Thor review

Thor. Who could resist? A film based on a comic book based on an ancient Norse god. A film with geeky action for the boys (well generalising but you know) and A BLOND NORSE GOD for the girls (and quite a few boys...). So with eager anticipation, release day saw me skipping down to the local Cineworld, purchasing a large drink because I knew it was going to get hot in there and settling in to watch the film I've been babbling on about on Twitter for about 6 months.

Ok, so I might have been excited about the promise of Chris Hemsworth in all his muscular glory, but realistically, Thor looked like an exciting and fresh Marvel film opening the gates to Hollywood's flood of comic book and superhero movies over the next three years. Seeing that Marvel seems to be gaining a bigger audience after the X-Men and Iron Man films and their introduction of super A-List celebs, the calibre had to be better.

And my pre-viewing notion was correct. Kenneth Branagh's delivery of Thor is beautiful, humourous, silly and memorable. But don't be fooled, it wasn't all glitter and wet t-shirts.

The film has several distinctive themes: emotional growth and maturity, war, family secrets, revelations and rivalry, deception, romance, honor...the list goes on. You'd think that with so much going on it wouldn't work or that it would feel bitty but it you'd be wrong. However, it did have it's slight inconsistencies.

The film is set in three different, distinctive worlds: Asgard - the beautiful world that Thor belongs, Jotunheim - the dark, icy world of the Frost Giants and New Mexico, Earth - yeah. Each was beautifully presented and provided a sense of place, making this somewhat complicated (yes, I know - I'm using the word complicated while talking about a Marvel film) timeline, space travel and tangents easier to follow.

We follow Thor, the son of Odin on an emotional and physical journey. We watch the history of Asgard and Jotunheim unfold, revealing the upset and feud between the two worlds ending in the defeat of the Frost Giants by Odin. The Frost Giants are never a problem until the day that Thor is to be made successor and king of Asgard. During the ceremony, Frost Giants break in to the vaults of Asgard obviously angering the people of Asgard and disrupting the ceremony. Thor shows his arrogance and thirst for glory seeking out the Frost Giants with his warrior companions and brother Loki. It is due to his brash behaviour that Thor is striped of his powers and banished to Earth leaving Loki as the only son and heir to the Asgard throne. But Loki is not what he seems.

The plot itself is fairly generic and at times inconsistent. There are moments when you think you know and understand all the characters but then something will happen and it feels like you've missed a scene or that the character is a complete schizophrenic (which is possible). There aren't many moments of revelation and you can pretty much predict everything that's going to happen but as a whole, it's fully acceptable and entertaining.

The script on the other hand, that's a completely different matter. There are moments of absolute genius in the script: Thor going in to a pet store and demanding a horse or "a large dog that I can ride on" is a personal favourite. But there are also some gaping holes and eye rolling moments.

The costumes are pretty spectacular. And I'm not just saying that because they made everyone beautiful but because it really echoed the comic book and immersed you in the world of Asgard and the mythology. There is a moment when Thor becomes the God of Thunder again and I promise you, you will get goosebumps.

The acting was surprisingly good. Chris Hemsworth's first leading role was executed with confidence and stature. I usually watch a film and think "this person would have been better" but I honestly don't think I could have picked another actor. Anthony Hopkins, you can't really say much can you? It was a bit hammy and a bit old school but it worked. The fact that you have instant respect for him kind of helped his role of King. Tom Hiddleston probably had the hardest job in this movie. Loki was possibly the most complicated and inconsistent character but he made it work and I must admit, I would like to see more from him. There's quite a trend now for famous, respected actresses to take the leading role in comic book movies but I generally find that there's an air of arrogance or "supreme-being" about their performances but Natalie Portman did nothing of the sort. She brought a sense of naivety and questioning leaving the spot light on Hemsworth. I will admit that I don't usually like her, but I think she did remarkably well in this role and I look forward to seeing more from her.

As a whole, Thor was beautiful, fun, entertaining and epic. It had its obvious flaws and will not be everyone's cup of tea but I will not spare a second thought about watching it again. Some may view it as tacky or corny or that the script was poor or that it's too juvenile but I just want to remind you that it is a comic book movie and it wouldn't be the same if it was perfect and if it wasn't a little goofy.

I can't wait until it's on Bluray and I can't wait for the Avengers. A decent 4.5/5 from me.

Top Ten Tips for spring and summer!

It's summer! Well, no actually. It's not. But it sure is feeling like it (on most days) and we're all dressing like it's the height of August. So with this in mind, I thought I'd do a post on my top ten tips for spring and summer. These are mainly for girls but you fellas might pick up a trick or two.

I won't do them in order because, let's face it, we all prefer or need different things when it comes to body care and beauty.

1. I'll just state the obvious now. A decent sunblock/sunscreen and aftersun lotions. This just goes without saying not only from a health point of view but also a beauty point of view. If you do like sitting in the sun and tanning, then get a decent sunscreen so that you go a nice golden brown rather than lobster red. If like me, you don't like the sun and look terrible with a tan, get a good sunblock. SIMPLE! And for any times you're caught out, get a decent aftersun cream so that you don't have to run around boots praying that people don't come near your red raw shoulders.

2. One of my favourites for year round body care and beauty would have to be the body gloves. So these are really good during the summer due to a couple of things. Firstly, they are great exfoliators; just pop a bit of shower gel on them and give your body an all over scrub and as if by magic, you've had a deep and consistent exfoliation all over. I've even been a bit naughty and used them on my face and they were great! Second of all, They are really easy to take on holiday. If you're off to a sunny location and want to make sure you're all smooth and dry skin free when you're next to the beach, take a pair of these rather than lugging around ANOTHER tub or tube of exfoliator, it'll work just as well, trust me. And lastly, they're super cheap! A pair costs anything from a quid to £6 and they last for ages. I got mine from Body Shop which are a little more expensive but I've had mine for 6 months now and love them to pieces.

3. This may seem obvious but it's not what you think. Hair conditioner. Now, you may be thinking "Carly....we know how to use hair conditioner." but please bare with me. During the summer you will be de-fuzzing left, right and centre. Whether you wax, epilate, shave, use hair removal cream or those new wonder pad things, hair will be coming off your body like nobody's business. And if you do shave, whether it's your legs and underarms or just underarms, you'll be so thankful for this tip. Instead of using shaving foam which is something like £4 a can (if you're lucky), lasts a month and still leaves your skin irritated, use some hair conditioner. I know I always have 3 or 4 different types of shampoo and conditioner in my shower just because I like to change it up a bit, so any I haven't used in a while gets slapped on to my leg when I shave. You'd be surprised to know that it leaves your skin soft, smooth and obviously smelling lush! Give it a go!

4. Waterproof makeup. It's a god send. I know it's not very ladylike but during the intense heat, especially if you're traveling on the tube, you will, shall we say...glisten a little during the hotter months. And we've all seen it. We've all seen those girls on the train with eyeliner down their faces and streaky foundation and eyeshadow in the creases of the eyelid. It's so worth spending a couple quid on some waterproof options if you don't already have them - just in case that little git running around the park decides to squirt you with water. I generally go for a waterproof liner and mascara and I use Barry M's waterproof eye khol and Christian Diors waterproof mascara. I use a light powder foundation which is really good at clinging to the skin but as the weather gets hotter or I have the option of a beach holiday, I will probably go a little more fool proof.

5. This one will need some explaining so again, bare with me. Clear nail varnish. I have two clear nail varnishes; a cheap, generic one and a more expensive one. My more expensive one is nail envy and I use it mainly as a bottom and top coat. Or if I'm not putting colour on my nails, this is what I will generally use. I don't usually believe in nail hardeners or strengtheners etc but this does seem to work for me. It's a bit pricy at £17 but it lasts a long time and will make your nails healthier as well as stopping any colour bleeding in to your nails. The cheaper one is for a little trick I learnt in the states. If you have an eyeshadow you love using and it matches your dress perfectly but you can't find a matching nail varnish...have no fear! Find an old CD case or an old magazine that you're thinking about throwing away and pour a little of the clear nail varnish on to it. Then take some of your eyeshadow (works best with loose powder but you can always scrape some off a compacted brand) and then mix together. SIMPLE! It lasts a long time too. The last time I did this, it lasted 2 weeks without chipping. Another little tip with nail varnish, if you keep it in the fridge, it stops it from thickening so you get to use it even longer.

6. Body buffer brush. These are great to stimulate circulation in the skin. You just need to grab the brush and rub it in small circles around your body. It not only improves circulation meaning it combats cellulite but it leaves you smooth and glowing as the blood is brought to the surface. Remember to always do it in an upwards direction. These are really cheap from Body Shop and last years.

7. This is a bit of a gross one but it has to be covered. Ped Eggs or foot files. It's summer so you'll want to wear flip flops and fancy sandals and the like so you have to take care of your feet. There's nothing worse than seeing someone with really pretty shoes and then cracked heels or hard skin etc. If you have time and the money (and the stomach) I would recommend going for a fish pedicure as it's relaxing and rids your feet of any horrible, persistent callouses.

8. With all the heat and grime and bronzer that'll be torturing your face causing pimples and the like, I would recommend a good face mask or deep cleanser. My absolute favourite is Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish. I've been using this for years and it's awesome! It smells great and leave your skin feeling amazing. It's quite cheap, £13 for the Cleanse and Polish and 2 muslin cloths. All you have to do is pump some of the Cleanse and Polish on to your finger tips and work it all over the face, rubbing in little circles and then let it just soak in for a few minutes. When you're ready, run one of the muslin cloths under warm water and then use the cloth to remove the mask and all the dirt on ya face!

9. Ever feel a bit gritty and dirty while walking around in the sun? Then why not carry around a spritzing bottle? These are great to freshen your face. You can get pre-made bottles with cucumber extract or pure water etc but why not make your own by picking up a spray bottle from somewhere like Muji or Superdrug, fill it with a mix of water and toner and then just keep it in your bag as and when you need it. Just a little spray in the face or over the body to freshen you up.

10. WATER! Not only should you be drinking 2 litres a day, but you should keep hydrated during the summer. Fainting in the street is not a good look and believe me, the more water you drink, the more healthy your skin will be. And you'll just feel better in general. Why not ditch your daily latte and swap it for a bottle of water and let the sun wake you up during the summer.

And that's it. It's a bit longer than I thought it would be but I hope it's useful.

The Adjustment Bureau

The Adjustment Bureau has been advertised as a suspenseful, alternate reality, fantasy thriller with a passionate story-line between two beautiful, successful people. But did it fulfill it's expectations?

Well, initially, the plot is fairly fast paced as we watch David Norris (Matt Damon) run for a seat in US Senate in modern day New York. But things unravel as his youth and immaturity causes questions to his political career. In a moment of weakness, Norris meets Elise (Emily Blunt), a mysterious, free willed dancer. They form a connection like none other, an encounter neither could forget.

However, the question of free will, chance and a predestined existence is exposed when Norris sees behind a curtain that he shouldn't have known existed. We meet the Adjustment Bureau, an organisation that control the paths of everyone's lives.

Can Norris carry on his life knowing what he does and not fight for what he wants? Well, you'll have to watch it to find out.

So, it sounds like a mix of Dark City, Butterfly Effect, Matrix and City of Angels, and it is. It's really not the most original story and it's not a clever retelling but it is entertaining. However, it is a little cheapened by the heavy religious implication.

That aside, the film as a whole was fairly entertaining with a consistent pace throughout. It was a little choppy in the plot but that's to be expected with the nature of the story.

However, the tension that built throughout the film was not justified or resolved. Though it keeps the pace, suspense and interest building, the tension made you finish watching the film with a lack of fulfillment.

Highlights included Damon's and Blunt's performances. They were engaging and had a spark that made you get caught up in their story, really willing them on. Blunt really has come on leaps and bounds since her Devil Wears Prada days. She was elegant and lively with an intensity which was far beyond expectations. And Damon, Damon gets better and better each time I see him. He made this role seem easy and made you really empathize with him. There was never a moment of frustration with his performance which is rare.

Though the film is a bit strange, a bit preachy and a bit jumpy, it is entertaining and makes you wish you had that sort of connection with someone or look at people in fedoras with a watchful eye.

I would recommend watching it but with low expectations. It won't blow your socks off or change your life and it certainly won't be on anyones favourite films list, but it is worth giving a go.

I give it a steady 3.5/5

Tache Mob!

Don't know what to do with your Saturday afternoon? Got a couple hours spare and want to do a good deed? Why not pop down to the Ministry of Stories and help us raise money?

Tomorrow afternoon, I will be filming a tache mob. That's right, a tache mob. I'll be making a short video focusing on people's favourite books to promote the charities favourites book fund. The plan is to have people walking around the local area with fake mustaches, reading and then everyone stating their favourite book to camera. Simples!

So if you do have a bit of time tomorrow, pop down to 159 Hoxton Street from around 2.30pm and join in the fun. If you have fake mustaches, a monster costume or even just a copy of your favourite book, bring it with you and hopefully we'll be able to make a difference. If you can't make it, then please donate the cost of your favourite book to the charity and hopefully we'll be able to inspire and help more children in the local area.

YAY Polka!

So I'm happy to report that Polka Dots are back in fashion! This makes me very happy. I always like a good ol' spotted dress or top and the fact that it's in fashion again means I don't have to walk around with my head hanging in shame, not just because I'm ashamed of my dots but so I can look at them too.


Most High Street retailers are doing some form of black and white combo which is not only fresh and lively for spring but neutral enough to pair with a bold coloured cardigan. And there's always my favourite brown and white combo which I always associate with running around the Mediterranean.




Easy to dress up or down, this chic theme will work with a nice pair of heels for a wedding or a great pair of sandals for a casual look.






So if you go for the more uniform or the slightly wacky spots, I'm certainly going dotty this season!

Ideal Home Show - Earl's Court

Are you looking for something to do on a day off? Ideal Home is back in Earls Court until the 27th March and well worth a visit.

The annual show is fun and busy with lots to do for people of all ages. If you're in to interior design, gadgets, cooking, beauty, gardening, or anything else to do with everyday life this would be a great day out for you.

As you can imagine, the Ideal Home Show has hundreds of suppliers ready to show you the latest gadgets and tools to make your life a little bit easier. These include the expected paint pads and magic drills to the surprising and quirky products including an egg you place in a toilet to prevent splashback (bizarre I know). But as well as these live action infomercials, you have show homes, shopping (some at a discounted show price), beauty demonstrations and more.

The show is broken up in to different themes and I highly recommend the Ideal Food section. They have live shows from celebrity chefs giving you hints, tips and recipe ideas which will make you salivate, all in only half an hour. And once you've watched one and teased your taste buds, there's a whole host of food to choose from in the surrounding area. The food ranges from Thai to Fish and Chips and they even have a pick and mix milkshake stand. I personally went for some ice-cream from Farmer Gosden's Dairy which was reasonably priced and delicious so I highly recommend paying them a visit.

The show also has an Ideal Woman section with a catwalk showing hourly fashion shows which are a little contrived but fun to watch. They have demonstration stands for hair products, exfoliators and makeup and even have a couple Doctor Fish stations which I am a huge advocate of.

There are also talks from people like Linda Barker and George Clarke in the How To Theatre which are informative and interesting.

You really can spend a whole day at the show as there is so much to do and you'll find something new each time you pass through an area.

There are themed days including Cake Decoration of the Year, Climate Week Eco Day and Home Inventor of the Year so if you have a particular interest, aim for one of these.

My top ten sitcoms of 2010/2011

Who doesn't love a good sitcom at the end of a busy day? I know I certainly do and this year, a few oldies have returned in full force while others have fallen flat and we've also been gifted with some great new shows.

So with that in mind, I'm going to do my Top Ten Sitcoms to Watch from 2010/2011. (Most will be American. Sorry guys)

10. Episodes

Episodes was a great fusion of British and American comedy. The series sees the return of Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan as a (happy) couple. The couple are successful, BAFTA winning, British comedy writers who is approached by an American producer who wants to make their show. We follow the couple as their shows falls to pieces starting with casting Matt LeBlanc as the head teacher of an elite boys school.
Though it is not roll on the floor funny, it is different and parodies character stereotypes and relationships well. It was a little awkward at times due to the juxtaposition of the two very different comedy styles but all in all, it's well worth watching.

9. Better WIth You

A new comedy this season following three couples within the same family. We see parents Kurt Fuller and Debra Jo Rupp as a stereotypical, quarreling but comfortable couple after 35 years together. We see older sister and partner Josh Cooke and Jennifer Finnigan as an unmarried but happy couple who have been together for nine years fighting to authenticate their life choice. And lastly we have the new couple played by Joanna Garcia and Jake Lacy. We watch as they discover more about each other and plan a life together.
The show is fun, light and easy to watch. Kind of similar to Modern Family in subject but executed very differently. You won't find it remarkably clever but you will laugh and appreciate the different representations of the relationships. I think it does appeal to a wide audience due to the balance of age and gender. Some situations are ridiculous but you will relate to others. I'd give it a watch if you're in a mood to just switch off and feel a bit sappy but it's really not for everyone.

8. Raising Hope

Another new show for this season. Raising hope shows a 23-year-old man take responsibility for his baby, conceived during a one-night stand with a woman who is put on death row. We watch as his disfunctional, lack luster family mature and take responsibility for the child and her well being.
The show is quite reminiscent of My Name Is Earl in style and the not so well hidden moral message at the end of every episode. But it's still fun and has the hilarious Maw Maw (the great grandmother suffering with Alzheimer's) which still makes it worth watching. The cast work really well and the writing is fairly snappy and the whole show is just light hearted and silly. It is quite apparent that they kind of loss interest in the idea of raising a baby as that is really on the periphery of the story, but it still works. It's a great slapstick comedy which will make you laugh and feel great about your current situation.

7. Traffic Lights

So at the moment there are a lot of new shows about couples and relationship dynamics, mainly focusing on the man's perspective and Traffic Lights is one of them. Based on an Israeli show of the same name, adapted for an American audience. We see the married with kids Mike played by David Denman trying to grasp on to his independence, Adam played by Nelson Franklin move in with his girlfriend and adjust to the lack of freedom he's used to and Ethan played by British actor Kris Marshall who is perpetually single with no intention of becoming attached. Rather than themed episodes, it settles for the three story line structure making it feel a bit more relaxed and fun.
The reason this series works better than Perfect Couples or even Better Than You is that it is less stylized and have more extreme situations. The casting is pretty much perfect and they work really well together. They have a great balance of predictability and surprise with some surprising jokes. It's not a laugh out loud constantly type show but it's really enjoyable.

6. Come Fly With Me

Matt Lucas and David Walliams returned this year with a reality tv style mockumentary based in an airport very much spoofing shows like Anything to Declare and Airport. The show had Wallaims and Lucas dressing up as different, stereotypical and somewhat offensive characters during the everyday workings of the airport. It was a six part series which is now available on DVD and will be returning later in the year for a second series.
I did go off Lucas and Walliams after the second season of Little Britain. I found the series lost pace and became a little too coarse for the setting and subject. However, Come Fly With Me managed to grab my attention. Though some of the characters were offensive and the show was a little repetitive at times, it was more approachable as an audience member because you had a reference point from the original tv shows. Everyone has their favourite characters and there are plenty of lines to quote. There are still a couple clips I rewatch on youtube time and time again.

5. Mike and Molly

Set in Chicago, Mike and Molly is about a couple of people who find love in Over Eaters Anonymous. Mike, a cop who lacks confidence in some areas but has no sense of reality in others, tries to keep up with Molly, a strongly opinionated teacher who knows what she wants but lives with her crazy mother and sister. We watch as they fall in love and learn how to compromise.
The nice thing about this show is that it's relaxed and different. But it's not different for the reason you think. It does follow a couple of morbidly obese people but it's not entirely about that. It's not constantly talking about diets or self pity, it's just fun. The extreme personalities within the show does make it fairly unrealistic but it is just a heart warming show that leaves you happy and content.

4. The League

In it's second season, The League follows a group of guys in a fantasy football league and the ridiculous situations they get themselves in. We see the dynamic group of friends getting themselves in to stupid situations and trouble. The completely unrealistic moments are highlighted by the outrageous, attractive, singing Taco and the cute, easily impressionable, little girl Ellie.
This show is amazing. The jokes are extreme and well written. The characters are so exaggerated and full of faults that you can't help but laugh at each of them. If you get offended easily, I wouldn't recommend it but if you don't mind a few anal jokes and a young girl calling a cuddly toy the kegel elf then you'll be fine.

3. 30 Rock

It never fails. Even in it's fifth season it's fun, witty and different. If you've never seen the show before, 30 Rock is about a tv writer called Liz and her crazy life. We watch as love passes her buy, her actors do crazy things and the respect from others fluctuating every couple of minutes. Written and starring Tina Fey and produced and starring Alec Baldwin. If you haven't watched it yet...what have you been doing with your life?!
Season 5 has guest appearances from Jon Hamm, Matt Damon, Elizabeth Banks and many more making this season just as exciting as previous ones. The character profiles have shifted slightly and the comedy has become a little more mature (as mature as it can get at least) so there's no sign of it going stale any time soon. I've loved the development in Jack's character as well as Tracey and though we don't see Kenneth as much anymore, he still provides the heart warming humour you expect. If you've never watched it before, please give it a go.

2. Community

High power lawyer Jeff is sent to community college to gain the degree he claims he already has. While there, he forms a Spanish study class to win the heart of a girl. But what he doesn't expect is that the group of odd balls would get along and become friends. Now in its second season, Community is silly, funny, bizarre and somewhat sexy. There is no sense of realism or expectations so you can just sit back and watch as the show unravels itself before your eyes.
Community has to be one of the best comedies out there at the moment. With the extreme characters and stereotypes, it appeals to a wide audience and leaves you asking for more. Some scenes will make you cry and some will make you angry but it's open references and homages to other shows and films will give you a connection and reassurance that other shows won't. It's almost like an American version of Spaced...set in a school with adults. I highly recommend it and I dare you not to fall in love with Troy and Abed.

1. Modern Family

Modern family is a semi mockumentary about a contemporary family. You have the standard couple, married with three kids, the gay couple that have just adopted a vietnamese baby and you have an older gentleman who has married a woman twenty years his junior adopting her young, flamboyant son. This family unit gets itself in to trouble frequently and hilariously making it fun for all to watch.
On it's second season now, Modern Family has really settled in to a working pattern. The extreme stereotypes are so perfectly balanced that you don't really notice that the boundaries have been pushed while watching. The use of extreme characters and somewhat realistic scenarios makes the show surprisingly relatable and make you appreciate the characters plight. The show is easy for all to watch and shouldn't cause offense to anyone. It's still fresh and feels airy while you watch. As it is becoming more popular, more and more familiar faces are creeping in, so keep an eye out for them. If I did have to pick one show to watch this year, it would be this.

So that's my top ten. Other notable shows that can be classed as comedy but I wouldn't necessarily view them as such are Being Human which has it's finally this week and The Big C. Both quite dark but very entertaining.

So if you have cable or you're in the states or have access to an American server (at work for example) why not try a couple out?