And how are we all today? Are we all ready for the four-day weekend? I can’t wait to snuggle up in my bed and enjoy all the food this weekend with my family after a very hard week!
I will be blogging lovelies, but I am not sure how much I will be blogging, so I wanted to give you all some clips, teasers and trailers to mark the final working/school day this week. Enjoy…
Easter wouldn’t be Easter without Cadbury’s and this year they have gone big! I mean huge! I mean Easter is going to be a brilliant affair with them. From giant new eggs to the classic mini treats, Easter egg hunts and chocolate filled days are going to be the stuff that dreams are made of.
To make sure you don’t miss out on anything, I have gathered some of the best of new and old Easter treats in this handy guide. Get ready for the chocolate coma lovelies…
Mini Eggs Giant Pack: The ultimate Easter egg hunt item, the classic and best tasting mini eggs around come in small handy bags that can be put around the home and garden for the best Easter egg hunts finds. Instead of getting or finding just one egg, the finder can get even more chocolate goodness.
Medium Boost Easter Egg with Two Boost Bars: Boost your Easter holidays with this new medium-sized egg. Along with two bars of the classic treats, the eggs would be perfect filled up with treats and then scooped out with the boost bars. There is no such thing as too much chocolate at Easter or any time of year in fact.
Crème Egg Five Pack: Another great treat to use in an Easter egg hunt or as a tray treat in your office desk, Crème eggs are a must at Easter. I think we can all agree that Easter wouldn’t be Easter without them. Back to their original size, the creamy treat is just as good as it has always been, and nothing will beat it.
Ultimate Fruit & Nut Egg with Sharing Bar: Cadbury’s new creation is one that will go down in history. No longer just a plain egg, the Cadbury’s Easter egg has had a makeover, with the classic Fruit & Nut bar being incorporated into the chocolate shells. And if that wasn’t enough, the new egg also comes with a sharing bar to enjoy after you have eaten the treat.
Medium Wispa Easter Egg with Two Wispa Bars: Just like the Boost egg but with Wispa bars instead, you won’t be able to whisper about this one, because people will be able to guess from the chocolate around your face. The bubbly bar will go down great with a cold lemonade or a bubbly glass of prosecco.
Egg & Spoon Eggs: The mouse filled delights are another great staple for an Easter egg hunt or to enjoy on a Sunday evening in front of the TV. The creamy filling is delicious and whether you use the tiny spoon or your tongue to scoop it out, you will not be disappointed.
Ultimate Daim Egg with Sharing Bar: Another new creation by Cadbury’s, the Daim Easter egg is huge and has Daim pieces placed inside the shell too. And if that isn’t enough, there is also a sharing bar inside it too.
Which Cadbury treat will you be falling in love with this Sunday lovelies? I have my eye on the mini eggs, a classic treat that can’t be beat!
If you are a blogger, organiser or planner like me, then you may find that a diary/daily planner is your lifesaver. Every year I have to have a new one. A Clean start if you will, which is filled with dates of releases, events, family matters and work-related issues. It is a small book that I keep my whole life in.
It is my planner fault that I have such a love for all things stationary and the quirkier the better in my case. Anything that looks and feels like a one of a kind is just a winner for me. So, when I heard about the Old English Co. planners, I knew I just had to tell you about them lovelies. In many different pastel shades, with a simple gold foil name on the front, the new collection is the bloggers dream. Especially mine!
Instead of being a calendar based planner, the planners feature a today’s task list, which you can tick off as you go and a small notes section within its A5 format. The perfect size for bags, desks and shelves lovelies.
With 380 pages, the planners can keep you going every day of the year and longer, which means that any mistakes you make don’t matter and a new page can begin. I love the whole look and design of these so much and think they would make any space look sophisticated and elegant. I am especially obsessed with the grey one, which is my new favourite colour and the blush pink, which would look great on my marble bedside table.
The Old English Co. have so many amazing items on their site to (check out the home section!) and I can’t wait to go on a bit of a splurge on their website (I will share with you all what I get), but I just couldn’t wait any longer to tell you about them lovelies.
Now before I begin I want to just make it clear that this film in no way has anything to do with Gary Oldman’s The Darkest Hour. It is in fact very different! Starring Amandla Stenberg, The Darkest Minds, based on the best-selling books, is a dark story of a group of teens who discover they have new abilities.
Stenberg plays Ruby, one of the most powerful teens, who escapes from the camp she is forced to live with, alongside a group of runaways in hopes of finding a safe place to live. Yet what they find it something entirely different, as the adults who have the most power have betrayed them, calling them to start their own revolution to gain back control.
Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, the film also stars Mandy Moore, Gwendoline Christie, Harris Dickinson, Skylan Brooks, Miya Cech and Patrick Gibson and will be out on the 10th August this year.
Check out the first trailer for it below lovelies:
In a world of pure fairy tales, a traditional Amblin Classic is getting retold, as Jack Black and Cate Blanchett unite to tell the story of The House With A Clock In Its Walls!
Following 10-year-old Lewis, the film sees him going to live with his uncle in his spooky home that has a heart to it that ticks like a clock. Believing his new town is boring, Lewis is shocked to find that it is actually the home to a secret world of warlocks and witches, as he accidentally awakens the dead.
Yesterday, Film4 Summer Screen announced the first four films for this year’s event and they are all perfect features to celebrate the summer season with, as you enjoy them under the stars.
Themed around the idea of dreams, the film festival will be held from the 9th to the 22nd August will feature classics including Inception, Labyrinth, Call Me By Your Name and Blue Velvet, all of which that will take us to another world.
As well, for the first time ever, Somerset House (where the event is held) has commissioned two of its Somerset House Studios artists – performance artist Mel Brimfield and filmmaker Ewan Jones Morris – to create a short film, which will be screened before each film.
Tickets for each event will come out in May lovelies, with the full festival to be announced soon, but for now I think we should all celebrate the four films announced, as they are all the stuff that dreams are made of.
Which one would you watch under the stars lovelies?
Firstly, I want to say sorry for not posting yesterday! My family had an awful day with so many emotions that I didn’t feel like posting and just needed to be with them throughout it. I am back now though and ready for some fun new clips that will make me laugh!
Get ready to enjoy these film and TV beauties lovelies…
This week marks the official countdown to Easter and whilst many of us are getting excited about all the chocolate, lie-ins and TV binges we can have, some of us are looking forward to having a holiday at last!
A holiday that could be spent having fun with this amazing prize I have to giveaway. One lucky winner will be spending the day at Go Ape, as I have a pair of tickets to giveaway, which will turn you into the next big on-screen adventurer. Honestly forget Tom Cruise and look out one of you lovelies!
All you must do to enter is to head over to the blog’s Twitter, follow the blog and retweet the tweet on the blog’s Twitter page. Don't worry if you can't find it though lovelies, here is the link to it as well: https://twitter.com/StartWithThis/status/978274080574115842
You have until 2pm on Good Friday to enter lovelies. So, head on over to the blog’s Twitter and you could be the lucky winner!
Julia Roberts is one actress who no matter what, you can’t help enjoying her films. Her smile is infectious and you always find yourself thinking back to the classic 80s and 90s features that made her a household name. In her latest film, Wonder, she brings a powerful woman to life again, but her smile is upstaged this time around, by the amazing Jacob Tremblay.
Based on the best-selling book of the same name by R. J. Palacio, Tremblay plays 10-year-old Auggie - in director Stephen Chbosky’s version - a young boy who was born with facial disfigurements due to Treacher Collins Syndrome. After years of being taught at home by his mum (Roberts) and dad (Owen Wilson), he decides he wants to go to school, causing his family to deal with the consequences of his decision.
Heart-breaking and uplifting all at the same time, the film clutches on to your heart in a similar way to the book, but with added emotions from the brilliant performances on screen. It continuously flips between showing the light and dark world that Auggie faces at school and how much kids face at a young age.
After his fabulous role in Room, Tremblay is making sure that he remains as an actor to watch, with his spot-on adaptation of Auggie. He completely captures the young boy from the pages of the book and makes audiences see and feel the growth that his character goes on. He makes sure that even up these fabulous actors who have been around a long time, he is the one in charge in make sure that the audiences stay entertained.
As does Robert’s whose mother figure is fragile and powerful all at the same time. From spending time with her son whilst in their home, to begging the children to be nice to him on his first day of school, they show scenes that every parent watching will be able to recognise. The need to protect your child no matter what.
There are a few issues with the film though. Sometimes it feels as though the film is trying to hard to get its message across. It is obvious that it wants to show people that everyone should be accepted, no matter what and audiences will be able to pick this up from the first five minutes. However, the film plays on it a lot to try and pack an even bigger punch, leading to some scenes feeling like they have already been watched. All of which making it feel like they are just trying to come up with filler content.
Overall though, Wonder is a film that the whole family can enjoy. It is a lesson for all the family to see that kindness costs nothing and places Tremblay, Roberts and Wilson back at the top of their careers. With shining script pieces, full of brilliant monologues and a trustworthy adaptation of the book, this will not disappoint fans. There so, I am giving it…
And how are we all on the start of this four-day week? The clocks changing have completely messed me up, but I am kind of hoping that it will trick my brain into thinking time is going by faster, so the weekend gets here quicker aha!
Before we discuss next weekend though lovelies, it is time to take a look at the best clips, teasers and trailers that were released over the past few days. Enjoy…
At the BFI London Film Festival last year, there was one film I was dying to catch. Battle of the Sexes told the true story of the legendary 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and Bobby Riggs (Steve Carrell), which changed the history of the sport and the way players were viewed for life.
Capturing the highs and the lows of the pair's relationships at home and on the court, the story shows the battle King had with her sexuality and marriage, whilst Riggs deals with a gambling addiction that is threatening his own relationship. Known for his sexist ways, Riggs challenges King to the match that could make them unforgettable in tennis history and as someone who battled for equal pay opportunities for women in the sport, King accepts.
The 70s sporting world is brought to life with an amazing soundtrack, brightly coloured outfits, vintage TV sets and a fantastic supporting cast including Sarah Silverman, Andrea Riseborough, Bill Pullman and Alan Cumming. Yet, it is the two leading figures who really make this sporting film stand out amongst the rest.
Stone is the leading force in this film. Whilst Carrell brings comedy and emotion to his character, it is Stone that shines the way on making Battle of the Sexes stand out. Capturing the sad downfall of her marriage and the internal struggle King faced during her relationship with Riseborough’s character Marilyn with her sexuality.
Both actors bring a sensitivity to their role that makes you feel for them. In a time when more women are speaking out than ever (yes ladies!), this film inspires you and Stone’s performance makes you want to raise your voice ever louder to join in the fight for equality across all sectors.
There are several loses with this film, however. At times the story becomes very drawn out and moments that end up lasting 10 minutes could have been captured in less than that. The writers have spent a lot of time making sure people know how sexist Riggs could be, but from his mannerisms and early actions, these scenes don’t always need to be as long as they are. His rivalry with the women on and off the court are quick ways of re-establishing this idea at their best.
Yet, as a biographical film, it is a success at making sure people learn about these two key tennis players. For many people, they will be faces that they have never heard of and in the case of King should be told more. King’s history is a life-changing one and it is sad that her work has taken so long to be celebrated on and off the court.
The year the match was on 90 million people watched it! The WTA was formed! And these moments need to be marked and I have no doubt that they will be now after this film. There so, I am giving it this ace…
For years I have always been a little bit disappointed by the DC films. To me, Batman is Christian Bale and the franchise was at its best then. Under the guidance of Christopher Nolan.
That was until last summer when I fell head over heels in love with Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman. Providing everyone with the ultimate girl power symbol, Wonder Woman managed to make me a little bit more excited to see Justice League. I wanted to see more Diana Prince, as well as the newest members of the league. However, it didn’t work out quite so well.
Justice League is the film that is meant to leave the Avengers quaking in their boots. Yet, Marvel and their team don’t appear to be so worried. Coming out only a few weeks after a very successful Thor feature, the film was always going to need a hook and an epic fight. Unfortunately, this film doesn’t bring either of these.
Starting where Batman Vs Superman left off, Superman (played by Henry Cavill) is dead, leaving a wave of darkness in his wake. Unsure of how to defend the city on his own, Batman/Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) decides it is time to unite a team, just in time to bring down the evil flying villains, Parademons, who feast on the fear of those around them and their leader Steppenwolf.
Reaching out to Wonder Woman (Gadot) who is stopping a London court from being blown up, Aquaman/Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), who is saving a man from drowning, Victor Stone, a teenager coming to terms with his new Cyborg body and The Flash/Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), who decides to come along for the ride, the team unite to take him down and prevent him from having the other boxes he wants. However, they soon find that what they are facing is a lot stronger than they are. All of which causing them to call upon the one man they know could save the day.
Whilst it all sounds action-packed, the film is not! Sadly, not much is revealed or explained. Details are left out and the only two characters that seem to have any idea of what is going on, which is Aquaman and Wonder Woman. It is sloppy from start to finish and everything feels like it has been done in a rush.
The CGI effects are terrible in certain parts. The use of green screens is obvious, especially during a fight scene when Superman returns and a scene where people are just standing in a field. It even appears bad on Henry Cavill’s face where they removed his moustache in reshoots, which had me laughing for a good few minutes. And sadly, even the music doesn’t live up to the standards it once was.
Throughout watching the film, I had this feeling that things would be better if they weren’t together. Breaking the characters off within the film built more personal and friendlier scenes that were watchable. I was more excited to see the relationship develop between Aquaman and Wonder Woman than the whole dynamic of the group.
The film needed more Gadot and Momoa and I will say that I have high hopes for the Wonder Woman sequel and Aquaman standalone after this film, due to their performances. The Flash is definitely going to get his own film, as Miller makes a lovable character and he definitely needs to work with Miller again to build on the partnership their characters were building. All loveable, all needing to have the opportunity to develop their characters.
The series of comics were built around introducing each character on their own before they are joined together. This should have been done here. There are upcoming films with each of them and they will probably be more entertaining, making us bond with the characters on a better level. Justice League just throws the characters at us without context or help in knowing what the characters want, need or are hoping to achieve. Take them apart, build them up and then give us this film, because right now I only want to see two or three of them again and forget all the others.
With director Zack Snyder being unable to finish the film, this could be the key explanation of why it is so choppy. But with Joss Whedon stepping in, you really hope for a lot more than what you get.
This has led to very little justice in this rating, which is why I am giving it...
2 Stars
Justice League is out now to download and on 4K ULTRA HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD. A Steelbook is also available exclusively with HMV.
So many shows nowadays are trying to work out how Game of Thrones became so popular and copying the formula for their own pieces. With its war filled scenes, book matching plot lines and likable characters, it is easy to see why they are trying to do this. However, in an attempt to match up to the ratings that GOT gives them, Sky Atlantic’s new drama Britannia doesn’t quite live up to it.
Portraying the Roman takeover of England, the show captures those within the battle and those being affected by it. With comical undertones and bloody wars, there are a lot of similarities to GOT, but there is something about this that doesn’t quite stick. Maybe it is the comedy or the way in which the storyline is played out, but over the course of the first season, you may find yourself drifting off.
It is a show that never has a focus. When you think that you have got to grips with what the show may be trying to achieve it completely flips it. One minute you are seeing the serious sides of the war, before a comical element drops in and ruins what could be the gem in the show.
The cast is however a great team, with David Morrissey, Fortunato Cerlino and Kelly Reilly all leading the way with their superb acting. Yet, they can’t save the chill that is not only spread on the screen but off the screen too. There is however one very beautiful thing about this show and that is the female leading characters. Whilst the men head to war, the women in the show scheme and plan their own takedown in epic fashion.
Britannia has a lot of faults within it, which could be easily solved, but for something to enjoy whilst you wait for GOT it might do the trick. Girl power is fantastic and it will make you smile, but it doesn’t compare to other shows of recent times.
In our house, Richard Gere is a bit of a legend. My mum has been a big fan of his since An Officer and a Gentleman and since then we have had to watch many of his films. However, both myself and my mum had failed to watch Breathless over the years.
Playing a small-time crook called Jesse Lujack, Gere’s character faces a life on the fun, after killing a cop in Vegas. Heading to Mexico, he meets a French student called Monica, who he convinces to join him on his journey. Yet, when his past catches up to the both, Monica finds herself having to make a tough choice.
Like Thelma and Louise, the film is full of suspense, romance, and thrills that make for edge of your seat drama. The two actors are impressive throughout and Gere brings his charm again to the big screen in a powerful manner. It is shocking in fact that the film isn’t more popular because of this.
An obvious influence to many future features, the film is able to present to modern audiences what directors have been basing their work on throughout the years. Comparisons can easily be made and modern cinema is still using this film to demonstrate beautiful pieces.
The film will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat, gripped with tension, enjoying the classic features and modern connections. There so, I am giving it…
When you hear the words female fight club, you may automatically think of GLOW, the Netflix show (I did!). However, it is actually the name of a new Dolph Lundgren film.
The action star works alongside Amy Johnston, a trained stunt woman, to take on a new boxing film that really packs a punch or two. Centred around a woman called Rebecca (Johnston), we meet her when she is faced with a horrific tragedy. Deciding to change her fate, she trains to become the ultimate fighter to take on an evil promoter who is threatening her sister’s life.
With no stunt doubles involved, everything you see is what you get. And it is Johnston who really stands out for this. Having worked on Deadpool, Suicide Squad and more, you can see her experience coming through continuously.
However, sadly that is really the only true stand out point in the film. Whilst it is a great idea and could have worked well, it doesn’t ever really connect with audiences in the way you may hope.
Plot lines are left out or never really even told and the stars are often left using their fists to replace words. Something that isn’t as thrilling as the creators may have hoped for.
Starring Ethan Hawke in his latest action adventure, 24 Hours To Live, calls upon the regular action film tropes of modern cinema to bring to life its story on the small screen. Out today on DVD and digitally, this film uses influences from Taken and The Commuter to bring us stuntman Brian Smrz’s second feature.
Hawke plays Travis Conrad, an ex-elite soldier, who finds himself asking for the help of his friends to help him uncover the truth around the deaths of his son and daughter. Unable to do it on his own, due to emotional connects, he finds himself working with a man named Frank to bring down those who have betrayed him.
Let’s start this review by stating that there isn’t much going for the story that hasn’t already been done before. A man who is going through something connected to his family seems to be the only way in which many action films are trying to go. However, with the talents of Hawke’s it really doesn’t have to be that way.
Hawke’s works tremendously hard at trying to make the story go further than it is, but even his amazing work can’t save what has happened to the plot and the characters in it. It feels like the scriptwriters have just tried to make something that they know people will see, but not given it any depth.
For lovers of French cinema, there is nothing like the work of Sacha Guitry. Back in the 1930s, his films reigned supreme in telling marvellous stories about life, love, and France that people adored.
As the world falls more and more in love with Paris and French cinema, Guitry’s film presents a world of time gone by and beauty. It is easy to fall under the spell of his heart-breaking and breath-taking features, which highlight to audiences how people can go through breakups or downfalls, but the city is always there to help them.
Guitry was a man with many talents when it came to capturing shots of the city and these films have been chosen for an important reason. They each have a moment to make the audiences think. They each capture the world in a new way. Even now for modern audiences.
This box set is an effective piece of cinema and will no doubt make film fans and new cinema lovers fall for French cinema easily. There so, I am giving it…
We have nearly made it through another week, Friday is finally here and to celebrate I have a brand-new competition for you all to enjoy!
To celebrate the release of My Hero Academia Season 2 Part 1 on DVD, I have a copy to giveaway to one very lucky winner.
All you must do to enter is to head over to the blog’s Twitter, follow the blog and retweet the tweet on the blog’s Twitter page. Don't worry if you can't find it though lovelies, here is the link to it as well: https://twitter.com/StartWithThis/status/977197031382011904
You have until 2pm on Monday 26th March to enter lovelies. So, head on over to the blog’s Twitter and you could be the lucky winner!
We did it! We made it to Friday! I can already feel the lies in, food and sense of adventure that comes with Saturday and Sunday upon us. All of which meaning we have to celebrate, starting right now!
With a whole host of new clips and teasers to get your weekend off to an epic start, I hope you like these…
OKAY! OKAY! OKAY! I am trying to stay calm because this week has brought a lot of emotions out of me due to superheroes! And today, the epic full trailer for Deadpool 2 has finally landed and I can’t handle it.
Someone grab me a paper bag because I am not ready for this! Watch the new trailer below at your own risk lovelies…
Check out the IMAX version of the film trailer below too...
Who else has joined me in being super excited for this?
Does the young person in your family have a great story based on a film or an idea for a film that you have? Well, if you think so and they are aged between four to 12, then they could win an amazing Go Ape experience for their piece.
Announced today, the team launched their national writing competition, in which they are looking for young writers to share their stories on their latest adventures, holidays or something completely made up.
The entries will be judged by Andy Griffiths, the author of the Tree House series and there are lots of prizes to be one including books, a school trip for their whole class to come to Go Ape and even a family holiday worth £5000!
Check out the video below for all the details lovelies…
If this sounds like something the young person you know would like to do, they can enter directly at https://goape.co.uk/adventure-stories or just send a scanned story or email into marketing@goape.co.uk
This new teaser is one for the whole family to enjoy because the spooky family from Hotel Transylvania are back for a third outing and it looks just as wild as the previous films!
See what I mean below:
Are you excited to see the team back together lovelies?
Whilst we have only just got the news about the new 007 film, we are about to be introduced to some new spies who look set to rock the screen this Summer!
Starring Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon, The Spy Who Dumped Me is the comedy we all need right now…
Is it time to start singing One Day More yet? Whenever I think about Thursday’s this song always comes into my head, as it means we are getting even closer to the weekend! Something I am always happy to see.
With two days to go, I am going to make sure that we get through today by having lots of fun, starting with these new clips and trailers from Action Point and more…
Did you hear the amazing news that the cast of Stranger Things are all getting a pay rise? I am so happy to hear this. The show is amazing and they are all so talented that they deserve to be rewarded for their hard work.
In fact, I think we should all have a party to celebrate and dress up as our favourite characters. Better yet, we don’t even need to have a party, just take inspiration from the characters and their amazing looks to mark your dedication to them.
To help you do this, I have teamed up with Amazon Fashion to help you find the best pieces to recreate some of the best-dressed characters looks in the show…
Nancy
The most fashionable girl in the show, Nancy brings to life 80s fashion with charm and chic. Her laid-back school outfits feature pieces I would wear every day of the week and her fun mix of colours makes her stand out. Whilst we may not be sure if we have forgiven her for breaking Steve’s heart, we can all definitely agree that she has amazing taste in looks for every occasion.
No longer wearing the famous dress, Eleven moved onto cool dungarees for the second season, which has made them hot topics for this summer. Wear with a jumper underneath now or this cool jacket and swap for a crop top or shirt in the summer. Eleven would definitely approve!
The first of many new characters brought in to the second season of the show, Kali provided us with a wardrobe we could only dream of. From the cool 80s hair to the long black coat that looked super badass with the rolled up sleeves, it was the perfect out of this world outfit for the rebel character.
Known for being the bad boy of the group, Billy’s storyline took a sad turn when his troubled relationship with his dad was shown on screen. However, this didn’t stop him from keeping his wardrobe cool throughout the series and his wardrobe is one that can easily be recreated.
In the second season of the show, Steve became everyone’s ultimate babysitter. Working with the kids to save the town and the people they love, Steve was the coolest man out of them all and his fashion sense matched his new persona perfectly. Get ready to dress like Steve and don’t forget to style the hair too!
I can’t wait for the show to come back next year lovelies as we are not only going to get an epic series, but even more amazing costumes like these to recreate. For now, though, I am off to shop aha!
Let me know in the comments below what your favourite Stranger Things outfit is? Or what you think is the most fashionable show on TV!