Skins Mania!

I cried over episode four, "Sid". I really loved Cassie. Hay.

The Skins Gang profile


Tony


The leader of the pack. Also the most good looking guy in town. A manipulative asshole.

Michelle


Tony's ex- girlfriend. The "shaggable" one. Sometimes annoying and self-centered, but she's really smart and lovely.

Sid



Tony's "bestfriend" whom he always plays for a fool. He's so awkward that he doesn't seem to now what to do right. Forever in love with Michelle, but feels bad for Cassie.


Cassie


The "anorexic, self-harming, drug-addict". I love her. She's so cute.

Chris


The druggie who's in lovewith their Psychology teacher, Angie. He was left by his mother to fend for himself. Depressing story, really.

Jal


The talented one. She plays the clarinet, aside from being an awesome friend to everybody. She's got two funny brothers and a music tycoon dad.

Maxxie

He's gay and he's cute.

Anwar

The Muslim boy. He is everything not Muslim: he likes dope, tequila, breasts, among other things.


Abigail

The girl Tony openly cheated with. Loaded with her psychiatric meds, she's crazy, but rich.

Effy

Tony's little sister and the only person in their family that he cares about. But she's also crazy.

Posh Kenneth

The black boy. He wasn't in the first two episodes, but he's really funny (and hard to understand because of his slang).

Skins the shoes

WHile surfing for Skins the TV series, I found this very cool shoe brand with its very cool concept: "ergonomic, sturdy inner support system that can be taken out of a leather or suede shell" (http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/next/archives/2007/07/i_recently_trie.html). You can use a Skins "bone" with other cases!



or watch it here.

Hahay, the Macbook Touch

Okay. No more folding. No more bulkiness and chaka, geeky laptop bags. It could freakishly fit in your backpack, shoulder bag, or whatever bag you want to put it in (as long as its dimensions fit).

Hay. A girl could always dream.

Skins: The British teen Angst Tv Series

I've read about the British TV series Skins a year ago, but just had the chance to see it this week. I got so curious kasi it was controversial daw, tackling the youth's sexual and mental health, drug addiction, among many things that "represent" today's young culture.

It was, however funny and enjoyable. Parang Gossip Girl, but more shocking (extreme nudity, language, drugs). But, streaming sites are also very scarce. Ü

Skins revolves around the lives of a group of 16–19 year-old friends who live in Bristol. The Dawson Bros claim the series represents the everyday lives of adolescents. These characters attend the fictional Roundview Sixth Form College in Bristol. Each episode has a self-contained theme and focuses on each different character, however there are several story arcs that span different episodes. Accompanying the episode title at the beginning of each episode is a short few second montage of that episode's central character. The show's co-creator Bryan Elsley said that as series 2 ends with the cast going off to university, it will not be possible to keep on following them in the future, the show will operate in two year arcs with new casts.(from wikipedia.com)

go to the official site here

Newsies

The 1899 New York newsboys' strike is the subject of this full-scale musical set against a stylized backdrop depicting turn-of-the-century New York City. In a series of rousing song and dance routines, choreographer/director Kenny Ortega chronicles the 'newsies'' struggle with publishing mogul Joseph Pulitzer, their battering at the hands of strikebreakers, and their eventual triumph over the powerful newspaper establishment.

Genre: Kids/Family, Musical/Performing Arts
Starring: Ann-Margret, Bill Pullman, Kevin Tighe, Michael Lerner, Robert Duvall
Director: Kenny Ortega
Release Date: April 10, 1992

Jeanne and the Perfect Guy

Jeanne loves men. One day, she finds herself drawn to a man named Olivier. Olivier is a HIV positive patient and told that his life won’t last longer that 6 month. After she visits him in the hospital, Olivier decides to go home with his parents without telling Jeanne. Finding this out, Jeanne struggles hard to find him. She finds him though, but really late for Olivier.

Genre: Art/Foreign, Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance
Starring: Virginie Ledoyen, Mathieu Demy, Jacques Bonnaffe, Valerie Bonneton, Frederic Gorny
Director: Olivier Ducastel, Jacques Martineau
Release Date: April 16, 1999

Love's Labour's Lost

Kenneth Branagh continues to make sterling adaptations of classic William Shakespeare plays with this romantic musical-comedy. LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST takes place in 1939, when the King of Navarre and his three best friends make a pact to remain celibate for three years. When the Princess of France arrives with her three beautiful companions, their will, and honor, is put to the test immediately. Their efforts to hide their true feelings provide the film with its most humorous situations. Featuring classic compositions by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, the Gershwins, and Jerome Kern.

Genre: Art/Foreign, Musical, Comedy, PerformingArts
Starring: Alessandro Nivola, Alicia Silverstone, Kenneth Branagh, Matthew Lillard, Natascha McElhone
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Release Date: June 9, 2000 LA/NY

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Hedwig was born a boy named Hansel in Communist East Berlin who dreamed of finding his other half and becoming a big American rock star. When a handsome American GI promises love and liberation, it seems like a dream come true. But there's a catch-in order to marry and emigrate Hansel must 'leave a little something behind.' Hedwig survives a botched sex change operation that leaves her with an 'angry inch' only to be stranded in a Kansas trailer park the very day the Berlin Wall comes down. Undeterred, Hedwig dons immaculate makeup and a Farrah Fawcett wig and forms a rock band-The Angry Inch. While supporting herself with babysitting gigs, she falls for a 16-year-old Jesus freak she renames Tommy Gnosis. Tommy steals her songs and becomes the rock star Hedwig always dreamed she'd be. Refusing to be defeated, she fiercely performs in crumbling theme restaurants seeking recognition, retribution, and reconciliation with her other half.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, and Musical/PerformingArts
Starring: Michael Pitt, Alberta Watson, John Cameron Mitchell, Miriam Shor, Stephen Trask
Director: John Cameron Mitchell
Release Date: July 20, 2001 Limited

Standing in the Shadows of Motown

Their music is famous around the world, though their names are not. Known as the Funk Brothers, they put the backbeat - the soul - into the hits of Motown Records, for such legendary performers as Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, and many others. Creating music that helped to define the era of the 1960s and has remained a vital influence to this day, these musicians played on more #1 records than the Beatles, the Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley combined. Now the new documentary Standing In The Shadows Of Motown tells their story, combining exclusive interviews, archival footage, re-enactments, reminiscences, and thrilling new performances by the reunited Funk Brothers.

Genre: Documentary and Musical/Performing Arts
Starring: Andre Braugher, Joe Hunter, Joe Messina, Johnny Griffith, Richard Allen
Director: Paul Justman
Release Date: November 15, 2002 (LA/NY).

Love Songs

Genre: Drama, Musical
Starring: Chiara Mastroianni, Clotilde Hesme, Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet, Louis Garrel, Ludivine Sagnier
Director: Christophe Honore
Release Date: May 23, 2007 (Belgium)

The exuberant and tender LOVE SONGS (LES CHANSONS D'AMOUR) further laments Christophe Honore as one of the most exciting filmmakers of our generation. A modern day musical told through unforgettable songs sung entirely by the cast and scored by Alex Beaupain, the film has overjoyed audiences at the Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals. In the hope of sparking their stalled relationship, Ismael (Louis Garrel of DANS PARIS, THE DREAMERS) and Julie (Ludivine Sagnier of SWIMMING POOL) enter a playful yet emotionally laced threesome with Alice (Clotilde Hesme of REGULAR LOVERS.) When tragedy strikes, these young Parisians are forced to deal with the fragility of life and love. For Ismael, this means negotiating through the advances of Julie's sister (Chara Mastroianni of PERSEPOLIS) and a young college student (Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet of STRAYED); one of which may offer him redemption.

watch trailer

here

Half Moon

Mamo, the old renowned Kurdish musician, has begun a journey to Iraq with his sons to perform a music concert after the fall of Sadam Hossein. On the journey, a middle aged man who is Mamo’s follower escorts him and the sons as a driver of an orange mini bus which he has borrowed from a friend. Mamo gathers his sons one by one from different areas. When the last son joins the team he insists to speak to Mamo. He explains to Mamo that the Old of the village has predicted that Mamo should not go on the trip because as the full moon comes, something awful will happen to him. Mamo persist on continuing his journey. He claims that he must continue his trip despite all the obstacles because he was not allowed to work for many years. Mamo intends to take Hesho, a woman singer who lives with 1334 other women in exile, with his team. But Hesho has lost the strength of her old voice with her self confidence. While crossing the borders, Mamo’s teams face many difficulties and their journey becomes full of events and adventures.


Genre: Art/Foreign, Drama, Musical/Performing Arts
Starring: Allah-Morad Rashtian, Hedye Tehrani, Ismail Ghaffari, Kambiz Arshi, Sadiq Behzadpoor
Director: Bahman Ghobadi
Release Date: December 14, 2007 (NY), September 9, 2006 (Toronto Film Festival)

The Doors

Oliver Stone might have considered his film a tribute to the enduring power of the Doors' music, but he seems to have also intended it as a cautionary tale on the perils of both celebrity and substance abuse. Starring Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison, the film focuses on the Lizard King from his days as a UCLA film student in the early 1960s to his death in a Paris hotel in 1971. In the early days of the group's formation, Morrison is at his most benign; he's just a guy hanging out at the beach writing poetry. But as the Doors' fame begins to spread--with Morrison as the focus of attention--his drug consumption and erratic behavior increase exponentially. The rest of the band--Ray Manzarek (Kyle McLachalan), John Densmore (Kevin Dillon), and Robby Krieger (Frank Whaley)--begins to grow tired of his late arrivals, the increasing number of cancellations, and the drunken recording sessions requiring infinite retakes. But no one can help Morrison as he spirals downward into an inferno of drugs, alcohol, public obscenity, and depression. Kilmer gives an excellent performance, including a frighteningly accurate imitation of Morrison's singing. Stone's intimate familiarity with SoCal in the 1960s also provides the film with a high degree of surface verisimilitude.

Genre: Drama
Duration: 2 hrs. 20 min.
Starring: Kevin Dillon, Kyle MacLachlan, Meg Ryan, Michael Madsen, Val Kilmer,
Director: Oliver Stone
Producer: Bill Graham, A. Kitman Ho, Sasha Harari
Distributor: TriStar Pictures
Release Date: February 23, 1991 (Los Angeles premiere, California)
Writer: Oliver Stone, Randall Jahnson

Water

From the courageous and provocative filmmaker Deepa Mehta comes WATER, the profoundly moving and compellingly vibrant story of India's 'widow houses,' where women of all ages are taken to live (even today) apart from society following the deaths of their husbands. Sprinkled with humor, rife with universal emotions and alive with visual excitement, the story of WATER follows three widows who dared to stand up for themselves in the liberating time of Mahatma Gandhi. Seven years in the making, WATER was nearly undone by fierce political controversy when the film's India-based production triggered violent protests by Hindu fundamentalists and was forced to shut down and remount the production - years later, under a shroud of secrecy in the neighboring country of Sri Lanka. But at the film's debut, opening the 2005 Toronto Film Festival, Mehta's unflinching and passionate filmmaking resulted in a rousing standing ovation and critical acclaim. 'After making WATER, I feel I could retire. That is how satisfied I am,' Mehta said at the time.

Genre: Drama, Musical, Mystery and Romance
Starring: Lisa Ray, Seema Biswas, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Waheeda Rehman, Rishma Malik
Director: Deepa Mehta
Release Date: May 12, 2006

Antonia

From the producers of City of God and acclaimed writer/director/producer Tata Amaral comes Antônia, a moving, soulful look into the lives of four women living on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil. Determined to escape their poverty-stricken lives, the talented young women form an all-female rap group but find their road to success is riddled with sexism, racism, and violence. One by one, they succumb to their grim realities, putting the group's future—and their lifelong friendships—in jeopardy…until they learn that out of struggle comes strength, and out of strength, the courage to continue on.

Genre: Drama, Musical
Starring: Cindy Mendes, Jacqueline Simao, Leilah Moreno, Negra Li, Thaide
Director: Tata Amaral
Release Date: September 21, 2007 (limited)

20 Centimeters

With an 'Almodovarian' twist and the flamboyance of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, director Ramón Salazar's 20 Centimeters tells the story of Marieta (Mónica Cervera) a narcoleptic, transsexual who longs to get rid of 8 inches (20 centimeters) of equipment that separates her from being the glamorous woman she dreams to be. When she accidentally falls asleep, usually in the most inopportune times, Marieta's dreams become lavish and colorful musical numbers, where as a real woman she can sing in Spanish, French & English. So cue up the lights, powder that face and slip on that sexy gown because Marieta's dreams are about to come true... Multi-talented star, Mónica Cervera made her North American debut in Álex de la Iglesia's Perfect Crime which had a theatrical release in 2005. Her unique look and ability to sing in various musical styles and performs Queen's 'I Want to Break Free' and Madonna's 'True Blue' adds additional pizzazz to this already comic and frothy Spanish import.

Genre: Comedy, Musical
Starring: Concha Galan, Juan Sanz, Miguel O'Dogherty, Monica Cervera, Pablo Puyol
Director: Ramón Salazar
Release Date: October 20, 2006

20 Centimeters - Trailer | Movies & TV | SPIKE.com

Colma: The Musical

One town. Two worlds. Three friends forever. Colma: The Musical is an enchanting film that captures the comedy and drama of “coming of age” in the shadow of a great city. Catchy melodies, funny lyrics and appealing teenage protagonists bring South San Francisco’s cemetery town to life in this highly original musical.

A favorite on the festival circuit, the film won the Special Jury Award at the 2006 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and earned IFP Gotham Award and Independent Spirit Award nominations. A critics’ darling, Colma: The Musical was called “an itty-bitty movie with a great big heart” (New York Times), “a giddy, unexpected pleasure” (LA Weekly) and “irresistible coming of age charmer” (Village Voice).

Director Paul Wong assembles a talented group of San Francisco musicians and actors to make his feature film debut with Colma: The Musical. He started his career in television, most recently working on the Emmy® Award-winning comedy Arrested Development. Colma: The Musical was originally written as a pop album by H.P. Mendoza who also stars in the film, along with Jake Moreno and L.A. Renigan.

Set in the suburban town of Colma, where the dead outnumber the living one thousand to one, Colma: The Musical weaves a fresh personal look into the ups and downs of early adulthood. Best pals Rodel, Billy, and Maribel find themselves in a state of limbo. Fresh out of high school, they are just beginning to explore a new world of part-time mall jobs and crashing college parties. As newfound revelations and romances challenge their relationships with one another and their parents, the trio must assess what to hold onto and how to best follow their dreams.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Musical
Starring: Brian Raffi, Gigi Guizado, Jake Moreno, L.A. Renigen, Sigrid Sutter
Director: Richard Wong
Release Date: June 22, 2007 (limited)

Kill Your idols

A documentary on thirty years of alternative NYC rock 'n roll.

Genre: Documentary and Musical/Performing Arts
Starring: Arto Lindsay, Glenn Branca, Lydia Lunch, Sonic Youth , Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Director: S. A. Crary

The Fearless Freaks (the flaming lips documentary)

This must-be-bought documentary on Flaming Lips is presented by the tenacious Bradley Beesley. It features never-before-seen footage, new interviews and performances. Beesley reveals the band's deep-set Oklahoma roots; early punk/noise phase; the experimental parking lot/boom box 'Zaireeka' era; and endless touring days. It also conveys the Flaming Lips' live shows which are full of bizarre projections/animal suits/hand puppets/confetti and simulated head wounds.

Genre: Documentary, Musical
Starring: Beck, Bradley Beesley, Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis, Steve Burns
Director: Bradley Beesley
Release Date: March 2005

The Producers

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick return to their award-winning roles in the hilariously funny film of the record-breaking Broadway smash-hit. Scheming producer Max Bialystock (Lane) and his mousy accountant, Leo Bloom (Broderick), discover that under the right circumstances they could make more money by producing a Broadway flop than they can with a hit. But what will they do when their sure-to-offend musical becomes a surprise sensation? Co-starring sexy Uma Thurman and comedy genius Will Ferrell, The Producers is a fun-filled, side-splitting comedy.

Genre: Comedy and Musical
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell, Nathan Lane, Roger Bart
Director: Susan Stroman
Release Date: December 16, 2005

I'll Sing for You

In the early 1960s, Mali radio broadcast the melancholy voice of Boubacar Traore, better known as KarKar, who sang of love and independence. After Malian independence, however, KarKar disappeared from public life. This film, which reveals his fate, is ultimately a portrait of Mali, painted with intertwining discussions of politics and religion, reminiscences of notable Malian musicians including, Ali Farka Toure, Madieye Niang, and Ballake Sissoko, and moving musical performances.

Genre: Art/Foreign, Documentary and Musical/Performing Arts
Duration: 1 hr. 16 min.
Starring: Boubacar Traore, Ali Farka Toure, Madieye Niang, Ballake Sissoko, Blaise Pascal,
Director: Jacques Sarasin
Producer: Jacques Sarasin
Distributor: First Run Features
Release Date: March 26th, 2004 (Washington, DC).
Writer: Jacques Sarasin