Katy Perry - Unconditionally

Katy Perry has recently released the music video for her new track 'Unconditionally,' from her fourth studio album Prism. The video has an air of the festive and whimsical, featuring copious amounts of snow, flowers and elaborate costumes. Not to mention a hawk. Perry is certainly capitalizing on the upcoming seasonal event. Watch the dramatic and striking music video below: 

The video sees Perry belting out her power pop record whilst sitting amongst various people dancing whilst snow falls all around. It's certainly atmospheric, that's for sure. The singer switches between a variety of outfits and settings; donning a gorgeous gold number and a slinky black dress whilst standing in a large ballroom, with multiple dancers. The lyrics discuss the notion of accepting a partner's multiple flaws due to presence of a love that is unconditional; a slightly ironic theme perhaps for Perry. The track is relatively catchy and the video certainly helps to communicate the ideas of the pop song, whilst giving is a fantastic visual element. 

Reviewed by Mel. 

Future, Miley Cyrus - Real and True ft. Mr Hudson (Official Music Video) [+ Review]

It seems to be the latest trend to whack good ol' Miley Cyrus on your track and in the video, and rather unsurprisingly, it will get you views. In this particular instalment, Cyrus is lathered in metallic silver and a whole heap of glitter that would make even Ke$ha jealous. Cyrus plays an out of this world creature for the video, which features vocals from the former, Mr Hudson and of course Future (who is by now pretty irrelevant to his own song - oops). The whole focus is of course, heaped on to Cyrus in the video, considering the serious amount of media attention she's received since, well, all of her antics. 

By now, it seems silly to talk about the actual song, what with all the naked Cyrus and alien paraphernalia, but, still - the track is a lot more slower and sentimental than maybe first anticipated. The track, according to future is all 'about somebody sacrificing their life for love,' which seems a bit contradictory to me. So, by now how are we all holding up with the new Cyrus? Are you enjoying seeing her in pretty much every music video and all over TV or is it getting a bit too much? Let us know in the comments! 

Reviewed by Mel. 

Die Hard (1988) Review

Die Hard (1988) Review

                                    'I'm going to count to three, there will not be a four.'

With its release pre dating my existence, unfortunately I was not privy to the Die Hard films until at least a decade after its conception, and even then, I was far too young to thoroughly appreciate what I had just watched. However, many, many, years later I find myself able to truly recognise the exceptional work of the original Die Hard (1998), directed by John McTiernan, as nothing short of ingenious. 

Set on Christmas Eve, the film follows New York City Police Detective, John McClane (Bruce Willis) who travels to Los Angeles to try to reconnect with his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) at a Christmas party in the Nakatomi Plaza Tower, where she works. However, the reconciliation is put on hold when a group of heavily armed criminals seize control of the tower lead by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman.) 

Like previous films that I have watched in my youth and re-discovered in later life, I find myself able to develop a personal attachment to the film and watching in brings back a certain sense of nostalgia, not to mention it is, for me, the epitome of great action sequences combined with memorable characters and a coherent plot line. 

The film has the added attraction of possessing one of the greatest villains in action films – Hans Gruber (portrayed expertly by the phenomenal Alan Rickman) whose inconceivably comical one liners and dramatic performance make him not easily forgotten and earns him a place as the ‘quintessential Die Hard villain.’ A particular favourite amongst many is the resonating line - ‘alas your Mr. Takagi did not see it that way... so he won't be joining us for the rest of his life’ that Rickman delivers with such finesse that make it terribly hard not to like his rather depraved character. Equally, in the original instalment of what later becomes a series of films, Bruce Willis portrays a shunned family man (McClane) and cop turned Christmas time hero rather well, pulling off a convincing performance and too, delivering iconic lines such as ‘yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker’ with the determination, amusement and annoyance that the character possesses. 

The film spawned countless sequels and inspired a whole new range of movies to adapt the genre and plot of McTiernan’s gritty action thriller about a lone man who takes on an entire squad of highly skilled criminals. It is this which shows its significance and defines the very reasons why audiences should go see it. It’s likely that some of your favourite movies have been influenced by this piece; I would describe it as a poignant landmark in cinematic history as it has been referenced in countless descriptions of films. Such as Speed (1994) being ‘Die Hard on a bus’ and Passenger 57 (1994) as ‘Die Hard on a plane.’ It is no surprise that the movie has been continually listed in numerous lists of greatest movies and villains of all time and is always particularly popular with its focus on disaster at Christmas time. It’s not hard to see why this has proven so popular over the years, it encapsulates everything a ‘die hard’ thriller movie goer could want; ruthless action, epic fight scenes, dramatic explosions, sensationally suave villain, lone hero and plenty of comical and intense moments to boot, make Die Hard unable to be forgotten.

4.5/5 stars 

Reviewed by Mel. 

Rihanna - What Now (Official Music Video) [+ Review]

Rihanna has recently released her new music video for the track 'What Now,' which is taken from her album, Unapologetic. The video [which is available to watch below] is particularly understated for the Barbadian singer, who gives us a glimpse of her tortured soul (not dissimilar to that of 'Disturbia') in a simple white gown and crucifix. The song is a pretty typical power ballad and is something a little different from the singer, whose recent singles have been more suited to her risky persona. 

The track although by no means Rihanna's best work, is a welcome change and the understated look of the video compliments the vocals performed by the singer on the song. It's one of the singer's more 'real' songs in terms of performance and vocal offerings, and the use of instrumentals (piano, specifically) gives it that more sentimental tone. So, what do you think of the new video for 'What Now'? 

Reviewed by Mel. 

The Big Bang Theory - Season 7, Episode 8 'The Itchy Brain Simulation' [Recap + Review]

 The Big Bang Theory is back for episode 8, and it appears things are getting itchy. Hideous-red-sweater itchy. The episode opens with Sheldon asking Leonard to rummage in a box to find some leftover prize tickets. Inside the box is the game tickets, but also an itchy old sweater with 'Lenny' embellished on it, apparently from one of Leonard's relatives. Unfortunately, also inside the box is a DVD which never got returned to the store, and Leonard is surprised when Sheldon actually remains calm about the whole thing. 

This leaves Penny notably scared, and she walks out, out of fear. Later on, Sheldon discusses the type of feeling he feels when something isn't right, and likens it to an itch in his brain that he cannot scratch. This causes Sheldon to come up with a wager, that Leonard wouldn't be able to wear the itchy sweater that he hates without becoming annoying and irritable to everyone. He then suggests that he wear the sweater until he can resolve the DVD matter.

Leonard accepts, and puts on the itchy sweater and so the games begin. Except that Sheldon now admits that the store has gone out of business. Uh-Oh. Meanwhile, at The Cheesecake Factory, Amy and Bernadette are waiting for drinks from Penny, who gets pre-occupied when Amy spots Lucy, Raj's ex who dumped him by email, sitting across on another table. 

This causes Penny to go over and interrogate Lucy as to why she broke up with Raj, whilst Amy and Bernadette look on bewildered and simultaneously get their own drinks from the dispenser. Commando Penny hammers into Lucy until (apparently revealed later on) she leaves crying. Good job, Penny. 

Back at Sheldon's apartment, the gang are having their usual take-out dinner and Leonard is becoming annoyed by his sweater, and maps out his plan to locate the owner despite the store having gone out of business. Howard calls Leonard an idiot (strangely apt). Back at Penny's apartment, Amy and Bernadette are raiding the cupboards for food as Penny never managed to get them their order. 

Then, Raj shows up and gets angry at Penny for interfering in his past relationship, until he receives a text from Lucy wanting to meet up and chat - then it's all rainbows and sunshine and Raj embraces Penny. Later on at Caltech, Sheldon is going over his work with Howard when Leonard arrives and exclaims that the owner died drunk at the bottom of a pool. This concludes, in Leonard's mind, the investigation, and Leonard begins to put on his usual t-shirt revealing several sore rashes he has developed from the sweater. This is until Howard points out that he could locate the owner's relatives and give them the late fee and poor Leonard despairs, and puts back on the jumper. 

Later, Bernadette, Raj and Howard are having a meal together discussing Raj's imminent meeting with Lucy, and it's quite clear that he hasn't got the concept of taking it slow and keeping cool, and Bernadette tries to give him some advice in order to not scare her away. Meanwhile, Penny tries to get Leonard to take off the sweater as he is in pain and itchy, but he soldiers on. At Amy's apartment, Sheldon is playing around with his squirting water flower, but fails to squirt Amy and just makes his suit all wet. Oh, Sheldon. Raj goes to meet Lucy, but it is quickly revealed that she is seeing someone and has no interest in getting back together, leaving Raj visibly upset. Raj goes to be angry at Penny some more, until she sets him up with one of her friends at The Cheesecake Factory - except, obviously, he ruins that by being the ever-so-desperately-lonely person he is. Back at Sheldon's apartment, Leonard comes back and is irate and exclaims that the DVD store owner had no living relatives and no one attended his funeral. Sheldon then reveals that he paid the store fee 7 years ago when he found the DVD and that he was merely using this for learning purposes. 

Amy looks visibly astounded and slowly backs away as Leonard practically foams at the mouth, and rips off the sweater, chucks it in the bin and compresses his sores against ice packs, and then bewilderingly walks away. Sheldon seems pleased with himself, though. The whole episode was rather clever, and seemed to just re-affirm how annoying Sheldon can be to other people around him, which is quite apt considering the premise of the whole series. It was satisfying to see what happened to Lucy and begs the question about whether she will pop up again later in the series. Poor Leonard and that hideous and itchy sweater. The next episode looks like a right hoot, as 'The Thanksgiving Decoupling' features everyone at Mrs. Wolowitz's house and apparently Penny has to deal with a past mistake. Watch the promo below: 

Reviewed by Mel.