09 Tuesday Oct 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
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I’ve taken my world of blogging in a new direction.
I needed a fresh start and I have started it here.
http://lpcreates.wordpress.com
Please take a look, I have copied over posts from this blog but there’s so much more to discover at LP Creates.
Thank you.
29 Friday Jun 2012
‘The Five year engagement’, a typical Rom-Com, created by the producers of ‘Bridesmaids’. I don’t know about you, but when I hear that a film’s creators have also dabbled in another film I love, I always fear that their new creation will be far worse and will not live up to the original. In fact, in this case I was proved wrong, thankfully. ‘The Five Year Engagement’ is a hilarious new film, set to warm your hearts during this wet summer we seem to be having and to make you laugh out loud throughout.
In case you haven’t already guessed ‘The Five Year Engagement’ is about, well the title explains it all really. The film follows the lives of Tom (Jason Segel) & Violet (Emily Blunt) who go through one disaster after another, further delaying their wedding.
Alongside the main characters, are the other couple, Alex (Chris Pratt) & Suzie (Alison Brie). The mad crazy couple, who get together at Tom & Violet’s engagement party and soon marry. They bring most of the humour into the film in their own unconventional ways. They symbolise what Tom & Violet could have been if they had got married straight away.
The film is your typical Rom-Com and is very predictable, you can mostly guess what’s going to happen after the first five minutes, yet it is enjoyable and will not fail to put a smile on your face. There is a part in the middle of the film that drags slightly, where you want to characters to move onto the next stage of their relationship sooner rather than later, but once over this dip, you’ll be back laughing again.
Have a laugh at the trailer
uploaded to youtube by TrailersAnyClip
21 Thursday Jun 2012
Tags
Comedy, fast girls, film, Leorna Crichlow, noel clarke, olympics, romance, summer
With the Olympics so near, a film with an Olympic theme was bound to hit the big screens. In ‘Fast Girls’ however, the big competition is known as the ‘world championship’, possibly trying to disguise the link? Noel Clarke, star of Kidulthood and Adulthood, who also stars in ‘Fast Girls’ as coach Tommy, wrote the film. It tells the story of smart street runner Shania (Lenora Crichlow), whose attempts to succeed in the 200 metres race and is a story of pure emotion and pride.
Along the way there’s some troubles for Shania, whether it’s being kicked out of her home or her bitchy rivalness with fellow runner Lisa. The relationship between the two girls is key, each depicting different backgrounds, Lisa who has been given everything she wanted in life, whilst Shania attempts to train with the man who owns the local corner shop.
There’s also some comedy and romance moments in the film, to brighten it up and at the end are nail biting scenes, where we wonder if all the hard work and decisions will be successful in the final race.
Of course I’m not going to spoil the ending for you so you’ve got to go and see the film! ‘Fast Girls’ is highly recommended as the film to watch this summer in my opinion, so if you get the chance to see it, take it. It may just inspire you.
Go on, take a look at the trailer at least!
16 Wednesday May 2012
Tags
bbc1, blue, children, digital, Opinion, peter, programmes, switchover
Rumours have been going around the internet today that the BBC are soon to axe the popular long running programme ‘Blue Peter‘ from BBC1.
The famous Blue Peter badge
Following the completion of the digital switchover, later this year, it is said that the BBC are planning to move all children’s programmes from BBC1 & BBC2 onto their digital channels CBBC and Cbeebies. Of course this isn’t going to make a difference to children’s lives as all they will have to do is switchover onto another channel when they get home from school. As the BBC are not planning to put this plan into action until everyone has full access to the digital network, there really seems no problem with what they are doing.
However if you’re like me, you may find it sad that after more than 60 years at it’s home on BBC1, Blue Peter will be moved to it’s digital cousin. In my view Blue Peter belongs on BBC1. Other children’s programmes come and go but Blue Peter has proven it can stand the test of time. It is a programme our parents have grown up with and even in some cases our grandparents. It seems like an insult that Blue Peter will be taken from a prime time channel.
The BBC claim that the move is in order of a budget cut (isn’t everything nowadays?) They will be moving children’s programmes as part of wide-ranging plans to cut hundreds of millions of pounds from its budget by 2017 and so to rejig its output for the post-analogue broadcasting era.
All I hope is that Blue Peter continues it’s reign and doesn’t fall into an un-watched rut after it’s move. Long may the show reign!
Here is a video of a famous moment on Blue Peter, thanks to youtube user ‘campfreddie’
28 Saturday Apr 2012
When I started to listen to this song, I thought that it was going to be yet another unknown female artist, turning a great song into a slow lonely ballad. But no, actually I was quite surprised.
Catlin Rose’s performance of Alex Turner’s “Piledriver Waltz”, is unusual yet pleasant to listen to. The original, from the film “Submarine” soundtrack, is already a balled, yet Catlin Rose doesn’t ruin it by slowing it down any further, although in the first verse it appears to, but not by too much.
Catlin Rose, if you haven’t heard of her before, is a country singer from Nashville, Tennessee, (aren’t they are all) and her country style influence brings a new feel to the song. The twangy guitars and country style vocals add more depth to the original, taking away the almost spooky tone with Alex Turner’s smooth Sheffield accented voice, and adds a sense of fun to the song, which is reflected in the video where Caitlin appears to be dressed up as a country clown.
The song definitely works in Caitlin Rose’s unique country style, she has made it her own, with slight vocal changes that compliment her voice so well.
Never did I think that I would hear a song by rock indie legend Alex Turner be made into a country ballad, yes it’s not as country as Dolly Parton or any other classic country star, but it’s enough, any more would have ruined it. Caitlin Rose has created a great version of the “Piledriver Waltz”.
Take a look a the video and see what you think
22 Sunday Apr 2012
The Day Simon Officially Became a Very Good and Totally Employable Actor
Happy Family? Photograph comes from BBC
To see Simon Amstell back on my screen again was a delight. I must admit that I have been a fan since his days hosting the popular Channel 4 show ‘Popworld’. Also who would forget his time on ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’? Especially the controversial episode when Preston walked off set and never came back. Simon is well known for his taking the mick of celebrities, often taking the mick too far over the line, however in Grandma’s house we see a different side as there are no Z-list celebrities around for him to pounce on.
The first series was kind of a success, when I say ‘kind of’, I mean it in the sense that it wasn’t the most ever popular comedy series however it was obviously good enough to come back for a second go.
The first episode of the series starts in a surprising way. We see Simon in bed with Mark, a 16 year old boy we find out later. Although the fact that Simon is gay is well known this is the first time that it has really been portrayed in the show and this to me signaled straight away that series 2 is a step up from series 1.
The narrative of this episode includes the family coping in their own ways from the death of Simon’s grandfather and the awkwardness of Mark hanging around after his night with Simon. Two subjects which are relatable to but are twisted around with humourable aspects. The show contains several laugh out loud moments, where we see Simon’s sarcastic humour come out as seen previously from his days interviewing Z-list celebrities, something that was frequently missed in the first series.
Hopefully the series will continue in this way and will get the recognition it deserves. ‘Grandma’s’ House is a new take on the family sitcom and is definitely a winner.
13 Friday Apr 2012
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Up and coming new band Swim Deep are already rocking the airwaves with their debut single “King City”, which will be released on May 14th. They have already featured in NME and have been chosen as Radio 1′s ‘next hype’ by DJ Zane Lowe.
The band comprises of Austin, Higgy, Zach & newly added bassist, Cavan.
Lead singer Austin Williams describes the Birmingham based band as “I guess we’re just like a pop band if you will”, and it is him who I have had a quick chat with today.
So Austin I hear you wrote the song, how did you go about doing this?
Well I kind of just write the hook of the song and then I’ll bring it to like the band practice and then everyone just fills it out and adds the main parts.
What is the song about?
I guess it’s about escapism and getting out of what you do if you want to do something better. Yer its just about escapism really, like being stuck in the rain and stuff not being very good, so its about escaping all that, all the bad things.
What were your influences for the song?
There’s no real influence that I can hear in it, but I listen to all kinds of music and it all kind of gets filtered and just comes out . The influence really, is just us, so when we jam that’s what kind of influences the song to become what it is.
Who came up with the idea for your video?
Well we thought of what we could do and we didn’t really have much of a budget at the time. We didn’t really have any money but our manager knew some people that made videos so they came up with a storyboard of us just in Birmingham.
It was always going to be in Birmingham, I think cos we’re a Birmingham band so it just all came together. It was quite random. They asked us what we wanted to do so we just did what we kind of do on a normal day anyway. So we just went out and had a skate and had a drink and stuff! So it was all kind of natural, but I’m sure that the videos in the future will be a lot more imaginative.
So you’re planning to release more songs in the future then?
Yes of course. We’ve got loads of songs. We’re just taking it one step at a time but we’ve just got to see where this one takes us, so expect a lot more music!
Check out ‘King City’ below!
09 Monday Apr 2012
Tags
alan davies, dave spikey, jason manford, jimmy carr, jon richardson, royal albert hall, stewart francis, teenage cancer trust, tim minchin
Jason Manford - compere for the evening
02/04/2012
Award winning comedian Jason Manford helped to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust by hosting a spectacular array of comedy at the Royal Albert Hall. Acting as a compere, but also adding in gems of his own stand up material he set the night off on the right foot.
Jason introduced the first act of the night (if you don’t count him of course), Dave Spikey, a not so young comedian who is not the most popular choice. However with his quick one-liners he soon had the audience laughing away, a highlight of which was pointing out the errors of certain song lyrics.
On stage next was Jon Richardson, again not a massive name yet in the comedy world, but you may recognize him as one of the captains on 8 out of 10 cats (ironically taking over from Jason Manford). He did well again, keeping the audience engaged.
The final act of the first half was Stewart Francis. A Canadian comedian who has had regular appearances on Mock the Week. His comparisons between England & Canada made the audience howl with laughter.
After the interval, compere Jason Manford brought on Jimmy Carr, the supposed highlight of the evening, but he was in fact a disappointment. He was not up to his usual standard, resorting to more rudeness than usual, to make his jokes. One of which he told an 11 year old boy in the front row to ask his Mum to explain what he had just said.
Alan Davies who followed, brought back the cheery atmosphere however, with his wise-cracks. Regularly seen on QI he is not regularly thought of on stage, but he proved he was up to the job.
To finish the show the audience was introduced to Tim Minchin, a man of musical talent as well as comedic. He ended the night perfectly, singing four songs including favourites such as “Confessions” and “Rock and Roll nerd”.
The show ended with all the comedians coming on stage to dance along to Minchin’s final song, “Prejudice”. A great ending to a great night.
Photo © Lucy Pullen
05 Thursday Apr 2012
Tags
paul mccartney, paul weller, roger daltrey, ronnie wood, royal albert hall, teenage cancer trust
Whoops and cheers filled the Royal Albert Hall as Paul McCartney made his way on stage. Standing on stage for the second night of Teenage Cancer Trust’s seven nights at the Royal Albert Hall, the Beatles legend ploughed into his first song, ‘Magical Mystery Tour’.
Paul Weller, Ronnie Wood & Roger Daltrey join Paul McCartney & his band on stage
Paul McCartney, or should I say Sir Paul McCartney, is truly a legend in his own right. Not only was he in one of the biggest British bands in history but he’s done pretty well on his own too, and that was definitely evident at this show. Playing through Beatles classics, highlights including ‘Hey Jude’ with the sing-a-long “nah nah nah nahs” and ‘Let it Be’ complete with the audience waving their free torches, given out by Teenage Cancer Trust volunteers before the gig started. Paul McCartney also played selections from his own work such as ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Maybe I’m amazed’.
Every song he played, whether on guitar at the front of the stage or on piano behind his accompanying band, was truly amazing and each received great cheers and applause. But no song was as poignant as ‘Dance Tonight’ of which he dedicated to his late fellow Beatles front man John Lennon, of which he said, “I know John would love to be here to dance tonight”.
Paul ended the show in way only he could. Consisting of two encores in which the first included an incredible rendition of ‘Get Back’ accompanied by none other than, ‘The Who’ front man, Roger Daltrey, ‘The Jam’ front man, Paul Weller and ‘Rolling Stones’, Ronnie Wood. The second encore included a somewhat somber ‘Yesterday’ where the spotlight was on Paul McCartney as he played the song acoustically.
The show was the forth night of Paul’s ‘On the run’ tour, which continues throughout April in South Africa.
Photo © Lucy Pullen
22 Wednesday Feb 2012
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If you didn’t see the Brit Awards last night then surely you’ve heard about Adele.
Adele shows ITV producers what she thinks
The winner of two Brit awards was cut short during her second speech of the night, so that ITV producers didn’t run over the alloted time for the show. James Corden was rudely forced to interrupt Adele’s emotional goodbye to her fans. In response to this she stuck up her middle finger to the camera and I can’t blame her for doing so.Adele is one of the most popular women in music at this moment in time and was obviously about to start on a very emotional speech, “I’ll see you next time around”, she started to say. Adele is taking time away from her music career in order to concentrate on her family life and obviously saw this as an oppurtunity to pay tribute to her fans and everyone who has made her career the success it is today.
Although Adele has now apologised for her hand gesture, she had much support from the celebrity twitter world last night, with popstar Lily Allen posting: “I’d rather hear adeles acceptance speech” and comedian Russell Kane posting “Can’t believe Adele’s speech got cut off – just as she was ‘being proud to be British’”.
The solo singer lead the awards for the women in music by winning herself two of the Brits she was nominated for. Best British Female Solo Artist and the highly aclaimed Best British album award.
ITV have apologised via twitter for what many people deem as a huge mistake: “The Brits is a live event, sadly the programme was over-running and we had to move on. We would like to apologise to Adele for the interruption.”
Picture taken from PA images
