Angelina Jolie shines in Salt { Film Review }

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I have always been a fan of Angelina Jolie. Jolie is a brave actress, always breaking boundaries and leading the way for women to be different. In a world where most actresses won’t drink full-fat milk she is refreshing.

My other interest is spy movies. So you can imagine how excited I was at the prospect of Salt. Where Jolie plays a CIA agent accused of being a Russian spy. Jolie shines in a role originally meant to be for Tom Cruise. It suits Jolie to play a character that was originally for a man. In fact, maybe all the roles for actresses should originally be for men. If Salt is anything to go by, then they will have more meat to them. More depth. It would be interesting to see the two different scripts and see what changes were made.

Liev Schreiber is as amazing as always. Holding his own against Jolie. The film has enough twists not to be a bland action movie. The Russians may be the baddies again but the film rises above clichés.

Jolie’s stunts are amazing as well. Not for a women – just amazing. The fact that this is being bandied as the start of a franchise can only be a good thing.. It is off to a cracking start.

Catch Salt in cinemas now.

Dexter Season 4 Preview. { TV }

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I love Dexter. Not just the show, but the character. Now, I am not saying that this is right. And I don’t glorify serial killers. But if you had to choose one, Dexter is my man. Sometimes while watching the show I wonder if I should be laughing so hard, or relating so much.

In season 4 you see him trying to fit into ‘normal’ life. Becoming part of a community. Even having to be on neighbourhood watch after a vandal starts making trouble. The lone wolf trying to fit in…and having no clue how to. Even on a rudimentary level.

Dexter’s awareness that he does not know how to be normal makes him a psychopath, not a sociopath. Which cannot be said for his nemesis, the Trinity Killer (John Lithgow), Dexter must navigate his many lives as serial killer,  analyst, father of three, husband, and brother, yet still come out of the finale alive, with his secret intact. Will he manage?

John Lithgow is excellent as the Trinity Killer and Keith Carradine returns as the FBI agent trying to track him down.

Based on novel of Jeff Lindsay. This show is brilliant, original and dazzling.

Dexter is on, Friday 10pm on FX.

After Hours – Science Uncovered. Natural History Museum, London

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24 September 2010, 16.00–22.00

The Natural History Museum is throwing open the laboratory door to the public and giving visitors special, one-night-only access to a hidden world in a special event, After Hours – Science Uncovered.

Behind the scenes of the Natural History Museum, more than 300 scientists use the world-class collections to research global problems such as disease, climate change and threats to biodiversity. After Hours – Science Uncovered will satisfy your curiosity as you get up close and personal with cutting-edge science and the people that make it happen. Explore fascinating topics ranging from the detective work of the forensics team to revolutionary new techniques for tracking meteorites.

Join a guided tour of the Dinosaurs gallery or hidden collections spaces, bring along mystery objects to be identified by experts, or simply unwind with a Friday night drink while mingling with Museum scientists in the iconic surroundings of the Grade I listed building.

Highlights include:

· Science Bar – a bar with a difference. Choose from a menu of hot topics such as the role of women in science or donating your body for research to discuss with Museum experts over a cocktail or two.

· Guided tours – soak up the atmosphere of the Museum at night with exclusive tours lead by top experts, including torch-lit tours of the Dinosaurs gallery. Spaces are limited, so come early to sign up and ensure a place on a tour.

· Hands-On Science – get up close and personal with Museum scientists as they showcase their research into everything from the toxicity of botox to species extinction. There will be the chance to handle real specimens and take part in demonstrations.

· Nature Live – get fully immersed in the natural world in the state-of-the-art Attenborough Studio. Interactive events using cutting-edge technologies will recreate a crime scene investigation or even link the audience to scientists working in the field.

· Mystery finds – from a shell on the local beach to a spider discovered in the bath, bring in unidentified natural history finds. It’s a unique chance to quiz Museum experts to find out more.

After Hours – Science Uncovered is part of European Researchers Nights and is the first time that London has taken part in the Europe-wide festival of science. Across Europe over 100 cities will hold similar events showing how exciting and vital research is to our lives.

Visitor information:

Dates and times: 24 September 2010
16.00–22.00

Admission: free

Visitor enquiries: Monday–Friday 020 7942 5000
Saturday–Sunday 020 7942 5011

Nearest tube: South Kensington

Website: www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/coming-soon/index.html

Touch – A new supernatural drama series for BBC3 {TV}

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Some super exciting news….. BBC Three have a new drama series, Touch, from acclaimed theatre, film and TV writer Jack Thorne (Skins, The Scouting Book For Boys, Cast Offs)

Described as an edge-of-the-seat supernatural thriller, Touch is about the vengeful dead who walk on Earth and only uber-geek Paul can save the living from a fiery Armageddon.

Paul is an ordinary young man from an ordinary town who discovers an extraordinary ability – he can see the dead. As he comes to terms with a nightmare reality he meets others who share his powers and share a horrifying secret – the spirits are waging war on the living. Mankind will be destroyed.

But the most terrifying twist is yet to come – Paul discovers that only he holds the key to the world’s salvation.

Ben Stephenson says: “Touch started life as one of our drama pilots but quickly showed such imagination and energy that we asked the hugely talented Jack Thorne to write five more episodes and Touch the series was born.”

Jack Thorne says he’s “Both scared and excited about it, hope it turns out OK.”

The series will comprise of six one hour episodes made by BBC Drama. The cast is still to be confirmed and filming will start next year.

BBC Three drama has won critical acclaim with Being Human and looks forward to Lip Service which is coming soon to the channel this autumn.

David and Samantha Cameron name daughter Florence Rose Endellion.

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Following the Camerons recent decision to name their new baby girl Florence Rose Endellion, after the Cornish village close to where they were holidaying, baby names popularity stats released from Bounty Parenting Club reveals that not one of its members have chosen the name Endellion in the past 10 years.

The Cameron’s choice to stand out from the crowd and choose a name most associated with a place for their new baby’s middle name, follows a growing trend for parents looking for more creative names, not previously heard of in Britain’s playgrounds.

Interestingly, the couple has also chosen the first name of Florence, another place name, which means ‘blossoming’ or ‘flourishing’ as well as the beautiful city in Italy. The most recent baby name popularity stats from Bounty.com place Florence as the 100th most popular name for girls in the UK and a name that has been steadily rising in favour year on year – with a current total of 2,207 girls named Florence born over the past 10 years.

Florence’s first middle name, Rose, comes in at 101st place in the national popularity charts. The name has German origins and as well as the flower of the same name it means ‘horse’ or ‘hroud’ which translates as ‘fame’.

And when she returns to her SW1 home at 10 Downing Street, Florence will be in good company with the Olivias, Sophies and Emilys, who currently top the polls as the most popular name choices for baby girls in South West London. Although Florence is a much more popular name in South West London where is ranks as the 40th most popular baby girls name versus the national average of 100th most popular.

Faye Mingo, spokesperson for Bounty.com said: “We predicted that the Cameron’s would choose quite an old fashioned pretty name, which Florence and Rose most certainly are. We love the Cameron’s choice of an unusual middle name to honour the place she was born. This is a good compromise for parents who don’t want to land their children with a very different first name – which they may love but their child may not appreciate as they grow older. Parents do need to think very carefully about everything that comes attached to an unusual moniker as it can definitely shape a child’s experiences from how they are treated at school and beyond.”

For more baby name inspiration check out www.bounty.com/baby-names where you can search sibling names and middle names for your chosen name, search popularity by region, see which names are rated ‘traditional’ or ‘exotic and lots more!

TOP 20 GIRLS NAMES IN SW LONDON

1. Olivia
2. Sophie
3. Emily
4. Isabella
5. Lily
6. Sophia
7. Emma
8. Ava
9. Amelia
10. Ella
11. Grace
12. Holly
13. Jessica
14. Poppy
15. Ruby
16. Mia
17. Lola
18. Freya
19. Zoe
20. Martha

TOP 20 GIRLS NAMES NATIONALLY

1. Olivia
2. Ruby
3. Lily
4. Sophie
5. Emily
6. Chloe
7. Grace
8. Jessica
9. Evie
10. Amelia
11. Ava
12. Mia
13. Ella
14. Lucy
15. Ellie
16. Holly
17. Amy
18. Charlotte
19. Daisy
20. Katie

Winning Body Language By Mark Bowden { Book Review }

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Winning Body Language: Control the Conversation, Command Attention, and Convey the Right Message without Saying a Word by Mark Bowden

I have also been a fan of body language, reading a number of books on the subject. I feel that, because of this, I am a good judge of when a book is good or not. This one is. Mark Bowden does not just know about body language. He has developed an entire system.

It is breathtakingly original. A real page turner full of wisdom and common sense. Mark Bowden is an elite trainer of Fortune 50 CEOs and G8 world leaders, and it shows.

You will learn how to master the visual Truthplane to win trust, gesture in the right way and appeal to other people. This book is great for both actors and businesspeople.

Although most body language books I read are mostly common sense, I feel I really learned something from this book. The different sections build into each other beautifully. It is a fresh approach and a very good read.

Buy it. This book is an investment. http://www.truthplane.com/

Catherine Balavage

Toy Story 3 Review by Catherine Balavage {Film}

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Amazingly, Toy Story has been going since 1995. This means I was just a pup when the first one came out. Fifteen years later, Pixar’s brillance is still very much in evidence. The plot is good, the graphics are amazing and Toy story now comes in 3D.

When the film first came out Twitter and Facebook seemed full of grown men admitting they cried during the film. I didn’t cry but if you don’t feel something then you are not human. The story is one that will touch everyone. About growing up and moving on. Andy is all grown up and going to college. What will he do with his toys?

All the characters are as amazing as every. Tom Hanks is wonderful as Woody, who rescues the other toys. Toy Story 3 is clever, heart warming and heart rendering. An enthralling perfect animated film that I cannot praise enough. It may even be Pixar’s best movie.

Go. Take tissues.

Five stars.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World by Owun Birkett {Film review}

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Scott Pilgrim has a mix bag of genres. It’s a comic book movie, it’s an action movie, it’s a martial arts movie, it’s a comedy, it’s a romance, it’s a teen flick etc. But it surprisingly all blends well together! Being Edgar Wright’s first American film, he delivers all the goods and exceeds them.

The movie is based on a series of graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley, about a Canadian slacker (Scott Pilgrim) who’s unemployed and plays in a band called Sex Bo-omb (Super Mario Bros. reference) but then falls in love with an American mystery girl (Ramona Flowers) who works for Amazon.ca. He later on finds out, unexpectedly, that Ramona has 7 evil ex’s and he must defeat them in order to go out with her. The idea sounds incredibly silly, but it works for the comic book material. As part of Wright’s trademark, this movie contains cultural references (in this case, 8-bit video games and video games in general). Though you don’t have to be a fan of video games to appreciate this film, it has enough to please anyone. It has a fluid pacing, giving us time to breathe after each fight with some intimate drama between Scott and Ramona. The fact that Wright compact 6 volumes into a 2 hour movie is incredible, never once where you got lost with the plot or the characters. That’s what I call an achievement, and therefore consider this as one of the best graphic novel adaptations ever made.

The casting is top-notch, not one thing do I have a complaint. Michael Cera kind of goes against his type-cast roles, he’s sentimental but he’s also an asshole at times. Though it’s a story of evolving and taking responsibility. Slowly bringing a resolution to the climax and thus brings a revelation to not only for Scott but everyone else. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is sweet and sympathetic, and makes the character interesting and have some back history (especially with her previous relationships). The seven evil ex’s, including Chris Evans and Brandon Routh, pretty much steal the show. You want to know more about them, but we’re given enough to what is already shown. They deliver comic timing perfectly, all credit to the acting/writing/direction. The rest of the cast all do really good jobs, newcomer Ellen Wong as Knives Chau really shines and did remarkably well.

The visual effects and action sequences are astounding, and extremely well done. This has so much vibe and energy, the fight choreography is very exciting to watch. Without becoming a repetition, every fight is different to each ex Scott goes against. As examples; Matthew Patel (Satya Bhabha) does in a style of a Bollywood dance-off at one point, and Todd Ingram (Brandon Routh) duels Scott in the style of Guitar Hero (through my eyes, at least). It’s a mix with real-life drama and fantasy action you’d expect in a video game.

I cannot help but compare to this film to Juno. It’s a teen movie, but it has more depth and intelligence than your average teen flick nowadays. Edgar Wright delivers drama that is touching, sweet but also funny. This is his most ambitious movie he’s made yet, and looking forward to what he’ll do next. Easily one of the best movies of 2010.

Side-note: The fact this is a box-office dud in the USA is shocking. What more do they want?