#FILMFRIDAY ESPspotlight BOX OFFICE REVIEW: ST. VINCENT

St. Vincent is one of those brilliant films that blindside you, by giving off the impression that it will be mediocre, and actually turning out to be sheer excellence.

It is the tale of miserly old Vincent (Bill Murray), who drinks too much, smokes too much, gambles too much, and runs over his own white picket fence, entirely too much. Not akin to the concept of moderation (or showering), he is a weekly enjoyer of Daka, a pregnant Russian 'Lady of the Night' (Naomi Watts), who apparently keeps no-one else in his life, until Maggie (Melissa McCarthy) moves in with her adopted 12-year-old son Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher). Feeling the pinch of his debts, including a dangerous one to the typecast Terrence Howard character of Zucko the Bookie; a bad first day for Oliver at his new school, provides him with the opportunity to squeeze a few babysitting bucks out of Maggie. As the characters further entwine themselves in each other's worlds, it results in all of them colliding when multiple tragedies strike.

The role of Maggie gives Melissa McCarthy the opportunity to do what has been so desperately needed of her, after a spate of far too similar roles. The toe-curlingly awful 'Tammy' proved she was overdue a character change, and she played this one to perfection. Bill Murray reminds you why he has always been so horrifically underappreciated as an actor; and little Jaeden whatshisface is quite the adorable breakout star.

St. Vincent is quite the funny tearjerker, that has no boring dips, which will keep you engrossed for its entire 102 minutes.

Until the next...
ES ;)

#FILMFRIDAY 5/12 PREVIEWS: PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR, BLACK SEA, GET SANTA, THE PYRAMID

Penguins of Madagascar

Is the hi-larious first character breakout instalment from the popular Madagascar franchise.

Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private are four penguins of the global espionage persuasion. Circumstances dictate they join forces with the North Wind; a spy outfit of considerably greater finesse, led by the dashing Agent Classified, if they are to stop Dr Octavius Brine from salty world domination. This will leave you rolling in the aisles from start to finish, although some jokes surpass the kid friendly Universal rating. Featuring the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch and John Malkovich.

Black Sea

Jude Law fights to keep his head above water in this tense thriller about a disgruntled submarine captain out for all he believes that he is worth. Bandying together a nefarious bunch of dodgy seamen first, you question why one captain knows quite so many miscreants as needed to help steal nearly $200 million dollars in gold bar treasure, from an old Hitler battleship. Then you fail to raise an eyebrow as the obvious begins to happen - greed overtakes the initial willingness to share, and so begins the plank-walking competition. Even Law himself is not sexy enough to save this sea dud - particularly with that awful Irish accent...Personally, I'd p-p-pick up a penguin ticket.

The Pyramid

If you're craving Horror as this week's topping, then The Pyramid might just be to your taste. The discovery of a hidden pyramid beneath the Egyptian sands has a group of archaeologists salivating at their dry mouths, but as they explore and get lost in it's underground mazes, it becomes apparent that something has each of them on its menu. Guess who...or what's coming to dinner with Ashley Hinshaw, James Buckley, and Dennis O'Hare.

Get Santa

Not one for the annual seasonal madness, I can't say that Get Santa held any appeal for me, whatsoever; and this nauseatingly stiff tale of the white-bearded one getting himself nicked and, relying on a young believer and his polar opposite Dad to save December's 25th day, did not fail to disappoint. A really hard watch for the usually stellar Jim Broadbent; he is joined by a mildly cute (but mostly annoying) Kit Connor, and wholly irritating Rafe Spall for a cast that did nothing but make me count the time of my life that I would never get back. The things I do for you people...!

It goes without saying that the #1 win of the week goes to the sidesplitting penguins that give the Happy Feet cuties a waddle for their...fishes. I suggest that you see the Penguins of Madagascar TODAY, but if you're looking for something a little more on the adult side, then I've got a doozy for you in my #BoxOffice Review of the week later today! Read this space...

Until the next...Enjoy!
ES ;)

#WearItWednesday #ESPnews Headlines: The BRITISH FASHION AWARDS & VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW - Great baubles abound!

Unless you've been radio silent, then you will know that two major fashion events have dominated London Town so far this week - and it's only Wednesday!

Monday night saw the Fashion world glitterati turn out for the 2014 British Fashion Awards, where the winners were crowned from 400 voting members of the industry's who's who. Amongst award recipients at the mighty affair held at the London Coliseum; were Cara Delevingne for Model, and Victoria Beckham for Brand of the Year. Emma Watson took home the British Style Award, and Erdem took home the trophy for Womenswear Designer. The legendary Edward Enninful received the Isabella Blow award for Fashion Creator of the Year, Chris Moore received the Special Recognition Award for 'a remarkable career that has spanned six decades and a contribution to the fashion industry'; whilst the Outstanding Achievement Award went to the one and only Anna Wintour OBE. 

From l-r: Models Poppy and Cara Delevingne, Joan Smalls and Karlie Kloss

l-r: Anna Kendrick, Victoria Beckham and
Jeremy Irvine

Emma Watson and Harry Styles

Michelle Dockery and Erdem Moralioglu

l-r: Rihanna, Edward Enninful, Naomi Campbell

Suzy Menkes and Chris Moore

John Galliano and Anna Wintour OBE

For the full list of Winners and some of their acceptance videos visit the BFA website here, scroll down the page, and hope for the love of all that is Holy, that Rihanna won't lower the tone of any of those too...

From the high-brow to the double POW...

*All photographs courtesy of Dan Sims, British Fashion Awards Website

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Victoria's Secrets and her Unmissable Double Ta...Bras

As mentioned earlier in the year, our little town with a pond played host city to the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show last night; where musical guests Ariana Grande got smacked by a wing (stop smiling...ok, stop making it so OBVIOUS then), Taylor Swift auditioned (and failed - someone will call her back about that...eventually), Ed Sheeran got REALLY happy (rumour has it he woke up blonde instead of with one), and Hozier was first mistaken for a maintenance official (yes, I mean cleaner), before helping those gorgeous gams keep time on stage. 

Two ladies to whom a girl can only aspire, Adriana (if I inject myself with her DNA will I be a clone of her) Lima, and Alessandra (even her name mean tall drink of the Gods) Ambrosio flaunted their baubles and gave most...(ok, all) men two million reasons to forget what those bras encased, and...well...oh heck, I'll just shut up and show you the highlights video:

And there you have it - how we throw celebrity parties - London style.

Until the next...Enjoy!
ES ;)

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show highlights video courtesy of Glamour Magazine online.

#MUSICMONDAY #SOUNDOFTHEWEEK - LET ME FIND OUT, IMMATURE

I had a discussion with my favourite music compadre - Mi Madre - recently, and we were discussing the merits of all of these pop groups returning. By the end, we agreed that the younger names were probably still hankering for their once upon a time, career highs; and the elders, most likely just really needed the cash.

That isn't to say that every big reunion is a grandiose mistake - Atomic Kitten, I am NOT talking to you, stay where you are, please - individually (and silent). Take the real singers for example; Immature, if you haven't heard of them before, are a 3-piece, male singing group, formed in Los Angeles, California. Releasing the first of many well-received albums in 1992 at the age of 11, by their fourth album, Immature became IMx to mark the 10th year of their career, and their musical and personal maturity.

Going back to their original format (when they were at their best in my humble opinion); the boys have reformed as men, and brought the sexy back to a whole new level...

Here's your #ESP Sound of the Week: Let Me Find Out by Immature...

 Parental Advisory - Explicit Lyrics

Do you need cooling down as well? I knew it couldn't just be me!

The track is the first of a number of free downloads to come from the group's forthcoming album, that currently has no release date.

Until the next...Enjoy (literally)!
ES ;)

#MUSICMONDAY #WAVERUNNER: 'MEMRISE' by FRANK OCEAN

If, like me, you've been wondering which channel you can find Frank Ocean on, and whether it is determined by a primary colour, or secondary mixture, have no fear, I am about to answer your question: our cheeky little Channel ORANGE cutie has been back in the studio working on equally hypnotic material. When I say that I have no doubt that this first number from his third set will be ruling the airwaves before long, I jest you not. Let's be honest, Frank can really do no wrong in the world of music, unless your name is Chris Brown (and even then, I'm pretty sure that stems from some not-so-deep-seated, but still secret, personal desires, but alas, I digress)...

Parental Advisory - contains explicit language

In addition to previous production collaborators: Happy Perez, Charlie Gambetta, and Kevin Ristro, rumour has it that Ocean has also enlisted Hit-Boy and Rodney Jerkins to bring us the goods. May I lead us in a chorus of 'Gimme Already'?!

Until the next...Enjoy!
ES ;)