Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Quentin Tarantino is the most studied director at UK universities

New film website puremovies.co.uk reveals results of country-wide survey of academics
Quentin Tarantino is the most studied director at UK universities in the last five years, a survey of academics by the film website PureMovies.co.uk has found. Tarantino, director of Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill and Django Unchained, has been referenced more than any other film director according to the leaders of film studies courses in the UK.

The survey undertaken by PureMovies.co.uk, a film website that launches today with a focus on academic discussion, industry commentary and qualified debate, also found that Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises) were the most cited films.

Dr. Garth Twa, Head of Film Studies at Uxbridge College, said: "It's no surprise. Tarantino is visceral, accessible, and students new to film studies have an immediate handle on visual pleasure. What is great about Tarantino is that he can serve as a gateway to appreciate everything from the French New Wave to genre studies to gender representation in film.'

PureMovies.co.uk launches today with columnists that include Peter Bradshaw, Danny Rubin (Screenwriter – Groundhog Day), Prof. Andrew Horton, and Dr. Cynthia Ann Baron amongst many more journalists, screenwriters, producers, academics, poster experts such as Akiko Stehrenberger and well known columnists like Owen Jones.

Talking about the launch Dan Higgins, Editor in Chief of PureMovies.co.uk said: "Puremovies.co.uk is all about providing informed discussion and debate about the latest mainstream and independent releases from leading commentators, academics and industry experts. Film fans want the kind of clued-up critique, knowledgeable debate and revealing interviews we are offering."


Pure Movies is a UK film website focusing on academic discussion, industry commentary and qualified debate that launches today featuring columns from various academics, industry insiders, journalists and screenwriters.

Quentin Tarantino was listed as the most cited director in essays or dissertations submitted over the last five years. Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises films by Christopher Nolan were the most cited films.

- The top five directors were as follows:

  1. Quentin Tarantino 
  2. Christopher Nolan 
  3. Alfred Hitchcock 
  4. Martin Scorsese
  5. Steven Spielberg
-  The top ten films were:
  1. The Dark Knight
  2. Batman Begins
  3. Vertigo
  4. Pulp Fiction
  5. The Dark Knight Rises 
  6. Fight Club
  7. Inception
  8. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 
  9. The Social Network
  10. No Country for Old Men
Dr. Garth Twa also said: "Batman is a perennial franchise that will always find a market. He's a hero who's relatable, but also flawed like we are, and troubled, but still, always a hero. Like most of us wish we could be, the most noble of intentions but the most human of frailties.
- The survey results are based on 17 academics from key institutions across the UK, listing the most cited directors and films in essays and dissertations they have marked in the last five years. 

F1 Party

The Podium Lounge hosts the biggest Formula 1™ party of the season for the Red Bull Racing team 

In association with Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi and boujis, The Podium Lounge put on the biggest Formula 1 party of the season to celebrate Sebastian Vettel’s fourth consecutive Formula 1™ World Driver’s Championship and victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Infiniti Red Bull Racing. 
F1’s record-breaking four-time World Champion chose the star-studded party, held on the Marina Rooftop Pool of the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, to continue celebrations after winning the title in New Delhi the previous week. 

The post-race party at The Podium Lounge hosted the racing community’s ultimate A-list celebrities with Vettel’s team of mechanics, engineers, management and friends from The Paddock Club including racing legends Damon HillDavid CoulthardRubens BarrichelloEddie Jordan, Gil de Ferran (IndyCar Indianapolis 500 Champion) and other personalities including Sky Sports F1 presenters Simon Lazenby andNatalie Pinkham, Chairman of Sky Nicholas Ferguson (CBE)Princess Deborah MurratHI&RH Archduchess Eleonore of The House of Habsburg, English television presenter Vanessa Feltz, and soccer legend Diego Maradona reveling in the post-race celebrations of the 2013 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

Arriving in the UAE for the first time after five years of consecutive sell-out events at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia in Singapore, The Podium Lounge brought together celebrities, musicians, high-profile models, international royalty and the ultra-hip crowd to a high-octane party over three nights for the Abu Dhabi race weekend, headlined by international DJ’s Sander Kleinenberg, Seb Fontaine, Hugo Heathcote, Hollaphonic, Miles Slater and the official Red Bull Racing DJ EROK on Sunday night. There was also a surprise guest performance by UK’s Victoria Aitken of her new hit single ‘24 Hour Dancefloor’ which she recently launched at boujis in London. 

The most sought-after and glamorous nightlife experience of the year hosted a sell-out event for 800 party-goers and the Who’s Who of the internationally celebrated party circuit. Guests were also treated to a stunning fashion showcase by the highly talented bespoke fashion designer, Zaeem Jamal who has boutiques on the Kings Road in London and Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. 

Podium Lounge founder Robbie Hoyes-Cock said the expansion to Abu Dhabi this year was the result of five incredible years of The Podium Lounge in Singapore. “Since 2009 The Podium Lounge has been the go-to party when F1 rolls in to Singapore,” said Mr. Hoyes-Cock, adding “This weekend we’ve been able to share this amazing experience with an equally-dazzling jewel in the F1 crown in Abu Dhabi, and can’t wait to return next year!” 

The Podium Lounge is now confirmed to take place at the 2014 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Having partnered with ex-Executive Director of Pangaea Singapore, Steve Yallop for international expansion as well as inking a partnership deal with Radar Sport & Entertainment for new and exciting Formula 1 markets including Shanghai, Monaco and Austin next year. 

“Our success with The Podium Lounge International really comes down to having the best possible venue, like-minded partners and luxury sponsors on-board, and we’re lucky enough to have an incredible collection of visionaries who believed in us from the start. Our sincerest thanks must go to McLaren, Jax Coco, Phillip Morris, Grey Goose, Moët & Chandon, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi , boujis, Red Bull and Zaeem Jamal,” adds Mr. Yallop. 

Collins 2014 Guide to the Night Sky and Collins Planisphere



On 7th  November 2013, Collins, in association with the Royal Observatory Greenwich, will publish two new tools for astronomers of all levels for the first time. Collins 2014 Guide to the Night Sky by Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirion, is a month-by-month guide that explores the stars and constellations visible from Britain and Ireland in 2014. Collins Planisphere is specifically designed as the perfect companion to understanding and exploring the sky above us.

Collins 2014 Guide to the Night Sky is a practical guidebook, an easy introduction to astronomy, and a useful reference for seasoned stargazers.

It includes an introduction that initiates readers to everything the amateur stargazer needs to know, as well as interesting facts about humanity’s relationship with the stars, dating back to the Greeks and Romans. This great book includes easy-to-use star maps and is perfect for use in the field, and at home.

Collins Planisphere, also written by Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirion, is a star finder that allows visible stars to be easily identified for any particular date and time. This star finder is suitable for use anywhere in Britain and Ireland, Northern Europe, Canada and Northern USA, and is best viewed as near to latitude 50 degrees north as possible.

It is an easy-to-use practical tool to help any budding or experienced astronomer identify the constellations and stars above them. Just dial in the date and time by rotating the inner plastic disk showing the time until it lines up with the relevant day of the year on the outer ring, and then look up. The moveable disk also comes in a plastic wallet which contains detailed instructions for use as well as further information about stargazing.

Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirion, are experienced and respected astronomical experts and authors. Both the Collins 2014 Guide to the Night Sky and Collins Planisphere are approved by the astronomers of the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

The Royal Observatory, Greenwich is the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian of the World, making it the official starting point for each new day and year. It is also home to London's only planetarium, the Harrison timekeepers and the UK's largest refracting telescope. It runs the annual Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition.
 

Collins 2014 Guide to the Night Sky
Published 7th
 November 2013 ¦ UK RRP: £6.99
ISBN: 978-0-00-754074-7¦ Size: 210x148 mm ¦ Paperback
Available to purchase from all good book shops and online

Collins Planisphere
Published 7th
 November 2013 ¦ UK RRP: £9.99
ISBN: 978-0-00-754075-4¦ Size: 300x300 mm
Available to purchase from all good book shops and online
www.harpercollins.co.uk.


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