10 Things I Hate About You – Bianca Stratford

Lately I've been revisiting a bunch of old movies that I obsessively watched as chocolate-loving, tether-ball-playing kid. I watched The Faculty last week and was super-surprised by all of the soon-to-be-famous actors in that movie. Elijah Wood plays a Peter Parker-esque nerd (has a camera and everything). And Jon Stewart plays a science teacher with a very peculiar looking beard. And Robert Rodriguez (indie lord) directed this odd bunch in a sci-fi teen movie about a parasite alien taking over a high school in Ohio. But that's beside the point because this week I re-watch 10 Things I Hate About You, which is, hands down, the best teenage romantic comedy ever. I love it. My favorite part is when Kat and Patrick make-out after a fun and messy game of paintball.

This time around though, I noticed Bianca, who I always thought was super-annoying and childish and selfish and annoying and selfish and not all that pretty. But she is really pretty. I just thought she was so uncool because she thought Joey was cool and that made her ugly to me. But it turns out she's pretty interesting and has a sweet sense of style. It's very Lolita. Her sundresses are fun and flirty and girly. And she's always wearing pearls that make her look sophisticated. Her prom dress is the absolute best and if I could jump into the Back to the Future DeLorean DMC-12, I would go back to my prom with a new dress – her 2-piece pink fluffy dress. She looks like a character in a Katy Perry music video.  

"You should try being nice!"

 

 Super cute moment with Joseph Gordon-Levitt's baby face.

 

This is Bianca Stratford's "Please daddy, let me go to the prom or I'll run away" face. Are you falling for it?

 

And her room is pretty darn cute too. Check out all those bunnies!

 

The best 2-piece prom dress I've ever seen. 

And, BEST SCENE:

Tomorrow my friend and I are shooting a 10 Things I Hate About You-inspired shoot, based on Kat Stratford. I'll be posting those on here soon after.

Girls Is Coming Back To Spice Up Your TV

Girls is coming back to that little box that sits quietly on your stand. My little heart jumped of joy and did some somersaults when I found out. I got the email from my editor earlier today. It said that Lena Dunham's best and Enlightened (which I haven't seen) are both kicking off in January 2013.

Side Note: Isn't it going to be the best start to the new year? By the way, is it already going to be 2013? That's the year the X-men tried to overthrow the Sentinels. The year The Book of Eli is set in! I still can't believe I've been alive for more than two decades. I feel 10... sometimes.

Back to reality – The whole Girls business makes me very happy because the show is really one of the best on TV. Critics, shut up. Just kidding. I love you critics. I'm one of you. But still, shut up. Secretly we're all just jealous of Lena Dunham, I think. She's who we all wanna be when at 26.

Girls can only really compare to one other show on TV – Louis C.K.'s Louie. I once wrote that Louie is Girls for middle-aged, divorced men. My vagina love Louis C.K. because he's funny, Mexican and funny as hell.

I've write two pieces on Girls, one for my Tumblr – boysandvaginas.tumblr.com – basically I just listed a bunch of my favorite moments. You can check that out here if you'd like.

And then I wrote another piece for Unreality Magazine called: Miss Girls? Here Are 15 Movies and Tv Shows You Should Watch In The Meantime

And then I also reviewed Girls' first season for ScreenCrave and you can check out all of reviews at ScreenCrave.com

And in case you haven't seen Girls, it's the girl-version of this:

 

Just kidding, it's a lot funnier. 

Diablo Cody's Jennifer's Body Red Band Trailer

It’s here– the red band trailer for Karyn Kusama’s teen horror film Jennifer’s Body, written by the one and only Diablo Cody. According to Slashfilm, the trailer was suppose to wait until July 10th, where it would debut during the opening previews of Bruno, but 20th Century Fox decided to treat us, and just released the red band trailer, calling it a “filmmaker’s cut” which they think “captures the comedy and scares of the horror films we grew up on.” Personally, I don’t remember growing up watching a hot girl feed off boys, but this is for sure, the trailer is something else.

Take a look at the trailer:

Time for some real chick power! That Diablo Cody is really something. We got some great lines in here already.

Who would have thought that Megan Fox could be so scary? From the trailer, I get that the film is set up to be pretty gory, which is why Fox will most likely be covered in blood like 98 percent of the time. It feels like this teenage, violent-driven film is more than we expected and that’s always good, especially when horror is mixed with comedy, and we know Cody has it in her.

published on screencrave.com on July 7th 2009.

Nylon's Itunes Giveaway

So this isn't officially news, but for your convenience (in case you didn't know), NYLON magazine is giving away 22 free songs with ITunes. The music giveaway ranges from Santigold's electronica tunes to Of Montreal's psychedelic phenomena. Follow the link to download the songs: nylonmag.com

Below is the complete list of songs:

ANJULIE - Boom
CRYSTAL ANTLERS - Andrew
GAY BLADES - O Shot
HEARTS REVOLUTION - Ultraviolence
LaROUX - In For The Kill
LISSY TRULLIE - Self Taught Learner
LITTLE BOOTS - Meddle (Ebola Remix)
MAPEI - Public Enemy
OF MONTREAL - For Our Elegant Caste
PASSION PIT - I've Got Your Number
PHOENIX - 1901
PLASTISCINES - Barcelona
SANTIGOLD - LES Artistes
SPINNERETTE - Ghetto Love
STARDEATH AND WHITEDWARFS - I Can't Get Away
SUCKERS - It Gets Your Body Movin'
THE HORRORS - Sea Within a Sea
THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART - The Tenure Itch
THE SOFT PACK - Bright Side
THUNDERHEIST - Jerk It
TINY MASTERS OF TODAY - Skeletons
WHITE LIES - Death (Crystal Castles Remix)

Hurry because the inspiration date is getting closer-- August 31st.

New Trailers: Spread, 500 Days of Summer, The Stepfather

So basically, here are some new trailers. Spread seems to be another love story about a guy who sleeps his way through life (Ashton Kutcher), and then he meets the one girl who changes him, but she's not that into him. 500 Days of Summer is another love story, but this one seems to be more genuine; Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a lonely guy who falls in love with Summer (Zooey Dechanel), but she doesn't believe in love. And The Stepfather is a thriller starring Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl, who suspects his father is a murderer after he overhears an old lady neighbor tell his mother that she saw a picture of a man who looked like her new husband on America's Most Wanted. The film really reminds me of Disturbia, except I doubt Badgley will do a better job of being the ordinary bad kid turned neighborhood hero, but who knows.

Check them out.

Shutter Island Trailer

Leonardo DiCaprio stars in Martin Scorsese's upcoming thriller Shutter Island. Based on Dennis Lehane's 2003 novel, Shutter Island, the film will revolve around DiCaprio's character as a U.S. marshall who sets out to investigate the disappearance of a patient at a criminally insane hospital on an island in Massachusetts. The film will hit theaters the weekend of October 9th, and let me just tell you, I can't wait. The trailer is intense and, for me, any story focusing on the insane members of the world creeps me out, but it also intrigues me. This film stars DiCaprio and he always seems to go after something worth watching so take a look at the trailer below and see for yourself.

Robotanists at the Echo Curio

The Echo Curio may be the smallest venue to host a show in Los Angeles, but even so, the Robotanists were able to rock the house Wednesday night. As soon as the band started playing people started to dance, and you could feel the musical fusion being created. The stage was surrounded by mock-like christmas lights and colorful lanterns, all of which went off and on to the beat of the music.

Perhaps it was the tiny size that the Echo Curio is that made the guitar, drums, bass, and electronic sounds overpower Sarah Ellquist's hypnotizing vocals because it was hard to listen to the song's words; though, if you're a huge fan, then you probably already know the lyrics and would have been okay, but to the rest of us, it would have been a nice gesture to turn up the mic in order to listen to Ellquist's great vocals. Other than that, the show was golden.

Lead guitarists Daniel de Blanke was quite a surprise. He managed to light up the stage with a few guitar solos that added a sexy feel to the Robotanists performance, not to mention that Ellquist's good looks and sensual dance moves add that much more to the show. The Robotanists were also very friendly; at some point a guy from the audience yelled, "You're awesome!" right when the band was finishing up a song, Ellquist took a sip from her clear bottle and replied, "You're awesome," and went on to what became the shortest conversation, but nonetheless a conversation between the band and audience.

Shortly after the band finished their last song, a bunch of scruffy looking guys (most holding paper bags to cover up their beers and vodka) surrounded Robotanists' band members; I suppose that's the good thing about small venues, you get to do that. The Robotanists were love at first sight; right when the first note was played I knew I would go home and download their CD, I even took home a pink pin with the band's name on it. It will be nice to see the Robotanists play in bigger venues so that more people can appreciate the band.

Published by beatcrave.com on 6/19/09

Minor typos have been corrected on here.

Visit the website for gallery photos.

Never Shout Never: Summer Ep Review

The imagination behind Never Shout Never belongs 18-year-old Christofer Drew from Joplin, Missouri. His upcoming EP The Summer is due to come out on June 23rd. I have to hand it to the youngster, he is a great singer with great lyrics, and even though The Summer may be a bit too alternative/pop for me, it reminded me of my years in High School.

Drew titled his album The Summer for one reason—summer love. Most of his songs are about love. His song Losing It talks about losing the love of his life at the age of sixteen and he asks, “How could she do this to me?” But he’s no heartbreak kid; Drew sings about happiness as well. His song Happy let’s us know that someone makes him “so happy.”

Take a look at Happy live below…

Never Shout Never sounds like Hellogoodbye and Jason Mraz. It has an Island feel to it, with a down-to-earth acoustic guitar to back him up. The songs are heartwarming and story-like, but they are incredible catchy and will make you smile without a doubt.

I remember listening to Metro Station’s song Kelsey a lot during my senior year in High School and feeling so protected and comfortable by it; Drew’s song Hummingbird feels just like that and even though the lyrics are very sad, they are also very hopeful, “you see this world has lots to offer,” and “I’m sure we will go far.”

Click the link below to listen to Hummingbird.

Hummingbird by Never Shout Never

Forrest Kline of Hellogoodbye recorded The Summer EP in January 2009, which might explain the resemblance, but all of the songs are written by brainchild Christopher Drew. Drew started touring in mid-May and is coming to L.A.’s Knitting Factory in June.

published on beatcrave.com
story by Laura (me)

Summer Festival: Glastonbury

If you're anything like me, then one of the reasons you love the summer time is because music festivals overpower the season. Music festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Glastonbury make this hot-icky weather worth it. So what's next on our social calendar? Glastonbury.

Being the world's largest music festival, Glastonbury will proudly feature some memorable performers starting next Friday, June 26th, in the open farmland space in South West England. This year will bring renown musicians like Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, and the return of Blur, to the famous Pyramid stage. Other groundbreaking performers at this year's Glastonbury include Bloc Party, The Prodigy, Franz Ferdinand, Brand New, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (they're everywhere).

But Glastonbury isn't only known for their big headlining artists (past headliners range from the 70s-glamour rock star David Bowie to Radiohead), but also many indie bands from everywhere. This year brings bands like Cold War Kids, Metric, Bat for Lashes, The Virgins, Ladyhawke, Alberta Cross, The View, and The Broken Band Family. Excited yet? We are.

Will 2009 be another re-defining Glastonbury year like 1997 when Radiohead played at the Pyramid Stage Sathurday night after a Friday night of rain and mud? I hope so! But regardless if you are going or not (not everyone can afford a ticket to England and a Glastonbury ticket) you can visit the Glastonbury website for updates and more information.

Lady Gaga on the Rise

Lately I've become overly obsessed with Lady Gaga. I don't know if it's her extremely high self-esteem or that she seems like a walking work of art, but she's good and it doesn't matter what anyone says, whether you enjoy pop or not, I feel, she has the potential to redefine pop music.

Yes, she has crazy style; walking around with pucker black lips and a hair bow the size of an actual human hand, but like one radio host mentioned 'She had pipes!' I listened to an acoustic version of her hit single Pokerface, and I was blown away by the musical ability this 23-year-old New York pop star holds. She knows how to play the piano, sing and she walks around tall because she knows she's good.

Whether you like it or not, Gaga is here for the long run, and this fall she will be touring alongside another great pop artist/rapper Kanye West. Perhaps both hit it off because they openly recognize that their hard work is great work. 

Take a look at some music videos, video interviews and photos of Lady Gaga that I found online below.

Videos

Interview with Today

Radio Station Interview

Interview with Paul O'Grady

music videos

"Paparazzi" 

"Poker Face" Acoustic

Photos

Excuses

I have an internship with YouCrave.com, and I apologize for not writing as often as I used to. Read my stuff here and here.

Metric at the Wiltern

Emily Haines, how could I even begin to explain Ms. Haines? She is vivid, colorful and a flamboyant performer willing to give you as much or even more than you, as an audience, are willing to give her. 

Metric gave an amazing performance Monday night at the Wiltern in Hollywood. They started off with off the night with songs off of their new record Fantasies, but they also favored their beloved fans with songs like Dead Disco, Monster Hospital and Live It Out. 

Haines lead her audience in harmonic choruses as she paraded around the stage in a shiny short dress. She went from left to right, always keeping an equal balance between both sides, and even putting her arm out into the crowd. 

The crowd was no less excited; they jumped up and down and sang along to Metric's old hits as well as their new catchy tunes. 

Haines pulled out her tambourine many times throughout the show, adding a special sound to the Metric's softer songs. But when it was time to dance, Haines and her boys danced and jumped. It is as if Metric fed off of their audiences' excited spirit. 

Overall, Metric rocked the Wiltern and ended with a soft bang; an acoustic version of Live It Out. 

Dr. Dre Debuts 'Detox' In Dr. Pepper Ad

If it feels like forever since Dr. Dre's last album came out, it's because it has been. Dr. Dre's last album 'Dr. Dre 2001' was released in 1999; ten years ago. But our anticipation is for Dre's upcoming (and much delayed) album 'Detox.' Billboard announced today that Dre debuted Shit Popped Off, off of his upcoming album Detox, in an ad for Dr. Pepper. It is only a few seconds of music, but if you are a fan (and I am) you will remember the beat; it is set out to be a masterpiece. 

Take a look at the video below, it is set to air June 1st.

Girl in a coma will release new album trio b.c.

Girl in a coma is a three-way band between Jenn Alva (bass), Phanie Diaz (drums), and Nina Diaz (vocals/guitar); all from San Antonio, Texas. In 2007, the band debuted their first album Both Before I'm Gone, which was a hit among many magazines and music sites. 

If you haven't heard of this raving trio, know that they are amazing. Critics have compared the young Nina Diaz to artist such as Bjork, Patsy Cline, and Morrissey (the band's hero). In October of 2007, the band actually opened for Morrissey after he fired Kristeenyoung. 

The reason I bring them up tonight: Girl In a Coma is releasing their second album, trio b.c., on June 2nd. Excited? YES! Girl in a Coma will visit The Knitting Factory on July 18th.

Links:

Tour Dates

Girl In a Coma website

Girl In a Coma myspace

Gamer Trailer

The title of this thriller is actually Gamer, not game, and it is directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Gerard Butler stars as an inmate. The film is set in the future and it involves a real life video game. Practically, the inmates are the ones being played, and if the pass of the levels they are released early. The trailer hints that there might be a love story involved, but you see for yourself.

Trailer . . .

Children of Invention Trailer

A drama by Tze Chun. The trailer seems heartfelt, and the children seem graceful.

Trailer:

Disney: The Princess and The Frog

A new disney classic will appear in theaters everywhere on December 11th. This time, it is the real story behind the classic tale of the princess and the frog. Alas, a new generation is born.

Trailer:

All he knows.

All he knew is that he did not need Mother's Day to tell his mother that he loved her.

But he went with the flow, solely to please his mother because, to him, she was him, and he was her. 

But after all of the socializing, he came home to sleep. The night before was tiresome- both physically and not. He drank a bit, and danced a bit, but he was no dancing machine anymore. 

"I have become a dull joe," he told a friend. 

"No you haven't," she replied, "you're pretty dynamic."

Those words had never been said to him by anyone. And this person was someone he cared about. There in the presence of the goddess of darkness and booze, he was dynamic. 

[• (of a person) positive in attitude and full of energy and new ideas : she's dynamic and determined.]

He thought those to be the kindest words. The rest of the night was filled with proper social chit chat. You know- music, careers, hearing disorders, and life choices. He was sitting alone on a love sofa when a close friend sat next to him. The friend began talking about the "younger days," (as if they were much older).

"I know you enjoy different things now," the friend said, "but you can't forget your roots."

He knew that his friend had a few too many beers, but he listened closely because he believed that the inebriated told the truth. He knew he enjoyed different things, and that the atmosphere he was currently in was not his ideal. For that same reason, that year he didn't throw a party for himself. He didn't feel like doing what he did, and acting like he use to. 

If he would have acted like before he would of found himself feeling the way he use to- jealous. He learned to hate jealousy, but sometimes he couldn't help it. Booze made him jealous. Booze belittled him; he felt ignored, and emotionally abused. He dared never to judge his friends, but, for now, he knew it was no longer his lifestyle of choice. 

Taking Woodstock Trailer

"Some hippie thing is going to get cancelled unless we find a place for it." Taking Woodstock is a comedy directed by Ang Lee starring Demetri Martin. The only thing i hope is that this film stays loyal to the real Woodstock scenery- nudity. We'll see. Opening June 5, 2009.

Summary: Taking Woodstock is the new film from Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee - and it’s a trip! Based on the memoirs of Elliot Tiber, the comedy stars Demetri Martin as Elliot, who inadvertently played a role in making 1969’s Woodstock Music and Arts Festival into the famed happening it was. Featuring a standout ensemble cast, and songs from a score of ’60s musical icons including The Grateful Dead, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, and Country Joe and the Fish - plus a new recording of “Freedom” from Richie Havens - Taking Woodstock is a joyous voyage to a momen . . . to read more go to apple.com

View trailer:

Whatever Works Trailer

Whatever Works is an upcoming film by Woody Allen, and it seems hilarious, witty, and smart. Opening June 19, 2009.

Enjoy the trailer :