Film Comparisons

Clueless always puts a smile on my face. It’s probably my favourite film ever although it’s not trendy for me to say so. How could you not fall in love with Cher? How could you not be charmed by all the pop culture references or witty one liners? 

The plot is basically Jane Austen’s Emma but has anyone noticed the similarities between White Chicks and Some Like it Hot? I know film buffs everywhere are probably slapping themselves wishing they were hitting me but watch them both again- I bet you see it.



Watch from 0.32 sec for the most funny moment in the film. It's probably the only funny moment in the film but it's worth it.

The Some Like It Hot ending gets me every time. Every......Single.......Time
Watch here

Hackney Weekend

So I didn't get tickets to the Hackney Weekend (boooooo) here are the confirmed acts I was looking forward to seeing the most.

Jack White is BACK!


The Maccabees



And of course Dbanj

TUMBLR

Just like Developed Society I've created a tumblr account which will be crammed with short stories and photos. I'll still be updating this blog. 

SandySaysSmile.tumblr.com 

Azealia Banks and Iggy Azalea

Recently Azealia Banks spoke out against Iggy Azalea making the XXL Freshman cover because of a line on Iggy's track D.R.U.G.S-"I'm a runaway slave.... master".


(see 0.04 sec)

I like both artists and although Banks' comments come off as sour grapes she raised some legitimate questions about that lyric. It made me feel a little uncomfortable too and just chalking it up to a bit of wordplay (apparently she was quoting Kendrick Lamar) is dismissive. It could still be seen as displaying a lack of sensitivity and respect for African American culture and history. As a fan I was looking forward to her response to the criticism however T.I wading in to defend her (she is signed to T.I's Grand Hustle records with Chipmunk)





left me less than impressed.
Neither of them addressed Azealia's actual point and just ran the same old "haterade, watch your money, not me" routine (rolls eyes). I was also disappointed with Iggy's lacklustre response. I know she's probably just trying to be the better, more mature person but I can't imagine Lil Kim being publicly called out and taking it lightly. Maybe I'm being unfair by comparing her to another artist, who knows? And why does there always have to be competition and drama between females in the hip hop anyway?  Then again there's probably just as much drama between males too (here).

Here's Reema Major just because I think everyone should be talking about her.


* Update
Iggy Azalea released an open letter a couple of days ago apologising for any offence the lyrics may have caused.

My Music

Recently I was asked about my musical tastes and I realised I didn’t know what to say. I hate it when people claim to be really eclectic but ask them about Country or Heavy Metal and their faces screw up into a ball of disgust. You also get the folks who pretend to like Rock because they think it makes them look really edgy and alternative. I’ll just say I love pop. I grew up listening to Hi-Life, cheesy 80s power ballads, Madonna, Abba and New Edition (Thanks Mum). But my first love is for late 90s RnB particularly the sound characterised by Timbaland and Missy Elliot

I love this too

But I also like this

And this used to scare the shit out of me

But my favourite song as a child was this. Seriously I was obsessed.

Now I model my style on this

And I just want to shout out Heart 106 FM for giving me my weekly fix of club classics.

It's Ghana Independence Day

Ghana 55^th Independence Day.

After reading Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism By Kwame Nkrumah, 1965 I think we’ve still got a long way to go but I'm optimistic. Happy Birthday Ghana.

Chronicle- Film Review

I really enjoyed watching Chronicle. The film follows three high school boys who suddenly acquire telekinetic powers and the mischief they get up to. The chemistry between the leads really works and allows for some sweet/funny moments. Don't expect the special effects to be on a par with X-Men:First Class but in many ways they are better. The simple, rough around the edges approach brings the action closer to home. I almost felt like I could move stuff with my mind too (haha).

The darker second half of the film isn't as strong but it provides a brilliant scene with a spider (no spoilers).

It's not all good though I hated the found footage angle they took. It's been done by films like The Blair Witch project, Cloverfield and Paranormal Activity but it didn't always work here. Some moments felt forced and the opening scene made me feel like throwing up-that's how shaky the camera was.


The film was directed by Josh Trank who at 28 is youngest director to top the U.K box office. Max Landis, son of director John Landis, is 26 and has already written over fifty screen plays. The strongest aspect of this film was the story and I'm excited to see what he's going to pen next. Chronicle was on the 2008 Black List. If you're a screen writer and you don't know what The Black List is here's the link.

Michael B Jordan quite possibly has one of the cutest smiles in Hollywood (swoons).

Game of Thrones series 2 Trailer

Winter is coming

Fashion Snobs- Rant Alert

It's London Fashion Week so I have the perfect excuse to rant about something that's been irritating me for a while-Fashion Snobs. You've seen them around. They are the girls (and occasionally boys) who constantly refer to others as ghetto/basic/cheap for wearing the same crap as them. Wait, I forgot they're OK because they've studied a fashion related course or made coffee at a "star-studded" event.

It really saddens me that just because some of you have wiped a models arse you feel the need to put other people down. You reinforce beauty standards you don't fulfil yourself- lets face it the girls in Vogue don't look like you. I knew someone who was so insecure she was offended by another girl wearing the same creepers as her. They had both bought them from the same high street store despite the fact my acquaintance had told us they were vintage. Just because the other girl looked better she was "trying too hard"

Clothes and Fashion should be fun. Not something you use to beat people around the head with. I don't know much about the industry but there's a darker side it. It's not just female insecurities that are exploited but models too. Watch Picture Me a doc made by Sara Ziff if you don't believe me.

To quote Cady from Mean Girls "Calling someone fat won't make you thinner"

It's cheesy but true.

Disclaimer: If this post is about you we've already had a conversation about it so please don't get all paranoid

Blur

Blur performed at the Brit Awards 2012 and reminded me just how much I used to hate Brit Pop. 1995 was the year, Brit Pop was at its height and all I wanted to do was watch Mary J Blige on Top Of The Pops with my cool older sister but instead got non-stop Blur and/or Oasis. I know guys, it's hard to believe RnB wasn't always as mainstream as it is now but if you wanted to see Keith Sweat on TV and you didn't have cable, you'd have to wait until Flava came on Channel Four in the middle of the night in 1999!

At secondary school I started to appreciate indie music I loved this solo single from Graham Coxon

And just because I like to be different I'm not going to post Song 2. I still can't believe the Coffee and TV video makes me cry over a milk carton!

BAFTAs

If you weren't one of the five million viewers who tuned into the show on BBC1 you can find out who the winners were here.

I'm slightly disappointed Rise of the Planet Of the Apes didn't walk away with the Special Visual Effects award. Here's why

I knew the stylish kinda action film Drive probably wasn't going to win Best Film. But it deserves something for the opening credits alone (please see below). I love that L.A doesn't look glossy but instead looks dry and flat. Ryan Gosling did really well staying ultra cool while portraying a character with very little dialogue, a shiny scorpion bomber jacket, toothpick and a smile. It's Miami Vice for hipsters. Only thing I didn't get was why Carey Mulligan was cast in it. Her and Ryan Gosling did have chemistry though so...

Film Shorts

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo.

This Oscar nominated short looks great and almost brought a tear to my eye. It was written and directed by William Joyce. Can I have a flying book too please?



Initially I wasn't quite sure what to think of Top Girl, directed by Rebecca Johnson. But I think it's a nice coming of age tale with a good female friendship at its heart.

Thandie Newton Cast In Half Of A Yellow Sun

Recently a petition was set up following the announcement Thandie Newton has been cast in the film Half of a Yellow Sun based on a book written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I wasn't going to comment on the story but changed my mind after reading the commentary so far.

I have noticed the tendency for people who haven't read the book to frame this argument through a light skin/dark skin, mixed race/black lens and I think that's a little too simplistic.

My issue isn't that Thandie isn't Igbo she just doesn't physically resemble either of the main female characters. Olanna is beautiful, soft and curvy (I really hate that word but hey) whereas her twin sister Kainene is enigmatic, tall, slim and hard faced. The sisters physically look very different. It's important to the plot, tells us a lot about their character and the stormy relationship they have with each other. I'm also very alarmed at the online rumours she's set to play both sisters. Unless they are going to use CGI trickery I certainly hope not.

When explaining this to others I was struck by the barrage of comments about "Black people not sticking together" "Why are black women always divisive and angry" from folks who haven't actually read the book.

I feel the same as I did when Anne Hathaway was cast as Emma Morley from One Day based on a book by David Nicholls. Just like Thandie she is a competent actress who was woefully miscast.

Others claim Thandie is right for the role because she is a Hollywood actress who has box office draw. I disagree. The book was very successful and Chiwetel Ejiofor (who has also been cast) is just as Hollywood.

This was also an opportunity to showcase a more suitable black actress in light of the lack of good roles. Instead the mainstream got lazy. I'm not surprised Thandie was cast. It was always going to be her, Zoe Saldana, Paula Patton or maybe even Angelina Jolie (that was a joke). They're the only ones who seem to be getting any work these days.

P.S Read the book and can I just express my shock that The Help is the first main role Viola Davis has had. That is all.