A Single Man

Stills from the film that show Tom Ford's use of experimentation with colour

What drew me into seeing this film was the unusual trailer that was playing on the loop DVD at my work. I think if my review isn't enough to make you want to see Tom Ford's film debut, at least check out the trailer and be amazed. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aypyJtHzC70

The film is just as hypnotic as its trailer. Ford's use of colour and camera angles/shots are absolutely mesmerizing! And being a fan of Mad Men now, I appreciated the setting being in 1960s America. Ah I just love the fashion, cars and furniture in this film. After seeing Julianne Moore apply eyeliner to her eyes the way she did, I am determined to try it out myself!

Aside from the beauty of the look of the film, the storyline is somewhat lacking. I did thoroughly enjoy the acting by all actors (and if you're not a fan of Colin Firth's usual 'Mr Darcy' role, you'll be quite pleased by this alternative role) and the story was rather intriguing throughout, until the end though. I felt like it was missing something but I just don't know what. A Single Man was originally based on a novel by Christopher Isherwood, so I don't know if it was him that gave up near the end or Ford with the screenplay. I am intrigued to find out if someone else agrees with me on this but unfortunately I don't know anyone else who has seen it. If you have, please let me know what you think!

Despite this though, the film has done very well for itself, receiving Oscar nominations and rave reviews. I should also mention, Nicholas Hoult, who you will recognise as Tony from Skins, makes for a very sexy gay man. I feel kind of weird for saying that, but I am just hoping he is a straight man in real life so it makes me look less strange.

Rating: 4/5

Mad Men

Apologies for not posting anything recently. I honestly haven't been watching many films, and the ones that I have seen I feel are not blog worthy.

Jon Hamm pictured centre and Christina Hendricks in the green

Lately, however, I have been watching a TV series called Mad Men which I am very much addicted to. The series is set in the 1960s focusing on a fictional advertising agency called Sterling Cooper. The title of the series comes from the name given to men who worked in Madison Avenue. They were called Mad Men, obviously taking from the name Madison.

There are so many reasons why I love this series. For one I love the look of the 60s with the fashion, furniture and of course the kind of advertising they did back then with happy housewifes and the ideal American family. The show glamorizes this era with men and women wearing fancy outfits, smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, drinking scotch at 12pm and having scandalous affairs. But of course life isn't always glamourous when we are shown characters' deep and dark secrets and the reality of this 'rich' lifestyle.

The actors are all really spectacular in this series with worthy mentions going to Jon Hamm as the mysterious Don Draper and Christina Hendricks as the voluptuous Joan Holloway.

I'm only halfway through the second series but it should be mentioned there is also a third series available on DVD and the fourth series will air on TV soon.

Rating: 4/5