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Beview Playlist: December

Saturday, December 21, 2013
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TV Review: Doctor Who - Day of the Doctor

Ok guys, I promised you I would get back to Beview at some point and here it is. I owe you yet another apology. Thing is, it's not like I have writer's block, as I'm constantly thinking "ooh here's a brilliant thing I could write about!"...and it's not like I don't have time because everyone has 10 minutes to spare in their busily busy lives. The problem is not logging on and getting down to it in the first place. And that is where I owe you the apology.

Soppy heartfelt stuff out the way, let's begin! Also, there was no way I could possibly watch the 50th Anniversary episode of one of my favourite shows and not write a hugely enthusiastic review/beview on it. Impossible.

Speaking of impossible things...let's talk Doctors. Three of them at the same time, which is kinda impossible. Matt Smith, the quirky eccentric one with the bow tie and fez. David Tennant, one of my first loves and eternal ambassador of Converse. Also slightly eccentric. And John Hurt, the mysterious man. And mass killer? We always knew the Doctor had a troubled past, but it was always portrayed in a way that meant we didn't think twice or lose sleep over it.

(I should probably mention now that this review contains spoilers. Lots of them. Stop reading now because you deserve to watch it without it being ruined. Also *geeky Doctor Who joke alert* I am no River Song and I don't keep spoilers to myself.)

Anyhow, back to Doctor Who. I watched this in my local cinema to get the wholesome feel and experience; there's something about the buzz and energy of everyone around you that is hard to escape, especially when everyone's in their 3D glasses oohing and aahing at the screen and chuckling quietly at the in-jokes. With special recordings from the cast - and one funny Sontaran clip - it was worth every penny. Having said that, I'll still watch it on the telly again one of these days. Doctor Who on your TV screens is always a welcome thought. Even after 50 years.

Anyhow, back to the actual plot. It was much more light-hearted than I expected. In my head, it was all doom and gloom and I even predicted a major death and regeneration, even though Moffat and co. have been promising a Christmas regeneration into "12th" Doc Peter Capaldi. I wasn't disappointed by what I did see, however. Tennant and Smith had this amazing chemistry as you laugh at their similarities eg. the glasses, and John Hurt plays the older man laughing at his younger self brilliantly. Even though technically he is younger. Timey wimey stuff gets confusing sometimes. Nevertheless, we see present-day art gallery action with U.N.I.T, mysterious paintings and evil monsters, Elizabethan weddings, and most importantly a lot of Galifrey/Time Lord stuff from the Time War. All the stories interact with each other and scenes jump seamlessly from one to the next.

So we have this dilemma: does the Time Lord end this war and commit genocide? Or does he stand by and watch his people suffer? For ages, the Doctor has had this heavy burden of being the last of the Time Lords and the one responsible for pressing that big red button of mass death. But, *spoiler alert*, Steven Moffat did say ahead of this episode that it would change everything. And boy, didn't it just! New Option 3: Freeze em and save em. We had a glimpse of this from David Tennant's farewell ep "The End of Time" several years back, and now we find out how. Frozen paintings. It's a clever little device really, and one that leads nicely onto the future, and changes how we look at the past too. Add Bad Wolf Billie Piper, nice girl Clara adding an important and timeline-changing voice (whilst allowing Doctors to take centre stage), Zygons who weren't actually very scary, and a few subtle - and not so subtle - nods to the 50 year history, and you have one helluva Doctor Who celebration.

After all, it was a celebration. Teamwork, companions, saving the day and "being a Doctor"... It was heartwarming to see hope splashed about so prominently. Even John Hurt, who I thought would be a dark and dangerous fella, had a character we all felt for in his state of hopelessness. I had been half-expecting the David Tennant Doctor to be the one trapped in the parallel universe with Rose, but the fact that it was fascinating. And yes, he did marry Elizabeth I. At least we have closure from that episode aaages ago. And I'm beginning to ramble now; the Tom Baker cameo was lovely. I'm sure fans had been expecting more appearances, but I understood that the storyline would surely have dragged on if we found places for all past Doctors and companions. It was great to see the Doctors (even if by special effects) all working together...including Capaldi! In fact, when his eyes flashed on screen, I'm fairly certain you could have heard the gasp in unison from outside the cinema.

There's probably more I can say about it. But I'd be rambling even more than I am already. My afterthoughts (apart from "wow") were that:

1) I've really missed David Tennant. I started watching Doctor Who because of him and he really was magical, slipping straight back into those shoes.
2) It was dramatic without feeling too dramatic. The world is constantly in danger in the world of Doc Who, and this was no different except it didn't quite feel like it...
3) I'm excited by the future of the show. There's a lot more on the way and this ep has proved that Doctor Who is still going strong after all this time.
4) It felt like a celebration of the show. I left the building with a smile on my face.

Overall, a very good episode! I feel like I can't quite compare it with the usual ones, and it should be viewed as a spectacle in its own right. And you know what? I enjoyed it. I really did. What's next in the weird and wonderful land of sonic screwdrivers?

*Spoilers*

Tuesday, November 26, 2013
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The case of the child star turned wild: A moment to remember Miley Cyrus...

child stars

...not because she died or anything, but because any of the latest photos/videos we've seen of her are practically unrecognisable. From the "old" Miley Cyrus, that is. And by "old" I pretty much mean those good ol' Hannah Montana days. We live in a tragic world where fame is toxic, fans can be worshipers, and a paparazzi is only a snap away. Luckily for you and I, that world still seems like a fantastical thrill and probable secret ambition. You see the "stars" handling situations with impossibly perfect grace, looking effortlessly brilliant on their morning coffee run, playing dress-up with the world's most coveted designers in a fancy dress wardrobe costing thousands. But when the "stars" begin their astronomical journey from such young an age, we ought - and surely need - to take a moment to remember them in their realm of childhood innocence because it can, and does, often do a 180 in a matter of years.

I'll be first to admit that I don't have an absolute clue what "twerking" is. My going-out dance moves consist of a hilarious-slash-mortifying swimming routine. (Front crawl/back stroke/breast stroke/treading water...there's a move for it all and I'd be happy to demonstrate in person.) But I don't, and won't, twerk. I'm guessing neither would the smiley care-free old (young) Miley Cyrus. It's not just the twerking...it's the provocative dancing with the married man probs old enough to be your dad, it's the provocative dancing in front of little kids watching MTV (kids, don't watch MTV), it's the weird-please-never-do-it-again things with a foam finger. All these things are strange. But even stranger because the doer is a 20 year old girl who was, only a mere few years ago, teaching us the hoedown throwdown, in cowboy hats and not some form of latex underwear. Everything practically screams, "look at me, I've changed. This is the real me now. I've grown up." (Supposedly grown up = be "sexy".) Why is it then that young child stars, maybe particularly Disney stars, are in such a hurry to "grow up"?

I apologise for stereotyping here because this isn't the majority, it's just the ones in the spotlight. This all isn't the definitive path - look at Dakota Fanning, for example. And in some cases, it'll be more revealing clothes which are totally age-inappropriate but that's it. In other cases (the ones I am focusing on), a history of scandals will often follow the golden years, whether it's playing a controversial character in a film, sudden image shock, drug abuse, to name a few. It's trying to be as distant as possible (whether the intention is there, who know?). I see photos of 15, 16 year olds who could confidently pass for 30. Outfits even I wouldn't consider for at least another few years. Most cases aren't as extreme as the Miley VMA case study, and maybe they just have a slightly more sophisticated taste in fashion. But my point is that a 16 year old singer/actress/model etc is no typical 16 year old person. Sadly, often, they don't even have a choice.

Like I said, we live in a tragic world where fame is toxic. Your fans become obsessed with everything you do, and the paparazzi now thing you with your shoelaces undone is the best thing since sliced bread. A combination of everything plus every kind of pressure is enough to change you, or make you want to change who you are and how you are perceived, irreversibly. And whilst I am mostly shocked that Miley Cyrus is now a crotch-grabbing foam-finger-misuser who needs to cover up a bit more, I'm sad too. Because the innocent Hannah Montana character and 15 year old her has already been immortalised and will never be forgotten as long as she lives. Everyone is watching her every step, any place she treads, and every word she says. You've got to feel sorry for, and respect, how much people like Miley have had to grow up. In an actual growing up sense, not the grown up = be "sexy" way.

We're also to blame. I hold my hands up, because I am one of those people checking out the red carpet outfits on Mail Online and fueling the paparazzis' need to invade every part of a private life possible. We only get one childhood and, whilst it's all part of the tough fame game, it's still stripping you of that one childhood. Every tweet and conversation beginning with "OMG did you hear about Miley?" is adding a battery for that spotlight, and every negative comment a match for lighting the fuse. Where does that fuse lead to? In Amanda Bynes's case it was desperately bleak. But saying this, we're doing it again. If you knew what I meant by "Amanda Bynes's case", you've already invaded her private life by knowing and speculating. Myself included. We care but maybe we shouldn't have cared in the first place because we shouldn't have known in the first place. Often it's caring about the story, the gossip, and not the person. Why? Because we don't know the person in the first place and we never did. We see the interviews and the media portrayal, but unless you have Miley Cyrus on speed dial and have an invite to her wedding, you probably don't know her.

I don't really know where I'm going with this. It's more a compilation of rambled thoughts rather than a planned piece of writing where I have a conclusion or had an outcome before I began typing. All I can really end on is that I hope, behind the stage outfits and dance routines and tattoos, Miley Cyrus is still Miley Cyrus. Perhaps not the little girl we all once recognised from the telly, but that she is her own person and not a trapped by pressure, pressure and more. She's not a 12 year old girl in a sequin sparkly jacket any more It also make me hugely grateful that I - not a big production company or agent or media frenzy - owned my own childhood. The only spotlight was the one in the school nativity play where I was a dove in a stable. And the only photos were the goofy ones only my family will be able to laugh at in our family albums. You can only hope that these stars, who begin their career at such a young age, will be alright at the end of the day.

Saturday, August 31, 2013
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How to... Walk Quickly

how to walk quickly

Saturday, August 17, 2013
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Film Review: The Wolverine + premiere bonus!

hugh jackman

If you scroll through past posts, you'll know that I have a strong fondness for movie premieres and have been lucky enough to attend a few in the past. In 2012 there was War Horse, The Hunger Games and Now Is Good but it's been nearly a year since my feet have been near any red carpets. Fortunately, thanks to the awesome guys at Indie London, I had the opportunity to attend last week's premiere of The Wolverine, starring the even more awesome Hugh Jackman. Which means you lovely chaps on Beview get an exclusive review before the film hits cinemas later this week!

Let's start with the basics; the film primarily takes place in Japan, after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand. Another basic, Wolverine is immortal. (Kudos to Jackman for looking eternally young. After all, the first X-Men was 13 years ago.) Insanely cool metal claws pop out from his knuckles. Moving onto the slightly more complex elements...our poor hero has been struggling with his immortality and the loss of his one true love Jean Grey. And now to make things even more mind-boggling, Jean Grey (played by Famke Janssen) appears in this film, and Wolverine is stripped of his immortality! I don't feel bad for saying that as it's there in the trailer and plot key words, but from here on now I'll keep things helpfully as spoiler-free as I can.

Ahead of the big X-Men flick Days of Future Past, we are not reunited with too many familiar faces. Instead, there are new characters like Mariko Yashida (played by Tao Okamoto in her first film), a young woman Logan/Wolverine is assigned to look after - in a way very reminiscent of The Transporter. Then there's her grandfather Shingen Yashida, who meets Wolverine in a very crucial point during the 19th century. These events come back to the forefront when Mr Yashida offers Mr Wolfman a chance to lose his immortality and live a normal life as a thank you for Mr "Young" Wolfman saving his life. Gift, blessing or curse? There's also a jealous dad with a sword, numerous ninjas, a dodgy fiance, an equally dodgy ex-boyfriend, a lizard woman, and one of my favourites of the film, Yukio, a bright-red-haired kick-ass side-kick.

Add all this together with fascinating Japanese culture and some very decent action scenes, and you have a compelling action film. More on the action, there are the confrontations you can see in the trailer, and then some. There's the train sequence, a full-on fight on the fastest high-speed train of Japan...Wolverine vs robot...Wolverine vs sword-wielding man....Wolverine vs everyone. You get the picture. What's nice about this, however, is that we as an audience are so fond of the Wolverine character, that a film just about him is not out of place at all. We saw this with X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He can fight, he can heal (usually), and he has a friggin' cool superpower. And that hair. The action scenes are pretty darn cool, but if being totally honest, I would say they were stronger than the story itself.

The story has culture and structure, but I wasn't totally convinced the whole way through, especially about the reasons we were given for why Wolverine is doing what he does. I don't want to give away too much, but I will say that I'm not a big fan of The Transporter films either. Also, I guessed part of the plot and was right, and some of the characters could have had more character development to show more of why they're there. There are a few moments where they are simply characters in a film, without actually having character. It's a little hard to explain! Having said all that, it's still a good film. There is no denying or taking away from that. Maybe I'm being overly picky and shouldn't be pulling threads at a franchise which is based on action, but the superhero bar has been set very high by your Batmans and Iron Mans of the past.

And also, you may be wondering why "The" precedes "Wolverine". "Did they simply run out of film names?", you wonder. Watch it and you'll find out the significance!

In general, I thoroughly enjoyed watching The Wolverine, and enjoyed it even more due to the fact that Mr Hugh Jackman and co. were watching alongside in the same cinema! Hand on heart, he really does look better in the flesh, and I don't think I ever saw him not smiling. Miles away from his moody angsty character, Hugh Jackman is loveely.

Premiere bonus snaps from the night! (Spot the Jackman if you can)

Monday, July 22, 2013
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Beview Fashion Special: 3 Asos dresses, 3 Miss Sporty lipsticks!

Sunday, June 30, 2013
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The Apprentice: Caravans!

bbc

The current series of The Apprentice has drawn many a comment about it's big personalities and lack of their "business acumen" in places. The number of times I've shouted at the TV in mock despair is more than the number of times Jason has made us go "aww" plus the number of times I've mentioned Alex and those eyebrows. But this week, things changed.

I was lucky enough to attend the filming of the aftershow You're Fired!, which meant I got to watch the episode the Monday before the show aired. Which also meant having to keep schtum about what happened and who got fired. At this point, I should probably tell you to stop reading if you haven't seen it yet... And that if you haven't seen it yet, you should.

So, the candidates are given a selling task. Sell, sell, sell! They have to choose a big ticket item to sell sell sell, alongside two other, cheaper ones. The week before, I saw the preview/trailer/ad and thought - yawn..caravans! I couldn't have been more wrong if I tried. Milkshake man Kurt and Mr Neil Clough were project managers, featuring products such as electric bikes (no pedalling required so why is it a bike?), a folding camper, a retro campervan and a boat roof thing. Instead of going with what was known to sell most, Kurt went with the retro campervan as what he personally liked most. After his team lost grandly, Kurt's defence was to blame his earlier decision..so yeah, still his fault. They sold a massive zero campervans, despite Leah's last minute attempt (after being drafted in as "eye candy". The look on Natalie's face was the look of "I can't believe I'm not considered eye candy!" despite them having no knowledge of it at the time. But she claims she could've sold loads, as she "works in recruitment". Connecting the dots for that one is a tad difficult.

But on the other team (and I forget which names they both have), they go with what sells, and indeed...sell. Note at this point that I have used the word "sell" almost as many times as Lord Sugar did in one minute. The show was stolen from the word go by loveable Jason and his more-than loveable giant teddy bear. His selling techniques worked extremely and somewhat surprisingly well with the target market, the over 50s, making the first major sale and bringing us that lovely heartwarming 2 seconds of TV with the lady whispering into his ear. How sweet.

And from that moment on, it was a massive victory of £30something,000 compared to a teeny thousand-and-something. The highlight? Jason being asked to return to the boardroom where Lord Sugar put in an extra word about being impressed and such. That's when, in the studio audience, there was the loudest "awwwwww". Jason's used this episode to rocket to the forefront as not just a one-trick pony (his "one-trick" being peeling onions in the kitchen) but as the candidate the public will remember for series to come. I just can't help wondering what his business plan exactly is. Guesses, anyone?

Back in the firing line, Kurt's risky strategy of not picking the product with the better track record costs him dearly...and he's out. But (cue shocked faces and gasps in the audience), Shugs ain't finished just yet! After being in the boardroom three times, the finger is pointed again and it's a double firing show as Natalie is also out. Some can accuse Kurt of playing tactics and picking Natalie as the weakest link, but they were both fired so, y'know.

From even before we saw the show, I had an inkling Kurt would be given the boot. Why? I saw a chap in the audience who looked just like him! (An older version; his dad, I'm thinking.) But a double firing is even more exciting - almost as exciting as the previews for next week's online dating advert task!

More Apprentice chat next week,
Bev x

Saturday, June 15, 2013
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Pages

Beview Playlist: December

TV Review: Doctor Who - Day of the Doctor

The case of the child star turned wild: A moment to remember Miley Cyrus...

How to... Walk Quickly

Film Review: The Wolverine + premiere bonus!

Beview Fashion Special: 3 Asos dresses, 3 Miss Sporty lipsticks!

The Apprentice: Caravans!

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