Thursday, 13 October 2011

Upcoming Movie Highlight: Money Ball

Divorced, has-been major league player, Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), is the general manager of the Oakland A’s. In 2001, he sends the A’s off to the divisional playoffs, where the lose dismally to the New York Yankees. There is more bad news as he loses three of his best players to higher bidders. With a very limited budget, Billy has to find a new way to keep in the business of baseball.
Billy stumbles across an Ivy league graduate and computer geek Peter Brand (Jonah Hill). The Yale economics student develops a system of rating the players based not on the home runs or their batting average but rather on the numbers of walks and runs scored. Traditionally other major league recruiters would stay away from cheaper players who they viewed as flawed, but Billy and Peter begin signing and training a team based on computer generated. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a disgruntled Oakland A’s couch who is sceptical and negative about their new system until they start to win big.

This is not necessarily a film for sport lovers but a rather inspiring tale of challenging the status quo, and developing new systems of management.

Release date:25th November 2011

Written for Showbizz.co.za
by N.Zindi

Upcoming Movie Highlight: Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

And the keenly awaited RobSten duo are back, starring in part 1 of the next chapter in this successful vampire movie phenomenon. Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) are more in love than ever and ready to commit. Their wedding invitations are sent far and wide, and not all favourably received. Our hunky werewolf, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) is heart sore, violently acting out, with hints ensuing drama ahead. Nevertheless, the wedding takes place, without incident, and Edward promises Bella that “No measure of time with you will be long enough. But we'll start with forever”.


A steamy honeymoon in Rio de Janeiro follows, where they finally consummate their relationship. Bella soon discovers she is pregnant and only when she almost loses the baby, Edward is convinced to fulfil Bella’s wish to be immortal. The two give birth to a baby girl, Renesmee, and her birth cues the trouble ahead. The Cullens and their friends must fight against Voltri and The Quileute in order to protect Renesmee. As a half-human, half-vampire child, she threatens the other vampires as well as the wolf pack. The battle, the romance, the chivalry and the fantasy ensue.


Trailer: http://youtu.be/p1OHXR63a38
Release date: 18th November 2011

Written for Showbizz.co.za
by N. Zindi

Upcoming Movie Highlight: State of Violence

The Past is not another country.

A black corporate businessman Bodedi (Fana Mokoena) has everything to suggest he is successful and on the rise. He comes home to celebrate a work promotion with his wife Joy (Lindi Matshikiza), when a masked trespasser enters their home. The intruder shoots Joy right in front of Bodedi. He is devastated at her murder, but not shocked. The intruder knew him by name. When the police’s efforts to find Joy’s killer seem fruitless and half-hearted, Bodedi enlists the support of his brother Boy-Boy (Presley Chweneyagae) to help him find the murderer.

This pursuit forces Bodedi to confront a past he’d taken measures to forget. Prominent in the struggle against apartheid, he had done some questionable things, which the killer is determined to confront him with. The story explores two men who are emotionally restrained and emotionally unavailable. They resort to violence to resolve their problems and travel through a path of remembrance, desired vengeance and eventual forgiveness.

State of violence premiered at the Durban International Film Festival last year and is written and directed by Khalo Matabene, a local television series, documentary and film producer.



Release date: 28th October 2011 (Nu Metro only)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Written for Showbizz.co.za
by N. Zindi

Upcoming Movie Review: 50/50

Seattle public radio employee , Adam (Joseph Gordon Levitt) is a conscientious 27 year old goody-two-shoes. He jogs, recycles, never smokes or drinks or crosses when the street light is red – he does everything by the book. After experiencing some mild back pain, he consults his doctor and is calmly devastated to discover he has a rare form of back cancer. What unfolds is a comedic portrayal that masks the more serious consequences of the disease, while making fun of how the cancer confronts Adam’s relationships. His overbearing mother (Angelica Huston) already has her hands full with Adam’s father’s Alzheimer’s, but she still finds the time to smother him. Adam’s girlfriend Rachel (Bryce Dallas Howard), a self-centred artist, says all the right words, but seems to fall short in genuinely caring for him. His best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) cannot take the disease seriously, and keeps Adam upbeat with his commitment to absurdity, humour and their bromance.
The story is loosely based on the writer, Will Reiser’s own bout with cancer. Director Jonathan Levine along with the young, upcoming cast, effectively treat a serious subject with a 50/50 balance of sentimentality and humour.


Trailer: http://youtu.be/jeh5YXotTTM
Release date: 4th November 2011


Written for Showbizz.com
by N.Zindi

Thursday, 06 October 2011

Learning to speak Nu Shu - Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

The quiet, soft and warm palette, with gentle tones of sopranos singing, are qualities I am beginning to associate with Chinese dramatic films. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, is no different. Based on the book by Lisa See of the same title, it is a beautiful, sweet story, interwoven through three distinct time periods - present day, the recent past, and more ancient times in China.






It is a love story of two women, not lesbians, but "laotong" - women who have agreed from an early age to be eternally committed to one another. What makes this story poetic is the silent commentary on former female oppression, the ludicrous and painful notions of what makes a women beautiful  and worthy(crushed feet), and the difficulty, disloyalty and shortfall of their relationship with men, by comparison. Their fates and lifestyles are switched, yet their dynamic remains unchanged. Themes of sacrifice and responsibility echo throughout the film, and the real challenge is that both women opt to love each other through sacrifice.




The acting is superb, and obviously not reliant on international celebrities, although Hugh Jackman makes a brief appearance as the man who wasn't good enough.  Richard Wong makes every image seamless, pretty and interconnected to the next. British composer Rachel Portman, of Chocolat (Lasse Hallstrom, 2000), Cider House Rules (Lasse Hallstrom 1999) and The Duchess (Saul Dibb, 2008),  fame also compliments the quiet with soft pieces of fitting music. And last but not least, commercial known for Maid in Manhattan, 2002, starring Jennifer Lopez, director Wayne Wang bought all the elements together beautifully. He is also a jury member at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is currently on circuit at Nu Metro. A foreign film must-see!
 Watch trailer http://youtu.be/Aa93drpm30E



Written by N.Zindi
for Monkeys Wedding Media Blog

Cataleya in Columbiana: Vengence is Beautiful

Cataleya or Cattleya - an orchid of Costa Rican orgin, native to South America.


The meaning behind the orchid flower has evolved through cultures and centuries. To the Ancient Greeks, orchids were a symbol of virility. In the Victorian age, orchids were associated with love, strength and  luxury and presently, orchids are quite simply,  rare and beautiful. Columbiana's Cataleya - the heroine and or femme fatale of director Olivier Megaton's 2011 film is rare, strong and beautiful.

A 10  year old Cataleya is confronted by a ruthless Bogotan crime synidicate, who murders her parents within hearing distance. She manages - with foresight, agility and bravery, that is unnerving for a child so young, to escape the murderous group, negotiate her way into America, flee the government officials babysitting her and make it to her uncle in Chicago. At this point, Cataleya declares she wants to kill.

Zoe Saldana  gives a confident, athletic and graceful perfomance in this role. She plays an adult Cataleya who has perfected the art of killing quietly and unseen. While she carries out vigilante purpose, stacking up a list of impressive, initially unsolvable kills, eventually her signature - the cataleya - leads her family into danger. Her final act of vengence ends where it all began.

The film is thrilling, engaging and empowering - well worth a watch.







Side note: "to do a cattleya" is used as a cryptic metaphor for lovemaking by the characters Odette and Swann in Marcel Proust's Remembrance of Things Past.



Written by N.Zindi
for Monkeys Wedding Media Blog

A Can of Musical Fluidity: 340ml


As soon as lead singer Pedro da Silva Pinto bellows that infamous lyric “Friday night and I’m all alone....” the crowds cheer and begin that sensual, cadenced sway, in sync with the guitar rift that completes the phrase - enchanted. With two SAMAs won and six nominations under their belt, (and that’s only a South African snapshot of their acclaim), the Maputo foursome have come a long way from the ‘Midnight drive in.’

 Pedro Pinto (lead vocalist), Tiago Paulo (guitar), Paulo Chibanga (drums) and Rui Soeiro (bass) were practically neighbours growing up and although their Mozambican upbringing was infused in music, they all pursued degrees in alternative fields. It wasn’t until they bumped into each other in Jozi in 2000, that 340ml was formed. 340ml – simply put, is a common liquid quantity in a beer can. Lead guitarist and fan-favourite Tiago, admits the band name is perhaps as random as they are as a music group.  But over a decade later, with countless performances,  tours to Europe and America, and two successful albums – Moving (2004, Jazzworks Studio) and Sorry for the Delay (2008, Jazzworks Studio) - a title that literally apologises to their fans for taking so long - their status as a music group is hardly ‘random’. Try, solidified and revered!  



Truthfully, their music is difficult to define. It is however fluid, musical and eclectic with each member contributing personality and rhythm to the style.  Drawing on influences from Jazz, Dub, Ska, Afro-jazz, Latin and Reggae, the emerging sound is soul-consuming and complimented with playful, lyrical genius.  The main lyricist and vocalist Pinto, who is especially critical of his song-writing skills, has pushed the boundaries of creativity. He has given their songs vibrancy through the  words - Cue... “You knock me over with your Kung Fu smile.” 

Tiago says “Music must be art. It must  be active... It’s about being creative, pushing it all the time.”



There is more to it than just creative music and lyrics – 340ml have a multicultural look and appeal.  Signed with both a French Independent label, Bi-Pole and locally with Sheer Sound, they have taken force globally, releasing albums in Africa and Europe. Through collaborations with the likes of  Levi Pon the Mic and Thandiswa  Mazwai, 340ml successfully promote other styles and artists, while Tiago and Paulo, double up their talents and form part of Tumi and the Volume band too. Paulo also recently finished producing an EP with grassroots soul artist Bongeziwe Manbandla while Tiago co-scored a local film Otelo Burning (Becher, 2011) which opened at the 2011 Durban International Film Festival.

It is rumoured, that a third album Sorry for the Remix is to be released digitally in Africa soon but rather than waiting, this is the band to catch live! If you haven’t seen them yet - 340ml is participating at the Johannesburg Arts Alive festival this September!  Follow them on twitter: @340ml or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/340ml/24865149517

Additional Links:


Written by N.Zindi
for Showbizz




What Media Makers can learn from Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs
February 24, 1955 - October 5th, 2011


Revered, Successful, Brilliant, Innovative, Wealthy beyond his means - Steve Jobs was and is every entrepreneur's measure of true success. I think there are some very important lessons we can take from his life and work, especially as African underdogs in a Global media world.

1) No excuses!

Steve Jobs was adopted into an Armenian family, and biologically of a mixed background - Muslim father and American mother. His parents later married and raised his biological sister without him. Steve Jobs is one person who could have easily fallen into the self-pity zone,  the "daddy" issues, caught up in feelings of abandonment, self-doubt, and questioning his self-worth.  Life is never without complications, family issues, trials and tribulations. Don't get caught up in the worry - get on with making something of yourself.

2) Take what you can get...

College isn't for everyone - My mother always told me that, all the while, encouraging me to go. With two degrees under my belt, and  while I'm carefully considering undertaking a third - I can safely say that in this new twenty-first economy, I am no better off than a high school or college dropout. Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad reiterates this theory. This century is all about the entrepreneur, the idea, the risk.

... 3) because every little bit counts.

Steve Jobs, voluntarily dropped out of college, became somewhat destitute - sleeping on his friend's floor, getting free meals from the Hare Krishna, returning coke bottles for money. He later recalled that the single class he took in Calligraphy gave him the inspiration to give MAC the various typefaces and proportions it has today.

4) Zone in on your strengths and Interests

So you're not a rugby player or a actuary - but you love video games? Steve Jobs made the effort to attend a computer club's meetings while also landing himself a job at Atari - as a technician. Atari was a company that manufactured video games. Exposing yourself to activities of interest, wherever you can find them, is important. It's from this starting point, you can begin to think about developing your own ideas, taking them to the next level. For instance, iPods are great, iPod decks are even better to hear music out loud - I'm always wondering when a waterproof iPod will be developed - people love music in the bath and shower!


5) Use the talent around you

You've probably heard that Rome wasn't built in a day, and perhaps that too many chefs spoil the both - but you cannot build a business or brand alone. One more useful saying - A jack of all trades is truly a master of none. Get the expertise you need. When Jobs worked at Atari, he was challenged to create a game's circuit board with a reduced number of chips. Jobs had not the knowledge or interest to do this, but asked former classmate Wozniak to try. Wozniak reduced the chips in design so neatly that it was impossible to reproduce in the factory but it still meant Jobs had risen to the challenge and succeeded. Jobs at 20 years old and Wozniak started Apple from his parents garage shortly after this. At 30, his finest creation - Macintosh was launched.



6) Bouncing back, keep it moving...

Contrary to what Hollywood happily ever after endings would suggest, you don't just achieve once and live a stagnant life of continual achievement. Life fluctuates, business is erratic, unpredictable, market dependent. Steve Jobs in 1985 was fired from Apple's Macintosh division. He kept it moving, founding Next Computers in the same year but ran out of money. He managed to find funding but then hit another dead end with a product that didn't sell and appeal to people.


7) Don't be afraid to get it wrong. Every wrong move is a lesson towards the right one.

Steve Jobs got it wrong again with Pixar - which he intended to be a high-end graphics developing company. It was only until Pixar was contracted to produce Disney animated movies, did it meet success! The likes of Toy Story, Finding Nemo, A Bug's Life,  Monsters Inc. are all examples of Pixar's success and money earning potential. Trust in the potential!


8) Leave out the Egomania and the Bi-polar tendencies

Creatives are renowned for their mood swings, bad behaviour, and their brilliance once the work is done. I don't think this is acceptable. Steve Jobs was also known to be temperamental, head-strong, erratic, quiet sometimes and them totally upbeat and forceful about his passion. The people around you are what builds you, and carries you, your passion and your business from strength to strength. Value your human resources, treat people as you would like to be treated.


9) Philanthropy

Give back with your time, with your money, with your expertise. It won't hurt. Steve Jobs wasn't great at this - and in fact, in 1997, actually eliminated philanthropy programmes at Apple. If not just for charity and karma, for your own sense of worth and corporate standing.

10) Don't settle

Quoting Steve Jobs
"I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."


Lastly,

Steve Jobs "Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."





Written by N.Zindi
for Monkeys Wedding Media Blog