Inspired, in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, “Morris Lessmore” is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor. Smashing idea! Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation) award winning author/ illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg present a new narrative experience that harkens back to silent films and M-G-M Technicolor musicals. “Morris Lessmore” is old fashioned and cutting edge at the same time.  “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” was one of five animated short films considered for outstanding film achievements of 2011 in the 84th Academy Awards. Dope

Had the pleasure of seeing a preview of this documentary-record-cum-drama last night followed by a Q&A with director Alma Har’el at the wonderful Lexi Cinema. With dreamlike musical elements describing a small community on the fringes of the lost American dream, and the dreamers who populate its surreal and poetic landscape. Bombay Beach is one of the poorest communities in southern California located on the shores of the Salton Sea, a man-made sea stranded in the middle of the Colorado desert that was once a beautiful vacation destination for the privileged and is now a pool of dead fish. Alma Har’el tells the story of three protagonists. The trials of Benny Parrish, a young boy diagnosed with bipolar disorder whose troubled soul and vivid imagination create both suffering and joy for him and his complex and loving family.  The story of CeeJay Thompson, a black teenager and aspiring football player who has taken refuge in Bombay Beach hoping to avoid the same fate of his cousin who was murdered by a gang of youths in Los Angeles; and that of Red, an ancient survivor, once an oil field worker, living on the fumes of whiskey, cigarettes and an irrepressible love of life. Together these portraits form a triptych of manhood in its various ages and guises, in a gently hypnotic style that questions whether they are a product of their world or if their world is a construct of their own imaginations. The narratives are interspersed with choreographed sequences in which the protagonists dance — to music specially composed for the film by Zach Condon of the band Beirut and songs by Bob Dylan. Really encapsulating stuff. definitely worth checking out when it goes cinema wide on Friday. You can see where and when the film is showing by checking out the Bombay Beach site here.

“The Right One” is taken from Phenomenal Handclap Band’s new album Form and Control which is released on 13th February. Disco nice-ness.

Liam Brazier is an illustrator who uses the combination of blocky geometric style and less rigid, traditional hand drawn work styles. Great colour combinations coupled with comic and commercial subject choices make these pieces dope.

Journey to the Bark side continues the huge success of VW’s ‘The Force’ spot last year. This gem comes courtesy of the Deutsch LA agency.

Introducing Street artist Pavel Puhov of Russia. He has a knack for turning common structures like bridges, walls, and street lamps into places for art.

NYC-based graffiti and fine artist FUTURA 2000′s newest solo show, Futura 2012—Expansions, is currently rocking at Paris’ Galerie Jerome de Noirmont. Here is the new video produced in conjunction with the exhibition, a slick piece created by Guillotine. From Futura himself, “EXPANSIONS … is the thème of the recent artwork presented at the Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont. Over the past three décades, I have tried to define a style & technique that would separate my work, from the other artists within my subculture. the process has allowed me to explore the realm of the ABSTRACT and spontaneous.”

Jheeeez and bread. Lianne La Havas has been on the PinBoard radar for a little while now and its nice to see a new video offering for ‘Forget’ which was one of the standout tracks from her ‘Live In LA’ EP she was giving away. Really looking forward to seeing her live in the coming months, all her dates at the Social and the Scala are now sold out affairs…expect lots from this young lady, and to hook up with the likes of Shlohmo and TIP for the remix duties..thats a good look right there. My gaaaaarsh.

Considering that I have to sit through a double parents evening at school tonight I thought this was an apt track. Classic bizz from those Leaders Of The New School. Dope dance moves, heavyweight flow. They don’t make them like they used to.