"Don't give up on Polanski"
Carnage
Dir – Roman Polanksi
Starring – John C Reilly, Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz
At some point or other in every life, you find yourself trapped in a terrible, awkward or boring situation, as you’re too polite to leave. It’s natural. Someone’s boring aunt, or at a bad party: if you’re unlucky enough on a long flight to have a verbose neighbour my heart goes out to you. But there is no way – No WAY - that it would take me 80 minutes to leave such a situation. Yet I, and everyone in the cinema, was forced to endure this farce. And pay to do so.
You see this is one of those films when everyone’s stuck in a room together, and the prolonged exposure leads gradually and subtly to tension and aggression, finally over the limit into something drastic and rash. Pushing people to psychological breaking points does make for good cinema, and it has been done well – The Shining, Lakeview Terrace or Changing Lanes works better as an example. But this film never quite makes it to that level of madness that we, as savage spectators, really want to see. The recurring theme in the other films I’ve mentioned, however, is attempted homicide, but by the end of this film you’ll be wishing the characters would just get on with it and at least strangle each other, not just throw up and drink grumpily. Let me summarise before I go on, lest I fail to draw a conclusion. This is not a good film. And that breaks my heart, because I never want Polanski to stop being good (as a director, not a person – never forget that he pleaded guilty for kiddy fiddling), but it just isn’t. It starts so promisingly, with subtle hints at oafish rage (in the reliably hilarious John C Reilly) and dark undertones of sadistic genius (Christoph Waltz, who reminds you of just how damn evil he can be) pointing to the carefully planned character arcs that will lead to the titular ‘Carnage’ we’re all waiting for. But it never comes, and the whole thing deflates bitterly. It’s depressing watching such a talented pair as Jodie and Kate being so boring, but there is no enjoyment to be drawn from watching a film that manages effortlessly to be tedious and unbearable at the same time.
Don’t give up on Polanksi, or the cast. And I’m sure that the Yasmina Reza play which this is based on is terrific, but the translation is flawed at best. The film, funny in parts and occasionally promising, disappoints.
I’m just going to stick this on at the end. Take the 10 pounds you’ve saved by not seeing carnage, get on amazon and buy a copy of the Norwegian monster movie Troll Hunter. Would that Hollywood could make such funny, scary and completely engrossing movies reliably.
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"It’s one of the most distinctive and worthy films I’ve seen recently" - H. Johnston-Stewart
Hunger, Steve McQueen’s directorial debut, was a challenging film to watch. It was made with great skill and incredible confidence in a first time director (of anything, not even a short to his name) and it launched his career and the career of his leading man, Michael Fassbender. 3 years later the two were reunited, far from the shackles of a Northern Irish prison, in the glossy, hollow New York apartment of a sex addict. I can’t quite follow the logical succession, but that’s off piste.
"Don't give up on Polanski"
Carnage
Dir – Roman Polanksi
Starring – John C Reilly, Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz
At some point or other in every life, you find yourself trapped in a terrible, awkward or boring situation, as you’re too polite to leave. It’s natural. Someone’s boring aunt, or at a bad party: if you’re unlucky enough on a long flight to have a verbose neighbour my heart goes out to you. But there is no way – No WAY - that it would take me 80 minutes to leave such a situation. Yet I, and everyone in the cinema, was forced to endure this farce. And pay to do so.
You see this is one of those films when everyone’s stuck in a room together, and the prolonged exposure leads gradually and subtly to tension and aggression, finally over the limit into something drastic and rash. Pushing people to psychological breaking points does make for good cinema, and it has been done well – The Shining, Lakeview Terrace or Changing Lanes works better as an example. But this film never quite makes it to that level of madness that we, as savage spectators, really want to see. The recurring theme in the other films I’ve mentioned, however, is attempted homicide, but by the end of this film you’ll be wishing the characters would just get on with it and at least strangle each other, not just throw up and drink grumpily. Let me summarise before I go on, lest I fail to draw a conclusion. This is not a good film. And that breaks my heart, because I never want Polanski to stop being good (as a director, not a person – never forget that he pleaded guilty for kiddy fiddling), but it just isn’t. It starts so promisingly, with subtle hints at oafish rage (in the reliably hilarious John C Reilly) and dark undertones of sadistic genius (Christoph Waltz, who reminds you of just how damn evil he can be) pointing to the carefully planned character arcs that will lead to the titular ‘Carnage’ we’re all waiting for. But it never comes, and the whole thing deflates bitterly. It’s depressing watching such a talented pair as Jodie and Kate being so boring, but there is no enjoyment to be drawn from watching a film that manages effortlessly to be tedious and unbearable at the same time.
Don’t give up on Polanksi, or the cast. And I’m sure that the Yasmina Reza play which this is based on is terrific, but the translation is flawed at best. The film, funny in parts and occasionally promising, disappoints.
I’m just going to stick this on at the end. Take the 10 pounds you’ve saved by not seeing carnage, get on amazon and buy a copy of the Norwegian monster movie Troll Hunter. Would that Hollywood could make such funny, scary and completely engrossing movies reliably.
Shame takes a very direct, visual approach to its subject matter. With no qualms about nudity, dignity or casting Irish and English actors in his American leads, McQueen calmly displays the downward spiral of a high functioning addict with disturbing results. Michael Fassbender gives a very physical and characteristically consistent performance as Brandon Sullivan, a role spent watching porn, having aggressive sex with prostitutes or trying to hide the sordid details of his private life from his friends and colleagues. His downwards spiral is contrasted by the attempts for reconciliation made by his sister Sissy, played by a vibrant while bitter Carey Mulligan, who is managing her takeover of Hollywood with frightening efficiency (those who have seen drive will know what I mean). Like all addict films, (Requiem, Trainspotting, Scarface) any vestiges of a conventional plot is constituted by the main character hurtling towards rock bottom, with no hope of redemption until he reaches it. But, without wishing to spoil anything, Shame manages to subvert this custom with a thinly veiled but visually distressing plot twist which takes what was already a painful experience of a film and makes it excruciating.
Shame is a film which supplies no hope of its own for the viewer. Thanks to the Inception-esque ambiguity of the ending, the outcome of the film is up to you. Redemption not included, as it were. Having been turned away from a concert minutes before seeing this film, I went into it fraught with cynicism and misanthropy, and that’s exactly what I got out of it. Go in with the best of intentions and perhaps you can have some of your faith in humanity restored. Or at least preserved.
Shame is not a fun film to watch, nor is it uplifting for its sorrows. This may seem like a negative review, but it’s not. Far from it, it’s one of the most distinctive and worthy films I’ve seen recently. Just don’t go with your parents. Or Children. P.S. On a final note, what Clooney said at the Golden Globes about Fassbender being able to ‘play golf with hands behind his back with that thing’ is entirely true. No homo.
H. Johnston-Stewart
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Colour explosion! I felt "Like a kid in a candy store" seeing his work!
I find it funny that recently people have moved away from wanting things to be completely unique to them. I recall a time in fashion when one would buy something, take it home and start stitching things onto the garment, painting onto it or simply cutting it to make sure no one had the exact same thing. What happened to that? It still goes on, yes but only in certain parts of London - namely, Brick Lane and Camden (the most obvious choices).
Asian Persuasion - Asian Scroll-inspired sneakers with a matching box!
I remember my visit to Hong Kong and seeing all of the beautifully put together and yet beautifully unique outfits of girls, boys, men and women of the city - irrespective of the region they hailed from. I think about the city of Tokyo and the Harajuku and Ganguro trends and how despite them being a trend, all who go by it are completely unique. Why are we living in a city where uniforms range from Topman suits in the CITY (we'll get to that another day), Hollister on virtually every teenage boy and Uggs on girls everywhere?! Where is that sense of London's individuality?!
I'll tell you where it is.
Theon Marcel is not just another guy who can customise sneakers or design and print t-shirts. He is an artist and his art is based completely on being unique. Looking at his work, I was like a kid in a candy store (not to mention that his work, with colours exploding everywhere quite resembled a candy store!) Influenced by comic art and, as I joked, "all things fun in life" Theon Marcel's work is truly exceptional! Working on materials from canvas right the way through to suede means that there is nothing that Mr. Marcel cannot work on! More so, being inspired by each person's individuality, Theon works to make sure that nothing is ever the same in his work - sometimes going so far as to paint a continuous comic strip over a few pairs of shoes! (Stand in a line and see what happens to your hero!)
I recall meeting with Theon and commenting on the spectator shoes he was wearing as you see so few of them now. He smiled at me, shook his head and said "I painted them." I was astounded! The sheer attention to detail down to the point that he painted them to look as though they were old and weatherbeaten like true vintage shoes was amazing! I honestly thought they were leather! There began my love for his work and I must say that since that day, two years ago he has never failed to impress!
I'll tell you where it is.
Theon Marcel is not just another guy who can customise sneakers or design and print t-shirts. He is an artist and his art is based completely on being unique. Looking at his work, I was like a kid in a candy store (not to mention that his work, with colours exploding everywhere quite resembled a candy store!) Influenced by comic art and, as I joked, "all things fun in life" Theon Marcel's work is truly exceptional! Working on materials from canvas right the way through to suede means that there is nothing that Mr. Marcel cannot work on! More so, being inspired by each person's individuality, Theon works to make sure that nothing is ever the same in his work - sometimes going so far as to paint a continuous comic strip over a few pairs of shoes! (Stand in a line and see what happens to your hero!)
I recall meeting with Theon and commenting on the spectator shoes he was wearing as you see so few of them now. He smiled at me, shook his head and said "I painted them." I was astounded! The sheer attention to detail down to the point that he painted them to look as though they were old and weatherbeaten like true vintage shoes was amazing! I honestly thought they were leather! There began my love for his work and I must say that since that day, two years ago he has never failed to impress!
Reminded of Kanye, anyone?
If you would like to get your hands on Mr. Marcel's work, you can e-mail him on theonphokeerdoss@gmail.com and for my readers in the states, worry thee not because Theon does shipping at little extra cost. Let's bring back individuality and let's do it in style!
Ciao Belissimi!
Ciao Belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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"Patrick's taking London by storm! About time a beautiful person did!" - Mr. Darkwah
The Universal Player, model turned mogul,Patrick Ribbsaeter
Many of you know him as the Universal Player or more commonly "the hot Amazonian guy" when you google Swedish male model but what you don't know is that Patrick Ribbsaeter is making quite the name for himself on the London scene. (Gosh, saying "scene" makes me seem even older than I am!) If you've read my previous posts, you'll recognise his name from the Orgazma launch night. Yes, Orgazma is one of his many business ventures and quite aptly named as, ladies, you're in for a treat meeting him.
You'll remember that the night was successful and I remarked that Patrick was the warmest host! Well, here's another thing you don't know. Patrick's company, Maximize Promotions, will be hosting a birthday party for the feisty third of Diddy Dirty Money - Kalenna. The event will not only be hosted by his company but held in a venue that he has recently acquired - The Queensberry (Q Club), South Kensington. I have no doubt that the night will be a success! Think about it, a gorgeous host, beautiful people (not to mention a star-studded venue), drinks flowing, Orgazmas going and oh yes, an exclusive live performance from Kalenna herself! Who could want more?
I'm not going to go into a 'glossy' magazine-style listing of the guests but I will tell you how you can get a piece of the action (see, I never leave you out). The event will take place on the 13th of August at The Queensberry (11 Queensberry Place, South Kensington, SW7 2DL). Tables and reservations are recommended so call 0207 5818 372 or e-mail audrey@maximizepromotions.com. Quote La Clique when buying and let our friend Patrick know you're one of us!Have a great time and remember, The Clique is only a click away!
Ciao Belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
X
P.S.We would like to see pictures of you from the event and feature them on 'Les Images'. Details of this are on the facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/bienvenuealaclique) so go there, like the page and keep in the loop!
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I'm not going to go into a 'glossy' magazine-style listing of the guests but I will tell you how you can get a piece of the action (see, I never leave you out). The event will take place on the 13th of August at The Queensberry (11 Queensberry Place, South Kensington, SW7 2DL). Tables and reservations are recommended so call 0207 5818 372 or e-mail audrey@maximizepromotions.com. Quote La Clique when buying and let our friend Patrick know you're one of us!Have a great time and remember, The Clique is only a click away!
Ciao Belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
X
P.S.We would like to see pictures of you from the event and feature them on 'Les Images'. Details of this are on the facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/bienvenuealaclique) so go there, like the page and keep in the loop!
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It's 10:32am and I'm panicking about time as I'm on my way to 1883 Magazine to meet the team for a feature on La Clique. All I can think of is how unprofessional I'm going to look arriving flustered and with only a skeleton of what I hope to achieve from the interview. 20 minutes later and I'm sitting on a couch in 1883 Magazine's studio and loving the energy in the room!
As soon as I entered, I was greeted by my friend Lewis (who I met at the Forever 21 Launch party) and I found that the warmth given off by him and Maria on the night was a standard feature throughout the team at 1883. All my worries about the interview and my direction for the post you are reading now, had vanished. Instead, I found myself trying to think up more questions so that I could stay in their company for longer! I started off speaking to Creative director of 1883, Jay Mitchell about the idea behind the magazine and I cannot stress just how relaxed the interview was. I didn't have to think but I assure you, my hand was burning after a while as there was so much to say about the magazine!
"We decided to name the magazine 1883 because that was the year of Coco Chanel's birth," Jay explained to me "and she started doing different things in fashion. Putting women in trousers and so on. A real breath of fresh air to the fashion industry and that's what we stand for so we ran with it!" Jay went on to explain that 1883 Magazine was started with the idea of showcasing fresh new talent primarily in fashion but then expanded and covered all areas of the media and arts. "It's interesting to see the people we've worked with grow. We have very good relationships with them and it's amazing because after a month or so, you'll hear their name somewhere and think to yourself, I remember working with them!"
You wouldn't think it when you see 1883's impeccable layout, read their beautifully written articles and marvel at their editorials but the magazine was thought up only last May and launched in October of last year! "We honestly didn't expect it to take off the way it has! I mean, we started with 2000 copies and walked around with them in a pink suitcase pitching it to different stores and now we're nationwide and as of last week, in the States!
Looking at the team, I could tell that everyone truly loved what they were doing and, as with any job, if you love it, you'll do it very well! "We honestly couldn't work without them!" I'm told that a lot of the team is made up of interns but unlike other magazines and firms where the interns are merely tea-runners and admin workers, 1883's interns are all given titles and with titles WORK! From fashion assistants, assistant editors and marketing managers, the whole team is enthusiastic and one can tell that they truly love what they are doing!
"There's so much in the pipeline for us!" I'm told by Emma, one half of the marketing team! "We've got competitions, collaborations and so much more! It's really exciting!" I can't imagine what 1883 Magazine will go on to do as they already seem to be setting a firm foundation in the industry! I felt so privileged as just before I wrapped things up, I got to take a look at who would be featured on the next cover of 1883! (This would be a good time to shock you all and say that it's going to be me but sadly, it's not - in due time, though, we'll see…)
Thanks so much to 1883 Magazine for accommodating me and being the warmest team I've met on fashion to date! I have no doubt that soon enough I will be seeing 1883 in Tokyo and Hong Kong when I holiday there! Until then though, all my readers who do not have access to the hard copies of the magazine, read it online, take part in competitions and stay in the loop! Big things are ahead for this magazine! www.1883magazine.com is just as beautifully laid-out as the magazine itself and is very addictive! (I would know, I stayed up almost al night reading the different articles and looking at the different shoots featured.)
Look out for the next issue of 1883! I know I will be!
Have a great week and remember, The Clique is only a click away!
Ciao Belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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"It's crazy! I love his work! It's everything a woman should be - fierce, sensual, sexual and powerful!" - Nuno Miguel on The Clique's new obsession - Hayden Williams!
There are a few things that will always make us at BienvenueALaClique go gaga. For one, Lady GaGa, Rollerboy Louboutins, London Fashion Week and an interesting art exhibition at an obscure venue. Right now, there's only one person who has this power over us - Hayden Williams!
After Rihanna changed her twitter picture to one of his illustrations, the fashion world took notice of the bright young thing. We looked into this and found that Williams is much more than a one-hit-wonder (or should we say sketch in this case?). His sketches embody the raw sexuality oozed by femme fatales of all ages from Jessica Rabbit to Bo Derek and Elizabeth Taylor whilst remaining as classy as a vintage Chanel purse!
When asked if he saw himself going forth to launch a collection, Williams replied "It's something that I'm working towards but I'm also letting things take their natural course. Nothing happens overnight!" His blog (www.haydenwilliamsillustrations.tumblr.com) has become "the one to watch" amongst his new-found admirers and, we're sure, noted names in the fashion industry. With more than a thousand followers on his tumblr and an explosion of Facebook friend requests Williams is definitely hot stuff and after celebrating his 20th birthday on July 22nd, we're sure he's going to be quite the sought after figure!
Congratulations to you, Hayden and we look forward to seeing you at London Fashion Week, and some day, seeing your work on the runway!
Love life, be "Vogue", and remember, The Clique is only a click away!
Ciao Belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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"She's so much more than just a pretty face!" - Mr. Darkwah
On an unusually sunny Monday afternoon (taking into account the weather we've had in the past few weeks for "summer"), the Marylebone Hotel hosted the launch of Joseph Ribkoff's Autumn / Winter collection and a meet and greet with Miss America, Teresa Scanlan. The event was beautifully organised and bore the air of an afternoon tea held in a country estate.
No sooner had I entered the door, was I greeted by Miss America herself, Teresa and had it not been for her bedazzling smile, I would not have known it was her. She was so down to Earth and polite - nothing like the preconceptions we have about pageant-winners - she took me by the hand and conversed with me as though I was the only one there and made me feel right at home!
Asked about how she felt being the brand ambassador for Joseph Ribkoff she replied "It's amazing, and you know what? The clothes NEVER have to be ironed so they fit RIGHT in with my busy schedule! I love it!" She wasted no time at all, talking me through the finer points of her responsibility as Miss America and also showed me around the collection.
Ribkoff's collection showcased designs and that were easy to take from day to night and shapes and materials that would flatter any form. I noted that the collection was very versatile, not only in the sense that the outfits could work for any occasion but also because they would work for any woman of any age - from the sexy Jessica Rabbit to the more refined, present-day Raquel Welch. All of the garments were made of silk jersey materials that required little or no ironing and truly allowed the woman to wear the dress and be ravishing rather than the dress wearing the woman. After all, every woman wants to be noticed for her being - not the dress on her being!
"Did you know that the four points on my crown have a meaning?" she asks me with the widest and, might I add, amazing hazel eyes and I reply, in awe of her "I wasn't aware that they had a meaning". She proceeded to explain that they stood forStyle, Scholarship, Service and Success. Style would represent the individual flair that the winner of Miss America presented to have gained the crown; scholarship for the scholarship funds gained through winning the competition; service for the year's worth of work that Miss America would be doing for the cause she represented and success for what she would go on to achieve in her life after the pageant.
I went on to realise that Miss America was much more than a pageant - it was a provider for that one lucky girl and would enable her to go on to college and gain a degree in her field of interest. "Being the middle child in seven, my mom and dad wouldn't have been able to put me through college and so this has literally been the biggest blessing!"
So young and so far-sighted, Teresa (Miss America) hopes to go on to study and then work in politics. "You've got to be nice to everyone," she laughs "because you never know what they'll pull up! I mean, I don't want to be speaking in public and have someone say she ignored me in high-school?" This may seem a tactical decision made by someone schooled in media but she radiated the most beautiful and warm beams of kindness. A true gem.
Grazie to Task PR for accommodating myself and my assistant. Grazie to Teresa Scanlan and a huge congratulations to her also. We wish her well on the rest of her touring year and hope to see her running for senate or even presidency! Finally, a gargantuan congratulations to Joseph Ribkoff on a beautiful collection that surpasses age and occasion to truly accommodate the modern woman!
If you want a piece from Ribkoff's collection, it is being stocked in Robina (on New Bond Street) and Fenwick department store as well as many other retailers throughout the UK!
Hope you had a good day!
Ciao belissimi!
Mr.Darkwah
X
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The beginnings of the creative process - Angeletti's sketches of his first piece of the collection
Thursday evening saw the launch of Roberto Angeletti's new collection and as quoted, he definitely created something out of a meaning. Melding the ideas of old artisan-created pendants and the juxtaposition of the precious and mundane, his new collection is both very glamorous and very accessible. Gianni Versace once stated that "grunge would never catch on it Italy as it is too close to the reality of the poor" however when done as tastefully as in Angeletti's collection, one can't help but fall in love with the mixture of jerseys and denims with white gold and diamonds.
Wolf & Badger, a unique lifestyle boutique on Ledbury Road, was the best venue to hold the event as it complimented the down-to-earth nature of the designer and his collection and brought together the fashionistas and local residents in what was a very successful evening! If you were not there, you definitely missed out as not only the designer, but the owner of the store, George Graham and all of the guests were the most pleasant and beautiful people around! Birds of a feather do flock together, after all!
"I wanted it to feel homely and familiar" says a very pleasant and happy Angeletti as he talks me around the collection. "The pendants, I wanted to look almost like pet tags." Wowed by the warmth of Angeletti's reception and willingness to answer all sorts of random questions I was firing at him, I realised that this was not just a family business that he decided to go into - he loves his work and that is why it has managed to leave Rome and find retailers in Hong Kong, Beijing and now London. A mind for expansion, Angeletti spoke of how he would like to expand but at a slow and steady rate so as to maintain a personal feel to the company. "I want to be able to know the people buying my items and know where my company is going".
When asked about his decision to take the brand out of Italy and to the rest of the world, Angeletti replies "I knew it was a good product and I just wanted to prove that it could work." Well I can safely say that it has worked and if you want a piece of the action you need to get down to Wolf & Badger on Ledbury road as soon as possible because Angeletti's line will only be there for another couple of months!
Have a great weekend and remember, The Clique is only click away!
Ciao belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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