Tag Archives: Catherine Balavage

North Korean Leader Kim Jong-il Dies aged 69.

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Death seems to be having a pre-Christmas clear out of the good; Christopher Hitchens, Vaclav Havel, Maurice from The Phoenix Bar and the bad; erm, Kim Jong-il.

The North Korean leader died today at the age of 69. Jong-il died of a heart attack on a train in Pyongyang. World leaders are now asking for reform in North Korea. Power will now go to the deceased leader’s youngest son Kim Jong-un’s, an untried heir with no experience. South Korea is keeping a watchful eye.

The BBC has some regional reactions and the New Scientist has a brilliant article showing a satellite image of Kim Jong-il’s darkest hour.

What are your thoughts?

Andrew Tiernan {Frost Interviews}

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I recently had the pleasure of working with one of Britain most hard working and talented actors, Andrew Tiernan, on Jason Croot’s new film Le Fear, Le Sequel. He was kind enough to give Frost an interview, and it’s a stunner.

You are in “Prisoners Wives” the new BBC Drama, what was it like working on that?

All credit to the Production as they took a risk with me, as usually I’m the Bad guy, so this time I’m on the other side of the law playing DS Hunter who is investigating the murder that Gemma’s (Emma Rigby) husband Steve (Jonas Armstrong) has been accused of. The Directors and Producers wanted an edge to this guy and they knew I could bring that to the role, which was great for me. I had to get my head into Cop mode, as I haven’t done that for a very long time, in fact since “Prime Suspect” when I was a young copper with Helen Mirren and Tom Bell. Hopefully I’ve done a good job. But that was easy as Julie Geary’s writing is fantastic.

You played Ephialtes, in Zack Snyder’s “300”, how did you manage to put in such a good performance under all of that prosthetic?

It’s great because you don’t get recognized. I have always tried to transform myself for each role. The prosthetics was like a mask that I could manipulate with my facial muscles, but I had to exaggerate my expressions to move the inch thick prosthetic. I enjoy mask work, so that wasn’t the hardest thing for me to do. When you’re trying to transform yourself without the use of prosthetics, that is the challenge. I’ve fluctuated my weight and appearance over the years to fit the roles, I was influenced by Robert De Niro when he put a ton of weight on for “Raging Bull,” but it’s quite a dangerous thing to do and not everyone in the business appreciates it, some have thought that I’ve just let myself go, so I doubt I’ll be putting on the pounds again anytime soon, unless it is under prosthetics.

You are a successful Actor, but still do your own projects, why?

It’s all about the work. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. I wanted to have some kind of control over my work at some point. What people forget is that it’s the Writer and Producers who are in control we can only perform what is written on the page. And when we’re not doing those jobs, we’re waiting around for work, it can send most Actors insane, so I try to keep myself busy between jobs.

Tell us about the short film you’ve recently directed; “Flush”:

“Flush” came about after the writer; Kevin O’Donohoe, told me about an experience he had with some Estate Agents. One of the estate agents asked to use the toilet in his flat and was in there for an unexpectedly long time and managed to stink the place out. He thought that the guy had done it deliberately, so he decided to get his own back and came up with this very funny little script. We made it Independently, I got Shona McWilliams and Simon Balfour in to help me produce it. We’ve just finished Post-Production and we’ve entered it into some film festivals, we’re very excited about it. We’re planning to do some Feature Films later in the year with the same Production Team and a new script by Kevin called “UK18” a Political Drama set in the near future.

How did you get started as an actor?

I was into films from an early age and would visit the local cinema on my own, The Grove. I’d watch all the Ray Harryhausen adventures and then I managed to see some of Peter Bogdanovich’s films, such as “Paper Moon” and “What’s up Doc?”. So I suppose the bug started there, and eventually I decided it was something I wanted to do as a Career. I started working at the Midlands Art Centre after joining the Youth Theatre there, then ended up at the Drama Centre London.

Who/what is your inspirations?

If you’d asked me a few years ago, I would have said De Niro and Scorsese, but I think really it is people like Powell and Pressburger, Nicholas Roeg, Lindsay Anderson and Ken Russell who inspire me, and always have. I also have an admiration for Polanski’s films, one of the very first films I remember seeing was “Repulsion” when it was screened on television and it freaked me right out.

What is your favourite film?

At the moment, I would have to say it’s Ken Russell’s “The Boy Friend”. It was such a shock when he passed away, but I had managed to finally get the film on DVD the week before his passing. And it’s just as wonderfully spectacular as when I first watched it, what a genius. But there are so many films that I love, that I have a top 40 in my head every week. Though there are certain ones that always top the list and not necessarily everyone’s favourites.

How has the industry changed for Actors?

Since I joined the industry rather a lot has changed. When I first started there was a lot more opportunities and a lot more Drama was made for TV. But also there was a lot more Theatre Companies, we thought cuts were bad back then, but now it’s unbelievable. But on a positive note, technology has improved such that Artists can develop and produce their own independent work a lot easier than back then. And it’s possible for that work to be seen in different markets.

What are your opinions on reality TV?

Unfortunately, I think that it’s had a knock on effect in our industry and not just the fact that there’s not enough Drama being produced, but reality TV is very cheap for the Networks to produce and people seem to want to watch it. It’s a very sad time, as I think that when we look back at this period, we will think, where were the great British TV Drama Writers that we used to produce like Alan Bleasdale, Dennis Potter or Peter McDougall? The Networks should really pump more of the money they make from this cheap stuff into quality writing and drama, instead of squeezing the budgets. But we as Artists can’t rely on them anymore, we have to do it ourselves if we have a story to tell and find our own ways to distribute it.

What do you think of celebrity culture? What harm does it do?

Recently I was having a conversation with a Young Actor and we were chatting about the business and I mentioned that I’d worked with Simon Callow, the renowned Theatre Actor and Writer. He must have misheard me, as suddenly he shrieked in excitement “You know Simon Cowell!?!” I can forgive him for not knowing who Simon Callow is, but that reaction to the possibility that I could introduce him to Simon Cowell was deeply concerning. And I am seeing it more and more. Actors who manage to get themselves roles on Productions and the next step for them is a Celebrity Dance Show or the Jungle one. Shows where you have swallow things in order to gain more celebrity status. How ironic is that!? I think what this culture of celebrity has done has made some people very ignorant and obsessed with materialistic things. I think what will happen is when people think back to the noughties, no one will be remembered for any kind of Art or Music, the era will be remembered for the Wars that took place and the Banking Crisis. And just for the record, I don’t know Simon Cowell.

What next?

We are going to change things.

Links:

IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0862907/
Official Website: http://web.mac.com/andytiernan/Andrew_Tiernan
Flush FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/Flush2012

Photo credit; Marac Kolodzinski

Frost's Winter Health Challenge

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Winter can be hard on health and beauty. Skin tends to dry out and constant flues and colds are abound.

Frost has tested some health products to help you survive winter as well as possible.

Moa – The Green Balm is a wonder balm that you can use for anything from dry or chapped hands, to bites and bruises, lip salve, blemishes and can mixed with hot water as a sore throat-soothing drink. It smells good and has a good consistency. It works very well as a moisturiser and is a great thing to have around the house. It really is a do-it-all balm, and it is completely natural. I really liked it and I used it as a lip balm and on my hands. (£4.99 from all good health stores or www.thegreenbalm.co.uk)

Eating well in winter can be hard. The temptation to eat stodgy food and hibernate can be strong, and, lack of sun means that you won’t be getting enough Vitamin D. I started taking 5 Lifestream Chorella tablets a day and felt that I had a lot more energy. My skin looks nice and bright and my hair looks good. I go up to 10 a day and I even lose a few pounds. I feel like I’m been given a good health boost. Chlorella is filled with the immune-boosting vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy. Lifestream Chlorella (£15.29 for 300 tablets from all good health stores or www.grumpygorilla.co.uk). Renowned as nature’s won multivitamin, chlorella is packed with more than 20 vitamins, minerals and amino acids and vitamin D.

Those suffering with seasonal joint pain or arthritis could benefit from a daily dose of apple cider vinegar and honey such as Honegar (£4.69 for 500ml from Holland & Barrett and all good health food stores) mixed with warm or cold water. Ranulph Fiennes is a fan. I start drinking it and although I don’t have arthritis I find I feel more cleansed and have more energy. I also have not had a cold or any flu. It doesn’t taste bad either.

I also try out Plj Lemon Juice. It is nice as a refreshing drink, as an ingredient when cooking or mixed with Manuka honey and warm water to soothe and calm an inflamed throat. It is a good thing to drink if you are trying to detox, not only does it cleanse but it is quite sweet so can take the edge off any cravings.

PLj Lemon Juice (£2.29 from Tesco, Sainsbury’s and all good health food stores)

All of the products I decided to try are natural and as green as possible.

What do you do to help you get through the winter?

Is The Film Industry Sexist?

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Is the film industry sexist? It is a broad question, and unfair to label everyone with the same tag. I think the answer is; less so. I think, more specifically, some people in the industry are sexist.

I recently had lunch with a director that had cast a female friend in something. My female friend has three children. The director offered me her part, and all the future work he was going to give her as ‘she could not be totally committed to her work’ as she had children. I was appalled and turned him down. What if I have children soon? I couldn’t work with him after that. The irony is that the director has FIVE children. But no one ever asks a man how he juggles work and kids.

Most of the castings I see are for men, the rest are for women, usually between 18-35, size 8-12 and the part usually requires nudity. I don’t do nudity. The most depressing thing about the movies I see are the amount of naked females in them. Rarely any naked men. What kind of message is this? That women are sexual objects?

Some castings require you to wear a bikini or ask that actresses are a specific weight. Age discrimination is rife, so much so that an actress who was the same age as me when we started out is now four years younger. I won’t lie about my age although I have been told to. It’s a stance against idiocy. I am still young, but I am cast younger. This is a problem. They can cast someone who looks like a teenager, or an actual teenager.

I am making a film, Prose & Cons. I am buying equipment and have been asking for a lot of advice. The most annoying thing about making the film so far is how condescending some of the men are in their answers. If I ask a general question on where to buy a microphone I get a lecture on what a boom is. I have worked in the film industry for eleven years. I know what a boom is, thanks mate.

But this is what happens when a ‘girl’ makes a film, or wants to be taken seriously. When she gets sick of the girlfriend roles, which become the mother roles and go on to be the hag roles. And the constant requests for nudity.

She says I have had enough and I am not taking it anymore, then she goes off and makes her own films while finding other amazing people who make films she wants to be in.

A Passionate Woman DVD Review

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A Passionate Women comes from Kay Mellor, so I expected it to be good. I’m glad to say I wasn’t disappointed. It is a well written piece of drama and wonderful to see stories about women’s lives on TV. Something we don’t necessarily see enough off. It’s a sprawling, engaging piece of drama.

The series boasts a strong cast, with Billie Piper putting in another brilliant performance, Theo James also gives a great performance as ‘Craze’, the Polish womaniser who Pipers character has an affair with. James did this show before his star turn in Downton Abbey. He is a star in the making. A Passionate Women is a great piece of drama that gets you thinking. Set in the 50s and 80s, it has beautiful cultural reference points and a wonderful ending that pays off. Your mother will love it and I reckon you will too. I particularly liked the moral tail of the story, it opens up the debate on infidelity and it’s long-reaching consequences.
 
The mini-series charts two stories in two feature-length episodes – the first focusing on a mother’s affair in the 1950s while the second is set in the 1980s and looks at the consequences of that affair 30 years on.  Set in Leeds in the 1950s Cold War period, Billie Piper stars as Betty, a young wife and mother who reluctantly falls passionately and hopelessly in love with her charismatic Polish neighbour.  But little does Betty know that some 30 years later, in 1980s Britain, her affair will implode on her beloved son Mark’s wedding day…
Sue Johnston plays the older Betty in the 1980s, while Andrew Lee Potts, Frances Barber, Theo James, Rachel Lesokovac, Alun Armstrong and his real-life son, Joe Armstrong, also star.

Kay Mellor OBE, one of Britain’s leading TV writers, has penned numerous hit dramas including The Chase, Fat Friends, Playing The Field and the seminal Band Of Gold. A Passionate Woman is based on the real-life affair of the writer’s own mother, and is a very personal look at the changing role of women over the last 50 years, making it an ideal Mother’s Day gift.    
The DVD of A Passionate Woman will be released on 27 February 2012 by High Point Home Entertainment through HMV and other retailers and is soon to be available on Amazon and Play for Pre-ordering A Passionate Women 

Dicepeople: It Gets Darker

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‘It Gets Darker’ is the second album from London-based electronica artist Dicepeople. Frost loved their first album, ‘Time to Play’and this one is just as good. Dicepeople are stunningly original and wonderfully delicious. A great band who should break through into the mainstream in 2012.

The album will be released on 28 October 2011 on Sonic Serendipity, and it will be
available at music.dicepeople.org for free download and to purchase on CD.

‘It Gets Darker’ is so named because it explores themes relating to the dark side of
humanity. It’s darker and heavier than the first Dicepeople album ‘Time to Play’, which
was released on 13 July 2009 and had significant radio play and great critical feedback:

‘A delicious mix of hard synth-driven electronica and melodic IDM … a 50 minute auditory
delight … bursting at the seams with talent.’ – Connexion Bizarre

‘A substantial release that reinvigorates the energy of the past while keeping a firm grip on the current pulse of electronics … definitely time to play this album from start to end.’ – Igloo Magazine

‘Delicious both to the ears and to the soul … I’m loving every moment on this album.’ –
DARKLIFE fanzine

Dicepeople is a musical project created by Matt Brock. Dicepeople was originally set up in
London, UK in the mid-90s as an electronic side project when Brock was more heavily involved
with industrial acts Noise Union and Replikator. In 2008, however, Brock transformed
Dicepeople into his primary musical project and aimed to take it beyond pure electronic music.

The tagline for Dicepeople is ‘dark electronica for the body and mind’ because Brock’s aim is to
create music that combines driving beats with evocative and emotionally engaging harmonies
and melodies. The music has an electronic foundation with industrial and EBM components,
and it mixes real instruments and voices with synthesisers to add cinematic depth and intensity.

Dicepeople influences cover a very broad range of artists including Art of Noise, Black
Sabbath, Can, Depeche Mode, The Doors, Front 242, The Future Sound of London, Hoodlum
Priest, John Barry, John Carpenter, KMFDM, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, Siouxsie Sioux, Tangerine Dream and Underworld.

www.dicepeople.org

Puss in Boots IMAX 3D Review

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I have to be honest, I may be going into this review with a slight bias because I love Puss in Boots. Especially when he does that thing with his eyes.

I wouldn’t normal go to the cinema to see a cartoon, but I also saw Tintin in 3D earlier this year and that was brilliant, so off to Kingston I went.

This film is the prequel to the Shrek franchise. It is Puss in Boots story up until he meets Shrek. The film is good, the storyline is great. Fantastic for kids but grown up enough to keep the adults happy too. Antonio Banderas is good as Puss and Salma Hayek is perfect as Kitty SoftPaws. The story has a lot of fairytale characters in it so you feel like you already know the characters in the film. It’s a good cast and Zach Galifianakis is wonderful as Humpty Dumpty and has one of the best lines in the film: “Do you know what happens to eggs in jail? Well … it ain’t over easy!

Seeing the film at the IMAX and in 3D makes it more of an experience than just going to see a film. Things jump out at you and the visuals and sound are amazing.

I recommend this film no matter what your age. My only complaint is that, as I wear glasses to the cinema, wearing two pairs when you count the 3D pair hurt my nose!

January's Magazines: Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani Cover Stars.

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Lady Gaga takes the cover of Vanity Fair. She tells Vanity Fair: ‘I can’t commit to being an adult- I’m not ready.’

One of the main reasons I subscribe to Vanity Fair is the intelligent articles. I get my monthly dose of politics and economics. This month is no exception, there are brilliant articles to help you understand the economical crisis and a brilliant article on George F. Kennedy.

I really enjoyed Henry Aldord’s article on manners. It’s a sample from his book, Would it kill you to stop doing that?

  • Vanity Fair take Celine Dion out to lunch and she tells them she has over 3000 pair of shoes.
  • There is a brilliant article on Rick Perry, can he comeback?
  • Salman Rushdie on Lewis Carroll’s struggle to write his second book. ‘Follow that syndrome’ and how it helped him. Great piece.
  • The Japanese workers cleaning up Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
  • Rebecca Eaton, who has put her stamp on Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs amongst others.
  • Michael Ovitz and his (alleged) failed takeover of IMG from the late Teddy Forstmann.
  • The wonderful Christopher Hitchens debates whether the phrase ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ has merit.
  • The Queen and Prince Phillip in love. 16 pages on the blossoming of their love.
  • And P.D. James answers the Proust Questionnaire.

Marie Claire has Kelly Rowland on the cover. She talks Beyonce, men, music and admits she has cellulite.

There is a lot of clothes and shoes that will help you plan your wardrobe for next year, and lots of sparkly stuff for Christmas.

There is also a 2011 in review. Most magazines do this in December, watch out for Frosts.

  • Why famous men cheat, and does it sound like your man? Good article, and Lizzie Cundy tells Marie Claire how it felt when her husband cheated on her. Forgive and forget?
  • Four style savvy women share the party prepping secrets.
  • Janine di Giovanni goes in search of the truth about Aisha Gaddafi.
  • Should you tell your boss if your pregnant?
  • Matt Smith interview.
  • Who finds you the perfect date?
  • Jean Shrimpton’s Life story.
  • Amy Manson on the things she loves.
  • Future proof your looks.
  • Dakota Fanning’s beauty rules.
  • There is a very informative article on hormone problems, their symptoms and treatments.

Florence Welch take the cover of British Vogue and is interviewed inside. She tells Vogue: ‘I don’t think I’ll ever be polished. I’m integrally slightly scruffy. You know, you meet those women who are so cool? I’m striving for that so much!”.

  • In Vogue’s scrapbook there is a guide to flowers and their seasons and lots of floral dresses.
  • Sarah Lund from The Killing is interviews and asked about THAT jumper.
  • Women under siege, stories from women in Libya.
  • The new generation of female drummers.
  • Designing Duos.
  • Michael Kors
  • The Frieze Art; pictures and interviews from the art world’s fashion week.
  • Nomi Rapace interview.
  • Steven Spielberg and the cast for Warhorse.
  • Vogue’s great escapes. A brief history of Vogue shoots in foreign countries.
  • Three beauty hotshots show you how to par-down your make up bag.
  • Fast track your workout.

 

Glamour has X Factor’s Tulisa on the cover. She says ‘I don’t think I am anything like Cheryl, except we can both put a bit of volume in our hair’. She also says that she likes to ‘stick up for other women’. Which makes Frost like her. A lot.

  • Dermont O’Leary interview.
  • Don’t fear your fashion ghosts.
  • Get your dream job in 2012.
  • How to get blogged about.
  • The truth about food intolerance.
  • 3 Health problems you can fix yourself.
  • Can dating pro Matthew Hussey find you a man?
  • Tamara and Petra Ecclestone.
  • There is a good article on the rise of those awful pay day loan companies, beware of them at all costs!
  • Hollywood female stereotypes, a funny article by Mindy Kaling, writer of the US Office.
  • The truth about Hollywood stars selling their bodies when times get tough.
  • Give your closet a January detox with Danni Minogue.
  • Nicki Minaj interview and photo shoot.
  • How to get your s**t together. Sort out your wardrobe, make up bag, and everything else in your life.
  • Josh Duhamel interview.
  • The stars of 2012.
  • Your everything guide to skin.
  • Nicole Scherzinger on health and beauty.
  • The Devil in your diet: The low-down on sugar. Did you know that sugar has 4kcal per gram? There is also no difference between brown and white sugar.
  • 12 dinners for £50.

Tatler has Florence Brudenell-Bruce is on the cover. The girl that got away, Prince Harry’s ex tells Tatler that ‘one day everything will drop and I won’t be able to earn a living in my bikini’.

 

  • Free travel guide.
  • Rigby and Peller give Tatler their Mood Board.
  • What the recent overhaul of the royal succession means for the aristocracy.
  • Santa Sebag Montefiore launches a new skiing clothes line.
  • The Posh Commune.
  • Ella Hughes goes to an orgy.

  • Charles Gilkes and Duncan Stirling launch yet another party venue.
  • Quentin Letts sketchbook: Yvette Cooper.
  • Russian Billionaires at the High Court. Abramovich and Berezovsky go head to head.
  • Emma Freud reviews toasters.
  • Dafydd Jones on 30 years of chronicling the art crowd.
  • Writers on manners.
  • Joanne Lumley on her beauty routine.
  • Jo Malone on what she loves.

Gwen Stefani is on the cover of Instyle and is interviewed. Did you know she is friends with Angelina Jolie?

  • Where style starts: statement earrings.
  • Josephine de la Baume on her style.
  • Actors at the Toronto Film Festival.
  • Fashion insiders reveal what they cannot live without.
  • Tom Ford and Kate Bosworth. Tom has just launched a new make up range and Kate models
  • Instyle Shopping rules; jeans, vintage, lingerie, jewellery.
  • Instyle meets Jenna Lyons from J Crew.
  • Beyonce’s body rules.
  • Christmas Prep.
  • Megan Fox Up Close. Her beauty secrets.
  • Gizzi Erskine is In Style’s new columnist.