The Siren: Issue 10

College Tribune Entertainment Supplement

n e r si the

VOLUME 20 - ISSUE 10 - 3RD APRIL 2007

n io h s a F | h lt a e H | ic s u M | s Film | Bo ok

kila

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jape

will ferrell

n o i h s Fa s n r u t Re

battle of the bands

arundhati roy

e Fashion Show CovePraagg e6

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Music

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“You’re not so dependant on your own ego or personality. You’re trying to put yourself into a wider world”

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College Tribune

Realm of the Weird

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Paul O’Donnell speaks to Richie Egan of Jape about his music and touring with David Kitt

Kila: Page 4

Fashion

“I’d definitely recommend taking part to anyone, it was an amazing night” UCD Fashion Show: Page 6

health

“Crash diets are a waste of effort and can be detrimental to your health” Food Wise: Page 8

film

“Will Ferrell is a member of the infamous ‘Frat Pack’, a group of actors who are known for working alongside each other””

The scourge of rom-coms: Page 11

The music website Last FM describes Jape’s (a.k.a. Richie Egan’s) music as “electronica-heavy type music tinged with stoner folk”. When this is put to the man himself, he laughs and replies, “Well I don’t smoke anymore, so you can take the stoner part out.”

Richie Egan is perhaps better known from playing with Dublin rockbased outfit the Redneck Manifesto, but under the banner of Jape he has been producing music that is a fresh blend of rock and electronica, “Dance music and rock music when they come together can be spectacularly bad, really terrible.

But I’m trying to do something that’s got elements of good song writing but also the sonics that you associate with good electronic music. I also really like to write really

quiet acoustic stuff as well.”

With such a diverse style, Jape brings instruments aplenty to his music but when asked if he has a favourite one to play he replies, “I’m kind off a jack of all trades, I like playing guitar and I like playing keyboards, they’re the two that I like best but to be honest I like playing the bass guitar as well. I wouldn’t consider myself an amazing musician on any of them, but I can pretty much pick a tune on any of them and whatever I have. I just like to experiment and basically try to get weird sounds out of things.”

Jape is beginning to gather quite a following for himself with two albums in the bag and helped in part by the success of his best known song Floating (which has been covered by the Raconteurs) and immensely energetic live shows, such as his renowned performance at last year’s Electric Picnic.

He remarks, “It was a weird one, I don’t know whether it’s because it was on at a good time or something like that, but just for some reason it seems like a lot of people went down to that gig, and we [the band] had a cool gig as well. It was one of those days where everything went right.

I loved that gig, for a lot of people it was their first time hearing Jape as well, it was good, a great feeling.”

Whether it’s a large festival like Electric Picnic or a quiet intimate affair in Whelan’s, Egan asserts that both can have incredible atmospheres, “Festivals are completely different

beasts to just regular gigs because everybody is just out to have a great time at a festival. But you can get close enough to that at a live gig if the crowd are up for it, the last time I played in Whelan’s actually there was a really good atmosphere in the place.”

Like most musicians Egan found his calling in music from a young age, “When I was young I got into punk music and stuff and I started to play the bass guitar with my friend when I was about fifteen. I started playing a lot of the DIY punk gigs that were around at

"With Jape it's solitary because I write everything myself. So, it's kind of more fun doing it with the Rednecks but I'll get a lot of satisfaction with the Jape stuff, with different parts" the time. So that’s how I got my start, doing all that, and I started writing fairly soon after that.”

As well as playing for the Redneck Manifesto, Egan has worked and toured with fellow indie/electronica man David Kitt, who co-produced Floating. “Yeah, I played in his band for a while and we had great times touring.

“Unfortunately I’m too busy to do it at the moment, I haven’t been able to that for a long while, but I played in his band for three years and we had a great time over Europe. We played in the States, and all over Ireland and England, and it was such a good buzz hanging out with Kittser.”

One wonders whether or not David Kitt, who seems to have carved out his own genre with his unique style of music, had any influence on Jape, “As a friend he would have influenced me and

I can say that about all of my friends, but musically, I don’t really have musical influences. It just comes more from expressing myself.”

The one thing that strikes you when talking to Egan is that he seems to be comfortable with whatever form his musical expression takes, whether it be playing his own Jape material, making beats with David Kitt, or rocking out with the Redneck Manifesto.

“It was sound playing with the Rednecks cause it was just so much more energetic, but the Jape live stuff has just been getting better and better, so I love doing the two of them equally I think.”

And the difference between the two?

“With Jape, I write everything, whereas in the Rednecks it’s a democracy so we write with the five of us there. It’s much more of a team affair, whereas with Jape it’s more solitary because I write everything myself. So, it’s kind of more fun doing it with the Rednecks but I’ll get a lot of satisfaction with the Jape stuff, with different parts.”

Egan is now looking to the release of his third Jape album, as well as a new Redneck Manifesto record. The former, due out later in the year, is now complete. “I’m just kind of at the mixing stage, and the Rednecks are halfway through writing their new record.” In the meantime Jape says he has several gigs lined up not to mention plans to release an EP during the summer.

As with the vast majority of acts nowadays, Myspace is the place to keep updated on all matters Jape. Asked whether or not he sees the site as a good thing, he says “Well I’m far too lazy to update a web-site so it’s perfect for somebody like me. You can just log on and stick a blog up or something like that.”

More importantly for him though is how it allows people to hear his music, “It’s great. So many people have heard the Jape stuff through that and I’ve got so many mails and so many messages and stuff from different people, people all over the world, that’s brilliant. It can only be a good thing I think.”

Music

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Time to do battle UCD's Battle of the Bands, thankfully back on the annual events diary was a hotly contested one this year. Now, with the heat stages over and the original thirty acts reduced to a mere five, the final looms near.

Each of the five finalists; LikeKings, the Fighting, the Popular Front, the Roof and the Tendermeats, will play four songs for a panel of judges and the assembled crowd in the Student Bar, Thursday 12th April.

Here is a brief preview of each act based on their respective myspace pages. Owing to the diversity and genuine talent demonstrated by this particular group of bands on these pages, the only thing certain about the final is that there will definitely be a winner that fully deserves that accolade.

Like Kings It’s difficult to imagine the live performance of this act, given the importance of instrumentation, nuance and levels to the overall sound, not to mention the optimistic, singular and endearingly rugged quality that the recordings lend to the songs. This fact becomes especially pertinent when we consider the notorious unpredictability of the sound in the Student Bar. However, the rough promise demonstrated in the four individual

tracks on LikeKings’ myspace page suggests that grumpy soundmen and dodgy equipment are probably variables that LikeKings are prepared for.

With this in mind, it should be interesting to see how they manage to convey their music in a live setting.

LikeKings specialise in structure and tone and demonstrate a knack for songwriting in the classic sense. Elusive similarities with a truly diverse range of artists come to mind on a first listen, including James Taylor, the Libertines, Creedence

Clearwater Revival and Ocean Colour Scene.

Locked in Thought never fails to pique interest as an upbeat, catchy riff and vamp-like piano chords conduct us through effectively laid out changes in tone, structure and key.

These songs verge on the corny, especially melodically, but never quite cross that line thanks to a deft, subtle ability to change direction at the drop of a hat whilst never compromising the natural tone of the song. This kind of talent is what makes the difference between blandness and music.

The Fighting Listening to the four tracks on the Fighting’s myspace page, it wouldn’t be unfair to presume that this is a band with stadium ambitions. Compressed, distorted rhythm guitar chords beefing up strong backbeats, sing-along refrains, powerful melodies; this is an overall sound best described as ‘big’—they even have a track called The Set Ender.

Not inappropriately, acts such as Foo Fighters and Coldplay make an appearance under their ‘Influences’. The similarity is most prominent on the ripping Wish Your Life Away, with its thrashing drums, powerful

riffs and swelling bridges as the chorus proper kicks in.

Strictly speaking, there is nothing challenging about the music that the Fighting write, at least as far as their myspace page is concerned. However, despite the predictable nature of the songs, they have managed to hone a powerful, polished, professional sound.

While they may share much with popular classic rock music in terms of structure and formula, their music still promises an entertaining and frenetic live performance if they can deliver the kind of energy they managed to capture in the studio.

The Tendermeats

The Tendermeats play infectious, riffed-up, classic rock tunes—if you wanted to sound trite, you could say

that it’s difficult not to tap your foot or nod your head while listening to them, you’d also be telling the truth.

There are only two (very well produced) tracks on their myspace page, but if those are anything to go by, their performance next week will be a fun one. Pounding drums, complex bass-work, soaring guitar solos and ripping melodies combine to form a sound that wouldn’t be out of place while driving a Dodge Viper in Grand Theft Auto and listening to the rock station.

This band know where their strengths lie and they never fail to play to them. Judging by their ‘Influences’ section, they all seem to be well versed in the ins and outs of the big sounds achieved over the years by Dream Theater, Pearl Jam, QoTSA and Nirvana.

Lead-guitarist Bryan Murphy is clearly more than technically proficient, and he has a talent for catchy extended guitar riffs that never fail to excite.

If this band is going to win the Battle of the Bands, it will be for performance, atmosphere and execution as opposed to innovation or song structure.

The Popular Front The Popular Front spurn the structured, driven sound so prevalent amongst Irish acts today in favour of an atmospheric, low-tempo one in which guitar chords take on a more central role. One inevitable result of this focus is a stronger default dependence on the strength of instrumental lines, melodies and lyrics.

For the most part, The Popular Front manage to deliver on these fronts. Passable melodies and a mature, sparing use of harmony provide that lift of which faster, louder bands naturally avail.

View From a Ceiling demonstrates the strengths of the Popular Front’s approach to songwriting with its slow pace, building chorus, unusual guitar licks and the surprise, pounding instrumental interlude halfway through, somewhat reminiscent of the better work of Travis. In the case of the atmospheric, detached acoustic number, Night in Town, there is a decided sense of Billy Corgan’s influence—lyrically, tonally and melodically.

Listening to the myspace tracks, however, one gets the impression that a little more detail and

innovation on the instrumental (and occasionally vocal) side would provide the songs with a much-needed edge to prevent the onset of repetition.

The Popular Front is undoubtedly a band with a distinctive style and sound. This could be turned to their advantage in a live setting. It remains to be seen whether it will be.

The Roof have a distinctively Rn’B sound, which is refreshingly unusual, given the time and place. It could be said that perhaps the act of just engaging a particular style of music is not enough to make a band original—it might sound different now, but that’s because it’s 2007 and they’re presenting the music of another generation.

This is probably a criticism that the Roof escape, however, because in their delivery and energy they seem to have discovered the source of vitality that lent Rn’B it’s fresh sound

initially. It is in this sense they are more than a mere tribute band.

The raw quality of the recordings compliments the rough and ready style. Comparisons could be drawn with the melodic sensibilities and jangly, laid back, lounge-room delivery of Bob Dylan and the rough immediacy and jagged, infectious guitar work of Muddy Waters or Rory Gallagher.

Admittedly, they are direct and simplistic lyrically, in keeping with their progenitors; “You know you must be made of glass/’Cos I can

The Roof

see right through your head/But then again it could be plas-tic/And you might as well be dead!” This straightforwardness doesn’t hinder them in any way; it seems to be more about the feel here than the delivery of opaque messages.

In that case—it must be said—the ‘feel’ is good. Their delivery is energetic and tightly executed, they have also retained that sense of immediacy and improvisation that good Rn’B requires and this will definitely work to their advantage in a live setting.

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delorentos

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College Tribune

band has been compared to Talking Heads, Television, and Interpol, but comparisons may have to be adjusted as a result of this record.

Frankly, there is a dreary similarity between the four distinguished gentlemen in question and The Killers. This may be attributed to the producer Gareth Mannix (The Chalets, Humanzi, Director) who has experience in transforming fameless mediocrities into national icons.

The single ‘Basis For Everything’ will undoubtedly attract nnnpp such national attention with its catchy, riff-based melodies and approachable structure. On a positive note, the future may hold brighter things for Delorentos. The musicians themselves sound informed and reliable, and a tight rhythm section provides the backbeat and groove for the jaggedly upbeat guitars and (sometimes) sparkling vocals.

With this record, national success beckons for Delorentos, but success abroad is unlikely. If you like the other Irish ‘bands of the moment’, you’ll like this. www.myspace.com/delorentos

Frenzy

in love with detail Since winning the UK & Ireland Student Music Awards, the Delorentos have been working hard, gigging throughout the country and recording whenever time and funds have allowed.

This debut album, ‘In Love With Detail’, is all about fuzzy guitar riffs, dual vocals and infectious melodies wrapped up into tight, angular indie-punk, but that’s not to say that is particularly outstanding material.

While there is no revolutionary sound coming from this posse, it can certainly be seen as a fresh burst of Irish rock. The

Peter Coonan

air

willy mason

if the ocean gets rough

pocket symphony nnnnn

nnnpp

When US singer/songwriter Willy Mason released his debut album ‘Where The Humans Eat' in 2005, critics got their knickers in a serious twist for the handsome, likeable nineteen year old's stripped down tales of alienation and escape from the modern world.

His charmingly idealistic anthem ‘Oxygen' received a lot of radio-play, and a few people got carried away and branded him “the new Bob Dylan".

‘If The Ocean Gets Rough' is basically more of the same, with the addition of a band that includes his brother, cousin and mother, and Nina Violet (a terrific artist in her own rite) on vocals and violin. It's a shame the remarkable Violet doesn't get more of a look-in as Mason's voice is as lifeless as ever. The production is more professional however, and the fuller sound is a healthy progression.

On a recent short tour (he'll be back in Dublin in May) Mason played shows in fans' sitting rooms and slept in their houses. His philosophy of honesty and refusing to be tied down by society's norms appears genuinely heart-felt, and is entirely admirable.

Basically he seems like a really nice guy, but all he's missing are some great tunes. Tracks like ‘We Can Be Strong' suggest he might produce a great album some day, but for the moment Mr. Dylan has nothing to worry about.

Pocket Symphony is the latest offering from French duo Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoit Dunckel who comprise the influential electronica band Air. Having taken a three-year break since their previous album ‘Talkie Walkie’ to collaborate with Charlotte Gainsbourg and to allow Nicolas to learn far Eastern classical instruments, Pocket Symphony has definitely been worth the wait.

Pocket Symphony marks a definite move away from the haunting sounds of ‘The Virgin Suicides’, and even farther from the chart climbing, crowd-pleasing days of ‘Moon Safari’.

Apart from when ‘Napalm Love’ and ‘Mer du Japon’ provide brief injections of urgency to this slow moving album; the lazy melodic pace lulls the listener into eventual submission, offering sweet sanctuary from recent pop-rock releases plugging up the charts.

This is the perfect album to chill to, and it will provide the perfect aural accompaniment to sitting on sun-baked stones this summer.

There are some distinctive Eastern influences as evident on the track ‘One Hell of a Party’ marking a move away once again from the traditional electronica genre they are synonymous with.

Pocket Symphony showcases their skilled use of piano and synth to create beautiful, memorable melodies. www.myspace.com/intairnet

Aidan Mac Guill

Tara Phelan

the stooges

the weirdnessnnnn It’s been a sizable amount of time since the Stooges released their legendary trio of albums, culminating in the massive ‘Raw Power’ in 1973. So following a successful string of live performances in the past couple of years, its high time for Iggy Pop and Co. to lay down another slap of frenetic punk-infected rock in the form of ‘The Weirdness’.

The Stooges are a band with an undeniable legacy be-

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hind them, and compared to past glories, ‘The Weirdness’ can be easily viewed as a bit of a second-rater.

Gone is the burning dark edge that characterised their past classics like ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’. This is a much more straight ahead affair, but its only right to take into account the rockin’ fun of the album’s best numbers like ‘She Took My Money’ and ‘Free and Freaky’.

The Ashetons’ respective guitar and drums benefit from a crisp Albini production, but perhaps could have done with bit more grit and fuzz on the faster numbers.

Iggy himself delivers a solid if somewhat restrained performance, but with some brilliant lyrics, like in ‘Mexican Guy’.

There’s a noticeable change from the venomous delivery of old, as he focuses on more laid-back delivery of sleazy criticism throughout the album. The old sax solos and demented piano lines also have been reined in, providing a much more streamlined listen.

Die-hard Stooges fans may want to prepare themselves for what is an undeniably different band from that of the 70s, but one that delivers a worthwhile album of strong songs regardless. www.myspace.com/iggyandthestooges

Lorcan Archer quality. Thankfully, Sound Of Silver delivers emphatically.

Murphy’s self-confessed obsession with analogue (as opposed to digital) is evident throughout the album, creating a unique brand of live electro which possesses the warmth of a full band, in contrast to the propensity toward computer generated sounds and rhythms which dominates contemporary dance music.

The flavours of the songs waiver either side of a thin line between nightclub dancefloor material and energetic electro-tinged punk ballads. The songs are constructed like dance tracks, building up layer upon layer, while on top of it all, Murphy’s lyrics soar with memorable melodies. lcd soundsystem Standout track is the sonically sensuous ‘Someone Great’, whose lamenting lyrics are craftfully shrouded in a nnnnn rich sea of synth. This is followed by the epic euphoria of New Order-esque ‘All My Friends’, a nostalgic commentary on a life-time of all-nighters, “I wouldn’t trade all LCD Soundsystem’s eponymous debut album heralded a the bad decisions / For another five years of life.” fresh and powerful approach to melding the musical ideThese two tracks form the core of an impressive medley als of Rock music and Dance music, so with Sound Of of well-sculpted tracks, thoroughly enjoyable from start to Silver, LCD’s mastermind James Murphy faced the tough finish. Top class. task of overcoming the sophomore syndrome by following www.myspace.com/lcdsoundsystem up a successful debut with an album of equal or superior Hugh Fowler

sound of silver

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College Tribune

MMuussicic

3rd April 2007

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with a bodhran Matthew Parkinson-Bennett talks to Kila’s Ronan O’Snodaigh and seeks the roots of his progressive approach to traditional music It’s hard to imagine any other band whose major instruments include the uilleann pipes, fiddle and bodhran; inciting frenzy in a packed Student Bar. But that is just what Kila, with their high-energy version of Irish traditional music, succeeded in doing at their recent gig in UCD. Typically incorporating an electric bass and a variety of non-traditional percussion instruments, Kila frequently collaborate with musicians from other traditional backgrounds, such as the Japanese group Oki on their most recent album, Kila and Oki. With a similar motley approach to their appearance, stage backdrops and album artwork, Kila have become one of the most instantly recognisable bands in Ireland today.

One character sticks out from among the band’s seven constant members.

Grey-haired and flat-nosed, bearded and ear-ringed, Ronan O’Snodaigh, eldest of three brothers in the band, appears to contain the epicentre of the band’s energy somewhere around his midriff.

Bending his body into the driving rhythm of his distinctive bodhran playing, straightening up to deliver his chanted vocals, O’Snodaigh is the striking figure alerting a new generation to the passionate expression to be mined from our

traditional music and language.

O’Snodaigh explained the background to the band’s eclectic sound and use of electric instruments, “We were just being honest to ourselves. We grew up in the 80s, so we were just playing what we heard. The idea was to get some sort of a natural flow. You’re trying to respond to the music and the people around you.”

He gives a lot of one-word answers, and when he replies with greater enthusiasm there is still the sense that there’s a lot more being withheld. It is disconcerting to hear a man who performs with such unselfconscious passion talk in this way; the point is reinforced by the background noise of his voice singing in its typically unrestrained, freely expressive style, in the studio where he’s recording for Kila’s next album.

In contrast to his phone manner, his mission as an artist is as follows, “I want people to feel good about themselves, feel good about their expressions, feel free.”

Nobody who has witnessed the extent to which O’Snodaigh puts himself forth for every performance could doubt that he is genuine in his desire to reach people. But it is not himself, it appears, that he is interested in expressing, as it

Gig Watch Wed Apr 4 I Was A Cub Scout

Whelans

Thu Apr 5 Erin McKeown

Whelans

is not in interviews that he wishes to convey his message.

He described the benefits of traditional music; “There’s some humility it gen-

You're not so dependant on your own ego or personality.

You're trying to put yourself into a wider world. erates, because there’s people who’ve been there before you who’ve done it, probably even better than you. You’re not so dependant on your own ego or personality. You’re trying to put yourself into a wider world.”

That would seem to explain a lot about O’Snodaigh’s approach, that of the musician making himself the medium for expression of what’s come before him, and also what’s around him now, in making use of traditional and contemporary music. And in performance, there’s the sense of him drawing into himself the energy of the occasion, and giving it a

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3rd April 2007

full-lunged expression.

The main lyricist in the band, O’Snodaigh writes mostly in Irish. He is optimistic about the Irish language and the state of Irish trad. “The revival of the language is still in its infant stages. There has been a conscious effort for about 40 years or so. Trad is healthy. It has a healthy future, it’s still active, it’s not in anything like a nostalgia form.”

Despite the associations with Ireland’s Celtic past so often exploited by traditional musicians, O’Snodaigh is keen to have his personal roots located in the Dublin of the 1980s, in which he says the Boomtown Rats and U2 gave the most exciting contributions to the Irish music scene.

He continued to describe how his open-minded approach to music and identity was formed in these early years of his life, before the release of Kila’s first of twelve albums in 1991. “I went through every phase, I was a teddy boy, a rocker, whatever. Except for the New Romantics, I didn’t lean too far in that way, they weren’t very cool by then.”

O’Snodaigh has released four solo albums, the most recent ‘The Long Mile Home’ earlier this year. The lyrics on this album are mostly in English; the songs are of a more reflective, instrumentally

stripped-down type than Kila’s work.

O’Snodaigh says of his solo work, “It’s got a more isolated atmosphere. It’s more personal.”

There is a similar difference between his writing in English and Irish, “I use different parts of myself, of the motor in my brain. Sometimes the more romancy things I express better in English, and the inner workings of myself I express better in Irish maybe.”

With several collections of poetry published, he also identifies a difference between writing songs and writing poems, “In poetry, you leave in the extra verses, in songs you leave them out. That’s something I’ve been learning very gradually. In poetry you leave in the extras, because in song the tune, or the mood, or whatever, will point the way and fill in the dots.”

It is no wonder that O’Snodaigh manages to combine so many elements in his work without becoming confused about his identity: he is clearly averse to the notion of latching-on to a particular identity, or prostituting his identity by selling himself as an old-time Irish traditionalist.

What he says he wants for the people who are touched by his marriage of old and new, Irish and international, is “to be proud of who they are and what they’ve got.”

myspace artist of the fortnight Semifinalists

Sat Apr 7 Jape Whelans Neosupervital, Barry Redsettaz Pod/Crawdaddy Aslan Olympia Phillippe Zadar (Cassius DJ Set) TBMC Ronan Gilfoyle Project Arts Centre

www.myspace.com/ semifinalists

Sun Apr 8 Kate Nash Whelans Hot Chip, Bugz In The Attic, Dj Mehdi Pod/Crawdaddy Sven Vath & Richie Hawtin Tripod Thu Apr 12 Declan O’Rourke Scott Logan, Magnetize Fri Apr 13 Madeleine Peyroux London Elektricity

Helix Wax Olympia Rogue

Sat Apr 14 Joanna Newsome Olympia The Immediate TBMC Peter Bjorn and John Tripod Chris Liebing, Brian Sanhaji TBMC Stagger Lee, JJ Rolph, Melodee Pod/Crawdaddy Sun Apr 15 Joan as Policewoman Messiah J & the Expert

Tripod Crawdaddy

Mon Apr 16 Pop Levi

Crawdaddy

Coming Soon: Crawdaddy plays host to Neosupervital (Saturday April 7th) and Hot Chip (Above - Sunday April 8th)

Semifinalists,— based in London —play rich melodic pop-music slightly left field of the standard. Their sound is fuller than might be expected of a three-piece band, owing to the eclectic variety of instrumentation, electronics, styles and sound effects they employ.

Fans of the Flaming Lips, the Postal Service or the Go! Team will no doubt find a similarity in certain aspects of the production and composition.

That familiar, lo-fi, crashing drum sound coupled with an evocative use of lyrics, melody and sound effects and an always exciting ability to change register mid-song and experiment with effects and tempos no doubt earns them a place amongst those newest innovators in twee pop-rock.

Nonetheless, Semifinalists bring a sweet-yetfragile, sentimental-yet-optimistic tone to their music that eludes identification with their aural siblings. The real beauty of the music lies in their

signature penchant for engaging a wide range of registers in single songs.

Nothing exemplifies this better than the brilliant You Said. The seamless changes in melody, tone, instruments and tempo slip by without any kind of notice. There are very few instruments as expressive as the synthesized organ sound that introduces Adriana’s sweet, slow ballad, just before the drums kick in and the song takes on a completely different sound of Smashing Pumpkins proportions before slowing back into the sentimental refrain ‘I wanted to tell you still/I probably never will/From death and resign’, repeated into a climactic finale.

This is the kind of music that should help slip us all into a more subdued, pensive mode of thought that is conducive to studying. It bears thinking about next time you’re browsing instead of doing that essay or downloading lecture notes.

Ronan Dempsey

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UCD Fashion

This year’s UCD Arts Fashion Show was a runaway success with many dazzling collections on display, writes Caitrina Co

It was a night for all to remember as one hundred and twenty stunning UCD students strutted their stuff on the catwalk at the 21ST UCD Arts Fashion Show in the Point Depot on Friday March 23rd.

The atmosphere was electric as model after willowy model emerged, wearing the newest creations of international designers such as Joanne Hynes and Karen Millen. As the largest student fashion event in Europe, the UCD fashion show will be donating all proceeds to the Irish Down Syndrome Centre.

After last year’s disastrous cancellation, expectations were high for this year’s events and they were not disappointed. Grainne Seoige presented the show with her usual charm and proceedings ran without a hitch - a thoroughly professional effort from organisers. With live music from The Revs and Meteor Award winners Director, the 3,000 strong crowd was entertained from start to finish. The dance routines were impressive and helped to set the mood for the spectacles yet to come.

With a shortlist of six female models and six male models, the suspense in the air was palpable, with many audience members cheering their friends on as they journeyed down the catwalk.

The show opened with the Spring/Summer John Rocha collection; a floaty, feminine extravaganza with soft pearly greys and pinks dominating the colour palette. Layering was key, with a hint of the futuristic trend seen in the silver metallics and chunky platform shoes. The models were graceful and poised and any nervousness they were feeling was completely disguised under a veneer or profeissionalism.

To the bass beat of the pounding rock music, each unique collection was unveiled. After John Rocha came hight street hero TopShop with a modern collection - high waisted jeans making an appearance teamed with check shirts. Large bags were prominantly featured and the models marched confidently down the catwalk in impossibly high wedge heels. The mini-dress will remain an essential wardrobe staple seen here adorned with large feminine bows.

The boys were not forgotten - blazers, waistcoats and skinny jeans were the order of the day, with baggy cardigans and cricket jumpers

Fashion Spectacular: (Clockwise from above) Posing for the press, John Rocha, BT2, J Hilfiger and Urban Outifitters

making a comeback. Colours were monchrome and futuristic.

Juicy Couture made its appearance next and the colours were brash and poptastic - bubblegum pink and yellow tracksuits, pink Ugg boots and denim shorts were all part of the upbeat, girly collection. There was a suggestion of the nautical with blue and white stripes and sailor jackets contributing to the fabulous exhibition.

High-street giant Zara was more grownup with strong oranges, greens and yellows dazzling the eye of the beholder.

Retro prints were a feature of this innovative collection and there was an elegance that had been missing from the previous designers. Most memorable was a stunning canary-yellow tiered mini dress in a silky material that stole the show for this high-street designer.

The Irish Down Syndrome Centre is a worthy recipient of the fundraising event and all money raised will go towards the establishment of Ireland’s first centre which will provide specific medical and developmental services to people with Down syndrome from birth.

Down Syndrome Ireland’s goal is to help people with Down syndrome make their own futures as bright and independent as possible by providing them with education, support and friendship every step of the way.

Audience members were asked to vote by text message for Female/Male Model of the Year from a shortlist of twelve. Winner of the female Model of the Year award was first year medicine student Lynda Corrigan, from Blackrock and Zac Jordan, a second year economics student from Dublin won the Male Model of the Year. Both will receive a one year contract with Assets modelling agency, following in the footsteps of former UCD students Rosanna Davison and Roz Lipsett.

Lynda Corrigan spoke to the College Tribune about her feelings on the night, “I

was so suprised that I won the competition and obviously so delighted. The fashion show is a great experience and everybody put in so much work to make it a brilliant show.

“I’d definitely recommend taking part to anyone, it was an amazing night and a great way to meet loads of new people.”

International fashion designer Peter O’Brien took to the stage towards the end of the night to announce the winner of the Fashion Designer of the Year Award.

Ten design students from colleges across Ireland exhibited their novel creations on the catwalk, eliciting gasps of surprise and admiration from the audience. There were plaid suits, sophisticated dresses and matrix-style floor length coats - all part of an eclectic exhibition that heralded great things for the future of Irish fashion.

Aisling Owens from the National College of Art and Design was announced as the winner and the audience was treated to another look at her gorgeous creation - a long black dress with intricate metallic detail. Her prize is a month’s work experience with Irish fashion house Quin and Donnelly, a launching pad for any young designer hoping to make it big.

The remainder of the show was given to the rest of the fashion collections with the general mood being a mixture of fun and sophistication. High street shops A/wear, Urban Outfitters and BT2 provided fresh and funky collections with a festival feel, combining vibrant colour palettes with bold prints and a touch of floral.

Throughout the night; dresses were a key element of all collections - mini-dresses, full-length floor-sweeping gowns with geometric prints, empire-line dresses and floral pinafores.

Irish designer Joanne Hynes’ collection was a beautiful melange of soft, floaty dresses in billowing, layered fabrics. The attention to detail here was breath taking and ultimately the range was chic and

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Fashion

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uicy Coulture, Tommy

adylike. Her wide-leg trousers were pitome of graceful, urban elegance, d with wedge platforms and a silk . se of Fraser, Tommy Hilfiger and nts took a fresh perspective on the trends, incorporating metallics and autical style with an emphasis on s. aniser Sheila Campbell spoke about mosphere on the night and the efat was being sought, “The goal was hlight the different approach of each er and I think we accomplished that well. We had no announcer, it was obvious what each collection was e whole effect was very pared down a minimalist look that worked very om the audience’s point of view. ’re trying to get away from the idea me these days. In the past we’ve ntrated on themes but Catherine ll, our stylist, is a professional and as sure that her show would be so that we wouldn’t need a theme. So cided to keep it very simple with a catwalk and very effective lighting. ving the bands and the dance roukept the audience’s interest and perwe’ll stick to that as a formula that The emphasis was firmly on fashion ar, the musical aspect was pure ennment.” ormances by Irish bands The Revs irector provided the finishing touch reat night of entertainment. There uge excitement when Director took stage, with fans demanding more at d of the short set. To the backdrop r most well-known song ‘Reconnect’, own Thomas collection couldn’t but the audience.

UCD Fashion Show was a huge sucnd a testament to the hard work of olved. A triumph for Irish fashion with well-deserved publicity and funding wn Syndrome Ireland.

3rd April 2007

7

Health

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3rd April 2007

things to know about food

Heather Landy takes us on a crash course through the recent developments in nutrition and examines some healthy options for students

Carbohydrates versus Fat New research into nutrition has suggested that fatty foods may no longer be the number one villain of the food groups. Sugar has taken its place as something to avoid as much as possible.

Studies have shown that carbohydrates convert to sugar and that refined foods such as white bread, white flour and white rice

have very little nutritional benefits. Experts suggest that we avoid all refined products, focusing instead on whole-grain brown breads, wholemeal flour and brown rice which contain much less sugar and more fibre. The sugar in starch can also be addictive which is why eating sugary snacks can lead to cravings later on.

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College Tribune

Omega 3 Fish Oils

Diets Crash diets are a waste of effort and can be detrimental to your health. Although many of us might be tempted to diet if we are preparing to fit into that dress for the gala ball, doing so can lead to poor reaction times and affect your concentration. Starving your body prompts it to slow down your metabolism, ironically making it more difficult to lose weight. Eating healthily and exercising regularly is a far better method of getting in shape.

Fruit and vegetables aren’t the only food group we should consider. How many times a week do you eat fish? If you’re anything like the average Irish person, the answer will be not many. Recent studies have shown that not enough young people are eating enough oily fish, which is a source of Omega three fish oils- food for our brain.

Oily fish such as mackerel and salmon are good sources of fish oils and if fish is not your thing, there are supplements available in tablet form. Fish oils can improve the condition of your hair and skin and can keep your brain functioning smoothly during study.

Chocolate is good for you Yes, you read correctly, it is not too good to be true. A recent study conducted by experts in the USA and the UK has highlighted the positive health benefits that eating small amounts of chocolate can have.

Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content is rich in B vitamins and tryptophans (amino acids that trigger production of serotonin which induces a feel

good feeling). Dark chocolate is low in sugar and fat, making it the perfect snack to revive flagging spirits during study breaks. With Easter looming, make sure your Easter egg is made of dark chocolate and avoid the guilty feelings.

Breakfast It is important that we all eat a good healthy and solid breakfast that is both nutritious and filling. You’ve heard it all before but a breakfast does start you off for the day.

A healthy breakfast influences our performance during the day both physically and mentally and eating a bowl of porridge or two slices of whole-grain toast in the morning will keep your energy levels high until lunch. Drinking fruit juice will start you on the way to reaching the recommended five portions of fruit a day.

Benefits of Red Wine

Dr. Atkins Was Dr Atkins a victim of his own success? The creator of the well-known “Atkins Diet" was the subject of much controversy when it was claimed by the media that he was obese at the time of his death.

Dr Atkins endorsed an eating plan that eliminated carbohydrates from the diet and focused instead on fruit, vegetables and protein. By cutting foods such as breads, pasta, potatoes and rice out of their diet, followers of the eating plan experienced dramatic weight loss and many famous celebrities initially praised the diet.

However some nutritionists have spoken out against the plan, claiming that Atkins followers consume too much fat and that the diet is dangerous. The family of Dr Atkins have firmly denied any claims that Atkins was overweight at the time of his death or that his death was due to the contentious diet.

Irish clinical nutritionist Aveen Bannon explains the benefits of choosing a Cabernet over a Chardonnay when you fancy a drink. “In those who consume moderate amounts of alcohol (an average of one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women) the incidence of heart

disease is lower than in non-drinkers.

Many link these benefits to red wine although it is not exclusive to red wine.”

Red wines contain flavonoids which can benefit the heart when consumed in small quantities. Research has suggested that red wine can increase the level of good cholesterol in the blood but experts recommend that despite the positive advantages, people should restrict their consumption to less than twenty-one units per week for men and less than fourteen units for women.

Exam time tips With exam time ever looming it is essential for students to be eating the right foods and to avoid the salty and sugary snacks that can be so tempting when stress is in the air.

Eating a breakfast that is full of fibre is essential because it means that glucose is slowly released into the body, sustaining your energy for longer. For example a wholegrain cereal with milk and a glass of orange juice is

a perfect start to the day.

If you get hungry during the day, opt for a piece of fruit or dried nuts, or even popcorn as an alternative to junk food. Cut down on excessive amounts of coffee if possible as caffeine can affect your concentration negatively in the long run. Instead choose natural fruit juice or tea.

For lunch avoid the chipper and opt for

Spice up your sex life According to experts, eating certain foods can improve your sex life. Dr. Barbara Bartlik of Weill Cornell Medical Centre says that foods such as salmon and mackerel are high in omega-3 oils which help both your circulatory and nervous systems. “Omega-3 makes your nervous system function better," she declares, “Sex is really about circuitry."

Oatmeal, peanuts, green vegetables, ginseng, seeds, and garlic are foods rich in Larginine, something which improves sexual function in men. Oysters are a good choice on a romantic night out as they are loaded with zinc as well as other minerals essential for kicking a sex drive into high gear. Zinc influences the production of testosterone.

The Hungry Years Journalist William Leith is the author of The Hungry Years, the best-selling true story that recounts his life-long battle with an addiction to food. He comments on the rising levels of obesity in society: “It’s easy to get fat in our society because we are surrounded by products which don’t quite satisfy us, products which have a built-in ‘moreish’ quality to them. I mean, snacks, which actually make you hungry, are a sort of culinary pornography — like porn, they are advertisements for themselves.

“I learned that our culture is all about making people feel insecure and needy, so that they become better consumers. And after I’d thought about it for a while, I realised that this was not some grand conspiracy, but a form of Darwinism. Like animals, products adapt to the market. The things that do well are the things that leave you wanting more.”

Fashion

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9

Taking Care of Himself Caitrina Cody explores the difficult world of male grooming and examines some of the current fashion trends that are making their way off the catwalk The average male would most likely deny any interest in beauty products or grooming but times are changing.

With uber-male Clive Owen as the new face of the Lancome advertising campaign, there is no longer any reason for guys to ignore the world of grooming. Owen is as male as they come but is completely comfortable admitting to the world that he likes to take care of himself.

A Lancome spokesperson commented on the rugged star and his new venture into the world of beauty products. “The company thinks he’s fabulous, he’s very manly looking. He’s getting a giant fee but the men’s skincare market is exploding. Suddenly it’s become OK for real men to care about how they look.”

Taking proper care of your skin, hair and nails is important if you want to look your best. There’s no point in investing in expensive clothes if you’re going to ruin your image with grimy,

jagged nails and calloused hands.

There are numerous skincare ranges available exclusively for men to suit all needs- sensitive skin, normal skin, oily skin and acne prone skin.

Be careful to use only products suitable to your skin-type as the wrong product can aggravate existing skin problems.

Some suggestions: w Sensitive skin: For shaving, try a gel instead of a cream. Follow up with an aftershave balm that has a little sun protection for your daily walkabouts. Bathe with a glycerine soap bar and avoid fragrances. Discontinue your use of any product if you experience redness or itching. w Normal skin: Requires only a minimal routine. Use a daily cleansetone-moisturize routine for your face and a wash-scrub-spray for the rest of your body. wOily skin: Try a glycolic facial cleanser, followed by an astringent and an oil free face lotion every morning after you shower. Use an oil-free body cleansing gel when you bathe. Avoid cheap mass-market soaps. Scrub every other day and mask at least once a week. w Acne-prone skin: Avoid touching acne blemishes. Wash your face twice daily with a mild cleanser and pat dry. Clearasil have a range of products designed to treat problem skin so experiment with these to find the one that works best for you.

Avoid scrubs as these can worsen existing blemishes.

Hands and nails are an ex t re m e ly important part of

your body as they are always on show and can help to create a good impression (or a bad one).

Some guys will enjoy manicures as a relaxing method of keeping your nails trimmed and free of grime but they are not strictly necessary.

Thorough scrubbing with a nail brush should help to eliminate all dirt and a regular application of hand cream should keep the cuticles in good order. Keep your nails short and smooth and your hands moisturised and make a good impression the next time you shake someone’s hand.

Your hair is part of your identity and as such it must be treated with respect. As with skin, everyone’s hair is different and knowing what to feed your hair is essential to keep it looking its best. For dry scalps there are a range of suitable products on the market, ranging from Head & Shoulders to the medicated treatments for dandruff. These treatments can be quite rough on hair, many containing tar, so use in moderation.

For hair that is prone to greasiness, the appropriate shampoo should help to keep it from looking stringy and conditioner should be used rarely. On the other hand, hair that is dry and brittle needs a regular application of moisturising conditioner and one that preferably contains aloe vera or plant extracts.

There are a plethora of gels, waxes and clays on the market, all designed to keep your hair looking the way you want it for as long as possible. Don’t overload your hair with these products however- you should be able to run your hand through your hair without it getting too sticky. The less you use, the more low-maintenance and effortless you’re hairstyle will look.

So you’ve sorted out your skincare routine, given yourself a manicure and

IN

New Kings of Leon Album The much anticipated third album has finally hit the shops and here’s hoping that ‘Because of the Times’ will be as brilliant as their previous offerings.

nourished your hair….now what are you going to wear?

Try to avoid slavishly following fashion trends and be careful to only adopt new styles that will suit you and your personality. Most importantly, don’t let your clothes wear you.

The UCD Fashion Show highlighted several very key trends for guys to be aware of. Making a comeback this season is the cardigan - no longer to be monopolised by women and grandfathers.

They were seen on the catwalks with large buttons in an oversized baggy style and worn with straight leg jeans and vibrantly coloured t-shirts.

Cricket jumpers made an appearance in primarily neutral colours as did waistcoats in black, worn in a casual style over vintage t-shirts.

The spring/summer styles are quite diverse, incorporating elements of the futuristic trends with an emphasis on monochromatic colours so the freedom is there to experiment with anything that catches your eye.

This spring turn over a new leaf and show the world a new you. First impressions are everything so don’t let the opportunity pass by to make a good one. Follow the example of Clive Owen and embrace your inner style icon.

"Your hair is part of your identity and as such it must be treated with respect"

Wacky bags There’s no excuse

for sporting a boring handbag - log onto www. americaninventorspot.com and take a look at their delightful bags designed to look like keyboards, severed heads and crocodiles.

Mellow yellow Yellow is the colour du

jour-pale lemon, mustard and banana shades will be everywhere this summer

Minidresses Time to cover your legs

again as the maxi dress comes into vogue this spring.

Put away the mini-dresses until next year folks.

Christiano Ronaldo

The size of his ego is only matched by the size of the massive diamond stud in his ear. Roy Keane’s success as Sunderland manager makes him man of the fortnight.

Ballet Slippers

A tragedy for those who hate heels....unfortunately the ballet slippers’ days are numbered. This is one fashion dictate that may have to be ignored.

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3rd April 2007

Film

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Another stri

Totally Pointless Remakes can be cool. Of late we have seen major remakes of several films which could be made ‘better' in some ways by our increased technological capabilities.

Take King Kong for example, now irrational and absolutely understandable love for the older version aside, this movie's beast was far more kongish than the original puppet. While, the special effects of the older may have been sufficient for them, we live in a more demanding society than that of our parents, and it's harder to impress us. So, there is a logical reason for the remaking of certain movies. For example, classic oldies like The Italian Job create an obvious attraction for a second run.

What we have with The Good German is a useless remake. Now strictly speaking it shouldn't be called a remake in that you will find no older version. What you will find however, is a million old movies which are astoundingly similar to it.

The dark seedy detective movies of yesteryear had their audience, so let's not argue about their merits. The problem is that the environment in which these films flourished is gone. You just won't find a Spencer Tracey today.

He'd be laughed at by our new age women, and he'd do well to find a bar without neon lights to provide him with a suitable place to stupor.

So, what has director Steven Soderbergh done with this latest project of his? Absolutely nothing; he's made a dark seedy detective movie set in post-war Germany, which should have been made in post-war Hollywood. Sure, people like these films, but let them watch the ones made when the environment was there to give them credibility.

One thing which could be argued is that people like to see faces they know, and this gives detec-

the good german

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tive movie fans a chance to catch one of their beloved flicks with George Clooney, Cate Blanchette, and Tobey Maguire. The weight of this argument is lost in the chosen personnel, none of whom are recognised as contemporary outstanding actors. They do alright, but they don't have the credibility to add anything to the movies genre.

In the film, we follow the adventure of a journalist, Jake Geismar (Clooney) as he investigates the death of poor Patrick Tully - a young audacious American soldier (Maguire). It's the typical twist a minute, with the inclusion of Geismar's former assistance from before the war, Lena Brandt (Blanchette), who is now a prostitute.

Throw in a husband-in-hiding with the capacity to make an atomic bomb, a few communists, and a friendly Scottish barman who's always willing to point our hero in the right direction into the mix and you've got ‘The Good German', and about fifty thousand other movies. For all this dissension, it must be admitted that the film does exactly what it says on the tin, and in that regard it's not a bad effort.

Another positive here, is the refreshing objectivity we see. The Communist general is efficient to, and perhaps beyond, the point of callousness, but he's also human.

And the American institutions in Berlin are shown to be corrupt outlets of a corrupt core, which will do just as much to win as their enemies will.

Ultimately, these positives don't make it enough to recommend The Good German to the general cinema goer, but if you like detective movies, why not.

Barra O'Fianail

Has Bean?

In his final outing as Mr Bean, Ron Atkinson has paid homage to his original inspiration for the character, a 1954 movie, Jacques Tati’s ‘Mr. Hulot’s Holiday’.

That film centred around a mute, childish character and ‘Mr Bean’s Holiday’ tells of the adventure of a similar man we have all come to now, and in some cases love.

In his second big screen outing following 1997’s surprisingly successful ‘Bean’, our unfortunate hero takes a holiday to the French Riviera. Not an altogether disastrous prospect for most people, but for Bean, it spells disaster.

Although to be fair, he seems to have quite the eventful and mishap filled life whatever the setting.

What we have here is a feature lenght movie made up of home video-like accidents, the same as Bean always offers us. There is no great divergence from the proven method that has made Atkinson’s muppet an international star.

So are we happy?

Well, the bottom line is that home videos are funny, especially when they’re caused by the mind boggling

stupidity of another human being. The question as to whether you can watch clips of them for the length of a movie is a personal one. People who like the old television series, and in particular the first film, can’t really go wrong here.

However, if you’re looking for any originality, ‘Bean with a twist’, you won’t find it. If you don’t like Mr Bean, don’t go to see his film. Pretty logical really.

So should we berate Atkinson for trying to wring every penny out of the

mr. bean’s holiday

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same old formula and not offering us anything new. No, because it’s been ten long years since his last big screen outing, and since this is promised to be his last, it’s not exactly flogging a dead horse.

You may expect this film, our fond farewell to an international hero, to hit it big at the box offices again because ultimately, although it may not be the best reflection on the human race, we love Mr Bean.

Barra O'Fianail

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Film

3rd April 2007

11

ing to Ferrell’s bow Cian Taafe examines the credentials of the cast in Will Ferrell’s new film ‘Blades of Glory’ Will Ferrell and Jon Heder join forces in the latest comedy from directors Josh Gordon and Will Speck to bring us the ninety minutes of pure genius that is, Blades Of Glory.

Heder made his acting debut as Napoleon in ‘Napoleon Dynamite’, the 2004 film from Jared Hess, which has already achieved cult classic status from critics all over the world. The film took the world by storm with its classic one liners and its retro-styled plot, but without Heder, the film could never have been so successful.

The greatest thing about Dynamite is that there is no apparent storyline throughout the film, it is merely an array of random scenes meshed together; but this appealed to the fans, as it is one film where they are not required to keep up with the plot nor are they required to figure out the deeper meaning of the film, since there is none.

Since Napoleon Dynamite, Heder’s charisma and charm have been wasted on many cringeworthy movies. Just Like Heaven (Mark Waters, 2005), a romantic comedy also starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo, sees Heder playing the character of Darryl, a Zen-like psychic. Heder’s acting in Just Like Heaven is commendable, but the storyline is ridiculous.

School For Scoundrels (Todd Phillips, 2006) had Heder in the lead role as Roger, a mid-twenties man lacking in self-confidence, and despite Billy Bob Thornton also playing a lead in the film, it should be avoided at all costs. It didn’t do Heder or Thornton’s careers any favours. Then came The Benchwarmers (Dennis Dugan, 2006) that, although bearable as a film, still doesn’t show Heder at his full potential.

Will Ferrell’s movie CV has been far more colourful than Heder’s, possibly because he is a member of the infamous ‘Frat Pack’, a group of actors who are well known for working alongside each other in many new era comedy movies.

It includes the well-known actors: Jack Black (Envy), Ben Stiller (Zoolander), Vince Vaughn (Old School), Luke Wilson (The Royal Tennenbaums), Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers) and Steve Carell (The 40-Year-Old Virgin).

In Zoolander we saw the relatively unknown Ferrell play the evil character of Mugatu and do so magnificently. Old School saw Ferrell take the lead as Frank “The Tank” Ricard and he is teamed up with Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn in this gagfilled classic.

Elf (Jon Favreau, 2003) sees Ferrell take the lead yet again, this time as one of San-

"Ferrell's character Ron Burgundy will be remembered for a long time, just as Heder's character, Napoleon Dynamite will not be forgotten anytime soon"

Predictable horror the messengers

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The Solomon family — mom (Penelope Ann Miller), dad (Dylan McDermott), sixteenyear-old Jess (Kristen Stewart) and three year old Ben (Evan and Theodore Turner) — move to rural North Dakota to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Bad move number one.

They move into an old farmhouse. Bad move number two. They don’t let a priest give the place a good going over to check it out for any sort of haunting and what not.

Bad move number three.

So the Solomon’s only really have themselves to blame when their children, with their unwanted gifts of youthful eyes, begin to have encounters with bloodless limbs of one sort of another.

Even then, the parents refuse to have their ‘dream’ move ruined by what they see as their imaginative children. And even after the hospitalisation of their daughter, they look for an alternative answer to the obvious and correct one; bad things have happened in this house and it is now occupied by the undead.

Idiots.

Anther seemingly shocking decision by the family however, brings one of the films highlights. When John Corbett - that guy out of Sex and the City and My Big Fat Greek Wedding - randomly shows up wielding a shotgun, the father does what any rational moron would do; he invites him to stay with the family. Annoying as Corbett ordinarily is, he’s the only memorable character the film has to offer.

Another major positive of this movie is Stewart, who you might remember for playing Jodie Foster’s daughter in Panic Room.

Despite playing a very predictable role, she impresses again and would appear to be developing into a credible Hollywood actress.

The rest of the cast is not worth mentioning.

Hong Kong’s Pang brothers Danny and Oxide do a good job at keeping the imminent threat of a scary limb coming from somewhere out of shot. This will keep those of us with a less than firm disposition on edge but I’m afraid it has little new or effective to offer horror veterans.

Barra O'Fianail

ta’s elves, Buddy, but when Buddy realises he isn’t a real elf, merely an adopted one, he goes to New York in search of his father, with hilarious results. Elf is considered one of Ferrell’s best movies.

Will Ferrell has, however, sold out at times and agreed to star in some mindblowingly boring films such as The Producers (Susan Stroman, 2005) and Bewitched (Nora Ephron, 2005).

But of all his films, none have been as well received as Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy (Adam McKay, 2004).

Ferrell plays the lead role and with the help of Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and Vince Vaughn, Anchorman is possibly the most memorable comedy of the twentyfirst century, because of its outrageous humour and well-written script.

Ferrell’s character Ron Burgundy will be remembered for a long time, just as Heder’s character, Napoleon Dynamite will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Since Dynamite and Anchorman, Heder and Ferrell have not starred in any films worthy enough to be compared to those works of genius. Until now, Blades Of Glory gives us the Heder and Ferrell that we all know and love and the partnership of the two actors is reminiscent of Jim Car-

rey and Jeff Daniels in Dumb and Dumber or Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in Shaun Of The Dead (Edgar Wright, 2004).

Blades Of Glory is the story of two Olympic male ice skaters, Jimmy MacElroy (Heder) and Chazz Michael Michaels (Ferrell). Jimmy and Chazz have nothing in common, except for the fact that they are both figure skaters, and the two absolutely despise each other.

Jimmy, adopted son of a millionaire, has had everything he has needed to become an Olympic skater, including the best coaches possible. But something he’s never really had was someone who loved him, and his social skills are consequently lacking.

Chazz on the other hand is a self-proclaimed loner, who has no need for coaches, he teaches himself and he works alone, plus he’s a sexaholic and an alcoholic to boot. He’s loud and obnoxious; unlike Jimmy who is quiet and mannerly.

Jimmy and Chazz are archenemies, but after an incident that means the two of them can never compete as single skaters again, they must join forces and compete as a team in the doubles competitions, making them the first male-male figure skating duo ever. That’s just funny.

Jimmy and Chazz must become friends and work together in order to defeat Stranz Van Waldenburg (Will Arnett) and Fairchild Van Waldenburg (Amy Poehler) in the figure skating championships and win the Gold medals that they have always longed for.

Blades Of Glory gives both Napoleon Dynamite and Anchorman a run for their money and is a must see movie for all Jon Heder or Will Ferrell fans.

12

BBooookkss

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Poetry Politics 3rd April 2007

College Tribune

&

Barra Ò Fianail explores the many messages of Booker Prize winning novelist and political activist, Arundhati Roy Emily Bronte wrote only one novel. It wasn’t bad. The same is true of Harper Lee, and her single work has also received a reasonable amount of critical acclaim.

And then in this great line of female authors, who, for whatever reason, don’t bother with a second work, came Arundhati Roy. To continue the gross understatements; her 1997 booker prize winning novel, ‘The God of Small Things’, wasn’t bad either. The semi-autobiographical piece details the progression of several generations of a Christian family in the Southern Indian state of Kerela, where Roy herself spent her youth.

This family tree is intermingled, in alternate chapters, with the story of the family’s two latest additions, the two-egg twins Estha and Rahel, and the tragedy of their young lives, in the form of the accidental death by drowning of a visiting English cousin.

So then why should it be counted among the great novels of Lee and Bronte? The book’s merits are as varied as an Argos catalogue. From an understanding of Indian culture to an insightful glimpse into the inner workings of the psyche of human beings, Roy’s novel has a lot to offer.

More importantly, everything this book attempts to do, it does with an unparalleled poetic brilliance that has seen Roy recognised as a toweringly powerful intellect. As the Booker Prize citation put it, “the book keeps all the promises it makes”.

The use of the words ‘unparalleled’, ‘poetic’ and ‘brilliance’ is of course quite easy. Whereas, to convey their truth is far more difficult. One could of course quote the work extensively, reprinting lines such as the one used by Roy to describe the atmosphere when her Indian Uncle meets his beloved English ex-wife and (for the first

The Novelist time) his daughter shortly after they have lost the man they both loved. As Roy puts it, “The air was full of Thoughts and Things to Say. But at times like these only the Small Things are ever said. The Big Things lurk unsaid inside.”

Roy’s English is a strange mix of impeccable and foreign, which gives the books language an element of exoticism and bite, as well as giving Roy a poetic licence to explore the lives and feelings of her characters without the restraints of grammatical correctness.

Roy tells us how the novel’s central protagonists; the twins, had a mother, who although relatively young when she passed away, was after all of a “viable, dieable age”.

“Dieable” not previously being available as a word, but created by Roy so as not to have to taint, with correct but inaccurate language, her sentiment. As she puts it, “Language is a very reflexive thing for me. I don’t know the rules, so I don’t know if I’ve broken them.”

This language allows her to shed on the beautifully intimate, yet never sentimental relationship between the twins. “Esthappen and Rahel thought of themselves together as Me, and separately, individually as We or Us. As though they were a rare breed of Siamese twins, physically separate, but with joint identities… Rahel has a memory of waking up one night giggling at Estha’s funny dream…She has other memories too that she has no right to have.”

Roy’s use of little one line metaphors, often inappropriately humorous, and always poignantly powerful, are speckled like gold dust throughout the novel, and perhaps it is those that bring Roy’s genius home to the

reader most effectively, from the plethora of geniuses which the book contains.

Roy describes the twins’ mother, as fiercely as independent woman as she was a loving mother, “Ammu was an unmixable mix. The infinite tenderness of motherhood and the reckless rage of a suicide bomber”.

And she explains the influx of Western religion into Southern India thus; “Christianity arrived in a boat and seeped into Kerala like tea from a tea bag”.

The book also takes places in three different chronological narratives, which Roy plays with in order to reveal the relevant family history, the actual tragedy, and it’s long term effects side by side, as oppose to following any traditional rules of time.

Another obviously attractive element of the book is the insight it gives into certain elements of Indian society, and in particular the caste system that pens certain groups in society into poverty, servitude and maltreatment. One of the key characters is an ‘untouchable’, the lowest group in India’s outlawed class system.

We learn how his forefathers, when leaving the property of the ‘touchables’ were forced to crawl backwards and remove any of their footmarks which might have stained the property of their superiors. The revolutionary communist politics that was supposed to provide an answer to the Poor’s problems provides a dynamic backdrop to much of our story, emphasising the tense movement towards changes that was moving through India at the time.

As Roy herself states however, ‘The God of Small Things’ isn’t a book about India or Indian People, it’s about human beings and how the deal with their interaction with what the World forces upon them. The books themes are universal, India is merely the setting.

Unlike her fellow writers, Lee and Bronte, Roy has, if anything, become more prominent for her post-writing career than she was for her book.

She plays down it’s significance, “Four thousand six hundred million years old the earth is... so what does it matter what they say about my book?”

She has become one of the most prominent political activists of our time; highlighting issues that effect her fellow Indians in their country, as well as being very critical of our “corporate media driven, capitalist, neocolonial” world.

Her simple elegance has provided a bright light for many of those disillusioned with the way our world is going, with what they would call the absence of any real democracy in our world.

Her intellect has allowed her to map out the contradictions in American foreign policies, and provide a direction for the frustration of the masses.

In a world where she feels that the people have lost control, she admits, “I am fighting to remain in control of my own anger. I try to keep my cool, to keep my sanity, to keep my balance. Because once you lose control and allow yourself to feel that impulse of rage you suffer.”

Her speeches, despite humorous droplets of cynicism (such as referring to the American president as ‘George Bush the lesser’) are dominated by poetic logic that offers reason rather that the radicalism that often disillusions people from hardline anti-capitalist movements.

Roy, a trenchant adversary of Nuclear weapons, has proven her moral strength, refusing to leave Delhi when nuclear war between India and Pakistan looked likely.

“The nuclear bomb is the most anti-democratic, anti-national, anti-human, outright evil thing that man has ever made.

“If you are religious; then remember that this bomb is

The Activist

Man’s challenge to God. It’s worded quite simply: We have the power to destroy everything that You have created. If you’re not religious, then look at it this way. This world of ours is four thousand, six hundred million years old. It could end in an afternoon.”

Roy’s opinions can be very divisive and contrary to what we in the West are ‘supposed’ to think. She has publicly praised those who fight against the American soldiers in Iraq and Israeli soldiers in Palestinian, “Ultimately the poor and the beaten and the humiliated have irrational resources of pride and dignity. Like the Palestinians.

Should we hope that the Palestinians will just lie down and die and let Israel occupy their land to end this horrible situation?

That cannot be my hope.”

And she has been criticised for offering only the same tactics of opposition previously advocated, such as refusing to buy the products of blacklisted companies. Ultimately however, she is just one person who feels she is not in a position to change, only to help them do so.

By drawing a clear distinction between governments and peoples, by her controlled anger, and by her powerful reasoning, she has drawn a blueprint for guilt free opposition to injustice.

Roy, in all her works, tells us, “To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance.

To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.”