Posts by Craig Ranapia
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Hard News: Event Season, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,
The taxpayer funding was a small part of the money spent on this race.I consider it gave New Zealanders jobs.
Meanwhile, I do hope Labour will have something to say about the tens of millions being poured into the America's Cup while Downstage Theatre is going to be closed down - for good, this time. I mean, what the fuck has professional theatre in ever contributed to this country?
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to "chris",
Russell, a journalist, is a discoverer; regularly championing unsigned talent, exposing it to wider audiences, a position in which having at least one digit on the pulse of the industry is essential. If that’s not also too reductive a depiction…
To risk sounding like a wretched arse-kisser, Russell does have this tiresome habit of piping up if he thinks someone is showing their arse in the marketplace of ideas. I can tell you from experience that it’s not rough on the ego, but you know… the solution to getting righteously spanked is do better, not get pissy over being called out. I’s probably not popular to say around here, but what I find most frustrating about Simon in troll mode is he’s capable of better. A LOT better.
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to Ken Double,
I quite enjoyed it. It was knowing and edgy. As I recall facts were not involved, nor were they required.
Um... OK... Dudebro geeks being sexist dickbags are about as "edgy" as a woman with her top off on HBO. Yeah, there's certainly value in pointing out the Emperor not only has no clothes but is hung like a door mouse on steroids; but if you're going to be "knowing", it helps if you display some knowledge.
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Hard News: Event Season, in reply to Geoff Lealand,
Tell me again why we should be interested in the bloody Americas Cup
Nobody should be interested in the Americas Cup or Political Idol, any more than they must join in geeking out on Booker Prize stats just because there's a Kiwi on the short list.
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to Grant McDougall,
While her music isn’t my cup of tea, I think that at 16 she’s been thrown in the deep end far too early. Popular music history is awash with people that were successful in their mid-teens and chewed up, spat out by the music biz only a year or two later, only to fade into obscurity and irrelevance.
With all due respect, try catching Twenty Feet From Stardom if it ever ends up getting a general release. The media-industrial complex that is pop culture isn't particularly gentle or kind to 99% of people, regardless of age. FFS, Darlene Love's voice blazes from some of the greatest tracks ever committed to vinyl, but it still didn't save her from ending up cleaning houses to pay the rent.
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to Ian Dalziel,
He’s a dag that Shane!
Apparently we've just got to get "beyond" his "gladatorial" language. FFS... sorry, but I don't even want to joke about this. It's fucking gross. I'm not exactly the paragon of rhetorical good taste, but I'm putting myself forward as a serious contender to be the leader of the mainstream political party and eventually Prime Minister.
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to Keir Leslie,
Also I kinda don’t think it’s legitimate to say that someone should “just review the music’. Lorde’s selling an image, and that image is entirely legitimately part of the reviewer’s ambit.
Meh… I’ve just been commissioned to review Elizabeth Knox’s next novel for The Listener. Note: Review the book at hand. Not assess the masturbatory potential of the jacket photo, or spin some cranky fact-free conspiracy theory about the fact she happens to be married to the publisher of Victoria University Press, which must be the only reason why she has a literary career at all. Right?
For what it’s worth, I’ve liked some of Elizabeth’s books more than others. She published her first book sixteen years ago – and is no soft touch as a critic herself – so I don’t think she needs or desires any white-knighting from my corner. But she’s got every right to expect better than some creepy hatchet job. So has Guy Somerset, who incidentally penned the lukewarm review of The Luminaries that appeared last week, which didn’t resort to character assassination of Catton or anyone else.
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to Robyn Gallagher,
Hey now, I cited Ms Cyrus and Ms Minaj as examples of popstars with strong sexual images. I don’t think what they’re doing is bad, nor do I think Lorde is asexual. They’re just all different. I’m sure Lorde has admirers! And that mesh top she wears in the “Tennis Court” video has a perfect “yeah nah” sexiness.
General observation not a personal slam, and please accept my apologies for not making that crystal clear. Reading way too much Miley-related concern trolling recently, I don't know how anyone can win a game I'm not sure is worth playing in the first place. In the great scheme of things, I find Miley Cyrus dry-twerking a sledgehammer a damn sight less offensive than another hipster-approved cable show whose idea of being "edgy" is another woman being graphically abused and/or murdered.
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to Ken Double,
As far as I can tell, her EP is exactly what it appears to be – a record made by a teenager from Devonport reflecting the worldview of a teenager from Devonport. A little callow maybe (duh)
Um, yeah... anyone who expects deep and profound insights into the human condition from a teenager (1) has surrendered any authority to speak about popular music, 90% of which is about fucking or getting angsty instead of fucking and, (2) makes me wish I had a Tardis to facilitate a cringe-inducing timey-wimey meeting with their teen selves. There's a reason why my crappy teenaged poetry and pretentious, mean-spirited diaries were reduced to ash as soon as I got my hormones under control.
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to JacksonP,
I feel completely comfortable with the fanboi label.
Sure – Lorde isn’t my cup of tea (and that’s OK) but when my hard copy of Janelle Monae’s new album arrives? Oh, I’m going to fanboy so hard…
Is it peculiar that she twerk in the mirror?
And am I weird to dance alone late at night?
And is it true we're all insane?
And I just tell 'em No we ain't" and get downI heard this life is just a play with no rehearsal
I wonder will this be my final act tonight
And tell me what's the price of fame?
Am I a sinner with my skirt on the ground?Hey sister am I good enough for your heaven?
Say will your God accept me in my black and white?
Will he approve the way I'm made?
Or should I reprogram the programming and get down?Preach, Electric Lady!
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