If you’re talking about Australia’s heavy music scene there’s really only one name you need to be discussing; Parkway Drive. The Byron Bay boys have had a hectic past 12 months, touring everywhere from Guatemala to Kolkata. I spoke to drummer Ben «Gaz» Gordon ahead of their gigs at the 20th Big Day Out and, naturally, I asked him the tough questions like `what are your favourite movies of all time?’ Here’s what he said:
“I’m a bad person to ask about movies because I mainly like to watch documentaries. I guess my favourite series would have to be the Die Hard movies. (I tell him there’s going to be a fifth Die Hard movie) No way, that’s awesome. I reckon he’s going to die in this one. Bruce Willis is a legend.
Besides that I haven’t watched many movies in the past 10 years. I’m a terrible person to watch movies with because I’m very judgemental of the Hollywood system. My favourite documentaries are The Human Planet, it’s the best, and Frozen Planet. Also anything that David Attenborough has touched or is involved with is awesome.”
Parkway Drive have a new concert DVD and album scheduled for release in 2012.
You can file this under strictly rumour for the time being, however, there have been some exciting 'leaks' regarding the cast for Robert Rodriguez’s Machete. For those of you playing at home, Machete is the latest project from my favouritist director in all the land and is an expansion of a faux trailer Rodriguez created to play at the start of Grindhouse. Like the spoof trailer, the feature film adaptation will pay homage to exploitation films of the 60s and 70s, probably in a similar fashion to the awesome Black Dynamite reviewed below. Rodriguez originally came up with the idea whilst filming Desperado and wanting to create a Mexican Jean-Claude Van Damme. It has taken until now to get the idea off the ground and into production, with there being no shortage of hype surrounding the project. The latest and most reliable tid-bit comes from a Bloody-Disgusting.com contributor who revealed the four main cast members as being *drum roll please*:
Danny Trejo
Okay, so I started with the biggest unsurprise ever as its common knowledge (to all with a cranium) that Trejo is taking up the title roll of Machete. A Rodriguez regular, the character and film were created around Trejo and his signature, erm, charm.
Michelle Rodriguez
Robert’s twin sister Michelle is said to be playing the character of Luz. I should point out here the above is a lie and despite the last name, the action-babe is in no way related to Mr Rodriguez... that we know of.
Jonah Hill
Everyone’s favourite Seth Rogen doppelganger is tipped for the role of Julio.
Robert De Niro
To conclude the cast gossip with a bang, the legend De Niro will star as Senator McLaughlin in the film which, in my humble opinion, is quite unlike anything he has done before. Ballsy.
So, if the above cast info turns out to be true — what an amazing ensemble! All very different actors with very different backgrounds, this should make for an exciting collaboration. Speaking of collaborations, Rodriguez will be co-directing the picture with Ethan Maniquis who has worked with Rod-man as editor on a bunch of his past films (Planet Terror, Sin City and the upcoming Shorts). Machete has a release date for sometime in 2010 but for those wanting a taste of what to expect I suggest you watch the spoof trailer (below) where it all began.
P.S. I know, I know. Just because I finally worked out how to post whole clips from YouTube straight to my blog, that doesn't mean I need to saturate you all with videos. That said, I just came across the wicked trailer for Jennifer's Body. I've been hanging out for this comedy-horror for quite a while... mainly because it's the second film written by stripper turned wordsmith Diablo Cody. Cody had her first major hit with Juno which nabbed her the best original screenplay Oscar back in `08. Unlike her uber-successful debut, Jennifer's Body is a tad darker and (from watching the trailer) I'd say a whole lot similar to personal fav Idle Hands. There's also a strong hint of the Canadian film Ginger Snaps which had a similar plot if you trade werewolf for demon. I guess it was only a matter of time before someone `adaptated' the horror franchise and gave it a mainstream makeover. Jennifer's Body stars Amanda Seyfried as a dorky highschooler who has to try and stop a cheerleader (Megan Fox) who is possessed by a demon and killing her male classmates. Sounds like a rad concept if you ask me but you can make your own mind up by watching the trailer below. Thoughts??? In a completely un-movie-related comment I applaud the use of Cherry Bomb from The Runaways as backing music. They're one of my favourite bands ever and the song is utilised perfectly. Jennifer's Body has a clever release date of October 29 in Australia, right on Halloween (my favourite holiday).
P.P.S. Vazzzup readers? Since chameleon-comic Sacha Baron Cohen's latest movie Bruno is out in a few days, I thought I'd treat you to some vintage Bruno. I mean heck, you know people are going to be doing Bruno impressions at the water-cooler at work for the next few months so here's some material not from the movie. Plus, this is a nice warm-up to the type of humour you can expect from the Austrian Gay TV reporter. Enjoy.
Everyone loves a good biff, especially when it has absolutely nothing to do with The Footy Show. Here, I’m speaking about the one and only Brisbane International Film Festival also known as BIFF. The Gold Coast, being the cultural vacuum that it is, us film geeks eagerly await the annual BIFF where a selection of films from around the world are screened over the course of one and a bit weeks. This year I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the BIFF crew by putting together articles on various films for the website and daily newsletter. With dozens of movies crammed into the 11-day event it would be easy to miss some of the real gems. The good news is I’ve taken a look at the complete line-up of films screening at this year's festival and even watched some of them early. So, the following is my list of the films you MUST SEE or die at this year's BIFF.
For you international readers this can be a handy guide of limited release films you should keep an eye out for in the coming weeks/months.
An Education — the opening night film starring Peter Sarsgaard and set in the 60s. The Sars-man in a film with romance, drama and intrigue sounds like too rare an opportunity to miss.
BALIBO — the notorious tale of five young, Australian journalists who were executed while reporting on Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor in 75. An impressive Aussie cast including Gyton Grantley, Nathan Phillips and Anthony LaPaglia expose the Australian and Indonesian governments shameless efforts to cover-up this important story.
Coraline — has been covered extensively on this blog given its beautiful visuals and dark storyline. Directed by Henry Selick, director of the classic Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline follows the adventures of a young girl who discovers a secret door leading to an alternative reality.
500 Days of Summer — a last minute addition to the festival line-up, this quirky, nontraditional love story deserves to be seen purely because it features the talents of my favourite Joseph Gordon Levitt. It also stars everyone’s favourite indie film star Zoey Deschanel.
CHE: Parts One & Two — director Steven Soderbergh’s stunning two-part opus based on the life Che Guevara and starring Benicio Del Toro in the title role. You’ll be hard pressed to catch this screened back to back anywhere else in Queensland.
Away We Go — highly peculiar, yet, interesting film which looks at the journey of two thirtsomethings who discover they’re going to have a baby. Instead of settling down and preparing, the couple take to the road to visit old friends. This is the latest thing from the amicable Sam Mendes and marks a return to his off-beat indie roots.
The September Issue — one of the most anticipated documentaries of the year, this film delves into the life of legendary Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour in the lead-up to the massive September issue.
Jules And Jim — this French film from the 60s is a classic love-triangle with arguably the most recognisable face in French cinema — Jeanne Moreau.
Moon — one of the films I’m most looking forward to, this sci-fi thriller i
s the debut feature from David Bowie’s son Duncan Jones and stars Sam Rockwell in what is said to be the performance of his career.
The Missing Person — a private detective is hired to follow a missing person but what started as a simple job rapidly develops into a complex mystery. Full of double-crosses and classic noir moments, this is a film not to be missed by lovers of all things noir.
The Strength of Water (below) — having Maori parentage, I like to pay special attention to films from indigenous New Zealand filmmakers. The Strength of Water is definitely worth the gaze. A unique look at the complexity of grief through the eyes of a 10-year-old living in an isolated Maori community. Beautiful, naturalistic, creative and moving. A must-see.
Van Dieman’s Land — the infamous tale of Australia’s very own Hannibal Lecter gets the big screen treatment from a filmmaker heading for the stratosphere.Subdivison — Brisbanite Ash Bradman (from Nova radio fame) wrote and stars in this appealing comedy set in semirural Hervey Bay. Fans of Aussie films like Crackerjack, The Castle and Kenny are likely to enjoy this.
The Cove — along with Cathy Henkel’s The Burning Season, this has to be one of the most important documentaries of the year and looks at the culling of dolphins in the picturesque town of Tokyo, Japan. Part horror film, part espionage thriller and part environmental documentary, The Cove is all part's essential viewing.
It Might Get Loud — there’s no time for air guitar in this documentary which takes the audience on a candid trip into the world of three of rock’s most iconic electric guitarists; Jimmy Page (Led Zepplin), the Edge (U2), and Jack White (The White Stripes).
Black Dynamite — if I even have to explain to you the plot of this film, given the sheer volume of posts about it on this blog, then you deserve to be pimp-slapped into a China cabinet. Here’s your chance to see what all the fuss is about.
Dead Snow — Tarantino and Rodriguez fans, like myself, are likely to adore the work of the Norwegian lads behind this low-budget, horror slapstick about Nazi zombies. Writer/director Tommy Wirkola and writer/star Stig Frode Henriksen have been pipped for big things since their debut short Kill Buljo and their first feature doesn’t disappoint. Catch their work before it explodes as their next film Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters has been picked up by The Weinstein Company (bada-boom).
Storage — a tense, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller from Brisbane filmmaker Michael Craft and starring Gold Coast actor Matt Scully in the lead role. An impressively clever debut from Craft who shot the film in storage facilities in and around Brisvegas. Creepy.
The Horsemen — containing what is said to be one of the `most amazing fight scenes captured’ is there really any other reason to see this?
Ticket prices are cheap as chips compared to a normal outing at the movies and BIFF is running a series of workshops where you can meet the director, producer, writer and/or stars of some of the films.
"A Rodriguez regular, the character and film were created around Trejo and his signature, erm, charm..."
Ah yes, with 2011 comfortably over it's time to shift focus to the films of 2012. Not to get ahead of myself, but it's going to FREAKIN' AWESOME BRO! Even Bane's excited. Although there were some gems last year — as evidenced in my top 10 and honourable mentions — in general the films of '12 could be summed up with one word; disappointing. From Sucker Punch to Red Riding Hood, blockbuster after blockbuster sucked. It was the small films from unexpected corners of Hollywood that brought audiences to the proverbial yard.
In 2012 that's likely to be the opposite. With two new films from Tim Burton, the first instalment in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit, the superhero movie to end all superhero movies Avengers, Robert Rodriguez’s Machete, World War Z, The Great Gatsby, Tarantino's newbie Django Unchained and SO many other massive flicks, it's safe to have our expectations set relatively high. There are big directors making big movies this year. There are also some smaller gems that will bring an entirely different (yet tasty) meal to the table. I'm talking genre flicks like Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters from the stylish team behind Dead Snow, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and a movie adaptation of one of my favourites books Warm Bodies. Out of left field there’s The Grey which pits Liam Neeson against wolves, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Michelle Williams vehicle My Week With Marilyn, the hilarious A Few Best Men and Ralph Fiennes directorial debut Shakespeare war film Coriolanus.
The film I’m most looking forward to in 2012 is unsurprisingly The Dark Knight Rises. Everything else I’m excited about is on this list, including the epic looking Snow White and The Huntsman and animated charmer The Pirates! Band Of Misfits. I’m also going to make an early call and predict Mirror, Mirror as the worst film of the year and The Hunger Games as the biggest disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a colossal fan of Suzanne Collins' book series but from the casting to the severely disappointing trailers, I think this is going to be a disaster. I hope I’m wrong.
Let me preface this by saying; I'm not joking. I actually interviewed Kim Sasabone (the one at the top end of the rocket) a few weeks ago ahead of their first Australian tour in over a decade. My eight-year-old self would have been so please with 23-year-old me. When the Vengabus isn't coming and everyone's not jumping, Kim says she enjoys nothing more than chilling out and watching a movie. What movie, you ask? Read on:
"Oh, that's hard because there are so many I love. One of my favourites from my childhood is The Wizard Of Oz. That's such a beautiful movie with so many great songs and moments. If we're talking about later on in life I'd have to really think about it. The Wizard Of Oz is my stand out favourite though.''
The Strategic Milk Alliance, a new joint venture created by proud dairy farmers across Canada, is pouring out a new communications campaign, titled ‘Milk Every Moment” that reconnects teens and adults to drinking milk. The evocative and heart-warming creative is an ode to childhood that highlights some of the fun yet nonsensical activities people seem to have outgrown, while revealing milk as a timeless pleasure that can be enjoyed at any age.
“Not everything we did when we were kids made sense, but one thing that did make sense was pairing milk with foods such as cookies and grilled cheese sandwiches,” says Dean Lee, executive creative director, DDB Canada. “This campaign is designed to remind people that drinking milk with their favourite foods was great during their childhood and it still tastes just as good now.”
Developed by the integrated groups of DDB Canada’s Vancouver office, the comprehensive national campaign kicks off with a 60-second cinema spot, “Fun” that portrays all the amusing and occasionally illogical activities children would do purely for enjoyment’s sake. The cinema spot depicts familiar moments from childhood when cardboard boxes became hideouts and frosted posts tempted tongues, all by way of reminding viewers of the time when ‘fun’ governed their decision-making. From the ad’s nostalgic illustration of a young girl wearing rubber gloves for shoes to young boys throwing wet paper balls to the ceiling, the ad’s evocative voice-over helps narrate each scene.
All of the young actors are filmed in scenes to portray eras of the 70s, 80s and 90s, which targets and prompts people of all ages to recall their own history of playful antics. Ending the spot is a universal yet calming reassurance: “While not everything we did when we were kids made sense, drinking milk did, and still does.”
“People, as they move into adulthood, are likely to replace milk with other beverages,” says Katherine Loughlin, Manager, Market Development with Alberta Milk. “With the goal of increasing adult and teen milk consumption across Canada, the new campaign reminds people how great milk pairs with certain foods – something they would have known as kids and may have forgotten over the years.”
Three 30-second TV spots, “Fun,” “Heart” and “Curiosity” help to underpin the message, reinforcing the idea that milk used to and can still be the perfect sidekick. Each spot ends with a call to visit www.MilkEveryMoment.ca, where people are encouraged to share content such as favourite milk pairings, recipes, photos and videos.
The website further ignites users’ passion and excitement for milk through contests and community engagement. The first social contest to launch on June 17 will invite Canadians to post and share content of themselves or their children engaging in memorable childhood moments, such as the ones portrayed in the broadcast spots. The content can be shared directly on the website or via Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest. Through a series of public voting and editorial considerations, the six-week contest will determine four winners in total: three of them will take home a Polaroid digital camera and one grand prize winner will receive a DSLR digital camera.
Digital, social, print, outdoor, public relations, experiential and shopper marketing round out this integrated campaign by driving traffic to MilkEveryMoment.ca. Each program element creates conversation and interest surrounding milk. This campaign is the first for the Strategic Milk Alliance since forming and signing DDB Canada as its agency of record in July 2012.
Milk Every Moment was launched earlier this week and will run throughout the year with OMD Canada responsible for the media plan.
The trail is based around the concept of 'Stadium UK' — bringing the nation together in a huge Olympic Stadium to enjoy the BBC's comprehensive coverage of the London 2012 Games. Designed to be used across all the BBC's television, radio and digital Olympic content, it features the specially commissioned music First Steps by Elbow.
BBC comes under fire recently for their animated ad promoting the 2012 Olympics for copying the Lloyds TSB ad. Ironically both promotional spots were created by the ad agency Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe Y&R. The BBC’s trailer features the UK as a huge stadium with athletes preparing and competing for the Games which start on July 27.
Lloyds TSB’s ‘For the Journey’ adverts are known for their animated characters and utopian landscapes set to the classical piece Eliza's Aria by Elena Kats-Chernin.
The BBC advert featured cartoon swimmers in lanes created by buoys cast out by a fisherman, a BMX rider on a cliff edge and track cyclists racing around quarries.
Here's our new London 2012 TV ad (above). The ad brings together some of the favourite characters from previous Lloyds TSB adverts and shows how we're bringing London 2012 closer to communities all across the UK.
And, the ad features a new version of Eliza Aria, the great piece of music that's become as synonymous with Lloyds TSB TV adverts as the familiar voice of Julie Walters.
BBC 2012 marketing head Louisa Fyans said: ‘Animation enabled us to deliver to this brief and helped us create something really special for the BBC's London 2012 campaign.’
It was seen by millions – as Gary Lineker and his cohorts pulled in a peak of 15.5 million, averaging 13 million for the game.
The advert — which uses the tagline ‘wherever you are, never miss a moment with the BBC’ — will be used in the title sequence for the BBC’s Olympics TV coverage.
A Rainey Kelly spokesman said: ‘It is the culmination of a lot of hard work and we are very excited to feel part of the inspiration that this summer will bring.’
Fancy yourself a model? For the first time ever see the catwalk through a models' eyes with Google Cam at Topshop Unique's AW13 show.
Be part of the Topshop team with Google+ and whether you want to try your hand at being the designer, buyer, make-up artist or DJ experience the Topshop Unique AW13 show from every angle.
Tune into Topshop.com on Sunday 17th February from 2.30pm GMT to Hangout live backstage and front row before the show starts at 3pm GMT and once the lights go down, experience stepping out onto the catwalk through your favorite models' eyes.
Sign up to Google+ and follow Topshop and your favourite models for a 360° view of what goes into creating a catwalk show: Join our event on Google+
The song is called "Shake, Shake, Shake" by Bronze Radio Return.
Think Work Play (http://think-work-play.com/), the webzine that charts the creative process in London. A recent interview with Kate Moross, a well-acclaimed London-based illustrator/designer who has done work on Cadburys, Topshop and Samsung ad campaigns, as well as the who’s who of music and culture (Kate has just finished the latest music video for the electronic duo Simian Mobile Disco). In the video, Kate talks about how a certain company approached her about designing a bong, her favourite colours and her admiration of the Queen Mother’s fashion sense.
Jennifer Watts, account director at Brandworks International, left, and Scott Morris, media manager at Mindshare Media MICHELLE SIU PHOTO Ad Agency Wars III is set for Wednesday in Toronto!
A year ago, Scott Morris’s typical Friday wind-down with colleagues would have involved beer, pizza and more beer.
Morris, the media manager at Mindshare Media Canada, still ushers in the weekend with members of Toronto’s advertising community. But for the past three months their fellowship has been devoted to toughening up for a charity boxing event.
Agency Wars III, which takes place at the Arcadian Court this Wednesday, will see 24 men and women from 14 local ad agencies square off to raise money for Ronald McDonald House and the National Advertising Benevolent Society.
The participants, who train with professional coaches, actually become qualified amateur boxers sanctioned by Boxing Ontario for the sold-out event.
One of the final training sessions found a broad range of ad industry employees, from art directors to CFOs and copywriters, drilling down at The Boxing Loft in the Entertainment District.
Morris, 31, had spent last Friday fine-tuning ideas for his Ford Fusion portfolio for next year. But come dusk, he was focused on his upcoming bout with Jason Kan, motion graphics designer at Teehan+Lax.
Even before stepping into the ring for their three two-minute rounds, Morris has already earned bragging rights: he’s shed 35 pounds since training began in September and can now execute at least 40 pushups and an eight-minute mile.
“I’ve never done anything like this in my life,” said Morris as he took a break from light sparring inside the Adelaide St. W. gym. “I feel good. I feel confident. I wake up everyday thinking I’m going to throw up from the nerves, but I just channel past that and stay focused.”
Abs aside, Michael Clancy has seen the long-lasting benefits of exposing his competitive industry’s desk jockeys to the even more cutthroat world of pugilism since he founded Agency Wars three years ago.
“Knowing what to do under fire is really important,” said Clancy, executive creative director for Brandworks. “If you can get into a ring, then you can walk into any boardroom in the world.
“In the ad business, taking care of your stress is really important. And boxing is a spectacular way to do that because you’re not in your head. You have to be very much aware of your body. And hitting a bag, doing that kind of strenuous work, the footwork involved, takes you out of the office and puts you into a very physical place where you do what you’re told. You don’t have to think, and you’ll be fine.”
Clancy, 62, who took out his opponent in the third round, aided by former junior featherweight champ Steve Molitor in his corner, when he fought in 2010, has been the oldest competitor to date in the event, which is taped by Fight Network for later broadcast.
“It’s kind of like a fantasy camp for boxing,” he said. “You get to walk in with your entourage, you get to pick your music and it’s televised.”
Head coach Chris “Mr. Showtime” Johnson, a 1992 Olympic medallist, finds the ad folks “very dedicated.
“They’re hungry. They want it almost to an obsessive stage,” he said. “They believe in perfection, but perfection in a sport like this does not come in three months. It’s taken me almost a lifetime.”
After a 20-minute skipping warm-up, Johnson led the group through various punch combinations, all the while pumping them up for fight night.
“If you get a chance to hit someone, hit ’em hard, because if they get the chance they’re going to hit you hard,” he exhorted.
From his ringside perch, returning announcer Jeromy Lloyd, Marketing Magazine’s online editor, has seen a fight or two stopped for split eyebrows and swollen eyes. He’ll be decked out as usual in a rented tux, but without a catchy “let’s get ready to rumble”-style tag line.
“I’m so scared of trotting on someone else’s intellectual property and getting the event sued,” he explained.
The creative team at Brandworks came up with the nickname “Da Boss (a.k.a. The Shot-caller)” for one of their fighters, Jennifer Watts, and selected their Christmas party favourite, LMFAO’s “Shots,” as her entrance music.
Now endowed with an eight-pack and the ability to do “at least 20 real pushups,” thanks to the rigorous 12-week training, the 6-foot-2 account director is pumped to face off against Mindshare media manager Christina Mirabelli.
“My strategy,” said the trash-talking Watts, 30, “is to keep her back with these long arms so she does not get near my face — and punch her in the head.”
One Direction has released a 60-second ad to promote their new fragrance "Our Moment"...enjoy kids.
The commercial, created by Cake, was posted on to the group’s Vevo channel initially and will be rolled out in cinemas and on social media channels. It shows the band members playing with the ingredients that make up the scent and gently mocks the serious advertising that traditionally accompanies fragrances.
Credits: Music: "My Favourite Things" performed by Diana Vickers Creative Ad Agency: Cake Creative director: Mark Whelan Director: Vaughan Arnell Production company: Stink
The Co-operative Funeralcare, part of The Co-operative Group, unveils a new integrated advertising campaign today.
The campaign, which includes TV, press, radio, outdoor and digital activity, has been devised by Leo Burnett – lead advertising agency for The Co-operative. It is the agency's first output for The Co-operative Funeralcare, and has been developed following extensive consumer research.
The TV commercial was directed by Peter Cattaneo, Oscar-nominated director of The Full Monty, who has also directed ads for brands including Volkswagen, McDonald’s and The National Lottery.
In the ad, a bereaved wife is taken on a detour on the way to her husband's funeral, passing along a bridge that looks down over his favourite fishing spot, where fellow fisherman bow to pay their respects. The narrator tells us “a funeral is more than just flowers, cars and music”, and at Funeralcare it's about “finding those personal touches”, such as changing the route to prompt a happy memory.
Actress Katherine Kelly provides the voiceover and real-life Funeral Director, Lynsey Ward, from Funeralcare’s Bolton funeral home also stars. The first 40-second commercial will air on ITV and a shorter 30-second execution will also be circulated.
Lorinda Robinson, Head of Marketing, The Co-operative Funeralcare said: “The advert focuses on personalisation and The Co-operative Funeralcare's ability to deliver personal touches to make a funeral more memorable and respectful. The business has been a pioneer in TV advertising in the funeral industry and the new advert highlights how, as the UK's leading Funeral Director, we ensure that every funeral we arrange is completely personal and unique.”
Credits: Project name: The Co-operative Funeralcare: ‘Smile’ Client: Lorinda Robinson, Head of Marketing, The Co-operative Funeralcare Brief: Co-operative Funeralcare wanted to show that the tiniest touches are important to their business of helping their clients as much as possible. This has been achieved in this script by diverting the hearse to show fishermen standing to show their respect to our heroine's husband. Creative agency: Leo Burnett Copywriter: Graham Lakeland Art Director: Richard Robinson Creative Directors: Tony Malcolm and Guy Moore Executive Creative Director: Justin Tindall Planner (Leo Burnett): Ian Hilton Media agency: Rocket Media Planner (Rocket): Faye Turner Production Company: Academy Films Director: Peter Cattaneo Editor: Scot Crane, Quarry Post-production: MPC Audio post-production: 750MPH Exposure: National television; Press, Outdoor, online Press/Poster Credits: Designer: Tim Fletcher
The Global Impact Challenge supports British non-profits using tech to tackle the world's toughest problems. The 10 finalists are in—help decide who wins at g.co/impactchallenge.
Cast your vote by May 31 for the £500,000 fan favourite Global Impact Award. On June 3, a panel of judges will unveil the public vote, and select three additional non-profits as winners of the Global Impact Challenge.
Credits: Ad Agency: Adam & Eve/DDB Creative directors: Aidan McClure, Laurent Simon Production: Across the Pond, Psycle Production company producers: Karen Crookes, Greg Lepski Agency producers: Sophie Smith, Budr Elnusairi
The influential collector of donations for Democratic party of the USA is arrested for swindle, writes The New York Times.
According to the investigation, the New York financier-multimillionaire Hassan Nemazee connected with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, has fraudulently received from corporation Citibank a loan at a rate of 74 million dollars.
In bodies of Office of Public Prosecutor believe, that criminal scheme Nemazee has been installed in the end of 2006. The swindle essence consisted in false data which the financier has presented in Citibank at loan registration. On Monday, on August, 24th, Nemazee representatives of FBI have interrogated, and the swindler has immediately returned to bank all sum of a loan. On Tuesday under the decision of the judge of the financier have placed under guards, there are negotiations about clearing on the security.
Nemazee, the 59-year-old American of the Iranian origin, heads investment holding Nemazee Capital, but is more known to public as one of visible sponsors of democrats. Close contacts to the power at the swindler have begun with the middle of 1990th years when Nemazee collected means for Bill Clinton presidential campaign. Own donations in funds of democratic candidates on different posts are estimated hundreds thousand dollars.
Cooperation Nemazee with Democratic national committee has helped success of party on intermediate elections of 2006. On the threshold of presidential elections of 2008 the financier sponsored a nominee Hillary Clinton, for what has received in a national staff, a post of the chairman concerning financing. After end of formation of nominees on a post of the new US president, Nemazee it was switched to support of the winner — Barack Obama — and has collected for the party favourite more a half-million of dollars.
As informs Politico, on Tuesday, having heard about scandal around Nemazee, some politicians-democrats, including vice-president Joe Biden, have declared intention to return the donations received from the financier or to give them for needs of charity.
In the majority of the countries of the Near East till now in force one of fundamental laws of Islam: in no event it is impossible to eat that lamb from whom had sexual relations. The person, decided to eat such sheep, makes a mortal sin and then, this person already never to get to paradise with 70 virgins.
And in Lebanon, besides that almost half of population — Christians, to men is officially authorised to enter sexual relations with animals. Thus there is very important restriction: animals should be a female. For sexual relations with animals-males the death penalty threatens.
The Gold Coast Film Fantastic opened with a bang (and then some) at Australia Fair Birch Caroll & Coyle cinema's tonight with everyone from Oscar winning special effects whiz John Cox to on-screen (and possibly real life) serial-killer John Jarratt walking the red carpet.
In other highly amusing news I met a young, up and coming Australia actor who just happens to be called James Dean! And he's an actor! And young! Geddit? Sigh. Well, I found it humorous... especially whilst trying to interview him a Marilyn Monroe impersonator was lurking in the background. Eerie.
Anyway, the GCFF is a great local initiative for movie makers and film lovers alike. Festival director Casey Marshall Siemer and co. showcase a selection of Australian films amongst the international offerings and organise the filmmakers to meet with distributors and industry insiders during the event. For cinephiles however, the GCFF is a superb way to see a huge variety of films weeks, even months, before they're released in Oz cinemas.
But with more than 21 films and 7 free outdoor screenings across three days, it's easy to get lost amongst the sheer volume of movies at this year's GCFF. From documentaries and animated films, to romantic comedies and horror, there's something for the cinephile in all of us. Here's my guide to some of the festival highlights:
The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls
Taking out the audience award at this year's Toronto Film Festival, this is an inspirational look at two of New Zealand's national treasures whose radical protest songs have been entertaining the world for nearly 30-years.
The Accidental Husband
Uma Thurman lowers her Samurai sword for a romantic comedy co-starring Colin Firth and Grey's Anatomy fan favourite Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
ZombielandLovers of horror and comedy can hang on to to the Halloween spirit with this mash-up of the two genres. After smashing the US box-office, Zombieland has been getting rave reviews overseas and stars Woody Harrelson, Bill Murray, Abigail Breslin and rising star Jesse Eisenberg.
Sky Crawlers
Nominated for the best animated feature film at the up and coming Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Sky Crawlers is the latest from Mamoru Oshii, director of anime classic Ghost in the Shell. A slow-paced mystery, the animation is incredible with some of the best flight fight sequences ever created.
Prime Mover
Possibly the first love triangle to involve a man, woman and a truck, Prime Mover is the latest from Australian writer/director David Caesar.
BronsonOne of the most talked about drama's of the year, Bronson explores the bare knuckled reality of real life criminal Charles Bronson who has spent the last 30-years in solitary confinement for crimes committed in jail including murder and taking hostages. Oh, it also stars a beefed-up Tom Hardy (above) in his breakout roll.
The Coolangatta Gold
This year's race may be over, but relive the excitement with the 1984 film that made the iconic ironman race famous.
I.C.U
From Gold Coast director Aash Aaron, this edge-of-your-seat offering follows three teens in a Surfers Paradise high rise who play a game of cat and mouse with a serial killer.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
This is one for the kids and kids at heart Inspired by a children's book, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky thanks to the invention of a young, wacky scientist. Though I rolled my eyes at the trailer, a four star review from Empire has sparked my interest.
P.S. And I bring you another trailer fresh off the inter-web from another movie on 5 horror movies I must see in 2015 list; Date Night! Yes, the Steve Carrell, Tina Fey led comedy with possibly the best supporting cast ever - Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Mila Kunis, Leighton Meester, Ray Liotta, Common, Kristen Wiig and more. Oh, did I mention Mark Wahlberg? Did I mention he's shirtless in the trailer? HELL YES! Watch and drool. Thoughts? The trailer looks like its been put together a bit tackily but there appears to be some good moments. We'll have to wait another six months to see the actual movie though. Sigh.
Brilliant new ad campaign just unveiled for The Sunday Times, created by Grey London the "Icons" advert is thrill to view.
Being tasked with promoting The Sunday Times’ month-long series and refresh of its Culture section got us thinking. What are people’s favourite iconic cultural moments across film, music, art and TV? Why do some things enter popular culture and remain there, while others fall by the wayside?
Shot in one stunning take by Us through Academy Films, the film tips its hat to some of the most instantly recognisable moments from culture through the ages. In just 50 seconds, it recreates six iconic scenes from more than 500 years of history: Rodin’s The Thinker, the epochal ‘bench scene’ from Forrest Gump, the Mad Men title sequence, Michelangelo’s seminal Creation of Adam, the Mr Pink/Mr White ‘altercation’ from Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, and, finally, the helmeted, Grammy Award-winning electronic duo Daft Punk.
Creative Credits: Ad Agency — Grey Creative Director — Dave Monk Creatives — Jonathan Rands & Johan Leandersson Agency Producer — Debbie Impett Director — Us Production Company — Academy Films Executive Producer — Lizie Gower Producer — Juliette Harris DOP — Ben Fordesman A&R Operator — Simon Wood Art Director — Alison Dominitz Hair & MakeUp — Lu Hinton Stylist — Rebecca Hale Casting — Hammond & Cox Editor — Dave Stevens @ Assembly Rooms Post — Electric Theatre Collective Grade — Aubrey Woodiwiss
Behind the scenes...The making of The Sunday Times "Icons" advert.
COLORECTAL CANCER ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (CCAC) urges Canadians to show the bums online for the purpose of attention attraction to necessity of regular inspection of intestines.
Favourite bums by Ogilvy Montreal
Social campaign «Get Your Butt Seen» is created by advertising agency Ogilvy Montreal and includes online, television and the outdoor advertising.
Load the bum!
The image of the buttocks can be loaded on a web site of campaign and on page Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada on Facebook. After photo loading, for you the information becomes accessible: about a cancer, preventive maintenance, about early diagnostics etc.
“This year’s campaign takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to communicate that Jewish people have a long-standing reputation for making great films in Hollywood and beyond,” says Helen Zukerman, executive director, TJFF. “TJFF is an authentic cultural experience that celebrates Jewish culture by screening outstanding films, documentaries and shorts from around the world, and showcases quality films that aren’t shown anywhere else.”
“TJFF is largely perceived to be a religious festival – featuring movies heavy on Jewish content and light on action, drama, suspense and laughs,” says David Ross, creative director, DDB Canada. “To expand our reach to include a younger Jewish and non-Jewish demographic, we set out to demonstrate that people are already fans of movies that feature Jewish contribution, they just might not be aware of it.”
Cue the new online tool "J-Dar" and now we can have some fun testing just how Jewish some of favorite films are. Test you're J-DAR HERE and for more about the 21st Toronto Jewish Film Festival HERE.
Credits: Brief: The Toronto Jewish Film Festival needed to broaden its reach and increase ticket sales. Our challenge was that TJFF was largely perceived to be a religious film festival, featuring movies heavy on Jewish content and light on action, drama, suspense and laughs — a belief that couldn't be further from the truth. We set out to correct this perception by proving to people that while they may not know it, they’re already fans of Jewish movies.
Description: We created a fun online tool called J-DAR. It calculates how Jewish your favourite Hollywood movies are. All J-DAR results are accompanied by contextualized TJFF film recommendations and a link to purchase festival tickets.
Creative Ad Agency: DDB Canada/Tribal, Toronto Executive Creative Director: Denise Rossetto, Todd Mackie Creative Director: David Ross, David Horovitch, Paul Wallace Writer: David Ross, David Horovitch Art Director: Jake Bundock, Paul Wallace Designers: Jake Bundock, Devon Williamson Developers: Gar Liu, Brendyn Zachary Director of Technology: Joe Dee Information Architects: Dale McRae, Daniel Wiseman Digital Production Managers: Chris Webden, Cathy Kim Account Team (names & titles): Melanie Johnston (SVP, Managing Director), Leigh Farlow (Sr. Account Executive) Strategy: Parker Mason, Sandra Moretti Online Analyst: Kevin McHugh Audio House: Keen Music
From his breakout hit Boy to starring in next year’s blockbuster Green Lantern (above), New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi is a shining light in Hollywood. The 35-year-old Maori writer, director, producer and artist first burst onto the scene in 2016 with his Oscar-nominated short film Two Cars, One Night and followed that success in 2015 with his debut feature Eagle Vs Shark. It starred his close friend Jermaine Clement of Flight Of The Conchords fame and Waititi also came on board to write and direct several episodes of the hit show. But it is his latest film Boy that is truly putting him on the world stage.
Whilst in competition at the prestigious Sundance film festival earlier this year, executives from Warner Brothers Studio saw Waititi performing in Boy and quickly approached him about a role in Green Lantern. Despite coming from an acting background in live theatre and perfoming in a comedy troupe with Jermaine, Waititi said it was strange to give up the creative reigns and return to performing.
“They saw Boy and were looking for someone to play this character, so I read for it and then suddenly I was an actor again,” he said. “It was weird because it wasn’t part of the plan for me. I just wanted to do my thing and keep making films and be a director. “It was very, very weird and I found it kind of strange to go from someone whose been in control for ages to sitting around on set waiting for your scene. “Your part of it, but your also not part of it. “It was fucking weird to be honest, but I loved it and watching how everything is done.”Green Lantern is the $150m mega blockbuster based on the DC Comics series of the same name and stars Ryan Reynolds in the title role (above). Waititi said he plays the role of Green Lantern’s faithful sidekick Thomas Kalmaku in the film. “I can’t even pronounce his name properly because he’s supposed to be of Native American heritage,” he said. “He doesn’t have any powers or do any of the action scenes. “It’s basically that….the guy is like a tech geek. That old chestnut. “It’s not a giant role or anything and you never know if you’re still going to be in it at the end of the movie. “While I was shooting I was thinking, as a filmmaker, you don’t really need this scene. But I wasn’t going to tell them that.”
Tipped as being the biggest blockbuster of 2011, there has been a lot of hype surrounding the special effects used on Green Lantern. Reynolds suit, for instance, is being created using CGI technology and will constantly evolve throughout the film. Although Waititi said he didn’t get to see what the suit looked like during filming, what he did see of the production was `amazing’.
“I haven’t seen any of the suit stuff because they hadn’t even decided what the suit was going to look like when we were shooting,” he said. “They’ve had almost a year since filming to develop that now, but the art I saw was amazing. “It’s going to look incredible. “That was very exciting for me because although I saw some of the green screen stuff, there’s no way to imagine what it’s going to look like. “I just gave up and said my lines. “I imagined it would look awesome down the track but at that moment it was just a bunch of weird people in normal clothes standing around with cameras. “I wasn’t even in those scenes, I just went to watch their spotted-suit acting.” Being involved in one of the most highly anticipated comic-book movies was a dream come true for Waititi (above), who said he used to `collect comics’ when he was younger. “I was not really into the Green Lantern mythology, but I was more of a Batman guy,” he said. “Batman was just a guy with determination who was badass and good at beating people up and fighting. “He had the dark past and that appealed to me. “I was a little bit into X-Men, but it got quite complicated with all the characters.”
But don’t get too excited, because Waititi said he is not likely return to the superhero genre anytime soon.
“It’s not really my style,” he said. “I’m better suited to these character pieces and its sort of my background. “There’s less stress and less stuff that’s over my head.”
Here is where. I chatted with the friendly P-Thugg (above right) from electrofunk duo Chromeo yesterday about music, movies, his BFF Dave 1 and asked the question a legion of Yo Gabba Gabba fans have been wanting to know — does he wash his hands?
“Yeah, always,” he said. So, now that’s settled, here are his favourite movies: “Scarface, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Ghost Busters, Beverley Hills Cop and Naked Gun.”
For those who haven’t been exposed to their brilliance before, I suggest you check out Chromeo’s video for their ridiculously catchy new song Don’t Turn The Lights On, off their forthcoming album Business Casual.
Where art thou Chromeo?, 8 out of 10 [based on 672 votes]
Priceless. A proud father interrogates his daughter to determine who her favorite parent is, mum or dad. It's a no-holds-barred contest of cunning and smarts... and one of them is clearly outmatched.
Totally unrelated to advertising, but just too cute not share with the world. Ah, just wait...Dad (Mike Tippet) is from Pow! Sound in Newcastle, Australia.
