robmacca's entertainment news

The Antics @ Kasbah Coventry

2012-05-23T13:32:00.000+01:00

The Antics were supporting The Enemy during their gigs at Kasbah in Coventry, here are a selection of pictures and videos from the two nights. The Leamington Spa band proved to be a great support act, really involving the 1,000 strong crowd and getting them to join in. For more information on The Antics:

http://www.facebook.com/anticsintheuk
http://twitter.com/anticsintheuk
http://www.anticsintheuk.blogspot.co.uk/

May 21st:

The Antics - All Together Now @ Kasbah Coventry 21/05/12

May 22nd:

The Antics @ Kasbah Coventry 22/05/12

The Kontours @ Kasbah Coventry

2012-05-23T13:05:00.000+01:00

Coventry band The Kontours were supporting The Enemy during their Kasbah gigs and put on a fantastic performance. Here are a selection of pictures and videos from the two nights. For more information about the band:
The Kontours on Facebook
http://twitter.com/TheKontours

May 21st Gig:

The Kontours - Knock Knock @ Kasbah Coventry 21/05/12

May 22nd Gig:

The Kontours - Wind & Rain @ Kasbah Coventry 22/05/12

ALBUM REVIEW: The Ripps - Heartaches + Hangovers

2012-05-14T07:09:00.000+01:00

If being in a band is a journey, then The Ripps have travelled around the world several times. The Coventry band first debuted in 2007 with 'Long Live The Ripps' and went on to perform at Glastonbury the same year, storming the indie charts with their 70's punk influenced songs 'Vandals', 'Loco' and 'Holiday'. Brothers Patch and Raul Lagunas experienced the highs of being in a band that was starting to make it big, they were touring the UK and living the dream. But every musician will tell you that the dream can be shattered just as quickly as it was created and The Ripps have endured being capsized a fair few times during their long journey. Thankfully the brothers never gave up and their passion for music can be clearly seen in the long awaited follow up album 'Heartaches + Hangovers', released digitally on 21st May and in stores from 4th June 2012.

The Ripps have doubled in band numbers since their debut album, with Alan Ferguson on bass and Phil Cox on drums, Terry Muttitt on keys and Lolly McIntosh completing the line up on vocals. The album title 'Heartaches + Hangovers' might have you thinking it could be a rather somber 45 minutes, but you would be mistaken. This is an uplifting collection of songs that will leave you humming the tunes long before you know all the words!

The album begins with the up tempo 'She's Not All There' - the perfect song to play when you are getting ready for a Friday night out on the town. Lolly McIntosh provides gentle backing vocals with Patch delivering the main lyrics, "She's always in a rush on a Friday night, posing in the mirror she's looking alright, pictures herself in a perfect life with a happy ending." The lyrics continue to grab your attention during 'Anarchy Bridge' a song about heartbreak, with the opening line, "I met you in a crowded room and we danced all night to shitty tunes and you smiled and took me by the hand." Forget feeling morose in a Morrissey kind of way, the foot tapping beat will leave you feeling happy that you opened your heart up to let love in and experience the pains and pleasures it can bring.

For those who loved 'Long Live The Ripps', the new album has enough for you to join in and sing along, 'Lovesick' is the kind of song you put on repeat and find yourself singing the chorus over and over. Watching The Ripps perform this song live is always a treat and the on stage antics between Patch and Lolly remind me how entertaining the band are. The tempo really reaches fever pitch during 'Lose Yourself', it's the kind of song you can clap along too or have a bit of a wild western jig while on the dancefloor . Once again the lyrics impressed me, "She looks at me with those devil eyes, do you wanna be lonely?, do you wanna get high? I'm asking for trouble and I don't know why...." This is a song about love and how you lose yourself when that love consumes your heart and mind. We've all been there and 'Lose Yourself' relates to each and every one of us.........

The Ripps (*pic by Redwood photography)

Cue the tambourine and maracas for 'Remember Me' as The Ripps get to demonstrate their talents during this musical feast about falling in love and the highs love brings. They follow this up a break up song called 'You and I' , just to keep listeners in the reality loop of the strains and heartaches that relationships can bring upon us. The Ripps then lift us from the doldrums of a broken heart and apply a plaster to our wounds with 'True Colours' - the sort of song you need to play when you are just getting over a relationship. You know that feeling when you should let someone go, but you really don't want to - even though they've hurt you. This song encapsulates those emotions in just over three minutes and concludes with the lyrics, 'I don't want to let you go.'

'The Honeymoon Is Over' continues the journey of realisation that a relationship is coming to an end. In typical Ripps fashion - the tune is upbeat and shows how the band have grown up and learnt from the many experiences they have gone through. While the honeymoon may be over, The Ripps prove they have developed and matured their sound with some topical songs about love and life. The album lifts you up with songs like, 'The First Picture Of You' - which starts off quite dark and heavy (a bit like the 'Cov Song' on 'Long Live The Ripps') but bursts into life with the chorus.

The final track on the album 'The Way We Were' is a reflective track that reminds us how people change, just like the four seasons. Even after all the hangovers and heartaches - we still fall in love again. Slowly we open our hearts up and fall in love, removing the plasters from previous relationships by giving someone else a chance to shape our heart.

Previously The Ripps were said to be the new Supergrass, but I would say they are better than Supergrass. The lyrics in 'Young And Lost' say, "we deserve a chance, we deserve it" This Coventry band truly deserve a chance, they have produced an album to be proud of - all without the funding or backing of a major record company. Their passion and determination not only make them proud of where they come from but also steadfast in the desire to make music. They have journeyed to the heights of Glastonbury and the lows of a 9-5 dead end job yet never given up on their dreams. The Ripps are an inspiration not only for other musicians struggling to make it, but for all lovers of real music. Buy this album and keep that dream alive.......

Upcoming Dates:

25th May – Taylor John’s House, Coventry
8th June – The Wheelbarrow, Camden, London

Website/Social networking:
www.theripps.co.uk
www.facebook.com/theripps
www.youtube.com/therippsmusic

For more info contact: Jamie Conlon – jrconlon@blitzsounds.co.uk or 07811 400 366

Released by: Ghoulish Records
Release/catalogue number: GHOUL006CD

Available from: Amazon / Play

*PIC: Top - David Gover Photography

Tales From The Television - Part 17

2012-05-13T21:00:00.001+01:00

The opening and closing titles to this cult TV series from the 60's only helped propel this classic British drama to new heights when it was repeated on Channel 4 in the mid 1980's. The Prisoner was one of those memorable programmes, although Channel 4 caused a bit of a stir when it showed the series in a different order (it was confusing enough in the right order!).

The famous line, "I am not a number, I am a free man" will live on in my mind forever - Number 6 and that big white balloon is also etched there........

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 16

2012-05-06T21:09:00.000+01:00

Australian soap opera's were the first programme I would watch when I got home from school. Monday to Wednesday it would be 'The Young Doctors' and then 'Sons and Daughters' for the latter part of the week.

I have to admit that I actually liked 'The Young Doctors' and I found myself rushing home from school so I would not miss the episodes. The Aussie soaps were so much better than our own daytime soaps like Emmerdale Farm or Take The High Road. .....

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 15

2012-04-13T10:24:00.000+01:00

Afternoon soap operas were all the norm in the late 70's and no-one made them better than Australia. As a kid, I would quickly make my way home from school for the latest episodes of The Young Doctors and Sons and Daughters.

Somehow, Take The High Road and Emmerdale Farm just didn't cut it for me ........

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 14

2012-04-03T21:42:00.000+01:00

The battle for breakfast TV viewers began back in 1983 when the BBC launched 'Breakfast Time', quickly followed by TV-AM on ITV. After much hype, it was the BBC which began to win the ratings war as ITV said goodbye to some of the famous five who were originally presenting TV-AM's 'Good Morning Britian'. But all was not over in this telly battle - a rat was about to save the day. Watch this latest tale to find out more......

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 13

2012-03-21T07:10:00.001Z

A TV channel going off the air because of a strike seems almost impossible to believe these days, but it did happen back in the 1970's when ITV was off the air for what seemed like weeks. This latest Tales From The Television looks back at the advert strike that hampered Channel 4 in it's early days, but the geek in me found great excitement - find out why in the video below!

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 12

2012-03-12T08:49:00.000Z

It was slammed in the press for being 'Channel Swore' but for me, as a bright-eyed innocent thirteen year old - it represented fresh, inspiring television. The launch of Channel 4 on November 2nd 1982 changed my viewing habits forever. Then, in January 1983, my parents bought me the best present I had ever had ...........

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 11

2012-03-07T19:37:00.000Z

On November 2nd 1982 I witnessed the launch of a brand new television channel in the UK. As a young lad, I was excited beyond belief because I had only ever had three TV channels to choose from. Back in 1982 satellite didn't exist and cable TV was not yet invented, Sinclair Spectrum and Commodore 64 computers were just beginning to become popular. Life was seemingly simple - I had not even watched a video by the time I was thirteen!

So the launch of Channel 4 was a life changing moment in my life ....... yes I was a nerd, yes I was a geek - but I didn't care because I had such a passion for this new TV channel and no-one could take that away from me. (Except my parents, with whom I had to battle with too watch any programmes they would allow me to watch!)

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 10

2012-02-27T19:06:00.000Z

In the days before we had the internet and DVD's, we had to rely on whatever TV churned out for us. In this episode of robmacca's 'Tales From The Television' find out what programmes you recognise. You might even be familiar with the tune playing in the background!

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Oscars 2012 - The Complete List Of Winners

2012-02-27T14:57:00.000Z

Here is the list of Oscar winners from the 2012 Academy Awards:

Best Cinematography: Robert Richardson, "Hugo"

Best Art Direction: Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schavo, "Hugo"

Best Costume Design: Mark Bridges, "The Artist"

Best Makeup: Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland, "The Iron Lady"

Best Foreign Language Film: "A Separation"

Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

Best Editing: Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"

Best Sound Editing: Phillip Stockton and Eugene Gearty, "Hugo"

Best Sound Mixing: Tom Fleischman and John Midgley, "Hugo"

Best Documentary: "Undefeated"

Best Animated Feature: "Rango"

Best Visual Effects: "Hugo"

Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"

Best Original Score: Ludovic Bource, "The Artist"

Best Original Song: Bret McKenzie, "Man or Muppet"

Best Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, "The Descendants"

Best Original Screenplay: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"

Best Live Action Short: "The Shore"

Best Documentary Short: "Saving Face"

Best Animated Short: "The Fantastic Flying Books Of Mr. Morris Lessmore"

Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"

Best Actor: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"

Best Actress: Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"

Best Picture: "The Artist"

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

The Specials To Perform At Olympic Closing Ceremony

2012-02-21T01:18:00.000Z

The Specials will be joining Blur and New Order for the closing Olympic Ceremony in London on Sunday 12th August 2012 it has been confirmed today (21/02/12). The Coventry 2-Tone band will feature as part of the 'Best of British' celebration concert, which will be seen by millions around the world.

Fans will be able to register for tickets on the BT London Live website - prices will be announced soon.

Tales From The Television - Part 9

2012-02-15T15:23:00.000Z

Team GB are hoping to do well in the upcoming Olympic Games in London, but let's hope they don't follow the route of Great Britain in Jeux Sans Frontières. Week after week team GB would finish near the bottom of the table.

The latest video looks back at It's A Knockout and Jeux Sans Frontières and how fun TV can help unite families.

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Grammy Awards 2012: The Winners

2012-02-13T08:50:00.001Z

British singer Adele won six Grammy Awards at the emotional ceremony held in Los Angeles as the entertainment industry remembered the tragic death of Whitney Houston. Adele also performed during the 54th Grammy Award ceremony after winning Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Short Form Music Video.

American rockers the Foo Fighters were the other main winners of the night.

Here is the full Grammy Award Winners List:

RECORD OF THE YEAR - "Rolling In The Deep" Adele

ALBUM OF THE YEAR - "21" Adele

SONG OF THE YEAR - "Rolling In The Deep" Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth (song writer award)

BEST NEW ARTIST - Bon Iver

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE - Adele "Someone Like You"

BEST ROCK ALBUM - Foo Fighters "Wasting Light"

BEST POP DUO - Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse "Body and Soul"

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM - Adele "21"

BEST RAP ALBUM - Kanye West "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy"

BEST POP INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM - Booker T. Jones "The Road From Memphis"

BEST DANCE RECORDING - Skrillex "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites"

BEST DANCE/ELECTRONICA ALBUM - Skrillex "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites"

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM - Tony Bennett & Various Artists "Duets II"

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE - Foo Fighters "Walk"

BEST HARD ROCK/METAL PERFORMANCE - Foo Fighters "White Limo"

BEST ROCK SONG - Foo Fighters (songwriters) "Walk"

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM - Bon Iver "Bon Iver"

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE - Corinne Bailey Rae "Is This Love"

BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE - Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona "Fool for You"

BEST R&B SONG - Cee Lo Green, Melanie Hallim, Jack Splash (songwriters) "Fool for You"

BEST R&B ALBUM - Chris Brown "F.A.M.E"

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE - Jay-Z & Kanye West "Otis"

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION - Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie "All of the Lights"

BEST RAP SONG - Jeff Bhasker, Stacy Ferguson, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West (songwriters) "All of the Lights"

BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE - Taylor Swift "Mean"

BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE - The Civil Wars "Barton Hollow"

BEST COUNTRY SONG - Taylor Swift (songwriter) "Mean"

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM - Lady Antebellum "Own The Night"

BEST NEW AGE ALBUM - Pat Metheny "What's It All About"

BEST IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO - Chick Corea "500 Miles High"

BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM - Terri Lyne Carrington & Various Artists "The Mosaic Project"

BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM - Corea, Clarke & White "Forever"

BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM - Christian McBride Big Band "The Good Feeling"

BEST GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE - Le'Andria Johnson "Jesus"

BEST GOSPEL SONG - Kirk Franklin (songwriter) "Hello Fear"

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC SONG - Laura Story (songwriter) "Blessings"

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM - Kirk Franklin "Hello Fear"

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM - Chris Tomlin "And If Our God Is for Us..."

BEST LATIN POP, ROCK, OR URBAN ALBUM - Mana "Drama y Luz"

BEST REGIONAL MEXICAN OR TEJANO ALBUM - Pepe Aguilar "Bicentenario"

BEST BANDA OR NORTENO ALBUM - Los Tigres Del Norte "Los Tigres Del Norte and Friends"

BEST TROPICAL LATIN ALBUM - Cachao "The Last Mambo"

BEST AMERICANA ALBUM - Levon Helm "Ramble at the Ryman"

BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM - Alison Krauss & Union Station "Paper Airplane"

BEST BLUES ALBUM - Tedeschi Trucks Band "Revelator"

BEST FOLK ALBUM - The Civil Wars "Barton Hollow"

BEST REGIONAL ROOTS MUSIC ALBUM - Rebirth Brass Band "Rebirth of New Orleans"

BEST REGGAE ALBUM - Stephen Marley "Revelation Pt. 1: The Root of Life"

BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM - Tinariwen "Tassili"

BEST CHILDREN'S ALBUM - Various Artists "All About Bullies ... Big and Small"

BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM - Betty White "If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't)

BEST COMEDY ALBUM - Louis C.K. "Hilarious"

BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM - "The Book of Mormon"

BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO - Adele "Rolling in the Deep"

BEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO - Foo Fighters "Foo Fighters: Back and Forth"

Source: Reuters

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

BAFTA Awards 2012: Winners

2012-02-13T00:05:00.001Z

As predicted, The Artist became the winner of this years BAFTA Awards in London. Winning Best Film, Director, Original Screenplay, Leading Actor, Original Music, Cinematography and Costume Design.

In other news, Meryl Streep lost her shoe but Colin Firth saved the day!

Here are the BAFTA Award 2012 Winners List:

Best Film:
The Artist

Outstanding British Film:
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer:
Paddy Considine (Tyrannosaur)

Film Not in the English Language:
The Skin I Live In

Documentary:
Senna

Animated Film:
Rango

Director:
Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist)

Original Screenplay:
The Artist

Adapted Screenplay:
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Leading Actor:
Jean Dujardin (The Artist)

Leading Actress:
Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)

Supporting Actor:
Christopher Plummer (Beginners)

Supporting Actress:
Octavia Spencer (The Help)

Original Music:
The Artist

Cinematography:
The Artist

Editing:
Senna

Production Design:
Hugo

Costume Design:
The Artist

Make Up & Hair:
The Iron Lady

Sound:
Hugo

Special Visual Effects:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2

Short Animation:
A Morning Stroll

Short Film:
Pitch Black Heist

Orange Rising Star Award:
Adam Deacon

BAFTA Fellowship:
Martin Scorsese

Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema:
John Hurt

*Nominations in full: HERE

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 8

2012-02-07T18:19:00.006Z

Over the years television has given us numerous catchphrases and many TV personalities are known for their one liners. Back in the day before we had the Internet and satellite or cable TV - as children had few programmes to choose from so we had to make the most of what we had.

Looking back now, it's easy to think the programmes were tacky or 'dated' but hidden inside each show were real gems. From the outrageous Tiswas to the energetic Runaround in the late 70's early 80's - we grew up loving the fun they bought into our young lives.

Have a cuppa and enjoy this latest tale ........

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 7

2012-02-01T10:12:00.000Z

This one might sound like the Chipmunks but it should put a smile on your face as we look at more classic children's TV from Grange Hill, Byker Grove and Marmalade Atkins for this episode of robmacca's Tales From The Television .......

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 6

2012-02-01T10:05:00.000Z

Getting home from school and putting the TV on was tradition we grew up with. Cartoons provided hours of entertainment and captivated our imagination from both the UK and US, as this tale looks back at the unforgettable Dangermouse and He-Man.

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 5

2012-02-01T09:57:00.000Z

A trip to a Birmingham nightclub and a certain children's programme provide the entertainment in this episode of robmacca's Tales From The Television, with clips from two classic shows we grew up loving. Take a strange trip down memory lane and enjoy the nostalgic footage from Rainbow and Button Moon......

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

BAFTA Awards 2012: Full Nominations List

2012-01-17T11:09:00.000Z

Silence may indeed be golden as The Artist looks set to sweep up at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday 12th February 2012 at London's Royal Opera House. The silent film is up for a total of twelve awards at the British ceremony next month but faces tough competition from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which is nominated for eleven awards this year.

Here are all the BAFTA Award Nominations for 2012:

Best Film:

The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
The Help
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Outstanding British Film:

My Week with Marilyn
Senna
Shame
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
We Need to Talk About Kevin

Leading Actor:

Brad Pitt (Moneyball)
Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
George Clooney (The Descendants)
Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
Michael Fassbender (Shame)

Leading Actress:

Bérénice Bejo (The Artist)
Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)
Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)
Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin)
Viola Davis (The Help)

Supporting Actor:

Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
Jim Broadbent (The Iron Lady)
Jonah Hill (Moneyball)
Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Ides of March)

Supporting Actress:

Carey Mulligan (Drive)
Jessica Chastain (The Help)
Judi Dench (My Week with Marilyn)
Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids)
Octavia Spencer (The Help)

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer:

Richard Ayoade (Submarine)
Paddy Considine (Tyrannosaur)
Joe Cornish (Attack the Block)
Ralph Fiennes (Coriolanus)
Will Sharp (Black Pond)

Film Not in the English Language:

Incendies
Pina
Potiche
A Separation
The Skin I Live In

Documentary:

George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Project Nim
Senna

Animated Film:

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
Arthur Christmas
Rango

Director:

Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist)
Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive)
Martin Scorsese (Hugo)
Tomas Alfredson (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
Lynne Ramsay (We Need to Talk About Kevin)

Original Screenplay:

The Artist
Bridesmaids
The Guard
The Iron Lady
Midnight in Paris

Adapted Screenplay:

The Descendants
The Help
The Ides of March
Moneyball
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Original Music:

The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

Cinematography:

The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

Editing:

The Artist
Drive
Hugo
Senna
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy

Production Design:

The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
My Week with Marilyn
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Costume Design:

The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
My Week with Marilyn
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Make Up & Hair:

The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Hugo
The Iron Lady
My Week with Marilyn

Sound:

The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

Special Visual Effects:

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Hugo
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
War Horse

Short Animation:

Abuelas
Bobby Yeah
A Morning Stroll

Short Film:

Chalk
Mwansa the Great
Only Sound Remains
Pitch Black Heist
Two and Two

Orange Rising Star Award:

Adam Deacon
Chris Hemsworth
Tom Hiddleston
Chris O'Dowd
Eddie Redmayne

BAFTA Fellowship:

Martin Scorsese

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 4

2012-01-15T17:31:00.000Z

Dr Who has entertained generations and become iconic, thankfully the BBC revived the programme for a new worldwide audience.

We've all got a favourite Doctor, and this latest video reveals mine along with a little tale about the Dr Who theme music!

*Red Rob - a view from the left side

Brit Awards 2012: The Nominations

2012-01-12T19:14:00.000Z

The full nominations have been revealed for the 2012 Brit Awards, with Adele and Ed Sheeran set for an award or two at the glitzy music event at London's O2 on Tuesday 21st February 2012. JLS will have to battle it out for British Single of the Year against other new boys on the block - One Direction and The Wanted.

Full list of Brit Award nominations:

BRITISH MALE SOLO ARTIST
Ed Sheeran
James Blake
James Morrison
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Professor Green

BRITISH FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
Adele
Florence & The Machine
Jessie J
Kate Bush
Laura Marling

BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT
Anna Calvi
Ed Sheeran
Emeli Sandé
Jessie J
The Vaccines

BRITISH GROUP
Arctic Monkeys
Chase & Status
Coldplay
Elbow
Kasabian

BRITISH SINGLE
Adele Someone Like You
Ed Sheeran The A Team
Example Changed The Way You Kissed Me
Jessie J Ft B.o.B. Price Tag
JLS Ft Dev She Makes Me Wanna
Military Wives / Gareth Malone Wherever You Are
Olly Murs Ft Rizzle Kicks Heart Skips A Beat
One Direction What Makes You Beautiful
Pixie Lott All About Tonight
The Wanted Glad You Came

MASTERCARD BRITISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Adele 21
Coldplay Mylo Xyloto
Ed Sheeran + Atlantic Records / Warner Music
Florence & The Machine Ceremonials Island

INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Bruno Mars
David Guetta
Ryan Adams

INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
Beyoncé
Björk
Feist
Lady Gaga
Rihanna

INTERNATIONAL GROUP
Fleet Foxes
Foo Fighters
Jay Z / Kanye West
Lady Antebellum
Maroon 5

INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH ACT
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Foster The People
Lana Del Rey
Nicki Minaj

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC AWARD
Blur

CRITICS’ CHOICE
1st - Emeli Sandé
2nd - Maverick Sabre
3rd - Michael Kiwanuka

BRITISH PRODUCER
Paul Epworth
Flood
Ethan Johns

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Tales From The Television - Part 3

2012-01-11T11:01:00.000Z

Media has changed so much over the past 30 years, but back in the 'old' days we had to rely on television for most of our screen entertainment. ITV was made of many smaller regions, like Thames (and London Weekend Television) and I loved watching the Thames/LWT logo at the start of some programmes.

I also remember going to bed quite scared after watching a certain programme at about 8.30pm on some school nights - this episode of 'Tales From The Television' reveals that TV thriller......

Tales From The Television - Part 3: The Scary TV Titles and More TV Logos

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Top 10 DVD Chart 2011

2012-01-08T13:17:00.000Z

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows topped the DVD sales chart for 2011, but overall DVD sales dropped 7.2% in the UK last year. Total DVD units sold in 2011 were 207m, continuing the decline from 253m total sales in 2008.

As physical DVD sales continue to drop, it is downloads and online streaming that are propping up the entertainment industry, but this was not enough to stop a 3.4% year on year drop (includes all digital and physical retail sales, plus physical rental transactions, consumers spent an estimated total of £2.25b).

It was a good year for British films, with eight out of the top ten films for 2011 earning a place in the end of year chart. The year to come is expected to see physical DVD sales continue in their free fall, while at the same time customers move online to more subscription download content. This will increase the pressure on retailers like HMV, as previously discussed HERE.

Top 10 DVD Sales 2011:

1. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
2. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows – Part 1
3. The Inbetweeners Movie
4. The King's Speech
5. Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides
6. Despicable Me
7. Paul
8. Tangled
9. Peter Kay – Live – The Tour That Didn't Tour
10. Transformers – Dark of The Moon

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca