2012 Highlights

Having not only began my music blog, audio-ghost, but also this general media blog only this year, I have been able to discover some true gems within music, film and otherwise. My iTunes has doubled in content and my film list is overflowing with film favourites as well as films that I am yet to see. In celebration of this as well as the beginning of a new year, I thought I would bring you on a quick trip down media-lane of the past year with a few of my 2012 favourites...

1. Bands/Collaborations: Watch The Throne, The Black Keys, Portugal The Man, The Neighbourhood, The Maccabees, Alabama Shakes, GOOD Music.
2. Male solo-artists: Frank Ocean, Ben Howard, Jack White, Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lemar
3. Female solo-artists: Florence & the Machine, Lana Del Rey
4. Album: Watch The Throne (indefinitely)
5. Songs: I still adore each and every song featured within my monthly playlists and since they are all fairly recent posts, I can’t really bring myself to name many others.
6. Music Video: Lost In The World – Kanye West, directed by the wonderful Ruth Hogben who is incredibility talented in portraying a sense of motion and distance within her work and allowing dance to evolve through a black and white shot.
   
7. Comedian: As you may have already read, I have been loving all of Chris Rocks past work and have become a huge fan of his.
8. Television Show: Upon the recommendation of a friend, whilst it is a show that has been on air for quite a few years now, Californication has rapidly become my 2^nd favourite show (Lost, being oceans away as the 1^st). I was worried that my previous association of David Duchovny being Mulder from The X Files would block my ability to see him as a whole new character but he took on this role with such a slickness and ease that really enhances Hank Moody as a character. Every episode, whilst only 30 minutes long which is a somewhat foreign tie frame for anything other than a sit-com, is just as humorous and light as one another and what I probably love the most about the entire show, is its head-on “yeah this is L.A., and so what?” approach that allows the characters to find themselves in ridiculous situations without appearing over dramatic nor trying to be unnecessarily in-depth.
9. Films: These are films that have not necessarily been released this year as I don’t often get the chance to go to the cinema but moreso the films that I have seen this past year (whether for the 1^st time or not) and recommend… The Devils Double (2011), Drive (2011), Oceans 11 (2001), American Gangster (2007), Reserviour Dogs (1992), Benny & Joon (1993), Funny Games U.S. (2007), The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011), The Road To Gauntanamo (2006), Sin City (2005), Life In A Day (2011) and Snatch. (2000)
10. I thought I would also add in a quick list of current film anticipations (whether DVD or Cinema releases) for 2013: Django Unchained, Looper, Frankenweenie, Gangster Squad, Seven Psychopaths, Imaginaerum, The Man With The Iron Fists, Killing Them Softly, Cloud Atlas, Now You See Me.

What Is It About Black American Comedy?

I pretty much just finished watching a Chris Rock marathon of his live stand-up material and have ever since been reliving old childhood shows all of which lend a heavy focus to “Black Comedy”. Now, when I say this, I am talking about my childhood progression from the early days of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (1990-1996) to Kenan & Kel (1996-2000) to more recent shows such as Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2009).

One of the main selling points, aside from the humour itself, is how these shows mark a certain era, or rather encompass the whole “90’s kid” vibe in general which of course, being one myself, I hold close to heart. From the endless snap-backs and loud prints that Will Smith cultivated to the hip-hop soundtracks that circulate within each episode. And whilst Everybody Hates Chris is set in the 80's it follows the same pattern of “street-lifestyle” which completely takes you back into childhood.

Another thing that this particular subgenre of comedy achieves to perfection is catchphrases. Let me remind you of a few…

“Uh… Nah” – Michael, My Wife & Kids (2001-2005)
“Who loves Orange Soda?” – Kel, Kenan & Kel

Or even just catchphrases in the form of actions… catchactions such as Jazz being thrown out of the house by Uncle Phil or Michael, once again, slapping the back of Juniors head.

I always find that with recent comedy, it’s always a struggle between humour and relatability. With Black American Comedy, it came so naturally but the British comedy shows currently on air all advertise themselves on the “hilarity of real life situations” but seem somehow forced and too scared to become either completely outrageous in situation or completely realistic and so are stuck in an uneasy middle ground. Whereas Everybody Hates Chris knew exactly how to have episodes such as in Everybody Hates Bomb Threats, where Chris reports a so-called “bomb threat” to evacuate the school so that he doesn’t have to give a history speech, whilst still appearing relatable and absolutely hilarious.

And this doesn’t just go to television for this subgenre has also proved its ability within cinema and yes, I am talking about the classic Wayans Brothers return, White Chicks (2004). This film ticks every box from having a pool of memorable quotes that runs a close second to the ever-loved Mean Girls, to having the perfect blend of comedy and action.

Now, back to my original reason for this post… Chris Rock. All four of his shows, Bring The Pain (1996), Bigger & Blacker (1999), Never Scared (2004) and Kill The Messenger (2008) have all brought tears to my eyes in hilarity ratings. He draws a very similar comedic style to which he portrays in Everybody Hates Chris, but is able to explore topical issues such as politics and poverty in greater death. Whilst these may seem sensitive issues, even those with opposing views can’t resist finding humour in his ridicules of society. You wouldn't have to even listen or watch Chris Rock to find his stand-up completely amazing, seeing the audiences reactions is more than enough. Plus, on a final note of why I love Black American Comedy… only Chris Rock could have delivered the best “Fucks I Give” joke ever.

Thank-you, and goodnight.

"If I've Made It A Little Easier For Artists To Work In Violence, Great! I've Accomplished Something."

Quentin Tarantino is an absolute favourite director of mine purely due to his fearlessly bold and offbeat approach to the crime action genre. An array of fake blood dominates every scene as well as an endless stock of outrageous caricatures and whilst his films seem to jump through scenes of complete surrealism, he still manages to keep a consistently light yet unique humour throughout.

Now, let’s start with some prime examples of this blunt signature humour.

1. Reservoir Dogs, (1992): *inserts entire Madonna discussion between Mr Brown, Blonde, Orange, Pink, White and Nice Guy Eddie*

Yeah, that’s pretty much all I need to prove my point.

What interests me the most that how he translates his personality into his films, unlike some directors who remain nameless throughout each and every film because their only concern is that the camera doesn’t jerk. However, Tarantino is still able to adapt himself into his more modern cinematic creations such as Inglorious Basterds (2009) which may not have similar stylistics to his previous work but is as wonderfully shocking and upfront gruesome as always, if not more.

Even Sin City (2005), in which he was a guest director, had the grit of Tarantino written all over it and is a true visual interpretation of a comic, a still-shot of any scene could easily be printed onto paper and sold as a comic in stores, unlike the polished American marvel films, some of which I do enjoy, but don’t stand a chance against the technicalities of Sin City’s opening scene.

However his classics such as Jackie Brown (1997) and Pulp Fiction (1994) have such a recognisable and iconic style to them that they can never really age and even what may be considered as his least successful (particularly after the 2^nd film, despite my own acclaim) film, Kill Bill (2003, 2004), will still have a devoted Tarantino audience (population: me + many) in the 3^rd instalments upcoming release next year along with a new creation; Django Unchained (2012).

Please note, that whilst I am quite obviously a fan, if you haven’t watched any or even all of his films, my recommendation could not be more serious.

On a second note, if my word is not good enough… then maybe Brad Pitt can convince you… 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR2JQ0vwCDs