That said, there’s a lot to like about this “Harriet,” even though I take issue with some of the decisions made by screenwriters Gregory Allen Howard and Kasi Lemmons (Lemmons also directed). My biggest issue was with the creation of the fictional character, Gideon Brodess, played by Joe Alwyn. He becomes a pivotal person in the life of this version of Harriet—her white slave-owner she has known for many years and who reveres her one moment and treats her like an animal the next.

A scene late in the film in which she encounters him in the woods smacked as so untrue and so “Hollywood” to me that I immediately sought to find out if it could possibly have happened. I felt cheated when I found out that it couldn’t have because Gideon never existed.

I do understand why Howard and Lemmons made these kinds of choices. They wanted to make the story cinematic. They wanted it to move and hold the audience’s attention. They succeeded in this to a large degree, as the movie plays much like a thriller. I thought that was a smart choice, but I still would have preferred it to be more truthful and realistic.

What saves the film are the performances, particularly those of Janelle Monáe as a black woman who was born free and helps freed and escaped slaves survive, and of Cynthia Erivo, who embodies Harriet in a way that draws you in and makes you feel both her anguish and her immense courage.

In her hands, the story almost becomes a superhero movie that would put Marvel to shame. The real Harriet did indeed accomplish things that defied the odds in a superhuman way. That is absolutely true.

The other actor getting top billing is Leslie Odom, Jr., an actor I’ve interviewed and followed for quite a while (long before his “Hamilton” fame). His work in “Harriet” as the real Philadelphia abolitionist William Still is excellent, but sadly, the two-hour running time didn’t allow the filmmakers to give him much dimension or character development.

While I don’t think “Harriet” is the last film that will or should be made about the great Harriet Tubman, it’s the first one we have. And I do think this version is worth seeing. Regardless of its flaws, it will take you on an important emotional journey that’s long overdue.

“Harriet” opens in theaters November 1, 2019.

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The new documentary feature film “The River and the Wall” by award-winning director Ben Masters opened in many North American theaters and on demand on Friday, May 3, 2019.

The film documents the Rio Grande River region at the southern border of the U.S. and Mexico – footage that may prove important, as the proposed border wall will change that region forever. The cinematography, much of it aerial, is exquisite.

In the film, Masters and four friends, two of whom are immigrants themselves, journey along the 1,200-mile border from El Paso, Texas to the Gulf of Mexico. The terrain, which includes canyons, desert, mountains, and the river is often treacherous, and the group has to traverse via foot, bicycle, horse, and canoe.

Masters’ companions are wildlife photographer Filipe DeAndrade, who is the host of “Untamed” on the National Geographic Channel, ornithologist Heather Mackey, Rio Grande River guide Austin Alvarado, and conservationist Jay Kleberg.

On their journey, they meet ranchers, immigrants, and border patrol officials. They also interview Texas Congressmen Beto O’Rourke (D) and Will Hurd (R). A wall is, according to Hurd, “the most expensive and least effective way to do border security.” His district includes hundreds of miles of the border, and he contends that there’s no “one size fits all” solution to securing that border. He calls a wall in the desert and the Big Bend area “just crazy.”

Instead, he suggests surveillance cameras in the areas where immigrant crossings are possible and likely, as well as more personnel on the ground. A border patrol union representative interviewed in the film agrees. He says the current wall that exists is already being crossed, and any new wall will also be crossed. In fact, when the filmmaking team comes upon the current wall that exists on the border, DeAndrade manages to scale it in a matter of seconds.

The border patrol official also reports what has been said in the media – that the number of immigrants crossing the southern border has significantly decreased in recent years.

Most landowners in the area are in favor of more border security, but not a physical wall. One of the ranchers interviewed in the film says he won’t be able to operate if the wall separates his land from the Rio Grande River. A wall would require “a land grab,” he says, suggesting that it might not be the best idea to separate the U.S. from the only good water in the desert, especially since it will mean giving up some of the most productive farmland in the world.

Additionally, the film explores the realities of the drug cartels and the issues inherent in harming trade relations with Mexico since the country has been the U.S.’s third largest trading partner.

One of the big problems is that the wall is planned to be built in a straight line, while the terrain doesn’t run in a straight line. The river snakes through, and the canyons and mountains certainly don’t cut a straight line through the region. Parts of the river have already been cut off from the U.S. side of the border.

While the film clearly has a political agenda, Masters and his crew appeared to be after the facts. They wanted to bring the realities of the situation to people who have never been to the southern border of the U.S. The result is a moving, visually gorgeous film that shows the issue of border security as much more complicated than people would like to believe.

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No commentary or narration was added to the film. It’s just the Queen of Soul, along with Rev. James Cleveland and his choir at his church in Watts, California. We see the congregation who gathered to witness the two days of recording. Among them is Mick Jagger standing in the back.

Mostly, the experience of watching a rather shy and quiet Aretha in her prime, as she comes to life for every song, is exactly as the title suggests – “amazing grace.”

Why has it taken so long for this film to be released? Sydney Pollack was hired to direct it at the time, but mistakes were made during the process. As a result, there was no sound synchronization. Luckily, digital technology has now made it possible to correct the audio.

Pollack had asked producer Alan Elliott to finish the film, and Elliott has been working on it since 1990. His first cut was 3-1/2 hours long; it’s now trimmed to 87 minutes. Elliott says he even cut his favorite song from the album because in the final edit, it just didn’t fit. Maybe there will be an uncut version available at some point for those of us who would like to see every second of the footage.

If you are a fan of Aretha’s (and who isn’t?), this film is a must-see. It captures a special moment in time (while also providing a fun portrait of the fashion of its period), and we will never see its like again.

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If you suspect your partner of cheating, it can make a big difference in your life and relationship. You lose trust in that person even if you are not yet sure if they are cheating. In addition, you may start to experience depression, anxiety, anger, and other negative emotions on a regular basis. This is why you need to find out the truth sooner rather than later.

Cheating – How to Discover the Truth

So, what can you do in order to try to discover the truth? Well, one thing you can do is use a website or tool that enables you to benefit from a reverse lookup address feature. This makes it easier for you to find out who may have been calling your partner if they’ve started receiving a suspiciously high number of calls. If you have any doubts as to who might be calling your partner, using this facility can help to clear up the matter.

You could, of course, try speaking to your partner to try and discover the truth. You will know better than anyone whether your partner is likely to crumble and tell the truth or whether they’re excellent at lying and will have no trouble hiding the truth with ease. However, body language and mannerisms are excellent ways to tell if they’re being honest or not. This may give you a better idea of what they are up to behind your back.

Social media can be a dead giveaway when it comes to affairs and cheating. Often, people get caught because their partner sees messages they have been sending or receiving from the other person. In some cases, it is not actual messages but the way a person starts to behave while using social media. For instance, your partner may be acting far more protectively toward their social media accounts. This could include using them away from your line of sight or shutting them down as soon as you come into the room.

It is important to look for changes and behaviors like these if you want to get a better idea of whether your partner may be cheating. While some people prefer to bury their head in the sand and hope the problem resolves itself, this is not a healthy way to deal with it. You need to know the truth one way or the other so you can take appropriate action. This could mean anything from breaking off the relationship to seeking relationship counseling.

Conclusion

No one likes to be cheated on, especially by the one person you trust the most. However, the sooner you find out the better and the easier you’ll cope with it and move on with your life. One thing you should never do is blame yourself, because it was ultimately an issue with them which made them cheat, and not something you did or said.

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Let’s explore a vacation centered on option 1, traveling around the lake. This locale is so beautiful that the James Bond film “Quantum of Solace” included an opening chase scene taking place in the town of Carrara and along Lake Garda.

Although there are many permanent residents around the lake, you’ll feel like the entire area is given over to tourists. Sign after sign announces apartments for rent, restaurants and other amenities.

Flying In to Lake Garda

If you plan on spending some time in Venice, as well, you have two options. You can fly into Millan, travel around Lake Garda, head to Venice, and fly home from Venice. The second option is to fly into Venice and return home from Milan. This option costs a bit more, but allows you to see more of Italy.

Accommodations

There are so many hotels and apartments that you’ll be able to choose at your leisure. Just make sure that you can park at the place you’re staying.

What to Do at Lake Garda

There are so many great things to do around Lake Garda. The lake itself offers parasailing and windsurfing, kayaking, and other marine activities. You can swim at the many beaches, although the lake is quite rocky. If you want to swim, you’ll need plastic shoes to protect your feet.

The lake is actually considered a mountain lake, so the winds can change rapidly from south to north or the reverse and pick up quickly during storms. It is always cooler around Lake Garda than in the many other destinations in Italy that are so popular with tourists.

The contrast between the water and the air is always on the side of moderation; that is, in the summer the water is cooler than the air, and in the winter, it is a bit warmer. Thus, Lake Garda has a much milder climate for its proximity to the Mediterranean basin than any other south European area.

Because the lake is tucked within a mountainous area, there is abundant hiking. Be aware, however, that you’ll hike both uphill and downhill, so be honest about the condition of your legs and be sure to bring along good strong hiking shoes.

There are a few casinos around the lake, as well, but may we recommend gaming online while you’re in northern Italy. This way you can bet on your favourite team at the Online Casino South Africa site while you’re enjoying your Italian espresso, lying on the beach or just sitting on a park bench enjoying the view.  Because, let’s face it, you didn’t spend all that money to get to Italy and sit in a stuffy casino!

Wine and Olives

As you hike in and around the hillsides, you’ll see many vineyards and especially many olive groves. After you’ve consumed some local wine, you’ll understand why some say that the more famous wines are overrated and the less well known wines are underrated.

Lemons

You’ll find lots of lemon trees, especially on the western side of the lake, where there are acres upon acres of lemon groves. The most famous product from lemons is the liqueur called Limoncino. Lemons are an important part of most local dishes, so leave the pizza alone and order items you’ve never tasted before.

Coffee

Coffee is a ritual throughout Italy, and Lake Garda is no exception. You can make like a local and sip a small demitasse of espresso or buy café au lait or coffee with hot water – enigmatically known as American coffee. Most of the time, the coffee will be rich, aromatic, and magnificently flavorful. One thing’s for sure, though. Never ever buy coffee at a souvenir shop.

Concerts

Depending on the season, there are concerts almost every night of the week at Lake Garda. Also, you may find at the tourist information offices that there is a “festival” somewhere nearby.  Some festivals are not really festivals, but rather something along the lines of a church social or fundraiser. You’ll probably still have a great time, even if it’s not a “true” festival.

Riva de Garda

This town sits at the top of the lake, and we discovered that at the lake itself, the plazas simply run into each other. North of Riva de Garda is Tenno, and a short walk further north is Lake Tenno.  You can easily walk all around Lake Tenno and visit a so-called Medieval Town at the southern end of it. The town is not medieval, but it is very interesting in its own way.

On the way back from Tenno, be sure and visit the grotto. There are actually two waterfalls there that originate at Lake Tenno. Be sure and wear a jacket, because you’ll no doubt get a little wet.

Traveling Without Kids

If you can visit Lake Garda without children, do so and go before the summer crush begins. The road around the lake gets crowded to the point of absolute gridlock in the summer. If you’re going with kids, don’t bother renting a car. Fly into Milan and take a shuttle to your hotel and stay there. The children’s park, Gardaland, is at the southeastern side of the lake and is packed in the summer, but if that’s the only time you can go, you should still go.

Souvenirs

Please don’t waste your time at souvenir shops. It’s best to buy souvenirs from places you “bump into” along the way.

Language

The Italian people have a reputation for being able to speak enough English to get by, but you’ll often find them speaking very good German, as well. If you speak neither, you’ll likely always find someone who can help you get to where you’re going.

Have other thoughts about Lake Garda? Feel free to leave comments in the comments section below.

The post Italy’s Lake Garda – James Bond’s Quantum of Solace Locale is a Traveler’s Delight appeared first on Reel Life With Jane.

Whatever you think about the relentless corporatization of Hollywood films, they feed an appetite all of us have for seeing our favorite characters and plotlines played out again and again. This repetition isn’t just limited to film sequels and spin-offs; whether it’s on t-shirts, online games, quirky memorabilia or even on makeup brands, we satisfy our film cravings through other means.

Some films have become so popular in this respect that they have ballooned into global brands, as recognizable and profitable as the largest Fortune 500 companies, with the film’s characters and imagery emblazoned on just about anything you can think of.

This is one of the most overt ways that a good film can shape our culture (although plenty of bad films have been mercilessly over-branded too), and it’s something that can tell us a lot about our society and what we admire. Let’s take a look at the most powerful film brands to date, to see what we can learn about society’s tastes.

The Harry Potter Series

Is there anyone on Earth right now who wouldn’t be able to recognise the world’s most famous bespectacled, scar-toting British wizard? The Harry Potter film series, which spanned almost a decade and was filmed without a single American actor, grossed a whopping $2.4 billion dollars over the total run, making it one of the most lucrative film series ever.

The franchise has spawned hugely popular clothing lines themed around Hogwarts iconography, as well as candy, video games, Lego sets and one of the world’s biggest theme parks. The Boy Who Lived’s legacy will stay with us for a long time.

The James Bond Franchise

James Bond is another British franchise which has become an enduring cultural icon of our times, despite the quintessentially Cold War roots of the original novels and films. The first Bond film, Dr. No, dates all the way back to 1962, and since then, there have been a total of 26 films, each one grossing more than the last (with a couple of exceptions).

MI6’s most famous spy has become an icon for modern masculinity, while the settings he works within have projected ideas about British diplomacy across the globe. While the film brand has spawned merchandise, multimedia releases and fashion items in equal measure to Harry Potter, it has also worked its way into modern culture in ways you wouldn’t realise.

Film phrases like “The name’s Bond…”, “I expect you to die” and “license to kill” remain a part of our regular lexicon, all because of Mr. Bond.

The Twilight Saga

The Twilight Saga may not have had the staying power of some of the other big movie brands, having faded into comparative irrelevance these days. However, the impact it had at the time was so overwhelming and wide in scope that it has undoubtedly entered the hall of fame.

The series popularized teen vampire content as a genre, popularizing and inspiring dozens of separate films and TV shows. This can also be seen in the popularity of vampire culture in 2018, visible in contemporary fashion and even online casino games, with popular themed slots like Immortal Romance being enjoyed by players for free through Oddschecker to this very day.

The series catapulted the main cast to permanent A-list status, and they continue to be household names.

The Star Wars Franchise

It would be an unforgivable error not to include what is probably the single most iconic film franchise in human history. Even if you’ve never watched a second of Star Wars, you’ll instantly know what is meant whenever someone says the words “lightsaber,” “Yoda,” “death star,” “Darth Vader,” or “R2D2.”

George Lucas’ sci-fi fantasy has become one of the most enduring cultural legacies of the modern era, one that encapsulates humanity’s technological and explorative aspirations, as well as our collective thirst for adventure and leaping into the unknown.

Star Wars is one of the only franchises in which specific sequels have again been re-hashed for the big screen, and the hugely successful re-launch of the brand by entertainment giant Disney proves that the Star Wars legacy is far from over.

The Star Wars empire continues to release clothes, video games, books, comics and pretty much anything else you can imagine, all of which continue to be eagerly snapped up by fans. It’s also the only film franchise to have spawned an officially recognised religion, which shows how powerful it is.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Marvel Cinematic Universe encompasses more than just the recent Avengers films, although these are among the highest grossing films in human history. They encompass titanic icons of American culture such as Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man and Jessica Jones.

Despite only launching in 2008, the movie-going public has embraced this franchise with open arms, and every single release has broken box office records. Visible signs of Marvel’s impact on contemporary culture are everywhere, and it continues to shape modern discourse in too many ways to count.

However you slice it, films shape who were are. While the fact that such films tend to be Hollywood blockbusters with mega budgets is a valid criticism and a whole other debate, it’s still touching to see the power that film has to bring hundreds of millions of people together.

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There are many different ways for all of these people to play, from racing games to card games, role-playing fantasies, and a lot more. Among the most interesting recent developments has been the rise of online branded games. What are they all about and what do they offer?

“Pokemon Go Weedle” by Zeyus Media (CC BY 2.0)

Online Branded Games: A Chance for Brands to Engage Customers

These days, the world’s biggest brands are all looking for fresh ways to engage the public. A slick, fun game that is pitched at the right audience can do wonders in raising the profile of the business while providing a lot of entertainment.

It is no surprise to see that many of the planet’s leading brands have taken the chance to produce their own games. These include McDonald’s, which moved its popular Monopoly game to mobile devices a few years ago and offers a range of other games.

Another leader in this area is KFC. They launched the Kentucky Fried Chicken Football Challenge on Instagram. Other brands to try this approach include Disney, HBO, Nike, and many other big names. The proven success of branded games means that many more of them are sure to follow.

Branded Slots for a Unique Experience

Another type of game that has become widespread is the branded slots game. This takes the traditional slot machine idea and adds features such as logos, characters, and music from a big brand. This creates a unique experience that is linked to a brand the player already likes.

In the last few years, we have seen these slots feature movies such as Terminator 2, Jumanji, and Jurassic World. They have also been built around TV shows like Deal or No Deal, The Osbournes, and American Idol. Rock stars, board games, and superheroes provide inspiration for other slots.

On the Twitter page of the Mr Green Casino, we can see further details of the wide scope of these branded slots. It features Worms Reloaded, based on the famous PC game. They have also gone a step further and created a game based on their own brand, Lucky Mr Green, by Red Tiger Gaming.

An Easy Way to Reach More People

Online branded games are here to stay. Their massive popularity and acceptance mean that we can expect to see even more of them appear on our screens in the years to come.

Part of the reason why this has become such a hot topic is that it is now a very easy way for companies to reach more people. Most of us love to play games, and modern technology means that any business can offer us some great entertainment.

For companies, the key to doing this right is in offering the right type of game for the intended public. For players, it is simply about choosing the game that appeals to them most and promises to liven up the next few minutes or hours.

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For example, diabetics can get dramatically opposite advice on how to get healthier and keep their blood sugar levels down.  Even an ostensibly reliable source like Ted Talks can feature one lecturer who contends that only a very low-fat diet with plenty of carbohydrates can keep blood sugar low, whilst another lecturer says that only a diet high in fat and very, very low in carbs can enable diabetics to fight off the harm their condition can cause.

Mediterranean Diet

Almost every site that talks about healthy eating gets around to extolling the virtues of the Mediterranean diet. Here, the term “diet” refers to a general eating program, not a weight loss program. This diet consists of a lot of fruit and vegetables, a little meat and chicken or turkey, and a sizable amount of fish. It also includes Greek yogurt, olives and olive oil, legumes (especially lentils), rice and lots of coffee.

The coffee is the one element of this diet that is not particularly healthy!

Why is The Mediterranean Diet Healthy?

The first reason is that for centuries, the Mediterranean people ate relatively little food. Certainly they ate enough to live, but the Western custom of gorging oneself never took hold in the Mediterranean Basin until late in the 20th century. Even now, most people in this region eat relatively little when compared to the great quantities of food consumed in the United States, for example.

Vegetables

Breakfast often consists of cut raw vegetables, some yogurt, and coffee. The people of the Mediterranean Basin never (almost never) eat meat for breakfast and usually eat meat only at lunch.  This makes supper a small, simple meal that unintentionally follows Benjamin Franklin’s advice to eat supper like a pauper.

The Mediterranean nations have long growing seasons. Some countries have two full growing seasons, so the fresh vegetables available year-round are truly fresh, picked in the morning and served at a meal that day or the next. Canada and the United States rely on vegetables that have been picked early to survive the long trip to markets all over North America.

In this area, people also use copious quantities of parsley, cilantro, lettuce, dill, and many other greens. In the winter, women go out into the forests and fields and pick weeds. These weeds can be cooked almost like spinach. Arab restaurants feature several dishes of these weeds on their winter menus.

The centrality of vegetables is apparent in any authentic Mediterranean restaurant where the waiters serve a large sampling of salads even before you’ve ordered your main course.

In order to eat a Mediterranean diet in Canada and parts of the country with short growing seasons, they have to rely on vegetables that are as fresh as possible. Home canning can make vegetables healthier.

Fruit

The most popular fruit in the Mediterranean region is the lemon.  Mediterranean people have been squeezing lemons onto raw vegetables for centuries. Lemon juice is considered one of the healthiest juices, but since we can’t drink it as a drink, we use it more as a condiment.

Lemon juice goes into two of the most popular dishes in the eastern region of the Mediterranean: hummus and tahini.  Hummus is cooked and mashed garbanzo beans that are mixed with lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and parsley. Tahini is sesame paste that is thinned with lemon juice and garlic.

Other popular fruits are all manner of citrus and local fruits. The Mediterranean climate is generally mild, but the Eastern Mediterranean is milder than the western.

Animal Products

The most popular meats are the same as elsewhere in the world but they are eaten more as condiments to other foods than as the main course. For instance, grape leaves are a staple of this diet.  Grape leaves may be stuffed with meat or rice or both, but the amount of meat is relatively small.

Grape leaves are cooked slowly for a long time, with lemon juice and olive oil.

Olive Oil

Olive oil has gained widespread popularity in Western societies in the last 50 years or so. Before that, only people with Mediterranean heritage used olive oil in their homes. In North America, corn oil was king for generations.

Olive oil is a great source of linoleic acid, which is considered a major part of a healthy living regimen. Another oil used widely is avocado. This fruit is used as a dressing for salads and is also eaten separately.

Cinnamon

There is some evidence that cinnamon helps keep blood sugar in check. Arab women use cinnamon in many meat-based dishes.  This combination is strange to Western tastes, but it might have something to do with the generally good health enjoyed by Mediterranean people.

Labaneh

This Arab style Greek yogurt has traditionally been made from goat’s milk in a long process that first turns the milk into regular yogurt. The yogurt is then “hung” so more moisture drips out.  It’s ready in 24 hours and is a staple of many Mediterranean homes.

Beans and Lentils

The Fava bean is native to Egypt and is the most popular bean in an area that stretches across the Eastern Mediterranean region from Egypt. The garbanzo bean is more popular farther north. In either case, beans and lentils are a major part of this diet.

Reducing Quantities

So how does the Mediterranean diet help you eat less? The diet – really, just a healthy way of eating – is so tasty that many people who try it find that it’s much easier to reduce food portions and the sheer quantity of food eaten. That is a big step toward healthier living.

The post This Diet Naturally Reduces the Amount of Food Eaten appeared first on Reel Life With Jane.

What we put in our mouths is a daily topic of controversy and cravings, but it’s also a great premise for a whole lot of films. Food is social. Food is happiness. From top to bottom, from “Chef” to puppeted pasta, here are five of our favourite chow flicks to get your stomach rumbling.

1. Chef

Lead role of this fantastic culinary film Carl Casper is, rather unsurprisingly, a chef, and a darn good one at that. When he quits his job in LA, life sees fit to land him back in Miami, spearheading a food truck business with those he loves most (including his ex-wife). It’s Mexican, it’s Italian, it’s best friends, sons, fathers and partners on the road making things up as they go along. A real gem that will have you starving by the second course alone. Even the critics agree!

2. Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Not all good food films take place in fiction. In fact, some of the most interesting exposes focus on exactly the opposite, showing folks what life is really life from behind the knife. Ambition, perfection, sushi: this is the story of Jiro Ono. “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” is a cross-section of family life – Jiro, the father, owner and head chef of three-time Michelin star sushi restaurant in Tokyo, and his two successor sons. It’s a profile of food, of people, and, ultimately, expectation.

Our world is constantly evolving, and so is our dinner. These days almost any culinary style or type is available simply at the click of a button, from pizza to Thai to fruit desserts laden with cream. Companies like Deliveroo can move gourmet meals of any kind direct to your door, while shops and supermarkets are placing more and more emphasis on vegan and vegetarian alternatives. That’s part of what makes Jiro and his restaurant so special. It’s exclusive, it’s temporary, and it’s old. When it comes to taste, tradition can be hard to beat.

3. Chocolat

France, 1959. “Chocolat” is a story of Lent. Or rather, the story of giving into indulgence during Lent! Oddball chocolatier Vivienne and her daughter have opened a chocolate shop in a small French village, and opposite the church no less. As Vivienne integrates into the community, their cold-at-first hearts begin to melt with the promise of delicate sugar, but not all the townsfolk are quite so welcoming. A romance, a glossy tale.

4. Julie and Julia

To climb the mountain of French cooking is no small feat, yet Amy Adams sets out to do so nonetheless. A journey through the Julia Child’s cookbook “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” this light comedy comes buttered, battered and with a whole lot of zest amidst the New York city din.

If you’ve ever felt bewildered by the kitchen, this is certainly the film for you. Endearing and challenging, it’s a human face to taste and spice beyond pro chefs like Ramsay and Oliver. With so many different foods available to us all, it can be intimidating to attempt even a dish, let alone a national cuisine, but “Julie and Julia” is a testament to trying.

5. Ratatouille

Funny, nuanced and ultimately touching, “Ratatouille” is Disney and Pixar at the top of their game; the dishes might be animated, but that certainly doesn’t make them any less mouth-watering. Remy, an aspiring chef living in Paris, has always dreamed of cookery success. Something of a klutz, he gets his shot with the help of a particularly smart rat. A feel-good way to pass by an evening, “Ratatouille” is a tasty movie for kids and grownups alike.

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Millennials are savvy, though, in ways that customers have never had the chance to be before. They can access information instantly, so it’s important not to cut corners. Here are four big issues to keep in mind:

1. Don’t Underestimate the Value of Social Media

Come on – it’s 2018 now. Social media is not just some “new thing.” It’s imperative, and if you haven’t already fully integrated it into your marketing strategy, where on earth have you been? It’s important to cover all bases, depending on your customer base.

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are the basics, but would your business benefit from a SnapChat or YouTube channel, as well? With 92% of millennials watching online videos, in many cases – the answer is yes.

2. Don’t Neglect That All-Important App

According to Statista (see link above), millennials spend 57% of their online time using smartphone apps. That means it’s important that you have an app, with a good reason to for people to download it. Some companies offer incentives or rewards for switching to the app.

It’s also imperative to ensure that the app is fully mobile optimised, especially if you’re going to be doing things within that app that require full functionality.

Finally, it’s important to advertise the app on your website. For example, the Lottoland app has a dedicated page on their site.

3. Don’t Neglect Other Parts of the Business Either

How’s your customer service looking over there? Bad news – if it’s bad, people will talk. They’ll take to social media in droves, and in the worst cases, they may even start negative campaigns. Good customer service = good PR. Never forget that.

With so many options available to millennials these days, if they’re not happy, they’ll just go somewhere else. It’s your job to keep them happy. Take them seriously. Reward loyalty. Update the website with information they actually need. Don’t forget to think about them as individuals with offline lives, as well. Make your physical stores inviting and attractive, and always treat them fairly.

Millennials are actually the most brand-loyal generation ever, so it pays to get things right.

4. Ditch the Lazy, Inauthentic Marketing

Fake adverts, virtue signaling, and overuse of Photoshop – millennials are tired of these boring approaches, and they can tell when they’re being lied to in the name of profit, too.

Marketing these days needs to be inclusive – not just because you want brownie points, but because you want customers from a broad cross-section of society, as well.

Consider using influencers across the board. For example, popular Instagram stars or bloggers can really help spread your message far and wide. Be careful, though, and be sure to do your research. Many influencers will accept any opportunity for the right price, so be sure to select carefully. When millennials see that their peers truly believe in something, they’re more likely to get into it.

Above all? Treat your millennial customers like people. Adult people, with spending power that your business needs.

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