It's been a while since I've written a film review (for obvious reasons!) but date night went down a storm last night at the cinema so here goes...
It looked like 'Old' was a perfect film for us: Beach scenes, a mysterious thriller, and an early finish! An all-star cast isn't always enjoyed, and big effects can get a bit wearing film after film, so how did 'Old' stack up? Here's my review, on the theme of mindfulness, the well being booster tactic, in the movie.
'Old' is one of those movies that you don't know if on brief reflection you really enjoyed. We both agreed we wouldn't watch it again, but mostly because we now knew the ending. The premise was interesting, probably better for being a book before the movie was made: A 'paradise' beach which ages people a year every 30 mins they're there. The tourists can't escape and, along with a rapid advancement of age - and in some cases of growing up a little too fast - a mini mental breakdown of some individuals does start to begin, which was interesting, especially the Instagram model who couldn't bear anyone seeing her age. The acting left a bit to be desired across the board really; the best actors were the teens Alex Wollf and Thomasin McKenzie. My eyes stayed glued to the screen, and I really wanted to know how it ended. The best bits were when there was some real poignant moments in the relatable themes of aging, puberty and parenting. Just before the now blind father of the main character family dies of old age, he loses his memory but says the most lovely things to his wife he was previously on course for a divorce with, and questions why they ever wanted to leave the beach: "It's beautiful." It really spoke to me about mindfulness, enjoying the moment, and the value of being with who you love. When Kara gives birth, I really felt quite emotional. I had my first child just two years ago, and, of course, the baby died less than a minute after it was born - one month is about a minute on the beach, and he died purely of neglect with not enough love, feed or sleep. This was very well done, and Kara really seems to grieve, even being so young and after only having been pregnant for maybe 30 mins and being a mum for less than 60 seconds! Mindfulness even featured here, in the rushed episode of motherhood, when Trent buries the baby with his own hands, in the sand. This must have felt cathartic, in a way, for the character. I also loved when the adult version of Trent (the boy in the main family) suggests to his now adult older sister that they make some sandcastles before they go off together to try a desperate attempt of escape, one most likely to fail. This was beautiful, reminding us that they were still only six and nine (I estimate) in the 'real world', and it was a little emotional seeing them bond for perhaps one final time, again, being mindful in a moment. I'm a big fan of the 'M' word, you may have guessed. The sand's texture, the fun sandcastle building brings, the companionship... The sandcastles making was a clear nod to the original story by Pierre Oscar Levy too, was very thoughtful of the screenplay writers. 
I have to say though, the Director M Night Shyamalan has produced some corkers before (e.g. The Sixth Sense), and sadly, this can't be counted as one of his greats. The execution was a bit ropey, and the end should have stopped at the twist, but I don't think even the pandemic can be blamed for that (it was filmed in 2020 on location). Also, there was no explanation why the famous guy wasn't aging or, in fact, more likely, dead, when the new arrivals find him at the beach. Goof?
In summary, I wouldn't avoid 'Old', but you won't miss much if you wait until it hits home viewing. It was good enough for date night and definitely provoked some thinking. How about a 7/10? Lou x Find me on Facebook ...and on Twitter Born to be a Tourist I was lucky enough to find breastfeeding easy and a pleasure, but others don't have such an easy ride - and not just from personal struggles but outside influences too. That's why Breastfeeding Week is important and I'm blogging about it today. This week is World Breastfeeding Week (1st Aug to 7th Aug), run by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action - WABA. WABA is a global network of individuals and organisations dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide.
Breastfeeding is a personal choice and there are a few reasons why women will choose not to breastfeed (or may not be capable of doing so). WABA have been running World Breastfeeding Week since 1992 to promote the benefits of breastfeeding and to encourage a world where it is accepted and safe for women to do so in public too. The objectives of World Breastfeeding Week 2021 are to: - Inform people about the importance of breastfeeding; - Anchor breastfeeding support as a vital public health responsibility; - Engage with individuals and organisations for greater impact; - and Galvanise action on protecting breastfeeding to improve public health. How can you support a breastfeeding mother? As a woman: • Play an important role in securing unbiased information and support for breastfeeding and providing it to others • Aim breastfeeding for the first six months, if you can andnif appropriate, having the courage to ask for support if needed • Discuss complementary foods/feeding and continued breastfeeding from 6-24+ months • Speak about breastfeeding as a feminist issue and support each other to breastfeed in public • Share experiences to build a mother’s own confidence in her breastfeeding journey As a man: • Be aware of the negative influence of industry promotion practices on breastfeeding • Play a proactive role in the decision to breastfeed and attend antenatal and postnatal classes to learn more about breastfeeding • Promote the participation of men in parenting and domestic responsibilities including providing emotional support to their partners • Empower breastfeeding mothers by raising awareness of and maintaining optimum breastfeeding practices • Form a network with other fathers and family members within the community to support breastfeeding mothers Breastfeeding mothers are protected under the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act 2010 says that it is against the law to treat a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding. This covers any business or organisation that provides services to the public and it applies to any staff and customers of that business or organisation. Lou x Find me on Facebook ...and on Twitter Born to be a Tourist No, you can't buy 'happiness chemicals' on Amazon as they're really hormones, but there are some easy, quick and cheap methods to get those natural 'feel-goods' pumping... Even the words brighten my outlook, because I know what good they do. I'm off to cuddle my daughter and take the dog for a nature walk. Hello serotonin and oxytocin! Be well, Lou x Find me on Facebook ...and on Twitter Born to be a Tourist Here's an astonishing fact... and nine ways to combat the issue! Honestly, what a waste. And given there's such a thing as 'clothing poverty' makes the waste even more horrendous. So what can you do to give you unwanted clothing a longer life, and potentially help someone out?
It's clear-out time! Lou x Find me on Facebook ...and on Twitter Born to be a Tourist It's not new, from what I gather, but this writing tool is new to me, having been mentioned in a tweet I saw today.This website will count how many time you've typed EVERY word in your essay, story, poem... whatever you've written. My outcome 'Scrabble Pieces', my 'work in progress', was kinda boring at the top of the word list, but as I got down to the words used less than 10 times it became a much more eloquent list!
The nerd in me loved this.
I won't be making any changes given my top 12, but it did make me consider more about which words I choose to use. Interestingly though, my two protagonists (female twins) are 6 spots apart from each other, Rachel having her name 40% more. If you're writing something at the moment I thoroughly recommend having a play with this tool. You only need ot paste your text body into the text box on the website and it's analysed instantly. Lou x Find me on Facebook ...and on Twitter Born To Be A Tourist I had a clear-out of the dining room this weekend, and on top of a cluttered sideboard, I found my work in progress. 2020: Spent hiding (from my manuscript) Our dining room isn't even that cluttered really, but I hadn't seen this draft, this precious gem for months. I remember writing a few words in the last couple of days before I had a baby, but it was so uncomfortable to sit down for long I didn't manage much. And that was over 18 months ago. I think I've been hiding from my manuscript.
Unfinished. Ignored. You can hardly call that a 'work in progress'! Sure, I'm busy, who isn't. Even in lockdown. I have a baby, a dog, hobbies like cycling, reading and travelling, a part time job, my baking business 280 Bakes, and a (Covid limited) social life. But I am a firm believer in if you want to get it done, you'll find the time. I am getting better at finding a few minutes for myself, as my baby has got a bit older. Around 7pm is prime 'me time' as El Husbandio often calls his parents and plays on video call with Rox. I mostly use this time to have a shower and potter about upstairs for around half an hour, maybe paint my toenails or unwind to a podcast... but I think I will try to make that time a time to write. A shower can wait until Rox is in bed. What do you reckon, 500 words in 20-30 mins, that's do-able right?! The main bones are there on the page; I have a structure, a great into, a satisfying end, the bulk of the story... It's just the dreaded 'middle part' I need to flesh out. The book is called 'Scrabble Pieces' at the moment, but I am sure I can come up with a better title than that, even sat here today. One small step at a time. Instead of blogging I should write my book!!! Maybe this should be my new year's resolution for 2021. I'm not big into them normally, but sometimes you have to have something to drive you along! Who knows, this time next year I may have another book under my belt... Lou x Find me on Facebook ..and on Twitter Born to be a Tourist This year I 'only' got two books for Christmas *sad face*. I am grateful for everything else, obviously, but Santa, more books next year please! *angelic smiley face* El Husbandio couldn't disagree more. He thinks receiving a book is an insult, almost! He'd much rather be gifted 'something useful' like socks or a gift voucher. And not a Waterstones one!
Personally, I can't wait to get stuck into these two novels: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, the sequel to The Handmaid's Tale (which I really liked, read earlier this year - not yet seen the TV series), and The Shadow King, by Maaza Mengiste, a new author for me, an Ethiopian-American writer. Thanks mum and Lou G! Keep reading, Lou x Find me on Facebook ...and on Twitter Born to be a Tourist On Monday, El Husbandio and I went to Cardiff for a boring life admin appointment. I had 20 mins to myself so being a big Roald Dahl fan, I wandered along to 'Roald Dahl Plass' on Mermaid Quay.
Quick facts about Roald Dahl, my favourite childrens' writer... - He was born in Cardiff to Norweign parents. - Dahl wasn't just a story writer - he was also a fighter pilot in World War 2. - He would have been 104 years old if he was alive today. - And my favourite book? The BFG! Those who don't believe in magic will never find it. I believe in magic, but there was certainly none of the Dahl magic here on Mermaid Quay. The quick trip to Roald Dahl Plass may have been a let-down, but I did however enjoy a tasty cookies and cream cereal bar from Lidl that happily I found in my handbag, and I did find (an appropriate memorial of) Ivor Novello. All was not lost. And then the heavens opened and I got soaked! What a random, curious, disappointing and wet 20 mins! Back to the car I went! Lou x Find me on Facebook ...And on Twitter Born To Be A Tourist
It's been just over three months since I returned to work after my Maternity Leave, during Lockdown, and I've been reflecting on what feels different - and weirdly normal. My lockdown buddies Really, returning to work post Maternity leave felt like a release from Lockdown. Of course, I am still socially distancing and respecting the 'number rules' for meeting people, but having a new focus of going back to work after 13 months of Mat Leave felt like a big change. It wasn't unwelcome, just because of the freedom it felt like, however much I wanted to stay being a full-time mum. I also enjoyed using my brain in a new way!
Also, Lockdown had moved on a bit since then. Gone was the three month total Lockdown where we were not supposed to leave the house apart form a daily walk and medical/food supply runs. Things definitely felt more normal. I only really have missed the cinema, and only a little. When I was pregnant I basically slept for nine months (!!) so we didn't go out at all really, and when baby arrived we had other things on our plate, obviously. I'd like to say I'm missing gigs and theatres, but experiencing that part of city culture was rare for me, however enjoyable they were before Lockdown. I think how I'm feeling now, like many other people, is we are firmly in a 'new normal'. And this 'new normal' isn't temporary, like the 'normal' we were subjected to in the early summer. Thank goodness that didn't last an enormously long time (and that the weather was so great!), and let's hope national Lockdown doesn't happen again. I appreciate many people are fearing job losses, suffering health issues, and worried for their children mixing at school, but for us, we're feeling lucky. This form of Lockdown isn't so bad. It's all relative, isn't it; comparing these days to days back in April, it's a totally different situation down here in Bristol. London and the north is struggling in particular, and comparing my situation to people who have family members with Covid or who need to shield isn't really fair, but we're doing ok. What has really helped is all the socially distanced dog walking with a friend or two, and having one of my closest mates support bubbling with us. She lives on her own, so it's totally legit, but honestly, I feel like the support is more for me!!! What has been quite different in the last three months is my day job. I work part-time as a PA in a government department, and every day, in normal times, I'd take the Park & Ride into the city centre, working in an open plan office with over 1000 desks. Now I'm working from home indefinitely, which is totally different. There's a whole blog on that subject alone, but it's mainly a good thing, and I feel much safer than having to use public transport and mix with people I have no idea how well they are following the government safety guidelines. I am blessed to have a job I can work from home with, keeping a routine is so helpful. Two weeks ago I started a new role (same department). This was a strange process with a video interview and starting work on day one in my spare room. El Husbandio and I both work in the same room Tuesdays and Thursdays - I think that'll be the biggest challenge!! We're already kind of on top of each other day and night. Of course, I'm saying "roll on that vaccine!" and I miss my friends and family - and the warm weather!!! - but honestly, I'd love to keep working from home. It's so easy to fit in walking the dog, receiving deliveries, managing nursery drop offs/collections, it's (mostly) quiet, I have my home comforts... I even managed a haircut on my lunchbreak back in August! I do miss the company of my team some days, but it's fast becoming the new normal that we catch up on video and have social check ins. And if my work situation stays this way for a while, I shan't be complaining. My lockdown buddies and I are staying safe. We're not being risky (nursery being the only wild card really) and we're hanging in there. Stay safe yourselves! Lou x Find me on Facebook ...and on Twitter Born to be a Tourist |
AuthorI'm a writer from Bristol, UK, with an unhealthy obsession with stationery and baking. I mainly blog for my own sanity, but I'm also working on a novel. Still. Archives
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