Do Elephants Pray? | Film Review

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Do Elephants Pray? is a film that anyone on the 9-5 rat race will be able to relate to, and to their credit, the filmmakers capture the dull greyness of adulthood, jobs and responsibility perfectly.

Advertising executive Callum Cutter’s (Jonnie Hurn) life completely changes after he meets a French free spirit (hippie) Malika (Julie Dray) and their worlds of commerce and nature collide. Malika promises to change Callum’s life forever, as long as he keeps her identity secret.

Callum is the head of his own failing advertising company and is trying to find meaning in his own soulless life, he is played with subtlety by Hurn who is very good in his role and is also the screenwriter and producer of the film. Callum faces the dilemma of selling the unsellable product.

Marc Warren (of Hustle fame) is also in this film, playing a cad after Callum’s job to perfection. This film was five years in the making and is based on real events on the life of writer/actor Jonnie Hurn, which gives the movie substance. Filmed in London and in the magical forest of Broceliande in Brittany, the film stays true to itself. Do Elephants Pray? is an enjoyable film about self awareness and the meaning of life. With talented and passionate people behind the story it is definitely one to watch. Director and producer Paul Hills has directed well, capturing the essence of the film.

Length: 105 minutes.

Life of Pi – Film Review

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For those of you who might not have seen the trailer, or any of the promotional material, or read the book, the plot of Life of Pi can me summarised thusly: a teenage boy gets stranded at sea in a life raft with a tiger.

It is promised very early on that this fantastical tale “will make you believe in God.” That’s a pretty bold claim. In order to develop this idea, a significant chunk of the of the first act is dedicated to the protagonist as explains his unorthodox religious beliefs and how they came to be. This is where the problems begin. These beliefs come across as very superficial and are explained in such a way as to make a child exasperated in their simplicity. This is a issue for it is one of the main themes throughout the film, as it is for pretty much every film ever set on a boat in a storm. For all its highfaluting talk of knowing God, it’s basically a story of man against the elements. And a tiger. At sea.

It is a character study and character studies are director Ang Lee’s bread and butter. He won an Oscar for such work with Brokeback Mountain, whilst the excellent World War Two thriller, Lust, Caution was nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe. However, he seems to struggle whenever copious amounts of CGI are involved. His attempt to perform the same trick with 2003s Hulk ended with some pretty dire results. This is far superior to that mess, but it is deeply unfulfilling on pretty much every level.

Visually, it is very impressive and some of the grander shots were clearly designed with 3D in mind, but this takes nothing away from those who see it in 2D, as I did. There are some really interesting, visually creative moments, though most of them you’ve probably seen in the trailer. The CGI is some of the best I have ever seen. The detail on the tiger, for example, is fantastic. However, it is still clearly not real and somewhat detracts from the movie, removing any sense of peril.

Aside from a few jumpy moments there was no real sense of tension and despite seeing it in a cinema full of children, there were no laughs at the moments which were clearly intended to lighten the mood, with one exception, which I’m not going to spoil for you. Essentially, It goes for the life-affirming triumph over adversity heart strings, but somehow manages to leave ever single one of them unplucked.

Not all of the blame can be placed on Lee, though he must certainly take his fair share. The script is not strong enough. It’s not bad, but it lacks any kind of flair or sparkle. Whether that is his failure to accurately transpose to the big screen or whether the flaws are inherent are in the source material, I cannot say having not read the book. However, the book did win a number of prizes upon release, including the Man Booker Prize for Fiction, which suggests the source material is pretty solid.

On a positive note, the acting was good. Suraj Sharma as Pi put in a great performance for what was essentially him standing in front of a green screen on his own for the majority of the film. Everyone else did the best they could with the source material, but it lacked the appropriate amount of flair for them to be able to anything special with. It was also quite amusing to see Gérard Depardieu pop up randomly at one point in the film.

Now, I feel the need to stress that I did not go into this film looking to hate it. In fact, I was looking to love it and held high hopes, none of which were met. In the end, this is a beautiful looking film, filled with good intentions, but unfortunately, it doesn’t bring anything of substance to the table.

Was the story fantastical enough to make me believe in God? Not even close. It wasn’t even enough to make my eyes fill up. If you want a truly heart-warming story of young man’s fantastical trip, get the far superior Big Fish on Blu-ray or DVD.

Confidence Coach Vivienne Goldstein Tells All

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Tell us exactly what you do?

With a background of NLP as a Master Practitioner and qualified as a Personal Performance Coach, I support my clients to deal with a range of personal challenges. I specialise in improving the communication and impact my clients make in their work and home life.

My role is that of a thinking partner. I give a balance of support and challenge. I provide a safe and confidential environment without any outside distractions where my clients can concentrate on themselves without any interruptions. It’s important to be allowed time to think, time to reflect. By speaking out loud, it enables your thoughts to come into your consciousness and you lower some of the filters that have been stopping you seeing the options and opportunities that are there for you. You get your “juices flowing” so that one thought can easily lead to another … or not … and then we can find out what’s stopping the flow.

In the recent Olympics, all the Veteran Medal winners and the Coaches were saying how very important the mindset of an athlete is to their success. It’s the same for you and me in our everyday lives. We need to find out what motivates us, what our best qualities and skills are, understand how to hone them and how to get the negative thoughts under control and pushed to the side so that we can be our best.

To do my job well, I have to be completely in the moment. I listen carefully not only to the words that my clients speak but also the way in which they say them, the tone of voice, the intonation and their body language eg lots of fidgeting, screwing up their face, rolling their eyes, sitting very still, not showing emotion.

Everyone is an individual so my success lies in how quickly I can establish rapport and get my clients to feel comfortable to open up and dig deep into themselves.

The most difficult thing for me is when someone comes to me knowing they have a block and yet they keep hanging on to a belief that means this block is impenetrable. … they won’t let go of it to see what could happen if they did let go.

It takes time for new ideas to settle into the consciousness. Some people take longer than others. And it’s down to the individual themselves. I’m the catalyst. Ultimately, it’s their responsibility.

How did you get into coaching?

I was brought up in Brazil as a child and returned to London to finish my education.
I have many years’ experience in retail, photography, recruitment, teaching and charity work. And then someone suggested I’d make a great Coach. I’d never even heard of such a thing! I studied a lot and I love it! I combine my professional coaching expertise with life experience.

What kind of people do you coach?

My clients are mostly professionals who come to see me privately on a one-to-one basis. I sometimes run workshops which give a group of people a foundation in becoming more self-aware of the impact they make on those around them.

The typical client is the one who knows they have an issue they want to address. They’ve been thinking about it for a while and not getting any clearer on how to improve things. They then realise that working with me will get them to a better place quicker.

One lady came to me because her boss is a bully and she was struggling to cope with various situations at work.

A man came because he was anxious about his wedding day speech.

One lady was up for Partner in a very large law firm. She had to be interviewed by all 150 Partners. After 30 interviews she was given the feedback that she lacked gravitas. She came to me to understand how to change the message she was sending out.

Some people are struggling to come to terms with their situation which they know they can’t change but want to see it in a different light.

A mother came to see me because she wasn’t getting on very well with her teenage son.

Successful women in business who take maternity leave and on returning to work, they feel a sudden loss of confidence. It’s a whole different world once you’re a parent as well as a business person.

Are people born confident?

Of course. We are all born perfect. It’s what we experience that shapes our lives and the choices we make.

How do you fix a lack of confidence?

Firstly, you have to recognise when you are feeling a lack of confidence. Then work your way backwards in your life experiences as to when this feeling first started. Then understand how you are behaving when this feeling starts. Then change your behaviour. It’s starts with faking confidence and eventually you become confident.

Can someone who has no confidence be completely cured?

Nobody is 100% confident 100% of the time. We all experience moments on uncertainty – whatever anyone may tell you otherwise!

Top tips for confidence?

What is happening inside your head is reflected outside by your body language. So an easy tip is to make sure you wear clothes you are comfortable in, fit you well, make you feel good. Good grooming is always helpful.

If you’re unsure of something, do some research, find out as much as you can before doing whatever it is that is causing you to feel unconfident. The more prepared you are for something, the better and more comfortable you will feel going into the situation.

Be aware of your mindset. Don’t walk into a room in a bad mood. The results will not be satisfactory for you. As Abraham Lincoln said:

“Most folk are about as happy as they make up their minds to be”.

Who mostly has a lack of confidence: men or women?

I think that it’s pretty evenly distributed but the situations in which there is a lack of confidence may differ.

How do you relax?

I always feel better after an exercise workout. That gets rid of my toxins both physically and emotionally!

I love the cinema and theatre …. and laughing. Laughing is the best relaxation!

New Yes Prime Minister Review/Preview

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It’s been 24 years but at last the beloved Yes Primeminister has returned. If you didn’t see the original you missed out. It was one of Britain’s best ever sitcoms and famously Margaret Thatchers favourite television show. Yes Prime Minister follows the struggle between PM Jim Hacker and his Permanent Secretary Humphery Appelby. Most episodes revolved around Humpherys desperate attempts to control the PM and maintain the status quo. Bernard Woolley the PM’s private secretary is invariably caught between the two of them.

The new Yes Prime Minister has been updated to a contemporary setting. The first episode revolves around the Eurozone crisis. The PM’s meager coalition government is already in danger of cracking and the economy is falling apart. I really enjoyed the first episode. It retained much of what made the first show so great and it matched my very high expectations. It really helps that the original writing team and unsung heroes of the original Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn have been brought back.

The characters were similar but each slightly different which was a good thing. It must be a tremendous challenge for the actors to step into roles already so strongly ingrained in the audiences memory.

I thought Henry Goodman did an excellent job as Sir Humphery. Undoubtedly Goodman had the toughest job, following on from the simply brilliant Nigel Hawthorne, who played Sir Humphery before and was the star in the original. David Haig (who also stars in ‘in the thick of it’) was very good as the beleaguered Jim Hacker, as was Chris Larkin who plays David Woolley. It was very exciting to see Yes Prime Minister back and done so well. I’m very much looking forward to the next episode and many more to come. Robbie Coltrane guest stars  as the deputy PM later in the series.

Look out for Yes Prime Minister in January on UK Gold

 

2013 Travel Trends

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Intelligent travel search and convenience key

In September 2012, Momondo introduced a new flight rating technology. Unique to the market, the system aimed to take travel search to the next level – the second generation of meta-search.

 

By combining several factors into a single rating system – to get past cheap, but longer flights, momondo’s new technology instantly spots the best flights available, saving consumers time and money, with every search.

 

Every flight is rated with a smiley and a score between 0 (bad) and 10 (good) to help the user find the flight with the best balance between price and flight duration.

 

From its introduction in September, momondo noticed their rating technology, with price/time scores and new user interfaces with ‘smileys’, also made a significant change in the way users interacted with travel meta-search information, and made their travel decisions.

 

In the process, momondo discovered two new travel trends, which will affect travel in 2013:

 

1. Meta-search sites will need to be intelligent

Over the last four months, momondo saw a 24% drop in refined travel searches, since it introduced the rating system – as it is now easier for momondo users to make the right decisions based on travel needs. This information told momondo that moving into 2013, more consumers are looking for ‘intelligent’ travel search sites, which help with their travel decision making – by turning raw flight data into actionable information.

 

2. Convenience factors key

Secondly, momondo has seen a change in consumer buying habits. momondo observed that over the course of 2012 people steadily have been spending more money on flights, which in turn confirms that the traveller’s focus on a whole, is not now on booking the cheapest ticket, moreover convenience factors – such as time, play an important role. Users will act as ‘smart-buyers’, that seek insight and want to compare several factors, before they purchase.

Packet in, in just 7 days

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Packet in, in just 7 days

An innovative online programme to help smokers quit in just 7 days

 

This December saw the launch of a brand new and advanced programme, ‘Let’s Quit’, to help smokers kick their cigarette habit in just one week using a process of online interactive hypnotherapy. The step-by-step programme is the first of its kind and works by sending the customer up to 20 minutes of daily video content which can be streamed on a computer or mobile device.

 

Developed by Hypnotherapist Tim Smale, the programme provides simple, jargon-free content to help the user in their quest to quit smoking painlessly and easily. By communicating a powerful message to their subconscious via clinical hypnosis, Tim allows smokers to face their addiction head on and tackle it from the comfort of their own home.

 

Let’s Quit surveyed the UK public on their smoking habits and 85% of current smokers have tried at one point to kick the habit, with the average smoker having tried three times in their lifetime to quit, but staying smoke-free for only around four months before lighting up again.  Interestingly, lack of willpower is also the number one reason why smokers who have never tried to quit have not done so, believing they are just too addicted to smoking.

 

Hypnotherapist Tim Smale said: “Let’s Quit is perfect for smokers who have tried and failed to quit in the past, as the combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and safe and relaxing hypnosis helps to challenge the negative beliefs about quitting both consciously and unconsciously to make it easy to quit for even the most hardened smoker. It’s also great for those with a busy schedule, as you can watch the 20 minute videos in the comfort of your own home or on your smart phone. I’ve helped over 3000 people quit smoking and I’ve always wanted to reach a wider audience; finding this technology has helped me to do just that”.

 

An ambassador of Let’s Quit’, British model Sophie Anderton said: “I’ve been smoking since I was 14. In the past I’ve managed to quit for a few months – but I found it a horrible experience and smoking became the one vice I could never get rid of. I was also terrified of gaining weight because of my job, but since working with Tim and managing to quit smoking, I’ve actually lost 2lbs because I have so much more energy! It’s amazing”.

 

To find out more information, visit www.letsquit.com or follow Let’s Quit; @Lets_Quit

KIDS DON’T JUST SAY THE FUNNIEST THINGS…THEY EAT THEM TOO

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Toddlers’ eating habits cost UK families millions of pounds in damages a year, but what is the real cost to their health?

A SURVEY RELEASED today reveals that the nation’s toddlers regularly have mouths full of mum’s jewellery and chew on family essentials like car keys and cameras – with the average toddler costing mum and dad £60 in damages during their first three years[1], equating to a shocking nationwide loss of over £14.5 million a year[2].

Cow & Gate Growing Up Milk, who commissioned the survey to highlight the hard to get nutrients required to support toddler growth and development, found 21 per cent of parents’ bundles of joy caused more damage in the home than the family pet1! With 86 per cent of children spending up to 30 minutes per day1 chewing or sucking on household items like remote controls, which came top of the carnage list of items most commonly damaged1.

In light of additional research reporting that the typical UK toddler is more likely to have eaten a burger than broccoli[3], the new poll shows that a supper of crayons, keys and toys is commonplace for our little ones.

Released to coincide with Cow & Gate’s new TV advert, the survey also reveals that inquisitive taste buds are not limited to the household, with creepy crawlies also appearing on this unusual menu of toddler fare, with a quarter of children chowing down on between five and fifteen insects, worms and slugs in their first five years1. It’s not just the celebrities participating in Bushtucker Trials it seems!

Whilst “mouthing” is not to be discouraged, Doctor Leanne Olivier, nutritionist and spokesperson for Cow & Gate, comments: “It’s common for little ones to put weird and wacky things in their mouths, from cushions to remote controls, but they won’t find the essential nutrients they need to support their amazing growth there! A healthy balanced diet including just two beakers of Growing Up Milk[4] each day is a simple way to provide little ones with the hard to get nutrition that they need.”

Dr Richard Woolfson, child psychologist for Growing Up Milk, adds: “The results of this survey confirm that “mouthing” is very common amongst toddlers. It’s simply another form of exploration and discovery. Mouthing lets curious and inquisitive toddlers learn about the object’s texture, resistance, taste and structure. That’s why you need to watch closely – your toddler will happily mouth anything they get their hands on, big or small, safe or hazardous.”

Toddler Tasting Tactics – Some bitesize facts:

· The top ten items that toddlers most commonly put in their mouths are: toys (17%), crayons and pencils (16%), remote control (13%), keys (11%), camera, phone and iPod (10%), soft toys (9%), plastic plates and bowls (6%), items of clothing (5%), security blanket (4%) and jewellery (3%)1

· Over a quarter (28%) of toddlers have eaten more than five insects, worms and slugs in their first five years1

· 30 per cent of toddlers mark their territory and display the first signs of ownership by sucking on their beloved security blankets, soft toys and toys1

· More than half of parents (57%) say that their toddler has damaged something in the home as a result of “mouthing” 1

· 7 per cent of frustrated parents state that their toddler frequently causes damage in the home, causing destruction more than four times a month1

 

Top five Detox Friendly Drinks

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Top five Detox Friendly Drinks!

It’s the time of year again when we all contemplate ways to “better” ourselves and kick-start our new, healthy regimes with a detox – ridding ourselves of bad food and bad habits. Alcohol is often the first to go, along with caffeine and fizzy drinks, but have you considered what drinks could be beneficial when detoxing? Here Nutrition expert at Go Coco, Ross Currie, gives us his top five detox friendly drinks:

“Detoxing can be a struggle and often quite limiting. Keeping your fluid levels topped up during this time is vital to help your body rid itself of toxins and to stay hydrated – aiding brain function and helping to keep skin healthy. Aside from water, there are other drinks out there which can be a part of your detox. Here are my top five choices”:

1.       Tea – green, peppermint or ginger. Tea is a natural antioxidant, which protects your body from free radicals, pollutants and aging. Green tea can increase your metabolism, while ginger tea is great for digestion and aiding the absorption of food and peppermint tea

2.       Coconut water – Go Coco comes straight from the young, green coconuts of Thailand and is full of natural Isotonic properties and electrolytes, making them a great choice for rehydrating. It is also packed with vitamins and minerals, including twice as much potassium as a banana which is fantastic for a natural energy boost whilst being low calorie and it also plays an important role in regulating your heartbeat, insulin levels and muscle development. For those looking to support mental clarity while detoxing, drinks with nootropics can be a refreshing option, offering ingredients that may help with focus and cognitive function.

3.       Fresh or raw pineapple juice – Pineapples contain many vitamins and enzymes that will offer health benefits during a detox, including Bromelain – a natural anti-inflammatory that encourages healthy digestion by helping the body break down proteins, and Thiamine (which belongs to the vitamin B group) which boosts your metabolism by helping your body convert carbohydrates into energy

4.       Lemon water – Lemons are a great source of citric acid, calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorous. Drinking fresh lemon juice with water (hot or cold) will benefit your detox on many levels by assisting your digestion, stimulating the liver and cleansing the bloody stream. Try drinking a cup of hot water and lemon first thing, to kick start your system.

5.       Fresh Carrot Juice – As well as containing Vitamin C and A, carrot juice also contains carotenes which are a great anti-oxidant. Carrot juice is also a diuretic and can help to reduce water retention, plus it’s very low in calories.