Movie of the Week: The Avengers (Marvel's Avengers Assemble)

More like movie of the year!! Because I am lazy and should technically be studying, I have just posted the review that I wrote for Galway.Studeny.me that you can read HERE even though it is not different at all, except that this one has more pictures. So yeah here it is...

Avengers Assemble: Does It Really Live Up To All The Hype?

In short, yes it does. The Avengers – or Avengers Assemble as it is known here to avoid confusion with the 1960s TV series – was forecasted to be the biggest film of the year and after witnessing it tonight in all its glory, I wouldn’t hesitate to bet on it. With plans for The Avengers stretching as far back as 2005, speculation was rife as to how the movie would turn out.

            Directed by Joss Whedon – perhaps most widely known for his work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer – and with a screenplay by Whedon and Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand, Fantastic Four), the film has already been regarded as a success by Marvel fans as well as regular cinemagoers alike. The movie is one giant sequel to the previous Marvel movies featuring the key characters. Most notably Thor as the events take place a year after and are a direct result of the effects of Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth) visit to earth. Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor’s adopted brother, steals the Tesseract – an alien source of renewable energy – and intends to use its power to bring his extraterrestrial army of Chitauri to earth to enslave mankind. This is bad. Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson), the man behind S.H.I.E.L.D, brings together the mixed bag of heroes in order to stop Loki’s plans. This is good. The team consists of Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Hulk/Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), Thor and finally two master assassins; Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye/Clint Barton.

The fear, with a production like this, is that one character might end up taking on a dominating role over the rest of the team. (I am looking at you Mr. Stark). However Whedon managed to give each one of the Avengers team members their own time in the spotlight without detracting from the overall story. By the end of it, you will even feel appropriately acquainted with Hawkeye who unlike the other Avengers heroes did not feature in film before (excluding his brief cameo in last year’s Thor).

And now 3D or not 3D? For that is the very important question. If you decide to go for the 3D option then you will probably wonder for the first half hour why you bothered. It does however improve. Dramatically. The movie is very decisively divided into three acts. The first act – less action, shorter scenes, more dialogue – does not bode nicely with the 3D and it is understandably where the source of negative 3D reviews originates. However as for the following acts you will be glad that you forked out the extra bob for the glasses. As the movie was not initially filmed in 3D, but instead subsequently converted, it is expected that it is not exactly going to make you jump out of your seat. If you’re not a 3D snob, go for it; if you are, then don’t; and if, like me, you intend to see this more in the cinema more than once, then you might as well mix it up.

Perhaps the most endearing feature of this 145-minute extravaganza is that it does not take itself too seriously or at least it succeeds in giving that impression. The Avengers is easy on the bloodshed and generous with the comedy continuing the tone of the individual character movies that preceded it. It does not contain a hidden message or cryptic meaning but instead it is exactly what it promises to be: a really good superhero movie.

P.S. There is a short scene after the credits. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Stand your ground (or remain in your seat) while everyone else shuffles out around you. Stay until the bitter end!

Now some stills from the movie.

image via http://www.ifc.com/

image via http://moviecarpet.com/

image via http://i.movie.as/

And finally, Thor, because Thor is played by Chris Hemsworth, who is pretty much a god in his own right.

image via http://film-book.com/

Cheers for reading,

Jane

Jewellery Is Fantastic

So I was doing a little browsing through some blogs this morning and I came across BrightGreenLaces.com and on the first post that this lovely Aussie girl had rounded up some of her favourite Australia designers online shops. 

The first one that really caught my attention was the amazing Love/Hate Shop. My two favourite items in the shop (and there was a lot of them but I managed to narrow it down to two) are shown below. 

The Mary Poppins necklace is amazing. Amazing! It's quite expensive but still quite amazing. (That is literally the only word that I have to describe this!)

So this great little Charlie Chaplin is available as both a brooch and a necklace. His movable limbs and Tramp attire would make a perfect gift for anyone who has a soft spot for old black and white movies.

The two necklaces below are from a small collection of five pieces laser cut from beechwood, and then hand painted and varnished. On the downside, everything is sold out but I couldn't resist including them because, well, it's a rabbit on a swing and a chubby boy with a skipping rope! Take a look at the other three pieces at luyiandbubs.bigcartel.com.

So after I finished drooling over BrightGreenLaces.com's picks I went on a bit of an adventure of my own, through the 

I'm not really mad about moustache accessories. I feel they are just a passing trend and not a very nice one at that. However when I saw these I have to say I did change my tune at little bit. I really like the the whole collar pins look because it's quirky yet traditional. Are they or are they not adorable?! They - being the only non-necklace item on my little list -  are from a little Cartel called Scarlett Hearts that is really worth a look because everything is quite divine!

This insanely gorgeous Seahorse Heart necklace is, alongside the Mary Poppins necklace, one of the most expensive things on my list. I think it kind of nails the whole skeleton thing going on at the moment without it being overly trendy. It's from a designer called Georgia Varidakis and her stuff is quite beautiful!

This lovely gold geometric fox is from One Lux.

Finally OhSoAntsy was definitely my favourite of all of the shops I came across. As soon as I opened the page I knew I would love these little US state pendants and when I saw some countries, the hunt began for Ireland and low and behold they had not one but two (!) Eire shaped pendants. (one about an inch in height and the other about half an inch in height).

 

Aside from displaying my patriotism, I am also immensely tempted by pretty much every other design. I love the little touch of the heart stamped into them. Africa is also one of my favourites. I think that they would make a really nice present as the Texas based designer custom makes everything and takes requests. 

Also on my little trip through Big Cartel I came across this. 

How fantastic is that?!?

I know everyone is pretty sick of the many (and there are many) variations of the traditional Keep Calm and Carry On poster but this really is magnificent. I think that this would make a perfect gift for anyone who has emigrated from rainy old Ireland and maybe needs a house-warming gift for their new abode in Australia, Canada or wherever else young folk are headed these days. It's from a shop called GrandGrand and along with the Feck It Sure It's Grand, they have Keep Going Sure It's Grand and Cop Yourself On along with so many others. All of which are available as t-shirts and cards too! Brilliant. 

Cheers for reading,

Jane

A Little Update

Just a little update on my recent Studenty articles. I had been on a little hiatus from writing and blogging due to college work (not that it's over yet but I needed a bit of a break from studying).
A Buyer’s Guide: Marni at H&M on eBay
Raf Simons Takes Fashion’s Most Covetable Position
Spoil Sport
What Cheryl Cole Did For Us
Five Things You Need In Your Wardrobe

You may have noticed I now have a now tab up above labelled The Click List. This is a little list of blogs, websites and YouTube channels that get me through the day. Make sure you have a look because if you are looking for a little bit of procrastination then you are in the right place!

Finally here is picture from 9gag of a fantastic teapot that is getting me through my studies.

image via http://9gag.com/gag/3935685

Cheers for reading,

Jane

10 Summer Movies I'm Excited To See

1. The Avengers
Top of my list and with the closest release date, inconveniently on the day of my first exam. Expect a Movie of the Week post when I eventually get to see it! My usual cinema buddy refuses to go after I dragged her to The Wrath of the Titans and at this stage I would even go with that lady on Shop Street who always asks if you speak English and if you say yes she launches into this thing about money and she always has a shopping bag with cans of cider in it, so if you're reading this lady, I will literally take you to the cinema. I'll even pay for your ticket, and popcorn too! It is released on the 26th which as, I mentioned, is the day of my first exam of the four that will take place between the next Thursday and the following Friday. I may have to wait until I return home to see it unfortunately. *sad face*

2. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
I am quite excited to see a vampire movie that doesn't involve Kristen Stewart or Robert Pattinson. Also the tagline "Are you a patriot or a vampire?" is quite outstanding. Coming to us in August.


3. Ted
Let's face it. Who doesn't want to see a movie about a teddy bear, voiced by Seth McFarlane (Family Guy), who gets high, curses and is a bit of a player with the ladies?! Also starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. Set for release in July.


4. Dark Shadows
Johnny Depp finally taking on a much anticipated role as a vampire in Tim Burton's re-imagining the cult late 60s/early 70s tv show and the subsequent 1991 streamlined version. Starring Chloe Moretz, a ravishing blonde Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer and of course Helena Bonham Carter. May 11th.

5. To Rome With Love
Woody Allen, Jesse Eisenberg and Alec Baldwin. It's like someone said "you know there's this girl in Galway who loves Woody Allen films, is a big fan of Alec Baldwin and has a bit of a crush on Jesse Eisenberg. Let's make a movie just for her". And they did. Hopefully coming to Galway at the end of this month. Fingers crossed!


6. A Fantastic Fear of Everything
Simon Pegg's mix of fantasy and reality about a paranoid children's author trying to make the the transition into a crime novelist looks like it will be quite spectacular. Out at the beginning June.


7. Take This Waltz
Since seeing this movie listed on IMDB as still the state of in pre-production, I have been quite excited. Adore Seth Rogen and Michelle Williams. June 7th.


8. Men in Black 3
Will Smith going back in time to a young K played by Josh Brolin (who recently appeared in SNL, I might add). May 25th.


9. The Dark Knight Rises
No explanation needed. 20th of July. Oh yeah.


10. Lola Versus
A indie take on the usual girl-gets-jilted-shortly-before-wedding story. With Greta Gerwig who is set to be the next big things and a string of men, this looks like it could turn out to be a genuinely funny movie. Set for a June release.

20/4/2012 EDIT: I am mortally embarrassed and quite ashamed of myself that I forgot to include Moonrise Kingdom on this list! I am a huge Wes Anderson fan and although I have been raving about the impending release of his latest movie, I somehow managed to forget once I sat down to create this post. To make up for this awful mistake I have included this exclusive clip, only released today, featuring the fantastic Jason Schwartzman.

Cheers for reading,

Jane

today

I treated myself to a little bit of retail therapy today. No major financial damage was done (thank god) but if you don't mind me saying so, I am quite delighted with them.

So that stripy cutie was picked up in the "last chance to buy" section of New Look and it's definitely something I'll get a lot of wear out of since it's quite light but still quite snug. The lemon yellow tunic top/dress thing is from Penneys and cost a measly €9 which I was extremely chuffed with. I am looking forward to wearing it because I currently have not a hint of yellow in my wardrobe.

Now to the jewellery. I am currently following a particularly great YouTube beauty blogger called Viviannadoesmakeup and in a few of her videos she wore a torc style necklace from River Island so walking past River Island today I thought I'd pop in and see if there was anything similar. There is also currently a mid-season sale going on so I can't say I wasn't hoping it would be on the sale rack. Luckily for me this one below was the last on the stand tucked behind some hideous feathered chokers. Unfortunately it was not on sale but at €9 I couldn't have left it behind.

There was a half-price thing going on in the jewellery section of Topshop also and although I spent quite some time trying on rings, I settled for this spiky gold ear cuff. I was getting a little bored of my simple silver one so this will suit quite nicely.

Along with the aforementioned yellow top from Penneys, I also picked up this very stylish gold and blue necklace. They also had it in a peachy pinky colour and gold but I think the blue version is definitely a keeper as it looks a little Egyptian which I like very much.

Well I must say I quite enjoyed putting that little post together. I will have a night of my head in the books this evening though to make up for it!

Also did you spot my new header? Am trying out a new thing, not sure if I like it or not.

Cheers for reading, 

Jane

the instagram diaries

My sister Harriet and my gorgeous nephew getting their photo taken today in Suzy McCanny's studio in Sligo

After much determination, Francis Boulle of Made In Chelsea finally retweeted my friend Linda

my attempt at Goddess - in the style of Botticelli's The Birth of Venus - on the Draw Something app

the recent gorgeous weather in Galway brought out a lot of loveliness including these cute little chalk drawings that cheered me up immensely on my way to college (shame it's all gone now)

a friend of mine brought a box of Twister ice creams into the library, very yummy but we got a lot of stares

Cheers,

Jane

Fashion's Current Obsession

... is also mine. Fashion videos have been all the rage for the past few years and they are something of which I cannot get enough. So here, if you have some time to spare, are a handful of my favourites.

Nick Knight's hologram for Alexander McQueen's Autumn 2006 collection featuring Kate Moss has become a pretty iconic image for both McQueen, Moss, Knight and subsequently Flake with their ad from last year that you can see HERE.

The second of three Nick Knight videos here is yet again for Lee McQueen.

A short film for Mango Touch line and Werelse accessories, that is coming to stores this week, featuring Spanish actress Rossy de Palm and the gorgeous trio of incredibly influential bloggers: 

Chiara Ferragni of theblondesalad.com

Andy Torres stylescrapbook.com

Carolina Engman of fashionsquad.com

All of whom had a hand in creating the collection.

Lara Stone using some spectacular self defense techniques on Nick Knight, all the while rocking the fabulous stylings of Carine Roitfeld. C'est magnifique!

Wonderland - Alice Dellal - a film by Nick Knight

I remember reading about this video a couple a years ago in British Vogue and being totally transfixed when I found it online. It's really beautiful and I adore the voiceover too. 

Gabilo's "Melancholy" is a collection of pieces from the Autumn 2011 collection. 

And finally...

These videos are not really fashion films but they are incredible and every so often I take a wee look at them because they are quite magnificent. Last year The New York Times brought together some of Hollywood's finest to create a series called Touch of Evil, which involved said crop of talent bringing some of cinema's most villainous characters back to life. 

Touch of Evil YouTube Playlist

Well I hope you enjoyed these because as far as procrastination goes, this is one of the best forms!

Cheers for reading,

Jane