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Last week many people witnessed one of the insane and electrifying live performances in a long, long time on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Tyler, The Creator and his hip-hop collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All have been on the underground scene for a while, but this performance automatically broke them from their perverted stank basement, where they probably prefer to be. I first heard of Tyler and Odd Future through Pitchforkmedia, but never really listened to them properly, it was the intensity and visual creativity that caught my attention on Jimmy Fallon and I'm clearly not the only one. Their aggression was welcomed by the audience and now we just have to see if they can stomach the violent and misogynistic lyrics on Tyler's Bastard or upcoming album Goblin set to be released on XL in April I believe.

The mise en scene they created for stage was fantastically bizarre: zombie girl, gnomb, huge trombone, i think some guy just texting and laughing and just their hyper-active presence (when the chorus WOLF GANG!!! WOLF GANG!!! kicks in they went berserk. Not since the Wu Tang Clan in the early nineties, has such an innovative and original hip-hop act crossed over to the mainstream when they really shouldn't be allowed to. Its like a prison break.

Here is Tyler, The Creator's new single Yonkers:

The Strong Silent Type

Although The Fighter has garnered mostly positive reviews it has received its fair share of criticisms. One that stands out as a negative is Mark Walhlberg's performance. Roger Ebert complains that the leading role is too subtle and that the other performances from Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams shadow Marky Mark's. Well isn't that the point. Micky Ward is repressed by everyone around him, his brother, mother and girlfriend sorry Ebert if Mickey isn't as charming as Rocky Balboa or as complex as Jake La Motta. Why should we need an electrifying performance from Wahlberg if it doesn't coencide with the actual story. To be honest I find Micky Ward's simplicity, innocence and vulnerability to be refreshing. 

I put off seeing The Fighter for a good while, even though I loved the trailer, I was expecting it to be your run of the mill rags to riches boxing movie, and it is that, but it is also excellently made. The opening scene in the Lowell neighbourhood is big opener that follows Micky and brother Dicky as they mess fight and converse with everybody on the street. It is a strong opening that leaves you expecting big things and it doesn't let you down.

Even though David O. Russell has delivered a great drama, he has also given audiences a very funny film. Most of the hilarity comes from Dicky's actions and reactions. His facial expressions are fantastic, and an example of a subtle funny expression is when it is announced to Micky and Dicky that Micky's new opponent is fresh from jail- Dicky's face lights up with excitement for a quick second. The family, Micky's mother, stepfather and 200 sisters convey most of the other humorous lines. However one of the funniest scenes of the movie is when Micky is at his most vulnerable, when he takes Charlene to a foreign art movie so he won't be seen by the locals and have to deal with his shame publicly. 

Bales performance is great here, its funny, sad and sometimes frightening and regardless if he receives and Oscar for it, it is in my opinion the best supporting role of the year. The opening scene set the audience up for a riveting tale and the end of the movie during Micky's championship bout has the viewer on the edge of their seat. It is the greatest portrayal of a an enthralling sports atmosphere that has ever been filmed I believe. I might be forgetting something else, but until I remember, I will stand by that. It was such a great cinema experience during those last 15-20 minutes of the movie and you really want Micky to win as if it were your favourite boxer, football, rugby, basketball etc... team.

Perfect Tribute

Orson Welles gives a humble and poignant speech for one of my favourite actors and icons of all time: Jimmy Stewart.