A New Leading Lady

I just had to post this picture of Amanda Seyfried at the premiere for her new film, Red Riding Hood. Miss Seyfried is spot on in the fashion stakes in this plum coloured Lavin dress.

I love the t-shirt style shape of the dress which adds a grungy, youthful feel to an otherwise sleek mini.

Accessorised with a fabulous statement necklace by Tom Binns, a messy up-do, dark nails and natural make-up. I'm not 100% sold on the shoes though. Usually, I can't get enough of items in nude. But for some reason, this pair leaves me a bit cold. I would have preferred something brighter and without the ankle strap - to me these look like ballet pumps with heels, and it just doesn't work.

Ever since Mama Mia and Dear John I've been a fan of this leading lady, and am looking forward to watching this fairytale flick when it hits cinemas from 15th April.

Jen's New Do

After years of below the shoulders, layered locks Miss Aniston has gone for the chop. At the Madrid premiere of her latest flick, Just Go With It, Jen showcased her new chic, one-length bob.

Since her first appearance in Friends in the 90s, she has been the embodiment of hair envy for women everywhere; despite having labelled her infamous 'Rachel' cut as the 'ugliest haircut' she'd ever seen.

Now Jen looks set to start a hair frenzy all over again.A mix of honey and white blond tints gives Jen a youthful glow. And the long bob is more modern and styled than her long, wavy hair. I, for one, love it.

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.

Book Club - Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

I first tried to read this novel over a year ago, I picked it up, read the first page and felt underwhelmed and disappointed. I put it down and added it to my 'will read one day' list. With a Hollywood film of the novel being released this winter (and with no less than a talented star studded cast), now seemed the ideal moment to give it another go. I am so glad I did.

This time around there was no hesitant, slow beginning that I remembered (or possibly imagined) from before. Instead, there was a strong and distinct voice that gripped me from the first page. It begins somewhat hauntingly: 'My name is Kathy H. I'm thirty-one years old, and I've been a carer now for over eleven years.'

The novel follows Kathy, a 31 year old carer living in England in the late 1990s, as she looks back over her schools. What at first seems like a near-perfect childhood, full of caring guardians, fun classes and friendships, soon alters into something chilling and sinister. Words such as 'donations', 'students' and 'complete' suddenly take on new, significant but unexplained meaning.

Although a science-fiction novel in topic, there is no sign of this in the text. At the centre of the story is the enduring friendship between Kathy, Tommy and Ruth. Ishiguro refuses to discuss the finer details of cloning, making the occasional references to the process all the more terrifying.

In fact, understatement is used to great effect in the novel. The students' quiet acknowledgement of what they face in the future (they consider it to be their duty, the reader considers to be an inhumane injustice), only emphasises the reader's feelings of frustration on their behalf. The novel raises piercing questions about exploitation and humanness, more through the subtle and precise voice than through the topic itself. This stirs a range of emotions in the reader from compassion to guilt to shock.

What Kathy is unsure of, the reader is left in the dark about, and it is this excruciating curiosity that pushes the story along. Of course, the mystery and illusion keeps the reader hooked till the final word. This is one of the many strengths of the novel. Ishiguro has struck gold. There is a strong plot, careful and intelligent characterisation, and a beautifully quiet but occasionally melancholy narrative. A heart wrenching, intriguing and worthwhile read.

Eat, Prey, Love: Film Review

This film is not a typical romantic-comedy. It certainly has all the ingredients - a broken heart, some soul searching, new friendships, new romantic interests. But it is a step beyond the usual chick-flick. It is more mature and intelligent; the central theme is focused on self examination, discovery and finding a love for life. It is more a case of 'does she find happiness?' and 'does she find herself?', than 'does she get the man?'

These may sound like corny and superficial questions, and therefore you'd be forgiven for assuming the film is shallow and cheesy, but it is not. It is a sophisticated attempt to tackle issues that have plagued women for some time. And I was completely taken in.

Julia Roberts shone brightly, as always. Her portrayal of Elizabeth, a 30-something newly divorcee travelling the world, successfully combines Elizabeth's confidence in her career and writing, and her fragility and uncertainty in her sense of self.

Javier Bardem, plays Felipe, Elizabeth's new love-interest, and is surprisingly good. I, unlike most, am not a fan of Bardem. Before watching the film, I presumed he would be a poor and disappointing casting choice. Instead, he was lively, refreshing and portrayed Felipe's vulnerability and tenderness perfectly. The chemistry between himself and Roberts was realistic and heart-warming.

The film was packed with wry humour, exquisitely polished shots, strong script writing and good quality acting. The film itself was a luxury to watch. Every scene was full of colour and beauty, there was breathtaking scenery and mouthwatering food. It will not provoke an array of emotions, nor provide answers to all your own problems. But for me, it was inspirational - I am now desperate to visit Italy, and learn the language. I am also keen to become a master of Italian cooking. There is an original story here. My suggestion... wait till this comes out on dvd, then sit back with a glass of a good wine, and enjoy.

Julia Roberts, Forty-Two and Fabulous!

All eyes were on Julia Roberts last night at the New York premiere of her new film Eat Prey Love. And it's no surprise. The 42 year old wowed in sexy evening attire, flaunting her enviable pins in black tailored shorts by Diane von Furstenberg teamed with a sophisticated black Stella McCartney blazer. The look was polished off perfectly with strappy satin sandals by Roger Vivier and blue and gold bracelets from Julia's favourite jewellery designer Me & Ro.

The mother of twins was signed as a model for Lancome earlier this year, and after this appearance I wouldn't be surprised if the offers fly in from fashion brands too. The film, prodcued by Brad Pitt, is based on bestselling novel by Elizabeth Gilbert and follows a woman who is newly divorced and decides to travel the world.