‘How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days’ (2003)

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In this iconic film, Kate Hudson’s character writes an article on how to lose a man in 10 days, while her counterpart Matthew McConaughey has a similar plan, to make a girl fall in love with him in 10 days to score a Diamond account at his advertising firm. However, the plan goes array when they end up falling in love for real.

’10 Things I Hate About You’ (1999)

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The film starring Heath Ledger, Julia Styles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” Rebellious teen girl, Kat, is wooed by school bad boy Patrick as part of a bet so another school mate can date Kat’s sister. However as fitting with most Rom-Coms, an unexpected love blossoms through a hilarious story of friendship and comedy. 

’13 Going On 30′ (2004)

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13 Going on 30 follows Jenna, a 13-year-old girl who wakes up in her 30-year-old body. She wakes up as an editor of a high fashion magazine in NYC and at first it seems she’s got everything she dreamed of however the story follows her as she navigates adult life with the help of her childhood best friend, Matt. Jenna learns the importance of staying true to herself and repairing past mistakes in this heart-warming and comedic coming-of-age tale.

‘Love Actually’ (2003)

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The star-studded cast of Love Actually and heart-warming story won over the nation upon release. The film weaves together multiple love stories during the holiday season in London. From unrequited crushes to forbidden romances, the film explores the complexities of love in all its forms and celebrates the magic and messiness of love during the festive season.

‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ (2001)

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The hilarious British comedy follows the clumsy and relatable Bridget as she navigates love, friendship, and work in London. Documenting her ups and downs in a diary, Bridget juggles two suitors, the charming Mark Darcy and the roguish Daniel Cleaver. With humour and heart, Bridget learns to embrace her imperfections and find happiness.

‘(500) Days Of Summer’ (2009)

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500 Days of Summer is a nonlinear romantic comedy-drama that explores the relationship between Tom and Summer. Through 500 days of highs and lows, the film challenges common romantic tropes and delves into the complexities of love, heartbreak, and personal growth. With a unique storytelling style, it captures the bittersweet essence of modern romance.

‘Bride Wars’ (2009)

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The hit film starring Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson follows best friends Liv and Emma as the get engaged at the same time as they always dreamed, However after a falling out, inadvertently schedule their weddings on the same day. What starts as a friendly rivalry escalates into all-out war, testing their friendship and sanity. As they sabotage each other’s big day, they learn valuable lessons about love, loyalty, and forgiveness.

’27 Dresses’ (2008)

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Starring Katherine Heigl, 27 Dresses follows Jane, a perpetual bridesmaid who selflessly helps others find love while concealing her own feelings. When her sister gets engaged to Jane’s secret crush, Jane must confront her true desires and learn to prioritize her own happiness. With humour and heart, Jane finds her own happily-ever-after.

_{Written By Lauren Dickson}

The post From ‘How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days’ To ’13 Going On 30′: Exploring 8 Of The Most Memorable Rom-Coms Of The 2000s appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Andrea “Dre” Greene, a young lady from Houston, would do anything for her favourite R&B singer Ni’Jah: max out credit cards, shun her sister’s boyfriend, and even murder the star’s haters. Dominique Fishback (Judas and the Black Messiah) stars as the psychotic Dre in the seven-part satirical psychological thriller that debuted earlier this month on Amazon Prime.

Writers and creators Donald Glover and Janine Nabers wanted to make it blatantly obvious that pop star Ni’Jah is a parallel to Beyoncé. Of course, Ni’Jah’s fanbase’s nickname is the Swarm very similar to Beyoncé stan’s nickname the Beyhive, Dre accidentally bites Ni’Jah just like the rumoured incident with a fan biting Bey, Ni’Jah’s releases “Festival” about her unfaithful husband much like Beyoncé’s Lemonade, and there’s even a Solange doppelganger in the show. The series even begins with the slightly on-the-nose message: “This is not a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is intentional”.

Though the events are inspired by details and incidents throughout Beyoncé’s career, the examination of fandom culture is of course applicable beyond her fans. “Beyhive don’t kill us, it’s not that bad, it’s actually pretty cool!”, Childish Gamino joked at the premiere of the show.

Glover called Swarm a “post-truth TV show” in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter. The Atlanta writer and Janine Nabers assess the dangers of parasocial relationships showing how online fandoms can spring into witch hunt attacks, dox those that diss the star they stan, invade celebrities’ privacy, and even go as far as violence through using Dre as depiction of an extreme case.

Talking to Vulture, Glover said he wanted Dre to be “brutal” and told Fishback to watch Isabella Huppert in the Piano Teacher for inspiration for her performance. However, some of the writer’s comments on how he prepared the actress for the role have rubbed people the wrong way. Glover told Vulture he instructed the actress to: “Think of it more like an animal and less like a person”.

Despite the lack of help she received in interpreting her character’s deeper motives, Dominique Fishback delivers a spine-chilling performance as Dre as she continues further into psychosis as the years pass. The brief connection we get to see between Chloe Bailey (Black-ish) who plays Dre’s sister Marissa and Dre gives us more insight into the softer side of the character but unlucky for us their screen time together is short lived. Packed with gore, tension, as well as dark humour, Swarm is a thriller that keeps its audience engaged with its hooking plot and dramatic performances. 

The show seems to find its groove more as we get further down the rabbit hole. Just as Dre struggles to distinguish between reality and fiction so does the viewer as episode six plunges us into a true crime documentary following a police detective trying to solve Dre’s murders. In a particularly meta, twist Donald Glover himself even gives a red-carpet interview about him making a TV show based on Dre’s life therefore suggesting Dre exists in our world. It’s a mind melt moment nearly as genius as the second half of  the American Horror Story series Roanoke.

A little ironically Twitter and TikTok have been hyped over popstar Billie Eillish’s acting debut as the extremely intense blonde lesbian cult leader Eva who takes Dre under her wing in one of the murder’s more vulnerable moments. She’s just the slice of camp that the show needed.

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_{Words by Molly Sutherland}

^{Header Image by Quantrell D. Colbert}

The post Why Swarm Is Our Favourite TV Show ATM appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Aries

21^st March – 19^th April 

Fiery, Passionate, and confident Aries signs need films featuring characters as strong as them. The Woman King (2022), with Viola Davis starring as the fierce General Nanisca, will add fuel to any Aries’ fire. This historical action drama revolves around the Agojie, the all-female warrior unit that protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey during the 17th to 19th centuries. Aries love action and The Woman King is packed with well-choreographed fight scenes (as well as a bit of romance, amazing acting, and a great storyline). Brave and inspiring – it has Aries written all over it.

Watch on: Apple TV or Amazon

Taurus 

20^th April – 20^th May 

Taurus signs with their down-to-earth yet sensual nature love a realistic romance film that plays with the conventions of a typical rom-com. David O. Russel’s quirky love story The Silver Linings Playbook (2012) is sure to pack a punch with Taurus. Set in a small town in Pennsylvania, Pat a former teacher with bipolar disorder is released from a psychiatric hospital and moves back in with his parents, and meets a young widow, Tiffany, who also struggles with mental illness. The two bond over their struggles and Tiffany offers to help him get his wife back if he enters a dance competition with her. Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert De Niro, it’s an interesting portrayal of mental illness resulting in a bittersweet flick a Taurus will appreciate.

Watch on: Amazon Prime

Gemini

21^st May – 21^st June

Geminis have an unfair reputation for being the two-faced one among the signs when actually, they are the most extroverted, playful, lively, and social. Hidden behind their bubbly surface they are also fiercely loyal and intelligent. This is why Emma (2020) is perfect for them. Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, Emma revolves around the well-meaning but blundering titular character as she plays matchmaker to her friends whilst accidentally getting caught up in a romance of her own. Geminis will totally see themselves in the charismatic, witty, and nosey Emma played by Anya Taylor-Joy. 

Watch on: Amazon or Apple TV

Cancer

22^nd June to 22^nd July

Oh, sweet emotional Cancers beware – this movie will have you a wreck. Dear John (2010) is your typical heart-warming yet soul-destroying romance film. Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, it follows the life of a soldier (Channing Tatum) after he falls in love with a young woman (Amanda Seyfried). Though they decide to exchange letters with each other after he is deployed to the war the course of true love never did run smoothly. This film is full of heart – perfect for softies like Cancers. It’s a sob fest for sure.

Watch on: Netflix

Leo

23^rd July – 22^nd August

You can spot a Leo as soon as they enter a room. Full of confidence and comfortable being the centre of attention they need a fun flick featuring a lead as cool and enigmatic as they are. We all watched it and loved it as kids but when was the last time you revisited Wild Child (2008)? It still holds up as an iconic uber-camp teen movie with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Poppy, played by Emma Roberts, the admirably bratty teen from Malibu (who couldn’t get more Leo) is shipped out to boarding school in England when her partying pushes her dad too far. Mud, pink, Gucci, boys, lacrosse – expect it all. 

Watch on: Netflix

Virgo

August 23^rd – 22^nd September

A thoughtful horror is ideal for a movie night pick for Virgo. The perfect sleuth, hardworking, reliable, patient, and most importantly logical Virgo doesn’t scare easily and will enjoy a spooky flick clouded in mystery. Jordan Peele’s Us (2019) is just the creative psychological horror that will challenge them. Gabe (Winston Duke) and Adelaide (Lupita Nyong’o) Wilson take their kids to their beach house expecting to unplug and unwind with friends but as night draws near chaos descends when their murderous doppelgängers arrive demanding retribution.

Watch on: Amazon

Libra

23^rd September – 23^rd October

Represented by the scales, Libra has a strong sense of justice. A politically engaged film will interest this thoughtful diplomatically minded sign. Two Distant Strangers (2020) is a short film starring rapper Joey Bada$$ that will give Libra plenty to chew on. Carter, played by Bada$$, just wants to get home to his dog after sleeping over at the house of his date. However, he mysteriously ends up in a time loop with a cop that has it out for him. This film examines the deaths of Black Americans during encounters with police and is an important one that everyone should watch.

Watch on: Netflix

Scorpio

23^rd October – 21^st November

A complex sign Scorpios are passionate yet persistent, loyal but strategic, and will enjoy a film with a complex main character like themselves. Miss Congeniality (2000) is a silly makeover chick flick that will lighten the heart of the toughest Scorpio. Gracie Hart, a tomboyish tough detective, is forced to infiltrate the Miss United States beauty pageant as a contestant after her department learns that the event is under threat from an anonymous bomber. It’s the classic trope – Sandra Bullock takes her hair down, puts some makeup and a dress on, and suddenly what do you know she’s pretty. You’ll be hooked throughout this action-comedy film with a hint of romance. 

Watch on: Amazon Prime

Sagittarius

22^nd November to 21^st December

Freedom-adoring and laughter-loving Sagittarius needs an off-the-wall film that will fill their quota for adventure. Charlie’s Angels (2000) is that film. Featuring plenty of eye candy with Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, and Drew Barrymore all starring in this kitschy and charming spy classic. Sagittarius will be thrilled by the great dialogue, array of stunning costumes and beauty moments, fabulous action sequences, and the dash of romance. We came for the fits and the stars and stayed to watch Lucy Liu kick Crispin Glover’s scrawny ass.

Watch on: NOW TV

Capricorn

22^nd December – 19^th January

Overachieving Capricorns with their persistent spirit yet sensitive nature will definitely see themselves in Elle Woods. Legally Blonde (2001) is now considered a modern classic in the rom-com genre. When Elle gets dumped for a more serious girl she proves to her ex, the world, and herself how smart she is by joining Harvard Law School. This fiercely feminist film fights back against the idea being feminine and smart are mutually exclusive showing that you can rock a pink dress in court.

Watch on: Amazon Prime

Aquarius

20^th January – 18^th February 

Matching to the beat of their own drum, the original and creative Aquarius require a film that will keep them on their toes. A great pick for an Aquarius movie night is Showgirls (1995): a fast-paced pulp noir about the dangerous rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle of showgirls in Las Vegas. Full of controversy of the amount of nudity in the film it bombed at the box office but has since gained cult status – it’s perfect for the boundary-pushing Aquarius.

Watch on: Amazon Prime

Pisces

19^th February – 20^th March 

Light-hearted playful films will appeal to Pisces who are empathetic, romantic, intuitive, and mostly importantly dreamers. In Always Be My Maybe (2019) celebrity chef Sasha and her childhood sweetheart Marcus reunite just as Sasha breaks off her engagement. Sasha has always wondered whether Marcus is the one – could it be a case of right person wrong time or will their lack of honesty with each other drive another wedge between them? This sweet tale starring Ali Wong, Randall Park, and Keanu Reeves (?!) will have every Pisces feeling mushy.

Watch on: Netflix

_{Words by: Molly Sutherland}

The post Looking For a Film to Watch? Here’s One You’ll Love Based on Your Zodiac Sign appeared first on Voir Fashion.

A lot of us have become invested in franchises and series, whether it was during lockdown or even before, binge-watching and marathons have made us emotionally attached to fictional places and characters. But when that series or franchise comes to halt, we’re often left with questions unanswered, needs unmet or just a big hole that the show used to fill. While 2021 remains unpredictable, one thing is for sure: the reboots and sequels coming out this year are something to look forward to, with some of the biggest movie franchises continuing their stories, and some old favourites coming back from the dead.

Reboots And Spin-offs

1. Daria (Jodie)

The satirical 90s teen cartoon will return this year, but not with the titular character in the spotlight. Comedy Central will bring us a spin-off, produced by and featuring Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish, The High Note), that will revolve around Daria’s smart, sarcastic friend Jodie. The reboot will be aimed at a Gen Z audience and Jodie will return as a recent college graduate, navigating the workplace, privilege and Gen Z-specific struggles, all with a narrative of wit, sarcasm and smarts.

2. Gossip Girl

We’ve all been hearing news of a Gossip Girl reboot since last year and it’s now been confirmed that the reimagined series is due to release this year. Portraits of the new cast and characters were released on the Gossip Girl Instagram page on New Year’s Day, sparking excitement for the teen drama. The new series will still be narrated by Kristen Bell and with the original creators producing the series, we just know it’ll be a hit.

3. Clueless

Much like the Daria reboot, the new, yet-to-be-titled Clueless will be a spin-off, focusing on a black supporting character. The reboot was first reported on by Variety in August, describing the new series as ‘a baby pink and bisexual blue-tinted, tiny sun-glasses wearing, oat milk latte and Adderall-fueled look at what happens when queen bee Cher disappears and her lifelong number two Dionne steps into Cher’s vacant Air Jordans.’, depicting the show as just as fashionable as the original, with some mystery thrown in. While release dates and details are still foggy, we know the series will air on NBCUniversal’s new streaming service Peacock.

4. iCarly – A reboot of the much loved Nickelodeon show was confirmed in December, and is set to include most of the original cast. The producer, Jay Kogen, shared that the new series will be for adults, which makes sense regarding fans of the show are all grown up now. It’s headed for the streaming platform Paramount Plus, and even with no confirmed details of it’s release or plot, we’re all excited for the classic to return.

5. James Bond (No Time To Die)

The anticipation over the new Bond film grew exponentially after each of it’s delays and is now confirmed to be released at the beginning of April this year. It was originally due to premiere in November of 2019 but with production delays, it was pushed back, then with the titular song, sung by Billie Eilish, released at the beginning of 2020, we were all excited for the film. Due to the pandemic, No Time To Die experienced several more push backs, each one sparking more excitement than the last. Hopefully, this one will stick, there’s only so many times we can have a Bond marathon in preparation.

6. A Quiet Place Part II

Another film delayed by the pandemic, the sequel to John Krasinski’s (The Office, Jack Ryan) thriller is now set to come out in April. Part II finds the Abbott Family among more than just the threat of the creatures that hunted them before. The same stars and characters will return, this time with the addition of Cillian Murphy as a main character too.

7. Spider Man 3

Tom Holland will return as Spider-man this year, in the third film of the new series in the Spider-man MCU franchise. The film will include some old supervillains from previous Spider-man eras including Jamie Foxx as Electro, and there are rumours of both previous actors, Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield, appearing. We’re excited for its release which, while not confirmed, is supposed to be near the end of the year.

8. The Matrix 4

The 4th instalment of the Matrix franchise will arrive in December of this year. Most of the leads remain the same, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are examples;  returning as Neo and Trinity. New reported cast members include Neil Patrick Harris (How I met Your Mother), Stephen Graham (This Is England) and Yayha Abdul-Mateen II (Aquaman).

Words by Daisy Greetham, Graphics by Sophia Zenonos

The post The Best Reboots And Sequels Coming This Year appeared first on Voir Fashion.

The height of the sexual harassment conversation was seen at the beginning of 2018 when one of the biggest names in Hollywood was exposed as a sexual predator. This sparked a discussion into the topic of sexual harassment and pioneered the movement that fights to protect women. Since then, many TV shows have come out, highlighting the instances of sexual harassment and the reality of injustice that has been present when it comes to sexual harassment cases. Voir has curated a list of five TV shows that has sparked a conversation and present a realistic depiction of sexual harassment.

Liar

2 seasons

Sundance Tv

Liar is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Laura Nielson, a dedicated teacher who accuses Andrew Earlham, a renowned surgeon of rape after a seemingly innocent date. The series is a volatile story of how these accusations capsize their lives after making the accusations. Laura, as the accuser’s life, is put under a microscope and all her actions up until then are criticised while the accused as he is a renowned surgeon, doesn’t face the same criticism.

I May Destroy You

June 7th HBO Max

Michaela Coel first came into the mainstream with her hit comedy series Chewing Gum; now she is telling a fearless, frank and provocative story of sexual consent in the series I May Destroy You. This series tells the story of Arabella (played by Coel) a carefree, self-assured Londoner who has lost her memory after a night of heavy drinking, where her drink is spiked with a date-rape drug. While waking up the next day with no memory and a head scar, Arabella must rebuild what happened to her, forcing her to question everything.

13 Reasons Why

4 Seasons

Netflix

’13 Reasons Why’ is a series that took the world by storm as it told the story of depression and suicide among youth through the main character Hannah Baker. In the first season, the topic of sexual harassment is spoken about briefly as one of the reasons that contributed to the suicide of the main character, but the topic is explored further in the second season where the series approaches this topic highlighting gender inequality in school policy and the toxic masculinity present in the high school environment.

Unbelievable

Limited series (8 episodes)

Netflix

Based on The Marshall Project and ProPublica Pulitzer Prize-winning article, “An Unbelievable Story of Rape,” written by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, and the This American Life radio episode, “Anatomy of Doubt”. Unbelievable tells the story of women who face sexual violence from a serial predator who preys upon women across the country. The series highlights injustice the unspeakable trauma and astounding resilience of the victims when it comes to sexual harassment.

Sex Education

2 seasons

Netflix

Sex education tells the story of Socially awkward high school student Otis who becomes the student’s sex therapist having little sexual experience of his own. As the show tackles the topics around sex, they were bound to tackle the story of sexual harassment eventually. The series depicts acts of sexual harassment in public spaces that may be seen as small acts but leave lasting trauma to the victims.

Sexual harassment is a topic that we should all be talking about and educating ourselves on and thanks to these shows storylines which are shining light on different scenarios of sexual harassment. If you are a victim of sexual violence, Call the Rape Crisis national freephone helpline on 0808 802 9999 (12-2.30pm and 7-9.30pm every day of the year) or find the nearest Rape and sexual assault referral centres services near you here. You can also visit this website here to find out the steps to take.

Words by Precious Njoki

Graphics by Katie Janes

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One thing you should know is that many of the great TV shows and Movie hits are originated from books. From well-known books like Game of Thrones and Harry Potter to those you might not know like Clueless, Big Little Lies and Codename Villanelle (Killing Eve). The truth, as any avid book reader will tell you is that the books are always better. With books, the scene is based on your imagination and there is always so much more to the storyline. So, if you can’t wait for the release date or you want an interesting read here are 8 books set to be adapted into films or TV shows that you can read in advance.Little Fires EverywhereLimited TV series Genre: Drama Author: Celeste Ng Release Date: March 18th, 2020

This limited Eight-episode series is set to premiere on Hulu. It was produced by Reese Witherspoon, who is also set to star in the series alongside Kerry Washington. Little fires everywhere is a #1 New York best seller book exploring according to the Author the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood–and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster. If you are a fan of big little lies this is a book for you.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWGkX8ClhBI

David CopperfieldMovie Genre: ComedyAuthor: Charles DickensRelease Date: 24 January 2020

Looking for a classic here is Charles dickens as he tells the story of a young man named David Copperfield and his adventures as he moves from poverty to riches and back to poverty. This movie is best for all fans of old times and literature.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXh53I-Sdsk

The Last Letters From Your LoverMovie Genre: Romance Author: Jojo Moyes Release Date: Filming

From the author who gave us me before you comes ‘The last Letters from your lover’ is a dual narrative romantic story set in 1960 & 2003 around a letter which was first found by a woman in hospital with amnesia asking her to leave her husband and later found by another woman trying to resurrect her journalism career with the same letter. Directed by Augustine Frizzell and currently filming, the last letter from your lover is best for all those Nicholas sparks fans looking for that romantic chick flick.

Nine Perfect StrangersLimited TV series Genre: Drama Author: Liane Moriarty Release Date: End of 2020

Another instalment from the author who wrote Big Little Lies. After the success of Big Little Lies, Nicole Kidman secured the rights to the book and now is set to premiere on Hulu and release at the end of 2020. Starring Melissa McCarthy Nine Perfect Strangers is the story nine strangers Who all go to a health resort for ten days and in those ten days what happens is set to change them forever.

China Rich GirlfriendMovie Genre: Romantic Comedy Author: Kevin Kwan Release Date: Not Known

Set to be the sequel to the hit Crazy Rich Asians China rich Girlfriend tells the story of Rachel Chu as she reconnects with her father before her wedding. If you loved the first story of the Crazy Rich Asian here is the story of what happens after they metaphorically sail into the sunset.

The Woman in the WindowMovie Genre: Drama, Thriller Author: A. J. FinnRelease Date: May 14th 2020

The Woman in the window tells the story of a woman who is Agoraphobic and lives alone in New York. Afraid to go outside she spends her days watching and observing her neighbours until she witnesses something she shouldn’t have.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0hTmzISOlQ

Two Kisses for MaddieMovie Genre: DramaAuthor: Matt LogelinRelease Date: October 23rd, 2020

Based on a true-life story of Fatherhood. Two Kisses for Maddie is a story of a man who loses his wife during childbirth and is left to raise his daughter Maddie. Adapted by Channing Tatum this book is released this year starring Kevin Hart. This book is bound to be heart-wrenching as it tells the story of a single parent forced into both roles and the bond that forms

Six of CrowsTv series Genre: FantasyAuthor: Leigh Bardugo Release Date: Not Known

Set to Premier on Netflix six of Crows is a book series six outsiders and criminals who come together to perform a deadly heist that could make them rich beyond their wildest dreams. This book is best for Young Adult Fantasy Fans who may have also liked ‘The Witcher.’

Words by Precious Njoki

Graphics by Katie Janes

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The post 8 Books to Read Before Watching the Movie Version appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Australian-American actress, producer and Hollywood sweetheart Nicole Kidman returns once again to exhibit her versatile acting chops on the big screen as she takes on the role of Gretchen Carlson, a former television co-host at Fox News who in 2016, filed a lawsuit against then CEO and Chairman Roger Ailes on claims of sexual harassment. This timely biographical feature film titled Bombshell is the brainchild of director Jay Roach and writer Charles Randolph, and co-stars other big names such as Charlize Theron and Margot Robbie. The storyline comprises of the allegations made against Ailes by several female employees and centres on their journey in setting out to expose his figure as an authorial man swathed in media-oriented power. Although brazenly radical in subject matter and towered by a number of contradictions in political views, Bombshell does not appear to be the first project Kidman has been involved with which verges on the margins of the extreme; dealing with the stark depiction of society’s underbelly and an exploration into the nature of the vulgar.

Growing up in Sydney, Kidman was enrolled in ballet classes at the mere age of three and immediately showed a premature natural acting talent in her primary and high school years. Her interest in villainous characters was cultivated early on as she cites her experience of seeing Margaret Hamilton’s performance as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz as a primary source of inspiration for pursuing a life-long career in acting. At the Australian Theatre for Young People, she took classes in drama, mime and performing throughout her teenage years and continually received praise and encouragement to embark upon becoming a full-time actress.

In 1995, Kidman landed the lead role in Gus Van Sant’s To Die For, a criminal comedy mockumentary which aided as the first step in bringing her closer to worldwide recognition. Her character, Suzanne Stone, is an aspiring broadcast journalist who will stop at nothing to attain a worldwide level of fame and recognition. Her obsession with screens and voyeuristic forms of looking soon leads her into recruiting high school subjects Jimmy, Russell and Lydia as part of her TV documentary, Teens Speak Out. Ironically, it is this self-recorded documentary that later serves as evidence for Suzanne’s plotted murder of her husband Larry through the help of the students.

The film and novel of the same name are based on the criminal case of Pamela Smart, a convicted American murderer who seduced a fifteen-year-old boy and conspired with him and his three friends to have her husband killed. This darkly disturbing backstory underlies the colourful, scholastic visuals of the film and poses a challenge for newcomer Kidman in balancing the image of hidden malice with a dolled-up, perky façade—a challenge which she seems to have risen remarkably well too, as Mich LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle critiques,

“She brings to the role layers of meaning, intention and impulse. Telling her story in close-up—as she does throughout the film—Kidman lets you see the calculation, the wheels turning, the transparent effects to charm that succeed in charming all the same.”

Not to mention also her win at the Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress. Kidman was seen to, therefore, stun audiences with her ability to intermingle a performance of charming naivety with cold-hearted ruthlessness, portraying marvellously the dangers of fame obsession in the multimedia age.

A passion for narratives of tragedy and doomed fate continues in Kidman’s depiction of English writer Virginia Woolf in The Hours (2002), a psychological drama film directed by Stephen Daldry and co-starring Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore. The storyline focuses on three women of different generations whose lives are interconnected by Woolf’s novel, Mrs Dalloway. Apart from Kidman’s drastic physical transformation (with the aid of a conspicuous prosthetic nose) and her shift in mannerisms, posture and accent appear astoundingly similar to Woolf, with Kidman herself commenting that “All you know is: Everything starts to flow, and suddenly you’re walking differently, you’re talking differently, you’re thinking differently, your whole demeanour is in relation to what you’re shooting a lot of the time, mood-wise even.”

This immersion into the physical state of her character no doubt filters into the emotional sphere as well, forcing Kidman to venture into the dark and troubled mind of the writer during her final days leading up to her suicide by drowning in the River Ouse. Drawing upon research into the psychological science of nervous breakdowns, depression and bipolar disorders, Kidman delivers a showstoppingly poignant performance, eventually earning her positive critical reaction and an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Over fifteen years later, Kidman still refuses to shy away from topics that disturb, subvert and provoke as she slips into the character of Gretchen Carlson, who alongside Megyn Kelly, strives to take on the head of Fox News and the illegal wrongdoings he has committed within the workspace. First announced in May 2017, following the death of Ailes, the film has emerged in the opportune time for its meaning to take root as we are able to look back on the pre-Me Too time of political and feminist struggle and align our present societal climate with it. In the two years since the momentous event of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, audiences have been ready for a dramatisation of the isolation, humiliation, and fear that comes with the experience of and admittance to sexual harassment.

Bombshell’s release date is set for 24th January 2020 in the UK.

Words by Shir Ariya

Graphics by Séverine Denis-Lessard

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It is not often we witness the works of female directors grace the cinema screens of Hollywood, so it is a marvel that actress, screenwriter and director Greta Gerwig has announced the release of not one, but two upcoming films, Little Women and Barbie fresh off her success from the critically acclaimed, coming-of-age indie Lady Bird (2017). Her imminent prolific career and fervent fanbase are attributed however, to more humble beginnings as an actress on the outskirts of fame, starring in a number of low-budget mumblecore films.

Mumblecore is the name given to the subgenre of indie films characterised by naturalistic acting and dialogue and a preoccupation with the intimate relationships of people in their 20s. Emerging from the early 2000s, it has resonated with young audiences across the world with its treatment of disillusionment, social awkwardness and miscommunication between strangers— themes all too familiar to the information-saturated minds of Generation Y. As a key figure of this stylistic movement, Gerwig has appeared in a number of films from Joe Swanberg, some of which she co-wrote and co-directed, including Hannah Takes the Stairs (2007) and Nights and Weekends (2008). But it was not until the release of Noah Baumbach’s Frances Ha (2012), that she started to gain mainstream recognition for her charmingly clumsy and relatable portrayal of protagonist Frances Haliday.

With witty and highly quotable lines such as ‘I’m so embarrassed, I’m not a real person yet’, and ‘I like things that look like mistakes’, Gerwig charms as the 27- year old aspiring ballet dancer, traversing through friendships, romances and career struggles. As she states in an interview, ‘Some of the independent movies that make money have a very specific thing that you can tell audiences they’ll feel about it…Frances Ha will touch your deep feelings of failure and unworthiness.’ Taking the feel-good promise of commercial indies at the time and turning it on its head, Gerwig seeks instead to touch people’s hearts through the acceptance of uncertainty in the world, and as a result, carves out an intensely realistic reflection of youthful aimlessness.

Her iconic screenwriting collaboration with Baumbach on the film (who later becomes her lifelong partner) has also allowed her to move away from the spotlight in front of the camera to the manipulation of it from behind. With the advantage of experience from both sides of acting and writing, Gerwig became ready to take the world by storm with her directorial debut, Lady Bird, a coming-of-age film set in Sacramento, California about a high schooler named Christine McPherson (played by Saoirse Ronan) who makes everyone call her by the nickname of Lady Bird. The film immediately shot to fame and critical acclaim, winning Gerwig a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture in a Musical or Comedy and a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The mesmerising element of the film, however, seems not to be rooted solely in the poignant depiction of human interactions, but also in the treatment of the female subject, with Christine shining as the fiercely original teenage character bursting simultaneously with confidence and anxiety.

Gerwig’s account of Christine’s life is revealed to be semi-autobiographical, as she states in a behind-the-scenes video ‘I tend to start with things from my own life, then pretty quickly they spin out into their own orbit.’ By taking bits of inspiration from her own past growing up in Sacramento, such as the famous scene of Christine jumping out of a moving car, Gerwig infuses the film with a personal interconnectedness and improvisational quality, accentuating the importance of female subjectivity to the storyline. As we watch the conventional coming-of-age tropes play out (a character falling in and out of love, losing her virginity, discovering intellectual passions), we become aware of the film’s realist tone, constantly rejecting the urge to romanticise the often romanticised narrative of the teenage girl. Settings are stripped of any hint of gaudiness or theatricality, with a heightened emphasis on the mundane and the monotonous rounds of school and home. Characters are vulnerable to emotional impulses and desires, reinforcing the yin-and-yang idea of both good and evil existing at the same place and time, with Gerwig herself quoted as saying in an interview with Dazed Magazine, ‘I never think about female characters as being likeable or unlikeable. With all my characters—not just with female characters—but with every single character in this film. There are no villains.’

Even the outfits worn by the girls in the film have been thoroughly researched to make sure they remain faithful to the early 2000s era in which the story is set, as Gerwig reveals that ‘The costume designer April Napier and I spent a lot of time looking at old Seventeen magazines. And, there was a catalogue called Delia’s which was something everyone in the United States bought. You always wanted to look like one of the girls from Delia’s!’ Clothing is selected therefore on grounds of narrative accuracy rather than a desired beautification of the female image.

With planted seeds from the likes of Sofia Coppola and her scrutinisation into the art of female dynamics in The Virgin Suicides (1999) and Marie Antoinette (2006), Gerwig herself has transformed into a fundamental figure for the preservation of femininity in film and for the garnering of interest in the growth and maturation of the leading woman. In her upcoming film Little Women (set to release on 27 December 2019) where four sisters come of age in the aftermath of the Civil War, she once again provides a voice for the modern independent female, telling Margaret Gardiner in an interview that ‘I’ve always felt that whether you’re writing a novel or making a film, what you choose to put 30 feet tall on a screen tells the audience it’s important and for me, making lives of girls and women important and 30 feet tall and shot on celluloid—it’s worth it and you’re saying their lives have mattered.’

It has also been confirmed that Gerwig is to pair up with Baumbach on the script for her upcoming film Barbie, starring Margot Robbie as a doll who is expelled from Barbieland for not being perfect enough and sets off on an adventure into the real world. Filming is set to begin in 2020.

Words by Shir Ariya

Graphics by Araceli Alonso

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The post The Rise of Greta Gerwig: Femininity in Film appeared first on Voir Fashion.

It’s beginning to look a lot like that time of year where all you want to do is snuggle up nice and warm on the couch with your loved ones, perhaps indulging in a favourite Christmas flick or two. And although the holidays can be a wondrous time for staying within the comforting domains of home, why not spice things up this year with the opportunity to lounge outside among London’s most secretive and dazzling cinemas? With screenings of familiar classics and undiscovered indie gems, you can experience a whole new way of enjoying festive cinema in the weeks leading up to December 25th. Here we’ve rounded up the cosiest, dreamiest most immersive indie cinema screenings and pop-up events for you, complete with movie night essentials: thick blankets, hot drinks and of course, the invaluable company of fellow film fanatics!

1) The Cinema Museum: ‘Love Actually’ Pop-up Screening

Date: 3rd Dec 2019

Time: 18:30 – 22:30

Location: The Cinema Museum, 2 Dugard Way, Lambeth, London SE11 4TH

Age Restriction: Over 18

Ticket Price: from £15.00 – £16.50

Spend your night housed under the comfort of The Cinema Museum’s main auditorium, with a pop-up viewing of, if you haven’t been peer-pressured into seeing it by now, rom-com classic ‘Love Actually’. The museum itself is located in Kennington and is saturated with rich filmic history, having once been home to silent movie star Charlie Chaplin when he was a young boy and his mother faced destitution. Their impressive collection of film memorabilia, including those related to the early days of cinema-going all the way up to the present obsession with multiple modes of film exhibition, is beautifully showcased and available for you to peruse in your own time. In addition to this, the museum also hosts numerous programmes of talks and events with a bonus of silent film screenings, shown at exactly the right speed using advanced projectors, and modern television screenings for the younger crowd with more contemporary tastes.

The Christmas themed screening is set to bring you all sorts of wintry fun, with delicious food vendors, sweet treats, mulled wine and games. There will even be a raffle which will act as a fundraiser project, with all proceeds going to the South London Cares programmes to help keep elderly people warm and connected across Southwark and Lambeth during the colder months of winter. So come and see for yourself what the growing hype around this indie establishment and their eclectic range of events is about, whilst easing yourself into the festive season!

2) Prince Charles Cinema: Christmas Specials

Date: 22nd Nov – 21st Dec 2019Location: Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Pl, London WC2H 7BY

Event Type: Screenings, Pyjama Parties, Sing-Alongs

Christmas at the PCC is like no other. With immersive and interactive events such as the Pyjama Parties, Filmageddon Film Quizzes and Trilogy Marathons, it isn’t difficult to see why this quirky cinema has remained an audience favourite for over many years. If the sound of ‘Die Hard’ reruns and an endless celebration of Kubrick’s last feature film ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ appeals to the film nerd within you, then you wouldn’t want to miss out on this year’s festive line-up. The central London location is also a great perk, with the freedom to grab a bite to eat around Chinatown during the breaks between double features and with its cosy atmosphere guaranteeing an influx of the most vocal cinema lovers out there.

Prince Charles Cinema is known for its ability to cater to diverse tastes, a little something for everyone, so expect a staple of ‘Gremlins’, ‘Edward Scissorhands’ and ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ screenings as well as the more uncommon picks of ‘Casablanca’, ‘The French Connection’ and ‘Tokyo Godfathers’. Just a quick browse on their website will allow you to book in advance all your favourite screenings, but hurry as their growing popularity often results in early sold out tickets.

3) The Exhibit: ‘The Holiday’, ‘Love Actually’ and ‘Elf’ Screenings

Date:

‘The Holiday’ – 27th Nov, 13th, 17th & 18th Dec 2019

‘Love Actually’ – 3rd Dec 2019 & 5 other dates‘Elf’ – 17th Dec & 3 other dates

Location: The Exhibit, 12 Balham Station Rd, Balham, London SW12 9SG

Age Restriction: Over 18Ticket Price: from £15.00 – £35.00

Looking for that perfect Christmas date night? Or a special outing with your best mate? The Exhibit screenings have got you covered. With a choice of two exclusive cinema deals:

Glass of Bubbles/Mulled Wine + Movie Ticket (£15) or Dinner + Bottomless Bubbles + Movie (£30 – £35) – you can indulge in a memorable night of food, fizz and well-loved films.

This year, The Exhibit has whipped up for you a selection of 3 Christmas flicks: ‘The Holiday’, ‘Love Actually’, and ‘Elf’. All under one roof, The cinema has been praised for its boozy sing-alongs, karaoke suites, bottomless brunching, jiving drag queens and weekly life drawings. It even boasts the frequent appearances of live DJ’s until 2am. So get ready for nonstop partying, festive fun and active social engagment with fellow audiences and staff inside this state-of-the-art cinema. Go for the incredibly unique entertainment, cozy 12 sofa seaters for two, scrumptiously curated menus with plenty of veggie, vegan and gluten-free options, and of course, the famous main bar area for your endless top-up of bubbly!

4) Backyard Cinema: Snow Kingdom and Winter Night Garden

Date: 18th Nov – 18th Dec 2019

Location: Backyard Cinema, Capital Studios, Ram Quarter, 13 Wandsworth Plain, London SW18 1ET

Ticket Price: from £18.99

Started humbly from a group of friends enjoying a viewing of ‘Jurassic Park’ projected onto a bedsheet, Backyard Cinema has since then gained media notice with its family-friendly name known for hosting a number of bizarre and colourful events such as zombie apocalypses, ‘Romeo + Juliet’ screenings with a choir in a church and luminous outdoor film festivals.

This year, they are back with an armful of magically interactive experiences: ‘Snow Kingdom’, which allows travellers to seek a magical ball pit river, password-protected frosty worlds and hidden passageways, and ‘Winter Night Garden’, which sees guests travelling through a Narnia-inspired wardrobe and exploring further into an enchanted forest. The latter is woodland-themed, decorated with strings of fairy-lights and promising a curation of cult favourites such as ‘True Romance’ and ‘A Princess Bride’. Both venues include multiple screenings of ‘Elf’, ‘The Greatest Showman’, ‘Home Alone’, ‘Love Actually’ and ‘The Holiday’, toppled up with bean-bags and mouth-watering street food vendors from Honest Burgers and Mother Clucker. So why not treat yourself this holiday season to the ultimate Backyard experience, uncovering a world full of mysteries and rediscovering your favourite films along the way?

Words by Shir Ariya

Graphics by Katie Janes

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The post London’s Hidden Christmas: Indie Cinemas appeared first on Voir Fashion.

In light of the upcoming Charlie’s Angels film, we take a look back at 2019’s explosive trend of remaking, revising and rebooting familiar titles. From the supernatural horror worlds of IT Chapter Two and Child’s Play to the revisitation of childhood nostalgia in The Lion King, it is undeniable that we have entered into a prime generation for taking the old and making it new. Due to rapid development in technology and CGI capabilities as well as an eagerness to imbue well-loved, classic stories with refreshing interpretations, it is not surprising that many visionary directors have recently contributed to a proliferation of remakes and taken special interest in the form of the seriality.

This idea of reinterpretation serves as a main enticement for director Elizabeth Banks in rebooting the Charlie’s Angels flick, an action comedy that will be placed as the third installment in the theatrical film franchise of the same name. With a gap of almost 16 years since the last film, it will be interesting to witness the differences in approach to representing women onscreen, especially with the presence of a female eye behind the camera. As one member of the angel trio Naomi Scott has revealed in a Vogue interview, “you don’t see much about their personal lives or who they’re dating. It’s about the agency going global, getting into intelligence and tech, whistle-blowing. You don’t see bikini shots of their bums.” Kristen Stewart has also chimed in to this concern with the spy-action genre rather than a fetishisation of the female image as she tells Variety, “it’s kind of like a ‘woke’ version…there’s a kitsch nature to the last ones that was super fun. But nowadays, if you see a woman in combat, everything should be completely and utterly within their ability.”

Along with this new angle of representation, many more exciting twists will be incorporated into the storyline, one of them being the international expansion of the Townsend Agency—the spy operation where the angels are currently employed. They will be shown travelling around numerous locations around the globe such as Berlin, Hamburg and Istanbul, working in collaboration with a network of highly-trained women for private clients of the elusive Charlie Townsend. Elizabeth Banks herself has mentioned that one of her motives for reviving the franchise is to present to younger generations this theme of collaborative women over the glorified efforts of a single protagonist. The globalisation of the agency as a security and intelligence service is a clever way to do this, with increased job opportunities as a channel for reaching out to women across the world. The lead single of the film’s soundtrack, ’Don’t Call Me Angel’, from Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey also supports this theme of female collaboration.

A second modern twist is found in the characterisation of John Bosley, portrayed by Bill Murray in the original films, with 3 actors now taking on the iconic role: Sir Patrick Stewart, Elizabeth Banks and Djimon Hounsou. This offers a look at 3 different versions of the same character, taking the cinematic pleasure of viewing popular stars in familiar roles to a whole other level.

Although embellished with all these new stylisations, the film is far from being disconnected from the classic franchise. Previous angel Drew Barrymore has been announced as an executive producer, providing audiences with a touch of comfort as the star and producer of the original films has cashed in her approval for the reboot. Actress Lucy Liu has also shown support, stating that “I think there’s a comfort level in trying to relive something and also to redo something in the modern time, and I’m always curious on how that works out.”

Whether the new version will become an instant classic and garner critical praise like this year’s Spider-Man: Far From Home or receive disappointing reviews in comparison to the original franchise, we can nonetheless be sure of its contribution to discourse surrounding the nature of the remake—what tropes should be eliminated? What elements should be included? As we meet with future remakes in production, such as Little Women (27th Dec) and Mulan (27th March), these questions are bound to resurface again and again, allowing us as audiences to compare, contrast and contest this idea of cinematic renewal. One more thing to keep an eye out for in Charlie’s Angels is the film’s signature vibrant outfits, with the trailer showing sneak peeks of chic blonde wigs, sparkly party gowns and athletic ninja jumpsuits.

Charlie’s Angels is set to release in UK and US cinemas on 15th November 2019, starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska.

Words by Shir Ariya

Graphics by Aamir Potrick

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