Divergent - Movie Review

Who's in it?

Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Kate Winslet

What's it about?

In post-war Chicago, the people behind the Shingeki no Kyojin-esque wall are divided into 5 factions - Abnegation (basically a governing version of Focus Ireland), Erudite (scholars), Dauntless (Police/Army), Amity (Farmers) and Candor (lawyers). Tris takes a mind altering test to find in which she belongs, but finds out she belongs in none; so to avoid suspicion of being Divergent (they're killed on sight) she hides out in Dauntless.

Any Good?

After a week of arguing with my good friend Hasan about it, I was really pleasantly surprised at this movie; I thought it would just rip off The Hunger Games like The Hunger Games shamelessly to Battle Royale, but it turned out to be smarter and not as Twilight-y (yes, I have read the books but..eh).

So, yeah, I'm pretty much a big deal as you can see..

While there is a stupid love-at-first-sight plot-point, the main characters are pretty badass on their own. Eric; the Tom Hardy lookalike DBag teacher is Hardy-Bane worthy, Four is the generic brooding teacher/love interest with some greay moves and Tris is just a more ruthless and clever version of Katniss Everdeen without the bow (not a bad thing, I prefer her!). The plot is a little easy to guess, but it's the little things in the story that I enjoyed. There is great mind-trickery all the way through which I really enjoyed until the stupidly predictable ending.

The acting is just above the usual Summit Entertainment grade, but Kate Winslet was pretty good as the Evil Government. If you're looking for a movie like The Hunger Games that isn't just a re-skinned Japanese thriller and has some originality; this is for you. Having watched this followed by The Raid, I've learned if ever in a fight, GO FOR THE THROAT FIRST!

Rating:

The (sigh..) Eldest Gorgebag

Things That Rustle My Jimmies

It's Thursday, the day we collectively breathe in and in one hot flamey breath share what's been rustling our jimmies through our teeth and gifs, but mainly through gifs. 

Here's my top five this week: 

1. The Fact That There's a Light in the Drum of My 'Energy Efficient' Tumble Dryer

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2. The Entire World's OBSESSION with the Mediocre Movie, Frozen

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3.  Bitchy Sales 'Assistants' in High End Stores

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4. When People Continually Touch Your Fingers Holding onto the Pole on the Bus

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5. 'If You're Nominated you HAVE TO 

do a #nomakeupselfie'

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And c'est ca, I am once again restored to an unrustled state for the foreseeable 20 minutes or less. 

Tell us, what's been getting at you this week then? 

The Thursday Chattery

FINALLY, the day we get to have a whinge about this place - 

Get your gripes ready as Jimmies are coming up toute suite. 

Before that though, how are you today? 

Let's Chat!

Mother's Day Gift Guides - Whatever Your Budget - Under €20 - Under €50 - Under €100

I know a lot of you clever peeps will be well set for Mothering Sunday this week, - for those of you that aren't yet? You know it's Mother's Day this week, right? Should you be in possession of a Mother (Mother in Law/God Mother/Awesome Aunt) you might want to read on. 

I've put together a couple of ideas, whatever your budget, to show your Mamito that you love her. Of course love doesn't cost a penny and she will, most probably tell you - 'Arragh, you shouldn't have!!' but she will be grateful and you will be the favourite child. True story. 

We've spoken about or reviewed pretty much every product here before, so if you're unsure about an ingredient or different stockist just leave me a comment and we'll sort you and your Momma out. Rest your reading eyes and feast 'em upon your best buys for every budget: 

What say we? 

Of course all your Momma really wants is to spend some time with you, even if that's just bending your ear on a 30 minute phonecall home or even better a lunch somewhere swish. 

These are preeeety nice sweeteners too though, right? 

Tell us, have you bought your Mother's Day Gift yet? 

Are you a Momma yourself and looking forward to the day? 

To the Comments!

The Wednesday Chattery

Happy Humpday one & all. 

We've a couple of posts coming up today in honour of Momma's Day this Sunday. 

Have you done your shopping yet, should you need to? Need some inspo? 

Let's Chat!

Urban Decay Electric Palette - First Look with Swatches

The beauty world is one again a tizzy and once again, Urban Decay are the source of all the chatter. The new Electric Palette is as far from the Naked collection as one could possibly get and I'm about to show you why. I was thrilled to be one of the first to be sent this riot of colour before its release on April 1st and in the name of transparency, there's not a single filter on the following pics. 

Shade Up!

When the first pictures of Electric leaked several weeks ago there were cries of 'Sleek Ultra Matte' and, to be fair, on initial inspection of press pics, the palettes are similar. See Sleek here. It's not until you crack open the lid of this eye-wideningly bright offering that you see just how different they are. Ready for some swatches? 

One touch - ONE

& Again ONE TOUCH

The pigmentation of these colours is genuinely like nothing I've seen before. You know I'll wax lyrical about buttery UD formulas and yammer on about pigmentation but we were talking about taupe - THIS is a rainbow!

Top row: 

Revolt: A densely packed, high shine silver. Soft to the touch but Tin Man, show stopping silver metallic. 

Gonzo: Again soft but high octane, electric blue with a bajillion silver/blue mocro glitter particles - do NOT expect to wash this puppy off with just one swish. 

Slowburn: Drier to the touch but no less pigmented, Ai Chi Wah Wah orange with silver microglitter. 

Savage: Dry, almost chalk formulation but the matte hot neon pink is a beaut on the skin. Again, this won't go without some serious scrubbage - Brilliant news for editorial and digital MUA work. 

Fringe: Stunningly bright metallic teal that's buttery soft to the touch. This is on my eyeballs as you read this, I guarantee it. Can see it being a liner staple for Summer months. 

Bottom Row: 

Chaos: Deep Royal Blue with silver microglitter. These bright blues always remind me of holidays, Chaos will we a liner of choice too. 

Jilted: Perhaps my favourite of the palette, Jilted is a radiant orchid (HELLO, Pantone 2014) with a blue duochrome finish. Crushed velvet soft and second take, stunning on the skin, I can see myself using this as a lip tint over Cicaplast balm and as a flush of blush in the hotter months. 

Urban: Satin finish metallic purple, possibly the most wearable for everyday looks after Fringe. Urban will turn heads as a purple smokey eye. 

Freak: Metallic pale lime green, this is high sheen and would make a beautiful wash of colour for Spring looks. Almost the most tame of the lot, that's saying something for a LIME GREEN. 

Thrash: This chartreuse yellow/green was one of my favourite colours for clothes in 2013. The microglitter in this high shine shadow will make for a bright liner that will bring life to any subtle eye look. 

As well as the sturdy, metallic closing case, the Electric palette gives us the perfect double ended brush for laying these colours onto the skin as that's what you'll need to do. The softer of the shades will blend easily I'd imagine, with the brighter pops needing a little assistance from a neutral shade. 

Bonus Kitteh Helper pic - Look how tiny her pupils are - THAT'S how bright Electric is. 

The thing to remember with this UD offering is that it's not just an eyeshadow palette, the shades are multi functional and designed to be used on the skin as well as the eyelids so have fun with it. I think that's what might endear me to this palette, the reminder that make up is about having fun, dressing up and feeling good about it. 

With Summer festivals being announced left right and centre, my advice is to get thee to a UD counter and swatch this palette like there's no tomorrow once it hits on April 1st for €45, be warned though, bring some wipes as these shades have SERIOUS staying power. 

Will you be dashing out come April 1st? To the comments!

The Tuesday Chattery

Hey, Happy Tuesday, everyone. 

How are we all keeping today? 

Anything exciting to share? We were at the Captain America premiere lastnight and, while it was dark - literally and figuratively - it held the attention of three smallies for over 2 hours. 

Aaron will have a review up Friday but it's a good 'un!

Anything you're looking forward to seeing? Movie or beauty wise? 

Let's chat!

Monday's Moments - 24/03/14

Apols for a missing Monday's Moments last week, I was - as most of you were - chilling for St Paddy's Day. We're back in the saddle though and ready to look on the bright side through Moments of delight once more. 

These here are the five Moments that have well and truly chased my Monday Blues away: 

1. Belated Birthday Love

First order of bidness, giving thanks for being completely and totally spoiled for my Birthday on March 16th. 

Nights out and evenings in, flowers and love in abundance all that AND a Momma that had the foresight to give birth to me the day before an annual national holiday so while it was sleepovers at mine when we were younger, it's now ample room for recovery. Nice one, Maw. 

2. Set Your Lasers to STUN for Space NK

Admittedly it's the beauty junkie in me but this article from the Irish Times Business this week really did put a smile on my face. For too long now we've had to put up with only a snippet of Space NK goodness in Harvey Nic's, Dundrum, well it would seem we're in for a treat. 

The cult beauty emporium is set to open its doors on Grafton St and, while my Visa has gone into hiding, the beauty fiend inside me just can't wait for it to arrive. 

3. #KITTEHPROBLEMS

There are many reasons why I am a reluctant cat lady. Yes I love the little torment more than I ever thought I would but when it's just she and I and I'm trying to get stuff done? Fuhgeddabouditt. 

My Mam bought me this little pine table for taking pics and doing nails etc, while sitting as my back isn't the best of late. Thing is, Boo here, has claimed it as her own and anything, ANYTHING that goes on top is promptly pushed off as soon as I turn my head. She's a wagon. In her heart and in her soul. A wagon. 

4. Come Back, Sky, All is Forgiven 

I never thought the switching of television services would qualify as a Moment but I made the decision last week to go back to Sky TV and, seriously now, it's cheered my entire week up. 

We went with Horizon about 6 months ago and it was the worst televisual decision I've ever made. Plagued with problems, skipping channels, breaking picture and dropping broadband signal every 20 minutes, it's been nothing but a nuisance and save for Netflix, the TV has basically sat gathering dust. 

Why didn't I switch back sooner? Empty promises and refunds. Would I recommend Horizon to anyone, ever? Not even if you were the type of person that opens sealed nail polishes in Boots and swatches them on the stands. No. 

5. Five a Side - Stone Style

Finally a Moment that made me gasp, made me well up, then made me question my sister's mental health. @jordanstone4 AKA she with all the bebbehs went for her first scan this week and has announced that nipper number five will be with us in October!

Where she finds the energy (for the raising) I have no idea but Sis, I am absolutely and unequivocally over the blahhdy moon for you and your tribe. Your newest addition couldn't have requested a better party to gatecrash. 

And that's them, five Moments that are making my week. Tell me, what's the Happy haps 'round your way today? 

The Monday Chattery

Howdy Monday, 

What did we all get up to for the weekend? 

We had a clearout of Casa Crap Shack and it feels so much better. 

Got a dilemma or question to get off your chest? 

Let's Chat!

Cherry Pick of the Week: Kylie - Into the Blue

And we're back with a Cherry Pick of the Week! 

The returning honour goes to the original Princess of Pop, Kylie because, truthfully, she could sneeze into a microphone, they'd add autotune and I'd probably shake my ass to it. 

Her live shows are up there with some of the best I've ever seen. 

Into the Blue, directed by Dawn Shadforth who also did 'Spinning Around', 'In Your Eyes', 'Chocolate', 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' and '2 Hearts', I'm loving the video too. 

It's gonna be ha-YOOGE. 

What tune is ringing in your noggin this week then?

Yves Saint Laurent - Movie Review

Who's in it?

Pierre Niney, Guillaume Gallienne & Charlotte Le Bon 

What's it about?

In what can be seen as a companion piece to L'Amour Fou (2010), Yves Saint Laurent gives an insight into the turbulent behind the scenes relationship between YSL and Pierre Bergé, his partner in love and business. Spanning four decades we see Saint Laurent first as the nervous, aspiring designer taken under the wing of Dior and thrust into the limelight upon his death in '57. 

The following 106 minutes are a voyeuristic peek inside the times of an intrinsically flawed man and a creative genius ~ We're shown the hedonism & counter restrictions that shaped him into the icon he became and the Saint Laurent House into the mecca it remains. 

Any Good?

While it won't make many ripples outside beauty/fashion circles, this glimpse into the life of one of our times greatest fashion visionaries is a feast for fashion loving eyes. Overseen and approved by Pierre Bergé himself, the movie, narrated with Bergé's words plays like a eulogy to the love of his life, Yves. 

Niney portrays such a convincing impression of YSL that it is rumoured Saint Laurent's dog mistook him for his lost owner while visiting the set - that makes me a little sad for the pooches sake, as this entire film does for Bergés sake. 

From young, neurotic Mammy's boy to full on narcissistic, self destructive, drug fuelled and tortured artist there is no doubt that this depiction of YSL is very close to already reported tales of his scandalous life. 

While those without an interest in the evolution of the luxury fashion house might tire of this tale very early on, those with the slightest sartorial interest will relish every single moment of this movie. 

Peppered with original design sketches, thought processes behind each revolutionary collection and petty squabbles over the initial FROW seating arrangements with famous fashion journalists in tiny Parisian rooms, I genuinely enjoyed Yves Saint Laurent. If you're reading this site and this review I can guarantee you will too. 

Yves Saint Laurent is

in Irish cinemas today. 

Rating: 

Jem & The Holograms - Movie in the Making!

Do not adjust your monitors, this is not a drill - every 80's kid's favourite transforming animated rockstar, Jem is to be made into a movie using crowdsourcing, much like the Kickstarter initiative that saw Veronica Mars revive her snooping TV detective character this month. 

Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun, G.I. Joe: Retaliation director Jon M. Chu and Paranormal Activity producer Jason Blum explain above exactly what their looking for to get the holographic wheels in motion for the big screen. 
The original animated series was a joint collaboration by Hasbro, Marvel Productions and Sunbow Productions, the same team responsible for G.I. Joe and Transformers, which explains the involvement of the trio above.

BOOM - right in the nostalgia

Not only is the live-action movie actually a thing, but the trio are crowdsourcing crucial elements from casting to costume design: "It's sort of like Kickstarter," Chu says to Rolling Stone, "but instead of asking for your money, we're asking for your creativity."

Read more on Rolling Stone here. 

Tell me, are we THRILLED?! I, for one, am going to search for the Jem dolls of my youth - I credit that chick with my love for all jewellery things bright and jangly! 

The Friday Chattery

Holy Moly for a short week that was some week!

What's the plan for the weekend then? Hitting the town? Sleeping your face off?

Let's chat!

New Clinique Cheek Pop Blusher - Plum Pop - Guest Post from Lorrrrrrrrraine!

All the R's (so titled, by me, because of her Twitter handle @lorrrrrrrrraine) (that's NINE) is not only one of the fanciest faces I know but she's one of the most effortlessly hilarious writers to grace this here Interweb. She's popped by (see what I did there?) to give us the 411 on one of my most lusted after beauty products in quite a while - The Clinique Cheek Pops:

Ah, sure look - this was always going to be a positive review. I've been mooning over Clinique Cheek pops, €20, since the first promo pix hit the internet, with a deep-seated certainty that they were just my kind of blusher.

And yep, they are. A gorgeous floral design on the product itself is matched up in ooh-that's-grand by sturdy but simple packaging that clicks shut with a satisfying clunk. No handbag disasters anticipated!

Plum Pop is a cool pink that, depending on how heavy-handed you are, looks like anything from a sheen of baby pink to a block of fuchsia. I've got a light swipe on the picture, but this stands up to layering very well. It allows the texture of your skin to show through, no matter how close to Boy George territory you get.

What looks like sparkle in the pot translates to a subtle radiance when applied - a huge bonus for folks like me with mammoth pores to conceal. General pink nicery aside, the texture of this blush is seriously good, creating a veil of colour and glow without any drawbacks. 

I see these selling out fast, so get your rear in gear if you fancy a gander! I'll bet my best hat you won't be disappointed. 

As of this morning, Clinique Cheek Pops STILL aren't available online but Imma hunt some down IRL (in real life) TODAY!

Please be sure to drop by Lorraine's blog, John, It's Only Makeup and show her some love - if you don't already. You won't regret it - trust meh!

Things That Rustle My Jimmies

The fact that I'm free from work this week means that my jimmies should have remained relatively unrustled. Have they? Have they HECK AS LIKE!

Here's JUST five of the things that have rustled my jimmies. Just five. 

1. Screw Off Lids on Bottles in the Shower

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2. 5 Year Olds in Buggies

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3. 'Will You Take a Selfie of Us?'

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4. Listening to Holiday Plans When I have NONE

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5. A Withheld Number Calling 

FOUR TIMES IN A ROW with No Voicemail

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OK, so spill, what's been AT you this week? Your jimmies couldn't have remained unrustled. Couldn't. Have.