Celebrating our second year of providing you with film reviews, news and more... only this landmark brings with it many a new and wonderful thing - you see we have so many new features coming soon in addition to our regular content. This includes something never before seen (at least in South Africa) in our quest to push the envelope be even more interactive. We may still be toddlers in the game, but we're learning how to run, fast. Click the link (image) to see all the awesomeness unfold - this week's feature review is the blockbuster Pacific Rim. Other news: A trip to No man's land! A friend of mine and previous artist "featuree" Jason Hayden, put together this video for the GravityAdventure GoPro Film Festival. So, he has progressed from Photography, to Timelapse, to Short films in a very short space of time... Feel free to view, Like, Share and VOTE for the video: Click HERE for the Artist Feature post on photographer and oceanographer Jason Hayden. In July 2013 I made an expedition out to some unexplored caves in the Southern parts of Madagascar. I unfortunately had very limited time on this trip but will be returning shortly, I hope! It is an absolute privilege to know that I have now officially been to where no man has been before..a life long ambition of mine! This video was shot 100% with a GoPro 3 Black addition, Im quite impressed with its low light performance!
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The Skin I live In - a sublime Spanish Horror film Trailers of the best foreign films and some forth coming attractions. Since we're into awards season I thought of indulging my film reviewer persona. A recent article/feature I did for In The Kan ("Top 10 films of 2012 you may have missed") got me thinking about foreign language films and how little exposure they receive by English speaking audiences. Often Hollywood attempts a usually less-than-successful remake of non-English films; a typical example of this is 2010's 'The Tourist' starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. This typical romantic comedy wrapped in an action flick was actually a remake of a french action thriller called Anthony Zimmerman starring Sophie Marceau (though I can't give you an accurate review as the original film still eludes me - and I have no motivation to see the remake). You might be wondering how I can make general assumptions like this - well i have a very trustworthy instinct about films with the only real surprise being the recent release of Pitch Perfect - a film I wouldn't have batted an eye at, but somehow ended up watching, much to my delight. To the list then - all these films are good, if not brilliant, and yet I haven't seen all of them yet... see it as a to-watch list. Russia: Twilight Portrait A privileged social worker is gang raped by three policemen, A look into contemporary Russia. Brazil: Elite Squad 2 - The Enemy Within (technically a 2011 film, but so what) A former cop, now head of prison security, gets entangled in a web politics and police corruption after a prison riot. (Those who know me already know that for some reason, I really want to see this film) Denmark: A Royal Affair Nominated in the Best Foreign Language film category in this years Academy Awards. France: The Intouchables Currently in cinemas (art-house/nouveau), watch this trailer then see the film - it'll make you smile. Spain: The Skin I live in My unofficial #1 - technically released in 2011, but as is usually the case, only reached South Africa in mid Jan 2012. "A man tries to recreate his long lost love". This is a Hitchcock-style horror film (also reminding me of some recent David Morrell novels) thinly veiled as a psychological thriller. It's difficult to describe this film adequately, you just have to see it for yourself, with friends, and then chat about in the middle of the night because sleep will not come easily. --> this trailer gives you nothing really, but it's difficult to really quantify the film in trailer form. What to look out for in 2013 Searching for Sugar Man Something with a distinctively South African flavour! Nominated in the Best Documentary category of this years Academy Awards: And then, for now anyway, My most anticipated film of at least the first half of 2013: Dead Man Down Causing waves all because two names have been reunited - watch to find out. Some other titles to look out for: Most are really getting their panties in a twist over Niel Blomkamp's return to our screens with Elysium (which is NOT really a sequel to District 9 - it's set in the year 2159), and then there's, need I mention, Man of Steel . There's a number of sequels (as always) to big franchises: Die Hard, Hunger Games, Ironman, Anchorman etc... But here are some lesser known titles:
--> Happy viewing... Me, on Milnerton beach a couple of years ago 2012 marks a big year in my writing career... it may not look it, but many seeds have been sown. For one, I started this website and blog (albeit at the behest and encouragement of friends). I subsequently also joined Twitter... these may seem like small things, but for me and my trajectory as a writer/author, it is kind of essential elements, tools if you will, going forward. I also happened to trek through the Fish River Canyon along with a great group of people (read more about that by clicking on the Fish River Canyon tab in the sidebar). I also joined Joel Kanar's team as a film reviewer at Inthekan.net, then I became a member of the African Renaissance Foundation - accepting their mandate within a growing movement on this beautiful and troubled continent. I've made many new friends, both professional and social (Thanks to all of you, old and new), and am nearing the completion of a third (yes 3rd!) draft of my debut novel The Quiet Days (although this name is subject to change - once this draft is complete - I'm holding out though as I'm quite sentimental about it...) God has blessed me abundantly, though I know it is nothing compared to what awaits me in the coming year, as well as the responsibility which comes with it A Passion (albeit somewhat neglected this year) Progression by Bigup Productions - I recommend it It was released a few years ago, but watch it, if only just to see the legendary Chris Sharma send his Clark Mountain "impossible" superclimb project. Oh what the heck - just because I'm cool that way, here's a more detailed video of Sharma's heroic climb as featured on National Geographic. Okay, been a while since my last post so I'm using this as a news update if you will. 1st; I've been busy this week, finishing the second draft of my novel The Quiet Days - there's still a few kinks, but I'm quite happy with the progress. 2nd and 3rd... Last night I attended "a night of Jazz" with Zeke La Grange and friends. Granted it's a name unfamiliar to most, so let me enlighten you; He's a young talented saxophonist who was raising funds, with the help of some of his student friends (who also just so happen to be superbly gifted and award winning musicians in their own right) for his upcoming trip overseas. So, there we were in the dim candlelight, listening to, I kid you not, some top class jazz you would expect to find on any grand stage of the world, for a fraction of the price. There were classy renditions of some old favorite gospel tracks, to some Stevie Wonder greats and even a cover of Amy Winehouse's 'Valerie' complete with excellent vocals, guitar and piano solos - a night of pure music. Thanks to all involved for a memorable night, wishing Zeke all the best for what surely is a very bright future. And staying on the topic of music; my debut article on In The Kan is up, entitled: In the Kan Friday Top 5: Superhero Theme Tunes Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I hope you're supporting the Paralympics - it really is quite awesome!
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