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January Issue, ÂŁ2.99

Putting Culture In The Spotlight

The Vagina Monologues Uncovered An Insight Into Korean Cinema Ultra Music Festival 2012 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Explored

Feeling Feisty?

An inside look into the work of Leslie Feist.

Editor’s Welcome The Editors of FLICK want to welcome you to the January issue! We’ve got lots in store for you this month, with gaming ideas, music reviews, all the film news and an insider story from Feist.

Here’s to the people who bring you FLICK:

James Clarke

Chelsea Gledhill

Technology correspondent

Features editor and reviewer

Jo Flynn Art director and reviewer theatre correspondent

Cheryl Burns Reviewer

Hannah Chadderton Media editor and features editor, travel correspondent

Jade Lowe Features editor, reviewer and designer

Lewis Rymond Chief editor and reviewer

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Contents...

Music Feist p. 7 Ultra Music Festival p. 41 The Catharsis Interview p. 43 Album releases p. 45 Live Reviews p. 47

Film & TV Melancholia p. 10 My Week with Marilyn p. 12 Top 5 TV Shows: Winter Season p. 21 Top 5 Movies of 2011 p. 22 An Introduction to South Korean Cinema p. 25 David Cronenberg: A Profile p. 29 Bicycle Thieves: One to Watch p. 33 DVD and Bluray releases p. 34

ConneCt With FliCk

facebook.com/flick

twitter.com/flick

contact@flick.co.uk 4

Theatre An Insight into the World of an Amateur Drama Society p. 13 The Many Faces of Transatlantic Comedy p. 19 The Vagina Monologues p. 27

Technology Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim review p. 37 Top 10 iTunes downloads p. 36 Tech Newsround p. 39

Other Steve-O: Entirely Too Much Information Tour p. 15

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The Dark Of Tthe Light Feist’s journey into the world of shadow art: A look at her creative process with collaborator Clea Minaker. Words: Jade Lowe

Witnessing the world premiere of the Feist documentary, Look at What The Light Did Now, from the projection booth in Montreal’s Ukrainian Federation, was a truly magical experience for me. As a dedicated fan, the prospect of being given a behind-thealbum glimpse of her never before seen acoustic recordings, informal conversations with band members and stunning tour photography was an opportunity I would not be missing.

The hype surrounding Feist’s hotly anticipated fifth studio album, Metals, is due in large part to the success of this documentary. It depicts a hardworking, spontaneous, creative individual who cares deeply for her music and her fans. And the recording, released in December 2010, did not fail to impress her loyal, (and new) followers around the world.

Feist first emerged from the shadows, (excuse the pun) in 2004 with her second album Let It Die. Indie fans in her native Canada responded well to her haunting yet harmonious, timeless yet inexplicably current, sound. She captured the attention of the media, who described her as ‘one to watch’ and ‘the best female vocalist of her generation’ catapulting her to worldwide

fame. The making of the critically acclaimed, Grammy nominated follow up album, The Reminder, is what the film beautifully and uniquely portrays.

Leslie Feist is not one to embrace the limelight. Unlike the majority of contemporary artists, she prefers to steer clear of publicity initiatives and the like, choosing instead to let her music speak for itself.

This visual journey into her private (musical) life shows us precisely how shy she is and the struggles she has faced in her rise to fame.

Director Anthony Seck takes us on a heady tour of flashing kaleidoscopic images, candid interviews and montage editing. Shot in a French mansion in Super 8mm film, the movie has an ethereal, poetic quality about it, befitting for the style of music. Seck captures intimate moments of the singer and her creative team and regularly intersects the dialogue with various photographs, memorabilia, album artwork (the entire process sped up) and special effects.

One gets a sense that this is the way Feist needs her work to be viewed: alongside visual interpretations.

What is striking about the film is the way in which Feist seems to view her

music on many artistic levels, both for herself and the band, (they eat, sleep and breathe music) but for the fans too. Working with Canadian shadow artist, Clea Minaker has enabled Feist to express her vision in the form of light projections, adding an interesting dimension to the meanings behind the lyrics. “For five years now, I’ve been touring straight and it never felt right just playing,” Feist explained to Variety. “It didn’t make sense to not take advantage of those eyes looking for something other than the band.”

Although she is, quite clearly, ‘all about the music’, on tour these images serve as an illuminating backdrop and complement the rhythm of her music: a delight for the fans.

The public has become accustomed to a certain style of documentary filmmaking in the music business. Bands release the standard tour DVD, which although thrilling in a relive-the-mem riessense, lack the soul that Look At What The Light Did Now provides the viewer with. Director Anthony Seck said of his unique take on the music documentary: “The film is a lot about what it is to create”.

Montreal-based Clea Minaker works with a variety of unusual materials, from water and clay to costume jewellery and human shadow puppets, to construct these images. Incredibly, she produces them live on tour with Feist, from a ‘light table’ on stage behind the singer and her band. A beautiful example of the synchronicity of the pair is the footage of the track “The Water” where Minaker crafts a ship sailing on the roaring sea. This thirty-metre moving image instantly reflects the tone of the song: an image to go alongside the lyrics and the voice, adding a story-telling vibe to her concerts. On working with Feist, the artist remarks: “When I started to compose images for her music it was uncanny, her imagination, her references, her poetic universe felt socomfortable to me. As though I could hear her visual language with perfect clarity.” But Minaker is just one of the collaborators Feist has recruited. Visionary director, (of “1234”) Patrick Daughters and album artist Simone Rubi have also played integral roles, translating the lyrics into a mystical, visual language.

Sense, lack the soul that Look At What The Light Did Now provides the viewer with. Director Anthony Seck said of his unique take on the music documentary: “The film is a on the music documentary: “The film is a athe soul that Look At What The Light Did Now provides the viewer with. Director Anthony Seck said of his unique take on the music documentary: “The film is a lot about what it is to create. The movie was more about what is creativity? That alone is enough of personal drama.” The movie certainly goes some way to answering that question.

These “amplifiers”, (as she humbly terms them) are part of the show, part of the process. The movie demonstrates how effective creative collaboration can become and one need only look to the global success of The Reminder to validate this.

Film Reviews; Melancholia.

Melancholia is a masterclass in subtlety.

Billed as Trier’s ‘disaster’ movie by critics, the film manages to take an event such as planetary collision and underplay it for much of Melancholia’s running time, in favour of character study. It works tremendously well.

Boasting the cast of a Hollywood blockbuster, we soon see that this is not a film for the mainstream audience, despite its polish, a polish that Trier reportedly regretted. It possesses a plot that seems a strange departure from Trier’s usual narrative. The film deals with a newly discovered planet, Melancholia, that is heading slowly towards collision with our beloved Earth. This sci-fi premise holds the film together, but is constantly in the background, for we are more fascinated by the characters and their changing relationships.

The film begins with several startling images, each of them framed like paintings, moving at an unnervingly slow pace. Here we see von Trier’s artistic mind, brilliantly warped. After these lingering shots we are soon introduced to a wedding reception that is clearly laden with tension. The camera darts around the room to the differing faces, the spliced jump cuts helping us to feel the uneasy aura around the wedding of Justine (Dunst) and Michael (Skarsgård).

Written by Lewis Rymond

The film begins with several startling images, each of them framed like paintings, moving at an unnervingly slow pace. Here we see von Trier’s artistic mind, brilliantly warped. After these lingering shots we are soon introduced to a wedding reception that is clearly laden with tension.

The camera darts around the room to the differing faces, the spliced jump cuts helping us to feel the uneasy aura around the wedding of Justine (Dunst) and Michael (Skarsgård). We are taken deep into the complex lives of the characters within, Trier choosing scenes both normal and surreal to enable us to put the characters under close observation.

What follows is a study of the varying aspects of human life, the main theme being Justine’s depression. She possesses disregard for the looming planet, upsetting her sister, Claire (Gainsbourg), with her blunt acceptance of the impending doom of Melancholia. Claire does not suffer the same depression as her sister but is noticeably more rattled by the journey of Melancholia. The parallels in the characters allow us to see a wider range of human behaviour.i saw the film as a strange sort of commentary on the peculiarities of the human spirit, but also a study of how the problems in our lives, whilst seeming monumental in our own existences, are hugely insignificant in the greater scheme of things. Perhaps this is why Trier chooses to focus on the characters - to analyse the unpredictability of human psychology. One of the film’s most resounding scenes sees Justine reveal her self-assured knowledge that, on Earth, “we are alone”. We are left pondering on the subject of human behaviour, and how we might act in the face of a situation like Melancholia - and it’s beautifully heartbreaking.

5/5

My Week With Marilyn;

Rating: 5/5

During the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe made her first trip to America, working with Lawrence Olivier for his directorial dÊbut The Prince and The Show Girl. My Week With Marilyn documents the true story of Marilyn’s time in Britain and her supposed relationship with Colin Clark, the third assistant director and it is based on Clark's own memories. With sordid love triangles, drama and sensational acting, My Week With Marilyn is a truly magical viewing experience and worth every single penny.

Michelle Williams truly recreates the character of Marilyn, with her wide-eyed innocence and sensational pout. Whilst she plays opposite Kenneth Branagh, as Sir Olivier. He creates a darker representation of Olivier than expected, with a breathtaking display of loss of control and jealousy, all being directed towards Colin, played by newcomer Eddie Redmayne. The sexual entanglements of the characters all revolve around Marilyn.

With men either falling, fallen or recuperating from their time and infatuation with the infamous sex symbol, its every man for him self and few looking out for what Marilyn really needs, which is why she lays her trust and favouritism in Clark, a man who for the moment, believes he really understands the real Monroe. With Olivier and the cast perturbed by her continued lateness and incessant method acting with coach Paula Strasberg (Zoe Wanamaker), sympathy and understanding is running extremely thin. With an insight into the 'real' Monroe, and her life in England, this film is a must for any fan or someone just out for a fun ride. With award winning performances and a star studded cast this film really is a sensation, I cannot recommend it enough.

Written by Cheryl Burns.

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[An_insight_into_the_world_of_an] [Amateur_Drama_Society...]

An interview with KDS’s finest, Adam Lines.

Adam Lines is a highly active member of Keele University’s Drama Society. They recently won the ‘Best Society of the Year’ award at the prestigious Society Awards ceremony, and so this year KDS has a lot to live up to. They kicked off the performances with ‘She Stoops to Conquer’ by Oliver Goldsmith, which Adam co-directed. The farce was an excellent choice from the KDS committee, and with a cast consisting of mostly first years they really pushed their limits with such a well-known comedy, which came to a close only nights ago, as a roaring success.

Where were you when you decided to put the bid in for She Stoops to Conquer, and why?

I'd been considering putting in a bid of my own ever since my first involvement in KDS. Apart from the summer Shakespeare that we do (and I didn't want the weight of that on my shoulders!), this was my first opportunity to actually throw my hat into the ring in a directorial sense, so to speak. I just happened to be looking through a number of online sites for my academic work, actually, when I got distracted by clicking on links for plays. 10 minutes later I was looking at an online synopsis for 'She Stoops To Conquer', and thought to myself that this is something that sounds quite interesting, and work in KDS. I then headed off to the library and had a look at the play itself in full, weighing up a couple of other options at the same time. Ultimately, I made my decision on 'She Stoops...' based on how well I thought it seemed to flow, and how much room for modernisation and directorial interpretation there was! I had always kind of wanted to have a look what working on 'the other side' of theatre would be like so this was an ideal opportunity for me, and I was fortunate enough that I got the gig!

As director of the latest kDS performance, how well do you think the production was received?

I guess I’m a little biased in this, but I think it went pretty well! The cast were great over all three nights, which is a heck of an achievement, particularly as most of them are freshers, and is testament to their dedication and enthusiasm for KDS and the show. When you're directing, your focus is fairly obviously on the performances themselves, and making sure that everyone involved in the production is on the ball. At the same time, though, you do have an eye on the figures – or I did, anyway – so it was nice to see that they added up!

Was there any interesting decisions casting wise, any disagreements with the team?

We did have a couple of issues surrounding casting, I don't mind telling you that! However, it wasn't to do with disagreement between the casting panel. It was mainly to do with the fact that, until one of the very last people to audition, myself, my co-director and liaison hadn't seen anyone who fit the bill for one of the main characters, and we feared that we'd have to shuffle people around, which obviously isn't the best thing to do. Then this person came in, performed an initial audition piece, and blew us all away – that was when we had finalised our cast. Many of the roles sort of filled themselves, and it was natural to say “Oh, this person should play so-andso”, and everyone seemed to agree. Overall, I am generally very pleased with the casting decisions we made, it was a successful cast.

having seen the show, the role of Mrs. hardcastle (played by Annie Piper) seemed to steal the show, was this intentional or did she naturally take to the role?

Well she was sensational, there's no doubt about that. Every night she seemed to get better and better, and is no doubt one of the finds of the year for KDS. However, she wasn't the only one. There are a number of people who performed so well, and maybe even surprised us; when it came to performing in front of an audience, everyone lifted their games so much. Having said that, Annie seemed to instinctively grasp what the role was, but also what could be done with it. I tried to encourage everyone to have fun with their roles, and to interpret them as best they could, whilst at the same time trying to keep everyone reined in by giving a general structure to each. So whilst I think that Annie did phenomenally, everyone else performed magnificently, too.

tell our readers about a typical day during rehearsals.

It would involve turning up at 6pm in the room we had booked, then, as people arrive steadily, catch up on developments, see how everyone is. At about quarter past 6, when everyone's finally arrived, we would get started by clearing a space used for the stage. Dependent on the day, we would either 'take it from the top', head in and run the play from half way through, or tackle some problem scenes, whatever we hadn't done the previous rehearsal! Roughly midway through the three hour session, I'd break off the rehearsal for a 15 or 20 minute break, then start back up again in earnest once everyone was feeling refreshed. On most occasions, both myself and my co-director were present to ensure everything ran smoothly, and the liaison was more than likely also present, as support for both the cast and directors! The thing that I'd take away from each rehearsal is, however cliched this sounds, a smile.

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What other directors are your biggest inspirations?

if you could punch anyone in the theatrical circuit in the face, who would it be and why?

There aren't too many directors that I actually know of, save for the more well known film directors. Obviously Spielberg is a master at his art, but Terry Gilliam is, I feel, an under-rated director; the Monty Python star produces so many quirky, almost indie-style movies, that they just slip under the radar. Or Jim Henson, purely for Labyrinth and A Muppet's Christmas Carol!

Haha! I'm not sure that there's anyone that comes to mind, to be honest! Although, if anyone, it would probably be someone like Thomas Sharkey; he's written a musical based on Frank Capra's film version and Philip van Doran Stern's original book, It's A Wonderful Life. I can see why he's done it, as it's a fantastic book and magnificent film, but at the same time, that's why it shouldn't be done! If something's as good as it is, then it shouldn't be messed with; as the saying goes – if it ain't broken, why fix it? So either him or, if I can punch a character, Eponine from Les Miserables – she's such an annoying, whiny little thing!

“Whenever I've been involved in a production, I've always had such fun that it makes me want to go back again and again!”

What is next in the pipeline for your theatrical career? Rumours are you’re playing a big role in the next production.

Haha! I am indeed in the next production, which is currently in the rehearsal stage of its development. It's a student-written play from one of our very own members, and is a dark, twisted tale of murder, lies and deceit – a far cry from the light-hearted comedy of 'She Stoops...'! I think it's good to have a real variety of productions, though, as hopefully KDS will increase and diversify its following and membership through this. The role I play is that of Roger Baudelaire, and I was fortunate enough to be offered this pretty major role by the current directors on my first audition back into the acting game! I must say that whilst directing was great, it's so good to get back into the acting side of things! I also harbour rather lofty ambitions of being involved in each of the productions in the KDS calendar this year, although that was before I saw what a high standard there is amongst the new intake this year!

Where did your passion for drama come from?

I'm not entirely sure, to be honest with you. I have always loved films and theatre, so maybe it’s that. I don't come from a theatrical family by any means, so maybe this is me starting something new for the Lines’!

Once I'd had a starring role (almost literally) as the Angel Gabriel in my school nativity aged 6, I was hooked. I've acted in pretty much whatever I can get involved in since.

I find learning lines enjoyable! Once I get a script, I can stand there literally for hours (I'm not very good at learning whilst sat down!) going over and over my lines until I think I know them. Then I get to a rehearsal and forget everything, but that's all part of the appeal.

Whenever I've been involved in a production, I've always had such fun that it makes me want to go back again and again!

What is the last film and book that really meant something to you?

In terms of combination of the two, ie. a book made into a film, I would have to say Schindler's List, based on Thomas Keneally's Schindler's Ark. They're both so powerful, although I would say that it's one of the few occasions that the film surpasses the book itself. Separating the two media, The last book I read was actually the last book that meant something to me, and that was Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo. Again, it's power is something that is so effective, with the interspersed humour coming as very welcome moments of light relief at just the right times. I'm not sure that it necessarily meant something to me as such, but I have always found myself going back to, in a giant step away from the previous, Monty Python's Life of Brian. This hilarious comedy pokes fun at not just Christianity, but also any number religions and factions, and is just so gloriously surreal; and who can beat a bit of “Always Look on The Bright Side of Life”?

Can a student based amateur dramatics society really achieve great things?

I think it can, and in terms of KDS, I think it is and it will. News of KDS is travelling, not just around the university, but also beyond into the surrounding areas. With a committed membership and forward-thinking committee, there isn't really much that they can't achieve!

There are a number of members, particularly freshers, who I can see being an integral part of KDS for years to come, so hopefully they'll continue to usher in a greater era of bigger and better things!

And so it’s clear that KDS’ members have nothing but enthusiasm for their work.

Adam himself is a great example of the driven nature of the society, not only acting but also directing and producing, maybe writing for the stage is next in his endeavours.

Adam has proven he is more than capable of handling life after university, perhaps being involved in drama has something to do with that, it’s a confidence boost and teaches valuable life-skills to students whilst keeping them active and interested.

By Jo Flynn

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Steve o ‘the entirely too Much information tour.’ the Sugarmill, hanley.

27th october 2011.

Words by Chelsea Gledhill

S

norting wasabi, stapling his scrotum to his leg and getting covered

in excrement. These are just a handful of the outrageous things that we have become accustomed to seeing Jackass legend Steve O get up to on our screens. But after a somewhat quiet few years, and another stint in rehab, it seems that Steve O has decided to try his luck at stand-up comedy. This I had to see.

I must admit however, thatmy expectations weren’t spectacular from this wildboy… but I can honestly say I was left speechless. Steve O proved to be quite the comedian. It seems he doesn’t have to be naked and covered in poo to make me or the rest of the audience laugh.

In an incredibly well put together show Steve O gave the audience an insight into what goes on behind the scenes of Jackass, which of course is just as hilarious as in front of the camera. But he also gave us an insight into his own personal world, a world that is at times rather tragic and heart wrenching. In one very moving moment Steve O talks of how his alcoholism had taken a turn for the worst and how the lowest point in his life saw him wanting to give up. After numerous stints in rehab, it became almost like a holiday camp to him, and as he played golf with equally messed up celebs, including Mike Tyson, he realised he was getting nowhere and he things had to change...before he lost his life. He decided to take drastic measures, giving up drinking and becoming a vegan, something that he has stuck by for the last few years. And credit to him, he looked healthy and alert, and lets admit it…he sometimes looked a little worse for wear on Jackass!.Not to mention the crazy things he did whilst drunk...who could forget Steveo-O having a tattoo whilst on a dune buggy?

But those days appear to be behind him, despite talking in great length about how nice the audience’s pints looked and how “if we don’t need to give up drinking, then DON’T” He also acknowledged that it was his last chance, and he wasn’t going to “fuck it up this time” wise words indeed.

Emotional stuff aside, the rest of his set was downright hilarious! Having graduated from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey’s Circus, (Making him the only member of the Jackass cast with a degree!) he treated us to some fun tricks he learnt whilst playing the clown in college…literally. These included balancing a kitchen knife on his nose, complete with typical circus music, it made for excellent entertainment and the crowd lapped it up.

Of course being his first comedy tour we expected a few awkward moments win which he didn’t get the laughs he wanted, and these came with an abundance of sexual jokes. Of course we wanted a few naughty tales, but sometimes he pushed it just that little bit too far. One story detailed his oral sex from a woman with no teeth due to a horrendous accident! The audience didn’t quite know how to react…and he sensed it. Luckily though, these moments were rare and overall he gave an incredible performance. It is perhaps a bit sad that the majority of his “jokes” are true events from his life…but here’s hoping that Steve O stays on track and continues making people laugh, because after all, he is proof that laughter is the best medicine.

www.lastexittonowhere.com Christmas Discounts On Now!

The many faces of transatlantic comedy.

When talking about British comedy, it is hard to think about where to start, back to the days of Morecambe and Wise, the true stand-up heroes? or Fawlty towers and the Monty Python era? or is it even more recent than that with the unstoppable force of the inbetweener lads and their rise to comic excellence and fame? British comedy has evolved and adapted to suit the needs of its audience, the British p u b lic, but that doesn't mean the golden oldies have been forgotten. When considering the true highlights in British comedy, there isn't ever really a low point, whether it be stand up comics, situation comedies or celebrity panel shows, the laughter keeps flowing and the ratings are staying strong. however, could it be said that British comedy is being forgotten and left behind in the wake of the sheer volume of American shows being produced? it's fair to say that although both are good in their own distinct way, surely it is the Americans who are really taking over the world in terms of comedy. in recent years, situation comedies have become all the more popular. Along with the classics such as Fawlty towers and open All hours, we now have shows to rival their distinct prowess such as the office and the inbetweeners, taking those everyday scenarios and showing the truly humorous and sometimes shocking reality. it should also be mentioned that surrealist comedies such as Spaced, Green Wing and the Mighty Boosh have also played a huge role in breaking through to mainstream comedy. Spaced was a typical favourite from the 90s. it is set in a house of flats around the greater london area and we follow the lives of two twenty-somethings and their somewhat odd bunch of friends though their bizarre life. taking a liberal dose of homage and a healthy amount of pop culture, they manage to make their show work on two levels, genuine comedy and also bringing out the audiences inner geek (Star Wars references are frequent and obvious throughout). the show is written by and starring Simon Pegg (and not to forget Jessica Stevenson), who has now made the leap from cult comedy television to hollywood blockbuster films with Shaun of the Dead, showing that some British humour can make it to the big screens, (also note Richard Curtis with notting hill and Ricky Gervais with Ghost town). With all this surrealist comedy it is interesting to note the use of many of the same comedic actors featuring in many of their series', Mark heap, Simon Pegg, tamsin Grieg and Bill Bailey should all be noted as familiar actors. Below:Green Wing

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However, with American comedy, slapstick and canned laughter is what works best. Happy Days, Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Friends all follow this well known and practised theory, it just works. Who doesn't enjoy watching someone dance with a chicken on their head? Slapstick is the universal language, everyone enjoys the odd trip up or falling into a ladder... Look back to Charlie Chaplin, the king of silent films and slapstick humour. Modern Times is still listed as one of the greatest films ever made, and it is over seventy years old. The thing with situation comedy and British comedy as a whole, is it can't always translate well to other countries and cultures, unlike American comedy, which is so very universal.

Even shows such as The Office, Ricky Gervais' masterpiece, originally a hit British show got converted into it's own American series instead of just broadcasting the original British version, and I have to admit, the American office is better. So what is it about American comedy which keeps us coming back for more? In cases like The Office, both British and American series are written with involvement by both Gervais and Merchant, so why change it up at all? Do we as an audience prefer the acting on American shows? Or the production? Perhaps it is the simple fact that we just can't seem to escape it.

Above: Charlie Chaplin.

The vast majority of European television is imported from America, television is full to bursting point with hundreds of similar shows. So i think it is fair to say that American has taken over in terms of comedy, but that still doesn’t mean that us Brits would prefer it more.

Above: Friends.

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So if you do want to keep away from the pesky Americans and look for some true British laughs, the place to look would be 4OD and its back catalogue of true comedy gold. Spaced and Green Wing are two worthwhile shows up for free viewing. It might also be worth checking out Campus if you are a fan of the surreal, set in a university instead of a hospital it was fresh on the screen in 2011 from the writers of Green Wing. However, if you feel like you can handle the sheer volume of classic American comedy, why not try new Courtney Cox's show Cougar Town, focusing around a recently divorced woman and her close knit group of friends. The show features life after marriage and what it really means to move on with your life. Similarly you could perhaps sample Modern Family, another show about the varying types of families around today and what its like living life together.

With comedy, you're really spoilt for choice – there's subgenres of comedy for everyone, whether you prefer more realistic styles of the downright bizarre. Given the popularity comedy has enjoyed for decades, it's definitely here to stay.

Written by Cheryl Burns.

TOP 5 TV Shows: WINTER SEASON

9.1

8.1

Frozen Planet BBC 1, Wednesday 9:00pm.

Downton Abbey ITV 1, Sunday 9:00pm

Frozen Planet takes you on the ultimate polar expedition. This landmark series brings to the screen the frozen wildernesses of the Arctic and Antarctic as you have never seen them before, and may never see them again.

The lives of the Crawley family and the servants who work for them has been changed forever, since the Great War was declared at the end of the last series. Promoted to Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire, Robert has new responsibilities and so does Downton. A wedding is fast approaching. Unfortunately, so is the dreaded Spanish Influenza, both of which have the potential to cause difficulties for some residents of Downton Abbey. Things are not going well for Thomas either and Branson could pose quite a problem.

8.9

X Factor ITV 1, Saturday 8:15pm & ITV 2, Sunday 8:00pm A UK based music reality show with a difference: "anyone and everyone can audition". The contest is open to 4 different categories: under 28 Girls, under 28 Boys, over 28, and groups to find new musical talent.

Each week the two acts with the lowest public votes have to sing again in a final showdown after which the judges decide who should be eliminated.

8.8

Misfits E4, Sunday 10:00pm

Five young adolescents begin their community service watchful eye of their probation officer soon find themselves being caught out in a freak storm. After the storm is over they soon discover that they have developed superpowers which they have to come to terms with.

Glee E4, Tuesday 8:00pm

7.3

Follows an optimistic high school teacher as he tries to transform the school's Glee Club and inspire a group of ragtag performers to make it to the biggest competition of them all: Nationals. McKinley High School's Glee Club used to be at the top of the show choir world, but years later, a series of scandals have turned it into a haven for misfits and social outcasts. Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison, Broadway's "Hairspray") has offered to take on the Herculean task of restoring the Glee Club to its former glory.

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Most Popular Movies of 2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows The end begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione go back to Hogwarts to find and destroy Voldermorts final horcruxes. As the confrontations between good and evil mount, not everyone will survive. Harry Potter faces Voldemort in a final battle to determine who will live and who will die, along with the ultimate fate of the magical world.

8.2

The Help

Pirates of the Caribbean 4 Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), and he's not sure if it's love or if she's a ruthless con artist who's using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn't know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.

6.7

In 1960s Mississippi, a young woman returns to her small town determined to make it as a writer but when she begins interviewing black women who have spent their lives working for prominent families, it causes an uproar in the community

8.1

The Hangover II Its two years since the events of The Hangover, in which mismatched groomsmen Phil, Stu and Alan managed to loose their friend Doug after a raucous Vegas bachelor party which non of them can remember.

Flash forward to the present day and it’s Stu’s turn to get hitched – except he’s taking no changes with his wedding to Thai bride Lauren.

His stag do consists of a pancake breakfast before the wedding party leaves for Thialand, and Stue is determined that even with Dough’s socially stunted brother-in-law Alan tagging along once again, nothing will be allowed to go wrong.

6.8

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Breaking Dawn is split into three separate parts. The first part details Bella's marriage and honeymoon with Edward, which they spend on a private island, called Isle Esme, off the coast of Brazil. Two weeks into their honeymoon, Bella realizes that she is pregnant with a half-vampire, half-human child and that her condition is progressing at an unnaturally accelerated rate. After contacting Carlisle, who confirms her pregnancy, she and Edward immediately return home to Forks, Washington.

Edward, concerned for Bella's life and convinced that the fetus is a monster as it continues to develop with unnatural rapidity, urges her to have an abortion. However, Bella feels a connection with her unborn baby and refuses.

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the beginner’s guide to south korean cinema

Five must-watch Korean films ,chosen by Lewis Rymond The recent success that is currently being enjoyed by Korean cinema has not come easily to the nation. Throughout the years the production of Korean film has faced various problems. Under colonisation by the Japanese, for instance, any sort of daring filmic creativity was strictly limited, resulting in films becoming increasingly more subtle in their bid to convey political messages. Such subtlety continues to this day, and can be seen in modern films such as the successful Korean movie The Host, directed by Bong Joon-ho and released in 2006, mentioned later in this list After gaining independence from Japan, Korea also faced the governing of a oppressive military dictatorship, again making any film production difficult. However, since the abolishment of this regime, South Korea has gradually emerged as an exporter of quality cinema. But where do you start? Here’s a list of five introductory films that will hopefully give you a taste of Korean film.

Oldboy Arguably the most internationally successful Korean film is Park Chan-wook’s 2003 film Oldboy. Boasting an intensity rarely seen within the Western world, the film, based on a manga (Japanese comic) swept up awards at film festivals around the globe, winning the Grand Prize of the Jury at Cannes.

After being imprisoned for 15 years, Oh Dae-Su finds out that his wife has been murdered (and that his fingerprints were found at the crime scene) and that his daughter has been adopted in another country. The man, Oh Dae-su, is bent on exacting revenge on his captors. It’s hard to find revenge movies as intense and gripping as those made in Korea; Oldboy is no exception.

Memories of Murder This is a police investigation film that is particularly admirable in that it focuses more on the flawed characters behind the operation, rather than the potential criminal and the victims, ideas that would later be echoed in David Fincher’s Zodiac. An lengthy masterpiece of a film, based on the true story of a series of murders in Hwaseong, and interestingly we are told mostly of the flaws of the investigative team - but we still relate to the characters. Memories of Murder does a excellent job of taking us into the mindset of the primary detectives, when they are smiling we smile, and when they are angry, we too feel unconditional anger. When the members fall out, we feel incredibly sorry for them - and the film really takes us into their world. Watching this film, you can feel like you are actually trying to investigate the baffling murder along side them. Without spoiling anything, take note of the ending - a delightfully intriguing antidote to Hollywood narratives. Out of all the films here, this is the most ingenious.

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The Host It’s impossible to classify The Host within one genre. Incorporating Sci-fi, comedy, action and tragedy, it’s a remarkable film that has a big message to go with big visuals. The film is essentially a monster movie with depth, and tells the tale of a strange creature that comes into being thanks to the dumping of toxic chemicals. We are introduced to Gang-du Park (played by Kangho Song, one of the greatest actors within the current Korean film scene), who suffers the trauma of his daughter’s kidnap at the hands of the monster. It’s perhaps the film’s avoidance of conforming to any set genre for too long that makes it seem so fresh and interesting - tension is creating within the film as we simply don’t know if the next scene will be funny or tragic. But with an interesting environmental subtext, this film is a must-see.

A Tale of Two Sisters Heartbreakingly remade by Hollywood (why are they always doing that?) this film can serve as an example... an example that Japan isn’t the only Asian country making terrifying horror films. Directed by Kim Ji-woon, the film went on to become the highest grossing Korean horror film. Focusing around the two sisters in the title, the film sees creepy happenings in their cruel stepmother’s house, resulting in scenes that will see you running out of the room screaming. The film is refreshingly a far cry from the predictable slasher movies that plague mainstream cinema, and will certainly keep you guessing.

Well recommended.

JSA/ (JOINT SECURITY AREA) One of the first Korean films I saw, and the final in this list, this film is perhaps breaking the law of the list by being another film directed by Park Chanwook. But let’s forget about that, because it’s a highly important film to watch for anyone interested in getting familiar with Korean cinema. Quentin Tarantino has called JSA one of his favourite films in interviews, and it’s easy to see why the acclaimed director loved it so much. The film tells the story of the sad divide between the North and the South in the country, and two groups of guards that befriend their counterparts on the opposite sides of the border. A hugely eye-opening commentary on the uneasy political situation in Korea, the film does a remarkable job of highlighting the pointlessness of the divide; two nations that speak the same language and possess the same cultural heritage being forced to live apart. The film apparently had such of an impact that the then President of South Korea, Roh Moo-hyun, presented the DVD to North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-il, during the Korean summit in 2007. Perhaps this will be a film to change Korea’s history.

Overall, this list only scratches the surface of Korean film. But hopefully this list gives an insight into the diversity available to interested viewers - there’s a film here for everyone. With London now regularly holding a Korean film festival, and films from Korea scooping up awards internationally, it’s apparent that these excellent films are finally getting the attention that they deserve. We should all be excited about what sort of cinema output South Korea has for the rest of the world...

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The Vagina Monologues :U

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A review by Jo Flynn That’s it. The V word. Look at it, say it aloud, it’s right there and it’s not going away… Vagina. No one likes to talk about these things do they? When women get going they’ll talk about ‘that time of the month’ and there’s no men within a mile radius. But activist, playwright and performer Eve

was clear that rumours surrounding this production were just that; rumours. There was one man behind the bar, and another usher. By the time the show started, I counted only four in the audience, out of at least five hundred seats, and yes, they were applauded by the actresses and us.

As for the three ladies on the stage,

lent ‘girls night out’ and did impact my personal way of thinking about the stigma surrounding vagina’s; the way we talk about them, why we don’t talk about them, language used, language not used, there are also many serious theories surrounding Ensler’s female revolution. There are certain feminist views that say there is no credibility to

“The monologues themselves are heart-breaking and heart-warming, you literally go from wanting to wet-yourself laughing at the idea of people singing to their lady-bits to mopping up tears of sorrow for some of the terrible things women have had to experience.”

Ensler set out to change that. She started something called the VDay movement, it’s dedicated to women all over the world and the Vagina Monologues came from a study she conducted in America in 1996. After interviewing hundreds of women about their most feminine experiences, she produced the piece. Each year to celebrate V-Day a new monologue is added to the collection, all inspired by the interviews Ensler conducted in her research. It has been translated into 48 different languages, performed in 140 countries and sells out on Broadway every time it comes around.

I had heard that one condition of staging the Vagina Monologues was that no males were allowed not only on the stage, but in any of the production or front of house or anywhere for that matter. Obviously men in the audience is encouraged, unusual unfortunately, but encouraged nonetheless. On entry though, it

I have only the utmost respect; they are clearly very brave, very passionate, and very good at learning scripts! This particular production they were: Wendy Peters, well-known from Coronation Street a few years ago, Zaraah Abrahams also from Corrie and Waterloo Road and Lousia Lytton from Eastenders. They all had their own personalities, Peters taking the matriarchal strong, practical side of things, whilst the other two showed either the vulnerability of the monologues very well, or the more physically focussed aspect, a good example being when Lytton acted out intercourse at the front of the stage, whilst giving an ongoing inner monologue about what was going through her mind at the time.

It was moments like that that made watching the production difficult at first, but with the humour in all the right places, and the relaxed nature of the audience (which was unexpected) by the end no one could stop talking about vaginas!

Although the production was an excel27

men in the Vagina monologues. It isn’t that men are painted badly in The Vagina Monologues; it’s more that they aren’t really mentioned. I don’t however think the point of the production is to make a point of ignoring the opposite gender, I actually believe that critics here are missing the point somewhat. This isn’t about negativity at all, simply a celebration of the thoroughly human side of life as a woman. The feather boas and sparkly lights simply make the less than pleasant aspects of womanhood much easier to laugh about, helping women everywhere come forward with their stories of childbirth or rape.

chelsea

Director Fact File; David Cronenberg.

Born: 15th March 1943 Nationality: Canadian Lives: Toronto, Ontario Occupation: Director, Producer, Screenwriter.

Specialist Subject: “Body Horror” - A style of filmmaking that explores people's fears of bodily transformation and infection.

Also goes by the name of: The King of Venereal Horror and The Baron of Blood.

Best known for: His adaptation of William Burrough’s novel Naked Lunch.

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Following the upcoming of his latest movie A Dangerous Method, we here at Cut decided that it was about time that the Baron of Blood himself had a special mention in our magazine.

David Cronenberg was born in Toronto, Canada to a journalist father and a piano playing mother. His love of gore started young when he followed his father’s love of literature and started writing eerie short stories before venturing into filmmaking. He then began making short films such as Transfer (1966) and From the Drain (1967) before gracing the silver screen with his first feature film Stereo in 1969, the film stars Ronald Mlodzik, who also makes an appearance in Cronenberg's Crimes of the Future, Shivers and Rabid. His first feature film should have given audiences a hint at what was to come, being a somewhat dark movie, involving young people who are being endowed with telepathic abilities which they are encouraged to develop through sexual exploration.

The movie had to be filmed with a silent camera, because the one Cronenberg was using originally was making far too much noise!

It is interesting to see that the use of the psychological being intertwined with the physical presented in his first movie stereo is also present throughout his movies. None more so than his acclaimed adaptation of William Burroughs controversial novel Naked Lunch.

Of course the film does not follow the narrative of the novel exactly, for, as Cronenberg once said, that to recreate the novel perfectly would “cost 100 million dollars and be banned in every country in the world.” Instead he only loosely follows the plot and by not sticking to the text to the letter he creates himself a canvas in which to showcase his unusual and experimental filmic style. His abstract filmmaking makes it obvious that the main protagonist Bill is hallucinating from the start of the film and it is up to us the audience to make of this what we will. There is also a heavy influence on sexual exploration in this film too, with Bill being unable to express his homosexuality in 1950s society. For example, Bill is attacked by a phallus that appears when he tries to have heterosexual relations. Some critics claimed at the time that scenes like this render the film as comedic and almost unintentionally silly due to bad film making, however, Cronenberg has always insisted that the film was meant to have an air of silliness, with the exaggerated costumes and light hearted jazz score, the film is not meant to be taken too seriously, but this by no means makes the film a comedy. Cronenberg felt such a connection with Burroughs’s writing when making the film, he even joked that if Burroughs should pass on, he’d personally like to write his next

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Of course we couldn’t fail to mention Cronenberg’s latest movie starring Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen and Michael Fassbender. A Dangerous Method follows the story of Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud. The film is about the troubled relationship between Jung (Fassbender) a trainee psychiatrist and his mentor Freud (Mortensen) We follow the troubles that they face, particularly in the form of the beautiful yet troubled Sabina Speilrien (Knightley) as she comes between the two. Speilrien, a young and

better judgement behind and delves into a sordid affair with his patient, in order to help give the virgin Sabina sexual experience (how kind of him eh?!) However this decision proves disastrous for all three major characters, Jung, Sabina and of course Freud.

Like the majority of Cronenberg’s films A Dangerous Method, plays on a number of levels that are associated with the human mind and body.

It embraces the sexual needs a person desires/needs in order to keep their own sanity and Cronenberg shows this without being too outrageous like we have come to expect from him. With fantastic casting and beautiful film work, this film is definitely worth a view, especially if you are a Cronenberg fan…which in our opinion everybody should be!

beautiful (obviously!) Russian woman is placed in the care of Jung at the Burgholzli mental hospital in Zurich, after suffering some extremely severe seizures it is up to Jung to determine why this is happening. I bet you are all wondering where Freud comes into all this aren’t you? Well the answer lies in the diagnosis of Sabina Speilrien, with her sexual fear forming from abuse she received from her father when she was a young girl. Of course being a film about Freud (one the most sexually aware men ever?) and filmed by the sexually explorative Cronenberg there were obviously going to be a few sordid scenes in the movie, and the audience will not be disappointed. Jung leaves all his morals and

Rumour has it…

That Freud was so obsessed with sex because he wasn’t getting any himself! Fact!

Christopher Waltz was originally cast to play Freud but dropped out in order to star in Water for Elephants.

Written by Chelsea Gledhill

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One to watch...

Bicycle Thieves.

In the UK, we call this film Bicycle Thieves. In America, it is called The Bicycle Thief. The American name probably makes more sense, but I digress.

In 1948, Vittorio De Sica directed Ladri di biciclette, a great example of the blossoming Neo-Realist movement at that time in film history. The film has a simple premise; a man, Antonio, has a job putting up posters around the city, but needs a bicycle to help him get around. After finally obtaining one, the bike is stolen. The rest of the film sees Antonio, with the help of others, locate the missing bike. From this basic storyline, De Sica extracts many emotions.

Made on a shoestring budget, the film’s shots of post-war Italy allow us to experience the poverty of the main character, Antonio, wonderfully played by Lamberto Maggiorani. His subtle performance, all the more impressive when we consider De Sica’s hiring of non-actors, instantly draws us in to his plight, and we follow every step of his journey with anticipation. Despite the constant Italian sunshine the city looks sparse and almost in ruin, a fitting backdrop for the struggle for a steady job.

One of the film’s most saddening scenes comes with their visit to a high-class restaurant, taking a break from their search. Despite having just enough money to dine there, they are looked upon with suspicion by their fellow diners. Wearing their tatty clothes, they are the polar opposite of the bourgeois society. We get the impression that they are taunted by the upper-class, and at one point they are quite literally leered at by a cheerful performer who shares none of the problems of Antonio.

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Bicycle Thieves is a masterpiece, free of any cinematic clichĂŠ, and made with such conviction that it serves as a fine example of the Neo-Realism movement. Early on in the film De Sica shows us Antonio putting up a poster of a Hollywood film, but this is the only connection to Hollywood - and it is all the better for it.

Written by Lewis Rymond.

DVD & Bluray Releases; Harry Potter and The Dealthy Hallows, Part 2.

I was quite aprehensive when i walked into the cinema to see the final installement of the Harry Potter saga, like many others my age, I grew up with Harry, and this certainly defined the end of an era. For over 10 years, children and adults alike had been greatly anticipating the next book or the next film, and like the tag line to this epic finale states so simply, "It all ends."

The film starts by reestablishing the ending to Dealthy Hallows - Part 1. Voldemort has the Elder wand, and it is once more down to Harry and his friends to save the wizarding world from Voldemorts evil clutch, a story which many found weary after the last few films failed to recieve high critical acclaim. A short recap down at Bill and Fleur's beachside cottage and we are then immediatley flung into action when a trip to Gringotts is in order, the journey down to Bellatrix Lestrange's vault plunges our characters into darkness, which leaves your stomach churned and your attention engaged. However, with all this happening within around the first 20 minutes, you start to wonder if the entire film will go at this fast surface pace, but as the hour moves on, it becomes evident that Director, David Yates, wanted most of the onsceen action to be spent in Hogwarts, Harrys true home, and truthfully the rightful place to end the series.

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So after a dragon ride and a trip through Hogsmede we are back in familiar territory, it seems all characters past and present are brought to the fore to make their final appearances and Neville Longbottom's (Matthew Lewis?) moment has officially arrived.

A man who in previous films has often had less then a few sentences today, is now playing a key role in the final battle, gracing us with a scene stealing performance and a empatic speech of bravery and conviction. Maggie Smith (Professor Magonagall) plays a somewhat commical version of her character which contrasts strongly to her usual haughty exterior, whilst we see Alan Rickman enchanting and sincere performance as Professor. Snape in a state of sheer vulnerability. The scene of his unforseen death is enough to move anybody to tears, as he finally reveals to Harry the truth about his life and what must do in order to defeat Voldemort for good.

All in all this finale is the spectacle to truly do justice to the series which has gripped the nation, and the world for such a long time. With epic battles, tear-jerker scenes and true emotion. Yates, the actors and crew all did J.K. Rowling and fans proud.

AVAILABLE ON DVD AND BLURAY NOW.

Written by Cheryl Burns.

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Top 10 iTunes Downloads on both sides of the Atlantic With legal downloads of music already established as a popular and valid way of obtaining new songs, we thought it necessary to tell you exactly what’s been selling lately. how many of these have you downloaded lately? Which do you feel should be on these lists? let us know!

Drop us an email: music@flickmagazine.com Top UK tracks this month

Top US tracks this month

1. Dance With Me Tonight olly Murs

1. Sexy and I Know It lMFAo

2. Who You Are Jessie J

2. We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris) Rihanna

3. Wishing On a Star (feat. JLS & One Direction) the X Factor Finalists 2011

3. Good Feeling Flo Rida

4. We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris) Rihanna

4. The One That Got Away katy Perry

5. Down for Whatever kelly Rowland

5. Moves Like Jagger Maroon 5

6. Fight for You Jason Derulo

6. Someone Like You ADele

7. Love On Top Beyoncé

7. Party Rock Anthem lMFAo

8. Marry the Night lady GaGa

8. Stereo Hearts (feat. Adam Levine) Gym Class heroes

9. Sexy and I Know It lMFAo

9. Marry the Night lady GaGa

10. It Will Rain Bruno Mars

10. Set Fire to the Rain ADele

Researched by lewis Rymond 36

the elDeR SCRollS V: SkyRiM Write a review of an Elder Scrolls game that fits on two pages?

“You could fill an entire magazine and still not cover everything” -A review by James Clarke

T

he Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

is the latest offering in Bethesda Softworks’ hugely popular Elder Scrolls series. Set two hundred years after the conclusion of Oblivion, this is a truly epic tale of heroism, civil war, betrayal, redemption, lumberjacks and of course, dragons.

There are many games out there these days that claim to offer you freedom, freedom to choose which path to take and who you want to be. Very few of these titles truly deliver on this claim, often giving you a ‘choice of paths’ in the last few minutes where you perform action A or action B and this gives you one of two different endings. And that’s it. But when Bethesda says they’re giving you freedom, they mean it.

From the moment you first sculpt your avatar within the world to the final moments of the main storyline (should you choose to follow it) Skyrim offers an unparalleled level of freedom and this is one of its main appeals. This will come as no surprise to those of you already familiar to the series, as previous titles have strived to do the same, and Skyrim is no different. The opening follows Elder Scrolls tradition and sees you in the hands of the law, in this case, facing your own execution. Why you find yourself in this position is really up to you as no information is given.

From here, chance intervenes to set you free and then the path you take is up to you. Follow the main story, or don’t. Join one of the many guilds and factions available in the world, or roam aimlessly with only your horse for company (if you chose to fork out for/steal one).

You often found yourself stopping to just take in the view whilst wandering the expansive and varied landscape. And it’s all made that much sweeter by knowing that you can go there. The whole world is yours to explore. Graphically there is a noticeable improvement from Oblivion, though not as great an improvement as some people might have wanted. This is likely part of an effort to keep the game on one disc for console versions, as the scope of the game coupled with an even greater graphical improvement would definitely resulted in requiring more than once disc (just look at Rage, a relatively short FPS that ended up across three discs due to its visuals), crippling the flowing freedom the game tries to offer. Still, despite not having the eye melting HD visuals of some other blockbuster titles, Skyrim is still beautiful.

The world that Bethesda has created is truly breathtaking aesthetically.

The level of minute detail included really does a deliver the impression of a real lived in breathing world.

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The level of immersion that the world has to offer is not only a result of the aesthetics. People have varied daily routines, and carry out tasks and jobs as the day goes on.

They’ll stop and chat to each other in the street and the conversations are quite believable. There are often little set pieces that can begin quests as you enter new towns and cities too, whether it be the execution of someone branded a traitor or just an angry mob demanding action from the local leaders. Not only is it a large believable world, it’s filled with living people. When a dragon attacks a village, you really do care for its inhabitants as you attempt to bring the beast down.

brought over from the Fallout games Bethesda has produced since Oblivion.

The levelling up system has been greatly streamlined, removing the choice of core skills which affect your base attributes. Now each level simply has you increase one of these attributes directly, and all skills contribute to achieving the next level instead of just those core ones.

The gameplay experience has been improved upon greatly from the previous chapter, Oblivion.

Bethesda have taken much of the criticism received and created a much more enjoyable experience.

Combat has been much improved,

Another gameplay trait brought in from Fallout is the perks system, allowing you to pick a perk each time you manage to level up. This really makes you feel like you’ve achieved something, and gives you a new edge in gameplay each time, making the levelling experience all the more rewarding. These improvements really make the base gameplay experience a very enjoyable one. Previous titles made levelling more a chore than a reward,

and you really feel like you’re delivering damage to your foes when you swing that warhammer or your duel wielded axes. The duel wielding system is very effective too, and something the fans have clearly been after with the number of user modifications to try and include such a system in Oblivion. Any spell or one handed weapon can be assigned to either hand, allowing you to combine things in any way you want.

The whole combat experience is much more visceral, with finishing moves and cinematic kill cameras

and the combat, whilst still enjoyable, left a lot to be desired.Like previous Elder Scrolls titles, a Creation kit consisting of all the tools used by Bethesda in creating the game will be released to the public in upcoming months allowing them to create endless extra content for the game, from new quests and locations to simple gameplay tweaks. Unfortunately this service is only available to PC players of the game, giving the PC version that much more value for money.

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Skyrim is a shining example of what video games really are. It’s an interactive storytelling experience, with a huge amount of that story left up to the player. It gives you the world and the tools to craft your very own fantasy adventure, and with the upcoming creation kit, the possibilities are literally endless. If you’re a fan of RPG’s or even just enjoy a bit of fantasy here and there, you’d be a fool to pass this one up. Skyrim is an absolute must have title for any gamer. Trust me.

ice Cream Sandwich: is Apple still so far ahead of the competition?

Games Consoles: the move towards an all in one media solution

With the release of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, running version 4.0 of Google’s Android operating system (dubbed Ice Cream Sandwich by the internet giants), is it time to take another look at the idea that the iPhone is the all out heavyweight leader in the smart phone market?

Much of the iPhones appeal over Android devices in the past has been down to aesthetic appeal. Where Androids user interface has been clunky and somewhat lacking in user friendliness, iOS has remained easy to use and easy to get to grips with, even for the least tech savvy of users. But does the latest iOS release still maintain it’s apparent superiority over Android systems?

With another actual dashboard update rolling out globally now, Microsofts Xbox 360 console has become even more of an all in one media centre. But are the gamers losing out because of it?

Androids latest release is prettier than ever, and whilst still not quite as attractive and consistent on the whole as iOS, the difference here is shrinking more and more as time goes on. Apples offerings will probably always look a little nicer, but this is in part due to the fact that iOS apps only have to be optimised for the handful of devices Apple offers, where their Android counterparts need to run on a small army of different devices.

Android has always been a powerful operating system, but has simply not been as user friendly as iOS. The combination of this movement towards a more user friendly and attractive experience could well mean Android becomes a much more viable choice for the future.

The latest dashboard update brings the Metro UI initially seen in phones running Microsofts Windows Mobile 8, as well as bringing some new features to the table. But does this new interface really have the gamers in mind?

In order to access the games tab on your dashboard, you n o w have t o flick

through several tabs of film, TV and social networking options. For a device which primarily functions as a games console, this seems rather unwise. This tabs also feature adverts now, often more prominently than the options you’re actually on the tab for. It feels somewhat as if Microsofts attempts to market the console as an all in one media solution for the family are beginning to overshadow the fact that it is, at its heart, a games console. Browsing the online gaming marketplace is a much more time consuming and clunky experience too. Unless you know exactly what you’re looking for and use the Bing search now included as an entire tab page, you’ll find yourself struggling though many pages and menus before you find what you’re after.

This makes browsing a lot more difficult, and could well negatively affect the success of titles from studios who choose not to fork out for one of the front page ads that the dashboard now hosts.

There are some upsides though. The new cloud feature allows Xbox Live Gold account holders to save their profile and up to 500MB of save files to a cloud, to be used across multiple systems. This can be greatly beneficial to those with multiple consoles who perhaps want to continue a game in a different room.

On the whole, the update seems to be aimed towards selling consoles as media centres, leaving the core audience of gamers a much less usable gaming service.

-James Clarke, Technology Correspondant 39

Ultra Music Festival 2012 THE BEAT GOES ON… 03 . 23 | 03 . 24 | 03 . 25 Friday | Saturday | Sunday Downtown Miami, Florida Best Dance Music Ever It was founded in 1999 by business partners Kevin Almeida and Julia Campillo and has evolved today as what one might consider a modern day Woodstock.

The festival was initially created as a EMM (electronic dance music festival) but Ultra has grown over the years to showcase artists such as The Chemical Boys, The Prodigy, Fat Boy Slim and Justice to name but a few. The present day bands represent a diverse EMM covering community and culture, bands like The Cure, The Black Eyed Peas and Duran Duran will be appearing at this year’s festival. The number of bands who have been greatly influenced and are still being musically impacted by techno, trance and electronic is staggering, but it all boils down to the fan base, that’s the most amazing part.

To the estimated 150,000 fans who will pass through the gates of the most anticipated dance festival in the U.S., the rising anticipation for the Ultra Music Festival is sort of like that of a child's on Christmas Eve. Starting Friday night and running through Sunday, the Ultra Music Festival will be taking Miami by storm. Adjacent to the megaarena, several high-tech domes garnish the grounds, including the Tower of Ultra, which will play host exclusively to dubstep artists on all to a visual 3-D display. The granddaddy of them all is, of course, the Ultra Main Stage. This centerpiece of the festival is shaping up to be one of the most impressive to date.

Oh, and just a word to the wise if you're planning on getting close to the stage: Earplugs are strongly suggested — this sound system is designed to blow you away!

Ultra is the world’s most famous outdoor electronic event and has proven itself by winning the “Best Music Event” given by the International Dance Music Awards(IDMA) in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 quite an achievement.

Ultra music festival is here again.

This annual outdoor event takes place every march in Miami’s Bicentennial Park. It has gone from being a 1 day festival when it started in 1999 to a 3 day festival in 2011.

Ultra Music Festival is one of the world’s largest outdoor electronic music gatherings, showcasing over 300 of the biggest DJs in the world. Bringing together over 150,000 people from 71 countries over the course of 3 days onto the white sandy beaches of Miami, Florida the Ultra Music Festival is insane! This year promises to be even better than last year, you can get more information at http://www.ultramusicfestival.co m.

Each year the Ultra Music Festival has grown in tremendous proportion as dance music festivals have hit record number attendance and earnings.

2011 headliners included festival veterans Deadmau5, Carl Cox, Tiesto and Steve Aoki, dubstep’s rising stars Skrillex and Rusko, and even a surprise performance from Diddy. Other acts included The Chemical Brothers, David Guetta, Empire of the Sun, Pendulum and Tinie Tempah. It’s only a matter of months before the 2012 lineup is announced so get pumped!

ULTRA is the best way to describe this extravaganza and March 2012 will be bigger and better with pre-sale tickets selling out in record time.

2012 promises to bring it all and more the countdown is on for The Ultra Musical Festival. Check out the website ultramusicfestival.com and stay tuned for the Ultra Experience.

In addition to the music festival UMF (Ultra Music Films) have come out with a stunning documentary “ Can U Feel It” it is the festival told in detail by five of the finest DJ’s in the industry and gives their perspective of why this phenomenon has taken off, watch the trailer and be prepared to be blown away. Check out the UMF “Can U Feel It Movie” at: http://www.ultramusicfestival.com/.

Order your tickets now!

3 Day of GA Early Bird for $149.95 3 Day of VIP Early Bird for $599.95

haven’t booked a place to stay or just not sure where to stay while in Downtown Miami? have a look at these great hotels…

1) Epic Hotel, A Kimpton Hotel Starting at $359 a night the Epic Hotel is a little on the pricy side for the average festival goer. It has fantastic views and boasts a luxury spar if that floats your boat but will take you 21 minutes to walk to the festival.

2.) Four Seasons Hotel Miami The Four seasons will set you back $345 a night, again a little on the pricy side when you consider your time will be spent at the festival and not in your hotel room. The walk to the festival is 38 mins which could be seen as quite a hike; you need all your energy for grooving to the bands.

3.) Inter Continental Miami Hotel The Continental Miami Hotel maybe closer to the festival taking just 16 minutes to walk but the price of rooms is still on the high side at $216 a night. It dose however have fantastic views of the Biscayne Bay that is if you have time to tear yourself away from the festival to take a look.

4.) Hyatt Regency Miami Starting at $169 a night the Hyatt is far more reasonable and is close to all the major attractions. Just 15 minutes from South Beach and two miles from the Port of Miami, our downtown hotel is easily accessible to everywhere you want to be. Only a 20 minute walk to the heart of the action at the Ultra Music Festival.

5.) Continental Downtown Bayside – Port of Miami The Continental Downtown Miami Bayside is by far the best bargain you will find with rooms at $59 a night. Let’s face it you will only crashing for a few hours before getting back to the action so why spend a fortune on a room.

What is even better about this hotel is the walk to the festival will only take you 11 mins, you will feel the vibes the minute you leave the hotel lobby.

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Hannah Chadderton

The Catharsis

An Interview with Morgan Tedd

by Jade Lowe JL: For those who haven’t heard of The Catharsis, can you tell us a little about the band? How did you get together?

MT: The Catharsis was a band before it was a band, if that makes any sense? We were originally a band called "All Hail The Ruin" But AHTR disbanded shortly after myself and Jamie (The Bassist) departed. The guys

stuck together and in my absence made The Catharsis! They invited me down to check out the stuff and when I learnt they didn't have a vocalist yet I told them to sign me right up. Its fantastic making music with people you have a big connection and history with, Jamie the bassist of AHTR now comes on tour with us as our Photographer and is still as tight with us as he was when we were AHTR. The

Catharsis as a band is really about just making the music we love making, its never really been about getting in magazines or making it big. From the start we said that simply making the music and having a good time doing so as friends was enough, every thing that comes along after doing that is just a bonus.

JL: So would you say being friends makes the recording process easier? Do you all have similar ideas on the type of stuff you want to produce? What I mean is, does being so close mean that the ideas etc flow freely or do you find it hard working with your friends sometimes?

MT: Normally it would be hard telling someone that their idea sucks, but because we are so close and we have a great connection it isn't a problem, it helps more that our sense of humour is pretty much identical! so if we crack a joke about something we can all laugh at it, even if it was about a rubbish idea that someone has put forward. The whole band tend to bounce ideas off each other, like Ash will tell me an idea then I’ll tell him how I would do it, then he can give me his thoughts and we keep going like that until we have the finished idea and its ready to use! A pretty good example of that is the opening track "Glass Cutter" from the new record, that started off as an idea for an instrumental middle section to the EP, it snowballed into something a lot bigger.

Ha-ha! WE LOVE touring it really is the best part about being in a band. It is important that people see our live show as well as listen to our recorded stuff, as we are really a live band.

There is no microphone on earth that can quite capture the true energy behind a live set so yeah it is important that the fans get down to a show, so that they can really take part in the music instead of being just a bystander. There are a couple of aspects of touring that really make it for us, exploring the country is fantastic, going to new places I have never seen and meeting the people who live there is always great, you meet some weird and wonderful characters out there!

The fans are another huge part of it for me, there is only one thing better than someone approaching me at the start of the show to say they love the

JL: I guess you're lucky in that sense! What would you say makes you different from other bands like yourselves?

MT: Well I don't like to think of The Catharsis as being different; I just think we know what's important in the sense of being in a band. So many bands put so much stock in trying to "Make it big" that they forget the entire reason they got into being in bands! We don't tend to follow any specific musical crowd also, just because something becomes popular doesn't mean we are going to follow it or try and recreate it somehow, we just make the music that pops into our heads. We just remember that we are just 5 guys from Birmingham making music for the love of making music, and doing so with our best friends.

JL: I get the impression you really enjoy touring...how important is it that your fans hear your music live? What do you enjoy most about being on tour?

band, and that’s someone approaching me after the show to say they have never seen or heard us before but they now love our music and are a fan, it makes all the crap parts ofwhile. It’s just like on big lads holiday! Hanging out with your best friends, playing pranks, drinking, cranking music, not knowing where you will pass out that night, its all so much fun!

JL: I hear hardcore fans are notorious for ‘getting involved’ at shows. Do you have any interesting stories to tell?

MT: At one show on our tour earlier on this year, we played a totally crazy show in Ipswich, it was totally packed out and the crowd went totally wild all the way through our set, it's still one of my favourite shows to date! Well

anyways, one guy at the front did a damn back flip in the middle of the pit!! It was pretty awesome! But to make it even better another guy ran into the pit and attempted to do the same thing…. lets just say he didn't get a room full of people cheering him and patting him on the back, he got a face full of floor, bad times! The same guy saw me crowd surf off our merch table at the same show, but when he attempted it the legs broke just as he jumped and yet again he face planted…he didn't have a good time!

JL: Which of your lyrics mean the most to you?

MT: Most of my lyrics are pretty negative; I can't remember a time when I didn't write like that! This is the way of writing that for me keeps the demons at bay so to speak, some people draw to get feelings out, others drink, lose control, throw a few punches…I write lyrics! The lyrics that mean the most are in a song from our first EP "God Damned" called "Minus Plus"; they are "Tides of anger, and waves of regret, crash against my shore. If one more wave hits me now, I’ll crumble, I’ll fall". They are really just about being an angry person and trying to deal with it one day at a time, but obviously some days are easier than others. I think writing that song really helped put a lot of that negativity into perspective, and helped me realise to open my eyes to the bigger picture.

JL: What's next for The Catharsis?

Any upcoming releases/tours?

MT: We have a lot of tours in the works for 2012 including a trip to Europe. We are releasing the new EP "Bitter Seeds" January 13th through Sabbath Town Records, and then i guess we will be moving on to the next record!

JL: Sounds great, good luck! Thanks for talking to us Morgan.

Album Releases;

Sigur Rós - Inni.

A polished performance from the Icelanders - and that’s the problem.

When I first realised that Sigur Rós had ceased to be, I was understandably upset. A slew of brilliant albums in quick succession had left me, amongst many other fans, wanting more. So when I heard that this elaborate live package was to be released, including a DVD and CD of their Alexandra Palace gig in 2008, it was some relief. Listening to this CD it’s clear one could have a fantastic time at Sigur Rós gig, and I’m sure the visible spectacle was breathtaking. Unfortunately, however, this release doesn’t seem to do it justice.

Including an impressive setlist, mostly straying away from their gloomier numbers, it’s a release that’s sure to please the fans - this two-disc package provides value for money.

The problem is that they’re just too professional. Anyone expecting whoops and cheers from Jónsi and his troupe will be left sorely disappointed; the band maintain a primarily banter-free performance, instead letting the music do the talking. This works to some level, but it doesn’t sound a lot different from their studio albums, save for the occasional audience applause. The DVD wasn’t available for viewing at the time of writing; I’m sure this would have improved the rating of the release for me, but the CD just leaves you painfully wishing you’d actually been at this atmospheric concert. For completionists only.

3/5.

Written By Lewis Rymond.

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Kate Bush – 50 Words for Snow.

Die-hard fans of Ms. Bush may well be surprised by her latest venture: 50 Words For Snow. The new album features seven tracks, totaling 65 minutes, set against a somewhat seasonal background of falling snow. Various collaborators such as Stephen Fry and Elton John have contributed to the poetic and highly original album which is Bush’s second release this year. An album for Winter rather than Christmas, specifically, the warm piano and string sound is deep and meaningful , particularly in “Lake Tahoe” and evokes the magic of snow perfecty. With each song lasting at least 6 minutes and with references to The Snowman and Inuit liguistics , this latest offering is unmistakably Kate.

Written by Jade Lowe.

THE NEW ALBUM OUT NOW.

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BOB DYLAN,TRENT FM ARENA, NOTTINGHAM.

THE LIVE SECTION.

Bob Dylan is perhaps the hardest-working man in showbiz. At least, his tour schedule certainly suggests so. From Auckland to Taipai, he is far from retirement. Standing on stage, sounding as fresh as he did in the sixties, Bob plays with a talented backing band, a band that have helped Dylan to almost remix some of his own material, playing much of his back catalogue in a more bluesy style, a style they didn’t possess when they were originally released. As a result, listening to his live songs is almost to rediscover their magic. It works, and it works very well.

At the age of seventy, it’s a wonder Dylan hasn’t grown tired of aspects of his setlist - it’s astonishing to think he has been playing some of these songs for over 40 years. Still, the songs are still played with the same energy they have always had.

Supported by the talented Mark Knopfler, a personal friend of the his, Dylan explores his remarkably varied back catalogue, rasping each and every lyric with an admirable veracity.

Looking at the setlists for previous nights on his seemingly never-ending tour of the world, he seems to pick and choose the odd rarity every now and then, inevitably pleasing the dedicated fans who follow him across the globe.

More comfortable on his keyboard these days, Dylan still revisits his favourite instruments, picking up a harmonica mid-song to recreate the sounds of youthful anger that drenched his earlier releases and grabbing an acoustic when required. His vocal performance is far from perfect; he seems more likely to shout a lyric these days than to sing it, but Dylan’s masterpieces were always more about the beautifully poetic words he unleashes to his captive audience. It’s wonderful to hear the swift verses of songs such as Highway 61 Revisited reverberate around the arena.

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I will confess that I was expecting his grateful support Knopfler to join Mr. Dylan on stage for a rare collaboration. Perhaps this would have been too much of an obvious thing to do for the ever-contrary Bob. Those expecting a ‘greatest hits’ sort of setlist will perhaps be disappointed. The playlist for this night included crowd-pleasers (a wonderfully conclusive Like a Rolling Stone), of course, but also included unusually obscure tracks such as Watching the River Flow and Nettie Moore. In fact, a high percentage of the tracks in this setlist were taken from some of his recent records, proof that Dylan is far from the sort of singer to rest on his laurels. It’s not over yet for Bob - and the fans are loving it.

Written by Lewis Rymond.

Ed Sheeran, Keele University.

“One man, a stage, and an effects pedal…awesome!”

This 20 year old singer/songwriter has taken the music industry by storm lately, with his sell out tour dates and his cocksure attitude, he has definitely been dominating the airwaves with his beautiful tones and I would like to say imaginative lyrics, but I am struggling with the latter having listened to his current single Lego House. With lyrics such as “I’m gunna paint you by numbers and colour you in, if things go right we can frame it and put you on a wall...” are these really the words of a lyrical poet?

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Well I wanted to find out for myself, so I jumped aboard the Sheeran bandwagon and see if he was as good live as people claimed.

With tickets extremely reasonably priced at just £10 (was the tour organised before the release of A Team? I think so!) it seemed like an opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up on. So I put on my woolliest jumper and coolest chino’s and I joined the army of 14year olds on my quest to see if this flame haired 20year old really was as good as he clearly thinks he is.

I must say, despite his cocksure attitude and “look at me, I’m awesome” approach…he was actually rather good! The guy really is talented. Dominating the stage alone with no fancy pyro techniques or other snazzy effects, it was simply himself, his guitar and one effects pedal…and it was awesome. My only qualm is that the whole evening dragged on a little too long! With an extreme version of A Team lasting 20minutes followed by a rendition of You need me, I don’t need you lasting a good half an hour, with just two songs lasting nearly a full hour, I ending up willing it to end…either that or my life.

An extreme reaction I know but it really was THAT frustrating and proof that Ed Sheeran, despite being very talented, has still got a lot to learn. I really hope that he doesn’t begin to think that he is better than he actually is, because at the minute his attitude is on the verge, and this could lose him fans. We don’t want another Pete Doherty on our hands now do we? A talented poet who ended up spiralling out of control…I mean I’m not saying Ed will go the exact same way of course (if you know what I’m getting at?!) but he has a talent and I would hate for him to lose followers because of his arrogance.

Overall however, with his clear passion for music and voice that sounds exactly the same live as it would on the album…he was a pleasure to watch. We here at Flick Magazine hope he goes far.

Written by Chelsea Gledhill.

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Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls - Manchester O2

The Box as a venue is doing very well for itself. Starting as a simple little venue for tribute bands, in the last year they’ve managed to bag Feeder, Idlewild and as of a few weeks ago, The Guillemots, all big charting bands. As Fyfe Dangerfield said as he less than graced the stage later in the evening, ‘The place has character, it’s much nicer than these other generic big name venues” and he’s right. The posters covering the walls and ceiling create a little hovel totally dedicated to music. The place has some chairs and tables, the bar, a raised area for better viewing, so you can decide how you want your gig experience to be. This night we chose to stand to the side of the raised area, so we had a pretty good view. This was fortunate (or unfortunate, however you look at it) because we got perfect sight of Fyfe head butt his microphone when he first came on stage, then manage to kick the stool out from under himself, and the guitarist breaking two strings. Although it sounds like a shambles, it actually totally closed the gap between their status as the band and the audience. We laughed together, and he told us various anecdotes as the sound team sorted out the melee. The music itself was entirely capable of making an impact despite the drama. The superfluous electric tones of the double bass and triangle really transformed this sort of grimy room full of people who either knew every word or none, into a room of peace-loving people who just wanted to wave their arms around and run in circles. All in all, the gig was a great success, and bands ought to consider playing more intimate and personal venues more often.

Reviewed by Jo Flynn

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The Guillemots - The Box, Crewe

The Manchester O2 Apollo is one of those venues that isn’t quite the MEN or Wembley, but it’s much much more than The Academy or The Box. The night Frank Turner played there, the 26th November 2011 I was running behind schedule. I knew he wasn’t due on the stage until about 9.30pm, and I had never heard of the support bands, so I took my time on the drive up, and made it there just before he came on. The atmosphere in that sloped box of noise slapped me across the face, woke me up, put a beer in my hand and had me laughing and joking with complete strangers. Everyone was so happy! Frank came onstage, launched straight into a routine of slamming guitars, harmonicas, violins and one very crazy drummer. The Sleeping Souls, who were backing Frank that evening were full of energy and played the old classics like ‘Photosynthesis’, ‘Love, Ire and Song’ and ‘Jet Lag’ but also all rose to the challenge of ripping out a brilliant rendition of Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love’. This sounds like it would have been the peak of the show, considering how perfectly executed it was, but after a short break, the band came back on and Frank gave an incredibly heart-felt and heart-warming speech about respecting one another, in music taste, political views (two of the main points of Turner’s work), or any opinion, because we all should be able to sit in a bar and have an exceptional time together, regardless of differences. I can’t help but feel this speech completely summed up everything I’d felt at the start of the show, and throughout. The warmth from the gig and the smile on my face followed me out of the venue and all the way home.