Naya vs. Shay

Both are so talented. Both come from multi-cultural background.

Naya Rivera has been on TV since she was practically a baby in the Royal Family and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She was on the Bernie Mac Show before we knew her as Santana on Glee. She even played "nice girl" on 8 Simple Rules. But Glee has really shown her vocals. Santana is rather complex on Glee.

Shay Mitchell is Canadian and even served a bit time on Degrassi. Modeling was her start in the business. She was on Aaron Stone before she made her mark on Pretty Little Liars. Shay as Emily,  possibly has the best lesbian storyline around. Not just that. Best love story on the show. Also on Pretty Little Liars, she's is showing  her athletic abilities as a swimmer.


Its been said that these two look a lot alike. Perhaps. Just the same it would be great if they could both be in a film together.  Both are in their early twenties and still playing teenagers.

The Perry Band

It doesn't hurt to have two adorable little brothers, either.

Country music just got sweeter with this fresh new band. Siblings at that. The Perry's. Kimberly, Reid and Neal. This musical trio(influenced by blue grass) was discovered by Garth Brooks' manager Bob Doyle. Kimberly Perry sang in her own band as a teenager with her brothers Neil and Reid working as roadies. In 2005, they joined New Faces of Country tour.

Kimberly is lead on vocals.

Their If I die Young has really struck an emotional chord with fans. Still, this fresh faced group has a great energy at their shows. Its said they are a new kind of country. Whatever it might be, its their voices, music and song writing that keeps their fans coming back for more.

XXY - dvd review

This film was made in 2007 and in 2008 was up for an Oscar and the equivalent of an Oscar in Spain for best foreign film from Argentina.

Oh, its quite the tale. And you've got Inez Efron's eyes to light up the screen. She's 15 year old Alex, not sure if she wants to be a boy or a girl. And as she thinks on it, does she really have to decide. Especially, after meeting the surgeon's son, Alvaro (Martin Pioyansky) who has came to visit, he some how brings out the masculinity in her. He finds out a few things about himself too. Well, she's already punched her best friend, Vando (Luciano Nobile) out and is expelled from school.

Honestly, it a very original movie, by the sea. Her father is a scientist, taking care of the migration of sea turtles. There is just this natural aspect of the whole movie. How two families visit. How their lives are exposed. Especially, Alex who is bold and fierce at times, and yet she is their little girl.

The town boys take to her, to find out her secret. Its the moment you think Alex might never recover from. This movie raises a lot of questions about sexuality and looking at your own personality, as well. Its beautifully filmed. In Spanish with subtitles.

This is one of those movies you'll want to talk about, not just afterwards, but from time to time. Then you'll be looking for all of Inez Efron's other movies.

STORYLINE: This is the dramatic story of a 15-year-old hermaphrodite. She lives with her parents, who have to cope with the challenges of her medical condition.

Down with Webster

Oh, those crazy Candian boy rappers. What do they know? Well, obviously something. Fans love their energy and so does Timberland. "That group is the most amazing and creative, innovative group that’s going to come out in 2010." He said about the band. Unfortunately, the band had already decided to go with Universal Motown. Even so, they opened for him on tour, more than a few times. These guys have made the Warp Tour back in 09. They've been in the company of Cute is what we Aim for and recently opened for  3OH!3 with other artists K-Flay and Hello-Goodbye. So things must be looking pretty good for this group. I recently found them on the playlist of a Degrassi episode. They were most definitely pumping up the moment of the 'basketball' segment with TO WIN IT. Volume 2 is to be out this year some time.

The group is made up of Cameron "Cam" Hunter—MC.Martin "Bucky" Seja—MC.Tyler Armes—bass guitar and keyboard Andrew "Marty" Martino—drums. Kyle "Kap Ten/Oneoh" Fairlie—hype man. Dave "Diggy" Ferris—DJ. Patrick "Pat" Gillett—vocals and guitar. And to think Down With Webster was originally formed for a middle school talent show in 1998.

HOWL - dvd review

If you love poetry and  Allen Ginsberg, I'm sure you've seen this film, already. But if you are like me, who lives in the heartland America..well, they don't make it easy to see films like this.

Honestly, the movie is bold with animation and color. Yet, still gives the vividness of the 1950's, the era of Ginsberg and the generation he lived in.

I did wonder if that was a SHARPIE beard

This was long before the life of the Internet and the connections of texting. It was a time when you better feel your words at the touch of the clickity-click of the type-writer. This film is said to be a documentary. Real words taken from people at that time. It was a time when Ginsberg's (James Franco) work HOWL was on trial. Was it really literature? Or just obscene? But as we know, it has stood the test of time. And each generation finds a new awakening in his words. He brings to light how his homosexuality was dealt with as a mental disease. Yet his world melts with the plight of man. His poetry is a beat of its own drummer. Yes, he speaks of his own heros and yet there is a reality of how our country found its own normal from war to advertizing.

The cast is made up of an amazing bunch. From John Hamm, Treat Williams, Jeff Daniels, and many others. The film its self is of brilliant forms of color. It is cuts in parts of conversations with the poet, the era, the trial, and the vivid imagination going through the poet's mind. After all HOWL is the poem that rocked a generation so why not pull out all the stops.

Truth be told though, I would have loved to seen the movie just a bit more up, close and personal. How exactly Ginsberg met his life partner Peter Orlovsky played sweetly by Aaron Tveit. As it was Ginsberg had fallen in love several times with many straight men. He'd ended up in a psych ward, but thankfully never went under shock treatments for his homosexuality as one friend he'd met during that ordeal.

This really is an interesting film. Parts of the trial will make you smile, thinking how ridiculous it was to put something like this on trial. Yet, to be thankful that in America we do have our freedoms of speech.

STORYLINE: It's San Francisco in 1957, and an American masterpiece is put on trial. Howl, the film, recounts this dark moment using three interwoven threads: the tumultuous life events that led a young Allen Ginsberg to find his true voice as an artist, society's reaction (the obscenity trial), and animation that echoes the poem's surreal style. All three coalesce in hybrid that dramatizes the birth of a counterculture.

Harmony - cd review

Harmony Channel

Christofer Drew better known as NEVERSHOUTNEVER has once again produced a very unique playlist of his life in music. There is something that reminds me of Ben Kweller from his first memorable CD  SHA-SHA back in 2002. Both have their originality and have worked with some great artists. And I feel sure these artists truly think of them as the real deal when it comes to song writing.

Of course, Drew had gone sort of the Emo route. Its said now he's the most hated in EMO. I dunno why. He's had some on again off again problems with labels, but it never fails he has the artistic ability to deliver.

He worked on some great songs with the band EATMEWHILEIMHOT(Screamo). But still he comes back to his acoustic beginnings as he has with HARMONY which came out this past August. Yet this time, he seems to have matured quite a bit in spite of that CD cover he chose. His songs are past the puppy love stage now. I'm not sure 'grit' is the word to use. Perhaps his fans have gotten older too. But truly in this CD he accomplishes to convey how life is really treating him. It might not be always about the love of his life. No, he's not that little boy from Missouri, anymore. He might be a dropout, but I think he's a whole lot smarter than he looks.

Lucas Grabeel

It might be hard not to think of him as Ryan in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. But Lucas is taking on new challenges.

1. He was in MILK

2. He was in I KISSED A VAMPIRE (based on iTunes webseries)

So why not show your dark side even more as young Alexander Luthor on SMALLVILLE. Back in 2006 he made a flashback as 'young Lex Luther'. He really looks great in this role. I'm so in hopes that it'll catch on what an amazing actor he really is.








I KISSED A VAMPIRE. Hopefully, it'll be released as a DVD.

Sweet Note from the director of RECREATOR

I was fortunate enough to get a note from my GAP GUY article on Alexander Nifong about Alex's up coming movie.

"So glad you like Alex. I directed him in new movie Recreator where he plays two sides of the same character. It's a sci-fi thriller about cloning and identity and Alex is great in it. There's a trailer at www.recreatorlabs.com. Look for the movie to come out in September...you heard it here first folks. Thanks Ivy." - G. Orr (Gregory Orr, Director and Writer of Recreator.) His interview with Sara Kramer about the movie.

This horror sci-fi thriller is said to be a throw back of the 80's. "It is a throwback to those movies, creepy, but fun and good to look at, with an ending that generates lots of discussion among test audiences." Orr explains.

The storyline is a group of teenagers stumble upon a secret lab and encounter superior versions of themselves.

The cast, not only includes Nifong but Stella Maeve from Gossip Girl and one of my favorite movies Remember the Daze. Jamal Mallory-Mcree is in the trio who goes camping in the beautiful Adirondacks. The flim was made on scenic Tupper Lake. With this sort of location and cast, this looks to be a very edgy horror film.  It gives a whole new meaning to being your own worst enemy.

RECREATOR MOVIE SITE
Recreator facebook

Wild Target -DVD review

I'd been looking forward to this film. Especially, when I heard Rupert Grint was in it....but I was pretty sure I'd never get to see it. And then I found it at Wal-Mart at a very nice price.

Bill Nighy is better than ever in this film as an assassin, of all things. It is a bit of a dark comedy. Yet, it has a feel of a Graham Greene novel too. Brighton Rock comes to mind. Its like watching 'Pinkie' at 55. Nighy's character has all the expertize of a diligent priest. His mother is beginning to think he might be gay.

Next is spotted Emily Blunt's character as the hap-hazard thief that Nighy is suppose to kill. Naturally, its harder than it looks. She just keeps slipping out of sight. And just when, he might have a change of heart..well, they bump into street person Rupert Grint, who'd prefer a good reefer over anything, yet he can accidentally shoot people. Especially, the bad guys. All three end up in a hotel room together just down the hall from the bad guy who wants Blunt then Nighy killed.

Grint takes a lot of baths in this movie. Truly, its at its best of a real British comedy. And Grint gives such a perfect delivery of his simple lines.

Rupert Everett plays the main bad guy.

STORYLINE: Victor Maynard is a middle-aged, solitary assassin, who lives to please his formidable mother, despite his own peerless reputation for lethal efficiency. His professional routine is interrupted when he finds himself drawn to one of his intended victims, Rose. He spares her life, unexpectedly acquiring in the process a young apprentice, Tony. Believing Victor to be a private detective, his two new companions tag along, while he attempts to thwart the murderous attentions of his unhappy client.

This one is definitely a keeper for your DVD library.

The Eagle - movie review

It just might be the best bromance of the year. You've got Channing Tatum in one of his best roles. You know, he's the heart of a solider. And he's showing you old style, like 140 A.D. How it was for a Centurion in Brittan.

For the man or woman who loves the art of war, its packed with how they gathered to gather with their sheilds to protect themselves, and fought with their swords. Channing's character also was the true honorable solider who held on to his father's past with the symbol of the eagle. Basically, his religion.

Then his character, Marcus, who has had an honorable discharge after saving his men and a very bad leg injury..saves a slave at the local gladiator meet, or what ever it is that they do at those things. Oh, yeah, live fighting to the death. So Jamie Bell is Esca, from the north.

Since all Marcus can think of is being a solider and getting back the emblem his father took with him when the rest of the Romans vanished in the glens of the north, he decides to go North and he brings his Celtic slave with him. Soon enough, they enter the bad lands of Brittan and they have to switch roles.

Jamie Bell definitely knows how to make the other actor shine, and he did this, very well in this film with Channing Tatum.

Both have a real knack for being any man out in the field of battle. Both have made many a movie as life of a solider.

Of course, this will not be a movie for a Valentine, unless you have a hankering for history and have to see your Channing Tatum anyway you can get him, or it might be Jamie Bell. I am always up for a Jamie Bell film. Truly, though, I liked this bromance.

STORYLINE: In 140 AD, twenty years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila (Tatum) arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca (Bell), Marcus sets out across Hadrian's Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia - to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father's memory, and retrieve the lost legion's golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth. Written by Focus Features

Based on Rosemary Sutcliff's novel THE EAGLE OF THE NINTH.

Trivia: from a 1977 TV series based on this novel. Anthony Higgins played Marcus and Christian Rodska played Esca. 

Alex vs. Daniel

MTV's  SKINS has its Daniel Flaherty with is Michael Cera oblivious ways. He's certainly making Stan his own. There is something very typical about him..yet not. His character is possibly easily persuaded, and yet you just know, he really knows to do the right thing. Of course, he's a far cry from anyone's Knight in Shining Armour.

 

Yet, don't write the original SKINS off, yet. This third generation cast is made up of a remarkable cast. One in particular, Alexander Arnold as Rich Hardback. Honestly, Skins has transformed him, he's not that charming boy with the Justin Beiber haircut, anymore. No, just a metal head. I think soon enough, you'll see someone trying to transform into Rich with that hair(a throwback from the 70's). He's been teamed up with Grace and perhaps this might be a new phase for Skins. Of course, you aren't sure if he's on Grace's side, entirely. Is he helping a mate or just enjoying building a person up just to tear her down. She just might not be the mega metal girl he's dreaming of.

Jessica Sula as Grace

Who knows, I'm sure these two actors will grow up this season. Both are 17.

THE GAP GUY

Did you see him? Tonight on Glee? Wasn't he like this awesome Jasper Hale and not a vamp. Blaine's crush? Who was..evidently too old for him, but it was the best storyline on the episode. I thought. And of course, Darren Kriss delivered. He's such an awesome performer. Actor, too.

Anyway, that's Alex Nifong who is on Alumini (TV series). His latest movie is Recreator.

 

The Drums

Jonathan Pierce and Jacob Graham met at summer camp. It wasn't until 2006 that they started THE DRUMS. There were other band names, but this is the one, so simple and true, like modern and edgy beach boys. THE DRUMS is an experimental band from San Francisco featuring John Dwyer (of Coachwhips, Pink & Brown, Thee Oh Sees) on drums and Anthony Petrovic (Ezee Tiger, Gay Barbarians) on drums. But they are more than just drums.













The Roommate movie review

Lawrence Arabia

Yet again, MTV's Skins has given good tunes pump up the show. This time, Lawrence Arabia started the show with "The Beautiful Young Crew".

LAWRENCE ARABIA is the pseudonym of James Milne from New Zealand. He's played with Crowded House. He's toured in toured the UK and Europe with The Concretes, Feist, The Ruby Suns, Liam Finn and Okkervil River. In 2006 Lawrence Arabia released his self titled debut album and the debut album his band The Reduction Agents, The Dance Reduction Agents. Both albums were nominated for several Bnet awards, New Zealand's public voted alternative radio awards. Possibly, you heard his music in the movie Eagle VS. Shark. Chant Darling came out in 2009. Its hard to describe his music. He is perhaps politically influenced since he was educated at University of Canterbury, where he graduated with a BA in Political Science. Its been stated that Jamie is a  psychedelic folk artist. In some circles that might be anti-folk. Whatever, his pop in his folk can make you think and grove at the same time.