Noah

After reading quite a bit about Darren Aronofsky's latest film venture, I was really looking forward to seeing it. And I will begin by saying, it definitely isn't for everyone, but if you like The Lord Of The Rings and things along those lines, I would really recommend giving this a go. It is quite difficult to describe the setting and society surrounding Russell Crowe and his family. It is both more modern than you initially think but equally as primitive and bleak as you would expect. In a world that has been pillaged by man, Noah and his clan are alone in their quest to respect God's creation. Aronofsky deals really well with both the religous and the fantasy elements of this story, there are no mentions of the word God, he is always referred to as the creator, a term I think works really well in this film. And Aronofsky doesn't shy away from using all the effects available to film makers today, the epitome of this probably being the fallen angels that are bound to earth. Despite such effects, Noah remains a very human film; emotions run high throughout (yes, I cried) and the audience cannot help but be sucked right into the centre of the action.

I don't want to give too much away because although everyone knows the story of the animals going in two by two, there is plenty of the unexpected in this film that I would hate to ruin.

Don't discard this as some lame retelling of a biblical tale that is so far fetched it is ridiculous. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well Aronofsky deals with the most sceptical of arguments and the acting from a pretty stellar cast is divine. And of course, the effects of an apocalyptic flood are something you really benefit from seeing on the big screen.

Have you seen Noah? What did you think?

Becca.

Body Shop Baked Bronzer

I remember buying a baked bronzer a few years ago when The Body Shop First released them and shortly after that, I remember being devastated when it smashed and had to be thrown away. I forgot about this until recently whilst perusing the store for a birthday present. I was instantly drawn to this shade (02) as it just looked so summery and glowy and lovely. It has not disappointed me! You can apply a light layer for a slight glow or build it up to add that healthy look you usually only get from a few days in gorgeous sunshine. I really love it. The pink undertones mean that blusher isn't really necessary and highlighter is optional. It has quickly become a make up staple for me and I can't wait to be able to wear it with a proper tan come summer!

Have you guys got any favourite Body Shop products?

Becca.

Topshop Finishing Powder

I was drawn to this powder as soon as I saw it at work. It seems impossible to capture its beautiful shimmer in photographs which is frustrating as it is so so pretty. As well as that, it feels like velvet and makes your face feel just as lovely; and it smells incredible!! Although it appears white in the pan, it is completely translucent once applied to skin. I have been using a standard round make up sponge to apply it on top of my foundation and concealer and it really does set everything in place and keeps your face looking fresh and lovely all day! It seems pricey at £14 but I think it has been worth every penny.

Have you guys got any setting products you can't live without?

Becca.

Gravity

I was pretty excited to watch Gravity as I didn't know too much about it other than it had won awards and what not. Boy was I disappointed!! It starts off pretty well, tense action pretty much from the get go. And then it kinda just lost it for me. I know a few people who disagree with me so maybe give it a chance anyway? But me and Mel were left really unfulfilled by it. It kinda felt like nothing happened, nothing we were all that bothered about anyway. I mean, the effects are incredible and Sandra is as fabulous as ever but it just didn't invoke any emotion in me and that is pretty rare! I gave up caring what happened and the ending just topped it off. Sorry guys, it just wasn't for me!

Have any of you seen Gravity? What did you think?

Becca. 

Foundations

I'm quite picky when it comes to my foundation; I want something that gives me fairly good coverage but that is light and airy on the skin. I have gone through most brands available and I think I have finally found a winner! I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting miracles when I picked up the Wake Me Up foundation by Rimmel, but my other foundation was out of date and I decided it was time for a change. Oh my gosh, I love it!! It makes my skin look so fresh and lovely. I have noticed such a difference since using it, I genuinely feel more confident with it on because it is super light so I don't feel over the top but it really seems to have a brightening effect as claimed. I have shade 200 Soft Beige which blends perfectly with my skin tone, covering blemishes or discolouration but as I said, kinda makes you look like you are fresh faced. I will definitely be re-purchasing this for as long as I can!

Whilst on the topic of foundation, I also got for Christmas the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation. The brush is one I have wanted for ages as I just never liked flat foundation brushes or sponges that much and I was always hearing such good things. I really enjoy using this, it makes applying and blending foundation sooo much easier, I can't imagine not using it! As for the Double Wear, it was a bit of a "hype" buy; everyone raves about it so much, I wanted to know what the fuss was about and so was super chuffed when Santa delivered it. However, my wise and wonderful pal Billing was definitely right when she said ages ago that I would probably like the Double Wear Light foundation as the original is rather heavy/thick coverage. She was totally right, as I do love that fresh feel and look to my foundation, I just find Double Wear a little too much for me. It does have amazing concealing and evening qualities but I just feel a little too uncomfortable with it on my face.  

Have any of you tried any of these products? What's your favourite foundation? Would you recommend Double Wear Light or any other make up brushes?

Becca.

Coriolanus

Last night, I was super excited to go and watch a live streaming of Coriolanus from the Donmar theatre in London. NTLive is a new idea of filming performances so people who cannot attend them can watch them live around the globe. I think it is suuuch a good idea as a lot of people, me included, cannot venture to London to see spectacular shows as often as they may like. Shockingly, all my English studies over the years have not exhausted my love of The Bard. Coriolanus is one of his lesser well known plays but still a great one. The main highlight of this performance though was definitely the fact that Tom Hiddleston was playing the protagonist: He was beautiful and amazing and dramtic and emotive and ohhh my, just fabulous. For those of you not as familiar with this play, it is set in Rome during a time of extreme political unrest. The people both desire and detest the thought of a leader emerging. Caius Martius Coriolanus eventually becomes said leader despite his distaste for the general public. This all bites him on the ass though when he is discovered and exiled leading him to actions that few audiences are predicting and culminating in a climax that leaves a hush throughout theatres (and now cinemas alike).
NTLive are also scheduled to screen War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime and King Lear. I think I will give War Horse a miss as I reaaally want to see it on stage but I definitely want to see King Lear as it is a play I have studied in a lot of depth and it is directed by the incredible talent that is Sam Mendes. I can't wait.

What do you think of this new idea of opening up the theatre to a wider audience? Will you be going to any NTLive screenings?

Becca.

Oh, I also realised just how nerdy I really am when I got crazy excited to see that the guy who plays Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter films was also in this production...

12 Years A Slave

12 Years A Slave is a a terrifying, harrowing, awe-inspiring film, in a word it is beautiful. Based on the book written by Solomon Northup about his experiences in life from his kidnapping in 1841. Like pretty much everyone, I had high hopes for this film, it has received so many awards and there is so much hype around it that I was prepared for a pretty dramatic experience. In my opinion, it very much deserves everything it has won and more. It is so emotional and I challenge anyone to not be moved by it at some point. Although I have to admit, For the first hour or so, it didn't seem quite as dramatic as I expected, but looking back, from the opening scene, the film struck a chord in me and I was so deeply moved by the story as it came to an end I was almost speechless. The cast as a whole are just amazing, Fassbender never seems to do anything wrong these days, he plays the evil Epps so well, it's ugly, it's frightening and it's truly powerful. Chiwetel Ejiofor is so so wonderful as Solomon, his face is so expressive and his soul so raw, you can't help but become so wrapped up in his story. Everyone in it is fantastic, portraying the world in a really magical way. I said to mum on the way home, I have to remind myself with films like that that it really happened, films are usually so fictional that we allow ourselves to be pulled in as a form of escape from reality. But for these people, this was reality, they were stuck in situations so bad that it is frequently stated that death is better than life for them. I read in one review that years after Solomon's book was published, Epps came forward and said that it was all true. That's terrifying to me. How can people have been treated like that and believed it was okay, that it was just a part of life. Ugh, gives me the shivers.
I just also have to mention the cinematography because that really struck me as well. Steve McQueen creates some of the most beautiful shots I think I have ever seen in a film. Moments of tranquility and beauty in such a terrible time, close ups of Chiwetel that draw the audience in even further than they already were. I just really loved how the movie had been shot and created.
Have any of you seen this? What did you think?

Becca.

Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes

Thought I would write a quick post on The Boss's new album as we all know I love him far too much. High Hopes is Bruce and The E Street Bands 18th album! How anyone can continue to produce such incredible original music is just awe inspiring! There are a couple of older tracks on there but ones that haven't been recorded in the studio before, only ever performed live; American Skin (41 Shots) and The Ghost of Tom Joad with Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine. I was lucky enough to see that version live the other year at Hard Rock Calling and I am SO glad they have recorded it as it is just amaaazing. Totally different to the original acoustic version but equally as great. American Skin is another one of my favourite Bruce songs and this studio version is somehow just as powerful as the live recorded performances. On to the new tracks, my favourites are definitely High Hopes, Frankie Fell In Love and This Is Your Sword. There are so many different genres and tones throughout this album ranging from acoustic and almost bluegrass type stuff (This Is Your Sword), more reminiscent of his Seeger Sessions and then the quieter but equally as moving tracks like The Wall and Dream Baby dream that sound more like Nebraska and The Ghost Of Tom Joad Album. All I can say is in my opinion The Boss has definitely done it again. I have listened to this album SO much already. I cannot wait until they announce another tour!!

Are any of you Bruce fans? What do you think?

Becca.

Redken Extreme Anti Snap

A beauty review for you now: I have read sooo many good things about Redken haircare and I decided it was about time I gave it a whirl. The beautiful Gh0stparties raves about it since she went blonde earlier this year and as I went lighter again just before Christmas, my hair was in need of some TLC. Any of you who have experimented with bleached hair will know that when it's wet, it is a nightmare! It is so weak and brittle that it just snaps off in your hands. Redken Extreme Anti Snap is aimed at these aspects of your hair, claiming to "protect against breakage and split ends". I was so excited when this finally arrived that I hopped in the shower to wash my hair and give it a go. You apply it to towel dried hair and it starts working instantly. Within one use my hair felt stronger and much less brittle. Over time it just gets better and better! I cannot recommend this product for sad hair enough!

Have you tried any Redken products? What would you recommend for some hair TLC?

Becca.

Sanctus

Another quick book review for you. I got this book at least a year ago and I've read it a couple of times since, most recently though, I discovered it was actually the first of a trilogy so I re-read it so that I could have a go at the rest. Although it is treading rather familiar territory these days; historical sight, religious secret, quest for truth, murder and passion, you get the gist: it still holds it's own against the rest. Beginning very dramatically and sucking you straight in, you never really get chance to put the book down, you simply need to find out what happens. The secret everyone is fighting for is also something a little bit different than most other books at the moment, it really isn't anything you think it might be. Although the characters don't live up to the standards of people like Karen Rose, they are in no way bad.
If you enjoy quick paced adventure stirred in with some mystery and a lot of passion (by passion I mean people who go beyond merely believing in something, to a point of life or death, not the lovey dovey kind of passion), I would really recommend this one for you.
I shall keep you posted on my thoughts of The Key and The Tower as I read them!

Becca. 

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Being the Tolkien nerds that me and dad are, we were counting the days til the second instalment of the Hobbit trilogy. Safe to say it did not disappoint!! Most reviews plainly stated that it was much better than the first film and I have to say that I agree with them. Although I much enjoyed the Unexpected Journey, it didn't blow my mind as much as I wanted it to. At a run time of nearly three hours, I was kinda thinking I would be getting twitchy and bored by the end but it honestly didn't feel the long, the sign of a real corker in my books. The appearance of Legolas, who does not feature in the book was really great; it added that little familiarity and excitement of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Evangeline Lily is incredible as the beautiful and ass-kicking Tauriel, she also provides moments of levity in her love story with Kili, the one handsome dwarf. Steven Fry also deserves mention as a greasy, repulsive Master of Laketown.
Finally, I have to talk about my favourite sequence, the barrels out of the realm of the wood elves. A moment that I always loved in the book that Jackson managed to turn into an extended, action packed fight down the river. Honestly, I don't want to spoil it for anyone who may not have been to see it but my gaawd, it had me on the edge of my seat in excitement!

Have any of you been to see it  it? What did you think?

Becca.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Of course I went to see Catching Fire as soon as it came out. I love the trilogy so much and for once, I feel like the films do the books justice!! A rare statement from me. Jennifer Lawrence is just so perfect isn't she. I wanna be her!! Suzanne Collins creates such a vivid and disturbing dystopia with characters you can't help but develop emotions towards. Catching Fire was everything I wanted it to be and more, the Victory Tour was captivating and emotional, the beginning of the rebellion both invigorating and terrifying even in the audience. When I heard the casting for the victors who were to fight alongside and against Katniss and Peeta, I was slightly unsure but I was totally proved wrong, everyone was amazing!! Sam Clafin could not have been a better Finnick could he!!
I won't lie, I cried, but there's nothing new for me at the cinema hey! (I actually cried before the film even started, the new Walking With Dinosaurs film reminds me far too much of The Land Before Time..)

I cannot wait for Mockingjay to be made and released even if that is a while away.

What did you guys think?

Becca.

The Counselor

 

 

 

We went to see the Counselor the other week and I was very excited. Screenplay written by Cormack Macarthy, directed by Ridley Scott and starring legends, Pitt, Fassbender, Bardem, Cruz and Diaz, it was a work of art, a piece of magic waiting to happen right?

Sadly, it just wasn't quite that. It was a bit of an odd experience; the screenplay was obviously fantastic, the performances were incredible, the very concept of the film, incredible. But somewhere, something got lost  or forgotten, there was something missing, the structure was a bit off and it made the film somewhat confusing at times. I don't believe that this warrants some of the really bad reviews it has been given but it definitely stops it being the great thing it could have been. However, that aside, the performances really are amazing in it, Fassbender's counsellor is spot on, his character playing calm and cool and honest and emotional when needed perfectly. Bardem has just the right amount of swagger and the wrong amount of fake tan to play the selfish and yet likeable criminal. And Diaz plays the rich bitch perfectly, gold tooth and all. Although I wouldn't recommend paying crazy ticket prices at the cinema to see this, I would say that you should watch it when given the chance to see what you think.

 

Have any of you seen The Counselor? What did you think?

 

Becca.

Loreal Paris Nude Magique BB Blush

This is a funny little product I have been meaning to share with you for a while. I was on the hunt for a new blusher recently and I thought I would go with something different for no particular reason. I stumbled upon this little gem. It is a smooth gel/cream that comes out clear and becomes pink on the skin, I have no idea how but I love it! It blends really nicely with a foundation brush or the fingers, on the skin leaving a healthy looking pink glow that can be added to with a hint of powder blush if you want that extra rosiness. That's all there is to say really.
Have any of you tried this? Are there any blushers you would recommend?

Becca.

 

 

 

Watch Your Back

Yes, I know this book only came out yesterday and it is about 550 pages long, but it's Karen Rose!! Yes, I talk about her a lot, but seriously, she is just amazing. I found out about a month ago that her latest book was due out on the 7th and was a follow up to her previous novel Did You Miss Me? I pretty much counted the days and I don't care how sad that is.
I will begin by saying she has not lost her magic touch. The drama, action and characters are as good as if not better than ever. Watch Your Back does feel slightly different from some of her other work though, mainly because the stage was kinda already set, as a reader, you are already well acquainted with the players; Stevie, Clay, Hyatt, JD, the whole Baltimore gang are present to tie up some lose ends form other books. I honestly have no idea how she weaves the web that she does, the number of characters, backgrounds, plots and subplots are incredible and effortless in their entanglement. What should be a mess of confusion and history and god knows what else is actually a flowing and gripping storyline. The nature of the crimes in Watch Your Back are a little different and less brutal as some of her other work as this one focuses more on past events however that definitely does not make it less action packed.
I won't say much else on this as I don't want to ruin it for anyone (namely mum who hasn't read it yet..)
All I can say is my love for Karen Rose (and all her characters) is as strong as ever and I am eagerly awaiting whatever she does next.
Oh, and READ IT!! :)

Becca.

Loreal Skin Perfection Magic Touch Instant Blur

Loreal Skin Perfection Magic Touch Instant Blur - £12.99

I am a huge fan of primers and anything that claims to make my make up routine that little bit easier. I am quite lucky with my skin, I don't suffer from spots all that often and my main problems are visible pores and the occasional patch or blemish. For this reason, I don't really feel the need to wear foundation and what not every day but I do like to try new products that say they make your skin look a little bit nicer without anything too heavy or chemically. I got Instant Blur in the universal shade although I won't lie, I don't see why there are shades as the cream is a pale pinky colour and so seems irrelevant. Although it is of quite a thick consistency, Instant Blur blends like a dream and makes the skin feel lovely. I can't say it is amazing at toning down blemishes or patchy skin but it definitely works at minimising pores which are one of my pet peeves when it comes to my face so I am a fan of this. The only thing I am uncertain of is the quantity for the price; you don't apply tonnes in one go but nor can you only use teeny amounts so I am a bit worried how quickly it will run out and so for days I am not really bothered, I am going to stick with my old faithful friend Dr. Feel Good by Benefit which seems to have similar results.
A mixed review for this but not a total flop, I am quite intrigued to try the other products in the Skin Perfection range too. Have any of you used any of them? What are your opinions on potions that claim to be magic?

Becca.

Prisoners

I don't really know where to start with this film; maybe to advise that it is not for the faint hearted!!..
There is a rawness and a sense of humanity in Prisoners that is unlike many other films. It really cuts you to the core at times. The premise of the story lets you know that it isn't going to be an easy ride though; the kidnapping of two little girls and how their families deal with it, it isn't going to be a walk in the park is it. Although this is the first real blockbuster for Denis Villeneuve, his Direction is just exquisite. There is a darkness and a closeness throughout the film that sucks you in as an audience and really provokes emotions from deep down. There are a few scenes of brutality that I had to shut my eyes for because I hate certain forms of violence, but it doesn't detract from the film or anything like that. There were moments when you heard the whole audience gasp and pull back into their seats or start nudging each other and whispering, you just can't contain yourself at certain points, you have to let something out! I don't want to say much moree because of how well the story pans out, I don't wanna ruin it for people because I really recommend it if you are a fan of thrillers. There are a few threads of the plot that aren't as strong as the others but I personally didn't find that too offputting and I hope you won't either.
As for performances, Hugh Jackman is as incredible as ever, his raw masculinity and barely contained emotion are beautifully portrayed and he plays the angry and terrified father so well. Although he is almost frightening in his quest to find his daughter, you really can't help but want to root for him. Jake Gyllenhaal is also really good as Detective Loki, he has the intense investigator act down to a tee, including the little twitch that should be irritating but actually becomes quite endearing because you can see his dedication and passion.
Overall, I really enjoyed this film, considering I went to see it after a long week at work, it was quite late and it is 2 and a half hours long, that didn't stop Prisoners really pulling me in and making me a fan.

Have you seen it? What did you think?

Becca.

The Devil Colony

If you read one of my first posts (here) about my favourite and recommended authors, you'll have seen I mentioned James Rollins there. I picked this latest one up at the library last week and had finished it in two days. I just couldn't put it down! Usually you reach a chapter where you think you'll have a break or something but you do not have any of those here! The story begins with Native American Legends and a cave of treasure and you are sucked into this world from the very start. The lines of past, present and future all become very blurred here and alongside the fast pace, Rollins really makes you pay attention if you don't want to get lost. Despite the pace, Rollins' characters do not disappoint, the usual suspects, Painter Crowe, Grey and Monk are all present amongst others and are all fighting a frightening and intriguing threat to the earth from many years before.
I don't want to ruin it because I cannot say enough that you should give this author a go even if it is not this particular book. If you like adventure, you'll like James Rollins.

Becca.