Irish boy band Boyzone has become the first boy band to feature a gay couple in their new music video ‘Better’.
After reforming for a UK tour back in November last year, Boyzone have been looking to try something new and gain a new generation of fans. In their latest romantic video, each member is shown paired up with a female partner as part of the storyline. All apart from Stephen Gately, who became open about his sexuality in 1999 and is currently in a civil partnership, who is paired with a (fictional) male character.
Not only is this new video a big break through in changing societies attitudes towards different sexualities it was also almost unheard of before for a boy band. Previously any inclination that a teen idol was gay could potential see the end of their career but this is a clear sign that views are changing.
Previous gay stars such as George Michael were seen onscreen with women and made it very convincing that they were straight. Singers such as Elton John and Westlife’s Mark Feehily get around the issue by not showing themselves in romantic situations.
Gately told BBC Newsbeat “it’s just me being me and I don’t think there should be a real big issue about the whole thing anyway”.
They originally decided on their own partners being in the video but none would appear. The decision to include a gay couple in the video was a joint decision from the whole band.
He added “I’m hoping this video will have a good, positive, all-round reaction”.
The video is expected to attract controversy but it has also pleased many including gay student Adam, 18, who believes “this will show homosexual people who are worried about expressing their sexuality not to be afraid”.
In the 1990’s, ‘Bring Boring’ by the Pet Shop Boys very briefly featured two men kissing at a house party and this has been the only other time a boy band has shown a gay couple. Openly bisexual singer Christina Aguilera also featured a gay couple kissing in her video ‘Beautiful’ and also infamously kissed Madonna and Britney Spears onstage a few years ago.
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Thursday 13 November 2008
Quantum of Solace Review
Certificate: 12A
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench,
Giancarlo Giannini, Olga Kurylenko
Running Time: 106 Minutes
James Bond has clearly not driven his last Aston Martin judging by the latest block buster hit.
Daniel Craig continues to prove the critics wrong in Quantum of Solace with his smooth ‘shaken not stirred’ attitude when playing Bond and his wittiness is still making me giggle.
Although not my favourite Bond film, Quantum of Solace has definitely been worth the ticket fare. The action scenes were plenty and are bound to keep you on the edge of your seat with the opening car chase scene one of the most memorable. I did, however, notice a lack of gadgets which is not typical of a Bond film.
The plot is slightly on the confusing side but does have a lot of connections with ‘Casino Royale’ as Bond is trying to get revenge for the death of Vesper.
He is assisted by a number of old friends including the ruthless M, played by the legendary Judi Dench, and Mathis, played by Giancarlo Giannini. Both were excellent performances but the most surprising performance came from rising star Olga Kurylenko who plays Camille and Bond’s newest partner in action. The pair is brought together due to their search for revenge on those that have killed their loved ones.
Other brief but brilliant performance come from Gemma Arterton, typically named Miss Strawberry Fields, as Bonds latest ‘easy’ conquest and also the bad guys including Mathieu Amalric.
The only down side to this film would have to be the opening song sequence. Yes, we get the point that you special effects guys are good but was there any need for the (many) giant sand women at the beginning? And if that wasn’t enough the song that went with the sand people made me want to shut my eyes and my ears. When you here that Alicia Keys and Jack White are doing a duet it’s got to strike as a very odd combination and then you hear the song which I have to be honest and say is the oddest James Bond song I’ve ever heard. Sorry but listening to ‘Another way to die’ could actually be another way to die.
Thankfully, the film quickly made up for it and it is well worth seeing as is any James Bond movie, even if you are not a James Bond fan.
Sach’s Granddaughter demands Comedy Duo be Sacked
The granddaughter of Andrew Sachs has demanded that the BBC take stronger action against Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross after their offensive broadcast.
On October 18th, BBC Radio 2 listeners were stunned after Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand’s controversial late night show.
The comedy duo made a number of insulting prank calls to former ‘Faulty Towers’ star Andrew Sachs. The 78 year old was horrified at the lewd comments left on his answering machine regarding his granddaughter.
Since the incident Brand and Ross have both made public apologues to Sachs and the 10,000 viewers that have complained and have since been given a three month unpaid suspension, however, Sach’s granddaughter Georgina, an exotic dancer, and a number of political figures including the PM himself insisted on more disciplinary action for the two TV stars.
Georgina told The Sun “jokes about peoples personal lives are unacceptable”. She calls for both Brand and Ross to be sacked for the offense they have caused her grandfather and has flown home to deal with the controversy herself.
Along with the three month suspension, Brand and Ross have both had their shows taken off-air. The decision came in light of an enquiry launched by the BBC. It has also sparked rumours that Jonathan Ross may never return to the BBC.
BBC director general Mark Thompson said in a press conference “it’s clear from the views expressed by the public that this broadcast has caused severe offence and I share this view”. This is despite the fact that the BBC allowed the broadcast to go on-air even after it had been vetted.
The future of the comedy pair looks bleak but this is not the first time Russell Brand has caused widespread offense. Earlier this year, Brand caused controversy in America after calling President Bush a ‘retard’.
On October 18th, BBC Radio 2 listeners were stunned after Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand’s controversial late night show.
The comedy duo made a number of insulting prank calls to former ‘Faulty Towers’ star Andrew Sachs. The 78 year old was horrified at the lewd comments left on his answering machine regarding his granddaughter.
Since the incident Brand and Ross have both made public apologues to Sachs and the 10,000 viewers that have complained and have since been given a three month unpaid suspension, however, Sach’s granddaughter Georgina, an exotic dancer, and a number of political figures including the PM himself insisted on more disciplinary action for the two TV stars.
Georgina told The Sun “jokes about peoples personal lives are unacceptable”. She calls for both Brand and Ross to be sacked for the offense they have caused her grandfather and has flown home to deal with the controversy herself.
Along with the three month suspension, Brand and Ross have both had their shows taken off-air. The decision came in light of an enquiry launched by the BBC. It has also sparked rumours that Jonathan Ross may never return to the BBC.
BBC director general Mark Thompson said in a press conference “it’s clear from the views expressed by the public that this broadcast has caused severe offence and I share this view”. This is despite the fact that the BBC allowed the broadcast to go on-air even after it had been vetted.
The future of the comedy pair looks bleak but this is not the first time Russell Brand has caused widespread offense. Earlier this year, Brand caused controversy in America after calling President Bush a ‘retard’.
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Can Students Survive the Credit Crunch?
As everyone else is feeling the pinch, students are among the very few who have yet to be affected by the downfall of the economy, but could that change?
University students are being warned that although their loans are safe the credit crunch could be affecting their parent’s incomes and so parents may not be able to support their children. Students are being urged to look into other means of funding such as part time jobs and hardship grants.
David Malcolm, Head of Social Policy at NUS (National Union of Students) told GET (a website designed to give career advice to graduates) that “if parents are in a situation where they are suddenly paying more on their mortgage, more students will find their parents won’t be able to support them”.
A recently survey taken by Uniaid, a charity dedicated to helping students with financial difficulties and offers them assistance on who to cope with a student budget, showed that a quarter of students expect to rely on part time work whilst at university. 26% believe that a shortage of money is a real concern.
But, these are concerns already inhabited by all students so will the credit crunch prove even more painful to a students already tight budget and what can be done if the credit crunch does begin to affect them?
In America, Congress has already passed a bill that protects its college students who rely on students loans from the effects of the credit crunch so will our government do something to protect our students?
For now students and their money are safe but a recent blunder by the government has caused the limit of household income in order to receive a grant has been lowered from £60,000 to £50,020. The underestimation will mean thousands of students whoes income is between £50,020 and £60,000 will miss out of the £50 to £524 grant that they would have received if they had started university this autumn.
Shadow Universities Secretary David Willetts told the BBC that “this is a heavy blow for students, 65,000 of whom have already applied”.
With family financial support also feeling the strain this is bad news for students, especially those from middle income families.
Although the current affects of the credit crunch can barely be felt by students some students are noticing that higher food prices, fees and rent are beginning to take their toll on their budgets. Former students have been giving new students advice on how to survive this economic spiral.
Southampton Solent University graduate, Steve Burford, has set up a website called wealthystudent.co.uk which offers students advice and money-saving opportunities. Burford told the BBC “It is imperative that students get off to the best possible start at University.”
The website has been extremely successful with over 60,000 hits last year and has been shortlisted for a national award.
Burford also added “with the right part-time job and a bit of savvy it is possible to leave university in a good financial.”
So if students find other means of funding and put their budgeting hats on then they can survive this economic crisis.
University students are being warned that although their loans are safe the credit crunch could be affecting their parent’s incomes and so parents may not be able to support their children. Students are being urged to look into other means of funding such as part time jobs and hardship grants.
David Malcolm, Head of Social Policy at NUS (National Union of Students) told GET (a website designed to give career advice to graduates) that “if parents are in a situation where they are suddenly paying more on their mortgage, more students will find their parents won’t be able to support them”.
A recently survey taken by Uniaid, a charity dedicated to helping students with financial difficulties and offers them assistance on who to cope with a student budget, showed that a quarter of students expect to rely on part time work whilst at university. 26% believe that a shortage of money is a real concern.
But, these are concerns already inhabited by all students so will the credit crunch prove even more painful to a students already tight budget and what can be done if the credit crunch does begin to affect them?
In America, Congress has already passed a bill that protects its college students who rely on students loans from the effects of the credit crunch so will our government do something to protect our students?
For now students and their money are safe but a recent blunder by the government has caused the limit of household income in order to receive a grant has been lowered from £60,000 to £50,020. The underestimation will mean thousands of students whoes income is between £50,020 and £60,000 will miss out of the £50 to £524 grant that they would have received if they had started university this autumn.
Shadow Universities Secretary David Willetts told the BBC that “this is a heavy blow for students, 65,000 of whom have already applied”.
With family financial support also feeling the strain this is bad news for students, especially those from middle income families.
Although the current affects of the credit crunch can barely be felt by students some students are noticing that higher food prices, fees and rent are beginning to take their toll on their budgets. Former students have been giving new students advice on how to survive this economic spiral.
Southampton Solent University graduate, Steve Burford, has set up a website called wealthystudent.co.uk which offers students advice and money-saving opportunities. Burford told the BBC “It is imperative that students get off to the best possible start at University.”
The website has been extremely successful with over 60,000 hits last year and has been shortlisted for a national award.
Burford also added “with the right part-time job and a bit of savvy it is possible to leave university in a good financial.”
So if students find other means of funding and put their budgeting hats on then they can survive this economic crisis.
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