Wrath of the Titans Review

Wrath of the Titans (2012)

War, fight to the death and off we go. Another, I would have thought, epic adventure. I really wanted to write something extraordinary about Jonathan Liebesman's (Battle Los Angeles, Darkness Falls) new film, however, I was left disappointed after the screening. I actually wanted to leave the cinema after just 40 minutes into the film. If it wasn't for Ralph Fiennes I would have probably done so.

Perseus (Sam Worthington: Avatar,Last Night) is back again. After the war with the Titans, he decided to lead a simple life as a fisherman. However, his destiny has called for him again. He must fight once more. After his father was captured by Hades (Ralph Fiennes: The Reader, Coriolanus) and Ares (Edgar Ramirez: Vantage Point, Domino) he must take upon a dangerous task of entering the Underworld to save Zeus' life ( Liam Neeson: Battleship, The Grey) and to face Chronos, a deadly creature which would give Ares and Hades immortality but would also wipe out the entire human race. And that's it! I do not have anything more to add. 'Wrath of the Titans' is a classic blockbuster in which numerous fights and special effects are more important than the plot. There are indeed moral dilemmas, alliances, betrayals and conspiracies and even a bit of romance in the film, however, I felt like I was watching a movie about an alien invasion on earth, mixed with 'Lord of the Rings' but embedded in the contractual realities of the ancient world.

The entire film has been well made, technically speaking, with a world class cast such as Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy and Sam Worthington. It's watchable, however, any intellectual experience can hardly be expected, just so you all know. I found this production completely unnecessary. I would have liked to see all that money going towards an independent cinema. But that is my personal opinion. I am afraid that a continuation to 'Wrath of the Titans' is unavoidable.

In Conversation with Manolo

It was a lovely and pleasant day for an interview with an amazing and talented artist Manolo (Manolo's real name is Marta Chojnacka). We met at the Tate Modern Art Gallery and decided to chill out on a balcony with a stunning view over the Thames River. It's always been my pleasure to interview artists. I find them extremely fascinating and interesting. Their way of thinking seems to be coming from a place that is unknown to us.

I've first met Manolo at the Women of the World Festival at the Southbank Centre. I was blown away by her creativity and talent.After the festival I was keen on talking to Manolo again and asking her few questions regarding her art work. Marta received MA in Painting and Drawing from University of Warmia and Mazury in Poland. She currently lives in London where she works and creates her amazing jewellery.

Maggie: Marta tell me all about your art work,when did you start and what was behind your inspiration?

Manolo: I've started few years ago after discovering a very interesting method called laser cut.I've been making jewellery using my own drawings as a template for the laser cut.I was always fascinated and inspired by Pedro Almodovar's ( Spanish film director) female characters. In my view his women represent a complete picture of the female; a woman full of drama,gossiping and drinking red wine.They are real and truthful to what and who they are.I'm also inspired by a French painter and illustrator Henrie de Taulouse-Lontrec.He was masterly at capturing crowd scene in which the figures,especially females,were highly individualized.

Maggie: Why did you choose the name Manolo?

Manolo: It's simple name,I wanted a memorable one.The name that would stay in people's mind for awhile.

Maggie: What is so special about your little creations?

Manolo: I love making females and males characters.Each and every piece has its own story to tell,for example: Francesca -gold and walnut brooch;her father was a diamond and gold mining entrepreneur.She likes luxury,truffles and champagne.My customers like to identify themselves with jewellery they are interested in purchasing.As far as I'm concerned they are satisfied with brooches they have bought.

Francesca

Maggie: Apart from making brooches you have been keen on creating earring and necklaces.

Manolo: Yes,I have got customers who are not only interested in buying brooches but also in having different type of jewellery such as earrings or necklaces.Ladies seem to like it.I am really grateful for their positive feedback and encouragement.

Maggie: You are a professional painter,have you ever considered a career as the painter?

Manolo: Yes,one day for sure.It's my passion so it will never go away.I am very much into making my jewellery at the moment.

Maggie: I wish you all the best and looking forward to your new collection.

Manolo: Thank you very much it should be out soon.

If you wanted to see the entire Manolo's collection go to :

http://www.don-manolo.com/

Her products are available here:

http://www.etsy.com/people/MANOLOjewellery?ref=pr_profile

http://atworkgallery.co.uk/products.asp?man=53

http://www.urbandesigns.es/manolo-en.html

http://www.vanillainkstudios.co.uk/

After Miss Julie Review

After Miss Julie (2012)

I went to the Young Vic Theatre to pick up my ticket for After Miss Julie, you should all have seen my surprised looking face when a lady at the box office told me : tickets for After Miss Julie aren't being ticketed. You probably wonder why; well it was a part of the director's concept for this production to save as much energy from the national grid by not printing tickets. Instead it worked as a guest list at the box office. I just needed my name and postcode to pick up my recyclable token ticket for the performance.

Patrick Marber's  'After Miss Julie' ,a version of August Strinberg's pathfinding 1888 tragedy about class division and desire, puts a new engine in an old chassis.The play takes us to 1945 England and it all begins on the night of the British Labour Party's landslide victory over Winston Churchill and the Conservative. We meet Miss Julie,John- the chauffeur, and Christine - Miss Julie's Maid.As we learn in the play's first lines,Miss Julie,played by a very talented Natalie Dormer (Casanova,Game of Thrones), has a habit of making a reckless spectacle of herself.By turning sexual and social decorum in its head,she projects her craziness onto others; they end up confounded,instead of her.Also her maniac behaviour broadcasts her suicidal stalemate.

John,by contrast,played by my favourite theatrical and TV actor Kieran Bew(Richard II,Whistleblower, Walking the Dead),is defined by desire to rise. Each needs something in the other,though they don't need each other.John sees Miss Julie and her wealth (consciously) as a chance at life; Miss Julie sees John and his forcefulness( unconsciously) as a change at death. And here comes Christine,played by Polly Frame ( Macbeth,New Tricks) ,a serious cook and John's bride-to-be.She witnesses John's infidelity. Even though she's been betrayed by the man she loves,Christine still thinks that there's a future for her and John.

Photo by Alastair Muir

The scenery is simple.Dingy kitchen,dominated by a long pine table;which during the course of the evening comes to represent the social divide between chauffeur, the lady of the house and Christine.Simple and small sink,an old stove made us feel like we were back in 1940s.Also engaging live musicians instead of playing recorded music was a very good idea.I always thought a little bit of swing jazz is never too much.

I have to admit that the play was excellent. It was the most tense 90 minutes of my life.I should also point out that the performances from Natalie,Polly and Kieran were impeccable.

'After Miss Julie' runs until 14 April 2012

http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/after-miss-julie

Game of Thrones DVD overview

Produced by HBO series ‘Game of Thrones’ is based on the bestselling fantasy saga by George RR Martin’s ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ is the first part of the novel.

‘Game of Thrones’ tells  a story of a land where summer lasts for dacades and winter can reign longer than the human lives.Several powerful families are embroiled in a deadly game in which control over the Seven Kingdom of Westeros is in stake.Betrayal,lust,intrique and supernatural forces shake North,South,East and West of the Kingdom,a fierce fight for the Iron Throne brings unpredictable consequences.

The main plot of the show is the fight for power and struggle of its characters: kings,knight and renegades.The actions begins when Lord Robert Baratheon asks Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark to help him rule the Kingdom after the suspicious death of his most trusted man.

At the same time in the East serious competitors to the throne,Daenerys Targryen,teenage princess and her brother Visey,start to act.Meanwhile,on the border of the Kingdom,North of the Wall,which is protected by the Night Guards,strange and disturbing events are taking place...(I will not spoil the moment you must see it for yourself)

‘Game of Thrones’ is filled with violence but it isn't excessive.The novel’s characters are well delineate.The actors are perfectly matched to their roles.Sean Bean(Cleanskin,Age of Heroes)as Lord Stark is a real tough guy from the North,but not devoid of sensibility and sense of humor.Princess Daenerys,played by Emilie Clarke(Triassic Attack,Doctors)lives in exile in Essos,she looks like an elf,sweet and innocent,but behind that mask of innocence there is someone else hidden; a strong and dangerous young woman.

Each character has got something interesting to give,which arouses our interest.Fans of fantasy ought to rush to the store and buy the first volume of George RR Martin’s novel-after watching the first episode you will just have to figure out ‘what happens next’

Cast- Sean Bean as Ned Stark,Mark Addy as Lord Baratheon,Lana Headey as Cersei Lannister,Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister,Nicole Coster-Waldau as Jamie Lannister,Emilia Clarke as Princess Daenerys,Harry Lloyd as Viserys,Michelle Fairlay as Catelyn Stark and Kit Harrington as Jon Snow.The executive producers are David Benioff and DB Weiss.

‘Game of Thrones’ Season 2 will be aired on HBO in April 2012.

Bingo-Scenes of Money and Death

Bingo - Scenes of Money and Death (2012)

I was delighted when I managed to purchase a ticket to Bingo at the Young Vic Theatre in London.

The play was directed by Angus Jackson( Theatre; Funny Guy,The 24 Hour Play and film: Emilia's Kitchen) and it is based on a play written in 1973 by the English Marxist playwright Edward Bond.'Bingo-Scenes of Money and Death' is a story about aging William Shakespeare,played by the brilliant actor Sir Patrick Stewart ( The X-Men Trilogy,LA Story,Lady Jane) .

Shakespeare moves to Stratford in search of peace,however,he finds himself hemmed in by local politics and conflicts.He is invited to become a town Councillor to take a sides in a dispute about land enclousers. Shakespeare signs up with a local landowner,William Combe, played by charismatic Matthew Marsh( The Iron Lady,Land of the Blind) to buy himself peace and quiet.His main concern is to protect his profits.The writer also struggles with his moaning wife and a daughter Judith,played by Catherine Cusack ( Finding Neverland,Doctors) who bothers him with her trivial complaints.Also Shakespeare's attempt to shield a female vagabond ends with her being hanged.

Bond was 40 when he wrote the play and perhaps that's why the attacks he seats up upon his Shakespeare feel like that of a son vigorously trying to land a telling blow on his father.It almost works, because in Sir Patrick Stewart's performance you can so easily believed in the life portrayed.

Shakespeare's burn-out is both visible and tragic-Bonds wants to suggest that moral burn-out was a relevant factor.In the play's funniest scene he is berated by a drunken and jealous Ron Johnson,played by Richard McCabe( Wallander,Spooks,The Duchess) for his supposed serenity.Stewart just sits and stares at him through narrowed eyes,saying nothing and draining another gablet.It is a very good set up,not nice but plausible.

As Michael Billington said  'It's an evening that confirms Bond's 1973 play has achieved the status of a modern classic'. In my opinion Bingo production was excellent, beautifully directed and also with an amazing scenery designed by Visual Scene and TMS Theatrical.

Bingo runs 'till 31st of March 2012 at the Young Vic Theatre

http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/bingo

Written by Maggie Gogler

Marilyn Monroe Exhibition at the Getty Images Gallery in London

Marilyn Monroe Exhibition 9th March - 18th May 2012 at Getty Images Gallery in London

                         ( Arriving at the premiere of There's No Business Like Show Business, 1954)

The Getty Images Gallery has organized an amazing exhibition. A collection of imagery and memorabilia to commemorate 50 years since the untimely death of Marilyn Monroe.With an instantly recognisable image and style to boot, Ms Monroe still stands as one of the most influential actresses and fashion icons of her day.

With photos from the beginning of her career, following her rise to international fame, the exhibition also features original tapes of the actress so you can see behind the scenes of one of the most famous stars of the 20th century.You can also see and admire her 12 glamorous gowns that she used while filming various movies.There was one particular dress that caught my eye : it was a black dress with a red rose(1952) the dress was worn by Marilyn in the role of Rose Loomis in Niagara,in this film Marilyn plays the role of famme fatale, a wife that conspires with her lover to murder her husband . I know terrifying story,however,she looked stunning in that black creation!

I should also mention that the exhibition wouldn't have taken place if it wasn't for Mr David Gainsborough Roberts.He loaned original dresses and costumes from his personal collection.He also supported and assisted with Marilyn exhibition.

Written by Maggie Gogler

Friday Tonic: Sarah Gillespie Women of the World Festival 2012

Sarah Gillespie is a British-American singer and songwriter based in London. I heard about Sarah from friends of mine, however, being interested in rock music I wasn’t really sure what to expect.

So I sat down in the Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall waiting for gods know what...And there she was,a lovely and down to earth Sarah with her band.I wish you could all have seen my face when I heard her singing .I was amazed by the girl’s talent; wisely written lyrics, gentle but yet a very strong vocals. Beautifully executed notes and in tune.

Her lyrics were mind blowing, as I said before, wisely written. I was able to understand her feelings and her view points on certain subjects such as politics. I was totally sewed into her performance.

I was also driven into her ‘deft finger-picking’ guitar.I haven’t seen such a good musician for a long time.It was definitely an outstanding and vivacious show and I wish you could all listen to her music.

You can learn more about Sarah Gillespie on http://sarahgillespie.com/

Written by Maggie Gogler