What I loved in April

I'm sorry for the radio silence here on the blog over the past month! I'm really making an effort  to listen to my body more this year after having infection after infection for years, so when I need a rest/break I'm just going to take it, which my GP has been warning me to do for a long time! I've been very ill again and am still waiting for some results, but the break did me good. I hope you all had a nice Easter break and are enjoying the May Bank Holiday Weekend, and that the weather is actually starting to feel Spring-like wherever you are! Let's get into what I've been enjoying over the past month (it's just film and TV because beauty loves will be in an upcoming post), and I'd love to hear in the comments what you've loved! We're going on a sun holiday at the end of the month and I am so excited to feel some heat in my bones!

TV:

Blackbird (Apple TV): I really enjoyed this series, which has 6 episodes, which I felt was enough as it was slow moving initially. It's based on a true story, with a drug dealer/mogul being given a deal to go undercover in a high security prison and elicit a confession from a serial killer. It seems like an impossible task, given that he only has a certain amount of time and the prisoners are extremely dangerous. If Jimmy (Taron Egerton) manages to get the confession, his 10 year sentence will be cut short and he will be free. The person he has to elicit the confession from (Larry) is strange, to say the least, and is a twin. He had a strange childhood, which his brother could recognise more than Larry. One of the prison guards pretends to be friendly with Jimmy, but actually needs money, which Jimmy cannot get his hands on. As a result, the guard threatens to tell other inmates that he's a grass and a police officer's son (Ray Liotta), so his need to get the confession becomes more urgent. He memorises a map, which helps the police to find some bodies and gets the confession needed. interestingly, upon release, he continued to work for the police. It's a very interesting story, particularly because you know it's true.

Ted Lasso (Apple TV): This show is like a comfort blanket. It really is good for the soul and we need more Teds in the world! The premise of the show is that Ted (Jason Sudeikis) is hired by the owner of an English football club, which she received as part of her divorce settlement (her ex husband adored the football club), with a view to ruining the club because he knew practically nothing about the sport. What wasn't expected was that his warm, infectious personality would win her, the team and the fans over. It also touches on problems/issues that the players and other characters have. It's the first show since Schitt's Creek that has given me that warm, feel-good, comforting feeling and I really look forward to Wednesdays for the new episode!

Film:

Air (Cinema): This is the story behind how the original Air Jordan line with Nike was developed - a brand which wasn't very popular at the time, particularly with basketball players. The brand's talent scout was given a budget to hire three players to wear and promote their shoes, instead he decided that investing all of the money into one player (Michael Jordan) would be a better idea and in order to convince him to sign, the scout approached his mother and made a connection. The Air Jordan was born through the designer at the company creating a shoe, which would help Michael with its 'air sole', but they also created a logo of Michael shooting a hoop, which would be on all shoes in this line. Michael was reluctant but eventually agreed if he also received a car and a share of the profits. At the end of the film, the figures involved were released and images of Michael and his parents (something I always love after true films, which makes them feel more real). It is well worth watching even if you don't like basketball (I haven't the first clue about it!).

She Said (Sky): This is the story behind how the New York Times researched and broke the story of the systemic abuse of women by Harvey Weinstein and how far reaching it was. Some people had signed Non Disclosure Agreements, others hadn't (but their careers ended), but even after so many years, so many were still afraid to use their names. It took one to go on the record, which started the snowball effect and ultimately, the conviction of Weinstein. We missed it in the cinema so I was glad to catch it on Sky.

A Good Person (Sky): Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman star in this film, which shows you how life can change in the blink of an eye. Pugh is part of a couple who have just gotten engaged and she, her future sister and brother in law were driving into New York when she took her eye off the road to look at her phone for a second and there is a terrible crash. It then fast forwards to a year later and she is addicted to prescription pain killers and living with her mother. She eventually goes to an Addiction meeting and subsequently meets who would have been her father in law. He is now guardian to the daughter of the couple who were killed in the crash. Encounters ( both good and bad) ensue with many twists and turns. I don't want to ruin it for you but it definitely highlights the fragility of life and how important forgiveness and compassion are, as well as how strong and all-encompassing an emotion guilt it is. The acting is excellent and I highly recommend watching it.

I'd love to hear how your April was?

Thanks for reading!

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