Latest news with #Juliet
Vogue
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue
A Writer at Juliet's Desk, Answering the World's Love Letters
She lives in a thousand places in Verona—on tote bags, tea towels, in the glow of phone screens held high. But her official residence, according to Google Maps, is Casa di Giulietta: Verona's approximation of where Romeo and Juliet's balcony scene could have taken place. Basically, it's a graffiti-covered courtyard where visitors take pictures with a bronze Juliet statue, cupping her right breast—for 'good luck,' they say, though it's hard to ignore the fact that the literary heroine is supposed to be 13. They also write her letters, dropping them in a red mailbox or smushing them to a wall with wads of chewed gum. It's gross, really. The gate to the Casa di Giulietta in Verona. Still, something sincere slips through. The letters are real. People travel from all over the world to scribble down their romantic angst, seal it and send it into the void. And not far away, in a lamp-lit office at the end of a cobblestone street, the void answers back. I went there in search of Juliet and found six of her instead—women who reply to every letter she receives. If this sounds familiar, it's because these women—Juliet's secretaries—were immortalized in the 2010 film Letters to Juliet, which put a cinematic spin on their longstanding tradition. 15 years later, the club is still thriving. And one balmy afternoon in early summer, they let me join.
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
Somerset woman's death prompts call for better guidance
The death of a woman who struggled with alcoholism and was in an abusive relationship has prompted calls for better guidance for official (not her real name), from Taunton in Somerset, was subjected to violence when she refused to have sex with her partner, a report report, by the Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) found that Juliet's alcoholism prevented her from getting the right support from social care chair, Michael Preston-Shoot, said agencies have waited for "some time" for stronger mental health guidance on treating those with long-term substance abuse. Mr Preston-Shoot added: "It's very challenging to assess mental capacity in relation to people who have a long history of substance misuse." Just two months before Juliet's death in 2022 she had to be taken to hospital with breathing difficulties after being forced to have sex by her to the report, there were also concerns she was experiencing coercion and was being financially addition to alcohol dependence, Juliet experienced depression, was a heavy smoker, was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was registered partially sighted in 1995. 'Stronger guidance needed' Avon and Somerset Police was able to get a domestic violence prevention order which offered Juliet some protection, but she "tended to gravitate" back to her partner up until her SSAB is made up of all the organisations which have a role in preventing the neglect and abuse of adults, including Somerset Council, NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board, Avon & Somerset Police and Somerset NHS Foundation Preston-Shoot said the organisation is waiting for revised guidance on mental capacity assessments from the government. "We are hoping it will give a stronger direction in how to assess in the context of prolonged substance misuse," he Department for Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Why isn't Taylor Swift following the example of Zendaya?
Hi Mick LaSalle: Through the years, many singers have taken roles in movies. Which of these do you think had the greatest talent for acting? Ken Kirste, Sunnyvale Hi Ken: The classic example is Frank Sinatra, who was a great actor when he sang, and a very good actor when he acted. Of the more recent people, Beyonce is a terrific actress, and so is Lady Gaga. And, though I don't know if you could call them singers, all the rap artists who've turned to acting (LL Cool J, Tupac, Eminem, Queen Latifah, Snoop Dogg, Will Smith, 50 Cent) have been really good, too. Over the years, it's actually an exception when an enormous pop star doesn't at least attempt an acting career. Think of Elvis, David Bowie, Madonna, the Beatles, Mick Jagger and Prince. Which leads us to another question — where is Taylor Swift's movie career? Why hasn't she gone the way of Zendaya and taken on major acting roles? It can't be because no one has asked, so I have to assume that, like Michael Jackson and Elton John before her, she's just not all that interested. Hi Mick: You wrote, "I'd like to see Marilyn Monroe in a good movie where, for once, she doesn't play an idiot." It's been a long time since I watched "The Misfits" but I didn't recall her character Roslyn as being in that mold. What is your impression of Marilyn in this, her last full-length movie? Kevis Brownson, Alameda Hi Kevis: She does a good job of playing a woman who is emotionally unbearable and self-centered, who is the only person allowed to have feelings in every room she enters, and who needs coddling and reassurance virtually around the clock. It was written by her husband, Arthur Miller, and was meant as a celebration of her warm spirit, but looked at objectively, it's a hatchet job. Anyway, I agree that in 'The Misfits,' she's not an idiot, but she's definitely weird, just as she's weird in just about every role she ever played. That's why my favorite Marilyn Monroe picture is 'Let's Make Love' (1960), even though it's only a borderline good movie. I like it — I'm grateful for it — because for once she got to play a normal woman. Hi Mick: About your recommendation for 'Juliet, Naked' – to read your review first then watch the movie. Following your instructions precisely, I read, I saw, and I really enjoyed the film. Thanks so much. Jeannette Ferrary, Belmont Hi Jeanette: No, thank you. I know you think that you're just saying thanks for a movie recommendation, but you're actually modeling a new and exciting way for people to find happiness. You're showing them that everything will be fine if they just listen to me. You're rescuing them from years of fumbling in the dark. Dear Mick LaSalle: Orson Welles said Robert Wise "murdered" 'The Magnificent Ambersons' when he changed the ending. What do you think? Or is it impossible to know because we can't be sure what Welles would have done? Tom Burns, San Francisco Dear Tom: You're talking about when RKO took 'The Magnificent Ambersons' away from Welles, and they got Robert Wise to edit it and shoot a new ending. So did Wise murder it? Sure, but if he did, he was just putting it out of its misery. After all, the reason for the re-edit is that 'Ambersons' tested badly with preview audiences. And as it stands, the 3/4 of the movie that survived the edit is fairly rough sledding. I can't imagine how a different ending could have turned it into the classic that Peter Bogdanovich and every other Welles idolater has pretended it to be for the last 80 years.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Boden's 'great for everyday' summer dress is now half price in sale
The breezy, Boden Juliet broderie midi dress with 'spot on' sizing for petite women is now half price - perfect for summer With the glorious summer weather in full swing, shoppers might be eyeing their wardrobe and thinking it could do with a refresh. Boden has the solution with this dress, which is ideal for summer and boasts a whopping 50% discount. The Juliet Broderie Midi Dress is now an incredible 50% off, slashing the price from £80 down to £40. It's available in sizes four to 22 with petite, regular, and long options. The dress comes in five gorgeous shades: navy, gallery blue, tickled pink, woodland green, and white. Additionally, the Boden number is machine washable. The Juliet dress is a summer must-have. It's fluttery sleeves, tassel tie, and gorgeous woven broderie is sure to brighten the buyer's day even when the sun stays hidden. For those seeking a similar style, River Island is selling their White Ruffle Bardot Mini Dress for £22. Another similar number is the Miss Selfridge Petite poplin shirred body button through maxi dress in white, retailing at £34 on ASOS. Alternatively, H&M is offering a Linen-Blend Strappy Dress for £37.99. Shop Boden's Juliet dress £80.00 £40.00 Boden Buy Now on Boden Shoppers are raving about the Boden Juliet Broderie Midi Dress, praising its fit and adaptability in the sweltering weather, reports Wales Online. While one purchaser raved: "You can never have too many white summer dresses. Really pretty and great for everyday." Another gushed: "Boden has nailed it! the sizing for petite women is spot on. I no longer need to look like I am drowning in a dress - thank you!". One buyer commented that the Boden dress wasn't flattering for them, stating: "Didn't suit me. Tie waste [sic] did nothing for my body shape. Lovely colour though and length good Returned." And another shopper complimented the garment, saying: "The dress is beautifully cut and perfect for this hot weather. Looks effortless and lovely."
Western Telegraph
21-07-2025
- Western Telegraph
Parents urged not to give their children smartphones
Telecoms expert Juliet Moran is warning parents that smartphones are wiring permanent addiction pathways in children's brains and can be just as harmful as giving them cigarettes or alcohol. Dumbphones, also known as 'feature phones', have no internet access, no social media apps, and no endless scrolling. They're seeing a comeback too, with the total global market projected to bring in £8.5 billion in revenue this year. Yet despite the risks, Ofcom figures show 97% of children own a smartphone by the age of 12, and nearly a quarter of children as young as five to seven already have one. Juliet, who is director of says: 'Smartphones are designed to be addictive and they give children access to the entire world. We don't let children smoke or drink for good reason, yet we give them smartphones which have severe consequences and can be just as addictive. 'There's no need for children so young to own a smartphone. Endless scrolling feeds content addiction by triggering dopamine hits and with children's brains still developing, excessive smartphone use can wire addictive behaviours into young minds permanently.' Juliet is also warning that parental controls may not be as reliable as many hope. With smartphone companies profiting from increased screen time , there's little incentive for them to make these controls as strict or effective as they truly need to be. 'Controls can help but they're not strict enough," she says. "These phone companies want us to be glued to our phones because it benefits them. The best thing you can do for your child is not give them a smartphone until they are at least 13. 'Children need to be outside and dumbphones give them the freedom to do this while allowing parents to stay in touch with them through calls and text messages. This keeps them away from harmful group chats and social media.' Juliet plans to get her own daughter a dumbphone for her next birthday so she can keep in touch when she's out with her friends, but stay free from the dangers of smartphones. 'I want her to be able to play outside and do physical activities rather than be stuck in her room scrolling through content all night,' she says. Recommended reading: Over 90% of schools in England have banned mobile phones, with academic research suggesting they not only affect pupils' educational attainment, but contribute to problems such as bullying. Dumbphones help tackle these issues by removing access to messaging apps and features like Emojis, which have been used for covert bullying - a problem highlighted in this year's Netflix show Adolescence. Campaign groups like Smartphone Free Childhood - now with over 150,000 members - also advise that a child's first phone should only allow calls and texts.
