brighton & Hove; but principal venues are the Duke of York’s Picturehouse and, for the first time, a new two-screen cinema at Dukes@Komedia.

As always the festival celebrates not only home-grown cinema, including films from Brighton-based directors, but looks further afield – and this year’s CINECITY features the most international selection to date, with films from Singapore, Laos, Kurdistan, China, Iran, India, Israel, Mexico, as well as Poland, Czech Republic, Scandinavia, France and the US.

Many of the films come garlanded with awards from major international film festivals including A Touch of Sin, winner of Best Screenplay at this year’s Cannes; and The Rocket, winner of Audience Awards at Sydney, Melbourne and Tribeca Film Festivals and Best First Feature at the Berlin Film Festival.

Continuing the international theme, a major celebration of the work of the legendary Czech surrealist Jan Švankmajer is at the heart of the festival – including an exhibition at the University of Brighton that features sets, puppets, costumes, and artwork from many of his acclaimed films including Alice, Punch and Judy and Little Otik that were a major influence on directors such Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam and the Quay Brothers.

To complement the exhibition, CINECITY presents a complete retrospective of Jan Švankmajer’s six feature films and 26 shorts alongside a programme of talks and discussions.

The festival concludes with a screening of The Double, a doppelganger comedy drama from director Richard Ayoade, at the Duke of York’s on Sunday 1 December.

The 2013 Festival sponsors include Carpenter Box LLP, Exhibit Print, Facilitate, Griffith Smith Farrington Webb LLP, La Cave a Fromage, Midnight Communications, Propellernet, Robinson Low Francis LLP, South Downs Solar and are supported by MyHotel, One Digital and The Brighton Film School.

Unique Luxury Jewellery Club Opens With Sparkling Celebrity Launch

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Frostie

Lulu’s Estate Jewellery launched its unique Jewellery Club last week with a glittering VIP party at London’s hottest new night spot, Ruski’s Tavern, in the heart of Kensington.

Since Lulu’s was founded earlier this year their collection, which boasts pieces from iconic jewellery houses such as Cartier, Bulgari and Tiffany through to modern day designers, has become a firm favourite with fashionistas and stars from the world’s of TV, film and music.

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The launch of Lulu’s new Jewellery Club sees a limited number of exclusive memberships created, which will allow members to borrow a wide range of pieces from the collection, without having the commitment of buying.

Stars attending the party included TV presenters and models Laura Whitmore and Noelle Reno, who were also joined by society guests such as Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lady Julie Montagu. Guests were able to view Lulu’s stunning collection while enjoying a champagne reception in association with Pommery. As the night went on Quintessentailly vodka cocktails were served while guests feasted on some of Ruski’s classic caviar, smoked salmon and steak tartare dishes.

Lulu’s Estate Jewellery is a unique offering in the luxury jewellery sector providing an exquisite selection of heritage pieces dating back to the 1920’s from some of the most prestigious names in jewellery.

Adding further glamour to the evening were Beulah London. The fashion label, which has become a favourite with Hollywood A Listers such as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, provided dresses from their A/W13 collection for models and guests attending the party.

Fresh Off The Boat | Theatre Review

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Paloma Kubiak

In the words of Fresh Off The Boat co-writer, Sarah Pitard, ‘the UK is fucked’.

As the economy struggles, redundancies are commonplace and the political parties are divided on a solution, the blame knocks on immigrations door.

And Sarah Pitard, a pretty, white American gal whose only vice was to fall in love and marry her UK man is one of them – an immigrant, an illegal alien.

A Border Story (the first act of Fresh Off The Boat) follows Pitard’s real-life story in a touching, witty and unusually comical way, but I can’t help but notice that behind her calm exterior, it’s also a chance to display ‘two fingers’ at the Immigration Officers.

Having been refused a marriage visa, it seems marrying a UK citizen is not enough to secure a place in Blighty.

From the airport scene with the questions about her dress bag which alluded to her being a whore, it is no surprise her stage double, Amy, tells the audience: “England’s not a very positive place for a person other than the British.”

Only having married on 12/12/12 and expecting a baby, (I sighed in relief when Pitard explained this was an addition for dramatic effect) the couple attempted to exploit a legal loophole to gain entry to the UK.

Amy and Brian would move to another European country where Brian would get a job (the only one was sans va va voom flipping burgers in Paris) to reach the minimum six-month threshold whereby they would then be eligible for UK citizenship.

Now the good news is that Amy, aka Sarah, and her stage hubby Brian, are able to spread the word on this loophole and somehow this production was pulled together while they were living in France.

The bad news is that they’re still stuck in limbo, still awaiting to hear their fate and still uncertain about their future in the UK.

Despite the serious content of this first act, Pitard shows her determination, and through sympathetic Amy (Lee Lytle) and Brian, played by Paul Tonkin, we saw the emotional fragility laid bare to the audience and no doubt, it acts as an open letter to the Immigration Officers too.

Act two can’t help but lift your spirits, again in a satirical, comedic way as it broaches the important subject of immigration.

‘The Utility People’, written by Michael Ross, is opened with a couple casually celebrating with a bottle of prosecco when all the noises from the rather large utility cupboard finally spills out into the living room in the form of an immigrant mother and her son.

Ironically, Jake (played by Mike Houlihan), who used to work for Amnesty International is far from welcoming, and Chloe (Antonia Reid) almost overcompensates saying £they are humanity” which is abruptly followed by Jake’s “humanity can go somewhere else”’.

As the British Empire plundered everyone in history, Chloe feels it is only right that the mother and son ought to be able to stay and she soon starts giving them chores so they earn their keep.

She even provides them with the nicknames Goldilocks and Bear (obviously named after Paddington).

In scenes that had me chuckling, Matt and Antonia played the couple with enough sense of confusion, surprise and nerve to pull off their treacherous steps towards slave labour and human exploitation in their own home.

The son, played by Theo Ancient, really comes into his own as he’s given a real voice to proclaim damnation of the way immigrants are treated around the world.

As he eloquently sums up the moral and legal system of immigration in the UK, I was literally blown away.

Articulating and applying a magnifying glass to the situation, he underpinned the hopes, fears and realities of immigration against the privileges of those living here.

Richard, the narrator, punctuated each scene beautifully with spark and character which illuminated the harsh content with the right tones of comedy.

A very deserving play, well structured, rehearsed and it definitely had me thinking about the privilege associated with my British passport. Good luck to the Pritards.

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