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brokehorrorfan · 4 years

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Blu-ray Review: Escape from L.A.

Despite launching one of the genre's most successful and longest running franchise with Halloween (and returning to write and score its first two sequels), the only sequel John Carpenter ever directed was 1996's Escape from L.A. The master of horror took the skeleton of his 1981 cult classic, Escape from New York, and worked with frequent collaborator Debra Hill (Halloween, The Fog) and star Kurt Russell - his sole writing credit to date - to pen a followup for Paramount Pictures.

Set in the near-future of 2013 - after an earthquake has turned the crime-ravaged Los Angeles into an island - the city becomes a modern-day Alcatraz to which "undesirable" people are deported. When Utopia (A.J. Langer, The People Under the Stairs) - daughter of the self-declared president for life (Cliff Robertson, Spider-Man) - escapes to L.A. with the power to end her father's tyrannical empire, the government deploys Snake Plissken (Russell) in exchange for a full pardon of his laundry list of crimes. If he fails to comply within 10 hours, a designer virus will kill him.

Although the setup is a blatant carbon copy of Escape from New York - "Sounds familiar," Plissken quips during the expository opening - Carpenter and company take a few outside-the-box swings with the larger budget and expanded scope. The wacky ideas (the basketball challenge, tsunami surfing, hang gliding) don't always pay off, but these elements - and Carpenter and Russell's commitment to them - make the movie feel like a comic book come to life. The script also delves into satirical social commentary.

Escape from L.A. lacks the shadowy cinematography with which Dean Cundey captured the post-apocalyptic New York, but director of photography Gary B. Kibbe (They Live, Vampires) does a fine job. Although fairly impressive by 1996 standards, the film's visual effects have aged poorly. The early sequence of Snake's submarine diving through the ruins of Universal Studios is akin to a Syfy movie. On the practical side, Rick Baker (An American Werewolf in London) provides some fun effects.

For the soundtrack, Carpenter collaborated with Shirley Walker (Final Destination, Memoirs of an Invisible Man). While the main theme is a update of New York's instantly recognizable cue, the score mixes Carpenter's signature synth with additional instrumentation. The result varies from bombastic rock (similar to Ghost of Mars) to Western-style blues (similar to Vampires) to traditional orchestral cues. The diverse soundtrack also ranges from Tool to Tori Amos, from Sugar Ray to Randy Newman, plus an original White Zombie song over the end credits.

In addition to his atmospheric visuals and innovative synthesizer scores, Carpenter has always had a knack for casting. Any number of his films are populated with an amalgam character actors of yesteryear, contemporary stars, and up-and-comers. Escape from New York might be the best example of this, and L.A. carries the torch high. Russell falls back into the role as if no time had passed between the two productions, fully realizing his own gruff, reticent antihero in the mold of Clint Eastwood's Man with No Name.

The cast includes Steve Buscemi (Reservoir Dogs) in a fun supporting role as an opportunistic sidekick; Stacy Keach (The Ninth Configuration) as a Commander that essentially fills the Lee Van Cleef role from New York; Peter Fonda (Easy Rider) as a bitchin' surfer; B-movie queen Pam Grier (Jackie Brown) as a transgender woman with a modulated voice; horror icon Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead), nearly recognizable under prosthetics, as a mad surgeon; Valeria Golino (Hot Shots) as an unlikely ally to Snake; and character actor Leland Orser (Seven) as an IT guy.

Escape from L.A. has received a new 4K scan from the original camera negative for Scream Factory's Collector's Edition Blu-ray. The gorgeous transfer is a notable upgrade from Warner Bros.'s earlier high definition release. It includes 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo DTS Master Audio options. Hugh Fleming captures the film's fiery spirit on the new cover art, although it's rather busy with characters. The original poster artwork is on the reverse side.

While many of the key players opted not to participate in the new Blu-ray, and an audio commentary has never been recorded for the film - which is especially unfortunate considering how exuberant other Carpenter/Russell collaboration tracks are - Scream Factory's edition offers new interviews with cast members Keach, Campbell (audio only), Peter Jason, and Georges Corraface, plus special effects artist Jim McPherson and visual effects artist David Jones.

As a self-described fan of Escape from New York, Keach comments on the pressure of living up to the original. He concludes by explaining how the film led to his knee replacement surgery. Campbell discusses undergoing the makeup process that took five hours to apply and an hour to remove. He also shares an anecdote about Russell greeting him with a reference to Evil Dead 2, courtesy of his son. Jason shares a good-natured, if a bit long-winded (at 25 minutes), conversation tracing his origins as his actor and his collaborations with Carpenter, which include Prince of Darkness, Village of the Damned, and L.A.

Corraface talks about several milestones of his career before digging into L.A. McPherson discusses working under the tutelage of Baker in his interview, which is accompanied by some of his personal, behind-the-scenes photos. For my money, Jones gives the most interesting interview on the disc. From playing around on an Apple II to landing a gig at Disney to working on Escape from L.A. in only his second year as a visual effects artist, his story is a fascinating one. He personally takes responsibility for some of the film's "subpar" VFX but also contextualizes the achievement for its time.

Escape from L.A. is available now on Collector's Edition Blu-ray via Scream Factory.

#escape from la #escape from new york #kurt russell #snake plissken #john carpenter #escape from l.a.#scream factory #review #article #dvd #gift #hugh fleming #bruce campbell #steve buscemi #pam grier #stacy keach

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peachyromanoff · 4 years

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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Alright, enough talk about celebrities that lack common sense, empathy, and general human decency—let’s talk about death and destruction. Lately, I’ve taken an interest in older movies, more specifically, old horror movies. So, to answer your unasked question, no, I will not be writing about a John Hughes movie anytime soon. The day I write about a John Hughes movie is the day Woody Allen finally pays his dues—which will probably never happen, but here’s to hoping corona makes a pit stop at his house, just in case. That probably answers your other question as well on whether or not I would ever cover a Woody Allen film. But this isn’t about the pedophilic, incestous, monster that dares to wear the skin of a man, let alone portrays himself as a human—this is about the grandfather of horror films, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

For starters, I’m aware that this film is pioneer for much of the horror media we consume to this day. It’s inspired many parodies, video games, novels, etc.—so you could assume it’s a little bit influential. But that’s the thing, influential doesn’t always necessarily mean good or great. Before you grab out your novelty chainsaws, let me explain. The pacing is awful. Yes, that’s how I’m opening this review, and I stand by it to this day. I fully understand that the movie was made during a time when pacing was uncharted grounds that that no one wanted to pass into alone as some type of cinematic martyr—but come on. For example, why was the dinner scene so unnecessarily long? All we saw was a traumatized woman being taunted by a very large “mother,” who, granted, didn’t really do much at all. Of course, it’s an iconic scene for it’s messed up and grotesque nature, but was the prolonged scene of just pure yelling really needed? I felt like I was the one being tortured by the constant perspective change—but hey, I’ll give it to the director, the shots were clean and aesthetically pleasing from an artistic standpoint. There was also the living room scene, where we see multiple shots of another main character struggling to take in the abnormal and inhumane living room of the Sawyer family. Another prolonged scene that’s only purpose was seemingly showing off the effort put into decorating the cannibalistic family’s living room. Though, I can’t say it wasn’t interesting to see the details put forth by the set designers, props to them for intricately capturing the unconventional living situation of tortured cult of killers. However, despite my praise, I do have another bone I would like to pick with the movie. You see, from my perspective, a majority of the “main” characters seen in the film, specifically the group of friends, served no real purpose. Everyone that wasn’t Sally (the true main character) seemed like an extra that was brutalized without a moments notice. Their deaths weren’t impactful, I didn’t feel remorse or sorrow for them. We barely even knew who they were before they were forced onto a meat hook, drained of fluids, and stored in a freezer by a bulky killer in tragically ugly mask. Not to mention, the deaths weren’t as gory as they should have been, considering the circumstances—but I’ve since written that off as a decision made during a rather conservative time for cinema, so nothing against the movie itself.

But, I’m not a stream of negativity, I did actually like parts of the movie. For example, the actions scenes, though sometimes ridiculous, were rather suspenseful. One in particular that I’d like to mention, is the chase between Leatherface and Sally. It’s honestly remarkable, the stamina and durability shown from a woman in pale pants and a tank top was that of an athlete with years of training. But I suppose anything is possible when your name isn’t Jerry, Franklin, Kirk, or Pam. R.I.P to them, though. One more aspect I liked about the film is the dedication to detail. The masks, for example, displayed glaring similarities to those found on Ed Gein, the Butcher of Plainfield. I suppose they took inspiration from his shocking, yet terrifyingly real house of horrors filled with furnishing and apparel made from that of human remains. Even the sets were precise and disturbing alike, I’m amazed by what they had accomplished with such a small budget. Overall, the movie, despite it’s understandable faults, is a piece of history. To me, it’s not the best movie I’ve ever seen, but I can see why people hold in in such high ranks. 7/10

#texas chainsaw massacre #movie #movie review #review #my writing

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breakingnewsalert1 · 5 years

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Full Auto Friday: MAC-10 Edition (VIDEOS)

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The original all-American room broom — the Ingram MAC-10 — was a child of the 1960s but will likely remain iconic for generations.

Springing from the mind of California-born Gordon B. Ingram, the MAC-10 was the end result of nearly two decades of the inventor’s obsession with interesting submachine gun designs. A WWII infantry vet who saw service in Europe, Ingram had a first-hand working knowledge of 1st and 2nd generation SMGs like the Thompson and M3 Grease Gun and, by 1946, had crafted his own, albeit unsuccessful, burp gun design.

Eventually, he continued down the path until the Ingram Model 6 was put into low-rate production and, pitched to military and police users, was adopted by a few prisons and the Peruvian military. Then came his Models 7, 8 and 9 (see where we are going with this?) through the 1950s, until he finally hit the relative small gun big leagues with his 1964-designed Model 10.

Manufactured at first by the Military Armament Corporation in Georgia, which was basically just Ingram and early suppressor magician Mitchell WerBell along with a few investors, the M10 was simple and cheap.

There wasn’t a lot to Mr. Ingram’s M10

Made from sheet metal stampings and originally just full-auto-only, the compact open-bolt machine pistol was less than 11-inches long overall with its wire stock compacted and could tickle off at about 700 rounds-per-minute. Although the straight-blowback design was at first prototyped as being chambered in 9mm Para, production soon switched to .45ACP while a smaller .380ACP variant was labeled the MAC M11.

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The gun was built by MAC and its successors through the early 1980s, and, although it was shopped extensively by WerBell to the military — his suppressors were used in small numbers by special operations guys like MACVSOG and the like in Vietnam — the gun received few military orders. As noted by firearm historian Frank Iannamico, the Navy SEALs purchased a small quantity of Ingrams in 1971 and used them as late as the first Gulf War in 1991.

The M10 saw a very small amount of U.S. military service but was extensively marketed overseas throughout its production history.

However, the MAC-10 (a designation that was never actually used by the company), became hugely popular during the Disco-era as it appeared in the hands of John Wayne in the crime drama McQ, Michael Caine in the spy thriller The Black Windmill, and Pam Grier in Sheba Baby, all in the same year. Since then, it has been in over 100 films as well as legions of TV shows and video games.

Wayne, Caine, and Grier agree, the MAC was the big little SMG of 1974 (Photos: IMFDB)

Due to its compact nature, the gun also lived on in the late 1970s and early 1980s as something of a specialty piece for dignitary protection (there was even a model of briefcases marketed to carry the M10 ready to fire), and cloak and dagger types.

Here we see SevenTrees compact holster/gun savant Paris Theodore with a holstered M11, as well as a later Desantis rig for carrying the M10 under a jacket. If the rig looks familiar, Chuck Norris wore a similar one for a pair of MAC-ish Micro Uzis in the 1985 film, Invasion USA.

When the Hughes Amendment hit in 1986, it took the good old days of the relatively inexpensive — as low as $418 at the time — M10/11 out forever and the today the guns run north of the $7K mark for transferrable examples, as production long ago ceased.

There is, of course, semi-auto Ingram-style pistols and carbines out there as well, but they are nowhere near as fun.

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The post Full Auto Friday: MAC-10 Edition (VIDEOS) appeared first on Guns.com.

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trendingnewsb · 6 years

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The Fall singer Mark E Smith dies

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Media captionThe Fall singer Mark E Smith performing Big New Prinz with the Michael Clark Company in 1988

Mark E Smith, the distinctive frontman of Manchester post-punk band The Fall, has died aged 60.

Pam Van Damned, the band’s manager, said he died at home on Wednesday morning and a more detailed statement would follow “in the next few days”.

Paying tribute, Smith’s former bandmate Marc Riley said the singer “taught me a lot about life and he taught me a lot about music”.

Smith famously hired and fired more than 60 bandmates.

Mark E Smith: British rock’s cult hero

Tim Burgess remembers Mark E Smith

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Media captionWatch what happened when BBC Sport asked Mark E Smith read the football scores.

Riley, now a radio DJ, was on air on BBC 6 Music when the news broke. The pair had a tumultuous relationship – as was the case with Smith and many of the musicians who passed through The Fall’s ranks.

“Aged 16 he really did teach me so much,” Riley told listeners.

“The Fall were my favourite band when I joined and they were still my favourite band when I got kicked out.”

The band’s manager added that Smith’s had requested “privacy at this sad time”.

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Media caption“Meeting Mark was like being with a Mafioso boss”

His ex-wife Brix Smith Smart also wrote a tribute, saying “Mark defied convention and definition – he was a true artist. He was my music mentor, my cultural anchor, and my first love.”

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— Brix Smith Start (@Brixsmithstart) January 25, 2018

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Championed by BBC Radio 1’s John Peel, The Fall had 27 songs in the top 100 of the UK singles chart between 1984 and 2004.

There’s a Ghost in My House was their highest entry at number 30 in 1987.

Smith’s distinctive Mancunian drawl, which featured in his music, also took centre stage when he read out the football scores on the BBC in 2005, after one of his tracks was used to introduce them.

British rock’s cult hero

By Ian Youngs, arts and entertainment reporter

Mark E Smith, the snarling singer and single-minded leader of Manchester post-punk group The Fall, was a rock hero whose drinking and fighting – as well as his ragged but rare musical artistry – became the stuff of legend.

Over the past 40 years, great bands have come and gone. Musical trends have waxed and waned.

But The Fall – basically Mark E Smith and whoever he hadn’t fallen out with at the time – remained belligerently immoveable as the unfashionable but unshrinking mob in the shadows of the music scene.

In that time, he hired and fired more than 60 bandmates and released 30 albums of music that normally featured frayed, repetitive guitars and Smith’s caustic stream of semi-consciousness.

His pronounced sing-slur made him unlike any other frontman, and he inspired devotion among fans who were drawn to his singular presence and rambling poetry.

Born into a working-class family in Broughton, Salford, Smith grew up in Prestwich, and worked first in a meat factory and then as a shipping clerk on the Manchester docks.

In 1976, inspired by a Sex Pistols gig, he quit the docks for The Fall.

Simon Wolstencroft, who was the band’s drummer for 11 years, told the BBC Smith was a “funny guy” and “very intelligent”.

Smith’s ex-wife and former band member Brix Smith Start thanked well-wishers for their messages and said she was just “taking the news in”.

Singers Lisa Stansfield and Billy Bragg paid tribute to Smith saying a “cultural icon” had died.

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So very sad. Goodbye Mark. E. Smith. It was good knowing you

— Lisa Stansfield (@lisajstansfield) January 24, 2018

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First we lost Ursula Le Guin, then Hugh Masekela, now Mark E Smith. Been a tough week for cultural icons.

— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) January 24, 2018

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BBC 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne said Smith was “untouchably cool” and Charlatans singer Tim Burgess said he was “a true uncompromising musical maverick”.

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Oh man. Mark E Smith. One of my biggest heroes. Had a nightmare interviewing him (of course) but then he put me in a song. So sharp, clever and untouchably cool. Thanks for the music, MES.

— Lauren Laverne (@laurenlaverne) January 24, 2018

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BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine tweeted: “Mark E Smith – one of the greatest rock stars ever produced by this country.

“The last time I saw The Fall, in 2017, he felt unwell on stage and sang all the songs from inside his dressing room.”

Shaun Of The Dead director Edgar Wright said: “Not merely a legend of indie music, but someone who, for me, was a gateway into that very genre.”

Last year, Smith reacted to the news the BBC had mistakenly announced his death. In a Guardian interview, he said: “It was stopped in minutes by Fall fans. I was still ill around that time but was starting to feel better and somebody comes in and says, ‘By the way, you’re dead.'”

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Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42811968

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newyorktheater · 5 years

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JoAnne Akalaitis

Mac Wellman

Jack Thorne

Mfoniso Udofia

Jessica Hagedorn

Tom Hiddleston in Pinter’s “Betrayal”

In this eclectic opening month of the New York Fall theater season laid out below, legendary theater artists Mac Wellman (74),JoAnne Akalaitis (82), and Peter Brook (94) each get showcases for their work; Wellman a whole festival. Three shows are opening on Broadway, including a Harold Pinter revival that marks the Broadway debut of Tom Hiddleston (best-known to movie fans as Loki), and a new play by Florian Zeller starring Jonathan Pryce and Eileen Atkins. Off-Broadway, there’s a new play by “Harry Potter” playwright Jack Thorne as well as the latest installments in Mfoniso Udofia nine-play cycle about Nigerian-American immigrants, and a new musical by Filipino-born novelist Jessica Hagedorn. .

The shows described below — on mothers, wives, or infidelity; on AIDS, anxiety or immigration; or on no other subject than theater itself — are organized chronologically by opening night, except the festivals and those shows that don’t have official opening nights. Each title is linked to a relevant website for more information

Color key: Broadway: Red. Off Broadway: Purple, blue or black. Off Off Broadway: Green.Theater festival: Orange.Puppetry: Brown. Immersive: Magenta.

September 1

Dream Up Festival (Theater for the New City)

The tenth annual Dream Up Festival continues, presenting 25 shows through September 15. One of its shows premiere today: Shirley Chisholm, Robert E. Lee & Me

September 3

Felix Starro (Ma-Yi at Theatre Row)

A musical with book and lyrics written by Filipino-born novelist Jessica Hagedorn (“Dogeaters”) about a Filipino faith healer peddling hope to sick people in San Francisco’s Tenderloin Distric

September 4

Tech Support (59E59)

In this time travel comedy by Debra Whitfield, Pam’s world is soon turned upside down when, instead of providing assistance with her printer, the tech support guy offers her choices for different centuries

September 5

Betrayal (Bernard Jacobs Theater)

The fourth Broadway production of Harold Pinter’s enigmatic play that tells the story of an extra-marital affair in reverse order. It stars Tom Hiddleston, Zawe Ashton, and Charlie Cox, all of whom are making their Broadway debuts.

Boogieban (13th Street Rep)

The lasting effect of war on two soldiers of different eras, who go on parallel journeys.

September 6

Performance For One (Untitled Theater Co #61)

Edward Einhorn’s Untitled Theater Company #61, celebrating its 25th anniversary, presents this one-on-one theater performance (one performer, one audience member) in 10 minute slots at various venues across Manhattan. (See schedule at link)

The Ringdove (Mettachee at St. John’s)

Puppet artist Ralph Lee’s Mettachee River Theatre Company presents this show at Cathedral of St. John’s the Divine drawn from THE PANCHATANTRA, a collection of allegorical tales whose origins reach back over 2,000 years, to ancient India. The central characters are a crow, a rat, a turtle and a gazelle, whose adventures, behavior and relationships reflect many aspects of human nature.

Bad News: I Was There (Skirball Center)

JoAnne Akalaitis creates a site-specific processional performance exploring the monumental impact of the messenger character from classic drama.

September 7

Sincerity, Forever and Bad Penny (The Flea)

Two of the five plays from The Flea’s “Mac Wellman: Perfect Catastrophes “festival.” In Bad Penny, “ “a man and a woman sit in a park. They appear to be a couple, but aren’t. The man is clutching a car tire. The woman has picked up a penny and put it in her pocket.” It gets crazier from there. “Sincerity, Forever” is a comedy about a group of young residents from the fictional southern town with a prominent community of KKK members. Part of ”

September 8

American Moor (Red Bull at Cherry Lane)

In this two-character play written and performed by Keith Hamilton Cobb, an African-American actor in an audition room responds to the demands of a white director presuming to have a better understanding of Shakespeare’s iconic black character, Othello.

L.O.V.E.R. (Signature)

Lois Robbins’ solo show explores what goes on behind closed doors and between the sheets.

Play! and Theatre in the Dark: Carpe Diem (TINATC at Theater Lab)

The theater company that calls itself This Is Not A Theatre Company presents two plays in repertory — “Play!” an interactive homage to the importance of radical play for a healthy society, and “Theatre in the Dark: Carpe Diem,” which takes place in the dark: Hear, smell, taste, and touch your way through this nourishing ode to joy

En El Ojo De La Aguja (The Tank)

The Spanish-language version (with English supertitles) of In The Eye of the Needle, a personal, social, and political exploration of conflict resolution (or the lack of it).

September 12

As Much As I Can (Joe’s Pub)

hundreds of gay and bisexual men from Jackson, MS, and Baltimore, MD contributed their stories to this piece about the AIDS epidemic now, which has a five-day run.

September 14

The Talmud (Target Margin Theater)

Drawing from a century of kung fu films and a single chapter of The Talmud–a 5th century text of Rabbinic Judaism — the show explores “sacred wisdom and how ancient traditions survive the dangerous journey across generations.”

September 15

Darren Brown: Secret (Cort)

British mentalist and illusionist Derren Brown brings his mind reading, persuasion, and psychological illusion to Broadway for the first time.

September 16

Wives (Playwrights Horizons)

From the brawny castles of 16th Century France, to the rugged plains of 1960s Idaho, to the strapping fortresses of 1920s India, all hail the remarkable stories of Great Men! — and their whiny, witchy, vapid, vengeful, jealous wives. Playwright Playwright Jaclyn Backhaus untethers history, and language itself, from the visions made by men.

All The Rage (The Barrow Group)

A revival of Michael Moran’s solo show about a crime he experienced as a child that made him set out on a quest around the globe to answer the question:How is it that one moment we might reach out in compassion and the next…kill?

Who Killed Edgar Alan Poe? ( RPM Underground.)

Subtitled “The Cooping Theory 1969,” the immersive show has the audience join a new generation of the Poe Society at a cocktail party to commemorate the anniversary of the mysterious death of Edgar Allan Poe. Then a cc seance goes awry.

September 17

Fern Hill (59E59)

Three couples in their golden years who are close friends gather at Sunny and Jer’s farmhouse to celebrate milestone birthdays that span three decades. Their companionship is put to the test, however, when a marital betrayal is discovered.

September 19

Novenas for A Lost Hospital (Rattlestick)

A communal experience to remember, honor, re-imagine, and celebrate St Vincent’s Hospital. a medical facility founded in Greenwich Village in 1849 and shut down in 2010.

18 Stanzas Sung to a Tatar Reed Whistle (FiveMyles)

The dramatization through puppetry of a Chinese epic poem written by the woman poet Ts’ai Yen 2,000 years ago. It tells the story of a young Han woman who returns home 12 years after being abducted by the victorious Tatars. The show is free, but reservations are required.

September 21

Why? (TFANA)

This piece written by Peter Brook and Marie-Hélène Estienne features actors Hayley Carmichael, Kathryn Hunter, and Marcello Magni, and pianist Laurie Blundell in a combination performance, lecture and bioplay about experimental Russian director Vsevolod Meyerhold, who was executed in 1940. The play asks: “Why theater? What is it for? What is it about?”

September 22

Kingfishers Catch Fire (Irish Rep)

In this play by Robin Glendinning, Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty pays a visit in 1948 to the man who was his adversary during World War II, the infamous Nazi Herbert Kappler, in the Italian prison where Kappler is serving a life sentence for crimes against humanity.

September 23

Sunday (Atlantic)

In this play written by Jack Thorne (“Harry Potter…”), friends gather for a book group, anxious to prove their intellectual worth, but that anxiety gets the better of any actual discussion as emotional truths come pouring out

Runboyrun and In Old Age (NYTW)

Two new plays from Mfoniso Udofia’s nine part The Ufot Cycle,” which follows a Nigerian family who immigrated to the US.

September 24

The Height of The Storm (MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman)

Jonathan Pryce and Eileen Atkins star in a play by Florian Zeller (The Father, The Mother) about a couple who for 50 years have been filled with the everyday pleasures and unfathomable mysteries of an enduring marriage, until suddenly their life together begins to unravel,

Caesar and Cleopatra (Gingold at Theatre Row)

A rare revival of George Bernard Shaw’s comedy about these two historic figures who did indeed meet. “An early draft of the Eliza/Higgins relationship in Shaw’s Pygmalion.”

September 25

Mothers (Playwrights Realm at the Duke)

In this play by Anna Moench, the moms at Mommy-Baby Meetup are used to competing — whoever’s the most devoted to her family, has the best-behaved child, and the most satisfied husband wins. But as the chaos of the outside world encroaches on their turf, passive-aggression falls by the wayside, and each mom will have to decide just how much she loves her child.

September 27

The Green Room (Sargent Theater)

A backstage musical illustrating the journey of four best friends in college determined to make it out of the Green Room and on to the Off-Broadway Stage.

September 28

Basic Principles of Incantation (Sinking Ship @ Greenwich House Music School)

A performance-based interactive theater game about linguistics and magic. Players take on the role of students of the Esoteric Arts at their first lesson conducted by Professor A. Sibly.

September 2019 New York Theater Openings In this eclectic opening month of the New York Fall theater season laid out below, legendary theater artists Mac Wellman (74),JoAnne Akalaitis (82), and Peter Brook (94) each get showcases for their work; Wellman a whole festival.

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tyleroakley-obsessed · 5 years

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Need one more reason that Memphis is badass? The Time Warp Drive-In. Not only does Memphis still having a thriving drive-in movie theater, the Malco Summer Drive-In, we also have a monthly all-night movie marathon with cult classics, horror, and all kinds of crazy film. There’s a different theme every month – think all the Back To The Future Movies, all your John Hughes 80s faves, or weird (and I mean WEIRD) art house animation. The Time Warp Drive-In is one of my favorite things to do in town. It’s completely unique and very Memphis. Shoutout to Black Lodge Video and Guerilla Monster Films for curating the movie nights and Malco for letting it happen. More things to know: It’s $10 per person, which includes all the movies for each night. It starts at sundown and goes until whenever the movies are done. Local artist Holtermonster makes awesome posters for the movie nights. Parents need to look up the movies and decide if they want to bring their kids or not. Here’s the 2019 Memphis Time-Warp Drive In Schedule: Saturday, February 16 Soul Cinema 6: Nobody Messes with Pam Grier! A Tribute To An Icon Jackie Brown • Coffy More about February’s night, via the Time Warp Facebook page: As we do every year in February, in celebration of Black History Month, TIME WARP DRIVE-IN puts the spotlight on the history of African-American movies and filmmakers. This year, join us in honoring an incredible actress who has been performing nonstop for almost half a century, with an evening we call NOBODY MESSES WITH PAM GRIER: A TRIBUTE TO AN ICON. Starting out in grindhouse flicks and blaxploitation cinema of the 1970’s, she quickly rose to national fame, working with legendary directors John Carpenter, Tim Burton, Larry Cohen, and actor/director Tom Hanks. Perhaps her finest hour came in 1997, when cult director Quentin Tarantino wrote the blaxploitation-homage film JACKIE BROWN specifically for her – many consider it his best film to date, and it was a critical and popular smash. Now, as director Spike Lee is preparing to do a bio film on her life, let’s go back and visit her finest work. Start the night with Tarantino’s JACKIE BROWN, then return to 1973 and see her breakout hit, the brilliant revenge flick COFFY… Saturday, March 16 Back To Back To The Future: The Complete Journey Back To The Future 1, 2 & 3 Saturday April 20 Don’t You Forget About Me: The Teen Film Universe Of John Hughes Ferris Bueller’s Day Off • The Breakfast Club • Weird Science Saturday May 18 Dreams & Magic Forever: The 1990’s Fantasy Film Jumanji • Hook • Small Soldiers Saturday June 22 Strange Vibes: A Mind-melting World Of Disturbed Animation Heavy Metal • A Scanner Darkly • Paprika Odd Anthology: Weird Animated Short Films Saturday July 20 Return Of The Worst Movies Ever: Studies In Deliciously Awful Cinema Howard The Duck • Mac And Me • Showgirls Samurai Cop • They Saved Hitler’s Brain Saturday August 17 Futurecool: The Campy, Outrageous Charm Of The 1980’s Space Operas Flash Gordon • Star Trek 2: The Wrath Of Khan • Masters Of The Universe Saturday September 21 Women In Arms! Terminator 2 • Tank Girl Scream • The Violent Years Saturday October 19 Shocktober 6 Ghostbusters • Little Shop Of Horrors The Monster Squad • Clue Saturday November 9 Monsters, Gods, And Mortals: The Genius Of Fx Master Ray Harryhausen Clash Of The Titans • Jason & The Argonauts Saturday December 14 Strange Christmas 6 Elf • Scrooged • Holiday Short Film Meltdown Go There: Time Warp Drive-In Movie Nights Monthly Malco Summer Quartet Drive-In 5320 Summer Avenue Memphis, Tenn. 38122 The Drive-In shows “regular” new release movies on weekends, too. See the schedule. Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout http://bit.ly/1B5z3Pc

http://ilovememphisblog.com/2019/02/2019-time-warp-drive-in-movies-schedule/

#I Love Memphis

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news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog · 6 years

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The 65 absolute best moments from 'The Office'

Fact: The Office is now and will always be one of the greatest television shows of all time.

The NBC comedy, which debuted in 2005, followed the extraordinarily amusing lives of Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, Pam Beesley, and other employees at Dunder Mifflin Scranton. And even though The Office has been off the air since 2013, fans have yet to stop obsessing over the nine glorious seasons.

While everyone impatiently awaits a possible revival, which John Krasinski already has planned, we figured it'd be wise to take a look back and cherish some of The Office's best moments.

SEE ALSO: 'The Office' hasn’t been revived yet, but at least we have Angela’s YouTube channel

From entire episodes like "Dinner Party," to small but hilariously written and acted cold opens — like the time Kevin spilled his chili — here's a comprehensive list of 65 best moments from The Office.

1. The Dundies

Nothing beats your first Dundies! So let's kick this list off by taking a trip back to Chilli's to see Michael in his prime as a host and Jim and Pam share their first real kiss. 👀

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2. Dwight blasting "Everybody Hurts" in his car

In Season 2, episode 4 — "The Fire" — Dwight gets jealous of Michael's budding relationship with new temp Ryan Howard. After a fire alarm causes Dunder Mifflin employees to evacuate to the parking lot, he's seen hardcore brooding in the car. Dwight, windows down, slumped in the driver's seat, blasting "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M., will forever be one of the Biggest Moods out there.

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3. "Ryan Started the Fire"

Another equally gorgeous moment in "The Fire," occurs when Dwight bounces back from his brooding to belt a parody of Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire."

After learning the beloved temp Ryan accidentally started the fire in the office by leaving his cheese pita in the toaster oven (set to "oven" instead of "toaster"), Dwight sings "Ryan Started the Fire" while waving the charred cheese pita in the air.

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4. Jim and Pam having a roof date AND sharing headphones

In "The Client," (Season 2, episode 7) Jim and Pam spend the night sitting in lawn chairs on the roof while watching Dwight set off fireworks. Jim makes his "famous" grilled cheese sandwiches and Pam brings drinks and a freaking candle. Then later, before saying goodbye, they SHARE HEADPHONES, which is such an important moment that Mashable.com already mentions it in two other articles. Has there ever been a more wholesome 1:14 of television?

5. "Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration"

In the eight seasons since the world finally met the love of Phyllis' life, Bob Vance, we've had the pleasure of listening to him introduce himself many many times. Nothing, however, will ever beat the first.

6. The teapot

As Season 2's stressful holiday party comes to an end, Jim's thoughtful Secret Santa gift finally makes its way to the intended recipient, Pam. Jim (clearly smitten to hell) gets her a tea pot she wanted but FILLS IT WITH BONUS GIFTS, including several cute and sentimental inside jokes like hot sauce packets, a mini golf pencil, and his dorky high school yearbook photo. Swoon city!

7. Jim's "Booze Cruise" confession

Season 2, episode 11 aka "Booze Cruise" is a doozy. In a touching scene on the boat, Jim finally reveals his feelings for Pam to Michael. Surprisingly, Michael replies with some truly inspiring advice.

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8. Michael's grilled foot

Season 2, episode 12's "The Injury" is one of the greatest The Office moments. Michael burns his foot by stepping on a George Foreman grill, which he places on his bedroom floor because he likes to wake up to the smell of bacon. Understandable. It's a beautiful, overdramatic episode filled with crutches, Country Crock, and Michael trying to shove his foot into Dwight's MRI machine.

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9. Pam's voicemails

"The Carpet" (Season 2, episode 14) starts super gross and ends super sweet. Jim's feeling a bit sad after being isolated from Pam all day due to a temporary desk switch, but when he checks his voicemail before leaving for the day he finds he's a bunch of messages from her! Aww. Luv.

10. When Ryan hooked up with Kelly but didn't check the date

In Season 2, episode 16, after finally hooking up with Kelly Kapoor on Valentine's Day eve, Ryan Howard utters perhaps his most iconic line in the series.

11. Dwight's bobblehead

Unlike Ryan, Dwight had a great Valentine's Day, because a secret admirer *cough* Angela *cough* gave him a bobblehead doll of himself. Watch as Dwight experiences true joy.

12. Jim gets jinxed

In Season 2, episode 20 — "Drug Testing" — Pam jinxes Jim for the entire day and really makes the most of it. After poking a little too much fun at him, however, she goes out and buys a Coke so he can purchase it from her and un-jinx himself.

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13. Dwight "Honorary Security Advisor" K. Schrute

In "Drug Testing," a guilty Michael also has Dwight inducted as "Honorary Security Advisor" of Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Hugh Dane, who played Hank the security guard, did the honors, and when the actor recently died Rainn Wilson shared the scene on social media.

RIP Hugh Dane, aka Hank the security guard. He was one of the greats. So kind, funny, talented. We will all miss him. Donations can be made in his name to: https://t.co/z1SAqamWMM pic.twitter.com/ysevEZKOjy

— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) June 4, 2018

14. "Casino Night" confession

Hello, yes. You knew Jim's parking lot declaration of love was going to be on this list. We finally get to see Jim tell Pam his true feelings and it's SO MUCH. When John Krasinski says, "I just needed you to know... once," and "I'm sorry I misinterpreted our friendship," who on this planet did not die? Not to mention, THE KISS. WHAT A KISS.

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15. Michael walking down to "the warehouse"

"Grief Counseling" (Season 3, episode 4) begins with a hilarious and underrated cold open in which Michael pretends to walk down the stairs to the warehouse. The ultimate dad joke.

16. Good Grief counseling

Later in the episode, Michael leads a grief counseling session where the Dunder Mifflin employees tell stories about losing loved ones. Turns out, they're actually just death scenes from movies.

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17. The bird funeral

Wow, "Grief Counseling" again! Great episode. Gotta love this bird funeral complete with moving speeches, Pam singing, and Dwight playing his recorder. RIP BIRD.

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18. Stanley on Pretzel Day

If you want to see Stanley Hudson shine, look no further than "Initiation" (Season 3, episode 5,) where the man gets to indulge in his annual free pretzel.

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19. The phone call

Jim hasn't spoken to Pam since he transferred to the Stamford branch, but in Season 3, episode 5, the two accidentally share a phone call and pick up right where they left off. They talk about Michael, how many words per minute they type, and Pam confusing 28 Days with 28 Days Later. Romantic shit, people!

20. Phyllis' ultimate burn

After Stamford-turned-Scranton employee Karen Filippelli reveals she's allergic to her new desk mate Phyllis' perfume, Phyllis delivers this scathing hot burn: "Bob Vance bought this perfume for me in Metropolitan Orlando. It's made from real pine."

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21. "Lazy Scranton"

Michael and Dwight present "Lazy Scranton," a parody of Saturday Night Live's "Lazy Sunday," to get everyone pumped about working in The Electric City post-merger.

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22. Prison Mike

After someone claims prison would be nicer than working at Dunder Mifflin, Michael Scott introduces the staff to Prison Mike — one of his many alter egos. In "The Convict," Prison Mike memorably explains the worst thing about prison... the dementors.

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23. Angela's karaoke debut

Angela rarely comes out of her shell, but in "A Benihana Christmas," she makes the office floor her stage and sings a very tame rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy."

24. The ceiling prank

Although it ended in Andy punching a hole in the wall in a fit of rage and being forced to attend anger management classes, the prank where Jim put Andy's phone in the ceiling tiles was quite fun.

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25. The missing key

Behold: The Season 3, episode 17 cold open in which Michael unsuccessfully attempts to escape from a straight jacket.

26. Creed eating a potato

"Safety Training" (Season 3, episode 20) is an utterly delightful episode. The Scranton office gets into placing bets against each other, one of which is whether or not Creed will notice if his apple is replaced with a potato. Spoiler alert: He doesn't.

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27. "Lord beer me strength"

Jim puts his own fun spin on Andy's famous saying in "Product Recall" (Season 3, episode 21). It gets a laugh, like a quarter of the time.

28. Mall day

Sometimes you just need a day with the girls to figure your life out. Michael learns this in the "Women's Appreciation" episode, when he takes the ladies of Dunder Mifflin to the mall. They hit the food court, give him some much-needed advice about his relationship with Jan, and then he takes them on a shopping spree to Victoria's Secret. Not inappropriate at all.

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29. Andy floating away

In "Beach Games" — episode 23 of the third season — Angela tries to sabotage the games (so Dwight will win) by letting Andy drift away in the lake while wearing an inflatable sumo wrestling suit. Andy repeatedly asks her to go get help. She doesn't.

30. The yogurt lid

During "The Job," Jim's mid-interview with David Wallace when he discovers a sweet note and a gold medal yogurt lid from the "Office Olympics" episode. Pam hides them to encourage Jim, and they inspire him to return to Scranton and ask Pam on a date. One ticket back to swoon city, please!

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31. Michael hitting Meredith with his car

Season 4, episode 1 starts with a bang, and that bang is the sound of Michael hitting Meredith with his car. Later, Michael holds a Fun Run to raise money for rabies awareness, carbo loads, and throws up fettuccine alfredo, saying, "While I eventually puked my guts out, I never puked my heart out." The best.

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32. The DVD logo

In the thrilling cold open of "Launch Party" (Season 4, episode 3,) the staff watches on the edge of their seats, waiting for the DVD logo on the TV screensaver to hit the corner of the screen. When it finally does, they cheer, and Michael assumes it's because of him.

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33. Devil Wears Prada day

In "Money," the seventh episode of Season 4, it's very clear Michael's obsessed with Meryl Streep's character in The Devil Wears Prada.

34. Dwight's bed and breakfast

This is also the episode in which Jim and Pam stay at Dwight's family farm turned bed and breakfast. If you recall Dwight READS THEM A BED TIME STORY from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

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35. Michael driving into Lake Scranton

If there's one thing we learned from Season 4, episode 3 of The Office, it's that your GPS is not always correct.

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36. The entire "Dinner Party" episode

It's impossible to choose just one best moment from "Dinner Party." The Season 4 episode gives viewers a rare and hilarious AF glimpse at Michael and Jan's home life — complete with bizarre sleeping arrangements, a tiny plasma television, and a catchy AF single. Even the cast loved this episode.

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37. Michael singing "Goodbye Toby"

"Goodbye Toby" was the episode Michael dreamed of since the series began. Toby's headed to Costa Rica but not before a parking lot party, a proposal, and Michael's rendition of "Goodbye Stranger" by Supertramp.

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38. Jim proposing to Pam

It might not seem like the most romantic setting, but Jim's spontaneous gas station in the rain proposal is one for the books.

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39. Dwight's fire drill

One of the greatest cold opens of all time is in the Season 5 episode, "Stress Relief," when Dwight starts a fire to teach the office about fire safety. Chaos ensues, Angela throws her cat through the ceiling, and Stanley straight-up has a heart attack. #SaveBandit

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40. CPR training

Michael also attempts to perform CPR on a model in the two-part "Stress Relief" episode, but the office winds up singing "Stayin' Alive" by The Bee Gees instead. A truly glorious moment where Kelly dances like all of us.

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41. The roast of Michael Scott

In "Stress Relief," Michael decides to hold a roast for himself — which is, of course, hilarious — but the real laughs come near the end of the episode when he fires back at his employees. Michael goes around the office flawlessly burning each of his coworkers, declaring, "BOOM, ROASTED," when he's finished. It's so funny even Stanley LOLs.

41. Kevin tragically spills chili

RIP Kevin's homemade chili. You lived a good, extremely short life, appearing only briefly in "Casual Friday" (Season 5, episode 26).

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42. Phyllis' hug selling for $1,000

Dunder Mifflin's holding an auction to raise money after the office was robbed and the highest bid just so happens to be for a freakin' hug from Phyllis. After an intense bidding war, Dwight surrenders to Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration.

43. Andy trapping Dwight

It's a duel for Angela's love and Andy's not holding back. He tapes a note to some bushes to lure Dwight, then stealthily drives up behind him in his silent Toyota Prius at about 1mph and traps him. An impressive feat.

44. Kelly's Hillary Swank freak out

In "Prince Family Paper," the thirteenth episode of Season 5, the office tries to decide whether or not Hilary Swank is "hot." When the group is unable to reach an agreement, Kelly has very relatable outburst in which she realizes that if people don't think Hilary Swank is hot they must not think she's hot either, and storms out of the room.

45. Soup snakes

"Company Picnic" (Season 5, episode 28) is a special one. The Dunder Mifflin branches come together to compete in a series of challenges, but amidst the chaos Michael admits he and Holly are "soup snakes" (mispronouncing "soul mates").

Cute Fact: Mindy Kaling used the term "soup snakes" to describe her IRL relationship with B.J. Novak. ~ swoon city, bitch ~

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46. Pam's pregnant

"Company Picnic" is also the episode in which Jim and Pam learn she's pregnant. GRAB THE TISSUES!

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48. Jim's wardrobe adjustment

Another two-part episode, "Niagara," shows the highly anticipated wedding of Jim and Pam. But right before the two are about to head into the church Pam's veil tears. Jim's response? Cutting his tie in half.

49. Embarrassing 4ever

And what would Jim and Pam's wedding be without their friends recreating a viral video and dancing down the aisle to Chris Brown's "Forever" despite being asked not to?

50. Michael joins the Mafia

In the sixth episode of Season 6 of The Office, Dwight and Andy convince Michael that an insurance salesman interested in working with Dunder Mifflin is a member of the mafia. They go to out to lunch, say "gabagool" a lot, and Michael orders a salad ON THE SIDE.

51. The Lip Dub

Season 7 of the show begins with the Dunder Mifflin crew attempting to go viral by recording a lip dub of The Human Beinz's song, "Nobody but Me." Just watch.

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52. Dwight doing Pretty Woman

In "Counseling," (Season 7, episode 2), Dwight pulls a "Pretty Woman" and returns to a store in the mall that refused to serve him. Turns out, the employees were simply terrified of his beet juice-stained hands, which looked bloody. He makes amends, but still manages to deliver the iconic Julia Roberts line.

53. The happy and sad boxes

In the "Ultimatum" episode, Erin helps Michael prep for potentially good or bad news regarding Holly. They create two boxes, one filled with happy things, and one with sad things. A truly brilliant method of dealing with news and we should all take note.

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54. Creed attempting a cartwheel

Ah, watching Creed thinking he achieved his goal of successfully doing a cartwheel in Season 7, episode 13, is one of the most simple joys out there.

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55. Threat Level Midnight

In Season 7, episode 7, after more than 10 years of hard work and preparation, Michael screens his action movie: Threat Level Midnight.

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56. Kelly explains text message subtext

Kelly gets REAL when it comes to analyzing Darryl's texts to Val from the warehouse in Season 8, episode 16, and we could all use her wisdom in our lives. Five dots, Darryl??? Are you kidding me?

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57. Michael proposes to Holly

You will cry so many tears watching Michael propose to Holly in episode 19 of Season 7 that it'll look like a sprinkler system went off.

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58. "Seasons of Love"

In Michael's second-to-last episode and final Dudies ceremony, the office honors him with a beautiful rendition of "Seasons of Love" from Rent.

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59. Goodbye, Michael

Episode 22 of Season 7 requires a big old box of tissues. Michael's leaving a day earlier than he told everyone and says heartfelt goodbyes to all his co-workers except Pam. Luckily, Jim catches on and drives Pam to meet Michael at the airport before his flight takes off.

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60. Daryl's daughter classing up Christmas

Daryll's daughter Jada singlehandedly saves "Classy Christmas" — perhaps the worst holiday party to ever hit the office — by joyously handing out vending machine snacks to everyone. So wholesome, ugh.

61. Ryan's final declaration of love

Scared of losing Kelly to a successful doctor, Ryan pulls out the big guns and declares his love with the help of poetry and a horse.

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62. Asian Jim

From sticking belongings in Jell-O and making mega desks, to tampering with vending machines and more, Jim's played some great pranks on Dwight over the years, but Asian Jim was a next-level effort.

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63. Darryl's farewell dance

The office busts a move to bid Darryl farewell in Season 9's "A.A.R.M" episode, though it's Oscar who really steals the show.

64. The Note

Remember THE TEAPOT? Well, at the last minute Jim hid the card to Pam he'd included in the box, and gives it to her years later (along with a DVD of highlights from their relationship) to save their marriage.

Jenna Fischer still has the note, too!

Awwww...Cleaning out my desk and I just found Pam's teapot note. #swoon

— Jenna Fischer (@jennafischer) October 24, 2013

65. Michael returns for Dwight's wedding

MICHAEL RETURNS for his BFF's wedding to Angela, because what would this wedding be without one last "that's what she said" joke? If the series had to come to an end, the only way we'd want to do it is with the whole gang back together again. It's emotional AF, but "Finale" does a good job of wrapping up this brilliant journey.

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To catch more best moments from Michael, Jim, Creed, Kelly, Angela, Kevin, and the your favorite paper salespeople, you can re-watch the series on Netflix. And who knows, maybe one day we'll get that revival.

#_uuid:502ed29b-e6a8-34ac-a19a-08f3f91a8053 #_category:yct:001000002 #_author:Nicole Gallucci #_lmsid:a0Vd000000DTrEpEAL #_revsp:news.mashable

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trendingnewsb · 6 years

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The Fall singer Mark E Smith dies

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Media captionThe Fall singer Mark E Smith performing Big New Prinz with the Michael Clark Company in 1988

Mark E Smith, the distinctive frontman of Manchester post-punk band The Fall, has died aged 60.

Pam Van Damned, the band’s manager, said he died at home on Wednesday morning and a more detailed statement would follow “in the next few days”.

Paying tribute, Smith’s former bandmate Marc Riley said the singer “taught me a lot about life and he taught me a lot about music”.

Smith famously hired and fired more than 60 bandmates.

Mark E Smith: British rock’s cult hero

Tim Burgess remembers Mark E Smith

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Media captionWatch what happened when BBC Sport asked Mark E Smith read the football scores.

“Aged 16 he really did teach me so much,” Riley told listeners.

“The Fall were my favourite band when I joined and they were still my favourite band when I got kicked out.”

The band’s manager added that Smith’s had requested “privacy at this sad time”.

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Media caption“Meeting Mark was like being with a Mafioso boss”

His ex-wife Brix Smith Smart also wrote a tribute, saying “Mark defied convention and definition – he was a true artist. He was my music mentor, my cultural anchor, and my first love.”

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pic.twitter.com/fVMznDerWq

— Brix Smith Start (@Brixsmithstart) January 25, 2018

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Championed by BBC Radio 1’s John Peel, The Fall had 27 songs in the top 100 of the UK singles chart between 1984 and 2004.

There’s a Ghost in My House was their highest entry at number 30 in 1987.

Smith’s distinctive Mancunian drawl, which featured in his music, also took centre stage when he read out the football scores on the BBC in 2005, after one of his tracks was used to introduce them.

British rock’s cult hero

By Ian Youngs, arts and entertainment reporter

Over the past 40 years, great bands have come and gone. Musical trends have waxed and waned.

In that time, he hired and fired more than 60 bandmates and released 30 albums of music that normally featured frayed, repetitive guitars and Smith’s caustic stream of semi-consciousness.

His pronounced sing-slur made him unlike any other frontman, and he inspired devotion among fans who were drawn to his singular presence and rambling poetry.

Born into a working-class family in Broughton, Salford, Smith grew up in Prestwich, and worked first in a meat factory and then as a shipping clerk on the Manchester docks.

In 1976, inspired by a Sex Pistols gig, he quit the docks for The Fall.

Simon Wolstencroft, who was the band’s drummer for 11 years, told the BBC Smith was a “funny guy” and “very intelligent”.

Smith’s ex-wife and former band member Brix Smith Start thanked well-wishers for their messages and said she was just “taking the news in”.

Singers Lisa Stansfield and Billy Bragg paid tribute to Smith saying a “cultural icon” had died.

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So very sad. Goodbye Mark. E. Smith. It was good knowing you

— Lisa Stansfield (@lisajstansfield) January 24, 2018

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First we lost Ursula Le Guin, then Hugh Masekela, now Mark E Smith. Been a tough week for cultural icons.

— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) January 24, 2018

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BBC 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne said Smith was “untouchably cool” and Charlatans singer Tim Burgess said he was “a true uncompromising musical maverick”.

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Oh man. Mark E Smith. One of my biggest heroes. Had a nightmare interviewing him (of course) but then he put me in a song. So sharp, clever and untouchably cool. Thanks for the music, MES.

— Lauren Laverne (@laurenlaverne) January 24, 2018

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BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine tweeted: “Mark E Smith – one of the greatest rock stars ever produced by this country.

“The last time I saw The Fall, in 2017, he felt unwell on stage and sang all the songs from inside his dressing room.”

Shaun Of The Dead director Edgar Wright said: “Not merely a legend of indie music, but someone who, for me, was a gateway into that very genre.”