Our Wedding Breakfast Playlist...

 So movies have always been important for Hannah and I throughout our lives and our relationship. When we started dating, we would go on cinema dates together and sneak in whisky to drink in the back row. I spent years working in a cinema, where I would cover late shifts and Hannah would greet me when I came home after midnight. We curl up and watch films together in our home with our various pets. We decided that we wanted to incorporate our love of film in our big day therefore I put together a wedding breakfast playlist predominantly utilising songs from movies (or covers of songs from movies on piano where the original song might be a bit cheesy or not fit the mood)

I thought this would be fun because it would also act as an ice breaker. People would stop and say "Oh, what is this song? It's from a movie... Oh Gosh, from where do I know this song?" and we thought it'd prompt people into conversation.

We walked into the dining hall to the opening theme from the Buffy The Vampire Slayer musical episode, Once More With Feeling. If anyone from my wedding party recognised this song, you are awesome. It was immediately followed by a strings and piano version of I Giorni which we had walked down the aisle to at the start of our ceremony. The playlist features songs from films and TV shows that Hannah and I have both watched and enjoyed together. In the playlist there are songs from films like Amelie, The Princess Bride, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Pearl Harbour, Gladiator, The Lion King, The Great Gatsby, Brokeback Mountain, Game of Thrones (although I almost put in music from The Red Wedding episode and promptly removed it - that would've felt like a bad omen!), Edward Scissorhands, Down With Love, About Time, Stranger Things, The Book of Life, Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, Big Fish and The Phantom of the Opera to name a few...  

We even snuck in a few songs from The Sims just to see if anyone of our age range noticed!
The majority of the songs chosen were instrumental only and had to fit the vibe of the day (nothing too dramatic or intense!) and we spent ages putting this playlist together and I treasure it fondly. I have some great pictures of my bridesmaids jamming out to the music.

Please find our wedding breakfast playlist below:

My Oscar Predictions! Who will win the Academy Awards 2015?

Alright, the Oscar buzz is rife this year

Although it's early, I was fortunate enough to have seen a majority of the films leading the Oscar nominations this year so I wanted to highlight the ones that I would choose from each category with a little summary on why I think this. I've sadly not seen all of them. I missed out on Boyhood and Foxcatcher but I shall do my best. My frontrunners are highlighted in bold and I discuss what I want to win and which films I think could take the award home. Here we go...

The Nominees for BEST PICTURE:
 
"American Sniper" (Clint Eastwood)
"Boyhood" (Richard Linklater)
"Birdman" (Alejandro González Iñárritu) 
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" (Wes Anderson)
"The Imitation Game" (Morten Tyldum)
"Selma" (Ava DuVernay)
"The Theory of Everything" (James Marsh)
"Whiplash" (Damien Chazelle)

My thoughts: I feel like American Sniper could be a real favourite this year. It feels like something that the Academy usually likes but as a film I wasn't too sure about it. I'd be much happier seeing either Selma, Boyhood or Birdman win. Although I want Selma to win it has been snubbed quite a bit. Either the snub-fest will continue and it won't win or maybe the Academy will, seeing the backlash they've had for not nominating David Oyelowo and other participants of the film, they may hand over the award to avoid criticism. I want the film to win I just don't think it will. Considering the other films I think Boyhood is clearly deserving of a win purely because of the pure time and effort they sank into making this film. It was a real commitment and a labour of love. I really enjoyed Birdman and I'd like to see Hollywood putting out more like this: films that serve style AND substance rather than cheap, regurgitated razzle dazzle. I really enjoyed The Grand Budapest Hotel but I feel like Selma has more heart and a whole heap of current cultural relevance. Although I enjoyed The Imitation Game it missed the mark for me as I feel it rushed through certain parts and was missing that emotive appeal. I had hoped to see Wild in this category. Or, you know, maybe a story with a female protagonist at all... That said I kinda would love to see Selma win. I don't think that it has been released in the UK so I've  not seen it but the trailer is promising and the buzz around it seems to suggest that this is a film people have highly appreciated. 

Best Actor in a Leading Role:
Micheal Keaton for Birdman
Steve Carell for Foxcatcher 
Eddie Redmayne for Theory of Everything
Bradley Cooper for American Sniper
Benedict Cumberbatch for The Imitation Game

Birdman is one of my favourite films of 2015 but I think that the real contenders here are Eddie Redmayne and Steve Carell. Redmayne has had so much positive praise for this performance so I think his odds are good. The Academy sure do love Bradley Cooper. I just don't feel that Cooper's performance rivals that of either Carell or Redmayne. I think that Eddie Redmayne will take it because, from what I've seen of the film, the boy did his research and gave a compelling and realistic performance. Benedict Cumberbatch was good but, apart from his accent, I don't feel his portrayal of Alan Turing was too far from his usual demeanour. 

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Julianne Moore for Still Alice
Rosamund Pike for Gone Girl
Felicity Jones for Theory of Everything
Reese Witherspoon for Wild
Marion Cotillard for Two Days One Night

I sadly have not seen Still Alice or Two Days One Night. I love Julianne Moore and Marion Cotillard so I'm sure they gave wonderful performances. Have you seen La Vie En Rose? Marion is wonderful. Julianne Moore's performance is said to be outstanding. Based on what I've seen I'd place my bet on Reese Witherspoon (with Felicity Jones coming in at a close second) because she really made me feel something with her performance and I think she explored a lot of things she hadn't before.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

I've actually only seen one of the films in this category so I'm going to take a risk and guess that it would be J.K Simmons for Whiplash.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Meryl Streep for Into The Woods
Keira Knightley for Imitation Game
Laura Dern for Wild 
Patricia Arquette for Boyhood
Emma Stone for Birdman

I have seen all of these but Boyhood. I loved Meryl Streep in Into The Woods. I love Meryl Streep in anything and the woman has been nominated so many times. I'd really love to see her get another win. Laura Dern warmed my heart in Wild but I'm not sure if it would earn her a win. It's possible. It's a win I'd be happy with. Emma Stone was cool as a cucumber, just as expected. I'm thinking that Patricia Arquette could take this one. 

Best Original Screenplay

Birdman
Boyhood
Foxcatcher
Grand Budapest Hotel
Nightcrawler
Although I think that Birdman could take this one, as it certainly deserves to, I think Nightcrawler could also have a shot at it. Nightcrawler was such a wonderful film. It landed in my top five films of 2014. It's so powerful and nerve-shredding and I wanted to see it get more love from the Academy. So Nightcrawler or Birdman for me...

Best Adapted Screenplay

Inherent Vice
Imitation Game
Whiplash
American Sniper
Theory of Everything

I've not seen Whiplash or Inherent Vice so I'm thinking the Academy would love Imitation Game and Theory of Everything. I've gone for the one with more heart...

2014 Favourites

Favourite Songs:

• Sing To The Moon by Laura Mvula
• Stay Gold by First Aid Kit
• I Love You Too Much by Diego Luna/Gustavo Santaolalla
• Architect's Son by Julia Gray
• She by Laura Mvula
• Running When You Call My Name by Haim
• Torrent by Asgeir
• Rise Like A Phoenix by Conchita Wurst
• Long December by Julia Gray
• Roots by Orla Gartland
• Robber Bride by Julia Gray
• Blue Roses by Julia Gray

Favourite Films:
(I will be doing a separate post with a short review of each film and an actual ranking of my favourites)

• The Wolf Of Wall Street
• Gone Girl
• The Book Thief
• Godzilla
• The Book of Life
• The Maze Runner
• How To Train Your Dragon 2
• Guardians of the Galaxy
• Belle
• It's A Disaster (Sure, it came out before 2014 but I only saw it this year)
• Snowpiercer 
• Nightcrawler
• The Love Punch

Favourite Moments:

• Being surprised twice at work by my loving partner: First in the morning after I'd been on the phone to her all night saying how stressed I was. She got on a bus in the early morning and travelled all day because she knew I needed her. Secondly, on Valentine's Day when I was surprised with presents and flowers at work. It was the best Valentine's day ever.
• Hannah's graduation.
• Being merch girl for Bad Pollyanna and getting to go backstage with them and the other bands.
• Going to the Marina Abramovic exhibition, 512 Hours.
• Taking Hannah to see The Crucible in London for our anniversary.
• Setting up the ScavHanger Hunt for my partner <3
• Holding my book for the first time. Knowing that I was officially a published author. 

Favourite Events:

• Seeing Eric Whitacre and Laura Mvula perform at Union Chapel back in May
• My book launch!
• Watching my beautiful partner graduate from university after three years of effort and study
• Bad Pollyanna and William Control on The Punishment Tour
• Seeing Within Temptation in London with my father and friends
• Going to a football game with my father
• Setting up a scavenger hunt for my beloved around the town.
• Going to the Miranda Sings gig with my partner
• Seeing The Crucible for my anniversary with my beloved.

Favourite TV shows:

• Game of Thrones
• How To Get Away With Murder
• Orange is the New Black
• Masters of Sex
• Grey's Anatomy
• The Following

Sex Tape: Review + Response

I've seen so many films recently that I meant to write a review for. Into The Storm, Before I Go To Sleep, Lucy... All of them were better than Sex Tape and far more worthy of a review but here we go, this is the review I'll start with.

I went to see Sex Tape and shared the cinema screening room with one horny (and potentially rather drunk) couple who spent the entire film laughing manically and falling over each other mid make out session. Sex Tape will pander to that kind of American Pie loving audience. I went to see the film with very low expectations. It didn't exceed those low expectations.

Sex sells: that's why people have gone to see this movie. Our culture is so obsessed with sex that it was sure to get butts into seats. The film follows Jay and Annie, played by Jason Segel and Cameron Diaz, who are an older couple with two kids and they are struggling to re-kindle their sex lives. One night they decide to really spice things up by making a sex tape having had a discussion about porn. Then, disaster strikes, Jay forgets to delete the sex tape and manages to sync the iPad he filmed the sex tape on with several other devices. Now their sex tape is available to many of their friends and family and they go on a not-so-thrilling adventure to get the sex tapes back. They have managed to send it to Annie's mother, their best friends, Annie's new boss... It begs the question: Who has that many iPads to give away? Who is so wealthy that they can afford to give iPads away to people they've just met? Who gives their mail man an iPad? Who? What? How? This film seems so stupidly unrealistic to be believed. Though the film isn't as smutty as you'd imagine, it's just darn silly. It didn't arouse my interest and the film was (excuse the pun) somewhat anti-climactic. It wasn't funny. It wasn't sexy. By the end it's some weird family-focused farce that is too far-fetched to enjoy. The film was a feeble attempt at humour that didn't bring out a laugh in me and I left as soon as the credits hit the screen. This was a real flop for me. An over the top wild goose chase...

I'm not sure if this film is a good or bad advert for Apple products.

Title Change for Final Hobbit Film

Peter Jackson has made a startling announcement.

The director is set to release the final installment of the Hobbit trilogy later this year. Originally it was set to be named "The Hobbit: There And Back Again" but it has been released today that the title of the film is being changed to "The Hobbit: Battle of The Five Armies"

Jackson announced it online today, the original post can be seen by clicking here.

What do YOU think of the title change?

Song of the Day: I'm Tired by Madeline Kahn (from Blazing Saddles)

This is from one of my favourite movies of all time: Blazing Saddles. 

Enjoy,

The Book Thief. Review + Response

So, yesterday I gave my verdict on The Monuments Men and I was rather candid about how awful I thought it was. Now I'm here to tell you about another film set during WW2 - but this one was brilliant.

Based on the amazing novel by Markus Zusak, this was a stunning and poignant film about a young girl sent to live in a foster home during the Second World War. It's a wonderful tale about the powerful nature of love and the overpowering certainty of death. This film broke my feels. It captures a sense of what it must have been like to live in a Germany gripped by Hitler's reign and does so from the point of view of normal German families trying to cope with the changes in their town. Geoffrey Rush gave such a marvellous, heart warming performance. The brutal reality of the Holocaust itself isn't the focus here: it's focusing more on the changing attitudes of Germans in Hitler's Germany. I'd recommend this film to anyone, particularly young adult viewers.
Also if you see the film I urge you to also read the novel if you haven't already as it is so stunningly written. I personally really enjoyed this film.

Recommended Reads!

Well hello there!
I bet you know what time it is.
It's time for recommended reads!
What is recommended reads?
It's a segment on this blog where I recommend a few cool things I've seen around the internet lately so you can enjoy them in your mind palace.
ENJOY THEM.

• 16 Books To Read Before Their Movies Come Out This Year
• 28 Things That Happened After Harry Potter. Oh my God. Prepare your feelings.
• 57 Things All English Lit Students Know. YES, YES AND YES. This article is so painfully true. As an English Lit graduate I can tell you that this encapsulates three years of my life right here.
• Do you like quirky names? Well whether you're expecting a baby or you're a writer in need of cool names, this blog has some good ones.
• Quick, sign up for Audible! Here's 16 Audiobooks Read By A-List Celebrities. 
• Here are some stunningly subtle Disney tattoos.
• 32 Books That Will Change Your Life...according to Buzzfeed.
• Lonely dolphin tries to make friends.

Song of the Day: I See Fire by Ed Sheeran

"Oh, misty eye of the mountain below
Keep careful watch of my brothers' souls
And should the sky be filled with fire and smoke
Keep watching over Durin's sons

If this is to end in fire
Then we should all burn together
Watch the flames climb high into the night"

Big January Film Review

Here's a post of films I saw this month and my thoughts on them. I started doing this last year because it means I can put together a big film review of several films each month all in one efficient post thus creating something concise and collected.

Here is a list of some of the films I watched in the month of January. I may have forgotten some but if I have I'll feature them in upcoming posts. That said, here are the films I saw in January and my thoughts on them.

American Hustle

Ok. This is going to be an unpopular opinion, I know, but I really didn't enjoy American Hustle.

For me it all felt kinda familiar, a little stale, and it wasn't really a breath taking film for me. I thought that Jennifer Lawrence gave a great, charismatic performance and Christian Bale went through a real transformation for the role but it didn't do it for me. The film had a pretty good soundtrack and, from what I hear, the director and cast were all more focused on exploring characters and real emotion rather than being tied down to a pre-written plot and I can appreciate that but I'm saying that this just isn't a film that I was really raving about with great passion.




Celeste and Jesse Forever

I actually didn't know if I'd like this or not but I saw it on Netflix and decided to put it on. It's the story of a couple at the very end of their relationship as they are about to finalise their divorce and yet they remain close best friends and as they put an end to their marriage they begin to question their flaws and feelings. It's a very human film with a real indie edge and some brilliant moments.

Tangled

I can't believe it took me so long to see this movie. A friend of mine wrote about it for her university dissertation for crying out loud. I watched it and really enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun and had some very entertaining moments throughout. The relationship between Flynn and Maximus was reminiscent of Jean Valjean and Javert and I loved that it put a really light twist on a Grimm fairy tale.

47 Ronin

This movie totally bombed at the box office but I actually really enjoyed it. It was a colourful fight fest with imaginative elements fused with the essence of feudal Japanese history and culture. It comes with an unexpected ending that most Hollywood films would try to re-write. Rinko Kikuchi totally stole the film for me via an utterly stunning performance. It was refreshing to see a film where there were only a handful of white characters as we're often so used to Hollywood white-washing. It was visually stunning with a great soundtrack that reignited my love of taiko drumming and Japanese language.







Catfish: The Movie

OK, so I watch the TV show of Catfish but until recently I had not seen the film/documentary that sparked it all.
I sat down to watch it and appreciated seeing the roots and inspiration for the show. It was kinda heartbreaking to see just how much faith Nev had put into this stranger. Of course, if you've watched the TV show, you know how it all ended for Nev but the movie was just so fascinating because you realise just how deep the deception in this particular story went and it's scary but thankfully since the documentary was released, and the subsequent TV follow up, internet safety has been signal boosted.





Heathers

I am not exaggerating when I say that this was one of the best films I've seen in a long time. It was so good that I don't want to say too much. From what I'd heard of it I assumed it'd be like Mean Girls... but in the 80s. Oh, how wrong I was.

Don't read anything about this movie, just watch it. It's on Netflix or DVD copies will be fairly cheap but do yourself a favour and watch it.

You Again

This was a bit of a gamble as I don't really like chick flicks or family comedies like this but it was a decent, predictable watch with moments of slapstick comedy and immaturity. It follows a young woman who returns to her home town for the wedding of her older brother. The only problem is she finds out on arrival that her brother is marrying her high school tormentor. Unwilling to allow her brother to marry a bully she does her best to break the two up in the run up to the wedding. If you like chick flicks, family comedy, wedding movies and light hearted fun then this is the flick for you.

Safety Not Guaranteed

This is one of the most recent films I watched and it was a refreshing film. This oddball, indie sci-fi was a great watch that left you guessing throughout the whole film. It follows a group of journalists who go undercover to follow up a bizarre ad in the personal column seeking an assistant for a time travelling mission. Their safety, it states, is not guaranteed. It's a film about trust, adventure and acceptance. This is a great summer movie or a good Valentine's Day movie regardless of you relationship status. It reminds us to remain open to adventure and to have hope and trust. As an audience you bounce between belief and disbelief as the film goes on and it unwraps slowly but it's a real laid back film that I highly recommend.




What movies have YOU watched in the past month?
What have you been enjoying?
Let me know in the comments section below.

2014 Films I'm Excited For!

So I was thinking about films coming out this year. There are many films on the horizon that I can't wait to see. Here's a rough list of films off the top of my head that I know are coming out in 2014 and am excited about.

• I, Frankenstein
• The Fault In Our Stars
• The Seventh Son
• Robocop
• Pompeii
• Divergent
• Godzilla
• Maleficent
• The Loft
• Dracula Untold
• The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1
• The Hobbit: There And Back Again
• Into The Woods
• The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box
• A Winter's Tale
• Inside Llewyn Davis

I'm sure there are some I've forgotten or missed out but lists can be updated.

What films are YOU excited to see in 2014?

16 Books To Read Before Their Films Come Out in 2014!

There are some great movies set for release in 2014. It's good to look forward to these films but whilst waiting for them don't forget that some of them were books first, books that are worth reading. Buzzfeed has created a list of 16 Books To Read Before They Hit Theaters This Year. Why not head down to your local book store and pick up one or two of these books to support good literature and to be more in the know when the film comes out. I always love seeing how a film changes when adapted for the big screen.

I am so happy to see that The Fault In Our Stars and Divergent are on here. I'm so excited to see them as films.

HAPPY HOBBITMAS!

The day has come!

I've waited all year for this film to come out. A little bit of Tolkien always seems to add a little sprinkle of magic to Christmas. I'm stupidly excited about seeing the film. In fact I've scheduled this post to make sure it comes out just as the film is scheduled to start. Today is meant to be my first day at my new job but my boss remembered how much of a Tolkien fangirl I am (our shared love of Return of the King was interview discussion material) and he scheduled my shift so I could make it to the first local screening of the film at my local cinema. I'll share my thoughts on it when I'm home.

So shhhhhh.... the film is starting.

Film Trailers For Movies I'd Like To See.

Whenever I feel low I find it a comfort to head to YouTube and search for trailers for upcoming films. I hop from one to another to another. It often makes me feel better. I love getting quick glances at a movie like a passing flirtation. I decided it would be great to start sharing my finds with you. This way we can all try to access and watch a wider range of films. There are so many movies out there being made and I want to create hype and help to signal boost film projects.

Here are some film trailers I've seen lately for films I'd love to see.

Belle

A historical tale of prejudice and love based on the lives of real people. This film looks superb from the detailed costumes worn by each character to the beautiful set. It looks superbly shot. It's forever important to share stories of the hardships that people, minorities in particular, have had to endure. I really want to see this film.

Seventh Son

I'm loving the return to fantasy at the moment.
Maybe it was brought about by the popularity of Game of Thrones but fantasy is definitely my favourite genre. I love the idea of Julianne Moore in a villainous role

Devil's Knot

This murder mystery style drama seems gripping at a first glance. It's the story of a small town murder and the possibility of Satanic cult activity. For anyone who enjoyed the recent show The Following this seems like a film you'd be interested in. Also kudos to Colin Firth on the awesome accent.







Noah

We all know the story of Noah and the Ark but it seems like Aronofsky has taken on this mammoth story and done something interesting and beautiful with it. The film boasts and excellent cast and hey - who doesn't love a film with lots of animals?









Divergent 

Hunger Games fans, step right up.
If you're not already familiar with the young adult dystopian "Divergent" series then you probably will be soon.
Featuring the awesome Shailene Woodley in the lead role this, we can predict, will be the next been teen screen saga.

Neighbors 

This looks like a silly, fun film.
A college fraternity moves into a quiet suburban
neighbourhood much to the dismay of their sweet neighbours. In time their patience with the antics of their frat boy neighbours gets to them and, I hope, some hilarity ensues.

The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midax Box

This trailer looks like it's a film full of fun and adventure. It has a Victorian and almost steampunk vibe. It has gadgets and intrigue and possibly an element of classic Greek mythology? The title suggests that it's part one of a series so it's probably worth a watch now. It boasts a really awesome cast of some of my personal favourites including Michael Sheen and Lena Headey.





Well that's it for now.
I hope to do this more regularly. In sharing interesting film trailers with you all then hopefully we'll be able to broaden our horizons and watch a wide range of brilliant movies together.

Under-appreciated films: The Old, Dark House (1963)

I've been looking for this film for years ... and I finally found it!
This is a film I saw when I was a kid and have been looking for over the past ten years or so. I couldn't remember the title, I could only remember a few moments, but I was so sure I wanted to find it. The Old, Dark House is a film that has been made and then re-made at different times. The specific version I was looking for came out around 1963. Based on the 1932 film of the same name it is described as a comedy/horror film featuring the lovely Janette Scott. 

American car salesman, Tom, is invited by his friend and flat mate to Femm Hall, his ancestral home. But once Tom arrives arcane events and a collection of bizarre family members set him on edge making  for a mystery waiting to be unravelled. 

With this film I feel that the less said on the movie, the better you'll find it. It's so strange, it builds up perfectly. Though I'm sure you can find it on Amazon or in film stores I can't seem to find a UK version of the DVD. Thankfully, though, I found it all on YouTube and have linked the videos at the end of this post for you. 

Definitely a film for anyone who enjoyed films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Day of the Triffids, Cold Comfort Farm, Clue, To Catch a Thief etc.

Enjoy - let me know your thoughts on the film in the comments.

Part One of The Old, Dark House (1963)
Part Two of The Old, Dark House (1963)
Part Three of The Old Dark House (1963)
Part Four of The Old Dark House (1963)
Part Five of The Old Dark House (1963)
Part Six of The Old Dark House (1963)

Recommended Reads

Another Wednesday means it's time for our recommended reads! This week is brought to you by overly romantic puppies as pictured to the right of this text.

Here are my recommendations for the week:

• How to conserve your iPad battery (satire)
• Ever wanted to see what it'd be like if superheroes texted each other? Click right here to see it.
• Imagine if Google Street Scene captured scenes from movies? This Tumblr has imagined that and brought it to you
• What's this? YouTube is having a GEEK WEEK? Click here for the promo vid.

My Favourite Films

I love movies. To me the cinema is a wonderful, exciting place. I've worked at movie festivals.

Girl, Interruped

This film is a must-see for anyone living with any sort of mental health problem. The storyline? A young woman is sent to a mental health facility for a 'rest', expecting a week's stay, and is there for two years of her life.

This film is based on a true story and I also highly recommend the book. Angelina Jolie and Wynona Ryder deliver truly powerful and resonant performances in this drama.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship of The Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King

This one should be rather obvious by now. I'm a bit of a Tolkien nerd and these films are like comfort food to me. Peter Jackson took on a monumental task in translating Middle Earth for the silver screen and did it elegantly and faithfully.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

I really enjoyed the first part of this new Peter Jackson trilogy. I actually began to tear up in the cinema; firstly when Thorin and the dwarves brought out the map of Middle Earth and secondly when we reached my favourite chapter of the book, "Riddles In The Dark"
I'm optimistic for the two films that lie ahead and you can believe I'll be seeing them as soon as they're out.

The 'Underworld' Saga

I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of the vampire genre. Since my early adolescence I have been reading vampire literature, watching vampire flicks. I don't know why - I've always loved it. No, before you ask, I don't like the Twilight saga/franchise. Trust me, darling... I was a vampire nerd before it was cool 
These films are full of attractive people with guns and lots of action scenes. What more do you need?

The Breakfast Club

It should need little or no explanation.
This film is a classic, a must see for any teens or young adults.
In fact I'd be slightly dubious of anyone who openly claims that they have not seen this film. John Hughes was an excellent film maker and this movie is arguably his greatest.
If you've not seen it then I assure you that you've missed out.

Labyrinth

We all have that film that we love and consider it a guilty pleasure, right?
Well this is mine.
Love it, watch it at least once a year, I even own the soundtrack.
I'm a fan of Bowie and Jim Henson so anything that combines them obviously makes me a happy lady.






Moulin Rouge!

Moulin Rouge is such a moving and beautiful film and will forever remain a favourite of mine. Every little aspect of the film is so visually stunning that it is a feast for the eyes.
In fact everything Baz Luhrmann does is beautiful. The Great Gatsby had the same effect on me. I felt like my eyes were feasting.
It's like scenery/costume porn.

Thank you, Baz,








What are some of YOUR favourite movies?
What do you like about them?
Let me know in the comments or tweet me your answers.

Under-appreciated Movies: Josie And The Pussycats

Here I want to highlight another excellent film that is totally overlooked and should be way more popular than it currently is. This film is Josie and the Pussycats. Released in 2001 this is a film I found and rented on VHS at a small town corner-shop. Boy, does that make me feel old...

Based on the Hanna Barbera cartoon, this live action film follows three aspiring musicians and their band as they suddenly and mysteriously shoot directly into stardom. This film provides a wonderfully post-modern and satirical view of the pop music industry full of subtle humour from start to finish. A running gag in the show is the theme of subliminal messaging. A huge plot point is the idea of subliminal messaging in pop music. This is mirrored with subtle product placement in almost every scene. Full of music from one of my favourite 90s bands, Letters To Cleo, this is a film that is incredibly underrated. It makes interesting statements about the music industry and the relationship we have with it. The film boasts some really great moments and a talented cast. My favourite moment is when one character subtly breaks the fourth wall without any of the characters noticing. This is a sly jab at consumerism, greed and the pursuit of fame/fortune. I'd say this is the perfect film to cuddle up to on a lazy evening in.

Post dissertation requirements.

After the dissertation this is my list of things I'll need for a full emotional recovery:

• My bed
• Blankets
• My beautiful, beautiful zebra onesie
• My laptop (I mean, I have a conference paper to start writing, but I'll do it from the comfort of my bed)
• Several days off before moving on to any more work.
• Movies
• Chocolate
• Kittens
• Someone to ruffle my hair, stroke my forehead and tell me I'm a pretty girl.
• Pizza
• More chocolate
• More kittens
• More pizza

(Kitten therapy, Scurbs. Someone, please arrange this for me?)

I'm also going to buy myself Game of Thrones Season Two on DVD and The Hobbit on DVD as post dissertation presents to myself. No better pat on the back than a slow descent into various fantasy worlds and forgetting the one you've been born into for a while.

Daily Smile: Video of the Day

Working on my dissertation today but I saw this posted up on the Mary Sue website (which, by the way, I totally recommend to any geeks out there - especially lady geeks)

Imagine all your favourite films got the one thing they sorely needed but lacked.

You guessed it.

MORE BATMAN!