Movie Review: The Courier
Secrets and spies, oh my! The Courier, a true life-based Cold War spy thriller is set in the early 1960s and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as a salesman-turned-secret agent.
The Courier will be available on Premium Video on Demand (PVOD) Friday, April 16, 2021.
Save the date: Friday, April 16 for $19.99, On Demand platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, VUDU and cable providers let you bring this Cold War espionage thriller to the comfort of your living room.
Based on the true story of British businessman Grenville Wynne and the daring acts of espionage he undertook during the Cold War, The Courier features a desaturated color palette which definitely set the scene for the movie.
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Wynne, a happy-go-lucky English businessman who is married to Sheila (Jessie Buckley) and the father to Andrew (Keir Hills). Wynne is invited by acquaintance (Angus Wright) to have lunch with an American “consultant”, where he is pressed into “service” for Great Britain, and by the line “I can’t believe I’m having lunch with spies” you can tell he is shocked.
Wynne’s mission, should he accept it (let’s be honest, there isn’t much of a choice) is to travel to Moscow and collect images from Col. Oleg Penkovsky, a high-ranking Soviet officer who has grown wary of Nikita Khrushchev’s threats of nuclear war. Willing to betray his country to save his family and the world, risking it all—can you image the brutal death if he’s caught? Yikes
While at first I loved the desaturated color scheme, and was excited that it was genre-appropriate over the course of the movie the gray color scheme became depressing to look at. The muddy hues of people and buildings just wasn’t something that was attractive throughout the movie.
Overall, the movie seems like your typical spy movie with some twists, turns and danger. However, the fact that it is in fact a true story is what helped keep me captivated.
Synopsis
In this true-life Cold War spy thriller, unassuming British businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) becomes entangled in one of the greatest international conflicts in history. Recruited by MI6 and a CIA operative (Angus Wright and 2018 Primetime Emmy® and 2018 & 2019 Golden Globe® winner Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Best Actress in a TV Comedy Series), Wynne forms a covert partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze), and both men risk everything in a danger-fraught race against time to provide the intelligence needed to prevent nuclear confrontation and end the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Cast
Benedict Cumberbatch Doctor Strange, Avengers: Endgame, The Imitation Game
Merab Ninidze “Homeland,” “Freud,” “McMafia”
Rachel Brosnahan “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” I’m Your Woman
Jessie Buckley “Fargo,” Dolittle, “Chernobyl”
Angus Wright “Cobra,” “Flowers”, The Witches
Written by Tom O’Connor (The Hitman’s Bodyguard); Directed by Dominic Cooke (On Chesil Beach)Open document settingsOpen publish panel
30 Things to Do in April (Quarantine Edition)
1. Start your garden indoors. I have already started a variety of seedlings, and cucumbers, tomatoes and herbs have started to sprout.
2. Easter is right around the corner (literally it’s the 4th), now is your chance to whip up some delicious Easter treats.
3. Try a new recipe for easter. I have been looking up recipes on Pinterest and I think I need a dark chocolate raspberry mousse cake in life.
9. Daffodils and tulips are in full bloom. Elevate the aesthetic of your home by grabbing some for various rooms of your home.
15. I am big fan of spontaneous road trips—it’s the perfect time to hit the open road and see where it takes you.
16. It’s Mushroom Day! I’ll be celebrating by making a flatbread pizza with green peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms and a balsamic glaze. Bonus points if I can find some morels.
26. Bird watching has become one of my favorite things to do, and I think you’d enjoy it too. The coolest birds I recently spotted are Osprey and Bald Eagles.
Zoya EASYNEON 2021 Collection
To say I am excited about Zoya’s EASYNEON collection is an understatement. I don’t even have words to express my excitement for this collection. I was just telling one of my friends that I wanted some really good neons, and it looks like Zoya is serving them up.
From Zoya: Our first frustration-free, new formula does away with special base coats and notoriously streaky application associated with traditional neon colors. The Big10Free, environmentally friendly formula applies opaque in 2 coats, AND comes with the unique Z-Wide Brush for streak-free application. All the bright summer fun without the fuss!
Get to know Zoya’s EASYNEON Collection
Oakley can best be described as a fiery bright orange neon.
I can already picture this polish on my toes, and I am loving it.
Zelda can be described as beaming pink-coral neon.
From the pictures, Zelda looks like it’s going to be the anthem of summer.
Janie can best be described as a hot fuchsia pink neon.
YASSSSS! Bring on the Barbie pink!!
Banks best be described as a vivid violet neon.
If you know me, you know I am not a fan of anything purple. That being said, I am actually really excited to give this polish a try.
Echo can best be described as a deep lagoon blue neon.
This color looks GORGEOUS, and the description, definitely can’t wait to give this pretty little thing a try!
Link can best be described as an electric, kelly green neon.
I have a feeling Link is going to make all the other polishes green with envy!
EasyNeons do not require any special base coat, and dry matte – but can be worn with a top coat to add a high shine finish. We recommend Naked Manicure Ultra Glossy Seal. Due to the unique matte formulation, color is typically not as long-wearing as traditional nail color. Z-Wide Brush is included!
Available online for pre-order April 1st!
2021 Lincoln Nautilus First Drive: An Impressive Midsize SUV
Lincoln is changing midsize SUVs in the best way possible. Work, video calls, pets, neighbors—let\’s face it the world is filled with noise, stress, and distractions. That\’s why we all need a place to retreat to. For many of us relaxing music, massages, and a peaceful atmosphere provide the quintessential retreat. What if I told you Lincoln has set out to recreate those elements in the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus to give drivers sanctuary away from the noise of the road and everyday life.
I recently had the opportunity to experience the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus and let me tell you it does not disappoint. I headed to downtown Detroit for a city adventure, traffic was crazy, but I was calm inside the Lincoln Nautilus as I used the Calm app to settle myself, and massaging seats to relieve stress. From ice skating at Campus Martius to eating Calexico in the backseat of the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, i”m sharing the deets on my city experience and this midsize SUVs performance.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus Interior
Picture it, the sun beaming down on you through the sunroof, 22-way multicontour luxurious leather seats with active motion massage, and the open road. The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus is not only changing the definition of midsize SUVs but what we consider sanctuary.
Lincoln carefully crafts each of their vehicles with purpose and precision. Keeping with the theme of sanctuary, according to Lincoln, the interior of the 2021 Nautilus was inspired by the horizon—one of the most peaceful views.
Inside the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus you will find the new SYNC® 4 system on an all-new 13.2-inch center stack screen (the largest available across the Lincoln brand), and the brand\’s signature piano key shifter. Plus plenty of room in the back seat for children and adults alike. Or if you\’re like me a variety of Mexican food from Calexico in Detroit.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus Interior Upgrades
- Your cellphone becomes the key
- Lincoln Way app to start and drive your Nautilus without a key
- Constellation theme that turns the infotainment system blue and orange to mimic the horizon
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Voice recognition
Safety features in the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus
The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus comes standard with five of the most popular driver assistance technologies:
Blind-spot monitoring
Predictive collision breaking
Lane keep assist
Rearview camera
Automatic high-beam headlamps
Pro Tip: An upgraded version of the 2021 Nautilus comes with a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, parking assistance, and steering assistance.
How does the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus drive?
To truly test how the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus drives I took it down pothole-filled Michigan roads to go ice skating and grab dinner in Detroit. The result, an incredibly smooth ride. My mum went along with me, and she said that this was the smoothest riding vehicle has ever been in—offering plenty of praise.
There are two different engines available for the 2021 model:
- A 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 335 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque
- A standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque
Both engines have an automatic start-stop feature and an 8-speed transmission to provide for smooth acceleration.
Get lost in sound with Revel® audio systems
Whether you’re rocking out, listening to the latest country music release, or finding zen with meditation get ready to be fully immersed in acoustic clarity. Revel\’s home theater speaker design heritage and trademark sonic signature are all integrated into the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus without a single compromise.
As someone who absolutely loves music, especially rocking out to some classics, the sound system was impeccable.
Calm app
Every Lincoln owner gets a year of membership to the leading meditation app, Calm—to bring center, balance, and rejuvenation back to their everyday. Lincoln owners can open their Lincoln Way app to find an invitation. If you\’re already a Calm app member, your next year is free.
I wanted to fully immerse myself in everything the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has to offer. So, I turned on the heated seats with active motion massage and headed out to my favorite woodland spot. Once parked I laid my yoga mat in the back of the Nautilus, and turned on the Calm app.
Pro Tip: When the roads got chaotic on my way back from Detroit I turned on the sound of rain, and let me tell you it calmed me right now.
Right now, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus starts at $49,410
Meet the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer
Born in America in 1962, Wagoneer evolved to Grand Wagoneer in 1984, boasting then-unheard-of standard features in an SUV. It\’s been nearly 30 years since we last saw a Jeep Wagoneer hit the market, and the rebirth of this classic American icon is even better than before. And, the best part it\’s made right here in Michigan!
The Wagoneer initially a vintage wood panel flair, and a boxy shape symbolic of the station wagon. While we won\’t be seeing wooden paneling on the exterior of the 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, Jeep did grab some things from the original design and modernize it.
Jeep Wagoneer
The Jeep Wagoneer is an upgrade from the everyday SUV and puts luxury front and center. With best in class for storage and passenger space. In fact the Wagooner seats up to eight, which means bring on the road trips and adventures, because this bad boy has plenty of space for little ones and older ones alike. Not to mention, can you imagine using that space to car camp? What a dream.
Pro Tip: You\’ll be able to keep your kiddos entertained with the first-ever car-integrated Amazon Fire TV system built into Jeep\’s UConnect information system.
Jeep Wagoneer Specs to Know
Starts at $57,995
5.7-liter V-8 engine that produces 392 horsepower and 404 lb-ft. of torque and features eTorque 48-volt hybrid
Comes in both 4×2 and 4×4 trims
8-speed transmission
5 drive modes
10-inch ground clearance
10,000 lbs towing capacity
10-inch UConnect infotainment system and 10-inch digital cluster
Best in class second and third-row legroom
Best in class storage behind the third row
179 cubic inches passenger volume
Amazon Fire TV—the first car to feature this streaming service
120 standard and optional safety measures
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Welcome to luxury at it\’s finest. If the Wagoneer isn\’t capable enough for you, have no fear the Gran Wagoneer is here, and likely has the features you were missing in the Wagoneer. From the big details like ultra-massaging seats to the small details like puddle lamps (anyone else a huge fan of these?). Of course, the added features come with a higher price tag, but if you spend a lit of time behind the wheel you know these features pay for themselves— I\’m looking at you massaging seats.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer Specs to Know
Starts at $86,995
Top-of-the-line Obsidian trim: $98,995
Only available in 4×4
6.4-liter V8 engine that produces 470 hp and 455 lb-ft torque
Standard Quadra-Lift air suspension and quadra-drive
10-inch ground clearance that can be lowered for ease
4-zone climate control
McIntosh sound system with 23 speakers
75 inches of total screen display with a dedicated screen for front-seat passengers
Power step
10-inch illuminated comfort screen display in back and front
24-way heated massage seats
Amazon Fire TV
120 standard and optional safety measures
Jeep Wagoneers interior
As mentioned above you won\’t see any exterior wood paneling on the all-new Jeep Wagoneers, but you will see wood incorporated in the exterior and let me tell you, it\’s gorgeous. When it comes to the interior there are multiple colors palettes that take inspiration from nature—sea salt, velvet, tupelo honey, and blue agave leaf.
Jeep Wagoneers exterior
Let me see that grille. Yup, it\’s gorgeous and designed to lean forward just a little to give the impression of power and speed. To preserve a crucial element of the Wagoneers heritage the roofline of the original Wagoneer remains.
The Wagoneer is built for families, and made for adventures. You\’ll be comfortable in the Palermo leather seats knowing that you\’ve got the tow hooks, skid plates and adjustable suspension ready to tackle a rocky path.
Fashion meets Food 