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.

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.

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.

Trailer

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?

The Social Network

I am going to start with saying that this is an excellent film. For those who haven't heard of this movie, it's based on the founding of the social networking site Facebook and the complicated and long-winded lawsuits that followed. 

"You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies."

The main thing that interested me about this film wasn't necessarily the acting (not saying that it wasn't good) or the way in which it was filmed, but the character Mark Zuckerberg. In this film he's portrayed as a hard-working, sometimes over-confident nerd by Jesse Eisenberg, who in my opinion is a very talented young actor. The founding of Facebook is simply inspirational. To start a small website within the campus of Harvard in order to become a member of the incredibly selective clubs, and then develop it into a multi-billion dollar business with an increasing 500 million members is simply incredible. Everyone uses Facebook, yet it is such a simple idea developed with days and days of coding the site. Although the film is obviously different from reality. It focuses a lot on Mark's social life but Mark himself said on Oprah that it dramatizes it, he spent the majority of his time working hard and coding Facebook. I'm not saying that the exaggerated biography of the foundation of Facebook is a bad thing at all. It gives the film excitement and a great sense of desirability to be as successful and famous, although we all know it'll never happen.

Eduardo Saverin, the co-founder of Facebook is a character of which I felt sorry for. As The Social Network  shows, he gave Mark coding, gave Mark $19,000 to start thefacebook (as it was called in its early stages) and was his best friend. It's almost as if Mark in the movie, became power-mad, prepared to ditch people close to him for success. For all this help and support, Mark drops his share to 0.03%. The actor Andrew Garfield plays Eduardo and really does fit the part of 'the loyal best friend'... until he files a law suit. I really felt sympathy with the character due to his naivety and his over-trust with Mark, and in the end in the film and reality, Eduardo claimed 7% of the multi-billion dollar company and his title of co-founder.

"You know you really don't need a damn forensic team to get to the bottom of this. If you guys were the inventors of Facebook you'd have invented Facebook" Mark Zuckerburg

Another interesting actor is Justin Timberlake. Firstly I had no knowledge of him acting, and secondly I was surprised at how well he fitted the part. He plays Sean Parker who co-founded Napster and Plaxo and who ultimately brought Facebook to the enormity it is today. Although Justin Timberlake looks nothing like the real Sean Parker, in fact I'd say Jesse Eisenburg looks more like the computer nerd. But the pop star certainly acts well and portrays Sean as cool, careless and a 'party-animal'. I'll admit though that he is also being portrayed as camp, independent and careless. He describes Napster, not as a money-making business but as a free music site to change the music industry and to provoke the industry which ultimately leaves him broke due to the multiple lawsuits forced upon him. The film also includes his arrest for cocaine possession and shows him snorting the substance off a teenage girl at a party (another dramatization of reality).

"You know what's cooler than a million dollars? A billion dollars." Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake)

 David Fincher, the director (also directed Fight Club  and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) as well as Aaron Sorkin (the screenwriter) really did make use of the popularity of Facebook and turned the foundation of the 'mega-site' into a brilliant film. 

The movie and the website itself is inspirational to many website creators and with 500 million members, it is safe to say that there will be no other social networking site quite like it.

Commence the Blogging.

I will start off with saying that this is my first experience with blogging so any mistakes and/or failures, bear with me.

The majority of people love films. Whether watching them at the movies, at home, on Blu-ray or DVD, with family or with girlfriend/boyfriend it doesn't matter how they are watched and enjoyed. I personally watch dozens due to my ridiculous amount of free time which I really should be studying in instead.

This is why I chose to write about them. I love to have and gain insight into the films I watch, whether they're simple comedies or complicated thrillers. Everyone has their own opinion and I will take your criticisms and views in with open arms.

So I hope you enjoy reading my views on various films and please help me out by spreading my blog. Thank you.