Freshlyground launching their sizzling new album Radio Africa

Our beloved band/group, Freshlyground, just returned from New York where they were shooting their video with Columbian singer Shakira, for the official 2010 FIFA World Cup song, Waka Waka.

Tomorrow night, they are launching their brand new album, Radio Africa, a follow up to the their smashing album Ma’Cheri, released in 2007.  Please see the attached picture for more details about the launch.

Watchmen is set to entertain and provoke your thoughts

Yesterday afternoon I watched a movie called Watchmen and am glad I went into it with no preconceptions about it. When I got to the theatre, I was amazed by the turnout from the media and other players in the industry, which really piqued my interest even more. Zack Snyder, the director of 300 sure knows how to direct those graphic novel features. Watchmen was entertaining, thought-provoking and visually appealing.

The plot revolves around a group of former superheros who, when one of them is killed in cold-blood, regroup to solve the mystery surrounding their former friend’s death. The quest for the truth reveals even more mystery as they come to a realisation that there is more at play than they could have ever imagined. The story was very interesting, full of twists and turns, yet flowing effortlessly, making for riveting viewing. The fashion in which the history between America and US Soviets was very engaging too.

The actors played their parts very well, although at times I felt some acts were overdone (e.g. the woman superhero’s stance whenever she was about to partake on a mission, it was overly dramatic). I enjoyed the choreography very much, which resulted in these very amusing fight sequences. The cinematography also blended very well with the theme and the characters of the movie. Something I also noticed was Patrick Wilson‘s versatality as an actor. I saw him this past Monday on The Passengers, with Anne Hathaway, and his character was totally different. Even his physical looks on Watchmen were vastly different, you could be fooled into thinking it was not the same person.

I believe Watchmen is going to follow in the same footsteps as 300, in terms of success. It’s entertaining and fully packed with action, mystery, reality and some fantasy, as well as great and appeasing visuals. The almost 3 hour length of the movie will not even matter because you are glued to the screen from beginning to end. The energy-packed thriller opens at cinemas nationwide next Friday, 06 March 2009. Be sure to check it out.

In the meantime, please check out the trailer below to get taste of what to expect.

Get your stylish Darkie gear at discounted prices

My boy Ayanda, who looks after the Darkie concept shop in Melville has just informed me that the season-end sale starts this coming Friday. You know we are close to the end of summer and preparing for the colder season, so we gotta clear the stock and make sure we have the winter collections available at the store.

Everything that you will find in the shop, is selling at 25% less. That’s a bargain, even more so since the prices are already reasonable and affordable. Don’t miss out on this opportunity. It’s your chance to be seen donned in the utterly stylish and exclusive Darkie gear that is never, and I repeat, never repeated. Check out the above pic for some of the Darkie menswear that will be on sale.

The 25% Off Sale begins this coming Friday, 27 February 2009, until the stock is all sold. The Darkie concept shop is located on 7th Street in Melville, just next to Nunos restaurant. When you get there, tell them I gave you the tip. Also, for the Capetonians, the same sale started in the Darkie concept shop in Kloof Street in Cape Town this past Monday. Happy shopping!!!

Penelope Cruz puts Spain on the map with an Oscar

In the weeks leading to the Oscars I watched and reviewed some of the movies that were among the favourites for many. I also voiced my opinions on some of the nominees I thought stood a great chance. The results were quite pleasing, although somewhat not suprising. One of those movies that I wrote about was Vicky Christina Barcelona, which won Penelope Cruz her first Oscar ever.

The reason I’m highlighting this, is beacuse Penelope Cruz is the very first Spanish actress to walk away with the golden crown. And with good reason she won too, because she excelled on her role in the latest Woody Allen film. Even though I wanted Teraji P. Henson or Viola Davis to win the Best Supporting Actress gong, I’m content with Penelope Cruz (apparently she is going out with co-star Javier Bardem – second picture above – in real life, an interesting spin on the movie now that I know about that), as she has proved a phenomenal talent, overe and over. I first took notice of her in 2001 when she did Vanilla Sky with Tom Cruise, and have been a fan ever since.

And of course, I have to mention that another of my favourite films this year, Slumdog Millionare, had an impressive run at the Oscars this past Sunday. Walking away with 8 of the 11 trophies the film was nominated for, including Best Motion Picture and Best Directing for Dany Boyle, it was certainly the top ‘dog’. Just this past Friday I also reviewed The Reader, which helped Kate Winslet cling the Best Leading Actress statuette, her very first after so many dry runs. There were many other films that did well, including The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, although I was a bit disappointed it only won 3 out of the record 13 nominations for this year.

I didn’t get to watch the actual show, but I have read and heard about it. What fascinated me about the stories was that the style was upped a bit this year by having past winners (as presenters) read a short profile on each of the nominees in the big categories. I thought that was very classy and such a sincere and commendable gesture. I hope I’ll get to see the show some time to witness that for myself and to see how the performances were (apparently Queen Latifah did a sterling job with hers).

Let’s hope next year will be even bigger and better. I’m looking forward to seeing the films that will be made this year to contest for next year’s Oscars. And I’m certainly hoping South Africa is counted amongst those films.

The Reader makes for compelling viewing.

Over the past few weeks I’ve posted about a number of movies that are amongst the front runners in the upcoming Oscars. We are two days away from the Academy Awards where we will learn which ones take the golden statuettes. Yesterday afternoon I had a pleasure of watching one more movie that stands a very good chance, in a least 2 of the 5 categories it has been nominated in.

The Reader stars Kate Winslet, who was given a double victory when she won Golden Globes for both The Reader as a supporting actress as well as the leading actress on another masterpiece of hers with Titanic co-star Leonardo Di Caprio, Revolutionary Road. Also on the bill is Ralph Fiennes, who has proved time and time again an indisputed talent. The acting from both parties is superb. Even the young actor, David Kross shows us a great deal of talent as the young Michael Berg (played by Fiennes in the older years).

The story was also quite different and refreshing. In summary, Hanna (Winslet) carries on a tumultous affair with a teenager schoolkid, Michael (Kross, and later Fiennes), that end with both parties heartbroken, moreso, the young Michael. They get an opportunity to re-unite later when Hanna stands trial for heinous crimes by the Germans against the Jews, in which Hanna is one of the accused and Mike a law student doing his practicals. Although he gets a chance to avail himself, re-unite with his old flame, and possibly help Hanna get acquitted, he decides against it. When both eventually re-unite, the obvious regrets for leaving things the way they were are revealed.

It’s a story about love, about tragedy, about morality or the lack thereof, and ultimately the dynamics between men and women and their differences. It’s a very heavy film because of its sombre nature. You do get annoyed at their actions, but also at the same time sympathise with both thier flawed characters. It was really compelling viewing, from start to finish. The fine acting on display alone makes for an amazing film.

The Reader opens at cinemas in Mzansi on the 27th of March 2009.

Be sure to check it out when it releases. In the meantime, check out the Oscars on Sunday to see which films are deemed the best for this year. I’m rooting for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (especially for Teraji P. Henson), The Reader, Slumdog Millionare and of course The Dark Knight because I really want the late Heath Ledger to make history (he’s always be among my all-time favoutite actors).