What's Occurring? February Round Up

I don't usually do a monthly round-up but thought I'd give it a go.

The Pages

I read a couple of good books this month. A quick fire summary:

• Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang - Very sad but well written although I had to Google the bit about the narrator. 
• To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - Loved it! I really like Jenny Han's writing style - it reminds me of those 50s diners in shopping malls. You're still in the present day but there's a real nostalgic feel to her work. Lara Jean was a lovely main character - so sweet and young, which makes for a nice change! 
• All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner - I liked this book. It was very funny in parts but generally quite sad. I did end up speaking like ELOISE a little bit after READING it though. Then I realised I think I speak like her anyway so...never mind!
• I Was Here by Gayle Forman - Excellent stuff. I didn't like Just One Day etc. but was a big fan of If I Stay and Where She Went. This latest offering, to me, felt like a return to form. A difficult topic really well done. 
• Kaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras - Hmm...not my kind of book really. I liked the setting though. I'll make it to SoCal one of these days!
• The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins - Not my cup of tea unfortunately. There were numerous comparisons to Gone Girl but I didn't take to it at all. 
• Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake - I need the next instalment NOW! I'm really enjoying this series. 

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year...Again

And so it begins again. Awards season. Well, it's been underway for a while but for us, the casual spectators, we are just waking up to what might be crowned Best Picture next year. So, let's take a brief tour around the houses. I don't really write film reviews - I tried a few times but I didn't find it as 'easy' as writing book reviews - so don't expect any profound thoughts going forward. 

What are we looking out for?

This is my 'to watch list' which, like my 'to be read' list, will probably remain just that. A list. 

So far I've only seen Interstellar. Ah...Interstellar. There were flashes of brilliance but mostly it was TOO LOUD and TOO LONG. I usually love a Hans Zimmer score and Interstellar was beautiful but the sound editors/mixers/Mr Nolan were having a laugh. It didn't help that we were in a teeny tiny screen and all squashed together for the three hours. Still, never mind. Oh and I hope Jon Faverau gets something, somewhere for Chef. I LOVED that film.

Who are we looking out for?
I lurve me the red carpet. Looking at our list of potential hopefuls, we might be graced with some fashion loveliness.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt always turn up looking elegant and dapper. Eddie Redmayne sure knows how to choose and wear a good suit. Emma Stone is one of my absolute favourite celebrities when it comes to fashion. I was watching that HBO Vogue documentary the other day and the segment with Tonne Goodman touched upon what it means when we talk about American style and for me, when I think of modern American style, I think of Emma Stone. I love the simplicity of her style. She definitely needs to wear another Calvin Klein on the circuit. From my shores, I send (haha) good fashion tidings in the form of Keira, Felicity, Jack, Rosamund, and Benedict. I'm sure we'll also see the lovely Lupita back to hand over her crown and Amy Adams will most likely give it all another run again (poor lady must be exhausted). 

So, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, are you ready? 

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Yes. Awards season is well and truly upon us, are you enjoying yourselves? The last few weeks have been tiring for the casual spectator, such as myself, so I can only imagine how the nominees and their teams feel. Then again, can you really complain when your job involves attending parties and receiving awards? Probably not but we'll discuss that in a minute. Let's take a moment to digest the past few weeks and take stock of what we've learnt:

• Everybody loves Lupita Nyong'o - she's a fashion GODDESS and seems like a really humble, eloquent, and extremely talented woman. She deserves all the good things being lavished upon her, no doubt. Yay Lupita!
• American Hustle is the favourite? I thought it was good but I wasn't blown away. Amy Adams, Christian Bale and Jeremy Renner were amazing and the soundtrack was excellent. Anyway, I suppose it gives us a good excuse to get our J-Law fix. 
• Speaking of...Jennifer Lawrence is being her usual charming, TMI-ing self on the red carpet in some questionable Dior dresses. It's not her fault. Dior just ain't what it used to be. 
• Alright, alright, alright, Matthew McConnoghey means business and just might take Best Actor at the Oscars. Just keep livin'. 
• I've been a fan of E! Live from the Red Carpet for a loooong time but I think it's time to hand over the microphone to someone else. Ryan and G just look so tired and over it. The questions are terrible and they need to get rid of that 'mani-cam'. Kudos to Elisabeth Moss for doing what we've all been doing at home to the mani-cam. I think last year for The Oscars one of our UK channels showed another network doing the red carpet - maybe ABC? - with Kristin Chenoweth co-hosting and Hugh Jackman picked her up. Anyway, yes, time for some freshness on the other side of the red carpet. 
• Continuing with the fashion - it has been a bit blaaah. I haven't seen much that's been original or daring. Emma Watson came to play in her dress/trousers ensemble, which was bold but not too many others have followed suit. Margot Robbie has consistently 'turnt up' also. 
• Emma Thompson is a hoot! She should be invited to all awards shows regardless of nominations and whatnot. 
• People have mixed feelings about Jonah Hill. I haven't seen Wolf of Wall Street yet (don't scream at me, it has only just been released over here!) but in general I teeter towards liking him. He name drops a lot but then again if Leo was my friend, I might mention it a few times here and there too. 
• Returning to the American Hustle cast - do you think they were too rude in this interview? I do. I know they probably had a long night and were two or three sheets to the wind but still...answering press questions, regardless of how awful they are, is part of your job. Thank goodness for Amy Adams and Mr De Niro who managed to appear obliging and pleasant. 
• Speaking of Amy Adams - yay! So glad she's winning. I hope she gets the big one. I read her Vanity Fair interview (the issue where she's on the cover) and she comes across wonderfully. I love the part where she talks about working with Idina Menzel and trying to bait her into singing 'For Good' in the corridors! 
• Finally, hasn't it been nice seeing some of the big guns out and about? Meryl, Julia, Tom, Brad, Leo and co. 

Well, we've got a ways to go before Oscar night. I'm sure there will be lots of high jinks and drama along the way. The Academy Awards Luncheon is on February 10 - always produces some nice pictures. Then it's my town's turn to host the stars with the BAFTAs on February 16. We'll talk again after that.