I know lots of people have decided that now that they’re older, wiser and less angry with the world they’re over Brett Easton Ellis, and that his books, particularly his debut Less Than Zero and the callously excessive American Psycho , are just nasty, bitter and full of the kind of dead-eyed loathing that the world doesn’t need right now. But I’m not one of them. I think he does what he does exceptionally well, and that in a digital age his cold, detached cruelty is perhaps more resonant than ever. Just saying.
Archive for the 'Video' Category
Up until now I have been 50/50 on the prospect of The Social Network. On the one hand anything written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher should be amazing. But the story of FaceBook, starring Justin Timberlake?
However, even taking into account the fact that everything musical genius JT has acted in so far has stunk to high heavens, it has to be said that this, the third trailer for The Social Network makes the film look amazing.
If nothing else it’s an inspired example of the art of the film trailer.
I’m a big fan of Chuck ‘Fight Club’ Palahniuk’s writing. I’m an even bigger fan of his warped world view. And I’m an even bigger fan of the way he’s created this whole cult movement around the first two. I would love to go to one of Chuck’s readings, but until he makes it to London I’ll have to make do with the film above.
Writing isn’t hard. It’s concentrating long enough to type a whole sentence that’s the real bugger. Which is why OmmWriter is one of the best inventions of all time. As they say, Your mind is a wild monkey, and this simple little piece of software is just the thing to tame it. Download it now (if you’re on a mac that is) you won’t regret it.
Greatest rock video ever. Stadiums? Check. Guitars? Check. Girls? Check. Hanging out in guitar shops in black and white while smoking cigarettes, signing autographs and generally looking like you don’t give a fuck? Check. Sometimes it’s worth watching as a reminder that this is what being in a rock band is meant to be like.
Ben Folds pays tribute to Chatroulette’s Pianoman Merton. Genius.
Erykah Badu’s new album New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh), follow-up to the stunning, off-head R&B slouch that was New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), is finally on the way. By way of celebration, here’s the video for Part One’s glorious single, Honey. Genius.
New Cold War Kids single, Audience Of One. Couldn’t get into the last album at all. This one sounds like it may well make up for it.
Jamie Lidell returns with Beck, Feist and Nikka Costa. Reasons to be cheerful, one, two, three (and indeed, four).
Virtual life getting you down? Never got time to see your wife/kids/real friends? Always too busy answering emails/facebook messages to enjoy a nice walk in the park? Always being poked, but not in a good way? Then help is at hand.
The 2006 making of film director Claude Lelouch’s legendary 1976 short film, C’etait un Rendez-vous, in which Lelouch does it all again, but slower, and in French.
If you’re curious about Google Wave, or struggling to understand what the point of it is, this video explains both the pros, and with the very last bit, the major con.
My new favourite video. Mirrorkicks cover of Bleedin’ Love + cheerleaders = future video classic.
Also worth noting that Mirrorkicks are in the process of making a video to accompany ever track on their brilliant, forthcoming album. More bands should do the same.
On the Road: London Calling from richard hernandez on Vimeo.
The Fifty Four from richard hernandez on Vimeo.
Two beautiful short films made by US journalist Richard Hernandez. Atmospheric in a cool/creepy/disturbing/brilliant way. The second, The Fifty Four, was made using only his iPhone. Stunning.
New meaning to the phrase ‘the film of the book’. And the best bit, it really does make you want to buy it. Or maybe it’s just me.
Film director Claude Lelouch’s legendary 1976 short film, C’etait un Rendez vous. Filmed in the early hours, in one take, it goes from the outskirts of Paris to Sacré-Coeur in a little over 8 minutes. Without stopping. For anything.
For anyone who knows Paris and knows it well, the bit where he exits Place de la Concorde, turning left on to Voie Georges Pompidou is particularly horrific. As is when he heads into the winding cobbled streets of Montmartre. It should be pointed out that the film is one continuous shot, filmed in real time – no special effects. What Lelouch did was crazy, reckless, and got him arrested when the film was first shown in public. Looks like fun though.
David Lynch is my hero. It would break my heart to find out that he didn’t really talk like he does in this introduction to his new interview based project, Interview Project.
This is the video for The Prodigy’s new single, Warrior’s Dance.
From now on I want all music videos to be as good as this.
If you’ve not got nasty little warrior men made out of cigarette packets setting fire to things, I don’t want to see it.
Genius short film, even if it is an advert.
See if you can guess what it’s advertising – amazingly it’s both blatant and quiet subtle – and then checkout similar subliminal works here at said product’s Short Film Festival.
Or alternatively see some of my other favourite short films by clicking the Short Film tag, in the tag cloud over on the right.
Can’t wait for the Gorillaz rock-u-mentary? No me either. Looking forward to it even more now that I’ve seen the trailer. Listen out for the line about Pink Floyd. Couldn’t agree more.
Just ordered my one-sheet poster for Gary Hustwit’s new film Objectified. It’s going in the kitchen next to the poster for Gary’s last film, Helvetica.
The film got its world premiere at SXSW in Austin last Saturday. The London screening is in April but it’s sold out. Which is a bugger because I was too slow and didn’t manage to get a ticket (Gary, if you’re reading this, please, I’d be very grateful). If you’ve now idea what I’m talking about, here’s the Objectified trailer.
If that looks liks something you might be interested in then check out the Helvetica trailer.
Gary is also on Twitter @gary_hustwit
I’ll stop now.
As regular visitors will know, I like short films. Often I prefer them to long films. They’re usually smarter. More entertaining. More original. Just better.
Click on the ‘Film’ tag in the tag cloud on the right for to find out more about my short film festish. My favourite is French short On S’Embrasse?, closely followed by BMW short Ticker starring Clive Owen and Don Cheadle. This one, The Black Hole, is pretty bloody good too.
Groove Armada’s new single is ground breaking. Not because it’s released as part of their deal with Baracardi instead of via a traditional record label, but because it’s really good.
Watch this video of The Veronicas, Untouched. Starts off Goth. Quickly turns ’80s synth-pop. Then the guitars come in and it’s Euro-Goth-Rock. After the first “I go ooo, ooo” of the verse though, you know it’s full-on, spangly electro-pop. Until the chorus, where it turns into Avril Lavigne. It’s also very, very annoying.
But I kinda like it. Or maybe I just like them.
Do feel free to share your thoughts.
“Pop music’s not gonna die/It just has no direction.” Bis, Action & Drama.
So true.
