TQS StaffThere’s something almost comforting about a sense of routine, of knowing roughly what’s going to be coming around the corner. I know, for example, that the second episode of every series of Drag Race always involves the queens being put through their paces in some kind of performance-related challenge. Last season it was acting in their own short science fiction films, and the time before that it was working the stage (and the pole) at a burlesque club. Then again, sometimes it’s good to be surprised. This week saw the production values of RuPaul’s Drag Race go through the roof,… “Drive” vs. the Predictable Cinema Conundrum Recently, Hollywood has been struggling to produce films of much note at all. Sure there are a few good films out there, but most seem to be rather predictable stories, which make for predictable films working to established structures that lack originality. These films can be somewhat satisfying and even enjoyable but they are also often forgettable… and innovative? Rarely. The seemingly relentless number of adaptations and re-makes confirms this. I blame the economy and associated fears. Few Producers and Studios seem interested in risk-taking during this time of economic instability. Like everyone else… 
You may remember a couple of weeks ago friend of TQS and freelance graphic designer Rowan Stocks Moore (Twitter: @rowansm) designed 10 alternative book cover/movie posters for us. Well since then, and a few thousand hits later, he’s been busy knocking up 9 incredible alternative posters for this years Oscar Best Picture nominations. Check them out: So which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below. Remember you can find more out about Rowan and see more of his work over on his Tumblr. We’ve also added a couple more excellent movie poster designs that aren’t up for… 
With the snow falling outside it seems the weather itself is welcoming the arctic themed pop up film festival which is coming to Leeds next week. The festival will be taking root at Temple Works Leeds cultural venue and listed building for two days which will see the return of the popular Future Shorts film programme plus a special Arctic film night with a Finnish and Canadian screening. The Arctic film evening will have flavoured vodkas, Finnish pasties, hot chocolate and a even a saw player; whilst Future Shorts will have a special Kinopolitan cocktail, and music from acoustic folk… 
Lyrical, striking, quirky, charming and eccentric; video artist and photographer Alma Har’el’s debut feature Bombay Beach is a tender, often funny and sometimes heartbreaking portrait of the idiosyncratic residents of California’s Salton Sea. With music by Beirut and Bob Dylan, Bombay Beach is a surreal documentary on the failed American dream. Bombay Beach is in cinemas now and will be screening at The Hyde Park Picture House on Tuesday 7th Febuary. The people of Dogwoof have given TQS this exlcusive clip: Visit http://bombaybeachfilm.co.uk/ for a theatrical trailer and more information of screenings near you…. 
Reality TV: We love to loathe it. The last few years have seen the death (and subsequent Channel 5 rebirth) of Big Brother; Simon Cowell emigrating from The X Factor; and the rise of “structured reality shows” like the intellect-sapping The Only Way is Essex. And then there’s RuPaul’s Drag Race. And what is that, I hear you cry? Well, it’s probably the greatest reality show ever made, and I defy you to disagree with me. Imagine a show that combines the catwalk glamour of America’s Next Top Model (minus Tyra “Crazy Bitch” Banks) with the creativity and sartorial genius of Project Runway, and which… 
Don’t agree with the BAFTA nominees? Well this year Orange, the official BAFTA partner for 15 years are giving you the chance to have you say with Orange Film Pulse. Orange Film Pulse is essentially a social media led cinematic barometer which collates the number of times a particular film is tweeted, facebooked or blogged about and spits out a rating. It really is pretty cool to read what people are saying about the nominees all over the internet. As well as finding out which films the internet is loving the most with Orange Film Pulse, you can vote for your favourite future… 
I like The Muppets. I like movies. I even like (good) marketing but I’m bloody sick of the marketing for The Muppets movie. I’m sick of it purely because there’s too much of it, everytime I turn on the TV, get a bus, go on Twitter or read the news, Kermit or Miss Piggy’s mugs are inevitably plastered all over it. It’s getting to the point where I’m annoyed when I see them, slowly erasing the immense amount of nostalgia I feel for my erstwhile furry friends. Just me? Let me preface this rant by saying I understand that it’s… 
Directed by the documentarist and animator Jes Benstock, The British Guide to Showing Off is half a biography of the sculptor & artist Andrew Logan and half a documentary on the Alternative Miss World shows he’s been organising in London since 1972. The docu-biopic, for lack of a better word, revolves around the 12th incarnation of the show (the theme of which was ‘Elements’). The events themselves (which Andrew comperes as both host and hostess, ‘split down the middle’) are counter-cultural celebrations of eccentricity and indivuality often with politcal and satirical undertones. The contestants (often in drag) take to the stage… 
To celebrate the launch of Penguin’s Design Award 2012 tomorrow, designer and friend of TQS Rowan Stocks-Moore has designed 10 alternative book covers & film posters. The Penguin Design Awards give students the chance to win a £1000 prize and a work placement with Penguin Publishing. Here at TQS we love books, but we love films more so whilst all of the below are books they have also all been at some point adapted into a feature film. Enjoy! 1. 2001: A Space Odyssey 2. A tale of two cities 3. American Psycho 4. Birdsong (ok, so this one’s a…
