With the digital revolution at hand (well its been going for about 5 years now actually), we've already seen two of what was the five major record labels (Sony and Bertlesman) merge to become the massive revenue-raising pop-idol machine that has become Sony-BMG. And now, after all this time and many years of trying, it looks like Warner are finally about to merge (or buy, as the bigger ones do) with EMI. Why are these once powerful forces of the industry relying on each other for survival? Just over a week ago EMI released its P/L statement showing a massive sales collapse in the US. The primary cause of which is online music distribution (free and licensed). Its taking the necessity off CD's and other physical media and hence the money out of the wallets of these labels.
The interesting statistics of 1. how much will EMI cost? and 2. who stays and who goes (rumours are that robbie williams will get the flick - OMFG!) are still yet to be revealed but this will all be in the works as soon as this time next month.
And if any of what I just said makes sense, or you are compelled to learn more about the current state of the companies BEHIND the people behind the music, then I IMPLORE YOU - READ THIS article it could very well open your eyes.
Everyone knows who Will Ferrell is. If you don't, you're quite stupid or you've been living under a rock for quite a while now, regardless I doubt you'd be able to afford a movie ticket and if you did I dont doubt that you would be ejected by the end of the opening credits for your foul smell and generally disorderly conduct as well as dishevelled recluse-esque appearance and dress sense.
But anyway, the man is loved and hated by many. Some people see him as a poor actor who gets laughs out of toilet humour and infantile jokes about penises and basically playing an idiot. What people dont understand about the man is that he is a very character-based actor. From his early SNL material to the Producers (which I havent even seen) and of course to Anchorman he shows that he can really play a part. Its just unfortunate he's chosen some bad parts to play. Not, however, the role of Harold Crick.
I went and saw Stranger Than Fiction the other night and hence ended up seeing one of Ferrells best performances to date. The amount of parrallels this film provides are sure to make it standard viewing material for English classes to come for many years. Treading the fine line between comedy and tragedy he plays a man who has lived his whole life by an absolute routine every day, until, of course that whole routine gets shaken up and his life is never the same. Im not going to tell you much about the film apart from the fact it gets a positive recommendation from me and the fact that I think its ironic that Ferrells most reserved character to date is easily one of his best.
Oh, and one more thing
Now thats rock n roll..
Until next time
