Friday 30 July 2010

Film Reviews......

I feel recently I have been on a film overload, I'm not complaining, I love films they are one of my passions so for those who may be unsure I thought I would share some views on the films I have seen recently.

Starting with Inception the latest film from Memento, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan. Although visually you can see the Batman-esqe Gothic sets, on the whole the film is more Memento in subject matter. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb a highly skilled thief who extracts people's most inner most secrets from their dreams. When he is asked by a businessman to put an idea in someone’s head rather than taking it out (or as they term it Inception), Cobb has to put together his team (made up of Ellen Page, Juno; Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 500 Days of Summer, and Tom Hardy, Bronson), for this seemingly impossible task. Especially as his wife (Marion Cotillard, La vie en Rose) seems to keep turning up and making things difficult.

It may sound a little confusing but the film is explained perfectly and has lots of twists and turns to leave you on the edge of your seat. The visual effects are breathtaking as they take you into the world of dreams, it may even make you question your own reality. If you only see one film at the cinema then make sure it is Inception.


All About Steve

I love Sandra Bullock and I don't mind Bradley Cooper but this film is not great. Sandra Bullock plays Mary Horowitz, a crossword compiler who is convinced that her blind date CCN cameraman Steve (Bradley Cooper) is the love of her life. So she follows him around the country in a bid to start the rest of their lives.

I wasn't sure what this film was trying to do, it isn't a rom-com and it’s not quite funny enough to be a goof ball comedy. Sandra Bullock performance is good but not enough to make this film another Bullock classic. I would suggest if you like Bullock or like looking at Bradley Cooper then maybe rent it, or if it’s ever on TV watch it but don't buy it, please don't buy it unless you have already seen it.


Coraline

Firstly I have to say that this is a kid’s film, voiced by Dakota Fanning as Coraline and Teri Hatcher as her mum. Coraline and her family move to a new house, one night she finds a door that opens to another world which seems to be a nicer, happier version of the world she left behind. However, after a couple of visits she starts to see a sinister side to her other mother, not helped by the fact that everyone has buttons for eyes.

I loved this film but must admit it is quite eerie and creepy in a Tim Burton style. The film is a stop-start animation, which is a refreshing change from all the computer generated films that have been released recently. Coraline is a really great kid’s film, perfect weekend chill out film.


The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

I saw this a while ago but I can't do a film review without mentioning it somewhere. So... this film is amazing! Eclipse is my favourite book and I had high expectations, especially as 30 Days of Night director David Slade was behind the camera, and I wasn’t disappointed. The film is a lot darker than the first two, but there are also the heart touching moments in the meadow between Edward and Bella. The chemistry between Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson is enough to set the screen on fire, if they aren't dating in real life they must be amazing actors.

I think the film had to have Rosalie's and Jasper's back stories as they were integral to the plot, and the way they were done was really good, however, I would have liked to have seen more of Rosalies, more of the life she wanted as I feel it was a little glossed over. I do have one criticism in relation to this film Kristen's wig, it is bad, her hair line is awful! Let's hope her hair grows for the filming of Breaking Dawn. As I said I am biased, if you love the Twilight saga you will love this film, if not you may be surprised. Only one way to find out.

Monday 19 July 2010

Third time's a charm in the Race for Life

Alot of people already know about the Race for Life, it is the chance for women to walk, run or jog 5 or 10k, whilst raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Most of the women taking part have in some way been affected by cancer, myself included, my Nan had cancer including breast cancer so I do it in memory of her. It is just unbelieveable  how many people have been affected by cancer, it is also quite upsetting when you see young girls who have lost their mums, older ladies who have lost their daughters and people who have lost their nans, sisters or friends. However, there are also the women who have beaten the disease, showing it can be done. At the same time though there is a great friendly feeling amongst the women, we are all there for the same purpose to beat this horrible disease. The atmosphere is great as you walk round you hear a multitude of conversations, about a range of subjects from shopping to housework, moaning about boyfriends, husbands or sons, I'm sure some women also see it as an oppotunity for a good old natter, and who can blame them especially when the sun is shining.

As I have said in the title this is the third time I have done the race for life, as yet though I have not run it maybe one day...

Thursday 15 July 2010

Whoa we're going to Menorca!!

This time last week I was sitting on a terrace by a beach in gorgeous hot and (sometimes) humid Menorca.

We stayed at the hotel Xuroy in Cala Alcaufar (http://www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/europe/spain/menorca/cala-alcaufar/hotels/hotel-xuroy.html), there isn't much around the hotel but you don't need it, if you want a relaxing holiday where you can get some sun, sea, and sangria, or have the chance to catch up all the books you want to read, it is the ideal place! Cala Alcaufar is so peaceful and as the hotel only has 40 odd rooms, it isn't too busy and 'touristy'.

The staff are amazing, there are about 6 or 7 bar staff, all are really friendly and as the hotel is quite small they remember your room number, the drinks you ordered the night before and if you are lucky may even teach you a little Spainish (my boyfriend taught waiter Andres English as he attempted to teach him Spainish).  Happy hour is 6-7, ideal to stock up for the evening, not that its expensive but it never hurts.

The holiday was so relaxing and the surroundings were beautiful, crystal clear, warm sea; sandy, golden sand; a cool, blue pool; and the food was delish! Dinner was a buffet with one seafood, one vegetable and one meat dish; salad and some sides and it was lovely! Most nights it was really difficult not going up again, again and again.

Some people in the hotel have been there 9/13 times and you can see why, the atmosphere was really relaxed and friendly with other guests wishing you good morning or good evening. Another great thing that can't be guaranteed but made the holiday extra special was the World Cup and Spain winning, no one was more happy than one of the bar staff who was praying and nearly crying that they would win, pure holiday gold.

To sum up Menorca was fantastic and I can see why people go again and again. So if you can go go go!!!

Monday 12 July 2010

New Publications

Back from my lovely holiday which I will post about later, but as this is new articles post it's fairly easy for my holiday brain :)

Cellardoor- Bag Envy and Swishing piece..
http://issuu.com/cellardoormagazine/docs/summerofloveissue

Solent Life - Eastern- Sunflowers, Breaks Away, Hampshire's Finest. Central- BBQ's
http://www.solentlife.co.uk/

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

That's it for now, more when my head is less fuzzy and relaxed.

Friday 2 July 2010

Another day...

So first things first new Guide 2 out....
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=gG06T5j11kK8&PBID=898dcbba-75b6-419a-989f-aa69bed7582e&skip=
I have the essential gig guide in there.

New Solent Life is out soon, loads of good articles in the July issue, cupcakes, bbqs, growing sunflowers and breaks away.

Last column in The News today, so make sure you get yours.

So I am now at a bit of a loose end, as Wednesday was my last day at work very strange. I cried my eyes out as I have a lot of good friends there. The day was very good, pub garden, drink and sun, a great way to toast our time at work. However, I have found out I have been offered a place on a journalism course starting in October, so I will be a qualified journalist at the end! FINALLY!!! Means going back to school, which will be a little strange but all worth it in the end when I can say I am a fully fledged journalist.

Oh before I forget as well I am off to a Twilight marathon tonight all three films back to back, then the brand new Eclipse at 12, fantastic.