Gotha Club Cannes at Palm Beach Casino

Berkley Black

2013-05-26T09:46:00.0000000 2016-07-19T09:55:49.2370000

The Gotha Club. (usually summer only but open for the Cannes film festival 15th May-26th May)The former managers of the Palais Club are now running Gotha, to be found at Palm Beach casino. It welcomes 2,500 clubbers every night. Entry 25 euros and 50 euros when the big names appear. A beer costs 12 euros as do soft drinks. Open 28 June - 1 September every night.

Reservations (always best) call 04 93 45 11 11

OUT OF THIS WORLD NIGHTCLUB

Stepping in to the Palm Beach Casino in Cannes and you are stepping into another world.

It is glamor all the way and as I prepare for my second trip ever to the Cannes festival I absolutely cannot wait to return to this iconic club.

I will never forget my first visit a few years ago now. There are loads of different rooms, private VIP areas , one we were invited into, I remember plush purple velvet upholstery where the champagne was flowing, 10-12 bottles in each enormous ice bucket, it was unreal.

The dance floor was completely packed with semi naked trapeze artists hanging from the ceiling on massive hula hoops doing their thing.

The whole outside area was like the Sky Bar at the Mondrian on Sunset except no pool, lots of loungers as no smoking inside.

It is dark, loaded with good looking people and impossible to get to the bar, (unless you are with someone with pull and the bartenders ear) but a totally amazing experience none the less.

This place has played host to all the big stars and you never know who you might bump into, we were hanging out with Busta Rhymes. Neyo's playing this year.

If you are staying on or near the Croisette, the main strip that runs the length of the ocean it is easy to find, face the ocean, turn left and keep walking, about a mile or two out of town but very easy to find your way home at 7am when you've danced the night away, your feet are all blistered up and there are no taxis in sight.

This time around, best laid plans, to find someone with a limo to book a ride home with, there will be plenty of options in there.

I give it a year

Berkley Black

2013-08-18T10:32:00.0000000 2016-07-09T10:37:39.5330000

BEST MOVIE I'VE SEEN IN FIFTEEN YEARS

OMG if you haven't seen this movie rent it today, rent it even if you don't like movies. If you thought Bridesmaids was funny this British comedy, which spins the fairytale love story on it it's head, will have you busting a hernia you'll be laughing so hard.

The writer, Dan Mazer, used to treading close to the line with his comedy, he wrote Borat for Sacha Baron Cohen I am in awe, pushes the boundaries so far he has you, this is laugh out loud, big style.

You will never meet a down right funnier man than Stephen Merchant and his performance is nomination worthy, just incredible. The script is exquisite and the gags, this is one observational piece, the gags are just hilarious, original and hilarious.

I swear I cannot believe more people are not talking about this movie. Minnie Driver had me in stitches, a few of her lines, delivered with expert comic timing are still making me laugh to myself today. Simon Baker is as sizzling hot as any man can be and I've only touched on the supporting cast so far.

Rose Byrne and Rafe Spall play the lead characters of Nat and Josh, two people who discover after a whirlwind romance and marrying quickly in the midst of intoxication things aren't quite as rosy in the cold light of day when the bin needs emptying or the toilet seat needs putting down.

Rafe who I was unfamiliar with is the son of Timothy Spall so no surprise for me the completely brilliant performance he delivers. Opposite Rose Byrne who played Helen in Bridesmaids plays her part in this emsemble to perfection.

About once every 15 years a movie comes out that is so super good, Animal House, Blues Brothers, Bridget Jones, this is one of those movies I predict will be a mega massive movie classic.

The Great Gatsby

Berkley Black

2013-05-06T11:56:00.0000000 2016-07-08T12:02:05.7730000

A decade ago, Baz Luhrmann was aboard the Trans-Siberian Express, travelling across the Russian steppes, when he listened to the talking book of Fitzgerald's Jazz Age classic. Enraptured, he decided then to make a movie from the novel.

The Great Gatsby is a very short novel but Luhrmann has turned it into a very lavish, long and expensive film. It was made by a crew of 1,160 people and with a background cast of 960. The production budget is well over $100m – a huge amount for a film without any superheroes or icebergs in it.

DISAPPOINTING

Cannes was great. the Gatsby less than. Even Leo's portrayal of the plutocrat Jay Gatsby couldn't save this one.

I found the film shallow unlike the novel, so character driven full of depth, something Luhrmann's interpretation missed deep and wide.

There were a few on screen moments between Carey Mulligan's Daisy and Leonardo but they were moments.

In Hollywood they talk of every director's one David, Luhrmann's was Moulin Rouge, never to be repeated not even when you start with the greatest American novel ever written.

Santa Monica Pier

Berkley Black

2016-06-16T09:53:00.0000000 2016-06-19T09:27:23.4400000

Every trip to Santa Monica has to include the historic pier which is so much fun. I live and work very close so often pop down to the beach and take a stroll on the pier. Great place for kids or a really romantic fun date. The rides are nowhere near Magic Mountain level, more like a sideshow attraction but the big wheel is cool experience at night and the Carousel an absolutely must see even if you don't ride. No charge just to walk around but plan to spend about $25 per person if you want to try out every attraction.

Some height restrictions for younger kids.

Tivoli Victoria - Vilamoura

Berkley Black

2016-06-14T15:41:00.0000000 2016-06-18T07:44:48.1900000

Spent 4 days at this hotel for a conference.

It has a very US feel, like a business hotel although quite a few guests seemed to be on vacation and not quite sure why because unless you are really into golf it is inland with no beach and a 15 minutes cab ride to Vilamoura Marina where you can find dining al fresco and a little tourist shopping.

The good points for the hotel, friendly, helpful genuine staff. Great quality towels & loungers poolside, down pillows, comfy beds and high quality sheets.

My room was small but well equipped, the layout is studio style, modern & open plan which was fine for one person but could be tricky sharing a room as no bathroom door. The bath was large, water hot and all the fixtures worked really well. No hairdryer but they did bring one on request and no free tea and coffee. They provide an espresso machine for a morning drink but they do charge €2 per cup.

I had paid a supplement for breakfast which was only OK. You have everything you need but the fruit was not always ripe/fresh, the orange juice was not freshly squeezed and although coffee is served at the table it was tough getting a refill. I didn't eat dinner in the hotel except room service, the menu was limited and the food again just OK for the price and the lunch service around the pool is again limited choice, the grilled tuna & bean salad I had a couple of times and enjoyed. (Think mayo and dressings in packets, rubbery tinned olives and plastic cutlery)

The rate of €150 per night I thought reasonable for what is offered although I'd say this hotel overall is more like a 3 or 4 star than 5.

They do have a spa which looked very nice but the prices, massages starting at around €150 were much higher than other 5 star hotels I have been to, which did put me off as this level of luxury was not really in keeping with the rest of the hotel.

Would I return? Unlikely unless again on business as I don't play golf. The one thing that hampered my stay at this hotel was a non existent internet connection which the hotel actually try to charge for. I did end up getting complimentary wifi for the duration of my stay but wifi wasn't available in my particular room I discovered only after checking in and I could only get a decent connection between 6am and 9am in the morning in central parts of the hotel, presumably when everyone else was asleep.

The Master

Berkley Black

2013-04-16T11:31:00.0000000 2016-06-13T12:32:22.4970000

IF YOU RENT ONLY ONE FILM THIS YEAR

Opened in Venice last year to critical acclaim where it won the Fripesci award for best film.

This movie is cinematic genius on so many levels, notably the acting.

It's one for the thinkers, so sure. Don't be put off by the three line intro. Watch it with an open mind and heart and trust me you will learn a great deal about yourself.

I was astonished it didn't show at the Academy awards, gee, what to they know anyways.

The Sessions 2012

Berkley Black

2013-09-09T12:03:00.0000000 2016-06-13T12:05:09.7600000

LIFE AFFIRMING MOVIE

I saw this movie at the weekend and I cannot stop thinking about it. Helen Hunt is completely believable as the therapist helping Mark O'Brian a polio survivor confined to life supported by an iron lung, have his first sexual experience.

William H. Macy is a total class act.

Vogue US

Berkley Black

2013-05-12T09:27:00.0000000 2016-06-13T11:34:52.1730000

RESPECT ANNA WINTOUR

Vogue had gone off my radar over the last couple of years, I don't think the magazine adjusted to the new digital format that well and I got pissed with the physical mag, way too many adverts and I couldn't relate to the content so much, the airbrushing and stick thin super models the industry demanded was so unhealthy to my mind.

Why I am so happy, Anna Wintour editor and chief has changed the record and put real girlfriend Kate Upton on the cover. Forget that size zero scrawny chick, Kate's a healthy 10-12 and looks AMAZING.

Let's hope this is not a one off. If the magazine gets back in touch I'll start buying again. Anna carved out her niche using her instinct to predict what the market wants and when, no mean feat and the vibe is we want healthy, happy beautiful women as our role models. Who ever said curvy girls don't sell clothes, Anna Nicole, Marilyn, hello.