Tuesday 23 August 2011

Great Inventing Blog

Found this blog and it got me really interested. It may be small. wacky and only a few posts have been published, but it's got real potential. It looks like this guy/gal thought of these him/herself. I'd be watching this blog if I were you and perhaps they'll give you some ideas!

http://your-mad-designs.blogspot.com/

Thursday 11 August 2011

This DJ is D.veloping into a beauty.


In a world of DJ's, some are particularly amazing, some absolutely drastic. One DJ and his mash-ups stood out like a sore thumb to me. I love DJ D.veloped's Mash-ups. I don't particularly know what to say apart from the fact that they mix so well and are mixed with such complexity (whilst making them sound so easy). Perhaps he has obtained a "sixth sense" in music, regularly saying to himself, "I see mash-ups" and shortly after ward producing these scary tracks. Bring Em Home (Gold Jacket Remix) and Blur - Song 2 (D.veloped Luda Low Roll Bootleg) are two of my personal favourites but there are many more songs which are so well mixed and are extremely catchy and rather addictive to listen to. So now, turn up your volume, run over to this pure gold SoundCloud page, sit back and in his own words, "do not swim for 30 minutes after listening" because you will be just too entertained. I hope you all enjoy this artist as much as I did, and what's more, you can download every one of his songs for free!

Bring Em Home (Gold Jacket Remix)

Blur - Song 2 (D.veloped Luda Low Roll Bootleg)


The Childish Games





Wednesday 10 August 2011

It's a Small World (In Our Palms)

BB Torch 9810, Bold 9900, Torch 9860.
So whilst the riots in London are occupying the majority of peoples' attention, I only just noticed that the new BlackBerrys are nearly out. Of course, already owning a BlackBerry and therefore being a BlackBerry-man, I love them. The Bold, for example, keeps the traditional, admirable look. However, BlackBerry seem to be slow on the technology aspect as they're only really starting to develop their touch screens and the resolution of the screens. I highly doubt we'll be seeing a 3-D screen by BlackBerry anytime soon! 



The stunning HTC EVO 3D.
Now this 3-D race within phones is starting to interest me with LG, Sharp, Mozilla and HTC (just naming a few) bringing out their new designs and concepts. From the standards of all the previous and current HTC phones, I am pretty certain that the HTC EVO 3D will be absolutely brilliant. Their HD screens match the iPhone 4's crisp, and beautiful screen and by bringing out a "3-D iPhone", which Apple, so far have failed to do, will put them in the spotlight. However as Apple currently have more to spend than the US Government, I'm sure they will be bringing out an iPhone 5 with a BANG. 


So in other words, we don't know what the future of phones may hold, afterall, 10/15 years ago phones resembled bricks. Now we have 3-D, HD, video, internet etc. Technology is amazing, isn't it?

Sunday 19 December 2010

Hark! The Herald Maccabees Sing.

Every Christmas, the same familiar songs and carols are repeated over and over again on the radio, in shops, on the TV etc. Personally, I'd like to hear something different and exciting and that's exactly what I found.

The Maccabees, an alternative/indie rock band performed a cover of the well known soundtrack to "The Snowman", "Walking in the Air". The song maintains its original 'spooky' melodies and its minor tone although it strangely gains a Wild Western theme, especially at the beginning. This added feature really gives the song a ghostly and imaginative style. The beginning also has a relaxed and soft ambiance about it which is in complete contrast to the original which is tense and rather quite frightening. However the song develops and blossoms in the chorus (without vocals) and the pace intensifies. The irregular drum beat almost feels like a heartbeat and you do get an urge to tap along with it.

To be perfectly honest I prefer this cover to the original, because whereas the piano in the original gives the song a thick timbre due to the heavy minor chords, the Maccabees cover has a thinner and fragile timbre which is electronic and gives it a thrilling feel.

So have a listen to this beauty and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.




Wednesday 15 December 2010

For Once We're Filled With Glee

GQ magazine recently revealed actors from the Television show, Glee, half-naked and posing. 

I know what you're thinking, you either love this or you hate it, depending on whether you're a fan of the TV show or not. In my opinion Glee is just annoying. Facebook status after status declares love for the programme which gets not only tedious, but forces me to log off the social networking site (Mark Zuckerburg will not be happy). The Glee songs are ridiculously annoying beyond belief. But hey, at least there's something good about this poor excuse of a TV programme.

This photoshoot includes the actors/singers: Lea Michele, Dianna Agron and Cory Monteith. I must say I'm thankful GQ did not include the character Artie Abrams (the guy in the wheelchair). I love how these 'gleeksters' may have overturned this naive reputation they may have had previously, hopefully.

Although putting aside this steaminess, GQ's main intention for this photoshoot is really to advertise their styling and items of clothing the characters are wearing... or in some of the photos, hardly wearing.

Whether you love this photoshoot or hate it, it's certainly changed my opinion slightly (for the better of course). I'm going to admit, it was mainly due to the acknowledgment I gained of the attractiveness of some of the actors. I hope you do too.


Tuesday 14 December 2010

The Green Hornet (2011)

Based on the 1930s radio program and the mysterious masked super hero created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, The Green Hornet makes a re-appearance in the new upcoming film for 2011.

This exciting film stars a collection of great actors ranging from the hilarious Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, Funny People, Observe and Report) to the dazzling Cameron Diaz (Knight and Day, My Sister's Keeper, The Holiday). Just by noticing that Seth Rogen plays the main role in the film, we instantly know that there is a comical theme to the production. This assumption is correct as the genre is an action, comedy.

I personally cannot wait for this moviee From viewing the trailer, the action mixed with the Seth Rogen-style comedy works beautifully with one another. For once Rogen gets to play the role of a wealthy playboy character, Britt Reid instead of a money-struggling pothead. This interesting choice of actor will definitely give the movie more appeal especially with the younger generation and hopefully will start a trend of comical adaptations of classic superheroes whilst still maintaining that fast-paced, exciting action.

The film still keeps the classic image of the Green Hornet character and the famous, weapon-filled 'Back Beauty' (the car). As well as the expensive lifestyle Rogen (Britt Reid) takes advantage of by hosting parties, consuming great quantities of alcohol etc, the new film contains some extravagant weapons ranging from a double desert eagle to extreme machine-guns hidden within the famous car's chassis.

As well as the hero vigilantes, the villains are also well presented. Christoph Waltz plays Benjamin Chudnofsky, a gangster with the plan to merge all the powerful crime families together to produce a "super-mafia". Waltz also a villain in Inglourious Basterds, is a very powerful and villainous character, perfect for an evil gangster. Originally Nicolas Cage was intended to play the part of Chudnofsky, but pulled out due to disagreements about the character. Cage believed that there wasn't any of Chudnofsky's background which explained his violence and his aimless killing. He says:
“‘The Green Hornet’ was something that I wanted to do, I think Michel Gondry is very talented and I had hoped it would work but I think Seth Rogen and Michel had a different take on the character."
Ghost Rider obviously had Cage's ideal depth of character and to be honest I'd rather watch a Nazi playing the part rather than a skull with a few flames on its cranium.

The film will also be shown in 3-D and in IMAX cinemas, an exhilarating feature which, in my view will make the production twice as superb and thrilling than the normal dimension of film.

Every good super hero has to have a sidekick and the Green Hornet has the martial arts expert, Kato (Jay Chou). Asian pop singer and movie star, Chou is a mostly unknown actor unless you're into Asian cinema of course. But don't let his pop career and basketball obsession leave you doubtful about his ability to pull the character off. His calm, quiet and serious character is a great contrast to the wild character of Britt Reid. Chou is also called in the trailer a "human Swiss army knife", basically telling us to prepare ourselves for wild, imaginative new gadgets and weapons which Chou mainly operates. But the question is, will the new Kato live up to the legend of Bruce Lee from the previous Green Hornet?

Whether the new film lives up to the old Television series or not, the 2011 production will be great and exciting. It'll also be interesting to see whether the characters live up to the expectations the true original Green Hornet fans have especially those played by Seth Rogen and Jay Chou. I know one thing: January 14th will be placed in my calender.

Christmas Cologne

It's that time of the year when fragrance commercials are taking over TV. I know it's frustrating to see dozens of models staring at you holding up the same looking bottle every time you watch a television program. But although it's annoying, men need a fragrance or two during Christmas time. Parties, meals, dates, meetings or just casual wear it doesn't matter, everyone loves to smell great. 

So which male fragrances are the best for Christmas? Well it's up to the wearer really, but here are some beautiful scents that are guaranteed to make you feel great during this stylish time in the year.

I'm going to start with a reasonably old scent but yet it is still just as good as the first time it was sprayed. Armani Code, The Fragrance Foundation 2006 winner, is great for everyday use and also superb for going out with. It has an oriental style scent of citron and bergamont with a soft Mediterranean touch of olive flower blossom. The base note of Guaiac wood gives the fragrance a soft woody scent perfect for the Christmas season. This seductive fragrance is guaranteed to leave you feeling 'sexy' and is definitely a pure man's cologne.


 Another woody scented cologne is Burberry's The Beat for Men. Don't let the mistaken 'chav' reputation put you off this brand, this scent specifically will leave you feeling stylish this winter. This addictive fragrance has base notes of warm Leatherwood and White Musk. The Beat's ingredients are rather similar to the Armani Code with the citron touch. Although Burberry differs containing Bourbon vetiver, black pepper and violet leaf. I wouldn't say this fragrance has the most cutting edge scent but it's definitely worth a try. Perhaps for an evening meal Burberry's warm London cologne would be preferred.


Bleu de Chanel is another one on my list. Chanel launched this smell only this year and is based on the 1930s fragrance. With its citrus burst (including grapefruit) and peppermint touch this fragrance is a real Christmas scent. The nutmeg and sandalwood are perfect for winter wear and also produces a warm-hearted aroma. The recognizable advert with the slogan, "Be Unexpected"  and the actor Gaspard Ulliel really describe the seductive cologne.

One interesting fragrance is P-Diddy's Sean John Unforgivable for men. Created by the rap artist, this powerful and 'unforgivable' scent is a splendid cologne and a perfect gift. It's sophisticated and dangerous yet passionate and addictive. It has a rich fragrance of cashmere which mixes perfectly with the touch of rum and champagne accord (clearly reflecting P-Diddy's lifestyle). This cologne also has a heavy citrus side to it containing Sicilian lemons, mandarin, grapefruit and Moroccan tangerine. Italy springs to mind with this fragrance due to the Mediterranean air accord, Tuscan basil and Florentine iris which is blended in this exotic and celebrity scent. Seductive and sexy, Unforgivable has a pure masculine aroma which no woman will forget.



The Ralph Lauren Big Pony Collection holds a variety of scents within itself. There are four fragrances in the collection: Sporty, Seductive, Adventurous and Stylish. Personally my favourite is Number 2, Seductive. It mixes dark chocolate with musk creating a irresistible Oriental scent. I also like Number 3, Adventurous which has a fusion of mint and ginger root, touching a sense of extremity and the outdoors. In my opinion, Number 4, Stylish smells like disinfectant or toilet cleaner. 'Stylish' really wouldn't be the word to describe the fragrance, instead I'd use 'Fairy Liquid' for the same desired effect of the fragrance. But then again that's my opinion, others may love the mandarin and kyarawood infusion. 


One of my most favourite fragrances of all time is the incredibly popular 1 Million by Paco Rabanne. The 'bottle' is wonderful, a gold bar which kind of gives you the idea that this cologne is going to be stylish and make you feel wealthy. It has a unique fragrance, including fruits (grapefruit, blood orange) as well as spices (cinnamon and spice notes), perfect for a cosy Christmas scent. The cologne also has a woody side to it with blond leather and white woods. I love this fragrance (and so do many women) and would be at the top of my recommendations. So if you were to buy this product, I guarantee that it will make you feel and smell like Hugh Hefner.


 

For a refreshing and invigorating scent this Christmas, Prada's Infusion d'Homme is perfect. It has a light yet luxurious (as with everything else of Prada's) aroma. The fragrance contains: iris, cedar wood, incense, vetiver, neroli and benzoin, and one spray will leave you hydrated and smelling irresistible. 


  
Gucci by Gucci; imaginative name, modern and stylish cologne. Modelled in the recent adverts by James Franco, the brand enables the wearer to feel expensive and classy. Of course, you won't smell like Franco as the comical drug dealer in the film Pineapple Express, but you will feel and smell cool and extravagant. Gucci contains a range of scents including Frankincense (Myrrh and Gold... if only!), leather, Tobacco, Cedar, Bergamot, Amyris and Black Pepper. As you see these aren't tacky fragrances so when Gucci say this cologne is luxurious, it really is luxurious. Beautiful as a present or for yourself, it'll bring a little wealth to your Christmas. 


 So there they are, the recommended fragrances which would be perfect for Yuletide. All irresistible, and all brilliant gifts. But why not be a little selfish this Christmas and buy something for yourself?