1988

In honor of ADELE's new and flawless album "21" (which I'm sure everyone is in love with) I will like to introduce you to "Adele: 1988." Mick Boogie ( the mastermind behind "Viva La Hova") took the vocals and instruments of Adele's debut album "19" and mixed it with some hip-hop sensibilities of the late 1980s. One word...genius.

"Daydreams" (nVMe remix)

 

Click here to download

Director Spotlight: Guy Ritchie

I wanna take this time to shine the light on a man who's more than just Madonna's ex husband. Guy Ritchie is one of my favorite directors in terms of style.  When you watch a Guy Ritchie film you KNOW its a Guy Ritchie film, and that's what I love about him. He's consistent. His stories usually involve some sort of deal gone bad, with a group of sarcastic misfits.

I've recently watched RocknRolla which came out back in 2008 and I loved it! It stars Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, Idris Elba, and Tom Hardy (pre Inception) It's an urban London, gangster drama filled with tons of gun shots,  fight scenes and that good ol' London "slang"...classic Ritchie style. Check it out...and remember..."It's a fuckin' Rock N Rolla!!" (you'll get it once you see the film)

Other Ritchie films to see...

"Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels" 1998 (definitely in my top 20 films of all time)

"Snatch" 2000

All of The Lights

"Turn up the lights in here baby
extra bright, I want y'all to see this "

For the lovebirds

Happy Valentines Day!

From me to you, one of my favorite love songs...enjoy <3

"Come Close" - Common

HERE WE COME!!

New Music Obsession: Chiddy Bang

At first when I heard their song "Opposite of Adults" which samples MGMT's "Kids", I was like okay, I dig it. Then I got their debut album The Preview and was SOLD. I love how they sample indie pop songs and turn it into "electro-hip hop." Pretty fresh!

Check them out: www.chiddy-bang.com

"The Good Life" off their album The Preview

Javier Bardem is Biutiful

As you know, the Oscars are right around the corner! February 27th to be exact. And one thing I always like to do is see all the films/performances nominated in the main categories before the big night...how else would I be able to base my opinions?

Lastly on my list was Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's film Biutiful starring Javier Bardem; nominated for two awards, Best Lead Actor for Javier Bardem and Best Foreign Language Film. Now if you're familiar with Alejandro's films (Babel, Amores Perros, 21 Grams) then you will know that the guy does not hold back in the "depressing" department and the same goes for this film. Biutiful is the story of "a cancer-ridden father who struggles to reconcile fatherhood, love, spirituality, crime, guilt and mortality amidst the dangerous underworld of modern Barcelona -- all before his time is up." Heavy, right? This film grabs you from the beginning of his journey and never lets you go. There's an element of realism that Alejandro brings to his films which makes you feel for the characters as if they were real people.

It's unfortunate that this year is pretty much a for sure win for Colin Firth because Javier's performance was amazing. Him being nominated really came out of nowhere, but after seeing this film I definitely understand the fight for getting him nominated.  It's a must see movie but please just keep in mind, you might wanna see a Disney film afterward to clear your mind a bit.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

This is what summers are all about! Big budget, over the top, action packed movies...can't wait!

Get Familiar: Phyllis Dillon

Back in 2006 my music library was introduced to the wonderful world of Traditional Reggae Ska from the 1960s (thanks to my extended family, The Forlines) I fell in love with artist such as Toots & The Maytals, Desmond Dekker, Justin Hinds & The Dominoes, and the lovely Miss Phyllis Dillon.

 

I've recently started listening to her again and felt the need to share her awesomeness with everyone. If you're open to any kind of music then you have to give her a listen. Classic reggae sound with ska and rocksteady elements. Check out her greatest hits albums "Love is All I Had"

'Perfidia' - by Phyllis Dillon

Vanity Fair 'The 2011 Hollywood Issue'

 

 This cover is beyond fierce! You got, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Garrett Hedlund, James Franco, AND Mr. Anthony Mackie (who's so underrated) Such a great showcase of some of our generations best! Well done Vanity Fair, well done.

Danke Schon

Hey Cool Kids,

I just wanted to take this time to say THANK YOU to everyone who supports this blog! I know I've only been up and running now for about two months, but I really appreciate the love and encouragement that everyone has been giving me. The purpose of this blog was simply to glorify my obsession with film & music so thank you for caring enough to keep coming back. It means alot! I'm still in the process of trying to design the site a little better so please stay tuned for that. In the meantime, keep reading and I'll keep writing :)

Stay Classy,

SpikeLeah

Social Network = Perfection

If you thought I couldn't be any more obsessed with The Social Network than I am right now, then you thought wrong. Not only has this movie climbed its way onto my list of all time faves (which is saying A LOT) but the behind the scenes footage on the Special Features DVD only solidifies the fact that this movie is truly...genius. To watch David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin create this masterpiece from every aspect is magical. We get to follow them on the long journey it took to make this film. From the steps it took to make The Winklevoss twins actually look like twins, to camera set ups, to scene breakdowns even to wardrobe selections...we see it all! I can not praise this film enough!





To watch more conversation clips and even download the script, check out The Social Network Official Site

Throwback Thursday

Compliments to Special K for this request



"Make you feel that way" by Blackalicious

Artist Spotlight: Ann Peebles

I took it back with this one (ya'll know I'm an old soul)

Miss Ann Peebles "I Can't Stand The Rain"

Honorary Mention

Now I know I already released my fave albums of last year, but I HAVE to add one more. This album has been on my list to buy for quite sometime and I don't know why I kept putting it off. Robyn's Body Talk is AMAZING or as my friend Ms. Lena would say, this album gave me life! It was on a lot of peoples best list for last year and now I know why. It's fun, smooth, dance, pop and all of the above. Great album from start to finish! That bandwagon is coming by and you better hop on real quick because Robyn is the shit!

"Dancing on My Own" (my new anthem)

Stay Classic

In a world where everything these days are remakes or in 3D or just plain sucks, it's nice to take it back to the classics when movies were more about the story, the characters and dialogue. No extra special effects needed.

I'm still behind on a lot of great classic movies myself (that's all my Netflix is filled with) but here are some faves that even though they were made almost 40 years ago, the humor still holds up today.

All About Eve (1950)

   

(a MUST see for anybody)

Breakfast at Tiffany's  (1961)

The Apartment (1960)

 

    His Girl Friday (1940) 

 

It Happened One Night (1934)

     

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)