THE NME AWARDS ARE BACK!

Charlotte Cory talks about the NME nominations that have been released for the annual awards on February the 18th.
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The NME awards are back again. Last year, we saw Arctic Monkeys dominating the nominations however, after Kasabian’s album 48:13 they are overshadowing this years awards with eight nominations. 

Nominated for the top award ‘Best British band’ include: Alt J, previous winners Arctic Monkeys, Chvrches, Kasabian, upcoming rock band Royal Blood and lastly The Libertines who reunited in 2014. The other big award is for best album. The nominations for this include: Jamie T—Carry On The Grudge, Kasabian—48:13, La Roux—Trouble In Paradise, Royal Blood—Royal Blood, Run Jewels—Run The Jewels 2 and St Vincent—St Vincent.  

Out of all the nominations I believe ’The Best Live Band’ will be hardest to predict who will win as they’ve all proved their worthy of winning this award. 

The nominations are: Arctic Monkeys, Fat White Family, Foo Fighters, Kasabian, Royal Blood and The Libertines. The  NME awards should be the most interesting, exciting and captivating yet. With comeback artists like The Libertines back in the nominations to fantastic new bands like Royal Blood.

For more information head to the NME website.

Made In Dagenham review, 28/10/2014

Ellie Bannerman reviews Made In Dagenham, the new musical playing at the Adelphi theatre following the story of the Ford factory workers who fought for equal pay.

It's so unusual these days that I go and see a show having very little knowledge of what it's about - being a musical theatre nerd I'm pretty much word perfect on all the songs before I even enter the theatre - so being able to see the newest addition to the West End, Made In Dagenham, from a completely fresh perspective was super exciting!

The show follows the story of Rita O'Grady and the workers at the Ford factory in Dagenham who rise up to fight for equal pay for women. It's an inspiring story which makes for a fun night out, especially since the cast are very talented. A particular stand out for me was Sophie Isaacs who plays Sandra; her voice was outstanding and she performed the role excellently. Gemma Arterton was also great as Rita O'Grady; a pleasant surprise as sometimes when seeing a famous face in a show you are left disappointed.

Made In Dagenham has a mixed score - some songs were really great while others lacked interest and made me wish they would be over sooner! I really liked 'Everybody Out' - a fun song at the end of act one which really reminded me of 'Seize the Day' from Newsies. Unfortunately it was somewhat outnumbered by a few other more average songs. I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to cut a few songs, as I did think the show seemed a bit long in places and I did find myself wanting them to get to the more exciting moments of the show quicker.

Overall, I'd say this show was good, but not amazing. I'm not in any great hurry to go back and see it again, nor will I be singing the songs for months to come, but if you're looking for a fun night out at the theatre then you can't really go wrong with this. It’s had a decent run, but I didn’t really see it becoming one of those classic shows that never closes. I was also super happy with my seat - I got a £25 stalls ticket (which was right at the back) but could see all the stage with no trouble. I also got to move forwards about three rows due to the huge number of free seats in front of me, which always puts me in a good mood (a bit sad, I know!).

[3/5]

Read more on my blog: heylookitstheellie.wordpress.com

Bombay Bicycle Club review, 13/12/2014

It’s not often you get to see the last concert at a major music venue and Bombay Bicycle Club’s send off to Earls Court definitely didn’t disappoint. By Ellie Bannerman

Being able to see the last concert at an iconic venue is not something you get to do often, so having the chance to see Bombay Bicycle Club perform at Earls Court on its final night was definitely something I won’t forget in a hurry. The atmosphere was incredible – everyone seemed to know they were about to witness something special. Support came from Sivu, who performed well, but I wasn’t too sure if their music was really good for getting a crowd worked up before a concert. Peace, on the other hand, were great and I definitely got more excited listening to them before the main act. I’m still completely obsessed with their song Gen Strange (which was featured in my December Playlist), and luckily it was just as good live as it is on the album.

After the two support bands it was time for Bombay Bicycle Club to come on stage – and they did not disappoint! Opening with Overdone they instantly got everyone having an amazing time and they had clearly put a lot of thought into their staging as the lighting and projected images at the back of the stage were really well done. Their set focused mainly on their two most recent albums which was really good for me as I wasn’t too familiar with their earlier work, but even the songs I didn’t know so well were brilliant. My highlights of the set were Shuffle, Home By Now, Luna and Carry Me (which made an amazing encore!). It was also really cool to get to see David Gilmour on stage with the band to perform Wish You Were Here – a Pink Floyd classic!

Special mention also has to go to their use of confetti, for some reason I get very excited about collecting little bits of sparkly tissue paper (very sad, I know). Unfortunately we didn’t get to keep our tickets – they were taken off us as we entered the venue which really annoyed me because I like collecting them too! Another thing that could have improved the experience would be the enforcement of height restrictions on audience members… I couldn’t really see the stage at all – it seemed all Bombay’s fans were about 6ft and despite my attempts at jumping to see over them I did not really succeed. Obviously this didn’t really ruin the experience too much –  I still had a great time and would definitely see the band again – but maybe I’d try and get there before all the tall people!

[8/10]

Read more on my blog: heylookitstheellie.wordpress.com

The Theory of Everything

Oscar season is fast approaching and amongst the British stars nominated for ‘Best Actor’ is Eddie Redmayne for his performance in, ’The Theory of Everything’ in which he plays Professor Stephen Hawking. This film is reviewed by Violet Daniels below. 

The Theory of Everything is a British made film, directed by James Marsh and staring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox and David Thewlis. The biographical drama follows closely the novel, ’Travelling to Infinity: My life with Stephen’ which is written by Jane Hawking, previous wife of Professor Stephen Hawking. 

Stephen Hawking is known internationally for his astounding contribution to theoretical physics and the understanding of gravitational theorems and his work in the field of general relativity. But above all he is known throughout the world for being a medical phenomenon. Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of just 21 and was given just a few years to live. Initially, he and everyone around him was devastated. However Stephen learnt to love life with everything he had, claiming that, ‘before my condition was diagnosed, I had been very bored with life.’ After his diagnosis Stephen was hit with the realisation that he may never complete his PhD. Despite this he did achieve his PhD and after his diagnosis went on to marry and have three children.  In present day, Stephen continues to be an inspiration to many and in doing so provides us all with a life story which is fundamental as it  embodies the life of one of the greatest scientists in human history.  

The Theory of Everything is a phenomenal film. Often, the word ‘phenomenal’ is over used to describe just above average films, books and TV shows ect. However I saw Eddie Redmayne’s performance in The Theory of Everything and it was phenomenal. The stance, the facial expressions, and the mannerisms all reflected my imagination and how I have always perceived Stephen Hawking. Before filming Eddie Redmayne even spent time with Stephen Hawking and this has been proved to be affective as his astounding performance mirrors the very person that is Stephen Hawing. As a result of his performance, Eddie is nominated for best actor in the annual Oscar academy awards in America. The film itself is expertly directed by James Marsh. In his directing the film depicts eloquently the life of Stephen Hawking as he is crippled by the fatal motor neurone disease which impacts his own life and the people around him. The film takes the viewer on a journey of discovery behind the man we all know of, but have never really learnt much about. Before watching this film, I had no idea of Stephen Hawking’s life outside of Science and I was shocked to discover the extent of his personal life and the challenges he and his family faced. 

Before watching this film, I had no idea of Stephen Hawking’s life outside of Science and I was shocked to discover the extent of his personal life and the challenges he and his family faced. 

The film follows Stephen from his first days as a young student at Cambridge University when he is studying for a PhD. Not even half way through his PhD he is given the news that he has motor neurone disease, known amongst most medics of the time to be incurable and with a life expectancy of just a few years. The film shows Stephen as he cuts himself off from his fellow friends at Cambridge and his girlfriend, Jane Wilde. Thus through expert cinematography the viewer realises how isolated Stephen Hawking became during the years of his life which should have been full of adventure and discovery. However this step back did not stop him in his road to completing a PhD.

Through the help of his friends and the support of his girlfriend Jane, Stephen is able to grab life with both hands as he attempts to fight and tackle his illness. As the film develops, so does Stephen Hawking’s condition. With time he deteriorates as his body cannot carry out normal day to day bodily functions. Gradually he needs more and more help from others and has to rely on the support of his (then wife) Jane. 

The film itself stresses the strain Stephen’s condition puts on Jane and his children at the time. Jane has to spend a lot of her time looking after Stephen and sometimes the children are abandoned for the sake of Stephen’s condition. The Theory of Everything portrays this disease to have a greater impact than I initially assumed. The disease controls Stephen’s life and everyone else's lives around him. In particular the film focuses on the relationship between Stephen and Jane. Jane is played by actress Felicity Jones, her expert performance enables the audience to realise the strain which a life threatening disease can put on a relationship. Furthermore the film manages to depict throughout the constant struggle that Stephen’s condition brings to his own family. The acting from all points of view is astoundingly life like, as being part of an audience for a screening of The Theory of Everything I can confirm that the film made me feel completely involved with the tragic, real life story which Stephen still carries with him even to this day. 

As the annual Academy Oscar Awards approaches all eyes are on Eddie Redmayne for his chance to pick up an award for best male actor in this film. Currently only 16 British male actors have won this prestigious award. However for now the ceremony still awaits as the battle against Benedict Cumberbatch and his role as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game  and Eddie Redmayne and his performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything awaits a verdict. I have seen both nominated performances and forgive me if I am biased, but I would most definitely give the award to Eddie Redmayne. Additionally, only recently did Eddie Redmayne pick up the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and also he won the award for Best Actor in the SAG (screen actors guild award) to which he dedicated this to, “those people around the world living with ALS, to those who have lost their lives to this brutal disease." Hopes remain high for Eddie Redmayne and this astounding performance of a generation, however only time will tell us whether he will receive this award.

The best-selling albums of 2014 and what to look forward to this coming year

Franki Dean reviews the best-selling albums and singles of 2014 and music releases to look forward to this year.

Ed Sheeran’s X was the biggest selling album of 2014, selling over 1,689,000 copies in the UK. X’s sales were higher than any other artist since Adele’s 21 4 years ago. Ed managed to stay at the top of the charts for 12 weeks. Along with this, X was made the most downloaded album of the year and sold over 214,000 copies in the week before Christmas too.

Sam Smith’s album In The Lonely Hour stayed at Number 2 and sold nearly 1,248,000 copies in the UK. Sam joins Ed Sheeran as one of only two artists to sell over a million albums in the UK in 2014. Sam also became the only artist in 2014 to sell over one million albums in both the UK and the US.  

George Ezra’s Wanted On Voyage is the third biggest selling album of 2014, selling over 678,000 copies in the UK. Wanted On Voyage spent 26 weeks in the Top 10, topping the Official Albums Chart for two weeks in October, 14 weeks after its release.  Coldplay’s Ghost Stories managed to settle at Number 5. This was set to be the fastest-selling album of the year, but was overtaken by Ed Sheeran’s album X. Ghost Stories sold 168,000 copies in its first week of release. This scored Coldplay their sixth UK Number 1 album and as of the 1st January 2015, has sold nearly 544,000 copies. 

Finally, one of the best selling albums as of late 2014 was The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 Soundtrack. Featuring the voices of Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Charlie XCX and Jennifer Lawrence herself, the soundtrack was already set for the top 20 before it had even been released. In it’s first week on the charts, the soundtrack had already sold over 200,000 copies. In the US, the spooking Soundtrack stayed at Number 3, just below Taylor Swift’s 1989 on Billboard for 3 weeks. 

NOW, IF YOU’RE TIRED OF READING ABOUT MUSIC FROM LAST YEAR, HERE ARE SOME ALBUM’S YOU CAN LOOK OUT FOR IN 2015:

Charlie XCX’ s Sucker is the third studio album by Charlie XCX which was supposed to be released in December 2014 but was pushed back to January 2015.

Mark Ronson’s Uptown Special is his fourth album set to be released on January 26th meaning we don't have too long to wait until we are able to hear more music from him. 

Coldplay’s  A Head Full of Dreams is the band’s seventh album. This album could be quite a bittersweet moment for their fans as Chris Martin has insinuated that it could be their final album.

10 Films to Look Out For in 2015

2014 was a great year for cinema, some might even say the best in some while. But can 2015 produce something even better? Let’s see!

01. Birdman

Release Date: 2nd Jan

Much like his character in the film, Michael Keaton’s career, only really remembered for that one iconic superhero role, returns from the depths of inconspicuousness with one triumphant performance. Add the disembodied voice of Keaton’s conscience, fantastic supporting performances from the likes of Edward Norton and Emma Stone, and some jaw-dropping visuals; and you’ve got yourself a film for the ages.

02. Whiplash

Release Date: 16th Jan

A thriller about drumming sounds boring, however the solid stream of five star reviews and multiple Oscar nominations say otherwise. The general consensus is that JK Simmons gives the performance of his career and that this is the greatest musical film (with no actual musical numbers) ever made.

03. Foxcatcher

Release Date: 17th Jan

Yet another dark and edgy biographical drama, this time focusing on the apparently dark and edgy world of Olympic wrestling. Fangirls in the audience will swoon at the appearance of hunk-of-the-month, Channing Tatum, while film buffs will enjoy an unrecognisable Steve Carrel, as he joins the Keaton/Simmons pantheon of actors who’re suddenly godlike.

04. Inherent Vice

Release Date: 30th Jan

Based on one of the better liked works of popular avant-garde novelist, Thomas Pynchon is one thing. But with the addition of director Paul Thomas Anderson (a seal of quality), and you’ve got yourself a film that needs to be seen. So far, this looks to be yet another work of his that the director can safely stow under his belt, and the roster of screwball PTA token characters are ever present, including Joaquin Phoenix returning as the frontman. This truly is a day to mark in your calendar!

05. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Release Date: 1st May

Joss Whedon has tackled the first computer-animated film ever, kept series like Buffy and Angel fresh after countless seasons, found a way to resurrect his beloved space-western and broken box office records with Avengers Assemble. However, with Ultron, Whedon faces possibly his biggest challenge yet: meeting the inflated expectations of fans with a film so hyped that it already developed an internet meme before release. You can’t blame the fans, though: a trailer shows Quicksilver, ballet and Hulkbuster. How can we help being anything other than ecstatic?

06. Mad Max: Fury Road

Release Date: 15th May

After the lead actor went cuckoo and disappeared off everyone’s radar, it’s no wonder George Miller’s beloved post-apunkalyptic franchise went so silent for so long. Or maybe it’s because Max’s latest batty outing was in the works being perfected. Based on early footage and the frankly genius tagline of “What a lovely day!”, we suspect the latter.

07. Jurassic World

Release Date: 12th June

Doing for dinosaurs what Jaws did for sharks AGAIN, but with the addition of Chris Pratt and a genetically-modified super dinosaur this time round. All the key components are there, and the filmmakers definitely have captured the scale that the first one had. However is it possible that they’ve managed to pull off that same sense of wonder that the original had? Probably not, but the director’s previous works include Safety Not Guaranteed, so we should expect something decent.

08. Minions

Release Date: 10th Jul

The yellow pill-men solely responsible for making the Despicable Me franchise so popular now have their own movie. It’ll make millions, people will love it. MOVING ON!

09. Ant Man

Release Date: 17th July

It’s unlikely that director, Peyton Reed, will be able to breathe the same life that Scott Pilgrim and Hot Fuzz director, Edgar Wright could have done with his script. With that being said, Disney/Marvel appear to be on a roll with their ideas and execution (evidenced by the fact that they made me and countless others feel for a raccoon and a tree), and the two leads, in the form of Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas make for an acting combination not to be sneered at.

10. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Release Date: 18th Dec

This is the film that everyone is looking forward to . JJ Abrams makes another turn rebooting a beloved sci-fi franchise, this time, under the supervision of the House of Mouse. As is the way with most of Abrams’ projects, little is known, however a teaser showcases practical effects fused with crisp CGI, football robots, impractical lightsabers and the Millennium Falcon. If this isn’t the most profitable film of the year, then we’ll eat a fridge.

Converse All Star?

As a college student you will see them everywhere; this is what I think of Converse All-Star trainers - By Hannah Brown

As a college student you will see converse trainers practically every day, but what is it about them that makes practically everyone wants or already owns a pair. 

  

I personally have a pair of red converse all star hi top trainers which I’ve had for about a year. Although I love them I can be sometimes found surfing the internet, gazing longingly at the varying styles and colours, hoping to find a sale. I love converse trainers for a number of reasons.

One is that converse can be worn with practically anything, even the Doctor showed that they went with a suit (although I wouldn’t recommend wearing converse with a suit in a formal situation, such as a job interview).

CONVERSE LAST! This I think is a universal reason why convers trainers are good, as in the time it would take me to wear out two pairs of other trainer, I still have my convers, which if you can get a pair in a sale is a great deal (although though this is if you are not my brother who had his for a few months before he managed to make holes in them, but I’m pretty sure if you gave him a Nokia phone he could break it).

One of the main things I really do love about converse all star trainers is that due to their style it has led to a rise of people using their artistic talents to personalise their trainers. I do not have the guts to do that myself, but it is amazing to actually see what some people have achieved. Whether it’s a random design, or a tribute to a television show or film the designs are always inspired. I don’t know of any other item clothing that has led to such a rise in people expressing their individuality.