Birdman - Not a review just an observation

I saw the trailer for Birdman about 8 months ago and was eager to see it straightaway. Although it took me a good two weeks to go see when it was released, I still saw it and thats what counts.

Like the title, I can't stress enough that this is NOT a review, merely a copy from what was written in my journal. So here it goes.

A new superhero film, or is it?

In long takes (which has been done before - the failed 'horror' Silent House and even the seen in Brian De Palma's Blow Out) we see an endless cycle of perhaps, life. The film is constant but yet still has a beginning, middle and end.The fixed scenes of night become day and vice versa become forgotten as this is but a technique of time progression rather than a location setting. Set on Broadway , focused on Keaton's character, Riggan bringing Raymond Carver's 'What we talk about when we talk about Love' to life. The New York setting becomes a backdrop to the labyrinth theatre we are set to follow. One of the most important aspects of he film is the obviously the technique to make the entire film look like one shot, the continuous shot. Of course it isn't but some nifty and believable editing has been done there. However, to me, by doing this the unpredictableness that this film holds within the characters and plot, becomes evident that everything has been planned to a T, probably more than most other films. Every set, plot point and camera angle has been meticulously planned. Leading to this confusing, uneasy feeling that the future is set and we know it is because the camera us on track there whether your watching or not. It will reach its final destination.

Riggan's alter ego 'Birdman' follows him around, often provoking him to fits of psychotic rage. I think that Birdman is not his alter ego but his actual ego, suffering to come to terms with his current career situation. Dark Knights have come and gone and although in the recent Hollywood screen Batman, Christopher Nolan's trilogy with Christian Bale has taken lead and is most remembered. One of the roles Michael Keaton is remembered for is his portrayal in Tim Burton's 1989 and 1991 films. Birdman's ability to somehow exaggerate and mirror Keaton's career choice not to take part in a third Batman leads to more real understanding of Keaton and therefore the character his portraying.

Of course the film pokes fun at the current domination of the Hollywood superheroes. I particularly found the humorous references quite a tickle,.- with references to Jeremy Renner, Michael Fassbender and Robert Downey Jr, lets us know that it is set in the world of our superheroes - could this be that there is a Michael Keaton out there or in fact that Keaton is Riggan pretending to be Keaton pretending to be Riggan?  The mind boggles.

My question is, would Birdman had made such an impact if Keaton hadn't starred?

Is there a hidden point to the casting that the director is trying to make or does it just prove him right that every star is now a superhero?

Like I said, this wasn't a review, just thinking out loud. 

  

Music of 2015 Part 1

Albums can age well, others can't. Depending on your taste you can come across music from years ago and it still be as good today as it was back then. Take Jamie T's first two records for example. Panic Prevention (2007) and Kings and Queens (2009) are still as listened to today as they were when they were released, maybe it has something to do with the release of his long awaited third album, Carry On The Grudge, that listeners have this inner need to rediscover his back catalogue.

Music in 2014 and even the beginning of 2015 has seen the emergence of great brand new defining artists, Royal Blood, Catfish and The Bottlemen and Slaves to name a few. Heres what I'm listening to:

(Okay so this is my first time actually physically writing my thoughts about music, usually my thoughts progress into passing speech and then lost forever.)


ALVVAYS 

The Toronto based bands album had been lurking around me for a while when I decided to finally give it a go and buy it. Having not seen any music videos, I came to the music blind, which was a breathe of fresh air for me, it wasn’t until last month that I watched the band perform live that I finally aligned the voice to the face.

Bursting with songs that will be the soundtrack of your summer, the bands debut album doesn’t fail to impress and if you like the likes of Best Coast, Alvvays is the next step. Front woman, Molly Rankin allows one to drift endlessly between the end of one song and the beginning of the other with her addictive monotone voice. ‘Archie, Marry Me’ the song now used at your local indie night between bands is probably the most recognized song of the album. But to me the stand out song is ‘Party Police’. Anyone who earns for someone else will automatically fall in love with this song. 

https://soundcloud.com/alvvays
https://twitter.com/alvvaysband
https://www.facebook.com/ALVVAYS

SLOW CLUB

Now I’m only going to talk about their third album, Complete Surrender, as that’s the only album I have been listening to of Slow Club. Now I am a bit of sucker for joint vocals between men and women (can never get enough of Blood Red Shoes), and this album impresses. Some critics have said that it is the Sheffield’s attempt at mainstream but I actually I think it defines there sound more. A few tracks on the album including ‘Not Mine To Love’ which is reminiscent of 60’s heartbreak pop in fact alerts that Slow Club are not defined to a genre. And I have to say that I absolutely love Rebecca Taylor’s charismatic voice. The album is almost that of a melodramatic musical with some you want to dance to, ‘The Pieces’ and others you want to cry to ‘Number One’. With tracks that feel like they have the ensemble of Arcade Fire, I am eagerly waiting to see them perform them live.

https://soundcloud.com/slowclub
https://twitter.com/slowclubhq
https://www.facebook.com/slowclub




HONEYBLOOD

Honeyblood’s debut album was featured in both NME’s and Rough Trades Albums of the year lists and I don’t disagree. With the gurllll power on there side and the attitude to kick every guy in the balls. With its grunge sound and fiery lyrics the band would appeal to every angry teenage girl who hates the world. Honeyblood’s feistiness oozes from beginning to end. The album begins with anger and everything GIRL but somehow by ‘Braid Burn Valley’ turns itself into a reflection and narrative of a girl who’s lost her love. Recorded in just ten days, the album feels raw and personal. Genres that this band can fall into from pop punk to grunge, you’ll find youself in love with the secret track at the end of the record with Stina’s voice coming from a smile. I would call it Hole of the new generation, with ‘Choker’ sounding uncanny to Holes debut album Live Through This. 

https://soundcloud.com/honeyblood
https://twitter.com/yumhoneyblood
https://www.facebook.com/honeybloodeatitup





SLAVES

Slaves are probably one of the bands that’s gained most attention this year with Zane Lowe making there last 2 singles his hottest record in the world, there’s nothing stopping them from being music’s dark princes in 2015. I’ve been following this band for a while after listening to the catchy ‘Debbie Where’s Your Car?’ And soon bought there Sugar Coated Bitter Truth EP without hesitation. Without a doubt one of the best songs being the 14 second track Girl Fight. Short and snappy, entertaining and funny, when preformed live its part of a 2-minute story of the lead singer/drummer Issac Holman whose vocals stink of Johnny Rotten. The sarcastic attitude the duo bring to there music proves a breathe of fresh air. With there most recent single ‘Feed The Mantaray’ having the build of ‘Rock the Casbah’ and the attitude of Sex Pistols, Slaves are successful are bringing back the punk that has been missing in recent years.


https://soundcloud.com/slavesband
https://twitter.com/slaves
https://www.facebook.com/slaves

Other artists to mention are DEERS/HINDS, COURTNEY BARNETT, WARPAINT, GIRLBAND, SUPERFOOD, HAPPYNESS and BABY STRANGE.

All About That Weight

I know Meghan Trainor's single 'All About That Bass' was released months ago and the controversy surrounding her single has died down a bit but I can't help but still feel slightly angered by the whole thing. The song was written in part by Trainor herself and that automatically in my list puts her above half the female pop stars today. Trainor isn't a size zero, but again in my eyes looks like a normal 21 year old. I'm sorry, I just don't get it and I have to say that the comments on the accompanying music video to the song on youtube have been an interesting yet aggravating read. The fact that people assume she is shaming skinny people is just absurd.

'She says, boys they like a little more booty to hold at night

You know I won't be no stick-figure, silicone Barbie doll'

Some youtube comments 'apparently' come from skinny people claiming that they have just as much insecurities with their figure as larger women do. But this isn't what I want to talk about it. What baffles me is the hype that surrounds it and why? Meghan Trainor is dissed for making a body positive song, but Nicki Minaj shaking her cosmetically enhance buttocks in Anaconda has attracted no where near as much attention as Trainors record. Trainor has been criticised for being anti-feminist in her music but Minaj's music is just looked over (I actually can't be bothered to put an excerpt of her song here as the whole thing is ridiculous, if you want to look for yourself by all means, http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nickiminaj/anaconda.html) 

Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Lady GaGa to name a few are more to blame for the anti feminist and female exploitation in society today. Rihanna basically just is promiscuity in her music. These women all have the 'correct' body to make it in the music industry as a female artist and don't get me wrong, if you've got it flaunt it. But you don't see larger female audiences backlashing against these women for exploiting the skinny body and feeling personally attacked for not being a size zero. Thats what I just don't get? How does this make sense? But when Trainor releases one cute song she is now not only seen as an artist, but a larger artist.

Now I did some investigating recently and started with the typical google of Meghan Trainor's name. The second option that comes up is Meghan Trainor's weight;

This is more of a rant then a post, as it has just been something that has been bugging me for a while. But how Meghan Trainor has been accused of being anti feminist in her music whilst artists that look like they have come out of a barbie factory sing about sex, drugs and flaunt there body just fly by, baffle me. Take another artist for example, the lovely Taylor Swift. Both Swift and Trainor are prime models of the fact that you don't have to exploit your body to be successful. Swift's music and videos never renounce sex nor does she dress provocatively to sell more records. But unfortunately the likes of Nicki Minaj and Iggy Azalea who are lets face it, untalented and have no right being in the spot light dress like the stripper in your local strip club. (Disclaimer: I do not hate strippers, and I don't actually know where my local strip club is or if there is one at all, to be correct I should say Gentleman's club. But hey ho).

Speaking personally now and coming from someone that isn't stick thin, I do not take Trainor's song to be praising the large and condemning the skinny. She's not trying to change a generation come on she's not Bono. And I think people who are taking her songs so personally and feeling attacked by them need to take a step back and realise the truth of it. Which is basically the whole problem with society, we are so brainwashed into thinking what is perfect, which lets face it is being thin, that if someone comes along who doesn't conform to this we put them on a peddle stool. The role we have in society has fascinated me for a while; check out the video I made a few months back and I think will explain a lot more into my thoughts on women today. link here - http://vimeo.com/95673040.

So take a look and decide for yourself, is it really all about the weight?

What's the point of going to University - A thought I've had for a while.

18 and full of excitement when I received my acceptance letter from De Montfort University to study Photography & Video BA(Hons) in 2011.

It is now 2015, I graduated last year with a First and still no one will hire me. Im on a below minimum wage job which actually means I've resorted to being 18 again.

After living away for 3 years, one becomes accustomed to being self sufficient and the freedom becomes a right. Now I am nearly 22 and still living at home having my dinners cooked for me.

This is not what I thought post University would be like. I thought the world was my oyster - well that's what I was told.

I'm going to take a slight dig at the Telegraph Media Group now with there Photography Internship, after it took me a day to finish there application process which included, two written questions and two video questions, I waited eagerly for there reply. I thought this is it, this is what will get the ball rolling for me and my career. There looking for a graduate and that's all. Well I was the perfect candidate, not only was I a graduate in Photography but I'd also been awarded the highest diploma you can get from a BA with the plus of past experience as well.

After a week, I received a generic reply and was told my application had not passed the first stage and that I couldn't ask for feedback as I hadn't reached a certain point. The saddest thing is that this internship probably went to the one of the bosses nieces friends cat.

Is this world we have come too? That students are leaving university with thousands of pounds in debt, but not even achieving the dreams we have been brought up believing. And in fact letting the rich man stay on top with no space for us under dogs. They say its all about the people you know, it should be about talent and creativeness not your ability to flirt with every Tom, Dick and Harry.

The funny thing is you can't pay your fee's back until you earn over £16,910. Even at that pay rate, do the government really think were ready to be paying back money? I don't even earn that much.

What I'm trying to say is, maybe just maybe uni was a waste of time and I'm starting to believe that. Three years wasted that I could have been getting experience in the film industry or actually starting my life rather than being stuck in this rutt.

They say the twenties are meant to be the best years of your life, 2 years in and there the worst so far..