In the first instalment of his brand newsegment, Play Time, Ben Yonson delves into the world of dystopian classic game Bioshock, ultimately arguing that video games are an artform as well as entertainment.
Avid gamers and interested novices alike can continue this exploration by heading to ACMI’s Game Masters exhibition before October 28 to learn about the designers behind innovative and influential games.
1 A NEW AZEALIA BANKS SONG TO GET DOWN TO! If you haven’t yet got onto her 90s dance slash hip hop/rap fusion bandwagon start with this rude number (if you’re not offended by the C-word). Then check out this tune (note the incredible orange suit), before jetting across to this amazing clip featuring Azealia Banks in chaps as an all-American-Western heroine.
And with that you have my playlist for the past month! To any haters who think this is an artless exercise, I’ll point you to a great review on iTunes, where you can also get her EP 1991. You can read more in-depth reviews here and here which explain her appeal. But to boil it down, her music is about energy and attitude. As these kids put it, “the music makes me feel angry”, “she sounds like a monster”, “I think a lion would like this… because it eats meat.” High praise for this potty-mouthed cowgirl who is also an exciting musical talent and cultural phenomenon to be reckoned with.
- Claire
“Henri 2, Paw de Deux” by Will Braden took home the Golden Kitty Award at the Internet Cat Video Film Festival in Minneapolis. Yup, it’s a thing. Let’s bring it to Melbourne, people! Watch the film above for inspiration on how to do webcatz art.
I’m here to share my love today for Nicki Minaj. Yup. Just trust me guys. Portable is in on this as well, and sum up her appeal here and here beautifully. And despite all that make-up, prancing and shiny booty - or maybe because of it! - legit feminist reporters Bitch Media also love Minaj, comparing the lyrics of Starships to 1923 Pulitzer Prize winner Edna St. Vincent Millay. Red hot.
For those who think that’s a stretch, first of all you might want to re-read that article. Secondly, you might want to check out this tune that’s been on repeat in my household for the last few days. And thirdly, let’s just put aside our differences and at least agree that Nicki Minaj knows what she’s doing, and she does it oh so well.
Wes Anderson hearts Criterion Collection and they heart him right back. It’s a love connection that might make some who don’t like such overt cinephilia gag, but one that definitively tickles my fancy. Check out this cute cover for the newly released Criterion edition of The Royal Tenenbaums. And over here is Wes Anderson’s top 10 Criterion picks. This stuff is like film-nerd-nip. Get on it.
To anyone who is cynical and generally unimpressed by short films, I challenge you to not enjoy Wholphin. As a subscriber and enthusiast of this incredible quarterly DVD magazine published by McSweeney’s I am clearly biased. But I can assure any haters out there you will soon be won over by the charms, energy and offbeat taste of the dudes who curate this little gem.
The video above, ‘Are you the favourite person of anybody?’ (featuring John C. Reilly, Miranda July, Mike White and Chuy Chavez), is an example of the kind of strange, transient, but potent short film treats that you get in a Wholphin collection. Whilst the magazine and this particular video are US products, many of the films come from other parts of the world, and generally wouldn’t be seen after being shown for a year or so on the festival circuit.
Which is why, becoming a subscriber at edition 12 seems so bittersweet. I was happy… but couldn’t help feeling there was something missing. But then all was sweet benevolence when the ’Wholphin Super Bundle’ (edititions 1-11 at 40% of the original retail price) came into my life. This bundle is clearly a gift to late subscribers. It also presents an exciting opportunity for Wholphin virgins (gross, apologies) to soak up as much of the diverse, challenging and gloriously curated content as you possibly can in one go. I clearly couldn’t blatantly promote this enough. So I’ll just end this glowing rant by saying that for the stubborn and unconvinced, and/or those who like their content free and online, there’s also the Wholphin youtube channel and web film collection. Enjoy!
- Claire
xx track ‘Angels’ has got to be my most played song of the month. It’s being released on their new album Coexist by Young Turks in September. As an extra bonus, the visuals in this clip are suitably hypnotising. Enjoy!
