Warhol Culture

This cycle Tyra promised us 16 girls we all loved, hated and were mostly indifferent to from previous cycles. What I assumed would be a fierce twist ended up being a painful mess which I predict will be the downfall of future cycles to come.

Since most of the girls have become an established name in the modelling industry. Tyra came to the conclusion that this season should be focused on creating a (tacky) brand. 

With the diva’s enduring confusing challenges such as, song writing, starring in commercials, and press conferences, I’m not sure if I can endure a whole episode without pasting the word TACKY all over my monitor. But WAIT there’s more Tyra managed to hook up celebrity judges such as Kathy Griffin, Kristin Cavilarri and Nicki Minaj. Now I have an even better reason to become a bulimic, vomiting out the pop trash I just consumed. 

Bringing back fan favourites was a brilliant idea, who wouldn’t want to watch amplified cat fights? The problem is the irrelevant judges and horrendous challenges. Trying to pass your failed attempts at a singing career to her smizing fledglings was not necessary Tya. It’s improbable this cycle can produce impressive ratings to an already decreasing audience. Goodbye ANTM, it was good while it lasted. 

Hilariously funny clip of a news anchor mocking the Kardashians after interviewing them. Much as I love their show, their voices are kinda annoying, love them or hate them you’ve got to admit they have became a big name in the media industry.

2 weeks ago I posted a video on Madonna and her bitchy attitude towards white-trash Courtney Love decades ago at the VMA’s (yes they that old). Now Madonna’s at it again, this time to a poor fan who had no idea she was not a fan of Hydrangeas. It seems like two-faced behaviour is second nature to the pop-icon. WARNING: Do not watch if you a die-hard madonna fan 

Fiona Shaw as Marnie in True Blood

Cue back 3 years ago

Michael Jackson is still alive, Lady Gaga hasn’t worn meat and gladiotor sandals are still in. September 7 saw the premiere of True Blood on the HBO premium cable network. The portrayal of how vampires would act was a fresh approach. Never had they been portrayed as so ruthless and debauched. ‘Cause if you think about it. There’s no being capable of possessing compassion (or fucking glitter during the day) after living for more than a century. 

Cut to the present and True Blood is successfully in it’s fourth season, Sookie is a faerie, Lafeyette has a boyfriend (finally) and a powerful witch seems to be the new threat to the vampire community. A powerful witch named Marnie played by Fiona Shaw. What makes her such an amazing actress is the three diverse personalities she plays. First, insecure timid Marnie a medium who is then willingly possessed by a confident powerful Antonia Gavilan de Logrono who then becomes a brutal unforgiving version of Marnie after being possessed by the witch. All three are portrayed so clearly that it becomes second nature to differentiate between the three.

With classic one-liners, impeccable accents and the fact that she switched Eric to someone who we actually don’t feel guilty about jizzing over, it’s hard not to admire Fiona’s underrated talent throughout the season.

Find out more on Fiona here

It’s moments like these that reminds me that Breezy, besides his unforgettable mistake, actually has major talent. Will society ever forgive him for what he did? No, but we can give credit where credits due and damn this man deserves it. This is his acoustic jam session with U.G.L.Y. 

Its common knowledge to everyone (even my parents) that “Gaga” and “outrageously eccentric outfits” roll off the tongue as easily as “Beyonce’s finally pregnant.” However her recent VMA gender-bending, Annie Lennox appearance has caused criticism relatively different from the usual.

Rumours around the net have circulated, that Gaga’s brand has been damaged. Gaga the music seller is still going strong however, Born This Way currently sits at a comfortable #12 on Billboard Top 200. Image consultants have criticised her drag performance, stating that it has alienated and confused some of her fan base. To move from egg incubators, latex outfits, green hair and au couture heels to Jersey Shore can be confusing for some. 

At the end of the day Gaga still has a fan base that will still give their undying support no matter how alternative her transformations become(myself included). Britney still had a throng of fans waiting for to leave the mad house after her bald incident. (Leave Britney alone anyone??)

This years VMA’s seemed top-notch. From Beyonce announcing her pregnancy while performing (for real this time) to an all-star Britney tribute. Check out Gaga’s alter-ego Jo Calderone as he’s interviewed backstage. Her drag is impeccable, from the look to the attitude, one could honestly go to bed with her and be shocked when pant are about to be unzipped. More details on the awards here

Once in a while after reality shows produce lacklustre winners, someone arrives and shocks all with their charisma and pure talent. In this case it’s Christian Siriano Seasons 4’s Project Runway winner, his ultimate fierceness is speaks to my inner bitch. Above is his Spring 2011 look. More here

Cue back 17 years ago Fanny packs are still in and Courtney Love and Madonna have the most awkward interaction ever. Kurt Lowder was obviously scared to death with being kicked in the groin from The Hole frontwoman. Classic example of what happens when you put snobby superstar against white-trash junkie. Notice how Madonna asks Kurt Lowder not to bring Courtney but mariculously changes when she comes on stage.

Dexter

I’ve just started watching Dexter and as a Film student, I cannot begin to describe how blown away I am by the sophisticated cinematography that one hardly experiences when watching a show that has a series format. I completely understand why each season is so short. Giving it the typical 23/22 episode format that we’re used to would just put unnecessary pressure on the producers, making it impossible to create a visually stunning episode every time. 

There’s something very Clockwork Orange (in terms of cinematography) about the show, juxtaposing something as ideologically gruesome as blood against the implicit innocence of a white wall in the first episode immediately gave it a graphic novel feel. Props goes to Romeo Tirone, the big man behind the show which many people constantly overlook. The reason why the show is so popular is because of the mood it evokes while we sympathise with someone who is viewed in a negative light societally. When you have a brilliant cinematographer and director, acting can play a very small role in producing award-winning work. 

Its the classic rules from graphic novels, film noir and Martin Scorcese movies that are adapted and incorporated in this visually enticing tale of a contradictory “hero’s” journey” that make it worth watching.