Nineties grunge style may be big right now, but for some the glamour and excess of the ’80s can’t be topped. BLITZ magazine was born in 1980, just as Maggie T came to power, New Romantics eclipsed punks and colourful characters like Leigh Bowery, Madonna and Boy George emerged. Along with The Face and i-D magazine (then owned by Time Out), BLITZ documented what was going on in pop-culture, on the streets and in decadent enclaves of London. Iain R. Webb, BLITZ’s fashion editor from ’82-’87 and now a professor in fashion at the Royal College of Art, was instrumental in shaping the look of the era. Along with Bowery and co. Webb’s accomplices included major London designers like Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano and milliner Stephen Jones, all of whom starred on BLITZ’s pages.

The ICA is hosting a two day exhibition of the magazine on May 18/19 with shoots and memorabilia to celebrate the launch of Webb’s new book ‘As Seen in BLITZ: Fashioning ’80s Style’ and incorporates a magazine exhibition and talks with key players including one which features BLITZ cover-boy Barry Kamen, Body Map designers Stevie Stewart and David Holah and makeup artist Louise Constad. Cult ’82 indie film Liquid Sky will also be playing for those partial to highly stylised alien invasions. Relive the ’80s for one weekend only. Maggie Davis

Admission for the exhibition free but tickets are priced at £20 for the talks. For more information see ica.org.uk.

The coincidental conjunction of Time Out’s sex-themed issue, Valentine’s Day and an interview with ‘Colour of Night’ star Bruce Willis (what, you mean he’s made other movies?) naturally got us reminiscing about the heyday of the erotic thriller. In the late ’80s, the term was in no way pejorative. Thanks to classics like ‘Body Heat’, ‘Fatal Attraction’ and ‘Sea of Love’, the idea of a crafty crime flick with a spot of added sauciness actually made a lot of sense. But then, in 1992, Paul Verhoeven hove into view, ratcheting the whole thing up by several steaminess points and coming up with ‘Basic Instinct’. Thanks to a script that combined silliness, sleaziness and self-awareness in equal measure (not to mention rumoured sex-addict Michael Douglas’s high-end cardie collection and Sharon Stone’s… um… let’s go with ‘enthusiasm’), the film became a monumental smash. It wasn’t long before Hollywood was awash in aspirational shagging, celebrity nudity (male and female) and some jaw-droppingly ripe line readings. Here are 5 of the most memorably awful examples…

Body of Evidence (1993)
The culprits: Director Uli Edel, stars Madonna and Willem Dafoe

For some reason, everyone in the early ’90s was falling over themselves for a glimpse of Madonna naked, despite the fact that it was as easy to come across as a sex shop in Soho. Here, she hooked up with the owner of the creepiest mouth in showbiz, Willem Dafoe, for a forgettable slab of seedy celluloid slice ‘n’ dice. Six Golden Raspberry nominations followed.

Juiciest line: ‘I fucked you, I fucked Andrew, I fucked Frank. That’s what I do; I fuck. And it made me $8 million!’

Dangerous Game (1993)

The culprits: Director Abel Ferrara, stars Madonna (again!) and Harvey Keitel

Also known as a battle of the nudists. Unrepentant bum-flasher Keitel and coffee-table princess Madonna were a match made in eroto-thrills hell in this godawful backstage exposé from a director who really should have known better. You’ll never look at a lit candle the same way again.

Juiciest line: ‘You want to know why I’m like this? Because I’ve seen you suck the cock of your girlfriend’s husband and not even bat an eye.’

Sliver (1993)

The culprits: Director Philip Noyce, star Sharon Stone and writer Joe Eszterhas

‘Basic Instinct’ alumni Stone and Eszterhas attempted to rekindle the flame with yet another tale of high-society sex ‘n’ death. The result is – somehow – stultifyingly dull, as Stone drags hunk-of-meat co-stars William Baldwin and Tom Berenger into a web of intrigue, deceit and serial masturbation. The Razzie judges had another field day…

Juiciest line: ‘You’ve been spending too much time with your vibrator?’

Colour of Night (1994)

The culprits: Director Richard Rush and stars Bruce Willis and Jane March

The indisputable nadir of the entire movement, ‘Colour of Night’ teams Willis – eager to piss away all the cache he’d earned with ‘Pulp Fiction’ – with strip-happy British actress March, the tabloid-crowned ‘Sinner from Pinner’. The result is a despicably hilarious trawl through all the genre’s worst excesses: sub-Hitchcock pop psychology, gender angst, beautifully designed offices and movie stars’ flabby bottoms.

Juiciest line: ‘You stick your dick in a barrel of barracudas once, maybe you won’t lose it. You leave it in there, it’s gonna get chewed off at the root.’

Jade (1995)

The culprits: Director William Friedkin, star David Caruso, writer Joe Eszterhas (again!)

Three years and a string of utter disasters in, the erotic thriller (which, by this point, was neither) was on its last legs when Eszterhas and Friedkin pumped out this wretched killer-thriller. The promising appearance of Linda Fiorentino – so good in the tangentially linked but infinitely superior ‘The Last Seduction’ – was undermined by the fact that the male lead was a pale, odd-looking ginger with a permanent sneer. The genre was dead, the fun was over, and the video shop bargain basement beckoned…

Juiciest line: ‘I do the fucking, I never get fucked!’

 Feeling, ahem, romantic now? Check out our guide to Valentine’s Day in London.

An iconic photographic studio in Hoxton, a favourite with photographers such as David Hockney and Helmut Newton, as well as stars including Madonna, David Bowie and Kate Moss is under threat of demolition under plans to redevelop the site. Holborn Studios, which runs alongside the Regent’s Canal, is the largest photography complex in Europe, but developers Gold Property Developments, which has owned the site for 30 years, want to build flats, a shopping centre and ‘state-of-the art commercial space’ on the site. 

Opponents say the scheme will destroy the tight-knit community that has developed around the studio, and the historic buildings that houses it, as well as leading to the loss of around 130 jobs from the studio and the 20 other companies located there. A spokesman for Gold Property Developments said they have made it clear to the McCartney family, who founded the business 34 years ago, that their plans ‘do not preclude their future occupation of a redeveloped building.’

But Billy McCartney, whose parents founded the studios, told Time Out it would not be possible to house a photographic and film studio complex in the spaces he has been shown so far in the consultation documents. ‘We have seen nothing that will work for us. Although we have been offered space which might work in cubic footage, we need space that is triple height for the photographs.’ He added, ‘There is so much history in this place. It has been the scene of so many great pictures, with so many great stories behind them and that is irreplaceable.’

You can sign a petition to help save the studio at friendsofholbornstudios.com.

It’s been announced that music promoters Live Nation are in talks to hold gigs at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford in the summer of this year. The venue is set to reopen with a weekend of gigs on July 27 and 28 marking the anniversary of the Games. Live Nation had a torrid time promoting shows including a Blur reunion at Hyde Park over the soggy summer of 2012. Here are three reasons why we think Stratford’s the perfect place to take over as the warm weather gig epicentre of London.

1. Volume
In summer 2012 Madonna found her sound levels reduced to that of a whisper (or a little prayer?) during her Hyde Park show, Blur’s reunion was overshadowed by chants of ‘Turn it up!’, and rock royalty Bruce Springsteen had his microphone cut off when he, and special guest Paul McCartney, overran. It was a pleasure to have some of the world’s biggest artists performing right in the middle of the capital, but an increasing number of noise complaints from residents meant the acts were nowhere near loud enough. The Olympic Stadium is further from the ears of the city’s high flyers. And though it might be harder to get to, there’s unlikely to be a man from the council hovering over the volume knob.

2. The Stadium
The Stratford stadium has a particular, modest charm (with a capacity of 80,000 it’s only the third biggest stadium in London after Wembley and Twickenham) – one enhanced by the memories of 2012′s sporting successes. Just think, you could be watching a band on the same spot that Usain Bolt cruised to 100m victory, Jessica Ennis sealed her Heptathlon gold or Mo Farah took the 5,000m or 10,000m titles.

3. The bands
Londoners have now developed an appetite for big summer gigs, and it won’t be sated any time soon. The Stone Roses have already announced two gigs for Finsbury Park in June, but there would still be demand for another London show. Similarly One Direction and Girls Aloud could add extra dates to their tours. Bon Jovi’s dad rock might make an appearance in east London, and as Beyoncé and Gaga have albums scheduled for release this year they could feasibly consider Stratford as a showcase for their star power. Or there could be yet another appearance from the stadium’s 2012 warbler-in-residence Emeli Sandé.

The world continues to hold its breath for a Smiths reunion. Neither Morrissey nor Marr seem to be particularly up for it. But – why not – let’s begin the idle conjecture that it will happen at the Olympic Stadium in 2013. After all, how could ‘The Queen Is Dead’ creators resist the temptation to perform in the heart of the newly christened Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park?

Who would you like to see perform at the Olympic Stadium? Comment below.

You may like to pretend you love high brow culture, art films and fine dining but deep down, we know you just want to curl up and watch some teenage high school shlock. The truth is out so you might as well admit it. And now we know what your ultimate go to guilty pleasure films are thanks to our recent poll in honour of our Guilty Pleasure Cinema Party showing ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ on August 25 at The Troxy. The results are in and we can reveal your top five. Drumroll…

#1 Clueless

Hair flicking, incredible 90′s short skirts, plaid, dreamy Josh, and the awesomeness that was Cher Horowitz. What’s not to love?!

I think we all learn’t something from Cher’s wise words…

and who could forget Tai (RIP Brittany Murphy)?!

A deserving winner.

#2 Dirty Dancing

In at number 2, the film to inspire a generation of dangerous drunken lifts, watermelon carrying and no babies being put in corners.

Even Ryan Gosling loves Dirty Dancing.

Still gets me every time *sob*

#3 Mean Girls

We love 30 Rock, but surely this is Tina Fey’s finest work? Too many good quotes to mention. So many in fact that the Prince Charles Cinema are screening a Mean Girls Quotealong on September 8. Here’s a few to get you started.

Totally fetch.

#4 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Being a high school truant never looked so much fun. Twist and shout, and remember; ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.’ Wise words.

#5 Breakfast Club

You couldn’t forget about them if you tried. The Brat Pack’s finest work (in my humble opinion), The Breakfast Club is a beautiful bonding of high school misfits with some 80s dancing, romance make overs and tricks with lipstick thrown in for good measure.

Who loves this film?

Join us for a Guilty Pleasure Cinema Party to watch ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ on August 25 at the Troxy.

They were never going to be shy and retiring with a name like Pussy Riot, were they? The all-girl, anonymous Russian band who lace their tunes with a heavy dose of political thought (but still keep the fun factor) are facing a three year prison sentence and are currently on trail in Russia charged with hooliganism motivated by religious hatred following an anti-Putin performance. The verdict is due on August 17, but you can help raise awareness this Sunday by taking part in a Superheroes Freeze Flash Mob. Put your pants over your tights, grab your cape, practise your pose and rally outside the Southbank Centre at 2pm to freeeeeeze. Madonna has already shown her support, so now’s the time to show yours. 

For info, see the Pussy Riot Superheroes Freeze Flashmob Facebook page.

Everyone has a guilty pleasure. Whether it’s eating Pringles and cream cheese in bed, dancing to One Direction in the mirror or dressing up like Madonna and voguing until 2am. Luckily, that last one is completely acceptable and encouraged at the upcoming Guilty Pleasures Cinema Party on August 24/25. The ultimate film-watching experience will celebrate the Queen of Pop with a night of music, dance-offs, look-a-likes and Madonna’s debut film ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ taking centre stage. Take advantage of the August bank holiday, ditch the high-brow pretence (just for the night) and let your inner material girl out for an all-out Madge Mayhem party.

Find out more about the Guilty Pleasure Cinema Party and vote for your favourite guilty pleasure film and be in with a chance to win an amazing prize.

Looking to up your game as the Olympics draw closer? How about a 6am jog around your local duck pond? No. Would you prefer a post-work boogie to 80′s Madonna? Ah, now I’ve got a captive audience. The lucky residents of Queen’s Park are in for a treat this summer, because Shoreditch’s uber trendy gym, Frame, has opened up a second branch right on their doorstep. The studios are famed for their fun and feisty classes where you can learn a dance from a top West End musical, recreate a pop-tastic music video and perform a tribute to Jane Fonda, all in the name of exercise, and the new west London Frame offers all of the above and more.

This week I got the chance to road test the bright shiny new premises which include a dance studio and a pilates room complete with Reformer beds. As a pilates novice (I like to think of myself as more of a yoga bunny) I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the contraptions, but they actually made new postures and techniques a lot easier to negotiate. Not content with pilates, I then moved on to the Frame-Method. Using techniques favoured by the likes of Drew Barrymore, Dita Von Teese and Zooey Deschanel the class incorporates a series of isometric exercises that puts every muscle group to the test. Needless to say I’m feeling the burn, especially in my obliques – well we are entering bikini season after all. A total glutton for punishment, I finished off my session with Frame-Work, a sort of pick n’ mix if you will of all the best Frame has to offer, from yoga and dance to fitness and pilates. This class is great for anyone who gets bored easily or really wants to work up a sweat, which I did – hence why there is no photographic evidence of my morning at Frame. Luckily the changing room and shower facilities are perfectly equipped with products, straighteners and all, so I left feeling fresh as a daisy and buzzing on endorphins. Julia Fernandez

For info and class timetables, see the Frame Queen’s Park website.

The rest of the record is a monstrously throbbing and insistent, jack-booted stomp through the electro/fidget- house heartlands, with notes of deranged rave, dubstep and (on lead track, ‘Give Me All your Luvin’) rapid-fire dancehall raps from Nicki Minaj and MIA, Madge’s guests at her recent Superbowl appearance. Co-producers Martin Solveig and Benny Benassi have given Madge the 20-ton rhythm, batter-listeners-into-submission treatment, but there’s a (welcome) shift in mood with ‘Superstar’, which – despite the rhyming dictionary lyrics (superstar/car/guitar) – is sure to set tongues wagging as to the subject’s identity.

The brutal ‘Gang Bang’ is a highlight – all Teutonic beats, juddering bass and featuring police sirens and the sound of burning rubber – with Madge barking out a dark litany: ‘bang, bang, shot you dead, shot my lover in the head’ and ‘I said drive, bitch.’ Not entirely suited to International Women’s Day! As for its place in Madge’s personal pop pantheon, ‘MDNA’ is more ‘Hard Candy’ part II’ than ‘Confessions…’. Similarly, it’s a case of suck it and see. Sharon O’Connell

Watch ’Give Me All your Luvin’ below:

If you haven’t heard of the ‘The Alternative Miss World Show’ you are in for a rollickingly fabulous treat. Legendary artist Andrew Logan started this spectacularly outrageous costume pageant 4o years ago and it has gone on to celebrate creativity, flamboyance and outsiders in all shapes and forms. David Hockney judged the first one, David Bowie couldn’t get into the second and Derek Jarman won the third, over the years it has attracted the likes of Zandra Rhodes, Mary Quant, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Grayson Perry, Brain Eno, Madonna, Divine and John Waters and now you can see it in all it’s anarchic glory in new film’ The British Guide to Showing Off’ released Friday 11 November. The outfits from the after party of last Sunday’s premiere (below) should give you a taster of the madness to come. The ICA is screening the film on the opening night featuring a Q&A with Andrew Logan and director Jes Benstock. We’re sure Andrew would appreciate any dressing up.

Book tickets at ica.org.uk.