She Monkeys invites us into the lives of two young girls raised by a single father and demonstrates the challenges adolescent and pre-adolescent girls experience. It makes a firm attempt at considering the issue of growing old to soon, and the types of relationships formed during this stage in a young girl’s life.
The interesting thing about She Monkeys is the objectivity surrounding certain subjects. The majority of opinions on the film, would depend on the viewer’s morals themselves, rather than those of Aschan – she simply tells the story, and does so well. Is it acceptable for a young girl to prance around in a leopard-print bikini? Is it acceptable for a scene like that to even be included in a film in our day and age? Aschan makes an effort to demonstrate feminine strength and beauty, but also displays acts of female independence.
She Monkeys is, in ways, a chilling and intense portrayal of what is otherwise described through films such as Thirteen, as ‘the difficult years’ of a young girl’s life. That said, the symmetry of many scenes and the flow of the story are clean and natural in comparison. Aschan’s presentation is a calm yet striking attempt at telling such experiences in a less flamboyant and destructive way. She Monkeys portrays these years as they should be – an exploration and moment of development, learning and innocence, rather than something that should be frowned upon.
She Monkeys will be released across the UK on 18 May. Check out the trailer below.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled For… She Monkeys
May 15th, 2012 by Mojo
Tommy Guns x Superdry
May 9th, 2012 by Mojo
A hybrid of the traditionally British and Americana, Tommy Guns hair salon has teamed up with Superdry‘s flagship store on Regent Street and we couldn’t be more impressed with the results – retro, yet modern.
The official launch took place this week, and brings a whole new perspective to retail, with the possibility of your shopping, hair and nails being done in one locations.
Check out their Twitter page to find out more.
On the Big Screen | This Must Be The Place
April 4th, 2012 by Mojo
In Paolo Sorrentino’s dark comedy, This Must Be the Place, we meet retired rock star, Cheyenne, who finds himself on a path to avenge his father’s executioner, a former Nazi soldier now seeking refuge in the U.S. When it comes to boundaries and character stereotypes, this film breaks them all. A rock star who has never taken up smoking? Cheyenne has his vices but the viewer finds them to be far from what his image projects throughout the movie. He’s an awkward guy with distinct quirks and memorable catchphrases.
Decide to watch the film muted, and you’ll be greeted with beautiful scenes and iconic shots that demonstrate director, Sorrentino’s fantastic filmmaking talents. Decide to watch the film as intended, and you’re invited into Cheyenne’s eerie world, as a musician with way to much time on his hands and with rather peculiar habits and routines. Within the first ten minutes of This Must Be the Place, Sean Penn’s performance almost immediately brought to mind the wise words of Tropic Thunder’s Kirk Lazarus: “You never go full retard.” Yet once the story begins to develop, you find yourself absorbed into this weird, offbeat performance all the way up to the conclusion, and everything eventually makes sense in the end. This Must Be the Place is definitely one for the hardcore artistic film-lovers, with a lot of patience. If you’re a massive large-scale blockbuster lover, this film definitely isn’t the one for you.
This Must Be The Place reaches cinemas across the UK on 6th April. Find your nearest cinema here.
WeSC SS12 Collection Launch Party
March 16th, 2012 by Mojo
WeSC launched their SS12 collection last night at their store on Carnaby Street in London, and a good time was had by all. The new collection features WeActivists Jason Lee, Peter Stormare, Beth Riesgraf, Kim Matulova, Shelly Zander, Steed Lord, Lady Tigra and plenty more. If you weren’t in the mood for summer already, this lookbook will have you praying the days move faster than ever.
Have a look at the official campaign over on the WeSC website and check out the vid below.
WeSC Spring 2012! from WeSC on Vimeo.
DVDs You Should Own: Special Forces (Forces Spéciales)
March 5th, 2012 by Mojo
Special Forces is a beautifully told story that combines the world of war reporting with the war in Afghanistan. Although it may sound like any other film based on the war in the Middle-East, there’s a certain no bullshit attitude throughout the film that makes it a little more enjoyable. In effect, a well constructed and talented cast (including Diane Kruger and Djimon Hounsou) manage to produce a fantastic homage to fallen troops in Afghanistan and the French Special Forces.
With most of the film in French, this isn’t a film for those who can’t stand subtitles. But for those willing to push that factor aside, the performances throughout this film are striking and manage to draw you into each character’s story. There is a raw and likable quality to Stéphane Rybojad directing, that helps him get his message across without the viewer being bombarded with information that, deep down, they simply might not care about.
Rybojad takes a subtle, but entertaining approach with Special Forces that gets people thinking about what actually goes on overseas. With such outstanding performances, visuals and story-telling, this is definitely one for the DVD collection!
Special Forces is available on DVD and Blu-ray from 12th March.
On The Big Screen | Act Of Valor
March 2nd, 2012 by Mojo
From across the Atlantic comes the modern-day war film, Act of Valour, based on real-life situations experienced by US Navy Seals. The film attempts to gain full authenticity as it casts true Seals in dramatic roles. This all seems to have paid off as Act of Valour soared to #1 in the US Box Office during the Oscars weekend.
Made with the assistance of military legend Tom Clancy, it’s no surprise that the action scenes in this film excel, at times making you feel like you’re in a simulation (without the need for 3D technology). However, it’s the actual acting in the movie that fails to deliver. Sure, we are talking about Navy Seals becoming actors here, and it’s understandable that their dramatic talents fall flat at times, but this combination creates a strange balance for the viewer throughout the film.
If you’re looking for a great story, jam-packed with strong emotional moments this film isn’t the best option. But if, on the other hand, you’re looking for big guns, stereotypical storylines, clichés and major explosive scenes, Act of Valour will be right up your alley.
Act Of Valour reaches cinemas across the UK on 23rd March.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled For… Pusher
February 21st, 2012 by Mojo
With Nicolas Winding Refn as executive producer, Pusher, is almost guaranteed to pick up a huge hype in the months leading up to its theatrical release. The film boasts a complete British cast which includes Richard Coyle and Agyness Deyn. Richard Coyle plays an East London dealer who, after a series of unfortunate events, finds himself in a state of desperation as he struggles to repay his debts to a cold-blooded drug lord. You only have to check out the trailer to sample what appears to be a pretty phenomenal soundtrack.
Pusher will be the perfect film for those who plan on breaking away from a summer full of mammoth-budget blockbuster releases. Think fast-paced, smart-thinking, East London gangster thrills, with plenty of awesome scenes and cinematography to have your peepers spazzing out with excitement.
Pusher will be released in cinemas across the UK in May.
On The Big Screen | Young Adult
February 3rd, 2012 by Mojo
Think of that crazy girl who constantly envies a relationship, and always seems to linger in the background: the ex, the best friend, the random girl you’ve never met before in your life. Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody’s Young Adult, brings us the story of Mavis Gray, a downtrodden writer (Charlize Theron) determined to get her ex-boyfriend (Patrick Wilson) back, despite him being in a steady relationship with a newborn baby in tow.
An intriguing look into the mindset of the kind of person who would otherwise be a nuisance, Cody manages to produce a deep, witty and compelling script not far off from her standard. Young Adult is littered with moments everyone can relate to – waking up with a messy hangover, pigging out on take-aways when you’re feeling blue, and the ‘fuck my life’ sessions when you see your friends doing the things that only real adults do. The concept of youth in adulthood runs throughout the key elements of the film seeing costumes, language, routines and habits of each character that help to show the juvenile or adult within each character.
Getting married, having a baby, buying a property are all stereotypes that come along with being in your twenties/thirties, when you begin progressing in life. What Young Adult tells us is that sometimes its okay to be a ‘fuck up’, and if anyone thinks otherwise, it’s okay not to care.
Young Adult hits cinemas across the UK this weekend.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled For… Don’t Think
January 24th, 2012 by Mojo
Don’t Think is the latest collaboration between the Chemical Brothers and Adam Smith (Director of Skins Series 1 and the first Dr Who series featuring Matt Smith). With the title hailing from the song featured in one of last year’s biggest award-winning films, Black Swan, we see the Further LP concept developed into a dynamic and intriguing film. Adam Smith creates visuals to accompany each song, presenting one of the most in-demand shows, in the best format.
Expect illuminating, fluorescent, rave-culture inspired cinematography that’ll have your eyes spasming with excitement – Definitely one that’ll have you in a feel-good mood. However, Don’t Think will be screened in over 100 cinemas across the U.K for one night only on Friday 3rd February.
For more information and to book tickets for screenings across the UK visit the website here
On The Big Screen: Shame
January 12th, 2012 by Mojo
“Oh my God.” – The first words to come out of my mouth after the credits started rolling. Not because I was shocked or offended, but purely because of the odd emotional rollercoaster you experience while watching the film.
Sofidonuts was kindly invited a special screening of Steve McQueen’s second directorial venture, Shame, a highly controversial film starring beauties Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan as siblings. Sex addict, Brandon (Fassbender) is forced to confront his lifestyle as his condition worsens once his troubled sister (Mulligan) pays him an unwanted visit. Writers, McQueen and Morgan put emphasis on the performance of rituals throughout the film, which are fuelled by the modern-day advances in technology such as Skype, webcams and the Internet.
You only had to glimpse at the person next to you (which I found wasn’t really appreciated when watching films of this subject matter) to realise the various interpretations and emotions the audience experience: some people expressed looks of disgust, others sadness, and there were a few excited or humoured expressions in the mix too. Scenes were awkward (which explains why I was looking at other people’s expressions), but that was key to McQueen’s approach. McQueen went on to say that he hopes the film will “start a conversation” – that Shame will act as a starting point for open discussions on sex addiction.
I should probably be reluctant to say so (or ashamed…sorry!), but Shame is visually captivating – those shots of late night New York, the glitz and glam of The Boom Boom Room, the stellar apartments of the middle-class Manhattan office worker. Shame features scenes which are expected, plenty that is unexpected, but also those that make you frighteningly aware of parallels between your life and Brandon’s…just on an amplified scale. But to sum up the film: Can I see people hanging out on a movie night, ten years from now, with Shame at the top of their ‘to watch’ pile? Not quite. But a part of me does wonder whether Tiger Woods, Eric Benet, David Duchovny and other self-confessed sex addicts will be suggesting that their partners go see it… If you still have no idea what I’m talking about, check out the trailer.
Shame reaches cinemas across the UK tomorrow.
