Let's Start With This One...

Hey Lovelies, 

For a long time now, Shia LaBeouf has been changing the roles he built his career around. Whether it is taking on the form of human art or characters many wouldn’t expect him to play, he is testing his true talents. Something incredibly powerful when it comes to Honey Boy, out today on DVD and digitally.

When twenty-something actor Otis (Lucas Hedges), finds himself growing up to be a successful figure of the screen, he discovers not all is right personally. Every emotion, feeling and personal reaction causes him to begin to self-harm, leading to a stint in rehab. A place where he spends time reflecting on the relationship he had with his father as a young boy. One that causes him to ask questions he may never find the answer to.

LaBeouf is a powerhouse within the feature. Up against Hedges, the pair know how to bounce off each other to give audiences a gripping feature from start to finish. With the film coming from his personal experiences, ones he wrote about in rehab, it provides audiences with a look into his mind. After years of seeing him try and defy the media, you can see why he has become someone who wants to remain an enigma.

LaBeouf’s portrayal of what is ultimately his father is a sad one to witness. Of course, moments have been changed for dramatic effect, but it makes watching how Hedges reacts to LaBeouf so interesting. He shows the abuse that he suffered from a young age. All from memories recalled by him. A personal therapy session played out on screen in many ways. An incredible wild thing to witness.

This theme continues throughout, with LaBeouf taking real actions and placing them on-screen. His thoughts are so out there, and it is easy to see how much LaBeouf wants to control the moment, but only to give audiences an honest representation. He knows that there are times when some might not believe him or that the event didn’t really happen, but it works still. Nothing feels forced. Nothing feels too much. It all feels like being a fly on a celebrity’s wall.

The film is ultimately a sad affair though. LaBeouf has done something that not many celebrities do. He has opened up in a deeply personal manner and allowed Hedges to take the reins as him. He plays the man who abused and affected him. He allows audiences in and bares it all. Something that as an audience member is valued constantly from start to finish. Never will LaBeouf be judged the same way again.

Hey Lovelies, 

Hey Lovelies, 

The last few days have been funny, to say the least! Three months to the day I was admitted and following the same menu I entered on, I was discharged from the hospital because of an outbreak of coronavirus in another ward!

My consultant told me I was the biggest risk he was taking but knew that having no visitors or leave would send me on a downward spiral that could have led to dangerous consequences. I’m in no way done in my recovery. I don’t know what the near or far future holds. Yet, being allowed home and seeing the faith my consultant has in me has given me so much motivation.

It all feels fragile. It is scaring me to no end. But I have the best parents guiding me. The most supportive set of girls who I met on the ward, who I know will win this fight. And I have dreams I want to achieve. I am finding it hard, but I have a Disneyland Paris trip, family occasions and laughter to be had. Now is the time to push forward and win the fight as much as I possibly can.

This one's for the lush ladies on the ward...

• Dining Room Feedback: My raisins were in my bowl all along and the jacket potato night tonight is going to be good!
• Question: If you had to isolate yourself with any celebrity who would it be?
• Positive of the Day: Arranging a jacket potato night at home with Jess Wicks! 

We’ve have got this girls! Just remember the scales are just a number, BMI’s are fucking stupid and it’s all going to taste great!

Hey Lovelies, 

For many people, the world of DC and its characters are forever changing. From Pattinson’s takeover of Batman to a new Wonder Woman feature, this year it is all happening for the franchise. Especially when they continue to release new features from the comics including Superman: Red Son, which is out today on Blu-Ray and digitally.

Taking audiences into another side of the DC hero, the film captures our hero having been brought up in a different world. Based in Ukraine, Superman becomes the face of the Soviet Union. A turn not many would be expecting. Even more so with the unexpected Lex Luthor saving the world from communism moments that the story churns out.

For a feature, it is one of pure madness. Seeing a heroic comic book hero in a completely new manner is something many of us seek. But it would never normally be within this manner. It doesn’t feel right at times. There is too much happening within the story that just doesn’t fit in with the DC comics. Or with what we know about Superman.

None of the story flows and the pacing of the plot is a bit of a flop. There is never a smooth flow throughout. It is one thing after another with no timings to catch up with what has just happened. It is a pour display of what could have been an interesting display of individualism in a franchise feature.

Superman is taking on a different version of himself in Red Son, but it fails to make a real connection.

Hey Lovelies, 

Fans of Homeland listen up! You are about to fall under the charms of a brand-new show. Fresh out on DVD and digitally after airing on Channel 4, Baghdad Central, is the crime thriller we have been waiting for.

Adapted from the novel by Elliott Colla, the series set in 2003, follows ex-policeman Muhsin al-Khafaji, as he struggles to come to terms with the loss of everything he once had. Trying to provide for his young daughter, whilst also battling with the ongoing terrors of war, his life is thrown into even further distress when his eldest daughter goes missing.

In Taken fashion, Muhsin seeks to find out what has happened to her. However, along the way he finds himself recruited to create a new local police force. A task leading him to uncover a lot about his daughter’s life that he didn’t know. With mysterious characters, who continuously leave you guessing as to what side they are on, the series is one of many twists and turns.

No one in it is innocent. No one gives any secure answers. But in true good TV fashion, it is what makes it so appealing. You can’t take your eyes away from the screen. You desperately seek to find the answers in which you have been looking for. You want to know what the characters are going to do next. Every moment has been so cleverly crafted that it has strongly become a thriller that cannot be missed.

Seeing as we are about to lose the brilliant Homeland, Baghdad Central is looking like a very strong contender to fill its place. With only six episodes in this first series, there definitely needs to be more to help try and fill the gap you will feel when it ends.

Hey Lovelies, 

When a series has Aisling Bea in it, I am completely and utterly down for it. To me, she is a comedy legend. Hearing about her new show for the W Channel, Finding Joy, I was interested to see what it was all about. Especially with it coming out on DVD and digitally from today.

Starring Amy Huberman, the six-part comedy, follows Joy, a journalist who accidentally becomes a vlogging sensation overnight. After splitting with her long-term boyfriend and seeing her friends building their families, Joy feels left out. Something that isn’t helped by her dog Aidan. That is all until she is forced into the world of vlogging by a local influencer, who helps her come out of her comfort zone, along with her new roommate (Bea) and manager.

The show takes on a modern storyline, with lots of relevant 21st Century information. The comedy is on point and Huberman is a lovable character, who you can relate to often. However, the show isn’t all about stardom. The way it tackles happiness and the joy of life is also very key in making you fall under its charms.

Yet, there are many moments that leave you wondering what is really going on. It becomes silly and a little bit hard to swallow as well, with moments of pure wonder that a series of this nature has been made. It feels like it would have been better played out on YouTube.

This doesn’t make you want to stop watching though. For a calming joyful bit of TV, it works. The W Channel isn’t often full of UKTV’s comedy pieces, but as an original one, they are onto a winner.

Hey Lovelies,

Sunday bakes are back and this time it is getting seasonal. With only two days to go until one of my favourite holidays of the year, St Patrick’s Day, now is the best time to crack out the Guinness. Whether it be for a quick drink, to celebrate or to make a delicious treat, the world-famous Irish drink has many uses.

Having been to the factory, I know that when a bottle is made, they do it with a lot of thought, care and attention. It wouldn’t be so popular if they didn’t lovely. I was going to do a traditional soda bread recipe, with the suggestion of enjoying this drink on the side, but instead I found this chocolate beauty.

Get ready to shake your shamrocks this Tuesday with this tasty dessert…

Ingredients

• 150g Unsalted Butter, Plus Extra for the Ramekins
• 200g Dark Chocolate, Roughly Chopped
• 90g Golden Caster Sugar
• 3 Large Eggs
• 90ml Guinness 

Tools

• 9 x 5cm Ramekins
• Heatproof Bowl
• Mixing Bowl
• Whisk
• Small Saucepan
• Spoon

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and put a baking tray on the top shelf to heat up. Butter the ramekins and set aside. 
2. Pour the butter, chocolate and a generous pinch of salt into a heatproof bowl. Using a small saucepan, heat some water and stir until all is melted. You can also heat the ingredients in the microwave in small bursts. Once done, leave to cool a little. 
3. In the second mixing bowl, add the sugar and eggs and beat with a whisk until pale, almost doubled in volume and thick enough to leave a trail when the whisk is lifted. 
4. Add and fold in the melted chocolate and Guinness. Then carefully spoon the mixture into the ramekins and place in the fridge for an hour. 
5. Once set, place the ramekins on the hot baking tray and bake for 18 mins. Remove from the oven and leave to stand for a minute, then serve with cream or whatever you wish to enjoy them with lovelies. Seeing as it is St Patrick’s Day, a good Baileys may just hit the spot!

Hey Lovelies, 

Hey Lovelies,

• 180g Unsalted Butter, Softened
• 125g Light Brown Sugar
• 125g Rolled Oats
• 175g Plain Flour
• 1 Tsp Baking Powder
• 250g Raspberries, Lightly Mashed
• 1 Tbsp Cornflour
• 40g Caster Sugar

• 20cm (8inch) square cake tin
• Baking Paper
• Mixing Bowl
• Mixing Spoon
• Fork

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4. Then grease and line a 20cm (8 inch) square cake tin with baking paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, stir together the butter and brown sugar, before adding in the oats, flour and baking powder to form a crumbly mixture.
3. Using the spoon, press half of the mixture into the base of the prepared tin to form a smooth layer. There should be some leftover to form the crumble topping.
4. Make small pricks in the layer all over with a fork and bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
5. Once the base is done cooking, mix together the mashed raspberries with the sugar and cornflour and spread evenly over the cooked base.
6. Sprinkle with the remaining crumble onto the top of the raspberry mixture and bake for about 30 minutes until lightly golden.
7. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before cutting it into 25 small squares. Then leave it to cool completely in the tin before removing to serve with a topping of your choice or on its own lovelies.

Hey Lovelies, 

• 2 X 410g Cans Apricots, Drained
• 600g Jar Apricot Compote
• 200g Plain Flour
• 140g Almond, With Skins, Chopped
• 1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 200g Butter, Diced
• 100g Caster Sugar
• 100g Demerara Sugar

• Large Baking Dish
• Mixing Bowl
• Mixing Spoon

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
2. In a large baking dish, combine the apricots and compote together.
3. Take the mixing bowl and add in the flour, nuts and cinnamon. Mix, before rubbing in the butter to make a crumb-like texture. Once complete, add in the sugar.
4. Sprinkle onto the apricot mixture and leave for 24 hours if you want to. Otherwise, you can place the crumble straight into the oven to bake for 40-45 minutes.
5. Once ready, the crumble should be crisp, golden and ready to serve with ice cream, custard or any topping of your choice. It is even great on its own lovelies.