Category: Film and TV

Categories / Design and Interiors, Film and TV, Women's Fashion

Beyond Biba movie now available to order as limited edition DVD

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Biba_dvd

We covered Beyond Biba some time back (June to be precise), when it got a premiere at London's V&A. Well, just in time for Christmas, the movie has been issued on DVD – in limited numbers.

For the uninitiated, Beyond Biba focuses on founder Barbara Hulanicki, looking at both the past and present, from the heady days of Biba and its influence in the years since, plus a look at Barbara herself and how she has kept on going forward, particularly in the world of interior design, rather than simply living off past history. The DVD release is limited to 1000 and the first 500 will include a certificate of authenticity signed by Barbara Hulanicki.

Each DVD will also contain a booklet about the film and four postcards, with the disc packing extras including a commentary with Director Louis Price and Producers Tom Walters and James Collie, an interview with Director Louis Price, a Stills Gallery, deleted scenes and a Barbara Hulanicki 'On Tour' documentary. It retails for £25 from the movie's website.

Beyond Biba website

Categories / Christmas, Film and TV

Willy Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper Christmas decoration by James Lethbridge

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Gobstopper

A long title for a fairly small, but very iconic design – the Willy Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper Christmas decoration by James Lethbridge.

Made as a limited edition of just 20 for 20ltd, this is an exact copy of the Everlasting Gobstopper from the 1971 movie version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, with Royal College of Art graduate Lethbridge producing the decoraton by hand, using rare-coloured borosilicate glass and a considerable amount of skill.

Rare glass? Just 20? Of course, it's not going to be cheap. You can secure one for £90, which could prove an investment if you look after it.

Find out more at the 20ltd website

Categories / Art and Photography, Film and TV

Network to reissue David Bailey On Warhol documentary on DVD

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Bailey

Don't be fooled by a title. If you already own the Bailey On… DVD which was released back in 2006, you'll effectively already own the forthcoming David Bailey On Warhol, which lands on 18th January 2010. If you don't own it? Well, it's certainly worthy of your attention.

In the early 1970s, David Bailey broadened his horizons away from photography by making high-profile documentaries for ATV. His reputation allowed him unprecedented access to Andy Warhol and his followers, exploring his art work and film works, throwing in candid discussions revolving around sexuality, Warhol’s life at The Factory and his experience of being shot. It was initially banned for being 'offensive', a ban that was overturned soon after.

Also here as 'extras' are two further David Bailey documentaries, one on photographer Cecil Beaton and the other on Italian film director Luchino Visconti, along with a booklet containing the full transcripts (including deleted scenes) for Warhol. You can pre-order now at Amazon for a bargain £4.98.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Categories / Christmas, Film and TV, Music

Vince Guaraldi Trio “A Charlie Brown Christmas” LP

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Cbxmaslp

Only the coldest of hearts could fail to be melted by a Charlie Brown Christmas but if watching this classic film isn’t enough then the USA Urban Outfitters is selling the soundtrack on vinyl.

The LP features 12 tracks played by the Vince Guaraldi Trio who composed numerous other scores for the cartoon series. The soundtrack was originally released in 1965, reissued in 1988 and available now exclusively at Urban Outfitters, priced $24. Urban Outfitters are also selling “This Tree Needs You” replicas of the bedraggled Christmas tree from the film and Linus’ blankets too, so you can recreate the Charlie Brown Christmas in your own home.

Visit Urban Outfitters to buy.

Categories / Film and TV

Pinewood studios drive-in films

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Drive-in

I've always regretted that in Britain we never had the teenage rite of passage that is the drive-in movie (well, that's how it appeared from the films I watched anyway). So, it was with great excitement I learnt about Pinewood Studios' Drive-in films. 

Over the next few weeks, you and your friends (a maximum of four per car) can turn up and watch a selection of films on a massive screen: Pinewood Studios have converted their Paddock Lock into a screening area for the occasion. Paddock Lock is the studio's outdoor filming facility, built in 1959 for 'Shoot the Bismarck!' and still used today for films such as Casino Royal and Quantum of Solace. 

There's quite a mainstream selection of films being shown such as Notting Hill and Mamma Mia! However, do bring your mini along on the 4 December for a screening of the The Italian Job. Standard price for a car is £35, with £55 for a VIP ticket that includes premium parking and service.  

Find out more online

Categories / Film and TV, Kids, Music

Sesame Street celebrates 40 years with Google

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Google_sesame

Seen the Google homepage today? Well, depending on where you are in the world, you'll see a classic Sesame Street character hiding within the log – the UK currently has Cookie Monster, as you can see from above.

It's to celebrate 40 years of being a hip kids TV show, mixing bold and (usually) entertaining literacy and numeracy-based features with good old-fashioned humour that appealed to both adults and kids.

It also wasn't afraid to bring in some hip types to mix it with the puppets and presenters. Check out Grover and Steve Wonder throwing out some tunes in our featured clip, then see here for Stevie Wonder doing one of the funkiest versions of Superstition you'll ever hear on the show. Happy birthday Sesame Street – you don't look a day over 20!