A Young Lennon Shines in Nowhere Boy
Just in time for what would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday comes Nowhere Boy, a delicate approach to the iconic musician’s early life. Aaron Johnson shines as young John growing up in Liverpool and the film provides a rare look at his unstable home life with his mother and Aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas). Included is the inspiration for his early band The Quarrymen (which later transforms into the Beatles) and even a young Paul McCartney before their careers reach stratospheric heights. Artist and director Sam Taylor Wood first premiered the film last year and it’s getting its long-awaited U.S. release today. Beatlemaniacs can compare this iteration with clips from 10 other onscreen portrayals, from Across the Universe’s “Hey Jude” offshoot to the group’s instant classic Help!
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30 Rock’s Tough Guy Will Beat You Up
Judah Friedlander plays TV writer Frank Rossitano on 30 Rock, but underneath his lazybones exterior is a cold and calculating martial artist. The self-described “World Champion” just released a how-to illustrated guide on How to Beat Up Anybody, the book party for which was crashed by EMTs for being too bloody. Friedlander talked to The Daily Beast’s Kara Cutruzzula about his superb ping-pong skills (he guides a national champion in the ways of the game) and his unsuccessful foray into online dating (“I’m so sexually powerful, not everyone could handle it”). For those looking to up their game—and counteract any rogue Bigfoot attacks—his new book, seven years in the making, offers tips in weaponry, power punching, and subway survival. Just don’t try to challenge the comic—he’s clearly unbeatable.
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Pop Art’s Original Apple Icon
Beloved conceptual artist Billy Apple wasn’t always blessed with a gallery-ready name. Born Barrie Bates, the New Zealander made the decision to become “Billy Apple” primarily to have a brand. “It was no different than any other corporation,” he told Daily Beast art critic Anthony Haden-Guest. Apple went on to become one of Pop Art’s most visible characters, palling around with Sol LeWitt, Leo Castelli, and Richard Smith. Now the Mayor Gallery is exhibiting the best of Apple’s works, from a fluorescent “A” balanced over an apple to his famous portraits of subjects shaving. For those who don’t live in the Big Apple, get a glimpse at some of his most iconic works from 1960-1969 here.
