'Enola Holmes 2' and the #MeToo movement in new movie 'She Said'
The giveaway is a copy of Leila Mottley’s debut novel, ‘Nightcrawling’
I’m excited! On Friday, over a hollandaise-fuelled lunch, I interviewed my wonderful writer friend Rosalie about her experience of releasing her first novel, The Castle – Diary of a Lost Woman. The Q&A will be in next week’s Becks and the City. Stay tuned!
Other happenings this week include me accidentally sticking a pack of dry pasta in the fridge because my brain sometimes takes a holiday and also attending a preview screening of new movie She Said – officially out this Thursday, 17 November. It was certainly food for thought. Review below.
Until next time, folks. : )
News
1. There’s a recent boom in murder mysteries on screens and in bookshops? Jolly good. Long may it reign. In case you can’t tell by my reviews, I heavily lean in the direction of fictional crime. Glad others are climbing on board.
2. Dressing like a ballerina’s a key trend heading into 2023, according to French Vogue. In my wardrobe, it never left. I already own multiple pairs of leg warmers and ballet flats, as well as cross-over tops. This makes me ecstatic!
Reviews
1. Have you delved into the world of Korean TV shows, aka K-dramas, yet? One we watched recently is Business Proposal, available on Netflix. It’s the bomb. Up there with my favourites, which are probably What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim? and Extraordinary Attorney Woo. All three fit under the heading of ‘office romances’, at least as part of the plot. In Business Proposal, a young woman who works at a food company, pretends to be her friend Jin Young-seo on a date organized by Young-seo’s father. A series of romantic misunderstandings unfold. This show is one for unwinding and letting your brain breathe. Lovely and lighthearted.
2. Last night I went to a free preview screening (organized by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance) of new movie She Said, starring Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan. Andre Braugher (Captain Holt in Brooklyn 99), Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth Bennet in the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice), and Ashley Judd, playing herself, also make an appearance. The film takes the viewer through the #MeToo movement, about which I must admit to being woefully underinformed. This was fantastic for getting up to speed, taking you from the formative rumblings of accusations against Donald Trump, through to Harvey Weinstein’s many, many accusers. Not only does it give you a sense of what these women went through, but the frustrations and frightening experiences of the female journalists who investigated the accusations to write an article for the New York Times. The story is a slow build – it’s not action-packed or harrowing or full of twists and turns, but I didn’t look at my watch once during the screening. It’s steadily compelling until a couple of moments where you feel like whooping with joy. Definitely would recommend.
3. On Saturday we rewatched the original Enola Holmes movie and then the newly-out sequel on Sunday. Both are on Netflix and star Millie Bobby Brown of Stranger Things fame as Sherlock’s younger sister. Dare I say, the second is even better than the first. This one’s certainly not a formulaic, lazy do-over of the first. Enola’s gotten older and grown in confidence, taking on the world and a brand-new case. The feminist storyline is based on a true story, which makes it all the more satisfying. The plot ticks along at a spritely pace, Millie is captivating, and there are plenty of kick-ass moments along the way. Many enthusiastic thumbs up.
Raves and Faves
Six advent calendars I’m coveting this Christmas
Growing up, my household didn’t go in for advent calendars, but the last few years my partner and I have been getting into them in a major way. Some are ridics expensive – we don’t go in for shenanigans like a $700 calendar, though. We haven’t selected this year’s box of delights (or two) yet, but here are some of my frontrunners.
1. Kiehl’s Limited Edition Holiday Advent Calendar
Filled with balms, salves, creams, and washes to pamper you every day in December before the big 2-5. Sounds lush to me.
2. T2’s Sip the Future Hello Teabag
Tea is such a simple pleasure, and I must admit, I’m usually very basic bitch about it – English breakfast every time. How good is this, though? A different brew to sample for 24 days sounds like an ideal daily pick-me-up.
3. The Body Shop’s Box of Wishes
A shower gel and a shea soap for a hot bath on a Sunday evening? Sign me up. A box of such goodies in the lead-up to Christmas? Even better.
4. Exit the Game’s The Hunt for the Golden Book
This was last year’s advent calendar, except for 2021, the series of puzzles was set in an icy mountain cave. Can’t lie – I’m pretty eager to do another Exit the Game calendar this year. We’ll see.
5. Lindt’s Milk Chocolate Teddy Advent Calendar
Talk about affordable luxury! And who doesn’t like chocolate? Utter masochists, that’s who (and those with food intolerances, poor buggers).
6. L'Occitane’s 7 Days Beauty Advent
This one doles out a blissful week’s work of the brand’s best beauty buys. I bet you’d smell amazing for the rest of December.
Giveaway
This week’s giveaway is ‘Nightcrawling’ by Leila Mottley, which made the Booker Prize longlist. To enter, pop your name and address in the entry form here.
Last week’s winner of Colleen Hoover’s novel It Ends with Us is Gemma Creegan. I’ve emailed you, Gemma!
Playlist of the Week
Drama llamas for the modern age:
1. Stay With Me - Sam Smith
2. Cry Me Out - Pixie Lott
3. Never Be the Same - Jessica Mauboy
4. Unconditionally - Katy Perry
5. Only Love Can Hurt Like This - Paloma Faith
6. Never Forget You - Zara Larsson
7. Thunder - Jessie J
8. Stone Cold - Demi Lovato
9. Another Lifetime - Nao
10. Be Alright - Dean Lewis
11. Clown - Emeli Sande
12. Unfaithful - Rihanna
13. Castle on the Hill - Ed Sheeran
14. Music. - Jojo
15. Remember Me - Jennifer Hudson