Thor('s Day): The Dark World

Today is Thor's day. It also happens to be release day for Marvel's Thor: The Dark World. See what they did there?

Earlier this week I watched David and Margaret pan this, the latest in the Marvel franchise and the sequel to 2011's Thor (but which takes place after the events of The Avengers). They said it's same ol' same ol'. They said there's nothing new to see here. They said it's superficial, bang, crash and pretty-boy heroes.

To be honest none of this comes as a surprise to me. In fact my thoughts as I watched these armchair critics from the comfort of my own armchair were firstly, what did you really expect? And with that in mind, do you really care that it's likely to be superficial, generic story telling and fantastical escapism? Like, really care?

I haven't seen Thor II but the likelihood of me doing so is pretty high. As you may have gathered by now, I have a completely at arm's length happily married lady crush on Tom Hiddleston, who plays the mischievous adopted god, Loki. I also reckon if Chris Hemsworth knocked on my door trying to flog me Foxtel I'd obligingly invite him in, brew him a cup of tea and hand over my credit card details.

Without having seen the film I'd say Margaret and David would be close to spot on with their assessments. So too am I confident that this is exactly what Marvel is pitching at. Given the amount of whinging from fanboys that accompanied the release of Iron Man III for its deviating from the dogma I can well believe they've gone back to formula - world at risk, motivated hero, love story, hero challenged, world saved - for this stop gap between the last and the next Avengers films.

I personally really enjoyed Iron Man III. I thought it was, while imperfect, relatively intelligent and poignant for a superhero movie. For me it was an interesting commentary on heroism, politicking and media, with the added bonus of Robert Downey Jr. But I can't expect all Marvel films to do this. I, in actual fact, am probably not the Marvel target market. I'd argue neither are David and Margaret.

The Marvel films are a product. First and foremost. The Marvel films are not produced for art. They are a commercial enterprise, which, in many respects, is what cinema has become.

Director Alan Taylor has himself spoken out about the treatment his film was given by the studio. According to Taylor, re-shooting, rewriting and the inclusion of new scenes even after production has ended is 'the Marvel way'. In a brief interview with Collider, Taylor admits to the inclusion of additional scenes featuring Loki, which one can only imagine have been added on the back of the audience and fan reception to Hiddleston's portrayal of the character and growth in his personal capital following the success of The Avengers.

In another interview with the Huffington Post, Taylor is oddly overt about the structure of the final film, of which the first 45 minutes is exposition. According to Taylor this all came about in post, or as he put it, was 'discovered along the way'. His preference, it appears, was for earlier versions of the film, which placed more 'trust the audience'. But the 'decision was made', leaving one to wonder who is really in control.

Well, in actuality I was never really in doubt. It's made all the more obvious with the inclusion of a snippet in the middle of the credits, which is apparently a blatant marketing ploy for the soon to be released flick Guardians of the Galaxy from yet another Marvel movie universe. Directed by James Gunn (who has also directed Guardians), Taylor notes that it's a shift in tone and probably not what he would have done with the scene. Interesting. But as Taylor notes, it's Marvel's way to make things 'better'.

In any case, Marvel can pretty well count on my money at the box office on this one. I don't always want smarts from my superheroes. Sometimes I just want muscly blokes with superhuman abilities making things go boom. It's about escapism, fantasy and zoning out for a couple of hours. I'd be silly to expect more.

Thor: The Dark World is in cinemas from 31 October.

-Stevie O'C

Music Festival Season: DJ B-Fly's Top Five

Following on from last week’s Lessons from the UK, I talked to DJ B-Fly about his epic festival adventures over the British summer.

But first, who is this DJ B-Fly? With over 15 years in the game, B-fly has deejayed at festivals, clubs and parties across the UK, Europe as well touring to New York. He currently holds a residency at one of London's best known underground raves, Planet Angel and has been hand-picked by Allowance Records. Over the years B-Fly has been on the lookout for new and exciting sounds. From the early days of big beat to ghetto funk and electric swing. His dynamic and evolving style ensures fun music for good times and dancing.

Photo by James Murton

Euro Bugin, Chimey, Belgium

First stop on DJ B-Fly’s 2013 festival circuit was Euro Bugin. Held in the brewery town of Chimey – you know, the Trappist beer – Euro Bugin is the largest Volkswagen festival in Europe. Yes, there's more than one and this is the biggest.

The two roads into town were closed during the festival to make way for a drag strip, which is bordered by an off-road track and a burn out area specially reserved for tyre shredding. By day the punters explored the fields (and fields) packed with all varieties of VWs, the prestigious ‘show and shine’ display, and pit lane where teams of engineers work on their race cars before launching them on the strip. Alternatively, there was the option to simply chill out and relax by their tents or kombis, drinking beer, and regaling impressive VW experiences. By night it was live acts and DJs.

The sound of tyres squealing and revving engines was constant; however it was muffled by the non-stop rain, day and night, on the Friday. A flooded strip put the drag racers into park, but one man’s demise is another’s delight as the rain made for perfect conditions over on the off-road track. And of course, it makes for great chilling and drinking weather.

DJ B-Fly’s highlight – deejaying to a crowd of around 1,000 from the inside of a VW campervan on stage, quite literally bounding around due to the van’s suspension, or lack thereof!

Chilled in a Field, Kent

Chilled in Field, or simply Chilled, is run by the people behind London’s longest running club night events, Planet Angel. Planet Angel aims to bring creativity, colour and fun to its events, and Chilled is no different. Set in the grounds of a manor house in the Kent countryside, Chilled is a family friendly weekend of workshops, live music and DJs.

This year around 500 people – some hippies, some 90s ravers-cum-parents, and others loyal ‘Planeteers’ – made their way out of town to enjoy the relaxed daytime atmosphere, and to dance their nights away, although not too late as this is a family friendly event. The line-up featured live music from the Handsome Jack Show Band rocking through some indie rock classics, followed by DJs including three sets over five days from B-Fly himself.

Possibly not best classified as an outright music festival, Chilled in a Field is an amped up village fete meets alternative family getaway – with something for the parents and the kids. It still managed to rock the music, there’s plenty to keep you entertained and importantly, well fed.

BoomTown, Mattersley Bowl, Winchester

BoomTown takes place in a natural bowl, and is a collection of purpose built small ‘towns’ including Chinatown, Mayfair and Trenchtown around which some 30,000 Boomtownies camp. This year B-Fly strategically placed himself by the reggae field of Trenchtown. Not a bad choice, as the music was soothing and the proximity to the gate made for a quick getaway at the festival’s end.

The scale of BoomTown is massive, and a specific GPS app would have been handy! Once again there were places for the kids, arts and crafts, fantastic food, and of course, the music. Adding to the atmosphere, the towns featured backdrops reminiscent of film sets, including a breath taking Aztec inspired temple and a giant boom box. The Arcadia Spider in the middle of Down Town, with its fire and lasers looked like it had been bought second hand following U2’s 360 World Tour.

The British love a dress up, and BoomTown brings it, with punters in fancy dress from dawn till dawn. Incidentally, a dinosaur onesie comes in very handy during the chillier morning hours. The food options were also great, and it has to be said that the toilets were not nearly as bad as you’d expect from an event attended by 30,000 people. Although, this might be because a lot of people found it easier to just go in the woods.

Musically, the highlights have to be the live gypsy swing band Flap, as well as the hefty dose of drum and bass, breaks and ghetto funk from the DJs. Over at the Rave Yard, set in the grounds of a church (geddit?), hard core and hard house set the grounds vibrating, followed up by some psy-trance, which although not to B-Fly’s taste shows there’s something for everyone at BoomTown. On the whole, this festival is a definite goer according to B-Fly who reckons the event is likely to keep on growing in the future.

The Summer House Weekend, Surrey

After the blowout that was BoomTown, time for something a little more chilled says B-Fly, finding himself at yet another country house, this time in the hills of Surrey. The Summer House Weekend is run by the man behind the successful White Mischief, famed for its cabarets, elaborate fancy dress policies and that essential element of naughtiness. This event lives up to expectations.

The various daytime workshops offered interesting ways for attendees to get to know each other…really know each other, including speed meeting and talks on fairly intimate subjects. This event is like no other, and the Saturday night dress up theme – this year Once Upon a Midsummer Night’s Dream – is strict. Don’t distress, there was a fancy dress workshop ahead of time for those in need of inspiration. One highlight came a bit of a surprise – the cuddle workshop – all about the human touch, consent and ended in a big cuddle puddle (or one massive spoon-fest).

On the lawn B-Fly officially (totally unofficially) took matters into his own masterful hands after discovering tunes were coming courtesy of an iPod. No one seemed bothered by his three hour sets though, from which he subsequently scored some new gigs. Not, officially, bad.

The property featured a small lake, next to which was a sauna, and between which lots of naked attendees ran. There was also a campfire and tents for changing in and just generally chilling out. But this was a decadent event, with bedrooms in the house available for the weekend, glamping options, and lavish meals served through several sittings in the large dining room.

As the evenings fell, the music also moved inside beginning with cabaret, followed by DJs until close. Of course, there was also the Playroom for those who have found someone to ‘play’ with – let’s not discuss that, and say we did. Not quite what you’d call a festival, rather a weekend retreat for naughty people, this event managed to be a bit posh but also very free spirited. As for B-Fly, after taking over the daytime deejaying, sweating it out in the sauna and relaxing by the fire, he felt better when he left than he did upon arrival!

Shambala, Northampton

And so to the final festival of the season; Shambala is a family friendly festival with a lot going on to keep the 8,000 or so attendees entertained including a cinema, theatre, dance workshops, arts and crafts, two large stages for music and a tent, which by day hosted ping pong and roller disco while by night became the main dance hall. Also dotted around the site were a number of smaller areas perfect for stumbling upon.

Shambala was by far the friendliest festival of the season, which doesn’t come as a surprise given it had its own healing field with yoga classes and massage, intended to keep everyone calm, relaxed and at ease. Add to this quality live acts, including in hidden locations dotted around the site, making for an amazing experience to end the season on. The main stage played host to some pretty big names in world music; however some were unfortunately missed as it was just too easy to lose track of time – and the schedule – when chatting to punters in the comfy seating scattered about.

While generally conveying a hippy vibe, the highlight of the event for B-Fly was the Police Rave Unit, or PRU. The PRU consisted of a police transit van (presumably ex-police) with the roof removed, a DJ booth built into it and a simple but effective sound system. The PRU travelled around the site as people followed. Dressed in police uniforms the PRU crew took great delight in stopping by the craft workshops or people chilling by the lake to demand the constituents ‘rave hard’. B-Fly was singled out for bad behaviour and instructed to ‘glug that cocktail’. One can only oblige. The yogis in the Healing Field were too much for the PRU to resist, however that was only until an announcement over the PA asking them – the PRU, not the yogis – to kindly ‘push on’.

Shambala had something stimulating for all. While not the mega rave of BoomTown, if you looked carefully there were smaller parties to be found after hours. Although popular, according to B-Fly, Shambala doesn’t seem to be growing. It remains one of the larger festivals, but manages to retain a sense of something more intimate. A perfect all-rounder on which to end the season.

B-Fly's Top Tips for Festival Goers

 
1. *Arrive early to get a good spot.
2. *Plan well in advance when using public transport. Some festivals can be out of the way and hard to get to, so you'll be competing with fellow festival goers for local services.
3. *Pace yourself, it's a marathon not a sprint. Make sure you eat, sleep and keep hydrated!
4. *For the budget conscious, take sealed packs of food. For a touch of luxury take a coffee percolator (and coffee). This will also make you very popular on the mornings after.
5. *While it's good to see the acts you like, a festival is the perfect place to discover new music. You're almost guaranteed to come across a band or DJ you've never heard of but will think is brilliant.
6. *Be sociable. Talk to people and take advantage of the festival vibe.
7. *Arrange meeting places with your friends in case someone gets lost, but if possible stay together and look after each other. Otherwise, finding your mates amongst a crowd of 30,000 is just not going to happen.
8. *Don't take anything you can't afford to lose (you really won't be needing the iPod!). And be prepared to lose something, it's a music festival, it's gonna happen.

 -Eliza Rose Harper

The People In Your Neighbourhood: Maria Yebra

I’ve been inspired by a song I heard many, many years ago. It’s a song that I hope they still sing on Sesame Street. The song is called The People in your Neighbourhood. You might remember it too. So often we take for granted, or don’t even notice, the people around us. Each one has a story, a lifetime of experiences, and a few special talents from which we can all learn. This is the first of what I hope will be a monthly feature on interesting people from the neighbourhood.  

Maria Yebra: Light Painter, Cupcake Decorator, Steampunk Enthusiast, Teacher

Maria Yebra - Partners in Light

When I first met Maria she and her partner Steve were teaching a class as part of Melbourne’s Laneway Learning. Maria’s class was on light painting, which is the use of various illuminated objects to ‘paint’ onto darkness, captured on film. Under her watchful tutorage she helped me come up with this image.

Having long held a passion for photography, Maria got into light painting through a friend, who participates in urban exploration. Urban exploration is to 'explore' abandoned buildings and drains, as well as other not entirely legal to enter places. ‘I admire the decay of these buildings’, says Maria, ‘[my friend] took me to an abandoned glue factory and showed me how to light paint, and I was like “I need to do this!”’.

The abandoned urban locations supply plenty of stimulating backgrounds to compliment the light painting. ‘When you have a background that is amazing, like the women’s asylum, you can really feel the energy of the location’. But Maria notes that if you’re working with background it’s important to be minimalistic with the actual light painting, using the light to emphasise rather than take away from the location, or overwhelm the background.

Maria Yebra - Partners in Light

Four years after first discovering light painting Maria and her partner Steve have cultivated their passion into a small business. ‘It started as a hobby, just a fun thing to do, but then Laneway Learning came along and wanted me to do a class, and then to repeat a class, so I thought maybe we could sell some prints too!’ The business is focused on workshops, which Partners in Light runs after dark on a monthly basis in and around Melbourne CBD.

‘The tours we do are for beginners, around the city, near the river, to the laneways where we paint with the graffiti. I couldn’t take the beginners to some of the more abandoned places, they’d probably freak out’. Fair enough too, as Maria admits she’s had some interesting run-ins while urban exploring. ‘The first time we went draining the police got us out. There was a homeless person screaming. We were there with all out lights and the police arrive. The good thing is we don’t do graffiti or damage anything. We were mid-air with plastic light swords. It was a bit of a situation’. 

Maria Yebra - Partners in Light

Laneway Learning also features heavily in Maria’s agenda, having recently taken on a more active role in the running of the initiative. ‘The first class I taught was about steampunk, and they asked what else I could do. I could teach Spanish, I could teach cupcake making…so they booked everything! I was such a regular I’d be there all night teaching different things’. This is all in addition to her day job as a freelance marketer. ‘I was lucky they asked me to join them. I was basically living there anyway, so why not? It’s a lot of work, but totally worth it’.

The Laneway Learning concept is ‘a ragtag series of evening classes’ that have been running in a number of partner cafes since March 2012. Covering anything from feminism to flower arranging, zombie films, art history, through to the sciences and basic feminist theory, Laneway Learning is an opportunity to learn something new, on the cheap (most classes are around $12), and in a highly sociable way.

Maria Yebra - Partners in Light

Maria and the team have recently taken the Laneway Learning project interstate and are considering opportunities for the future. ‘We’re now open in Sydney [but] the aim is world domination!’

It’s this dedication that keeps the team going and keeps people turning up. The popularity of the classes has grown exponentially since initial humble beginnings. ‘It’s a passion for learning and doing something different. We have a group of regulars already, but then for every class around half are new students who only found out about Laneway Learning, because of the particular theme of the class.’

‘I think [the popularity is partly] because of Melbourne’, Maria muses, ‘I’ve lived in a number place around the world and Melbourne has a very specific style’. I can't help but agree with her, Melbourne is the perfect place to devlop a model like Laneway Learning, but it's an initiative I'd have love to have seen when I lived in Sydney. And while it's early days, Sydney appears to be embracing Laneway Learning.

It will take some adaptation, as Maria found when she taught light painting there recently. ‘The first time in Sydney, we didn’t calculate how many street lights were around the venue’, she notes. ‘They don’t have dark corners and alleys like Melbourne!’

Maria tells me that hair braiding is one class that always books out. ‘It’s so popular, but it’s the most useful class ever. I suck at my hair and I thought it was super hard, but [the teacher] does it, and you get to do it on someone else, and then someone else does it on you. It’s both of those things that really helps you grasp it’. And it’s easier than it looks, ‘people are like, wow, that must have taken forever – it takes minutes!’

Maria Yebra - Partners in Light

As for what’s next for Maria, in between organisation and teaching classes with Laneway Learning – her next light painting class is scheduled for 29 October, and she recently taught a group to make fondant unicorns – she is running workshops with Partners in Light, holding down a day job, and if that wasn’t enough Maria and Steve are also currently working on a photographic series called Imaginary Friends. In the meantime, you can check out Maria's work here.

-Stevie O'C

You can find Maria, her work and Laneway Learning via:

* Partners In Light

* Cupcaketeer

* Laneway Learning

* Yebra Marketing Communications
* Flickr

How to Make a Fascinator for Spring Racing

I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of horse racing. Living in Melbourne, though, you really can't help but get a little swept up in the excitement that is Spring Racing. While the races might not be for me, I do enjoy the fashion - and we all know that the fashion is as important, if not more so, than the actually running of the horses.

In particular, I enjoy the amazing headwear on display. I'm blown away at the loops and twirls of sinamay, crinoline (do I sound like I know what I'm talking about?) and feathers - oh the feathers! The Carnival rewards these talents through the exclusive Millinery Award as part of the Fashions on the Field, for which competitors are specially invited to showcase their wears.

Tuesday week is Melbourne Cup Day (5 November), which, for the uninitiated, is the race of the Spring Racing Carnival. So significant is the race that Victorians are given the day off to attend either the race itself or one of the myriad of related events around the state.

In order to prepare for Cup Day I've put together a brief how to for those of you wanting to look a little bit fancy for an office afternoon tea, those feeling a little creative, or those too cheap to buy a designer fascinator. These instructions are pretty basic, but adaptable, and effective.

The lovely Pip modelling a fascinator headband.

How to Make a Fascinator / Headband

You will need:

• Two felt panels (one cut slightly smaller than the other).
• A fabric or ribbon covered plastic headband.
• A sparkly trinket (such as a button).
• Craft feathers.
• Glue gun.

The following steps correspond to the numbers in the image below.

Step 1: Using the larger teardrop as a template, lay out the feathers in the desired arrangement. You'll probably need a few layers of feathers - two to four - to get the right distribution and ensure the felt backing is not visible.

Step 2: When you're happy with the arrangement, flip the feathers over and begin affixing them to the large felt panel with the glue gun. You may have to press the feathers in place for a few moments while the glue dries, so watch your fingers as the glue will be hot.

Step 3: Continue with the next layer of feathers, waiting for each layer to dry sufficiently before adding the next. You don't want the front layers to stick to the glue you've used for the back layers.

Step 4: Once all of the feathers have been glued onto the felt panel give it a moment to dry. Check that you're happy with the way the feathers are sitting. You might need to trim them slightly to get the right shape, but try to minimise this if possible as cut feathers can look scrappy.

Step 5: Get your headband ready - before you glue the panel on, check how far along the headband you want it to sit. Turn the feathered felt panel over and glue a line down the middle, from the tip to where it bottoms out. Press the panel onto the headband in the desired position. You will need to hold this for a few moments until the glue dries to ensure it sits on the curve.

Step 6: Take the smaller felt panel and glue a line down the middle, around the edges and zigzagging in between.

Step 7: Quickly position the panel onto the underside of the feathered panel and the headband, pressing it in place until the glue has dried. Be careful with this bit as it can be a little tricky. Unfortunately with hot glue, you usually only have one chance at these things, so be ready.

Step 8: The final step is to attach the sparkly trinket (or button, or whatever you have available) to the point where the bottom of the feathers meet the headband. Make sure you affix the trinket to both the feathered panel and the headband, as this will help with anchoring the panel in place. This might take quite a bit of glue, but be careful not to use too much, as you don't want it to leak out and be visible. You will definitely need to hold this in place for a good couple of minutes until the glue has dried.

And, you're done! The final step is, of course, to look fabulous.

As you can see, this really is a very quick, simple and effective way to compliment or even liven up your race day outfit. Using these basic instructions you can use a number of different materials in place of feathers - flowers, bows, even a pack of cards (well, maybe not a whole pack). You can also adapt it to use combs or clips in place of the headband. Let your creative juices flow and impress your friends on Cup Day!

-Stevie O'C

Music Festival Season: Lessons from the UK

As the weather heats up, no doubt the buzz of the 2013/14 summer festival season is also on the rise.

The last Australian festival I went to was Good Vibrations in 2009, held at Sydney’s Centennial Park. It was a rainy but humid day, and no matter how many overpriced Smirnoff Ices I threw my money at, I somehow remained sober throughout. Predictably though, I lost my friends, everyone around me seemed to be years younger, and I was outwardly annoyed at the simultaneous scheduling of the bands I wanted to see (seeing The Presets was the right decision, but I will forever regret missing Fat Boy Slim). And so it was, as I reflected on time spent at Big Day Out and Homebake in the uncomfortable solitude of a Portaloo, I declared my festival days to be over.

Photo Credit: Ibai Acevedo via Compfight cc

I stayed true to that decree until this year, when I found myself in the middle of the UK's festival season. It soon became apparent that the Victoria coach station I pass by every day is a festival junction. On my way to and from work I found myself surrounded by gumbooted, heavily backpacked revellers embarking on their musical pilgrimages, their meccas changing from weekend to weekend. What I very quickly learned is that if there is one thing the Brits take more seriously than their ponce and pageantry, it’s music festivals.

While most Australian festivals that I’m aware of go for one day, maybe two (with a couple notable exceptions), the British use festivals to maximise the summer experience, running for four, sometimes five, days at a time. Often set in the countryside, there seems to be a festival for just about anyone and anything, with many capable of achieving both at the same time!

The result is that festivals are the essential ‘must do’ activity during the summer, with your social status measured by how many fabric wrist bands you’re still wearing at the end of the season. Given the unofficial degree of ‘coolness’ attributed to each of the festivals – with special credit going to small but exclusive events – it’s no wonder that as the winter chill begins to settle in tickets for Glastonbury 2014 have already sold out. It’s nine months away.

Having only been in the country for a month or so when the festivities kicked off, I hadn’t the chance to give my festival planning any forethought, let alone actually buy tickets. So when I was invited to go along to Chilled in the Field I saw my chance to get out of London, see some English countryside, get my revel on and make my UK festival debut.

Sleeping bag? Check! Wellies? Check! Raging throat infection making it almost impossible to swallow, talk or remain vertical? Check! Check! Check!

Despite having made my way to Etchingham with my bravest face and misguided optimism (read, denial), I spent most of the time in the tent counting down the hours until I could take the next dose of painkillers. My first festival attempt was abandoned within 24 hours as I reluctantly dragged myself back to London, where I promptly sought medical advice and spent the next week in bed.

My partner in festival adventures, DJ B-Fly, pressed on. A veteran festival punter and performer, he achieved a personal best by attending five very different festivals over the summer. In part two of this short series on festivals I talk to B-Fly about his experiences, and ask for a few pointers that this festival-novice can learn, before trying again next year!

-Eliza Rose Harper

The Superficial: The Bling Ring Reviewed

One of my favourite guilty pleasures is to sit down with a big block of chocolate and a juicy gossip magazine. It is fun to peek into the world of the rich and famous, to catch up on who is dating who, the latest teen singing sensation in a fast lane to rehab (cough, Miley Cyrus, cough). I particularly enjoy admiring their designer outfits and how they manage to look so perfect all the time. However, for the four Los Angeles teenagers in Sofia Coppola’s latest film The Bling Ring, the life of celebrity and high-end luxury is more than a passing interest – it is an obsession.

When Marc (Israel Brussard) begins at a new high school, he is shunned by everybody except the pretty and confident Rebecca (Katie Chang).  Marc is pleased when they discover a mutual interest in fashion, and Rebecca is excited to find that Marc’s father is ‘in the biz’ as a film distributor. What begins as a typical teenage friendship made up of parties, trips to the beach and smoking weed, quickly becomes something more serious when they embark on a series of burglaries, accompanied by ditzy Nicki (Emma Watson), her adopted sister Sam (Taissa Famiga) and fellow party girl Chloe (Claire Julien).  They don’t just rob any old homes, though.

The Bling Ring is based on the real life events described in the Vanity Fair article, ‘The Suspects Wore Louboutins’. The article details the crime spree that saw the teens steal US$3 million worth of jewellery and designer clothing from the mansions of celebrities they admired, including Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom and Lindsay Lohan during 2008 and 2009.  The ‘Bling Ring’, as they became known, used the internet to research the addresses of their favourite celebrities and targeted them on nights they’d be away filming or attending events. They got in using keys hidden under doormats or via unlocked doors. Who knew it would be so easy?

Co-written by the article’s author Nancy Jo Sales, the film is relatively close to the events as described. Taking the perspective of the teens involved, it follows them as they ransack one celebrity home after another. However, there wasn’t much else to it, and without a fuller storyline it struggled to maintain my interest.

For a film, the story needed to be more substantial. Although the opportunity to develop the characters presents itself, this is where the film falls flat. We really know nothing about them, apart from Nicki and Sam bring products of their mother's (Leslie Mann) misguided home schooling curriculum based on The Secret, that Rebecca comes from a broken home, and that Marc has anxiety issues garnered via a passing remark. Also not revealed are their motives for partaking in this series of audacious crimes.

What the film does say about these characters is that they reflect a generation that is narcissistic, superficial and obsessed with fame. In the world of The Bling Ring, having a ‘DUI’ (driving under the influence) conviction like Lindsay Lohan is something to be celebrated, and life goals include owning a collection of Louboutin shoes, appearing on TMZ or having your own reality TV show. On the one hand, the film’s visual style is very reflective of this and looks like a television advert or gossip magazine, interspersed with Facebook profiles and pics, white at other times it has a very dreamy feel more akin to Coppola’s Lost In Translation.

What I most enjoyed about the film was Emma Watson’s performance as Nicki, who is perhaps the most superficial and fame obsessed of the bunch. My favourite line in the whole film, sadly based on an actual quote by one of the real-life Bling Ring members, is delivered by Watson, surrounded by paparazzi as she enters the courthouse to face trial:

“I’m a firm believer in Karma and I think this situation was attracted into my life because it was supposed to be a huge learning lesson for me to grow and expand as a spiritual human being...God didn’t give me these talents and looks to just sit around being a model or being famous. I want to lead a huge charity organization. I want to lead a country, for all I know.”

God help us all.

The Bling Ring is out on DVD and Blu-Ray through Roadshow.

-Eliza Murphy

About Time: A Review

The latest offering from Britain's king of romantic comedies Richard Curtis, About Time is a two hour lesson on how to achieve 'the good life' and that ever elusive 'happiness'. Oh, and time travel. The basic premise is that if you don't get this 'life' business right the first time, just go back and do it again, only better. But then don't, because you've learned that it's better to do it right the first time. Or something like that.

 

Lesson #1: Smell the roses because, actually, there is no time travel, there are no do-overs, and you only have one chance to get it right.

About Time is not what you'd expect from the poster. Yes, it is a romantic comedy, but the love is about family and not about boy meets girl, romantic love. Fundamentally, this is the story of a young man and his relationships, in particular that with his father.

At 21, Tim's (Domhnall Gleeson) dad, played by the ever charming Bill Nighy, informs him that the men in the family have always had the ability to travel back in time. Of course this immediately leads Tim to time warp back to a New Year's party to kiss a girl. Tim goes on to use his new found abilities to search for love, finding disappointment instead, before he ups and moves to London. There, after a time, he uses it to help a friend, which consequently leads him to never had met the love of his life (Rachel McAdams). Fear not, as the situation is soon rectified and Tim continues to jump through time in the pursuit of happiness.

Lesson #2: Time travel doesn’t always get you what you want, and it can’t make someone love you.

Curtis, who brought us Love Actually, Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral (they're all listed on the poster, in case you were confused), brings us yet another utterly smug, not entirely unlikable, but very middle class morality tale. However, this time there's a bit of timey-wimey travel thrown in for good measure. To be honest I'm not sure why, on the time travel. There are apparently no consequences from all the jumping back and forth, except maybe for one quite major issue that is somehow overcome even in defiance of the logic presented - I won't spoil it, but it has something to do with a very particular sperm and an equally particular egg.

Lesson #3: Children are happiness, so have three.

Honestly, if not having children is a sore point for you, this film will either make you weep uncontrollably into a tub of ice-cream or throw heavy blunt objects at the screen.

I had hoped that the unintended consequence of this supernatural familial trait was the apparent madness that besets both Tim's uncle Desmond (Richard Cordery) and sister Kit Kat (Lydia Wilson). That would have brought some conflict and drama to the story, but no. And this is what is missing from About Time - the story. There doesn't really appear to be one. It's an observation of a life, but there is limited conflict, and where it does crop up it is relatively simply dismissed. Yes, there is death, yes, there is general life chaos, yes, there are issues of mental health, but each of these is passed over as we witness from the perspective of a young lad chasing his own happiness, at his own will, across time.

The performances are fine, nothing outstanding, although I am beginning to lose patience with McAdams' seemingly eternal portrayal of 'love interest', or more specifically 'love interest in a romance with some element of time travel'. In About Time she is convinced she's altogether ordinary - courtesy of a slightly unflattering (read, alternative) haircut - making those of us who are actually ordinary feel utterly useless. Gleeson is charming and so easily middle class English, which is an achievement being the son of the quintessentially Irish Brendan Gleeson. Bill Nighy plays a variation from the spectrum of Bill Nighy, but I'm okay with that.

I think the best summation of About Time lies with The Guardian, which called it 'Groundhog Day with a ginger Hugh Grant'. Apt.

As an aside, a massive part of me wishes that Curtis could bring back the brilliance that was Not the Nine O'Clock News and Blackadder. What is evidently missing from our movie screens is that expression of self-deprecation and satire that pokes fun at the absurd reality that surrounds us. It seems we're altogether too serious now, or too boring, or our concept of cinematic humour is tied up in bodily functions. Shame.

About Time is in cinemas from 17 October.

-Stevie O'C

Sydney v Melbourne: It's Not About the Coffee

Melbourne has to be my favourite Australian city, and it’s not about the coffee.

Melbourne

Not that I am really qualified to judge, as I’ve only been to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide (for a total of 24 hours) and Brisbane (for two days of work meetings in The Valley). Oh, and Canberra, who can forget Canberra? Even so, since moving to Melbourne a year ago, it has managed to get under my skin.

It hasn’t always been that way. For the longest time I hated Melbourne. Hated it, with a completely unnecessary and irrational passion. Sydney was the star, mostly because her buildings were taller and shinier, she felt more like a ‘real’ city or at least what my idea of a real city should be.

Sydney

And so it was, I became obsessed with moving to Sydney. Growing up in the Illawarra, I felt a world away from the rattle and hum of the big city. Trips to Sydney were infrequent during my childhood. That said, I still remember the scent of chicken’s feet and sweet smell of Asian lollies from the few journeys made to Paddy’s Market with my grandmother; and the free Tiny Teddies that came warm in a cone from the Arnott’s display that resided in Darling Harbour for years.

Maybe it's because I was small that Sydney seemed so very, very large and far, far away.

Sydney

The first chance I had, I moved there. Into a crappy room in a dodgy share-house on the edge of the CBD. I shudder to think of the bed bugs and creepy crawlies I was sleeping with. Being on a contract wage rendered me unable to get a lease of my own, so it was the only option I had once the three hour daily commute back to the 'Gong became intolerable.

The bright lights of Sydney flooded my eyes for a number of years, but eventually the superficiality of the relationship became apparent and from there it unravelled.

What I have found is that Sydney is actually an incredibly difficult city to live in. For someone who arrived knowing practically no one I struggled to find any sense of belonging and community (I did eventually opt for joining a political party to find some, but that’s a whole other story). Essentially, Sydney is a transient city, both for those who live and work there, and for those who just come to visit.

Sydney

In Sydney you live north, south, east, inner west or really west, and never the twain shall meet. Except during the hours of about 8.30am and 6.00pm that is. Going over the bridge represents effort – either to play or when trying to get home from play. The same applies to travelling south beyond about Redfern. Going east means buses, which complicates things, while going inner west means you’re probably not very well connected to anywhere other than elsewhere in the inner west if you’re looking for public transport options. And even then, don't ponder getting from one side to the other of that great divide that is Parramatta Road. As for going north west or really west, well, best you forget it altogether.

The result of all this is people going ‘home’ to their part of Sydney when the business day is over. And as for the weekends? I don’t think I ventured into the CBD on a weekend unless I had something particular to do or, more likely, show to see. 

The only time I really began to enjoy living in Sydney was when I moved to the inner west and suddenly realised a number of my friends had done the same. Living in the city is lonely without people, and in Sydney they can be damned hard to find.

Melbourne

Almost if by definition Melbourne is different. There seems to be a shared mentality that no matter where you live, at some point you're going to pass through the CBD. So, coming into the city or staying in town presents as no biggie. And you're really in the CBD, with both Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations landing you right in the thick of it. By contrast, Sydney's Central Station invariably leaves you in need of a further connection or a decent walk to your final destination.

The height factor that first drew me to Sydney doesn't exist with Melbourne. Or at least it doesn't feel that way. Maybe that's because the spaces lower to the ground are so well utilised. Every laneway, nook and cranny is taken up by something. From cafes, pop-up stores, even those packed with garbage bins accented by graffiti (street art, not tags) have a certain appeal.

Melbourne

The people in Melbourne don't walk as fast as those in Sydney. I've noticed, as I've had to slow down myself. It's as though they take the time to get where they're going, while the younger prettier sister that Sydney seems to always be rushing somewhere. There's also a certain friendliness to Melbourne. Or, if it's not quite friendliness, a humanity. It is not to say this doesn't exist in Sydney, it certainly does, but you have to go looking for it, whereas in Melbourne, it looks for you.

Melbourne

Fundamentally, Sydney is for tourists and showing off, Melbourne is for settling in and taking the time to not only make the perfect cup of coffee but to also enjoy the time it takes to drink it.

I'm beginning to think Melbourne is to my 30s as Sydney was to my 20s. Next week I turn 31.

-Stevie O'C

Totally Rad Adventure: San Fran and LA

Welcome to part two of Caitlin's Totally Rad Adventure to the US of A. In this week's installment, Caitlin and Matt arrive in San Fran and LA, stay in the shittiest parts of town, and run late for super important meetings. Oh dear!

Scandi-Noir: The Killing III

Right, that's it, I need to get me a Sarah Lund Faroe Island sweater.

This, the third season of The Killing - or Forbrydelsen in the native Danish - is the final in the Scandi-noir series that follows Detective Inspector Sarah Lund (Sofie Gråbøl) as she solves murder mysteries in and around Copenhagen. This latest installment sees Lund continuing to investigate crime the only way she knows how - with minimal emotional investment, but with a drive to get to the bottom of it.

In this season, Lund investigates the kidnapping of the daughter of a wealthy businessman, which leads to a series of murders and is somehow linked to the alleged suicide of an orphaned teenage girl sometime earlier. In the meantime, the government is in a state of meltdown and Lund is dealing with an unexpected pregnancy - not hers.

Although not to the strength of the original or second seasons, The Killing III is still compelling watching, and continues the tradition of revealing only bites of information from which the audience may hypothesise the killer. This season presents multiple perspectives on the same event, or series thereof, only to leave the audience questioning what they saw, who the killer might be; and when they're revealed to have been mislead, wondering which character is not quite telling the truth.

What you learn from the original season of The Killing is that there is, in fact, enough information in the opening episode(s) to tell you whodunit, but it isn't until the end that the pieces fall into place. What you also learn from the preceding two series is that when it comes to Lund, no one is safe and no one is above suspicion.

This series also sees the return of everyone's favourite Detective Chief Inspector Lennart Brix. Portrayed by Morten Suuballe, I am convinced of his brilliance as an actor as he somehow manages to convey a great deal with only the slightest adjustment of his face. Gråbøl is consistent in her portrayal of Lund who is, as always, a withdrawn yet fascinating, strong and driven character. However, some cracks are beginning to appear in her stony-face with an old flame, Mathias Borch (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) - her partner on this case, stirring some deep and long repressed emotions.

SBS screened The Killing III on free-to-air earlier this year, which was an intensely frustrating affair because it takes ten weeks to get to the point! It's really no wonder people download these things! Thankfully it is now available on DVD through Madman, which is how I recommend you view it - in sequence, and preferably in one or two sittings. That way the mood is established and the momentum of the mystery, although lacking slightly with this final season, is maintained.

The Killing III is available through Madman.

-Stevie O'C

Word Travels: Get Your Poet On

Once the hangover of the long weekend's intense schedule of goings-on has passed, maybe it's time for a change of pace. This coming weekend sees the launch of the Word Travels Festival, which promises to be three days of live literary mayhem with events at The Rocks, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Theatre.

The Festival is the new home of the Australian Poetry Slam (APS). Poetry slams add an element of performance and competition to your more traditional poetry reading, in a way that brings an affinity with hip hop, with or without the backing track, and are becoming increasingly popular around the world.

According to Creative Director Miles Merrill, turning the APS into a three day festival of spoken word allows for greater diversity, provides the opportunity to reach a broader audience and sees the involvement of more poets from various backgrounds.

Traditionally the realm of high intellectuals, hippies or sixteen year old school girls (depending on what you feel constitutes poetry), slams give the written form a new life as performance. Originating at The Green Mill, a Chicago bar in 1986, slams rose in popularity after the concept was picked up by HBO via Def Poetry Jam produced by hip hop legend Russell Simmons. Def Poetry found spoken word performance a natural home within hip hop, and featured work from Jamie Foxx, Erykah Badu, and Kanye West amongst a myriad of others.

In Australia, slams were introduced by Merrill, who is himself a Chicago-born spoken word artist. In 2004 Australia’s first inter-city slam was held, before going national in 2007. Now in its ninth season, the has APS seen thousands of poets exhibit each year and it continues to grow.

But slams are not all about sharing, they are competitive, with judges taken from the audience on the night. The national poetry slam final will be held on 13 October, with the prize the opportunity to perform at the Bookworm Literary Festival, the Ubud International Writers’ and Readers’ Festival and the Byron Bay Writers Festival in 2014 – a tour worth over $12,000.

Also featuring in the Festival’s highlights is international guest, key-note performer and queen of spoken-word Ursula Rucker, who is touted as one of the strongest female poets performing today; and a Poetry and Story Bordello will see sophisticated wordsmiths louring patrons through the backstreets of The Rocks to private shows by the world’s best poets and story tellers. Sounds tempting.

The Word Travels Festival runs from 11-13 October at various locations in Sydney. For more information head on over to http://wordtravels.info/.

-Stevie O'C