the genius that was jim flora

Jim Flora illustrated albums and childrens books, as well as producing stand alone artworks.  I first saw his work when l came across the 'Mambo for Cats' LP, and have loved his stuff ever since then.  It's a witty, surreal and 'Mad Magazine like' skewed view of the world, and also encapsulates the crazier side of America, back when it was still be boppin' and swinging (daddy o).  He has sadly passed away, and the above pictures are only a small sample of his artwork, but there are lots, lots more.  The rather impressive collection at the bottom belongs to Takashi Okada from Tokyo, who is a graphic designer (amongst other things).  I wish all his Flora related goodies belonged to me, and l love the way he has them displayed.  If you are interested in purchasing any artworks, Jim Flora items are available to buy  here.  It's not cheap though.

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lizzie borden's passport application

This is a copy of Lizzie Borden's passport application.  Don't know who she is?  Read this.

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bruce springsteen at home

Bruce Springsteen at home (probably).

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alan friedman sun photograhs

These photographs of the Sun and it's flares were taken by Alan Friedman, photographing only the warm hydrogen.  It looks pretty impressive and strange, and if you want to know more, check out Discover Magazine's blog.

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the rest of the japanese war posters

The rest of the Japanese war posters (the rest are in an earlier post below).

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I want candy (2007) - stephen surjik

A 'so called' British comedy with some well known (in the UK at least) cameos (ie Jimmy Carr and Miranda Hart), I Want Candy was another waste of my precious time.  Two students from Leatherhead film college decide to make a movie.  They change it to a porno, get involved with gangsters, and my will to live started dying out.  This lacked comedy (essential for a comedy movie), tension (important when there are gangsters involved) and  filth (essential if they are meant to be making a porno and the film is crap, as there should be some kind of titillation at least).  It confirms my belief that the more star cameos there are in UK films, the crappier the films become, as if they don't have to try with the script.  I don't know about wanting candy, l wanted carrots shoving in my ears and my eyes gouged out so l didn't have to suffer any more.  Bring on the sweet relief of death if l have to tolerate more of this nonsense.  Thank God l'm not young anymore.

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frozen (2010) - adam green

Three Americans get stuck up a ski lift as night falls.  They try to get down with varying degrees of luck, and wolves are involved.
Yawn.
It was my misfortune to have to spend some of my quality time watching this, but don't waste your time (they're not worth it).
I desperately wanted them all to die long, lingering deaths, endlessly suffering and being shown no mercy.  If l was to be tormented and traumatised by watching it, l wanted them to be hurting to the same degree of agony and torment l was enduring.
Sadly, that was setting an impossible task.
You may have guessed by now - Frozen was not my cup of tea (it was crap)

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john smith - the 129 year old indian

This is John Smith, real name Ka-Be-Nah-Owey-Wence, who was supposed to be 129 years old when this picture was taken.  That might or might not be true, but he sure looks that old.  This should be used as an advert to prevent people staying out in the sun for too long (or getting them to moisturise).  I certainly don't think he ever came into contact with aftersun (other brands are available).

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world war 2 propaganda posters from japan

These are Japanese  propaganda posters from the Second World War, and they are up for no other reason than they are a fascinating slice of history, and their design and colours are great.  More to follow.

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terry gilliam and his junk

Holly, Terry Gilliam's daughter, has started posting bits and pieces of her fathers junk on her blog.  I say junk, but these are old sketches, animation cells, film scripts etc to do with Monty Python's Flying Circus, Brazil, The Fisher King, and so much more.  She will certainly have plenty to be delving through and exhibiting, so this could go on for quite a while (unless she gets bored of doing it).  If l was to do a blog featuring my fathers stuff, it wouldn't last a day.  An empty bottle of gin, a couple of books and some clothes would just about cover it.  It's a bugger being from the poor, working class side of town (he moans yet again).  Don't get me started on the advantages she has and will have in her life, even if it is through no fault of her own, and she may well be a lovely person.  Jealous?  Too right l am.

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the last exorcism (2010) - daniel stamm

Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) is a jaded preacher who agrees to do a documentary exposing the sham that is exorcisms, and is asked to perform one on a religious and isolated young girl who's father thinks is possessed.  He acquiesces as he intends it to be his last one (hence 'The Last Exorcism' of the title), and demonstrates to the camera crew how it is faked.  After leaving the girl, she then turns up unexpectedly in his hotel, starts being sick, and is taken by the crew to hospital.  Marcus and the crew eventually go back to the girls house, and is persuaded (at gunpoint by the father) to perform another exorcism.  Strange things happen..........A pregnancy is discovered............Ablam (the demon) speaks!...........Odd shapes are thrown........There are witchcraft goings on, killings and birth, and a rediscovery of faith.  Pretty good actually.  Not as impressive (impossible) as 'The Exorcist' (a gold standard of possession movies), but better than expected.  It made the FPO jump, but then again, what doesn't?

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people magazine and the death of elvis and michael

There was an interesting article yesterday on David Hepworth's blog yesterday about the death of Elvis Presley, and how little of it was shown on the front cover of People Magazine, the USA's top selling magazine at that time.  As he said, although Elvis was a legend, celebrity death was not such a huge deal at the time, and just before his death, he was only popular with his old die hard fans.  I remember he was openly mocked for his appearance and shambling stage appearances just before his death, and no one was really interested in his new records. He was, to all intents and purposes, a joke.  Elvis died on August 16th 1977 (a month before Marc Bolan fact fans!), so the August 15th magazine above was obviously out before his death. However, it took until the September 5th issue before it was even mentioned (in a round about way), and even then, just in the top left hand corner.  How times have changed, and when you consider Michael Jackson, the circumstances are very similar.  A legend who became an oddity/laughing stock, who most people just wanted to see in concert (at the planned O2 gigs) so they could say they had seen him, but expecting a possible shambles.  His records had stopped selling, and there were also the child abuse allegations following him around.   When he died though, the papers, magazines and TV knew what was expected of them, and the droves rushed out to buy his product.


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jeremy clarkson is upset about his dog

Jeremy Clarkson has declared Britain to be a nation of 62 million bastards, after he received twitter messages mocking him over the death of his dog.  I don't condone such actions on twitter, but if Clarkson is happy to take the piss and mock other peoples (and countries) weaknesses, disadvantages or basically just be an all round pompous opinionated arse (as if l can talk), he should expect people to have a go and mock him whenever they get the chance, as it will be one of the few chances they get to piss him off, annoy him, or upset him.  Clarkson goes on to complain about the British hating anyone who has a supercar (or is basically successful).  He is missing the point.  If someone has become successful through talent or expertise in some field, and do not behave or pontificate like a  gay hating, same sex marriage, anti abortion southern preacher, they are generally liked, no matter what car they drive.  It's the rich prats who think they are above everyone else and have a superior, pompous attitude (hello Mr Clarkson!), especially to the working class,  that the majority of the public despise.  If you can't take abuse, don't dish it out, and if you don't want people taking the piss about your dogs death on twitter, don't go on twitter to announce it.  I wish he'd piss off out of the country and take his Chipping Norton set with him (or change it into some kind of Peoples Temple set instead) . Some say he is just controversial for the sake of it, to have a laugh and promote the show.  I say he's an absolute twat of the worst kind, and l agree wholeheartedly with Stewart Lee and what he has to say about Top Gear and it's presenters.



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national geographic photography winners

Fred An

Camilla Massu

The winner!  By Cedric Houin 

Michelle Schantz

Lucia Griggi

The winners of the 2012  National Geographic photography competition have just been announced, and here are some of them.  More information and photographs can be found at their site.