Book: Glamorama by Bret Easton Ellis

About the life of Victor Ward- or is that Johnson? Set in the typical soulless society Ellis seems to know so well, Victor is a young man caught in a world which dictates that fame is far more important than values. Everything is glamorama- skin deep, where everything is a set, everybody has a role and a line to deliver. Where having it all is never enough. Our main character seem to fit in this mindset perfectly, but as he tries so escape the mess his apathetic greed gets him into, Victor realises that not everything is what it seems. Slowly, the story transforms itself into something much darker than the glitz and superficial glam of celebrity society. Glamorama has the same taste as Ellis’ other books; almost slowly paced, with succinct writing which is punctuated with sudden bursts of morbid description or insane artistry. It’s as gripping as it is apathetic, shallow as it is revolutionary. It’s sharp and blunt and everything in between. You will be left with a ‘What The Fuck’ on your tongue, and this book is not meant for everybody; so seemingly shallow you can drown in it, but hell, if your read it right, this book is totally worth it.

Quote: MTV: “So how does it feel to be the It Boy of the moment?"

ME: “Fame has a price tag but reality’s still a friend of mine.”

MTV: “How do other people perceive you?”

ME: “I’m a bad boy, I’m a legend. But in reality, everything’s a big world party and there are no VIP rooms.”

Film: Avatar (2009)

This is a brilliant movie to just watch. About humans playing the destructive role in an alien planet, and the story of how a small group of people get to know the culture enough to want to protect it. One thing must be said; it’s not an overly deep film. Yes it’s streaked with environmental themes, and a storyline filled with battle and betrayal, but its very black and white. Cliched characters and an immovable good-and-bad. So yes, if you want an intellectual moral battle, I suggest you go read Crime and Punishment. For those of you who want to stare at a screen for three hours with your mouth open and drooling slightly (I much prefer option B) then read on.
Avatar is a movie made to entertain. The alien world is spectacular; the colours, movement, creatures and plant life are made to capture attention. Everything seems to be much more alive than over here, the special effects creating a planet in which we wished we lived in. The culture of the aliens was also enchanting, the acting of a level that lets you easily forget that you are watching a film and allows you to submerge in their ways, in their grief and celebration. The soundtrack was also very good, the interwoven tribal voices fitting the feel of the movie perfectly.
So, if you want a few hours of simply watching visual imagination at its best, then I highly recommend this film. You will end up with the insatiable longing to have an Avatar of your own, and will most probably walk out the cinema looking at your ugly pink human hands with a look a faint disgust on your face. Despite that, most of you will end up with a sigh and a smile on your face cause that’s what happens when you look at something pretty for so long. Simple as that!

Trailer