Appropriately, it has been ten years since I discovered Joy Division. Having read an appealing article about them in a newspaper, I took the risk and, during a school trip abroad, forked out whatever amount of francs in the Louvre’s music store for a copy of Unknown Pleasures, with its enigmatic yet enticing cover. Popping the CD in my player, I was suddenly immersed in a world never experienced before. Within the first few seconds of ’Disorder’, its steady but muted beat, robotic yet somehow human, the strange bass tune and spiky guitars, combined with dark and profound vocals, I knew Joy Division were something special. Most people know them by their song Love Will Tear Us Apart, which was abused in a Heinekan ad a few years ago. But the band were much more, an almost literary lyricism combined with a sound that felt entirely unique. It was a sound that lasted only briefly, for the lead singer, Ian Curtis, committed suicide at the age of 23.

Joy Division have been depicted twice in cinema already. Firstly, in 2002’s 24-Hour Party People, which was a playful biopic of pretentious broadcaster and music label owner Tony Wilson. Then, last saw a film about Curtis, called Control, which received much critical acclaim. And now, we see a seemingly definitive documentary on the band being released (briefly in UK cinemas, and then on DVD in the US in June), also called Joy Division.

Directed by Grant Gee, who has directed several music videos, as well as the Radiohead documentary Meeting People is Easy, the documentary conducts intimate interviews with most of the keys players in the band’s history. Band members, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris are all present. You’d think that after so many years of the band’s legacy, the remaining members would be tired of retelling the same stories. Yet there’s still times when the sadness breaks through. Read on »

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Looks like comedian Demetri Martin is in negotiations for the starring role in Ang Lee’s next project, “Taking Woodstock.”

Film is based on Elliot Tiber’s memoir, who wrote the book — which was published last year — with Tom Monte.

According to Variety, Martin will star as Tiber, an in-the-closet gay man working at his parents’ motel in the Catskills, who inadvertently sets in motion the generation-defining concert in the summer of 1969.

Martin’s upcoming films include Fox Atomic’s “The Rocker” and Universal’s “Kids in America.” He also wrote and is attached to star in DreamWorks’ “Will,” which Scot Armstrong is producing.

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 The life of British pop singer Dusty Springfield will be played by Nicole Kidman.

Kidman plans to produce as well as star in the project with “The Hours” scribe Michael Cunningham.

Springfield was a solo artist who became a breakout star of the British invasion of the 1960s. Her personal life was more tragic, filled with bouts of drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995 and died in 1999.

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Congratulations Lesha!!! You are the winner of “Johnny and the Sprites: Meet the Sprites” Giveaway!!!! Just send me your mailing address and the DVD is yours. “Johnny and the Sprites: Meet the Sprites” DVD contains six episodes, Sing Along with Johnny & the Sprites and Original Shorts.

I have another kiddy one — Winnie the Pooh DVD. Please visit again soon to enter the giveaway!

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 Variety has an inspirational article about Sean Combs shifting careers from hi-hop “P. Diddy” to serious actor on Broadway and in Hollywood.   

Combs is an encouragement to those who want to make an impact while following their dream to be what they want to be. 

The article reinforces the concept that you need to give it all if you want to pull off a great success in your life. Hard work and honesty make the success we want to achieve. 

After reading this article, I can see how Combs will become a role model for many young people, and I hope he makes the right choices with huge success as an actor.  

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In January of 2005, after nearly two years of touring, Story of the Year headed back in to the studio to write and record their second full-length album. By that summer, they had completed what proved to be a more focused, mature record, representing a new level of musicianship and songwriting for the band. They called it In The Wake Of Determination. Immediately after finishing, they began touring in support of the record, which was released in October of 2005. Touring for In The Wake Of Determination brought Story of the Year to new fans, new places, and some of the biggest, most intense crowds to date. As always, cameras rolled and captured the experiences along the way. Our Time Is Now is the story of those two years. It’s a two-part feature including a never-before-seen look into the band’s writing and recording process, and a home video style documentary of life on the road.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Making of In The Wake Of Determination
• Deleted Scenes
• “We Don’t Care Anymore” Making the video
• “We Don’t Care Anymore” Music video
• “Take Me Back” Making the video
• “Take Me Back” Music video
• Trailer

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Here is the latest Vanity Fair piece on Miley Cyrus who plays Hannah Montana.  Apparently, this issue is a hot issue because Miley looks older than her true age of fifteen in the magazine photos.  Disney came out and made a statement,  Miley came out and made a statement and Annie Leibovitz (photographer) came out and made a statement. Anyway here is the link, take a look and let me know what your thoughts are on the matter.  

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Celebrate Mothers Day this year by sending your Mom a very special hello from Clay Aiken: Mother’s Day Wish.    RCA Music is proud to announce the release of Clay Aiken’s fourth album, On My Way Here, available on May 6^th!

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Geri, you are the winner of Frank Sinatra at the Movies! Congratulations!

If you know Frank and the movies, you’ll love this collection. 

Click to find out more about Sinatra At The Movies and listen to some of the songs.

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First time on DVD! It’s “Johnny and the Sprites: Meet the Sprites”

GIVEAWAY!! 

Simply post your name and I will draw the winner Wednesday, April 30th!

The DVD contains six episodes, Sing Along with Johnny & the Sprites and Original Shorts.

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