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review: 'killing season'

6/26/2013

The film 'Killing Season' sees the first time iconic Hollywood stars Robert DeNiro and John Travolta teamed together on screen, and I have to say the chemistry between the two works like gangbusters, with sparks flying every which way as they play adversaries in this violent story which ultimately contains an anti-war message at it's core. Both actors play veteran soldiers from the Bosnian War. DeNiro is Benjamin Ford, an American trying to wash from his memory the sheer hell, horror and savagery he encountered during the bitter conflict, while Travolta is Emil Kovac, a former Serbian soldier who also is fighting his own personal battles over the war which claimed many lives.

So scarred and disillusioned is Ford (DeNiro) with life that he lives alone in a cabin deep in the Appalachian Mountains, in an area both remote and unforgiving. He guards his solitude with such might that he even refuses his son's offer to attend his grandson's christening. He cooks his own meals, listens to Johnny Cash records and gets by with aspirins to dull the pain from an injury he received on active duty. While on a journey to get more (much needed) pain killers Ford's truck has engine trouble, but by chance a lone man (with a heavy Serbian accent) in the woods offers to fix the problem and soon this stranger is sitting in Ford's cabin, enjoying a meal, drinking and swapping stories with this recluse. What Ford does not know is this man is trained killer Emil Kovac (Travolta), who is not there by accident, but has his own hidden agenda.

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actor james gandolfini, tv's tony soprano dies at 51

6/20/2013

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This morning I awoke to the truly awful news that extremely talented American actor James Gandolfini had died of cardiac arrest, while on holiday in Italy, aged just 51. It hit me, as I'm sure Hollywood and beyond like a sickening blow to the stomach, seemingly coming out of nowhere. This large, burly man, who from all accounts was a kind and gentle soul possessed extraordinary acting skills which allowed true emotions and thoughts to be translated to the audience without the use of dialogue. His immense screen presence proved he could hold a scene with the skill and range to capitivate from a growl to a whisper. No more was this shown than as his portrayal of New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano in the Emmy awarding winning HBO series, 'The Sopranos'

The crime based drama ran for 6 seasons (1999-2007) and during it's triumphant run deservedly won Gandolfini 3 Emmy Awards, 3 Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Golden Globe as Best Actor. He and the show both found huge success with critics and audiences worldwide. Indeed, only earlier this month the esteemed Writer's Guild Of America released a list, 'The 101 Best Written TV Series Of All Time' and 'The Sopranos' came out on top! This came as no surprise to me as I believe the show is the greatest TV drama ever, and in no small part must some of the credit go to James Gandolfini, whose central role of Tony Soprano held the whole epic saga together. Though outwardly it may have looked like just another ganagster show that depended on the body count to hold viewers to the story, 'The Sopranos' (created by David Chase) was an animal of a different sort, really a morality tale about a man juggling between his professional and personal life. It just so happened that his professional life involved the murky world of organised crime. As we followed this character we learned he was a very complex person, who although being quite easily capable of hideous acts of violence (both mental and physical), actually was not a monster, but loved his family and had decent values hidden deep within himself. Gandolfini played Soprano with such skill that with all his faults on display, he made him human, therefore enabling you the viewer to at times actually identify with this ruthless killer.

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from background to upfront: 'twenty feet from stardom'

6/12/2013

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'Twenty Feet From Stardom' documentary

In 2012 I saw several impressive documentaries at the cinema, however the one that stood head and shoulders above everything else for me was the absolutely riveting and extremely moving 'Searching For Sugar Man' which told the story of Rodriguez, a struggling musician from Detroit, Michigan. This talented singer-songwriter released two excellent albums in the early 70's which completely flopped in the US. Thinking this was the end of his professional music career he carried on with the daily grind of normal life. However, unbeknown to him, his records enjoyed huge success in South Africa where he was regarded as big as Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones. A myth surrounded him and for decades his South African fans assumed he had died in strange circumstances. The documentary showed his story and in fact changed his life. My faith in 'Searching For Sugar Man' was somewhat on the money as the film eventually picked up an Oscar for Best Documenatry at this year's Academy Awards. It's journey began at Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival (which showcases US independent movies) and while there was quickly snapped up for worldwide distribution.

Now comes a brand new music documentary which seems to be taking a similar path, and who knows, may even find itself in amongst the competitiors for next year's Oscars. The film is called 'Twenty Feet From Stardom' and looks at the world of the unsung heroes of the music business, namely the background singers whose job it is to support the main vocalist. Like 'Searching For Sugar Man', this film opened the Sundance Festival back on 17th January 2013 and through the very positive audience reaction it garnered, within two days had secured a major distribution deal. The idea for the movie originated from record executive Gil Friesen, the film's producer, who wondered what were the stories behind these singers who obviously had to be very good at what they did to get hired, yet stay in the back while the lead singers were allowed to shine up front and centre. He approached film maker Morgan Neville (who had previously produced/directed music documentaries on The Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, Carole King, James Taylor and Elton John & Leon Russell) to direct the project.

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june is black music month in the usa

6/1/2013

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Kenny Gamble

June has officially been designated Black Music Month in the US since 1979, and one of the greatest exponents of soul music played a major role in making this happen. His name is Kenny Gamble and he is one half of the legendary songwriting and producing team of Gamble & Huff. In the 1970's, Gamble, along with his partner Leon Huff blazed an almighty trail for soul music with the creation of Philadelphia International Records where they presented countless hit records to the world from such notable artists as The O'Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Billy Paul, The Jones Girls, Jean Carn, Lou Rawls and Teddy Pendergrass.

This now annual celebration of Black Music Month came about through a joint effort between Gamble and two broadcasters, Ed Wright and Dyana Williams. During the 70's there was a music industry trade association in America called The Black Music Association which was really an educational tool set up for young writers and producers, a spot primarily where they could discuss the benefits of the music business, especially as there had been a long standing history of African Americans being robbed blind of their material and their money. The BMA looked extensively at how best to market black music to a wider market, therefore creating more revenue not just for them, but for the entire music industry.

The BMA observed that October being officially Country Music Month meant the country music industry received additional marketing money which helped to promote both the music and the artists. So it was decided the BMA, led by Kenny Gamble, would pursue the exact same deal for black music and lobbied the then-President Jimmy Carter in 1978 to make this goal a reality. Seeing that Carter's administration had a special country music night at the White House, Gamble approached major record executive Clarence Avant (ex-CEO of Sussex Records, then home to Bill Withers and would then go on to become CEO of Tabu Records, home to The S.O.S. Band and Alexander O'Neal) who had strong ties to the Democratic Party. He asked Avant if he could inquire about the possibility of a black music night at the same spot. Avant was successful in his effort and everything kicked off in June 1979 with a special White House concert with several high profile black artists including Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Billy Eckstine and a very youthful Evelyn 'Champagne' King. So to Kenny Gamble and the many other people who persevered in their effort to bring recognition for the immense contribution black artists have given to American music, thank you. It is so good to see they are still being honoured 34 years later.

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review: 'killing season'

actor james gandolfini, tv's tony soprano dies at 51

from background to upfront: 'twenty feet from stardom'

june is black music month in the usa

EON IRVING

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