Thursday 16 August 2007

Lad's Mags in Decline, Female Glossies Next ?


Tough Times for British Mags: ABC circulation figures just in
Ten years ago, when Loaded was at its peak, it was selling 600,000 copies a month, and this week the ABC's revealed they are just selling 120,492. FHM, MAXIM mags are in decline too, even the new boys on the blocks Nuts and Zoo seem to be in a tailspin (I always associate these titles with the 90's, you know Oasis, drinking stunts, gross injury photos and toilet reads), nothing wrong with that, but I wonder if guys have moved on from this?

Overall, it appears as though the British magazine market seems to have stagnated, even with delivery of new titles, especially in the celebrity market, there is little growth or promising news. Only Grazia seems to be going strong, validating my theory that they do get straight to the nitty-gritty of what women like to read and in a beautifully designed format (proving those five-same-cover stories seem to work). They are selling an incredible 700,000 a month. Also one my fav mag's Psychologies has grown to selling 130,101 a month.

The titles that seem the most vulnerable are the woman's monthlies. For example, New Woman, which is a brand I already find quite confusing (it goes for mostly British female, quite c-list famous women as cover stories) has dropped from 231,785 to 126,805 in sales. Apparently ELLE, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar sell the same. What about posh-mag Tatler, well looking on the ABC's it sells 90,125 a month. Empire my film mag of choice for many many years: 179,373.

What does this all mean for the future of mags? Well I think they will be having to think more about their online sites, and making it more interactive. When you got Perez and Pinkisthenewblog posting every ten mins new celeb photos and woman goss sites like dailymail.co.uk/thesunonline - why buy the mags and papers? I also read on my mobile the news every morning and headlines, so I am sure we are moving to more digital type info and photos. I am not sure how they can stay relevant and valuable reads, when their pull is meant to be about revelatory celebrity, fashion, relationships stories, online delivers it much faster, and it all seems old hat by time it goes to print. The print versions do rely on exclusives, great pics and really original features. Hmm, thinking hats on... I don't want an empty newsagent and just OK mag selling (still with Jordan and Peter) for next 20 years!

Wednesday 15 August 2007

Grazia: Cameron Diaz on the Cover


Yes you're on the cover of Grazia Cameron! What is happening?!

I can't believe Grazia has actually deviated from the Angelina-is-a-bitch; Jenny-single-no baby; Madonna-too-pushy; Kate-losing- it; Posh-trying-too-hard safe-bet cover stories. This time we have Cameron on the front. I love Cammie so will read the dish if she is actually bothering with thespian reptile 'Jude Law'. Oh please say it is not so, I heard Sean Bean is single now!

It's been too long - Winona Ryder on the cover of American Vogue


Winona turns up on the August cover of American Vogue
I couldn't help but buy Vogue this month, I thought the cover was really pretty, and the English garden 'look' really emphasises the whole nature and rejuvenation theme they have going on this August. It is hard to avoid the ageing and environment debates going on in 2007, so it is cool to see them join them together. The cycle of life hey?

The best thing about this though of course, is that they get to interview the very elusive and quite low-profile 90's cinema icon; Winona Ryder. I've always adored her, from Heathers, Dracula, Mermaids through to Girl Interrupted. I know she campaigned hard to have that film made and produced, so it was shame that Angelina Jolie stole the show. After this film, Winona seemed to slip into film limbo, making dud movies with Adam Sandler and Richard Gere. Ryder's oddball-zing seem to go, and her roles were taken by the new ingenues like Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, and I think the similar looking Keira Knightley. So now she is 35, and back to form and making films. I always remember her liking JD Salinger and she was always curious about his reclusive lifestyle, which she kind of leads now. In the interview we learn about Winona's dream book collection, clothes, and experiences and photos. She talks for first time about her shoplifting incident. Winona is a funny lady, but I like her, she seems a bit tortured with her thinking, but something about her still intrigues me and hope we get to see her in more films.

Tuesday 14 August 2007

Bram Stoker's Dracula the Collector's Edition


Be Still my Beating Heart - Yes a Remastered Dracula and New Goodies

A two-disc special, including a commentary by Francis Ford Coppola. This is one of my all time favourite films; a truly sumptuous and operatic visualisation of Stoker's novel.

Sunday 12 August 2007

Crystal encrusted Harper's Bazaar


Harper's covered with 200 Swarovski crystals
Wow, it is not often I want to touch a magazine with such child-like curiosity. Was that really diamonds glittering back from me on the magazine shelf ? Seems not quite, but the Harpers logo has been encrusted with gorgeous crystals, I checked the cover price, just £3, 70, it seemed actually available for me to buy and walk out of the shop with. Even my newsagents was impressed, and he is staring at these mags all day. So what is it in aid of ? Seems the publication has taken on the international logo of Harpers Bazaar. Can't even remember what it looked like before, it is always one of those mags I don't think about buying. But this month I will, as it seems packed with British profiles and stories. Hurry up and bag yours, apparently only 50, 000 been printed.

Thursday 9 August 2007

Julie Delpy - the return of the Before Sunset actress in her own opus


She's back - this time she has written, directed, produced and starred her own film '2 days in Paris'
Julie Delpy attended on August the 7th the AFI's Director's screening of her own film, and I couldn't be happier to hear about it! I loved her in the Sunrise and Sunset films, especially Sunset, the dialogue and chemistry between her and Ethan Hawke was really something. It articulated so much about the nature of love, and that ending... Well having read some reviews of this, and watched the trailer, I think there is something very reminiscent of Sunset. No doubt that was the marketing angle, especially the mentioned time constriction in the film title. The film is released in the UK on 31st August and I am sending out all my invites now, it promises to be a gem. Watch the trailer: http://www.2daysinparisthefilm.com/

Grazia: Jen is single and lonely

So it wasn't Kate Moss as I predicted, but old fav cover: Jen single and wants a baby!
Okay people, I admit my cover-psychic skills were a bit off about Kate Moss being this week's cover story - but they did go to old haunt Jennifer Aniston. As I said before they go for clear and cover reoccurring stories on five women. What do you think ? Why do they do this ?

Thursday 2 August 2007

Psychologies: Refreshing new Brit Mag


A gathering of interesting minds; reflecting on the big and small stuff
Before this magazine came along, I used to buy several magazines a month, some felt like cheap fixes that made me feel guilty afterwards ( Heat, Now ) and then some were fabulous and aspirational and leaving me feeling at bit out of sorts (Vanity Fair, Elle). Psychologies suddenly appeared last year, at first I was slightly put off by the academic title, but once I opened it, it found it to be a  a totally refreshing read. In fact, the interviews they do with celebrities, normally prominent woman, are much more soul-searching, enlightening and real, than any I read in big 'exclusives' with other mags. I really like the way they always look for ways for us to enrich our lives, they come up with practical solutions and ways to cope with the maddening world around us. I ditched buying a lot of the 'aspirational' mags (Grazia still at fav still, despite all the faults I find !) after discovering this, most of my friends love this mag too, and they also want something that talks to them, is comforting and makes them think. It questions the mainstream and taken-for-granted stuff all the time, without running any fashion, or containing tons of beauty adverts, and not many mags do that. I can't recommend it enough: http://www.psychologies.co.uk/

J-LO: Gorgeous again for LA premiere of 'El Cantante'


Jennifer keeping it real as a hippy girl.
I just love this serene hippy girl look on Jennifer Lopez, I think she looks really feminine and white of the dress really shows of the beautiful necklace. As I said before, I am no fashion expert, but when I see someone look good in what they are wearing, I can appreciate that. So far I love all her looks for promoting her new movie 'El Cantante'.

Looking forward to the release of this film - which by way not due for release yet in the UK. Russia apparently will have it on release from 6th September, go figure...