The growing charity challenge.
An insight by Andrew Howie
Well established and long standing charities are facing a battle on a new frontier. Whilst they have previously battled to gain your affections and more importantly, your donation, they are now facing a battle against an increasing cluttered segment.
Over the last ten years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of registered charities that are out there campaigning for donations. Many of these charities operate in fringe areas and focus on niche issues. The difficulty being that the amount of money that is available has not increased at the same rate. Simple economics show us that charities are fighting harder for diminishing returns.
To help raise the profile of the charity, they have long sought celebrity endorsement. A quick internet search brings up many celebrities and the causes that they support. So prolific is the association of celebrities and charities there are website dedicated to the work these people are doing. Such high profile names and Angelina Jolie, Bill Clinton, Bono and Brad Pitt sit alongside George Clooney and Sir Elton John as supporters of numerous charities. The causes that they donate to include but by no means are limited to human rights, poverty and disease. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie donated in excess $8 million dollars in 2006 alone. Read the rest of this entry »
When good actors go bad
An insight by Andrew Howie
There is nothing worse than watching a washed up sports star trying to go around just one more time. Whether it be chasing one last piece of glory or the greed to get one more big earning year under the belt, it is too often clear when they need to be set free.
Whilst the same feels true of actors, there are times when the washed up can come good again. Think back to John Travolta who made it back in from the cold with the success of Pulp Fiction. With the odd exception he has experienced a huge revival.
There are many cases where the opposite has happened. Great actors have gone off the rails and made a series of films that were garbage. So much so, that their previous gleaning reputation has been tarnished. Perhaps beyond repair? Read the rest of this entry »
Feminism delivered in fabulous heels
An insight by Andrew Howie
Over the years, small screen hits have made their way to the big screen. Many have been successful too and spawned sequels. A great example of this is Mission Impossible. Certainly some of the better work we have seen from Tom Cruise in recent memory.
We have two famous franchises hitting the big screen and making waves as we speak. I am talking about Sex and they City 2 and The A Team. Whilst I have absolutely no interest in the former, it would be remiss of me not to discuss the culture phenomenon that it is. And the impact it has had on women around the world.
Many women have grown up emulating these women and they way they live their lives. Powerful, sexy, successful and most importantly comfortable in their own skin, these four women have sprouted trends that have made people, including themselves, rich and famous many times over. In the most recent second installment, the stars, now firmly in their 40’s and 50’s, move with ever more style and grace. They show that age is no barrier and often, a little bit of experience can help you manage some tough situations with poise. For example, people who chose to question your ability to wear an outfit, based on a pre-conceived social expectation. Read the rest of this entry »
Life in the extra dimension
An insight by Andrew Howie
I recall vividly the white cardboard glasses that had a red and a blue lens Sitting in a cinema with a bucket of popcorn as objects flew out of the screen at me. It doesn’t seem so long ago does it?
Technology has come on in leaps and bounds. No longer do you need to endure silly white cardboard glasses with different colored lenses. These days, you look silly in think black rimmed Buddy Holly style glasses.
It is interesting to learn that the origins of 3D span all the way back to the late 1800’s around the birth of photography. By the early 1920’s the first 3D movie was available for public viewing. With the growth of television in the 50’s, we saw an increase in the popularity of primitive 3D. Read the rest of this entry »
An insight by Michael MacRitchie
Ok China readers it is official…. Not that this is entirely breaking news but Andy Lau is “officially” the hottest Asian actor. Apparently he now not only ticks all the boxes for Chinese Women but now Western women are also swooning for him…
The movie star came out tops in a survey of 108 Western women living in Shanghai, where respondents were asked to rank Chinese male professionals they would want to marry.
http://www.nigihana.com/forum/gossips/5216-western-women-want-marry-andy-lau.html
Also you will also see that Andy Lau also has “the sperm” Chinese women want the most for their babies….
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-06/30/content_5445732.htm
When Big Ideas Come to town…
An insight by Andrew Howie
Seen by most as the premier film festival on the plant, Cannes is here again. The world’s greatest actors, most beautiful people and movie executives trot along to watch the latest movies. There is a mix of art-house films and big budget productions. The big one this year is with Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. The remake of ‘Robin Hood’ is headlining the event. Ably supported by the sequel to the classic ‘Wall Street’. The big draw card at the event is of course the star factor. This year’s event has been judged as having less ‘A-list appeal’ than previous years.
Once all the glitz and glamor of the movie festival winds down and the movie stars go back to their mansions in the hills, the advertising guys roll in. Black tie and ball gowns are replaced with tight jeans and black shirts. People sporting edgy haircuts and even edgier attitudes. Read the rest of this entry »
Glorifying Crime
An insight by Andrew Howie
The growth of the modern day crime based drama has been steady over the last ten years. The origin of the genre is hard to pin point, but the Godfather series and success of such shows as The Sporano’s can definitely share in credit for the boom.
The ability for big screen ideas to be converted to the small screen has been tried many times with varied success. Taking the crime thriller from the big screen and maintaining the conviction is difficult. But it leads to enthralling viewing.
Whilst I am a huge fan of the Soprano’s and loved my weekly dose of gangster viewing, I have not taken to Underbelly with equivalent interest. I am not sure why this is. I am trying to figure out if it is the different style of writing, the local actors, or my knowledge that it is based on real events that have transpired in Australia? Read the rest of this entry »
G Star Taps Liv Tyler for Ad campaigns
Denim brand G-Star has released its new ad campaign starring actress Liv Tyler.
The campaign was shot by Dutch photographer and director Anton Corbijn for the third time, an artist mainly known for his work for bands including Depeche Mode and Nirvana.
G-Star is also Dutch and already successful on European markets but wants to up its ante now, especially in the US, which is why the brand has been showing its collections at New York Fashion Week for the past few seasons.
The 32-year-old Stealing Beauty actress will appear in print advertisements for G-Star until the Fall of this year. The label plans to expand to 50 free-standing stores in the U.S.
“Liv is a great fit for the brand because she exudes the perfect level of sensuality, a characteristic very important to G-Star,” a label rep said according to People. “She’s a strong, beautiful and independent woman with an impeccable feeling for style.”
Liv Tyler, daughter of Aerosmith lead singer Steven, is a popular spokesmodel for fashion and beauty brands, having previously starred in ads for Gap and Givenchy’s Very Irresistible fragrance ads.
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