Foxes - Holding Onto Heaven

Foxes singer (Louisa Rose Allen) has recently released the music video (watch below) for her 3rd single 'Holding Onto Heaven' which is taken from her début album Glorious (set for release on May 12th). The video sees Foxes partake in a party with two sides to it; in one she is happy and care-free and in the other (which is presumably reality) she is sombre and sits idly by herself. The track starts off rather melancholy, with a distinct difference between the two 'versions' of the music video that the singer presents on screen. This type of split-personality is presented on screen in a rather unique way, with one side being the right-side up and the other being upside down, which is rather suitable given the tone of the video. 

Overall, it's a soulful pop song, with a rather sombre sound, especially towards the beginning of the track, but this gives it an edge, and benefits the overall sound of the track. The addition of the music box in the video makes it seem slightly eerie and sets the underlying mood of the video and track. 

The Big Bang Theory - Season 7, Episode 19 'The Indecision Amalgamation' [Review]

The Big Bang Theory is back after a short break, and it would seem to be all about Sheldon, who – surprise, surprise – is incapable of making decisions. In this episode, Sheldon and Amy debate over whether to purchase a XBOX one or a PS4, Penny is in a state of inner turmoil about whether to accept a role in a sequel to a terrible ape movie, Bernadette does something silly and Raj has two dates. No, the last one is real, promise.

Sheldon is back on top form in the episode and the writers have included a number of classic one-liners for the character, revolving around the great XBOX one vs. PS4 debate. The writing for Sheldon is always snappy and Jim Parsons does a great job performing and emulating the complex and often tedious (but loveable) quirks that make the character stand out. Ever since the introduction of quick-witted Neuroscientist Amy Farrah-Fowler, the show has been injected with a burst of new energy, and finally Sheldon has someone who can match him in some respects. This episode was no exception, as Amy feigns excitement and interested in Sheldon’s inability to make a decision between the two gaming systems, which results in a fair amount of hilarity. Mayim Bialik is in her element with this role, and it shows. 

If you would like to read the rest of this review, including segments on Wil Wheaton (who was in the week's episode) and more on Penny's terrible acting roles, then you can read it on I'm With Geek, available at the link below! 

http://www.imwithgeek.com/3/post/2014/04/the-big-bang-theory-the-indecision-amalgamation-spoilers.html

Frozen (2013) Review

                                                 'You can't marry a man you just met'

From the wintry mountain tops of Arandelle comes box-office smash; Frozen. The cogs at the Disney Corporation have been turning and have churned out this icy adventure, which is almost self-mocking of its entire foundation of films. For you see, this particular adventure focuses around two sisters and their relationship, instead of the usual prince and princess shtick (although, there is some romance chucked in for good measure).

The frosty film focuses around Anna and Elsa, voiced by Kristen Bell and musical legend, Idina Menzel, respectively. Elsa possesses magical ice and snow powers, which at first delights herself and her younger sister, Anna, but soon become a danger. Over the years Elsa’s powers grow stronger and she accidently strikes her sister with ice, causing the family to seek help from rock people (trolls) that live nearby. They fix Anna and tell Elsa that she should learn to control her powers, so the family decide to shut her away and try to control her, instead of helping her embrace her abilities. After the unfortunate demise of her parents (shocking for a Disney film, I know) she locks herself away in her room and has the gates to Arandelle closed. Anna meanwhile, is incredibly bored and spends her hours passing by time doing idle activities, waiting for her sister to come out and play. Eventually, a coronation for the upcoming Queen (Elsa) puts things into a downward spin as Elsa’s powers and revealed and she flees to a mountain, where Anna must team up with Kristoff, (Jonathan Groff) a mountain man, Olaf, (Josh Gad) a snowman and Kristoff’s reindeer. Also involved in the film is Hans, (Santino Fontana) a Prince from the Southern Isles who seeks Anna’s hand in marriage.

Having written this review retrospectively, the film has currently grossed over $1 billion and received Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, for ‘Let it Go’, which is sung by Idina Menzel. It’s not hard to see why. Frozen is built upon the foundation that sometimes, sisterly (and sibling) love can be more powerful than any fleeting romance, and Elsa and Anna are two characters whose love can thaw anyone’s frozen heart. The film is unique in the stance that it takes on animated musical feature films; in such that it doesn’t follow a particular pattern and is actually rather mocking to the stereotypical Disney Format of boy meets girl, girl and boy fall in love and marry. This gives the film an icy edge over its counterparts, and presents itself a well-rounded addition to the Disney family.

The songs are catchy and the script well-written, with lots of snappy one-liners and clever quips from some characters. Menzel’s ‘Let it Go’, which was written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez and composed by Christophe Beck, is a signature song that has already sky-rocketed itself to fame and into the hearts of many audiences. The track is sassy and strong, while Menzel’s vocals are undeniably striking and give the song its power. The way it is played out on screen is visually breath-taking, as Menzel’s character Elsa creates herself an ice palace to rival the Queen of Narnia herself. Frozen is a true musical, and with beautiful duets from Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, it’s hard not to find a place in your heart for this touching tale. With a screenplay by Jennifer Lee and written collectively by Lee, Chris Buck and Shane Morris, the film makes sure it has a place in the current cultural climate; with Disney re-affirming that it can still spin out the classics.

Overall, it’s wonderful to see an animated film with such strong, individual characters that really imprint their mark on this snow-covered landscape, as well as visuals that astound in the way that computer animation should do. The power-house performances from the cast and especially Menzel and Bell, elevate the film to new sweeping heights, above other popular animated films, like Despicable Me 2. Frozen is a visual reminder that blood can be thicker than water, and that sometimes the most meaningful relationships we have are with our siblings. Empowering and beautifully envisioned and executed, Frozen secures its place amongst the greats of 2013, and of the history of animated features, which is no easy feat.

4.5 stars 

Lucy (2014) - Official Trailer!

Ok, this one does look pretty cool. Usually I'm a little sceptical of superhero films with a crime element, but new movie Lucy (set for release in August) seems to be wiping those doubts away. The film stars bad-ass Scarlett Johansson in the title role as Lucy, who is forced into being a drug mule until the substance she has been implanted with leaks into her system, causing superhuman powers. The official trailer (below) for the film has recently been released, and it sees Johansson try to deal with her new powers, whilst seeking help from Morgan Freeman's character, Professor Norman. Check out the film, directed by Luc Besson, below: 

So, you know the drill, the score out of 5 we give the trailer?

A solid 4/5 trailer stars - it sets the plot without giving too much away, the characters look completely bad-ass, Morgan Freeman is always a delight and the film looks interesting. We're intrigued! 

House: A Retrospective

Whilst it seems unlikely that a television series featuring a misanthropic diagnostician could ever be successful, or at the very least endearing; medical drama House managed to infect its way into viewers and critic's hearts (and other bodily organs). With its original run from November 2004 to May 2012, and comprising of eight seasons, House attracted a wide audience following and managed to secure places on numerous critics list, as well as prestigious awards. And who was the title character of this monumental series, you ask? Well, instead of audiences getting the usual boyish young charmer, who manages to save everyone whilst keeping his coiffed locks in a state of perpetual perfection; viewers were introduced to Dr. Gregory House (played by Hugh Laurie). In hobble the 'good doctor' who is abrasive, rude and sarcastic - and a complete medical genius. Solving the literally unsolvable, House and his team at Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital clashed horns regularly with patients, colleagues, the law and every single clinic patient known to man. 

If you would like to read this rest of this retrospective, you can check it out on I'm With Geek, with does a range of retrospective reviews, and for which I wrote this particular retrospective for. Over on the site I look back on some of House's best team members and discuss his 'bromance' with Wilson. It's a pretty good read (if I do say so myself) and was a lot of fun to write, so feel free to check out the rest at the link below: 

http://www.imwithgeek.com/3/post/2014/03/house-a-retrospective.html