Submarine

Last night I went to see Richard Ayoade's new film Submarine and wow, it was fantastic.

Normally when I go see the film I have at least read a review or seen a trailer, but I went in stone cold this time. The only information I knew about the film was that the soundtrack was by Alex Turner and it was Ayoade's first feature length film. In a way, I think this lead me to appreciate the film more as I had no preconceptions about it.

The film is adapted by Joe Dunthorne's coming of age novel which centres around the life and thoughts of 15 year old Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts). In an Adrian Mole-esque way the film is narrated by Oliver throughout and set in the late 80's a sense of nostalgia is felt with technology and fashion featuring heavily in the film (Polaroids, tape players, midi pleated skirts and duffel coats). Due to the era and plot the film is on the cusp of being perceived as a 'indie-I'm-better-than-you' film, but it's thankfully avoided due to it's mundane references to pot holes, school boy humour and eczema.

However, the film keeps a deadpan humour throughout. What I enjoyed is the way mundane British traditions, lifestyles and characteristics were played throughout. One which tickled my particularly was when Oliver described a tradition at his mother's work (the local council) where people brought in their own Birthday cake and how odd he found this. At this exact moment myself and my friend turned to each other to say the same is true at our work place....oh dear

 (Oliver and Jordana - Source: IMDb)

The film focuses on two relationships:

1) Oliver pursuing and seducing Jordana (Yasmin Paige) a sulky but alluring brunette with a penchant for pyromania. Jordana's lack of emotion and lip curling half smiles is very reminiscent of a large majority of teenage girls that mesmerise boys. Throughout the film small cracks of emotion can be seen in Jordana and in the end it is her that relies on Oliver rather than the other way round.

2) The dwindling love life of Oliver's parents Jill (Sally Hawkins) and Lloyd (Noah Taylor) and Oliver's own attempts at keeping them together. Although Oliver views his parents relationship as stagnant and past it's best and takes an unusual interest on getting things back on track in an unusually awkward and dead-pan way.

(Jill - Source: IMDb)

 

Ayoade, although not staring in the film, can be felt throughout with classic quotes which made the audience erupt with laughter. The humour throughout the film is very reminiscent of Dark Place, with the fast space speech and stills of characters on a black back-lit background accompanied by a descriptive voice over from Oliver.

The main attraction of this film is it's awkwardness and observational humour which is so very British. Either by Oliver failing to be able to piss on demand to vandalise his neighbour's property or Jill believing it more realistic that her son is psychotic over him having a girlfriend.

Ayoade and Turner (Source: Independent)

One last reason to see this film is the amazing soundtrack by Alex Turner which I mentioned earlier, who might I add the main character Oliver has a striking resemblance too! Turner creates a acoustic-folk masterpiece with hints of a Beatles sound and a few remaining gruff Arctic Monkey pronunciations and wording.  It creates an background atmosphere which blends in to the film's setting and plot without distracting away from the film.

 

If you get the chance you really should see this film, I can guarantee you will laugh out loud at least once.

Pale nail

A spot of boredom this afternoon has lead me to try a nail polish combo I've wanted to try for a while.
When I left my last job I got some lovely leaving presents,including an amazing nails inc set.

In the past I was put off by nails inc as they cost around £10 a pop. However, having splashed out on one a few months ago I can say it really is worth it as it didn't chip for two weeks!
I was eager to try my new set out and I've had the basil street colour on my nails for the past week. Wanting a change I decided to add a vibrant tip, taking inspiration from the Dior red makeup. I chose Barry m raspberry which I think compliments the base colour.

See what you think in the pictures below (It could be neater but I chose to do it 15 mins before going out!)

"The Iconic Kate Moss"

No matter how many times the press exclaim that Kate Moss is a supermodel of yesteryear (cue the Paris catwalk smoking scandal) who needs to step back for the likes of Coco Rocha to take the gauntlet, it simply isn't true as her latest Dior campaign shows.

The video below has a sense of reality which a lot of beauty campaigns lack amongst the staged backgrounds and scripted dialogue. It's fast moving and down to earth showing the product (lipstick) in it's everyday use. The video shows Kate apply her lipstick whilst getting ready in a luxurious Parisian apartment where she jumps into a car to go to the Dior s/s '11 show where she reapplies the lipstick before exiting to a mass of people and paparazzi. The lipstick itself looks full of moisture and easy to apply which I think is a must as I really hate when my lips dry out half way through a night.

On a last note, the advert although for Dior lipstick cleverly incorporates Dior s/s 11 catwalk show with key looks getting valuable full screen shots. If only we had that kind of money....

Anyway, enough of my chitter-chater. Take a look for yourself.

The writing on the wall

One of my obsession at the moment is white photo frames. I have always had an interest in photography and used to plaster my walls in photos of friends and family in my student days. However, now that I'm slightly older blutac just doesn't cut it!
Anyway, I thought I'd share with you my current collection (there would be more but I think my wall can only take so many nails before it starts to crumble!)

P.S. This is my first attempt at using the blogger app on my phone. Seems to be quite straight forward and should be a good tool to produce more impromptu posts.

Wish list, want list

Dear Mr. Bank Manager,

I feel that as I have been a valid customer of your bank community for many years I should be rightfully rewarded with a gift for my loyalty and trust.

I know from experience how customer satisfaction is one of your top priorities. I fondly think back to the time I set up a direct debit at a local branch to be met with a cheerful and chatty message three weeks later from the intended receiving party of words to the contrary.

So Mr Bank Manager, if you really do want to a put smile back on my face, please choose one of the following as a consolation prize and we can put all those sour moments behind us.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

Kind Regards,
Lucy

Layla block heels - Topshop £65

Blurred spotted scarf - Whistles £55

Postman's lock camera bag - Oak soft buffalo - Mulberry £638

PU Quilted Biker Jacket - Warehouse £55

Music of the month - Fantastic Mr Fox.

Fantastic Mr Fox.

This month's music comes from Fantastic Mr Fox. Originally from Wolverhampton, Fantastic Mr Fox (Stephen Gomberg) has been producing music since the age of 14 and this really shows in his intricate and layered compositions. The samples used in his music range from 60's funk to a simple hand clap to 90s garage vocals yet layered over one another it creates a unique sound sewn together with an underlying moog synth sound often giving way to a deep earthy bass.

To quote the man himself from the Guardian band of the day blog...

"There might be 200 layers in a song – I might record myself clapping or there might be a split-second of 60s prog hi-hat that I might then put an effect on and mess with for hours. It's all very laborious. I take the samples from so many sources, and they get so messed up, you can't tell in the end where they came from."

The hard work really has payed off for Stephen. Not only is Fantastic Mr Fox popular in the Manchester scene, playing alongside the main man of the Drum and Bass scene Rich Reason at Hit and Run, he also has famous fans including The XX and Warpaint.

The XX took him on their US tour where he DJ'd between their sets and also at every after party alongside Jamie XX, the producer of the moment. Opportunities like this don't come around often and it must have been an exhilarating experience to get his music out to the masses of Uncle Sam hipsters across the different states.

Anyway, enough of my chitter-chatter, take a look for yourself as the music really does speak for itself. You can find more mixes on the Fantastic Mr Fox. Facebook page.

Hollywood

We are well into the awards season and the Oscars is approaching like a speeding bullet. Vanity Fair have released their annual Hollywood edition which includes the lust worthy editorial with the up and coming stars of the big screen. This year's cover does not disappoint.

Having just got back from the cinema to see Black Swan my eyes were drawn to Mila Kunis straight away. I think she has filled the gap that Megan Fox left when she started to loose her curves and took a step back from the limelight. Megan's other look alike is also features, Olivia Wilde.

From L-R: Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, James Franco, Jennifer Lawrence, Anthony Mackie, Olivia Wilde, Jesse Eisenberg, Mila Kunis, Robert Duvall , Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Andrew Garfield, Rashida Jones, Garrett Hedlund, and Noomi Rapace.

I decided to look back at editorials from years gone by to see who featured and if they have stayed true to 'Hollywood' form.

1995 -'The Class of 2000'

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Uma Thurman, Nicole Kidman, Patricia Arquette, Linda Fiorentino, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianne Moore, Angela Bassett, and Sandra Bullock

Look at SJP giving a fierce Carrie pose! Even though this shoot was over 15 years ago it still contains some of the biggest actresses in today's industry (sorry that doesn't include you Jennifer Jason Leigh!) With Nicole Kidman gaining many nominations this year and Sandra Bullock sweeping the board last year for The Blind Side it shows that age isn't always the biggest factor in Hollywood with these 30/40 year olds striding on.

Vanity Fair also has a Young Hollywood issue later in the year, and a similarity between last years and the 2000 shoot caught my eye. Take a look for yourself...

2000 - Young Hollywood edition 'Splendour in the grass'

Amanda Seyfried and Marley Shelton...Blue top...Tousled hair behind the ears....holding on to knees. Is it the same person ten years on?! To be honest, I think the similarities are on purpose if you study the poses and positioning (odd how the brunettes are all playing the masculine counterparts though).

Another way this could be interrupted is the breakthrough of young women in Hollywood. Obviously women have always featured in Hollywood but up until the 1950's they would normally be a supporting role to the lead male, or act as some kind of damsel in distress. Now we are seeing women in more cult (Carey Mulligan - An Education), (Kristen Steward - The Runaways) and also comic roles (Emma Stone - Superbad). Although most of the young women above are only just scraping the surface of their careers I'm sure they are better off then women starting 50 years ago.