Popcorn & Prosecco treats....

This autumn & winter going to the Cinema for me has taken on a whole new adventure..... I no longer have to rush for the train to get to my local cinema on time, I can just pop down 4 flights of stairs from my desk to the Everyman Cinema in the lowerground sales floor of Selfridges. The cinema hit the headlines when opened, as its the first of its kind in a department store and is proving to be one of the coolest after work places to be seen.

As you can see its retro glamour at its glorious, with velvet chairs and couches and side tables to watch the films in comfort, with a fabulous bar offering treats not often found at the cinema... yes the signature popcorn is on the menu, but how many times can you accompany it with a glass of prosecco!

Winter is my favourite cinema time, as you really can escape from the cold and rain and escape into other times, realms & worlds. Here are a few of the things that I have seen in this lovely cinema and some that I am looking forward to:

Autumn reviews:

Pride: With a fabulous British cast this film details the support that the Gay campaigners gave the Miners strike in the mid 80's. ... I really enjoyed this movie on so many levels, I was completely unaware of any of this growing up and was so interested in it. Bill Nighy is one of my favourite British actors and he is his great in this. This movie has a real feel good factor and really does fill you with a sense of pride.

Mr Turner: Another British film, directed by Mike Leigh , this biopic showcases the life of the artist Turner. Starring Timothy Spall, is is a cinematic masterpiece, stunning visuals which look glorious on the big screen. It takes you from the dingy streets of Victorian London to the seaside esplanade of Margate. Spall deserving of some accolades for this portrayl.... thoroughly enjoyed.

I have a few movies booked for forthcoming weeks and a lovely Christmas Treat..... here's whats on my Winter Watchlist:

The Imitation Game; another biopic, based on a true story of  Alan Turing, the Enigma codebreaker. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kiera Knightley. Although Turing was regarded a hero he was persecuted for his homosexuality and is a forgotten hero of the 2nd world war.

Paddington: I have already professed my love for this little bear in a blog post here, and is there a better venue to see this movie, than the department store that the original bear was purchased from.

and a very special Cinematic Christmas Treat for a couple of weeks in December.... It's a Wonderful Life.

Looking ahead to 2015.... tickets are already booked for the much talked about Fifty Shades of Grey. ... 2nd trailer released yesterday in-conjunction with advanced ticket sales.

As you can see its the perfect escapism from the hustle and bustle of shopping and the stresses of the winter season in a fabulous location. Great for a night out after work, or a treat during the day ... and with a Saturday morning children s slot its great for families too!

Paddington has arrived in London

Way back in June I shared my excitement of the news that Paddington would be heading to the big screen for Christmas.... there has seen some changes since the 1st trailer with BenWishaw  replacing Colin Firth as the voice of Paddington.
I also shared that I had some things that I needed to keep under my hat... I can reveal that Paddington is also taking centre (more like corner) stage in Sefridges on Oxford Street with his own curiosity shop and windows.

Back in 1956 on Christmas Eve, Michael Bond was shopping in Selfridges Oxford Street, when he spied a lone bear sitting on a shelf in the Toy shop. He purchased he bear and took him home to his wife, where they named him Paddington ... this little bear became the influence of so many books written by Mr Bond over the years. Within the Curiosity shop, sits the original typewriter that Michael wrote the books on and also some of the costumes from the forthcoming film.

3 of the windows have had a Paddington takeover, complete with train track, lost & found post and trunks and marmalade galore.

The pinnacle being a golden taxi, covered with marmalade and a golden bear (designed by Kate Moss for the Paddington Trail)

The Paddington Trail will come to life across London this week, where 50 specially designed Paddingtons will be sited for children and adults to find across the winter holiday season. I look forward to spending some time finding these!.... minature versions of some of the bears will be available in the paddington curiosity shop.

Having seen the 2nd trailer of the film this week I am looking forward to seeing the film in December

Along with many gorgeous bears, the curiosity shop also houses some gorgeous bear essentials.... including some very special golden labeled marmalade and buttered marmalade popcorn. The perfect accompaniment for bears and santa!

pop back for more paddington adventures over the holiday season....

Please look after this bear....

A few weekends back I took a train from Paddington station in London, on arrival into station I was delighted to see said namesake's iconic bear statue.
Paddington is a childhood favourite of mine, and loved watching the joy & delight this little bronze statue had on the little kids and big kids alike whilst I waited for my train.

Paddington may pop-up in a number of blog posts this year for me. He will be starring in his own movie, much has been said of the imagery of Paddington, but I think it is an accurate reflection of the original drawings from Michael Bond and his original statue, rather than the cutesy cartoon of the 70's & 80's.



The movie is directed by David Heyman. Paddington is voiced by Colin Firth and Mr Brown played by Hugh Bonneville with an accompanying ensemble cast line up of Nicole Kidman, Julie Walters, Peter Capaldi, Sally Hawkins and Matt Lucas. With a November release date this will be one of the family Christmas movies!.
Full Trailer here:

From this trailer it looks like Paddington is getting upto his usual mischief & mayhem!

Paddington may also be doing something exciting this year with Selfridges, which at the moment I need to keep under my hat (similarly to Paddington's marmalade sandwiches)

Did you know that the bear that inspired Michael Bond started on a shelf in Selfridges!.....
" 24th December 1956 a BBC cameraman buys a small toy bear left alone on a shelf in Selfridges store, London, for his wife Brenda. Named Paddington, after the station close to Michael Bond’s home, the bear inspires him to write eight episodes in just over a week."
I will keep you posted as & when I can of this exciting adventure with a Bear, marmalade sandwiches and fabulous red wellingtons!.