Sex and The City 2 - Them that don't get it, don't like it

Well, well, well... once again the critics have got the cutlery out over the new movie.

I have given myself brain-ache today thinking how can women not like sex and the city?

This evening I have read the reviews, mostly written by men.

And I can come to only one conclusion. Those that don't like it don't get it. I don't mean this in a patronising way. I just mean that they don't identify with it. They probably aren't, nor do they know, brassy, upfront, liberal, shopaholic women in their thirties or forties who struggle with relationships and juggling work, men, family etc. Because that is essentially at the heart of Sex and The City.

In the same way that Chris Moyles sometimes suggests that the odd listener doesn't get the show's irony, I suggest that those that don't like it just don't identify with it. You see, the draw is identifying with the aspects of women and relationships that SATC explores in a funny and mostly light-hearted way. It almost doesn't matter how crap the storyline is because it isn't the plot that people are attached to. You only need to watch the first series to realise that. It is the one-liners, anecdotes and scruples that people identify with, and can relate to experiences they, or other friends have had, which is so appealing.

So it doesn't matter that the lifestyles and story lines are incredibly far-fetched - anyone read Dan Brown recently?? because the underlying thread of identifying with the worries, anxieties, happiness, self-doubt and aspirations of women in that age-bracket, regardless of earnings or lifestyle is still at the heart of the film, and is what the fans love.

Sex and The City 2 - The Countdown

So, i totally forgot that it was the World premiere in NYC on Monday evening, hence why things had been very quiet on our shores.

Sarah Jessica Parker, in introducing the film at Radio City Music Hall said it was the 'rightful birthplace.. to send them on their way across the globe' - hear, hear! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXWyre7tryk

The film premieres in Leicester Square tomorrow so no doubt the media frenzy will start today in earnest. I have not one but two screenings to enjoy. The first a champagne/cupcake combo and the second, a late night classy affair next Saturday for the true die-hard fans who want to enjoy it without all of the fair-weather, jump on the bandwagon Carrie wannabe's. Click here if that's you - ie. the die-hard http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122628284433820

Tomorrow, I'm going to get into the ladies who hate Sex and The City 2 - I was going to do that today but I'm still trying to get my head round it ;)

Sex and The City 2 - Where are they?

Is it just me, or have the Sex and The City girls been conspicuously 'quiet' this time around?

Two years ago, when the film premiered in the UK, the ladies were everywhere, much to the discontent of their US, and specifically New York fan base.

This year, the pound is down, the global premiere was in New York last night - rightly so in my opinion - and we have been left out in the cold!

This week's blog will be a Sex and the City 2 fest. Tomorrow, I'll address the women who also dislike the show - say it aint so sisters!

Sex and the City 2 - why do men hate that we love it?

Click here for your invite: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=122628284433820

OK maybe not all men, but a good majority, really seem to dislike SATC and everything associated with it eg. SJP's looks, her royal styleness.

What is it that men don't like about it? Is it that the story centres around strong successful women? Or that the characters are sexually liberal and take no prisoners in the bedroom department, often being quite critical of their dates' sexual prowess? Or is it just that it is like a secret society whose language is understood only by women in their twenties, thirties and beyond.

Personally I think it's the latter. In the same way that my husband dislikes Sarah Cox, whilst my girlfriends and I think she would be an absolute scream on a night out.

And then there are the serious film critics who like to point out how unrealistic the 4 characters lives are. OK, but when did realism become a criteria for TV or film? Thank you Mr Critic, but we are big girls who can distinguish the real from the fantasy.

It is harmless fun (discuss), and an opportunity for women to bond and celebrate friendships in the real world. It touches on a number of issues that women can identify with - like caring for elderly parents, glass ceilings, cancer, pursuing men who are clearly no good for you, and yes - shoes - in a candid and humorous way. What is there to dislike about that? Unless you simply resent us women having something to enjoy in a way which doesn't include you? You of course (insert stereotypical SATC male sports-loving character, like the one who even Samantha couldn't lure away from the TV) have the world cup to do the same over. And long-suffering partners the world over will show some degree of support and enthusiasm because they will be happy that you are bonding with your friends over what is, after all, only a game (discuss).

I do have a couple of male friends who 'get it'. One of them said that it teaches men a lot about women and their friendships. Whilst the other said that he didn't like it because '...Big treated Carrie like crap, and she still ended up with him - how is that a happy ending?' Well said, Paul.
Anyway I, for one, can't wait. For me the film is all about friendships, and reminds me how very grateful I am for the ones I have.

If anyone wants to come enjoy the film with me and a whole host of other women, follow this link:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=122628284433820

Miller at Muller

It was the promise of the free yogurts what did it. If that hadn't been on the race entry form I probably would not be aching now from the agony of completing the Muller 10k yesterday with next to no training. But, yes, the free case of yogurts for every finisher was well worth it!

There's something in me that hates to admit defeat. When is it time to throw in the towel? if ever? At mile 2? when the quads were burning after the second major hill, or after the last water station when it felt unbearably hot and I thought I might keel over?

Well in my book, I never throw in the towel. I remember thinking yesterday that if Eddie Izzard could do his marathon feat with blisters and sore muscles - heck I've run a marathon myself -then I could surely run non-stop for just under an hour.

And so it reinforces my long-held belief that I can do pretty much anything I want to, and complete it. There are real life examples, all around us, that drive counts for way more than ability and experience. I need more drive!

i-hooked

Yes, indeedy. i have had my new gadget for just a few weeks now and i am converted.

Although my Wired subscription might suggest otherwise, i am no techie, neither am i a geek, or a typical early adopter. But this iphone is completely revolutionising my sh*t! To an unprecedented level. i mean i am all over it. The functionality and accessibility is absolutely mind-blowing, unlike any other phone, gadget or gizmo i have ever had.

Where do i start? firstly it is like having a personal computer on hand at all times, so i can do pretty much everything i would do on my laptop, on my iphone - wherever, whenever. Secondly, thanks to spotify - the only decent music subscription service for iphone (come on napster!) i pretty much have my entire music collection, plus new music i recently discovered on last.fm, right at the tips of my fingers...Marc Broussard and Colbie Caillat in case you were wondering.

i am now in the process of pulling together my online shopping list after watching Jamie's top cooking tips (Jamie's 20 min meals iphone app), which includes essential larder ingredients. A-ma-zing! And then there is catchup tv.... 20 seconds behind BBC, ITV etc - cant be bad. AND ALL THIS ON MY PHONE!!!!

Personally i think other phone manufacturers should just call it a day, or at least, focus entirely on the corporate market - iphone have this sewn up. Should Apple ever find a way of making it affordable for PAYG customers, i seriously believe it would be curtains for others. I predict that unless there is a major game changer in the next 5 years, iphone will become the verb for mobile calling. Steve Jobs i salute u

i-believe

i never thought it would come to this. After several years of cynicism, watching from the sidelines and just not getting it, i have finally succumbed and purchased an i-phone. i was not swayed by its ability to turn into a light-saber. No, it was the fact that the IT help-desk guy had one when I went to collect a new laptop, and he was raving about it.

This is my first Apple purchase, and i think i finally see what all the fuss is about.

As a nokia fan for years and years - have dropped several, which still worked perfectly, knew what all the buttons meant for texting, functionality generally excellent - i finally get the selling point to the iphone. Not sure what its technical term is, but the user-interface, friendliness, ease of use - whatever it is called - in my eyes, outweighs virtually all of the functionally superior benefits that other manufacturers may eschew.

Don't get me wrong - there is a minimum standard which every phone must meet eg. bluetooth, decent camera, video recording etc, which have all been added, and which i couldn't do without, but the usability and usefulness is simply staggering.

In the same way that Apple were not just selling a portable music device with ipod - they were selling the ability to access your entire music collection wherever and whenever, so the iphone is not just a phone. It is, at least in my eyes, a means of organising and getting the most out of me and my stuff - be that my social diary, planning meals at home, staying in touch with people, as well as of course listening to my entire music collection, reading books or watching films. And it does it in such a cool, seamless and easy way that even a 5 year old could work it (or should that be a 35 year old, because 5 year olds nowadays can already work pretty much anything vaguely computer-related). Which is by far its biggest selling point.

And as for the apps, what is there not to love, apart from maybe that there is too much choice. Personally, i can't wait to try out Jamie's 20 minute meals, which is one of the top 10 apps, as well as co-pilot, the cheaper, highly-rated alternative to Tom-Tom.

How many gifts, gadgets and gizmos go untouched because they are so difficult to set up, use, or maintain? In fact, if you were to price gadgets, mp3 players or phones based on usage, or utilisation, i am guessing that the iphone would actually come in cheapest - and that's something i never thought i would hear myself say.

Believe me when i say, you won't get it until you try it.