Ek Tha Tiger - Laapata

There's not many Salman Khan films that get me as excited as 'Ek Tha Tiger' has. No matter what the storyline may be of this film, I am already a huge fan of the soundtrack. Saiyaanre and Laapata are two songs I am already humming along too and I really am enjoyed every song on this album in general. Let's hope the film lives up to this fantastic music score!

London 2012: Women's Cycling

Whilst on my travels today, i bumped into the women's cycling team going down King's Road in Chelsea. It was pouring down with rain and that's why the quality of my pictures are so poor!

The Dark Knight Rises

Starring Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Michael Cane, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman and others

Star rating: *****

No film has been so hotly awaited than 'The Dark Knight Rises'. Ever since the explosive trailer hit YouTube, fans were eager to set their eyes on the third part of the Batman trilogy. With 'The Dark Knight' and 'Batman Begins' behind him, director Christopher Nolan completes this famous story, satisfying the audience's appetite for this dark instalment of the Batman saga. I was curious to see this film, partly because of the introduction of the villain Bane (Tom Hardy) who was a rival even stronger than Batman himself and also i was heavy hearted knowing that this is the end of the trilogy.

The Dark Knight Rises begins eight years on from the previous film, where Batman aka Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has gone into hiding after being branded a murderer for District Attorney Harvey Dent's death. Slinky thief Selena Kyle aka Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) is a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who breaks into Wayne's manor and steals his mother's pearl necklace. Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) is having a hard time getting back to peace and still believes that something is going down in the sewers. He is right of course, a new terrorist leader Bane (Tom Hardy) arrives on scene, intent on causing chaos in Gotham City and forces Batman to come out of retirement. The story looks at Wayne's personal battle to stay alive and figure out his moral purpose while battling an enemy which is stronger than himself. 

Even before i had seen this movie, i  knew that it would be epic and The Dark Knight Rises definitely lives up to expectations. Bale is fantastic playing Wayne and Batman and knows the characters so well that they might as well be his alter egos. The physical and mental struggle Wayne experiences to get back to putting on his suit is portrayed with painful detail but it is this realism that makes this franchise so great. Director Nolan never shies away from making his characters have very human weaknesses that the audience can relate to. Joseph Gordon- Levitt is great as the young idealistic officer who supports Gary Oldman's Commissioner Gordon very well throughout the film. Tom Hardy does a great job at playing Bane but if only he had a more distinct voice. He sounds like Darth Vader shouting and often his words are lost behind the heavy breathing and frankly i can't remember a lot of his dialogue. Anne Hathaway is sexy but at the same time devious as Catwoman and carries the role off with finesse. Michael Cane reprises his role as Alfred and as always puts on a dignified yet heart warming performance as the butler come fatherly mentor to Bruce Wayne.

A truly great film and despite its length, i was entertained throughout and with its twists and turns, i was hanging onto my seat. A must see for every Batman fan!

London 2012 Opening Ceremony

I was very fortunate to be in the front rows to watch the London 2012 Opening Ceremony live and see all the action on stage. The atmosphere in the stadium was incredible with everyone cheering and genuinely happy to be there An experience i will truly remember for the rest of life!

Getting ready to take my seat at the Ceremony

Sir Cliff Richard

Me and Sarah Ferguson

The silk sea passes above me!

The countdown to 20:12

Olympic Cyclist Bradley Wiggins makes an appearance

The ladies who walk on the Isle of Wonder

The drummers signal the start of the Industrial Revolution

The Beatles segment

'Yellow Submarine'

The liner showing the arrival of the immigrants

Pyrotechnics at their best: Olympic Rings

Olympics are officially open

The arrival of Bond

The Dalmatian Puppies with the nurses

Zombie nurses on rollerskates

Lord Voldermort terrifying a child

The baby signifying bedtime

The sun lighting the torch

Emeli Sande

Usain Bolt being met by the crowds doing his signature bolt move

More pictures from the Olympic Opening Ceremony Rehearsals

The Olympic Park

The world's largest McDonald's 

Danny Boyle urging people to #savethesurprise

Children going round the totem pole on the Isle of Wonder

The sea of silk

The tree of life opening up to reveal the miners

The Suffragettes

Industrial Revolution

Industrial Revolution in full swing

The rings coming together

The national anthem being played 

The NHS scene

London Underground dance scene

The 60s light up girls

Olympic Opening Ceremony Rehearsals

I have been one of the lucky few who have been able to watch the London 2012 Opening Ceremony rehearsals several times before it was shown to the world. I know that this post is going up after the ceremony but that is because i was determined to save the surprise for all those people who have worked desperately hard to ensure the ceremony was a resounding success!

The quaint countryside scene at the start

The crowd

A 'sea' of silk cascaded down the crowds

The live animals on stage, so well behaved and the ducks are adorable

Industrial Revolution destroying the countryside

'Yellow Submarine'

Titanic 'floats' by

The amazing towers that shoot out from under the stage and the rings getting ready to unite

The Olympic rings are united and create this striking display

Great Ormond Street staff pay homage to the NHS

Monsters come out at night: Lord Voldermort, Cruella De Ville 

Mary Poppins comes to save the day!