Oscars: 2011 Winners

Words: Saam Das

There's been chat about the relative failure of Anne Hathaway and James Franco as ceremonial hosts and the ugly/beautiful dresses but I'm not really interested in those things. What matters is who won (and I suppose, to a lesser extent, who lost) at the 83rd Academy Awards so I've listed the main category winners below.

I correctly predicted eight out of the nine categories that I chanced my arm at yesterday, with only Best Director going awry. Not bad going but almost all of my predictions were of the favourites so there were few surprises at this year's Oscars. Before I unleash a list of winners, it's worth taking a couple of minutes to read what it's like to be an Oscar nominee, courtesy of Paul Franklin, who worked on 'Inception'. Mr Franklin would win an Oscar on the night too, as it happens.

Futuresounds: 11 Tips For 2011

Words: Saam Das

Traditionally, the time of the year for tipping artists is December/January. That's not how we roll. After taking a breather from doing an edition of Futuresounds last year (instead tipping The Drums, The Joy Formidable and Two Door Cinema Club in the BBC Sound Of 2010 poll), we're back.

And I mean "we", because I did actually consult with the fellow members of Team FG for these tips for 2011. Admittedly, this is still very much my selection but some of these choices have been seconded. Much of the list shouldn't be a surprise following my appearance on the Mud Hut Digital podcast, where I chatted about some of these artists. But do read on for some other choices, all of which are artists that I both want to succeed and think have a decent chance of doing so.

We whittled a ridiculously long list to these 11 acts - some of which have had a great deal of support from other media outlets, some of which haven't. We tried to avoid the most obvious choices and hopefully, you'll share our enthusiasm for at least a couple of the featured choices. Despite my tardiness in putting this together.

Oscars: 2011 Predictions

Words: Saam Das
Photo: deadline.com

I did originally plan to combine the wits of several FG writers to formulate an unbeatable list of predictions for the 83rd Academy Awards before realising that a) predicting this kind of thing is a bit silly and b) it would make it appear like we cared about the Oscars/awards a lot more than we actually do. Nonetheless, I'm going to chime in with some brief thoughts on the main categories.

If you wish to have an even earlier before and after, you can also check out my thoughts on the nominations for the 2011 Oscars - where I discussed some of the snubs and surprises. Anyway, onwards to my predictions.

Listen: The Raveonettes - Forget That You're Young [Album Teaser]

Words: Saam Das

I've never really gotten into Danish two-some The Raveonettes despite their supposed influence on the likes of The Drums, Dum Dum Girls and Glasvegas. But they recently announced details of a new album and gave away a rather lovely track from said album to celebrate. So now I'm on board.

The album is called 'Raven In The Grave' and will be out in April. In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful, reverb-filled 'Forget That You're Young' below. It's kind of magical and melancholic at the same time, which perhaps surprisingly works rather well.

Listen: Selene - You Are Here [Free Download]

Words: Saam Das

I enjoyed 'Moon', the debut feature film of Duncan Jones (the son of David Bowie, if you didn't already know), but felt that its Clint Mansell soundtrack/score eclipsed the visual aspects of the film. Max Tannone was so inspired by the film and its soundtrack that he teamed up Brooklyn rapper Richard Rich to produce a hip hop EP based on the film.

You might remember Mr Tannone from his Jaydiohead project but this EP actually engages the themes of the film - like isolation and self-realisation - making it a pretty unique concept-focussed collection of tracks. Listen and download the whole thing in the widget below, although I'm only really a fan of the first track, 'You Are Here'.

BBC iPlayer: Episodes (2011) Episode 7

(Ed's note - read Gabriella's episode-by-episode reviews here.)

Words: Gabriella Shimeld-Fenn

'Episodes' (2011) 'Episode 7'

SYNOPSIS: "Comedy series. The dreadful Pucks! pilot wraps and Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly (Tamsin Greig) prepare to return to London. However, a final goodbye between Matt LeBlanc and Sean takes an unexpected turn." (bbc.co.uk)

So we come to the conclusion of the first series of 'Episodes', and while I bemoaned it last week for its predictability, I have to admit that ending it with everything up in the air as far as Sean and Bev’s relationship is concerned was a great choice.

With Bev feeling incredibly guilty in the aftermath of her infidelity with LeBlanc, and convinced that 'Pucks' will never be commissioned into a full season, all she wants to do is go home. Sean, on the other hand, can’t resist one last drink with Matt and ends up sniffing out (literally) what happened between him and Bev when he calls in to visit him at home and Matt fails at any sort of subterfuge.

Film Review: The Fighter (2010)

Words: Saam Das

'The Fighter' (UK Release: 4 Feb '11)

Before 'The Fighter' built up a head of steam critically and commercially toward the end of 2010, both director David O. Russell and Christian Bale had been rather overshadowed by their respective on-set melees. Both share a tremendous passion for filmmaking, which has been prone to boiling over. With the success of 'The Fighter', those difficulties are now becoming a distant memory.

I was a little less enamoured with the film than most, although considering its real life beginnings, I still found it a fascinating character piece. Bale as Dicky Ecklund, a former professional boxer and now trainer for his brother, Micky Ecklund (Mark Wahlberg), in particular deserves all the plaudits he has received thus far.

Listen: TV On The Radio - Will Do [Album Teaser]

Words: Saam Das

I enjoyed 2008's 'Dear Science' by the highly acclaimed yet strangely commercially unsuccessful TV On The Radio. I haven't really returned to it since then though in all honesty, aside from the beguiling 'Family Tree'. Yet I was still pretty excited to hear that a new song from their forthcoming album, 'Nine Times Of Light', had premiered.

That new song is 'Will Do', which popped up online last night but Interscope Records oddly took down their stream of the track on Soundcloud and only recently reinstated it to its public glory for all our enjoyment. I've embedded it below.

Film School 101: Product Placement

Film School 101 highlights overlooked aspects of film and television to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the screen. Well, that's the idea anyway.

Words: Saam Das
Photo: filmdetail.com

At the end of the month, UK television shows will be mandated to show a logo demonstrating whether they've had paid for product placements. The BBC note that while the UK has restricted advertising of products to commercial breaks, the US have been far more happy to endorse products in programming. Especially films, which we'll have a quick look at here.

The good folks over at Filmdrunk have put together a compilation video (embedded below) charting a history of product placement. The most ridiculous product placement I've seen is probably in 'Evolution' which basically is a feature length advertisement for a popular shampoo brand.

Surfacing: Under Alien Skies

Words: Saam Das

Prestatyn is home to not only a Pontin's holiday park (the phrase "rubber dinghy rapids" keeps coming to mind) but also to Welsh duo Under Alien Skies. They've been much championed by Jamie over at Music Fans Mic and Simon Sweeping The Nation. A few other blogs have come along and picked up the baton but the band still remain fairly unknown.

With a new EP coming out this week, 'detached01', I've decided it's about time that I throw my support behind Under Alien Skies. They certainly have an experimental vibe that most identifiably recalls Animal Collective yet there's often a hypnotic serenity to their music, somewhere along the lines of The Famed Chillwave Movement Of 2010.

Album Review: Illness - Some Vegetable Waste

Words: Simon Opie

Illness – 'Some Vegetable Waste' (UK Release Date: 21 Feb '11)

Illness hail from Brighton and are label mates with Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea whose EP 'I Watched It From The Roadside', was an excellent surprise (well for me, anyway) in 2010. Illness are a two-man band, with Spencer on guitar and Emilio on drums, and they already have a couple of EPs to their credit – both released in 2010 – from which 'Paper Cut' is probably their premium song.

They play what you might call Math Blues Instrumentals with a sometimes smeared, sometimes chiming Telecaster laid over articulated, energetic drums which track the guitar lines for a little over two minutes a song.

BBC iPlayer: Cool Runnings (1993)

Words: Saam Das

'Cool Runnings' (1993)

Director: Jon Turtletaub
Cast: John Candy, Leon Robinson, Doug E Doug, Rawle Lewis, Malik Yoba

SYNOPSIS: "Entertaining story - loosely based on true events - of four Jamaican bobsleighers who dream of competing in the Winter Olympics, despite never having seen snow." (bbc.co.uk)

Album Review: Radiohead - The King Of Limbs

Words: Rajan Lakhani

Radiohead - 'The King Of Limbs' (UK Release: 18 Feb '11)

Few bands have anywhere near the level of expectancy that comes with a new Radiohead record. The past week had been an event, with the band announcing last Monday their plans to release 'The King Of Limbs', their eighth studio album, on 19 February. Of course, the band would make another surprise by bringing the release date one day forward, wrong-stepping the media.

I wish more bands did something similar – fans get to hear the record at the same time as the critics, which not only encourages more people to buy the record but helps develop a more loyal relationship between a fanbase and the musicians. There’s no unnecessary spend on marketing and fans are not waiting for months for the album to be released.

Watch: Kanye West - All Of The Lights [New Video]

Words: Saam Das

Egomaniac Kanye West dropped the official video to the single version of 'All Of The Lights' (featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi) from his overwhelmingly acclaimed album, 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'. Kieran bigged it up for us here in a pretty epic review.

Anyway, I don't normally write just about music videos but it's been highlighted (probably several million times by now) that the video is a "rip off" of the credits to 'Enter The Void' - which Paul put me off with his less than glowing review.

You can compare the two below.....I think I prefer the term homage but I guess I'm being charitable to Hype Williams. The track itself is rather good anyway.

Competition: Win 3 Copies of 'Paranormal Activity 2' on Blu-Ray

Get ready to sleep with the light on once again, as the chilling supernatural thriller 'Paranormal Activity 2' is released on DVD and Blu-ray Triple Play (i.e Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Copy) by Paramount Home Entertainment on February 28 in the UK. We have copies of those Blu-rays to give away to three lucky winners.

Regarded by audiences as one of the scariest films of all time, the terrifying realism of 'Paranormal Activity 2' continues where its predecessor left off. The film chronicles the days leading up to the first film, marking the return of Katie and Micah, and the malevolent presence that’s torturing them.

Buried Treasures: Jack Hayter - Practical Wireless

Buried Treasures is a column dedicated to things we feel have gone underappreciated, often both critically and commercially. We encourage you to seek these treasures out and hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

We're very pleased to have another guest blog from Jamie of Audio Antihero, following his piece on Nosferatu D2 last May.

Words: Jamie Halliday

Now given that I run Audio Antihero Records: Specialists in Commercial Suicide, you’d think that I would have my hands full worrying about my own Jack Hayter (Hefner/Dollboy/Spongefinger) solo release....but I can’t resist the temptation to be an old blowhard and so here I am, spreading the good word about his solo debut, 2002’s 'Practical Wireless'.

'Practical Wireless' is a record that should probably have been guaranteed a respectable cult status on principle alone. Released on the intimidatingly hip Absolutely Kosher Records (Xiu Xiu, Mountain Goats, Life Without Buildings), recorded back to back in a kitchen with Hefner’s final LP 'Dead Media', produced by Darren Hayman and featuring Hefner alumni on various instruments (it’s like the folk equivalent of Eazy E’s 'We Want Eazy') - in a post-Hefner world, this should have been just what the people wanted?!

Album Review: The Go! Team - Rolling Blackouts

Words: Simon Opie

The Go! Team - 'Rolling Blackouts' (UK Release: 31 Jan '11)

The two overriding themes for this album are joy and nostalgia, and therein lies the danger of the path that Brighton-based The Go! Team tread on their third album 'Rolling Blackouts'. The album harks back to a simpler age when Fatboy Slim invented the Big Beat Sound, Mike Myers came up with Austin Powers, and The Go! Team arrived with 'Thunder, Lightning, Strike'.

All those things were good in their time because, after all, the happiness derived from a celebration of a less complicated (even if non-existent) past is a terrific feeling. Especially when combined with candy flipping on Brighton beach at sunset.

Short: The Black Mamba

Words: Saam Das

So this Robert Rodriguez short is basically a 5 minute ego massage for basketball superstar Kobe Bryant and an elongated advert for Nike. But it's pretty great as melodramatic ads go, with a couple of big name actor cameos along the way.



Oh and it features Kanye West as a pantomime supervillian. How fitting.

BBC iPlayer: Episodes (2011) Episode 6

Words: Gabriella Shimeld-Fenn

'Episodes' (2011) 'Episode 6'

SYNOPSIS: "Comedy series. Convinced that Sean (Stephen Mangan) is having an affair with Morning (Mircea Monroe), Beverly (Tamsin Greig) packs a bag and leaves, but a head-on collision has even more dire consequences." (bbc.co.uk)

The drama in 'Episodes' this week is ramped up to even greater levels, with Bev determinedly storming out on Sean and having a literal car crash with Matt LeBlanc due to what she feels is Sean’s obvious infidelity with Morning. All it really amounts to is some “garden variety masturbation” over a sex tape of Morning on the internet - Sean even being shot down by Morning when she turns up to try and talk to Bev because she feels that Bev hates her.

I was completely taken by surprise (read: not) by what happened next, and can’t see how the series will escape further clichés in the final episode next week. One redeeming feature of this episode, though, was further insight into LeBlanc’s "character" as we finally see the inside of his house (“You have taste!”, as Bev puts it to him incredulously) and also the extent of his self-delusion, as he apparently had no idea how truly bad 'Pucks' is.

Competition: Win 3 Copies Of 'Knucklehead' On DVD

To celebrate the launch of this year's "biggest" comedy, 'Knucklehead', our friends over at Clearvision have given us copies of this brand new release, to give to three lucky winners.

'Knucklehead' is an enchanting comedy that follows the story of a low-rent con artist named Eddie Sullivan (Mark Feurnstein, 'Rules Of Engagement'), who after incurring a large debt with a local criminal ring leader, creates a get-rich-quick scheme to pay off his debts and make some money along the way. The plan that he hatches involves recruiting a gentle giant called Walter (Paul “Big Show” Wight, 'Jingle All The Way') as his accomplice to travel from town to town and enter small, unsanctioned Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighting competitions for prize money.

During their expedition across the south to the annual Pro-Am MMA tournament in New Orleans, Walter discovers what life is like outside the safe-haven of the orphanage he grew up in for the first time, while Eddie becomes tied into a moral conflict over the winnings. Does he take the loot himself or keep his promise to the only person he can actually call a friend, Walter?

Live Review: The Naked And Famous + Spark @ Heaven [NME Awards Show]

Words: Saam Das

Live: The Naked And Famous + Spark at Heaven, London (15 Feb '11)

Heaven is apparently a place on Earth. In London. In a weird spot between PriceWaterhouseCoopers and some sort of mini shopping centre. And it played host to one of the 2011 NME Awards Show gigs, with a pretty ace line up of Spark, Wolf Gang and headliners, The Naked And Famous. Good enough to sell out well in advance. And on the night of the Brit Awards too - check this website for a hearty laugh or two).

We bigged up Spark in August 2010 after being impressed by her bombastic debut single, 'Shut Out The Moon'. I may well be wrong but that song seemed absent from her live set but regardless, the night was kicked off in an impressive fashion. Opening with a tweaked version of recent single 'Revolving' immediately captured the sparse audience's attention and as hit after hit after hit (and an Eminem and Rihanna cover, see below) was delivered, the audience grew substantially.

Album Review: The Guilty Hands - Desire On A Short Leash

Words: Saam Das

The Guilty Hands - 'Desire On A Short Leash' (UK Release: 14 Feb '11)

Apparently The Guilty Hands raised £15,000 through the website slicethepie.com to record 'Desire On A Short Leash', the London trio's debut album. That's a pretty remarkable effort considering the tight-fisted nature of today's music fans. Although £15,000 seems like a lot for an independent release. Has it been money well spent? I'm inclined to say yes.

At face value, The Guilty Hands are just another electro-rock band yet 'Desire On A Short Leash' reaches much, much further. Employing a similar "chop pop" approach to the wonderful Clock Opera, there are all kinds of different instruments and samples on this album. While this is an admirably gutsy move which largely pays off, the lyrical melodrama can be difficult to digest.

Film Review: Paul (2011)

Words: Saam Das

'Paul' (UK Release: 14 Feb '11)

Director: Greg Mottola
Cast: Jason Bateman, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Kristen Wiig

Somewhat surprisingly 'Paul' was released in the UK this Monday, obviously hoping to cash in on the Valentine's Day crowd. While empirically we're yet to find out whether this move has paid off, I went with a ladyfriend to see the film on its opening night. And we had a great time. Critics, on the other hand, seem to have struggled with the film's attempt at a broader appeal - in comparison to previous Nick Frost and Simon Pegg offerings.

Writer-director Edgar Wright is absent in this feature, albeit not to the noticeable extent that has been claimed. That would be doing Greg Mottola, the director of 'Paul', a great disservice. Mottola manages to blend action and humour in an entertaining manner, and for the most part, without delving into unintentional pastiche. Admittedly however, there is a great deal of intentional pastiche.

Pegg and Frost have combined to create a self-confessed love letter to science fiction, and most prominently, Steven Spielberg. This is their 'Close Encounters Of The Third Kind'-meets-'E.T' but imagined as a stoner road trip comedy.

Live Review: Pengilly's @ Brudenell Social Club

Words: Kieran Toms

Live: Pengilly's + The Vagabond Trills at Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (28 Jan '11)

The first thing that struck me upon entering the Brudenell Social Club was how busy it was. It was clear that Pengilly’s, recently profiled on BBC 6Music (and this very blog), are starting to get the attention their talent deserves.

First though, was the support band, The Vagabond Trills. Their four female singers’ delicate harmonies were not quite given due deference by the audience, and thus suffered somewhat from the background chatter, fading into the hubbub somewhat.

Perhaps too, their songs lacked a little structural punch, and whilst their set was enjoyable enough, the band didn’t stand out as anything particularly special, but perhaps in a more intimate setting their strengths, barely glimpsed here, would shine through, for their performance still indicated they are a band of not inconsiderable talent.

Film Review: True Grit (2010)

Words: Matthew Paskins

'True Grit' (UK Release: 11 Feb '11)

Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Hailee Steinfeld

I always tell people I like Westerns – though what I really like is horses, stars, cook-pots, saloon towns, vengeance, righteousness, moustaches, shoot-outs, pluck, trains, vigour, grit. What I mean is, I never had the Sunday afternoon Western-a-week diet, cheering the Duke or his surrogates on against the injuns, which I think it takes to be truly grounded in a genre. And because most recent Westerns – while they've often been fictions I've truly adored – have been revisionist, playing off against the established conventions, I often feel I might well be missing something.

With 'True Grit' that sense was amplified by the general delighted mischief of the Coen Brothers, who are on fine manifest-destiny meets shaggy-dog story form here. I take it they're playing off the old John Wayne film and off the novel but I haven't seen or read either and the only horse I ever rode ate thistles and would not go.

Album Review: Cut Copy - Zonoscope

Words: Rajan Lakhani

Cut Copy - 'Zonoscope' (UK Release: 7 Feb '11)

Cut Copy return with their third studio album, 'Zonoscope', the follow-up to their astonishing sophomore effort 'In Ghost Colours'. The sound remains in thrall to the 80s, but the band has expanded their sonic palette to include most ostensibly on this record Fleetwood Mac, Yes and Talking Heads. On the whole it works, with the album a far more cohesive affair, reflecting a group truly beginning to master their craft.

The record is more blissful, laid-back than their previous output. The synths have a warmer sound, lulling the listener with lovely harmonies. However, the danger is the record can become too stately and one-paced, which is indicative of the second half of the record.

DVD Review: The Town (2010)

Words: Paul Dean

'The Town' DVD (UK Release: 31 Jan '11)

Director: Ben Affleck
Cast: Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Pete Postlethwaite

The way things are going, it looks as if Ben Affleck is well on his way to becoming an extremely impressive all-round filmmaker. Having already shared an Oscar with Matt Damon for demonstrating his writing chops on 'Good Will Hunting' (back in the now long-distant past that was 1997), both his directorial debut 'Gone Baby Gone' and now 'The Town', in which he shares another writing credit, show he is quickly establishing himself as a very capable director too. It would be well worth keeping an eye on what ever project this gentleman chooses to helm next.

Part heist film and part police procedural, 'The Town' sees Affleck as a meticulous Boston bank robber unwittingly enamoured with the manager of a branch his team targets. While entering into an unwise romance with the woman, who does not realise he was the masked raider she met a week ago, he must also avoid the ever-tightening net of a scrupulous FBI investigation (led by Jon Hamm) and reconcile himself with his own past as he tries to build a better life.

BFI Screen Epiphanies: Richard Curtis Presents 'Annie Hall'

Words: Saam Das

Event: 'Annie Hall' at BFI Southbank, introduced by Richard Curtis (23 Nov '10)

I wouldn't usually write a post concerning Valentine's Day because well, it's all consumerist rubbish anyway. And no, I'm not spending this evening alone, eating ice cream out of a tub in the corner of a darkened room, watching re-runs of 'Ballykissangel'. So I’m not bitter about the whole thing, I just don’t buy into it. (I'm seeing 'Paul' tonight with a ladyfriend, in case you were wondering.)

But it's an opportunity for others to showcase their romantic side and also maybe an opportunity for them to be shown a classic rom-com. Or at least ones that somewhat subvert the genre, such as Woody Allen's 'Annie Hall'.

Album Review: Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will

Words: Simon Opie

Mogwai - 'Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will' (UK Release: 14 Feb '11)

The Beatles or Rolling Stones? The Clash or The Sex Pistols? Oasis or Blur? Radiohead or Mogwai? Well, Mogwai, obviously.

When Mogwai’s 'Happy Songs For Happy People' came out in 2003 on the same day as Radiohead’s 'Hail To The Thief', that particular contest was settled definitively. Since then Mogwai have continued to improve and develop, with the 'Zidane – A 21st Century Portrait' film soundtrack and last year’s film and live album, 'Special Moves' being particular recent highlights.

The more I have listened to Mogwai, the more I have come to appreciate the drumming of Martin Bulloch– he really is a tremendous drummer and the foundation of everything they do, and he is right to the fore (and in terrific form) on this new album.

BBC iPlayer: BAFTAs 2011

Words: Saam Das

The BAFTAs were on last night, and 'The King's Speech' was the unsurprisingly big winner of the night, considering its 14 nominations. As usual, I'm not all that bothered about these big showy awards but seeing the hundreds (possibly thousands) of film fans lined up in the rain makes me think some people might actually care...maybe even some of you were there.

You can relive the ceremony, thanks to BBC iPlayer, and we've got all the winners below. (All the nominees available at the BAFTA website, too). I didn't watch the whole thing but there's a nice little montage of 2010 films from around the 8 minute mark. I love a well-made montage. Or series of montages, as is is the case here. And Rosamund Pike being hilariously useless about 45 minutes in.

Live Review: Roxy Music @ O2 Arena

Words: Rajan Lakhani

Roxy Music at O2 Arena, London (7 Feb '11)

Smart, suave, sophisticated – that’s enough about me....I’m here to review the London leg of Roxy Music’s first UK tour in a decade.

Roxy Music are easily one of the UK’s most influential bands - with the likes of Pulp, Suede, Duran Duran, The Smiths and Franz Ferdinand all owing elements of their sound to the art rock group. In the Brian Eno years in particular, they created strange sonic landscapes which explored the boundaries of music yet significantly retained a strong degree of pop sensibility.

They were not only prepared to wear their pretentions, but explore them fully, seeing decadence as a badge of honour. Watching them perform 'Ladytron' on the BBC’s 'Old Grey Whistle Test', it still feels like you’re watching the future of music. Therefore, it was with some degree of excitement that I was awaiting their performance at the O2 Arena.

Buried Treasures: Dear Wendy (2005)

Buried Treasures is a column dedicated to things we feel have gone underappreciated, often both critically and commercially. We encourage you to seek these treasures out and hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Words: Alicia McBride

Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Cast: Jamie Bell, Alison Pill, Bill Pullman and Chris Owen

When I bring 'Dear Wendy' up in conversation I am usually greeted by a blank look. Nobody seems to have heard of it, which is a shame because many films have tried to tackle the issue of gun crime in America but none in such a unique way as 'Dear Wendy' - but then the screenplay was written by Lars Von Trier so chances are it was always going to be a little bit mental.

The film centres around a group of teenagers in a small, non-descript American town who, for various reasons, all feel bored, lonely or discontented until the founding of The Dandies. Dreamt up by their leader, Jamie Bell's Dick Dandelion, it is a club where everyone must own a gun. Evenings are spent memorising facts about firearms, studying gunshot wounds and practicing firing their weapons.

Surfacing: Ellie Makes Music

Words: Saam Das

Ellie James makes music, alright. In fact, Ellie Makes Music should really be called Ellie Makes Wonderful Music. She's a rare talent. An acoustic singer-songwriter that manages to invoke passion and capture imaginations, and not simply bore a listener to death with dull warblings. And we're lucky to be giving away an *EXCLUSIVE* (apologies for using this hideous word) download of her beautiful new track, 'Secrets'.

I realise the term "acoustic singer-songwriter" will have some of you running for the hills. But perhaps I can ease your tension somewhat by saying that there's some of the same magic that I heard in Laura Marling's early material in Ellie Makes Music. Oh and just a reminder that we were pretty much the first blog in the world to write about Ms Marling, when she was just 16.

BBC iPlayer: Episodes (2011) Episode 5

Words: Gabriella Shimeld-Fenn

'Episodes' (2011) 'Episode 5'

SYNOPSIS: "Comedy. After Matt invites him to a charity benefit Sean realises that his attraction to lovely actress Morning Randolph may be mutual, leaving him with a difficult choice to make." (bbc.co.uk)

'Episodes' this week attempts to take a turn for a serious, with Sean (Stephen Mangan) being gravely tempted by Morning (Mircea Monroe) after Matt LeBlanc contrives to push them together at a benefit gala for a rape prevention charity. Despite Matt's best efforts of manipulation, Sean does manage to resist her charms, but apparently not her sex tape, which Matt had happened to mention to him at the gala.

Before all that, Bev (not invited to the gala) bonds with Carol (Kathleen Perkins) over a joint back at the 'Pucks' set, leading to the revelation that Sean was married to someone else at the time he and Bev met, and that Merc (John Pankow) was all set to leave his wife for Carol before she went blind. Though the attempt at making Carol more three-dimensional was much appreciated, having two women sit around complaining and worrying about the men in their lives is not exactly a groundbreaking piece of television.

Trailer: 'X-Men: First Class'

Words: Saam Das

Matthew Vaughn's prequel to the existing 'X-Men' has finally dropped its first trailer and I see a lot to be hopeful for. 'X-Men: First Class' "charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga, and reveals a secret history of famous global events" - and judging from the trailer, particularly focusses on the friendship/rivalry of Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender).

The trailer has some amazing effects shots, new mutants and one puzzling moment for me where Fassbender is wearing a hoody (this is the Sixties?!) and holding a gun. I expect it to all come together nicely though when the film is released in June.

Album Review: PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

Words: Simon Opie

PJ Harvey - 'Let England Shake' (UK Release: 14 Feb '11)

These are serious times so I thank my lucky stars that despite Simon Cowell’s best efforts, we still have articulate and talented musicians capable of making songs that address serious issues. Polly Jean Harvey is arguably already a national treasure with an outstanding body of work, and her new album 'Let England Shake' is a triumph on every level.

It’s her most accessible album since 'Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea', which broke her to the main stream in 2000, and it continues the development of musical ideas explored on 2007’s superb and quirky 'White Chalk'. It also seems to be closely related to the album she released with John Parish in 1996, 'Dance Hall At Louse Point', in that it is song based, rooted in a traditional musical form but invites you to explore way beyond the boundaries of the genre. Whereas 'Dance Hall...' takes the (Nick Cave-influenced) blues for its starting point, 'Let England Shake' is apparently a folk album – but in the true spirit of a post-punk artist.

Short: All 61 Super Bowl XLV Adverts In 144 Seconds

Words: Saam Das

Super Bowl XLV was on Sunday, an internet lifetime ago. The Green Bay Packers won and no-one probably cares anymore. But some people are still talking about the adverts (commercials, if you must) and movie TV spots that embed themselves in the ridiculous runtime of the sporting event. People were definitely talking about them on Twitter at the time, as the infographic below shows.

Few people, however, can be bothered to get on YouTube and watch all 61 ads from the Super Bowl, or even the "top ten" lists of ads that I've seen popping about. So for the more lassiez faire folk around embedded below is a handy compilation of all the ads in just 144 seconds. It's arguably as good, if not better, than the best of the Super Bowl ads themselves. Though that 'Captain America: The First Avenger' TV spot takes some beating.

Listen: The Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness [Free Download]

Words: Saam Das

Mere hours ago, a track from the long awaited new album from The Strokes got its first airplay and the band are giving the track away for free for a very limited period of time too. But before donating your details to hear 'Under Cover Of Darkness', have a listen to it below.

Film Review: Rabbit Hole (2010)

Words: Matthew Paskins

'Rabbit Hole' (UK Release: 4 Feb '11)

Director: Jonathan Cameron Mitchell
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne West, Miles Turner

If you were at the 5pm screening of 'Rabbit Hole' in Islington on Sunday 6th February 2011, you may have heard me gasp several times, mumble "oh no", and then start, openly, to cry. If you weren't - please accept that as partial explanation of why this review goes a little over the top. Frankly, I found the film so painful to watch, and so moving, that I've spent quite a long time since I saw it trying to figure out how it worked and what it did to me.

I believe other reviews are available which express delight that Nicole Kidman has regained the use of her face and tip her heavily to win the Grand-High-Crying-Jesus-Figurine-for-most-miserabilist-lady-in-film; Peter Bradshaw did one for The Guardian which showed, delightfully, that he hadn't seen the film. So you can always read those, if this gets too much.

The question of what is too much, what feelings can't be tolerated, how much a drama should expect an audience to put up with and what feelings we should be left with are very much the point of this film. As I see it, there are two main strands at work here. The first strand comes mainly from the script, and it's about inappropriate feelings around loss. Kidman and Aaron Eckhart, play Becca and Howard, a married couple who have lost their four-year old son. He ran out of their house after their dog. One of them, they're no longer sure which, left the gate open, and he was hit by a car, and killed.

Surfacing: The ABC Club

Words: Emily Solan

This female led bunch are based across various northern towns, including Halifax, Leeds and Manchester, and create loveable indie....with occasional dalliances into shoegaze. Tipped by NME as one of their breakthrough acts, and having recorded a BBC session already, their song 'Thieving Magpie' (from the EP of the same name, now on iTunes) is a whirl of indie pop choruses with hooks left, right and centre to drag you in.

Film Review: Never Let Me Go (2010)

(Ed's note: Artist Tasha Winton kindly offered up some spoiler-free words on 'Never Let Me Go', which actually often concerns itself with art. So that's worked out nicely. Her Tumblr and Flickr also showcase her impressive work.

Words: Tasha Winton

'Never Let Me Go' (UK Release: 11 Feb '11)

Director: Mark Romanek
Cast: Keira Knightley, Andrew Garfield, Carey Mulligan

Carey Mulligan, who was recently hailed as the new Audrey Hepburn, stars alongside Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield in this adaptation of the 2005 Kazuo Ishiguro novel, 'Never Let Me Go'. The film follows the lives of three children growing up at a rural English boarding school in the 1970s, called Hailsham. The dystopian world they inhabit is gradually revealed to the viewer, as well as to them, and becomes more and more sinister and tragic as the story progresses.

Although the themes in this film could be described as sci-fi, I feel that it succeeds in creating the impression of a world where the medical police state is fully ingrained and accepted. It is not fantastical or looking to shock, although it does, and focuses instead on the relationships between the three characters, Kathy (Mulligan), Ruth (Knightly) and Tommy (Garfield).

Behind The Scenes: True Womanhood

Behind The Scenes is a series of interviews and guest blogs, where artists give us insight about their work in a specific industry. Here, Noam of True Womanhood discusses their "REAL 2 REEL" project and why they've decided to release their music in a non-traditional manner.

Some time last autumn we acquired our lovely Tascam 388 from a woman in DC who was cleaning out old "junk" from her house. It needed a bit of minor repair and we'd never recorded on tape before but it sounded like our kind of thing--we're all a bit sick of looking at computers all day and going analogue seemed a good way to counter that (plus, we got it 4 cheap!).

The idea behind the REAL TOO REEL project is that rather than save up a bunch of tracks and put them out all at once, we'd put each one up online as soon as it was finished so it'd be brand new and fresh and so people could hear the natural progression of our song writing. Rather than going through a studio type process we are recording in our own home straight to the tape machine and the results are going directly online to your ears. It's a way of bringing us closer to our listeners - we don't have a label or a PR company working for us which means more work for us but also means we're in direct contact with the outside world without intermediaries.

BBC iPlayer: Once (2006)

Words: Saam Das

Director: John Carney
Cast: Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova, Hugh Walsh

SYNOPSIS: "Musical about a busker and a Czech immigrant, and their eventful week in Dublin, as they write and record songs that tell their love story." (bbc.co.uk)

Month In Reviews: January 2011

We reviewed stuff in January. Here are handy links to those reviews. Also, a reminder to enter our competition for 'The Town', where there's several prizes up for grabs including merch and a DVD. Closes this Monday at noon.

FILM: 'The King's Speech' (UK Release Date: 7 Jan) 9.0/10
ALBUM: The Dirtbombs - 'Party Store' (11 Jan) 9.0/10

ALBUM: Little Comets - 'In Search Of Elusive Little Comets' (31 Jan) includes free mp3 of 'Intelligent Animals' (Demo). 8.5/10.
ALBUM: Deerhoof - 'Deerhoof vs Evil' (24 Jan) includes free mp3 of 'The Merry Barracks'. 8.5/10
FILM: 'Black Swan' (21 Jan) 8.5/10
FILM: 'Abel' (7 Jan) 8.0/10

Singles: January 2011

Words: Saam Das

An overwhelming amount of good (or at least interesting) singles came out during the first month of 2011. A great start to the year. Not for Razorlight and their hilariously bad press photo though.

But anyway, back to the singles. Here's some stuff I'm not going to cover. 'Surfacing' by Chapel Club and 'Austere' by The Joy Formidable are both brilliant songs but are re-releases so they get no love from me here. As for some higher profile releases, Avril Lavigne's new vid has some painfully obvious product placement. I still quite like the song though...err, anyway, here's the January singles round up.

Watch: Endhiran's Insanely Brilliant Action Clip

Words: Saam Das

Back in October, FG pal Glen (Hunchbakk) told me about an amazingly ridiculous Tamil film that had come out and sent along a review, which we excitedly put up.

Fast forward a few months and now some footage of the film has been making the rounds. Slashfilm describes the clip as "as 'Terminator 2' meets 'The Matrix' but with 100 times more ridiculous action."

Unfortunately, we've missed out on it in UK cinemas but it's certainly not beyond the realms of possibility that it may well end up on DVD here before the end of 2011. Let's hope so.

Listen: Micachu And London Sinfonietta - 'Everything' [Album Teaser]

Words: Saam Das

It was too much to be writing Micachu & The Shapes AND the London Sinfonietta in the title. My apologies to The Shapes. But more importantly, they're back two years after I talked about their "post-modern experimental electro pop" and have joined forces for a new live album with the London Sinfonietta.

Download the first taste of the forthcoming collaborative album, 'Chopped & Screwed' in the widget above. It's been described as "classical crunk". See what that means for yourself. If you have eleven minutes and nine seconds to spare, there's also a documentary on YouTube about the project.

Rough Trade Records are releasing the album on 28th March. More info here.

Competition: Win 3 Copies Of 'Adrift' On DVD

The Brazilian coming-of-age drama 'Adrift' arrives on DVD in the UK on February 7th, through Revolver Entertainment. We particularly enjoyed the film's visual style upon its theatrical release so are happy to be giving away THREE copies of the DVD to enjoy in your own home.

"Young, beautiful and falling in love for the first time, Fillipa (Laura Neiva) has a life other kids only dream of. But when her seemingly perfect father begins an affair, her life is turned upside down. With a stunning cast including Vincent Cassel and Camilla Belle, 'Adrift' encompasses the most extreme of emotions. From anguish and betrayal, to love and bliss. With breath-taking cinematography, it's one of the year's most enigmatic and captivating films."

BBC iPlayer: Episodes (2011) Episode 4

Words: Gabriella Shimeld-Fenn

'Episodes' (2011) 'Episode 4'

SYNOPSIS: "Comedy. Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly (Tamsin Greig) are on an all-night road trip when they retrieve Matt from a seedy bar so that the paparazzo won't see him driving home drunk." (bbc.co.uk)

Having bonded in last week’s episode, 'Episode 4' has Matt LeBlanc phoning up Sean to come and pick him up as he’s in a drunken stupor in a bar after losing custody of his kids. Bev decides to come along too so you know there will be plenty of incidences of them sniping at each other with Sean in the middle trying to ineffectually keep the peace.

Sean has already put his foot in it with Bev over the issue of whether he finds Morning (the blonde bimbo actress hired to play the librarian character in their show) more attractive than her, especially after finding out that she is actually slightly older than Bev. Even though Morning (Mircea Monroe) only looks about 28.

Album Review: Esben And The Witch - Violet Cries

Words: Simon Opie

Esben And The Witch - 'Violet Cries' (UK Release: 31 Jan '11)

There is a great moment in a live Neil Young recording when he announces the next song and a heckler shouts out "Neil, they all sound the same" and without a pause for thought Neil slaps back "That's because it's all one song". So it goes with 'Violet Cries', the debut album from Q magazine "Next Big Thing" and BBC "Sound Of 2011" nominees Esben And The Witch.

The album is dominated by the vocals - part Jarboe, part Patti Smith - of Rachel Davies riding on top of layers of atmospheric guitars, keyboards and various percussion. This certainly binds the album together but does also create the impression of listening to one extended song - a bit like a seventies concept album - and ultimately the success of 'Violet Cries' depends to a large extent on how much you like those core ingredients, as opposed to delivering a clutch of memorable songs.

Film Review: Hereafter (2010)

Words: Ced Yuen

'Hereafter' (UK Release: 28 Jan '11)

Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Matt Damon, Cécile de France, Frankie and George McLaren, Bryce Dallas Howard

In the trailers, shots of a tsunami and a smoking London tube station tell us to expect disasters. From all over the world, people track down Matt Damon, who used to be a psychic but really doesn't want to communicate with dead people. 'Hereafter' seemingly mixes up the best of M. Night Shyamalan and Roland Emmerich.

Unfortunately, the trailers are a total misrepresentation of the film itself. Clint Eastwood's examination of death and the afterlife is a slower, more contemplative piece that is neither epic nor particularly supernatural.

'Hereafter' is split into three stories. French TV journalist Marie (Cécile de France) has a near-death experience and becomes fascinated with researching the afterlife. American ex-psychic George (Damon) struggles to shut out his ability to communicate with the dead, taking on manual labour and night-time cookery classes in an attempt to live a normal life. English schoolboy Marcus (twins Frankie and George McLaren) fails to cope with losing a loved one, and tries to reestablish contact.

Listen: YAAKS - Cavalcade [New Demo]

Words: Saam Das

Surfacing alumni(/us?) YAAKS have just put up a new-ish demo, 'Cavalcade', on Soundcloud. Continuing on with the calypso pop that drew comparisons to Friendly Fires, we're now itching for their first release. Could this be it?


STREAM: CAVALCADE (DEMO) by YAAKS

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Film Review: Tangled (2010)

Words: Saam Das

'Tangled' (UK Release: 28 Jan '11)

Director: Nathan Greno and Byron Howard
Voice cast: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Ron Perlman, Donna Murphy

Walt Disney Animation Studios has traditionally been a powerhouse in animated feature films but over the last couple of decades or so, its stock has dropped immensely. It has however undergone somewhat of a renaissance in the last few years.

I took an unintentional leave of absence from Disney films following 'The Hunchback Of Notre Dame' in 1996 till 2008's wonderful animal caper, 'Bolt'. Critical acclaim also followed with 2009's 'The Princess And The Frog', which garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. 'Tangled', Disney's 50th animated feature film, has continued the recent trend of acclaimed Disney animations.

'Tangled' is Disney's take on the Brothers Grimm fairytale, 'Rapunzel'. A tried and tested formula. Except this has songs. SONGS! No-one told me anything about songs. Sneaky buggers. Musical numbers aren't really my thing, although when done well as in 'The Lion King', they can add to my enjoyment of a film. In this case, I wasn't exactly thrilled by the musical offerings but thankfully, only a few were on offer.

Behind The Scenes: Mark Williamson Of iconic.fm

Behind The Scenes is a series of interviews and guest blogs, where artists give us insight about their work in a specific industry. Here, we have a guest post from Mark Williamson, co-founder of London based live music start up, iconic.fm. Mark explores the birth of his idea and how iconic.fm intends to improve our experience with discovering live music.

INTRODUCTION:

iconic.fm helps you to discover and go to live music with your friends. We’re exploiting the online “social” revolution to create new ways for you to discover and get excited about live music - above and beyond the usual “tell us who you like, where you live and we’ll send you an email” way of things.