Movies

Talking Pictures: charming Channing Tatum dances!

If you saw Magic Mike, you’ll know that Channing Tatum always had the moves. Now he’s taken to tap dancing in his latest film, Hail, Caesar!, and he’s talking about it on the latest edition of Talking Pictures. You’ll have to see the film to find out if he cuts it as a hoofer. The Coen Brothers’ affectionate Hollywood comedy gets the Film Of The Week accolade from London Mums’…
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Product reviews

Last minute Mother's Day gift ideas

Feet up London Mums! This Sunday it’s Mother’s Day and we all deserve a break from household tasks and childcare as well as mumpreneurial work. Of all the statistics I have read over the years on the value of a mum to a UK family, in terms of their daily contributions to household tasks, my favourite has to be a recent study stating that mums’ work at home is worth nearly…
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Movies

Film Awards: Oscars 2016 results

In the wee small hours of this morning, it looked like the Oscars ceremony was going to be a re-run of the BAFTAs. But, despite her predictions for the winners, London Mums’ resident film critic, Freda Cooper, was hoping for a surprise or two. There’s a saying about being careful what you wish for ……..  For the best part of ten years, the Academy Awards have pretty much followed…
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Movies

Film Heads Up: DISNEY’S JUNGLE BOOK (out 15 April 2016)

Everyone in my age group will certainly remember the original Disney animation The Jungle Book. Now a brilliant filmmaker such as Jon Favreau (“Chef,” “Iron Man,” “Elf”) armed with cutting edge technology will bring that wonderful story back to life in a brand new version.  The wild adventure of DISNEY’S JUNGLE BOOK swings into cinemas in 3D on 15th April 2016 and I cannot wait to…
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Movies

Talking Pictures: Oscar Predictions

It’s a red carpet line up on this week’s Talking Pictures! Chiwetel Ejiofor is in The Big Interview hot seat to talk about his latest film, Secret In Their Eyes. And, as well as reviewing the film, London Mums’ resident film critic, Freda Cooper, casts a critical eye over new releases The Forest and The Benefactor. 007 arrives on DVD in Spectre, as does Robert Redford in the more…
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Product reviews

Top Toy Trends for 2016

Toy Town arrived in London last month with a glittering array of toys, games, fun, fantasy and make-believe.Thousands of novelties in children’s toys have been recently presented at Toy Fair 2016 in London. Here are my highlights of the hottest toy trends for 2016. Star Wars The Force Awakens Deluxe Figurine Playset available from the Disney Store    Movie merchandising Movies are dominating…
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Movies

Film awards: Oscar predictions

Just two weeks after the BAFTAs, it’s the culmination of the awards season – the Oscars. Past years have seen them follow the form book to the letter. Are we in for more of the same? Or could there be a surprise or two? London Mums’ resident film critic, Freda Cooper, makes her predictions.   In the wee small hours of next Monday morning, the American Academy will have handed out their…
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Ten reasons to like Italian Inspector Montalbano book - TV series combo

As an Italian I am certainly biased when I list ten reasons to like Inspector Montalbano, the beloved Sicilian detective who adopts unusual methods to catch criminals. In Italy everybody knows and likes Commissario Montalbano’s adventures in Sicily thanks to two TV series which are super hits at international level. Even BBC4 shows them with Italian subtitles. Here are ten reasons to like…
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Books

Our Bedtime Story this week: The Queen & Mr Brown: A Night in the Natural History Museum

Queen Elisabeth is celebrating her 90th Birthday this April and is the subject of various children’s books. We recently reviewed The Queen’s Handbag by Steve Antony and we got an appetite for book about our beloved Queen. This week we have found another charming children’s book celebrating Her Majesty: The Queen & Mr Brown: A Night in the Natural History Museum is brand new…
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Movies

Talking Pictures: Julianne Moore on Freeheld

An Oscar winner graces The Big Interview hot seat in the new edition of Talking Pictures. Julianne Moore (above), who won Best Actress last year for Still Alice, talks about her latest film, Freeheld. Released in cinemas and online on Friday, 19 February, it’s based on the true story about an equal rights campaign that changed American law. London Mums’ resident film critic, Freda Cooper, also…
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