January and February fun stuff to keep you smiling…
- Entertainment
- 05 January 2012
- by Alex Zagalsky
Christmas is over, you're broke, on a diet and trying to stick to all manner of silly resolutions. Stop. Breathe. Now get your diary out. The rest of winter shouldn't just be a slow and painful passage to spring, here are some exciting things to keep you smiling before the crocuses appear...
Film thrills!
This is cinema season, not least because the Oscars are held on February 26th, so theatres are really packing them in. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocolis the first must-see. Who really cares about the plot? We know Tom Cruise is going to work it out in the end. Watch it for the thrills, spills, jaw-dropping locations and TC's amazing stunts, all his own! J Edgar is out on January 20th and is billed for Academy Award glory. It stars Leo Di Caprio as the FBI's first director J Edgar Hoover and is directed by the unstoppable force that is Clint Eastwood. Madonna's W.E is released on the same day - it received mixed reviews in the States, but if you love romance and wonderful Wallace Simpson fashion, this one's for you! If anyone can shake you out of your January blues, it's George Clooney. The Hollywood heartthrob stars in The Descendants (out January 27th), a feel-good movie about a father who struggles to reconnect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident. Funny, moving and lots of close-ups of George! And finally, from the British contingency comes The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel with an stellar cast including Bill Nighy, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Tom Wilkinson. A comedy about an Indian hotel which isn't quite as advertised…we can't wait for its release on February 24th.
Shopping screams!
Head to Selfridges for a Stella McCartney explosion (of sorts!) from January 26th until February 14th. The store will be celebrating the British designer with The World of Stella, an event which will showcase all sorts of goodies including new clothing ranges and a fragrance. In other perfume news, Agent Provocateur is also bringing out a trio of scents called Eau Provocateur at the beginning of February - all bound to be irresistibly sexy.
Radio gaga!
We're not talking about Lady Gaga for once but the much-anticipated 70th year special of Desert Island Disks with Kirsty Young. The perfect Sunday lie-in programme - just buy extra croissants for your breakfast in bed. January 29th at 11.15am.
Music to your ears!
We can't wait for the latest Goldfrapp and Ting Tings albums to drop. The first on February 2nd and the second on the 20th. iTunes here we come!
Arty party!
Take a Saturday out to see Lucian Freud: Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery (February 8th to May 27th). The last work of the late, great artist who dies last year goes on show for the first time in ten years. Then head to the Portrait Restaurant for tea for a breathtaking view of the city and some delicious scones!
Dragon action!
Forget The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for a sec (although Daniel Craig alone should spur you to book tickets to the cult Scandi thriller), the real dragon action will be in London's Chinatown on the 29th of January for Chinese New Year. The celebrations start at 10am and the procession will make its way toTrafalgar Square for midday where there will be all sorts of music and mayhem - including Mayor Boris Johnson welcoming the revellers. Beeline your way to Chinatown for a well-earned meal afterwards - the party goes on until 6pm.
Take me to the theatre darling!
Did you love Cagney and Lacey? Then don't miss the Emmy-award winning brilliance of actress, Tyne Daly (she played Lacey is said 80s TV drama), inMaster Class at the Vaudeville Theatre. She reprises the role of Maria Callas following a sell-out run on Broadway. Terrence McNally's play takes audiences to one of Callas's famous master classes, where, late in her own career, she dares the next generation to make the same sacrifices and rise to the same heights that made her the most celebrated, the most reviled and the most controversial singer of her time. From January 21st
Frock watch!
Indulge in some Oscar frock watching on February 26th - there's always someone who gets it so wrong (don't pretend you don't love to sneer!). There are also more fashion delights (or potential mishaps) prior to this thanks to the Grammys and the BAFTAS, February12th. We give you permission to tune into the E! Channel.