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By Little Mummy, March 8, 2010 11:23 pm

I went to see Alice in Wonderland on Saturday. So many people have asked me about it on twitter that I thought I’d do a quick review.

The Plot

Well obviously it follows the book which I’ve only read half of. In short (very short)Alice falls down a rabbit hole and discovers an underworld of strange characters. Alice needs to defeat the Jabberwocky to reinstate the White Queen as ruler of Underworld.

The Effects

The effects were amazing, I can no longer tell what is real and what is animated. The combination of computer graphics and 3D create a unique experience that is no longer akin to watching a film, it’s an experience. To me it felt the story was truly alive, like my imagination was playing out in front of my eyes.

The Cast

Johnny Depp plays the Mad Hatter and does a great job, some of the characteristics reminded me a bit of his take on Willy Wonka but his character in this film was far more exaggerated.

Helena Bonham Carter who I usually don’t rate stole the show for me, I thought she was the most believable as a storybook character.

Alice is played by Mia somebody or other, I didn’t think she was that remarkable, kind of adequate or maybe she was just up against it with the amazing supporting cast. I’d say the same for Anne Hathaway who plays the White Queen.

I very much enjoyed Matt Lucas as Tweedledee and dum, Alan Rickman as Absolem the caterpillar and Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat, they all definitely do us brits proud. My mum liked Barbara Windsor as the Dormouse.

What’s it Like

Eccentric, a little dark as you’d expect from a Tim Burton film, well executed. In my opinion it’s too scary for younger children (under 7), especially in 3D.

What I Thought

I was blown away by the effects but the story was a little fantastical for me. I don’t think it could have been done much better though.

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By Little Mummy, March 7, 2010 10:20 am

On Sunday after not ski-ing for ten years we ventured back to the dry ski slope where we learnt to ski as teenagers (and also where Alex proposed to me eleven years ago!).

We’ve long harboured a desire to go on a ski holiday and this was the first step towards that.

We’re fortunate that we live ten minutes away from an excellent slope that costs around £9 an hour including ski hire (much better than the eighty quid a lesson someone tweeted about).

The morning was eventful in that I managed to fall off the chairlift twice, although Alex has admitted to pushing me once. *Twice* I found myself flailing around on my back like a beatle as chairs skimmed my head and skiers avoided me in slalom fashion.

I *cough* also managed to ski into the back of a snowboarder who had fallen into my path, I snow ploughed for dear life but I hurtled into the back of him impaling him on my skis (oops) I apologised but neither him nor his instructor acknowledged my presence (rude). I spent the rest of time huffing about ‘newbies’ being on the main slope and how I have a new found dislike for the fancy modern snowboarder types pffft.

Anyhoo, here’s a wee video of me demonstrating my, erm, skills…

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By Little Mummy, February 16, 2010 12:41 am

We picked up our new puppy last Saturday which means she’s been with us a week as I write this, although it seems much longer!

She’s sleeping though and is almost completely toilet trained now. She’s very energetic and boisterous, although I think that’s partly because we’ve been unable to take her for walks yet – she’s due to get her booster injection in the next week so by the beginning of March we should be able to take her out and get her some proper exercise.

After much deliberation over getting a puppy we definitely don’t have any regrets, she’s fitted right in

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By Little Mummy, February 3, 2010 11:15 am

I received a massage voucher for my christmas for a nice health and beauty place in Edinburgh.

I’ve had one massage before this one. It was nice.

The room was dimly lit and the girl seemed pleasant enough, I chose some oils then undressed and got onto the bed as instructed. The girl returned and put some aromatherapy oil on my top lip (to help me relax) and then got to work. Firstly on my front around my neck and shoulders, very good.

The girl told me to turn over whilst shielding my modesty with the towel. She tucked the towel into my knickers and pulled them down what seemed like a couple of inches too far. I nervously clenched and she started pummelling my buttocks, I tried to relax but when someone is massaging your bum it’s not easy. She massaged my whole back but kept returning to the bum area, each time I clenched up and then tried to relax, I was worried that the more ‘tension’ she felt the more she would massage!

At the end she clinked the maracca thing and asked me if I’d been able to fully relax. I nodded profusely and thanked her, trying to hide my embarrassment.

So in a Joey from Friends like fashion (remember ‘cupping-gate’) I’m asking you, is it normal for a massage to include bottom rubbing? Or have I been violated?

Photo of bum not mine (unfortunately)

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By Little Mummy, December 4, 2009 1:14 am

It’s been twenty years since I went to a pantomime, and as I remember it it was all a little cheesy and definitely not my scene (excuse the pun) so my enthusiasm for joining in with The Great Pantomime Review 2009 was a lot more to do with supporting charity than personal enjoyment.

Well, I have to say to our complete surprise we all had a great time, even Alex (my husband) who could think of a number of ways he’d rather spend his birthday, none of which involved shouting ‘he’s behind you’ a dozen times while some pleb celeb ignores you completely. We had such a laugh, the jokes were funny, topical and actually rather adult, and although it was clear the actors and actresses weren’t taking it too seriously it was actually very well written and produced.

The pantomime was Robinson Crusoe and the Carribean Pirates, not that that stopped appearances from ‘Jedward’ and Susan ‘Subo’ Boyle, in fact they barely followed the plot which was merely a background story to the gags and shenanigans, which came thick and fast. I appreciated the lack of ‘celebs’, Edinburgh Kings Pantomime always features Grant Stott and either Allan Stewart or Andy Gray. The token celeb was Jo Freer, apparently she’s been in a few soaps, her screechy scottish accented voice was a little irritating but whatever, tis’ christmas after all, good tidings to all men and all that

Audience participation was occasionally called for, but the funniest moments were when it wasn’t called for…

In one scene Black Heart the evil pirate was winding up the audience for booing all the time “If you can’t do it altogether don’t do it at all” he growled, some young lad in the audience (clearly a panto veteran) shouted “altogether now” and the booing continued.

The first half was definitely the better half, however the finale was well met with almost the whole audience standing to dance, clap and sing to ‘Rocking all over the World’. It was good British family fun that I wouldn’t hesitate partaking in again, the kind that gives you that fuzzy feeling in your belly at christmas time.

Tickets & Pricing for Kings Theatre Robinson Crusoe & The Carribean Pirates

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By Little Mummy, September 29, 2009 7:09 am

Aharrrrr me hearties!

We’re off to see and review Robinson Crusoe and the Carribean Pirates at the Kings Theatre. Ruth who represents the Kings Theatre in Edinburgh has kindly provided us three tickets for press night – 2nd December 2009, which happens to be hubby’s birthday

There aren’t any major celebs just the usual favourites Andy Stewart and Grant Stott (John Leslie’s brother, or maybe that’s half brother) plus some woman from Taggart, not that any of this bothers me the celebs are neither here nor there to me. The last time Erin went to the panto (with Granny) she had to leave due to the “scary king” which she’s harped on about ever since, hopefully we’ll make it to final curtain this time.

We’ll be making a donation nearer the time to the NACCPO – The National Alliance of Childhood Cancer Parents’ Organisations in the hope that we can meet our target of £300, you can read more about the campaign and follow our progress at www.havealovelytime.com. If you are yet to choose your christmas charity this year perhaps you could support the NACCPO and join us in reaching the target.

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By Little Mummy, September 24, 2009 9:29 am

Last week Kerry from Think Parents (who by the way is about to set off on a six month trip across America, me jealous?) organised it for us to go and see a pre-showing of
Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure. We managed to get to a special showing which included a fairy breakfast. I asked for an invite for Erin’s friend too, so to say they were excited was an understatement!

The morning began with choosing a fairy outfit to wear, followed by the making of wands. The breakfast was hosted by a full-size fairy who clearly runs a successful business fulfilling every little girls dream of being made over into a fairy (I wonder how much one of her parties cost?). Breakfast was mini bacon and sausage butties with fruit, coffee and fresh juice. Afterwards the girls had fairy make up applied by the big fairy and then we had a game of pass the parcel followed by a bit of dancing. Finally fairy dust was handed out and wishes were made, rounding off a magical morning.

We then went straight in to see Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure which I believe is the follow up to Tinkerbell and includes the successful Disney ‘Fairies’. The film was wholesome and good Disney value as you’d expect. Although I was impressed with headstrong Tinkerbell, she’s no shrinking violet. The moral was friendship and everyone lives happily ever after which is the norm these days, not like Bambi and Watership Down, that was our rite of passage, being completely horrified at the poor orphaned rabbits and deer, I digress… A great morning that will live long in the memory of our little fairies.

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By Little Mummy, July 27, 2009 12:58 am

Stranger than Fiction

Plot in 25 words or less…Man discovers his life is being narrated and is a character in a to-be-finished novel. Novellist is renowned for writing tragic deaths.

Positive…Great cast including Emma Thompson, Will Ferrell, Dustin Hoffman and Maggie Gyllenhaal. They definitely made the film more bearable

Negative...Perhaps a little too strange for me.

Score… Alex gave it 3.5/5 I gave it 2.5/5. Overall score 6/10

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Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Plot in 25 words or less…Furry animals try to save furry friend. Adventure with danger occurs. Main characters have a baby. Everyone lives happily ever after. Obviously.

Positive…Fun for kids, some adult funnies in there too. Excellent animation

Negative…Story is pretty weak, especially after Up. Squirrel and nut scenes are very irritating, enough already.

Score…I give it 3/5. Alex gives it 2.5/5. Overall score 5.5/10

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Hancock

Plot in 25 words or less… Alcoholic super hero disliked by public turns image around with help from PR exec. Sort of happy ever after.

Positive… Second half is much better than first owing to an excellent twist in the story.

Negative…. Could have been much better if audience was provided a bit more backstory. Not enough introductory content to feel anything for characters.

Score… I give it 2.5/5. Alex gives it 2/5. Overall score is 4.5/10
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The Simpsons Movie

Plot in 25 words or less… Homer pollutes the lake, government quarantines springfield. The Simpsons go on the run to Alaska, before returning to save the town.

Positive… Suitable for the whole family

Negative… We got quite bored after 45 minutes or so, I don’t think it lended itself that well to a feature length film.

Score…I give it 2/5. Alex gives it 2/5. Overall score is 4/10

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By Little Mummy, July 20, 2009 2:37 pm

I’ve just finished reading Jo Whiley’s autobiography My World in Motion. I’ve been thoroughly spoilt this year with the books I’ve read – A Thousand Splendid Suns and Snowflower and the Secret Fan, a couple of the best books I’ve ever read. My World in Motion didn’t come up to that standard but it was a pleasant read nevertheless.

The autobiography is split into sections which include her familial roles and her work. The book is pretty straight forward, she’s a good mother, has a solid marriage and is committed to and passionate about her work, if you’re expecting some gossip then you might as well skip over this one, as for me I don’t really go in for ‘celeb goss’ so it didn’t bother me. When I read an autobiography I’m usually looking for a bit more, someone that has experienced something (or preferably several) remarkable things, experiences that I can relate to or learn something from. I guess the remarkable thing about Jo is her job, so if you’re interested in music you’ll probably get a lot more out of it than I did. She details her playlist for her life in each of the sections, which I skipped over, but if you’re a music buff you’ll like it, I loved the fact that she names Elton John’s ‘Tiny Dancer’ as her “family anthem” as that song holds special meaning for me, it’s my Erin song and I listened to it constantly when I was pregnant.

I enjoyed reading about Glastonbury and the Live Lounge, it was very interesting to get an insider’s viewpoint, we have the Live Lounge albums and it seems to be one of her main work related passions, along with her Mencap charity gigs and Glastonbury.

One thing I did notice which became increasingly annoying was the repetitive nature of the book, there were several times when I felt I’d already read the same thing earlier in the book perhaps just worded slightly differently.

Overall though it’s a reasonable read and Jo seems to be a really nice person.

On a side note I really like the website they’ve put together to promote the book.

I’m going to be giving a copy of My World in Motion away via my newsletter, you can sign up for free.

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By Little Mummy, May 2, 2009 2:10 am

Virgin are actually partnering with Walt Disneyworld to bring us mummy bloggers over here so it seems only right to do a full review, arrrgh such a hardship!

I’m not sure how much extra it is to upgrade to premium economy, oh hang on, a good reviewer would check, back in a mo…ok, so it was a much bigger difference than expected;

Price Comparison

1 x Economy Adult Return Ticket Gatwick to Orlando = £398.70

for the same period

1 x Premium Economy Adult Return Ticket Gatwick to Orlando = £883.70

Okaaaay given what I know now, was it good? Yes. Would I pay to upgrade myself? No (well not unless I suddenly got seriously rich). Also don’t understand why Virgin use the term ‘Premium Economy’, to me paying more than 100% more is not economy, I think they need to find a description that better fits the product, also, is it just me or is premium economy not a bit of a contradiction in terms?

Anyway, it was very nice to be upgraded and we were definitely treated to a bit of luxury (something we’ve become accustomed to over the week). I boarded the flight and was shown to a seperate intermediate area between Upper Class and Economy. At first glance I can see that I’m being treated to extra leg room & comfy reclining chair. My seat holds a pillow, blanket & comfort pack. My side table holds a bottle of water and a menu, I love menus!

Barely a few minutes in and I’m being offered a glass of champagne, “excuse me, did you say champagne?”. I settle (haha) for a glass of kahlua and coke, I don’t usually drink, somehow my fellow travellers and rep find that difficult to believe, can’t think why? The air hostess offers me a hot towel, does she realise I haven’t done anything yet? I take it as if it were an every day occurrence, don’t want to look common.

I munch on my complementary pretzels and ponder what to have for lunch. I end up with garden salad, ravioli, this amazing Gu desert and cheese & biscuits (I wasn’t being fat, this was the standard meal). As if that wasn’t enough they came round with after dinner drinks, I had the largest Baileys ever. I’m slightly intoxicated now and worried they’ll send me back to economy for being drunk & disorderly.

Time to relax & recline, my goodness this chair is comfortable, I hope we’re upgraded on the way back!