Film Review: Lords of Dogtown – Worth it.
Our movie man Benny went to check out the remake of the classic Z-boys fliek – his take is pretty generous and it sounds like it’s worth watching – let us know what you think! LORDS OF DOGTOWN The deal: Lords of Dogtown takes you on a journey to the rough streets of Venice, California, in the 70s where a couple of teenagers flipped the world of skateboarding on its head. The film… is based on the lives of the renowned Z-Boys who were responsible for a dramatic shift in street styles when they brought their slick surfing tricks to the pavement. Initially the Z-Boys (Zephyr Skateboarding Team) were started by surf shop owner Skip Engblom when he saw the potential of some of the kids who used to hang out at his shop. However, as he exploited them, other opportunities beckoned and the team eventually broke up, which is essentially the path the film takes us on. The script by Stacy Peralta, who used to be one of the Z-boys is pretty good, great storyline and developing characters that one can relate to. All this is captured in an exceptional manner by Director Catherine Hardwicke, who manages to both grip and pain you at the same time. The good stuff: The film is great in all areas but a couple of things that you cannot miss are the score, which has some great oldies in it, the camera techniques, art direction and the wardrobes are really cool as well. What really stood out in the film is the acting of Emile Hirsch who stars as Jay Adams, the trouble maker, which manages to bring a very sad but balanced human connection to the film. The bad stuff: There is nothing really bad about this film, it really does well in all areas – the only thing I might change is the rating. I don’t think it suited for kids under the age of sixteen as they are influenced much more by their peers and in a way some of the rebellious actions in the film might be seen as “cool” actions to young kids. The ending is also a bit too sudden and it had a touch of the Hollywood sparkle to spice it up, but that’s just me& Director: Catherine Hardwicke Cast: Emile Hirsch, Victor Rasuk, John Robinson, Michael Angarano, Nikki Reed, Heath Ledger Running Time: 102...
Review: Durban International Film Festival
Our Durban D-Va keeps us up to date with what’s going down in this tropical paradise with a review of two screenings at the Durban International Film Festival. We love Durban people- they’re so chilled! Well I would be too if I started everyday with a swim in the Indian Ocean! In Life as in Death? Is it naff to want to die peacefully in your sleep? Do ordinar…y men typically dream of glorious deaths in order to add an aura of heroism and glory to their lives? And how often do people’s deaths reflect the way that they lived? These were some of my thoughts after watching two of the flieks on show at the Durban International Film Festival; the Palestinian film Paradise Now and the Italian mafia movie, Consequences of Love. Paradise Now The film was shot in Nablus, the most populated city of Palestine, where human rights violations and war crimes are a daily occurrence. The film tells the story of a day in the life of two friends who have been chosen to perform a suicide bombing in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. During filming, the cast and crew were sometimes placed in dangerous situations – the location manager was even kidnapped for a day by a Palestinian group concerned about the script’s depiction of the situation in Palestine! All accounts I’ve heard confirm that the film offers a very fair and unbiased portrayal of the situation in the region. Their plan of attack goes wrong as they cross over onto the Israeli side, and the friends are separated, still strapped with explosives. The drama becomes more like suspense, as we follow the two on their fast-paced journeys through the sandy streets of dilapidated Nablus. In the end, we see the protagonist reconciled with his fate, which he chooses over returning to the oppressive conditions of the refugee camp. Living in Palestine, it seems a young man is left with two choices: become a conspirator, face execution and bring shame on the family you leave behind; or give your life to the cause, become a martyr, and bring honour to the family you leave behind. Although the film does not engage with the ethical questions and ramifications of killing civilians for revolutionary causes, whether in the name of politics or religion, the film puts a human spin on what has become an everyday news item. Director Hany Abu-Assad’s intention with this film was to “open debate and to make the stories of those who are invisible, visible”. With exceptional performances, a gripping storyline and fascinating insights into the physical space that is Palestine, this...
Review: Beautiful Ballet Theatre Afrikan
Represent goes to the ballet! Thanks to MEG for this review of the latest Ballet Theatre Afrikan performance at the state theatre – HURRY – it’s nearly over!: Ballet Theatre Afrikan – ‘Windows’ Now I’m no expert on what’s hot and what’s not in ballet but after reading another overly critical review of the show in the Star Tonight, I can firmly say that it really wasn’t my exper…ience at all. I think it had all the grace of a classic ballet but with a more updated funky aspect to it. There is no doubt that all the dancers in the Ballet Theatre Afrikan show ‘Windows’ are very talented, without exception. I think that for someone who is deadset against ballet in it’s purest form would find themselves acquiring a taste for it via this show. It’s accessible! Some of the scenes were so beautifully danced and acted and with such fluidity that you could be lulled in to thinking you were watching synchronized swimming, as if without having to contend with gravity. In fact one scene involving rain looked like so much fun that I contemplated joining them. The story revolves around an appartment block and a simple set beautifully lays the scene as we take a voyeuristic peep at people’s lives and their fateful interactions. Two neighbours have an affair and when they are found out a fight ensues, followed strangely by a wedding (which the programme suggests is reflective). So, whilst the dance and choreography is great, I managed to lose the thread of the story a wee bit and the synopsis in the programme didn’t clarify all that much for me either. I was left wondering. Two dancers stood out from the crowd in particular – Kitty Phetla and Yolandi Olckers. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and will be looking out for more shows by Ballet Theatre Afrikanin the future. And eavesdropping on a few conversations on the way back down to the parking lot will have confirmed this view of the show. My top tip for the evening however, is to make an evening of it in Pretoria if you live in Jo’burg. It’s a long perilous journey fraught with roadworks, so set out early and grab some dinner in Tswane beforehand, or whatever it is that we’re calling it these days. —————————————————– 5 July 2005 I remember I first saw the Ballet Theatre Afrikan at the Dance Umbrella a few years ago – lithe slim young girls stretched their long legs towards the audience, captivating us in their sensual story. But the star of the show had to be the young boy with...
Review: TINA C in RHINESTONE COWGIRL – Cape Town
Thanks to Dazzla for his review of the new show RHINESTONE COWGIRL at On Broadway in Cape Town – sounds like a blast! The ugly American is gorjous! Comedy reflecting the tragic absurdity of American arrogance has always interested me. Understandably, there’s a lot of it about but not much has had me fearing organ rupture from laughter as much as Tina C in Rhinestone Cowgirl perfo…rming at On Broadway, Cape Town until 30 July. Note to me: Caution your gushiness here…it so…Ughh…American! but I cannot help myself…I really haven’t seen better stand-up/drag – with real singing, in a very long while. Olivier award winning British tragi-comic Christopher Green is Tina C, the self-appointed anti-anti-American representative who skillfully gets it all redneck-Bush-like-wrong with just about everything. This leggy luscious country music singer from Open Throat Holler is utterly tenacious in her defence of the big old American way, through the “hell-yeah!-yee haw!” of country tunes and lines like “of course I want you for your body, I’ve got a mind of my own”. Her proud ascent form the depths of the trailer park gutter to country music superstar includes career highlights such as her GI Jane-esque pin-up presence for the US armed forces in Vietnam and of course…”Eye-rak”, fraternizing with the likes of her inimitable pal Condoleeza Rice at the Pope’s funeral and many more anecdotes of illustrious fame which she packs into this remarkable show. Ms Tina takes her informed and sensitive understanding of the global “planet” even further. As part of her goodwill mission spreading American joy to the, uhhhm…”territory” that is South Africa, Tina unleashes her sentiment and high regard for Neslon “Mandeh-lia” making referance to such gorgeously grand monuments bearing his name such as that pink hotel at the foot of Table Mountain. We love you Tina…hell yeah we do! And you’d make a damn fine president too! Tickets cost R75 each and dinner is served from 18h30. The show begins at 20h30. (If you are only coming for the show you need to be seated by 20h00.) For bookings Tel 021 424 1194. On Broadway is at 88 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town....
Review: Missed the CT Int Jazz festival? Panda didnt
I know so many people that wanted to go to this weekends Cape Town International Jazz Festival (ex North Sea) but couldnt… Well our Panda got to go and REPRESENT and here she gives you the whole run down – READ IT – you’ll know what you missed and what you didn’t!!!!! Sounds like Dhafer Yussef, Cesario, 340ml, Simphiwe, MXO, Bhudaza, Johnny Clegg, Sir Samuel group, Tespo Tshola…, Amina Figarova Septet and PBA didnt dissapoint… What a privilege to attend the Cape Town International Jazz Festival – “the first time the festival is a completely proudly SA event” they said, although the Ambassade van het Kroninkrijk der Nederlanden can still be found on the list of sponsors. But dit maak nie saak nie, it is the cream of our SA music calendar and not just aimed at people who say jazz with an h. I have grown accustomed to seeing SA music at beery festivals on remote farms where you have to camp and minimize the showering and hope no one pees on your tent in the night. Not so with this festival, guests fly in and camp at the Arabella Sheraton, there are corporate sponsored areas with free food and booze flowing onto plates and into glasses on beautifully set tables with comfortable chairs and large flat screen TVs projecting music from every stage. These guys didn’t have to move! Everyone else, the grandpas, the aunties, the families, the young dudes, the starstruck girls, the jazz aficionados, the scruffy musos, the affluent yuppies, the superbly dressed, the rich and famous moved freely from stage to stage from diva to dancers to drummers to gallery to coffee shop to whatever took their fancy on the schedule of 40 live acts. I know a little about jazz but not enough to know instantly what I would like to pick from the smorgasbord of music the festival was offering so I decided to wonder around and take a pick of everything, sampling stages as I worked through the staggered programme. Of course I couldn’t see everything, it’s useless to try. My festival kicked off at the Manenberg stage with Bhudaza from Lesotho who drew ululations from the crowd at the first note. Their gentle tribute to Miriam Makeba was a good way to ease into the festival. Behind us on the Kippies stage, also from Lesotho, Tsepo Tshola had just started and I wandered over to watch. He wore a white linen suit and a glittery skull cap, a visual reminder of his AKA name “The Village Pope”. Mr Tshola delivered very dramatic jazz with raspy vocals, presumably from his more...
Review: BUSTA – leave your valuables @home
Thanks to one of our readers for this review – straight from the heart! Yo, I had such a blast at the Busta concert! I went there with a friend with the hook up so I had a backstage pass. The line up included Busta, Eve, Pro Kid and the beautiful talented KB. I personally enjoyed KB’s performance and her hot dancers (one of which was the… King/Queen of dance Somizi Mhlongo) who just rocked! Pro Kid: It was the fist time a saw him perform and I had heard that he was HOT, but I must say I was very disappointed. It was just aight…Then the last song, he brought on Wikid, Selwyn and ten million other dudes and he had these dancers as well so you had a crowd of human beings on the stage shouting and I thought that was very unnecessary! Eve was really hot. She did about 6 songs though and let some of her dancers bust some moves for us. She never had a single wardrobe change or any actual effort in the performance. I find that a lot of these American artists when they come here to perform they really don’t put any effort into it. I feel that they undermine the “AFRICAN” crowd because I have seen EVE on MTV doing her thang on stage and one can see the effort she took to the performance. AnYWAY-she was cool. Mr Busta Bust was hot, he also made people wait a while before he actually came on stage. I was back stage before he came on and just before EVE finished he got into the Mercs saying he is going to the hotel to change! He also threw a fanny wobble about people recording him on stage with their phones of digi cams, and then threatened to leave if he saw even a single person recording him. But he made it back, got over himself and kicked ass. But again: get on stage-grab the mic- smoke a blunt-on stage, do your songs and bounce! He hooked me up though, I liked the songs but there was nothing amazing about his performance. PROBLEM-thieves! My phone got stolen, my friends phone got stolen, my friends friends phone got stolen and everyday I speak to people about the concert, first thing they say is that their phones got jacked at that concert. It seems there was a syndicate of cell phone thieves (on a serious note) operating at that concert, its actually hectic how many people I know whose phones got jacked there. It’s actually disgusting but we do live in that kind of society! BE CAREFUL...
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