Catwalk to Cinema

By Yvonne Lamunu

10th March | 0 comments | 1 person likes this

The wardrobe design productions who play their role in film and cinema take on a huge task of syncing screenplay and fashion. Coupling the responsibility of staying in line with a character as well as enhancing audience’s style aspirations. This when done successfully can be as prominent as the plot points of the story. Gossip Girl, Mad men and Sex and the City owe nearly as much to the wardrobe stylists work as the scriptwriters. Cinema wise pearl necklaces, classic black shift dresses familiar from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and oversized boyfriend blazers and stone wash denim seen in ‘Suddenly Susan’ show a strong relationship between Film and Fashion. In an ever advancing market where people are hungry to have things as quickly as they see them, film and television is a new medium for designers to reach new markets and customers.

Lady Gaga’s most memorable music video yet, ‘Bad Romance’ featured otherworldly pieces by Alexander McQueen. The collaboration on the cinematic element complimented the equally stimulating designs. With heavy rotation on MTV a new audience unfamiliar with his previous work will now be able to recognise the late McQueen’s signature style daily. Gaga also parades comfortably around in notorious Armadillo heels which at 12-inches and unflattering shape and structure have been nicknames “Monster Shoes” along with the very statuesque ‘Dragon Shoes’. Audrey Hepburn’s iconic turn as ‘Holly Golightly’ in ‘Breakfast at Tiffanys’ features the legendary Burberry rain trench coat and is still often mimicked by many high street shops all over the world. The prominent British House is just as famed respectably for its British trench coat as its chequered house pattern. The Vivienne Westwood wedding dress and the Manolo Blahniks featured in the ‘Sex and the City’ movie was more applauded than any other garment featured in the film. Essentially cinema and music is about drama and theatricality not much unlike fashion, its collaborations should applauded, not just seen as commercial value.

Timmy in Wonderland

By Stephen Bain

8th March | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

I have to admit am not overly familiar with the original Alice in Wonderland literature, and it has been quite a while since watching the original 1951 Disney cartoon, so my canvas was pretty much blank when entering the cinema to watch Tim Burton’s latest tale. With a screenplay written by Linda Woolverton, whose previous credentials include Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King (the latter possibly being Disney’s finest achievement in recent years), Alice is in more than capable hands.

The familiar gothic style associated with Burton is once again present. Once Alice falls down that infamous rabbit hole we are, unsurprisingly, transported to a visually rich world containing all the classic characters: the grinning Cheshire cat (voiced by Stephen Fry), the mad hatter (Johnny Depp in his umpteenth collaboration with Burton), the Red Queen (Helena Bonnam Carter in her umpteenth collaboration with husband Burton), the White Rabbit (voiced by Martin Sheen) and Tweedledum and Tweedledee (who are hilariously modelled to resemble Matt Lucas).

Visually Alice is certainly a treat. The ‘wonderland’ in question is a place that alternates brilliantly between a colour enriched kingdom and a gothically dreamlike universe.  This is all backed up by Burton-regular Danny Elfman in a brilliantly appropriate score. However this time round the 3D ‘experience’ does not (arguably) add much to the events onscreen, unlike Ferngully-with-Smurfs hit Avatar. I am more than confident that this adventure could be enjoyed just as much in good old fashioned 2D.

Newcomer Mia Wasikowska does a fine job as Alice, a girl trapped in a bourgeoisie family and soon to be engaged to a comically upper-class idiot. Her innocence and girl-next door image make her an instantly likeable onscreen presence. Johnny Depp is his usual quirky self as the Mad Hatter (complete with a slightly questionable Scottish-sounding accent). However Helena Bonham Carter steals most of the scenes as the wicked, unremorseful Red Queen. She, without a doubt, swipes the film from right under Mr Johnny Depp’s nose. Clearly an act of revenge following the conclusion of their last film together Sweeney Todd!

 Some voices are a little surprising on the ears, those who are fans of Eastenders may be shocked to hear Peggy Mitchell (sorry…Barbara Windsor) as a dormouse.

Whilst Alice may not have the originality of Edward Scissorhands or The Nightmare before Christmas, it still shows considerable flare and creativity. Certainly an experience that adults are bound to appreciate just as much as children.

The Tea Party

By Neandra Etienne

8th March | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

The film release of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Matt Lucas, is the perfect excuse for having a tea party at the Tea Party. Your table will be set with some tasty treats including cup cakes, sandwiches, and scones, all served up on vintage china.

Even children can be apart of the fun and have their own tea party. They will provide entertainers, magicians, face painters, in fact anything your imagination wants, you can have.

The Tea Party was set up by Samantha after she was made redundant from her job as a recruitment consultant, just 8 weeks after returning from maternity leave.
“I’ve always had a huge love of afternoon tea and adore pretty china tea cups, cup cakes & cake stands etc.  I had a ‘moment’ one night - about 11pm, I think! 
And so that’s how the Tea Party was born!”
“When I found some premises that I thought was suitable, I set about designing & decorating it, including sourcing all the china and interiors. It’s been great fun as I love searching for beautiful items.”

But the Tea Party isn’t just about drinking tea. They offer cup cake decorating classes, craft workshops in fact; you can even buy some of the items from your tea party, should you ever want to have your own tea party at home.

To find out more go to www.teaparty.uk.com

24 Day 8 - 1AM-2AM

By Jamal Guthrie

8th March | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

In typical 24 fashion, as the clock ticks into the morning hours we find ourselves no closer to stopping the days events. I say “we” as if the audience are a vital element in finding the nuclear rods that are about to cause mass destruction in New York. Almost as though we’re overseeing the investigation, ready with our cheers of approval for a job well done and with daggers sharpened for just about anyone who isn’t Jack Bauer.  Mr Farhad Hassan, a dagger to you sir. As it happens we needn’t bother with any sharp objects for Farhad, when his own stupidity is more than useful in speeding up his own demise.

He already has a track record of running away like it’s the last 30 metres of an egg and spoon race whenever the pressure is on. After the failed assassination attempt on his brother, shortly after stabbing a police officer, he ran from the wreckage. Minutes after realising he was no longer in control of today’s events, he clubbed a terrorist with a pipe and seconds after being told to stay still his running days are brought to an end after he is shot in the back while trying to dash from the eyes of pursuers. All this means is that he is now unable to give CTU conformation of the terrorists he was working with.

24 Day 8 - 12AM-1AM

By Jamal Guthrie

5th March | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Apologies for the omission of last weeks recap. You see, President Hassan’s paranoia became so widespread, he had me arrested on suspicion of crimes against his unknown middle eastern state. I pleaded my innocence of course, “I don’t even know what your country’s called Mr Hassan!” Yet he remained unconvinced. After days of interrogation I finally earned my freedom after giving up the location of Simon Cowell, so he could be prevented from commissioning a charity single for the victims of Chile’s earthquake disaster.

So what’s been happening? With Jack captured, tortured and escaped from the clutches of the Bazhaev entourage, it is now up to Sergei to convince his son to return with the nuclear fuel rods. On the checklist of what is required from a series of 24 we’re doing quite well. Jack’s been tortured twice and stabbed once, we’ve had Farhad’s betrayal and recently there has been an offer of immunity signed, sealed and delivered by President Taylor. This offer of immunity expires rather quickly for Josef however as the moment he agrees to hand himself in, he is shot dead by one of Farhad’s men. So near yet so far, another of 24’s staples.

A slightly odd storyline however is that involving Dana, her ex and his bearded buddy. Driven to the edge by Kevin’s demands, Walsh stalks the pair to somewhere in the woods ready to remove her problem by killing it. Sitting in her car placing the silencer on her gun, Battlestar Galactica fans (I’m not really one of them) are treated to the menacing look Katee Sackhoff perfected during that series.

Just as she steps out of the car to essentially ruin her life, Cole arrives on the scene demanding answers for her erratic behaviour. Finally Walsh reveals herself as Jenny Scott, giving Cole the details of her past life. Angry at those who have threatened his fiancé, Cole strides over to Kevin and Perry’s caravan to give them an ultimatum. “Leave Dana alone or I’ll kill you,” is the shortened version.

Kevin accepts the offer content with his $100,000 but his friend has other ideas. He stabs Kevin in the back before grabbing his gun to try and kill Cole and Dana. Kevin’s last act is to warn the couple and the CTU agent delivers a few shotgun bullets to the chest.

Back at CTU headquarters, Renee’s statement surrounding the circumstances of Vladimir’s death is cross examined by a government official, sent from the White House, as Rob Weiss and Hastings look for someone to take the fall for the failure of the undercover mission. Renee’s plea of self defence has more holes in it than Vladimir’s punctured corpse. With the pressure on she finally confesses moments before Jack arrives to deliver a healthy dose of Bauer justice. I wouldn’t normally condone a man putting his hands around the throat of a woman but I’ll make and exception just this once.

Having taken control of the fuel rods, Farhad quickly finds himself in a position he isn’t ready for. His allies in the plot against his brother have wilder more explosive plans. Unable to get the nuclear material out of the country they want to send a message to the US by attacking one of its major cities. Farhad is unwilling to co-operate and attempts to escape. Now I’m prepared to suspend my disbelief as much as is humanly possible for 24 but during his escape Farhad hit one of the guards at least twice with a steal pipe. Seconds later this guard is up chasing after him and Mr Hassan can’t move because he got kicked in the leg. You’ll never be President of anything Farhad!

The slimy toad phones CTU to confess and ask for help, giving them the location of the fuel rods. Finally Jack is forced to see out the days events in their entirety, in exchange for Renee’s release. He replaces an agent who looks like Justin Bieber (whoever that is?) to lead the mission to prevent a nuclear attack on American soil.

Jack Bauer fact for week 5: There has not been a terrorist attack in the United States since Jack Bauer first appeared on television.

Teenage Love Affair

By Yvonne Lamunu

1st March | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

2009 saw the loss of a great deal of talent, one of which was perhaps largely over-looked is the sudden death of John Hughes. His film legacy has cultivated the teen genre and created a market once ignored or largely untapped. His contribution to cinema includes Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; Pretty in Pink, Uncle Buck, Weird Science; and The Breakfast Club. The director, screenwriter and producer, is as much applauded for his director and script writing abilities and his eye for new emerging talent. Realizing that the combination of great screenplays and great on-screen persona was the key to engaging adolescent audiences with patronizing them.

His first film ‘Sixteen Candles’ was to set the tone for the signature John Hughes teen world of angst. Central figures are forgiven for being self indulgent and pessimistic, because the actors would carry their characters with such genuine charisma and vulnerability. “I listen to kids. I respect them. I don’t discount anything they have to say just because they’re only 16 years old”. Making ordinary middle American high school proms seem idealistic, and giving birth to the teen film and teen celebrity as we know it today, without Hughes they may never have been a ‘Clueless’, ‘Mean Girls’ or even more recently ‘Jennifer’s Body’, whether this is film legacy to be desired is open to debate but his influence on the film youth market is undoubtedly significant.

It is key whilst underlining his attributes to not ignore that his films often centred around an unrealistic day in a suburban middle class kids experience of high school, and while his latter day sins such as ‘Flubber’ and ‘Beethoven’ failed to impress he did in his proudest moments have a natural way of portraying true, awkward, bittersweet teenage youth, in all its self-important but sincere forms.

My Day At Boot Camp

By Neandra Etienne

26th February | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Kerry Katona’s recent weight loss success is proof that boot camp really does work. So I decided to attend a Prestige Boot Camp Fitness day, to get a taste of what it’s all about.

 
Call me crazy but for some reason I was actually looking forward to the challenge. And boy was it going to be a challenge; I’m talking a 10am start and 4pm finish.

First up was boxing, combined with some jogging (I was soon to learn that there would be a lot of this involved). Then a lot of running and touching of trees was done along with some more jogging and then we took a 10 minute tea break in the café (which we jogged to of course). The first circuit we did was called Overload: We were all paired up and did the same exercise in a pyramid i.e. 1-10 then 10 -1. I’m told that the benefit of this is that you overload the same muscle group, which will help to improve your stamina and tone you up.

Lunch time was no excuse not to exercise so we jogged back to the café, to have something to eat.

I must confess that by now, I was starting to feel the affects of the morning exercises, but I carried on through to the next circuit activity. We were split into groups of 3 with each person named Work, Rest & Play. In our groups of 3 we did a combination of CV, specific exercises and recovery. Each person was assigned one exercise to do and we worked through the exercises until all were completed. This circuit delivered a combination of muscle strength, speed stamina, and cv in one session. It was hard work, especially running up the hill to touch the tree; but I think I was more afraid of sliding down the hill on the way down, than actually doing the exercise itself.

We were allowed a little break, but that was only so the instructor could set up the next exercise. And boy did we need it because it was time for me to experience a form of interval training called Fartlek (Swedish for “speed play”). Regular Prestige Boot Campers call it the F word! And I was about to find out why.

The idea is to increase and decrease the intensity of your workout with active recovery ratios. So you will walk, jog, sprint then actively recover through a walk before commencing a further jog, then sprint and so on. It dramatically improves your conditioning and performance very quickly and research proves that you can improve your endurance and recovery from intense bouts of exercise with just one hour per week of interval training, compared with five hours per week of traditional endurance training!

After this we were done. I had successfully completed my day at Boot Camp.

 I’m not going to lie to you its hard. Because you’re really encouraged to go beyond your comfort zone, so you can get the full benefits of your boot camp experience. 

As for the after affects, well my body did constantly remind me for the next 3 days that I had indeed been to boot camp.

 For more information on Prestige Boot Camp including course dates and prices please visit www.prestigebootcamp.com or call 0117 973 12 13

The decades pop music 2000-2005

By hayley2310

26th February | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

2002

This year saw Pete Waterman join forces with Louis Walsh on music reality TV show ‘Popstars The Rivals’.

The aim of the show was to create one boyband and one girlband. The winning bands would then go head to head for the Christmas number one.

The Spice Girls’ Geri Halliwell also joined them on the judging panel, while Davina McCall was there for the contestants.

The audition process was exactly like Popstars, behind closed doors but on camera.

When it got to the live shows, they had ten boys and ten girls. Then it was girls’ week followed by boys’ week until they got down to the band selection.

Louis Walsh took management of the girls, named Girls Aloud, made up of Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh and Cheryl Tweedy (now Cheryl Cole).

Pete Waterman managed the boys, called One True Voice, comprising Jamie Shaw, Keith Semple, Matthew Johnson, Anton Gordon and Daniel Pearce.

The boys and girls played dirty during their promotion week for their singles. Girls Aloud’s ‘Sound Of The Underground’ was up against One True Voice’s ‘Sacred Trust’.

In the end, the girls pipped the boys to the post and ‘Sound Of The Underground’ was crowned the Christmas number one.

To be fair to the boys, on any other week their sales would have secured the number one spot, so they had nothing to be ashamed of.

As reality TV shows go, this was a rather successful one. Not only did we have the two winning bands, we also had two other bands made up of the unsuccessful contestants.

The boys called themselves ‘Phixx’. Their name was a pun on the fact that most reality TV shows are a fix. They were Nikk Mager, Andrew Kinlochan, Chris Park, Peter Smith and Mikey Green.

The girls were Clea: Chloe Staines, Emma Beard, Lynsey Brown and Aimee Kearsley.

Javine Hylton carved out a solo career for herself rather than joining the girls’ band.

This year saw Kym Marsh leave Hear’Say, stating that she wanted to spend more time with her two children before launching a solo career on her terms.

Kym said, “I want to go out and do my own thing now. I’d like to put my own band together, write my own songs and have a solo singing career.”

Being a solo artist gave Kym more flexibility where her children were concerned, as she wouldn’t be working around anyone but herself.

Paul Cattermole decided it was time he pursued his own dreams.

In doing so he had to leave family band S Club 7, leaving their adoring fans uncertain of the future of their favourite band.

The S Clubbers decided to carry on as S Club.

In November 2002, Louis Walsh’s Westlife released their Greatest Hits album, sparking rumours that the band would split.

It is widely known that not many boybands make it past the dreaded “Greatest Hits” album, but luckily for the Westlife fans their idols were not going anywhere.

24 Day 8 - 10PM-11PM

By Jamal Guthrie

20th February | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

24 progresses with more haste, less speed this week, as CTU’s leads dry up or rather, bleed to death in screams of agony. Those that aren’t sprawled across the floor with knives in their head, have gone all quiet and secretive. Meanwhile, Dana Walsh is about to learn a painful, but truly deserved, lesson after allowing herself to be blackmailed by the Chuckle brothers’ American cousins, Dumb and Dumber Chuckle. They remind me of these two, but I’m slightly less worried that either of them would be confused by a mirror.