Category: Movie

Dolly Parton has given her stamp of approval to Lil Nas X‘s recent cover of her signature song ‘Jolene’.

• READ MORE: Lil Nas X – ‘Montero’ review: ‘Old Town Road’ prankster makes his case as a Serious Artist

The rapper performed his rendition of Parton’s 1973 song, lifted from her album of the same name, during a session as part of BBC Radio One’s Live Lounge earlier this month.

“I chose this because I feel like this song is kind of beautifully sad,” Lil Nas said when performing the song. “I like the little country twang, so I was like ‘let me try this out’.”

Parton has since shared Lil Nas X’s cover on Twitter, and posted on Instagram a photo they took together at the 2019 Country Music Association Awards. “I was so excited when someone told me that Lil Nas X had done my song #Jolene. I had to find it and listen to it immediately… and it’s really good,” she wrote.

“Of course, I love him anyway. I was surprised and I’m honored and flattered. I hope he does good for both of us.I hope he does good for both of us. Thank you @LilNasX.”

Lil Nas X responded to Parton’s comments enthusiastically and succinctly:

HOLY SHIT https://t.co/8n1pAntF2O

— MONTERO

Posted on 2021-09-30

SZA joins Kali Uchis on new version of ‘Fue Mejor’

Kali Uchis has shared a new version of her track ‘Fue Mejor’ featuring SZA – watch the pair’s video for the track below.

• READ MORE: Kali Uchis – ‘Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) ∞’ review: a divine, boundary busting second album

The original song appeared on Uchis’ recent album ‘Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) ∞’, which came out last November, and the new version features a fresh verse from SZA, who sings in Spanish for the very first time.

“This is Latin R&B, this is SZA singing in Spanish for the very first time, this is spooky season, this IS the moment,” Uchis said in a statement.

Watch the ‘Fue Mejor’ video below:

Reviewing Kali Uchis’ ‘Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) ∞’ upon its release last year, NME wrote: “Whether you’ve spent the last few months being pestered by a cartoon owl to keep up with memorising basic Spanish or you’re fully fluent, Uchis’ second album – and her first full Spanish release – is more proof, if you needed it, that language barriers don’t need to restrict our enjoyment of music.”

SZA, meanwhile, has been sharing a handful of new songs across 2021. Last month, she surprise-released three new songs on an anonymous Soundcloud page. She confirmed the tracks – ‘Nightbird’, ‘I Hate You’ and ‘Joni’ – were her work by tweeting a link to the page and saying she was “dumping random thoughts”.

The singer also recently shared her take on ‘The Anonymous Ones’ for the soundtrack of the film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen.

Prior to the release of the new material, SZA joked that she was “probably about to scrap all of [the next record] and start from scratch”. “I think they’ll be surprised to know that it’s not what they thought, and it’s not coming when they thought,” she added. “I hope that they’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

The post SZA joins Kali Uchis on new version of ‘Fue Mejor’ appeared first on NME.

Sometimes Missing Links should stay missing. To wit: Little Dan’l Boom in ‘Trips Th’ Trapper” (1959)

Happy Thursday everyone! Thunderbean Thursday is back!

Over these past weeks I’ve been helping prepare a show for TCM. Last week’s article described it in detail – here.

I’m happy to say I’m back working on scanning and finishing touches this week on more than several projects at the same time. There’s a few more things to scan in the next week or so as well. While rest is nice, watching each project wrapping is pretty satisfying.

One of the most enjoyable things in scanning films (for me at least!) is when the collector you are borrowing something from offers something you’ve never seen or heard of before. Longtime Cartoonologist Jeff Missinne was kind enough to lend some prints for both the upcoming Aesop’s Fables and Tom and Jerry sets–and while he was at it, in true Missinne fashion, he included a few gems that probably should have been left at the contaminated film mine. This honestly wasn’t too much of a surprise; this is the same person who once sent me a 45 minute audio tape of ‘Jingle Bells’ in every possible version you can imagine, claiming the tape was the cure (or cause of?) “Santa Claustraphopia”. Jeff was kind enough to borrow this print from another long-time Cartoonologist, Dave Kirwin. Thanks to both of you. Hopefully no one will want their five minutes back after seeing this!

Lil’ Dan’l Boom in “Trips the Trapper” (1959) lives up to its title if there is such a thing. It has all the marks of being produced by Sam Singer Productions. Jeff guessed this might be a pilot for a possible series, and I think he’s probably right too. It may very well have dated before its 1959 copyright date. It’s likely Sam Singer, if he was indeed the producer, either made or sold this pilot to Sterling Films. Of course, it is meant to capitalize on the popularity of Disney’s Davy Crockett Disneyland TV episodes (and it was five years before NBC’s Fess Parker Daniel Boone TV series). Singer was no doubt worried about using the actual name of the folk hero to avoid any possible lawsuit for an attempt to connect the cartoon with Disney’s show.

In terms of the actual film, ignore my joke above about the quality — I’ll let you decide. I’ve always enjoyed some aspects to Singer studio’s work. In this case, maybe I should consult with Jerry to see if he’s interested in putting this particular golden film classic into a certain show he does from time to time. (Editor’s Note: I am indeed interested! – Jerry).

Animator Ken Southworth worked on quite a few of Singer’s productions over the years, at least some of it moonlighting while at another studio during the day. He told me he sort of enjoyed working on Singer’s efforts since they were always simple and there were never any corrections or changes. No corrections or changes always spells quality!

I hope you enjoy this never-really-seen short, presented here from a super-rare Kodachrome print. As Jerry has said, the collectors do the Lord’s work saving things that otherwise probably wouldn’t be. This, is a shiny example. There’s another bizarre short Jeff sent as well that was scanned, but when I watched it tonight my brain broke. I’ll give you all at least a week of normal animation before unleashing it.

Have a great week everyone, and make sure to check your Coonskin cap before putting it on!

Thanks again Dave and Jeff.

Amid a difficult year, people around the world have found ways to “treat themselves” without spending a fortune, from planning “staycations” to practicing #SelfCareSundays. Photography often gets a bad rap for being expensive, with the best camera bodies and lenses easily costing several thousand bucks. But with “back-to-school” shopping season in full swing, we wanted to do a quick roundup of more affordable items to consider for your wish list as we head into fall.

We’ve included a bit of everything in this self-gifting guide, from handy accessories and travel kits to more experimental tools to bring your creative photography to the next level. You’ll also find fine art prints to hang on your walls for everyday inspiration and presets designed to make your photos pop off the screen. Along the way, we hope you’ll discover a few surprises as well.

 

Lomography Light Painter ($9.90)

You can practice your light-painting skills with any light source, from glow sticks to flashlights, but this accessory from Lomography gives you more flexibility. It has eight variations and a range of colors you can mix-and-match or combine for more creative shots.

 

Preset Packages by Lauren Naylor ($7.00-$10.00)

 

The photographer and creative director Lauren Naylor has a few unique preset packages, perfect for artists with a nostalgic and dreamy sensibility. The 70s Baby/True Blue bundle ($7.00) brings out those vintage vibes and cool tones, while the B&W Essentials ($10.00) helps you achieve the contrast and grain of classic black and white film.

 

Photodom Eco Tote Bag ($10)

 

This organic cotton bag is perfect for the sustainably-minded photographer looking to cut down on single-use plastics. Photodom has multiple designs available—while the iconic “Thank You” bag-inspired “Shoot Film” tote is currently sold out, you can grab an “Introverted but willing to discuss photography” design for just $10. With eight states having introduced plastic bag bans thus far, you can use this tote for your grocery shopping, school books, and more.

 

ANDYCINE Photographic Prism ($11.00)

 

Prism photography has become enormously popular in recent years, thanks in large part to pioneers like 19TONES, who coined the term “Prismagraphy.” There are tons of prisms on the market these days, but this one is simple and lightweight. You can use it to create eye-catching rainbow effects in-camera before graduating to more elaborate prism experiments.

 

Sensei Optics Care and Cleaning Kit ($19.95)

 

This cleaning kit from Sensei includes everything you’ll need to keep your lens dust- and fingerprint-free: cleaning spray, lens tissues, an air blower, and brushes. It all comes in a mesh travel case that you can pack right in your camera bag.

 

Holga Lens for Canon DSLR Camera ($19.99)

 

We included the iconic Holga camera further down this list, but if you want to mimic the look of a toy camera while using your DSLR, here’s another option. This 60mm lens was created to produce “Holga-esque” images with that dreamy, lo-fi aesthetic, soft focus, and vignetting, right in-camera.

 

PULUZ 20cm Lightbox ($22.53)

 

Foldable and portable, this lightbox is perfect for at-home product shoots, whether you plan to photograph jewelry or toys. It has a built-in LED light and six backgrounds you can use to create soft, even lighting.

 

Lowepro GearUp Wrap ($22.99)

 

This portable and streamlined organizer is ideal for photographers on the move. Use it to keep your cords, USB chargers, cables, and battery ready to go, all in one place.

 

Selens 5-in-1 Portable Reflector ($23.98)

 

With grips for easy handling, this reflector includes five surfaces: a silver cover, a gold cover for warm light, a white cover, a black cover, and a translucent panel/diffuser. It’s compact and foldable, so you can bring it on location for outdoor shoots.

 

Preset Packages by Tomas Havel ($29)

 

The epic landscape and travel photographer Tomas Havel created these preset bundles to help other artists enhance their images through adjustments to color, light, and texture. Selections at the $29 price point include a Golden Hour collection, an Autumn Colors collection, a Winter Wonderland collection for those cold and icy vibes, a Tropical collection for oceans and beaches, and tons more. Keep in mind that Tomas currently has eight preset packages available in total; you can get them all for a special price of $79.

 

Urth UV Filter Plus+ ($30)

 

This professional Ultraviolet filter by Urth protects your lens from water and oil, while also making your photos sharper in hazy weather. As a bonus, Urth plants five trees for every item sold.

 

Prints by Hayden Scott ($30)

 

500px Ambassador Hayden Scott, who’s captured unforgettable views of classic American cities and landscapes, including our national parks, offers prints starting at just $30 for the 5×7 size. The prints are made with Kodak Professional Endura Premier Lustre paper with an archival life of 100-plus years.

 

The Creative Photography Cookbook by Dina Belenko ($39)

 

This eBook, created by 500px Ambassador Dina Belenko, takes a fresh approach to the photo tutorial with 31 “recipes” for surreal and gravity-defying still lives. She’ll show you step-by-step how to use effects like steam, fire, and splashes to bring your at-home photo shoots to the next level. All the setups are surprisingly simple, and you can bring them to life using basic gear.

 

Think Tank Emergency Rain Cover ($39.75)

 

This cover from Think Tank protects your gear from both dust and rain, while also allowing you to easily view your LCD and adjust your controls. It’s simple, easy-to-use, and affordable, making it the perfect choice for the traveling photographer. If you get unlucky and find yourself in a downpour on location, you’re covered.

 

Holga 120N Plastic Camera (39.99)

 

This classic toy camera might not be ideal for technically “perfect” or hi-fi photos, but it’s great for quirky, quick shots with cool effects, from light leaks to vignettes. Grab your 120 roll film, and have fun shooting your surroundings, without getting bogged down by camera settings (there are only two aperture settings: sunny and shade).

 

Manfrotto Mini Tripod (39.99)

 

This tripod works with most smartphones; you can use it as a stabilizer for photos and a grip for videos. It combines durability, portability, and intuitive design for anyone shooting on the go.

 

The Ultimate Lens Hood (ULH) ($41.29)

 

Launched via Kickstarter in 2018, the ULH is a silicone lens hood designed to eliminate glare and reflections, especially when shooting through glass. It’s the ideal companion for the cityscape photographer, as it makes shooting at observation decks or through windows seamless and easy.

 

Lensball Pro ($44)

 

The Lensball is a sphere made out of lens-grade K9 crystal, designed specifically for photographers. You can shoot through it for an ultra-wide field of view similar to what you’d expect from a fisheye lens. They come in multiple sizes, but the 80mm is a good place to start, weighing in at 1.45 lbs.

 

Prints by Ryan Longnecker ($45)

 

Hold onto the last bit of summer with a print by 500px Ambassador Ryan Longnecker, whose beachside photos capture the carefree spirit of California. His artworks come in a range of formats, materials, and sizes, but you can grab an 8×10 print for $45.

 

Photoflex FirstStudio® LiteIgloo ($48.95)

 

Photoflex made this lighting enclosure for online auction and catalog photos, so you can use it for a more polished look across all your high-key product and still life work. You have several options when it comes to light sources, as the enclosure works well with sunlight, strobes, and tungsten.

 

Peak Design Camera Cube ($49.95)

 

This camera cube by Peak Design will work seamlessly with any of Peak Design’s popular Travel Bags, protecting your gear while keeping it organized and accessible at all times. It’s customizable, so you can tailor it to your gear, whether you’re toting a bulky DSLR setup or traveling light.

 

ProMaster 67mm Circular Polarizer (49.95)

 

A go-to for landscape photographers, polarizers work to eliminate unwanted reflections and boost the saturation and contrast of your colors. ProMaster has several options to choose from, including 43mm ($31.95), 67mm ($49.95), 82mm ($99.95), and lots more.

 

Moment Fisheye 15mm Lens ($49.99)

 

This mobile lens from Moment offers a 170-degree field of view for that unmistakable fisheye look, without the black rings or corners around the edges. Ideal for tight spaces and close subjects, this particular lens works best with 2018 phones and earlier.

Not on 500px yet? Sign up here to explore more impactful photography.

The post Treat Yourself: Photography gifts for under $50 appeared first on 500px.

Export demand for British-made cars has collapsed as UK factory output slumped again in recent weeks.

Despite lockdowns ending, latest figures show that little more than 1,000 cars a day have been rolling off British production lines, when not so long ago average annual volumes 4,500 a day.

Industry data showed a 27 per cent year-on-year drop in production in August down to 37,000, putting the country on course for its worst annual performance, of below a million, in decades. Production levels in recent months have been at 1950s levels before the take-off in the 1960s of mass-market Mini, Vauxhall and Ford models from British plants.

Worse, the detailed figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed that while cars for the domestic market stayed steady year-on-year, vehicles for export slumped by 32 per cent.

Exports to trading partners that traditionally have loved Britain’s output of Mini, Range Rover, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Aston Martin cars have collapsed. Exports to America are down by 65 per cent and to China by 58 per cent. Sales to Australian buyers have evaporated by 75 per cent.

“While not the only factor at play, the impact of the semiconductor shortage on manufacturing cannot be overstated. Carmakers and their suppliers are battling to keep production lines rolling, with constraints expected to continue well into 2022 and possibly beyond,” Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said. “Job support schemes such as furlough have proven such a lifeline to automotive businesses, yet its cessation today comes at the worst time, with the industry still facing Covid-related stoppages which are damaging the sector and threatening the supply chain in particular. Other countries have extended their support; we need the UK to do likewise.”

Read more:
Car exports slump with production at 1950s levels