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'gravity' spin-off short film 'aningaaq'

11/22/2013

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PictureSandra Bullock in 'Gravity'
For me one of the most outstanding films to be released in 2013 is the simply stunning cinematic experience that is 'Gravity', the Sandra Bullock/George Clooney space set drama that displays the many facets of the human condition when faced with near impossible odds of survival. Simply told, but expertly executed with precision and skill by Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron (who wrote the script along with his son, Jonas), we follow a medical engineer and an astronaut desperately trying to get back to Earth after an accident leaves them both drifting in space. This nail biting ride is surely headed for major trophies come awards season, which is just upon us. In my opinion this  a serious contender for Best Film Oscar.

Now comes a very novel and interesting companion piece to 'Gravity' in the way of a short film written and directed by Jonas Cuaron called 'Aningaaq', which gives a reverse view of an important scene from the hit movie. Spolier alert: If you have not seen 'Gravity' you should not read on any further or watch this short piece as it will give away key elements to the story. For those of you who have seen the film, you will know that there is a scene when Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) while in space manages to make contact for a short period of time with a human voice on Earth. This scene is made more poignant by the fact her spirit is really at its lowest ebb and she seems ready to accept her ultimate fate. Jonas Cuaron's film shows the exact scene from the perspective of that human on terra firma. A fascinating small film that adds even more depth to what so far is my favourite movie of the year.

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'breaking bad' alternate ending - hal's bad dream!

11/17/2013

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PictureBryan Cranston
Actor Bryan Cranston has just finished his Emmy Award winning stint of playing Walter White, the chemistry teacher who became the ultimate 'bad man' in the groundbreaking epic TV drama 'Breaking Bad', but this exceptional performer has not forgotten his comic roots. Before the temptation of cooking meth in New Mexico, Cranston displayed his 'funny bones' talent on such successful shows as 'Seinfeld' where he played Tim Whatley, the dentist who it seems changed his religion to Judaism simply so he could make anti-Jewish jokes and Tim, the obnoxious neighbour to the Heffernans in 'The King Of Queens'. However he really made a dent in the psyche of TV viewers as Hal, the lovable, but foolish father in the smash hit 'Malcolm In The Middle', which ran from 2000-2006.

Now Cranston has brought Hal back to life in a very clever, funny and unique manner. He has filmed an alternative ending to 'Breaking Bad' in which it appears all 5 harrowing seasons of the show were in fact a very bad dream experienced by his 'Malcolm In The Middle' character. This scene is made even more enjoyable and believable with the inclusion of the very funny actress Jane Kaczmarek, who played Lois, Hal's long suffering wife. Anyone who has travelled the whole nightmare-ish journey Walter White took over the course of 'Breaking Bad' will thoroughly appreciate and enjoy all the references made by Hal, and will love the final touch right at the end.



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stevie wonder to perform the entire "songs in the key of life" album

11/15/2013

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PictureStevie Wonder
Musical mega-star Stevie Wonder very recently made an announcement that will excite his huge legion of fans worldwide, especially the ones in the Los Angeles, California area. He intends to perform live in its entirety his massively successful and critically acclaimed 1976 released double album 'Songs In The Key Of Life'. Not only has this record given him the biggest triumph on the charts in his extensive and distinguished career, it also had the distinction of receiving the Grammy for Album  Of The Year in 1977 and grabbing Diamond status by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales of over 10 million in the US. This blockbuster collection of 21 songs (not including the bonus 4 song EP which accompanied the album) includes such gems as 'I Wish', 'Sir Duke' 'As' and of course his ode to his then brand new daughter Aisha, 'Isn't She Lovely'.

This very special performance will take place on 21 December 2013 at the Nokia Theater L.A. as part of an annual show Wonder puts on called 'House Full Of Toys Benefit' concert. For the last 17 years this organisation, headed by the superstar, collects unwrapped toys and gifts and distributes them to people in need. Once again this true humanitarian puts his money, talent and energy where his heart is. The show promises to be quite a special occasion as Stevie reveals he intends to use singers and musicians from the original recording alongside singers and musicians from today, although he refused to name any names as yet. The phrase he used was "reaching out and talking to a lot of people". The buzz is already growing on what surely will be a very special event. At the announcement Stevie went on to say "This has been a fantasy of mine for a while." He added "I wanted to do something that would thank everybody for supporting my career and also thank God for me being able to do the music I do. And listening to this album again, it is amazing to me how relevant it is today."

Speaking from experience of seeing this hero of mine perform several times, I am reminded of the last time I caught Stevie live. After several years of not appearing on the concert circuit, Stevie announced he would be hitting the road for a few select shows in the summer of 2007. I was fortunate enough to attend one of the gigs in California. As always he was on top of his game throughout the nearly 3 hour show, but I will always remember he opened with 'Love's In Need Of Love Today' which is the opening song on 'Songs In The Key Of Life'. That experience alone had the audience entranced, so I can only imagine the ecstasy awaiting the fortunate ones who will witness the live interpretation of what probably is Stevie's finest work.

I have included a simply wonderful documentary on the making of Stevie's 'Songs In The Key Of Life'





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don cheadle to play miles davis

11/14/2013

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PictureDon Cheadle
Hollywood has a very long history of dragging its feet when it comes to putting the true life stories of famous African Americans up on the silver screen. It is a well known fact that film director Taylor Hackford's journey to bring his Ray Charles biopic 'Ray' (which contained an Oscar winning performance by Jamie Foxx) to fruition took a long and arduous 15 years! I guess if we did not know any better we would have to assume the studio bigwigs actually believe there was no audience to be found who would be interested in seeing the tales of these people of colour, no matter how crazy, eventful or just outright entertaining they may be. By the way, as a sidenote, after several unsuccessful attempts by Spike Lee to make the 'James Brown' story for a considerable amount of time, the movie version of The Godfather of Soul's life was recently given the green light by a major studio, albeit with another director.

Happily the trend continues as news has just been released that a film based on the life of the hugely influential jazz trumpeter and bandleader (also to my mind probably the coolest muthaf****r ever!), Miles Davis has been given the go-ahead. The acclaimed actor Don Cheadle has signed on not only to play Davis, but will also make his directorial debut on this project entitled 'Kill The Trumpet Player'. This is an obvious labour of love for Cheadle who has been trying to get the iconic musician's life on celluloid for many years.
This development reminds me of an occasion over 10 years ago when I was in an audience at the National Film Theatre in London attending a special interview with Wesley Snipes. At the time he informed us that he too had a burning desire to play Miles Davis on film and his production company were working full out to make this a reality. We should expect the finished product in the next year or so. The fact this did not happen only goes to show the kind of dogged determination and patience needed just get all the right pieces  (finance, script, director, actors etc.) in place for a film of this nature to get off the ground.


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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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