War can be good.

Well, we’ve done Romance. And we’ve done Sci-Fi. So hows about my top ten war films of all time?

Obviously, no laughing matter.

But neither are Sci-Fi films if you live in my head. (They’re all true, you know.)

Here are mine – I’d love to hear yours:

Stalingrad: As told from the Germans’ point of view. Soldiers on the edge of the abyss. Horrific. (And my grandad fought there too. On t’other side, mind.)

The Deer Hunter. War has a lasting impression. A deep, psychological impression. But the bond of kinship is stronger.

Who could forget, Colonel Kurtz? A fucked-up soldier in a fucked-up war. And Martin Sheen is on his case as the US assassin. “The horror.”

Okay, a bit of a Hollywood epic. Still a great movie for its grasp of the complete and utter failure of a mission. And a true story.

Hamburger Hill. Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination. But what I like about this film is the absolute futility of war. It was this or Kubrik’s Full Metal Jacket. (Or Paintlater’s Three Kings.)

Probably one of the best war stories ever told. How many should die to save one man? Could’ve done without the ‘book-ends’ in my book.

You didn’t think I’d forget Platoon, did you? As usual, the only people to get screwed are those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. A masterpiece in social microcosm.

It’s the Russian version of Hamburger Hill. A forlorn company tries to hold out against a horde of Afghan liberators. And when I say ‘horde’, we’re talking ‘Zulu’ territory.

Another one from Germany’s point of view. But this time made in Hollywood. James Coburn shows his commanding officer just what it takes to win the coveted Cross of Iron.

And … the Oscar goes to … my all-time favourite: The Thin Red Line.

An absolute masterpiece of poetry and war by Terence Malick. How nature, life, love and war de-harmonise in the Pacific.

Not exhaustive by any stretch. And I’m sure I’ve forgotten loads. I’m sure ‘All quiet on the western front’ might get a few votes.

Feel free to suggest your faves.

Perfection

To achieve perfection takes trial and error.

If others are involved in your task, they may see your experimentation as indecision.

Ignore that gnawing urge to placate them for an easier life, and press on with your goal.

Only then, will you hope to attain something that you can be 85 – 90% satisfied with.

The stars come out for teenage cancer @3hundredand65

I thought I’d give all you lovely people an update about project 365 [3hundredand65] in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.

It was the brainchild of illustrator, Dave Kirkwood.

Basically, it’s an online tweet story. Every day, a new author pens 140 characters to move the story forwards. (I was January 21st.)

Then, Mr Kirkwood illustrates said tweet in his inimitable style. Every single day!

The man deserves a knighthood.

Not only for embarking on such a philanthropic project, but for his tireless devotion to the cause.

He’s also managed to get quite a few illustrious names to contribute too, such as; Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross, Bill Bailey, Minnie Driver, Jennifer Saunders, Charlie Higson, Chris Addison, Alison Moyet, Tracey Thorn, David Baddiel, Tim Dowling, Rufus Hound, Irvine Welsh, Clare Balding and Lauren Laverne, to name a few.

Incredibly, there are still a few dates open if you want to contribute. Just click on the links and drop them a line.

And, if you don’t feel like expressing yourself in 140 characters, you could always throw a few quid their way. I’m sure the kids who are suffering from the big C would greatly appreciate it.

Here are just a selection of tweets and illustrations, by Dave Kirkwood.

If you want to see the entire story so far, just click on the images and it will take you to the 3hundredand65 site. Enjoy.

Andy Warhol in the soup again

Campbell’s Soup are celebrating fifty years since Andy Warhol immortalised their can of tomato soup by bringing out a range of limited edition labels.

If you’re in The States you can pick up one of these collectibles for a paltry 75 cents. (Bet they’ll be going for a damn sight more than on Ebay in years to come.)

Campbell’s own design team, in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, created the cans which will be on sale later this month.

50 years of Campbell’s.

The original Tomato Soup can, 1962. By Andy Warhol.

Made from Beer

Just a quickie today.

A lovely little TVC for Carlton Draught.

Parodying a bank heist, it’s choc full of all the usual car chase clichés you’d find in a blockbuster.

Watch out for it at the awards festivals.

I’ll give it a coveted Cross of Iron for starters.

Great fun. I wish I’d done it.

Credits:
Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne
Creative Chairman: James McGrath
Executive Creative Director: Ant Keogh
Copywriter: Richard Williams
Art Director: Anthony Phillips
Executive Producer: Sonia von Bibra
Production Company: The Sweet Shop
Director: Steve Ayson
Production company Executive Producer – Wilf Sweetland
Production company Producer: Cindy Kavanagh
Cinematographer: Greig Fraser
Production Designer: Robbie Freed
Offline Editor: Jack Hutchings – The Butchery
Final Grade – Edel Rafferty – Method
Online Editor – Nicholas Ponzoni – Fin Design & Effects
Sound Design/Music arranger – Byron Scullin & Cornel Wilczek
Music Supervision – Karl Richter – Level Two Music
Music track – “Thunder in your Heart”
Planning Director: Michael Derepas
Planner: Sam Mackisack
Managing Partner: Paul McMillan
Account Director: Nick Cohen
Account Manager: Brendan Taylor

Carlton Draught
Chief Marketing Officer: Andy Gibson
General Manager of Marketing: Andrew Meldrum
Senior Brand Manager: Alastair McCausland
Assistant Brand Manager: Kirt Daunt
Assistant Brand Manager: Laura King

Mediacom
Media Agency: Mediacom
Director Client Communication Planning: Brett Elliot
Client Communication Planner: Michael Bradley

Republic of Scotland – Two Nations Divided

There’s been a lot of talk of late about a referendum on Scottish independence.

Let ‘em ‘ave it! is what I say.

By that, I don’t mean open up on ‘em with a battery of Gatling guns. I mean, it’s their country, it’s up to them.

If it was me, I’d vote yes.

Some people say it will result in England, Wales, NornIrn and Scotland having less muscle in Europe.

Is that what independence is about – political and economic might?

I thought it was about being able to determine your own destiny.

Being Free.

But it did get me thinking about England and the proverbial divide between north and south and whether it was time for a referendum on whether we should split the country in half.

Below is a rough border of where I think England should be divided.

North / Saarf divide

Then I was wondering about what we should call these two ‘new’ countries. And I couldn’t help getting my hackles up about when the glorious House of York was duped off the throne by that pesky Henry Tudor, (who was Welsh, by the way), and his turncoat ally, Lord Stanley.

So to redress the balance, and to give Yorkshire back its rightful inheritance, I thought this might be a suitable name for the new Motherland:

The Democratic Republic of Yorkshireland

Then I started to get a bit giddy. I don’t know if it was the power going to my head, or my formative years being filled with “Guess the pink bit” on the map of the world, but I thought this iteration was a marked improvement.

The Commonwealth of Yorkshireland

Of course, we’d need a new flag as well. I was thinking of something simple…

White Rose

Anyhoo, I think it’d be a great idea. So, I’m nominating myself as the inaugural President of Yorkshireland.

All those in favour say: Aye, ‘appen as mebby.

3hundredand65 tweets for Teenage Cancer Trust

3hundredand65 is a brilliant initiative by a guy called Dave Kirkwood.

Bottom line: 365 authors will tweet part of the story everyday for a year. Dave illustrates the tweets superbly as he goes along.

It’s sort of like Exquisite Corpse, except you can actually see what’s gone before.

Jan 4th by Dave Kirkwood

Why?

It’s to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. A charity dedicated to improving the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer.

I salute you, Sir. What a noble, (and daunting), task.

Jan 5th by Dave Kirkwood

There are still plenty of slots left if you want to join in. You don’t have to be a writer, so don’t be shy – be part of something amazing.

Jan 7th by Dave Kirkwood

But if you don’t fancy joining in with a tweet, you can always donate a few bob via the website.

Enter the Dragon – Kris Kuksi

Welcome to There Is No Cavalry 2012, everyone.

I know I’m a bit late off the mark with my salutations but, what with Chinese zodiacs, Julian, Gregorian and Hijri calendars, (not to mention about 50 others), I didn’t think a couple of days hither or tither would be of consequence.

2012 Year of the Dragon

Of course, we are entering the Chinese Year of the Dragon. As you may or may not know, I too, am a dragon. So I’m expecting some pretty extraordinary things from 2012.

First of all, I don’t want to see another episode of the shambolic Heinz Beans & Sausage debacle where, to my horror of horrors, there were only three frankfurters lurking beneath the beans rather than the requisite four.

For that alone, 2011 could be classed as an absolute shocker.

But I’m nothing if not an optimist. So am looking forward to sharing with you all manner of manna from my creative cassoulet.

First up, for your delectation is Kris Kuksi.

Incredibly intricate sculptures on a biblical scale.

The Emperor, by Kuksi

I urge you to click on the images and visit his website. There you will find a veritable smorgasbord of sculptures that you can zoom in and out of to really appreciate the delicate and painstaking detail that you just can’t see from my screen grabs.

For me, they are reminiscent of the Chapman Brothers and, to a lesser extent, Grayson Perry. I don’t mean that in a bad way, as Kuksi’s work appears infinitely more complex. But I haven’t seen them in the flesh like I have with the aforementioned.

What I find extraordinary about Kuksi’s work is the juxtaposition of religious symbolism and iconography with 21st century western greed, imperialism and materialism. (I know, I can’t believe I said that either.)

Below is a detail of The Retreat of Daphne.

The Retreat of Daphne

You can also see drawings and paintings on his site too. But, to be honest, whilst he is obviously a very gifted draughtsman, they don’t really arrest me in the same way his sculptures do.

Right, that’s all you’re getting for today, it’s time for my dinner – All Day Breakfast in a tin. And woe betide anyone at Heinz if these shriveled up sausages aren’t actually handmade by a master butcher from Cumberland.

Keep reading. More posts to follow shortly. (If my ticker holds out.)

Kagemu a Paris

Take a look at this incredible art/dance piece by Artist Nobuyuki Hanabusa and dancer Katsumi Sakakura, together known as Kagemu.

It uses a combination of traditional and contemporary Japanese dance/martial arts combined with exquisitely choreographed motiongraphics.

You won’t be disappointed.

And if your creative juices have been whetted, you can read an interview of the dynamic duo by Kasia Cieplak-Mayr von Baldegg here.

Thanks to Alastair O Liathain for sharing it.

Droga5 – That’s the Creative Spirit.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Droga5.

They really do try to do different work.

Not just advertising, but work that helps humanity too.

Droga5 NY’s original work for the UNICEF Tap Project; getting New York restaurant goers to donate a dollar for every glass of free tap water they received.

Then I came across this amazing initiative by Droga5, Sydney called Creative Spirit.

Their goal is to get every one of Australia’s 32,000 registered creative companies to trial a person with a disability by 2021.

With the aim of making the creative industry the largest employer of disabled people in Australia.

What a fantastic, life-changing idea.

Watch this short film to see the (working) life of one such disabled person. I wish I loved working as much as he does!

Beautifully touching film. The scene at the beginning when he kisses his mother’s hands as she bathes his eyes will melt your heart.

This has got to be a bare minimum of a Cross of Iron Platinum Grand Prix inlaid with diamonds, rubies and gummy bears.

But ultimately, this initiative doesn’t just benefit Lloyd, but the entire morale of Droga5 Sydney.

We should do this here in the UK and Ireland now. It doesn’t take an initiative, just a desire to do the right thing.

Perhaps someone should have a word with those lovely chaps and chapeens at Nobel and put a word in for Dave, (and his colleagues of course).

Addendum.
After watching this film over a dozen times, I’ve shamefully neglected to also give credit to Break Thru People Solutions who helped make it all happen.