Sunday, 10 December 2017

The Man Who Invented Christmas (Nalluri, 2017)

I don't think I have ever come out of the cinema in early December feeling so Christmassy as I did coming out of The Man Who Invented Christmas. I'm quite the sucker for Christmas films. I can say that I'm not the biggest fan of Christmas as much as I like all year but when it comes to December I do start to feel the Christmas vibes (especially as I got a vegan advent calendar this year). My friend suggested this film and I honestly love Christmas films so was totally up for it, plus Dan Stevens is always a bonus. However, I didn't think that I would enjoy this rendition of 'A Christmas Carol' as
much as I did. For a long long time my favourite edition of Charles Dickens' novel 'A Christmas Carol' has been the Muppets version. I can't help it, I love the muppets and Christmas films and when you smoosh them both together I can help but let it settle into place in my top Christmas movies of all time. This rendition of that many-a-time told story is so unique and new, and honestly just so captivating.
Basically, to tell you a little bit about the film, Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) has had quite a few flops after the hit of 'Oliver Twist' and is struggling to come up with a new story to tell. He needs money quite badly and comes up with the idea to write a Christmas book. Dickens is laughed out of the proposal meeting with his publishers as this has never been done before and Christmas had become a minor holiday on peoples calendars. Nevertheless, Dickens believes in his idea and decides he shall pay for everything himself and get it printed in time for Christmas (which is a mere two months away). He struggles with his characters and the story in general but obviously manages to write the book that has become a household title.
It's so interesting to watch a different angle on this story. I have never really done any research or know anything really about Charles Dickens but it was so intriguing finding out all the backstory behind this classic book. The audience get to find out what he struggled with and see where he got the names for his characters and phrases such as 'bah, humbug'. I honestly never realised how much Charles Dickens changed the face of Christmas. I'm sure the royal family being German had a little to do with it, but references are made to this particular book of Dickens' since it was first written. There are countless references made in TV and film, even in Fashion (I'm talking Christmas apparel here). Even if someone isn't into something (although especially Christmas) they will surely be called Scrooge.
Overall, I really loved this film. I loved the insight into how Dickens wrote his book and created Characters. How he had a crappy childhood and how that effected how he wrote and what he wrote about. The performances by the entire cast are mesmerising, you really just get lost in the story and forget who they are in reality. It also left me with a heart filled with Christmas cheer, which I'm sure was Charles Dickens' aim with the book (I doubt he could even imagine film in general let alone a film about him writing that book doing it). It's honestly just such a warming movie and the perfect thing to watch this Christmas, and perhaps next year too.

Rating: 5 out of 5 (for personal production of Christmas cheer)

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Sunday, 3 December 2017

What Are You Watching? (November 2017)

Another month, another list of all the crap I have been watching over the course of a month. It's getting colder and I want to be inside even more than usual just watching film and TV.

TV

  • Anohana (The Flower We Saw That Day) - Finally finished an anime series. Took a break from one piece and felt like a needed a good fantasy/sci-fi romance anime to make my heart burst. This is an insanely beautiful anime that I'm sure fans of Your Name will love to absolute pieces. 
  • One Punch Man - This is such a fun show to watch. My boyfriend and I were looking for something to watch and I've been meaning to watch it for a while so I suggested this as neither of us had seen it. It's so good and we can't wait until the next season comes out next year.

FILM

  • Thor: Ragnarok - I have written a review on the masterpiece that Marvel somehow managed to create after spitting out somewhat sub-par superior movies. Basically you should go watch it, but first read my review to know what you're in store for. Full review here: 
  • Murder on the Orient Express - I honestly really enjoyed this film, it's quite nice to have such a big film want you to be thinking as your watching it rather than simply switching off. Very much recommend. I wrote a review of this film a couple of weeks ago if you would like to get more of my opinion check it out here: 
  • Battle of the Sexes - This is a good one. It is thought provoking and heart capturing. A review may go up at some point but I want to see it again before I write it so I can really get my thoughts about it straight. So, look out for that in the next couple of weeks.

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Monday, 27 November 2017

For the love of cartoons

It is not a secret that I adore animation with the amount I post about Disney and anime. It doubt it comes as a surprise for anyone that regularly checks out my blog but I love cartoons. Cartoon Network is the bomb for finding some good American cartoons that you will fall in love with no matter what your age.
  As a kid, I grew up watching cartoons. I'm not talking about Disney and PIXAR films, I am talking about Spongebob, powerpuff girls, dexter's lab and just about every other cartoon nickelodeon, The Simpsons and Futurama, eventually moved on to Family Guy but I never enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed cartoons as a kid or even when I rewatch them now. In response to this I headed back to the land of cartoons that is cartoon network to get my fix. That is when I discovered Adventure Time, quite possibly the best new cartoon I have ever watched and never want to end (even though I know it is on its final season).
boomerang and cartoon network had to offer me. Then as I grew 'out of' those cartoons, or so I was expected to do, I was looking for something new to watch. I watched
  When I started to watch Adventure Time I got that love for cartoons back that I had wanted back for such a long time. This show alone kind of kept my cartoon needs at bay for a while but when I heard it was finishing with this season my heart broke. What was I going to watch now? What am I going to Steven Universe. This show is like no other. It's weird and magical, it's beautifully animated and I adore every single one of the characters. It has filled the animated whole in my heart that the news of Adventure time had left behind. I can never wait for new episodes much like I was (and still am until it ends) with Adventure Time. An honourable mention goes out to The Regular Show because that show is awesome and I love it. It's a good one to just pick a random episode and laugh for ten minutes straight.
watch now when I can't be bothered to read subtitles? That is when I remembered that I had heard something about a new show on cartoon network that was amazing, and that show was
These two shows combined with anime fill me with so much happiness when I watch them. I adore these three shows so much and can honestly tell anyone my age and above that have become bored with 'adult' cartoons (not talking about hentai) to watch these shows. Yeah, they're 'kids' shows but I regularly question whether they really are or not. Yes, they are on a kids network and a kid could easily watch it and enjoy it but there is another level of enjoyment when you watch it as an adult.
Much like with Disney films there are innuendos, secret swearing and many more things that will have you giggling when your niece or nephew is not (they will ask you why, be prepared for that). Basically, what I'm trying to say here is that if you liked cartoons as a kid and miss them, why not give the current kids cartoons a go. They're pretty strong. 

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Sunday, 19 November 2017

Murder on the Orient Express (Branagh, 2017)

Gotta love working at a cinema, get to see a lot of new films. This week on Bethany's constant reviews because she works at a cinema now is Murder on the Orient Express directed by Kenneth Branagh (of course, who else would do it). Going into this film I was pretty excited, all star cast, great director, the book has been adored for years and years, and who doesn't love a game of cluedo on a train?

Basically, the story is centred around the detective Hercule Poirot who ends up going on the orient express thanks to a friend who just so happens to be the director of the train. On this train he meets a bunch of strangers played by stars such as Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer and many more. At first everything is fine until one of them is murdered, everyone is a suspect in this suspenseful murder mystery.
Many are saying that the cinematography and sets are outshining the cast, which I understand but with so many stars it's hard for any one actor to shine. Of course Kenneth Branagh shines the most out of everyone but that is because he is the centre of the film's narrative without him the narrative wouldn't happen. He is also very funny as Poirot, that moustache and that laugh just made me laugh whilst watching the film. The cinematography and sets are very stunning throughout the entire film, they are simply mesmerising. Of course it doesn't have it's faults but as a first effort in a different genre for Branagh I think he did really well at this adaptation as it is so different from the vibe of a Shakespeare adaptation.
Overall, the film is amusing and keeps you on your toes as to who is the murderer. It is tense and interesting. The acting is great and the sets are insane. Kenneth Branagh shines as the director of this Agatha Christie adaptation and I hope that there are many more adaptations to come from Branagh. I really enjoyed the film and would highly recommend the film to anyone that enjoys a good murder mystery or crime thriller.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

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Sunday, 12 November 2017

Thor Ragnarok (Waititi, 2017)

  Sorry for being missing a couple of weeks guys, essays can leave you a little burnt out for a bit. But I am back with a review of Thor: Ragnarok arguably the best Marvel (Disney distributed) film to come out since Guardians of the Galaxy, and definitely my new favourite Marvel (Disney distributed) film because no super hero film is going to beat Deadpool for me. Ok, let's get started.
  Synopsis time. Thor has been out of Asgard for a while now but he returns to find out that Loki is alive (This is not a spoiler as it is the trailers) and has thrown their Father onto Earth so that he can rule in Odin's place. When they find their father, they are told of the Goddess of Death and her
relation to them. As the two are about to return to Asgard and the Goddess of Death turns up and follows them to Asgard. Although, not without pushing the both of them out of the tunnel to Asgard on the way there. Thor ends up in a land of scavengers and trash, meets an old friend and makes a new one. They team up and try to go up against the Goddess of death, and I shall leave it there.
  My biggest issue with this film, isn't actually with the film at all but with the trailers which have been everywhere as much as I have tried to avoid them. They tell anyone watching it the two biggest reveals of the whole film, that Loki isn't dead and that the Hulk is also in this land of trash and scavengers. These would have been awesome surprises for the audience of the film, as Loki had 'died' in the last Thor film and the Hulk had been missing since Avengers: Age of Ultron. I just think that they should have either revealed neither of them or only one because audiences would have been so thrilled that these characters where back, especially if they had been kept in the dark about who Thor's team in the film would be.
  Ok, enough moaning about trailers. I know I should just plug up my hears, cover my eyes and hum real loud until they're over. Now onto why this is the best Marvel film of all time! It is visually stunning, the comedy is on point and just elevates the darker moments, and Chris Hemsworth is a beautiful human that is very nice to stare at for two hours. Seriously though, visually, outside of Chris Hemsworth, this film is absolutely stunning. The green screen stuff was really well done (unlike another Marvel film that I won't mention), and I'm actually disappointed that I didn't see it in IMAX 3D and I really don't care about 3D. Even though it was absolutely stunning visually, it didn't take away from the script which was on point from the very first line. It is a very funny film and actually like a comic book. It's very graphic and colourful but the script is snappy and witty. You won't be bored for even a moment because there is always something to keep you entertained. Plus, you can just stare at Thor and Loki and you'll have a good time no matter how bad you think it is.
  Overall, this is definitely a change of pace to the dark narratives that Marvel have been doing in the Avengers narratives. In addition to this, because the film was not set on earth, apart from a few minutes here and there, they got to really shine with their use of CGI to create a masterpiece. This is the second film this year that I have found simply stunning to watch and this one is much more accessible to the masses than Blade Runner 2049 is.

Rating: 5 out 5, do you even need to ask?

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Sunday, 29 October 2017

What Are You Watching (October, 2017)

Another month, another massive watchlist because it is autumn now and I don't want to go outside if it's raining and or windy. So, I have watched a lot of stuff. Let's go!

TV
  • My Hero Academia - It's over, which makes me insanely sad. I started watching this series just before the second series started to air during the spring simulcast releases anime-wise. I'm kind of with all the people that are saying this will be replacing one of the Shonen Jump anime series' that have finished in the past year. It gained popularity almost instantly and is already guaranteed to have a third season so hopefully it won't be too long till Deku is back on my screen. 
  • Steven Universe - I have watched all the episodes I can for now so I figured I would put it in this post because I'll be watching them as soon as I can from now on. I fell for the series pretty fast, the idea is so original and fun. The animation is superb, I especially love the background design of the show. I love the relationships that the Gems have with Steven, especially Garnet. So cute. I can't wait for episodes to come out, I'm so excited!
Film
  • The Place Promised in Our Early Days - I'm just going to put it out there, Makoto Shinkai is a master of anime and storytelling. He is an amazing writer and his animation is just outstanding. I haven't watched everything, but everything I have seen is just out of this world. In terms of Japanese animation easily playing with the big boy that is Studio Ghibli and in terms of world wide can definitely compete with the Disney Giant and Pixar if he wanted to. A review for this one is here if you want to take a gander: 
  • American Assassin - It's ok. I can see why it is failing past the fact that it was released in between It and Kingsman: The Golden Circle. It's just your average action film, it doesn't really try to do anything that the genre hasn't been doing for years ahead of this film. The acting is good but nothing special. If you want a super easy watch then go for it otherwise I'd maybe skip it. 
  • Blade Runner 2049 - Do I think it's better than the original. I've been thinking about this particular question since I've seen it and after a lot of deliberation I think that I do. It's just visually stunning and the sound design is so intense and well done. It doesn't reiterate things enough to annoy people that have seen the original but they do mention it and explain it enough that new viewers won't become confused. For more of my opinions click here:http://galaxysearcher.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/blade-runner-2049-villeneuve-2017.html
  • The Lego Ninjago Movie - This is a super fun film, even if I do feel as though they're putting less effort in in terms of animation. The script is seriously shining in this one and made me giggle quite a few times. I also loved Dave Franco as a voice actor playing an angsty teen.  
  • Kingsman: The Golden Circle - This movie was truly awful. It appeals to the masses, there were a lot of people laughing like a backing track to a sitcom but me and boyfriend regularly just stared at each other with looks of 'What on earth are we watching?'. We almost left before the film even ended it was so bad. I really don't recommend this, maybe unless you didn't like the humour in the first one because that smart, snarky, British humour is all gone. 
  • The Death of Stalin - It's pretty good, more people should have gone to see it than what did. It is very much a flashback to A-Level history for me but very fun nonetheless. I recommend watching this when it comes out on DVD or pops up on the movie channels, you'll be in for a laugh and a bit of a history lesson (in the best way). 

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Sunday, 15 October 2017

Blade Runner 2049 (Villeneuve, 2017)

  For starters I want to say that I have seen the original in a few of its many forms, and I have really loved it for a while. But oh my gosh this film, the sequel set 30 years after the event of the original film is amazing. Ok, brief synopsis time. As I said previously Blade Runner 2049 is set 30 years after the events of the original film and centres around Blade Runner officer K (Ryan Gosling). It's very much still the world of the original film as K retires replicants from the original batches that were being sent out into the world in the first film. However, the first replicant K 'retires' sets the narrative in motion as it reveals the secrets of the original film.
  This film is an absolute beauty for starters. You should all go see it if you haven't already just to look at the stunning visuals that this film has to offer. For the most part, Star Wars perhaps being the only reboot I'm ok with, I dislike the very idea of reboots and when I heard this was a thing I was somewhat intrigued but also disappointed that they couldn't leave Blade Runner alone. However, I was wrong to have set this way. Blade Runner 2049 is an amazing continuation of the original narrative and does justice to its predecessor but in addition to this it easily stand on its own two feet as a magnificent sci-fi film in its own right. I am conflicted to say the least as to whether I think this is better than the original, I've been thinking about it for over a week and the more I think about it the more I think that I do prefer this one to the original (and I cannot believe I just admitted it). Visually it is just stunning, and I think that is an understatement but I can't think of another word. The music and sound design creates the perfect atmosphere throughout the film and makes the film have an even bigger impact on the viewer. The performances of everyone in the cast are superb especially Ana de Armas, who's character evolves so much and you really get attached to her because of this. I don't think that I can actually explain everything that I love and appreciate about this film through words because I have none.
  Overall, you should go and watch this film because it is an amazing sequel but not only that as it is also an amazing sci-fi film in its own right. It doesn't matter if you have seen the first one or not because they do explain it enough that you won't be confused, but to anyone reading that has seen the original film you do not need to worry either as it isn't explained over and over and make annoyingly clear to those who already know the past narrative. This film is honestly a piece of art and the best reboot to have come out of Hollywood in the last few years!

Rating: 5 out of 5 (duh....)

Thank you very much for reading and I hope you return next week for another blog post talking about all things film and TV related.

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