'The World's End' (2013, Edgar Wright) Review

It's true, to say the least, that Edgar Wright's third instalment of the renowned 'Cornetto' trilogy packs a
real punch. Differing from the satirical horror of 'Shaun of the Dead' and the mock action-thriller that is 'Hot Fuzz', 'The World's End' is a witty and humorous payment of sci-fi hilarity and male mid-life discontentment.

Similarly to the last two films, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost adopt the roles of the increasingly unsure protagonists: middle-aged and immature, they stagger through the scene of lack-lustre suburbia attempting to complete the celestial 'Golden Mile'... well, at least that is the goal of one character. Pegg plays 'Gary King'. Now living alone in his 40's, he represents the epitome of a man whom clearly peaked as a teenager. With his dyed black hair; cheap jewellery designed to pay homage to whichever heavy metal band was around in the early 80's and dodgy long, Belstaff coat; he appears to still live, behave and speak as his once 'cool' teenage self.  

The story follows as expected: after reuniting his, somewhat reluctant, teenage posse of Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan and Paddy Considine (all now wonderfully middle-class and successful, obviously) the 5 attempt to complete a mile of pints in their old home town- which they previously failed to complete in a drunken stupor aged 18. However- set as a possible nod to bureaucratic identicality of the modern high-street- everything appears to be somewhat... robotic? Each pub is a carbon copy of another, each sporting the same mundane selection of cheap larger and a barmen who fails to recognise his 5, previously most valued, customers. Suspicious to everyone but Gary, who continues to down his drinks with youthful vitality, they continue on their quest to inebriated glory until a blue-blooded brawl in a bathroom seals their fate. 

The film is cleaver, enjoyable and funny; as it skilfully provides a plausible explanation to the ever impending apocalypse. Complete with robot chavs, dynamically awakening 'modern art' and an omniscient alien leader (voiced by Bill Nighy), this movie possesses enough to live up to the acclaim of its satirically mocking forefathers. I give it 4 stars. 

Picture 1: http://www.sfx.co.uk/2013/05/22/the-worlds-end-new trailer

Picture 2: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a478980/edgar-wrights-the-worlds-end-debuts-new-pegg-frost-poster.html

Kal Lavelle - Sing

The first time I heard this song was cramped in a tiny, sweaty underground club in the centre of Bath, anxiously waiting for Ed Sheeran at, believe it or not, my first ever proper gig. Since then, Kal Lavelle has become one of my favourite musicians in her own right- with this song being a wonderfully feel-good number (which is doubly amazing live!). With a video thats playful and original, please: watch, listen and sing along.

And I believe in positivity, it's the religion that I go by...

Follow Kal on twitter @KalLavelle

Passenger & Ed Sheeran - Hearts on Fire

I've been lucky enough to meet both of these guys, and not only are they musically astounding- but both really nice, humble people. Their voices just sound really, really beautiful together in this.

Oh darling, my hearts on fire

Angus & Julia Stone - Yellow Brick Road

I think it's only fair that I share this absolute musical perfection with you.

Angus & Julia Stone + Ben Howard = Sublime happiness.

Took a train to the river 
Where I dove right in
That skinny dippin' girl
Make the blue bird sing 

Spend-a-holic

It's official, exams are making me lose my mind to the extent that I no longer have any rational monetary awareness. Luckily, because of this, I thought I would do a tiny 'haul' blog post (inspired by Tanya Burr, Esteé and alike).

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs Amy Ladies Watch, £165.00

I've been eyeing up this Marc Jacobs watch for such a long time- and finally today I plucked up the courage to buy it. The strap is black leather, with little gold circlet detailing on the holes- and the actual face itself is really thick and shiny, with a lovely weight to it. Alas, it wasn't cheap, but I have exam season lying on my conscience to justify it.

2. Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup, Foundation shade 2 'Alabaster', £21.00

I'm always a little bit scared about approaching 'high-end' makeup counters, especially because I don't know an awful lot about the stuff I slap on my face. This embarrassment is only then furthered by despite trying every cream, gel, wash, tablet on the market, I still have incredibly oily skin- which I often feel isn't catered for in makeup. However, I feel like i'm on to a winner with this Clinique number- as the lady on the counter assured me that it 'controls oil breakthrough and keeps skin shine-free'. And, of course, I had to get the shade one up from albino (sorry, it doesn't look amazing on the swatch picture!). 

Oh, she also said it was ideal to wear to the gym...

to which I responded, 'Oh yes, I do hate it when I'm shiny on the rowing machine'. 

Pah, as if I go to the gym!

Have you bought anything nice recently?
Or have exams made you go a bit spend-crazy?

p.s I also bought my Year 13 prom dress today... but you will have to wait to see that!

Laura Mvula - Green Garden

Such a wonderful, and beautifully original, summery and feel-good song! The video is also delightfully innocent and positively shot. I can't wait to hear more from young soul/jazz musicians like Laura Mvula!

'Dance in my garden like we used to'

A-Level Dance - Nederlands Dans Theatre, Jiri Kylian

'Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world' - Voltaire

'Bella Figura' - Jiri Kylian, 1995

'Sleepless' - Jiri Kylian, 2005

'Sleepless' - Jiri Kylian, 2005

As I am nearing the end of my secondary education, and exams are looming- I thought I might do a short post about one half of my A-level dance course- (please suppress your yawns!). Alongside choreographing a 2-3 minute group piece, it's natural to study a contemporary dance practitioner, a list of which are provided by the exam board. 

I am studying Czech-Dutch choreographer Jiri Kylian, whom is known for his modernist, avant-garde approach to movement exploration and use of theme. Now, not only is his work astoundingly technically challenging- but the dancers he chooses have limbs like giraffes and flexibility to rival a pipe-cleaner: daunting to say the least, when you have to perform a solo that reflects his choreographic style. 

As is standard, I have chosen two of his works to inspire my solo: 'Bella Figura' (1995), which is an exploration of the human mind and the subconscious 'performance' to which human nature conforms, and 'Sleepless' (2005), which focuses upon the state between being awake and asleep. From these, and with the help of my teachers, I have created 'Somnus'- a 3 minute solo dealing with the concept of consciousness. 

 

Here is my solo!

 I know, my technique isn't flawless, nor do I have the NDT 'beanpole' physique; but this was only a rehearsal, and I am still pretty proud of this piece.

Oh, and sorry about the poor video quality- it was filmed on my crappy phone!