TANTRUM RE-LAUNCH

Hey chicks and dudes, we know we've been gone a while, we're sorrrrrry, but absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that jazz so judging by how long we've been M.I.A, you lot are gonna really love us now.

Anyway, back to the point, now that we're back in the game, we're on the lookout for a BRAND SPANKIN' NEW EDITORIAL TEAM. Right now, we're looking for editors across the following areas:

Fashion
Culture
Arts
Music
Beauty
Technology
and all the other kinds of bits and pieces that fancy mags write about.

We're not necessarily looking for people with heaps of experience (although we wouldn't turn our noses up at that either) We're just after cool cats with a ton of passion, dedication and enthusiasm that want to be part of the Tantrum team.

We're currently based in Glasgow, Scotland, but will accept applications from individuals based anywhere in the world to contribute remotely.

For more information or to be considered for a role with us, send all your questions/ CV's and links to work along with a cover letter detailing why you want to be part of our gang over to info@tantrummagazine.co.uk*

We're so totally looking forward to hearing from y'all.

Peace out,

Team Tantrum
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*currently, the positions on offer are voluntary. We'd love to pay y'all in real hard cash, but until we start making enough dollar to do so, all we can offer you is experience, candy, a rad bunch of 'work friends', freebies and all our lovin'. Ain't that enough?!

Review: Rush

So Friday's finally hit, and you're looking for a way to spend your night. Well, if you're cinema bound, Tantrum has one serious recommendation - Rush.

Telling the story of the rivalry between Formula One drivers Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) and James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth), the film is two hours of these well woven characters and their stories, from their first meeting at a Formula Three race to their final showdown in Japan.

The film is based on a true story - but as we went into it only armed with the vaguest knowledge of Formula One, we can't attest to just which parts have been fabricated for your viewing pleasure.

Luckily, viewing pleasure leads us nicely on to the topic of a pleasurable degree of nudity and a not so pleasurable degree of gore. The nudity is pretty much strictly PG - and we're pretty sure that things were a lot wilder in the 70s than that. The gory parts are probably personal taste, but for us, tubing down a throat and an exposed shinbone were enough to have us squirming in our seats. That being said, we're not telling you just who gets injured.

If you can't wait for the movie, you have Wikipedia.

Stellar performances from the two leading men can't quite hide the fact that any of the female characters could be replaced with an attractive lamp without affecting the story - but to be honest, we weren't expecting anything else from the film. The story is focused on the rivalry between Hunt and Lauda, and the character development, especially of Lauda, is well worth a watch.

The action opens at the end of the 1976 F1 season, and the race to become World Champion, with most of the rest of the film explaining the story leading up to that moment, one which began six years previously. F1 scenes are balanced with a great degree of personal development - although the time jumps do mean that occasionally there will be a blink and you'll miss it moment, leaving especially the relationships the two men have feeling a little empty.

The balance between off track and on track scenes is perfect, and when you're listening to the roar of the engines, turning through the corners with the drivers, you'll find yourself sitting forward in your seat as you race for pole position, we swear. Not only that, but there's a nice montage in the middle which moves the action along, recapping what you need to know about the intervening races.

A highly enjoyable film, and one which had us itching to get behind the wheel and pretend we were driving the Nürburgring, we can't recommend Rush more.

While we recognise that there are other cinema chains out there, we can reveal that Odeon cinemas are running a preview of Gravity before showings of Rush. 

BFI London Film Festival: Preview

Stop the presses! Well, we've always wanted to say that, but in this case, we've got breaking news. The line up for the 57th BFI London Film Festival has just been announced, and it's set to be an event to remember.

With 234 fiction and documentary features, along with screenings of 134 live action and animated shorts, there's a lot to take in - so we've compiled our list of things we're more than a little excited about for your pleasure and convenience.

Opening and Closing Galas

The crown jewels of any film festival, this year's LFF is set to run a Tom Hanks double bill to open and close the event.

Opening with Captain Phillips and closing with Saving Mr. Banks, we take the journey from a hijacked container ship to the world of Walt Disney and P.L. Travers - not a trip many make, but we'll be interested to see what the outcome is.

Sponsor Galas

What can we say, we're big fans of anything with 'gala' in the name apparently. With six principal galas in this category, there's a lot to watch out for, so here's the CliffNotes version...

American Express Gala - Philomena (one woman's search for her lost son - Judi Dench, Steve Coogan)
Accenture Gala - 12 Years A Slave (based on a true story, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery - Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt)
American Airlines Gala - Gravity (surviving astronauts on a damaged space shuttle - Sandra Bullock, George Clooney)
Centrepiece Gala - Inside Llewyn Davis (singer-songwriter navigating 1960s New York folk scene - Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan)
May Fair Hotel Gala - Labour Day (mother and son encounter an escaped convict who isn't what he seems - Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin)
Festival Gala - The Invisible Woman (based on the story of the affair between Charles Dickens and Nelly Teman - Ralph Fiennes, Felicity Jones)

Shorts

Here at Tantrum, we're a big fan of shorts. After the success of The Lion at Edinburgh Film Festival (and yes, we'll go on about that short until the whole world has seen it), we're addicted to finding the next big thing - and letting you know all about it.

With everything from London Calling, featuring local filmmakers, to the Love Will Conquer All programme, exploring affection, the BFI LFF is set to cater for your short attention span and capture your attention all at once.

Surprise Film

With last year's triumph of Silver Linings Playbook still ringing in the ears of all of those brave enough to take the plunge, we can't recommend picking up a ticket to see the Surprise Film more. Come on, in this day and age, a little mystery is a good thing - and definitely unique. Take a chance and you might just see the next big thing before everyone else - what more could anyone want?

Treasures

Finally, we come to an excellent project showcasing a few restored cinematic triumphs. The strand also launches BFI's exploration of the dark heart of Gothic film (which regular cinemagoers might have seen the trailer for) with La Belle et la Bête, which Tantrum is extremely excited about! It's an impressive list of newly updated cinematic riches and it's well worth watching. You heard it here first.

The 57th BFI London Film Festival runs from the 9th-20th of October, at a number of London cinematic venues. Tickets will be available from September 20th.

Preview: The Sims 4

Everyone loves the Sims, right? From the very first buggy, freezing original Sims game to the flawless Sims 3, we've all become addicted to the rare sensation of absolute omnipotence.

With a 2014 release date, the Sims 4 is liable to gave us hanging on the edge of the latest Sims 3 Expansion Pack (Sims 3 Island Paradise, by our reckoning) - but will it be worth it in the end?

Well, firstly, it's looking like omnipotence just became a whole lot more user friendly. It looks as though the consequence driven gameplay, introduced in the latter Sims 3 expansion packs, will continue into Sims 4, extending into wider society.

Not only that, but extended body customisations - from changing relationships to choosing your Sim's walk - should mean that your game plays exactly as you always imagined it. Well, if you were power mad, that is.

Build mode seems to have been optimised too, with the ability to click and drag rooms - useful if, like us, you tend to end up running out of room and creating a long corridor of a bedroom.

The thing we're most curious about right now is the relatively high pre-order price. £54.99 ($69.99) would buy us quite a bit more than one game; in fact, right now, it would buy a few Sims 3 Expansion packs. Right now, we're not seeing any massive changes that would justify the hike in price.

Still, there's a long time to go. Maybe future developmental bulletins will shed some light on just why you should break the bank for another Sims instalment. Then again, do any of us really need a reason?

TV: Adventure Time With Finn and Jake

Tantrum has never been shy about our love of animation. From The Lion at Edinburgh Film Festival to Despicable Me 2, there's something about animation which appeals to us on a number of levels.

Some of you might have already watched Adventure Time With Finn and Jake, while for others it might be something which has been merely an edge of consciousness thing. Either way, here are five of reasons you should sit down and watch from the beginning.

1. Not Just For Kids

A lot of the time, we're guilty of seeing animation and thinking that it's not really 'appropriate' for an adult. Well, Adventure Time is proof that that just isn't the case. Instead, the show has a whole host of well handled, simply worded messages for adults too. Dealing with everything from death to sexuality, the show manages to be entertaining and meaningful without slipping into preachy - something which many apparently 'mature' shows struggle to manage.

2. Jake the Dog and Finn the Human

Our main characters - and while it might not seem that groundbreaking, a boy and his dog as the leads, we think Adventure Time has managed a spin on the old cliche. Finn isn't just a human, he really is 'the' human; the last of his kind. Think Doctor Who, only with more ass kicking, less angst, but the same amount of running. Plus, with Jake being the little (or big, depending on whether he's stretched out or not) ball of yellow sass that he is, things are never boring.

3. The Female Characters

How often do you see strong female cartoon characters? Especially in a show whose primary premise is the rescue of princesses? Well, this is a first for us at least; and it works. Princess Bubblegum is the queen supreme, giving the orders and working on her own science projects, Marceline the Vampire is an ass kicking mystery, and Lumpy Space Princess has survived being homeless and estranged from her family with... well, if not with good grace, at least with a great degree of fortitude. More characters like these please, TV shows.

4. Songs Galore

Having spent the past week of work singing the inexplicable-out-of-context 'Daddy, Why Did You Eat My Fries', we can attest to the fact that the songs in the show are addictive. There's not a big production made of them - and generally, no one sings without good reason to. This isn't Glee, people.

5. All The Cool Kids Are Doing It

Okay, so it's not a legitimate reason, but it's true. We're all about individuality, but Adventure Time's cult following is well-earned. This time, follow the crowd. You can thank us later.

Iron Man 3: The Infamous Gag Reel

Let's face it - when Marvel releases a gag reel, you know you're going to be in for a good time. The Avengers reel washed waves of hilarity over the internet, and while the Iron Man 3 one is only thirty or so seconds long, it's far from disappointing.

Tantrum's highlight has to be the immortal question, 'What kind of crappy suit is this?', although Robert Downey Jr's reaction to the instant classic 'We always cover the ass' is more akin to a fifteen year old than someone pushing fifty. Well, that's part of his charm after all.

Released as one of the blu-ray extras, there is also set to be a behind the scenes on Thor 2 and an Agent Carter (of Captain America fame) short. Marvel, for all you tease us, you do spoil us sometimes.

All in all, it's half a minute of hilarity which succeeds in simply making us more impatient for the release on September 9.

Much Ado About Nothing

You wait for ages for a Shakespeare adaptation, then two come along at once - isn't that what they always say? No? Well, we've been waiting patiently since the 1993 film for an update, and within the past two years we've had two fantastic ones.

David Tennant and Catherine Tate's stint as Benedick and Beatrice was met with critical acclaim, the pair's chemistry from Doctor Who just as prevalent in their stage performance as it ever was on screen. Made available by Digital Theatre, legions of disappointed fans were able to experience the show as it was intended to be performed.

While the stage adaptation was modernised, it wasn't done to quite the same extent as the latest adaptation to hit our screens. Joss Whedon (of Avengers Assemble and Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog fame) recorded his own version with a group of friends at his own house, and the result is something intimate and compelling. 

Filmed entirely in black and white, the film follows the play's dialogue with an updated setting. Star turns from Clark Gregg (as Leonato) and Nathan Fillion (as Dogberry) are backed up by an extremely talented ensemble. Special mention has to go to Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof as Beatrice and Benedict respectively - arguably the two most important characters in any version of the play.

A superb play, excellently performed, and you get to flaunt your cultured credentials afterwards - what more could you want?

Films of Old: Galaxy Quest

At Tantrum, we're fans of old movies as well as new. While Galaxy Quest doesn't quite make it into the ancient stakes yet, the 1999 film is far enough removed from the present to be considered a cult classic.

Focusing on the cast of a TV sci-fi show, the film follows what happens when they are recruited by real life aliens who hope that the team can save them from another hoard of angry, war-mongering aliens.

As you can see, it's an all star cast. Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver... and that's just to name three. Tony Shalhoub (who later found further fame as Adrian Monk in Monk), Daryl Mitchell (of Brothers and Ed fame),  and Sam Rockwell (well, what hasn't he been in?) make up the rest of the principal characters. Not only that, but star turns from Enrico Colantoni and Missi Pyle as two of the Thermians mean that the supporting cast is just as entertaining.

In saying that, special mentions have to go to Alan Rickman and Sam Rockwell, both of whom bring the necessary humour to their roles. Rickman stars as a frustrated actor whose ambitions were far loftier than a second rate sci-fi show, and Rockwell is equally as hilarious as 'Extra Number 6,' whose constant worry is that he's going to be killed off as a spare.

It's 1999, so you can't really expect 21st century special effects - nor do you get them - but it's worth it anyway. Perhaps part of its charm is in the low rent feel of the film. You almost feel like somewhere in the world, this could be happening... well, to a certain extent.

It's a surprisingly heartwarming film, with engaging characters and plenty of laughs along the way. Buying into all of the sci-fi cliches it's parodying, Galaxy Quest is a must for anyone who has so much as looked at the sky and wondered what lay beyond.

EIFF: Monsters University

Having so recently left the student domain, we here at Tantrum have an affinity for the student population. Not that we want to go back, you understand – but watching others go through the same rites of passage we did is a kind of divine retribution.

That being said, we don’t remember having half as much fun as it looks like they do at Monsters University. This is definitely a movie catering primarily to those fans who were children at the time Monsters Inc. was released – or at least, it will mean most to that particular demographic.

Assimilating popular American college stereotypes into a movie about animated monsters was always going to have its difficulties, but the subject matter is handled with aplomb. Prequels are also notoriously tricky, but the developing friendship between Mike and Sully is done deftly enough for it to become believable.

Okay, the movie isn’t groundbreaking in the way its predecessor was, and the opening sequence relies heavily on both prior affection for Mike and the nostalgia of the scare floor of Monsters Inc. This doesn’t make it bad – far from it. It’s an easy introduction, grounding the characters in the new environment of the university.

The stand out character for us in the film has to be Dean Hardscrabble, voiced by the perfectly chilling Helen Mirren. Just listening to the sound effects as she moves around the classroom was enough to give us the shivers, even if we hadn’t all remembered having a teacher just like her in our school careers. As with all kids movies, there is no such thing as an irredeemable villain – but you’re going to have to wait to find out just what redemption is offered.

Message wise, Monsters University does bring something new. The idea that university isn’t the only way to succeed in life and that hard work does pay off is incredibly important – as is the very clear statement that we can’t all be brilliant at everything. As they say in A Very Potter Musical, okay isn’t just good, okay is wonderful – and we feel that kids and adults alike could do with being reminded of that fact.

In short, if you liked Monsters Inc., you'll like this. Another example of how Pixar's animation is some of the best around, with familiar characters and a lesson actually worth listening to - just don't expect it to revolutionise your life. As the film itself says - average is worthwhile.  

EIFF: The Conjuring

Before you watch The Conjuring, ask yourself one thing – are you ready to be terrified beyond comprehension? If the answer is yes, then we suggest you go ahead and watch… although you might also want to take someone to hide behind. Just a suggestion.

The premise itself isn’t all that unique. A 1970s picturesque family move to a house in the country and start experiencing strange things – we know, so far, so typical horror movie. What makes this particular movie so utterly chilling is some stand out performances, excellent direction, a killer soundtrack, and… well, the scares.

No cheap tricks a la Paranormal Activity for The Conjuring. Based on a true story, the happenings are chilling enough on their own without the usual dropped heavy object or the bird in the fireplace – yes, Woman In Black, we’re looking at you. When the fear comes, and comes in waves spaced perfectly to allow you to almost relax in between, it comes wholeheartedly.

While of course there are some tropes that the film can’t avoid – the angelic looking child with an imaginary friend, the obligatory hair pulled by an invisible force scene, and the attempt to get rid of a possessed object known to move by throwing it in the bin to name a few – there are enough new twists and turns to make it something fresh.

Spanning nearly two hours, the film is a mastery of the slow build to a crescendo which has everything coming to a head in true horror fashion. That being said, the opening scenes are particularly noteworthy in the genre for simply diving into the horror they’re depicting. For all they’ve been used over and over, we’re pretty sure that possessed dolls are pretty much the creepiest thing we’ve ever seen.

The cast, especially given the youth of some of the actresses, do a stellar job of bringing the story to life. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are particularly outstanding as the paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Wilson, giving the movie a much welcomed comic relief at points and true heart at others. Particular gems of Ed’s include ‘Sometimes it’s better to keep the genie in the bottle,’ and our personal favourite, ‘When you get haunted, it’s like stepping on gum.’  What can we say, the man’s not wrong.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’ll be building blanket forts and hiding out among large groups of people until the terror passes.

EIFF: Paris Countdown (Le Jour Attendra)

Traditionally, Parisian cinema falls easily into one of two categories. You have the quirky, off the path films that warm your heart, and those that are incomprehensible, falling over themselves trying to be cool. Luckily, Parisian Countdown (or Le Jour attendra) falls into neither of these.

The film follows old friend Milan (Olivier Marchal) and Victor (Jaques Gamblin) as they try to navigate their way through a world they supposedly left behind years ago, after betraying a vengeful psychopath. Reunited once more, they’re left to near desperate damage control as events spiral beyond their control, and the question becomes simply how long can their fractured friendship take the strain?

The plot of the movie might sound familiar, but we had a pleasant surprise in store. This isn’t your run of the mill mid-life crisis film – these are men who are now cut adrift in the world that brought them everything they have now. Add to that a soundtrack that should have mass appeal, an impressively authentic feeling club scene, and a final scene sharp enough to lift the film above the rest of its genre.

The performances from the two lead actors are outstanding, bringing to life the dry humour which characterises the film. The chemistry between Marchal and Gamblin is enough to convince the audience that they are in fact long time friends, with the characteristic backbiting and familiarity that’s born from any kind of long term relationship. Our favourite one liner (of which there were many) had to be the wonderful “Japanese culture is too subtle for you.”

The film is subtitled, performed in the original French, and it’s all the better for it. We believe that there are some subtleties of language that English can’t quite capture, and let’s face it – insults always sound far better in French.

The setting is of course the city of love itself, and we’re struggling to think of a time the streets and the Seine were put to better use. Never overshadowing the performances of the actors, the picturesque scenery was the perfect foil to the gritty feel of the story.

Brutal at points, touching at others, and never failing to entertain, Paris Countdown uses the city as an effective backdrop to what is essentially a story of the hold old ties have over us all.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

At last, the day has arrived. Cue fanfare and trumpeters worthy of welcoming the King Under The Mountain himself...

So why should you be excited? That is, of course, if you're not already. Well, here's a comprehensive (disclaimer; comprehensive here might not stand up to dictionary definition) guide to why The Desolation of Smaug is going to be the best thing to happen to December since Christmas...

[1] A voiceover from Thranduil stating the obvious to a clearly unimpressed Thorin. Thank you for close captioning his pain, Elven King. Really summed up the whole first movie in thirty seconds.
[2] Scenery porn. Seriously, Mirkwood sounded horrific in the books and I'd be happy to live even there.
[3] Bilbo and his butterflies. We're torn between the adorable freeness of the moment, and giggling at the idea of King of Grumpiness Martin Freeman having to film that scene.
[4] Barrels everywhere! Oh, Killi, you make it look like such fun. Expect to see Barrel Bobbing at the next Olympics - you heard it here first.
[5] Legolas and appropriate prequel character regression. Watch this trailer, then watch Return of the King. We dare you.
[6] Tauriel. Oh, Tauriel. You call Legolas out and continue being the most badass elf warrior to grace Mirkwood.
[7] Gandalf and his mysterious missions. This one looks like one of the best, especially since Sir Ian McKellen will hopefully get to act with people who aren't just green screens.
[8] Giant spiders. Having Harry Potter movie flashbacks and planning just who we're going to hide behind in the cinema already.
[9] Bard, archery everywhere, and 'my lad.' Plus, the set up for the biggest troll (in the modern rather than Tolkien universe sense) of the whole trailer and our last point...
[10] SMAUG. Oh, you glorious beast you. We're placing our bet for Villan of the Year right now...

That's it then. If you're not excited by now, we don't suppose you ever will be. All that's left now is to find a way to pass the time until December. We're sure something will turn up.

Like The Films Of Old.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that everyone has one film they love that they’d be ashamed to show anyone else. Well, that’s not quite how the quote goes, but it’s true nevertheless. The question is, just what makes us love them anyway?

Having watched Soapdish, the 1991 film starring Sally Fields, Whoopi Goldberg, and an incredibly young Robert Downey Jr, I can testify that it’s terrible. Deeply, heartily curled up with embarrassment as you watch terrible. Yet despite that, I can’t stop replaying it.

The story is simple. A soap opera actress at the height of her fame is being gleefully pushed from her pedestal by fame hungry newcomers, an old lover, and her scheming producer who’s just looking to get laid. Life mimics art as the real life dramas threaten to overshadow the show itself, culminating in a live episode to decide the fates of the characters.

Perhaps the only redeeming feature of this movie is its cast. The actors and actresses play to the ridiculous aspects, and the script has some surprisingly witty moments for them to work with. Not a serious film, definitely a product of its time, and yet so long as you treat it with the levity and suspension of reality that it demands, this terrible film becomes strangely hypnotic.

For me, Soapdish is a reminder that not all cinema has to be hard hitting and serious to become a classic. It might be ridiculous, with little discernible plot and absolutely no real world relevance, but I’ll take it over The Great Gatsby anyday.