21st century girl

reviews – my way.

Month: February, 2014

Outnumbered S5 Episode 4

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‘One time someone stole someone else’s custard,’

Camping, carbs and cake joins in the latest episode of the award winning sitcom, who, 4 weeks ago, welcomed us back into the hectic and too- close-to comfort Brockman household.

Ben and Pete go on a camping holiday, resulting in using bacon as traps, using condoms and socks to carry water while realizing why they have extra light not for the light, while Pete’s  goddaughter (who is a bikini model) Stacey attempts to talk to Karen about diets, which desperately worries Sue and Jake has to think about his gap year. 

This episode is one of the ones where you don’t know what to think of it the first time round,but I think the thing with this series is that they get better as the series goes on. There’s only two more episodes left to watch. (NOOOOOO, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY WEDNESDAY EVENINGS AFTER THE REMAINING TWO WEEKS ARE OVER??????) 

However, they can’t keep dragging on Outnumbered, especially as Tyger -Drew Honey is now 18 and in some places the episode was rather monotonous. 

4/5

 

Filth

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Based on the book of the same name by Irvine Welsh, John S. Bard directs a filthy, greasy romp (literally a romp) about a bipolar policeman who wants a promotion. Along the way, as well as the drugs, there is a tapeworm to deal with. Starring James McAvoy and Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot boy) this is nothing like any other James McAvoy movie. A separation from his usual roles as hunky love interests, and far from the dancing prepubescent boy for Bell (even if Bell did Billy Elliott over 13 years ago now), Filth gives a chance to McAvoy to pursue different roles.

Firstly, I don’t like this film as much as I would for movies within my comfort zone. The book, I actually refused to read as the front cover had a mouse or rat on it and I have a fear of even a picture of those sorts of rodents, however it is apparently a metaphor for being trapped. I nearly refused to watch this film as well. 

To begin with, as it is an 18 and not even my type of movie, I found that Filth was not a film for me because it was too weird to watch and it was rather peverse at times; if you want to watch a James McAvoy film don’t bother trying to start on this one, maybe watch Atonement or Gnomeo and Juliet. On the other hand, the cinematography of bluetones created  the effect of being rather dark, the sense of filth and drugs that get darker as the film goes on, and the hallucinations that he gets of his brother was interesting and probably the highlight of the movie itself.

Jim Broadbent was very good as Dr. Rossi, an unnerving psychiatrist of McAvoy’s character Bruce Robertson but the scenes of Rossi taunting Bruce are in fact only in his head, as are most of the film, and the frequent pig head.

Good film if you want a more mature James McAvoy film and presumably if you are over 16 or 18 or whatever, if you can handle several awkward scenes, however if your main comfort zone is blockbusting new releases in the cinema, cartoons or animated films, romance, sci fi, or the slightly watered down Martin Scorsese films then this is not the film for you. Considering it’s rating, don’t watch it with younger people (if you are below 18). Most of the scenes are rather comical, others are just plain weird. Maybe if I was older then I would enjoy this film a little more but I am not so its back to sci- fi films and twee rom-coms. 

2/5 

The BAFTAS 2014

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BAFTAS. One of the highlights to the movie businesses year where celebrities dress up in glitzy designer dresses and the men show off in their fancy suits (tuxedos) with their arm candy companions to what is basically a glitzy prize giving. 

So whether it is Stephen Fry presenting, Tom Hanks’ fingers in mouth whistling, Leonardo DiCaprio’s kiss at the camera which got people fangirling, Emma Thompson flicking two fingers up, or Will Poulter and his experiences with watching Finding Nemo with his Dad, The BAFTAS has it’s comical side to it, even if everyone was apparently antisocial at the afterparty. 

I don’t think, as far as I know, that Prince William has ever presented, but even so he did a good job at it. 

Many movies, two of which are Gravity which won a fair amount and 12 years a Slave won Best Movie, however I thought that Tom Hanks would win multiple awards, and Leonardo DiCaprio as well.

As a movie fan, I enjoy watching award shows like The BAFTAS, even if it means annoying my older sister by squealing and fangirling. Stephen Fry’s one liners in the middle of every category was definitely lifting, especially when he speaks German.

On the downsides, the BAFTAS again reminds me of a prize giving where one person leaves with multiple awards while others (Tom Hanks or Leo DiCaprio) leave with nothing.  

Thanks for reading.

BAFTAS= 9/10

Outnumbered S5 Ep3

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“I just wonder how things grow, and grow”

 

Babies, lies and goddaughters bring a breath of teenage boys and memories in this third episode of the latest Outnumbered series. Jake has a girlfriend round and talks to Ben about girls as Ben is still Spartacus but has an eye for Pete’s goddaughter (who, according to Sue, dresses like a prostitute), Karen is her normal self, although she is still concerned about the hamster under the floorboards and Sue is trying to look after a cute baby called James.

This is far off from any other of the three episodes released already. Ben is releasing his inner teenager, and although Jake reminds me way too much of my older brother it is like we have seen him (Jake) grow up. Watching Outnumbered every Wednesday at 9pm has become part of my week, and it would be unfortunate when those six episodes are up, however it is a little too close to comfort.

It would be sad to see it go, but that is three weeks away and I can already draw conclusions.

If I would rate this episode I would give it a 8/10    

 

 

Life

What was the first movie you saw in the cinema and what do you remember about that visit?

1. First movie I saw in the cinema- I can’t actually remember, however I watched Shrek 2 when it was out in 2004 and my then- baby brother cried because of the noise.

Are there any movies you have very strong memories of which are not because of the movie (for example something which happened at the time you were watching it)?

2.) When I watched Titanic (1996 version) when I was little (six at least) and I told the teachers and classmates that I had watched it despite then being aimed for people twice that age. 

Which movies had a big impact on you and changed a (small) part of your view on life?

3.) I think The Green Mile did because it taught me that you can’t accuse people because of who they are and Water For Elephants taught me that a circus is more than glittery costumes and entertainment. 

Do you have any comfort movies which you return to because you are in a specific mood (for example if you are feeling down/nursing a heartbreak)?

3.) Probably girly rom-coms  like Mean Girls, Pitch Perfect or Legally Blonde because I don’t have to think. 

If a movie would be made about your life, what type of movie would it be and who would you like to portray you?

4.)A horror film haha. No not really probably a comedy and I don’t know who I would like to portray me.

Which existing movie best represents you?

5.) I don’t know. 

 If you knew you would die tomorrow, what would be the last movie you would want to see?

6.) Probably Now is Good, My Sister’s keeper. I don’t know.

 If you can spend your life working in the film industry, what would you be and why? (you know, director, producer, actor, cinematographer, costume designer, sound designer etc?)

7.) Director because they’re usually quite weird, actos are interested and you can hire the same ones over and over again. 

Love

Did you ever have a first kiss with someone while at the cinema and if so which movie was playing?

1.) No. 

What is your favourite movie relationship and why?

2.) Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan because he seems so perfect for her especially as she didn’t really have a choice with Tom. 

When did your love for movies start and how has it grown?

3.) When I was little, watching Barbie DVDs on repeat and it is grown so I now often watch complex films. 

If you have to choose one film to watch with your loved one, what would it be and why?

4.) I don’t know. 

If you can choose one character from a movie to be your significant other who would it be and why?

5.) Jay Gatsby, Jack Dawson, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) because they are all good looking and heroic. 

What was the first movie that made you fall in in love with film and cinema?

6.) Again, Titanic and especially Nanny McPhee because there was something magical about it. A fair share of Disney films as well like Sleeping Beauty. 

How did your passion for movies turn you into a movie blogger?

7.) As I avidly watch movies, mostly Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks or Robert Pattinson ones, my sister had set up a blog of her own and she set up one for me. My first post was the Illusionist last June and since then I have been reviewing nearly every film that I watch. 

What is your favourite date from a movie?

8.) I like the date from a Robert Pattinson movie called Remember Me because it is rather comical and it is most girls’ dream to go out with Robert Pattinson.

 

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The Fault in our Stars by John Green

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‘I’ll fight it. I’ll fight it for you. Don’t you worry about me, Hazel Grace. I’m okay. I’ll find a way to hang around and annoy you for a long time’

 

Now is Good meets My Sister’s Keeper in this poignant story of sixteen year old Thyroid cancer patient Hazel Grace Lancaster who joins a group and meets Augustus Waters, a boy who lost his right leg to another type of cancer. Both of them share their love of books and save their wish to go and meet their favourite author.   

Firstly, I enjoyed this book. I finished it after about three days and loved reading every word of it. My sister had read it, my friend had read it and considering there is a film version coming out about it starring actors that I haven’t really heard of, it inspired me to read it as books based on movies are better for comparative reasons.

It is a break from what I normally read and its necessary that it is predictable as there is little to no empathy techniques to make this book a drag, or dramatic punchlines that feel as if you are being lectured. The Fault represents the illness that is killing them as stars are usually bright. Any sort of cancer kills the best of people and the way John Green does all the characters, not all samey, such as Issac with the one eye Augustus with the one leg. 

However, some of it was a bit random  and maybe Augustus was too perfect. What is it with people like Edward Cullen and him that is always perfect? That’s probably the joy of reading a book and being sucked into a world where boys are perfect. 

 

I admit that I cried within the last hundred pages of the novel, although I cry at everything. If you want to read it, make sure you have several boxes of tissues at hand because it really gets you. I have never read a John Green Book before but he has a individual way of writing that, for example, you didn’t know the last chapter from the first page because you can draw conclusions throughout the book.

I suggest that you should read it, although it’s aimed for people aged about 12-20. 

4/5

Ounumbered S5 Episode 2

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Outnumbered returns for the second episode of the 5th series. Everything is hectic as usual and unforgivable as the printer goes bust, eldest son gets driving lessons and insists for a paid instructor, Ben has a fascination in knuckle cracking and psychology theories whilst Karen remains distant from her ‘family of losers’ when Pete messes things up and causes controversies at her swimming gala.

As a teenager, and since the children are now teenagers, it is a relatable programme now. The boy who plays Ben (Daniel something, I think it was Roche I can’t remember) is now eye candy so there is always an excuse for fangirling after a long Wednesday.

This episode gave what the last one lacked. Humour. It was funnier in a way that the antisocial dinner was somewhat hilarious to watch. 

The main concern of Outnumbered, however, I thought that in some places it was more of a nearly all teenager soap opera rather than a TV show. Great show, in fact it is sometimes like I am watching myself (as my Mum would say- too close to comfort). Who doesn’t want to watch a programme which they can relate to, eh? 

Other than that, I think this episode is funny and  relatable, especially when Ben plays on his games console- it cracked me up because my younger brother is just like that (I mean he loves games) 

Verdict: 9/10

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