Saturday 29 May 2010

Film Reviews......

The Hurt Locker (15)


The Hurt Locker is a powerful look at the United States Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by Mark Boal, a freelance journalist who spent time with a US bomb squad in Iraq in 2004. It won two Oscars this year, setting two firsts, it is the lowest-grossing film to win Best Picture and Bigelow is the first female to win Best Director.

Tension filled and poignant this film shows one units tour of duty and the threats they have to encounter everyday, from defusing bombs to insurgency. At times it feels as if you are watching a documentary as everything in the film is so organic, it was filmed in Jordan as close to the Iraqi border as they could get, and the actors are relatively unknown bringing a new dimension to their powerful performances. All three of the soldiers show a different side to the soldier persona, Sergeant First William James (Jeremy Renner) loves what he does and cannot see himself anywhere else, Sergeant J. T. Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) insists on doing everything by the book and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty) is the youngest and suffers mental anguish, always in fear that he might be next to die. A fantastic insight in to a world many of us will never see.

 
Waltz with Bashir (18)


Written and directed by Ari Folman, Waltz with Bashir is an Israeli animated documentary film. The story depicts Folman’s search for his lost memories from the 1982 Lebanon War, providing a fasinating look at one mans view of the war and the Sabra and Shatila massacre. The animation format makes the film more engaging, than the usual question and answer documentary style, this style also lets the director show more than if it was a live action film. In 2008 it won the Golden Globe for best Foreign Lanuage Film, the first animation to do so. Like most Israeli films, it was banned in most Arab countries and received harsh criticsim in Lebanon, as it depicts a vague and violent time in Lebanon’s history. A thought provoking film about a war we don’t know much about.


Sex & Drugs &Rock & Roll (15)


Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll is a biopic follows Ian Dury’s rise to fame and documents his battle with polio. The film shows how his debilitating disease, contracted during his child hood, affected his relationships and his rock and roll lifestyle. Starring Andy Serkis as Ian Dury, Serkis was nominated for a BAFTA for his portrayal of Dury. He prepared for the role over several years, nearly crippling himself by wearing the type of leg calliper Dury was forced to wear. Dury was seen as the founder of the punk-rock scene in Britian in the 1970s, entitled after one of Ian Dury and the Blockheads songs Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll is set to become one of the defining examples of rock bio-pics.


Exit through the Gift Shop (15)


Born out of an obsession with street art, Thierry Guetta; a French immigrant living in Los Angeles, tries to uncover the infamous British street artist Banksy. Well known for being unknown, Banksy fiercely guards his anonymity to avoid prosecution. The film looks at street art in LA and the artists behind it. Half way through the film changes focus, with Banksy becoming film-maker, and Guetta becoming a street artist. Banksy is featured on camera, however you never see his face and his voice is distorted, further adding to the mystery of who he really is. The film premiered at the Sundance Film festival, and media speculation is that the film is a ‘prankumentary’ (think Borat) rather than a documentary.


Nowhere boy (15)


Written by Matthew Greenhalgh (who wrote Ian Curtis biopic Control) and based on Jili Baird’s Imagine This: Growing up with my brother John Lennon, this bio-pic covers five years of Lennon’s (Aaron Johnson) teenage years and the start of his journey to become a successful musician. Starring alongside Johnson is Kristin Scott-Thomas and Anne-Marie Duff, who play the warring women in his life, the prim aunt who he lives with and his free spirited mother who gave him up. Yearning for a normal family, Lennon finds solitude in art and rock music, which leads to him forming his band The Quarrymen with kindred spirit; Paul McCartney.

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Sex and the City

Sex and the City, women love it, and most men just put up with it for an easy life. The second movie is out on Friday and I cannot contain my excitement, so much so when I saw the trailer in the cinema I let out a squeal.

I remember watching the series with my Mum, which is a little strange when I think the first series came out in 1998 and I was 12. I own the box sets now and the last three series are by far my favourite, which I put down to two things, one: I was about 15/16 when it was first aired and two: a lot less sex! I'm not a prude but at times some of it was a little cringey.

I am a massive die hard Sex and the City fan, and I do wonder if the fact that I want to be a writer is due to some deep down desire to be Carrie Bradshaw, she gets paid to write, gets to write for Vogue and has a closet to die for, her shoes alone are enough. I must quickly point out here that I love writing and I'm not that shallow........ :)

There is also the fifth character, New York City, a city that when you visit it you fall in love with it. It is glamorous and like walking on a movie set.

I also love that all four of the women are successful in what they do and to a large degree independent. They show that women can be who they want and (in the case of Samantha) have who they want. You seem to forget also that the series dealt with serious issues; Samantha got breast cancer, Charlotte was told she couldn't have children, we saw deaths, marriages and births. At its core it has four women who are great friends and always there for each other, something I think every girl needs.

The first Sex and the City film surpassed all my expectations, it showed Carrie and Big getting married, my Mum hated that she loves Aidan and is very excited about the fact that he is in the new film. And Charlotte had a baby, I nearly cried. It's sad but you feel as if you have gone through a journey with these girls, you've seen their highs and lows, relationship make ups and break ups. You feel they are a part of your life as you may have turned to certain episodes to help you through your relationship problems.

I read the book by Candace Bushell and to be honest it was ok, if you enjoyed the pilot episode you will probably like it, but if you like the format of the subsequent episodes give it a miss. I didn't really get a feel for the characters and there are a lot more than the central four that feature. I would suggest reading it but don't expect the series.

So Friday I am going to see SATC 2 and I cannot wait, I'm then going to see it again with my Mum for old times’ sake and I know if she misses out on seeing Aidan on the big screen she will kill me! Let’s get the killer heels and cosmopolitans out and raise a toast to the girls!!

Monday 24 May 2010

June The Guide 2 Out Now!!

New Guide 2 issue out....
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=gG06T5j11kK8&PBID=898dcbba-75b6-419a-989f-aa69bed7582e&skip=

Check out my Hot 10 Flavoured beer article, for something a bit different.

New Solent Life out this week more information when I get it, and of course my column on Friday.

Monday 17 May 2010

These Shoes were made for Walking............?

If you have read my blog before you probably already know that I love shoes. I even have a shoe calendar that shows a different pair of shoes every day. I just love them, flat, sandals, platforms, heels all shoes, as long as they are pretty.

I am a very lucky girl as I have a pair of beautiful black, patent, Christian Louboutin's bought for me as a Christmas present from my amazing boyfriend. The heel is about 5 inches and they are pointy toed, their name is Pigalle, this is what they are called I didn't name them that:

(http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/48417).

I love them they are my pride and joy, however with most loves there is one snag the title for this post may be these shoes were made for walking, but my Louboutin's I fear are not. Not for long distances anyway, as beautiful as they are, they are very high and cripple my feet. I know celebs are seen wearing them out and about, however, how far do they actually walk? From front door to awaiting car, a waiting car down red carpet, then sit down. Whereas, on the other hand the last time I wore them out for my birthday, I went to the Ritz for Afternoon tea, so I walked from our hotel to the Ritz, then from there to Her Majesty's Theatre to see Phantom (I know I sound spoilt but it was a Christmas and birthday treat, planned to take place on the same day) by which point I was close to tears, but luckily I had a pair of flats on me before my ankles caved in. They still look beautiful and make my legs look slimmer and longer. Sitting down I look elegant, walking I look like Bambi on ice.

I think I can pinpoint the beginning of my fascination with shoes, I am a massive fan of The Wizard of Oz, I watched it a lot when I was a child and still love it to this day. I marvelled at Dorothy's ruby slippers, they were everything I loved (and still love) sparkly, red, and very, very pretty! If I was Dorothy I would not have given them back. The obsession with the ruby slippers means I have a few pairs of shoes emulating the actual ones; I have a pair of red sparkly pumps and a pair of red satin ballerina shoes. I even tried to buy a pair of replicas from Harrods when they were celebrating the films 70th birthday. They were only £29.99 but when I went there I was greeted by shelf after shelf of nothing! I asked the 'nice' girl through gritted teeth when they would get them in, to be told they didn't know, it took all my strength not to push her over nick her ruby slippers off her feet and run off! I have since looked on eBay and they are going for almost ten times as much as the RRP. :(

This obsession with shoes is not helped by one of my favourite shows lead character being equally obsessed with shoes Sex and the City's Carrie, the thought of having an engagement shoe is very tempting to me. Her shoe closet makes me want to cry and the Vogue episode when she found the Mary Jane's makes my heart leap. Sad but true!!

My theory is we need to have loads of shoes, well I do, and I have loads of outfits and need shoes to match them, or at least match my bag. I'm also a firm believer in Party Feet, they are miracle workers! I was sceptical at first but buy a pair every time I buy new shoes, the gel cushion means I can go longer without the soles of my feet killing, now if only I could get something to stop the dull ache caused in other pairs. I may love shoes but most of the shoes I own do not love me.

Thursday 13 May 2010

Hairspray, The Mayflower, Southampton, 12th May 2010

Welcome to the 60’s! Hairspray is a feel good musical with a serious theme at its heart. Set in 1962 in Baltimore, it tells the story of Tracy Turnbland; a big girl with big hair and even bigger dreams, to dance on the prime time Corny Collins Show. After a fantastic run at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, Hairspray has now hit the road and visited the Mayflower in Southampton, where it stays until the 29th May.


When Tracy wins a spot on the local TV dance programme 'The Corny Collins Show', she is transformed overnight from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the programme's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do? Only in Hairspray!

The atmosphere in the theatre was just electric, with laughs, singing and dancing you can’t help but dance down the aisles when you leave. The songs are sing-a-long treats, favourites include Welcome to the 60’s, Run and tell that and the brilliant You Can’t Stop the Beat. The humour is suitable for kids and adults alike, with all the jokes getting a laugh from at least one group.

At the heart of the musical is quite a serious theme of racial segregation in 60’s America. For example the television station only allows Negro day once a month, much to the dismay of Tracy. The so called race music is also seen as a bad influence on the teenagers, the film is set at a time when teenagers were coming into their own and causing trouble for their parents.

If you are a fan of the 1988 John Waters film than you will love the musical, as it is based on the film but with added songs. The core story is exactly the same for the two films and the stage musicals. If you are still unsure check out the 2007 film starring John Travolta, Zac Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer and Queen Latifah. It features most of the songs although The New Girl in Town does not feature in the on stage most of the others do. However, the stage version does have extra songs including Big Dollhouse and Mama I’m a Big Girl Now.

The cast included Michael Ball as Tracy’s mother Edna and Les Dennis as her husband Wilbur. The pair is a fantastic match and have tremendous chemistry. However, this did mean that they couldn’t hold it together for their duet Timeless to Me, which ended in a fit of giggles from the pair. Ball commented that he couldn’t continue with Dennis jiggling behind, to which Dennis replied ‘you never complained before’, the crowd loved it and the laughter raised the roof. Michael Ball is fantastic as Edna, a role he played on the West End and won countless awards for.

A special mention has to go to Sandra Marvin who plays Motormouth Maybelle, her glass breaking voice was simply breathtaking during I Know Where I’ve Been, so much so the cast even looked at her with admiration in their eyes. The young cast comprised of Amber (Clare Halse), Tracy (Laurie Scarth), Seaweed (Wayne Robinson), Inez (Seliza Sebastian), Link (Liam Doyle) and Penny (Emma Dukes), all of which are amazing performers who are bound to go on to even greater things. Liam Doyle who plays Link won a GMTV competition to play Troy in High School Musical; I think a few fans were in the crowd as he was met with a host of screams.

I love Hairspray it is one of my favourite musicals, it is a feel good and happy musical. I saw the tour in London with the original West End cast and thought that the tour cast was just as good as the originals. Hairspray is the type of musical I can watch again, and again. I defy you to leave the theatre without a massive smile on your face. Just remember ‘you can’t stop the beat’.

For more information on the tour visit the website at: http://www.hairspraythetour.com/

Wednesday 12 May 2010

Rihanna, O2 Arena London, 10/05/2010

Firstly, let me say that I love the O2, I think as big venues go it is one of the best, unless you are sat up in the Gods (the 400 blocks, are a little bit scary), but apart from that there isn't a bad view in the house. This is my third or fourth visit to the O2 in the past year and at the moment the last as I don't have any more gigs planned.

Right Rihanna, I have seen her before years ago just after the A Girl Like Me album came out, she was supporting the Pussycat Dolls and to be honest she wasn't the best singer live. SOS was amazing but Unfaithful was pretty bad, also seeing her on television over the years her vocals have always been a bit hit or miss. However, when I heard she was touring with the Rated R album I decided to put all my fears aside and get some tickets.

The support came in the form of Tinchy Strider, who only performed three songs; he was really good but didn't have a spotlight on him so most of the time I was trying to figure out where on the stage he was. The second support was Pixie Lott, who was fantastic. She has an amazing voice live and really got the crowd jumping, she played all her hit singles and played for about half an hour.

My first criticism of the gig is that I received an e-mail from the O2 with the show times on and it stated that Rihanna was due on at 9:10. However, Rihanna didn't make it on to the stage until half nine, now I know times are subject to change but if I had to get the train home I would not have been happy, as I would of missed a large chunk of the gig to make it back to Waterloo in time.

When she did come on, she opened with Russian Roulette, a bit of a strange choice I think as the opener is the one to get the crowd going. When I saw Beyonce she opened with Crazy in Love, which set the tone for the whole evening. The set list included all the songs you love from Rihanna; SOS, Shut Up and Drive, Take a Bow and Please Don't Stop the Music. Her vocals were good especially for the slower songs, but for some of the up tempo ones she didn't always sing the whole verse, the music was too loud or she seemed to be singing over a track. I have seen Britney who mimed for most of the gig so I am not criticising Rihanna, as I know dancing and singing would mean the vocal wasn't great, but she didn't always dance and with the music being so loud it drowned out all the vocals.

She also took a tumble during the opening of Te Amo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlVZutmJWwQ) but carried on like a true professional and started singing and dancing.

The sets and graphics on the screen were really good, especially the montage of her videos with the accompaniment of Pon de replay. Her set included a pink tank, which she sung some slow songs on, probably never been done before and had acrobatics hanging down from guns. I am surprised she hasn't had criticism for having so many items associated with war on her set, although the name of the tour was 'Last Girl on Earth' and put Rihanna as the humans only hope after a large apocalyptic war, although unlike some other gigs there was no narrative, although I feel there was meant to be.

Overall it was an amazing gig, I forgot how many amazing songs she did and everything about it was a show. The only thing is that compared to other gigs I have been to I didn't feel the need to get a ticket for the same tour (I did with Kylie Minogue, Beyonce and Lady Gaga). It was good but I think I will wait and see what the next album is like before I see her again.

Rihanna's set list...


Russian Roulette
Hard
Shut Up And Drive
Fire Bomb
Disturbia
Wonderwall
Rockstar 101
Rude Boy
Hate That I Love You
Rehab
Unfaithful
Stupid In Love
Te Amo
Please Don't Stop The Music
Breaking Dishes/The Glamorous Life
Let Me
SOS
Take A Bow
Wait Your Turn
Live Your Life
Run This Town
Umbrella

Wednesday 5 May 2010

Going to the chapel and my friend got married….

So on Saturday I was bridesmaid for one of my oldest and closest friends. It was an amazing day and my friend looked beautiful. I have only been to about three other weddings but I have never been a part of the actual wedding party, so being bridesmaid for my friend was an honour and I felt so proud seeing her up there.

I must admit that I did cry, not, however, when I saw my friend as I had already seen her in the dress, but when I got to the bottom of the altar and saw her husband to be. His face was a mixture of excitement, nerves, happiness and fear, but in with that I could see that he loved my friend and that got me, this wasn’t helped that she had decided to walk down the aisle to Kiss Me from Romeo and Juliet, which is enough to make you cry anyway.

Even though it rained on and off throughout the day, it was still great. All the bridesmaids looked amazing and even though my head hurt due to the amount of Kirby grips keeping my hair in place, it looked fantastic. My make up wasn’t half bad as well, I even got comments on how good it was and people asking who did it, to which I replied the honest answer, myself!

The dress my friend wore was fit for a Princess and the bridesmaid dresses were really gorgeous. Although I did suffer one problem, my shoes. Silver, glittery, 4 inch, peep toes, they looked amazing but didn’t last after the photos, having to stand waiting for photos to be taken meant that my feet were swollen and I was in a lot of pain. As soon as I got into the car the shoes were off, with my feet breathing a sigh of relief, when we got the reception my feet were happy in a pair of leopard print pumps, the dress was floor length so all good.

It was a long day but an amazing one, I’m still beaming now.

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