Loooove of the Week...

It seems like forever since I wrote the last one. Not that you'd know. Who am I even blogging this to?
Also, this will be written rather distractedly, as I'm watching Maura Tierney's last episode of ER, and I'm a little teary...
Hmm, anyway.
Question: What do I LOVE this week?
Answer: Mr & Mrs Smith

What is Mr & Mrs Smith?: well, to clear up any misunderstandings, I am not talking about the movie with Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie. No sir. I am talking about the 1996 television series, starring Scott Bakula & Maria Bello.

Mr & Mrs Smith (not their real names, of course), were spies. They were basically just a spy partnership, who were not allowed to share any personal information with each other. Obviously, that's going to work, because their spies. What one doesn't share, the other will find out.

Unfortunately, the show was cancelled after 1 season, and left many loose ends, well, loose!

Why do I love it?: for one, Maria Bello. I mean, Jolie can never beat out the Bello!
Also, the show was generally awesome, particularly for someone who likes that kind of thing (i.e. me) The way little pieces of information were revealed throughout the course of the show was amazing. It always left me wondering what they were going to find out next. From Mrs Smith's high school yearbook and her identity bracelet, to Mr Smith's 'awesome fake accent', and the fact that he sucked at hiding secrets.
And FYI, in case anyone wants spoilers:
Mr Smith - Real Name: Jerry Rawlins
Mrs Smith - Real Name: Rebecca Wenzel

What's next for it?: NOTHING! Stupid TV cancelled an awesome show.

What would I like to see?: Release on DVD please? Thank you (:



Recommendations

Music: Have Heart, The Jealous Girlfriends, Uh Huh Her!
Movies: Towelhead, Aberdeen, Assault On Precinct 13
TV: The L Word, 30 Rock, 90210
Other: I just started reading Of Mice & Men, Brunch With Bridget, Maeve Quinlan


P.S - In this episode of ER that I am so not crying at, I'm psyched! Each doctor puts the name tag from their locker up on a wall, and I freaked out when I saw "Del Amico". BRING BACK ANNA! Even if only for one minute in the last ever episode.

Love Of The Week...

This week's love is slightly different to the others, in that this blog wont have all the regular categories. This week, it's a movie!

Love of the week: The Jane Austen Book Club

What is it?: The Jane Austen Book Club is the 2007 film adaptation of the 2004 Novel of the same name. The novel was penned by Karen Joy Fowler, and focuses on six Californians, who arrange the perfect 'antidote to life', an "All Austen, All The Time" book club.

Each member is responsible for a novel, and a meeting is held each month. Over the six months, the audience see the characters change and grow, and we see them realise the things we have known all along.

The club consists of;

• Jocelyn - happily unmarried dog breeder
• Sylvia - recently dumped by her husband
• Allegra - Sylvia's lesbian daughter
• Bernadette - a six-time divorcee
• Prudie - "a French teacher who's never been to France"
• Grigg - a sci-fi fan and 'Austen Virgin'
  

As the months pass, each of the members show characteristics similar to those of Austen's characters and reacts to their lives in much the same way their fictional counterparts would. Bernadette is the mother figure who longs to see everyone find happiness. Sylvia clings to her belief in love and devotion. Jocelyn denies her own feelings for Grigg while playing matchmaker for him and Sylvia. Prudie, with her inattentive husband Dean and a free-spirited, weed-smoking, hippie mother, desperately tries not to give in to her feelings for a student. Allegra, an adventurous young girl, who tends to meet her lovers whilst risking her life. Grigg is attracted to Jocelyn and is stunned by her apparent lack of interest in him, displayed through her reluctance to read Ursula K. Le Guin novels.

Why do I love it?: The Jane Austen Book Club, really is a movie that I could (and no doubt will) watch time and time again, and never get bored. Knowing the ending will never ruin it for me.

It is, when it comes down to it, a romance. I, for one, am not entirely sure why romance films are frowned upon. When written, acted and directed well, romance movies can be amazing.
I'm not saying that this is the best movie you'll ever see, I'm just saying that it's a sweet film, it's a nice film, and it's one I'll definitely be watching again.

Cast List:

Main Cast:

Maria Bello - Jocelyn
Amy Brenneman - Sylvia
Kathy Baker - Bernadette
Hugh Dancy - Grigg
Emily Blunt - Prudie
Maggie Grace - Allegra

Supporting Cast:

Jimmy Smits: Daniel
Kevin Zegers - Trey
Parisa Fitz-Henley - Corinne
Gwendoline Yeo - Dr. Yep
Marc Blucas - Dean
Lynn Redgrave - 'Mama Sky'

Also a major plus, there is not one dud performance in this film. I was familiar with many of the main cast beforehand, the only leading role actor I was unfamiliar with being Maggie Grace. I am glad to say that there were no disappointments in regard to performances. (note: I just realised that sounds kind of dodgy, but I kept it in anyway.)

Oh, and Hugh Dancy is totally from the same place as me, so that's awesome!



Oh and my new thing is recommendations, so here goes...

Movies: The Jane Austen Book Club (of course), Thank You For Smoking and Role Models
Music: Florence And The Machine, Jenny Owen Youngs, The Sound Of Arrows and Gavin Portland (I stole two of Raimy's there, I admit)
TV: How I Met Your Mother, 30 Rock, Project Runway and The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Other/ Online: THIS!, Liz Feldman, find me stuff to recommend.

Love Of The Week...

Hey hey heyyyy!
It's that time again... and this week's love is... Lily Allen!

Who is Lily Allen?: Lily Rose Beatrice Allen is a singer/songwriter, and the host of her own BBC chat show, Lily Allen and Friends. Her style is classed mainly as 'Mockney'. She has so far released only one album 'Alright, Still' and her second, 'It's Not Me, It's You', is due to be released in both the UK and the US this February.

Why do I love her?: I love Lily's music because it is literally one of those 'she's saying what you're thinking' kind of experiences. Her songs are wonderful, and she's made her comeback with 'The Fear', which, in my opinion is one of her greatest to date!

Her chatshow is also amazing, and the rumours that it will not be returning for a second series sadden me!

What's next for Lily?: The release of her new album, and her upcoming tour! Yay!

What I hope to see for Lily: Her new album do as well as the last, and for her to remain on the right track!

Love Of The Week: Uh Huh Her

Holla!
It's me again, telling you about my love of this week. I know you're simply dying to find out what I've chosen this week... unless you read the blog title of course. That's right, this weeks love, UH HUH HER! Who are Uh Huh Her?: Uh Huh Her, according to Wikipedia, are an 'indietronic' band. I prefer not to class them as one genre, as they're far too creative for that. But, I guess indietronic's close enough! UHH, as they're known to fans, are made up of two members;

• Camila Grey, an amazingly talented musician, formerly of Mellowdrone, and bass and keyboard player for everyone from Busta Rhymes to Kelly Osbourne.
• Leisha Hailey, wonderful musician and actress. Best known for her role as Alice Pieszecki on 'The L Word', and as a member of 'The Murmurs'.

Why I love Uh Huh Her:

There are many reasons I love UHH;

• their lyrics are amazing
• music is annoyingly catchy
• they're so chilled out
• they love unicorns :)
• they have style!
• their merchandise is the best going

They're an amazing and sweet band. They even sent autographed pictures to fans because they're album was released late. They're super cool and, honestly, there's no reason to not love them. Plus, to top it off, they're both stunning!

What's next for Uh Huh Her?:
With their record deal, and sell out tours, I'd say conquering the world! Their music is being played more and more on TV shows, and I can see these girls getting very successful, very soon!

What I'd like to see happen to Uh Huh Her: Become wildly successful of course, but not lose touch of the real fans! *I'm talking to you, Ms. Bedingfield*
And I'd like to see them play in the UK, somewhere other than London, and not a 18+ show, if it's not too much to ask girlies!

'Love Of The Week' : Veronica Mitchell

From now on, my 'reviews' will basically be telling you what my "Love Of The Week" is. My love of the week is something I've started keeping track of on my MSN name and Bebo page. It can be anything or anyone, and this week, it's Veronica 'Ronnie' Mitchell.

Who is Ronnie?: For those of you who don't know, Ronnie Mitchell is a fictional character in the soap opera Eastenders. She is a member of the infamous Mitchell family, and is portrayed by the lovely Samantha Janus, who some people may know as the performer of the United Kingdom's 1991 Eurovision entry, 'Message To Your Heart'. (Then again, maybe not!)

Since appearing in the soap in July 2007, she's provided many reasons to love her, and is only second to Tanya Branning in my favourite characters list.

Why do I love her? I believe that this quote from Diederick Santer, creator of Ronnie's character, explains, "They may be glamorous young women, but these girls are Mitchells and have all the strength of character and unique moral code the name implies."

When Santer says "they", he is referring to Ronnie and her younger sister, Roxy. The two were introduced in a bid to 'liven up' the show, and have definitely done so!

I was initially sceptical about the arrival of the Mitchell sister, but will happily admit I was wrong.

Why I love Ronnie:

Here's a few reasons I love Veronica Mitchell;

• her strength
• her commitment to her sister
• her attitude
• her dress sense (it is a valid reason, goddamn it!)
• Sam Janus' incredible performances
• she held an 80's themed night at her nightclub, and looked awesome!
  

Ronnie's been through a particularly tough time lately. It was revealed that she had a daughter at the age of 14, and was pressured by her father, Archie, to have her child adopted. He revealed recently that Ronnie's daughter had died. The viewers are aware that this is a lie, and we have seen Ronnie have many arguments with real daughter, Danielle. Of course, Ronnie is unaware of their connection.
Ronnie has attempted to contact her daughter's father, only for Archie to find, and destroy his reply.

Also a blow to Ronnie, was her Christmas Day discovery that on/off boyfriend Jack, was the father of her niece, Amy. As I have vowed to myself that I will always be truthful in this blog, I'll admit here that watching the scene where Ronnie first heard of this betrayal by Roxy and Jack, I did feel a little teary. The actors in the show are (generally) of such a high quality, that it is hard to not feel for the characters!

What's next for Ronnie?: If you watch the show, and don't want to see spoilers, look away... well, now really.

Well, as far as I know, Roxy's husband attempts to kill himself, his wife and Amy. From what I've read, Ronnie manages to save Roxy (unsure of hubby's fate).

Danielle has a job interview at Ronnie's nightclub, R&R. The interview doesn't go well, and Ronnie advises Danielle to move back home. Danielle runs away crying, and Ronnie follows her, concerned.

I've also heard that Danielle is pregnant (hence the crying) and I'm hoping she's going to make her big confession to Ronnie. I'd really like these two to build something.

Also rumoured is that Ronnie will develop some kind of relationship with Jack's brother, Max. I seriously, seriously hope not

Another rumour is that, in 2009, Ronnie & Roxy discover they have a secret brother. I came up with that storyline weeks ago, so I'd like some money from the BBC.

What I'd like to see happen to her next:

• build a relationship with estranged daughter, Danielle
• permanently break up with Jack
• get a new love interest!

Above: Ronnie threatens Danielle after her friend soaks Ronnie.
But doesn't she look great in her 80s get up?

Movie: "The Children"

I went to see "The Children" on Tuesday night at my local cinema.
The film is a British Horror (no groans, give it a chance!) with a seemingly basic plot.

Here's the short version. Woman #1 and her husband take the kids to stay with her sister, Woman #2, her husband and their kids. It's a few days after Christmas. The kids start being weird, the next thing you know, they're killing everyone.

Now, I know that that sounds pretty crappy, but the long version is much better.
However, I'm not going to ruin it, as I think you should watch the movie. You'll have to deal with the as far as plot goes.

The acting by these young children was amazing. They were amazing, and it was the first big performance for three of them. Hannah Tointon (Casey) is much better than I would've given her credit for hearing she's a former Hollyoaks cast member.

However, I believe that because this is a child-based film (title says it all), the acting by the four "grown-ups" isn't being appreciated. As a huge fan of Rachel Shelley anyway, I'll happily say that she didn't disappoint. Having only ever seen Eva Birthistle in 'Imagine Me & You', it was great to see her in a more serious role (it is hard to be 'ecstatic' when your children are trying to kill you).
Stephen Campbell Moore and Jeremy Sheffield were also fantastic, as usual. But enough about the acting!

I thought the story was going to be predictable and boring, but I couldn't have been more wrong.
However, I do believe that the film's original title "The Day" would have been much more fitting!

Great plot, great acting and plenty of gore! Right up my street.
Basically, I think it's worth a watch :)