The stars of the Harry Potter franchise sum up their experiences spanning seven films and ten years in just one word. Empire magazine really pulls at the heart strings with this one — I've grown up with these characters, first with the books (though I stopped at book five), then the films. It's interesting to see how profound even the simplest of choice words could be — for instance, Matthew Lewis' "Alright" and "Magical" from Emma Watson. The end of the franchise is bittersweet, and this video only adds to the feeling. It all ends July 15 (tear).
27.5.11
Video: Harry Potter in One Word
The stars of the Harry Potter franchise sum up their experiences spanning seven films and ten years in just one word. Empire magazine really pulls at the heart strings with this one — I've grown up with these characters, first with the books (though I stopped at book five), then the films. It's interesting to see how profound even the simplest of choice words could be — for instance, Matthew Lewis' "Alright" and "Magical" from Emma Watson. The end of the franchise is bittersweet, and this video only adds to the feeling. It all ends July 15 (tear).
BYT: Raphael Saadiq
Last Summer, my friend Esther and I hopped a bus to NYC to check out a free Raphael Saadiq concert in Central Park. Almost a year later, he stops into DC to play the 9:30 club and we both make our way to see him yet again; this time, with her twin sister Ruth in tow. Opening for him were Yuna (a singer/songwriter from Malaysia) and Quadron (an Emo-Soul duo from Denmark). I've since downloaded material from both openers, as they were just that good — but this is about Raphael. Here's my review of the sold out show this past Wednesday; as always comments are both welcomed and encouraged — just click the pic for the article.
26.5.11
Video: Eat Your Heart Out Megan Fox
Transformed
dir: Richard Phillips + Taylor Steele
Artist Richard Phillips directs this portrait of who the NYT calls "pop culture’s current tragic heroine"; but who I consider an icon of our generation. Lindsay Lohan is a magnificent talent, who was simply a victim of the Fame Mons†er. Transformed will be featured in Commercial Break, a collection of art films for the 54th Venice Biennale. The 90-second short film acts as a sort of advertisement for, or rather of, Lindsay. Imagine this, LiLo's 'commercial' playing on a giant video billboard navigating the heart of Venice.
Filmed in Malibu last month, it draws influencesI'm happy for my girl, because it seemed like she wasn't doing anything significant besides that rumored Sex Book with Terry Richardson and James Franco. Okay, to be fair, she has two films in the works; Gotti: Three Generations and Mob Street. She looks great in this, and might I add healthy — let's hope this is evidence for the industry that Linds is ready to get back to work. But really, eat your heart out
from two 1960s movie classics, Jean-Luc Godard’s “Contempt” and Ingmar Bergman’s “Persona,” starring Brigitte Bardot and Liv Ullmann, respectively [...] The links Phillips makes between her and the roles that Bardot and Ullmann play in the films may be subtle, but they are distinct (NYT).
Video: V-LOG no.2
My second video blog (VLOG) — a recap of my recent trip to NYC. I'm really loving making these, if only they didn't take FOREVER to edit. Check me out above, and don't forget to subscribe to QFascinatingTV! Sorry it's so long, but it's worth it, I promise.
Music: "1+1" - Beyoncé
>> Download <<
This song has quickly become, hands-down, my favorite Beyoncé song — it's such a stunning ballad, declaration of love, open letter to her husband Jay-Z. Nothing she has released up to this point has captured the full emotion I'm sure she feels for that man, until this. 1+1 relies on nothing but her voice, a steady bass guitar line, a little organ, and a tap upon the cymbals. It's simple; her vocals draw you in like an inhale, and then it exhales you with all the desire and passion she feels in her soul. A discussion with a friend pointed out that this is sure to become the wedding song of our generation — I don't doubt this in the least. I'm anxious for a good love like this, I'm not pressed for it though, I'm too young to feel such emotion for another individual... but when I do, I hope it's just as strong as what Bey and Jay have. Below is her performing the track for the first time on the American Idol finale — as if the song didn't already do it for me, the performance also brings tears to my eyes.
25.5.11
Video: It's OK to be Takei
George Takei vs. Tennessee's "Don't Say Gay" Bill (SB049)
Recently in the news, Tennessee legistlators have been attempting to ban the word 'gay' and any references to homosexuality from it's educational institutions. The notion is that by not discussing it, the "issue" will become null — sort of how abstinence only supporters believe that will keep kids from having sex. Star Trek alumnus and activist George Takei has lent his name as a tongue-in-cheek way to speak out against this ignorant bill, and support our brother & sisters in Tennessee.
you can simply say "Takei."
You can go a step further with the support by checking out the merchandise associated with this cause over at ItsOkToBeTakei.com
Art: Savage Beauty
24.5.11
BYT: Amor de Días
21.5.11
Video: Recognize These Moves Anywhere?
This is just gratuitous Beyoncé posting; but if you can look past that and bear with me, we'll have fun. There was only a matter of time before the members of Mozambican Kwaito dance group Tofo Tofo began getting increased shine. These men were responsible for the majority of the choreography in Queen Bey's new video for "Run The World (Girls)." It doesn't take long to recognize where their moves have influenced the moves within the video — it's pretty mirror imaged. This whole thing just reminds me of Beyoncé's Bob Fosse inspired "Single Ladies" video. Her inspirations are all over the map — yes, I say inspirations, not copies... she's always upfront with her product. Watch a side-by-side comparison here — be forewarned, it gets pretty ridiculous.
Fashion: Bowties in Silk. Wool. Lace?
A while back I stumbled upon a post from a blog that I now follow, 00 o 00 blog — it was about bowties. I'm admittedly not a bowtie enthusiast, nor do I ever wear them, but this post caught my interest nonetheless. Unless incredibly thick in the head, you have probably already realized that it was about the above image. London's tie-making company Marwood prides themselves in "an exquisitely crafted range of ties and bow ties made with the finest fabrics such as woven silk, wool and traditional English Leavers lace." Prices range between £75-90 (so about $122-146) — a steep price to pay for a tie, yes. However, when you consider the craftsmanship and care taken into its construction; it seems a bit more negotiable. I have no such money at the moment, but these just make me want to transform into a Dandy for just a day. Below is a silly, but super creative, video lookbook from fw11.
[Photos via Marwood]
Fashion: Louis Vuitton fw12 (Preview)
-Models-
Daphne Groeneveld, Anaïs Pouliot,
Gertrud Hegelund, Zuzana Gregorova, Nyasha Matonhodze
“Who wouldn’t want to be this gorgeous young woman in the back seat of this beautiful car?” asks Marc Jacobs, Vuitton’s artistic director, highlighting the tongue-in-cheek take on the French brand’s familiar travel theme. (WWD)
The full campaign will also feature Fei Fei Sun — glad to know there will be some more color present. The campaign which was shot by Steven Meisel was styled (impeccably might I add) by Karl Templer, makeup by Pat McGrath (the queen of beauty), and hair by Guido Palau — look for the campaign images to run this August.
[Photos via TFS]
**This post was edited from May 19, 2011**
20.5.11
Video: Lady Gaga On SNL... awwkwarrrd
Justin Timberlake will be hosting tomorrow night's Saturday Night Live with musical guest Lady Gaga. Okay... I love you Mother Mons†er, but this was just too painful to watch. I'm glad you're not appearing on the show as a host; let's just stick to the music babe, that's where you truly shine. I'm excited to see your performance, it's sure to be amazing — or perhaps your moment to unveil yourself as the Anti-Christ. I hope it's the latter, I'd love to spend the rest of eternity dancing in the dark with you.
Fashion: Harper's Bazaar UK May 2011
As the fashion world honours Alexander McQueen with a retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, Kate Moss stars in Bazaar’s special double cover May issue. She wears both the ruffled organza dress in which she appeared as a hologram in the A/W 2006 Widows of Culloden show and then in an exquisite white gown from Sarah Burton’s first collection. (Harper's Bazaar UK)
Kate Moss, the eternal beauty, covers the May issue of Harper's Bazaar UK — there's not much to mention that the above blurb hasn't already said. I will say however that I'm extremely excited to check out the "Savage Beauty" exhibit at the Met (I leave Sunday, with a return on Wednesday). Kate looks gorgeous, but that's to be expected. My one qualm is that the newsstand cover looks like something W magazine would produce; I much prefer the subscribers cover (which you can see below).
[Images via TFS]
19.5.11
Fashion: So What Was Beyoncé Wearing?
>> Press Play <<
So by now, we've all seen Beyoncé's explosive new video for "Run The World (Girls)"; if not, click here. As her song proclaims, "...this is for all of my girls up in the club rockin' the latest," she does just that. Now let's take note of her video's fashion breakdown — she definitely took a "fashion shower."
dress & boots: Alexander McQueen
shorts: Norma Kamali
heels: Alexander Wang
dress: Givenchy HC
dress: Jean Paul Gaultier
jewelry: Larucci
dress & shoes: Gareth Pugh
jumpsuit: Norma Kamali
dress: Emilio Pucci
boots: Sergio Rossi
dress: Emilio Pucci
All I can say is... WERQ.
Video: Napoleon Dynamite... The Series?
It would seem that seven years since its release (yes, it's been that long), the awkward Preston, Idaho teen is back to invade our minds. I, like many, SEVEN years ago, thoroughly enjoyed the film's deadpan humor. But seeing as it's been SEVEN years (yes, I must stress that point), it seems a bit late to really build off its original cult popularity, and too soon to bank off its nostalgic appeal. Fox really needs to just leave the animated programming to Seth MacFarlane — but I'll probably check it out anyway; it shall be my stoner cartoon. As the trailer points out, most (not all as they said) of the original cast is back — they must be hard-pressed for work. I wish the best for this series, as Fox doesn't have the best reputation for series' survival.
As a side-note, I posted a while back about the revival of Beavis and Butt-head; well, it's been confirmed for this summer by MTV!
a friend of mine's weekly round-up for BYT!
News: A College Degree, and He's Only 15
Wisdom Martin reports:
Before 15-year-old Ty Hobson-Powell graduated from the University of Baltimore, his parents realized at an early age he had a gift for learning.
"At the age of three, I was learning how to read, write and speak Chinese. Went to elementary school, skipped two grades. [In] junior high school, that’s when my headmaster recognized my gift, allowed me to take some course work outside traditional settings," said Hobson-Powell.
From there, it was off to Montgomery College, then Howard University before transferring to the University of Baltimore. That meant a one-hour on the train every day, each way. (Fox 5 News)
Though I take issue with accelerated education, primarily because the child misses out on the fundamental life-experiences which help to eventually shape who they will become, this young man is seriously an inspiration. His thirst for knowledge is one we all could take note of – he has plans to continue on to law school, and then medical school after that. What makes me most proud of him, besides the accomplishments and his determination, is that he's a man of color. The news seems to maintain its focus only on the negative aspects of the Black community; it's refreshing to hear something positive for a change. Kudos to his parents for nurturing his desire to learn (not to be confused; his parents never forced his education, it's all him). You Go Boy!
Video: Run The World (Girls) - Beyoncé
>> Download <<
Words can't describe the emotions that are running through me right now... so I will just let her work speak for itself — she's my favorite performer for a reason, PERIOD. So excited for her album 4 to drop; official release date being June 28th. Thanks once again to Martian Leaks for providing the download file.
18.5.11
Video: Gilt Goes Gaga
Online retailer Gilt Groupe, known for its 'flash' sales, partners with Lady Gaga and her right-hand man Nicola Formichetti to present one Mons†er of a sale. Starting May 20th at noon EST, members can shop sales curated by Formichetti — items include a one-of-a-kind Thierry Mugler dress worn by Gaga, tix to a future Mugler presentation in Paris, access to see Mother Mons†er perform and preview her album, and of course, great Gaga inspired fashion. In this interview with Gilt, Formichetti dishes a bit about the collaboration but more importantly, where he sees his role within the industry in the future. I'd never heard him speak before this, and I must say, he has a really sexy voice.
BYT: Here We Go Magic
I recently had the opportunity to see Brooklyn quintet Here We Go Magic in concert, and might I say, I was quite impressed by them. They took the stage to a pretty light crowd at Red Palace; joined by another Brooklyn act, Caveman (not so impressed by them however). Check out my review of the show, and if you're feeling so inclined, leave some comment love — there, not here, though here would be appreciated just the same, ha. There recent EP
The January is available now on iTunes — if you're a fan of Local Natives, I highly recommend you give them a listen. Click the image for the article/review.
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