The first in my new Friday Nights In series, Man Up tells the tale of a blind first date gone wrong (or really right?). Watch for the sharp script and funny blunders, not for the surprises. Because there aren't any really - except for a childhood stalker who carries a photo of your room around...

Simon Pegg and Lake Bell star in Man Up, a British and French (apparently) rom-com about taking a chance...especially when it comes to being mistaken for a blind date. The plot is completely summed up by the poster and there are very few surprises as it scores highly for predictability. There's absolutely nothing new, and you know the ending before you've even begun, but it's still hilarious, sharp and very British. I like it because it's set in all the places of London I know well, too!

Man Up has all the awkward ingredients of a first date, with the added element of Lake Bell's character Nancy ordinarily not "putting herself out there" but running with it (because why not?) when she's mistaken for a Triathlete financier ten years younger than she is because she's holding the same self-help book. Seems like a brilliant self-help book too. It's hardly something that would happen IRL but run with it - it's worth it. In the span of just a few hours, with so many units of alcohol consumed, there are a few layers to the plot that make it not just "single girl goes on date with single guy". There's cute family moments, a creepy childhood stalker (a fabulous Rory Kinnear), ex-wives and crashing teen house parties. Who knew there could be so many hours to the day?!

For me, the underrated American actress Lake Bell morphs into a charming Bridget Jones style relatable character as she wears her heart on her sleeve, avoids engagement parties in favour of room service, gets food stuck in her teeth, and carries cat photos in her wallet. We've all been there. I quite like Simon Pegg as a non-traditional-rom-com-guy in a rom-com leading role. (You can judge for yourself on the chemistry.) The rapport is quick-firing and natural, thanks to a great script.

It's all about finding romance and putting yourself out there - I probably won't run into my perfect man (spoiler alert) under the clock of Waterloo Station on my commute, even though it also happens to be my meeting place of choice. But maybe I too should take a chance and put myself out there...anyone up for a blind date?


Man Up is available to stream on Amazon Prime.

For those who know me, I'm always on the go but there's nothing I love more than a lazy girly night in, feet up and telly on. They'll also know I love a good old-fashioned easy-going rom-com. Which is why I'm introducing Friday Nights In for the films I didn't necessarily catch in cinemas first time round, but I'll happily watch and recommend for your next Netflix and chill sesh. Company optional. Yeah, they're not hard-hitting dramas with Oscar buzz, and the scripts aren't perfect and they're years old, but they're just exactly what you need after a long week at work.

I personally like to send out a Whatsapp blast to my trusted gal-pals on these kinds of recommendations, but now you also have these to add to your list. After all, you'll never run out of steam for a good Friday Night In.

Enjoy!
x

The Girl On The Train. There are so many words to play with. Does it stay on track or does it go off the rails? Train wreck or first class? There are so many words to play with from author Paula Hawkins too, however it doesn't quite live up to the hype train. You're in for a partially disruptive ride...

This is a mystery involving a missing woman, complicated relationships and an alcoholic divorcee who rides the train, gazing out the window and people-watching. Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) goes one step further (cos let's face it, we all window watch), stalking her ex-husband's new family and becoming fascinated/obsessed with their 'perfect' neighbours. Of course, nobody's perfect, and Megan (Haley Bennett) is no different. Naturally, she's hiding secrets. They all are. As the plot unravels, it's not the only thing that unravels because this is a far from perfect film. Whodunnit?!

One of my main immediate problems afterwards concerned Rachel's fascination with the picture perfect #couplegoals couple, Megan and Scott Hipwell (Luke Evans). For it to be such a crucial part of the film, and lead to x, y, z consequences, it needs to be a crucial part of the film. And this never materialises. Rachel passes the dreamhouse, like, a few times and just kinda stares a bit; that's nothing. The basis for so much jealousy is understandable, but not presented clearly enough. I sometimes see the same people on my commute to work but it doesn't make me obsessed. Much more dedicated screen time was needed to forge a vaguely believable trigger. Also, is it believable that Megan just hangs out in her undies in her garden where she knows trains are passing by all day, every day? Elsewhere, key pivotal moments are rushed, and there are other moments where it can borderline feel like a low budget independent horror movie.

It manages to hold the tension, but only just, as the film seems to chug along quite slowly. If you don't know much about the plot, you'll be waiting and waiting on the platform and might not even care by the end. For those who haven't read the book but have heard the hype, it would probably linger towards the confusing end of the spectrum. The game and mystery is given away quickly relative to the book if you can pick up the clues.

I've given this three stars, however, so it's not all red signals or off-track. Emily Blunt is by far the highlight of the film, showcasing her vulnerable side and portraying a very realistic alcoholic in a drunk state. She's also talented at delivering monologues, something she does a fair bit since the film does so heavily rely on them. It tells the story, story by story. She's a conflicted character, and juggles the difficult layers extremely well. And to think Blunt was pregnant when she filmed it. The supporting cast have also been chosen well. Haley Bennett gets the 'vacant eyes' hollow look spot on, and I compare that to her role as Kora in her first film Music and Lyrics and think she's come a long way. Rebecca Ferguson is so good as new wife Anna I didn't realise it was her (she goes blonde). There's also Justin Theroux as ex-husband Tom, able to solidly portray an array of emotions, and a nice unexpected cameo from Lisa Kudrow.

It doesn't match up to the book, but the films are rarely as good, right? The first main difference is that the setting's been moved from London to New York for ya'know, whatever reason. So if you're a die-hard fan of the book, don't expect fireworks. Perhaps the story is a bit dry and one dimensional for the big screen. The tagline "What did she see?" has been plastered everywhere, but all you need to do is watch the trailer and you know exactly what she saw. As a page-turner, it's gripping and took me a mere few hours to read, but unlike mystery fiction like Gone Girl, it is far more straightforward. The characters are also not meant to be that likeable so it doesn't do much to develop them; as a result we don't feel for them as often as we ought to.

All in all, there are some intriguing twists and turns, and I'd love to watch the film without having known the plot beforehand. The flashbacks are eerie and creepy and made me shut my eyes in my seat (longing for a cushion to hide behind), so it does deliver on that thriller feeling. And Emily Blunt delivers in every scene. For whatever reason, at least you'll be on the edge of your seat.

The Girl On The Train is in cinemas now.

Lionsgate announced a reboot of the Power Rangers franchise last year, bringing back the Mighty Morphin gang if you can cast your mind back to the 90s. Like many others, I was gripped by each series (Lightspeed Rescue was my personal fave) and I even recently re-watched some episodes on Netflix because revisiting childhood memories is always fun. But the first look teaser trailer of the 2017 film is a far cry from the colourful kids I knew. It feels much like a teenage series now, and a serious one at that.  Moody music? Check. Moody glares? Check. Slow motion moves? Check.

It doesn't quite feel like the Rangers we once knew, but it's a new, big budgeted era - I just can't take it seriously as a serious film if they still insist on calling themselves "power rangers" if you know what I mean. There are some superhero discovery elements of Fantastic Four, but I feel like this is going to be more of an origins story, as gritty realistic as superpowers can get. At least it's not like the old rangers who would don a suit and immediately become invincible martial arts experts though. I always imagined I'd pick up a magical rock, morph into Pink Ranger, and karate kick my way to coolness.

You won't get to see much of the newly-upgraded suits, and there's still no sign of a Megazord, but it's a promising start if you're game for something new. Also, the likes of Elizabeth Banks, Bryan Cranston and Bill Hader join relatively unknown young cast members to make up the famous five. It's an intriguing first glance, and I'm excited to see more. Bring on the Megazords!

Watch the first trailer here!

On Saturday, I walked the funky rainbow-coloured carpet and attended this year's Family Gala at the London Film Festival. There's no way you can leave the cinema after watching Trolls and not feel animated and happy. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake lead this star-studded DreamWorks Animation with song, dance, and a whole lot of hugging. It may not go down in history or compete with the Disney Pixars of the decade, but it's harmless, hair-raising, bright, good all round fun for all the family.

Nope, this is not a film about cyberbullies. The story goes something like this: Trolls are happy and they are small and are not monsters (contrary to the name). Bergens are unhappy and they are big and are monsters. These Trolls are a lot less scary than the online type. Instead, they're scared of the Bergens. Bergens can 'taste happiness' by eating a Troll, which they do so once a year at Trollstice. (Essentially, The Hunger Games for kids with literal hunger and food, so it should be rated 18 really.) Something dramatic happens - gasp - and it's up to the two main characters Princess Poppy (Kendrick) and Branch (Timberlake) to go on journey to save the people  trolls and save the day. A wildly optimistic princess and a skeptical grumpy troll teaming up even though they couldn't be more different. If it sounds familiar, that's 'cause it is. Many times over. But who says you can't add more to the party? The film has been inspired by the classic toys popular in the 1960s, but everything is pretty much original sans the hair and the name which I wouldn't have imagined to be that much of an iconic selling power. Anyway...


The new creation means that the filmmakers have largely had a blank canvas to play with. A cool, colourful world has been invented and it serves for an interesting setting, with impressive felt texture effects demonstrating new visual technology. I'm not too keen on the character designs though. They're a huge improvement from the toys which freak me out to no end, but they lack the quirkiness of the fellow creatures from Frozen and other adorable creations we're used to seeing. Instead, they're cute with their crazy hair-dos and expressions, but overall forgettable and slightly underwhelming. That said, I'm not a child, and this would be a good time to mention that this is actually a film for kids. I'm positive the actual (not big) kids love this kind of thing. The film itself has all the ingredients for a fun family viewing, with morals about loyalty, a story about finding happiness, the importance of friendship etc...all wrapped up in bouncy bouncy screen time and zero subtlety. It's also got the wackiness of the brilliant Adventure Time that is so damn bizarre that it equally appeals to the non-kids, where you just think to yourself: uh, whaaaat? For example, there's a strange talking cloud, and they have watches way cooler than the Apple Watch...HUG WATCHES! An alarm so you can remember to hug every hour. Why has that not been patented yet? In addition, there are pop culture references, quick quips and jokes that are suitable for grown-ups.

Music plays a big part in the film - you've obviously heard JT's Can't Stop The Feeling!, and they have more original tracks, but they've also got a whole bunch of memorable songs from the 70s and 80s that are clearly there for the adults. Cheese-ified versions of September, Total Eclipse of the Heart, and Hello are loosely tied into the plot and can't help but make you smile. Or cringe. You'll be one or the other, and I was very much the former. In a Q&A at the premiere, the producers also revealed that as soon as the film was in production, they bought the rights for True Colours, and this becomes a pivotal point for our colourful friends. Trolls just wanna have fun, and they do so through partying and singing at the top of their little lungs - and that means you're in for a very musical ride, with J-Timberlake also serving as Executive Music Producer.


The film brings some great characters and voices together. Kendrick and Timberlake were the casting directors' first choices, and rightly so. You can't get a bright and cheerful voice more bright and cheerful than Anna Kendrick, with a Pitch Perfect singing CV too. Justin Timberlake's more sarcastic, grumpy, cynical voice is a reliable choice, even if you have to wait a bit for any singing. Their audio chemistry is strong, but other types of chemistry (you'll see) are more of a stretch. You'll also recognise James Corden and Russell Brand as fun and kooky trolls, plus Zooey Deschanel as the most likeable and relatable character, Bridget. At some points, it's Bridget the scullery maid and Bergen who steals the show. The ensemble is quite a line-up with John Cleese and Gwen Stefani too, as well as Christopher Mintz-Plasse in the form of a funny but clueless Bergen Prince. It's a team game, and each Troll gets the chance to shine - and literally sparkle. Expect plenty of glitter.


All in all, the biggest surprises in Trolls are the moments of sheer randomness. It's also the moments of quieter and more serious realisation that stand out, even if it's delivered with a side portion of cheese. Asides from that, it follows the formula and makes it a musical extravaganza. It doesn't exactly unlock your imagination but it hammers home a pretty clear message, so take your kids and teach them a lesson about true happiness. I challenge you not to smile. You will find your happy place too, even if you've forgotten it several days later.

Trolls is released in UK cinemas on 15th October. 

Watch the trailer, and highlights from the LFF Premiere below.

   

Something doesn't quite add up...

In case you were wondering from the title, it's not the wild accounting version of Wolf of Wall Street. Instead, it's way more fast-paced than investment banking could ever be. Ben Affleck and Anna Kendrick star in The Accountant, an action thriller where it pays to do the math. Only there's much more at stake here. Ben Affleck plays Chris, a gifted accountant who has quite the risky day job, swapping office life for life entangled with criminal organisations. Bet the phrase "no two days are ever the same" applies here. It involves uncovering the murky truth through the numbers, and it's definitely a different concept than I'm used to.

Affleck and Kendrick (who I most recently saw in a very different type of film, Trolls) don't seem like the natural on-screen duo, which is why I'm even more excited to see their partnership unfold as they get to the bottom of the mystery. Judging from the trailers, Affleck's in fine form too. But who is he? Victim or vigilante? There's no mask or Batcave to hide behind this time!

The Accountant is released in UK cinemas on 4th November.

Watch the trailer here:

And if that's not enough...here's a little more. Just who IS he?!

Ahead of the big return of BBC's The Apprentice (BBC One, this THURSDAY 6th October at 9pm), I've got an exclusive sneak preview!

Can you believe we're into our 12th series of The Apprentice!? That's right, Lord Alan Sugar's pointed the finger at over 100 candidates, we've exhausted every cheesy team name word possible (do you remember Team Phoenix and Team Decadence?),  and we've been faced with numerous stomach-churning boasts. I'll always remember the seller so good they could sell ice to an eskimo, or sell a piece of paper for fifty quid. Dream on...

But dreams are reaching an all-time high as 18 new candidates walk into the boardroom in the hopes of securing a £250,000 investment and form a business partnership with Lord Sugar. I've watched the first episode and it's on fine form once again. Big personalities this year include a guy who wants to take over the world - he also has a dedicated name for his army of fans, as well as someone who likens themselves to Jim Carrey. Trust me, you will be dizzy with exhaustion because this Jim Carrey thing is an understatement. You can meet all the candidates from Matt Edmondson's hilarious point of view here.

This week, the business partner wannabes have been tasked with a selling challenge...but with a Bargain Hunt twist and having to spot treasures within trash. Get ready for lots of "lovely antique things", seemingly obvious pitfalls and the usual shouting at the telly. From this one episode I've already got my eye on a few potential actually-good-and-not-annoying candidates, but time will tell if they can stand the test of time...and the boardroom pressure cooker! There are some hilarious moments in the episode so even if you do discount the business acumen and can't take it all that seriously (after all, we have someone who sums himself up as Leonardo DiCaprio, and we have someone likening themselves to some sort of nuclear explosion...). The guaranteed laughter is itself a good enough reason to tune into The Apprentice when it returns this Thursday. Until then, all I can say is watch out for the monobrow!!!

Last Monday, I attended the Deepwater Horizon European Premiere in Leicester Square, London. (You can read the full film review here! It's in cinemas now, too.) It was attended by the director  Peter Berg, as well as Mark Wahlberg and the real life hero he plays, Mike Williams.

I couldn't go too formal as I was coming straight from an all-day conference, but I did make use of a Topshop LBD lying in my wardrobe waiting for an occasion - slightly more full on than a classic little black dress, with lace cutting and a midi skirt. It reminds me of the Victorian lace trend that's doing the rounds at the moment, plus I bought it earlier this year in the sale for a tenner! You can't really ever go wrong with a black dress..



So...in honour of the wardrobe staple that is the little black dress, here are my 3 favourites in the shops right now that can take you from summer to winter.

Oasis, £45
Take the Victorian thing one step further with a supremely high neck and some more lace.



New Look, £29.99
A flattering black dress with an extra mesh panel and some real shape.





For more photos from the red carpet, and other blog sneak previews, follow the brand new Instagram account (@beviewblog) !