Groceries, clothing, electronics, petrol, insurance, financial services, dental plans, mobile phone tariffs…

These are just some of the items on offer at your local Tesco. And now? The nation’s supermarket giant has set out its next plan in their efforts to take over the world: film production.

According to the BBC, Tesco is collaborating with Amber Entertainment to produce straight-to-DVD movies that will sell exclusively in store. The films are said to be based on books by best selling authors and the first writer on Tesco’s agenda is Jackie Collins. The author has said:

‘It’s an innovative idea to partner with Tesco, and gives the consumer something exclusive.’

It appears as though Tesco have got a few other authors in their clutches as well, including: Dick Francis, Jacqueline Wilson, Philip Pullman and Judy Blume.

However, It’s not a completely new venture for any of the above authors, who have had novels previously adapted for TV and cinema audiences. It’s therefore not so surprising that they should agree to take part in – what initially comes across as – this random collaborative effort.

Clever Tesco strikes again…

[image]

I don’t want to ramble about the goings on at last night’s Golden Globe Awards (there’s been enough of that all day, I know) so instead, I’ve compiled a list of some of the moments that stuck in my mind… Here’s a link to all the winners, too.

1. Ricky Gervais’ stonking presenting job. See below for details.

2. Diane Kruger pulling off what should have been a horrendous, bubble-gum pink Christian Lacroix haute couture gown. See My Fashion Life for some of the best dresses on the red carpet.

3. Jeff Bridges winning Best Actor award for his performance in Crazy Heart. We all love a good comeback (see Robert Downey Jr, Mickey Rourke…).

4. Martin Scorsese’s perfect speech, accepting the 2010 Cecil B. deMille award from his star pupils, De Niro and DiCaprio. What a legend.

5. Avatar winning Best Picture and James Cameron winning Best Director. James Cameron looked as shocked as us, admitting his assumption that ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow would be picking up the director’s prize for The Hurt Locker.

6. Jason Reitman’s visible reaction to the above outcome.

7. Drew Barrymore’s acceptance speech: BAD.

8. Robert Downey Jr.’s acceptance speech: GOOD.

9. Michael Haneke winning Best Foreign Language film for The White Ribbon. Yess.

10. Mickey Rourke’s disappointment at announcing Sandra Bullock as the winner of the Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical award.

Aand…

Honourable mention goes to Angela Griffin on the red carpet for Sky One, who turned out to be a great source of unexpected comedy. Not only did Griffin introduce Taylor Lautner as ‘Taylor Launton’, she also told Mariah Carey that she was the most beautiful woman in the world and embarrassed Chace Crawford in the middle of an interview, saying that she was bewitched by his eyes. It all sounds rather cringe – and it was – but it was strangely enjoyable to see someone working the red carpet who was equally as excited – and therefore ridiculous – as some of us might have been.

While Griffin was nearly (and understandably) losing the plot, speaking to George Clooney, Welsh presenter Griffin Jones was less gushy but came out with some gooduns too: ‘TOBEY!…TOBEY!…CAMERON!…CAMERON!….. ‘i’m just shouting at stars like I know them and I don’t at all.’

Brilliant.

While I’m not a huge fan of his stand up, I like Gervais and just knew he would push the boundaries during his commentary of the night. The Brits were always more likely to love his ironic sense of humour and I for one, thought the comedy man shone. He was underused (probably an intentional move by the organisers) but brilliant in his delivery and although the critics are split I think that the reactions of silence to some of his close-to-the-bone jokes (Paul McCartney’s divorce, anyone?) made it all the funnier.

After losing out on my wager and having had little sleep the previous night, I was starting to regret staying up for the event… that was until Gervais unleashed the Mel Gibson gag. GENIUS.

The Metro published a compilation of Ricky quips from the night for those who didn’t stay up until 5am:

‘Actors aren’t just loved here in Hollywood, they’re loved the world over, because they’re recognisable. You can be in the Third World, and you catch a glimpse of a Hollywood star, and it makes you feel better. You can be a little child, a little Asian child, with no possessions, no money – but you can see a picture of Angelina Jolie and you think ‘Mummy!’ ‘

On Paul McCartney – ‘We were on the same plane to get here. I was in first and he was behind me in coach. He’s saving money. He spent a lot last year.’

On Mel Gibson – ‘It’s not my fault. I like a drink as much as the next man. Unless the next man is Mel Gibson.’

‘The great thing about the Golden Globes is that it crushes prejudice and stereotypes. A particular stereotype is that Irishmen are drunk, hairy hellraisers. Now please welcome Colin Farrell.’

My friend’s Niece is a little obsessed with Pocahontas at the moment. I understand that watching children’s films on repeat can get mind numbing after a while (although I don’t think this would ever happen with Up) but I was more than happy to sit and watch it last weekend because (shock horror) I had never seen it.

It was good. It was also so catchy that I was left singing ‘Savages’ for the rest of the weekend. James Cameron must have liked it too because – hold on a cotton-picking minute - didn’t I see this a couple of weeks ago in 3D?

I saw the above posted on The Huffington Post, which really points out the BLATANT similarities between Pocahontas and Avatar, suggesting that Cameron is just a big ol’ copycat. It’s actually quite funny.

None of this actually detracts from how much I enjoyed the latter film though. We all know Avatar is also Dances with Wolves too but who cares. It looks AMAZING.

Image

Image

Reeally looking forward to seeing EXAM, the British thriller from writer/director Stuart Hazeldine. The  film sees eight candidates succeed to the final step of securing their dream job at a major corporation. When they walk into the room to take their final exam together, invigilator Scott Salmon (with that voice) explains - among other rules – that they have just 80 minutes to complete their final test. It all sounds pretty standard… until they turn over the exam paper to find it is blank. The candidates (all of whom remain nameless), soon realise they can speak to each other and begin to try and work out the question that needs to be answered. But, knowing there is only room for one winner, each person must decide how far they are willing to go for that dream job.

It’s like a creepy version of The Apprentice!

I’m  intrigued as to how it will all work cinematically, as the whole film is set in just one room, taking place in real time. 88 Minutes and Phone Booth spring to mind as other pictures filmed in this way and although I’m sure there are many more, few - I bet - place full concentration on just one set.

It’s a great premise for a film and I like that there’s this obvious spin on reality TV. We all bitch about it but - apart from being massively successful - it’s fuelled other artistic ideas such as this one!

Well isn’t Tamara Mellon just full of surprises. The founder of Jimmy Choo has announced that the brand will be collaborating with UGG Australia to create a limited edition collection of women’s sheepskin footwear.

There I was, happily perusing my Twitterfeed (or whatever you call it) when Hilary Alexander informs me of the news. At first I thought the Telegraph must have got it wrong but when I clicked the link for confirmation, I nearly spat out my tea.

That  might sound like a massive exaggeration - I can be a bit dramatic – but as someone with a bit of an aversion to UGGs, I was just a little surprised.

Perhaps it shouldn’t have been such a shock. After all, Jimmy Choo did whack out a successful clothing line for H&M late last year and produced wellies for Hunter (I didn’t get that either) over the festival season. No, it’s less shock… more worry.

Of course, these are just my opinions and UGG are a hugely popular brand, worldwide so there will be herds of people excited about the possibilities here – Tamara Mellon included:

‘Other than Jimmy Choo, UGG Australia is the only other footwear I have in my wardrobe’, Telegraph reports. 

The collection will include five styles priced between £495 and £695 and is set to launch this October. I’ll try and reserve further judgement until then…

Image  Images

The A-Team trailer has officially been released! After one viewing I haven’t managed to notice much apart from Bradley Cooper (would you LOOK at those abs?) so I’ll be watching again to try and make sense of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it movie snapshots…

The trailer definitely rides on nostalgia, referencing the popular series throughout from on-screen dialogue to the voiceover man. Is this a good thing? If it’s going to draw in the divided fans, then definitely.

This has got to be one of the more random celebrity collaborations, I think you’ll agree: Lady Gaga has been made Creative Director for Polaroid, reinventing the instant film camera and producing her own line of ‘Heartbeat Headphones’. Sure.

The Pop Lady herself tweeted the above picture to her ‘little monsters’ (that’s followers to you and I) recently, confirming that this is of course, serious stuff. She has business cards and everything.

It’s a smart move from Polaroid, who filed for bankruptcy in 2001. Last year was the year of Gaga and it looks like 2010 is set to be no different.

These are the latest Polaroid headphones below. What do you think? Interesting fashion statement or just completely Gaga?

Vanity Fair certainly know how to stir things up. Just when we thought the whole Tiger Woods episode was calming down, the magazine goes and splashes his face all over the February issue (with a striking Annie Leibowitz photograph no less), pondering the Golfer’s future by delving into his apparant past.

There might be no words from Woods himself but the collation of facts makes for a semi-interesting read, even if we have heard it all before and this is definitely a smart financial move from VF. Old photographs, no interview and a controversial and current celebrity topic to regurgitate to the intrigued population? This issue is going to sell.

Word has been going round for some time now about V Magazine’s ‘Size Issue’ - which will be hitting stands on January 14th – and finally we get to see what all the fuss is about with these images. Showing 5’9″ beauty and plus size model Crystal Renn next to ‘regular’ model Jacquelyn Jablonski, the spread suggests ‘One Size Fits All’, with both women shown in similar poses and identical high-fashion attire from the likes of Proenza Schouler and Dolce and Gabbana.

V Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Stephen Gan recently told New York Post:

‘Big, little, pint-size, plus size – every body is beautiful. And this issue is out to prove it.’

The magazine follows Glamour, who ran a ‘Plus Size Issue’ this November and who have also featured the likes of Renn on other occasions, without the urge to highlight her slightly-larger-than-normally-shown body.

It is this need for magazines to declare an issue dedicated to size that seems a little worrying. By creating just ONE magazine that celebrates all sizes, the isolated issue itself admits the industry’s problem in ignoring larger ladies in editorial shots for the remaining eleven months of the year.

What’s even more hilarious is the fact that Karl Lagerfeld - who notoriously stated that nobody wants to see curvy women – has been involved with the issue alongside photographers Terry Richardson and Bruce Weber.

Judging from these photos, Renn is looking as hot as ever, but with measurements of 36-31-41 , is she really the definition of ‘real women’? Well, of course not. I know, I know, we’ve heard it all before: designers don’t make sample sizes big enough so magazines don’t get a choice in the matter… blah blah. But still, this is bound to get people talking. Plus, I like a good rant.

Despite the mini attack, I do look forward to seeing the full outcome of January’s V Magazine. I just wish that issues like this weren’t such a departure from normality.

Images