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Review Ryan Lambie 14 Jan 2014 - 22:30

Vic And Bob return to our screens with the sitcom House Of Fools. Here's Ryan's review of its debut episode, The Conan Affair...

Veteran comedy duo Vic and Bob are perhaps best known for their own brand of surrealist light entertainment, as seen in Vic Reeves Big Night Out, The Smell Of Reeves And Mortimer and Shooting Stars (to name but a few), they've also been known to tinker with the traditional sitcom format from time to time.

In 1992, the pair wrote and starred in The Weekenders, a one-off pilot for Channel 4. Its typically off-the-wall story took in a pub called The Farting Dashboard and The Human League's Phil Oakey selling an unidentified variety of meat in the middle of a playing field. This, unfortunately, was never picked up for a full series.

Twelve years later came Catterick, a six-episode dark comedy...

Stevie Nicks performs in New York City

Birthday shoutouts go to Anne Rice, who is 71, Susan Sarandon is 66, Liev Schreiber is 45, and Alicia Silverstone is 36.Speaking of Stevie Nicks, once again she's not among this year's nominee list for The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Yes, I know she's in with Fleetwood Mac, but her solo career deserves recognition. This year's nominees (of which five acts will be chosen) are Donna Summer, Joan Jett, The Meters, Public Enemy, N.W.A., Albert King, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Kraftwerk, Randy Newman, Procol Harum, Rush, the Marvellettes, Deep Purple and Chic. My five choices would be Heart, Donna Summer, Joan Jett, Kraftwerk, and the first band I ever saw in concert, Rush. Smash wonder-producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are developing another musical project for NBC. "The hour-long dramedy centers on a 30-something songwriter who has written the most epic love songs of our time,...

The countdown is officially on to the September 28th release of the next title in Nordic Games’ immensely popular We Sing series – We Sing 80s, on Nintendo Wii.

30 chart topping, sing along classics from the 80s will be included in what is set to be the most popular incarnation of the We Sing brand to date. Nordic Games are gradually revealing all 30 tracks via the Facebook Jukebox app, and we have the lowdown on the first 21 tracks unveiled so far. Plus, each week fans that use the app will have a chance to win a copy of the game by guessing one of the soon to be revealed tracks.

The first set of songs to be revealed are:

Kylie Minogue – I Should Be So Lucky Spandau Ballet – True Musical youth – Pass the Dutchie Yazz and the Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up DeBarge – Rhythm of the Night Smokey Robinson...

Phil Oakey has said that while he likes Rihanna's music, it is the result of a "huge" behind-the-scenes team. The Human League star told Metro that the industry has changed drastically since his band's 1980s heyday. "We could have been eclipsed by new waves of acts who had established their own huge back catalogues but the music industry doesn't make popstars any more," Oakey said. "Especially popstars from Britain." He added of the current pop scene: "A lot of the people making it now aren't (more)...

MFest, the music festival organised by supermarket chain Morrisons, has been cancelled. The event was due to take place at Harewood House in Leeds on Saturday (July 7) and Sunday (July 8), but has been scrapped due to the extreme weather. Cher Lloyd, Matt Cardle and Texas were among the acts due to play tomorrow. The Human League, Steps, Scouting For Girls and Sophie Ellis-Bextor had been lined up for Sunday's bill. "It is with our deepest regret that due to the adverse weather conditions leading up to this event in conjunction with the extreme weather warning as issued by the met (more)...

A strong week with five releases spanning a wide range of genres.

Moonrise Kingdom Soundtrack by Various Artists

Wes Anderson films have a very distinct, trademark style that can usually be identified as his. Certain traits exist across his films, including a pace that is methodical and slower than many other films, flawed characters (and many of the same actors), dry humor, cinematography that is simplistic and visually pleasing and soundtracks that are mostly folksy and classical while including some foreign language and classic rock pieces as well. The soundtrack for Anderson’s latest film, Moonrise Kingdom, is no exception. There are three tracks from American composer Leonard Bernstein’s Children’s Classics collection. The innocence of these symphonic pieces are a perfect fit for a film about two children attempting to run away from a summer camp together. French composer Alexandre Desplat’s seven-part “The Heroic Weather – Conditions of...

What to Expect When You’re Expecting

Directed by: Kirk Jones

Cast: Elizabeth Banks, Ben Falcone, Jennifer Lopez, Rodrigo Santoro, Cameron Diaz, Matthew Morrison, Anna Kendrick, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Dennis Quaid

Running Time: 1 hr 50 mins

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: May 18, 2012

Plot: The intersecting lives of five couples and their different experiences with pregnancy.

Who’S It For?: Women (and dudes just like Schwarzenegger’s character in Junior) won’t find this flick to be all that plentiful with pregnancy wisdom. Though there are jokes specifically targeted at the testosterone in theater, those aren’t funny either. While I’ve never been pregnant, I can say that this movie would probably make my mom (who has actually had nine-pound twins) want to crush someone in the face with this book.

Expectations: Hee-haw, not falling for that one. However, I was curious to see how well this self-help book would transition into a movie,...

Starring Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Brooklyn Decker, Chace Crawford and Chris Rock, among others, Capitol Records will release the original soundtrack to the Lionsgate feature film "What To Expect When You’re Expecting," digitally on May 15th and physically on May 22nd.

Featuring thirteen tracks including an electro-pop song Elizabeth Banks sings called, "The Hormone Song" (a little bit of which you can hear here, it's geniusly retarded) the soundtrack features songs by Chiddy Bang, Black Lips, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, David Gray and newcomers Sleeper Agent and Graffiti6. The disc also features a Jimmy Buffett cover band A1A, as well as two previously unreleased tracks, NiRé All Dai’s “Inside Out” and A Fine Frenzy’s “Now Is The Start ” (since versions are already out, we assume they're slightly different from the album ones).

"What To Expect When You're Expecting" hits theaters nationwide on May 18th.

Chopped my finger off while preparing dinner – strange, I didn't hear a big, dramatic chord in the background. Whispered sweet words in my wife's ear – strange again, I couldn't hear the beautiful sound of harps trilling in the background. And stranger still, when I tripped over in the street, I didn't once hear silly whaa-whaa-whaaaaa comedy music. Just deafening laughter from passers by.

Yet whenever I see most TV programmes and films these days, there's musical cues ahoy to be found in the background. TV, in particular, can't seem to get through a programme without striking up the band. Even In EastEnders – although music is strictly limited to a pointedly chosen classic hit from years gone by. Say that furious hard nut Derek Branning is threatening hapless cheeky chappie Alfie Moon in the Queen Vic over a packet of pork scratchings, the cunning producers will heavily signpost the scenario with...

Lollipop Chainsaw is right around the corner, and we have yet another trailer for you. Artist Jimmy Urine (of Mindless Self Indulgence) and Grasshopper Manufacture Sound Director Akira Yamaoka sat down to answer a few questions about the soundtrack. Read on for all the gory details.

From the Press Release

What is the exact soundtrack to a zombie massacre? In scoring the upcoming game Lollipop Chainsaw, artist Jimmy Urine (of Mindless Self Indulgence) and Grasshopper Manufacture Sound Director Akira Yamaoka had to address these types of questions. When Juliet rips through a decaying zombie torso with her trusty chainsaw, would Sleigh Bells fit better than Sinatra? Or should it be an original composition? In this behind the scenes video, Jimmy and Akira discuss the various influences that go into scoring a game with such a strong visual and creative style and the aesthetic basis from which the soundtrack was compiled.

Lollipop Chainsaw Behind the Music Featurette

Plus, there's a new behind-the-scenes video featuring Little Jimmy Urine and Akira Yamaoka wearing a lot of black and discussing the creation of the soundtrack for the upcoming hack and slash title from Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda51.

You can find the full track listing after the jump.

What is it with 2012 and Atari Teenage Riot tracks showing up in game-related stuff? First there was the recent Ps Vita campaign using their Is This Hyperreal track "Black Flags," and now Lollipop Chainsaw is using the noise act's song "Speed" from 60 Second Wipeout. If you follow the group in any capacity, then you know precisely how off-message from their vigorously anti-corporatist stance this is. So... weird, right? Also, if I'm wondering out loud, why not use the far superior "Too Dead For Me" or "No Success?" I love "Speed" and one of the most pleasant revelations...

Interview

I recently sat down with Canadian rocker John O., an interesting guy who only came out two years ago at the embarkment of a new persona. You might know him as Diamond Rings, an androgynous character who wears rainbow themed make-up all-the-while making some of the coolest Depeche Mode quality alt-rock on the scene right now. And with a baritone voice as deep as The National’s Matt Berninger.

In his latest video for “It’s Not My Party” John is seen walking down the street in a dress singing in one of the deepest voices that would put your granddad to shame. I’m digging his whole package and I loved talking with him.

Going into my meeting with John, I found out he’s quite tall, towering over me at 6’4. He’s incredibly intelligent and has these striking blue eyes that I would have never noticed if...

Behind the boys and girls who front our favourite records, there's often someone almost as important lurking in the shadows. Martin Rushent, who died on Saturday at the age of 63, was one such figure. Starting out as an engineer on songs by T-Rex and Fleetwood Mac, he became an acclaimed producer in his own right in the late '70s. He launched his production career helming albums by punk groups like the Buzzcocks and The Stranglers, as well as early Joy Division sessions. But he's best known for his work on The Human League's Dare, defining the sound of an era and winning a well-deserved Brit Award in 1982. Watch the videos of some of our favourite Rushent-produced tracks below. 1. The Stranglers: 'No More Heroes' (1977)

Rushent's production elevates The Stranglers pub/punk melodies to something very special. (more)...

Martin Rushent has died at the age of 63. The producer's son James - guitarist in Does It Offend You Yeah? - confirmed on Facebook that his father passed away on Saturday. "It is with great sadness that someone very close to us has passed away," a post on the band's official page read. "Martin Rushent was not just James' dad, but also someone very involved with the shaping of Dioyy and countless other musicians he worked with. He had an amazing character and was [a] great friend to all of us. Rest in peace, sitting at your mixing desk in the sky. X" Rushent is survived by his wife Ceri, sons James and Tim and daughters Amy and Joanne. The producer was known for his work with The Stranglers, The Human League, Buzzcocks, The Go-Gos and (more)...

I'm a big jazz fan, so one of the things I've been looking forward to the most about "L.A. Noire" is how they'll use the pop music of the post-wwii era in the game. Rockstar's pretty much perfected the art of assembling music that reflects the tone of the interactive work they create.

"GTA: Vice City" introduced new wave acts like The Human League and A Flock of Seagulls to a generation of gamers who were born after their music topped the charts Similarly, "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" packed its radio stations full of classic electrofunk, Reagan-era R&B and mid-1990s hip-hop when it hit the PS2 in 2004. The approach changed a little bit out of necessity for "Red Dead Redemption," since last year's hit Western game was set in an era before the proliferation of radio devices was widespread. So, the music in "Rdr" ranged from...

Phil Oakey has said that he would be interested in recording new music with Martyn Ware in the future. Ware formed The Human League with Oakey and Ian Craig Marsh in the late 1970s, but Ware and March split off acrimoniously in 1980 to form Heaven 17. Oakey and Ware have since reconciled and The Human League and Heaven 17 shared a bill in 2008, together with fellow Sheffield band ABC, as part of the 'Steel City Tour'. Asked if he would work in the studio with Ware again, Oakey told Digital Spy: "Oh yeah, I could do that at some stage. Yeah, we've talked about that. I had lunch with him about three weeks ago." On what the collaboration could be called, Oakey's bandmate Susan Ann Sulley laughed: "It (more)...

The Human League have criticised Katy Perry for relying more on her appearance than her music. Signer Philip Oakey claimed that The Human League seem "mundane" compared to modern acts who are "really outrageous". "You can't horrify people anymore though, it's all been done," he told Gt. "The outrage seems all pretty well worked out now. Artists like Katy Perry. As far as I can see, the appeal of Katy (more)...

Charming, witty, and quintessentially quirky, Cyrus (2010) is a slice of well-worked comedy from plucky lo-fi indie brothers, Jay and Mark Duplass.

La, the present. John C. Reilly plays John, a divorced down-and-out schlub who meanders through life alone and somewhat desperate. Upon the persistent demands from his ex-wife/best-friend (Catherine Keener) to shape-up and move on with his life he agrees to attend a local party. At the party he gets drunk and systematically tries to hit on women, severely embarrassing himself in the process.

As the alcohol flows so does his bladder and he retreats to a quiet area of the garden to escape the crowds and relieve himself. “Nice penis”, Molly (Marisa Tomei) taunts as she catches John in the act, the foxy singleton immediately striking up conversation with the embarrassed and now very drunk John.

From this initial fortuitous meeting the pair hit it off and a...

Here we are again, my friends, another week into Glee’s wretched second season. However, Eric Stoltz (seriously) directs us, yet again, to a high point in a forest of low. Last time they let him behind the camera, we got “Duets,” the one where Brittana talk about scissoring and Artie loses his virginity. As usual with guest directors, some of the camerawork was noticeably different, which is always welcome.

Tonight’s episode, about alcohol, could have been a mind-bending assault from After-school Special Land, and while there was a bit of that creeping in, the episode managed to be somewhat surprising in its over-all message that yes, alcohol is (or at least can be) fun, but not something to be treated lightly. We were spared most of the teen-show booze clichés (car crash, parental scolding, any real consequences) and only saw the most refreshingly banal of after-effects (vomiting, hangovers,...

Take Me Home Tonight, Topher Grace’s ode to the ’80s, doesn’t hit theaters until March 4, but the actor is already hard at work promoting it. He co-conceived the story about a directionless MIT graduate who works at Suncoast Video in the mall and gets a second chance with his unrequited his school crush (Teresa Palmer) when she invites him to an end-of-summer party. The cast, which originally shot the film in 2007 (it’s how Anna Faris met her husband, Chris Pratt), has reunited recently to star in a viral music video, Atomic Tom’s cover of The Human League...

Allow us help you prepare for The Rachel Berry House Party Trainwreck Extravaganza.

On Tuesday's episode of Glee, Rachel will throw it down at her house, leading to a wild weekend; bonding between Will and Beiste; and a lesson from Figgins on the danger of underage drinking.

As well as lots of new Glee music, of course. Below, we've listed four of the songs that will be covered on the installment, along with a video that samples each one. Enjoy!

Tik Tok - Kesha One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer - Amos Milburn Don't You Want Me - The Human League Blame It (On the Alcohol) - Jamie Foxx

Blame It on the Alcohol Songs...

Phil Oakey has claimed that club music is "the most exciting ever". The Human League songwriter made the comments while speaking to The Quietus about his band's upcoming album Credo, their first since 2001's Secrets. Oakey said: "I love club culture. I became single about ten years ago, so suddenly I wasn't forced to be home at a certain time any more and it was just when Gatecrasher was on its second wave, when Paul Van Dyk and people like that were huge. "We got to know the guys who owned it and all the DJs and this connected me back to the music I used to buy when I was younger... (more)...

For whatever reason, I just recently saw the first trailer for the 80's romp that is Take Me Home Tonight. Complete with the titular song by Eddie Money and a fantastic comedic cast featuring Topher Grace, Dan Fogler, Anna Faris and the always stunning Teresa Palmer, the trailer immediately sold me on this wild looking 80's party flick. Now the band Atomic Tom has made things interesting with a cover of The Human League's hit Don't You Want Me and a music video featuring the stars of of the film re-enacting great movies from the 80's like Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and more. Check it! Here's the awesome music video which Cinematical brought to our attention: There's also a red band trailer that makes this look like a great raunchy time machine back to the 80's, but an even better nostalgic trip comes from...

Last year, as we here at Cinema Blend celebrated the end of the decade, I wrote an article titled .Film's 10 Best Music Moments In The Aughts.. The goal was simple: look at the all of the movies from the past ten years and pick out the scenes that made the best utilization of their soundtrack. The selection process was incredibly difficult and I never expected that I would be able to make the same kind of list for one specific year. Then 2010 came around and blew me away. Say what you will about the quality of films we got this year, particularly during the summer months, but this was an amazing year for soundtracks and scores. Composers like Hans Zimmer, Clint Mansell and Daft Punk created some truly stunning pieces while directors utilized the songs of Joni Mitchell, Edith Piaf, Metric and The Human League flawlessly. So without further ado,...

John (John C. Reilly) livens up the party with a rousing rendition of The Human League’s classic, Don’t You Want Me. His booze-fuelled karaoke session is all too charming for Molly (Marisa Tomei), who takes to the floor for female vocals in this very funny clip.

With John’s social life at a standstill and his ex-wife about to get remarried, a down on his luck divorcee finally meets the woman of his dreams, only to discover she has another man in her life - her son. With Jonah Hill playing the 21-year-old with an unnatural attachment to his mother, Cyrus is set to be a laugh a minute.

Written and directed by Jay and Mark Duplass - the acclaimed brothers who have teamed up in the past for cult classics Baghead and The Puffy Chair - Cyrus is a bold step into Rom-com territory and takes an...

The Human League perform on day three of Camp Bestival 2010 at Lulworth Castle in Dorset, UK.Photo copyright by Landmark / PR Photos. Friendly Fires perform on day three of Camp Bestival 2010 at Lulworth Castle in Dorset, UK.Photo copyright by Landmark / PR Photos. Friendly Fires perform on day three of Camp Bestival 2010 at Lulworth Castle in Dorset, UK.Photo copyright by Landmark / PR Photos. The Human League perform on day three of Camp Bestival 2010 at Lulworth Castle in Dorset, UK.Photo copyright by Landmark / PR Photos. The Human League perform on day three of Camp Bestival 2010 at Lulworth Castle in Dorset, UK.Photo copyright by Landmark / PR Photos. 08/01/2010 -...

Leaping from fiction to nonfiction and back again may be an astonishing directorial feat, but those who have followed British filmmaker James Marsh ("Wisconsin Death Trip," "The King") before he won his best documentary Oscar for "Man on Wire" last year know he's long led such a high-wire career.

For "The Red Riding Trilogy," screenwriter Tony Grisoni's thrilling three-film adaptation of David Peace's crime novels, Marsh directs the middle feature ("In the Year of Our Lord 1980," colloquially called "Red Riding: 1980"), as flanked by Julian Jarrold's "1974" and Anand Tucker's "1983." All set in provincial Northern England against a backdrop of serial killings, the films follow a thorny throughline of high-level corruption and the impunity that grossly keeps the wicked in power.

Marsh's mercilessly grim segment stars Paddy Considine as an unpopular by-the-book detective who, while investigating the real-life Yorkshire Ripper case, stumbles upon a cover-up conspiracy that...

Intrigue! A male voice choir! String sections! Oh, the strings! You pretty much need only glance at the track titles to get an idea of what the Ninja Assassin soundtrack is going to be like: Training, Mika’s Apartment, Kiriko Runs – personally I’d like to hear the track for Kiriko Has A Sit Down, but then Ninja Assassin isn’t a Mike Leigh film so perhaps I’m clutching at straws.

I literally have no idea what must go through the head of the person who walks into a Virgin Megastore and shells out their hard earned money for the Ninja Assassin soundtrack. I like to imagine a twenty five year old who works in PC World and brings home a slightly over-weight young lady after their first date (a late night screening of The Matrix Reloaded), showing her into his cramped apartment and asking her to wait whilst...