London Turns Blu At the Radisson Blu Edwardian

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Radisson Blu Edwardian, London Models Get Into The Blu At the Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street hotel, London

London finally saw Blu skies on the summer solstice, as the Edwardian Group celebrated their re-branding to Radisson Blu Edwardian, London, by handing out designer Blu sunglasses and encouraging the public to see their world in Blu.

“Sunglasses may have been optimistic given the recent weather,” said director of marketing Linda Plant “but we thought it would be fun for everyone to see our Blu world. London looks great in Blu and we wanted to mark this special moment in our history when we changed the name of our group of hotels from Radisson Edwardian, to Radisson Blu Edwardian, London.”

“Get into the Blu” taxis representing the hotels also toured the capital with Radisson Blu Edwardian, London models (decked of course from head to foot in blue) and traditional welcome fruits in the hotels were replaced with Blu macaroons.

The rebrand follows a recent decision for the group of thirteen hotels in London, Guildford and Manchester to align with the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. The agreement comes after months of discussion and is aimed to improve the group’s visibility, aligning Edwardian with a brand recognised world-wide.

Despite the re-branding, the hotels remain independent without any change in ownership.

Commenting on the joint venture, Paul Mansi, COO of Edwardian Group, London stressed that despite adopting an overarching name, the group has not lost its own identity.

“Edwardian, London captures the spirit of the group centred in and totally connected to the most vibrant city in the world. Our individual personality, vibe, influences and innovative way of presenting our hotels is inspired by the capital.” he explained.

“Radisson Blu is one of the world’s fastest growing upscale hotel brands,” he continued. “We are aligning with a vigorous, dynamic group with new iconic hotels such as the Radisson Blu Aqua in Chicago and the Radisson Blu Mall of America in Minneapolis which the Carlson Rezidor Group have invested heavily in as part of the development of their own brand.

“By aligning ourselves in this way we gain vastly greater visible presence, remove a source of potential confusion for our customers, gain strength in numbers and create a stronger identity especially in Europe. In brief, it’s good for business and good for the brand.”

Mansi stressed that the re-branding decision would not see any changes to the high levels of hospitality and the quality standards that are a by-word at Edwardian.

“Service, quality and a “can do” attitude are at the very heart of Edwardian and Edwardian remains at the heart of our new name,” he concluded.

The Hotels are now known as:

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Hampshire

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Leicester Square

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Berkshire

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Sussex

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Bloomsbury Street

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Kenilworth

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Mercer Street

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Grafton

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Vanderbilt

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Heathrow

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Manchester

Radisson Blu Edwardian, New Providence Wharf

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Guildford.

Holland & Barrett Summer Survival Kit

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miranda kerrFestival Favourites

 

 

Morning miracle: Vitamin C & Zinc Effervescent £3.35 for 20 tablets

Waking up in a tent isn’t ideal, particularly if the night before was a late one. If you have been partying hard and are feeling a little run down, reach for Holland & Barrett’s Vitamin C & Zinc Effervescent to help restore your immune system. Add one tablet to a bottle of water and you will feel refreshed and ready to take on what the day has to offer.

 

 

 

Hangover helper: Milk Thistle £21.99 for 200 capsules

Festivals are usually a celebration of music, friends and the summer season, which might lead to some over-indulgence! The liver is one of the body’s most important organs and works by neutralising chemical pollutants and alcohol so help maintain normal liver function with the natural herb Milk thistle. Take one capsule two to three times daily, preferably with meals.

 

 

 

Festival Fresh: Dr Organic Tea Tree Wipes £2.75 for 20

It’s no secret that festivals rank highly in the lack-of-cleanliness league table, so it’s important to find a convenient way to stay refreshed on the go! By packing Dr Organic Tea Tree Wipes, you will be able to freshen up in an instant. These wipes are free from any harsh chemicals, meaning they are revitalizing and offer antibacterial protection to keep you germ free. If you are prone to spots, particularly when you have to ditch your usual beauty regime, these wipes are particularly suitable for blemish prone skin, so you can use them to clean both your face and body.

 

 

Festival First Aid: Tea Tree Oil £3.99 for 10ml

If you are likely to get spots in the festival environment, or often find yourself with a bite or a sting, Holland & Barrett’s Tea Tree Oil is a must-have. Made from the Australian Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) this pure and natural oil has a spicy scent that is an essential for any festival wash bag. Known for its many topical uses, Tea Tree Oil can also be added to your post-festival bath water for its refreshing effects!

 

 

Easy Energisers: Mixed nuts & raisins £2.89 200g

Spending an excitable weekend away from your home comforts can take a toll on your body. Keep some tasty slow-release energy snacks in your backpack for a natural energy boost throughout the day, so you don’t miss out on any of the action. A delicious mix of Walnuts, Brazils, Almonds, Hazels, Peanuts, and Raisins, this go-anywhere pack is high in protein and makes a nutritious treat.

 

 

 

 

Caffeine Craving: Guarana Liquid £4.89 for 30ml

If snacks aren’t your thing, try adding Guarana Liquid to your refreshment of choice for a natural caffeine boost. Holland & Barrett’s Nutritionist Kate Butler BSC says: “Guarana naturally contains caffeine, which has a stimulatory effect that may help to support energy and alertness. Adding Guarana liquid to a beverage each day at the festival can be an easy way to boost your energy levels naturally.”

 

 

 

Beach Beauties

 

Summer scent: Pure Coconut Oil 453g Oil £14.99

The sweet aroma of coconut conjures up images of tropical holidays and relaxing on the beach. However, as well as being a tasty and nutritious ingredient and base for cooking, coconut oil can be used as an effective body moisturiser. This versatile oil is made from real coconuts and when applied, leaves the skin feeling soft and sweetly scented, perfect for getting in the mood for summer.

 

Within days of the 28 year old Victoria’s Secret model and wife of Orlando Bloom admitting she “cannot go a day without coconut oil”, sales at Holland & Barrett’s UK stores shot up by more than 50% on last year as customers clamoured for a slice of the supermodel’s secret. Miranda disclosed the information in interviews about how she has keeps fit and healthy following the birth of her son, stating “I personally take four tablespoons of coconut oil per day, either on my salads, in my cooking or in my cups of green tea.” Holland & Barrett’s Nutritionist Kate Butler said one of the reasons coconut oil was so popular was its multi-functional benefits when used on the skin, hair or eaten. “The small molecular structure of coconut oil allows for easy absorption through the skin, giving it a soft, smooth texture” said Kate. “This makes it an ideal ointment for the relief of dry, rough skin, and an effective after-sun lotion because it literally melts into your skin.  Coconut oil works wonderfully as a hair conditioner too as Miranda Kerr’s diet shows can be eaten on salads or used as a cooking oil”

 

Perfect Pins: Dr Organic – Royal Jelly Cellulite Cream 200ml Cream £9.29
This summer, it’s time to minimise that orange peel bottom and those wobbly thighs with a little help from the doctor! Dr Organic has a revolutionary cellulite cream which utilises unique properties found in the incredibly active ingredient and is formulated using researched and tested anti-cellulite extracts. The cream is designed to be massaged regularly into the affected area, supporting circulation and penetrating through subcutaneous fat cells trapped in the collagen and elastin fibres to give you luscious summer legs.

 

 

 

 

Enhance that sun kissed glow: Tan Tablets £5.99 for 60 capsules

Everyone loves returning to the office to an array of compliments about their sun kissed glow, so for a naturally longer lasting tan this summer try Holland & Barrett Tan Tablets. Containing key vitamins that are needed to achieve a deeper tan, PABA, L-Tyrosine and Copper, Tan Tablets can help you to develop a sun kissed look with a reduced amount of time in the sun. Kate Butler says “It’s well known that some sun exposure is good for us. It helps our bodies produce Vitamin D which in turn helps us absorb calcium, regulate blood pressure and even improve mood,  yet too much sun can harm the skin, with damage occurring in just minutes. Used responsibly with a little sun exposure, Tan Tablets provide the body with the nutrients it needs to help enhance a natural tan.”

 

 

 

Lose those extra pounds: African Mango capsules £9.99 for 60 capsules

As the dreaded bikini season draws ever closer try taking a slimming supplement such as African Mango alongside a healthy diet to help you feel confident when baring all. African Mango is thought to act as a natural appetite suppressant, supporting weight loss when used alongside a healthy diet. Studies have shown that seeds from the fruit cause significant weight loss and improve blood sugar levels. Trials carried out in 2005 and 2009; published in the Journal of Lipids in Health[i], found that participants taking an African Mango supplement before meals, three times a day, lost 5.3% of their body weight, compared to 1.3% of those taking a placebo. Holland & Barrett’s Nutritionist Kate Butler advises, “Initial clinical studies have shown that significant improvements in body weight and body fat, as well as in cholesterol and blood glucose levels, have been observed in individuals supplementing with African Mango.  Initial results appear promising and have set the precedence for further research.”

 

 

Soothe your skin: Aloe Vera Gel £3.49 for 100ml

The sun can be stronger than it often feels and after hours of basking in the heat, skin may become pink in colour.  To ease the sting of sun burn try rubbing some Aloe Vera Gel on to the sore areas. The cooling gel soothes the pain and also helps to speed up the healing process. As well as aiding with sunburn, Aloe Vera gel can help soothe the irritation of insect bites and heat rash which can be a common irritation in warmer climates.

Celebrity fan Jemma Kidd uses Aloe Vera Gel after being out in the sun to sooth and heal the skin: She says: ‘I religiously put it on when I’ve been in the sun. It’s so soothing and healing. We have hundreds of aloe plants in our garden and when we’re burnt we pick a leaf.’  

 

Holland and Barrett

Temptation Island by Victoria Fox | Book Review

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This book is the first ever ‘bonkbuster’ I have ever read. I am more of a serious sort when it comes to books. So what did the bonkbuster virgin (ahem) think of her first foray into the genre? I enjoyed it.

I read a lot of magazines and the more I read the more I though that Victoria Fox knew something I didn’t. The book is entertaining, glamorous and on the right side of believability. I still believed in the plausibility of the story within the context. The book follows the lives of three female superstars as they get caught up in the scandal of the century, with plenty of murder, celebrity backstabbing and salacious affairs, it epitomises pure escapism.

In the middle of the Indian Ocean, a secret island exists for the elite. Exclusive to the rich and famous and owned by one of the richest men on earth, it provides a sanctuary from the glare of the media spotlight to a lucky few. Three of the world’s most famous women, drawn by the luxury and glamour of its shores, are about to unearth a series of shocking secrets that will change them forever.

Aurora Nash is LA’s wildest teen tearaway. Riotous, hedonistic, self-seeking, she’s totally out of control. After rehab, therapy and a jail sentence achieve nothing, her desperate parents, America’s best-loved country and western stars, decide that a strict British boarding school is their last resort. They pray for change: the world can never know the truth behind their only daughter’s birth. But Aurora is set to learn the earth-shattering facts for herself, as soon as she sets foot on the Island.

British actress Stevie Speller is one half of Hollywood’s golden couple, who famously got her big-break by accident, whilst helping her flat-mate Bibi at a New York audition. Now Stevie’s the toast of Tinseltown and Bibi’s married to the film industry’s most sleazy and sordid magnate, Linus Posen. When Linus is found dead in Bibi’s bed, the press screams murder and Bibi is hounded out of town. Escaping with Bibi to the Island, Stevie will do whatever it takes to protect her friend, guilty or otherwise.

Lori Garcia is a world-famous supermodel, picked from obscurity by the darling of the fashion industry and married man Jean-Baptiste Moreau. After a devastating encounter between the two, Lori will stop at nothing in pursuit of his affections. But it’s not until she reaches the Island that Lori learns who Jean-Baptist truly is. Lori discovers he’s involved in a scandal more desperate than she could imagine – one that is spreading through Hollywood like wildfire.

Another thing the book did was trigger my memory about certain celebrity and stories. When I interviewed Victoria she mentioned the controversial theme and said she wanted to know what people thought. I don’t want to give too much away here but I definitely recommend this book. Although it is over 600 pages it is a fun and entertaining read. I found the book hard to put down and it also made me think.

The book is a bit of an eye-opener, true or not. Temptation Island is a worthy successor to Jilly Cooper and Jackie Collins: a bonkbusting fantastic read: pure escapism.

Temptation Island

GAME, SET AND MATCH AT ABAMA GOLF & SPA RESORT THIS SUMMER

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– Master the winning serve at the Sánchez Casal Tennis Academy –

With Wimbledon underway, tennis fans across the UK might be looking to perfect their own court skills this season. For those looking to push their game further than a knock about on the local court, one of Europe’s most exclusive resorts – Abama Golf & Spa Resort – is offering a tennis coaching experience with a tempting difference.

Tucked away on the south west coast of Tenerife in Guía de Isora within a 160 hectare private estate, Abama offers a European beach retreat with decadent treats: Michelin star cuisine at the hands of Basque chef Martín Berasategui, a world class destination spa with 11 treatment rooms and its unique Abama Total Wellness programme, a championship golf course, seven swimming pools and its secluded golden sand beach cove are just the start, as Abama is also home to a first class inspirational tennis academy.

The Abama Sánchez Casal Tennis Academy follows the teaching methods pioneered by tennis greats Emilio Sánchez Vicario and Sergio Casal. The Championship duo between them hail numerous French Open, US Open and Olympic titles with a Wimbledon doubles’ finalist achievement also under their belts. This Summer the Academy is running an exclusive offer including seven nights five star accommodation, ten hours of tennis or paddle coaching on its professional courts, including hire of rackets, paddles, balls, towels and complimentary mineral water, plus additional use of courts for one hour a day, two delectable spa treatments in the Abama Spa, plus one Thermal Water Circuit to soothe weary limbs.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for some basic training, a high-level pro wanting to take your game to the next level, or just a casual player planning a knock-about with friends, you’ll find Abama has all the facilities that any tennis lover could ask for.

Featuring seven tennis courts directly overlooking the sea, Abama’s tennis facilities are of exceptional standards and are frequently used for professional tournaments. With court lights and flexi-pave surfaces in the style of the US and Australian Open courts, Abama’s centre court has capacity for 600 spectators, and its six additional courts all feature spectator stands. Guests also have access to four illuminated paddle tennis courts with Astroturf surfaces.

Tennis at Abama Golf & Spa Resort includes:

– 10 hours tennis or paddle classes, at the Sánchez Casal Tennis Academy (includes: rackets, paddles, balls, water and towel)

– Two treatments at Abama Spa (After-sun soothing wrap with water lilies and any facial)

– One Thermal Circuit at Abama Spa

– Seven nights accommodation in Abama Double Deluxe Room

– Upgrade to Ocean View Room

– Daily buffet breakfast at La Veranda Restaurant

– Late check-out until 18.00 hours (subject to availability)

Valid from the 15th June to the 30th September 2012 the tennis package costs 262 Euro

per person per night, based on seven night stays.

Health & Fitness Travel offers seven nights from £1,730 per person including return flights with Monarch from London Gatwick and transfers. Call 0845 544 1936 or visit healthandfitnesstravel.com to book.

For more information on Abama Golf & Spa Resort, visit www.abamahotelresort.com

KIDWELL-E FESTIVAL UNVEILS FAMILY-FRIENDLY AUTHOR LINE-UP

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~ Tickets now on sale for the UK’s first literary festival to unashamedly celebrate the ebook, new writing talent and popular fiction ~
~ Confirmed guest at the two-day event (July 28/9) in Wales include authors Dougie Brimson, Polly Courtney, Martin Edwards, Tim Heald, Nicholas Allan and Mary Hooper ~

Bestselling authors including “Yob Laureate” Dougie Brimson, crime writer Martin Edwards and the controversial Polly Courtney will be appearing at the UK’s first ebook literary festival next month.

Taking place in the “picture postcard” coastal village of Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, West Wales, on the last weekend of July, the inaugural Kidwell-e Festival promises a packed line-up of guest authors, readings, workshops and family-friendly entertainment suitable for all ages.

Unashamedly popularist in its focus and willing to give exposure to fresh writing talent as well as established authors, the festival will celebrate the “digital publishing revolution” and cover all popular genres such as crime, romance, historical adventure and comedy.

For the kids, there will also be a Children’s Festival with the BBC’s Nicholas Allan, Pippa Goodhart, Mary Hooper and many more taking part.

Among the authors taking part are Dougie Brimson — dubbed the “Yob Laureate” for his bestselling books on football hooliganism and lad culture such as The Crew and Top Dog. Brimson has also moved into comedy, with his most recent book, 2011’s The Art of Fart, becoming his first ebook exclusive.

Polly Courtney, meanwhile, is famous for breaking free from publisher HarperCollins in protest at the “fluffy” chick-lit titles and cover designs assigned to her novels, such as It’s a Man’s World.

At Kidwell-e, she will be discussing how to “go it alone” in the publishing world, while award-winning crime writer Martin Edwards (The Hanging Wood, The Coffin Trail) will be laying down the law on how to write compelling crime fiction.

They will be joined at the festival by the likes of royal biographer Tim Heald (Princess Margaret — a Life Unravelled), award-winning publisher Hazel Cushion (founder of Accent Press), Guardian journalist Wendy Berliner, acclaimed naval historical fiction writer David Davies (The Journals of Matthew Quinton), Amazon best-selling novelist Andrew Kirby, and rising comedy writer Alex Thomas (War & Piste).

For younger readers there is a host of popular children’s authors scheduled for the Kidwell-e Children’s Festival, including acclaimed author/illustrator Nicholas Allan (The Queen’s Knickers, Hilltop Hospital), Adèle Geras (Dido, the Tutu Tilly series), Pippa Goodhart (You Choose — winner of Mumsnet’s Book of the Year for 3-4 Year Olds Award 2011), Carnegie Medal nominee Mary Hooper (At The House of the Magician, At The Sign Of The Sugared Plum) and Anne Rooney (Vampire Dawn series).

If that’s not enough, there will also be fire breathers, magicians, writing and circus skills workshops, stilt walking, Medieval minstrels and face painting to keep the kids busy. Entry to the festival is free for children under 14.

Festival founder and best-selling Welsh author Julian Ruck (The Ragged Cliffs Trilogy) said: “The Kidwell-e Festival is the first event of its kind within the UK to officially recognise, and celebrate, the ebook — the most innovative, exciting and empowering medium to hit the publishing world since Caxton and Gutenberg.

“The festival’s motto is “INclusive, Not EXclusive” and we have a wealth of fascinating talks and readings on all aspects of popular writing taking place in the stunning countryside of the Gower Peninsula, as well as family-friendly entertainment.”

He added: “Kidwell-e is about promoting literature and literacy to all in the digital age, giving new writing talent a chance, and most of all, having lots of fun.”

*

The Kidwell-e Festival takes place on Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29. Tickets are priced £15 for one day or £25 for two days when booked in advance. Entrance on the day is £18. Children under 14 go free. For more information visit www.kidwellyefestival.com.

OXY’s skincare range | Beauty Reviews

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I don’t have ideal skin, it can be very temperamental and sensitive. Frankly, if it was a guy we would break up. Luckily I don’t tend to get spots too much now, but the occasional hormonal break out always comes at the worst moment.

I try to keep my skincare as natural as possible and recently tried OXY’s skincare range, which contains naturally active seaweed and is free from parabens, alcohol and SLS.

Apparently it now has a new clinical trial behind it to prove that it really does work, which is published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, an official journal of the British Association of Dermatologists. The trial is the first cosmetics clinical study in acne to be published in an official dermatology journal.

The new clinical trial on OXY, showed that the number of spots fell by 64 per cent and blackheads by 60 per cent after just eight weeks.

Dr Gill Jenkins, a GP with a special interest in acne, said the combination of seaweed extract and zinc directly affected the formation of spots, rather than the oil-producing sebaceous glands. The zinc-oligosaccharide complex used in this study produced a significant reduction in mild acne compared with control without causing irritation.

As a result of this study, I would suggest that for many people with mild acne, opting for these OXY products could be beneficial since they have been clinically proven.

Also, the functional ingredients in OXY offer measurable benefits in reducing the formation of both inflammatory spots and comedones, as well as helping to regulate sebum production.

So did it work for me? Yes. The first time I used the wash and balm it seemed to dry out the spots without drying out my skin. It smells divine and you only need a tiny amount, so it should last for a long time.

I replaced my normal face wash with the Oxy face wash and it made my skin feel ‘cleaner’ and cleared up my skin. The balm also goes on well. I had acne in my youth and I wish this had been around then. It really does work.

The Amazing Spider-Man {Film Review}

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*WARNING! MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!*

Five years since Spider-Man 3, the last of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy and now we have The Amazing Spider-Man. The proposed new Spider-Man series that was originally going to be the fourth Spider-Man movie but both Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire dropped out and Marvel decided to reboot it. We now have Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Martin Sheen and Sally Field as Uncle Ben and Aunt May but we have now a few characters that were introduced in the previous movies; Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Denis Leary as Captain Stacy and Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors / The Lizard. The weird choice was giving Marc Webb the director’s chair, his only previous credits was 500 Days of Summer, he has dealt with drama and comedy but action was something he’s diving in first time.

This movie takes us back once again to the origins of Spider-Man, except it takes us to a different way that doesn’t all feel deja vu. We’re actually introduced to Peter’s parents, they leave him to his aunt and uncle. Though his parents die from a plane accident and Peter grows up during his childhood and teenage years orphaned. He eventually comes across his dad’s belongings in a briefcase, inside he finds some papers and a photo of his dad and Dr. Connors. So he goes to OsCorp (pretending to be one of the interns) and meets Dr. Connors. Though he goes off to a restricted area and eventually gets bitten by the inevitable spider. Thus slowly becoming the web-slinger we all know and love (cue montage on having some hijinks and learning some new acrobatic skills). Meanwhile, Peter solves the algorithm his dad started and shows it to Connors and that leads to Connors using that algorithm to create a serum to regenerate limbs.

The story works well for newcomers but also makes it fresh for those who are already familiar with the character (from comics, movies etc.). Andrew Garfield really does play the character well and gets the classic prankster Spider-Man some already know (the scene where he plays around with a car thief). It also displays Peter Parker’s smarts, where we get to see him creating the classic web-shooters (though how does he get a hold of those web cartridges?). What’s also great about Garfield’s portrayal is there is a difference between Peter Parker and Spider-Man; Peter Parker is more reserved but not afraid to stand up for himself, whilst Spider-Man is wacky and gets his enemies off-guard by making wise-cracks. Gwen Stacy finally gets more meat to the character, as she was poorly written in Spider-Man 3. Emma Stone plays the character strong willed and not being a damsel in distress (which is a nice change considering Mary Jane Watson kept getting saved in every movie). The chemistry between Garfield and Stone is actually really great, they couldn’t do better awkward hallway talk then they just did. This is all credit to director Marc Webb, as mentioned earlier, he succeeded on making the chemistry between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel affecting and charming in 500 Days. Rhys Ifans does the character of Dr. Connors well but he really isn’t explored enough to really feel sorry for him and be the tragic character the movie is trying to imply. His character seemed to be side-lined, more focusing on Parker’s evolution on being Spider-Man and his relationship with Gwen. The supporting characters you know little to nothing about, except Martin Sheen and Sally Field play their characters respectively and actually make an impact. Aunt May is under-played and is actually better than Rosemary Harris’s version, you actually feel for her being overly protective for Peter.

The action sequences were very well done, it was very easy to watch and I wasn’t confused what was going on. The stand-out action scene was where Spider-Man and The Lizard are fighting in the High School (although it could’ve had some build-up) and features a great Stan Lee cameo (barely a surprise he has a cameo in the film). I was interested with the direction on having Spider-Man’s POV when he’s web-slinging. As much as the performances and chemistry between the characters were great, some of the technical aspects were a bit flat. The orchestral score by James Horner (Aliens, Titanic and Avatar) really is forgettable, especially when compared to Danny Elfman’s score from the first two Spider-Man movies. It all feels very generic and doesn’t really stand out from the other superhero movies. Even some scenes could work without music, such as Peter Parker finding his father’s briefcase or even when he’s humiliating Flash Thompson (who’s more fleshed out this time around than being the typical bully). The film also felt all too rushed, it did not feel like 2 hours and 17 minutes long. Usually that’s a good thing but this film could’ve been better being longer. Uncle Ben’s death felt too rushed, it didn’t all feel enough to let it all sink in.

Though some plot points and events that come off being ridiculous to the point on not being able to suspend your disbelief and not making much sense; the machine that shoots a chemical cloud that both Richard Parker and Dr. Connors was working on but was shut down because the military deemed it dangerous. So it was left at OsCorp behind a glass door? The police firing at Spider-Man, even though he was unarmed apart from having web-shooters? The most ridiculously laughable scene involved a bunch of crane operators helping Spider-Man to swing to OsCorp tower. I can honestly say that I already claim that scene to win The Most Cheesiest Scene of the Year! It’s almost as bad and cheesy as the citizens of New York throwing stuff at Green Goblin in Spider-Man and a forced 9/11 reference when one of the citizens says “you mess with Spidey, you mess with New York!”. A couple plot points are brought up and suddenly disappear, such as Peter Parker trying to find Uncle Ben’s killer. Is he going to eventually find him or has he just given up?

Overall; it is an enjoyable start to the new Spider-Man series and really am interested where they will go from there. Great performances from the cast but it all feels a bit underwhelming from the plot feeling rushed and the incredibly bad cheesy moment. More like The Average Spider-Man.

3 out of 5