Monday 24 January 2011

A Rainbow Shower

Longing to hear those three magic words? Well, here goes... a la Gucci. There I said it. This season there is no escaping the trends tumbling off the Gucci catwalk. And, one of the best, is the end of the reign of nude and barely-there colours (fun though they were) and the new rule of bold, super- brights.

There is only one rule: there are no rules. For the fashion forward wear contrasting, deep colours and even flash a panel of black for maximum impact.

For those a little more conservative at heart, the high street is already full of gorgeous bright accessories. Try a pink suede clutch from Topshop, a patent green skinny belt from ASOS or a bright stoned cuff from bagsofparkle.com.

The Lust List...

Anyone who says they're bored of stripes has obviously not seen the latest offering from River Island.

This chunky knit jumper is the perfect tran-seasonal piece. Wear with slim jeans and brown knee high boots now, and navy tailored trousers and leather brogues come spring.

River Island, £34.99

Return of the Vamp

Leighton Meester wows in this black number by American designer Michael Kors.

Stepping away from the prim and proper look of her Gossip Girl character Blair Waldorf, Leighton looks every inch the vamp in this cut-away maxi. The long chiffon skirt balances the toughness of the leather bodice; and the flashes of flesh send the temperature of this outfit soaring high.

Taking the look to the max, Leighton teamed the dress with dark red nails, smoky eyes and poker straight hair.

Fashion forward and flattering, Leighton is one to watch in the fashion stakes this year.

Morning Glory: Film Review

We already know this story: ambitious, hard-working young woman, with no time for a special man in her life, struggles to work her way to the top of her career and be recognised for her raw talent. This does not stop the floods of women who will flock to see this feel-good, romantic comedy. Any, why should it?

Yet, despite the high calibre of the cast: Diane Keating, Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams, this film never really develops. There are moments of humour and charm, and though a TV studio does not seem like the most original setting for a chick flick, there was something inspiring and interesting in the side of television production painted.

The characters felt one-dimensional, and Becky's (Rachel McAdams) romance was given such little screen time that it was almost irrelevant.

A pleasant but inconsequential watch.

Monday 17 January 2011

Golden Globes: Best Dressed 2011

It's always a fierce competition, but here's the pick of this Golden Globes best dressed 2011.

Angelina Jolie ditched her signature black palette, for a sequined emerald gown by Atelier Versace.

Other stars of the night, included Anne Hathaway in a gold, floor-skimming Armani Prive dress, which highlighted her stunning curves. The sequins shone perfectly against the red carpet, and Anne scores extra fashion points for her originality - not many opt for full length sleeves at a black tie affair.

Claire Danes was at her best in a salmon coloured, halter neck Calvin Klein. Working one of Springs hottest trends, the minimalist look, Ms Danes paired her outfit with one gold cuff and a sleek up do.

Host of the evening, Olivia Wilde, was one of the few stars to opt for the traditional puffball gown. Looking like a true princess, Olivia wore a breathtaking strapless Marchesa gown coated in silver and gold jewels.

Emma Stone teamed her new blonde locks with a beautiful, body-con maxi by Calvin Klein. Coral is the perfect colour for Spring, and though the dress may have appeared simplistic on a first viewing, the daring cut-away back and metallic clutch made sure this dress got the recognition it deserved.

A cream lace Burberry gown, with sheer sleeves, was the perfect dress for Leighton Meester. And her gold-box clutch is Hollywood glamour at its best.

Glee star Lea Michele shone in a pale pink, ruffled Oscar de la Renta. The one shouldered dress made sure all eyes were on Lea.

Sandra Bullock made the most of the event, showcasing a new blunt fringe and a gorgeously girly Jenny Packman chiffon gown.

Friday 14 January 2011

The King's Speech: Film Review

The King's Speech is tipped for Oscar glory, and it's no surprise. A richly enjoyable, crowd-pleaser with big ambitions and a full political and social back story.

Based on the true story of Albert, Duke of York (Colin Firth), who, for as long as anyone can remember has struggled with a stammer; so severe at times he cannot form any words at all. His father, George V (Michael Gambond) mistakes harsh instructions with medicine, and the doctors sought aren't any better as they stuff Albert's mouth with marbles and tell him that smoking will help relax his lungs. Eventually, Albert's wife (Helena Bonham-Carter) takes the matter into her own hands and discovers a failed Australian actor turned speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), to help cure her husband.

What entails is a battle for control. The dialogue between Albert and Logue is sharp, witty and fascinating: it is this interaction that powers the movie forward and grips the viewer. Albert insists on formality and rules, he requires help in purely physical terms, not emotionally, personally or psychologically. But Logue considers it to be his castle and therefore his rules. Gradually, the sessions turn to therapy as a friendship is formed between the two and Albert begins to open up. A new side of Albert is revealed as the audience learns how Albert lost his brother at a young age, was starved by his childhood nannies and teased terribly by his brothers.

Firth is immaculate from the opening scene, where both he and an audience at Wembley Stadium suffer prolonged embarrassment, as he struggles to deliver a speech. I doubt anyone has ever looked as sick with fear as Firth does at the beginning of this scene. His vocal performance is unquestionably good - it cannot be easy to learn to stammer - stirring emotions, yet never becoming wholly a subject of pity. Instead, Firth's Albert is short-tempered, prone to self-pity and snobbery. He is utterly absorbing.

Helena Bonham-Carter is pitch perfect. A sharp tongued, assured yet touchingly supportive royal wife. I might go as far as to suggest it is her best work to date, if only I had seen more of her.

Guy Pearce executes the frustratingly self-absorbed, glamorous older brother David to a tee, and strong support is added by Derek Jacobi as the worrisome and interfering Archbishop of Canterbury. I was also pleased to see Romona Marquez (from the BBC's Outnumbered) playing the young Princess Margaret.

Despite the topic The King's Speech is never overly sentimental, and with it's neat inclusion of the rise of Fascism and Hitler, the Depression and the development of technology, and media with it, it travels beyond the expectations of a British period drama.

Eloquently and beautifully shot, the film turns the royal establishment into individuals, each with their own story. One critic suggested this may even leave 'a patriotic lump in the throat' of the viewer - a grand achievement today if there ever was one.

Thursday 13 January 2011

Book Club - Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

Though short, this novel is crammed with weighty ideas and hidden levels of meaning - when reading it, one can chose whether to accept it on face value, or whether to explore and probe its hidden depths.

Ideas of race, morality, education and identity spill out of the pages, and yet never feel forced upon the reader. The charming, innocent voice of the narrator, a 13-year-old black girl, Matilda, ensures a child like, light hearted tone is maintained.

Set in the 1990s on the island of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea, the story follows the community of a village as they struggle to live during a bloody civil war. Matilda's father has left to work in Australia, leaving Matilda and her Mother alone.

One day, Mr Watts, the only white man in the village and previously known to the children as Pop Eye, appoints himself as teacher and sits the children down in the old classroom to read them Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. Within chapters the children are hooked.

The power of reading and language are vital in this novel. Jones uses literature as a form of escapism - the children chose to live in Pip's world and avoid their own dangerous reality, and even Mr Watts shelters himself through storytelling.

The inclusion of old, cultural tales shared by the children's mothers in class, was an addition that I could appreciate and understand. Yet, I found them frustrating. These passages slowed the pace of the novel and the same effect could have easily been created through a simple description. That these passages were given the same page space as significant and shocking events was deeply unsatisfying.

Critics may argue the novel rarely steps beyond stereotypes - the drunk solider, the god-fearing black woman and the wise but odd white man. But there can be no denying that the novel is emotive and intelligent. The horrifying events the reader witnesses are never sensationalised, but relayed tenderly.

The final chapters are unnecessary, except to tie up loose ends (unfortunately, this is a messy and unsuccessful attempt). However, Jones does attempt to use these pages to communicate further serious concepts, and the overall effect does not detract from the rich novel as a whole.