Knocked Up

Imdb.com 

Ben Stone (played by Seth Rogen) is a carefree man boy who lives with his four fellow bachelors. Alison Scott is an E! news correspondent, sexy, smart and climbing her way to the top. After a carefree rendezvous at the local bar, Alison discovers she is pregnant; and shows up on Ben's doorstep eight weeks later. Together they try to make the best of it, but not without some road bumps. Although the plot is pretty simplistic, the comedy dialogue in the movie is the real highlight. The witty banter, smart parody and well-played jokes display true comedy. Moments such as the parody banter with Kristen Wiig, the short interludes with Jason Segel and the back and forth between Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd are classic old-school comedy gems.  It also gives a more poignant view of pregnancy/raising children It's definitely one of Katherine Heigl's better performances; however most of what to expect in this movie is insinuated in the title.

6.7/10
Skip it :(Great for people who appreciate genuine comedy interludes, but a little lack lustre compared to similar movies such as "I Love You Man and "The 40 Year Old Virgin."

A Drop of Pearl



I wore this dress to a wedding about a week ago, and bought it at Winners for $80, but it was the only one left in only one size. I love polka dots. Don't ask why.  I have a polka dot obsession. I love the pattern on chaises, bowls you name it. So wearing polka dots is a fun way to incorporate a pattern I love into my fashion. If you look at the picture below, you'll see the bow at the side. That actually required a lot of detail on the designer's part. I was looking inside the dress and the designer sewed the hem differently to compensate for the bow. I love when designers put thought into their clothes. You have a whole new appreciation when you start to treasure the details and quality.

 I guess the key is to find a dress that makes you look really good. Regardless of body type if you have a waist cinching dress it's usually a winner; and don't forget to buy what you love or try something new. In the stores I saw I lot of strappy this and one shouldered that, -- (and there's nothing wrong with going for those styles), but I wanted to try something light, summery, etheral. So don't settle for what's on the rack. Think about what you want and buy a dress that meets that criteria. Don't forget to consider your body type to guarantee that you'll be able to rock that look and attract some oh, maybe ten double takes. ;)

Picnic Penny

I'm really proud that this is the second time I have been able to successfully mix and match patterns with outfits this season. I never actually thought of pairing these two things together until I saw my plaid shirt incidentally piled on top of my floral mini, and surprisingly together the patterns were pretty appealing to the eye. The key to matching patterns is to pair a tiny detailed pattern with a bolder one. Another tip is to match them within the same color palettes. Before I never realized that the purple stripes in the plaid would match the purple of the mini. So pull out your shorts and minis and reinvent them by pairing them with something different. If you want post your summer outfit on the Live Love Laugh Dance Facebook for fashion inspiration. :)

Wild Child

Emma Roberts stars as Poppy the typical, spoiled teenbopper/Paris Hilton wild child who is sent to a girls boarding school in England. The film is a horrendously cliche teen comedy, and has also previously been related to "St. Trinians," another movie about a girls boarding school with supposedly "wild" ways. The problem with both of these films is that they rely too heavily on cliche stereotypes and poor jokes, such as the overemphasized difference between British girls and American girls. Funny despite being a comedy, I didn't laugh once. It's also disappointing that Lucy Dahl, the screenwriter, and daughter of Roald Dahl (author of Charlie and the Choclate Factory & James and the Giant Peach) wasn't able to channel any of her father's talent. In other words it would be like Tim Burton's daughter writing "Bring It On," DISAPPOINTING. Emma Roberts was poorly casted and not even able to pull of her cliched role, not particularly wild about this one.

5.5/10
Skip it :(

Duplicity

Imdb.com 

Claire Stenwick is a  relentless, beautiful, manipulative spy. Ray is an MI6 agent, intelligent and with unmatched charm. They are each involved in two rival companies, but they decide to go undercover and trade confidential information between them. However their relationship is complicated caught between too personal and too professional  revolving around an initially steamy rendez-vous. Julia Roberts' performance of Claire Stenwick is clearly authentic and invigorating as the audience is kept on their toes trying to find out who will sink  ship. Clive Owen and Tom Wilkinson also give a worthy performance. Academy Award Winner Tony Gilroy uses interesting filming techniques that are extremely effective and add comedic charm, such as the multiple panels at the beginning of the film to highlight Claire and Ray's rendezvous, and using slow motion to film the fight scene at the beginning. This spy thriller is amusing and intriguing. We have definitely been outsmarted.




7.9/10
Screen :) **Fun Fact did you know that the Academy Award Winner Tony Gilroy wrote the scripts for the Bourne series? After viewing his plot twists this didn't surprise me. ;)

Sweetened with Sugar and Tied with Lace

This dress was a bit of a splurge for me, but I knew it was worth it. It's $34.95 and part of H&M's Conscious Collection, which is a line of clothes that are made from recycled materials. Ha! So recycled clothes can be fashionable and beautiful. About half of the clothes in H&M right now are part of the Conscious Sustainable Collection, so go to their website and check it out. www.hm.com/ca or www.hm.com for people outside Canada. The dress actually has a V-neck dip in the back with a zipper accent. Another thing is that it has pockets! I love when fancier dresses have pockets, it's so practical. It's a bit of a weird oxymoron that a fancy dress has pockets, but I still adore this feature.

What I really love about this dress is the lace. Lately I've been craving lace. I've seen it on celebrities a lot more lately--that's partially thanks to Kate Middleton's wedding dress-- and I love how it channels the modern romance of spring 2012 trends. It's unexplainable really except that I love the way lace makes you look and feel, ladylike, ethereal, and light. Although I wear all kinds of clothes and trends, pretty dresses are definitely my favorite. So I encourage you to purchase something that you simply adore. Have fun with your clothes, fashionistas!

Leap Year

Imdb.com 

Leap Year introduces Anna Brady, a professional, type A, city girl who is totally in control, or so she thinks. After waiting 4 years for her boyfriend to propose, she decides to take matters into her own hands by going to Dublin on Feb. 29th (leap year) to ask him to marry her, (an old Irish tradition). Of course Anna's plans are derailed and she is far off course. In order to get to Dublin she takes the assistance of a young, rogue, Irish taxi driver, but thanks to a series of unfortunate events they rub each other the wrong way. However they eventually begin to look at each other in a new light, and you can probably guess what happens. Leap Year is entirely predictable. Although Matthew Goode and Amy Adams are talented actors who did a good job, they couldn't make up for the lack lustre script. This is one of the few comedies I've watched where I've never laughed once. This romantic comedy hits on every cliche in the book. Yawn. I'm not leaping for this one. ;)



6/10
Skip it :(

The Runaways

Imdb.com 

The Runaways is a docudrama that highlights the formation of  the pioneer all girls band of the seventies, The Runaways. The film highlights the rock and roll punk vibe of the era channeling the influences of David Bowie and Led Zeppelin. Played by Kristen Stewart, Joan Jett is a determined up and coming rock star of the 70s while Cherie Currie, (played by Dakota Fanning) is a California girl with Brigette Bardot sex appeal and the face of a wild child. The film highlights the band's rise and fall; and gives a pretty realistic portrayal of the music industry back in the day and the challenges that Joan and Cherie face. Kristen Stewart actually does a credible job in this movie with a realistic portrayal of Joan. It's actuallly convinced me that she does have talent if its channeled properly. Dakota Fanning's performance also deserves applause. Although she is a personal favorite of mine, I can honestly say unbiased that she never disappoints. (Just take a look at her track record.) The film's hazy era appropriate style aspires to that of Almost Famous. It assumes that the audience already brings the knowledge of the era to the story, yet its form stays true to the memoir it tries to be and is an omen to the rockstars of that time.

7/10
Screen :)

Georgia Rule

Imdb.com 

The movie starts mid-action with Rachel, a free-spirited teenage rebel hitchiking her way to Hull, Idaho against her mother's request. Her strained relationship with her mother and grandmother is only worsened by her naturally rebellious ways and incredulous behavior. When Rachel reveals a secret about her past to an acquaintance, these three generations of women are forced to face what is in front of them. The plot of this movie flip flops back and forth and changes gears too often and too quickly. The film does not address the heavy topics that it brings up, rather it walks around. Lindsay Lohan's acting is not bad, after all she is talented (regardless of reputation). On the other hand her character is very cliche, and shows some resemblance to Lohan's real personality, so how much of a challenge could it have been? Fonda and Hoffman weren't bad, but surely could've done better. It's essential that a movie draws you in, but Georgia Rule doesn't give the closure that audiences thrive for. This Garry Marshall directed film, is another thumbs down as are most films directed by Marshall. Honestly I don't know why he keeps doing it.


5/10
 Skip it :( **The only thing I liked about this film was Lohan's fresh white summer wardrobe.

Femme Child

I'm quite excited because today I was able to take the photos outside! This outfit was actually inspired by something I saw someone else wearing, but I tweaked it a little. In the past year I've been inspired by a lot of the street style in Toronto. I think a lot of my ideas recently have been inspired by what I've seen people wearing, instead of what I see a mannequin wearing. I really like the idea of a full skirt, and they were very popular in the past year. It just feels feminine and "springy."

 I wasn't actuallly sure if the purple leggings would work with this outfit or not, but because the sweater is a neutral and so is the skirt, it worked. The sweater is actually dark blue although you can't tell in the picture. Don't think because the skirt is striped it can't be a neutral. Anything black or white can work as your neutral even if it's patterned. This is the key to the lastest trend of mixing and matching patterns actually. Any color can be paired with any neutral.

Neutral colors are black, white, grey, tan, beige, brown, navy and some shades of dark blue. Any if not all colors can be paired with these neutrals. I know it sounds daunting, but don't be afraid to pair an unexpected or bright color with a neutral. Take navy and red for example, maybe you've never thought of marrying the two, but they actually compliment each other. I've done quite a few postings on color lately, but I think it's the key to experimenting with clothes you already have in your closet. Most people tend to either wear color and no black, or blacks, neutrals and no color. Although certain colors don't work on everybody, I think marrying the two, color and neutrals can work on anybody. 

Little Children

Imdb.com 

.

Little Children is a film that documents four characters' lives in a Boston suburb. Sarah is a discontented housewife who sticks out like a sore thumb in suburbia. Through spending afternoons at the playground she meets Brad, a neighbourhood stay-at-home dad. Both unhappy with the roles that they play they try to find refuge in each other through a long, tumultuous affair, however within their neighbourhood existence choas creeps. Ronald McGorvey is a local man who has a crime record for indecent exposure and sexual harassment. He is often ridiculed by the local residents, and is often targeted by Larry Hedges. Hedges is a retired police officer who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. He demands justice and constantly harasses Larry Hedges in order to fulfill his own needs of being a protector and an enforcer.

Each of these characters has the desire for something that they should not want, but want anyway. Sarah desires Brad, Ronald desires little children, and Larry desires the right to authorize, enforce and protect even though it is not his job. Each of these characters are selfish like little children. They seek refuge in childhood places, splash pools, playgrounds and skate parks. However it is only when they grow up that they will find what they really want. The film is narrated by a third person omniscient narrator which gives the illusion of reading the actual novel. Todd Field's literary film style proves to be effective. Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress, Best Adapted Sceenplay and 3 Golden Globes this award-winning drama documents what it's like to want something we can't have and question the choices we make.

8.5/10
Screen it :)