With A Cherry On The Top

   

I recently met Cherry Healey, a mother and creator of documetaries lately showing on BBC Three.

She engages with the audience superbly as she allowed us to follow her wedding, childbirth and  recent motherhood with her daughter Coco.  

Aside from personal voyages, Cherry faces some of our worst fears and exposes them from every angle. She explores parenting issues and follows the story of a ruthless, disobedient teenager whose mother constantly worries, compared to a mother who controls every aspect of her daughters life academic and extra curricular. 

Cherry then focused on body image, a taboo topic we often fear on a daily basis surrounding the idea of what is beautiful? 

Cherry gets a make-over

As it turns out, it really depends on many factors.Of course we all see beauty differently, but Cherry is in shock as she scrolls through her old diaries and reads her teen thoughts on her own body image. Her shock continues as she hears from younger girls who hate everything about their bodies and looks, and see beauty through orange tan and overload of make-up. 

Focusing on differing topics each episode, Cherry's Cash Dilemmas delves into ones spending habits whereby Cherry lives the two extremes of living with no money and having too much. She searches through dustbins outside restaurants and food shops for free dinner compared to spending without checking the labels and trying to find a balance. 

She is now at times compared to Dawn Porter which I personally do not understand because of Cherry's different stance on certain issues. 

An exciting new talent which I'm looking forward to seeing more of. 

I wonder what's next?

Sharing Is Caring.. A Poem I Found Through The Grapevine

“I remember when I owned everything

The sun and the moon and the rain, my domain.
Stretched and yawned along the astral plane

The universe is a toy in the mind of a boy.
And life is a movie too, starring you.
Your whole family’s the cast and crew.
That’s a little secret between God and you.

But ain’t it strange how it all makes perfect sense?
Once your life becomes evidence of the need to feel
Love is more than Real.

Because your mother’s love might seem insane,
That’s ‘cause she really knows everything.
Too bad it takes so long to see what you’ve been missing…

(Love like that can’t be measured anyway)
Too bad it takes so long to see what you’ve been missing
(Love like that can’t be measured anyway)
Too bad it takes so long to see what you’ve been missing
Too bad it takes so long to see
Too bad it takes so long…

‘Cause the Real is a construct
It’s the raw nerve’s private zone
It’s a personal sunset that you drive off into alone.”

Classic Animation

"The Lion King" 3D will be returning to our screens soon, along with Rafiki's laugh, the creepy Hyenas of Pride Rock as well as Mufasa and Scar's brotherly battles on the African planes.

 Battles of power and exile beside exhibitions of love, makes this story a classic family tale. It's popularity has outweighed and exceeded primary expectations resulting in a re release seventeen years after it's release in 1994. 

It's success has led to DVD best-seller in rank of sales and the award winning London theatre production which remakes the story perfectly with an astounding precise nature.

Though many other Disney classics have been re released, here are some other examples of animations which are still personal favourites to this day.

The tale of "Thumbelina" (1994) is a heartfelt one following the orphaned little girl who is literally tiny. Her longing to see the world beyond her mothers farm is answered but not quite in the way she had envisioned, as she is stolen from her bed by a toad. Her beauty attracts many creatures in the forest as she makes a tiring trip through different seasons in an attempt to go home. However, her quest is slowed down as she falls in love with a prince, who cannot seem to find her either. This is a beautiful story which will have you watching again and again. 

Anastasia(1997) narrates the story of a young princess who escapes from her home at a young age due to a battle in her family's castle. Her reunion with her family is long overdue, but masked identities and a complicated family past against a evil character named Rasputin, gives the film that action element.

Mulan (1998), a tale of a woman's strength as she joins the army to honour her family in China. Since women were not allowed to join, she has to disguise herself as a man whilst fulfilling all of her duties as a daughter. A riveting storyline with an excellent cast including Eddie Murphy. 

Irreplaceable Beyonce

Following her great success with Destiny's Child in the past and Glastonbury this year, Beyoncé's solo career has never been so promising. Now married to the most popular rapper in the game, Queen B has dropped her fourth album at the critics, naming it "4" whilst rejoicing in her achievement as a solo superstar. 
This time round,  a grown Beyoncé's Bday is no longer the topic of discussion. Rather, female solidarity is celebrated with her first single, which claims world domination. A world run by girls is staged in the video as the women attack with: 

"Who are we? What do we run? We run the world!"

She then displayed her simple yet modest math skills in 1 +1 the next single, where B reveals her dismissal of material things, should the world end, whereby her beloved would be the hopeful plus one.

"I don't know much about algebra, but I know one plus one equals two."

"Best Thing I Never Had" reveals a relief in leaving a past relationship as she reminisces on a time when there were "no lies, no wrong" but she quickly thanks God he blew it. The video presents Beyoncé marrying a man who she far from regrets, rather compares to her ex, realising her new partners better qualities. She parades around, thankful for her better judgement. 

"Thank God you blew it! Thank God I dodged a bullet."

The next single "Party" featuring Andre 3000 and Kanye West, rewinds to the sound of the 80's where Beyoncé uses overlapping harmonies permitting it to almost pass as old. She defends her love to party with a lover, who she wants to flaunt in front of her friends, even though shy, as she narrates from the point of view of a teenage girl. 

Tracks such as "End of Time" and "Countdown" pass for dance numbers with the usual Beyonce bootyshaking essence, whereas "I Care" and "Start Over" deal with wrecked relationships accompanied by electric guitar, disclosing an angry and distraught Beyoncé
 as she sings 

"I told you how you hurt me baby, but you don't care. 

Now I'm crying and deserted baby, but you don't care." 

More personal songs include "I miss you" written by Frank Ocean, "Rather Die Young" and "Love on Top" another 80's inspired track. 

Beyonce reveals her pregnancy on the 2011 VMA's
Whilst performing "Love on Top" on this years VMA's, our girl B proudly revealed a baby bump which was well overdue. The audience and fans roared, but were nowhere as excited as friend Kanye West, jumping in excitement congratulating husband
Jay-Z whilst the rapper saluted his pregnant wife.  

A vital track on the album named "I Was Here" is a not so subtle goodbye from the superstar who may have already wanted a pause in her career due to plans to start a family.  She states:
" I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone to happiness..."

That she did,and so here she is, at her best. Until next time...

Turning back the clock with Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block!

It is now a merger labelled as a "breath of fresh air" for two boy bands, who both at one point owned the charts in the eras of the 80's and 90's with sold out concerts, screaming girls, jumbo jets and hit albums. 

                                           

Still both with very large fan bases, New Kids on the Block and the unstoppable Backstreet Boys have collaborated on a new album, proving wedding rings, children and a slow peak in the charts nowadays, does nothing to phase these now grown men who are far from being kids and boys. For thousands of women all over, from the U.S to the U.K, this is a boy band dream come true with nine for the price of one, excluding one member Kevin Richardson who left BSB in 2006. With the release of a medley album with popular tracks by both bands plus two new tracks picked by fans, "NKOTBSB" are doing remarkably well together with a summer tour which began in June. The albums debut at number 7 in the U.S. chart with sales of 40,000 records, reveals this merge as genius. "All in my Head" and "Don't Turn Out the Lights" are the two brand new tracks recorded for the album which are the only new songs, yet the fans are eating it up. 
Personally I'm not too familiar with NKOTB, but you may remember these Backstreet Boys tracks from the heyday which will be featured on the album which I've always loved. These include: "I Want It That Way"

(Everybody) Backstreet's Back":

"As Long As You Love Me":

"Larger Than Life":

And the epic "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)"  

Here's a performance of "Don't Turn Out The Lights" from NKOTBSB.Enjoy!

Duke at 90

Notably "the longest-serving consort in British royal history", Prince and Duke Phillip of Edinburgh, seemed somewhat uncomfortable with perfectly clear questions asked by Fiona Bruce on BBC 1 celebrating his achievments throughout his career,  as well as marriage and birthday. Martin Palmer began with: 

"Get him on a bad day and it’s quite hard work. Get him on a good day and you really don’t want to be with anybody else." Hoping for a good day was shortlived as there appeared many awkward silences with one word answers and at times snappy comebacks. And though he proclaimed his disinterest as well as lack of eagerness to be interviewed, he proceeded.

Appearing to be frail yet buxom, quick witted and sarcastic at times, the duke recreated the image he has gained with his personality in the press over the years. His memorable 1986 comment/joke on British students gaining slitty- eyes if they continued to study in China during a visit, was old news to the now much older Duke, who admitted he had forgotten all about it. A regretful leave from the navy and issues surrounding his family life as a child, were also dismissed as clearly either uncomfortable topics, or moments of boredom by the Duke who clearly tried to quickly answer in order to move on.His charity schemes (which includes the popular Duke of Edinburgh scheme) however which are 800 to date, depicted him as a kind and humble citizen, who up to the age of ninety is still involved in a greater good, eventhough retiring. Yet his reluctance to accept all the glory, revealed a humble man who admitted he gets given too much credit, shifting the compliments to a second party.
 
An overall concern he highlighted as more detrimental was that he did not consider himself as "green" so to speak.  "There’s a difference between being concerned for the conservation of nature and being a bunny hugger,” he proclaimed. "Can you imagine?"
Nevertheless, though detaining a serious role for years, the Dukes ability to make jokes was apparent whilst juxtaposed with clips of his stern relationship with the Queen were in high supply. Shots of her coronation depicted him as second best constantly, rightly so, compared to her majesty. Instantly, one can not help but to understand why the Duke's position is not as respected, the Queen constantly the centre of attention whilst Philip is automatically the fly on the wall, and happily at that. Yet his role as the family comforter was clear as he supported the family at Princess Diana's funeral and attended Prince William's wedding recently.
 
A forthcoming strategy concerning the coming years for the Duke is to relax as he talked of plans to release his responsibilitues to others so he can retire at the age of 90. 
An excellent try at a satisfying interview by Fiona Bruce who probed the Duke, yet still a riveting well produced documentary which though informative, revealed a personality we had expected whilst  portraying a highly respected figure who has indeed surpassed his expectations.        

90210 Season 3 Finale..Spoiler Alert

Prom

So, in the previous episode we endured the bizarre theme that reiterated "the future is ours" throughout West Beverly's prom, clinging to a retro theme which was supposed to send off the gang with a bang. Well, if that didn't do it, the finale sure did. Ivy and Raj's last minute Indian wedding accompanied by elephants, saris and bouquets, managed to outshine the Senior graduation in season three's last episode. Though not as explosive, the senior graduation reveals a shocking truth by Max Miller, Naomi's lover who admits to cheating on his midterm, allowing Naomi the opportunity to graduate. In other news, Annie and Liam's relationship is on the rocks with a distrust from Annie who is distraught that Liam does not want to build a life with her, rather  prefers to go sailing for three months and ditch university and her. 

At the start we're reminded of Adriana's guilt as well as ploy, to wreck Navid and Silver's relationship as she cozies up to Silver reminiscing and reminding  her of their friendships longevity whilst getting pedicures.  But after a mix up at the hen and stag nights, a stripper and some loose dollars, Adriana's plan backfires as Naomi drops Silver's pills out of Adriana's bag. Total alienation by the gang toward Adriana is in motion within seconds, repairing Navid and Silvers relationship along the way. 

Ivy

With the exception of Adriana,the wedding however, unites everyone as they clearly adore this new culture they never knew, dancing hilariously and drinking heavily. Laurel's acceptance of her daughters wedding, becomes a last minute decision pushed by none other than Dixon. However, Adriana's plea for acceptance and forgiveness by Silver is answered with a simple yet effective "go to hell Adriana!" Her desperation leads close to a suicide as she watches her so called 'friends' dancing and laughing below a cliff, ready to jump off. (above). 

Naomi and Annie clearly create the dramatic cliffhangers due to continue in season four, with a pregnancy along and a break-up/make-up. Liam and Max are both planning departures with unknown endings, while we questions Adriana's mental state in episodes to come. 

So, looking forward to season four? I know I am.