I wanted to update all my wonderful readers for making my first months on the internet so fulfilling. It means a lot when you have views, rant about them rather terribly and people pay attention. Thanks to you, I’ve now been eligible to get advertising on my website! Advertising is something I was apprehensive about putting up. It takes away from the blog’s content and makes it feel a bit more commercial. But then I thought, hey, a blogger has to make money too, right? And it also became clear that I could put the money that I make to be put to a good cause. So, I’ve decided that 50% of the money I make will  go towards charity. No, not some slight portion, I mean 50% of the money. Remember, that every time you click an ad, you’re helping a charity. My idea is to change the charity every second month. This month’s charity is going to be getting safe water for 100 people in Haiti, which is going to cost £100. I’m setting the bar low because I don’t know how much money this is going to generate. I will be doing this through Oxfam and to find out more about how it works head on over to http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/oxfam-unwrapped/ecowarriors/safe-water-for-10-people-ou5087ws

This will all happen over on my new domain http://www.aculturedlad.com

All of these changes should be in place within the next 24 hours.

Thank you so much

Cultured Lad

Her eclectic mix of art pop is back on top form. She hasn’t changed which is something I love about this artist. She doesn’t rely on her image, outlandish press stunts, crazy meat dresses or getting into twitter feuds with other celebrities to get her fame, she earns it. Not only is she the master of her make-believe, she’s the master of her image and her own genre. Words can’t describe what genre this record is. It’s just Santigold. What’s not to love?

Lyrically, she’s as good as ever, with her album kicking off with ‘GO!’ in which she reminds you that she’s never really left (she’s made her mark) and it sets the pace of this fast paced LP that leaves you wanting more every time. ‘This Isn’t Our Parade’ is my highlight of the album with it’s chilled out, fresh, breezy feel. Her own genre is quite crowd pleasing though. Her rapping skills are shown on the incredibly staccato, zany track ‘Look At These Hoes’ which is my least favourite but will easily be someone else’s favourite.

Cool is probably a word used way too often these days. Whether it’s used by tweens and teens on Facebook in every status update or when someone describes the latest action film they saw, it’s used too much. But for Ms. Santi White, it’s needed. She’s embodies cool.

Rating: 8/10

The blurb on the back is deliberately vague as is my description of the book. Little Bee is released from a detention centre in London, the place she has come to after leaving her home of Nigeria. Sarah works as a magazine editor, she has a five year old son. Something dramatic has changed her life. The two have already met. That’s all I can divulge.

What I appreciated so much was Cleave’s gentle tone of sincerity to affect you so deeply that you would think about the characters long after you put the book down and his ability to really make your heart ache with emotion whether it’s adoration, hatred or sympathy.

The concept of using alternate first person narratives (changing between Sarah and Little Bee) is something that adds to the book’s effortless fluidity. Not only does it wrap the reader up in this story that little bit more, but in fact keeps the story fresh and stops it from turning laboured.

Rating: 4.5/5

Front woman Brittany Murphy’s vocal range is outstanding and her responses on some songs brings it all together. Her voice is probably the most in touch with their inspirations and it’s reminiscent of all the greats. Her band have got every riff and rhythm locked and the production feels tight in a way that makes you want to shout and scream along.

It’s honest, expressive and emphatic yet that doesn’t hide the fact that they don’t really know who they are. Maybe they might but it’s hard to understand yourselves when you listen to the album. They’re soulful, but not enough, kind of bluesy but not really and there’s a hint of folk but not enough. Regardless, it’s still damn fine music.

Rating: 8/10

The show examines cases of extremism in Islam ranging from Theo Van Gogh’s Muhammed Cartoons to the burning of the Satanic Verses. Each of these are verbatim from interviews carried out in the past or ones the DV8 have conducted themselves.

The movement is amazing. There’s no other word for it. Your jaw will be on the floor as you watch some of these people move. Whether you’re interesteed in the topic or not, you will be mesmerised by the physicality of these performers. What makes this play so special is how it’s not just the dancing around, it’s what they’re saying too. I was so fascinated by every story and while some may not like it, it will make everyone talk and discuss.

Each performer plays a different person in each study and the interaction between the actors is stunning. Newson is honestly a master. Sure, the movements are stunning to look at but they add a lot to the show in terms of telling the story and portraying emotions. For instance, it can show people switching sides in arguments or the social status of someone (in the case of a woman sitting ontop of another. Absolutely incredible.) or their emotions. It only could’ve worked as a DV8 show because otherwise it would’ve been dull having people read out interviews to you.

Please see it. Then talk, talk, and talk some more about it. It’s incredibly fascinating, so refreshing and startlingly original.

The story follows Katniss Everdeen, a teenager who lives in Panem, a nation in a dystopian future where North America has been destroyed. Panem has been divided into twelve districts and an affluent Capitol. Our heroine, Katniss, hails from one of the poorer districts, District 12. Due to people in the past rebelling against the Captiol, The Hunger Games have been set up. These are games in which a boy and a girl between the ages of 12-18 must be chosen from each district to fight to the death. Katniss’s twelv year old sister gets chosen so Katniss decides to volunteer in order to save her sister.

This certainly is far more intense, violent and impassioned than competitor franchise Twilight. It is a fight to the death, after all. While it works hard to keep a 12A certificate (PG-13 in the U.S. and M in Australia) yet maintain a level of intensity and an agonizing effect that is so crucial to the story. Gary Ross directs it very clearly, it’s plot, plot, plot, plot, plot. I had read the bo0k the previous evening to watching this and didn’t mind it, despite my snobby preconceptions that this was a silly little Harry Potter try-hard. One gripe I had with the novel h0wever, is that the narrative was rather repetitive and Katniss’s voice became somewhat monotonous to explain things to the audience. There was a whole lot of character development though, and this movie scraps that in favour of a plot heavy approach. Collins co-wrote the script and it’s done very well so as to spend enough time on each event and each act of the film feels well structured. I personally enjoyed that they got rid of the first person narrative so that things weren’t spelled out for you like they were in the book.

Jennifer Lawrence is one of America’s finest young actresses today, earning an Academy Award nomination for heroutstanding performance in Winter’s Bone. This performance is equally impressive and excellently nuanced. It’s not a dialogue heavy film, and as I have mentioned, she doesn’t get the first person narrative that Katniss did in the book but Lawrence manages to convey so much through her face and body language about the heroine and ultimately is the film’s highlight. Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci are deliriously entertaining as the wealthier citizens of The Capitol and add that humour to the film that is very much needed. Where Lawrence manages to get rid of stereotypical heroines, Josh Hutcherson doesn’t and his performancec feels dull, cheesy and rather trashy.

Advanced ticket sales on Fandango for this film are higher than any of the Twilight films ever were and so they should be. For a fantasy film franchise this isn’t bad at all. I still don’t think it’s the most incredible story I’ve read but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rating: 3.5/5

Bingo: Scenes of Money and Death is a play written in 1973 and portrays an ageing, Shakespeare in his home in Warwickshire. Without giving much away, it shows Shakespeare engaging in land deals (sort of) and dealing with family trials and tribulations.

It’s testing. You have to keep up with Bond’s dense, heavy writing but it’s heavily intriguing and it pays off to keep up with it. It’s practical on the surface but deep down it’s fraught with ideas running around Bond’s head, which is a good thing, because clearly Bond had a lot to say and knew how to say it. Shakespeare is portrayed so well and will provoke many thoughts. You’ve never, ever seen Shakespeare in this light and it’s a character that will leave an impression on you.

Patrick Stewart is a fine actor and at his finest here. What’s so impressive about his performance is that he’s silent for most of the time and is tucked away at stage corners yet he’s presence is undeniable. Stewart is a master and it shows; he understands the text and he’s the driving force to this show.

It’s beautifully designed with the stage changing settings great and the snow is done wonderfully. It’s smooth but it’s perhaps rather dire if you don’t keep up with it.

I found it to be so ironic that one of the finest wordsmiths was portrayed as silent. It’s such an interesting character in this play that we’re apparently familiar with but you begin to doubt everything that you’ve known about William Shakespeare. An intriguing, stirring drama, Bingo will capture your mind completely.

Rating: 4/5

I will only be doing the major categories by the way.

Best Picture:

Should Win: The Descendants

Will Win: The Artist

The Artist is a charming and delightful film that I honestly loved as I said in my glowing review of it, but the Descendants is a far more well made and generally a stronger film. I love both but I think The Descendants deserves the coveted title of Best Picture more than The Artist. But with the DGA, PGA and BAFTA in its hands, The Artist is set to win.

Best Director:

Should Win: Alexander Payne, The Descendants

Will Win: Michel Hazanivicius, The Artist

Payne’s direction was so beautifully understated and really brought a lot to the movie. Hazanivicius thought of a cute idea and really did portray it well. I feel like I’m bashing The Artist but as my Top Ten list will show you, I loved it, I just think Payne did a far better job as a director. He really made the movie feel poignant and truly brought it to life.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Should Win: George Clooney, The Descendants

Will Win: Jean Dujardin, The Artist

Dujardin nails the silent acting. He’s incredibly charming and brings a lot of energy to the film. But Clooney was so much more skilful as an actor and there are some incredibly moving scenes that he acts in with a lot of conviction.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Should Win: Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn

Will Win: Viola Davis, The Help

Marilyn Monroe has never been portrayed on screen well until this wonderful movie came along. She was the movie and if her campaign was done any better she would be the frontrunner. The Help seems to have been really successful in the U.S. and Davis is very good but it is not an incredibly memorable performance. I wouldn’t be surprised if Meryl Streep takes home the statuette for The Iron Lady but I hated that film so I wouldn’t like it to win anything and it doesn’t feel like Meryl’s third Oscar yet. This performance doesn’t deserve that title at this time.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Should Win: Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn

Will Win: Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Christopher Plummer is old. He’s won two Tonys, Two Emmys, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. It’s about time they give him an Oscar! So I’m happy with the inevitable win. If I’m honest Branagh gave the better performance.

Best Actress in a a Supporting Role

Will Win & Should Win: Octavia Spencer, The Help

The character she played was great but her performance matched it and got the movie going. Also, if both Davis and Spencer win it will be the first time two black women win in the same year.

Best Original Screenplay

Will Win: Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen

Should Win: A Separation, Asghar Farhadi

A Separation was my favourite, along with many other people, film of the year. The screenplay is excellent and extraordinarily eloquent. But there’s a sense that Woody’s owed some gold men and this was a wonderful film.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Should Win & Will Win: The Descendants

I firmly believe that The Descendants should win in all five of the categories it’s nominated for. It’s a cracking screenplay that’s so seemingly simple but really complex beneath the surface.

Best Animated Film

Should Win: Chico and Rita

Will Win: Rango

It’s weird that Chico and Rita is nominated because it came out here in November of 2010 but it’s a fantastic film. So is Rango, which I’m predicting will win.

Best Foreign Language Film

Should Win & Will Win: A Separation

I shall say no more about this film apart from three words. Go see it.

Happy Oscars!

Number 1 – A Separation

I still maintain that if this film were English, it would have won every award possible. A Separation is perfect. But it wouldn’t work as an English movie. There’s something peculiarly Iranian about it. Regardless, it’s an outstanding film. There’s nothing wrong with it. Asghar Farhadi masterfully shapes these characters and involves the viewer in this hard hitting and memorable story. A pure work of genius. This has honestly become one of my top films of all time.

Number 2 – We Need To Talk About Kevin

This is a staggering, knockout of a film. Lynne Ramsay is fantastic as the director and the way the camera is used is exceptional. Colours are so vivid and bright, and just seems to tell the story so well. The performances are top class including all three of the children playing Kevin. Tilda Swinton is magnificent, but when isn’t she? It’s an outrage that this was overlooked at the Oscars. This is such a memorable, fantastic film.

Number 3 – The Descendants

One of the things that was great about this film is how it really stayed with you. Alexander Payne is a great filmmaker working at his finest here. I still think that out of the nine Best Picture nominees, this should win.

Number 4 – The Artist

A gorgeous, charming and utterly entertaining film. I loved every minute of it. Go see it! I’m predicting it to take Best Picture.

Number 5 – Drive

Nicolas Winding Refn directed this movie so well. It’s hyper stylised and uber cool and I was there for every minute of it. I loved the chemistry between Gosling and Mulligan and the whole way the film was laid out.

Number 6 – Hugo

Scorsese can never do wrong and his family film was so wonderful. About the birth of cinema, this movie was so cuddly and cute. Perhaps because I was that little kid obsessed with cinema.

Number 7 – Senna

Senna was a topic that I really couldn’t care less about. But it told a great story really well. I loved the way it enthralled me to really care about the story and the person.

Number 8 – Midnight in Paris

No, this wasn’t earth shattering. I only gave it 4/5 here. But it was such a charming, lovely little movie that reminded me why I love Woody Allen so much. Unfortunately these days, you don’t know whether you’re getting You’ll Meet a Tall Dark Stranger or Vicky Cristina Barcelona with Woody but this was definitely better than Vicky Cristina. Again, it appealed to me more because I was always so fascinated by twenties literature and I’ve read The Great Gatsby countless times. It’s sad I know, but I know plenty of quotes off the top of my head.

Number 9 – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I think this suffered from being so soon after the Swedish version and the hype had settled but this is a great adaptation of an excellent thriller. Fincher directs it to perfection and the extraordinary character of Lisbeth Salander was brought to life excellently by Rooney Mara.

Number 10 – Bridesmaids & Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Harry Potter was a fantastic film. The story has a lot of sentimental value for me as it’s what I grew up with and truly feels like a part of a me.

Bridesmaids was downright hilarious. It’s Kristiin Wiig. Enough said. No seriously, this movie makes me laugh so much. It makes me smile and feel good. We all like that from a movie.

Matt King (George Clooney) is a land baron in Hawaii. He’s supposedly in ‘paradise’ but life doesn’t seem to be very paradisiacal at the moment. His wife has just suffered from a boating accident and is in a serious coma. He’s now left to take care of his two daughters, and he’s the self confessed ‘back-up’ parent. While Ms. King is in the coma he finds out that she’s been having an affair.

Payne has crafted this film wonderfully, and it feels perfectly chiselled but without it being fake. It presents itself to be very gracious and human indeed. Not only are his shots gorgeous but he’s brought a lovely energy to this movie and you’ll be able to snuggle up to it with ease. His script which he’s adapted along with Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, is very well written and moves elegantly. You will laugh and I will say that I had a tear in my eye for sure and the woman next to me had tissues out.

George Clooney is on his top form and is the frontrunner to win the Oscar which he thoroughly deserves. He’s definitely in a different role than usual, he’s a middle aged normal guy unlike the powerful men we’re used to seeing him act as. His performance is so fabulous and subtle that we simply breathe him in without putting so much effort to understand his troubled character. Both of the kids have done a great job and Shailene Woodley brings her character alive and is forceful but she develops her character and their attitude so precisely. It’s apparent that all of the cast have a really good understanding of their characters and the relationships.

This film is so gently, soft and warm that I get completely moved by it. What was very strange to me, was that I thought the movie was good immediately after I had seen it but it really affected me and it wasn’t until the day after that I realised that it was outstanding.

Rating: 5/5