Bioscope

Cloud Atlas

Director: Tom Tykwer

Cast: Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, James D’Arcy, Ben Whishaw and Hugh Grant.

The spiritual story, in which souls move from era to era, and from life to life, is filled with some of Hollywood’s top notch actors. In the film we see Tom Hanks play a wide range of characters, in one scene his a tattooed island chief, then he plays a devious ship’s doctor, and he also plays a greedy landlord, a nuclear scientist and a gangster in London. Halle Berry also goes through various changes and shares a bond with a young aspiring musician a role played by Ben Whishaw. Together they create music that is used throughout the film.

Should you not be a character who lacks patients for lengthy films, then I suggest you do not even bother watching.

Alex Cross

Director: Rob Cohen

Cast: Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox and Cicely Tyson

The crime thriller stars Tyler Perry as the protagonist and Matthew Fox plays the villain. Alex Cross (Perry) a police lieutenant who lives in Detroit with his pregnant wife and. Cross is commissioned to investigate a crime committed by Picasso (Matthew Fox), who killed a businesswoman. As a thriller, the film carries the same characteristics that a thriller boosts.

Ashley Mokwena

Couture Corner: TLALE PROVES WHY HIS ONE OF AFRICA’S CHIEF DESIGNER

South Africa is filled with designers who have conquered the African continent and designers who deserve to be recognised on a global scale. One designer who has shown consistency and passion for fashion not only in South Africa, but in Africa too is David Tlale.

The Johannesburg based designer has for the past decade put together distinctly unique and meticulous detailed designs which carry an African feel while moving with the trends of fashion. Along with designers such as Deola Sagoe, Robi Morro, Jamilla Vera Swai and Mustafa Hassanali who are great ambassadors of African fashion, David is too a great face of African fashion.

The designer has shown his works across Africa and as well as at global shows, from Paris to New York.

David Tlale’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection made an appearance at The 2012 Mercedes Benz Africa Fashion Week. The collection is themed as “transcendence” because it’s very much influenced by his native country of South Africa. Inspired by colour and beautiful touches of sunrise with orange and yellow leading into the sunsets with black this collection speaks Sophistication to the core. The elegant and chic gourmets are well carved and contain some level of cleanness.

With this collection we get a glimpse of David’s craftsmanship qualities and not to endorse him or anything, quality and style deserve to be applauded.

David Tlales Collection:

Beat Box: Soulful voice that solidified Monique’s place in House Scene

If there’s one voice that has recently caught my attention, it’s that of Monique Bingham. I can’t even begin to describe her voice, but I’ll just say that her voice has managed to crack a hole in my music loving heart. Though I have not had the pleasure to witness any of her performances in South Africa, but those who were privileged enough surely were left stunned and were probably reeling for more.

The singer and songwriter has so much electrifying energy and the ability to put herself in the skins of the kind of folks who are out there jamming to her sounds. Her records are distinct from what’s out there and what you find in her voice is some silliness that could persuade one to...

The songstress’ career began at a session at Francios Kevorkians Axis Studio’s, it was from that point where it led to a cool well looked after music journey. Monique has worked with some of House music’s hottest acts and producers such as Japanese production act Studio Apartment, Quentin Harris, Blue Six and Ralf Gum to name drop a few.

Monique has penned and performed songs such as “Pure”, “Don’t you love me”, and “Like Water” which was put together with Abstract Truth’s bandleader Dana Vicek.

In her music you find peace and relaxation, which have influenced me to put some of her songs on repeat.

With a personality that springs off colourfully and a voice similar to that of Sade, this performer surely has managed to leave a scar on House music lovers in South Africa.

 Ashley Mokwena 

Twitter: @moniquebingham

Facebook: Monique Bingham

Website: www.moniquebingham.com

What dem say in Tweet City

@SAI: Die hard Apple fan Marco Arment went to Microsoft to check out the new Surface tablet. He was appalled.

@frank_ocean: Somebody give me a chute pack and plane to jump out of. 

@kamo_hello: Grew up believing mother nature is God’s girlfriend. Wait... i’m still young.

@QuotesGirlies: So I put your phone on ‘Airplane Mode’ and threw it up in the air... worst Transformer ever. Just saying.

@MsLeloB: The weather has been ungovernable these past few weeks. Hope it gets Marikana’d soon.

Bioscope

What would a lifestyle blog without a movie feature as part of its content be? My answer to that is dull and tasteless. Well today being the first movie review we check out ‘Hope Spring’ and ‘The Campaign’. 

Hope Spring:

Director: David Frankel

Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Meryl Streep and Steve Carrel.

This is a story of a couple in their 60s who are in a dull relationship which has brought nothing but boredom to Kay (Streep). Married to Arnold (Jones) for 31 years, she sets on a mission to change the relationship around and bring in some fun to keep the fire burning. In this film we see Jones cleverly play a fantastic role and bring life to the character he plays as husband to Kay. ‘Hope Spring’ will be making its debut on the big screen pretty soon.

The Campaign:

Directors: Ole Bornedal and Sam Raimi

Cast: Kyra Sedgwick, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Natasha Calis.

The thriller begins with a prologue in which a woman is trying to open a sealed antique box when she is attacked by an unknown entity. The sealed box is put on a yard sale where new neighbours Stephanie played by Sedgwick and her husband is interested by its design. They then decide to buy the box. Their daughter Em played by Calis says she can hear noises from the inside of the box. Together they learn that the box was a cage in which the soul of a malicious demon, a dybbuk, has been entrapped. If you’re a horror fan you’ll most probably enjoy this film.

Ashley Mokwena

  

Snazzy cover for laptops on the move

For the on-the-go working person, your laptop is a lifeline; keeping you in touch with your world, ensuring you can work anytime, anywhere, be it on a plane, train or bus... so ensure that you keep it in prime condition with Samsonite Aramon² collection’s of new generation laptop covers.

There are two new modern and practical designs: the laptop and notebook sleeves are soft and light and designed to be shock-absorbent. Your laptop is also protected against scratches and knocks when placed in any bag, briefcase or suitcase; and the shuttle offers an ultra lightweight laptop case to carry only the essential laptop and cables.

All the materials used are highly flexible with rubber dots for perfect grip- no messy spills of your precious laptop- and the inside zip cover offers additional protection on the sleeves.

There are seven soft sleeves ranging in size from 9 to 18.4 inches and three shuttle cases, 13.3, 15.6 and 17 inches. Sleeves are available in a variety of colours.

And if you’re carrying your laptop on planes, be assured that it’s checkpoint-friendly; allowing no time wastage as you breeze through security without having to remove your laptop from its sleeve.

For a stockist near you, log onto www.samsonite.com or call (031) 266 0620.

Retail Selling Price:

·         Samsonite Aramon² Notebook Sleeve 11” R449.00

·         Samsonite Aramon² Laptop Sleeve 14.1” R569.00

·         Samsonite Aramon² Laptop Shuttle 13.3” R749.00

·         Samsonite Aramon² iPad Shuttle R599.00

·         Samsonite Aramon² ipad Sleeve R399.00

Da Editors Shout!!

Oh yeah! It’s that time of the year were individuals the world over fall prey to the silly season jol. To throw out a little warning, don’t let the silly season eat you.

This month on Da Stitch the four main features that form the core of this cool online read Beat Box, Couture Corner, Tech Bite and Art Space are joined by a new feature that will make its debut tomorrow... don’t wanna mention the feature because I don’t want to spoil the surprise.

... hope yol enjoy November.

Ashley Mokwena

Twitter handle: @ashfonik

Facebook: Ash Van Katchum Mokwena

e-mail: amokwena@gmail.com