Best of 2011

1) Kill the Irishman
2) Limitless
3) Source Code
4) The Adjustment Bureau

Andra noterbara filmer:

Hanna
Paul
Rango
Rio
The Mechanic

The Mechanic

Titel: The Mechanic
Genre: Action/Kriminaldrama/Thriller
Land: USA
År: 2011
Regi: Simon West
I rollerna: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Donald Sutherland, Tony Goldwyn

Handling: Arthur Bishop är en "mekaniker" - en elitmördare med en strikt kod och unik talang för att eliminera mål diskret. Det är ett jobb som kräver professionell perfektion och total avskildhet, och Bishop är den bästa i branschen. Men när hans mentor och nära vän Harry dör, får han lära upp Harrys son Steve vilket får konsekvenser.

Omdöme: En remake på filmen med samma namn från 1972 med Charles Bronson. Ja, det är inte lätt att gå i Bronsons fotspår, i princip omöjligt faktiskt. Jason Statham får axla rollen som Bishop som får lära upp Steve (Ben Foster) som efter sin faders död vill använda sin aggression till något vettigt. Bishop får olika uppdrag att döda farliga och oftast mäktiga kriminella av sin arbetsgivare, många gånger så det ser ut som olyckor. Men vad händer när arbetsgivaren vänder sig emot honom ?



Filmen håller ganska bra standard rakt igenom. Det är inte den där meningslösa och hjärndöda actionfilmen man sett så många gånger förr. Kanske är det för att man har en bra grund att jobba med som man hade i originalet. Sen tycker jag kombinationen Jason Statham och Ben Foster fungerar helt ok, där den senare är den bättre skådespelaren. Man får gott om actionscener och en story som fungerar för det mesta. Kanske att någon actionscen blir lite överdriven mot slutet, men inget man stör sig på så där nämnvärt. Slutet är likt originalet vilket givetvis fungerar bättre om man inte sett den innan.

3 - Skådespelare
3 - Handling
3 - Känsla
3 - Musik
3 - Foto
--------------
15 - Totalt

Betyg:
IMDb: 6.7

Due Date

Titel: Due Date
Genre: Komedi
Land: USA
År: 2010
Regi: Todd Phillips
I rollerna: Robert Downey Jr, Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx

Handling: Peter Highman, som väntar barn om fem dagar, försöker förtvivlat hinna med ett plan hem för att vara med på sitt första barns födelse. Hans planer blir dessvärre helt omkullkastade när han stöter på den aspirerande skådespelaren Ethan Tremblay. Han tvingas göra resan med bil tillsammans med Ethan som går tvärs igenom USA och som kommer testa Peters nerver till det yttersta.

Omdöme: Det första jag tänker på när jag sitter och tittar på filmen är hur mycket de tagit från härliga 80-tals komedin Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987). Som tur är är det ingen remake och likheterna blir allt mindre längre in i filmen. Humorn fungerar så där för egen del. Det finns vissa partier där jag drar lite på mungipan och som jag finner humorn i. Men det är helt enkelt inte tillräckligt roligt för att jag ska uppskatta det här.



Kombinationen Robert Downey Jr och Zach Galifianakis fungerar väl så där. De två drar ett stort lass och klarar inte riktigt av att bära upp filmen. Den senare har mer att jobba med och känns ganska komfortabel i rollen. En film som man egentligen bara ska koppla bort hjärnan till och njuta av, men den känns faktiskt ganska trist bortsett från några smågrejer som fungerar. Regissören Todd Phillips gjorde annars den av många hyllade The Hangover (2009) och gillar man den väldigt mycket antar jag att man även gillar denna. Den var dock klassen bättre.

3 - Skådespelare
2 - Handling
2 - Känsla
3 - Musik
3 - Foto
--------------
13 - Totalt

Betyg:
IMDb: 6.8

Rounders

Titel: Rounders - sista spelet
Genre: Drama/Kriminalare
Land: USA
År: 1998
Regi: John Dahl
I rollerna: Matt Damon, Edward Norton, John Malkovich, John Turturro, Famke Janssen, Martin Landau

Handling: Mike McDermott är en juridikstuderande pokerhaj som efter att ha förlorat hela sin förmögenhet till ryssen kallad Teddy KGB beslutar sig för att lägga korten åt sidan och satsa på flickvännen. Det går bra tills hans kompis Worm släpps ut från fängelset och snabbt behöver få ihop pengar till en fruktad lånehaj.

Omdöme: När jag satte mig ner för att se denna film trodde jag det skulle vara en ganska så lättsam film om pokerspelande. Men det visar sig vara en både välgjord och ganska så seriös film med bl.a. bra prestationer. Matt Damon är juridikstuderande Mike "McD" McDermott som efter att ha spelat bort alla sina pengar kastar korten och satsar på sina studier och sin flickvän. Men så fort hans bästa vän Lester "Worm" Murphy (Edward Norton) släpps från fängelset tar spelandet fart på nytt vilket äventyrar hans förhållande med flickvännen och påverkar studierna.



Bra pokerfilmer brukar jag gilla, så även denna. Det är inte det att jag gillar poker, men görs det bra (och är storyn bra) så blir man lätt indragen. Och även om det givetvis handlar mycket om poker, så fokuserar inte filmen på att visa en massa kortspelande där man ska lära sig eller visa tricks. Istället är det storyn runt omkring som man lagt ner tid på vilket gör det till en bra och sevärd film. Att man sedan valt rätt skådespelare för de olika rollerna gör inte saken sämre.



Damon och Norton gör vad man förväntar sig av dem, två bra skådespelare som fungerar bra tillsammans. Damon har den lugnare och mer tänkande karaktären medan Norton har en karaktär som tar mer risker och inte direkt tänker sig för. Skönast är dock John Malkovich som ryssen Teddy KGB som lätt hade kunnat bli en jobbig och överdriven karaktär, men en duktig skådespelare som Malkovich får verkligen ut det mesta. Även kul med veteranen Martin Landau i en biroll som kanske inte gör så mycket väsen av sig, men är alltid stabil. Ett plus också till musiken och att man aldrig låter storyn spåra ur.



4 - Skådespelare
4 - Handling
4 - Känsla
4 - Musik
3 - Foto
--------------
19 - Totalt

Betyg:
IMDb: 7.3

3 Products I Have Been Loving Lately...

After reading Holly's post here about the brand new Batiste range of dry shampoos with a hint of colour, I knew I had to try it out because visible roots are the bain of my life!  My roots are ok until about 5-6 weeks after I have had my hair highlighted but because I tend to get a full head done every 7 weeks, I always have that period when my eyes are drawn to my dark roots every time I look in the mirror. 

So really, it's about time they created a product that's easy to use, effective and affordable.  The product comes in three shades:

Light: Blondes

Medium: Rich Brunettes & fiery Auburn

Dark: deep/darker shades of brown/black

I love this product because not only does it disguise my roots in the couple of weeks leading up to my hair appointment but it also injects much needed volume into my roots.  It's easy peasy to use, you just section off your hair, shake the can well, hold it 30cm away from your roots, rub in and you're good to go!  The instructions do say to brush it through but I didn't feel the need to do that.

They are priced at a very reasonable £2.99 at Boots.  I did have trouble finding the Light shade and had to look around a few stores to find it but always ask if they have some in their store room as I know Boots have alot of products in the back so sometimes they just need a reminder that it's not on the shelf!

Two warnings to pay attention to regarding this product are:

•  Don't spray it near any dark or black clothing...it will coat it in a powdery residue!
• Try to shield/cover your forehead and sides of your face whilst spraying or you might end up with powdery residue on your makeup.

Another wonder product that I heard of from various Pixiwoo videos, was the Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream.  Now I have mentioned before that I often have to switch my skincare regime around to make sure my skin doesn't get too used to any one product.  I sometimes suffer from dry skin on and around my nose due to my Psoriasis and I also get dry patches in my hair line, hands and elbows.

This cream is fabulous as a night time treat for me.  Although it claims to be a great base for makeup, I did find it SLIGHTLY too heavy to apply under my makeup.  I basically slather my face in this at night and it completely obliterated the dry patches on my face overnight! Brilliant! I was extremely impressed by this.  I have been applying it to my elbows and hands and the dry skin there has improved dramatically although it may take slightly longer to clear up.

I got my one from Boots and it was priced at £7.65.

A perfume that I have been obsessed with recently is Armani Code for women...man, do I love the smell of this stuff!  It has a blend of Madagascar vanilla, a touch of honey and Sambac jasmine from India.  It's quite a warm, sensual perfume and I love to wear it at night time. 

I also love the bottle from the shape of it to the pretty floral design.  My usual perfumes are YSL Elle or Gucci II to give you an idea of what I usually go for.  You can get the 30ml spray from The Perfume Shop for £36.50.

What's your favourite perfume of the moment?  Have you tried the Batiste Dry Shampoo with a hint of colour?  What creams do you recommend for dry skin?

I am absolutely LOVING this Beyonce ('Why Don't You Love Me') makeup look Tanya did over at pixi2woo on YouTube:

It really makes me wish I could wear eyeliner on my lower lashline! But because of my deep-set eyes with dark under eye circles, this dictates what I can and can't wear.  In fact...I love all of Beyonce's makeup looks in the video and I like the retro 50's feel to it all:

Have there been any makeup looks in music videos that have caught your eye recently?

Of dogs and leftovers

            There was a woman of Syrian Phoenicia who lived with her little daughter in the area of Tyre and Sidon, on the Mediterranean seacoast (northwest of Galilee). She was a Gentile, which the Jewish population of Galilee considered to be of the canine persuasion, and of course, she was a woman, which was probably worse than a dirty dog. Both Jews and Gentiles were known to praise God that they hadn’t been created a woman or a beast. Today, there's a commonly-used insult for a female dog: a bitch.

            But what others thought of her didn’t daunt this woman. She was self-sufficient. Without a family to depend upon, she made a living for herself and her daughter. As a woman of Greek thinking, she was known for her intelligence, her quick answers, and she could be counted upon for lively, colorful conversation with her friends and business associates. She was even a kind mistress to family pets.

            But one thing she could not handle: her small daughter was mentally ill, or, as the people of that day believed, the girl was possessed by an evil spirit.The girl would fly into violent rages, scream obscenities, and hurt herself and others.

            News reports from travelers told the woman of a traveling Jewish teacher who had healed thousands of sick people across Judea and Galilee, that many people had touched just the fringe of his garment, and were healed. He had the power to cast out evil spirits. He had made a meal for five thousand men and their families, from just a few loaves of bread. People had considered taking him by force to make him their king in place of the evil Herod dynasty (who were Idumeans, not Jews). They followed Jesus incessantly, hoping for miracles of free food, or spectacular feats of magic.

            He told them several times not to work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life; that the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. It was said he’d been born in Beit Lehem, the House of Bread.  He declared that he was the Bread of Life. (John 6:25-59) But they weren’t interested in theology. They could think only of their stomachs.

            This teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, was on his way to Tyre to get some rest at the seaside. The Canaanite woman heard about it immediately, and set out to find him. She followed him “along the highway until she got on the disciples’ nerves and they begged Jesus to get rid of her. However, Jesus’ attitude was very different; he saw her as an individual and dealt with her in the way that she needed. He did not send her away but rather talked with her.” *

            She threw herself at his feet, and begged,

“Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.”

            Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

            He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

            The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

            He replied, “First let the children eat all they want, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”  (Matthew 15:22-28; Mark 7:24-30 NIV)

            The woman was not offended. She knew something of the Jews’ thinking, and she knew that Jesus was a descendant of King David. She understood that Jews considered her a foreigner, an outcast. She had seen wild, mangy curs fighting over scraps thrown to them. Well, she didn’t consider herself that  kind of animal, and knew that Jesus didn't, either!

            So she agreed with Jesus, to stay in conversation with him. “Yes, Lord,” she persisted, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs  that fall from their masters’ table.” She was thinking of the kind of beloved pet to whom masters did not toss scraps, but rather fed them leftover tidbits from the table. Children will often very willingly sacrifice their green beans or beets to a hungry, accepting dog below!

            She recognized that Jesus was not talking about discarding his influence, his power, or attention on a “mere” Gentile woman. He was assuredly not calling her a bitch. He used the word for little dog, or lap dog. He was talking about his ministry. “I am the bread of life,” he had said, and his own people did not understand. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If a man eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

            The woman had heard this story told, and she understood what bread Jesus was talking about in figurative terms.

            “She could understand that Jesus’ first responsibility was to Israel and that she therefore had no claim to him, but she wanted only a crumb and recognized that it was in his power to give it. Her reply showed intelligence and insight. Jesus rejoiced at her faith and granted her request.” *

            Then Jesus told here that she should go home, because the demon had left her daughter, who was now sleeping soundly and in health.

            The story of the Syro-phoenician woman of Tyre is “sandwiched” (so to speak) between the stories of the feeding of the five thousand, which represented Jesus’ ministry to the children of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the feeding of the four thousand, which represented his ministry to the Gentiles (the seven nations driven from Canaan by the conquering Israelites). Incredibly, in Mark 8:14, we can see that the disciples had forgotten to bring bread on their journey, even for themselves. After seeing thousands of people fed, after seeing Jesus walk on the water, and seeing and hearing his woman with her fast, clever reply about crumbs.

            Jesus has invited people, Jews and Gentiles, to become part of him—to partake of the bread of life, and be hungry no more.

            The woman went home satisfied and full, even with her crumbs. The teacher had spoken to her in what seemed to be esoteric terms, but she had interpreted his lesson correctly. And best of all, her beloved little daughter was free from illness. She could get on with her life, knowing that she would never be hungry again, having partaken, to the full, of the Bread of Life.

*Woman in the Bible, Mary J. Evans, Intervarsity Press, 1983

This article, by Christy K. Robinson, was published as "The Crumbs of Life" in ASM Bulletin, January 1990 

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