Marvel is known for its brave, dashing superheroes who, despite their difficult situations, always seem to come out on top in the end. The shiny exterior of its films never seems to delve into murkier waters or attempts to tackle more dangerous and disturbing subjects – that is until, Marvel’s series deal with Netflix. Known for accepting slightly more risky and taboo series, Netflix allowed Marvel to explore some more gritty and realistic storylines – or, at least, about as realistic as you can get for a superhero genre.
We first saw this change with Daredevil, the first instalment in the deal, which saw blind lawyer Matt Murdock face up to some of Hell’s Kitchen’s most ruthless villains, as well as tackling his own inner demons. The vibe of the show was far more harsh, bloody, and violent than anything Marvel had produced before. The darker tone was duly noted, especially when compared against the backdrop of more peppy Marvel films, which have always had a certain sense of light-heartedness.
This is a little excerpt from the full review of the series, including thoughts on the diverse female relationships, performances and much more, which you can read here:
It's always great to write about such an interesting topic, and this series was no exception, if you haven't checked it out already, then it's definitely deserved of a watch on Netflix, if you have it. Plus Krysten Ritter, need I say more?
Already on her fifth studio album, Demi Lovato’s Confident claimed to provide listeners with something that was strictly Demi; a self-assured pop album that was confident in who Lovato is as a musical artist and one which shows what she can truly do.
And with the release of ‘Confident’ and ‘Cool For The Summer’, the singer certainly seemed to be setting up the album successfully. The two tracks were somewhat of a marvel, with the slick and sassy nature of the former title track illuminating a feisty and more daring side to the singer, whilst the latter proved to be a tempting and alluring summer sensation that anyone would be proud of.
However, this all seemed to be short lived, as it quickly becomes evident that the released tracks are somewhat of a rarity and that the album on a whole is more disappointing. Despite the few intriguing additions like ‘Kingdom Come’ ft. Iggy Azalea, which is a haze-heavy trap mix with plenty of atmospheric beats, and the soulful ‘Stone Cold’, there is very little in the form of musical excitement on this frustrating album.
This is a little excerpt from the review I wrote, you can read the rest below (where I talk about the other songs on the track, the overall vibe of the album and, of course, the final verdict! Exciting stuff!).
OK let's get one thing straight. One of the best things about Assassin's Creed Syndicate was it's inclusion of a female character in a main story game (no, Assassin's Creed Chronicles China doesn't count). And she was a twin - need I say more? Sister of Jacob Frye, Evie was 100% badass while also being a competent assassin, kind and generous. There is literally no reason to not like her.
She was the unsung hero of the game. Now, if you think this sounds a little bit much (or perhaps you agree?) then you can read my full cohesive thoughts on this below, including the general gender inclusion of the game, below: http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/assassins-creed-and-the-real-revolution/ And by all means, let me know what you think. Do you think this is a step forward for game-makers and Assassin's Creed in general? Are we going to get our first solo female assassin in the next game or will there be a pair again?
And in case you love Evie just as much as I do, here are several ass-kicking gifs. You're welcome.
"A house as old as this one, in time, becomes a living thing."
It’s not outlandish to say that Crimson Peak is Guillermo del Toro’s baby. Conceived in fits of madness and passion, it bears much resemblance to its horror-obsessed father. Infused with a sense of gothic styling, this baby quickly transforms into a monster, baring its fully-grown teeth and lashing out in violent outbursts at the audience. For those who think the film might skimp on its horror, you’d be severely mistaken, as all manner of gory ghosts, blood-dripping apparitions and axe-wielding killers bombard the screen. The film truly benefits from this commitment to horror; every visual is stylishly constructed to evoke pure fear, every performance from its cast brimming with sinister undertones and executed with a chilling delivery.
Starring Mia Wasikowska, the film centres on Edith Cushing – daughter of self-made industrialist, Carter Cushing (Jim Beaver) – who is haunted by her ghost mother, warning her to ‘beware of Crimson Peak’. Edith’s fascination with ghosts, however, attracts the attention of Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), a visiting aristocrat who travels with his sister, Lady Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chastain). The Sharpes’ mysterious aura soon attracts the attention of Dr. Alan McMichael (Charlie Hunnam), and things quickly prove deadly.
Read the full review over on Concrete, which gives you the low-down on performances, style, themes and horrifying elements.
Hope you enjoy the review. Also, Kristiana Sizinceva did an amazing illustration for the print version of this review, which you can see below. Seriously an amazing job.
Illustrator; Kristiana Sizinceva.
You can check out the theatrical trailer for Crimson Peak, below:
If you’re on the lookout for something disturbing, bizarre and a little bit gaga, then American Horror Story: Hotel has got you covered. In its fifth season of delectable horror anthologies, American Horror Story comes straight to you from the minds of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, who have enlisted some big name stars for the latest creepy addition.
That brings us to Hotel, an even darker and more depraved series that centres on the Hotel Cortez, a lavish, art-deco inspired abode that is home to quite the eerie occupants, including a ghostly drug-addict named Sally (Sarah Paulson), a mysterious Addiction Demon, and of course, two bloodthirsty haemophiliacs with a penchant for wild sex parties: The Countess (Lady Gaga) and Donovan (Matt Bomer).
It sounds like something out of a nightmare; and that’s because it is, but Hotel is also a vision of aesthetic beauty. Adorned with lavish retro furniture and draped in vintage hues, Hotel is a slice of pure imagination and takes great care to film its stars in the more exquisite of ways, complete with interesting camera angles and breath-taking close-ups. Undoubtedly, one of the characters who benefits from this is Gaga’s Countess, as she saunters around the hotel like a decadent muse admiring the fading beauty of her hotel, and its occupants. While some may not enjoy Gaga’s feature or be sceptical of her appearance, she actually performs rather well, assimilating perfectly into this bizarre series, creating some of the most memorable scenes. The Countess’ partner, Bomer’s Donovan is also an intriguing fellow, a drug addict who perished on the grounds of the hotel, he was brought back by Countess Elizabeth and has spent the last 20 years being her partner in visceral crime. The storyline is captivating and the two play out the steamy tension well, especially with the addition of new toy-boy Tristan (Finn Wittrock).
To read the full review, with more about the show, its disturbing contents and other key characters and themes, look here.
What does everyone else think about Hotel so far? You loving it/hating it? Let me know in the comments below and go check out the full review. Promise its something to die for (OK, it's not really, but I'm trying to follow the deadly theme, guys).
You need only glance at the deluxe cover art of Revival to see the more mature image Selena Gomez is presenting, alluding to the progression from disappointing pop-filler solo album Stars Dance to the vibrant and vivid Revival. Aptly named, the album exhibits a new sound from the singer whilst maintaining her signature tone, showcasing her self-described ‘revival’ from the lands of apathetic pop.
Aiming to appear more philosophical and emotional, the singer talks about being “awakened lately” whilst “the chains around me are finally breaking”. It’s clear that this album is an important step in her progression to well-rounded pop artist, and the mix of electric dance beats and sultry R&B echo the exploratory nature of the album, while showing that Gomez is trying to move on from the cutesy Disney pop image she once was known for.
It was interesting to hear Gomez's new album, and if you'd like to read more you can do so at the above link, where I give my verdict on tracks like 'Kill Em With Kindness', 'Good For You', 'Same Old Love', 'Sober', 'Nobody' and 'Cologne'.
I have also wrote a number of articles over the last few months for the website, so if you'd like to read a bit more of my work, you can do, if you wish.
Also, how amazing is Selena looking on these latest promo shoots? Get it girl.
BBC One is known for producing intriguing British dramas; you need look no further than gritty crime series, Luther, or complex literary detective drama, Sherlock. So it comes as no surprise that we are now introduced to new affair-ridden drama, Doctor Foster, which makes reference to the English nursery rhyme of the same name.
But just how dramatic can a series whose name conjures up images of puddles and old men, due to its notable attachment to a children’s rhyme, be? Apparently, pretty darn dramatic. The doctor (no, not that one) is Gemma Foster, portrayed by Suranne Jones, a partner and resident doctor of a local surgery. The series centres rather cleverly around the dissolution of her marriage, as it quickly emerges that her husband, Simon (Bertie Carvel), has been outrageously unfaithful, choosing to have an affair with a young woman named Kate Parks (Jodie Comer). This puts a strain on the family dynamic, as Jones struggles to cope with her child, Tom Foster (Tom Taylor) and her colleagues, particularly Ros (Thusitha Jayasundera). Of course, nothing is ever severed simply and Doctor Foster quickly realises that she may lose more than she bargained for in this war of woes.
Again, a little excerpt from the full review, which you can read here:
With the blistering autumn winds creeping in and the cold crisp mornings becoming an ever more prominent feature, now is the perfect time to stock up on some new jackets. If you’re stuck for inspiration for your new autumn wardrobe, or if you’re struggling to part with that old hoodie you've had since high school, then never fear, we have some solutions for you.
Capes
Pinterest; forest-reverie.tumblr
Easy to slip on, comfortable, cosy, and available in a variety of colours and styles (tartan can look particularly season appropriate), the cape could be your answer to your jacket conundrum. Capes look best paired with slim-line jeans or with bare legs (if you’re brave enough!) and boots for that autumnal look. Beware though. Your arms may get chilly (perhaps wear with a long sleeve), it can be difficult to balance an over the shoulder bag and if you get a size too big you can look like you have stepped out in a duvet.
Blazer
fashionabletalk.com
If it’s just a little bit chilly, a blazer could be your way to go. The great thing about blazers is that they can be structured, fitted and even casual, like the boyfriend fit. Blazers can instantly make an outfit look smarter, so are a great choice if you want to create a more stylish edge to your outfit, whilst remaining comfortable and elegant. Pair with a turtle-neck jumper or top, a sheer shirt or blouse and you’re good to go. The only downside is depending on the fabric it can be quite impractical to wear. Unless you layer with another jacket on top, or multiple layers underneath, you may struggle to keep warm.
This is just an excerpt from a complete article I wrote for Concrete, you can read the full piece (including my favourite Autumn jacket) here:
I've been so bad at posting recently, but I'm hoping things will pick up. I've just been writing so much stuff for other sites that it's sort of taken over my life! Hope you enjoy this article. :)
When the self-described “gangsta Nancy Sinatra”, Lana Del Rey, announced her fourth studio album (and third major-label record) there was a mix of trepidation and excitement from fans and critics alike. Her moody and melodic Ultraviolence left some audiences crying out for a venture similar to Born to Die or the Paradise edition. And thus, Honeymoon was born, a completely new creation devised by Del Rey and in collaboration with long-time producers Rick Nowels and Kieron Menzies. It would be unjust to say that Honeymoon is entirely indicative of the Born to Die or Paradise eras, but it certainly has the same breezy overtones and similar musical composition. This makes for compelling listening, but the album possesses a distinctive sense of timelessness that previous records did not. Every beat is orchestrated masterfully, every note hit in a most haunting manner. Honeymoon is clearly an album that has been constructed with the upmost care, precision and passion.
The above is a little snippet from an article I wrote about Lana Del Rey's Honeymoon album, and if you'd like to read the full review then you can check it out here (I really appreciate it):
The review was super fun to write, and it's always exciting to see what artists have to offer in the form of new music. Let me know if there's any albums you think I should check out as I'm always on the look out for new stuff. Also, sorry for the lack of posts recently, I've been super busy with Uni stuff lately (I know, I know).
Since its conception in 2010, ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars has delighted us with murder, mystery – and cutting edge fashion. The Liars, comprising of Emily (Shay Mitchell), Spencer (Troian Bellisario), Aria (Lucy Hale) and Hanna (Ashley Benson), always stay ahead of the trends, and despite the serious situations they get themselves into, they always look fabulous. The show has been known for its forward-thinking fashion sense, and the girls have become style icons, with many young people looking to them to highlight the latest trends and ways to wear certain outfits.
Each Liar has a distinctive style and this is what makes the show so striking and unique. Emily usually likes to kick it more casual in tank tops, denim hoodies and baseball tees whilst Spencer is known for her preppy edge, opting for riding boots, striped polo jumpers and smart shirts. Aria is the alternative of the group, which means her fashion can often be a bit outlandish and hit and miss, but when she does it right she shines. Most of the time she’s wearing wacky leopard prints, lace, leather and lots of jewellery. Hanna, originally known for her glamorous ensembles and elaborate jewellery, went through a bit of a grunge phase which means she can know be seen in a mix of tattered tees, ripped jeans and jumpers, but with an expensive twist. But it’s not just the Liars who take centre stage fashionwise, the girls’ former queen bee, Alison DiLaurentis (Sasha Pieterse) is always on hand to steal the spotlight with her striking outfits (possessing a penchant for yellow) with elaborate sequin detailing. Similarly, Mona (formerly ‘A’, played by Janel Parrish) opts for more dark attire and can be seen usually in leather jackets and dresses, and opts for a red/ white/ black palette.
Once again, this is a sneaky little extract from an article I wrote for Concrete, and if you've enjoyed what you've read so far and would like to read a bit more about Spencer, Emily, Hanna, Aria, Alison & Mona's outfits (including the fabulous Season 6 summer finale dresses) then you can, at this link: http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/pretty-little-fashion/
With her striking teal hair and enigmatic aura, Halsey is distinctly different from your average singer, and her music reflects this originality. Unique, and with a lust for the alternative, her debut studio album, entitled Badlands, was bound to be an interesting adventure. Coming from an alternative route into music, her rise to prominence was largely due to the release of ‘Ghost’, a song she posted to SoundCloud that gained enough attention, that the record labels started knocking. And now, a debut EP (Room 93) and a couple of supporting tours later and we have arrived at the release of Badlands.
Sufficed to say that Badlands is a concept album, referring to the singer’s state of mind through metaphor as a “desolate and lonely place”, setting up expectations for what we can expect from the album’s content. It should come as no surprise that the singer has described her creation as an “angry female record”, which presents itself in the first atmospheric opening track, ‘Castle’, as she darkly states that she is “sick of all these people talking, sick of all this noise”. With vocals not dissimilar to that of Lana Del Rey, Lorde, BANKS or Marina Diamandis, Halsey’s (real name Ashley Frangipane) sound can come across quite imaginative and alluring. But perhaps what Halsey does best is inject a bit of her addictive persona into the tracks she creates; ‘Castle’ starts off with an intriguing plethora of alt beats only to overwhelm you with a chorus of choir music one minute in.
This is just a little extract from my review of Halsey's BADLANDS, hope you've enjoyed reading it. If you'd like to read the rest of the review, including the final verdict, then you can check it out, over at Concrete: http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/album-review-badlands/
Also, let me know what you think of BADLANDS in the comments, I always enjoy reading them. Thanks everyone for the support and for reading my blog (despite my extended absence over the past month!).
We all knew this day was coming. The day when Pretty Little Liars (created by evil genius Marlene King) would have to answer some serious questions and finally explain what the hell has been going on for the last 3 seasons. Ever since Mona was outed as A in the season 2 finale 'unmAsked', we have been on a metaphorical roller-coaster that just refuses to stop. There have been almost-sawing-in-halves, fires, attempted freezing and melting-to-deaths, snakes, burials, even more deaths and a whole lot of text messages - all of which have gone unanswered...and, spoiler, some of them still don't reach a conclusion at the end of this episode. As always, first up will be the incredibly spoiler-filled recap, so skip ahead if you haven't seen it (although really, what are you even doing on the internet right now?).
RECAP:
After starting off with Ali being kidnapped by A (black hoodie) in the penultimate episode, 'Game Over, Charles' starts us off with the Liars in the aftermath. Quickly, the group (Spencer, Aria, Emily, Hanna & Sara) decide to ignore Toby and Caleb's warnings to stay put and eventually run into Mona. Mona reveals she has traced a call to the Carissimi Group, and they all high-tail it on over there. Reaching a locked room, Spencer tries multiple combinations until Sara magically reveals that A used to give her a cupcake on September the 7th every year. Seriously, you only know thought that might be helpful?
And Alohomora, the door magically opens. Now we have stepped into something off of Tron Legacy and everything is stainless steel and high-tech, and oh look, a massive red button on the table. The group turn round to find that Sara hasn't gone inside, when the door magically shuts again, trapping the rest of the girls inside.
The futuristic screen lights up and Alison is shown to be at Radley with both her semi-conscious (and paralysed) brother, Jason, and father, Kenneth. But wait, who's that in the background? Mona zooms in and the person in the black hoodie turns round as is revealed to be none other than...........CeCe Drake.
I mean, really, we all knew it wasn't a guy (have you even read the books?) and this is the closest thing to realistic the writers can come up with (get off with your Wren theories everyone!). CeCe aka Charles aka Charlotte used to be a boy but is now a transgender woman and technically Ali's sister. And extra shocker, she never actually wanted to hurt Alison, just help her (yeah, we've head this story before). She was just trying to help Alison by almost drowning her in the bath, and to her, Alison is her very own special doll.
Oh, and she was allegedly never going to kill the Liars too, as they are her dolls too and she loves them. At this point, Ali says what everyone is thinking and brings up the multiple attempted murder incidents: fire, freezing, sawing in half, crashing a car into Emily's house etc etc., and CeCe's response is that they are still alive, aren't they?
Well, CeCe then begins to tell her elaborate tale about how her dad always wanted to get rid of her, and her mum is basically a manipulative bitch and told her all about lying (is anyone surprised she's so fucked up?) and that she got sent to Radley and used to be good friends with Bethany. That is, until Bethany pushed Mrs. Cavanaugh to her death and then blamed Charles/Charlotte/CeCe. Jessica pays off Darren Wilden to ensure that Mrs. C's death is ruled as suicide (poor Toby).
Later, Charles was diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder (the very thing that Bethany actually has), due to the incident with Mrs. C. One day, Charlotte was let out of Radley for her own funeral as 'Charles' and Mrs. D dug the grave symbolically (except, she still told Kenneth that their kid was dead, go figure that one out). After being sent back to Radley and excelling in math, Charlotte was allowed to attend Penn State (University of Pennsylvania), but didn't find the lessons enjoyable as she already knew everything. One day she called in a bomb threat to cancel classes and took this opportunity to visit Rosewood where she ran into Jason at the yearbook photos and started a relationship with him...despite being his sister.
She does however state they never had sex and that was why Jason was sexually frustrated all the time. However, soon Mrs. D found out and wasn't all too happy but didn't stop the relationship and the whole DiLaurentis family went to Cape May together that one summer where Alison and CeCe grew closer. But everything was ruined when Bethany found out, and that Jessica was having an affair with Bethany's dad. Bethany stole CeCe's clothes (as she had leaving privileges) and masqueraded as her (although we know that Alison had intended to lure Bethany there to kill her herself and fake her death). CeCe follows, and seeing someone dressed in the clothes Bethany was wearing, hits them over the head with a rock...only to find out that it was her beloved Alison instead.
Mrs. D buries Alison with CeCe crying in the background. Mrs. D then again pays off Wilden to say he found CeCe wandering about near Radley and not in Rosewood. Meanwhile, Mona hits Bethany over the head (thinking it is Alison) and Melissa subsequently buries her alive. When Charlotte got back to Radley her leaving privileges were taken away and she was alone until Mona arrived (having been caught as A) and the two exchanged conversation and CeCe/Charlotte/Charles decided to play the game with Mona. CeCe knew she could never trust Mona however as she had hit her one true friend, Hanna, with a car, previously.
CeCe was angry at the Liars because Mona had said they were happy that Alison was gone, and decide to get revenge. When the doctors started weaning Mona off her meds Charlotte stopped visiting, as Mona would recognise that she wasn't talking to Ali but to her instead. CeCe had Mona help her escape from Radley, and during her plans had begun to see a Red Coated girl following the Liars, and thought if it was Ali then she would come to help save the Liars. On the night of the fire, CeCe had Sara Harvey dress up as Red Coat and distract Mona so she could target the Liars.
Emily is understandably distraught. But, when Shana turned up, everything got messy. In the heat of the moment, Charlotte missed Alison but was given hope when she overhead Mona and Hanna saying they saw Ali. Charlotte almost ended the game when she went to France (as Vivian Darkbloom) but came back as the game was addictive and she enjoyed being good at playing. Charlotte attacked Alison in her home (much to the irk of Alison) and captured the girls and put them in the dollhouse. Charlotte also killed Wilden because he found out that Alison was still alive and would never let her return home to tell her story.
She then sent Sara Harvey as the Black Widow to his funeral to double-check he was dead. Before CeCe said goodbye to Alison in New York, she went home to see her mother only to find out she was dead (killer unknown). Meanwhile, the Liars have been watching but quickly leave to escape the room (through a passageway identified by Spencer and helped by Mona) and arrive at Radley to see Sara Harvey (in Red Coat) about to detonate a bomb as planned by Charlotte to kill her and her sister. Charlotte hits the switch but much to her surprise, the bomb doesn't go off, and it is revealed that Spencer has disarmed it. Emily then proceeds to punch Sara in the face for deceiving her and breaking her heart.
This is possibly one of the most satisfying moments of the episode. Alison quickly finds the girls and says that CeCe is on the roof, they follow her there and try to stop her from jumping, saying they understand. CeCe decides not to jump and says 'game, over'. Some time later, Sara has been released from Radley and CeCe is presumably still in prison. The Liars' mums are presumably not still in the basement from the previous episode, and the girls are all going to college (bar Alison, who remains in Rosewood). Five years later, Alison is seen writing a new name on a chalkboard (Mrs., in fact, hinting she is married) as a teacher, when the Liars arrive and tell her that someone is coming after her and they have come back for her as a group, hinting that the game may not be over.
REVIEW:
(Notice: Names of important reveals i.e. 'A' have been blacked out to maintain anonymity, highlight with mouse to reveal answer). Well, 'Game Over, Charles' was quite the episode, and one where some much needed answers were finally given and some loose ends tied off. Whilst CeCe may not have been the fan favourite for A-Reveal, she is possibly the one that makes the most logical sense as she has motive and opportunity to pull the A-antics off. Tying off some elements at this point allows for some sort of clarity and for the story to progress in a way which was not possible before. The shift in time jump (5 years) also allows for the Liars to achieve their potential as fully-fledged characters who pursue their own dreams and desires despite the circumstances, and ones that are not limited by their seemingly-never-ending high school years. The jump allows for some character development and maturity, and offers the chance to gain more depth on the situation and freshen things up a bit.
With a potential new villain on the horizon, things look decidedly more thrilling for the latter part of season 6, which has often felt a bit haphazard and drawn out (in the big up to the big reveal). 'Game Over, Charles' however, is a switch from this never-ending narrative, drawing together pieces of the puzzle that before seem unconnected. The performance of A is inspired in this flashback-heavy episode, and Vanessa Ray is truly captivating as the scorned and abandoned Charlotte, and despite her motives being a little far-fetched and extremely sociopathic, she makes the narrative believable with her convincing performance. This has been one episode where the main focus has not in fact been on the Liars but on A and Alison herself, offering a chance for a new perspective and direction for the episode, which is refreshing to see when we spend so much time involved in all of the Liars' personal business. Sasha Pieterse is as striking as ever as Alison DiLaurentis, and certainly feels like the Queen Bee throughout the entire episode, although Mona (Janel Parrish) does possess a few winning lines.
Emily (Shay Mitchell) has also regained some of her fighting spirit and shows off the more feisty side that we had lost for the beginning of the season. Overall, the episode is undoubtedly going to frustrate, shock and devastate a few but it remains one of the most memorable to date and is delivered with conviction from its impressive cast.
Remaining unAnswered questions:
1. Who killed Garrett?
2. Who killed Jessica DiLaurentis?
3. Who tried to drown and burn Jenna alive?
4. What is the connection with Habitats for Humanity?
5. What ever happened to Sydney/Jenna/Lucas/Wren/Melissa/All the Liars' mums?
