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School for scandal
Posted 16th Mar 2008
Filed under: Film

I'm so excited to see St Trinians! Based on the work of reclusive cartoonist Ronald Searle, the upcoming film is the sixth in a series of Trinian movies that have been released since 1954. The plot revolves around the fictional St Trinians; an alternitive girl's school that's home to some of the most anarchic and uncontrolable young women in the U.K. Upon discovering that their school is facing closure at the hands of the banks and and the educational minister, the St Trinians girls (who operate in segregational cliques such as "Posh totty", "Chavs", "Emos", "Geeks" and "First years") use their vivacity, wit and light-fingers to get the school back on track. The cast list appears to have been sourced from one of Kate Moss's birthday parties or a booth at The Hawley Arms - with comedian Russell Brand, model Lily Cole and saucy pop group; Girls Aloud, clocking up time in home-room with Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Mischa Barton and impossibly hip newcomer; Gemma Arterton (who - fresh out of drama school - beat out Sienna Miller for the role of rebellious head girl, Kelly). St Trinians is due out here from March 27.
Take Me Back To '92
Posted 4th Mar 2008
Filed under: Fashion

There is something about the Olympic uniforms the Australian athletes wore in ‘92 that is timeless. Perhaps it’s the strange way it transforms every female into Colleen from Home and Away or maybe it’s the fawn socks with brown lace-ups that really put us at the fashion forefront. It’s hard to put your finger on, but still I’d rather step back to ’92 Back To The Future style than wear the newly released Olympic uniforms for Beijing 2008. Not only does it seem like they should be pointing to the nearest exits on a budget airline flight it’s just a little bit too boring. I’ll be the first to say green and gold tracksuits definitely don’t suit everyone, but you know the fashion department has gone more than a little wrong when you would prefer to wear unflattering waist high cargo shorts than the newly designed uniforms by Sportscraft.
In the Name of Art
Posted 11th Feb 2008
Filed under: Art

Andy Warhol has a famous name. Although it wasn't until I watched Factory Girl, that I became intrigued by the man who had painted Marilyn Monroe several times over in hyper-coloured boxes. For those who don't know me I am an obsessed Marilyn fan, so as cult-like as it is - I feel I have a duty to pay my utmost respects to Andy Warhol. After all, he did paint Marilyn in a whole new light. Anyway, I was driving past a bus stop the other morning and noticed Campbell's Soup tins on a poster. In an excited state I hastily pulled over and jumped out of my car to read the fine print of this poster. Yes - there was an Andy Warhol exhibition and no - it was not in Sydney! It is showing up in Brisbane at The Queensland Art Gallery - Gallery of Modern Art. I was quite distressed at this point. Muttering questions to myself like 'why would they advertise this in Sydney, when it's actually showing in Brisbane?'... blah blah. So after much diliberation I have resigned to the fact that due to insufficient funds and lack of time I am unable to go and admire the works of Andy Warhol. But I am hoping some of you have been, are going to or just may go to rub it in my face! Either way, I am seeking reviews. What I would give to see the 'marilyns'....

Do You Come With the Store? I'll Take Two!
Posted 7th Nov 2007
Filed under: Issues

Myer and David Jones try to construct themselves as diametrically opposed entities, despite (and let's be honest here), essentially providing the same kind of products and services as one another. Much like Labor and Liberal Parties do - and equally, it can be just as entertaining to watch.

These days, Myer and David Jones are most recognisable by their appointed queens - Jennifer Hawkins and Megan Gale. These are two strong Australian personalities who have managed to make their mark above and beyond the catwalk. Ironically, since representing these conflicting brands, it appears that  the relationship between these homegrown honeys is also less than sweet.

Gale has struck out at the media over its comparisons between herself and Hawkins. Apparently she does appreciate being compared with her younger, allegedly more sales-worthy counterpart. Hmm, could it possibly be that in the image-obsessed fashion industry younger trumps older? Yegads, what a revelation!

Gale has an impressive resume, is blessed with genes to humble the majority of humankind and is happily in a relationship with funnyman Andy Lee  - who would surely point out how absurd reacting to the media's evaluations is in light of what she has done, where she has been and who she is. As one of the most well-known faces in Australia and indeed, an international personality who is currently marketing her own products and representing David Jones - it demeans her to quibble with the press.

Besides, I wouldn't worry Megan, I'm sure the gossip rags will be having a go at Jen next. Haven't you seen how Hawko has been prostituting herself to every TV show, ad campaign, magazine cover and editorial shoot around?! I mean, if you aren't old, fat, too skinny or on drugs, there is always something negative for the media to find.

Home-Made Music Videos Are The New Black
Posted 7th Nov 2007
Filed under: Music

If you believe the press, Gabe Saporta - singer of New York dance-punk band Cobra Starship - was sent to earth with a mission: to teach hipsters to not take themselves so seriously and to tell emo kids to stop being pussies. Considering this ambitious task was unveiled to their audience in the first video from their debut album 'While The City Sleeps We Rule The Streets', and that Saporta and his bandmates spent most of the American summer on tour with labelmates Fall Out Boy, the heat was on to see if they could pull it off with the release of their second album '¡Viva La Cobra!'. And what better way to do it than by making the first video from that album a low budget masterpiece? Directed by their own keytar player Vicky-T, the always tongue-in-cheek band has hit new heights of cheekiness with their home-made video for 'Guilty Pleasure'.


 

Southbank by Southwest
Posted 10th Oct 2007
Filed under: Culture

 
With its raft of enthusiastic and unique performances, showcasing the finest array of antipodean actors and playwrights abroad, The Pacific Playhouse has found a pretty comfy niche in the local cultural ecology of late. It's no small thing really, to get on the London theatrical 'map'. Especially when you consider the home away from home for ex-pat Kiwi thespians is punching above its weight among the arts giants of London's Southbank - the Tate Modern, The Globe and Royal Festival Hall!

At the moment Shaky Isles -Britain's first New Zealand theatre company - have just wrapped their inaugural show, Eugenia, at the venue and their next - Kikia te Poa (Kick the Boer)- is on as we speak. Based around a New Zealander, an Australian and a South African  taking part in a rugby game at the end of the Boer War, it was - rather coincidentally - set to run as the All Blacks hurtled successfully through the Rugby World Cup in France.  Only thing is, the ABs lost in the weekend to the French...oops!

The play is still on though of course...
Warming Up in Cork
Posted 5th Sep 2007
Filed under: Diaries

This photo is Angus and I hanging out and playing piano and guitar in the long hours between sound check and performing in Cork, where things move much more slowly. Cypress Avenue above the Old Oak... we played late and ended up sound checking for  about ten hours. So long that we actually wrote a song called 'If the lemmings wanted me'- and another one which was drum and bass oriented called 'Give me the beat donkey skunk.' Our dad was with us through the tour in Ireland so he got out the guitar and jammed with us...which was lovely.
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