Pop Couture

Boots with the fuuurrrrr..

Kimberley — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:16:59 +0000

Oh, this post could have been headed with any number of song lyrics but Flo Rida’s Low is still so iconic and memorable in terms of how much of a buzz it created to introduce Step Up 2 (arguably better than its original – no offence Channing and Jenna!)

You all know of my penchant for dance movies and dance TV shows – though it doesn’t translate to me actually having any moves. Once a guy invited me to a salsa dance lesson and I flat out told him – I have no rhythm.* (Which essentially, was me being diplomatic and not wanting to learn a sexy South American dance with this particular gent..)

Anyway, I digress! I am fascinated, and inspired by seeing how effortless dancers seem to move to any piece of music, making it seem like such a natural movement lyrically, and rhythmically. It inspired much TV-volume-increasing and dancing in whatever leisurely outfit I was wearing at the time. In my lounge-room.

So it is with great pleasure that on Friday – four esteemed dancers that are currently on tour with Britney Spears’ Circus tour are going to be at Baroq House showcasing their talents – and I am lucky enough to be meeting with them, and blogging for the event! Watch this space – there may be even live tweeting!

If you are in Melbourne- check out the banner below for details. Its going to be a HOT night!

For more info on Melbourne’s Secret Society, click here. I will be having a chat with the two directors on Friday as well to discuss future events.. but that’s a total secret, and don’t say I said anything..

*This is a true story – I was totally approached by a stranger at a train station who at first asked for directions, and then proceeded to ask if I wanted to join him at a salsa beginner’s class.

Michael Buble singing Letterman’s Top 10 List

Kimberley — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:57:46 +0000

So.. I should be in bed now. Its late. But I’m stubborn, and I generally decide my bed time entirely dependent on who the guests will be on Letterman. And about 1 minute into this evening’s Top 10 list, I was certain I had to share it with you.

I give you – Michael Buble singing ‘Top Ten Least Favourite Standards’.. I have no words. Just giggles. See for yourself. (Though #4 and #1 made me laugh the loudest.. oh heck, all of them)

Paranormal Activity – a non-spoilery review

Kimberley — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:12:41 +0000

Thanks to the inaugural Hello, Darkness Horror Film festival here in Melbourne – the film I was looking forward to oh so recently (and thinking I had to wait til December) opened up the festival. I had to go!

Well, Paranormal Activity certainly lived up and exceeded expectations. Even as the film progressed, I wondered just how I would even write the review – because much like District 9 the film’s power lies predominantly in its surprises. I can say definitively that this is not a case where all the best parts appear in the trailer (Tropic Thunder, I’m looking at you).
Firstly, I think this will be another Blair Witch Project/Cloverfield love-or-hate type movie. You’ll either absolutely appreciate it and its eery subtlety, or you will think nothing happened and be bored.

The film unfolds through the night vision of live-in couple Katie & Micah’s camera turned on overnight, in hopes of documenting the strange noises and so forth that Katie feels she is experiencing. Whilst I won’t go into any of what eventuates (and maybe I couldn’t tell you as I was watching it mostly through the gaps between my fingers as I held my hands over my eyes for protection) its the moments between Katie and Micah (played by Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat) that make the viewers relate to them even more – Micah wanting to use the camera for nefarious means, trying to communicate to the spirit cheekily and the way that Katie would simply roll her eyes at Micah’s early theories of what it could be, both trying to come to a compromise and stay as calm in light of an unknown adversary. Of course you’d want it to be kids next door, tapping on the door, or just messing with them. You’d want it to be that.

I think Paranormal Activity’s biggest strength is not just in the escalating ‘paranormal activity’ that unfolds in Micah and Katie’s house, but in the way their absolutely believable chemistry between the two of them, conveying the increasing fear felt throughout each event and bump in the night. It even seems to strange to call them characters as it seems even more raw than the Blair Witch Project’s characters were out in the wild. This is a fly-on-the-wall documentary style look at approximately 3 weeks in the private life of a young couple, trying to figure out if there is a genuine haunting happening, or if its just hooligan kids next door.

Whilst this film is more subtle than most would expect – don’t bother waiting for a high-pitched violin shriek, shower scenes, scary mirror reflection scenes, or a ghost in a white sheet (okay, so maybe you wouldn’t expect that) Paranormal Activity immerses you in their experience much more – due to how relatable Katie and Micah are as characters. I definitely didn’t want to go home to an empty house after watching this film – and the fact that the mysterious happenings occur when the couple are sleeping; well, that doesn’t inspire much comfort before switching the lights out! Also – though I thought I would in my teaser post here I am pleased to announce I was not responsible for shrieking in the cinema! Go me!

Mouth watering American icon coming to Australia..

Kimberley — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:30:24 +0000

(And usually when I’m talking about a mouth watering icon, I’m generally talking about a handsome celebrity!)

In this case, its all about dessert.

Ah, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. If you haven’t heard of this iconic brand, then have you watched any TV or movies at all? As famous for its ice cream flavours as the green & white box of Krispy Kreme donuts seen in many a program, Ben & Jerry’s is the tub of ice cream one reaches for after a break up, or when you have a crush that will never quite know the power of your affections. Its the tub of ice cream shared amongst friends – who needs a bowl – with two spoons reaching in to get the bigger lump of cookie dough. And this brand is coming to Australia..

Let me tell you, when a lovely (generous!) friend offered me the opportunity to share a few sample Ben & Jerry’s flavours with my workplace, I was thinking at first it would be just my company, 30 or 40 people maximum. But the opportunity, and the invitation grew – and I coordinated the whole building (four floors, approximately 8 business units) to share in the day. Sadly, it was to be the drizzly, greyest day of the week – but Melbourne locals know not to expect continued sunshine for too long, and it certainly didn’t dampen the anticipation levels of anyone in the building. The building manager said she had never received so many happy emails after sending out the notification that there was to be free Ben & Jerry’s.

If you haven’t heard of Ben & Jerry’s – here are a few of the famous flavours -

→ Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (Vanilla Ice Cream with Chunks of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and my personal favourite)
→ Chunky Monkey (Banana Ice Cream with Fudge Chunks and Walnuts)
→ Strawberry Cheesecake (Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream with Strawberries & a Thick Cookie Swirl)
→ Phish Food (Chocolate Ice Cream with Gooey Marshmallow, Caramel Swirls and Chocolatey Fish)
→ Cherry Garcia (Cherry Ice Cream with Cherries & Dark Chocolatey Chunks)
→ Coffee, Coffee, BuzzBuzzBuzz (Coffee Ice Cream with Espresso Bean Chocolatey Chunks)

As soon as the Ben & Jerry’s ‘Rolling Cone’ came around – heck, other people were window-watching and called reception before I had a chance to unpack! Girls upstairs, that I’d never met had tea-towels tucked into their dresses ready to dig in! (And if you think I’m embellishing that, seriously.. I’m not!) A generally stoic colleague from another floor sent a lovely email to me saying there is nothing like ice cream to bond people together – it brings out the ‘child’ in people, he commented. And during a work day, coming up to the silly season.. it felt really good to bring so much joy (and then ice-cream hangovers) to a whole building!

There are no store locations at this stage in Australia, its that early in the launch! But if you’re lucky enough to know me in person, well I may or may not have about 5 litres of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough in my freezer..

If you want to check out other flavours or circle on your calendar when a scoop shop will be opening near you, check out their website here or follow them on Twitter to scavenge for ice cream.

What has the world come to?

Kimberley — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:09:50 +0000

Just when I think Buffy or Angel may be as ‘nerdy’ as I go (though for the longest time, I thought everyone watched those shows!) I have become somewhat hooked on a show that I think may have completely tainted me as a nerd.

A friend of mine was giving away DVDs and box sets that he no longer needed (only to save space, after he’d copied them to his hard drive) and thus I had a bit of a squee bonanza in grabbing some DVDs I wouldn’t have thought to buy but either myself or family/friends would love.

Then I saw the Dr Who box sets. I know these cost a pretty penny (well, anything from BBC is expensive here) so I suggested he sell them on Ebay. Rather than give them away, because I know it has such a following. Then I hesitantly asked; what is all the fuss about? So.. this guy, travels through time? In a phone box? What else? He suggested I watch a particular episode.. and the addiction began.
After that first episode (from Season 3) I had to begin from the start. And no, definitely not the 70s version! Whilst I was a snuffle-upagus with a cold yesterday, I pushed the nerdiest DVD into my DVD player, ever.

Starting with Christopher Eccleston and ole Billie Piper (Cos we want to!) and I’m loving it! Although the ‘aliens’ are quite imaginative (the first episode had walking store mannequins) and a subsequent episode had fake pig-headed aliens. No really, they had pig heads. Talk about swine! But the quirkiness of the Doctor’s character alone, the fantasy element in travelling through time and space, as well as the human elements of the bond between Doctor and Rose Tyler . I’m loving it.
I already feel like my DNA has changed. Will people know? Will they see that now I’ve watched Dr Who? Is it plastered across my forehead like the guilty pleasure of enjoying the High School Musical series?

I have to take comfort in that now, my absolute no-go shows are Battlestar, or any of the Stargate series. THEN.. that’ll be the ultimate dark side! What TV shows equate to your dark side?

State of Play – a review

Paranormal Activity.. broad title, chilling reaction!

Kimberley — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:03:02 +0000

Let me tell you, I watched this trailer at work, with no sound (thanks dodgy, second-hand work laptop) and STILL felt jittery. I still got goosebumps.

Even now, as I post this, I attempted to watch it with sound, and had to turn it off before 10 or 20 seconds had elapsed. This is a movie I will need a few friends to watch it with, oh.. and I’m definitely not going to be in an empty house! Every review I read, from those that are even non-horror or non-thriller film afficionados say that that you will not be able to sleep after this one.

Its the type of movie that cannot be described too much (in order to avoid ruining the elements of surprise and unpredictability – much like District 9 I imagine) but in essence, it can be much like ‘The Blair Witch Project meets Amityville’ or another haunting type flick. This may be even bigger, as the original out-in-the-woods mockumentary proved to be divisive – you either loved it or hated it as some felt it didn’t deliver. Paranormal Activity is said to provide the suspense, the unpredictability but give the audience much more in terms of scares and still be outside of the horror convention.

Which of course means for me (as one who was terrified and chilled by the Blair Witch Project, Open Water, & Cloverfield -just to mention a few that have most likely been inspired by the mockumentary presentation of Blair Witch) that I may need to bring along a cushion to scream into at the cinema. Paranormal Activity is likely to be this generation’s Exorcist. This generation’s nouveau indie horror.

Paranormal Activity is already playing in U.S theatures – but is at this stage slated for a December 3rd release in Australia.

Touch ‘em – if you know what’s good for you

Kimberley — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:15:43 +0000

I know, I know its been a while. Life happens! Although I’m still watching as many movies, and TV shows (Glee, FTW!) I’m working on more posts, trust me.

In the meantime, I’ve been inspired to watch more comedies in general to stay perky, to stay giggly, and FunnyOrDie has proven to be just the celebrity endorsed sketch comedy (online) I need. If its not Zach Galifianakis interviewing Bradley Cooper, or Breckin Meyer impersonating Perez Hilton (hysterically) there is this – a video featuring Alyson Hannigan, Emily Deschanel, Kat McPhee, Minka Kelly and Jaime King at what must be an ordinary ’slumber party’ between celebrities, getting ready to do a breast check. Very tongue in cheek, but timely as October is national Breast Cancer Month. Take a look – it can’t hurt. Though I’m not sure I’d have friends around to perform this check. But that’s just me!

THE BOOBY SCARE Featuring Alyson Hannigan, Emily Deschanel, Kat McPhee, Minka Kelly and Jaime King – watch more funny videos

Are you wearing a pair of Levi’s? Drop ‘em!

Introducing… Jordan Millar & the Question

Kimberley — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:51:38 +0000

To celebrate Pop Couture’s first birthday I thought I’d show its growth over the year, by posting my very first interview. Jordan Millar, up and coming singer/songwriter and lead of Jordan Millar & the Question was lovely enough to grant me this opportunity. (Well, I really put him on the spot, but ssssh)

I first was introduced to Jordan’s music as he supported Brian McFadden (@BrianMcNugget on Twitter) and was pleasantly surprised by a local singer, him and his guitar sharing pop/rock songs, whilst sheepishly sharing stories of how the songs came about. My friend and I were instantly charmed, and I did the rare thing of actually buying the CD in between his set, and Brian’s (also having the opportunity to meet and greet, and shyly say ‘I like your style!’) How often is it that a support act makes you actually pay attention, and not tap your feet impatiently just waiting for the main act?

Jordan Millar is a 22 year old Tasmanian born guy, living in Sydney now with one of his band-mates Ben, and living relatively close to his other band-mates its almost like an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond. Though, without being related or having a houseful of toddlers.

Jordan’s music can only be described as not your run-of-the-mill pop band. Infused with pop/rock/blues/soul – Jordan & the band definitely deliver, whether it be accoustic, or a full band backing him, and I can say that having seen him twice. He lists his influences as John Mayer, Dave Mathews Band, and Jimi Hendrix to name a few, and that lends to an expressive honesty in the lyrics while having great melodies. From that first support show I saw him in, I was already thinking there were some tracks that were definitely radio friendly and not the generic mumbling accoustic pop act that bores me to tears.

So, bearing in mind I see no Melbourne dates for the rest of 2009, I asked him a few questions in between a record crowd at his gig at The Basement in Sydney, and Jordan’s journalism studies at University.

KS: When did you first start singing, and what were the contributing factors that led you to make it a career choice?

JM: I first started singing when I was very young, but only really took it up as ’something I did’ when I was about 14. My mum was a singer and my dad a drummer, so I always had music around me and it never really felt like something I was going to DO, it was more just something that was always there and that I was a part of.
As for pursuing it professionally, well that is just the byproduct of not wanting to do anything else but play music!

KS: Describe the song writing process

JM: My song writing process always starts with the guitar. I’ll come up with a nice chord progression, or an interesting riff and then I’ll build the rest of the song around that. I think you need to have the musical vibe first before you start putting lyrics and melody onto it.

KS: What goals have you set for yourself, and the band?

JM: The goals we set as a band are very big in one sense, but we have the steps in place along the way to ensure that we get to that point. Things like getting a manager, a booking agent, get people to come to shows, do an album, tour the country. All small things, but all building towards the main goal of being able to play music full time. We’re a very realistic band I think. We’ve learnt a lot in our 3 years together and we know that things aren’t always as they seem, but by knowing this we’ve realised that if things are going to get done, we’re going to have to do it ourselves!

KS: What’s your favourite track on the album?

JM: My favourite song off the album is actually Lies In Translations. I wrote that only a couple of days before we went into the studio, and it just hit home. It was more honest, lyrically, than I had been before and I think it was a bit of a turning point for me.

KS: What sets you Beau, Michael and Ben apart – what do you guys get up to to keep it fun, enjoyable? Do you trash hotel rooms? (Joking!)

JM: The guys in the band are all really great guys, and thats the best part about it. We can all go away and have some crazy good laughs and still not want to kill each other. Me and Ben live together and have done for 3 years, Beau lives downstairs (pretty much) and Mike is in the same suburb. It’s weird because we all came from different areas and now we’ve all closed in on one another without even realising. But I was very lucky to find such a great bunch of guys to play music with!

But what sets us apart… Hmm… Well Beau loves comic books and the movies and figurines etc that go around all that. Ben loves tattoos and has a bizarre taste in women, which the rest of us fail to understand. Mike likes snare drums more than any other person in history, and I’m a pretentious wanker who’s into arty movies, useless trivia, skim lattes and crosswords. So we it’s a weird dynamic, but it seems to work and keeps things interesting!

——-

If you want to find out more about Jordan and his love of useless trivia, or to generally see some videos and hear some tracks I know you’ll love, visit his MySpace page, become a fan on Facebook, follow him on Twitter!

Pop Couture is 1 Year Old Today!

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:52:00 +0000

A year ago today, Pop Couture was born. A year ago today, Gnomeangel gave me a kick up the butt in the form of encouragement and gave me the confidence I needed to set up this website, to practice my writing, and share my passion for all things pop culture – movies, tv, music, fashion, beauty.. all of it. For that I will always be grateful.

I feel as if I’m still finding my style, still finding new types of posts and ideas to put together, and so Pop Couture is definitely still an infant. Though later today, I’ll be posting my very first interview. They grow up so fast…!

Thank you for reading, commenting and inspiring me in return ☺

Survivor: Samoa – A Villain to watch

Kimberley — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:25:36 +0000

**Warning** This post contains spoilers for the season 19 premiere of Survivor: Samoa. Scroll down if you don’t want to be spoiled!

Last week was the premiere of Survivor: Samoa. Can you believe it’s the 19th season of the ground-breaking reality show? I’ve seen it from Day ONE (though, not Marquesas as Channel 9 skipped that entirely). Back on topic, who would have thought I’d still be just as excited as can be that there is a new season, in another ‘mysterious, largely untouched by civilisation’ location. Although seriously – when will they do something like the Arctic? Now that would be more challenging than Samoa, surely!

Normally I wouldn’t really post about a reality show, as generally it is something one would have to commit to, seeing as the first episode is generally only focussed on exposition and seeing the ‘characters’ get comfortable in their surroundings, or try to assert some power based on their ‘real life’ situations. Generally nothing too stand-out for the first episode.

Not in this case. Generally in the last couple of seasons, you’ve had one or two especially scheming characters. People that want to win at any expense and will play the ‘social’ game, but also try to be as competitive in the physical challenges also. And generally, through their white lies and whatnot they’re still likable (think Todd from Survivor: China) oh so devious, and sly but still a jovial, adorable guy.

Here is where Survivor: Samoa’s opening episode alone will now flip that on its head; I have now met the vilest, most offensive ‘character’ I can think of in recent history. (Bear in mind, I’m sure some of you may come up with more, on other shows I don’t watch – feel free to comment with examples!)

Here are a few examples. Stout & bald, beer-bellied oil-company owner Russell props himself up as there to win the game. He’s not there to make friends, he’s not there because he’s a ‘die-hard’ fan like some contestants have been in recent series. He then goes onto explain that in the process of being the last one standing; he will go out of his way to make surviving, and the ‘game’ itself miserable for everyone else.

He approaches a couple of the young women on his tribe, and wants to be smart, making an alliance on day one with people that he’d be least expected to be tight with; then in the one-on-one camera chat calls it the ‘dumb-ass girl alliance’. Urgh.

If that wasn’t bad enough, he then tells a campfire story about being trapped in Hurricane Katrina. His beloved dog dying. Being a fireman and doing his best to survive. NONE of it true. Absolutely abhorrent!

To end the night on an even higher note, whilst the camp is asleep he empties out ALL the water canteens, and throws a tribe-mate’s sock into the campfire. I cannot even remember in the past, in 19 seasons if someone has been so malicious in this way. But as Jeff Probst blogged about here – this new villain is sure to be a very big reason why people will tune in. Just to see what he does, and the very likely wreckage he will leave in whatever manipulative story he tells, or creature comfort he ruins in order to serve his own evil purpose.

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