Showing posts with label Britain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Britain. Show all posts
And In London, Cameron Cracks Down
I like the strong, unequivocal approach that British Prime Minister David Cameron is taking as he goes after the gangs of hooligans who are trying to take over the streets of London. Thousands have been arrested so far and Cameron promises that more will be rounded up.
Cameron is zeroing in on what he calls a "moral crisis" in Britain.
The Prime Minister has declared:
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Cameron is zeroing in on what he calls a "moral crisis" in Britain.
The Prime Minister has declared:
Peggy: Government Can't Provide Family, Home, Love
A excerpt from Peggy Noonan writing in the Wall Street Journal on rioting, reckless, unemployed and unemployable youth in America and England:
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Where does that leave us? In a hard place, knowing in our guts that a lot of troubled kids are coming up, and not knowing what to do about it. The problem, at bottom, is love, something we never talk about in public policy discussions because it's too soft and can't be quantified or legislated. But little children without love and guidance are afraid. They're terrified—they have nothing solid in the world, which is a pretty scary place. So they never feel safe. As they grow, their fear becomes rage. Further on, the rage can be expressed in violence. This is especially true of boys, but it's increasingly true of girls. What's needed can't be provided by government. When the riot begins or the flash mob arrives, the best the government can do is control the streets, enforce the law, maintain the peace.Click here to read more.
Hitchcock's Lost First Film Discovered
alas, it has been found!
We're talking about Alfred Hitchcock's very first film.
Here's an excerpt of the story from London's Telegraph:
All copies of The White Shadow, a silent feature film released by Hollywood in 1924, had been thought lost to posterity, and cinema historians have described the discovery as "priceless".
Three dusty reels containing the first half of the film – about 30 minutes of footage – had been stored deep in the bowels of the New Zealand Film Archive, where the search is continuing for the other three reels.
The acclaimed director was 24 when he worked on what was billed as a "wild, atmospheric melodrama" starring actress Betty Compson as twin sisters, one angelic and the other "without a soul". He was credited as assistant director and also wrote the scenario, designed the sets and edited the footage.
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We're talking about Alfred Hitchcock's very first film.
Here's an excerpt of the story from London's Telegraph:
All copies of The White Shadow, a silent feature film released by Hollywood in 1924, had been thought lost to posterity, and cinema historians have described the discovery as "priceless".
Three dusty reels containing the first half of the film – about 30 minutes of footage – had been stored deep in the bowels of the New Zealand Film Archive, where the search is continuing for the other three reels.
The acclaimed director was 24 when he worked on what was billed as a "wild, atmospheric melodrama" starring actress Betty Compson as twin sisters, one angelic and the other "without a soul". He was credited as assistant director and also wrote the scenario, designed the sets and edited the footage.
Amy Winehouse: The Truth Behind Her Descent
Talented, yes.
But Amy Winehouse was a very troubled person.
And much of the trouble was played out in public. It was not a pretty sight.
Winehouse's battles with substance abuse were the subject of much media attention.
In various interviews, she admitted to having problems with self-harm, depression and eating disorders.
In 2005, she went through a period of drinking, heavy drug use, violent mood swings and weight loss. People who saw her during the end of that year and early 2006 reported a brief rebound that coincided with the writing of Back to Black.
Her family felt that the mid-2006 death of her grandmother, who was a stabilizing influence, set her off into addiction.
In August 2007, Winehouse cancelled a number of shows in England and Europe, citing exhaustion and ill health. She was hospitalized during this period for what was reported to be an overdose of heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and alcohol. Winehouse told a magazine that the drugs were to blame for her hospitalization and that "I really thought that it was over for me then." Soon after, Winehouse's father commented that when he had made public statements regarding her problems, he was using the media because it seemed the only way to get through to her.
In December, 2007, images of the singer outside her home in the early morning hours, barefoot and wearing only a bra and jeans, appeared on the internet and in tabloid newspapers. In a statement, her spokesman blamed paparazzi harassment for the incident.
The spokesman reported that the singer was in a physician-supervised program and was channeling her difficulties by writing a lot of music. A British tabloid posted a video of a woman, alleged to be Winehouse, apparently smoking crack cocaine and speaking of having taken ecstasy and valium.
Winehouse's father moved in with her, and Island Records, her record label, announced the abandonment of plans for an American promotion campaign on her behalf.
In late January 2008, Winehouse reportedly entered a rehabilitation facility for a two-week treatment program.
In January 2008, the aforementioned video was passed on to the London police who questioned her in February. But no charges were brought. In March 2008, Winehouse's spokesman said she was "doing well" and denied a published report in a British tabloid that consideration was being given to having her return to rehab. Her record company reportedly believed that her recovery remained fragile. By late April 2008, her erratic behavior, including an allegation of assault, caused fear that her drug rehabilitation efforts had been unsuccessful. This led to efforts by Winehouse's father and manager to seek assistance in having her committed. Her disheveled appearance during and after a scheduled club night in September sparked new rumors of a relapse.
Photographers were quoted as saying she appeared to have cuts on her legs and arms.
In an interview released in June 2009 Winehouse's father said the singer was in a drug replacement program. He said she was gradually recovering but that heavy drinking was causing "slight backward steps". A documentary shot early in 2009 shows Winehouse apparently intoxicated according to a newspaper report. Pictures published by a magazine in July 2009 upon her return to the United Kingdom from her extended stay in St. Lucia appeared to show that Winehouse had gained weight and that her complexion was improved.
In an October 2010 interview Winehouse said she had been drug free for three years saying "I literally woke up one day and was like, ‘I don’t want to do this any more.’”
But problems persisted.
Winehouse entered the Priory Clinic in May of this year where she stayed for one week.
She also had her share of legal problems.
In 2007, Winehouse and her then-husband were arrested in Norway for possession of seven grams of marijuana.
In April 2008, Winehouse was cautioned after she admitted to police she slapped a man in the face, a "common assault" offence. She voluntarily turned herself in and was held overnight. Police said, at her arrival she was "in no fit state" to be interviewed.
Winehouse was arrested in May 2008 on suspicion of possessing drugs after a video of her apparently smoking crack cocaine was passed to the police in but she was released on bail a few hours later because they could not confirm, from the video, what she was smoking.
And there were many other allegations and charges in the years that followed.
In March 2009, Winehouse was arrested and charged with common assault following a claim by a woman that Winehouse hit her in the eye at a September 2008 Prince's Trust charity ball.
At the same time, she was reported to have spat at the English socialite Pippa Middleton and to have headbutted a photographer. Winehouse's spokesperson announced the singer cancelled a scheduled United States appearance in "light of current legal issues".
In December 2009, Winehouse was arrested again on charges of common assault, plus another charge of public order offense Winehouse assaulted the front-of-house manager of the Milton Keynes Theater after he asked her to move from her seat.
On 20 January 2010, she admitted common assault and disorderly behavior. She was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs and compensation to the man she attacked.
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But Amy Winehouse was a very troubled person.
And much of the trouble was played out in public. It was not a pretty sight.
Winehouse's battles with substance abuse were the subject of much media attention.
In various interviews, she admitted to having problems with self-harm, depression and eating disorders.
In 2005, she went through a period of drinking, heavy drug use, violent mood swings and weight loss. People who saw her during the end of that year and early 2006 reported a brief rebound that coincided with the writing of Back to Black.
Her family felt that the mid-2006 death of her grandmother, who was a stabilizing influence, set her off into addiction.
In August 2007, Winehouse cancelled a number of shows in England and Europe, citing exhaustion and ill health. She was hospitalized during this period for what was reported to be an overdose of heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and alcohol. Winehouse told a magazine that the drugs were to blame for her hospitalization and that "I really thought that it was over for me then." Soon after, Winehouse's father commented that when he had made public statements regarding her problems, he was using the media because it seemed the only way to get through to her.
In December, 2007, images of the singer outside her home in the early morning hours, barefoot and wearing only a bra and jeans, appeared on the internet and in tabloid newspapers. In a statement, her spokesman blamed paparazzi harassment for the incident.
The spokesman reported that the singer was in a physician-supervised program and was channeling her difficulties by writing a lot of music. A British tabloid posted a video of a woman, alleged to be Winehouse, apparently smoking crack cocaine and speaking of having taken ecstasy and valium.
Winehouse's father moved in with her, and Island Records, her record label, announced the abandonment of plans for an American promotion campaign on her behalf.
In late January 2008, Winehouse reportedly entered a rehabilitation facility for a two-week treatment program.
In January 2008, the aforementioned video was passed on to the London police who questioned her in February. But no charges were brought. In March 2008, Winehouse's spokesman said she was "doing well" and denied a published report in a British tabloid that consideration was being given to having her return to rehab. Her record company reportedly believed that her recovery remained fragile. By late April 2008, her erratic behavior, including an allegation of assault, caused fear that her drug rehabilitation efforts had been unsuccessful. This led to efforts by Winehouse's father and manager to seek assistance in having her committed. Her disheveled appearance during and after a scheduled club night in September sparked new rumors of a relapse.
Photographers were quoted as saying she appeared to have cuts on her legs and arms.
In an interview released in June 2009 Winehouse's father said the singer was in a drug replacement program. He said she was gradually recovering but that heavy drinking was causing "slight backward steps". A documentary shot early in 2009 shows Winehouse apparently intoxicated according to a newspaper report. Pictures published by a magazine in July 2009 upon her return to the United Kingdom from her extended stay in St. Lucia appeared to show that Winehouse had gained weight and that her complexion was improved.
In an October 2010 interview Winehouse said she had been drug free for three years saying "I literally woke up one day and was like, ‘I don’t want to do this any more.’”
But problems persisted.
Winehouse entered the Priory Clinic in May of this year where she stayed for one week.
She also had her share of legal problems.
In 2007, Winehouse and her then-husband were arrested in Norway for possession of seven grams of marijuana.
In April 2008, Winehouse was cautioned after she admitted to police she slapped a man in the face, a "common assault" offence. She voluntarily turned herself in and was held overnight. Police said, at her arrival she was "in no fit state" to be interviewed.
Winehouse was arrested in May 2008 on suspicion of possessing drugs after a video of her apparently smoking crack cocaine was passed to the police in but she was released on bail a few hours later because they could not confirm, from the video, what she was smoking.
And there were many other allegations and charges in the years that followed.
In March 2009, Winehouse was arrested and charged with common assault following a claim by a woman that Winehouse hit her in the eye at a September 2008 Prince's Trust charity ball.
At the same time, she was reported to have spat at the English socialite Pippa Middleton and to have headbutted a photographer. Winehouse's spokesperson announced the singer cancelled a scheduled United States appearance in "light of current legal issues".
In December 2009, Winehouse was arrested again on charges of common assault, plus another charge of public order offense Winehouse assaulted the front-of-house manager of the Milton Keynes Theater after he asked her to move from her seat.
On 20 January 2010, she admitted common assault and disorderly behavior. She was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs and compensation to the man she attacked.
Amy Winehouse Dead: Stars React On Twitter
In Britain, leading personalities have already started Tweeting their reactions to the death of singer Amy Winehouse:
Radio DJ Fearne Cotton said: 'Can not believe the news. Amy was a special girl. The saddest news.'
Click here for more.Singer and presenter Myleene Klass wrote: 'OMG. Amy Winehouse. Exceptional talent and really nice lady. RIP.'
Kelly Osbourne tweeted: 'I can't even breathe right my now I'm crying so hard i just lost 1 of my best friends. I love you forever Amy & will never forget the real you.'
Presenter Phillip Schofield added: 'Just heard the sad news that Amy Winehouse has died. At only 27 what a terrible waste of a great talent. Sincere condolences to her family.'
Presenter Phillip Schofield added: 'Just heard the sad news that Amy Winehouse has died. At only 27 what a terrible waste of a great talent. Sincere condolences to her family.'
Singer and radio presenter Emma Bunton said: 'Such sad news about Amy Winehouse. My thoughts are with her family.'
Sarah Brown, the former Bristish prime minister's wife, tweeted: 'Sad sad news of Amy Winehouse - great talent, extraordinary voice, and tragic death, condolences to her family.'
Amy Winehouse Found Dead In London
Amy Winehouse, the roubled singer, has been found dead at her home in London.
She was found at the property by emergency services at 3.54 pm, London time, this afternoon, according to sources, and her death is being treated as 'unexplained' by police.
Metropolitan London Police report they were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square today Saturday following reports of a woman found deceased.
Click here for more.
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She was found at the property by emergency services at 3.54 pm, London time, this afternoon, according to sources, and her death is being treated as 'unexplained' by police.
Metropolitan London Police report they were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square today Saturday following reports of a woman found deceased.
Click here for more.
Video: Naked Bike Ride Hits London Streets
The World Naked Bike Ride hit London yesterday.
If the Queen had looked out of her window from Buckingham Palace she would have seen would have seen over a thousand people on bikes stripped bare singing to the Queen on her Official Birthday.
We doubt that she took notice.
The event in London was part of the World Naked Bike Ride which involves 70 events in 20 countries held mostly from June to September. The idea is to draw attention to the value of pedal power as opposed to fossil fuel and to remind motorists to be attentive to cyclists' safety.
The video above is from the last year's London event.
The Haunted, Provocative Work Of A Daring Designer
The name of the fashion designer himself brings to mind thoughts of both ethereal and haunted beauty -- a mix of danger and romanticism, the beautiful and the bizarre, the natural and the unnatural world.
It was McQueen himself who said: “You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.”
And, if nothing else McQueen was a notorious rule-breaker.
He was also somewhat of an exhibitionist, a defiant showman and a daring artist.
Yesterday we viewed the big, bold (and sometimes very dark) exhibition of McQueen's creations entitled Savage Beauty at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Lest you thing this show is merely a collection of mannequins decked out in McQueen's clothes, promptly disabuse yourself of that notion. This is a light, sound and visual showcase -- a feast of moods, music, texture and environments; an exhibition that mixes history, heritage and hauntings and invites you to let your imagination run free along with the late designer.
And, as you might imagine this show is as much about death as it is about life.
The exhibition, organized by The Met's Costume Institute, celebrates Alexander McQueen’s extraordinary contributions to fashion.
From his Central Saint Martins postgraduate collection of 1992 to his final runway presentation, which took place after his death in February 2010, McQueen challenged and expanded the understanding of fashion beyond utility to a conceptual expression of culture, politics, and identity. His iconic designs constitute the work of an artist whose medium of expression was fashion.
The exhibition features approximately 100 ensembles and 70 accessories from McQueen’s prolific nineteen-year career. Drawn primarily from the Alexander McQueen Archive in London, with some pieces from the Givenchy Archive in Paris as well as private collections, signature designs including the “bumster” trouser, the kimono jacket, and the three-point “origami” frock coat are on view.
McQueen’s fashions often referenced the exaggerated silhouettes of the 1860s, 1880s, 1890s, and 1950s, but his technical ingenuity always imbued his designs with an innovative sensibility that kept him at the vanguard.
I must admit that this is one of the most unusual (and sometimes unsettling) exhibitions of its type I've ever seen, due in part to the sexual and sado-masochistic subtext in some of McQueen's work. Constriction seems to play a strong role in his approach to fashion.
And yet, there are softer, even more elegant pieces (largely influenced by Givenchy) and always expert tailoring owing to McQueen's own training and background.
Once again, McQueen himself expressed it best: “People find my things sometimes aggressive. But I don’t see it as aggressive. I see it as romantic, dealing with a dark side of personality.”
The struggle between life and death that seems to have defined much of McQueen's work ended in when he committed suicide just shy of his 41st birthday.
The show is drawing large crowds. It runs through August 7.
Obama's Parliament Speech Falls Flat
the Brits have failed to respond to President Obama's speech before Parliament.
The widely-anticipated speech fell flat.
One has to wonder why Obama doesn't simply come home. this round of foreign travel has proven to be a bust for him and it looks bad that he's away with all the natural disasters and tragedy here at home in the Midwest.
Obama's timing was bad -- VERY bad.
Anyway, here's an excerpt of coverage of the speech from Britain's Telegraph:
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The widely-anticipated speech fell flat.
One has to wonder why Obama doesn't simply come home. this round of foreign travel has proven to be a bust for him and it looks bad that he's away with all the natural disasters and tragedy here at home in the Midwest.
Obama's timing was bad -- VERY bad.
Anyway, here's an excerpt of coverage of the speech from Britain's Telegraph:
The pictures were better than the words. President Barack Obama is a brilliant speaker, but also a very polite man, and in Westminster Hall his oratorical inspiration was smothered by the cautious politeness of an American statesman.
Perhaps Mr Obama was smothered also by his audience, which remained stubbornly unresponsive. For most of the time the President had nothing to bounce off: no applause and certainly no shouts of praise or blame as might be heard in an American church or at an American political rally.
The presidential text sounded as if it had been worked on so hard and conscientiously by a vast team of helpers that it had lost all savour, and been reduced to a series of orotund banalities, of the sort which can be heard at every tedious Anglo-American conference: “Profound challenges stretch out before us…the time for our leadership is now…Our alliance will remain indispensable.”
Grumpy Kid Spoils Royal Wediing!
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| Here's that photo from the royal wedding -- this time with the key component highlighted and enlarged. The day was far from over and already this kid was grumped out. I can't say that I blame her. Hat Tip: Lucianne.com. |
Will America Follow Britain In Decline?
As we watches highlights of the royal wedding this morning we wondered: Is this what America will become -- a once-great nation now in permanent decline and left with nothing but history and the vestiges of pomp and pageantry?
Well, apparently Christopher Friend has been thinking the same thing and he's out with a fine column on the subject at Newsmax. Here's part of what he has to say:
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Well, apparently Christopher Friend has been thinking the same thing and he's out with a fine column on the subject at Newsmax. Here's part of what he has to say:
America’s leaders would be wise to take a history lesson from Britain’s more recent past to avoid becoming what England is — a nation in decline. A shadow of its former self, it is a country known more for pageantry and traditions than a meaningful place on the world stage.
The sun never set on the British Empire, and while that showcased a pioneering spirit, England became vastly overextended. The blood and treasure expended to maintain the Empire became too great, and the Crown’s holdings crumbled.
Forced to look inward, it did all the wrong things. England’s leaders bought into quasi-socialism to give them a sense of security, but their national prestige evaporated after massive taxation and runaway spending on social programs. This starved the military, killed entrepreneurship, and fostered an entitlement mentality.
Hey, Hey, The Monkees Are Back, Touring!
After more than 40 years the rock group sensation The Monkees are back.
And they'll soon be touring. The news was announced by the London Daily Mail.
Here's an excerpt from the story:
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And they'll soon be touring. The news was announced by the London Daily Mail.
Here's an excerpt from the story:
Given their advancing years, you’d be forgiven for doubting whether there’ll be much monkeying around.Click here for the full story from the Daily Mail.
Yesterday The Monkees announced they would be reforming for a 45th anniversary tour of the UK.
The band, who broke up in 1971, were put together by music executives in 1966 to star in a TV comedy and to be the U.S. answer to The Beatles.
Despite now being of pensionable age, three of the four members – Peter Tork, 69, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones, both 65 – revealed plans for a ten-date UK run starting in May.
Fourth member Michael Nesmith won’t join in because, Jones said, he doesn’t like touring.
Jones, the only British-born Monkee, said the trio met over dinner in London on Sunday. ‘We need to share this music once again,’ he added. ‘According to the fan mail, they want it – and so we’re going to do it.’
Transgender 'Black Madame's' Butt Injections
She calls herself "The Black Madame."
She travels with huge trunks of clothing and takes hours just to apply her makeup.
She's also a goth rap artist. In fact, some people say she wanted to be the next Lady Gaga.
And she's reportedly transgender.
But now she's alleged to be the person who's responsible for the death of a 20-year-old British tourist who died last week after she flew to Philadelphia to get silicone injections in a hotel room not far from Philadelphia International Airport. The injector was reportedly The Black Madame.
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She travels with huge trunks of clothing and takes hours just to apply her makeup.
She's also a goth rap artist. In fact, some people say she wanted to be the next Lady Gaga.
And she's reportedly transgender.
But now she's alleged to be the person who's responsible for the death of a 20-year-old British tourist who died last week after she flew to Philadelphia to get silicone injections in a hotel room not far from Philadelphia International Airport. The injector was reportedly The Black Madame.
The victim complained of chest pain shortly after the procedure and was rushed to a local hospital where she died.
Why would you fly from Britain to Philadelphia to get butt enhancement injections at an airport hotel -- and from a person such as this, of all people?
Why? Why? Why?
And what's the real story behind (pardon the choice of word) The Black Madame?
Click here to read more on this story.
Back-Room Butt Implants Kill Tourist At Hotel
They say she flew into town from Great Britain to get silicone injections into her buttocks.
But something appears to have gone horribly wrong.
Because the 20-year-old British tourist died earlier today after she allegedly flew to get silicone injections in a hotel room not far from Philadelphia International Airport.
Police are searching the hotel with suspicions that a woman is renting rooms where she performs butt implant procedures. The victim reportedly died at 1:30 AM this morning. She complained of chest pain shortly after the procedure and was rushed to a local hospital.
Click here for more on this story.
Apple Not Working? What About Your Blackberry?
A friend sent this along to us and we just couldn't resist posting it.
Leave it to the British to put everything into perspective.
The King's Speech: A Major Contender
Now we have the new film, The King's Speech in which the Queen appears as a child with her late sister Margaret as they are thrust into the spotlight with her father's unexpected ascendancy to the throne. Were it not for this event, Elizabeth would probably not be the Queen of England today.
Of course we all know the story of King Edward (Elizabeth's uncle) and his abdication of the throne to marry a twice-divorced American socialite from Baltimore named Wallis Simpson. This couple later became the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
But how many of us know the real story of Edward's brother who became King George VI upon Edward's departure?
The King's Speech stars Colin Firth as King George VI and Geoffrey Rush as speech therapist Lionel Logue, who helped George VI overcome a stammer. The stellar cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter, Derek Jacobi and Guy Pearce.
As a hopeless anglophile I found myself enthralled by this historical drama. But you don't have to be an honorary (or actual) British subject to enjoy the film.
The story is engrossing. The acting is first-rate. The whole production is masterful.
And there's this: Colin Firth's performance is a joy -- human, restrained and deeply affecting. And Firth is ably matched by the great Geoffrey Rush. So, this becomes a dual acting tour de force the likes of which we rarely see nowadays.
The Kings Speech is the unexpected story behind one of the great stories of the twentieth century.
And now the film itself seems destined to make history.
Oscars? The King's Speech is likely to be nominated more than once.