Described by the British Film Institute as “Hitchcock’s most consistently entertaining movie”, North By Northwest is the Hitchcock flim of choice for many.

Last night marked the start of an extended run at BFI Southbank, the fifty-year-old film is remarkably Hitchcock – with many of the director’s iconic flourishes appearing throughout. Starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, the film delivers a great level of sexual tension and deceit – with the chemistry between the two actors reaching fever pitch when scaling the rock faces of Mt. Rushmore. The film even has the classic train-through-tunnel-sex metaphor right at the end. Brilliant.

Suspense and wit are dealt out at equal measures from start to finish – if that’s your thang, head on over to the BFI Southbank link below and book your tickets:

Screenings 24 June – 9 July
BFI Southbank
http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/film_programme/extended_runs/north_by_northwest

I previously raved about ink brand KRINK in a post a couple of months back and I’m about to do it again with a quick spotlight on their awesome collaboration with InCase to create the amazing MacBook neoprene sleeve (pictured above).

Designed by Craig Costello, the street artist whose inks and are known for their striking dripping effect, the case is designed with a striking metallic silver drip-effect and would totally stand out on a shelf of the usual drab rubbish you can buy normally.

The case also boasts heavy-duty KRINK-branded YKK zip-pulls and embroidered interior that add that extra edge to the design.

The only penalty for buying such an awesome accessory for your MacBook is the price. To be noticed getting that trusty MacBook out of your bag, it will set you back a hefty £59 – a criminal amount for a neoprene sleeve. But damn, I want it now!

For official KRINK wallpaper click here

For official KRINK screensavers click here

For official KRINK icons click here

Electronic beats, luxurious interior and friendly staff, V Bar is what the majority of snobby London bars want to be without being snobby at all.

Situated half way down the Las Vegas strip, the bar is in a cool lounge style with comfy sofa areas and awesome light-up tables. Drinks prices are very reasonable for a bar of this type too – managed to get a round for five for about $20.

Despite its classy appearance, the place doesn’t have a strict door policy or have arrogant bouncers like in most ‘exclusive’ bars in the UK – it boasts a strikingly down-to-earth atmosphere.

At around 11pm, the lounge bar transforms into a small club with a great range of music to satisfy anyone’s tastes. Even better is that the festivities go on way past 3pm.

The only real downside to the place is that you get no stunning vistas like you do in some other bars in the area – no mountain range at sunset or city lights at night here – you’re underground!

But if you want a fun yet low-key night out in Las Vegas, definitely give V Bar a spin.

Though I naturally have affection for this gallery, seeing that it bears the same name as me, it’s the fantastically edgy ‘outsider art’ displayed in it that makes me love the place.

The Lazarides Gallery (www.lazinc.com) is run by Steve Lazarides, famously known as Banksy’s close friend and agent, and started its life on Greek Street in Soho, London. The original gallery was located on the site of a former dealer in sadomasochistic paraphernalia – which still retains its “dungeon” on the basement floor!

Having successfully drawn in both tourists and art buyers alike, the gallery has expanded, with the main collection now appearing at the new (and larger) Rathbone Place gallery, five minutes down the road, with the Greek Street gallery becoming more of a shop.

The current exhibition at the Rathbone Place gallery is “Grow Up” has some stunning “urban” works by the likes of Invader (those mosaic space invaders dotted around major cities), JR and Lucy McLauchlan. “Grow Up”runs until June 25, 2008.

Grow Up
Lazarides Rathbone Place
11 Rathbone Place,
London W1T 1HR,
United Kingdom
15 May 2009 – 25 June 2009

Guidebooks are usually the biggest pile of drab out there – not only do you end up in over-photographed (and over-crowded) “hot-spots”, but you tend to totally miss out on the places that make the city that city.

So, if you are travelling to Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Istanbul, Dublin, Moscow, Budapest or my home town London, check out LeCool magazine, which describes itself as “a weekly cultural agenda and alternative city guide.”

The magazine splits out events by day every fortnight and gives you exactly what’s cool that night – so no wandering around Trafalgar Square aimlessly, waiting for something interesting to happen. LeCool has also published some awesome guidebooks which are less time-sensitive and gives the lowdown on more permanent going-ons around the town.

I am not really a fan of last.fm; rarely does it find me music that I enjoy listening to – one too many times have I been presented with Ja Rule when I’m actually trying to track down some decent hip-hop. Contrary to my low opinion of the service, it has actually provided me with a few gems to listen to – namely fully opening my eyes to Erykah Badu (who I never originally liked) and, more recently, Pete Rock.

Pete Rock’s Hip-Hop Underground Soul Classics (2003) is a double-disc compilation album featuring two albums recorded in the 90’s produced entirely by Pete; INI’s Center of Attention and Deda’s The Original Baby Pa. Though both albums were recorded way back in 1995, apparently Rock had some issues with his record label and both were eventually cancelled due to legal disputes.

Throughout both albums, Rock’s jazz and soul influence is present throughout, delivering smooth sample tracks, all of which seem to work really well with the rap vocals. Though the excellence of the compilation is not entirely consistent as there is a considerable shift in quality between the first and second albums in this compilation, with INI’s Center of Attention literally blowing Deda’s The Original Baby Pa totally out of the water (with the exception of “I Originate”, which is easily the best track in the whole compilation).

Most memorable tracks from the compilation include Deda’s “I Originate” and INI’s “Fakin’ Jax” and “Center of Attention” – all of which use solid sampling, feature stellar vocals and boast an unmistakeable 90’s feel.

I highly recommend a listen to the 29-track (!) compilation on Spotify/iTunes. Give it a go!

I’m actually tempted to get some for everyday wear, though think the practicality of a high boot and locking strap will hinder my movements somewhat.

If you, like me, live a sizable distance away from Shoreditch and cannot face travelling for hours to get to a half-decent bar, why not give Bourne & Hollingsworth a go?

Based in a basement at 28 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia (just off Tottenham Court Road), B&H infuses cool music, Mary Poppins décor and a net curtained DJ booth your gran would be proud of.

My personal favourite pieces of furniture are the Union Jack bar stools, bringing a little bit of swinging 60’s love to the place.

Pretty cool clientele too – though I felt a little out-cooled when I was there in my rags on Friday night!

Bourne & Hollingsworth website

Take a look at the official website at: http://www.lazyoaf.co.uk/

Take a good old listen to the song remixed for the ad here: iTunes link

And the video in its 1-minute entirety below: