Source: Taylor Herring
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Secret Life Of...
'Secret Life Of...' is a biography with a difference, giving an inside look into the lives of some of history's most prolific characters and lifting the lid on some of the more juicy details that you won't have learnt in your school history lessons. The series will cover such favourites as Shakespeare, Casanova and Henry VII.
Ahead of the launch, Yesterday has released a series of images that imagine what these icons would look like if they were alive now.
Here is the press release: http://www.taylorherring.com/blog/index.php/2013/05/icons-of-history-are-given-a-modern-day-makeover/
My favourite has to be the 'powerful, no-nonsense' Elizabeth 1, as a Tudor fan, I think they've got her spot on, and I will definitely be tuning into the series!
Source: Taylor Herring
Source: Taylor Herring
Friday, 26 April 2013
Monsters University promotional activity
Earlier this week, Pixar unveiled the third and final trailer for the eagerly anticipated Monsters University, the prequel to Monsters Inc., and likely summer smash hit. Take a look!
Pixar are truly the masters at promotion, building anticipation and excitement around a movie launch, regardless of whether it's a sequel or not. Trailers aside, they've stayed current and digital-savvy throughout the pre-launch build up, utilizing viral marketing very successfully.
First up, the BRILLIANT microsite masquerading as an 'academic' website - http://monstersuniversity.com/
The site is full of pages and pages of believable copy from amusing testimonials to campus map and event calendar. The sheer thought that has gone into every page is astounding - there's even a section for Monsters Univ ID card and login!
Not content with developing one viral site, Pixar swiftly jumped on the Tumblr bandwagon, mimicking the success of blogs filled with Twitter-style updates and Instagram photos. The cleverly-titled "The Grumblr" shares updates from university events and around campus - http://mugrumblr.tumblr.com/
All executed in the way you'd expect from a Disney/Pixar launch and really sets the bar in future film marketing. Monsters University is released in the UK on Friday 12th July 2013.
Pixar are truly the masters at promotion, building anticipation and excitement around a movie launch, regardless of whether it's a sequel or not. Trailers aside, they've stayed current and digital-savvy throughout the pre-launch build up, utilizing viral marketing very successfully.
First up, the BRILLIANT microsite masquerading as an 'academic' website - http://monstersuniversity.com/
The site is full of pages and pages of believable copy from amusing testimonials to campus map and event calendar. The sheer thought that has gone into every page is astounding - there's even a section for Monsters Univ ID card and login!
Not content with developing one viral site, Pixar swiftly jumped on the Tumblr bandwagon, mimicking the success of blogs filled with Twitter-style updates and Instagram photos. The cleverly-titled "The Grumblr" shares updates from university events and around campus - http://mugrumblr.tumblr.com/
All executed in the way you'd expect from a Disney/Pixar launch and really sets the bar in future film marketing. Monsters University is released in the UK on Friday 12th July 2013.
Friday, 30 November 2012
Film review: Silver Linings Playbook
Director/Writer: David O. Russell (based on the novel by Matthew Quick)
Main Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro
Runtime: 122 minutes
Certificate: 15 (UK)
Brief Summary: After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.
(source:IMDB).
Upon first glance at the trailer, Silver Linings Playbook would appear to be a typical rom-com, starring hunky Bradley Cooper and rising star Jennifer Lawrence , but thankfully it is so much more.
David O'Russell's film is heartwarming and heart-breaking in equal measures, and present Pat's bipolar disorder through a raw depiction that is sometimes brutal, but always honest..
This is definitely Bradley Cooper's best performance to date, propelling him into a role with real depth and sincerity. The film follows Pat's journey following his release from a mental health facility following months of treatment. Determined to win his wife back, we watch as he tries to figure out ways to reach a reconciliation, despite the small problem of a restraining order. Cue Tiffany (Lawrence), a widow and recovering sex addict, who develops a wary friendship with Pat, promising communication with his wife, in exchange for being her dance partner for an upcoming competition. The film's mental health theme is not given the typical rom-com gloss with all their problems 'cured' and/or forgotten by the end of the movie, but they do show how the characters can use their vulnerability as a strength.
.The film offers really interesting and believable character studies and a true film of self-discovery through heartache and learning to love again.
Saturday, 21 July 2012
Film review: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Director/Writer: Lorene Scafaria
Main Cast: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley.
Runtime: 101 minutes
Certificate: 15 (UK)
Brief Summary: As an asteroid nears Earth, a man finds himself alone after his wife leaves in a panic. He decides to take a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. Accompanying him is a neighbor who inadvertently puts a wrench in his plan.
Tagline: The end is coming soon
(source:IMDB).
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is the newest offering from writer/director Lorene Scafaria, (whose previous work includes Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist), and is a tale of "unexpected romance blossoming between two strangers while on an impromptu road trip." Oh, and is set in a world on the verge of an apocalypse - but that is very much a subplot...
The film opens with Dodge (Carell) being left by wife Linda (Nancy Carell) just as a radio announcer confirms that giant asteroid 'Matilda' is on her way and they have three weeks left until doomsday. With no-one else left to spend his remaining time on Earth with, Dodge continues to carry on with his everyday life, whilst everyone around him engages in indulgent hedonism. That is until he encounters flighty and flaky neighbour Penny (Knightley) who is in possession of a letter from his first love, Olivia. Together the pair embark on a road trip to reunite with their loved ones.
The film takes a while to get going, but eventually it finds its feet, and it works. Seeking a Friend has grappled with some criticism, specifically that it seems to skirt around what should be the main premise of the film - the end of all things, which in turn takes a back-seat to what appears to be another road-trip movie, with all the usual romance/chick-flick clichés. Whilst this is true, it is actually quite refreshing to see an apocalyptic film approached from a different angle, that isn't extraterrestrial, full of huge explosions and/or extreme weather gone wrong. This one is small and sweet, and paints what I believe to be a truer perspective of what most people would do if faced with 3 weeks left on Earth. Yes there is rioting, but there are also pilgrimages, loved ones reuniting, and generally a lot of 'tying up loose ends'.
The character development is my favourite thing about the film. The blossoming friendship between Dodge and Penny is endearing and entirely believable. There is enormous depth to both characters and it is these performances that make the small moments so poignant, in particular the phone conversation between Penny and her family back in the UK.
If I had to give criticism? The asteroid abruptly arriving earlier seems like an odd, unexplained and unnecessary plot twist and made the film suddenly feel jerky and rushed.
In the end, the film doesn't concern itself with THE end, instead with those important moments prior to the end, and what you choose to do with it.
My rating:3.5/5
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Favourite things this week
The Hunger Games
As I write this, The Hunger Games has now just taken over $300m in the US and topped the Easter bank holiday with $33.5. As an avid reader of the books, I had been bubbling over with excitement for the film release and I finally took myself to see it this weekend. For those who have taken their bank holiday under a rock, the basic premise of the film centres around Katniss Everdeen (played brilliantly by Jennifer Lawrence), who is selected to represent her district in a televised fight to the death, which is broadcast by the Capitol, the rulers of the country of Panem (or - dystopian America). The film draws comparisons from Battle Royale combined with today's obsession with reality television.
I've always advocated original books to their screenplay counterparts and whilst I still prefer Suzanne Collins's novel, this is an amazing adaptation and it is to [director] Gary Ross's credit that this has been spun into such a compelling cinematic success. There's nothing left to say on the matter other than, I implore you to see it!
Goofy's surprise visit
This year Disneyland Paris are celebrating their 20th birthday, and they're definitely celebrating in style. Their online stunt though, is particularly special. Teaming up with Google, Disney allows visitors to the site to enjoy a virtual visit from Goofy, having him appear right at their doorstep. It's hard to explain but just take a visit and see for yourself at: http://www.giantsteps20.com/
As I write this, The Hunger Games has now just taken over $300m in the US and topped the Easter bank holiday with $33.5. As an avid reader of the books, I had been bubbling over with excitement for the film release and I finally took myself to see it this weekend. For those who have taken their bank holiday under a rock, the basic premise of the film centres around Katniss Everdeen (played brilliantly by Jennifer Lawrence), who is selected to represent her district in a televised fight to the death, which is broadcast by the Capitol, the rulers of the country of Panem (or - dystopian America). The film draws comparisons from Battle Royale combined with today's obsession with reality television.
I've always advocated original books to their screenplay counterparts and whilst I still prefer Suzanne Collins's novel, this is an amazing adaptation and it is to [director] Gary Ross's credit that this has been spun into such a compelling cinematic success. There's nothing left to say on the matter other than, I implore you to see it!
Goofy's surprise visit
This year Disneyland Paris are celebrating their 20th birthday, and they're definitely celebrating in style. Their online stunt though, is particularly special. Teaming up with Google, Disney allows visitors to the site to enjoy a virtual visit from Goofy, having him appear right at their doorstep. It's hard to explain but just take a visit and see for yourself at: http://www.giantsteps20.com/
Sunday, 6 February 2011
January: Work Experience, Matilda, The King's Speech and Carrie Bradshaw
Bit of an overdue post for January, I have really learnt the meaning of being rushed off my feet this month. Kept having to put off when I could sit down and write this post but a promise is a promise (see last post) and I couldn't put it off forever.
Most of January I was still at Travel Channel where I'd been since November as a Production intern. Then for the past week I've been at a PR agency in Camden who look after such big names as The Apprentice and Disney. The brands I've been working on are NPower (and subsequently the Football League), Beatbullying, Milkybar and We Are What We Do (social movement group behind the Anya Hindmarch bags). It's very hectic and quite stressful but I can safely say I've caught the PR bug. Everything I've learnt has just been SO interesting. There's a Football League promotion coming up soon that's really exciting, I don't know how much I can say but it's called What's My Goal? and Kevin Keegan is part of it. The photoshoot for it happened on Friday, and when the photos come out, I would like everyone to know that I picked out a lot of the clothes for it, just so you are all aware.
As well as those brands, I was also lucky enough to help out at a Cancer Research Race For Life publicity event on Wednesday morning where I met one of the guest appearances, Jeff Brazier.
The work experience was only meant to be for the week (well, originally it was meant to be a month but there was a lot of confusion and I ended up getting double booked) but the team I've been working alongside have allowed me an extra week, so I'm looking forward to what I'll be doing then.
I'm still working at Debenhams on Saturdays, and seem to be going out most Saturdays (therefore followed by a sleepy Sunday) so with all of that, it's a wonder I can keep myself awake long enough to be writing this!
Now onto my favourite things of the month...
Matilda, A Musical
(http://www.matildamusical.com/)
There is no other word to describe this musical, other than AMAZING. Everything was so well thought out - the set, the songs (penned by the brilliant Tim Minchin). Even the foyer during the interval was covered in blackboards for the children (and big kids) to write messages, thoughts, doodles etc.
The girl who played Matilda was completely adorable, whilst also being very very cool and she was supported by an incredible cast. All the children were hilarious, whilst Paul Kaye and Bertie Carvel were excellent as Mr Wormwood and Miss Trunchbull respectively.
The musical was staged only at the RSC Courtyard Theatre in Stratford, and because of this smaller venue, you really feel like you are witnessing something new and exclusive and brilliant that noone else knows of yet. Which of course is completely untrue. Everyone soon cottoned onto it and everyone (that I know of) who saw it, LOVED it, just as much as myself.
Matilda, A Musical is enjoyable for everyone - for the children (obviously), whilst their parents can enjoy the stage adaptation of the book that they all grew up with. Matilda is not only my favourite Roald Dahl book (just pipping Charlie and the Chocolate Factory & The Witches to the post), but also one of my favourite children's books that there is, and this play brings it to life in the most magical way.
The King's Speech
You can't turn on the tv/pick up a newspaper/have a conversation without The King's Speech cropping up pretty early on. Deservedly however, it is a film worth talking about.
Colin Firth is the man of the moment, earning himself a handful (make that armful) of awards and nominations for his delicate portrayal of the past King of England, George VI. As much as I love Colin Firth in any role, it's so exciting to see him doing a non-romcom, and to see him do it so effortlessly well... I'm gushing, I do apologise. Helena Bonham-Carter and Geoffrey make up a great supporting cast too.
Ultimately, if you haven't seen it already (and I'm telling you, you're in the minority), I cannot recommend it enough!
The Carrie Diaries - Candace Bushnell
The Carrie Diaries is a prequel to the hugely successful Sex and the City book (and following franchise), depicting Carrie Bradshaw's high school years, aimed at a more YA audience.
I always found the original SatC book to be a lot different from the television series, in terms of characters mainly. But The Carrie Diaries has definitely been written with the fans of the tv show in mind. And, although it is a prequel, it also functions well as a stand alone 'coming of age' story whom many girls will easily relate to (which was always the appeal of Carrie Bradshaw to older fans). This is just the first book in what will be a series. Whilst it is not a groundbreaking plot, it is a very enjoyable read nonetheless, for the younger audience that it is written for, or for original fans who miss Sex and the City and will lap up any related merchandise.
Most of January I was still at Travel Channel where I'd been since November as a Production intern. Then for the past week I've been at a PR agency in Camden who look after such big names as The Apprentice and Disney. The brands I've been working on are NPower (and subsequently the Football League), Beatbullying, Milkybar and We Are What We Do (social movement group behind the Anya Hindmarch bags). It's very hectic and quite stressful but I can safely say I've caught the PR bug. Everything I've learnt has just been SO interesting. There's a Football League promotion coming up soon that's really exciting, I don't know how much I can say but it's called What's My Goal? and Kevin Keegan is part of it. The photoshoot for it happened on Friday, and when the photos come out, I would like everyone to know that I picked out a lot of the clothes for it, just so you are all aware.
As well as those brands, I was also lucky enough to help out at a Cancer Research Race For Life publicity event on Wednesday morning where I met one of the guest appearances, Jeff Brazier.
The work experience was only meant to be for the week (well, originally it was meant to be a month but there was a lot of confusion and I ended up getting double booked) but the team I've been working alongside have allowed me an extra week, so I'm looking forward to what I'll be doing then.
I'm still working at Debenhams on Saturdays, and seem to be going out most Saturdays (therefore followed by a sleepy Sunday) so with all of that, it's a wonder I can keep myself awake long enough to be writing this!
Now onto my favourite things of the month...
Matilda, A Musical
(http://www.matildamusical.com/)
There is no other word to describe this musical, other than AMAZING. Everything was so well thought out - the set, the songs (penned by the brilliant Tim Minchin). Even the foyer during the interval was covered in blackboards for the children (and big kids) to write messages, thoughts, doodles etc.
The girl who played Matilda was completely adorable, whilst also being very very cool and she was supported by an incredible cast. All the children were hilarious, whilst Paul Kaye and Bertie Carvel were excellent as Mr Wormwood and Miss Trunchbull respectively.
The musical was staged only at the RSC Courtyard Theatre in Stratford, and because of this smaller venue, you really feel like you are witnessing something new and exclusive and brilliant that noone else knows of yet. Which of course is completely untrue. Everyone soon cottoned onto it and everyone (that I know of) who saw it, LOVED it, just as much as myself.
Matilda, A Musical is enjoyable for everyone - for the children (obviously), whilst their parents can enjoy the stage adaptation of the book that they all grew up with. Matilda is not only my favourite Roald Dahl book (just pipping Charlie and the Chocolate Factory & The Witches to the post), but also one of my favourite children's books that there is, and this play brings it to life in the most magical way.
The King's Speech
You can't turn on the tv/pick up a newspaper/have a conversation without The King's Speech cropping up pretty early on. Deservedly however, it is a film worth talking about.
Colin Firth is the man of the moment, earning himself a handful (make that armful) of awards and nominations for his delicate portrayal of the past King of England, George VI. As much as I love Colin Firth in any role, it's so exciting to see him doing a non-romcom, and to see him do it so effortlessly well... I'm gushing, I do apologise. Helena Bonham-Carter and Geoffrey make up a great supporting cast too.
Ultimately, if you haven't seen it already (and I'm telling you, you're in the minority), I cannot recommend it enough!
The Carrie Diaries - Candace Bushnell
The Carrie Diaries is a prequel to the hugely successful Sex and the City book (and following franchise), depicting Carrie Bradshaw's high school years, aimed at a more YA audience.
I always found the original SatC book to be a lot different from the television series, in terms of characters mainly. But The Carrie Diaries has definitely been written with the fans of the tv show in mind. And, although it is a prequel, it also functions well as a stand alone 'coming of age' story whom many girls will easily relate to (which was always the appeal of Carrie Bradshaw to older fans). This is just the first book in what will be a series. Whilst it is not a groundbreaking plot, it is a very enjoyable read nonetheless, for the younger audience that it is written for, or for original fans who miss Sex and the City and will lap up any related merchandise.
Friday, 31 December 2010
2010 Best Bits
I got incredibly lax towards the tail-end of 2010 (ok, the entire second half) but that will all change in the new year! Promise...
This post is a 'best of'... of sorts, summarising my favourite films watched and books read during 2010.
Films:
Kick-Ass: http://lelloyd.blogspot.com/2010/04/film-review-kick-ass.html
Cemetery Junction: http://lelloyd.blogspot.com/2010/05/film-review-cemetery-junction.html
The Social Network: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB95KLmpLR4
This was a surprise for me. Seeing as the film doesn't technically include any of the following: action, romance, comedy (there were moments but not enough to be able to call it one) The Social Network was still a stand-out film of 2010, and one that everyone (everyone that has a Facebook account at least) can appreciate. Showing the origins of how the website began made imagining life before Facebook was, well... almost umimaginable.
Disappointment of the year: The Lovely Bones: http://lelloyd.blogspot.com/2010/03/film-review-lovely-bones.html
Books:
(These aren't necessarily books that have been released this year, just ones that I have discovered during 2010.)
Uglies Trilogy - Scott Westerfeld: http://lelloyd.blogspot.com/2010/07/book-review-uglies-scott-westerfeld.html
Since writing that review, I have also read Pretties and Specials (books 2 and 3). I KNOW they are aimed at teenagers, but I really enjoyed them! The whole trilogy is crying out to be made into a screenplay.
One Day - David Nicholls: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6280118-one-day
This book has dominated the bestsellers charts all year, but it was only until the last 2 weeks of 2010 that I discovered it. The book is now set to be released as a film during 2011 (http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/sep/28/anne-hathaway-scherfig-one-day) and whilst I am a bit apprehensive by some of the casting, I will definitely be there during the first week of release.
Stephen Fry - In America: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2604700.Stephen_Fry_in_America
As a bit of an armchair traveller (only because I currently can't afford to go anywhere) I've always loved reading travel books to encourage my wanderlust. And, as my ultimate travelling ambition is to visit every state in the U.S.A (I've so far managed 2?) this was the perfect book for me, and of course, Stephen Fry didn't disappoint.
Awkward Situations for Men - Danny Wallace: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6949679-awkward-situations-for-men
I was introduced to the work of Danny Wallace by a good friend and now I can't get enough. Funny, but in an approachable way, the author of Yes Man returned this year with a collection of tales of awkward moments in his life. Easy to dip in and out of but yet also difficult to put down, you will find yourself laughing out loud at any one of these.
{Song of the year: Forget You - Cee-Lo Green}
{Album of the year: Progress - Take That}
Films I'm looking forward to in 2011:
Black Swan - http://www.empireonline.com/futurefilms/film.asp?id=136504
Paul - http://www.empireonline.com/futurefilms/film.asp?id=136467
Sucker Punch - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0978764/
The Hangover 2 - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1411697/
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1201607/
(Quite the HP Geek I'm afraid)
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0983193/
Happy New Year!
This post is a 'best of'... of sorts, summarising my favourite films watched and books read during 2010.
Films:
Kick-Ass: http://lelloyd.blogspot.com/2010/04/film-review-kick-ass.html
Cemetery Junction: http://lelloyd.blogspot.com/2010/05/film-review-cemetery-junction.html
The Social Network: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB95KLmpLR4
This was a surprise for me. Seeing as the film doesn't technically include any of the following: action, romance, comedy (there were moments but not enough to be able to call it one) The Social Network was still a stand-out film of 2010, and one that everyone (everyone that has a Facebook account at least) can appreciate. Showing the origins of how the website began made imagining life before Facebook was, well... almost umimaginable.
Disappointment of the year: The Lovely Bones: http://lelloyd.blogspot.com/2010/03/film-review-lovely-bones.html
Books:
(These aren't necessarily books that have been released this year, just ones that I have discovered during 2010.)
Uglies Trilogy - Scott Westerfeld: http://lelloyd.blogspot.com/2010/07/book-review-uglies-scott-westerfeld.html
Since writing that review, I have also read Pretties and Specials (books 2 and 3). I KNOW they are aimed at teenagers, but I really enjoyed them! The whole trilogy is crying out to be made into a screenplay.
One Day - David Nicholls: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6280118-one-day
This book has dominated the bestsellers charts all year, but it was only until the last 2 weeks of 2010 that I discovered it. The book is now set to be released as a film during 2011 (http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/sep/28/anne-hathaway-scherfig-one-day) and whilst I am a bit apprehensive by some of the casting, I will definitely be there during the first week of release.
Stephen Fry - In America: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2604700.Stephen_Fry_in_America
As a bit of an armchair traveller (only because I currently can't afford to go anywhere) I've always loved reading travel books to encourage my wanderlust. And, as my ultimate travelling ambition is to visit every state in the U.S.A (I've so far managed 2?) this was the perfect book for me, and of course, Stephen Fry didn't disappoint.
Awkward Situations for Men - Danny Wallace: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6949679-awkward-situations-for-men
I was introduced to the work of Danny Wallace by a good friend and now I can't get enough. Funny, but in an approachable way, the author of Yes Man returned this year with a collection of tales of awkward moments in his life. Easy to dip in and out of but yet also difficult to put down, you will find yourself laughing out loud at any one of these.
{Song of the year: Forget You - Cee-Lo Green}
{Album of the year: Progress - Take That}
Films I'm looking forward to in 2011:
Black Swan - http://www.empireonline.com/futurefilms/film.asp?id=136504
Paul - http://www.empireonline.com/futurefilms/film.asp?id=136467
Sucker Punch - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0978764/
The Hangover 2 - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1411697/
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1201607/
(Quite the HP Geek I'm afraid)
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0983193/
Happy New Year!
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