What goes down when 'your eggo is preggo':

High five, Diablo Cody. Juno's script is the core of it's success as both a comedy and a portrayal of teenage pregnancy. It's fast, witty and crammed with sarcasm and colloquial language. The lines give just enough insight into Juno's head for her character to develop convincingly, endorsing a naturally spontaneous, outrageous attitude. However, no script can carry a project on it's back the whole way. The other elements that make Juno: cast, Ellen Page is outstanding - she acts sixteen immaculately, uses body language and facial expression and is in every way the cool alternative kid. Michael Cera doesn't disappoint either. He is my favourite geek of all time and when Juno tells him "You're the coolest person I know and you don't even have to try." you don't doubt she means it. His response, "Actually, I try really hard." is delivered with spot on sincerity. It makes comfortable watching.

Script and cast aside; the soundtrack is full of cheerful, acoustic tracks. Mixing country-esque tracks with indie numbers strummed by child-like singers and post-punk tunes you'd probably be able to hum along to, is made to sound good. Put to the story of a girl who just gets on with things and the bump that wouldn't go away, it brings out the positive tone of the film at the same time as reminding you that Juno and Paulie are just sixteen years old. To top it off, Ellen Page and Michael Cera strum their own addition to the soundtrack, which impressively they sing themselves. That's what gives Juno it's edge, the realism.

I've heard criticisms of Juno regarding the plot, script etc. because apparently teenage pregnancy is all family arguments, boyfriends up and leaving, abortions, crying and general misery. From my experience, I believe that Juno is an accurate portrayal of how a sixteen year old girl might cope with discovering she's pregnant. Two of my friends from college have had children within the last year and both pregnancies can be compared favorably with Juno's.  When they found out they were knocked up, neither of them had a nervous breakdown; they might not have been to happy about it but they kept their heads and now have two beautiful babies to show for nine months of pregnancy - the same nine months that any pregnant woman goes through. Perhaps Juno is such a hit with me because it reminds me how one of my friends especially was incredibly matter of fact about the whole thing, and shares the same sharp sarcasm as Juno. 

Overall, Juno is worth a watch. If it's your sense of humor and you aren't overly cynical, this will be right up your street, whether you're a spring chicken like myself or much older. It's clever, charming and funny yet still represents teenage girls in a non-judgmental and fair way. While Diablo Cody's next written project looks dire to say the least, I'm excited to see what Ellen Page will surprise us with next.

Where you going with that gun in your hand?

As previously mentioned, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is someone I greatly admire. His acting career has been selective and in proportion, while still successful, and the care put into choosing roles means that an audience trusts a project with Joe's name under it. The succession of independent films following Jordan Melamed's Manic have earned Joe a prestige rare of actors his age. Or any age in fact. That's nowhere near the end of the story either; after appearing in a string of darker, more violent thriller and action films (inc. Shadowboxer, Killshot) his current release Stop-Loss is a notable achievement in an established career. Returning to screens in 2009 as Cobra Commander in G.I. Joe, don't overlook the smaller projects dotted along the road between now and then. Whether it's a short for his website Hitrecord.org or a Hollywood smash hit, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has a smart head on his shoulders and his feet firmly on the ground.

 

From Wonderland, April/May 2008

Spread

From this month's magazines, one of which isn't actually from this month at all, I just happened to pick the April/May copy of Wonderland off the shelf; the best spreads. Feast on them.

Ollie Evans and Saam Farahmand

The picture of both Saam and Ollie at the top is from an older magazine. It fits, so it got ripped off my wall, scanned in and stuck with the other bits. Both these guys are highly talented screen fiddlers. In other words, they direct. Ollie has directed music videos for bands like Das Pop, The Gossip, Foals, Klaxons, and Young Knives, all of which can be easily found on Youtube. Saam has been at it even harder, directing for the likes of Janet Jackson, M.I.A and Klaxons. Again, Youtube him. Both are signed to Partizan, which is also worth taking a look at. The directors involved with Partizan create music videos, adverts, short films, promos and now feature films; there are some well known names and some fresh ones, but all have sizzle. Keep your eyes on these two.

Boyd Holbrook

Model and actor Boyd Holbrook will be appearing in Gus Van Sant's current project Milk, a biopic of Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay elected official. The cast includes Sean Penn, James Franco and Emile Hirsch, suggesting that it might be an interesting watch when it is released at the end of this year. Accompanying the above photos was more of a quiz than an interview, so let's leave it at that.

Nick Veasey

Nick Veasey takes x-ray photographs. Not your average man-in-white-coat checking to see if your leg is sticking in a weird direction because it's broken x-ray but full on projects including a bus, areoplane, people, machines, plants, bats, beetles; you name it, really. In the above interview Nick explains that he doesn't expose live people or animals to the radiation from x-rays, instead he uses dead ones. This makes his intense work even more intriguing, as he has to source fresh dead animal and human corpses to shoot projects. I highly recommend that you use this link to explore Nick's book X-Ray through Amazon's 'search inside' feature. 

Ash Stymest

A new recruit to Models1 and one of the freshest faces to grace the pages of international fashion magazines, Ash Stymest is scorching in his first fully fledged fashion spread in the August 2008 issue of i-D. Aside from his perfect scowling, the clothing being modeled is also immaculate. The bondage suit is tailored and dressy but, obviously, influenced by the skin tight style of punk. The same contrapuntal theme continues into the shoes, which are a sleeker, more elegant derivation of the Creeper. Collaborating clean cut high fashion with a subculture which has it's own distinctive 'anti-fashion' is genius and results in a smart, sexy look that retains an element of edge and attitude. Ash helps bring out that edginess; I think it's one of my favourite pieces ever. All clothing by Undercover. 

Tomorrow's post is the Joseph Gordon-Levitt interview from Wonderland April/May 2008. 

Stay tuned.

JOIN EUGENE'S FETISH CIRCUS

Let's run around with no clothes on

Fashion has never been just about the clothes. As important as design is, the whole enterprise would be nothing without the hangers. Models are the new breed of celebrity, crossing the boundaries between socialite and icon, introducing music, attitude and youth culture to the stark core of the fashion industry. One of the largest modeling agencies, with a fair few of the current hottest models on their books, is Models 1. 

Snapping up screen players to work the page every now and again, Models 1 has recently signed James Sutton of Hollyoaks, Kaya Scodelario of Skins and reality castaway, Tom Turner of Shipwrecked 2008. The agency also books for supermodels Agyness Deyn and Twiggy, instantly indicating how high in the ranks Model 1 play their game. As much fun as it is eyeing up beautiful people all day, finding models with the right 'look' is a hard task with so many to compare. 

My ideal models have unique flair that sets them apart from the crowd, whether it be a particularly striking appearance, expression or ability to convey personality through the shots. I've pulled out my favourite models from the books of Models 1 to exemplify the agency's selection of tough, British icons. 

#1 Agyness Deyn

Nowhere is a no-go. Charged with red hot Manchester spirit, Agyness looks and acts the part; a much bigger part than her peers previously played. Aggy has changed what it means to be a model. Since last year's take over, it's all about young British energy and this season there have been more unconventional models than ever. Musicians, actors and artists have all been signed up to an army of Agyness followers, posing to make page turning a force to be reckoned with.

#2 Ash Stymest

Fresh, so fresh I saw him for the first time today. He's got three full page shots in August 08 i-D and oh my, is Ash one to watch. For a start, he's gorgeous. That might sound obvious but there are loads of models who have great bone structure etc for hanging clothes on and no actual beauty. However, Ash has got load of it. He's got a great scowl, great eyebrows; innocent lips. Basically, the pictures say it all.

#3 Josh Beech

A specimen of the new breed of model, Josh Beech is tough. That doesn't stop him from modeling the latest high fashion in i-D, Dazed and Confused, Vogue Hommes and much, much more. The epitome of rough-around-the-edges masculinity, he's also vocalist for British rock band Snish. What more could you want? Josh in your bed, maybe.

#4 Jamie Burke

Long hair and a stagger gets you everywhere, especially when you are Jamie Burke. Reminiscent of the feeling Captain Jack Sparrow strikes into one's heart, this page turner is every bit rock and roll. Please, don't ever cut that luscious mop. A bit of a new boy, to the modeling industry at least, expect to see Jamie Burke here there and everywhere pretty sharpish. One thing is for sure; he stands out from the ever growing crowd. 

#5 Sam Way

Sam reminds me of Barry. I like Barry, so I like Sam. Again, he's beefy, not really my thing. The personality side to his shots makes all the difference. Pulling faces, posing ironically (if that makes sense?) and giving off the cheeky chappy aura. Never a bad thing; he puts on a show of being a joker but scrubs up well too. Flexible. 

#6 Lianna Fowler

Tank Girl might look something like this. Agyness Deyn with black hair and a bit more masculinity. Lianna can pull a pose or two, and although she's nowhere near as fierce off the page, she must have something special to have won Britain's Next Top Model. Bad luck for her she's not quite special enough to beat her blonde bombshell look-a-like. 

#7 Joe Griffith

Not what you might expect from a selection by my hand. However, Joe Griffith is a cute as a button and therefore whether or not he is whatever, I like him. Cute, smiley, generally pleasant; I don't think he'll be getting any complaints. Unlike most actor/models, Joe seems likely to end up on the screen after the page, seeing as for now he's just on paper. Fingers crossed and eyes wide open for button Joe. 

#8 Will Chalker 

Maybe he screams something that shouldn't be so appealing. Maybe he's just a damn good model. If you haven't seen Will Chalker's face, or the rest of this delicious package, plastered across billboards, on the covers of glossy fashion monthlies or in numerous print adverts; where have you been? Versatility is everything in the world of modeling and Will Chalker is versatile. So much so that when he strikes the tough boy pose I, and so many others, just can't help but go weak at the knees.

#9 Kaya Scodelario

Otherwise known as Effy from E4's incredible Skins, Kaya Scodelario is a fresh face on the screen as well as on paper. Distinctive, organically beautiful and a mere 16 years old, Kaya already has a strong persona endorsed by her role in the teen TV series Skins. Seeing as she'll be the only member of the previous cast to be returning in Series 3, there's a good chance that this won't be the last we see of the striking model/actress. 

#10 Chris Belcher

Chris Belcher looks as though he's just stepped out of a British indie rock band. Squint, and he could be a member of Razorlight any day. Baby-faced but consistent, he has proved himself worthy of the extensive portfolio of editorial modeling he's gained since joining the prestige ranks of British fashion.  And he has a great haircut, which, of course, says everything that needs to be said. 

To conclude, 

The fashion industry's demand for British models is growing at a pleasing pace. These ten models are a prime example of just a small margin of the unique look and attitude that comes from England. For now it is up to international icons like Agyness Deyn to set a world standard on the runway and in editorial, changing perceptions of beauty and encouraging alternative appearances, body types and challenging dominant gender ideologies. When it comes down to being individual, the Brits have it sorted.