Don’t be put off by the tongue twister of a title. Martha Marcy May Marlene is an edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller that’s got everyone talking. Mainly due to the brilliant performance from Elizabeth Olsen, who plays Martha, a girl who runs away from a cult and attempts to fit back into a normal life. No stranger to fame, Elizabeth is the younger sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. With a few movies under belt, this is the one that is that’s getting her all the attention. She was cast just two weeks before filing started.

This won’t be the last we see of her. She’s got a few movies scheduled for release in 2012 and it’s rumoured that she could be cast as a young Carrie in the Sex and The City prequel. Would you like to see Elizabeth cast as a young Carrie??

If you love director Woody Allen’s quirky and super imaginative films, you will adore his newest, Midnight in Paris. The film takes you on a Parisian journey like no other (and it’s also a proper history lesson). The main character, Gil (Owen Wilson) will be your, somewhat frazzled, guide. The rest of the cast members are also superb!

This looks more fabulous than fabulous! Madonna’s directorial debut film, W.E., tells the amazing love story of King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. Their love affair ignited a scandal in 1936, when he stepped down from the throne, after less than a year as king. He did so for the woman he loved, who was still married at the time. The film looks effortlessly stylish and intriguing. Kudos to Madonna for telling this incredible story.

Happy Holidays to all our Think Smart, Look Amazing readers! Thanks for all your support throughout the year. Now, for some Christmas music…

Lady Gaga released a surprise Christmas album. Listen to it here:

Lady Gaga – A Very Gaga Holiday by Interscope Records

Another great Christmas song covered by She & Him – love Zooey Deschanel!

What is your favourite Christmas song or album?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a Twilight hater. In fact I read and loved all the books, but somehow the movies didn’t draw me in to the same extent.

Which is probably why I loved these 30 second versions re-enacted by bunnies of Twilight and Eclipse by Angry Alien Productions.

Twilight

New Moon

Will you be watching Breaking Dawn on the big screen or waiting for the 30 second re-enactment to hit your computer screen?

Looking for that elusive gift for the person who has everything? What about a chocolate making course at the Lindt chocolate studio?

Amongst the twelve courses on offer, you can choose between the art of truffle making, chocolate desserts made easy or a simple course in chocolate appreciation (as if we needed a reason).

The unique hands on approach gives everyone from entry level chefs to non professional chocolate lovers the chance to learn more about the art of chocolate making.

The courses are held at the two Lindt studios – in Cape Town’s Cape Quarter and Joburg’s Design Quarter.

For more information on the various courses offered, times and rates go to www.chocolatestudio.co.za

Ever wonder what happens to the bar of soap that you open in a hotel room and use once or twice? Chances are you didn’t and the reality is that they end up in landfill sites.

Taking note of this unnecessary waste, Charlotte Rhys and NOAH (Neighbourhood Old Age Homes) came up with a clever solution that contributes to both environmental sustainability and social upliftment. In 2010 NOAH soap was started as a community project to assist the elderly members of social clubs in Khayelitsha generate much-needed additional income.

Soap bars are collected from hotels and guest houses, sterilised, cut up and made into new bars of soap which are packaged and sold online. 70 percent of all sales go directly to the NOAH Soap makers. The balance of 30 % is used for manufacturing costs such as glycerine, packaging and other supplies.

Charlotte Rhys products are eco-friendly and free of petrochemicals, artificial colourants, parabens and PEGS.
NOAH provides housing and community centres for the elderly in the Western Cape.

To place orders (the cute little packages make great gifts) go to www.noah.org.za and clock on ‘Soap Project’.

Breast Enhancement Gum

Drink on the go

Designer bandages

Salon Booties

A newly-discovered blog always brightens up my day. This blog was sent to me by our PR manager Jaco-Louis Groenewald, and it’s called Hello Creatives -  a showcase of great work and terrible work and the people behind the work and ideas in the creative industry. Marie Claire’s ‘Love Your Body’ campaign gets a mention. Check it out when next you’re trawling the interwebs for something inspiring. I particularly loved this poster pictured above.

Have you seen the fantastic video for Coldplay’s new song Paradise? Featuring Chris Martin dressed in an elephant suit, a lot of it was filmed in South Africa, including footage from their Joburg show. I feel happy every time I watch it.