glenn beck blogger: February 2011

I’ve Been Franklin is the first release of the “Holy Page” online record label. The basic premise of the Holy Page is artists release their music for free (download here), and the record label head Christian Filardo does the artwork. Considering the “Creature Comforts” kind of cut-up Christian did for the artwork, I don’t think it’s a terribly bad idea.

Gregory Campanile has worked in many bands, but this project is the first I’ve heard of him. Besides working in Reindeer Tiger Team, Total Noise, Bikeula, Dragon Zone, Levines!, Unkill Frankenstein, etc. Basic gist is he’s a busy man in Arizona. Here is his first solo outing, originally released in 2009, recorded from 2008 to 2009. Listening to it, I’m reminded of other quirky solo arrangers like Nathan Michel, who relied on unusual arrangements for maximum emotional effect. Even his vocals on “Foreign Frog” sounds like something you’d find on Nathan Michel’s “The Beast”.

Though it is only 22 minutes, it feels fully formed. According to the very few notes I have on this, he wrote this in a few different locations using only Garageband. Most of these songs are below the two minute mark, but listening to it, those lengths are long enough. Somehow he’s able to convey all he wants to touch upon in just that sort span of time. He has a fragmented sense of pop, with melodies and enough quirks to keep you interested.

“Settling In” offers the kind of gloopy synthesizer you’d expect beginning a High Llamas track. He takes that and slowly builds into a zoned-out space. Even the ending shows off the same attention to details, with “Smoking” ending in a blurred piano.

Actually, if this is the first release for the Holy Page label, they’ve obviously set the bar pretty high. Who knows, maybe I’ve Been Franklin might be encouraged to release more. Here’s hoping.

"Ranbir-Ayan film is definitely on..." - Karan Johar

The media has been going hammer and tongs reporting the fallout between Karan Johar and Ranbir Kapoor, soon after two prominent actresses spoke about Ranbir on Karan's popular TV show. Reportedly, Ranbir's father, Rishi Kapoor, was furious and had decided to disassociate from Karan's Dharma Productions. A section of the media even went to the extent of stating that the episode had put the Ranbir - Ayan Mukerji project in jeopardy, which was to be produced by Karan.

Karan refused to issue any statement on this raging controversy. Even Ranbir maintained a stoic silence, neither confirming nor denying if he would star in the Ayan Mukerji-directed project produced by Karan. However, the truth is, the project is very much on, very much happening. "I didn't need to clarify or offer explanations," Karan tells me, "The fact is Ayan's project will take off soon after Ranbir completes BARFI. Ayan and Ranbir are family... there's no truth to those rumors." Meanwhile, Karan is all set to announce a slew of new projects in the forthcoming weeks. Watch this space!

"SRK gave me the canvas I wanted" - Roshan Abbas

Radio Jockey. Television host. Theatre person. Roshan Abbas is wearing a new hat these days, that of a director. For those unaware of what Roshan has been up to, well, he's giving finishing touches to his directorial debut - ALWAYS KABHI KABHI - which is produced by none other than the superstar himself, Shah Rukh Khan. Surprisingly, the project in question doesn't star SRK in the lead, but four new faces - Satyajeet Dubey, Aly Fazal, Giselli Monteiro and Zoa Morani.

It all began while a show in Dubai, featuring SRK and hosted by Roshan, got delayed. "We got talking. He asked me what I was doing and I replied that I was planning to start a film on teens, with freshers enacting pivotal parts. It didn't require the presence of big stars, but it did require a big production house to back it. We met again in India, had our round of discussions on the project and he stepped forward to produce it." Prior to that, Roshan was in preliminary talks with Ritesh Sidhwani and also with the people at Studio 18, but as luck would have it, Roshan's directorial debut was destined to be produced by SRK.

ALWAYS KABHI KABHI is based on Roshan's 1999 play 'Graffiti'. "But it took time to develop it into a full-fledged screenplay. Shah Rukh pointed out two things. One, cinema and play are two different mediums and the written material had to be more cinematic. Two, it had to be contemporary. Also, I'd like to clarify, though the film revolves around teens, it's not inspired by 'Archie'. It actually borrows from real life experiences," Roshan divulges.

Did SRK offer suggestions, give inputs, recommend actors? "But he never imposed his ideas/suggestions," he interrupts, "He'd say, this is what I feel about a particular thing/issue/person, it's up to you to accept it. He gave me the freedom to make the movie I had envisioned and visualized at the outset. He gave me the canvas I wanted," he adds. Was it tough giving shape to his dream? "Not really! Initially, I wondered, will I get the grammar right? Will the cinematographer translate my vision on celluloid? But it wasn't tough. All you need is the right atmosphere to translate your ideas on celluloid," Roshan reveals.

Roshan's dream will unfold on the big screen on 17 June this year. "I have truly enjoyed the experience of making ALWAYS KABHI KABHI. And I wish to continue chasing my dream," he smiles. We're equally sure Roshan, you will have many interesting stories to tell in times to come.

Emergent notices ordered to govt and media in Ranjitha case

The Karnataka High Court ordered emergent notice to the government and the media in connection with a petition filed by Tamil actress Ranjitha challenging the telecast of a video clipping "depicting" her and self-styled godman Nityananda in an obscene act.

Justice B S Patil, who heard the matter, ordered an injunction to 40 news organisations including print and electronic media. An emergent notice has also been ordered.

In her petition, Ranjitha submitted that the video clipping telecast on March 2 last year was digitally manipulated.

She said she was petrified by the operation of TV channels and news organisations, which, she alleged, were telecasting the manipulated clipping of her and Nityananda.

She submitted that most of the programmes aired on Indian televisions "are not original, but copy of programmes aired in the US, which do not require any check and censorship in view of the culture there (US)".

Ranjitha, who was present during the proceedings, said the respondents were taking advantage of censorship and exploiting viewers and petitioners in general by not adopting any measures to curb prevention of any such telecast "which proves that the acts of the said respondents is illegal and unwarranted for".

Ranjitha's counsel Ravi Varma Kumar said respondents had "crossed all borders of obscenity" and such screening will affect sensitivity and emotions of people.

"Action of the respondents is in violation of provisions of law of land as per Information Technology Act 2000 and Indecent Representation of Women Prohibition Act 1986," Kumar submitted and sought a direction to prohibit the telecast of the clipping.

Ranjitha also sought a direction to Information and Broadcasting Ministry to restrain the respondents from telecasting obscene clippings and using any image, statements, reference and news pictures or articles of "scandalous intent".

Aishwarya Rai Sparkles At Oscars, Shimmer Rules Red Carpet

Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai added some Indian glamour to the Oscars with an on-trend shimmery number at the 83rd Academy Awards where sequins dominated the red carpet.

The 37-year-old actress sparkled in a bronze Giorgio Armani Prive gown with rows of amber sequins and beaded detail at the waist, while husband Abhishek Bachchan stuck to a traditional black tuxedo.

The actress teamed the shimmery gown with a Jimmy Choo clutch, vintage jewellery and smoky eyes.

Like Abhishek, musician A R Rahman who walked the red carpet with wife Saira, too wore a tuxedo while his partner chose a flamboyant fusion ensemble consisting of a golden sherwani and cigarette pants.

Like Saira and Ash, the shimmer trend was followed by Gwnyeth Paltrow, who wore a gold Calvin Klein number and Halle Berry who stole the show in a nude sparkling number by Marchesa.

Hilary Swank's glistening silver Gucci column gave way to a romantic ostrich feather skirt, while the sparkling bodice of Mandy Moore's romantic Monique L'Hullier dress appeared to have been sprayed on.

Shimmering nude was also an age-appropriate choice for 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld, nominated for her role in True Grit, who won a Fifties-style dress by Marchesa.

While Celine Dion, wore a full-sleeved silver column dress, Amy Adams added a pop of colour to the red carpet with a sequined navy gown by L'Wren Scott, which she teamed with green accessories.

Other than the sparkle, another major trend was the resurgence of the red carpet favourite, voluminous red gowns.

The bustled creations worn by Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Hudson, and Sandra Bullock, were in the same traffic-stopping hue of red. Penelope Cruz too showed off her post-pregnancy bod with a sequined red gown by L'Wren Scott.

And while black remained a popular choice, with famously eccentric British star Helena Bonham Carter opting for it, there were some surprises from Cate Blanchett who wore an lavender Givenchy Haute Couture gown with yellow embellishment, and an unusual purple-burgundy hue seen on both Natalie Portman, in Rodarte, and Scarlett Johansson in Dolce and Gabbana.

WB CM's 'daughter' arrested

Cops nab impostor who duped Mishra family of Rs 2.8 crore from a hotel yesterday

Jogeshwari-based Mishra family, which was duped of Rs 2.8 crore by a girl claiming to be the estranged daughter of West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, found some comfort on Sunday with the news that the impostor had been nabbed. The Amboli police yesterday arrested the 28-year-old from a hotel in Andheri.

MiD DAY had reported ('Deceived of Rs 2.8 crore by WB CM's Daughter', February 5) about how the Mishras a family of four had rented their flat in Malad to Parimeeta Bhattacharya and how, over the course of a year, lent her lump sums against bogus documents and bank papers she showed them.

She duped the family of nearly Rs 2.8 crore which includes their ancestral property, family jewels, house, fixed deposits, insurance, and so on. The well-to-do Mishras are almost bankrupt now, they claim, because of the so-called CM's daughter.

Sanjeev Mishra, son of Kailash and Usha, said, "We lost all our valuables, property, jewellery, near about everything. We are happy that she has been caught and hope to get justice now."

Bhattacharya stayed in the rented house for nearly three years starting 2007 and she defrauded the family over the course of the last year of her stay, by ingratiating herself and impressing them with her spurious credentials.

"She showed us many documents like income tax orders, pan cards, demand drafts, and we believed them to be authentic. She kept taking money from my whole family, coming up with genuine-sounding excuses every time," said Usha.

They had lodged a complaint with Economic Offences Wing, who had then transferred it to the local police station.

And after trying to trace her for two weeks, cops finally caught up with her at the hotel. They revealed that the Mishra family is not the only one that she has led down the garden path she has accepted that she cozened two others to the tune of a few lakhs. Details are not known as police officials refused to share them.

Rajendra Kane, investigating officer, Amboli police station, said, "We arrested the girl on Sunday from a hotel and are investigating the case." She will be in police custody until March 5.

2011 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Kerry Washington always glow on the red carpet and this time is no exception.

The actress looks great in her sparkling Escada striped beaded dress.

Smooth bangs and flawless make-up completed her look.

Gabrielle Union looks sensational in her eggplant draped plunged neck delicate dress.

She completed her look with soft side curls, silver earrings and a black clutch.

Selita Ebanks looks delightful in her romantic red and nude ruffled Valentino dress.

She completed her look with a side swept up-do. Her nude Brian Atwood heels were a little too heavy for such a delicate dress.

Zoe Saldana always have to go against the grain. The actress rocked a red and pink chiffon pleated Prabal Gurung open back dress. I never thought these colors would look good together but they actually do.

I am not crazy about her black belt. It just felt so out of place. I am also concern about her asymmetrical skirt because it looks a little messy.

She completed her look with a soft up-do and pink satin Salvatore Ferragamo heels.

My favorite couple Forest and Keisha Whitaker graced the red carpet.

Keisha looks heavenly in her white adorned with lace caplet dress.

Joy Bryant finally decided to dress up for a change. She looks just okay in her liquid sequin dress.

I am not a fan of her grandma braids. She is way too fabulous for this.

When I first view these pictures, I thought it was so sweet of Selena Gomez to bring her little nephew to the Oscars but then I realize it's actually Justin Bieber! I am sorry but she looks like his aunt instead of his girlfriend.

Anyway, they do look cute together.

Selena looks great in her red goddess Dolce & Gabbana dress paired with a red sparkly Judith Leiber clutch.

Gwyneth Paltrow lit up the red carpet in her shimmering crystal beaded Michael Kors one-shoulder dress.

She completed her look with sleek hair and a gold Jimmy Choo clutch.

Jessica Biel looks incredible in her metallic beaded Atelier Versace beaded dress. I adore the double straps and the draping details.

She completed her look with sleek pulled back hair and beautiful gold earrings.

I miss Charlize Theron on the red carpet. The actress looks wonderful as always in her white embellished one-shoulder Atelier Versace draped dress.

She completed her look with shiny hair and a black Roger Vivier clutch.

Eva Mendes looks cute and flirty in her black sequined and tulle Donna Karan paired with black peep-toe heels.

Madonna and her daughter Lourdes both walked the red carpet.

Madonna of course is dressed inappropriate for her age but she looks fabulous for fifty so who cares?

Unlike her mother, Lourdes looks age appropriate in her printed All Saints dress paired with black heels.

Daddy Bloggers

The New York Times has been on something of a ‘blog kick’. Lately they’ve had a bunch of articles focused on blogging, both positive and negative. Part of this may be to boost advertising revenue, so you’ll get a subscription to “The Economist” or buy an apartment in an extremely expensive part of Brooklyn or Manhattan. You know the kind of place so expensive I can’t even afford to get drunk there. A true crime if there ever was one. I’ve already focused on their negative ‘it’s dying’ article, now let’s go positive.

Mommy Bloggers apparently make huge sums of money. Heather Armstrong leads the pack, making somewhere in the six figures per month. I’ve only seen a six figure sum in my life followed by the words ‘in debt’. Having thought about this for many hours, I’ve decided entering the field of Daddy blogs would be best. Now I’m not particularly motivated, due to being a sloth, but I have a foolproof plan on how to make a ton of money. See the below for a simple breakdown:

1. Get married

2. Have Children

3. Write about said children in blog format

4. PROFIT

As you can see, this verges on pure genius. Most Daddy blogs probably have uncool stuff, such as their efforts in building the kids a tree house or some such nonsense. Or they talk about their hobbies they’ve forced on their kids. Eventually their kids become some football captain or similar kind of ordinary stuff. My approach will differ dramatically from this. Finally I’ll help make Dads as cool as they ought to be.

I’m talking of course about cool dads. Sure, this phrase has been around for a while. Those are the dads who remained cool as they grew older. Most dads tend to start watching History Channel and find how taffy is made to be absolutely mind-blowing. Not I, said the cool dad guy. Instead, you’ll read about the mixes I created for my children so when they got to kindergarten they already knew about bands like Faust, Captain Beefheart, Nick Drake, Slint, Tortoise, and other obviously hip bands. As other children wonder why they sing “Wheels on the Bus” over and over again, my kids will be immune to such garbage.

Of course, I can’t do it alone. What I’ll be looking for is a special someone, preferably around my level of artiness or higher. Anyone in the blogging profession (excluding political bloggers gross), theater, film, music, painting or similar professions is a sure thing. Someone with experience in website site would be ideal. I’m looking to have my kids be so damn cool you’re nearly jealous of them. That’s my goal.

Since it is a Daddy blog, there will need to be some drama. My kids might start getting into argument about Jackson Pollock versus Rothko, Zappa versus Beefheart, and so on. For life contains so much drama, I just want mine to have a snobbish, almost unbelievably out of touch view on culture, music and so on.

Blogs don’t always end the way you want them. I’m assuming the same goes for kids, I don’t know, I haven’t had any kids yet. While I can try my best to protect them from interests in popular music and culture, I know the old saying “If you blog about something, you must set it free” or something like that. Knowing my kids might rebel against my interests, I’ll be gentle. There won’t be any of that “Dragon Lady” stuff where I deprive my kids of things they enjoy. Honestly, I’m not sure if my kids will be interested in everything I present to them, but I want them to realize all that’s out there, which include esoteric bands and film directors.

Will I be a good father, a good daddy blogger? I don’t know. I hope I can. Can you be both a good father and good daddy blogger, or does something have to give? My hope is I can have both, since I’m not sure what my skill set is exactly. Being there for my kids, writing endlessly about them, I’d be that guy who goes on about their kids at parties, except I’d be earning sweet money cake for it.

Let me know. Do you think I can find a special someone, settle down and blog about our offspring? Or will I continue to make far too many obscure musical references even as I write about the joys of being a father?

2011 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Camila Alves is just too beautiful for words. She looks gorgeous in this black nude underlay Zuhair Murad embroidered dress.

Her sleek hair and neutral make-up completed her look.

Kate Beckinsale is sparkling in her back sequined sheer Julien Macdonald panel sleeves dress.

I adore her wispy up-do.

Lea Michele also sparkled in her navy sequined Roberto Cavalli open-back dress. I felt the dress was a little heavy and mature for such a young girl.

She must had listen to Kelly Osbourne on "Fashion Police" about her ridiculous posing on the red carpet because this time she was a little subdued on the carpet.

Rosario Dawson was part of the sparkle trend in her royal blue shimmering Diane von Furstenberg wrap belted dress.

I am not a fan of her messy up-do. It kind of look like a mop on top of her head!

Serena Williams made her rounds last night. She wore a tangerine strapless mermaid dress with a open back detail.

The bodice is a little bit ill fitting but she made up for it with her "assets"!

I am still on the fence with her bangs. It's just not sleek enough for me.

Marisa Tomei changed into a beautiful fuchsia one-shouldered sculptural dress.

Emma Stone rocked a whimsical plum sequined Chanel Couture paillette dress adorned with a train.

She completed her look with awful hair and plum Ferragamo heels.

Taylor Swift wore her standard uniform, a sparkle Zuhair Murad mini dress paired with gold peep- toe Jimmy Choo heels.

I don't blame her because this silhouette looks great on her.

Ginnifer Goodwin looks divine in her red and black lace embroidered Erdem dress but that damn hair is driving me crazy!

Why would you want your hair to look like a topay?