Blue, Hammersmith Apollo, London - 22nd October 2013

It has been a while, work has been a little hectic so not had much time to sit and stop with the want to write after doing so all day at work.

However, a quiet weekend means I can write some reviews and updates for the things I have been up to recently.

If you have read my blog or gig reviews on here before then you will know I am a child of the 90s and love my pop music, the cheesier the better, well in my childhood not so much now.

Since becoming an adult I have had the opportunity to see the bands I was unable to when I was a kid e.g. Spice Girls, The Big Reunion (http://onegirlsworld-charlotte.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-big-reunion-hammersmith-apollo.html) and Steps (http://onegirlsworld-charlotte.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/steps-o2-london-19th-april-2012.html)

My sister was a huge Blue fan back in the day and my mum bought us tickets but when we went to go the band split causing my sister a lot of heartache. 

When they reformed, properly, and announced a tour for their new album Roulette my mum bought us a couple of tickets and off we went to the Hammersmith to see the band my sister was obsessed with.

To be honest it took a while for them to come on the stage, about quarter past nine which was ok but not ideal we were lucky as we drove so knew we wouldn't have to leave early to get a train home.

Apart from that the gig was a lot better than I was expecting. They sang live and were brilliant, great voices especially Lee Ryan who can hold a note and can certainly belt them out.

They also danced pulling  out the moves from the old days as well as some new ones for songs from the new album, which was also another surprise.

After the awful Eurovision song I wasn't expecting the new songs to be good and had a real essence of the way they were in their heyday.

Great songs from the new album include Hurt Lovers  and Ayo, and of course they also played crowd favorites One Love, Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours  and Fly By and by the response in the room there was some die hard fans who also seemed to be loving the new album.

This gig was amazing and showed the boys do have stayed power, maybe the break was worth it as their voices and dance moves were top notch and I would definitely see them again.

Hard Rock Calling, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, June 2013

This may have been a long time in the making but at the end of June I was over the moon to have had the chance to go to the Olympic Park or as the part I went to is now called the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

The reason I went there, Hard Rock Calling, which left Hyde Park and has now pitched up in the park. 

The first band we managed to catch were Irish band Kodaline, who were so good and even surprised my boyfriend who was convinced they were going to be like The Script. I loved High Hopes and the beautiful All I Want.

The headliners for the event were Kasabian who played a 2 hour set and were worth the £55 tickets price alone. Alongside crowd favourites LSF, Shoot the Runner and Fire, they also played Fatboy Slim's Praise You and The Korgis' Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometimes which was hauntingly beautiful. 

I have seen Kasabian twice before and they know how to work the audience in smaller venues but were masters of the crowd of around 45,000. It could have easily been their own concert. 

 The main stage was situated near the velodrome, which looked as if a spaceship had crash landed as the sun set behind it. 

Overall there were three stages - The Pepsi Max and Hard Rock Rising which had new acts and people like Gaz Coombes from Supergrass and Steve Cradock from Ocean Colour Scene who I heard briefly on my way to the toilet. 

The Pepsi Max stage was great and featured The Twang, The View and The Tribes. The Tribes were quite good and the boyfriend suggested that we check them out, we stayed for about twenty minutes of their set before catching the end of Miles Kane on the main stage. 

In between bands we also managed to catch a few songs by The Cribs, which was great and a brilliant warm up as I am planning to see them at the Victorious Festival in Portsmouth in August. Miles Kane rocked it in all white and we heard him perform Come Closer, Inhaler and the amazing Give Up which sounded phenomenal. 

 After him was the Modfather Paul Weller, who even though he only played for about an hour filled it with hit after hit - The Changing Man and That's Entertainment. 

 I have seen Weller twice before and always had to leave before the end so have never seen him perform Town Called Malice. This time we were there and when the opening chords started the whole field erupted and everyone was dancing their heart out, including me and my boyfriend. Paul Weller did not disappoint. 

 For food we had a pulled pork sandwich from Barbeco Jamie Oliver stand, it was delicious and was only about £6. Quite good value for money as there was a lot and I couldn't eat it all. 

 However, the drinks were quite expensive, soft drinks were £2.50 and considering how hot it was there was the chance people could have gone through quite a bit. Also my boyfriend didn't manage to have a cold, refreshing pint as the queues for the bar was ridiculous.

Overall though I loved being at the park and watching these amazing bands, if they are this good next year at the same price I will be there. 

 And while I remember we got to walk right past the Olympic Stadium and the strange red looking thing. The stadium is huge and it is hard to believe that this time last year the Olympics were about to kick off and the park was buzzing with people everyday.

Jersey Boys, Prince Edward Theatre, London, June 2013

I went to see Jersey Boys as part of a hen-do, probably not the usually musical hens go to but it is one I have never seen before so I was actually looking forward to it.

I had also heard a lot of good things about the musical, apparently it is David Beckham's favourite, if it good enough for him I was sure it would be good enough for me.

For anyone who has never seen it, or even heard of it, Jersey tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons during the 60s, a New Jersey band made up of boys from the wrong side of the tracks who invented their own unique sound and were inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. They have also sold 100 million records worldwide

As far as sets go it is pretty sparse and uses a lot of Roy Lichtentstein pictures, which I loved. 

Now I went into this not really thinking I knew any Four Seasons songs, how wrong was I.

The production includes - Beggin' which was used as a sample by Madcon in 2007; Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Oh What A Night, Walk Like a Man, Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) and Big Girls Don't Cry to name a few. I was singing and dancing to songs thinking - I know this!

It also made me want to go and back the Four Seasons back catalogue. 

Ryan Molloy plays Frankie Valli and has done so for a number of years, he was excellent going from the young, naive 16-year-old to showman.

All the cast was so good and it really made me want to find out a bit more about the band.

I can see why people love it and there definitely were some fans in the audience. I for one would love to see it again.

I saw it at the Prince Edward Theatre, where it has been for five years, and sat up in the upper circle, which was a little scary at first but when the show started it was the last thing on my mind I was so enthralled by the musical I completely forgot where I was sitting.

From March it will be in the Piccadilly Theatre as Viva Forever has now closed.

 

If you want a nostalgic, feel good musical, although there is a little gritty drama thrown in, set in the 60s and full of loads of songs you will know go to Jersey Boys you won't regret it.

Pink, The Truth About Love Tour; The O2, London; 25/04/2013

If this were a one word review of Pink's performance at the O2 it would simply be - Wow!

I went into the concert liking some of her songs but came out absolutely in love with the singer and performer.

When a singer launches onto stage with the aid of a bungee rope and is caught by three topless men you know you are on to winner.

From start to finish it was just a very energetic concert. Pink was more acrobatic than pop star puppet.

The moves she performed during the song Sober, were just phenomenal. She was suspended in a egg shaped cage which at one point saw the male dances holding on to it as it spun with Pink holding so gracefully on to their arms on the outside.

I read some reviews that during the more energetic moments she was miming, but even so when she sung during the acoustic part her voice was melodic and breathtaking even though she had to cancel the first night of the tour in Birmingham due to a respiratory infection, her voice was pitch perfect.

During Try she not only recreated the dance from the video but performed mid-air in a tangle of rope like something from Cirque du Soleil, with the most impressive abs. Yet she is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.

It is quite amazing to think that Pink has been going for 13 years most of my teenage years and yet I never really came under the spell of the rebel, feminist singer.

She is a little bit of a dork doing the worst dance moves she could think of and encouraging the audience to do the same. 

Pink seems like a genuinely nice person who bent down and signed autographs for the crowd at the front and interacted with people shouting and throwing presents.

The crowd seemed to be mainly old fan going crazy for You Make Me Sick and Just Like a Pill and less so for the newer songs on the album.

It is also the only gig I have ever been to that had end credits, with a behind the scenes video of Pink preparing for the tour as well as her beautiful daughter Willow.

I am just so glad that I saw Pink live in concert it was unlike anything I had ever seen before and I have been to quite a few concerts. I enjoyed every minute of it and think even if you aren't the biggest Pink fan you will be after seeing her I certainly did.

A Telegraph review said: "That these were performed with the same genuine enthusiasm as the hits from her last album (her seventh but first to make number one in America), is a testament to Pink’s talent, and explains why she continues to sell records. Ten-year-old songs don’t sound dated because she has maintained the same energy and sass that she created them with." and I couldn't agree more.



Set List

* Raise your glass
* Walk of Shame
* Just Like a Pill
* U and Ur Hand
* Leave Me Alon (I'm Lonely)
* Try
* Wicked Game (Chris Isaak cover)
* Just Give Me a Reason 
* Trouble 
* Are We All We Are
* How Come You're Not Here 
* Sober 
* Chaos & Piss (Guitar instrumental)
* The Great Escape (Acoustic)
* Who Knew (Acoustic)
* Fire and Rain  (James Taylor cover)
* F**kin' Perfect 
* Most Girls / There You Go / You Make Me Sick 
* Slut Like You
* Blow Me (One Last Kiss) 

Encore - So What

Marilyn Monroe: A British Love Affair, National Portrait Gallery, London

I went to the National Portrait Gallery in London initially to just see the Marilyn Monroe exhibition but stayed and took two and a half hours to have a walk around.

First the Marilyn exhibition - it doesn't include many photos but looks at her time filming and promoting The Prince and the Showgirl with Laurence Olivier.

It has some beautiful photos taken by Cecil Beaton,  Larry Burrows and Jack Cardiff. I also found out that one of my favourite photos of Marilyn on a Geshia print blanket holding a rose was taken by Beaton.

It just shows her natural beauty and it is free.

If you have never been to the gallery I cannot recommend it enough. I really enjoyed walking around the portraits. Paintings range from The Tudors to the Victorians to modern day.

It was great to see a sketch of Jane Austen drawn by her sister Cassandra Austen. I nearly missed it a couple of times but found it eventually and I'm glad I did.

There are so many recognisable paintings of Queen Elizabeth I, King Charles I and Queen Victoria. However, one of her after her coronation is actually a replica as the original is in Buckingham Palace.

At the moment they also have photos of the current Royal family taken by Mario Testino. It includes the two engagement photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - Prince William and Kate Middleton.

There are paintings of Paul McCartney, photos of the Queen after her wedding and her coronation again taken by Cecil Beaton. 

I also paid £2 and saw the exhibition from Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2012 which has some beautiful photographs including one of Mo Farah and one of Victoria Pendleton. Worth the £2.

I went round a couple of times soaking up every painting and photograph. It also had the film of David Beckham sleeping done by Sam Taylor-Wood...
A beautiful museum and on the whole free. Well worth it.

Also I had a cup of tea and the most delicious walnut and chocolate brownie in the cafe down stairs, amazing!

Valentino - Master of Couture, Somerset House, London

The Italian fashion designer is a pure genius and after seeing the film Valentino: The Last Emperor I fell in love with not only his designs but also the designer.

When I saw Somerset House was holding an exhibition I knew I had to get tickets.

You walk down a catwalk with the chairs either side holding the beautiful dresses and the chairs reserved for his most famous fans.

There are 137 dresses with some worn by Jackie Kennedy-Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Anne Hathaway and the dress Julia Roberts wore at the 73rd Academy Awards in 2001 when she won the Oscar for her performance in Erin Brockovich. It was a vintage 1992 design by Valentino.

The dresses are just beautiful and such craftsmanship by his girls who work in his studio.

Some of my highlights include a white satin evening gown with hand-painted coral design from his Spring/Summer 1968; a blue chiffon day dress with five layer pleated petticoat which was designed in the 1950s but realised in the 1990s, beautiful dress and a great shape; and the white ecru georgette evening dress with lace applique detailing. Worn by Jacqueline Kennedy for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis.

The white gowns made in organza, with tulle and Swarovski crystals and lace. They are beautiful and could be a evening gown or a wedding dress.

There are also some of his hand drawn designs which are just as stunning.

The exhibition is running until March 3, 2013. For tickets visit: http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/valentino

Hollywood Costume Exhibition - V&A London

I love my films so when I saw that the V&A, my favourite museum, had an exhibition of Hollywood Costumes I got on the internet and booked tickets straight away.

It was simply amazing the costumes they have on show include some of the most recognisable costumes through the history of film.

Over 100 of the most iconic costumes from across the century of film-making.

It was mesmerising two dresses from Gone with the Wind - two Scarlett O'Hara dresses which were beautiful. Indiana Jones' iconic outfit was slightly different from what I was expecting but instantly recognisable.

I was surprised just how small some of the stars were, Robert DeNiro was very narrow and short, Russell Crowe's Gladiator suit was also smaller than I was expecting.

There were costumes from Matrix, Twilight: New Moon, Moulin Rouge, Chicago and Atonement. Just so many that it is hard to recount them all.

My favourites include a Marilyn Monroe dress from Some Like It Hot, which was just beautifully made.

The black dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's was really simple and if not made by Givenchy and worn by Audrey Hepburn would not be that amazing but the fact it is makes it breathtaking.

The two major pulls of the exhibition are THE white dress from The Seven Year Itch, which looks quite small when you think Marilyn was meant to be a size 14 and also I never realised that it has a bow on the band.

The other is Dorothy's dress from The Wizard of Oz worn by Judy Garland. It was quite small and very prim, nothing special but like the Holly Golightly  dress what it was in and who wore it madke it amazing. It also had two pairs of ruby slippers a replica pair and also the actual pair. Now The Wizard of Oz is my all time favourite film and I was a little disappointed in the slippers but also a little fascinated. They are covered in sequins I don't know what I was expecting though, actual rubys.

One of  best costumes I think is the black ballerina outfit worn by Natalie Portman in Black Swan, I didn't really like the film but the craftsmanship and detail in that dress makes it look beautiful.

My one criticism though is in relation to the Batman, Catwoman, Superman and Spiderman outfits. They were placed high up so you couldn't really get a good look at them something I would love to have done to the Batman outfit from The Dark Knight Rises.

The exhibition is on until January 27 for more information check out http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-hollywood-costume/ if you love films you will love this.

The day I went to Buckingham Palace

This weekend I got to do something I never thought I would.

I got to visit the state rooms at Buckingham Palace and not only that we also got to see the very special diamond collection, which is on offer as it is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

In the Diamond exhibition we saw the small crown worn by Queen Victoria when she was in mourning of Prince Albert (as seen on this Wiki page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_victoria) and was also won by Queen Alexandra the consort of King Edward VII - Queen Victoria's son and successor.

Also the crown and necklace Her Majesty the Queen wore on her coronation and more recently in the official photo for her Diamond Jubilee.

And seven pieces created by the Cullinan Diamond, the largest rough gem-quality diamond. All the diamonds were exquisite, the clarity and colour were beautiful and they just sparkled like stars in the sky, amazing! Diamonds truly are the Queen’s best friend.

The state rooms were just as magnificent, you see the throne room where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had their wedding photo and more recently the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had their photos taken. It was just amazing to walk where heads of state such as President Obama and other Royals have walked. To see where the Queen lives and works.

The rooms were huge and the decoration over the top. My favourite room was the ballroom, created for Queen Victoria to host social gatherings. It is the largest room in London and has four chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, they are five foot in diameter and I think they said about 11 foot high; they work on a winch and are cleaned once a year. It also has an organ from the Brighton Pavilion; it was a truly regal room.

All the paintings around the state rooms are amazing. My favourite was the family portrait of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children by Winterhalter it is stunning and shows the family in a fairly informal setting but still she looks like a Queen, mother and wife.

You are not allowed to take photos on the tour but you can in the garden.

The state rooms are just amazing, I cannot recommend them enough.

Also if you buy your tickets through the palace you can get your ticket stamped and return for free within the next 12 months, how fantastic is that! Well with the £18 entrance fee.

I will say though that the cafe is quite expensive over £2 for a tea, but the cakes did look amazing aand I do wish I had had one.

If you go in August or September don’t expect to see the Queen as she holidays in Balmoral.

If you are interested in the tour visit: http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/buckinghampalace

Lady Gaga, Twickenham Stadium, London, 08/09/2012

Better late than never, but here is my half review half gush-fest of Lady Gaga's Born This Way Ball.

I have seen Gaga twice already, as support for the Pussycat Dolls just after Just Dance came out and a year or so a go as part of the Monsters Ball.

I love her and know she can put on a show, the Monsters Ball was just £29 for the ticket and Gaga must have run at a loss, this time however, she learnt her lesson and the ticket price almost doubled.

It was well worth it though. Her set was a castle and of course there was a story line which I didn't quite get but it added something else.

The concert from start to finish was phenomenal. Her voice is amazing and when she sung Imagine it was breathtaking, her voice is heavenly and soulful, just her and a piano.

Even though Gaga is a little over the top to some she does love her fans and is very humble thanking them for buying a ticket. To thank them she got some on stage and invited others back tage, now to some you may think it is just all talk but not Gaga I think she is true to her word.

Of course she came on late which meant she finished late and I'm not sure if she didn't include it at all in this tour but she didn't perform Poker Face or Alejandro which was a shame but then you forget how many good songs she does have.

She also spoke about the first time she played record execs Born This Way, they told her it was too 'niche', and with a smirk on her face she said to the audience 'Some f**king niche, I have filled an stadium with a niche'.

She also said 'So many of you here how come the album was a flop?' But my friend was there and didn't have the second album, she had just bought the singles and I do wonder how many other people did the same.

I cannot say how much I love Gaga her brashness and unapologetic nature she is who she is so deal with it. She was 'born this way'.

Every time I see her she gets better and better, it does freak me out though that we are the same age.

Another thing you should mention if you go to a Gaga gig is the audience. Some of Gaga's monsters got all out, there were meat dresses, costumes from the Telephone video and various cover shoots. Most of them were obviously fashion students as I don't think I would be able to make those things but they were fantastic and the girls (and some boys) deserve a round of applause.

It was just a great atmosphere and I haven't sung, laughed and danced so much at a gig in age. Gaga is indeed Queen Monster and just fantastic! All Hail Gaga!

Act I
Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)
Government Hooker
Born This Way
Black Jesus - Amen Fashion
Bloody Mary
Bad Romance
Judas

Act II
Fashion Of His Love
Just Dance
LoveGame
Telephone

Act III
Heavy Metal Lover
Bad Kids

Piano Ballads
Hair
Princess Die
Imagine
You & I

Act IV
Electric Chapel
Paparazzi
Scheibe

Act V
The Edge of Glory
Marry the Night

Steps, The O2, London, 19th April 2012

Before this gig when I told people I was seeing Steps I was met by laughs, jeers and just basic disbelief.

Thing is a lot of their songs remind me of when I was younger and at school as they rose to fame in the late 90s when I was in my early teens.
My sister was a massive fan and so was my gig friend.

I will admit I was excited about this gig and when I saw our seats I was quite happy, we were at the front of a block on the side and had a great view.

The band had two support acts Shock Lady who was poor, just singing covers but she had an MC Mr Smith with her who was excellent.
Then there was another woman, I can't remember her name she was foreign and mimed...plain awful!

Anyway the crowd weren't here for them, they were here for Steps, and when they played a montage of the 'good' old days the crowd went crazy, well if you have seen the Living show you will know they all hated each other.

Then they came on through tubes to Here and Now and the O2 went mental.

I will admit though that I was surprised how many gay guys there were, I knew Steps were camp but I didn't realise just how large their gay audience was.

The band played all the hits complete with dance moves, my sister didn't realise they had so many, I on the other hand could remember the moves for One for Sorrow, Better Best Forgotton and Deeper Shade of Blue.

I have never been to a gig with such an electric atmosphere with everyone dancing, when the band performed Tragedy it was great to see everyones hands in the air dancing the dance moves.

Each of the singers also had a go at a solo performance., I'm sorry but Lisa mimed, her mouth kept moving but no sound came out. Faye's was very camp but fantastic, and Lee's was excellent, I never realised what a great voice he had. Of course Claire just blew everyone away with her superb voice.

We did have a laugh and my sister really enjoyed her second gig ever, although we found out that they were filming it for the Living show I just hope we aren't on there dancing like crazy people.

Steps were just fantastic, cheesy and a whole lot of dancing and laughs.

Ok so they may not be the coolest band I have seen but they were funny and it felt like a girls night out. I just hope the Living show doesn't show them at each others throats.

Set List

* Here and Now
* You'll be Sorry
* Deeper Shade of Blue
* Last Thing on My Mind
* Better Best Forgotton
* 5, 6, 7, 8
* Summer of Love
* Better the Devil you Know
* Lee solo - Moves Like Jagger & Rihanna's S&M
* Faye solo - One Night Only
* H solo - Don't Stop Believing
* Lisa solo - Heaven/Lately/Beautiful People (yes Lately Lisa's own song)
* Claire solo - I Surrender
* It's the Way You Make Me Feel
* Heartbeat
* When I said Goodbye
* One for Sorrow

Encore
* Stomp
* Chain Reaction
* Dancing Queen
* Tragedy

The Black Keys, Alexandra Palace, London, Saturday February 11 2012.

The Black Keys you may not know the name but you undoubtedly will know the songs. They have been featured in adverts, Top Gear and song 'Chop and Change' even features on a Twilight soundtrack alongside the support act Band of Skulls.

I will admit I am not a huge fan I have their albums Brothers (2010) and El Campino (2011) and love their rocky edge.

If you have heard any of their songs you will recognise the deep and delightful tones of the lead singer, which is just mesmerising, so when my boyfriend told me they were touring and he had tickets I was looking forward to experiencing their unique blend of soul and rock live.

Made up of only two members Dan plays guitar and supplies vocals and Patrick is the drummer, but on tour have a bass and keyboard player.

I have never been to Alexandra Palace before but was amazed by how big it was and how much was on offer inside, loads of vans serving food and loads of toilets and bars so you never really had to queue.

I had been told that the sound quality wasn't always great, and when I got in there I could see why.

Where they were perform was a very big space with high ceilings, the sound would just get lost, however, when the support act, Band of Skulls, and the main band came on I was pleasantly surprised - the sound quality was not distorted or muffled but loud and clear.

Before I go on to The Black Keys I have to comment about Band of Skulls. A British band of two guys and a girl they have a White Stripes feel to them but at times a lot more guitar heavy and rocky. We were given free LPs and it was brilliant.

The Black Keys came out all guns blazing with just an phenomenal sound echoing around the room it was just brilliant. And Dan's voice is just...I wouldn't say beautiful but the quality and everything it just fantastic, quite sexy.


At one point the band were left to their own devices just Patrick and Dan, now you would think that the songs would lose a bit of an edge just a guitar and drums but you would be surprised. It was louder and more gritty and just rocked the room out.

The encore was just amazing, they came out to sing 'Everlasting Love' but a toned version, with a huge glitter ball spreading thousands of stars over the vast ceiling. At first I didn't realise which song it was as it was so melodic and quite romantic, perfect in the run up to Valentines day.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting from this gig. The crowd were more active than I thought they would be and so were the band. Dan's voice was probably more perfect in person than on CD and the guitars and drums heavier and more instant.

If you have the opportunity to see The Black Keys do so you will not be disappointed.


Set list:


Howlin' for You

Next Girl

Run Right Back

Same Old Thing

Dead and Gone 

Gold on the Ceiling 

Thickfreakness

Girl Is On My Mind

I'll Be Your Man

Your Touch

Little Black Submarines

Money Maker

Strange Times 

Chop and Change 

Nova Baby

Ten Cent Pistol 

Tighten Up

Lonely Boy
 Encore:

Everlasting Light

She's Long Gone

I Got Mine

Guns in the Afternoon, Western Film Club, 3rd July 2011, The Exhibit Cinema, London

Guns in the Afternoon as far as I am aware is the only western film club in the UK run by (in their own words) self-proclaimed western nuts Russ and Jon. Their mission is: 'to put on the big screen every six weeks the westerns that have long since been forgotten and bring the genre to forefront of peoples minds.'

I will admit that I am not a huge western film fan, but thought I would go along with the boyfriend as his friend Russ is one of the organisers. 

The film this month was The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. A 1948 film written and directed by the great John Huston, who also directed Katherine Hepburn and Bogart in The African Queen and Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable in The Misfits, Gable's last film before he died.

It is a film adaptation of B. Traven's 1927 novel of the same name. It focuses on two Americans Fred D. Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart) and Bob Curtin (Tim Holt) during the 1920s in Mexico who join old-timer Howard (Walter Huston, the director's father), to prospect for gold. They find a bit of land with gold and set about protecting it from Mexican bandits and then from each other as they start to suspect each other of trying to con the others out of the gold and finally money.

You can't beat a bit of Bogart but his suave and clean cut persona as seen in Casablanca wasn't the case here, he is down on his luck, unshaven and a bit unkempt, his cool and calm persona is also a little absent as Dobbs starts to get very paranoid about those around him. This film shows you a side of Bogart that you never get to see but is very convincing and shows that he is not a character actor but quite diverse.

A film well worth a watch if it's on on a cold and wet Sunday afternoon.

Now the film club, the cinema is quite small but a load of two seater sofas, fantastic and a nice change from the boring seats in multiplexes. The film club is a great idea, the cinema has a bar down stairs so you can have a drink after and chat about the film. Tickets at £10 and you get the film, popcorn, trivia sheet and entry in a raffle.

If you are interested in attending the August club email either Russ and Jon at either russbish@hotmail.com or costello120@hotmail.com for details.

http://www.theexhibit.co.uk/
 

I Love Lily Allen

Just watching the last episode of Channel 4's Lily Allen: From Riches to Rags. I love Lily Allen I have seen her twice and she is just amazing.


I think her songs resonate with young women, who hasn't listened to Not Fair and said "I know that feeling", her songs make a lot of sense to me and I think she is the voice of the next generation of women.


As I have said I have seen her twice in Bournemouth and Southampton for the It's Not Me, It's You album. She is amazing live and has a fantastic voice. In one gig she even had a Guinness pump on stage so that people on the front who had secured a place could still get a drink. She also performed Britney's Womanizer, which was just brilliant live. I hope she comes back to performing.


Watching From Riches to Rags shows a side to Lily that you don't get to see when she performs on stage or is interviewed. I think that on the show with her sister she has let her guard down. I just think there is a vulnerability to her and my heart just breaks watching the last episode when she talks about her miscarriage. I know I don't know her and never probably will but being of a similar age to her (she is about a year older than me) her songs resonate with me and I suppose there is just something about her which makes me feel a connection. I just love the fact she is so honest and she has put up with so much shit over the years. I know I cannot comment because I don't know her but I think she is an amazing woman and is very influential.




I feel she is a reluctant celebrity, she sung and performed because she wanted to. She is doing the shop because she wants to. I love the fact her and her sister Sarah argue, like normal sisters do. I also love that she isn't a kiss arse she says what she feels about who she feels it about.


At 25 she has gone through a lot and I really look up to her, ok she can come across as a bit spoilt but she is an amazing woman and seems like a really nice person, I just love Lily.