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Rated: M

Running Time: 114 mins

Director: Paul Greengrass

Cast: Matt Damon, Amy Ryan, Greg Kinnear, Brendan Gleeson

Release Date: 11^th March 2010

Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass team up once again for “Green Zone”, which is starting to be known as “Bourne 4”. But apart from those two, and the genre of political thriller meets action blockbuster, this is a very different film. Unfortunately. Continue Reading

Alice In Wonderland

Rated: PG

Running Time: 108 mins

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Mia Wasikowska, Anne Hathaway

Release Date: 4^th March, 2010

Tim Burton’s “Alice In Wonderland” has been one of the most anticipated films of the year. And it does sound like a perfect match – the weird and wonderful Lewis Carroll story brought to life by the weird and wonderful director, who has taken us on many a strange trip in films such as “Edward Scissorhands”. But unfortunately, like the character of Alice, it’s missing its muchness. Continue Reading

A Single Man

Rated: M

Running Time: 100 mins

Director: Tom Ford

Cast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Matthew Goode

Release Date: 25^th February 2010

I have to admit, when I first heard fashion designer Tom Ford had written, produced and directed a film, I didn’t have high hopes. I mean, I love his clean aesthetic with clothes, and what he did for the Gucci brand was incredible, but directing a movie? And one that’s not about fashion? Continue Reading

The Wolfman

Rated: MA

Running Time: 102 mins

Directed by: Joe Johnson

Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving

Release Date: 11th February, 2010

Vampires have been dominating popular culture lately with films like “Twilight”, “Daybreakers” and TV shows such as “True Blood”. But now they might finally be dead and buried, with another sexy movie monster bearing it’s teeth and ready to take over.

Set in 1891, “The Wolfman” stars Benicio Del Toro as Lawrence Talbot, who returns home to his estranged father Sir John (Anthony Hopkins) after receiving a letter from his brother’s fiancée Gwen (Emily Blunt), notifying him of his brother’s disappearance. He discovers a strange and savage beast is terrifying his hometown of Blackmoor, with Scotland Yard Inspector Aberline (Hugo Weaving) brought in to solve the case. But the beast might be a little closer to home than Lawrence realizes. Continue Reading

Rated: M

Running Time: 105 mins

Director: Joel & Ethan Coen

Cast: Michael Stuhlbarg, Richard Kind, Sari Lennick

Release Date: 19^th November 2009 Continue Reading

The Creativity Formula: 50 scientifically proven creativity boosters for work and for life By, Dr. Amantha Imber.

It’s always great to find a book, other than a cook book, that doesn’t require a read from cover to cover to benefit from its pages!

The Creativity Formula: 50 scientifically proven creativity boosters for work and for life is a lot of fun to dip into. You can choose chapters at random and independently, learning ways to create creativity, gaining inspiration for your next project quickly.

Great for us girls on the go!

This book is not your normal self-help or problem solving book offering endless pages of opinions but actually scientifically proven ways to improve your creativity by using your brain. Author Dr Amantha Imber an organisational psychologist draws on her experience in the field as well as international research. It is filled with unexpectedly simple, scientifically-proven ways to immediately boost creativity.

Ever heard someone say, “You’re so creative”? Well, according to the Creativity Formula we all have it in us; it’s just how we use our heads.

The book states several factors can affect our creativity and in Chapter 2 – Don’t Worry Be Happy, it shows us how “Our emotional state, in fact, has a big impact on our ability to be creative” exemplifying studies that prove people are actually more creative when they are happy.

Other chapters highlight scientifically proven studies showing us the secrets to unlocking our inner creativity, such as…

WHAT: Squeeze your left hand for a couple of minutes before undertaking a task that requires creative thought.

WHY: Activities involving the left-hand side of our bodies activate a specific part of the right hemisphere of our brains, which helps us think more creatively.

WHAT: Stare at a picture of a punk for two minutes.

WHY: When we are exposed to an image that is all about standing out and being different from the norm, this sends a message to our brain which unconsciously make us start to act in this way.

WHAT: Raise your eyebrows for several minutes while completing a task that requires creative thought.

WHY: Broadening your knowledge and experience is an effective way to increase creativity. Facial expressions associated with widening our visual perception have a positive effect on creativity.

WHAT: Have an Xbox or Playstation available to use at work.

WHY: Playing a video game increases your energy levels and makes you feel happy, leading to more creative problem-solving.

Each chapter offers tips for individuals and organizations on how to improve their creativity in life and the work place. It’s actually quite fascinating reading the science behind our creativity as individuals. All-in-all a very beneficial and easy read on a subject we can all benefit from.

The Creativity Formula: 50 scientifically proven creativity boosters for work and for life (Liminal Press, October 2009).

www.ExplorerGirls.com / Courtney Crow

Courtney is Editor at www.ExplorerGirls.com, a global networking site for women who travel for adventure and action sports.

Why do it?

It’s 8.30pm and I’m sitting in my trainer’s gym. I’m one hour into the session with two more to go and I’ve got three sets left on my deadlift.

I find myself doing what everyone who has started a health and fitness adventure does when they have a big workout ahead of them.

I’m wondering: why am I training? Continue Reading

At this critical time in the economy, businesses need to start preparing for the upturn. It’s time to start planning to recruit new staff to avoid the ‘war for talent’ and also to be prepared for increased demand of your products and services.

Finding the right recruiter to help you sort your way through job applications is a cost effective and logical solution for all businesses. Continue Reading

by Jules Clancy from stonesoup | minimalist home cooking. Continue Reading

Rated: M

Running Time: 93 mins

Director: Duncan Jones

Cast: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey (voice) Continue Reading

If there was a pill that fixed everything, would you be interested? One pill that could reduce the chance of heart disease and osteoporosis, increase metabolism, strengthen and lengthen muscles and reduce the effects of ageing.

Are you thinking how much and where do I get it from?

What if it was free and you already have it available to you at home? Continue Reading

Rated: PG

Running Time: 90 mins

Director: David Bowers

Voice Cast: Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Kristin Bell, Bill Nighy Continue Reading

Without good cashflow, a small business is doomed. Continue Reading