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review: 'the iceman'

5/31/2013

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PictureMichael Shannon is 'The Iceman'
Richard Leonard Kuklinski holds a unique spot in the real life world of American serial killers. It is alleged that during his lifetime he murdered over 200 people, and most of them purely for financial gain. This very shady and unstable character was a contract killer for the Mafia beginning in the 1960's right through to the 1980's. Although, in reality Kuklinski reportedly started his killing spree years before meeting up with the organised crime crew. What made this story even more extraordinary was the fact he carried out these executions while living by all accounts the American Dream. Married with two daughters who had no idea that this was the method he used to provide for his family.

Kuklinski's remarkable story is now told in a great, intense film called 'The Iceman', a title bestowed upon him by the media. The outstanding actor Michael Shannon plays the 'hit man'. For me this was inspired casting as the role required a special skill of trying to maintain a vision of normality while obviously dealing with several inner demons and Shannon has shown he can do this with ease, making Kuklinski a true monster of a killer yet with a vulnerability that made him human. As the character said in the film, all he really loved and cared about was his wife and two girls. Shannon, this major talent with such an interesting face first came to my attention properly with his brief and memorable appearence in Sam Mendes' 2008 movie 'Revolutionary Road', a 50's set drama that starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Shannon received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his sterling effort. He next impressed me with his regular role on the sprawling HBO gangster epic 'Boardwalk Empire' playing what must be one of the strangest law enforcement officers ever in the history of television. He will soon be seen as General Zod in the new Christopher 'Dark Knight' Nolan produced Superman flick, 'Man Of Steel. A role incidentially which was originally played by Terence Stamp in the Christopher Reeve 70's 'Superman' and 'Superman II'



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Clarence Burke Jr. of The Five Stairsteps Dies

5/30/2013

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PictureFive Stairsteps singer Clarence Burke Jr.
News has just been announced of the sad passing of Clarence Burke Jr. from the 60's soul group, The Five Stairsteps. He was just 64. The family group, which formed in Chicago in 1965, consisted of Burke, along with his three younger brothers and a sister. Incidentially, it is interesting to note one of the brothers was the multi talented singer-songwriter and bass player Keni Burke, who would go on to create his own soul hits in the 80's, including the iconic 'Risin' To The Top'. The group actually got their name from their mother who claimed they looked like stairsteps when they stood next to each other in order of age.

Clarence was effectively the leader of the band. He not only wrote and produced their songs, he also played guitar and was their choreographer. Not yet 17, he wrote the group's first single 'You Waited Too Long' and watched it rise into the top ten of the Billboard R&B chart in 1966. Other hits included 'World Of Fantasy', 'Don't Change Your Love' and 'From Us To You', but it was their 1970 smash hit song full of promise and hope, simply called 'Ooh Child' with it's soulful uplifting line "things are gonna get easier' (actually written by Stan Vincent) that will forever be the band's calling card.

Since their original version was released the song has been covered countless times over the years and has been used in several TV shows and films, most notably featured in movie director John Singleton's stunning 1991 urban rites of passage debut, 'Boyz N The Hood'. In their poll of the 500 greatest songs of all time, Rolling Stone magazine rated 'Ooh Child' at niumber 402. The Five Stairsteps actually broke up in the late 70's but reformed during the 80's as The Invisable Man's Band and achieved a minor hit in 1980 with 'All Night Thing'. In later years Burke performed solo shows. R.I.P. Clarence Burke

I have included this classic 1970 clip of The Five Stairsteps performing 'Ooh Child' on the legendary 'Soul Train' TV show. Around a minute and a half into the performance you will see a fresh faced Keni Burke singing a verse while playing the bass guitar.


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review: 'the great gatsby'

5/23/2013

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Picture'The Great Gatsby' (2013)
Being a huge fan of the work of Australian film director Baz Luhrmann, his previous work includes the futuristic urban setting 'Romeo+Juliet' and the pop music flavoured 'Moulin Rogue', I greeted with immense enthusiasm the news he was going to remake 'The Great Gatsby' in his own distinctive style. It seemd a marriage made in heaven. The book (with the same title), on which the film is based, was written by the great American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925 and is set in New York during the exciting jazz period of the roaring 20's when the emphasis seem to be on fun, fun and more fun. The music was wild, the drink endlessly flowed and the sexual appetites of all willing participants were well fed.

The story of the mysterious playboy Jay Gatsby (here played by the always reliable Leonardo DiCaprio) and his obsession with a Southern belle (played by UK starlet Carey Mulligan) is seen as a metaphor for America in these years after The First World War. The country seemed hell bent on throwing caution to the wind and just having a thoroughly good time. Such was the way throughout the 20's until the great Wall Street Crash of 1929, plunging the nation into the harsh realities of the Great Depression. In no uncertain terms, the party was definitely over. 'The Great Gatsby' follows a similar path with jazz, good times and bright lights at the beginning and the mood changing to more dramatic, sombre tones towards the end. Hollywood obviously is attracted to this material as it has been filmed on several occasions, the last being in 1974 with Robert Redford (as Gatsby) and Mia Farrow (as Daisy). Knowing Luhrmann's skill with marrying musical sounds with dazzling images, as displayed in the aforementioned 'Romeo' and 'Moulin' projects, I felt sure this upcoming adaptation would work like gangbusters. Unfortunately this was not completely the case.


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'the butler' is coming.....

5/8/2013

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Terence Howard and Oprah Winfrey in 'The Butler'
Lee Daniels, the director of the heart wrenching, and at times quite harrowing drama 'Precious' has put together an all star cast for his next big production, 'The Butler'. It tells the true story of an African American called Eugene Allen who served as butler to eight US presidents, from Eisenhower to Reagan, spanning the years 1952 to 1986. The film follows him and the changing face of America during this, at times, quite traumatic period of time. Oscar winner Forest Whitaker plays the title role and the Queen of American media, Oprah Winfrey plays his wife.

All the presidents are on display and a top notch cast have been hired to play them, including Robin Williams as Dwight Eisenhower, John Cusack as Richard Nixon, Liev Schreiber as Lyndon Johnson and Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan. Incidentially, the great Jane Fonda plays Nancy Reagan. The cast is rounded out with a host of top names such as Terence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Melissa Leo and Vanessa Redgrave.

Although 'The Butler' is not due for release until the autumn, it recently had two special screenings, and on the back of this a huge Oscar buzz has been created. Several names are currently being dropped with the possibility of picking up a golden statue next year, including Fonda, Whitaker, even Oprah. For a film to pick up such heat so far away from award season gives you an idea how strong the material might be. The word is the film makers are so confident that they intend to take some clips from the movie to the upcoming Cannes film festival. Just yesterday the first official trailer for 'The Butler' hit the net. Here's your chance to take a peek, and remember where you heard about this film first, because I have a feeling this 'Butler' is gonna make some major noise later on down the line.



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review: chris jASPER 'INSPIRED...by love, by life, by the spirit'

5/1/2013

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Chris Jasper - 'Inspired'
Chris Jasper's contribution to soul music is almost beyond words. Though his name may not be so familiar to younger generations, he has had a major hand in creating some of the genre's most popular all time tunes which are still played and enjoyed by a vast audience of all ages. This extensive list includes such iconic titles as 'Who's That Lady', 'For The Love Of You', 'Summer Breeze', 'Harvest For The World', 'Between The Sheets' and 'Caravan Of Love'. The word that links all of these soulful classics is 'Isley'. You see Chris Jasper was a key member of the legendary Isley Brothers during their most productive and successful period, from 1973's '3+3' album right through to the 1983 slow jam epic 'Between The Sheets' set.

His path to music was pretty much set at an early age. At only 7 years old he began studying classical piano and after graduating high school in Cincinnati, Ohio moved to New York where he eventually received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music composition. By chance the Jasper and Isley families lived in the same apartment block in Cincinnati and Chris' sister married Rudolph Isley , one third of the original Isley Brothers singing trio, the other two being Ronald and O'Kelly. Chris formed a group with the two younger Isley brothers, he would be on keyboards while Ernie played guitar and Marvin played the bass. Here were the beginnings of a magical musical journey. Though Chris would play on the Isley Brother's 1969 breakout 'It's Your Thing' album, it would be 4 years later, in 1973 when The Isley Brothers re-introduced themselves to the world officially as a 6-man self contained outfit that Chris Jasper and his talents would really shine.


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    EON IRVING

     DJ, Remixer, Producer, Writer
    Involved in the music business since the very late 70's Beginning work at Island Records. DJing since the early 80's both in London and abroad, including the US and Europe. Along the way performing at many high profile events for such luminaries as Prince, Public Enemy and Lennox Lewis.
    Aside from radio and club djing, remixing and production work in the recording studio has meant working with the likes of Loose Ends, Junior Giscombe, David Morales, Gwen Guthrie, Sly & Robbie, Maxie Priest and Madonna.
    An intense lifelong love of cinema has blossomed itself in several ways including presenting to the UK public for the very first time such films as 'Boyz In The Hood', 'House Party' and 'A Rage In Harlem'.
    My passion for music, cinema and all other interests manifests itself through my writing. I am also a Contributing Editor for the music and entertainment website magazine, DeeperThe Beats  www.deeperthebeats.com



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