Archive for February 2011

Home Archive for February 2011

Whats Hot? Movies.

No Strings Attached.

After watching the trailer for this I was quite excited to see this movie. At first it just seemed like a movie about two people who were 'Friends with Benefits' but then their feelings develop into something real. It is quite unpredictable and predictable at the same time because you know what the ending is but you're not sure how they're going to get there. This movie is different because it's not the guy with the commitment issues, it's the girl. It shows that women don't need men to feel good about themselves as Emma (Portman) is an independant woman who thinks that she doesn't need a relationship with a guy. At first both Emma (Portman) and Adam (Kutcher) use each other for sex but then they both realise that they have stronger feelings for each other and are falling for each other. However, head-strong Emma refuses to admit this, thereby breaking Adam's heart. After a period of separation Emma finally realises that she needs Adam because she is in love with him and she finally admits her true feelings. They get together (officially) and all is well.

This is one of the best rom-coms I've ever seen because it's different. The plot-line is unusual but it still gives you that warm fuzzy lovey-dovey feeling. I highly recommend it because both actors are great, it is incredibly funny and this film is unique. If you're bored of rom-coms because you think they're all predictable and are the same then watch 'No Strings Attached' because it changes the stereotype of the romantic comedy. It shows that sometimes women are the stronger ones in the relationship and struggle with their feelings. It is fresh and new, watch it!

Whats Hot? TV.

Home and Away.

Now I know that not many people in the UK watch Home and Away, but I don't understand why! It's such a great show, and it's so different, and in many ways better, than your standard Eastenders and Hollyoaks. Home and Away is set in Austrailia's Summer Bay, a sunny place, with a lovely beach and a gorgeous ocean view. Now compare that to grotty Albert's Square and Coronation Street. Not to mention the gorgeous guys, and beautiful girls, who walk around in their swinwear half the time. If that won't tempt you, I don't know what will!

The standard of acting in Home and Away is incredible. There are so many notable actors and actresses who all started out on Austrailia's favourite soap, including: Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), Isla Fisher (Confessions of a Shopaholic), Melissa George (30 Days of Night), Julian McMahon (Fantastic Four), Dannii Minogue (Singer/X Factor Judge), Simon Baker (The Mentalist), Ryan Kwanten (True Blood), Sharni Vinson (Step Up 3D), Naomi Watts (King Kong) and Rhys Wakefield (Sanctum).According to Kip Gamblin, "the acting apprenticeship so many had received on the set of Home and Away had paved the way for their success."

Just look at that long line of successful names!

Now is the perfect time to start watching Home and Away. As last season's story line wraps up, we soon welcome three newcomers to the Bay who are sure to cause much drama and tension between the characters. It looks like it's going to be an exciting year for Home and Away with breakups, deaths, arrests, fist-fights, explosions and new relationships. Don't miss out!

Home and Away is on every weekday from 6.00 - 6.30 on Channel 5 and 6.30 - 7.00 on Fiver. Alternatively you can watch it online at http://www.five.tv/watch or http://www.youtube.com/show/homeandaway

New faces? :

Whats Hot? Movies.

Sanctum.

I had very high expectations of this movie, I mean, it was produced by the phenomenal James Cameron. Yes, that is the guy who produced both Avatar and Titanic, just to name a few. This film is brought to life by actors Richard Roxburgh, Rhys Wakefield, Alice Parkinson, Dan Wyllie and Ioan Gruffudd.

Sanctum, a true story, was inspired by co-writer Andrew Wight's near-death experience of leading a diving expedition miles into a system of underwater caves, then having to find a way out after a freak storm collapsed the entrance. This film is pumped with action and emotion, two things that are very difficult to mesh together successfully, in my opinion. There are some slightly disturbing images in this movie but that just makes it more real and dramatic and the juxtaposition of these images and the spectacular views of underwater caves is magnificent. There seem to be a lot of true stories being brought to life in film these days (127 hours, The King's Speech), and this is definitely my favourite so far. There are so many twists and turns in this movie and it is truly inspirational and miracular how the group of people managed to stay alive for so long in such dire conditions. My only criticism is that the accents were slightly confusing. Was it meant to be a mix of Austrailians and Americans or was that an unhappy coincidence? Since this was first released in Austrailia I'm going to assume that it was Ioan Gruffudd's that let the movie down slightly.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. It is the most dramatic movie I have seen in a long time and it keeps you gripping the edge of your seat the entire way through. The acting, the scenery, the production, the plot, everything about this movie is amazing.

There is only one survivor. Watch it yourself to find out who.

Here's the trailer:

Whats Hot? Movies.

The Runaways.

Now if I'm perfectly honest, rock bands from the 70s aren't really my thing, so I wasn't too keen on watching this movie. I was intrigued by the fact that I had read several articles and interviews regarding the complications of filming some 'inapproprirate' scenes. However, much to my suprise I gained much knowledge of the music industry, the effects of teenage drug use and, of course, the formation of the iconic, first all-girl rock band, The Runaways. Apart from the fact that she never smiles, I really like Kristen Stewart. She has acted in such a huge variety of movies and she has played the part brilliantly in each. In The Runaways, Stewart plays Joan Jett, the founder of the band, or at least the concept of an all-girl rock band. It is quite inspiring how she managed to make this dream come true in a time when rock music was entirely male-dominated. Dakota Fanning does a great job of portrayed Cherie Currie and we see the transformation of a seemingly innocent girl at the beginning to a drug-addicted, teenage, rockstar who wears clothes that are far too revealing. I'd definitely recommend this to teenagers, anybody interested in the music industry and fans of rock.

Out on DVD Monday 7th January 2011.

The USA tries to steal all our TV shows?

Skins USA

Now I've only watched one episode of this so far, but despite the fact that the last time I watched Skins UK Series One was a long time ago, I could still recognise the script. Word. For. Word. The only thing about this series that is better than the UK version is that the actress who plays Michelle (Rachel Thevenard) is slightly prettier than April Pearson. The US series clearly isn't as appealing to the teenagers in the USA as it is to those over here in the UK as MTV have received several complains with some people even comparing it to 'child pornography'.

Skins USA vs. Skins UK?
Winner: Skins UK

Being Human USA

Outnumbered USA

No, no, no, no! Everything about the family in the above photo is just WRONG. The kids just aren't as cute, the dad doesn't look funny and the mum looks far too much like a model. Not to mention the fact that there seem to be two random editions to the family who look quite isolated in this series poster.

Even the IT Crowd; however, this was cancelled after it's pilot in 2008. FAIL.

Of course there are just some examples of dramas, the number of reality TV shows that the USA has stolen is much larger. I really don't understand why US television production companies feel the need to 'steal' show ideas from the UK when personally most of the US dramas are better than the UK ones anyway. The types of shows broadcast in the two countries are vastly different. Popular teen dramas in the UK include: Waterloo Road, Skins, Misfits etc. and what is the common theme in all those dramas? SEX.DRUGS.ALCOHOL (usually of a graphic nature). Popular dramas in the USA include: Gossip Girl, 90210, One Tree Hill, Glee etc. common theme? ROMANCE.FAMILY LIFE.PEER PRESSURE. (yes there is also lots of sex/drugs/alcohol but it's presented in a completely different way and usually only when the characters are having a really, really bad day).

Whats Hot? Beauty.

M.A.C.'s New Collection.

How cool is M.A.C.'s new Wonder Woman collection?! Ok, so maybe the it's the concept of Wonder Woman make-up that is cool because frankly this packaging is looking a little childish. I think that this range of new products will mostly appeal to the teenage demographic, such as myself, rather than the more sophisticated women that can actually afford M.A.C. make-up. Now I'm certain that the make-up itself is great, I mean, it is M.A.C., but to which market are they pitching these products? I'll admit to being slightly frivolous with money, so I'll probably be lured into buying some of this range later on, but I doubt that it'll tempt those fashionistas who usually ooze that air of 'Look at my flawless skin'. Would they really be seen holding 'Wonder Woman' make-up? Now that I think about it, M.A.C. has had some rather interesting collections. There was a Disney venom themed range, a Hello Kitty range, and a Barbie range. I, personally, think that they're great. Ok, so maybe Helly Kitty was a bit weird, but the juxtaposition of 'Disney' and 'venom' was awesome, but will others think the same? I'll be recommending these products to my friends, but for those of you who are looking for a little more, class, should i say (?) then look below:

Look at how chic and beautifully simple this range is. When I think of M.A.C. these are the products that spring to mind, not iconic superhero Wonder Woman, but we'll see how they sell.

Whats Hot? TV.

Waterloo Road.

Waterloo Road is back! After a three month break, the second part of Waterloo Road's sixth series has returned to our screens. This series follows a group of teenagers who attend a comprehensive state school. If you don't already watch this series then I highly recommend it to you. It may sound like your typical English drama, but it does bring to life the shocking reality of the worst state schools out there and many teens can relate to the problems the characters go through.

There are a couple of new faces: ex-Corrie star, Tina O'Brien, and Britain's Got Talent's George Sampson. The first episode of 2011 has just aired and it is looking good! What's Bex hiding? How will the new regime of educating boys and girls separately turn out? Will Josh get a boyfriend? And what's Kyle got up his sleeve? It looks like there's some exciting new episodes coming up! Make sure you tune in every Wednesday, BBC 1, 8 p.m.

Whats Hot? TV.

The Promise.

This is a new four-part drama coming to Channel 4 on Sunday 6th February 2011. Really this series only caught my eye because Christian Cooke (ITV's Demons and Trinity) stars in it and since he's good looking and a decent actor maybe it's worth a look at. Here Channel Four's desciption of the short series:

Just as 18-year-old Londoner Erin sets off to spend summer in Israel with her best friend, Eliza, she unearths an old diary belonging to her seriously ill grandfather, Len. Intrigued by the life of this old man she barely knows, she takes the diary with her, and is stunned to learn of his part in the post-WWII British peace-keeping force in what was then Palestine.
Left to her own devices when Eliza begins National Service in the Israeli army, Erin witnesses the complexities of life - for both Jews and Arabs - in this troubled land. And as Len's story comes to life from the pages of the diary, Erin discovers the disturbing truths about his time in Palestine and the atrocities he witnessed in the 1940s.
Retracing Len's steps in modern-day Israel, Erin sets out on a heart-breaking journey in an effort to understand and fulfil a promise made by her grandfather over 60 years ago.

Sounds like an interesting drama with strong links to history and conflicts, but probably not for everyone. I'll be sure to check it out and then give my verdict on this. If you don't have time to watch this on TV, catch up on 4OD.

Whats Hot? Movies.

How Do You Know?

I saw this movie a while back when I was in New York and I have to say I was not impressed. I believe it was Reese Witherspoon's first film where she played a serious role and to be honest I think she should stick to playing the 'stupid blonde girls', it's much more her style. By that, I do not mean that she is a stupid blonde girl, but I think those roles are more suited to her because she's just so good at playing them. Even though it was quite late at night when I saw this movie, I don't think it was the lack of sleep or the supreme comfiness of the seat that was making me drowsy. I did not see the point of this movie, there was a lot of moving backwards and forwards but I didn't feel like the story was actually progressing or going anywhere. I was quite suprised because with four notable actors I expected a really good film. Essentially the story is about a young woman who is dropped from her soft-ball team and is facing a mid-life crisis whilst in the middle of a love-triangle. This movie does have it's ups though, Owen Wilson's character's ignorance is probably the most amusing thing about this movie and there are some cute, typical rom-com scenes between Witherspoon and Rudd. If you've nothing better to do on a rainy day then sure, go ahead and watch this, but if I'm perfectly honest, I wouldn't waste your money.

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