Ever wondered how things would be if Fitted’s website / blog was written by rednecks in Biloxi, Mississippi? Or perhaps if Tommy Gibbs (Black Ceasar), Shaft, Cleopatra Jones or Priest from Superfly wrote our blogs? Well unfortunately, you can. Try it for yourself here. Just choose a category on our page, enter the url in the box, click dialectize and have some fun. It’s Friday, can you dig it? Cut yo’self some slack, Jack! (what up Kaboe!)
Just received a copy of this wondrous new album by Sade in my e-mailbox this morning, and as expected, it’s sensational; with all of the typical elements that appear with any music by Sade. You can pre-order it now, and you should, if you appreciate great music. I’m providing two tracks off the album for your downloading pleasure, with one streaming leak as well.
Sade – Soldier of Love
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Download It! || Watch the video here
Sade – Skin
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Sade – Long Hard Road
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[flashvideo file=video/RequiemForDream_End.flv /]
Darren Aronofsky’s cult-classic Requiem For A Dream is considered to be his magnum opus, and rightfully so. The film captures powerful and engaging performances by the film’s leads (Jared Leto, Ellen Burstyn (who should have taken home the Academy Award that night), Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans). Requiem For A Dream is a dismal, enigmatic, and at times, despairing look into the dark corridors and vestibules of addiction. However, setting aside the bleak and depressing diegeses, it’s a brilliant look into excellent film-making and cinematography.
Aronofsky coined the term “hip-hop montages,” better known as fast-cutting (editing), which is present throughout the film. These fast-cut edits are used to suggest chaos and mayhem, and in the context of Requiem For A Dream, represents the repetitive nature caused by the effects of addiction.
Aronofsky also made use of long tracking shots (or in layman’s terms, long takes), and at times, combined this with other stylistic cinematography techniques, such as time-lapse, as seen in this clip. Another eclectic use of stylistic photography is the scene in which Wayans’ character (Tyrone Love) is seen running through dark alleyways, trying to evade the assassin who gunned down the drug dealers he was attempting to buy from. For this shot, Wayans used a body-camera, technically known as a snorricam, which is rigged to his body. The intent of these shots is to give the viewer a first-person point-of-view, from the actor’s perspective, albeit a delusional one.
However, the most genius use of creating slow-building tension with clever editing comes during the dénouement of the film (video up top). This scene represents the downward spiral of each of the addict’s lives, giving the viewer a sense of paranoia. The realism is so genuine that you almost feel that you embody each character’s agony as their lives come to a complete standstill. There were times when I watched this film and had to literally pinch my arm to remind myself that it’s just a movie. That gives you a sense of the authenticity of how gripping and engrossing Requiem For A Dream, and real-life addictions are.
Lastly, on the melodic side of things, Requiem For A Dream could not be what it is without Clint Mansell’s incredible orchestral compositions, mainly the beautiful main thematic song, “Summer Overture” “Lux Aeterna” topped off with strings courtesy of the Kronos Quartet. To say that the cinematic soundtrack did not play to the tone of the film would be sacrilegious.
From the official press release:
JANUARY 26TH PIHA NEW ZEALAND
EDITORIAL COMMENTARY BY HAWAIIAN CORRESPONDENT
ANDY MELAMED
Piha does have sunshine!.. Piha does have offshore winds!.. Piha does have
barrels and winding open faces that provide a platform for high performance
surfing. Put it all together and that’s what day 6 of the ISA QUIKSILVER
JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS was all about.. In these conditions the cream of
the crop seems to rise to the top, and remain afloat.
It became a numbers game by mid morning for the Verizon Wireless Junior Surf
Team. Seven of the 12 team members managed to squeak thru barrels, float
around sections, carve crests, pump sections and gouge bottom turns. Some
of Hawaii’s team riders were eliminated falling short by tenths of a point
or getting edged out within the closing seconds of a heat.
The good news remains that Koa Smith and Malia Manuel wake to another
morning in the undefeated qualifying rounds. Keanu Asing, Tanner
Hendrickson, Ian Gentil Isaiah Moniz and Alessa Quizon find themselves
alive in the sudden death repercharge rounds.
Thus these rebuilding Hawaiians find themselves with 7 surfers still in the
mix. They are in second place and are more than capable of surfing into the
finals in each division. However the finest young amateurs from around
the world,will also be laying it on the line with top tier performances.
Australia, Tahiti, Brazil ,New Zealand, South Africa, France and the United
States are all providing more than enough talent to make things extremely
interesting.
To close the rounds of competition on day 6 the action packed Aloha Cup tag
team event found Hawaii advancing to the finals along with Australia,
France, and South Africa. This sidebar event displays a teams top level
riders and illustrates how they can work together to gain victory. The
Hawaiians are proud to be in the finals in the ALOHA CUP, and win or lose,
it seems only fitting. The ALOHA CUP finals will conclude at podium one
on day 7.
Congrats to our ‘ohana / team riders Ezekiel Lau and Keanu Asing representing Fitted and Hawai’i for the ISA Junior World Surfing Championships. Keanu Asing eliminated USA team rider Conner Coffin who held the #1 spot at the Piha event yesterday, while Ezekiel Lau scored a 6.0, clutching first place during his 20 minutes of shine. For more info on the event, click here and here. Big shoutout to Rainos Hayes and the entire Verizon Wireless Hawaii Junior World Team.
My personal new-but-old favorite band at the moment. I can only listen to Royce Da 5′ 9″ rap and talk about rocket launchers and threaten The Sauce’s Benzino for so long.
Here Comes Your Man
Hey
Where Is My Mind (Bassnectar Remix)
Where Is My Mind (Original)
Dig For Fire
Monkey Gone To Heaven
Dead
Debaser
