The build-up to the festive season typically sees the main streaming services bring out Christmas-themed movies, with mixed results. The Noel Diary is one of Netflix’s leading contenders for adding some romance to this time of year, but does it give us the feel-good factor we want from a Christmas movie? The Plot and Cast […]
The post The Noel Diary Review: Christmas Romance from Netflix appeared first on Movie Marker.
Images courtesy of Amazon Studios
Romantic comedies so often rely on the classic “Meet Cute” circumstance to get their movies rolling. There’s not a darn thing wrong with that tendency. If anything, that catalyst of charm is almost a must for the genre. The screenwriter needs that plot point typed out to the letter more than scribbled on a cocktail napkin or Post-It note. The great ones have that detail down and nail it. Amazon’s new holiday-set rom-com Something From Tiffany’s has a shade of an odd “Meet Cute,” but it gets the energy right.
Two men are shopping at Tiffany & Co. looking for a sock-knocking Christmas gift for their long-time girlfriends. The first is the single father and semi-successful author Ethan Greene (Kelvin Sampson of Miss Juneteenth) who has returned to New York after several years in Los Angeles with his teenage daughter Daisy (Beast’s Leah Jeffries). He’s here to pick out an engagement ring for Vanessa (Shay Mitchell of TV’s Pretty Little Liars), the woman who has stepped in after the death of Daisy’s mother.
The other gentleman is the disorganized and struggling tattoo artist Gary Wilson (Ray Nicholson of Licorice Pizza and, yes, he’s the son of Jack). He’s just looking for a “reasonable” pair of earrings for his bakery owner main squeeze Rachel Meyer (the headlining Zoey Deutch). After the two men bump into each other, Gary is clipped by a taxi and sent to the hospital. The kindly Ethan meets the plucky Rachel at the hospital when he and Daisy inquire about Gary, and the twinkling begins. The strangers have their moment and depart.
LESSON #1: BRAND RECOGNITION IS STRONG– Pausing for a bit, the brand recognition in Something at Tiffany’s is front and center. Men and women know that particular luxury jewelry store’s sterling reputation. No one, other than maybe Gary, shops there for less than the best. Folks see that soft blue-colored bag, the wedding bells start ringing, and the assumptions begin. The questions of marital readiness flutter like crazy, a thought not lost on Rachel when she spots a little Tiffany’s box among Gary’s belongings coming home from the hospital.
LESSON #2: PRESENT THE CONUNDRUM– That’s all well and good until Christmas morning. Rachel opens her box to receive a stunning round-cut diamond solitaire ring while Vanessa gets the ho-hum earrings. Somewhere in the ruckus of shopping and accidents, a bag switcheroo occurred between Gary and Ethan. Both men, naturally, are floored, and not for the same reasons as their respective girlfriends. Ethan’s pickle is far worse than Gary’s, and the only person he knows to seek out is Rachel at her bakery and pop-up locations in Little Italy.
LESSON #3: ADMIT TO HONEST MISTAKES AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS– This is where intentional imperfections of the “Meet Cute” setup come into play in Something From Tiffany’s. A composed and sensible person would tell the truth to their significant other and admit to a simple misunderstanding of no harm/no foul. They wouldn’t try to save face, take the cowardice route, and run with lies that compound and get worse. But that’s real-life logic. Movie logic needs a conflict for Cupid to shoot with his arrows, so off we go.
LESSON #4: BE CUTE– If this writer may offer a little extra advice to romantic comedy screenwriters, it would be to add a “Be Cute” quotient to their films. What is meant by that is having more substantive character details beyond the simple draw of beautiful people falling for other beautiful people. You need more than pristine smiles and a manicured wardrobe. You need fuller people.
In Zoey Deutch and Kelvin Sampson, the “Meet Cute” is enhanced by the lift of the “Be Cute.” You root for these two characters more for their meshed personalities than the locking draw of their mutual dreamy eyes. This is where valuable warmth beats plain old hotness, especially in Zoey Deutch, who is an effervescent delight as a love interest wise enough to seek a heart in the right place embodied by Sampson.
Screenwriter Tamara Chestna (Sneakerella), drawing from Melissa Hill’s novel, gives the main characters of Something From Tiffany’s a little more stuffing between their ears and earnestness between their ribs. Chestna fleshed out an able widower single father and female business owner both with reasonably low melodrama. Moreover, the two leads are fully aware of their larger adult responsibilities taking precedence over the usual dalliance of tossing everything away for love. In doing so, the comedy is smarter and more honest as well. Thanks to Terri, a scene-stealing best friend of Rachel’s played by Fresh’s Jojo T. Gibbs, good attitudes win over surly low-hanging fruit. Even the few s-words dropped aren’t enough to push it past PG, which is a welcome trait.
Those layers, baked in by director Daryl Wein (How It Ends), present a small, but very commendable maturity and restraint from the norm. Characters with tangible messiness about them are still pausing to think with their heart and head equally. That relatability brings about romantic possibilities in Something From Tiffany’s that spark with stronger potential connections than the short burst of superficial fireworks based on mere looks. Enjoy that little diversion on Amazon Prime.
LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED (#1083)
from Review Blog https://ift.tt/sv0On57
Vaping has become a popular way to consume nicotine, especially among people trying to quit smoking cigarettes. There are many different brands and types of vape pens on the market, but HHC offers a unique product designed for people trying to quit smoking. HHC vape pens use a unique blend of ingredients that help to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, the pens are designed to provide a smooth and satisfying vaping experience. The sleek design and easy-to-use interface make HHC vape pens an appealing option for anyone seeking an alternative to smoking cigarettes.
https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/07/31/22/10/vaping-3576049__340.jpg
The answer to how long the HHC vape pen lasts depends on how frequently you use it. You can expect about two to three hours of use out of a single charge if you are a heavy user. However, if you are a light user, you can get up to eight hours of use out of a single charge. In terms of how many charges the vape pen can hold, it depends on the size of the battery. The larger the battery, the more charges it can hold. However, even with a small battery, you should be able to get at least a few hundred charges out of your vape pen before it needs to be replaced.
As any vaper knows, proper storage of your vape pen is essential to maintaining the potency of your product. When these vape pens are exposed to light and heat, it begins to break down, reducing the product's potency. For this reason, storing your HHC vape pen in a cool, dark place is essential. This will help preserve your product's quality and keep it potent for longer.
There are a few different ways you can go about this. One option is to purchase a storage case designed explicitly for vape pens. These cases typically have padding to protect your pen from impact and are lined with materials that block out light. Another option is to put your pen in a box or drawer away from windows and direct sunlight. Whatever method you choose, keep your pen in a cool, dark place for maximum potency.
One of the best ways to store HHC vape pens for maximum potency is to not store them in the fridge or freezer. The reason for this is that HHC is a molecule that is very sensitive to temperature changes. When it gets cold, the molecule changes shape and becomes less potent. Therefore, by storing your vape pen in a cool, dark place, you can help to preserve its potency. In addition, keeping your vape pen away from heat sources such as direct sunlight or a hot car is essential. Heat can also damage the HHC molecule, making it less effective. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your vape pen will be at its best when you need it.
Storing the cartridge and battery separately is one of the best ways to store HHC vape pens for maximum potency. By keeping the two pieces separate, you can avoid the degradation of the THC compound. In addition, it helps to keep the pen clean and free of residue buildup. Store the battery in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The ideal temperature for storing cannabis cartridges is between 4-8°C. Permanently remove the mouthpiece to prevent leakage and keep your pen upright to avoid spillage when not in use. Store your pen in a cool, dark place like a drawer or cabinet. Please keep it away from heat sources such as an oven, stove, or dehydrator.
One of the best ways to store your HHC vape pen for maximum potency is to replace the cartridge regularly. The HHC in the pen will degrade over time, making it less effective. By replacing the cartridge, you'll ensure you're getting the most potent dose of the compound possible. There are a few different ways to replace the cartridge. You can buy a new one from a dispensary or grow your own. If you grow your own, you'll need to extract the compound from the plant material. This can be done using a solvent such as an isopropyl alcohol or carbon dioxide. Once you've extracted the oil, you can add it to a new cartridge and screw it onto your pen.
The best way to keep your HHC Vape pen working correctly is to use it regularly. This means you need to have a healthy supply of e-liquid and regularly clean the device. When it comes to e-liquid, it's essential to choose a high-quality option that is designed for use with HHC devices. The company offers its e-liquids, which are available in various flavors. If you're looking for an alternative, many other reputable brands make e-liquids specifically for use with HHC products. In terms of cleaning the device, it's also essential to do this regularly. A good rule of thumb is to clean the tank and atomizer after every few uses. This will help prevent buildup and ensure that the device works properly. Finally, store the device in a cool, dry place when not in use. Doing so will help extend its lifespan and keep it working correctly for years.
When it comes time to store your HHC vape pen, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind. First, be sure to store it in a cool, dry place - excessive heat or moisture can damage delicate electronics and shorten the lifespan of your pen. Second, if you're not using a carrying case, keep the pen in a safe place where it won't get knocked around or crushed - the last thing you want is for your pen to break before you even get a chance to use it. Finally, check the battery level regularly and charge it as needed - a dead battery is no good to anyone. By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your HHC vape pen will be ready to go when needed.
from Review Blog https://ift.tt/lu4OGAL
We asked Marina Staver, a personal chef Miami with 17 years of dining experience, to suggest a wedding menu and average wedding catering costs for popular movies. We were surprised not only by her comments and her story, which could have been made into a romantic movie. This story was recently published on her website.
“I wondered what if I were hired as a private chef by the characters in these movies. What kind of wedding catering www.thestaver.com menu would I offer them?”
First, we eat with our eyes, and only then do we want to enjoy the taste of the food. As a private chef, I always pay attention to how food is portrayed in movies. Occupation, after all, affects our perception of our surroundings.
I have good experience in catering for weddings. When couples hire a chef for a dinner party, there are couples who know right away what they want, and there are couples who need some advice.
Many movies show in detail the bride’s dress and the interior, but the wedding reception is left out of the picture. And this is one of the most essential details of such an event. Delicious food and drink will leave a pleasant aftertaste. It will be as long remembered as the bride’s wedding dress.
A light, refreshing beverage as a welcome drink will be perfect on this hot wedding day. Raw bar decorated with exotic flowers near the seashore. Your guest will never forget this day, even if the rest of the wedding day is hazy. The average cost of this wedding will start from $350 and depends on the number of guests.
As an experienced private chef for dinner parties, I always have samples for guests. During the meeting, we can discuss the food costs and the bride and groom’s preferences.
Cocktail Hour: Royal Blue Cocktail or Malibu Bay Breeze
Hors D’oeuvres: Cheese Pizza with ground Coffee, Feta Watermelon Cubes
Dinner Buffet: Raw Bar and Chilled Jumbo Shrimp
Dessert Station: Summer Grilled Fruit with Ice Cream
This couple would never agree to traditional wedding catering services with many guests. Such a bride and groom perceive the wedding as something intimate. For such a couple I have a suggestion to book a private chef dinner for two. So, they get excellent food service without additional fees. No need to worry about the guest count.
It is a good beginning of new wedding traditions to invite a personal chef for a dinner party just for two. It is a true pleasure to taste luxury delicious meals and drinks at home, no need to rush.
First Appetizer: Goat Cheese-Dipped Grapes with Cashew Nuts
Second Appetizer: Grilled Eggplant with Artichokes and grilled Pineapples
Main Course: Rare Roast Beef with Cranberry Sauce
Dessert: Sponge Cake with Coffee
If the main characters had searched for “wedding catering near me” right after the engagement, instead of listening to their parents. Then tomorrow we would have discussed the cost of a private chef and menu with them. In general, this movie is a perfect example of how newlyweds listen to themselves, without regard to tradition or society’s opinion.
At their wedding, I would have served both fish in white sauce and grilled meat at once, so that the guests could also make their choice. Cocktail hour for guests will be a good start and a modern way for a private dinner party. The cost of wedding catering will start from $250 without drinks.
Welcome Drinks: Aperol Spritz or Fresh Fruit Juice
Appetizers: Prosciutto Asparagus Puff Pastry Spirals, Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Dinner Buffet: Chicken Stuffed with Spinach, Grilled Fish with Truffle White Sauce, and Mozzarella Bar
Dessert: Mini Coconut Cream Pies with Peaches
This type of girl plans everything in advance and to the smallest detail. She understands wedding planning well. Just after the engagement, she will be looking for the best wedding catering services. Such a bride already knows what she wants: royal taste and reach color, wine pairing to a plated meal.
I recommend Caprese skewers, and bruschetta as a quick and easy appetizer, and the main dish is fettuccine with salmon in cream sauce. At such a wedding, a beautiful serving of plated dinner will be especially appreciated.
Hors d’oeuvres: Caprese Skewers, and Bruschetta with Cherry Tomato
Appetizers: Spring Green Salad with Tangerines and Pine Nuts
Main Course: Smoked Salmon with ground Coffee or Chicken in Coffee Sauce
Dessert: Vanilla Cheesecake with Blueberries
Guests at a big family-style wedding usually like to sing and dance. That means they like to eat good food, too. I was thinking about something Italian or Mexican. To feed large groups I would recommend setting up a buffet-style taco station and open bar.
A wedding venue near the ocean with music and dances whets the appetite. So, the wedding caterers will have to work hard. In my company Marina Staver, we have catered to more than one such wedding.
Welcome Drinks: Grapefruit Sangria, Mojito with Strawberry
Cold Buffet: Taco Bar with Basial Pesto, Fresh Vegetable Bar, and Miniature Cheeseburgers
Hot Buffet: Chilli con Carne, Spinach Lasagne
Dessert: Chocolate Covered Fruits (strawberry, pineapple, mango, kiwi)
Every wedding is unique, and the bride and groom want this big day to be memorable for them. Remember, the food at your wedding is also part of the atmosphere and good vibe.
from Review Blog https://ift.tt/ZJRCBAM
This week, I was invited to join fellow film critic and longtime collaborator Aaron White on an FF+ episode of the Feelin’ Film Podcast. The topic was presenting unheralded hidden gem movie recommendations that people could stream at home to close out 2022. Over the years, the digital storefront has grown cinema in many directions, and there are some excellent films waiting for audience discovery. Aaron and I each presented five picks. These are sure to fill your watchlists! Find more from FF in their Feelin’ Film Facebook Group and Twitter-verse! Enjoy the show!
Full Episode Page JOIN THE FEELIN' FILM PODCAST FACEBOOK GROUP
LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED
from Review Blog https://ift.tt/a31jxZ2
There is nothing like the way that casinos look at the movies. From the moment our main characters step foot onto the casino floor, it’s all about the glitz and glamour, the high stakes, and the high style. And once the games begin, we all hold our breath as our silver screen gamblers pin everything on one final make or break play that could (at least in some movies) be the literal death of them. Of course, we all know that real life casinos are not exactly like that.
Anyone who has ever popped along to their local casino on a Saturday night will tell you that there can be a bit of a distance between the version that we see at the movies and the version that you have to share with other people. No matter how much effort you put into getting dressed up, there are always going to be some rowdy college students on a big night out, or some old guy breathing down your neck as you try to decide your next move. Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you can recreate your favorite casino movies at home. Here are a few tips to help.
When you think of great movie gamblers, James Bond is always going to be one of the first characters that springs to mind. He’s dapper, he’s cool, and he’s shaken, not stirred. There can’t be many movie characters out there who have a signature drink that everyone knows, and if you want to recreate a scene from Casino Royale, for example, you should make sure that you’ve got everything you need for a martini, or indeed a Vesper. It’s made from gin, vodka, and Lillete Blonde. If you want to stay alcohol free, you can find non-alcohol gins, and you can replace the vermouth with fruit juice.
Just because the pressure is on you at the table, that does not mean that you need to be all alone. Many of our favorite movies about gambling feature groups of people coming together to give the big casino a taste of its own medicine. We are thinking of course about the Ocean’s movies and just because you are (probably) not planning a massive heist, that does not mean that you can’t have all your friends involved. Make sure that everyone understands the dress code (more on that in a moment) and think about what games that you can play which everyone enjoys. Of course, one of the best things about recreating these movies at home is that you don’t need to have all your friends in the same room if they can’t make it. There are plenty of online gambling options out there that have everything from online poker to online slots. An online casino is a great option to bring your buddies together from around the world. Find the best reviews and tips at Online Casino Review.
It is hard to avoid coming back to James Bond movies every time you are looking for film inspiration for a night like this, but when it comes to music, you can’t just cycle through the James Bond themes. Frankly, they are not all a great fit and you may not want to listen to Madonna’s Die Another Day more than once. Instead, why not think about David Holmes’ non-more cool scores for the Oceans’ movies? And if you want to conjure that Las Vegas feeling, then you can always go with the classics. We are talking about Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, and all those old-time classics. One of the best tips that we can give you is to make sure that you keep your playlist varied, and that you make your playlist long. These nights can go on for hours and the last thing you want is to be thinking about finding new tracks at a crucial point in the evening.
Style is such an important part of the great casino movie. Some of the very best films about gambling deal with the scuzzy grifters and people trying to make enough to just break even, but most of our favorites are set around the high rollers’ tables in Vegas. And if you are going to roll up to those tables, you need to make sure that you look the part. We all need a good excuse to get dressed up every now and again, so why not look to your favorite casino movies for inspiration? A tuxedo is always going to be a great choice for the gents, and the ladies could look at the amazing range of costumes designed by Sarah Edwards for Ocean’s 8, starring Cate Blanchett, Rhianna, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina and many more. Did you know that Sandra Bullock wore 65 different costumes for that film? That’s a lot of potential inspo.
from Review Blog https://ift.tt/Oe5Filh
Images courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
Spotlight Presentation of the 58th chicago international film fesival
EMPIRE OF LIGHT– 2 STARS
In the grand lobby of the fictional movie theater in Empire of Light, a quote from William Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour Lost is prominently displayed. It states, “Find light where darkness lies.” Applied literally to this setting, the many images beamed from the house’s film projectors do just for eager audiences in their sunless auditoriums. Like an inspirational poster hanging in your boss or teacher’s office, that quote reads just fine. Dig deeper, though, and you’ll find more.
That line is but part of the Biron character’s key argument in Love’s Labour Lost. The full monologue reads:
Why, all delights are vain; but that the most vain,
Which with pain purchased doth inherit pain:
As, painfully to pore upon a book
To seek the light of truth; while truth the while
Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look:
Light seeking light doth light of light beguile:
So, ere you find where light in darkness lies,
Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes.
Study me how to please the eye indeed
By fixing it upon a fairer eye
Biron is arguing with King Ferdinand about a royal edict for his subjects to abstain from good food and loving relationships. To Biron, love is where true wisdom lies, and his argument causes his peers to abandon their oath to the king in favor of life’s joys.
LESSON #1: FINDING JOYS IN DIFFICULT LIVES– In both subtle and heavy ways, that bold Shakespearean quote hanging above the commoner characters of Empire of Light shuffling about their workplace rings poetically true time and again. In Sam Mendes’ intimate film, the central lives are small. The people you meet are not iconic heroes, luminaries, or great pillars of their community. Their joys are small and fleeting as well. What does loom large is the myriad of obstacles and personal difficulties that keep each of them from experiencing affirming and lasting joys.
Academy Award winner Olivia Colman (The Favourite) plays the appropriately named Hilary Small. She’s the middle-aged and unmarried duty manager of the Empire Cinema located in seaside Kent town of Margate. Like her job title, “dutiful” is a good word for her. She’s the quiet, mousy veteran that sticks to the routines which keep the place in order for the owner, Mr. Ellis (fellow Oscar winner Colin Firth).
Behind the scenes, Hilary is the uncomfortable sexual side piece for Mr. Ellis. Even with that going on, she lives a thrill-less solitary life and takes lithium for mental health. Hilary is pensive and never watches the movies at the Empire screened by the long-time projectionist Norman (the wonderful Toby Jones), unlike the other various underlings of twentysomethings who pass through the cinema’s usher and concession jobs.
One new worker, a Black college student named Stephen Murray (2020 BAFTA Rising Star Award winner Micheal Ward of Blue Story), likely half Hilary’s age, arrives to bring human brightness and catch her eye. In showing Stephen around the neglected upstairs of the Empire housing two more movie screens, a closed bar, and a dance hall, the two nurse a pigeon back to life and start their own improbable tryst after ringing in the new year of 1981.
LESSON #2: SECRET WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS– Holy potatoes, Empire of Light! Between Hilary being submissive with Mr. Ellis and swinging for the fences with Stephen, who knew the hot and heavy relationship dynamics of a movie theater? Come to think of it, we’ve seen enough TV sitcoms and workplace dramas getting saucy. Every workplace stacks skeletons in everyone’s closets. Unless you work in a monastery or convent, if you don’t have a work crush, you’re doing it wrong.
LESSON #3: HOW LITTLE YOU KNOW ABOUT YOUR COWORKERS– Secret sexual tumbling aside, the people you work with all have lives away from work. How much do you really know about those casual acquaintances? More often than not, especially here at the middle class level shown in Empire of Light, teams of employees are a collection of fractured people who are not so broken when they are supported together and working for the same goals. Even Toby Jones’ reclusive minor character, relishing in “precious cargo” and complex machinery, is a man with his own burnt bridges and past misgivings. Not knowing their home lives, for all we know, those hours spent together might be the most interpersonal contact they experience day after day.
Empire of Light, Mendes’ first solo-penned screenplay, leans on such disorderly human connections. In a strong performance of poise against societal barriers from Micheal Ward, Stephen is shown harassed and targeted by the racist Skinhead crowds of this era. Hilary’s nebbish personality hides sad demons and a powerful streak of mental illness verging on regression and a repeated breakdown, creating another excellent layered performance from incomparable Olivia Colman. She is, far and away, the top reason to see Empire of Light. The film teeters on their uncommon relationship pushed and pulled by her lead character.
Sam Mendes seeks to shine up the ugliness of all involved with the enchantment of the movies, thanks to the inspiring workplace dressed up by production designer Mark Tildesley (The Banshees of Inisherin). Having the world’s best working cinematography at your disposal sure helps. Roger Deakins is in his mode from The Goldfinch, scaling down his immense work from the last few years (1917, Blade Runner 2049) to engage natural light and fill scenic depth in very domestic settings. While everything is weathered and plush, none of it, including a surprising rote score from Oscar winners Trent Reznor and Atticus, moves the viewer stylistically.
To press that feeble aesthetic further, the dramatic soap of Empire of Light is that everyone is cleansed when lovely cinematic journeys push viewers and servants alike to go out and get the life they want. Movie theaters are indeed an oasis of culture, a safe haven for friendship, and a shared glue of communal experiences. Can movies unlock repressed emotions for Hilary or improve her attitudinal state? Maybe and maybe not, but it’s quaintly nice to think so. That escapist magic, while plenty special as we all know, is as fleeting as the permeating effect attempted in Empire of Light. The private and civil issues present in this film cannot be fixed and are not fixed by silver screen sorcery. Sorry, but it’s going to take more than Hal Ashby’s Being There.
LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED (#1082)
from Review Blog https://ift.tt/3T7gZSn
