Film: Selma

I'm really impressed with Odeon. You may have read me rave on about their latest movie initiative, Screen Unseen, before. It allows film fans to watch highly anticipated films before their general release dates, with one catch - you don't know what you'll be watching until the film starts. This month I was lucky enough to watch Selma, which is due for release in UK cinemas on 6th February.

Selma chronicles part of the shocking true story of Dr Martin Luther King's fight to secure equal voting rights for black men and women in the United States. It's based on a particular fight for the right to vote that began in Selma, Alabama - an area where black citizens were, due to prejudice, being illegally denied the right to cast votes, despite a previous change in legislation that should have allowed it. And the work carried out there by Dr Martin Luther King, and his supporters, culminated in the historically famous, and bloody, marches from Selma to Montgomery and eventually resulted in the then President of the United States amending legislation to enable black citizens to register to vote without harassment.

This is a big story. And really, I saw only a very tiny chapter of a hugely important plight. Although I, of course, knew about Dr Martin Luther King from school, and was all too aware of the conclusion to his story, it was really interesting to see a part of what he fought for in more depth. It certainly made me want to go home and read more about what happened in Selma, along with the work he, and his team, carried out before and afterwards.

I wouldn't describe Selma as entertaining. It more felt like a story that had to be told. It was certainly harrowing in parts, and incredibly moving throughout, but to have lessened the horror would have been a disservice to the many victims of hate and ignorance in America at that time. David Oyelowo was excellent as Dr Martin Luther King, and I also particularly liked Tom Wilkinson as President Johnson. Both men were able to brilliantly capture the frustration and vulnerability that comes with being in positions of power, and reverence. And their scenes together were very strong.

Selma isn't a huge blockbuster with lots of special effects and big bangs, it's a true story that is quietly filled with passion, and an overriding sense of pride for the bravery of some, to try and benefit many others. I might not have chosen to watch it at the cinema had it not been for Odeon's Screen Unseen, but I'm so glad I did.

Will you catch Selma when it comes out in cinemas? Seen any other good movies recently?

Thought: Walking

Feeling the tinge of/cold on the edges of my/nose and ears. And what/I know is how to/keep moving. The crunch of feet/is all that matters.

What's your favourite thing about winter?

Crafts: Pottery #2

If you haven't read my previous pottery related post you won't know that I've been doing an evening class in pottery and ceramics. Before I started I had lots of ideas, and I imagined them all to be easily realisable. I expected just to rock in and start creating lots of complicated designs. As you can imagine, it's a little bit more difficult than that. I've always had a bit of a thing for mugs and teacups and so they were some of the first things I attempted to make. I made this slightly non-functional one by coiling, which means I built up the design using coils of clay, and then added the handle last. It certainly isn't perfect, and I think it makes a better home for my cactus than any actual liquid, but I'm pretty smitten with it. What do you think?

What hobbies do you do in your spare time? Any pottery tips for me?

Beauty Box: My Little Energy Box

If you've read my last post you'll know that I, like many people, am trying to have a bit of a health kick this January. So far I'm doing ok. Lost a few pounds and been exercising more regularly. I am having a pizza tonight though - but balance is important right? Have you made a change this year? How's it going?

Anyway, the lovely people over at My Little Box are obviously having a health overhaul too because their first 2015 box seems perfect for anyone looking to have a little life refresh. I was really pleased to receive a full-size tube of Talik day cream worth a whopping £43.50. The photo-hyrda moisturiser is meant to "use energy from natural light to delve deep into the skin and moisturise it." I'm not really quite sure what that means but its non-greasy formula and illuminating effect were pretty great. I also got a Nails Inc nail varnish which I was pleased with because I love the brand. I was intrigued by My Little Box's own brand energising face mist too. It is meant to contain all sort of goodies for the skin and revive the appearance of a dull, tired complexion. While I'm not sure it'll fully makeover my face, it does smell pretty amazing and facial sprays are great for giving foundation a more dewy, natural look. I'm going to try and get in the habit of giving myself a quick spritz before heading out in the morning.

I was so excited to get a gym bag in my box too. Although I haven't really pictured it all that well, it's really cool. I like the pattern on it and it's a good size to bung my towel and swimming costume into, when I head out at home or for beach holidays. And the calendar was a great little extra because I forgot to buy one and kind of resented paying lots of money for a pretty one. I really like the My Little Box illustrations so the calendar will do me just fine.

I know I probably say it every month, but I really think that My Little Box is the most thoughtful, innovative subscription box currently on the market. It always has a great mix of high quality cosmetics, and the lifestyle extra, although sometimes not exactly my taste, is consistently well-designed and good quality. It's definitely my favourite box and the most exciting to delve into. I'm excited for next month already. Anyway, I'm off to order my pizza and gaze guiltily at my new gym bag. Oh, it is a Saturday, hey?

Are you a My Little Box Subscriber? Were you pleased this month?

Beauty Box: Birchbox January 2015

I accidentally took a bit of a blogging hiatus over the holidays. I took a trip to New York (expect to hear about it soon), and what with all the festive cheer, and some other (less cheerful) things that happened, the entire month just escaped. I hope you didn't miss me too much.

Birchbox decided to kick-off the new year with a collaboration box featuring Women's Health magazine. I suppose January is a great opportunity to start new habits, and get rid of some old ones too. I definitely want to change a few things this year. I am determined to be a bit healthier - to eat cleaner and take more exercise. It's so easy to forget to keep healthy. And the idea of it often doesn't quite fit with our hectic modern life schedules. But I am going to claim back some time to do something good for myself, I think. If I can find time to watch Netflix, I can find time to exercise. GO!

Birchbox have been very helpful in supporting my aspirations this month. I received a tube of activbod cooling lotion to soothe any sore bits from too many squats (worst pain ever, and if squats was a person, I would punch them). And I got a sachet of Embrace Matcha green tea which I immediately drank. It was really good. Apparently it has more antioxidants than regular green tea, so I would definitely consider repurchasing. And because of course, I want to look good on the outside, as well as feel good on the inside, Birchbox sorted me out with a few new beauty bits to try too. I've been researching new shampoos and conditioners to try on my often troublesome hair so it'll be interesting to see if Philip Kingsley's conditioner is up to the job, it contains wheat-protein which is meant to be great for injecting a bit of body into limp locks. And I also got a REN face mask, and a tube of HealGel, to deal with any skin complaints. I'm particularly excited about the face mask because I've always really liked REN and this product seems great for having a little instant face makeover, a faceover, if you will. Finally, Birchbox treated all their subscribers to a stila lip glaze. The colour of mine seems a bit insipid for my tastes but I'm sure I can find a home for it if it doesn't grow on me. And we also all got a pilates exercise band which will hopefully be a useful incorporation to my new lifestyle. I'm going to get on YouTube and find a few exercises I could try with it.

Although this box didn't particularly wow me, it does contain some useful products. And it'll certainly help me refresh myself after a long year - ready for the challenges of a new one. Let's make it a good one.

What did you think of this month's box? Have you started something new this January?

List: 14 Things I Learnt in 2014

1. Life is fundamentally random. Spend more time enjoying it, and less time worrying about it.
2. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
3. Putting yourself first doesn't have to be selfish. If you're not happy, you won't be making the people around you happy either.
4. Just because someone else's life looks amazing, it doesn't mean it is. We all do small things. We all sit in front of the TV sometimes. We all feel insecure.
5. Life should be lived in a way that makes you feel good. Who cares if it doesn't fit with someone else's idea of fun?
6. Whatever you're worrying about, someone else will be worrying about it too.
7. When it comes to friends, it's all about quality. Not quantity.
8. The same is true of cosmetics and fashion. But not food. Never food.
9. There is a difference between having a real life, and a virtual life. And you don't need to prove the richness of one on the other.
10. Take risks. Be scared. 
11. There is a comfort in knowing that time will always keep moving.
12. Immersing yourself in a good book or film can be good for the soul. And the imagination.
13. Things change but you have to look forward.
14. Be reflective. Be understanding. And try to have good thoughts - it'll make life more beautiful.

(because 2,014 things might have been a bit much)

Film: Whiplash

If you've read my last film review you'll know that I have become a fast fan of Odeon's latest film experience Screen Unseen. The monthly event gives film fans the opportunity to see a much anticipated film before its general release date. There's only one catch: the audience has no idea what film they're going to see until the opening credits start rolling. I was really impressed with last month's film, and I think that Odeon have again picked something really special.

I hadn't heard of Whiplash before I went to Screen Unseen. When I first saw the title of the film I felt a bit dubious. Was it about a horse rider? Something sexy to compete with Fifty Shades of Grey? Or was it about a failed insurance scam? The answer? None of the above. In fact, Whiplash is about jazz. When I first realised it was a film about an aspiring jazz musician I felt even more dubious.I just wasn't sure it was going to be my thing. Especially when I realised the plot seemed focused around a super motivated student and his relationship with a much respected musician and conductor. But I really needn't have worried. Whiplash is really nothing like other will-they-or-won't-they-succeed feel good films. And it's brilliant.

Andrew (Miles Teller) is the super focused drummer hoping to win the approval, and a place in the jazz band, of industry superstar Fletcher (J. K. Simmons). Andrew has a focus and passion for jazz that is beyond what would be expected of someone of his age. His walls are covered in posters of jazz greats, he seems to rarely socialise with anyone near to his age, and the most extracurricular fun he has revolves around cinema trips with his dad. It is clear from the start that Andrew has a passion. But the depth of his passion is only revealed as the film progresses. When Fletcher picks up Andrew to initially be second chair drummer in his band, Andrew is thrilled. This is the break he's been waiting for. But it soon becomes clear that Fletcher has a very unique way of working. During Andrew's first rehearsal alone he has a chair flung at his head, is made to cry, and is generally humiliated, by Fletcher. But Andrew somehow responds to this extreme method and overhauls his life to focus on becoming a great in the jazz world. Cue seriously disturbing and somehow sensual scenes of bloodied hands, cymbals shimmering with sweat, and grimaces of genuine pain etching Andrew's face as he tries to learn Fletcher's music and match his tempo. The film is really a series of ups and downs as we see Andrew struggle to progress in his career. And the end is truly startling.

Whiplash does something I've never really seen in a film before, and the closest comparison I can make is to Black Swan, starring Natalie Portman as an ambitious ballet dancer. Both films, although different, are able to inject very real tension and grit into industries that are often portrayed as quite wholesome and mellow. I hadn't expected to feel so emotionally invested in a film about the world of jazz - a genre I've never listened to much. Andrew's lust for success is as sexy as it is harrowing. It is more thrilling than a high budget blockbuster and far scarier than most horrors I've seen. Andrew and Fletcher's relationship is fascinating and extremely hard to define. Simmons does a brilliant job as Fletcher, he is cruel, extreme and completely unreadable. I was never able to fully understand whether he truly believed in Andrew, or whether he even wanted him to succeed.  Teller is just as fantastic and plays a believably desperate student, who will stop at nothing to be the best - even with Fletcher clinging to his ankles.

Whiplash is really so much more than a film about a jazz band. It is about the human need to mean something, to achieve something, and the sometimes ugly nature of competition. More than that, it is a film that questions motivation and ponders an alternative way of nurturing talent. It is filled with beautiful, and often darkly humorous, dialogue and shows a side of the cut throat music industry that isn't often explored. Go and find it. It's out in cinemas early next year.

Would you go to a Screen Unseen event? Do you like the sound of Whiplash?