5X5

5x5 Media Work

Top 5 Bands and Artists:

• Wu Tang Clan

Showing that hip hop is not just the stereotypical ‘thug’ music, this group shows how hip hop can be both soulful and inspiring and be very eclectic with language. With a personal favourite album of ‘Wu Tang Forever’. 

• A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest is one of Hip Hops most legendary, beloved and revered groups of all time and for good reason. Easily recognized for their unique approach to rap music by employing jazz infused soundscapes to Afro centric rhymes and often the philosophical aggressive posturing associated with hip-hop.

• Ella Fitzgerald

Although she is not a living artist, she was still dubbed "The First Lady of Song," and rightly so as Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums. In my opinion, her voice was flexible, wide-ranging, accurate and ageless and her music both inspires me and began my journey to an eclectic taste in music.

• Immortal Technique

Born in a military hospital in South America and not being signed to a label company or as he puts it, “Keeping his freedom of speech”, this rap artist and activist can express feelings and opinions without being censored resorting in very expressive and in some peoples opinion anarchist hip hop. Because of his hatred of censoring labels, he created his own known as ‘Viper Records’. My personal favourite album is either ‘Martyr’ or ‘Revolutionary Volume 2’

• The Cure

The Cure is an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member. My favourite album is ‘Disintegration’ as it combines both the old gothic sounds with a melodic undertow. In my opinion, nothing beats this sublime songwriting.

Top 5 Films:

• Star Wars Episode Five: The Empire Strikes Back

Being my all time favourite film, this film is dark, sinister, but ultimately even more involving than A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back defies viewer expectations and takes the series to heightened emotional levels. My favourite quote of the whole film is “Nooooooooo!” for the sheer fact its hilariously bad acting in that one and only line. 

• Star Wars Episode Six: Return Of The Jedi

It may be brilliant, but it cannot compare to The Empire Strikes Back. `It avoids having the standard shoot-'em-up ending,' says a friend of mine, `by not having an ending.' I suppose this is what most people think, but all the same the film manages to form a satisfying whole; or at least, a whole that satisfies me.

• Looper

With an enticing story with a rather twisted root. This film has both great action and great use of prosthetics. If you have already seen it, you will know how great it is and if you haven't, you will be happy i introduced you.

• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

Full of pith and Grand Guignol grossness, this macabre musical is perfectly helmed and highly entertaining. Tim Burton masterfully stages the musical in a way that will make you think he has done this many times before. 

• Batman: The Dark Knight

Dark, complex and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga. Among the great strengths of The Dark Knight is the way it combines hard boiled naturalism with the kind of stunts and set pieces you expect in summer blockbusters. To talk of Heath Ledger's performance is difficult, merely because, as gigantic as it is, it is only one important feature of an intricately wrought canvas.

Top 5 Actors/Actresses:

• Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy is an English actor, London-born, thirty-six years old. He has been the star of the lead and titular character in two movies made in England, ‘Bronson and’ ‘Locke’. Numerous other exceptional films he is in: Inception, Dark Knight Rises and I am eager for the  upcoming Mad Max film.

• Alan Rickman 

He is greatly respected on the London stage, played the terrorist leader in ‘Die-Hard’, had an excellent role in ‘Quigley Down Under’. In the Tim Burton film ‘Sweeney Todd’ he was a creepy and villainous judge that left you wanting him to have more screen time. However he most likely is mainly known for his role as Severus Snape in Harry Potter.

• Denzel Washington 

Although most of Denzel Washington's characters are the same, he plays them up extraordinarily well. Denzel Washington gives his character roles emotion and he becomes the character that fits in with the movie. I personally think Denzel is a fantastic actor. Next time you watch one of his movies, like ‘John Q’, look past the character and look at the emotions that are an intricate part to his role.

• Helena Bonham Carter

Often referred to as the "Corset Queen" or "English Rose" because of her early work, Helena Bonham Carter has continued to surprise audiences with magnificent performances in a variety of role. Though consistently a versatile and engaging actress, Helena Bonham Carter has never won a major American film award. However, she has received a number of critical awards and has been nominated for five Golden Globes, an Oscar, a SAG Award, and two Emmys. I personally enjoy her role in Tim Burtons ‘Sweeney Todd’ and her inspiring role in ‘The Kings Speech’.

• Gary Oldman

His role as Drexel Spivey in True Romance is unbelievable and he can play any role he's asked to better than anyone else ever could. As many movies as possible need to include Gary Oldman as a lead or the lead role so we can see more of what he is capable of pulling off. Being in a few of my favourite films, this may be a bias. Nevertheless, I truly believe he is the greatest actor of this generation.

Top 5 TV Series’:

• Game Of Thrones

Game of Thrones is epic. No more needs to be said. However for work purposes...Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama based on the’ A Song of Ice and Fire series. It's set in a fantasy universe, which is a bit Medieval-ish (they fight with swords, ride horses ,wear armour, stuff like that). It's about the members of several houses of which most live in the continent ‘Westeros’. Many things happen, but actually most characters' main goal is to become ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. There are a lot of fights but also a lot of emotional stuff. Some episodes feature gore and very  explicit stuff and the show is known for unexpected character deaths. Having some of the mind boggling episodes of a series I have ever seen there is no way this couldn't be in my top 5. 

• Arrow

I don't watch any more than ten shows so I kind of had to put this in. It may be due to my love of comic books and the character green arrow himself. I felt that the main actor properly conveys a sombre and mature attitude in contrast with the character we assume from the prologue. The action is intense and not over the top or completely unbelievable which I appreciate. Although he does not look like the original character which I so dearly love, I still think the show is very enjoyable and has an opportunity to do well in the future with the story. Whether they do that or not I'm waiting to see.

• Friends

Every episode of Friends will make you laugh non-stop. We have grown to love the characters and what happens to them. The fitting personalities of these characters are absolute genius. I enjoy how the characters all have their own quirky personality yet they harmonise to make a hilarious show to watch.

• Third Rock From The Sun

I find this a phenomena and unique show, a refreshing touch amidst an enormous accumulation of 'single-people-in-the-city' comedies that aren't on here(although some of these are worthy amongst themselves). I love the ingenious concept of providing insights of human culture and behavior in such a comical, hilarious method. Bizarre components of humanity I would never have noticed are cleverly pointed out in this terrific series!

• My Wife And Kids

A modern take on the Cosby show, The key thing that works here is the cast, much in the same way they did in Cosby. This is predominantly a far more modern family, younger parents and wilder children. Damon Wayon's is the father, Michael and he is hilarious. Damon is all about his delivery and is also a great physical comedian. I love Tisha Campbell as Jay, the mother of the household. She looks way too young to have two adult children but you soon forget that. She is vivacious and infectious. There are many more hilarious characters that will never stop humouring me. although it isn't played anymore i still enjoy watching the episodes and i truly believe they will never get old.

Top 5 Books:

• Star Wars - Darth Bane: The Path Of Destruction

“Once the Sith Order teemed with followers. But their rivalries divided them in endless battles for supremacy. Until one dark lord at last united the Sith in the quest to enslave the galaxy—and exterminate the Jedi. Yet it would fall to another, far more powerful than the entire Brotherhood of Darkness, to ultimately realize the full potential of the Sith, and wield the awesome power of the dark side as never before.”

• The Tenebrous Way

Being obsessed star wars , this book is an absolute favourite. The story is from the point of view of Tenebrous. It takes place when he is killed by Plagueis, but his consciousness remains in the Force while he is trapped within his own decaying body. its just...Fantastic!

• Empire Of Silver

“The fourth novel in the Conqueror series, It is the middle of the thirteenth century. One of the most extraordinary military empires in history is riding high. But its architect, the Great Khan, Genghis, is dead. Fearful that he cannot match his father’s great deeds, the new Khan turns his gaze to Russia, and beyond...What will happen when the storm from the East meets the stone walls and steel plate of the West? Can the legend and legacy of Genghis Khan live on?”

• War And Peace

War and Peace is a historical novel written by Leo Tolstoy. It loosely describes the events of the Napoleonic Wars and life during that period. I use the term ‘loosely’ because War and Peace is a work of fiction and the contents may not be entirely historically accurate, although based on true events. What makes War and Peace a classic is the way Tolstoy plays with the readers emotions and expectations. You continue to believe in the events and characters described because they are born out of real history and creativity.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Its a classic. Enough said.