All posts in: UK

08 Nov 2011

London 2012 Olympic Posters

A number of UK’s famous artists have joined together to collaborate on the new series of posters for the London 2012 Olympics. It’s a pretty interesting take on some of the games and I don’t understand all of them, but I’m definitely loving the minimalistic themes that are being passing around these days.

Check out the rest of the posters here.

29 Jan 2011

Skins Series 5: Franky Review

Since it had been some time since I have watched the UK series of Skins, I had almost forgotten what it was that I loved about the series. When watching MTV’s version, I started to believe that the underlying concepts were still there, and that it still exuded the same raw passion as its original counter part in the UK.

This past Thursday, UK Skins Series 5 premiered their first episode “Franky” about an androgynous girl named Franky who was trying to fit in at her new school after a rough ordeal at her last one for being tormented because as a girl she felt more comfortable dressing more masculine. Although I enjoyed the MTV’s episode “Tea” this past week, I have come to the realization that it lacks something that the UK has always done. The UK series is effortless. Everything flows so well whereas the MTV version feels like it is stuck on this structured route. Is it because they are recreating the first series of the original Skins? Probably. I love the way that the UK series is shot. It is mesmerizing and beautiful and I am so glad that I have found a way to continue watching it through the season.

Anyone else catch the episode?

 

21 Jan 2011

In Skins News…

– The HBIC [original Effy] Kaya Scodelario tweeted about America’s version of Skins. [Source]

Skins Series 5 (UK) will include the most graphic sex scene the television series has ever seen. [Source]

Taco Bell has pulled its ads from the MTV series. [Source]

Parents.org calls Skins out for being inappropriate child stuff. [Source] It is not

Skins actress Sofia Black D’elia defends the series. [Source]

*****

Skins received a great deal of attention this past week through the media and from the premiere of their first episode. Those that had never seen Skins before may have been shocked, but those who had seen the UK version probably did nothing more than shrug their shoulders.

The series was meant to be a controversial and racy show. That was the way that it was intended. At times you would be forgiven for thinking you were accidentally watching a film on an adult website such as collegeporn.xxx. There was no doubt in my mind that parents would be in a frenzy after the show premiered. There is a solution for all of this, you know… um don’t let your kids watch it. I get it. Parents are worried that their hormonal teenagers will be inspired by the show and act out, but everyone in the UK has been just fine – for the most part! Television is television and if people can’t distinguish between acting and reality…well there are therapists for that. I think the real reason why parents are upset is because they may be in denial. Your kids may or may not be participating in some of the acts on the show, but somewhere out there a parent’s teenager definitely is.

The creators of the series have been honest from the start. They’ve given everyone fair warning from their ads to their promos, to the disclosure at the beginning of the series. At some point, you’re just going to have to let things be and accept it. If the show is not for you, then turn the channel.

On another note, I’d like to discuss my thought about the first episode.

It mirrored the first episode in the UK series pretty well. It was funny, witty, charming, but I cannot wait for them to diverge from the original story line. Like Kaya, I also wish that Eura (Effy) looked like Effy. The Eura they picked probably should’ve been cast as Katie (Cassie). Was that confusing? The music selected for the show – fantastic. I’m glad they are keeping in line with the original. For some reason when I watch this new cast, I imagine them with accents because I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that they actually have an American version of this show. All in all, I’m pretty excited over it, but more so for UK series 5. I think people are overreacting over the show though because there hasn’t been nudity shown and most swear words have been blocked out. You think this is scandalous? Try watching the UK verison, it makes MTV’s take on it look like Full House.

17 Jan 2011

10 Favorite Moments in Skins

After months of anticipation, MTV will finally be debuting their version of Skins this evening at  10PM. While I am excited to watch their rendition of the first episode and season, I have been trying to remind myself that the UK version will always be better. The fresh faces of the new cast have potential and I am curious to see where their story lines will go, but what I’m worried about is that those that watch Skins and will come to love it over the next few months will believe that MTV has created something truly original. Unfortunately, MTV’s version includes less nudity, less scandal, and bleeped out profanity – which is something that the UK has never held back on.

Let’s not forget where Skins originated from okay? I’m sure the series will continue on and it will probably be the most racy piece of television we will ever seen on our televisions, but just know that the UK did it first and they did it better. In this post, you will find some of my favorite moments from my favorite characters of UK Skins series 1-4. Enjoy!

Spoilers and inappropriate language below. If you were planning on watching the previous seasons, you should probably stop reading this post now. They’re on Netflix!

By the way, this took me all day to compile.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds00VdV7tWQ]

1. Cassie is a free spirited girl struggling from an eating disorder. Often times misunderstood for her airy behavior, Cassie surprises us all. She is full of love and hope, but constantly neglected by Sid who has always loved Michelle until one day he finally “wakes up.” My favorite Cassie episode  is the episode focusing on her disorder and trying to get the attention of Sid. My favorite moment of hers is when she flees to America and is taken in by a sexy photographer.

“I didn’t eat for three days so I could be lovely.”

Read more “10 Favorite Moments in Skins”

13 Jan 2011

New Skins UK Trailer

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExNjTkCUyUA]

Yes, MTV’s premiere of Skins will debut next Monday, but I am just as excited for the UK series premiere as well. Here’s a look at the first trailer!

22 Oct 2010

MTV Will Prove You Wrong

When news broke out last summer that MTV would be recreating the hit UK television series Skins, fans of the show reacted in the worst way possible. I’m not going to lie, I had my doubts as well. I imagined that MTV would censor the material and turn it into a series that would not even amount to what the UK version was. MTV decided to address the uncertainty that fans had by releasing these new promo photos to prove that they won’t butcher the series.

I see what you did there MTV. Alright…I can warm up to this…

To see more promo photos, click here. The best part about this is that the album is named “Haters Gallery.” That’s right, show them what’s up MTV.

24 Apr 2010

Fact of the Day

According to a survey done in the UK, the average woman will date 24 men before settling down.

05 Apr 2010

riot ensues at American Apparel Sample Sale

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsE-rWC8Lg8]

I love American Apparel, I really do. I’ve never been to a sample sale of theirs, but I did attend a rummage sale last summer. It was a very peaceful sunny day out on Broadway. No one was in a hurry. There was no frenzy. Everyone kind of just took their time sifting through the clothes. Regardless of the slashed prices, you still want to find a good deal on something that fits and something that doesn’t have holes in it. Typical clothing eval.

Then I came across this video. People over in the UK must be deprived of American Apparel clothing to behave this way.

17 Mar 2010

Snaps for a Snapshot

Who: Emilie de Ravin

Wearing: Oscar de la Renta

Where: “Remember Me” UK premiere