Film Review: The Kings Of Summer (2013)

'The Kings Of Summer' (UK Release: 23 Aug '13) // Words: Alison Potter

The ‘coming-of-age’ film genre is one that has fallen by the wayside in recent years, seemingly in favour of horror porn and action flicks mostly featuring either superheroes or washed-up action stars. So it’s refreshing to see it resurface once more with the utterly brilliant 'The Kings Of Summer', which premiered in the UK at Sundance London earlier in the year.

Festival Review: Sundance London 2013

Sundance London Festival (25-28 April '13) // Words: Alison Potter & Saam Das

The Robert Redford-founded Sundance festival returned to The O2 in London recently for its second edition, and impressed again after last year's Sundance London debut. Alison and Saam managed to pop down to the 2013 fest to check out some of the finest (and not so finest) films on offer.

Film Review: Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes [Sundance London Festival 2013]

'Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes' (UK Release: TBC) // Words: Alison Potter

Emanuel (Kaya Scodelario) has never been able to come to terms with her mother dying during childbirth. Her long-suffering father (Alfred Molina) and his new wife are at a loss as how to cope with the depressive and acerbic teen, especially as her upcoming birthday and the anniversary of her mother's death throws her into even deeper despair.

Playlist: Top Ten Pop Tracks Of 2012

Words: Alison Potter, Emily Solan, and Saam Das

Sometimes we don't give pop quite the attention it deserves at FADED GLAMOUR. Then again, our definition of pop is probably looser than most people's. Anyway, here our ten favourite pop tracks of 2012, in a handy YouTube playlist. Gingers, Koreans, Girl Power - we've got it all covered.

Year In Review: Top 25 Tracks Of 2012

Words: Alison Potter, Emily Solan, Howard Gorman, Jack Thomson, Rajan Lakhani, Raman K, Saam Das, and Simon Opie

If you thought that end of year lists were history (winking smiley) by now then you'd be sorely wrong. We adopt an overly careful and considered approach when putting our lists together. We think the effort is worthwhile. Judge for yourselves below with our favourite songs of 2012 featuring everyone from big hitters like Bobby Womack and Arctic Monkeys to upcomers Mt. Wolf and LULS.

Year In Review: Top 25 Films Of 2012

Words: Alison Potter, Ced Yuen, Gabriella Shimeld-Fenn, Lauren Johnson-Ginn, Raman K, and Saam Das

2012 saw three of the highest grossing films of all-time: 'The Avengers' (also known as 'Avengers Assemble'), 'The Dark Knight Rises', 'Skyfall'. Each of which found critical favour. Each of which appears in our Top 25 Films Of 2012 - our top choices from films released across the UK in the last year. Read our list below, and feel free to suggest your own favourite film(s) of the year.

Film Review: Seven Psychopaths (2012)

'Seven Psychopaths' (UK Release: 5 Dec '12) // Words: Alison Potter

From the warped mind of Irish writer/director Martin McDonagh comes 'Seven Psychopaths', a black comedy chock full of Hollywood acting talent. It follows the story of a struggling alcoholic screenwriter in LA – funnily enough called Martin – who’s attempting to write a film about a bunch of murderous psychopaths.

Film Review: Jason Becker - Not Dead Yet (2012)

'Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet' (UK Release: 16 November ’12 // Words: Alison Potter

Jason Becker is relatively unknown on these shores…unless you have a penchant for ‘80s hair metal or are obsessed with the more technical aspects of playing a guitar. But 'Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet' sets to right this wrong, with a funny, touching and poignant documentary about the heart-breaking tale of the Californian shred guitar genius.

Review: Singin' In The Rain [60th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition]

'Singin’ In The Rain' Blu-ray + DVD Ultimate Collector's Edition (UK Release: 11 November ’12) // Words: Alison Potter

'Singin’ In The Rain is now considered by many to have been one of the best musicals ever made, but the time it was released in 1952 it caused only a minor stir and received a relatively modest reception. Although the motion picture was shot sixty years ago, 'Singin’ In The Rain' has not only stood the test of time, it’s grown more beloved as the years have passed. Starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Jean Hagen, it’s an insider tongue-in-cheek look at the Hollywood film industry at a pivotal time in cinema’s history.

Theatre Review: Singin' In The Rain (2012)

'Singin’ In The Rain' (Palace Theatre, 2012) // Words: Alison Potter

'Singin’ In The Rain' moved to the West End in February, where has been selling out nightly productions ever since. Adapted for the stage from the much-loved 1952 MGM film, it’s set in the roaring Twenties of Hollywood at a time when the advent of the ‘talkies’ marked the death of silent film.

Film Review: Ruby Sparks (2012)

'Ruby Sparks' (UK Release: 12 Oct '12) // Words: Alison Potter

From the team behind 'Little Miss Sunshine' comes 'Ruby Sparks', a film about an awkward literary prodigy called Calvin Weir-Fields, who’s struggling to write a follow-up to his acclaimed first novel. Calvin’s therapist suggests a writing task to help him get over his writer’s block, which leads to invention of Ruby Sparks – the personification of his perfect woman.

Theatre Review: Let It Be (2012)

'Let It Be' live at The Prince Of Wales Theatre // Words: Alison Potter

'Let It Be' is a new West End jukebox musical featuring the colossal back catalogue of The Beatles’ hits. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the world’s most successful rock’n'roll band, the show takes you through from their first album 'Please Please Me' in 1963, right up until 'Let It Be' in 1970.

Film Review: Take This Waltz (2012)

'Take This Waltz' (UK Release: 17 Aug ’12) // Words: Alison Potter

'Take This Waltz' stars Michelle Williams as Margot, a young married 30-something in a relationship that’s going nowhere. Her husband Lou (Seth Rogen) is an unaffectionate chicken chef that can’t face the fact that their marriage is failing. Suddenly a handsome stranger Daniel (Luke Kirby) enters her life and Margot has to decide whether she should stay in her safe marriage or take a chance on this man with whom she feels an inexplicable attraction.

DVD Review: This Must Be The Place (2011)

'This Must Be The Place' (UK Release: 13 August ’12 // Words: Alison Potter

'This Must Be The Place' follows Sean Penn as Cheyenne, a former rock star with a penchant for cherry red lipstick, black eyeliner and impressive jet-black bouffant hair. Living out his retirement in a grand Dublin mansion with his wife (Frances McDormand), he’s suddenly dragged out of his stupor when his estranged father in New York passes away.

Film Review: Offender (2012)

'Offender' (UK Release: 8 August ’12 // Words: Alison Potter

'Offender' is a hard-hitting British thriller, from first-time director Ron Scalpello. His brutal debut is set in a young offenders’ institution at the time of the London Riots and stars young 'Skins' actor Joe Cole as an underdog possessed by the need to exact his own personal justice on those that have ruined his life.

Film Review: The Flowers Of War (2011)

'The Flowers Of War' (UK Release: 3 August ’12 // Words: Alison Potter

Billed as ‘an epic tale of love and war’, 'The Flowers Of War' focuses on the brutal Japanese invasion of the Chinese city of Nanjing in 1937, at the start of the Sino-Japanese war. Although the events of this massacre are little known in the West, the extensive civilian suffering surrounding the occupation of Nanjing is still a controversial and incredibly sensitive subject for both the Chinese and Japanese.

Event Review: Life Is Sweet @ Rooftop Film Club

'Life Is Sweet' (1991) at Rooftop Film Club (Queen Of Hoxton, 3 July '12) // Words: Alison Potter

Not letting the rubbish summer drizzle rain on their parade, the Rooftop Film Club hosted a special screening of Mike Leigh’s celebrated 'Life Is Sweet', chosen by Lauren Laverne, the evening’s host. As the ‘AMEX Entertainment Insider’, Laverne will be getting a backstage look at a range of London-centric film, music and food events supported by the American Express Preferred Seating programme line-up, kicking off with this event.