Film review: The Runaways

20 Sep

Back in the seventies before the global hit I Love Rock n’ Roll, Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) started out in the all-girl rock band The Runaways with Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning) as lead the singer. The girls were 15 with a passion for music. Managed by Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), the band, especially Cherie were encouraged to flaunt their age and sexuality to a potential fanbase to sell their growling, rebellious music.

The film follows the Runaways on tour indulging in a world of sex, drugs and of course rock and roll. Jett and Currie also fell for each other in the intense conditions they travelled in. But the lifestyle eventually took it’s toll on Cherie.

If you ever had a hankering to be a rock star, the film will reignite a little excitement. However at the end of the day, though the Twilight saga stars Stewart and Fanning kick ass you feel that Floria Sigismondi’s film based on Currie’s biography was a slight tale to bring to the screen. But it was good fun while it lasted.

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Interview: It’s a Krazy comic life!

7 Sep

Back cover image from Krazybov issue 3

Did you know that I have a super power? Yes me! Apparently I have the power of a huge magnet that can attract and manipulate huge objects at will. You’ve never guessed how telekinetic I am, have you? Well to be truthful, it’s not me but a Marvel comic book character also called Deborah Fields (Debrii) who was part of the New Warriors. Oh but to have the power…

But as I muse to myself, it seems like an apt time to introduce Bov, the creator of the Krazybov comic books and website. Bov, who I’ve known for years, sent me his latest issue packed with a mix of chilling stories like Die Kinder von Rungholt by Seb Kempke and Dirk M Juergens, Grey Days by Nik and the amusing The Story of Fluff by Elvis Brillotto. This was the first time I’d seen his publication in print. This year he’s decided to experiment a little and print Krazybov and distribute it free to fans old and new. I am amazed at how his single-minded desire to fuel and promote comic book art is taking off. So I thought I would introduce you to the man with a mission to revive appreciation of comics to their heydays in the 20th Century.

London-based Bov hosts the work of comic book artists on his website, all with distinctive styles of illustrations and themes. They send him their artwork from around the world to include in his mag which is read by men and women who loved comics as children. The astounding number of big screen takes on comic book heroes reflects the love people have for the genre though you don’t see comics on the High Street like you used to. We decided to have a chat about his dedication to all thing comic.

DF: Bov when did you start Krazybov?

Bov: I started the website in 2000 and released issue one in 2001, issue two in 2002. After a very long hiatus I decided to start it going again but this time with strips from different artists and have it professionally printed.

DF: What gave you the inspiration to do it?

Bov: There wasn’t one event that I remember inspiring me but I do remember seeing some strips in print and thinking “I can do better than that”. Couple that with a boring 9 to 5 and access to a photocopier and I put together the first issue.

DF: How did you get into drawing comics?

Bov: Wow! Standard answer from artists is “I started drawing very early” and I’m no different. Everybody draws stuff as a kid – it’s just that artists don’t stop as they get older. When I was young I would copy any artwork that was around me and once my friend introduced me to comics I had pages and pages of great pictures that I could copy. Eventually you want to create your own work.

DF: What would you like to achieve for the comic artists you feature in Krazybov?

Bov: There’s an amazing amount of talented artists and writers out there whose strips will never see print. I want to give those guys and girls a platform to showcase their great work. Maybe it will end up in the hands of someone who loves their work and is willing to give them a go.

DF: What was your favourite comic when you were a child and what sort of stuff do you read now?

Bov: My favourite? That’s difficult – I only ever bought Marvel and I remember my next door neighbour gave me a massive stack of 2000 AD. Now I will read anything that lands in my hands. I love reading indie comics and stuff from other countries: manga, manhua, manwha (look ’em up). Without a lottery win it’s hard to keep track of all the superhero events that go on, so I don’t bother.

DF: What’s next for Krazybov?

Bov: Issue four 🙂

You can find out more about Krazybov at www.krazybov.com

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Film review: Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky

5 Sep

You may expect, with a biographical movie about a fashion legend such as Chanel (Anna Mouglalis), to see much of her fashion but this isn’t the purpose of the movie directed by Jan Kounen. In this French production set in 1913, there are scenes that hint at her powerful place in fashion but this really looks firmly at the affair she had with the great composer Stravinsky (Mads Mikkelson).

The Russian composer is struggling financially and the affair starts when Chanel offers a home to him and his family, including his sick wife, at her villa just outside Paris. In Chanel’s gloriously stylish black and white decor home, he is able to make progress with the Rite of Spring, a ballet which controversially eventually causes a riot as some feel it is too modern for it’s time.

Chanel has a strong physical attraction for the composer and he for her. They embark on a sexual relationship with no boundaries and seemingly no conscience while Stravinsky’s wife (Elena Morozova) is but a few rooms away with her children.

We gain no real insight into what they feel for one another apart from a strong physicality but I took from it some hints. Psychologists say strong romantic relationships need to have a good mix of friendship, respect and the sexual side or else the partners will feel something is missing. With Chanel she seemed to eventually feel the respect was missing and maybe even the friendship – the result of rushing into an addictive physical interaction without even knowing how much they truly like each other as people. For Stravinsky he misses the friendship and support of his wife who understands his relationship to music more than anyone. You could argue that he may never have turned to Chanel if his wife hadn’t been ill. You feel most sorry for the wife who, though her husband still loved her, was turning to someone else for his intimate physical needs. This made her feel worthless, unattractive and isolated. Of course there was only so much of this that she could take and she felt driven to leave the situation – the rejection eventually being too much to bear no matter how much she loved him. The friendship and respect wasn’t enough to sustain her as it wouldn’t be for most. The affair itself was doomed and apparently only lasted a few months in reality.

However these are just my interpretations of their feelings and it certainly did make me think about the structure of relationships as I wrote this. What makes a happy balanced relationship? However, this is just guess-work as none of the insights were quite so direct in the film. This is one of the failings of the movie – that we have to guess and we really do not know what they felt so it makes us also feel a little dissatisfied though it is beautiful to look at and the acting is compelling.

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Film review: Salt

30 Aug
When I went to watch Salt, the spy vehicle for Angelina Jolie, I arrived with no preconceptions – mainly because I had intended to watch a different movie originally. This probably worked in the film’s favour in many ways, one being that I didn’t have much time to dissect whether I might like it or not.

In the end, this tale of CIA operative Evelyn Salt going on the run after being accused of being a Russian spy satisfied me on a number of levels. Yes, you could say it was a bit far-fetched that this spy was supposed to have been trained as a child to infiltrate US society and lie in wait to carry out actions when required but with the news stories we hear nowadays, who knows.

Jolie was a convincing gritty action lead but she does have history in this area – it’s just that we haven’t seen her do this kind of film in a while. She could trade punches with the best of them – always handy for getting herself out of tricky situations. The film rattled along at a lively pace and looking back I didn’t feel the need to twiddle my thumbs at any point. Also, on a more aesthetic point, she sported some great spy-like clothes, – sleek trousers and a chic leather jacket (I was inspired) – but I digress.

Actors Chiewetol Ejiofor as the man on the hunt for her and Liev Schreiber as her sympathetic colleague added an edge to the drama. I didn’t find myself gasping and it’s not a ground-breaking movie but if you want something that keeps you gripped for a couple of hours your could certainly do worse. Go along and enjoy the ride.

Fashion news: Button up! Autumn’s here

22 Aug

Military is in again this autumn

We’re in August, the nights are drawing in and there’s moisture in the air that suggests we’re not that far from colder weather though it’s not time to dedicatedly take a scarf out with you yet. One of the only few pleasures of the increasing cold is the return of sumptuous winter jackets and coats.

So what’s in store this year in women’s fashion? Camel’s back after being shunned for a few seasons. Reiss has created a chic camel cape to hide inside. You can also rely on red to brighten your look – Hobbs has several red jackets to take you through to winter. Also, if you’re feeling unadventurous but very practical, the high street still reliably supplies many black and grey style outerwear options.

This winter sees another take on the military look with longer coat styles back on the menu. Double-breasted button details abound. Leather is still big this season with the jackets from brands like All Saints and Muu Baa having a military edge.

One of the biggest trends is the shearling aviator jacket – a take on the very successful look from the catwalks of Burberry Autumn/Winter 2010. The style is likely to be a big hit because it’s actually really wonderful to be warm and chic at the same time!

Happy coat shopping!

(Deborah’s photo taken by Beverley Twaites)

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Film review: Black Dynamite

19 Aug

Why did it take nearly a year for this film to reach cinemas on these shores? I knew nothing about it before my most film savvy friend suggested going to see it. Released originally around nine months ago in the US, the spoof blaxploitation picture Black Dynamite has it all – afros (tick); bushy moustaches (tick); outrageous seventies flared trouser suits accessorised with bare chests (tick) and a funky soundtrack (tick).

Supercool Black Dynamite, an ex CIA agent and Vietnam veteran is out to avenge his brother’s murder. Through a myriad of outfits, martial art fight scenes, witty dialogue and of course gorgeous women, you just know he’s going to get there. Played by Michael Jai White, you have to admire Dynamite – this man kicks ass in a very special way. You also have to love the authentic dated feel of the movie. However, my friend and I had to agree that though entertaining, there was a little something missing – maybe it was the edge to the humour that’s lacking in so many films. Despite that, there’s enough content to feel some soul and have a rollercoaster blast with Dynamite.

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Music review: Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs”

15 Aug

Canadian band Arcade Fire’s third album “The Suburbs” is full of songs seemingly dedicated to escaping the boredom of suburban life. It’s the contrast between our dreams and desires for the future and being confined by the way that we live. It’s the frustration of going nowhere when your heart wants so much to flee to a world you’ve imagined. All are brought to life with layers of soaring guitars and yearning melodies. The lyrics convey your desire to stand out from your peers and do what you always wanted to do. Songs like Rococo and Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) stir your soul – an album to do your dreaming to.

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Film review: Gainsbourg

8 Aug

I chose a quiet Friday afternoon to visit my nearest Picturehouse cinema and see which films were on offer. If I’m going to see a movie in a weekday matinee, Friday is my day of choice. I opted for the biopic Gainsbourg about the controversial French singer.

The cinema in the afternoon is a very different beast to the weekends and evenings. It seems to attract people who are watching on their own. Each of us was spoiled by having our very own row. You think to yourself – where shall I sit? Seat one? Seat five? Seat eight? I can safely say the atmosphere was very quiet, serious and grown-up.

The film starts with Lucien Ginsburg’s (later to be Serge Gainsbourg’s) childhood and his surprising dislike of the piano, the challenges and fears of being Jewish in the seond world war and his precociousness with women even as a boy.

There was a dreamlike feel to the film with this oversized character called The Mug following him around as a portrayal of his confidence, tempting him to be daring. We see his change from artist to musician, the steady stream of women in and out of his life and his battle with alcoholism towards the end. Eric Elmosnino played him with uncanny likeness as an adult. British actress Lucy Gordon played his lover and wife Jane Birkin. One sad event was that Lucy committed suicide after making the film.

If there was one complaint, it was that the music didn’t feature as much as I’d like. One dear friend of mine has mentioned one of his albums as a key influencer to bands like Air. However, there were snippets of Je t’aime moi non plus and the excellent Bonnie & Clyde. In all it was worth taking the impromptu trip to catch a film.

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Music review – Janelle Monae’s Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition)

6 Aug

US singer Janelle Monae is now starting to make an impact on our senses in the UK even though this grammy-nominated EP was released more than two years ago. She gets off to a dramatic, colourful start with this music designed for sci-fi explorers with heartbeats that skip to the sound ot Outkast and Prince. It’s quirky, energetic and melodious. These tracks are a stirring accompaniment to the day. Allow her world to brighten up yours. After this positive taster, I’ll be seeking out her new album The ArchAndroid: Suites II and III.

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Notes about nostalgia

2 Aug

The eighties have been taking me hostage lately. In the last couple of weeks I’ve been to two nights out where the music of the decade was the soundtrack to the night. For the first evening I was in a bar in the city dedicated to the popular eighties hits and for the second evening just a few nights ago it was a bar off Regent Street with one night for pop from that era.

The people I was with differed for each evening – I was the only common link but still the music focused on the tracks we were supposed to connect the eighties with. Music by Spandau Ballet, Howard Jones, Wham! and Abba (though I would argue they are more seventies) dominated both events.

I remember that my tastes as a child of the eighties were quite alternative at the time. I would listen to the radio from morning until midnight, given half the chance, which would open my mind to other music. Some of the less mainstream acts had pretty big hits during that decade.

When you go to these eighties evenings, you never hear music by Afrika Bambaataa, Japan, Echo & the Bunnymen, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, NWA, The Smiths, Public Enemy and even The Stones Roses (who slipped into the late eighties). This was what I liked when I was growing up.

Nevertheless, I have a good time at both these new eighties evenings out. I danced and sang along with everyone else and somehow it raised myspirits. You can be amused and energised by flashes back to pop music that you may not have had a connection with the first time.

It’s like with anything, you get out of it what you put in and really 50% of socialising is how you interact with other people and make the effort to give them a good time. It makes you feel good when you see someone smile. They say smiling is infectious! 

If you just observe and don’t get involved well it’s all going to slide past you and it’s not going to be enjoyable. I used to be guity of this – upset that the DJ’s not playing my favourite tracks (it gave me no joy at the end of the day).

On a grander level with life, if you put energy and enthusiasm in, you should receive some kindness and hopefully the same energy back. If somehow, what is returned to you is nowhere near your efforts, then it’s time to reassess. Life is too short to suffer a lack of kindness and joy. Your energy is precious.

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