Friday 27 September 2013

FSF #6 - Acting Masterclass: Matthew McConaughey

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Last week, Film School Friday taught the living dead how to survive as zombies in an apocalyptic future... what do you mean that was a pointless lesson? You won't be saying that when some moron drops a test tube and infects the whole planet...you're welcome! This got me thinking though. Have you ever met someone who is just going through the motions? Even rich successful people can become complacent, coasting from day to day, taking the easy options. There was a time in the mid-noughties when Matthew McConaughey actually became a zombie, lurching from rom-com to rom-com like a lovesick Romero extra, devouring Kate Hudson's face at every opportunity...See what I did there?

McConaughey Kate HudsonThis week, I thought we could try something a bit different. Instead of one of our regular lessons, today we're going to take an acting masterclass from the King of the Comeback, Matthew McConaughey. The Texan star knows better than most what it's like to be at the bottom of the casting call sheet, but things are now looking up for McConaughey, with even talk of a potential Oscar nomination in the near future. And no, Most Frequently Topless is not an actual category. Anyway, if you want to follow McConaughey's example, then dust off the suntan lotion, grab a surfboard and grate some cheese on those abs as we help revive your dying career.

Friday 20 September 2013

Film School Friday Lesson #5 - How To Be The Best Zombie You Can Be

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warm bodies
If you ignored my advice last week and tried to attain immortality through the dubious means of becoming a zombie, then shame on you. Unless you're Nicholas Hoult, you just make it work somehow. However, if you are a zombie and your name isn't Hoult, then congratulations at least for taking the time out from eating brains to read our latest edition of Film School Friday. That's real commitment, especially considering how tough it is these days to be one of the walking dead.  The movies have given away most of the zombie weaknesses and every human left right and center has devised their own survival plan, so I figure it's time to level the playing field. Today's lesson is designed to help the zombies among us who are struggling in today's harsh apocalyptic society, so shuffle on over, check your face hasn't fallen off and read on to be the best zombie you can be.

Thursday 19 September 2013

Rush Review; Formula 1 Finally Got Interesting!


The critical success of the documentary Senna proved that audiences can enjoy films about motor racing, but with disappointments like The Dilemma and Angels and Demons still in recent memory, the real question is; can Ron Howard still make a good movie?

Sunday 15 September 2013

Insidious 2: My Favourite Horror Sequel of All Time


After the surprise success of The Conjuring this summer, horror fans worldwide have been clamoring to see the latest release from James Wan. However, the first Insidious divided fans and critics alike with a tonal shift midway that some found to be too absurd.  Furthermore, the sequel has been receiving mixed reviews, so I was worried that  Insidious 2: Chapter 2 would fall victim to the inevitable drop in quality that all horror franchises suffer. Could Wan's latest ever hope to match the scares of the first film?


Britney Spears Work Bitch - It's Finally Here!


After weeks of speculation surrounding a mysterious social media countdown, Britney's big announcement was leaked a day early and yep, you guessed it. New single alert. Work Bitch is the lead track from Britney's eighth studio album and it's a scorcher. With writing credits from Will.I.Am and Swedish House Mafia's Sebastian Ingrosso, the song was always going to be a dance floor filler but does it match up to the huge expectations of Britney's ginormous fanbase? Click below to find out.


Friday 13 September 2013

Film School Friday Lesson #4 - How To Live Forever

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Hello again faithful pupils. Last week, we learnt how to become one of the popular kids at school. If you're still reading this feature instead of nursing a kegger hangover, then things probably didn't work out like you hoped. Never mind. Today's lesson will give you another shot at getting things right. And another... And another... And another...

Lesson #4 - How To Live Forever

To anyone who says that immortality would get boring or that it'd be sad to see loved ones grow old around them, I say shut the hell up! Who are you trying to kid? No one wants to get wrinkly and live on a mobility scooter when they could stay young and go to high school forever! Think of all the films you'd miss it if you snuffed it. Transformers 12Scary Movie 17, Pirates 42...Wait wait, come back!

Friday 6 September 2013

North Sea Texas (2011) A Flemish Coming Of Age Drama


Over at www.myfilmviews.com, a new event has begun, titled the 5 Obstructions Blogathon. Each month a challenge is set which is designed to test writers in ways they may not have encountered before. In June, I completed obstruction 1 by writing a negative review for a film I love; Avengers Assemble. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to complete Obstruction 2 but I did successfully write Obstruction 3, a jigsaw review for The Conjuring which you can read here. Next up, Obstruction 4.



At first, I figured that this challenge would be pretty easy to complete but the trick here is to keep the review interesting throughout the entire 1250 word length. Today I'm going to review North Sea Texas, a Flemish coming of age drama which is close to my heart. Click below to read my views on the film and to read more about the blogathon, click here.

Film School Friday Lesson #3 - How To Be One Of The Popular Kids

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Last week, Film School Friday taught us all how to become a successful super 
supreme leader... Great job on that death ray! But if you haven't achieved global domination yet, then what gives? Do you blame your parents? Maybe you had a rough time at school. If so, then it's too late for you oldies but if you're young and aspiring towards evil, then today's lesson is just for you. Following this weeks advice will not only improve your self esteem, but could also result in you developing some kind of eating disorder.

Sunday 1 September 2013

Youtube Faceoff - Nsync's Bye Bye Bye


Live Lounge is great and all but what I love most is searching through Youtube to find the best cover versions of my favourite songs by unsigned or small-time artists. If you put the time in, you'll find so many different and innovative interpretations of the biggest hits right now... but who has the time for that I hear you say? Have no fear for that's what our Youtube Faceoff is all about. Previous posts have looked at artists as diverse as PsyMiguel and Katy Perry. Today it's Nsync's turn!