tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122705543879909822024-03-24T10:20:01.443+00:00Emma ForthLSE final year International History student / film-watcher / amateur baker / theatre-goer / fashion-lover / WWI nerdEForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.comBlogger463125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-56122558468704447652017-07-01T19:38:00.001+01:002017-07-01T23:06:38.879+01:00Quarter-Life Crisis Challenge: The FinaleSo it turns out that cooking really isn't my forte...<br />
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<a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-finale.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00YOCJEJaTY/WVffhJ1bdTI/AAAAAAAALPw/SF3BsYUgp5Q0ZOIHNqqcO-M3HM5OVAm6ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0847.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>JUNE UPDATE</b></div>
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I think I should start by saying that I tried; I really, <i>really</i> tried. It turns out that 30 days later and after a real concerted effort to improve I am just as bad at cooking as was in May. I still have little to no confidence in the kitchen; knowledge of herbs and spices elude me; if I can't follow a recipe to the letter and/or it doesn't go to plan I don't have a clue what to do; spitting pans on the hob scare the life out of me, and I accidentally set fire to the grill (oops).<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gjW_l-d7Edo/WVffd65btUI/AAAAAAAALPo/koIjjQUijgIcEeyMd-ytX_I23-seQTmEgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gjW_l-d7Edo/WVffd65btUI/AAAAAAAALPo/koIjjQUijgIcEeyMd-ytX_I23-seQTmEgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, on a more positive note, I did try out a few new recipes - and aside from a Lean in 15 turkey burger that fell apart they all worked rather well; I finally mastered the art of a casserole (my parents' favourite meal); and I attempted a roast dinner that miraculously didn't vary too wildly in temperatures by the time it reached the plate. I did play it rather safe, and I had a bit of a break in the middle for my birthday (I figured there was no point stressing myself out in the kitchen when I should have been relaxing!) but I still did my best to push myself out of my comfort zone and embrace the challenge. I've viewed it more as a starting point and a way of getting me into cooking rather than a neat 30 day challenge with an end point, as I saw it at the beginning of the month. I need to cook more and stop relying on easy meals, and knowing that I can get stickers for good behaviour will definitely spur me on! So all in all I'd say it was a semi-successful month, and a good foundation for any future cooking endeavours!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeZjZ2E0QuA/WVffegxQECI/AAAAAAAALPs/GRzg_Z7BF0EmvU2WdXAZxV8XFxzB8n9ZQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeZjZ2E0QuA/WVffegxQECI/AAAAAAAALPs/GRzg_Z7BF0EmvU2WdXAZxV8XFxzB8n9ZQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0845.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>(gold stars - reading / silver dots - film / red dots - cross-stitch / green dots - saving money / green stars - running / silver stars - brain-training / blue dots - learning / red stars - social media / yellow dots - organisation / round weights - fitness / black dots - cooking)</i></div>
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Furthermore, this month I haven't managed to see many films, I've only read one book (the deeply moving <i>When Breath Becomes Air</i>) and my gym-going has been derailed recently due to a chest infection that is refusing to disappear. However, I have upped my organisation, tried my best to limit my social media usage and <i>almost</i> finished my cross-stitch.<br />
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<b>THE FINALE</b></div>
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So, that's it! I've adored doing these challenges since April 2016, and as I turned 25 this month I decided that my <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-april-2016.html">Quarter-Life Crisis Challenges</a> should draw to a close. Over the last 15 months I've completed the following:<br />
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April 2016 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-may-2016.html">reading</a></div>
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May 2016 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-june-2016.html">cross-stitch</a></div>
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June 2016 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-july-2016.html">yoga</a></div>
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July 2016 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-august.html">film</a></div>
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August 2016 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-september.html">brain-training</a></div>
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September 2016 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-october.html">colouring</a></div>
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October 2016 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-november.html">calligraphy</a></div>
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November 2016 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-december.html">saving money</a></div>
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December 2016 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-january.html">Christmas</a></div>
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January 2017 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-february.html">learning</a></div>
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February 2017 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-march-2017.html">limiting social media</a></div>
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March 2017 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-april-2017.html">organisation</a></div>
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April 2017 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-may-2017.html">fitness</a></div>
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May 2017 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-june-2017.html">TED talks</a></div>
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June 2017 - <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-finale.html">cooking</a></div>
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It's quite a list! There are a number of challenges that I don't intend to do ever again - yoga, colouring, calligraphy - as they just weren't for me at all. On the other hand, I've incorporated others into my routine and are now hobbies I'd be hard pressed to give up: I always have a book on the go and a 'to-watch' list of films to get through each month, I religiously do a cross-word every day, I now relish attacking my cross-stitch in the evenings (in the full knowledge that I'm slowly turning into the spinster in every BBC period drama who sits in the corner sewing), I love nothing more than saving money for a rainy day, learning something new, and being organised, and scheduling in regular sessions in the gym is working wonders for my fitness and my head.<br />
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This has been such a fun series, and I'm so glad I read <a href="https://twitter.com/Deb_ELLE">Debbie Black</a>'s article all those months ago in ELLE! I've done exactly as I set out to do by trying new things, rekindling old hobbies and establishing new habits - what a resounding success! The inevitable quarter-life crisis hasn't happened yet and I'm pretty content with where I am at 25 (standard levels of age/career/life related stress aside) and I like to think these challenges have kept me on track.<br />
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Here's to the next adventure!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-66674354487065963472017-06-02T21:41:00.000+01:002017-06-02T21:44:01.562+01:00Coming Soon: June 2017There are significantly more films on my 'to-watch' list this month than I anticipated, and as such narrowing it down to around 10 was pretty challenging... I've ignored most of the obvious ones and just highlighted those that may have slipped under your/my radar!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>As ever, all films below are released in cinemas in June 2017 in the U.K.: some may have already opened abroad so if you're outside the U.K. then do check your local cinemas for film times and release dates.<br />
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<b>WONDER WOMAN</b></div>
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Thursday 1st June</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Patty Jenkins</div>
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"Before she was Wonder Woman she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, she leaves home to fight a war to end all wars, discovering her full powers and true destiny."
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<b>MY LIFE AS A COURGETTE</b></div>
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Friday 2nd June</div>
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Cert.: PG / Dir.: Claude Barras</div>
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"After losing his mother, a young boy is sent to a foster home with other orphans his age where he begins to learn the meaning of trust and true love."
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<b>BERLIN SYNDROME</b></div>
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Friday 9th June</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: Cate Shortland</div>
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"A passionate holiday romance leads to an obsessive relationship, when an Australian photojournalist wakes one morning in a Berlin apartment and is unable to leave."
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<b>FROM THE LAND OF THE MOON</b></div>
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Friday 9th June</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: Nicole Garcia</div>
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"In 1950s France, Gabrielle is a passionate, free-spirited woman who is in a loveless marriage and falls for another man when she is sent away to the Alps to treat her kidney stones. Gabrielle yearns to free herself and run away with André."
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<b>MY COUSIN RACHEL</b></div>
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Friday 9th June</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Roger Michell</div>
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"A young Englishman plots revenge against his mysterious, beautiful cousin, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l787QxuR51I?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>CHURCHILL</b></div>
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Friday 16th June</div>
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Cert.: PG / Dir.: Jonathan Teplitsky</div>
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"A ticking-clock thriller following Winston Churchill in the 96 hours before D-Day."
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<b>GIFTED</b></div>
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Friday 16th June</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Marc Webb</div>
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"Frank, a single man raising his child prodigy niece Mary, is drawn into a custody battle with his mother."
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<b>THE BOOK OF HENRY</b></div>
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Friday 23rd June</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Colin Trevorrow</div>
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"THE BOOK OF HENRY is the story of a single mother raising two boys, one of whom is a genius. After she discovers a book written by her son containing a plan to right a terrible wrong happening next door, she attempts to execute the plan, and in the process discovers new strength as a parent."
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<b>BABY DRIVER</b></div>
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Wednesday 28th June</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Edgar Wright</div>
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"After being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail."
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<b>A MAN CALLED OVE</b></div>
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Friday 30th June</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: Hannes Holm</div>
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"Ove, an ill-tempered, isolated retiree who spends his days enforcing block association rules and visiting his wife's grave, has finally given up on life just as an unlikely friendship develops with his boisterous new neighbours."</div>
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<b>RISK</b></div>
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Friday 30th June</div>
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Cert.: TBC / Dir.: Laura Poitras</div>
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"The story of WikiLeak's editor-in-chief Julian Assange as seen by documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras."
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Okay so firstly, I've seen <i>Wonder Woman</i> and think it was one of the greatest films I've ever seen (not kidding) so implore you to run and watch it as soon as possible. Seriously: it's incredible. I'm so excited to see <i>Baby Driver</i> and <i>A Man Called Ove</i>, and I think <i>Risk</i> looks so interesting. It's going to be a good month!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-67093087870067954872017-06-01T14:00:00.000+01:002017-06-01T14:00:01.929+01:00Quarter-Life Crisis Challenge: June 2017It's nice to finally know what the fuss is about with TED talks...<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NL6ukrD93jY/WS8B99Aw8pI/AAAAAAAALPE/a2VrQfVlMb4psWSeIapnkiF94YlPJkD2gCLcB/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NL6ukrD93jY/WS8B99Aw8pI/AAAAAAAALPE/a2VrQfVlMb4psWSeIapnkiF94YlPJkD2gCLcB/s640/IMG_0713.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>MAY UPDATE</b></div>
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This month has been a funny one where I've felt extraordinarily positive while simultaneously overwhelmed, tired and incredibly frustrated at having to deal with a horrid bout of depression that lasted for the best part of a fortnight. As such, it's been lovely to be able to completely switch off from the outside world for twenty minutes at a time by putting in my headphones and switching on a TED talk. I didn't have a clue where to begin so settled on the <a href="https://www.ted.com/playlists/171/the_most_popular_talks_of_all">'popular talks'</a> playlist and worked my way through it over the month. It's worked out well as I didn't manage to watch one every day but instead was able to dip in and out but still complete the list. I've learned about the likes of body language, motivation and happiness, and spent a month feeling intellectually stimulated and endlessly inspired. The talks have opened my mind in ways I didn't imagine, and it's been so much fun to discover topics I would never normally have explored on my own.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6CzjWeXelk/WS8B9OWAO6I/AAAAAAAALPA/5T2vNTSvllksQJFaeAXk4044oBU-XKwEgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6CzjWeXelk/WS8B9OWAO6I/AAAAAAAALPA/5T2vNTSvllksQJFaeAXk4044oBU-XKwEgCLcB/s640/IMG_0710.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now I have the bug I hope I'll keep visiting the website even when I don't have to as part of a challenge. I'm getting sick of the constant news cycle of negativity in the world at the moment so spending 5-20 minutes plugged in to a talk wouldn't be such a bad thing now and again. It'll help keep me off social media (which I'm thinking of removing myself from anyway...) so it's win-win all round! This month I haven't managed to do much reading or film watching, but I have finally picked up my cross-stitch again, continued with my fitness regime, and been super organised. It's been an odd one to say the least.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-axvUm0Grr0w/WS8B5YczE4I/AAAAAAAALO8/XFIS7ob7GSEHhdA3f02ReWay_IKyNiXMwCEw/s1600/IMG_0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-axvUm0Grr0w/WS8B5YczE4I/AAAAAAAALO8/XFIS7ob7GSEHhdA3f02ReWay_IKyNiXMwCEw/s640/IMG_0704.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>(gold stars - reading / silver dots - film / red dots - cross-stitch / green dots - saving money / green stars - running / silver stars - brain-training / blue dots - learning / red stars - social media / yellow dots - organisation / orange dots - dot-to-dot / round weights - fitness / round laptops - TED talks)
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<b>JUNE PLANS</b></div>
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As I turn 25 in June the next month will be my last 30 day challenge. I wanted to pick something with an end-date again as I think I've picked up enough hobbies to keep me busy for now! I may be able to bake, but I'm a shocking cook. It's bizarre but when I'm attempting to cook the oven scares me, I can't handle the hob and any instincts I thought I'd accrued by serving my time with <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Technical%20Thursday">technical challenges</a> and cake clubs go completely out of the window. I have no idea what I'm doing, and more often than not every dish I serve is under/over cooked, each part is a different temperature and the kitchen looks like a disaster as I've tried to use every utensil going in a mad panic. I'd like to change that over the next month by pushing myself to cook something every day. I no longer want to rely on the easiest of meals and want to actually try using herbs and spices and push myself out of my comfort zone. This is going to be much more difficult than it sounds as I really am inept!<br />
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So, for the last time, 30 days of cooking...go!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-80552489665990133522017-05-28T18:03:00.001+01:002017-05-28T18:05:27.307+01:00The Ciné File: May 2017I feel like I haven't seen many films this month - including an entire week when I didn't see any at all - so the list of reviews isn't particularly long. However, I have managed to see most of the major new releases so it's not too bad!<br />
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<b><u>CINEMAS</u></b></div>
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<b><i>THE SENSE OF AN ENDING - 2*</i></b></div>
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Despite having a stellar cast and intriguing plot, <i>The Sense of an Ending</i> never quite manages to ramp up the tension enough to merit much of an emotional investment in the characters. As such the ending falls rather flat, and the 'big reveal' doesn't have the impact it so clearly wanted. Perhaps the Man Booker Prize winning novel on which this is based is better (as the original texts always are...)?<br />
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<b><i>THE PROMISE - 1*</i></b></div>
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Credit must be given for drawing attention to the Armenian Massacre as it is usually given a woeful lack of attention, but even so it's used as a historical background for a flimsy love triangle. The accents are appalling and it's more melodramatic than a made-for-television film which makes for an unbelievably boring film.<br />
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<b><i>MAD MAX FURY ROAD: CHROME EDITION - 5*</i></b></div>
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Oh what a day, what a lovely day! I thought <i>Fury Road</i> couldn't get any better, and then it was rereleased in black and white... Furiosa looks even cooler, the road race action sequences are even more impressive and the wasteland of the post-apocalyptic landscape is even more foreboding and sinister when devoid of colour. It's a truly remarkable film that's given even greater depth and nuance when viewed in black and white.<br />
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<b><i>HOT FUZZ - 5*</i></b></div>
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As far as I'm concerned, <i>Hot Fuzz</i> is the perfect film and I won't hear a bad word against it. Finally seeing it in the cinema for a 10th anniversary screening was an absolute dream come true, and every joke hit the mark with more precision than I thought possible when surrounded by fans in Londin. Hell, yarp. Catch it on ITV2 soon...<br />
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<b><i>HEAL THE LIVING - 3*</i></b></div>
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Director Katell Quillévéré's poignant call to arms for organ donation is emotive, measured and extremely powerful, inter-weaving three narratives to create a story that highlights the fragility of human life, the sorrow in death and the hope in survival.<br />
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<b><i>MISS SLOANE - 3*</i></b></div>
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Jessica Chastain shines as a DC lobbyist taking on a gun control bill, single-handedly holding together a film that's pretty far fetched to say the least, but nonetheless successfully gripping and enjoyable enough to overlook the overhyping and dramatisation of political lobbying. It's feels like <i>Scandal</i> shot through an <i>Ocean's Eleven</i> lens, and while it's borderline ridiculous <i>Miss Sloane</i> is exciting, stylish and full of fiery monologues.<br />
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<b><i>THE LEVELLING - 3*</i></b></div>
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It's hard to believe that <i>The Levelling</i> is the debut feature film from writer-director Hope Dickson Leach as it's so slickly made. At 83 minutes it's succinct but manages to beautifully convey the complexities of guilt, honesty and blame surrounding suicide, all of which are intertwined with the frustrating struggles of a repressed British family unwilling to discuss their feelings or even the events of what happened. It's borderline enraging to watch (in a good way) and stays with you long after you've left the cinema.<br />
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<b><i>SNATCHED - 1*</i></b></div>
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Oh god, <i>Snatched</i> is awful: it's unfunny, dull and rather offensive. Avoid at all costs.<br />
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<b><i>COLOSSAL - 4*</i></b></div>
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Kaiju films not containing Godzilla or other monsters in some form seem to be thin on the ground, and as such <i>Colossal</i> stands out for all the right reasons. It's such a ridiculously fun and original concept that it's impossible not to be swept along for the ride. Admirably, none of the characters are particularly likeable (hooray for a three-dimensional female lead) but even so the climax still comes to a satisfying conclusion having neatly twisted the plot into a direction you didn't remotely expect.<br />
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<b><i>KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD - 2*</i></b></div>
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By this stage, footage of David Beckham's cameo has been widely shared - and ridiculed - and it's just embarrassing that he's not the worst aspect of the film. Fundamentally it seems to have had an identity crisis and can't decide on a genre so attempts to cover a couple and does none of them well; the script is shockingly bad; the accents are all over the place; the costumes make no sense historically; and the plot is laughably bad. I so wanted to enjoy this in a 'so bad it's good' way, but instead I almost walked out half an hour in and had to persuade myself to stay. My internal battle was much more exciting than anything happening on screen.<br />
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<b><u>AMAZON PRIME</u></b></div>
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<b><i>BAD MOMS - 3*</i></b></div>
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<i>Bad Moms</i> isn't going to win any awards but it's pure profanity-laden fun, full of outrageous partying, PTA dictatorships and mothers refusing to conform to society's ideals. I love it: Kathryn Hahn's hilarious and it basically features the Mean Girls all grown up.<br />
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<b><u>NETFLIX</u></b></div>
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<b><i>THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2 - 3*</i></b></div>
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I can't say I saw much point in splitting the last Hunger Games book into two films - mainly because Part 1 was so dull - but at least it picks up with this last instalment, finally upping the action and bringing the franchise to a neat conclusion. It works well enough, but I definitely preferred the book as I think the ending falls a little flat here.<br />
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<b><u>TV</u></b></div>
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<b><i>THE WORLD'S END - 4*</i></b></div>
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Yet another absolute corker from Edgar Wright, this time tracking the journey taken by five childhood friends as they embark on a legendary pub crawl that defeated them twenty years previously. The regular players are on top form here, the laughs are non-stop and it has an air of nostalgia and maturity hitherto unseen in the Cornetto trilogy. What a triumph!<br />
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Here's to next month, when I'll most likely be reporting having seen <i>Wonder Woman</i> at least 3 times...EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-51870046351158554602017-05-09T19:26:00.001+01:002017-05-09T19:27:28.546+01:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 150So, this is it... my final ever <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Transformation%20Tuesday?updated-max=2016-12-20T21:13:00Z&max-results=20&start=20&by-date=false">Transformation Tuesday</a> post!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Almost 3 years down the line and 150 posts later I've decided that it's time to call it a day with my weekly <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Transformation%20Tuesday?updated-max=2016-12-20T21:13:00Z&max-results=20&start=20&by-date=false">Transformation Tuesday</a> instalments. I think this day has been a long time coming, but after much deliberation I've come to the conclusion that enough is enough and it's now time to move onto the next chapter.<br />
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I have absolutely loved writing these posts every week. The aim was always to provide accountability for my actions and to forcibly remove myself from the safe - albeit often unstable - confines of my head. I believed that by coming clean about the issues surrounding my weight and mental health in such a public forum I would be in a better position to do something positive about them as I didn't have the strength to turn my life around on my own. The thought of everyone knowing my problems successfully utilised my fear of letting people down by coercing me into sticking to my plans. I couldn't throw in the towel or not give it my all if the whole world was watching. To some it may seem weak to ask for help (without physically asking for help) in this way, instead of sorting myself out in private, but it's kept me going for 3 years and pulled me from the brink of something altogether too scary to think about so I don't feel like I have any grounds to complain.<br />
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One thing that I never anticipated was that anyone would actually want to read about something so mundane. In my view, this was purely a way for me to monitor my progress and stay on track, and while these posts have always been available to the public I never let that dictate what I revealed or the way in which I wrote about it. As such I've been constantly surprised by the outpouring of encouragement and support each week from friends and people I barely know alike. It seems bonkers to me that anyone other than my closest friends and family would be remotely bothered about my progress in any way (and even then I bet they're bored of it by now!) so I've spent 3 years baffled and grateful in equal measure. This has been a lovely byproduct of writing about my problems and it's meant the world to me, with all of the random messages, texts and emails I've received over the years bolstering me through difficult times and lifting me up when I've began to drown in my head.<br />
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In order to move onto the next section of my life I think it's important to take stock and appreciate just how far I've come. I can vividly remember nervously writing <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/transformation-tuesday-week-1.html">my first post</a> in the sweltering summer heat in my room in my last year at university, whole-heartedly believing that I'd soldier on for a month at best and then pack it in. I never thought I'd make it this far both in terms of my mental and physical health and religiously keeping up with the posts. So, here's what I've learnt since I pressed 'Publish' 150 weeks ago:<br />
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- Don't think too much about anything: do an appropriate level of research and then take a leap of faith. Everything always works out in the end, and more often than not the best things happen because you didn't overthink them in the first place.<br />
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- Fasting is all fun and games until you start spending all day looking at pictures of filthy burgers on Instagram and dreaming of cheese.<br />
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- There's no greater joy than finally fitting in a pair of jeans and not looking like a sausage that has escaped its casing.<br />
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- Don't allow a VLCD to become a lifestyle - use it in the short term only. It may seem like a good idea at the time and the control over food that it offers helps enormously in controlling your weight, but it merely feeds your eating disorder and eventually screws with your metabolism.<br />
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- The Body Coach's plan is a giant waste of money (it's ludicrously expensive) and eating 200g of spinach with each meal is never a good idea.<br />
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- Talking about your problems is the best way to start coming up with strategies to solve and/or manage them.<br />
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- There's more to life than counting Syns.<br />
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- Wearing Spanx every single day for 4 years may smooth out minor lumps and bumps but it's painful, sweaty and bloody uncomfortable. You won't realise how awful it is until you never have to wear them again.<br />
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- Learning how not to binge when alone is hard work, and you will slip up occasionally, but it's worth the effort. Eating disorders are serious business, and coming out the other side should be celebrated.<br />
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- Losing weight is addictive, but the high it offers isn't half as good as the endorphin rush from a spin class. Not everything has to be about size of your waist or your lack of multiple chins.<br />
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- Comparing yourself to other people is about as much use as a chocolate fire-guard. What's the point? You only make yourself feel bad.<br />
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- No-one under 25 should have to endure sagging grandma boobs and an apron of skin that makes you look like a melted candle. Save your money, find a surgeon and pick a date. See the first point re. overthinking - don't.<br />
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- When it comes to weight loss, everyone and their dog has an opinion on what's best for you. Listen to others as you can never stop learning, but also take what's said with a pinch of salt. What works for one person might not necessarily work for you, and no-one knows you better than yourself.<br />
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- Depression never really goes away but it doesn't have to be your default setting. One day you'll realise that that hideous voice in your head is now a whisper and not a shout, and while on some days it gets a little louder and easier to hear than on others, that doesn't mean it has to drown out everything in its path like a tsunami.<br />
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- You are strong, capable and can do anything you set your mind to.<br />
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So that's it, folks! These posts have tracked a marked transformation with clear before and afters, but now I think that's an obsolete notion. I wanted to lose weight and I have through LighterLife, Slimming World and (unsuccessfully) with The Body Coach. I wanted to try out exercise, and I did with Kayla Itsines' BBG and regular walking with a podcast or two, which wonderfully led to the confidence for classes and PT sessions at the gym. I also wanted to sort my head out after a horrendous mental deterioration and breakdown as a result of university. I've beaten an eating disorder, controlled my panic attacks and have strategies in place to deal with my depression and anxiety. Everything I wanted to 'fix' has been tackled head on and I'm in such a stable, positive place now that I barely recognise the utterly miserable person I was 3 years ago. I'm not at an 'end point' but that doesn't matter - I'm at the stage where I can move on and take anything life throws at me in my stride. There will be ups and downs, but that's half the fun.<br />
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The next chapter for me will be just <i>living</i>. No dieting or obsessively critiquing my appearance, just learning to strike the right balance between enjoying where I am now and working towards where I want to be. Life is for living, and I intend to live it to the max.<br />
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Thank you so much for joining me each and every week for these <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Transformation%20Tuesday?updated-max=2016-12-20T21:13:00Z&max-results=20&start=20&by-date=false">Transformation Tuesday</a> posts. It's been a blast and I've enjoyed every minute.<br />
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Here's to the next adventure.<br />
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E xEForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-80453038439186515132017-05-05T14:00:00.000+01:002017-05-05T14:00:00.172+01:00Coming Soon: May 2017May is a pretty interesting month for film, with small British independents dotted in amongst blockbusters, sci-fi, a reboot of <i>Baywatch</i> and the latest Studio Ghibli animation.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>As ever, all films below are released in cinemas in May 2017 in the U.K.: some may have already opened abroad so if you're outside the U.K. then do check your local cinemas for film times and release dates.<br />
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<b>LOST IN LONDON</b></div>
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Friday 5th May</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Woody Harrelson</div>
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"Within the course of a night, Woody Harrelson finds himself in a misadventure in London that winds him up in prison."
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<b>MINDHORN</b></div>
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Friday 5th May</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Sean Foley</div>
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"A has-been actor best known for playing the title character in the 1980s detective series "Mindhorn" must work with the police when a serial killer says that he will only speak with Detective Mindhorn, whom he believes to be a real person."
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<b>ALIEN: COVENANT</b></div>
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Friday 12th May</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Ridley Scott</div>
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"The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise. When they uncover a threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape."
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<b>FRANTZ</b></div>
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Friday 12th May</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Francois Ozon</div>
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"In the aftermath of WWI, a young German who grieves the death of her fiancé in France meets a mysterious Frenchman who visits the fiancé's grave to lay flowers."
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<b>MISS SLOANE</b></div>
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Friday 12th May</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: John Madden</div>
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"In the high-stakes world of political power-brokers, Elizabeth Sloane is the most sought after and formidable lobbyist in D.C. But when taking on the most powerful opponent of her career, she finds winning may come at too high a price."
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<b>THE LEVELLING</b></div>
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Friday 12th May</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: Hope Dickson Leach</div>
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"Somerset, October 2014. When Clover Catto (Ellie Kendrick) receives a call telling her that her younger brother Charlie (Joe Blakemore) is dead, she must return to her family farm and face the man she hasn't spoken to in years: her father Aubrey (David Troughton)."
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<b>COLLOSAL</b></div>
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Friday 19th May</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: Nacho Vigalondo</div>
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"Gloria is an out-of-work party girl forced to leave her life in NY and move back home. When reports surface that a giant creature is destroying Seoul, she gradually comes to the realization that she is somehow connected to this phenomenon."
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<b>SNATCHED</b></div>
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Friday 19th May</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Jonathan Levine</div>
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"When her boyfriend dumps her before their exotic vacation, a young woman persuades her ultra-cautious mother to travel with her to paradise, with unexpected results."
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<b>I AM NOT MADAME BOVARY</b></div>
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Friday 26th May</div>
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Cert.: TBC / Dir.: Xiaogang Fang</div>
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"After being swindled by her ex-husband, a woman takes on the Chinese legal system."
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<b>THE RED TURTLE</b></div>
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Friday 26th May</div>
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Cert.: PG / Dir.: Michael Dudok de Wit</div>
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"The dialogue-less film follows the major life stages of a castaway on a deserted tropical island populated by turtles, crabs and birds."
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<b>BAYWATCH</b></div>
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Monday 29th May</div>
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Cert.: TBC / Dir.: Seth Gordon</div>
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"Devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchanan butts heads with a brash new recruit. Together, they uncover a local criminal plot that threatens the future of the Bay."
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This month, I've already seen <i>Frantz</i> and <i>Mindhorn</i>, but I cannot wait for <i>Miss Sloane</i>, <i>Colossal</i> and <i>The Levelling</i>. My fingers are crossed that my local Picturehouse will have <i>Lost in London </i>too as I'm so intrigued by it!<br />
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Plus, <i>Baywatch</i> looks like a riot in the trailers so I'm hoping it lives up to expectations and isn't a disappointment...</div>
EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-7515292622849551712017-05-02T19:42:00.001+01:002017-05-02T19:43:07.171+01:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 149This new skin-less era is pretty fun indeed.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I feel like I've said this a lot since November, but not having excess skin is just <i>the best</i>. I've kept my exercise regime to myself for the last month but finally spoke about it in yesterday's post <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-may-2017.html">here</a>. It's been so much fun exercising properly for the first time and simultaneously learning to enjoy, and it's been made even better by the lack of skin. I ran on a treadmill for the first time today and the only thing that hurt were my legs, and not my collarbones from the pressure of loose skin flapping around unrestrained; and in a class yesterday I managed to lie on the floor and move about without having to manhandle my stomach into a comfortable position. I didn't recognise myself in the mirror too which was lovely but completely ridiculous (mainly because I was on a mat working out directly in front of it... what a fool). This is amazing!<br />
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The sheer amount of exercise I'm doing at the moment has meant that I've not really wanted to eat poorly either which is working to my advantage! Basically, life's pretty good at the moment and extraordinarily positive. I can't complain at that.EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-23711077962354183662017-05-01T18:05:00.000+01:002017-05-01T18:11:13.915+01:00Quarter-Life Crisis Challenge: May 2017A month of throwing myself into fitness has done my head - and my body - a world of good.<br />
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<a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-may-2017.html"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OyM-RPI01DA/WQdpWq5SmFI/AAAAAAAALMI/QKFNz82iPZEH0iub6xZ9_vq51ubN5r92QCLcB/s640/IMG_0600.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>APRIL UPDATE</b></div>
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I don't think I've ever given exercise a real chance. I absolutely hated it at school as I found that the combination of excess weight and a crippling fear of being flustered, sweaty and/or out of breath in front of other people made Games and P.E. lessons an unbearable hour of anxiety, self-loathing and humiliation each week. As a result, I did everything I could to avoid it while still maintaining a consistent string of As for effort.<br />
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In my first year of university I joined a gym after losing 4 stone during my gap year, but the one I chose in central London may have looked really fun from the outside, but in reality was super pretentious, unwelcoming and absolutely terrifying. Everyone in there looked liked they'd stepped out of an Instagram fitness account - filter included - and I don't think I've ever felt so judged or out of place in my entire life. My induction with a personal trainer escalated into me being bullied into a series of extremely expensive sessions where he set me tasks I couldn't do or that scared me, and I was frequently double booked with other clients. I've been put off gyms ever since and quite publicly vowed not to join one again as I thought I'd be fine at home on my own.<br />
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This was the perfect challenge as I've completely and utterly proved myself wrong. I felt the only way to properly throw myself into this was to have some guidance from people that actually know what they're doing, and so I took my physio's advice and joined my local PureGym. He also recommended a personal trainer, and within a few days I'd paid for a membership, emailed the PT and booked an induction. I decided that for 30 days I'd try anything and everything - if all else failed and I ended up hating it, I'd only wasted a month, so what's the worst that could happen?<br />
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It's been a roaring success. My PT, Lianne, is resolutely lovely, reassuring, endlessly knowledgeable and doesn't judge me for occasionally needing to sit down or cling to the equipment when I can't breathe and feel a little faint (ending my first session with her on the floor and woozy wasn't my finest hour but I've got better!). Having someone to push me to do the last few reps, go for another minute on the climber - I hate it but it's worth it - and take me round the gym as I'm still scared of some of the equipment is an absolute godsend. In addition to 2 sessions a week with Lianne, I'm doing a Pilates class and 2 spin classes. I tried yoga and hated it with a passion so I've given that up as a bad job, and I attempted a women's tone class but wasn't particularly keen. I think 5 sessions a week will do for now, but I'm hoping to try other classes too over the next month or so. There's no specific goal in mind, but maybe that's not a bad thing.<br />
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<i>(gold stars - reading / silver dots - film / green dots - saving money / green stars - workouts / silver stars - brain-training / blue dots - learning / red stars - social media / yellow dots - organisation / orange dots - dot-to-dot / round weights - fitness)
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Booking in so many classes and sessions has meant that I've had to up my organisation levels again to keep my calendar from overwhelming me; I've read more books than normal and seen <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/the-cine-file-april-2017.html">an obscene number of films</a>; and I've bought another dot-to-dot book to keep me occupied in the evenings. It's been a busy month!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2ZzWn0GtCc/WQdpKsLvEBI/AAAAAAAALL8/jM7LL6cRS5A5lDMe5kxnMSbkRE4LnxNNwCEw/s1600/IMG_0594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2ZzWn0GtCc/WQdpKsLvEBI/AAAAAAAALL8/jM7LL6cRS5A5lDMe5kxnMSbkRE4LnxNNwCEw/s640/IMG_0594.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>MAY PLANS</b></div>
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For May, I fancied broadening my horizons and learning again, but as I now have so many things on the go I didn't want to have to do anything too time consuming. As a result I've settled on 30 days of TED talks. How much time I have each day will depend on the length of the talk I watch, and I'd like to cover a broad range of topics, if possible.<br />
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So, 30 days of TED talks...go!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-36484063580670400372017-04-30T21:08:00.000+01:002017-04-30T21:10:20.678+01:00The Ciné File: April 2017This month has consisted of yet more foreign films and all 8 <i>Fast and Furious</i>... It's been a mixed bunch!<br />
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<b><u>CINEMAS</u></b></div>
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<b><i>FREE FIRE - 4*</i></b></div>
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At merely 90 minutes, <i>Free Fire</i> defies the current trend for increasingly long films and in the best possible way. It's a breath of fresh air, and director Ben Wheatley also strips back the plot - this is nothing more than a final act explosion of action spread over the entire running time of the film. The perceived lack of depth actually works to its advantage - there isn't enough time to become bogged down in backstory, and instead what unfolds is a beautifully choreographed yet chaotic, bonkers and often hilarious shoot out between confused characters all with their own agendas.<br />
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<b><i>BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 5*</i></b></div>
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My expectations were exceptionally high for the live-action version of my favourite Disney princess film, and luckily <i>Beauty and the Beast</i> exceeded all of my wildest dreams. The casting is excellent, the songs just as spine-tingling as in the original, and it looks simply divine. 'Be Our Guest' is a personal highlight (aided significantly by a motion-capture performance by Ewan McGregor as Lumière), as is Emma Watson's insistence that Belle is an unabashed feminist. What a triumph.
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<b><i>THEIR FINEST - 4*</i></b></div>
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If I were to list the attributes required to create my perfect film, when melded together the end result would undoubtedly be <i>Their Finest.</i> It's a film from one of my favourite directors - Lone Scherfig - following a feisty female scriptwriter during the Blitz, who works on a propaganda movie for the Department of Information, Film Division. It extolls the virtues of film to lift spirits in times of national crisis and to tell the stories the world needs to hear, as well as highlighting the importance and value of women in the workplace. Plus, it's impossible to ignore the fact that Bill Nighy is fantastically funny and on top form here too.<br />
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<b><i>NERUDA - 3*</i></b></div>
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<i>Neruda</i> is a classic cat and mouse tale, although this time it's poet vs policeman as Pablo Neruda - the poet and Communist leader - goes on the run from detective Peluchoneau (García Bernal) as he falls foul of the pro-American regime. It's elegant and visually striking, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality in an enticing way.<br />
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<b><i>I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO - 3*</i></b></div>
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America at the moment feels more divided than ever, and <i>I Am Not Your Negro</i> does a brilliant job of shining yet more light on the extreme racial inequality and prejudice throughout the land of the free. It is simultaneously mesmerising and difficult to watch as history seems to repeat itself again and again.<br />
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<b><i>THE HANDMAIDEN - 5*</i></b></div>
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Chan-wook Park's latest masterpiece is exactly that: an utter masterpiece of a stunning, layered erotic thriller, with three distinct acts each as surprising and as filled with twists as the last. <i>The Handmaiden</i> is equal parts stylish, grotesque and unexpected and it makes for truly unmissable viewing.<br />
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<b><i>FAST AND FURIOUS 8 - 4*</i></b></div>
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Having never seen a Fast and Furious film before April I've done a pretty solid job of catching up in time to see number 8 in IMAX... There's no getting away from the fact that it's a ridiculous concept for a franchise, and the word "family" is overused to such an extent that it has lost all semblance of meaning by this instalment, but even with that in mind <i>Fate</i> is extremely entertaining, harmless and super fun to watch. There's peak Statham-Rock bromance on display here, excellent action sequences and it's a hell of a ride from start to finish.<br />
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<b><i>DENIAL - 3*</i></b></div>
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When the action is focused on the courtroom and blistering exchange of words <i>Denial</i> soars, aided by wonderful performances by Rachel Weisz as Deborah Lipstadt and Timothy Spall as the stubborn and despicable Holocaust denier David Irving. The only issue is the difficulty gauging the passage of time throughout the film which is a shame as it distracts from the plot somewhat, but aside from that it's a riveting and compelling film.<br />
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<b><i>THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE - 3*</i></b></div>
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Unfortunately, it is impossible for <i>The Zookeeper's Wife</i> to avoid comparisons with <i>Schindler's List</i>, and as it's hard to top the 1993 classic, director Niki Caro's true story of Warsaw zookeepers Antonina and Jan Zabinski hiding Jews in the basement of their zoo during the Nazi occupation of Poland was off to a rocky start to begin with. It's a hugely emotive tale with an uplifting and heartening core despite the horrors of the period, but it's been done better before onscreen (just without the lion cubs and rogue, wandering camel) and as such it doesn't have the impact it aimed for.<br />
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<b><i>LADY MACBETH - 4*</i></b></div>
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Florence Pugh is sensational as Katherine, a 19th century young bride sold into loveless, disastrous marriage to a middle aged man. <i>Lady Macbeth</i> is an atmospheric, tense period piece that begins traditionally enough and quickly descends into a biting assessment of Victorian sensibilities; class, race, morality and gender issues; and subverts the established role of women by placing a sharp, cruel, and strong woman front and centre. It's not at all what you'd expect from such a film and is superb as a result.<br />
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<b><i>MINDHORN - 3*</i></b></div>
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Mindhorn is entertaining - with a wonderful bevy of British talent - but it's just not as funny as it thinks it is.<br />
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<b><i>RULES DON'T APPLY - 1*</i></b></div>
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How Lily Collins secured a Golden Globe nomination for her performance I'll never understand. <i>Rules Don't Apply</i> is a boring, self-indulgent mess that doesn't have any redeeming qualities to justify its existence.<br />
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<b><i>THE BELKO EXPERIMENT - 2*</i></b></div>
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It's obvious what's going to happen from the beginning, and sadly the gore and violence just comes across as unnecessarily sadistic rather than satirical. None of the characters are developed enough to actually care about their fate during the 'experiment' and as such it just seems plain nasty.<br />
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<b><i>GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 - 4*</i></b></div>
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In this second outing, the Guardians of the Galaxy seem to have almost more fun than last time, with the quips coming thicker and faster; bigger action sequences on even more planets; and a nostalgic, sentimental element that adds much needed depth to what could otherwise have been an average superhero sequel. The soundtrack is outstanding (no surprises there) and the unexpected cameos are a real delight to see. All in all, it's an impressive and highly entertaining follow up. Obviously you'll need to stick around for the credits - there are 5 post/mid-credit scenes that make it worth it.<br />
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<b><u>SKY CINEMA</u></b></div>
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<b><i>FAST AND FURIOUS 1-7 - OVERALL 3*</i></b></div>
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From what I can tell everyone has an order of preference, and for me it's 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 1, 2, 3 (disclaimer: I didn't actually watch past the first 20 minutes of <i>Tokyo Drift</i> as it was just that bad). Safe to say I didn't really enjoy the start of the series and much prefer it after its reinvention with number 4, the introduction of the Rock and Jason Statham, and the slicker, more ludicrous car chases. The more ridiculous it becomes the more I seem to enjoy it, and while the acting is appalling at times (more often than not) and the plot continues to make little to no sense, the films are getting more entertaining as the franchise progresses. I can't say I'd call myself much of a fan, but I'd happily watch the last few again if there was nothing else on.<br />
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<b><i>FINDING DORY - 4*</i></b></div>
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Is there anything cuter than baby Dory and more catchy than "I'm Sigourney Weaver"? No, absolutely not.<br />
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<b><u>NETFLIX</u></b></div>
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<b><i>THE FIGHTER - 4*</i></b></div>
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Boxing films seem to always follow the same format, and <i>The Fighter </i>doesn't stray too far from convention while still managing to stand out from the rest. Christian Bale is electrifying, but it's Mark Wahlberg's performance that subtly resonates the most.<br />
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<b><i>MINIMALISM - 2*</i></b></div>
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I'm all for minimalism as a concept, but I found this documentary infuriating as these rich men seem to take it a step too far, existing on so few worldly goods it's a wonder they can function in society.<br />
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As far as film-watching months go, April has been extremely fast and more than a little furious! Plus I'm actually continuing to watch foreign films as they're released which is super exciting given how terrible my track record was last year. Let's hope May is just as successful.EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-5375701534829785772017-04-25T18:43:00.000+01:002017-04-25T18:43:44.066+01:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 148I've been discharged!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>As I've mentioned previously, I had my final check up at the weekend. I was in and out in less than five minutes, during which time my surgeon had a quick look at everything, couldn't stop saying how proud he was, and then sent me on my way. I sort of hoped I'd have a little longer to ask a few questions and almost savour the last appointment, but it was all over so quickly I didn't have much time to say anything at all! So, that's it... I'm fully healed - no more gaping wounds, no need for a constant supply of dressings and no more trips to the hospital in a minor panic. Hooray!<br />
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It's taken a bit longer than I would have liked, but I don't think I can complain at the result. My incisions are fading fast - and in some places have disappeared completely - and aside from an angry red scar under my left boob you can barely tell I've bee under the knife. Now that everything's settled my hip bones have made their first ever proper appearance, not wearing a bra doesn't make me cry with pain any more, and the line down the middle of my abs is becoming more pronounced as the weeks go on. It's taking my head a while to catch up as my muscle memory still has me moving in ways to specifically accommodate my skin - for example my hands still automatically go to hold it out of the way and embarrassingly flail around when I realise there's now nothing to move - but I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually. In many ways I can't believe I lived with it for so long before having the operation. I can still vividly remember how demoralising and awful it felt to live with it, and as such I feel like I'm living in a completely different body now - a lifetime of weight and skin problems made them seem normal, and this is eye-opening to see that it wasn't <i>at all</i>.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(GIF SOURCED FROM www.giphy.com)</span></i></div>
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In my <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/transformation-tuesday-week-1.html">first ever Transformation Tuesday post</a> I compared being overweight to a scene in <i>My Mad Fat Diary</i> where Rae unzips the back of her body and steps out as if from a fat suit. At the time I described it in the past tense but really wanted nothing more than to do that myself at the time, but now it's as if I've actually shed a fat suit and I'm walking around in the thinner, ( normally fictitious) version of myself. It's pretty bizarre to be at this stage at last - I never anticipated getting to the 'after' body - but it's definitely been a long time coming.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.instagram.com/teaseandtotes)</span></i></div>
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Let's not get ahead of ourselves - I'm still a work in progress! However, I think it's safe to say that this chapter of loose skin and surgery is finally over.EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-18372999342705092372017-04-18T20:19:00.002+01:002017-04-18T20:20:19.829+01:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 147I am still riding a wave of positivity, so that's good!<br />
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<a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/transformation-tuesday-week-147.html"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7JY_93g5WBM/WPZmKwW7tkI/AAAAAAAALJY/lOWJn1wStFk7_Nhn2wsQadKDcDXiQAi6wCLcB/s640/IMG_0566.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>Everything's ticking over quite nicely at the moment, so to be honest I have no grounds to complain! I'm in a sort-of limbo at the moment while I wait for my final appointment this week, so until then I don't really have much to report at all.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6gP-e9v5O3E/WPZmnWYdaBI/AAAAAAAALJc/0jlB4Yy-86gnCtpvzB4zUlKgwL8N9CrVACLcB/s1600/Clueless%2BTai%2Bheckyeahreactiongifs.tumblr.com.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6gP-e9v5O3E/WPZmnWYdaBI/AAAAAAAALJc/0jlB4Yy-86gnCtpvzB4zUlKgwL8N9CrVACLcB/s1600/Clueless%2BTai%2Bheckyeahreactiongifs.tumblr.com.gif" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(GIF SOURCED FROM www.heckyeahreactiongifs.tumblr.com)</span></i></div>
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The only new development has been that I've significantly upped my exercise as per this month's <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-april-2017.html">30 day challenge</a> and I'm feeling much better for it. I forgot how much I enjoyed working out, and it's been so rewarding to properly get back into the swing of things. It's been tough, but I'm extremely confident that it will be well worth it in the end... Fingers crossed anyway!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-64875830021611298202017-04-11T16:30:00.000+01:002017-04-11T16:30:14.122+01:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 146I can't remember feeling as positive as I do at the moment.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiOdm7NQYXE/WOv5TEtZ5zI/AAAAAAAALJI/LaWuUIk4PLkr6k8VxDjQchtH3tUJft-SgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiOdm7NQYXE/WOv5TEtZ5zI/AAAAAAAALJI/LaWuUIk4PLkr6k8VxDjQchtH3tUJft-SgCLcB/s640/IMG_0551.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>My hospital appointment went extremely well last week and I am 99% healed now, which is fabulous to say the least! I basically just have an angry red scar left over, but I can't complain at that. The nurse I saw told me to book an appointment with my surgeon in a fortnight for a final, final check up and then that should be it. I can't quite believe it will all be over in a matter of weeks!<br />
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There isn't much else to report, aside from the fact that my head is behaving extraordinarily well at the moment. So well, in fact, that I forgot how difficult I find certain scenarios and had a minor meltdown on Friday when I did too many scary things in quick succession and momentarily forgot how to deal with them without having a panic attack. I barrelled through when in hindsight I should have slowed down and processed each one properly, and as a result I felt horrendously queasy all weekend and a little panicked around the edges! I've been feeling so spectacularly positive that I (stupidly) completely forgot that I'm more than susceptible to wobbles and should have adjusted my behaviour accordingly. There's something to be said for throwing myself into things before I have time to really consider them as I know I could win a gold medal for overthinking, but I think I was a little too keen! Luckily, my head's back on safe ground now but it was a little precarious for a while!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FK9s4ntIAJ8/WOv4L0eP2fI/AAAAAAAALI8/4NqxXhMpkMIjfYsg3n1CXmyY5IjZWMpvQCLcB/s1600/GBBO%2BNadiya%2BStressful%2Blondongrumblr.co.uk.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FK9s4ntIAJ8/WOv4L0eP2fI/AAAAAAAALI8/4NqxXhMpkMIjfYsg3n1CXmyY5IjZWMpvQCLcB/s1600/GBBO%2BNadiya%2BStressful%2Blondongrumblr.co.uk.gif" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(GIF SOURCED FROM www.londongrumblr.co.uk)</span></i></div>
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As far as problems go, though, this is a wonderful one to have given how awful my mental health has been in the past. Yay for progress!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-26652163870785501122017-04-07T12:30:00.000+01:002017-04-07T12:30:00.149+01:00Coming Soon: April 2017Rather ridiculously, I thought that since awards season is over and it's the Easter holidays there would be a slight lull in cinemas as screens filled up with animations and family-friendly crowd pleasers. It turns out that this is not the case at all as April is full of foreign films, documentaries, a couple of horror films, British indies, and period pieces, alongside the latest instalments in huge blockbuster franchises.<br />
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It's a wonderfully mixed bunch with something for everyone: perfect for times when the weather can't decide what to do with itself and the best course of action is escaping it all in a cinema!<br />
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As ever, all films below are released in cinemas in April 2017 in the U.K.: some may have already opened abroad so if you're outside the U.K. then do check your local cinemas for film times and release dates. </div>
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<b>I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO</b></div>
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Friday 7th April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Raoul Peck</div>
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"Writer James Baldwin tells the story of race in modern America with his unfinished novel, Remember This House."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rNUYdgIyaPM?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>NERUDA</b></div>
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Friday 7th April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: Pablo Larraín</div>
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"An inspector hunts down Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, who becomes a fugitive in his home country in the late 1940s for joining the Communist Party."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5fQAh3Ze-Gk?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>A QUIET PASSION</b></div>
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Friday 7th April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Terence Davies</div>
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"The story of American poet Emily Dickinson from her early days as a young schoolgirl to her later years as a reclusive, unrecognized artist."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ffc8tLkviOo?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>RAW</b></div>
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Friday 7th April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 18 / Dir.: Julia Ducournau</div>
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"When a young vegetarian undergoes a carnivorous hazing ritual at vet school, an unbidden taste for meat begins to grow in her."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/chN91ePbZIw?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>FAST AND FURIOUS 8</b></div>
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Friday 14th April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: F. Gary Gray</div>
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"When a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of terrorism and a betrayal of those closest to him, the crew face trials that will test them as never before."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NxhEZG0k9_w?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>THE HANDMAIDEN</b></div>
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Friday 7th April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 18 / Dir.: Park Chan-wook</div>
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"A woman is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, but secretly she is involved in a plot to defraud her."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wYsdzNIcJNc?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>RULES DON'T APPLY</b></div>
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Friday 21st April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Warren Beatty</div>
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"The unconventional love story of an aspiring actress, her determined driver, and their boss, an eccentric billionaire named Howard Hughes."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pl56bpDQ5TE?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>THE BELKO EXPERIMENT</b></div>
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Friday 21st April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 18 / Dir.: Greg McLean</div>
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"In a twisted social experiment, 80 Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogotá, Colombia and ordered by an unknown voice coming from the company's intercom system to participate in a deadly game of kill or be killed."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AJ0x3OS4ML0?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE</b></div>
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Friday 21st April 2017</div>
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Cert.: TBC / Dir.: Niki Caro</div>
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"The Zookeeper's Wife tells the account of keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, Antonina and Jan Zabinski, who helped save hundreds of people and animals during the German invasion."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fQCvOvj0f0Y?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>THEIR FINEST</b></div>
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Friday 21st April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Lone Scherfig</div>
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"A British film crew attempts to boost morale during World War II by making a propaganda film after the Blitzkrieg."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nEvATtGnm5k?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2</b></div>
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Friday 28th April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: James Gunn</div>
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"Set to the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' continues the team's adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill's true parentage."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/71aVUEPMP6Q?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>LADY MACBETH</b></div>
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Friday 28th April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: William Oldroyd</div>
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"In this adaptation of Nikolai Leskov's novella "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk, a 19th century young bride is sold into marriage to a middle-aged man."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zDhZI4WiQ78?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>THE PROMISE</b></div>
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Friday 28th April 2017</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: Terry George</div>
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"Set during the last days of the Ottoman Empire, The Promise follows a love triangle between Michael, a brilliant medical student, the beautiful and sophisticated Ana, and Chris - a renowned American journalist based in Paris."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/olcIido6EL4?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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I think this is one of the most exciting non-awards months for film in a while! I've already seen <i>Their Finest</i> and it's up in my top 10 film list (let's be honest though, it ticked every single box for me: WWII, film as propaganda, feminism and one of my favourite directors), and I'm super excited for <i>The Zookeeper's Wife</i>, <i>Neruda</i>, <i>I'm Not Your Negro</i> and <i>The Handmaiden</i> too.<br />
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Plus, who can resist Baby Groot in <i>Guardians</i>?!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-61730079226812311772017-04-04T22:05:00.000+01:002017-04-04T22:06:49.080+01:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 145I'm <i>almost</i> fully healed!<br />
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<a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/transformation-tuesday-week-145.html"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLz1il_ti1k/WOQKGN88ArI/AAAAAAAALIY/5LfWyu9WhY8B2vtnxke00zxOr8aWwBfSACLcB/s640/IMG_0485.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>The end of the tunnel is in sight! I'm super close to being completely healed thanks to this magic ointment, so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that it continues to head in the right direction. I have another hospital appointment this week, and I'm hoping that this will be the final one given how well everything has progressed.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecTG_TVG3PI/WOQEt72TthI/AAAAAAAALII/jV5MvLNLtFEyKBH916wwS0Z0DhAb2f5UACLcB/s1600/The%2BOffice%2BDwight%2BFists%2Bbuzzfeed.com.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecTG_TVG3PI/WOQEt72TthI/AAAAAAAALII/jV5MvLNLtFEyKBH916wwS0Z0DhAb2f5UACLcB/s1600/The%2BOffice%2BDwight%2BFists%2Bbuzzfeed.com.gif" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(GIF SOURCED FROM www.buzzfeed.com)</span></i></div>
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For now, that's it. I'm feeling extremely positive about life in general at the moment, and while I can't pinpoint why exactly I'm going to run with it!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-86223650358335398672017-04-01T18:27:00.003+01:002017-04-01T18:29:31.998+01:00Quarter-Life Crisis Challenge: April 2017I love, love, love being organised.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-april-2017.html"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFQBJYXTyxc/WN_ieA_bmYI/AAAAAAAALH4/p0tcFM-HqtotxG3Ba2JRSSXNNbN7x3GaACLcB/s640/IMG_0484.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>MARCH UPDATE</b></div>
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I'm so pleased that I chose organisation as my 12th monthly challenge as I feel like I've spent the last 31 days reconnecting with the side of my brain that relishes being ruthless while decluttering, semi-regimented with my time and simply adores labelling boxes. I've made a conscious effort each and every day to do at least one activity focused on organisation, whether it's taken me no longer than half an hour or ended up dominating the entire day.<br />
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I started by making a timetable for the weeks ahead - splitting my time into half hour slots from 5am to 9pm - and planning every day around what was already in my calendar. It's worth noting that I tried this method of time management every year around exam season from the age of 11-22 and never managed to stick to it successfully once. I've always been desperate to learn how to be this strict with my time so felt this was the perfect opportunity to give it another shot, but it turns out I'm still useless at it! I lasted maybe 3 days trying to stick to a timetable before I adjusted course and accepted that I should start doing things my way rather than trying to be someone I'm not. By no longer forcing this version of organisation on myself I was able to embrace so many other ways of sorting my life out without any added pressure and with much more success.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVHh3xflBwU/WN_idTLiT9I/AAAAAAAALH0/t4eaOdiiU2sd7p5REq8YTo3bKl5kcTMOACEw/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVHh3xflBwU/WN_idTLiT9I/AAAAAAAALH0/t4eaOdiiU2sd7p5REq8YTo3bKl5kcTMOACEw/s640/IMG_0483.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As a result, I made a list of everything I wanted to organise over the month and I've either completed the tasks or kick-started projects that will definitely take a little longer to finish off. My to-do list ranged from decluttering entire rooms of the house; to finally going through boxes of school books in the garage; to clearing out my wardrobe; to streamlining my laptop; to clearing my mind so I can refocus on working towards my goals. I've tackled everything head on, and while I haven't fully completed as much as I would have liked - I think I overestimated how big some of the tasks were - I've still made significant progress. I now have a half empty wardrobe, I've made friends with the ladies in the Post Office as I've eventually started using my eBay account, I've made a (small) dent in my school boxes, my laptop is almost cleared, I've worked out roughly how many bags I can carry to the charity shop from the car in just one trip (a lot, but I struggle to actually open the door to drop them off as I can't use my hands...), I've attacked a couple of rooms, halved my collection of baking equipment and I'm really starting to embrace the minimalism trend as by being so ruthless with my decluttering I'm being less inclined to have 'stuff'.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJGmP89CO4E/WN_iark32pI/AAAAAAAALHw/JYmi5F-0u-o_RIsfes8RvAOylXk1pN74gCEw/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJGmP89CO4E/WN_iark32pI/AAAAAAAALHw/JYmi5F-0u-o_RIsfes8RvAOylXk1pN74gCEw/s640/IMG_0479.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>(gold stars - reading / silver dots - film / green dots - saving money / green stars - workouts / silver stars - brain-training / blue dots - learning / red stars - social media / yellow dots - organisation)
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I'd say that's a month well spent! By focussing so heavily on organisation I've been able to really easily limit my social media and save money, schedule in films and workouts, and read more books again. I still need to finish my cross-stitch, so that's a high priority for April!<br />
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<b>APRIL PLANS</b></div>
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This month I'd like to focus on fitness. Since being cleared for exercise a month ago I've been floundering around not really knowing what I'm doing or what I'm working towards. Therefore, this month I'd like to decide on a goal and spend my time doing everything I can to either be in the process of achieving it or smash it by April 30th. I think investing seriously in my physical fitness will be extremely beneficial in the long run, and I'm more than ready for a new challenge!<br />
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So, 30 days of fitness... go!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-64906518305954199172017-03-28T20:20:00.001+01:002017-03-28T20:21:13.752+01:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 144Apologies: it's another boring and repetitive post coming up...<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I'm <i>still</i> healing. How is that even possible?! My wound is now not really a wound at all, and has shrunk to around the size of a 5p coin (which is amazing as less than a month ago it was probably closer to two 50p coins). I am beyond excited that it's nearly fixed as it feels like it's been going on forever!<br />
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I've not had any particular breakthroughs on the diet front aside from the decision to give my metabolism a break and time to reset itself by not dieting for the foreseeable future. Instead I'll be focusing on basic healthy eating and learning to get along with my body as it is without constantly striving for some unknown and starving myself in the process. I'm taking a little break with exercise for now too as an enormous amount of walking in a dodgy pair of boots last week has caused major pains so I'm on damage control at the moment! Give it a few days and I'll be back to normal, but for now I'm taking it easy before the sharp twinges become something altogether more serious and put me out of action for longer!<br />
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In an unexpected move on Friday I finally found some courage and decided to ditch the compression corset. I haven't technically needed it for over a month, and while I've been going without it at home I haven't been able to do exercise or go out without it on. It's turned into a comfort blanket for me, and I wasn't willing to give it up. To put it into perspective I've been wearing intense spanx for nearly 4 years and haven't gone a single day without wearing them in some form as I'd become way too scared to go out without them, convinced that my silhouette would be hideous when not squashed into an uncomfortable garment. While this was 100% true when I had all my skin - the spanx were definitely needed to hold everything in and smooth it out - now the compression corset is practically redundant. It doesn't do much any more as there's nothing to hold in, and my overall silhouette isn't really any different with it on.<br />
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However, I was utterly convinced that my jeans wouldn't do up without a corset: in the past without spanx my skin has either got caught in the zip, required a massive ordeal to manoeuvre it into a suitable position, or it's overspilled awfully into a really attractive muffin top. As it is, my jeans did up perfectly, there's no over-spillage of any kind and I don't need anything to suck me in. What a load of worry for nothing! I've now been compression corset-free since Friday and the only downsides I've found are that my jeans keep falling down and I'm now a lot colder when I'm out as I'm missing a layer of clothing that I'd become accustomed to. As far as problems go though, it's not the end of the world! Here's to the next phase where I'm finally free of the spanx! I feel like ceremoniously burning them all, but I'm not sure that's the best plan...EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-8045884463144718652017-03-26T21:47:00.001+01:002017-03-26T21:47:30.584+01:00The Ciné File: March 2017Finally: I'm actually seeing foreign films and documentaries as they're released and not years later!<br />
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<b><u>CINEMAS</u></b></div>
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<b><i>JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 - 3*</i></b></div>
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One thing's for sure: Keanu Reeves is a true action hero. He hits every intricately choreographed note perfectly and demonstrates exactly why he excels in this genre. While <i>Chapter 2</i> isn't as good as the first film, the action scenes are just as electric, ferocious and exciting this time around.<br />
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<b><i>FIST FIGHT - 1*</i></b></div>
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How on earth does this qualify as a comedy, and more importantly, how on earth was this even made? It's supremely dull and so unfunny it hurts: avoid at all costs.<br />
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<b><i>PATRIOTS DAY - 3*</i></b></div>
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While this dramatisation of the 2013 Boston marathon bombings doesn't entirely stick to the truth, it does make for gripping viewing while celebrating the heroism of the emergency services and civilians in a time of tragedy. It brilliantly develops the cat-and-mouse hunt for the bombers by ramping up the tension and making full use of its star-filled cast, but the real star here is the city of Boston which is on reverent display in this heartfelt tribute.<br />
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<b><i>LOGAN - 4*</i></b></div>
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<i>Logan</i> is undoubtedly the best film in the X-Men franchise - somehow they've managed to produce a gritty, emotional drama reminiscent of an indie film that's also a fitting send off for a beloved character (that's no spoiler: Hugh Jackman - and Patrick Stewart for that matter - have mentioned extensively on their press tour that this is the end for them, no matter what happens to their characters on screen). It's a pared-back and almost risky superhero film, focusing less on powers (although there are mightily satisfying and truly violent scenes with the famous claws) and more on the relationships between Wolverine, Professor X, and the new mysterious child Laura. It's a risk that pays off in spades, and rightfully so - what a way to bow out!<br />
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<b><i>THE GREAT WALL - 2*</i></b></div>
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The racist narrative that surrounded <i>The Great Wall</i> before it was even released in retrospect was a little off the mark - while I definitely think the initial concern regarding Matt Damon single-handedly saving the Chinese people from an unknown threat was completely understandable, in reality he definitely isn't the hero here and more of a sidekick who happens to be around at the same time that the Chinese are already saving the day. His accent is unidentifiable, the acting is terrible and the graphics are laughably bad, but it's not <i>entirely</i> unwatchable.<br />
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<b><i>VICEROY'S HOUSE - 3*</i></b></div>
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<i>Viceroy's House</i> has enormous potential and for such a sumptuously made film it unfortunately flounders on the plot-front rather spectacularly. There is no real coherent narrative as there are several interesting storylines all vying for attention and never quite succeeding - as such it falls a little flat. Had director Gurinder Chadha focused on one - for example the fledging romance between staff members 'downstairs', or the doomed role of Lord Mountbatten, or the political backstabbing during partition, or the effects of partition on the Indian people - it would have been much better. It felt as if she was trying to cover too much ground in one go and as a result the film looks beautiful but doesn't really have the desired impact.<br />
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<b><i>KONG: SKULL ISLAND - 4*</i></b></div>
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Two viewings later and I'm officially a fan of the new Kong. It's stylish, engaging and entertaining, and it seems to be fully aware of how ridiculous this new monster franchise is. The motion capture for Kong is fantastic, the "skull crushers" are suitably scary and it only really falls down when the camera focuses solely on humans. Make sure you stay for the post credits scene too: this is a franchise in the making and they've taken a leaf out of Marvel's book by setting up the future of this universe in a few minutes at the end of this film. It's a mildly confusing set up for those of us unaware with monster lore, but worth it.<br />
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<i><b>MOONLIGHT - 5*</b></i></div>
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This was my third time seeing <i>Moonlight</i> and I stand by my opinion that it's a remarkable example of filmmaking and an absolute triumph. To think that last month I wanted it to win Best Picture but was convinced it wouldn't derail the overwhelming success of <i>La La Land</i>! It's astonishingly moving, beautifully made and is without a shadow of a doubt an instant classic. Kudos must be given to casting director Yesi Ramirez for ensuring that the 3 versions of protagonist Chiron are so alike that you'd be forgiven for thinking director Barry Jenkins did a <i>Boyhood</i> and filmed it over a number of years and not merely 45 days.
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<b><i>BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 5*</i></b></div>
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My expectations were exceptionally high for the live-action version of my favourite Disney princess film, and luckily <i>Beauty and the Beast</i> exceeded all of my wildest dreams. The casting is excellent, the songs just as spine-tingling as in the original, and it looks simply <i>divine</i>. 'Be Our Guest' is a personal highlight (aided significantly by a motion-capture performance by Ewan McGregor as Lumière), as is Emma Watson's insistence that Belle is an unabashed feminist. What a triumph.<br />
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<b><i>IT'S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD - 4*</i></b></div>
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As family dramas go, Xavier Dolan's latest creation shows a messy family at its most dysfunctional. The drama is claustrophobic, heated and maddeningly frustrating, all played out with aplomb by a stellar French cast.<br />
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<b><i>ELLE - 5*</i></b></div>
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I've found my favourite foreign film of 2017, and I think it'll be pretty hard to top. <i>Elle</i> is dark, twisted, and makes for supremely uncomfortable viewing, but for all the right reasons. It deserves every accolade that has come its way over the last few months as it's such a thought-provoking, gripping and thrilling film. Isabelle Huppert is astonishingly good here and shows that there's no singular way to react to a sexual assault.<br />
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<b><u>SKY CINEMA</u></b></div>
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<b><i>GHOSTBUSTERS - 3*</i></b></div>
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I don't understand why this film received so much hatred when it was announced (that's a lie, I understand exactly why it did but disagree with it wholeheartedly) and while it may not be a perfect film or even a particularly spectacular reinvention of a beloved franchise, it's enormous fun with humour in all the right places.<br />
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<b><u>NETFLIX</u></b></div>
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<b><i>THE WHITE HELMETS - 4*</i></b></div>
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The Oscar winner for Best Documentary Short, this makes for fascinating viewing about the heroic 'White Helmet' civilian first responders racing to save lives in Syria. It puts your life into perspective and shines a poignant light on a crisis that's never really far from our minds.<br />
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<b><i>13TH - 5*</i></b></div>
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Why, oh why, didn't this win Best Documentary this year?! Ava DuVernay's analysis into the criminalisation of African Americans and the prison boom in the US is thought-provoking, well-argued and makes for difficult viewing at times. The subject matter is essential, important and infuriating, and - in my opinion - should be compulsory viewing in the US at least.<br />
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<b><i>WINTER'S BONE - 3*</i></b></div>
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Jennifer Lawrence's unofficial audition for <i>The Hunger Games</i> went on to earn her her first Oscar nomination and deservedly so: it's an intense, bleak and unshowy performance that gets under your skin and demands you pay attention. Her star power is more than evident here and she oozes an authenticity, vulnerability and strength that gives the film its heart and soul.<br />
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<b><u>TELEVISION/DVD</u></b></div>
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<b><i>ROOM - 5*</i></b></div>
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This was one of my <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/film-round-up-2016.html">favourite films of 2016</a> and no matter how many times I've watched it I still ugly cry at least 3 times throughout the duration of the film. Jacob Tremblay is a revelation here, and he makes a wonderful film truly unmissable.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-aLmhphMlk/WNfhCITBAcI/AAAAAAAALFY/7OGbBXpoBM8ZI2aYvAW25PmzewfhZp5XgCLcB/s1600/Room.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-aLmhphMlk/WNfhCITBAcI/AAAAAAAALFY/7OGbBXpoBM8ZI2aYvAW25PmzewfhZp5XgCLcB/s400/Room.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
This month I've made a real effort to watch foreign films and documentaries (plus a couple of operas too), and while I haven't watched many at all I've already smashed last year's total which is shameful to say the least! I'm hoping that now I have the bug I'll keep picking them as a matter of course. I'm also trying to be more varied in my choices at the cinema rather than purely sticking to indies, dramas and superhero films - I'm aiming to try different cinemas too in order to do so, as my local multiplex doesn't exactly stray far from the mainstream. Bring on April!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-27403592350319344042017-03-21T18:35:00.001+00:002017-03-21T18:36:04.727+00:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 143The novelty of last week's healing revelation hasn't worn off <i>at all</i>.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I'm still healing! This feels like such odd, alien territory for me so I'm trying not to question it too much... My wound has shrunk further still, and while it's a long way from being completely healed the progress has been so phenomenal over the last few weeks that I can can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's looks like I'll be fully healed much sooner than I was anticipating, and thank goodness for that!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(GIF SOURCED FROM www.buzzfeed.co.uk)</span></i></div>
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For now, that's about it. I'm still floundering around on the exercise-front with no clear direction but a determination to do something, so we'll see how that goes. I much prefer to be more regimented than this but it's just not working out for me in the way I hoped, therefore I'm now of the opinion that any exercise is better than no exercise. I may not be sticking to my tentatively written plan, but I'm pushing myself in certain areas while letting other ones slip. I can't decide whether I need to suck it up and stick to the plan, or reevaluate and pick a different goal. Luckily I have plenty of time on trains this week so I can have a good think about everything and come up with a couple of ideas. As ever, any advice is welcomed!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-63193895983379321882017-03-14T20:12:00.000+00:002017-03-14T20:39:53.713+00:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 142I'M FINALLY HEALING!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>There's no way of discussing this without an outburst of capslock, but I'M FINALLY HEALING.<br />
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What started out as a routine wound check with one of the loveliest nurses on Thursday swiftly turned into an impromptu appointment with my surgeon before he rushed off to theatre, during which time he breezed in in a ridiculously good mood, muttered something about an ointment and left with promises that it might help. If anything, he said it was worth a try and I was happy with that. He prescribed me a mysterious ointment that apparently is meant to be used on eyes (not boobs) and as such I had to confirm with him, the nurse and a pharmacist that I understood it was being used for something different than is outlined on the packet (to be honest I don't actually understand what it does at all, so I'm just blindly following instructions to use it where he said!). Well, it's only gone and worked! In 2 days the wound had shrunk to about two thirds of the original size, the new skin had flattened and dried out and it looked significantly less angry. It's even better today, so clearly something AMAZING is happening.<br />
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I don't know if it's the ointment, everything was coming together anyway, or if it's just pure witchcraft, but I'll take this healing and run with it thank you very much!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlPy1AVurK8/WMhMdY8N5AI/AAAAAAAALCo/s6xvtNG7uvYAwmgAXN6YUASWZQ_gozo2QCLcB/s1600/Back%2Bto%2Bthe%2BFuture%2BDream%2Bbuzzfeed.com.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlPy1AVurK8/WMhMdY8N5AI/AAAAAAAALCo/s6xvtNG7uvYAwmgAXN6YUASWZQ_gozo2QCLcB/s1600/Back%2Bto%2Bthe%2BFuture%2BDream%2Bbuzzfeed.com.gif" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(GIF SOURCED FROM www.buzzfeed.com)</span></i></div>
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It's stating the obvious, but that's my big news this week! I'm exercising much more now too and really enjoying it, but my only issue is that I don't really have a clue what I'm doing so I'm floundering around without a real plan.... which is problematic as I <i>love</i> a good plan. I can't decide what I want to focus on improving so I'm doing a little of everything (and panicking that it's not enough to make any real difference in the long term) but I could do with narrowing it down and working towards a goal of some kind. Any advice or tips would be more than welcome!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(GIF SOURCED FROM www.tumblr.com)</span></i></div>
<br />EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-42307163021567241972017-03-07T19:09:00.000+00:002017-03-07T19:09:35.532+00:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 141I think I've turned a corner this week...<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I don't want to jinx it, but I think that with a little experimentation (read: a dodgy dressing that didn't do what it was meant to much to my advantage) I've managed to nudge my wound along with the healing process. It's now drier than it's been in about a month and looks significantly healthier. Fingers crossed it's finally going in the right direction!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(GIF SOURCED FROM www.buzzfeed.com)</span></i></div>
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After a week off from exercise due to feeling decidedly under the weather I'm back at it now, and I've restarted the BBG, along with upping the intensity of my power walks. For the first time too, I decided to formulate a plan for my workouts instead of just doing whatever I felt like on the day. I now have a schedule for the rest of the month that I've fit in around any events already in my calendar in the hope that a regimented plan will ensure that exercise is more of a priority. It fits in perfectly with my <a href="http://emmaforth.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/quarter-life-crisis-challenge-march-2017.html">March challenge to be more organised</a>, so we'll see how it goes. Two days in and I'm doing exactly as I said I would, so hopefully this bodes well for the rest of the month.<br />
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Aside from the above, I seem to be ticking along as normal. My tidying and organisation skills have stepped up a notch this week so I'm busier than I've been in months and feel all the better for it. Let's hope that this is the start of something wonderful...EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-89023948449835811512017-03-03T16:00:00.000+00:002017-03-03T16:00:24.864+00:00Coming Soon: March 2017Well, the Oscars last weekend were exciting weren't they?!<br />
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Given the hullabaloo surrounding the Best Picture mix up, you'd be forgiven for wanting to go and see <i>La La Land</i> and <i>Moonlight</i> again in March (particularly the latter: it's been rolled out to 200+ more screens this week as a result of the win, so you have no excuse to miss seeing this absolute masterpiece) rather than seeing something new. However, March is full of absolute corkers. Other Oscar nominees are finally hitting UK screens this month, in the form of <i>Elle</i> (Best Actress nominee, Isabelle Huppert) and <i>The Salesman</i> (Best Foreign Film winner). There are also highly anticipated blockbusters - <i>Logan</i>, <i>Kong: Skull Island</i>, and <i>Beauty and the Beast</i> - a horror film that's taken the US by storm, <i>Get Out</i>, and the latest movie from Ben Wheatley, <i>Free Fire</i> (which I saw at the London Film Festival and can confirm is rollicking good fun).<br />
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There's truly something for everyone this month, so start planning those cinema trips now...<br />
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<a name='more'></a>As ever, all films below are released in cinemas in March 2017 in the U.K.: some may have already opened abroad so if you're outside the U.K. then do check your local cinemas for film times and release dates.<br />
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<b>LOGAN</b></div>
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Wednesday 1st March 2017</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: James Mangold</div>
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"In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan's attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XaE_9pfybL4?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>CERTAIN WOMEN</b></div>
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Friday 3rd March 2017</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Kelly Reichardt</div>
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"The lives of three women intersect in small-town America, where each is imperfectly blazing a trail."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/or5lYLL41SY?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>TRESPASS AGAINST US</b></div>
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Friday 3rd March 2017</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: Adam Smith</div>
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"A man looks to find a way to escape the criminal ways of his outlaw family."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cbywW-rVN_g?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>VICEROY'S HOUSE</b></div>
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Friday 3rd March 2017</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Gurinder Chadha</div>
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"The final Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, is tasked with overseeing the transition of British India to independence, but meets with conflict as different sides clash in the face of monumental change."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/id_ZyNdvXKQ?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>KONG: SKULL ISLAND</b></div>
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Thursday 9th March 2017</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Jordan Vogt-Roberts</div>
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"A team of explorers and soldiers travel to an uncharted island in the Pacific, unaware that they are crossing into the domain of monsters, including the mythic Kong."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RAnc0uWLKyk?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>ELLE</b></div>
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Friday 10th March 2017</div>
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Cert.: 18 / Dir.: Paul Verhoeven</div>
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"A successful businesswoman gets caught up in a game of cat and mouse as she tracks down the unknown man who raped her."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IEnhx82_In4?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>BEAUTY AND THE BEAST</b></div>
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Friday 17th March 2017</div>
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Cert: PG / Dir.: Bill Condon</div>
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"An adaptation of the Disney fairy tale about a monstrous-looking prince and a young woman who fall in love."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pnkgw6pAKkM?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>GET OUT</b></div>
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Friday 17th March 2017</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: Jordan Peele</div>
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"A young African-American man visits his Caucasian girlfriend's mysterious family estate."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DzfpyUB60YY?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>PERSONAL SHOPPER</b></div>
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Friday 17th March 2017</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: Oliver Assayas</div>
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"Revolves around a ghost story that takes place in the fashion underworld of Paris."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N2C0126vb8Q?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>THE SALESMAN</b></div>
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Friday 17th March 2017</div>
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Cert.: 12A / Dir.: Asghar Farhadi</div>
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"Forushande (The Salesman) is the story of a couple whose relationship begins to turn sour during their performance of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r-61yYjKHHc?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>THE LOST CITY OF Z</b></div>
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Friday 24th March 2017</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: James Gray</div>
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"A true-life drama, centering on British explorer Col. Percival Fawcett, who disappeared while searching for a mysterious city in the Amazon in the 1920s."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OUNKEmVz3Q4?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>FREE FIRE</b></div>
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Friday 31st March 2017</div>
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Cert.: 15 / Dir.: Ben Wheatley</div>
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"Set in Boston in 1978, a meeting in a deserted warehouse between two gangs turns into a shootout and a game of survival."
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oDD3I0uOlqY?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
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Yet again I've struggled to keep my film recommendations for the month under 10, but never mind: there are way too many gems to miss in March!<br />
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I've already seen <i>Trespass Against Us</i> and <i>Free Fire</i>, and would heartily recommend both, and I already have my ticket booked for <i>Beauty and the Beast</i> so I'm already pretty pumped for March. <i>Elle, Certain Women</i> and <i>Personal Shopper</i> have been on my calendar for months too, so if I manage to catch them before the month is up I'll be happy!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-31426485144963576272017-03-01T18:23:00.001+00:002017-03-01T18:23:49.978+00:00Quarter-Life Crisis Challenge: March 2017Limiting my social media usage has been hard but so, so worth it.<br />
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<b>FEBRUARY UPDATE</b></div>
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I knew from the minute I decided upon February's challenge that it was going to be difficult for me. Over the last few months I'd slipped into the awful habit of absentmindedly checking various social media channels pretty much constantly throughout the day, such that my sleep and mental health were suffering as a result. Cutting back on scrolling seemed like the perfect plan, and while it's been even harder than I anticipated it's been eye-opening and well worth the challenge.<br />
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It scares me how much these habits were ingrained on my subconscious. Multiple times throughout the month I had to physically stop myself from refreshing the twitter app, or I found myself scrolling through Instagram without really paying any attention to what I was doing before I would shake myself and forcibly put my phone down. I hate that obsessing over social media was just second nature to me and checking various apps all day was virtually my default setting. By challenging myself to limit my exposure to them, it meant I had a little voice in my head constantly telling me to reach for a book, go for a walk, or speak to another human being instead of having my phone glued to my hand. Signing up for email updates from my favourite websites helped enormously too as I've managed to read all the articles I need to see during my morning email check, rather than discovering them in dribs and drabs over the entire day. While there were a number of days where I well and truly failed and found myself scrolling well into the night when I should have been asleep, the large majority of the month was a resounding success.<br />
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I'm now extraordinarily conscious of any time I spend on my phone looking at anything other than texts, my crossword app or my emails. I'm going to continue to limit the time spent on my phone during the day - and maybe even try and be stricter - as I feel much better for it. All in all, I've found ways to cope with less social media, and am all the better for it. I've had no FOMO at all, and in fact found I didn't remotely miss or care about what I didn't see. As far as I'm concerned, that's a success!<br />
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<i>(gold stars - reading / silver dots - film / green dots - saving money / green stars - workouts / silver stars - brain-training / blue dots - learning / blue stars - yoga / red stars - social media)</i></div>
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As usual my film watching has be exemplary this month (including pulling an all nighter for the Oscars); I frantically finished reading <i>SS-GB</i> before the series started on BBC One last Sunday; I have an unbroken 28 day completed crossword streak; and I've been saving money. I just need to restart my cross-stitch and I'll be keeping up most of these challenges!<br />
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<b>MARCH PLANS</b></div>
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Most people are under the impression that I'm super organised. While I definitely am at work, at home it's a different matter entirely. I'm a sucker for spreadsheets, labels, and a beautifully organised filing cabinet more than most normal people, but at home everything falls apart a little and my life feels like semi-organised chaos. As such, I want to spend March treating home like work, and attempting to spread that level of military-grade organisation to my home-life. At home I find it impossible to stick to any form of schedule, and I'd like to rectify that.<br />
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I'll be working out a timetable of sorts and doing my best to stick to it, by planning my days in advance with my colour-coded calendar so I can slot in workouts, learning and events. I also have a to do list longer than my arm of files and papers that need sorting through so I'll include them too in the month's challenge. Hopefully in 31 days I'll be much more organised in a myriad of ways!<br />
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So, 30 days of organisation...go!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-59363047335273470612017-02-28T18:44:00.000+00:002017-02-28T18:44:36.485+00:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 140There's not much to report this week (unfortunately)...<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I've finally accepted that things aren't going to plan with this recovery, and it's not the end of the world. Upon reflection, I don't think it's too bad at all. I could be (and to be fair I always anticipated that I would be) in a much worse position than I am in now, so I can't really complain too much. I've made peace with the situation and that's that. Life is moving on and thank goodness for that!</div>
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As I mentioned last week, I'm getting back to normal as much as possible. I've started exercising properly, incorporating circuits with daily hour-long walks and a session on my exercise bike. I feel much better for it! The plan's been a little derailed since the weekend after pulling an all-nighter for the Oscars, but once my sleep schedule is back on track I'll be putting on my trainers and getting back to it. I'm still feeling a little bit like a zombie at the moment, so fingers crossed this exhausted fog lifts soon!</div>
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Aside from the above, I don't really have much more to add... I'm being stricter with my diet again, and successfully gave up chocolate for all of February. I found it pretty easy to do (mainly because I don't really eat it any way) so I'm most likely going to carry on with it into March. Hopefully I'll keep it up like my tea and coffee ban, which has been going strong for over 10 months. I'm very black and white when it comes to food, so I think cutting out things I don't <i>need</i> to be eating wouldn't do me much harm at all. In some cases I don't trust myself to merely cut down or limit portions as I'm terrified that even by eating the smallest amount I'll trigger my bingeing again, so it's much easier just to avoid them all together. I'm going to set new boundaries for March and see where it takes me: if anything, I really like the challenge.</div>
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EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-68022630490021475552017-02-26T18:25:00.001+00:002017-02-26T18:28:15.300+00:00The Ciné File: February 2017I love the cinema during awards season.<br />
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<b><u>CINEMAS</u></b></div>
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<b><i>MOONLIGHT - 5*</i></b></div>
<i>Moonlight</i> is a remarkable example of filmmaking and an absolute triumph. It's astonishingly moving, beautifully made and is without a shadow of a doubt an instant classic (and more than worthy of taking home the Best Picture Oscar this evening even though it's sadly unlikely to topple the musical behemoth <i>La La Land</i>). Kudos must be given to casting director Yesi Ramirez for ensuring that the 3 versions of protagonist Chiron are so alike that you'd be forgiven for thinking director Barry Jenkins did a <i>Boyhood</i> and filmed it over a number of years and not merely 45 days.<br />
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<b><i>THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE - 4*</i></b></div>
To say that this film is amazing would be a major understatement. I feel like I haven't left the cinema with an ear-to-ear grin and the instant desire to run straight back in and watch the film again in over a year, but I had to physically drag myself from the cinema after <i>The Lego Batman Movie</i>. Oh man, it's fantastic. The jokes fly thick and fast, it's richly detailed with characters both big and small from the DC comics and the animation is phenomenal. It's utterly joyous and a wonder for both children and adults alike: what a winning combination!<br />
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<b><i>GOLD - 2*</i></b></div>
The McConaissance has ended. <i>Gold</i> desperately wants to be awards-worthy with McConaughey's transformation, the real-life inspiration and Stephen Gaghan at the helm, but it's patchy at best, with irritating characters and a limp, boring storyline.<br />
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<i><b>LA LA LAND - 5* </b></i></div>
Oh, <i>La La Land</i>. Thanks to its phenomenal success throughout this awards season (it's poised for further gold statues at the Oscars this weekend) the backlash has began but my opinion hasn't changed: it's a whimsical ode to classic Hollywood, with catchy songs and such utterly dreamy cinematography you'll leave with an enormous smile on your face. Even non-musical fans will adore it and with good reason.
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N.B. I saw it for the third time in IMAX, and while I didn't really notice too much of a difference it did enhance the music terrifically.<br />
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<b><i>LOVING - 3*</i></b></div>
The quiet, understated nature of <i>Loving</i> is clearly what has garnered it so much praise over the last few months and led to a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Ruth Negga, and while it's beautifully made it's these very qualities that make it - dare I say it - rather boring. It's an extraordinarily unshowy film for such a remarkable true story, and as the tensions build wonderfully throughout, there are no traditionally dramatic scenes and the climax falls a little flat. Unfortunately, despite the calibre of the performances and the importance of the subject matter at hand, it's an entirely forgettable film.<br />
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<b><i>TONI ERDMANN - 3*</i></b></div>
The hype for this three-hour German comedy has been almost as overwhelming as that for <i>La La Land</i>, and as such I made a special trip to a cinema 30 miles away to see it. I must have missed something as I didn't find it funny at all. The excruciating embarrassment inflicted on Ines (Sandra Hüller) by her practical-joke loving father Winfried (Peter Simonischek) had the audience cringing - and rightfully so as it was masterfully done - but the comedic elements were not as prevalent as I'd been led to believe. That being said, it definitely doesn't warrant the American remake that's recently been announced: I may not have enjoyed it, but the European charm is what makes <i>Toni Erdmann</i> so special.<br />
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<b><i>BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALF TIME WALK - 3*</i></b></div>
The dizzying combination of director Ang Lee, British newcomer Joe Alwyn and a film shot with 120 frames per second had me intrigued from the onset, but sadly <i>Billy Lynn</i> doesn't quite deliver. It's been shut out from awards season discussions, and having now seen it the decision makes sense: it doesn't quite have the emotional heft required to actually make an impact. The half time scenes are electrifying, but the flashbacks lack depth.<br />
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<b><i>FENCES - 4*</i></b></div>
One of the best innovations recently has to be NT Live, where theatre (mostly West End) productions are beamed live into cinemas around the world. Therefore the misconception that theatre is inaccessible to the masses is refuted, and while nothing beats seeing a performance first-hand in the theatre, live broadcasts are a godsend for sold out or expensive shows. <i>Fences</i> felt like an NT Live screening, and not at all like a film. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, however, as the theatricality of the movie only enhanced its strengths, but this may be off-putting for those who dislike theatre. It's powerful, and Viola Davis, in particular, shines in a leading role (it's definitely not supporting: she would have had a plausible shot at winning in the lead category).<br />
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<b><i>THE FOUNDER - 3*</i></b></div>
It seems rather timely to have a film hitting cinemas that charts the rise of an unscrupulous American who rose to achieve fame and fortune while standing on the shoulders of better, more worthy men before him. Keaton does a terrific job as the simultaneously pathetic and ambitious Ray Kroc and he really got under my skin - I absolutely hated Kroc by the end of the film. He's backed up by a stellar cast in a film that somehow makes the growth of a fast food empire interesting.<br />
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<b><u>SKY CINEMA</u></b></div>
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<b><i>DADDY'S HOME - 2*</i></b></div>
It's never going to be remembered as a career highlight for Farrell or Wahlberg, but there of a couple of laughs along the way that stop it from being a complete disaster.<br />
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<b><i>JOHN WICK - 3*</i></b></div>
The first time I saw <i>John Wick</i> I only managed the first 15 minutes due to a fire alarm going off in the cinema and management deciding to abandon the rest of the screening once the fire brigade had left. It's taken this long for me to sit down and watch the entire film, and it does not disappoint. While the premise is nothing new at all, the action is sublime, visceral and self-assured, and makes for incredibly enjoyable watching.<br />
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<b><i>HOW TO BE SINGLE - 3*</i></b></div>
In a similar vein to <i>John Wick</i> above, <i>How to be Single</i> doesn't offer anything fresh to the genre, but it's harmless enough and worth a watch all the same. The charming cast do what they can with the script but there are too many underdeveloped and mis-used characters inhabiting loosely connected storylines for it to be revered as a truly good romantic comedy. However, there are a number of laughs, the soundtrack is excellent and it paints New York in a gorgeous light (albeit done millions of times before and much more successfully by other directors).<br />
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<b><i>DEADPOOL - 4*</i></b></div>
Having boasted one of the best PR campaigns of 2016 (and <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/publicists-guild-awards-deadpool-hailed-as-best-pr-campaign-nanci-ryder-gets-massive-ovation-97">recently being honoured</a> for it), steadfastly not compromising on comic book material in order to appeal to a family-friendly audience, and a cheeky fourth-wall breaking protagonist, it's no surprise that <i>Deadpool</i> was one of the surprise hits of last year. It's filthy, foul-mouthed and enormous fun. I rarely say this, but I'm actually looking forward to the sequel. Bring on Deadpool 2!<br />
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<b><i>12 YEARS A SLAVE - 5*</i></b></div>
Steve McQueen crafted a masterpiece with <i>12 Years a Slave</i>, and with stand out performances from Lupita Nyong'o, Michael Fassbender and lead Chiwetel Ejiofor it makes for harrowing and impressive viewing.<br />
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<b><i>A ROYAL AFFAIR - 4*</i></b></div>
Before Alicia Vikander dominated cinemas in 2015/6 she shone in sumptuous Danish historical drama <i>A Royal Affair </i>(for which she remarkably learnt Danish from scratch in a matter of months). It's highly polished account of a lesser-known period of Danish history - to the rest of the world - where a passionate love affair between the young Queen Caroline and her physician essentially brought about the Age of Enlightenment in 18th century Denmark. It's beautifully made without getting held down by the details.<br />
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<b><i>LEGALLY BLONDE - 4*</i></b></div>
It's a classic. I don't need to say any more.<br />
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I think February's been pretty successful, and there's still a few days to go! I have a list of films to see in cinemas in March, but I'd love suggestions for hidden gems to be found on the likes of Netflix, Amazon and Sky. Do let me know if there's a film I simply must see - I'll watch anything except horror, so send suggestions my way!EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012270554387990982.post-7537752383762136202017-02-21T18:34:00.001+00:002017-02-21T18:36:35.602+00:00Transformation Tuesday: Week 139I said it would take another viewing of <i>The Lego Batman Movie</i> to sort my head out and I was right. Thanks, Batman!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Safe to say, I'm feeling a lot better than this time last week. My appointment on Thursday came at just the right time, and while my surgeon was in a much better mood he merely confirmed - this time thankfully in more detail - that there's nothing he can do at the moment and I just have to live with an open wound. Apparently it's just going to take time to heal and the only course of action is to cover it with breathable dressings and relieve the pressure on it (i.e. going braless) as much as possible. As frustrating as this is, I'm a lot more content with the situation as I think he's now much more aware of how upset it's making me and as such is keeping more of an eye on me. I'm good at putting on a brave face for the 15 minutes I'm in the hospital and not truly letting on how much everything's getting me down, but this time I think the message came across loud and clear.<br />
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I had a long chat with one of the nurses too, and have come to the conclusion that there's no need to keep acting so cautiously. I've been putting certain things off, believing that by waiting a few more weeks I'll ensure that the healing process is quicker and more successful. However she basically told me that as this may (will) take months, getting back to normal is most likely my best bet. I may prolong the healing, but what's a few weeks when it's going to take months anyway?<br />
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As such, I've started properly exercising this week, on top of my daily hour-long power walks and being ill. I'm taking it easy and not pushing myself too much for now, but even so, stairs today were a nightmare after my first workout in months and I'm hobbling a little after using muscles I'd forgotten I had. No pain, no gain...<br />
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EForthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08831639412572455231noreply@blogger.com0