Films I'm Looking Forward To In 2017!

I didn't want to do a round up of all the films I've loved this year because I'm way too excited for the films coming out! and I'm sure these films will be on here.

Beauty & The Beast

I'm so excited for this film! I love Disney and Emma Watson, and Musicals so oh my god. I can't wait, I've seen some promotional pictures and the trailer for the film, the film already looks gorgeous. I cannot wait my excitement for this film is just out of this world, I love Beauty & The Beast anyway, but the musical is one of my favorites, and Belle ahhh.

Wonder Woman

Again, beyond excited Gal Gadot just looks amazing in this role. Its about time that film about Wonder Woman came out, because she is needed now more than ever. The costume of Wonder Woman is so brilliant and modern, the story of how Wonder Woman became Wonder Woman is abit different in this one. We're seeing a much more modern Wonder Woman already, I can't wait.

Dunkirk 

I'm ecstatic for this film, as its a story I've never seen told on this level before. I love period drama films, and disaster films already so this is right up my street. Plus it Chrisopher Nolan directed it and its gonna be good, I can feel it already. I don't know that much about the battle at Dunkirk, but I'm very excited about this film. I'm also interested to see Harry Styles's performance in the film, because I don't think I've seen him act before.  


Murder on the Orient Express

I only found out they were doing a film of this last week, but oh god I'm intrigued already. I mean its an Agatha Christie story with really good actors, like Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Daisy Ridley and Michelle Pfeiffer. Its gonna be interesting and enjoyable to watch, there are no production pictures at the moment but here's a gif from one of the first adaptations of the film.  

Spider-Man: Homecoming

If you read my favorite Comic Book Characters post then you will all know my love for the Human Spider. I'm so looking forward to seeing Tom Holland as Spider-Man, well he was in Captain America: Civil War but this is his first full film as Spider-Man. I can't wait as his Spider-Man looks so unique and different from any I've seen before. His costume is much more vibrant than it usually is, and its a different story of Spider-Man than we've seen before its Spider-Man when he meets Tony Stark, so I'm looking to that. 

The Dark Tower

I already love Stephen King, so a film on one of his books is just perfect. It also had Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba, so its gonna be good. I've also never read The Dark Tower series, so its already made me more excited. I'm not sure if they're gonna make one film or turn it into a film series like Harry Potter. But they're making the last book into a film, but hey they can do anything, but it looks amazing.

So thats it for me in 2016! I will speak to you all very very soon. I hope you all are excited about these film releases as much as I am, have a good new year and a brilliant 2017!

Peppermint Friday Review #16: The Lady In The Van

Its been a week, sorry about that Christmas happen. Hope you all had a good one, I'm gonna talk about this film which is one of my favorites. 

I don't know why I didn't see this film up til now, because its really good. Its about Allen Bennett (who wrote this story) who lives in Camden with an old lady who lives in a van on that road, well I mean the title speaks for itself. Its the question of who is this woman? Why does she live in a van? What has she done? Its so personal and bonkers at the same time. Maggie Smith is brilliant, well she always is really a big inspiration of mine, she captures Mary Shepard (real name Margaret Fairchild) fantastically to the point where I can't see anyone playing her except her. 

What I loved the most about this film is the distinguish between writer Allen and everyday Allen, because in a way it does capture being a writer or just someone alone and creative that doesn't have that much human interaction. Where he just talked to himself, and had arguments with himself. I knew who Allen Bennett was a little, I mean I watched The History Boys and that was good, but I wasn't obsessed with him, and he has a very particular writing style as it sets him apart from any writer. After this film, I think I can say he's gonna become a fast favorite. 

I loved Alex Jennings he was so good at being the tolerant neighbour of Mary. When I saw searching for who directed it, and in it I notice allot of them did allot of work in theatre. Which was really good, as it showed for me a different side to a director's vision. Nicholas Hytner who directed it did alot of theatre and opera work plus he directed the theatre plays of The History Boys and The Lady In The Van. It was refreshing to watch a film with a director who mainly did theatre work, to do a film. 

All the cameos of The History Boys were brilliant, especially as we all know James Corden is this big star now. This film really is brilliant, the story of the lady is so intriguing and wonderful. Its a beautifully written story that I love very much. I'll do a post tomorrow on the last day of 2016! and I shall speak to you all very soon!

Review: Its A Wonderful Life

Merry Christmas everyone! so as promised I watched Its a Wonderful Life as its a beautiful film and one of my favorites. 

We all know the film, and story but it is so relevant to today with everything's thats happen in the year 2016. It centres around George and we go on a journey with him, and we see him as a little boy and when he's got his first girlfriend. Everything that happens to his life that is relevant and significant to him, up to him as an adult. George owes $8000 for a loan, and is rock bottom little did he know he had an angel, but a 2nd class angel with no wings. George then tells him that he wishes he was never born, the angel Clarence tries to show him that life is worth living. 

George and Mary are both beautifully cast, they're both different from each other because they both evolve and change overtime, sometimes in a good way but also in a ba way, George has been through some real crappy things, whereas with Mary she's not a hardboiled as George is, if that makes sens. I do love that though as its yin and yang, for there relationship and when George wishes, he never existed Mary becomes a liberian and is totally opposite to what we see before, Donna Reed and James Stewart have such amazing chemistry. 

The story is so relatable to any time period as we all know a George we've all been a George at one point in our lives, and I had to do a review one this film as its relevant to 2016 and its one of my favorite films, and a film that I think everyone loves. Henry Potter who is the films antagonist and George's rival is casted perfectly and is opposite in terms of looks, and demeanor to George. George is this kind, honest man and Henry is this evil, tyrant of a man and doesn't have that much care for people. The fact that George is this good looking tall and slim man, and Henry is this overweight pipesmoking boss.

We all love it in the end where Henry gets his just desserts, lets face it and we all wanted George to win in the end, and he did and it makes me so happy. What I love about this film is that in some ways its not just a 'Christmas Film' I mean yes its set during Christmas time, but its also about friends, family and being a good person, and remembering who will always be there for you. LIke in the 'Bishop's Wife' post yesterday, its the message of the story which I love so much. Its a message that we all should learn and know throughout different times of the year, and its a classic for a reason. 

The fact that it was made during World War II, and its a character which I think everyone can relate to during that time of it being pretty hard, as it is now in a way. Its easy to forget about the simple things of life, and that the bad guy will always be a bad guy, only if he changes his ways. In the end with George rushing home to his family and its beautiful to watch. 

I shall leave you all with this gif from the film, and I will speak to you all after Christmas! Have a good Christmas everyone! 💙💜🎄🎅✨

Peppermint Friday Review #15: The Bishop's Wife

Before I begin talking about this gem of a film, I will be doing a special Christmas Eve film review (which is tomorrow!) as it is Christmas and the time of giving I thought why not, and they are both gorgeous films.

Anyway, this film is just beautiful not because it has Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young but it has a such a beautiful sentimental element to it. Its about a bishop called Henry who is played by David Niven, and he is finding hard to get the funding for the new cathedral being built. He prays for some guidance, and an angel appears called Dudley, played by Cary Grant everyone is wooed by Dudley especially the Bishop's wife Julia.

I loved this film, as well its set in the 1940's and that to me just oozes with brilliance. It has David Niven playing a character entirely different from 'A Matter of Life and Death' he is not charming, and dashingly poetic in this film, he's the opposite which I love because he is just incredible. Cary Grant is as charming and handsome as always, the chemistry and the scenes with Henry and Dudley were so much fun to watch as they are just opposites from each other. During Dudley's visit Henry gets very focused on the cathedral, and forgets momentarily about his wife and daughter. 

The message of this film is very important, and wonderful it tells a tale of a man who wants to good by his wife and daughter, and the whole church community. He gets an angel who wants to give him guidance, he then becomes so obsessed with finishing this cathedral, he realises he's abandoned his wife for this angel and thinks he'll never get her back and loses the true meaning of Christmas that it doesn't really matter how amazing a job is family and the people you love is very important and remember where they are. 

The witt aswell is just perfect to this film, David Niven stuck in a chair is the funniest and best thing you'll ever see, and Cary Grant getting the little girl to play with the boys in the park is one of the sweetest things you'll ever see, I mean I don't condom to cheating but in fiction and when its Cary Grant a girl can't resist. I also love the fact that Cary Grant's character is this suave, sophisticated angel and his name is Dudley.

The fact that this film was made 2 years into World War II and its such a heartwarming story, is so beautiful I mean I've noticed alot of films during this time have a gorgeous sentimental message and output to them all. Loretta Young is an actress whom I'm not familiar with yet, and I'm certain I will be watching much more of her very soon! She is just fantastic in this film, the bit where they're ice skating will just melt your heart she is elegant and a pleasure to watch.

This film is a beautiful film to watch and a perfect story, If you love Cary Grant or David Niven, or like me both! Then you need to watch it, it's so pretty and I'd like to say one of my favorite films of all time. Tomorrow the review will be very similar to this film, but not the same I won't tell you just yet you'll have to watch but it is one of my favorite films ever. 

Favourite Christmas Films

This post is a very festive post, and equally appropriate as its Christmas in 5 days, so why not and plus I'm pretty sure these films will be on TV throughout the festive season, and thats one of the reasons as to why I love the festive, theres just films galore!

Elf

One of the first Christmas films I remember watching, like Will Ferrell is just perfect in that. It was this adult man being an elf, and abit silly round others during festive season. Zooey Deschanel and Peter Dinklege in this film are just amazing. If you haven't watched this, like where have you been? Its a goldmine, I adore it so so so much and I watch it every year.

Miracle on 34th Street

I'm not talking about the 1940s one I'm talking about the 90s one with Richard Attenborough and Mara Wilson, and the very handsome Dylan McDermott. When I was a kid I was very familiar already with Mara Wilson as she was in Matilda one of my favourite books, when I was a kid. I automatically warmed to this film, and I adore the original so much. Its about a young girl who doesn't believe in Father Christmas and them meets a man at a mall during a 'Meet Father Christmas' who is very much like Father Christmas. Its one of those films where you just feel all warm and fuzzy. I was always loved the gorgeous costumes in the film aswell, love all the coats and dresses. 

The Polar Express

Love this film, as many of you will know I grew up with Tom Hanks's voice, in Toy Story and this. For me this just screams nostalgia for me the music is amazing, the voice cast is just perfect for the film. As a kid it was just magical, and the hot chocolate and the interior of the Polar Express was just wonderful.                                                                                                            

The Muppets Christmas Carol

Everyone knows this story its been told hundreds and hundreds of times. We all have our favourite interpretations of this story but this one's my favourite, I mean its Michael Caine and Muppets and singing, whats not to like? Its a wonderful story, amazing characters and I just love it, like most of the films on this list if you didn't already know. My favourite Muppet if you wanna know is Beaker, the songs are amazing I love 'Thankful Heart' and 'One More Sleep til Christmas'.                                                                                                                    

                             

The Grinch

He's cuddly as a cactus, again another comedy musical one. As all of these films are, of course but I mean the Grinch is just one of those films you have to watch. Its Dr Suess, and he is just a rhyming story telling king. Love Jim Carrey and Dr Suess was one of the first people I heard from, just the whole fictional town of Whoville is so relevant and magical.

                         

Home Alone

Another quotable and hilarious film, that will make you all warm and snuggly. Macauley Culkin carries this effortlessly, and I think everyone wanted to be him when he was a kid, just alone in that house, but during Christmas time its a different matter. I'll never forget the burglar scene, its just so funny and makes me so happy. We all know being Home Alone like that isn't that fun when you're older.                                                                                                            

The Snowman

Because its Christmas I'm gonna do an extra review, and this one's very special to me and this blog. I have watched this film every year without fail since I was tiny, and its also the first Short Film I've ever reviewed on this Blog, which will change as I will review Short Films more as there are some absolute gems out there. This film is just amazing, and for me it shows that filmmaking and storytelling can be so easy, and simple to make and very effective. Theres just music, no dialogue and I love it.

                                                                                                                     

Peppermint Friday Review #14: Moana

I know I've said that Doctor Strange was the last film I was gonna see for while in the cinema, but this film ahh couldn't resist, its Disney I got my mum to see it with me and she's not too keen on Disney (yes its crazy) and she loved it, and I need to talk about this film. 

The film is about a girl called Moana and she is the daughter of the Chief of the village on the island of Motunui, and she is about to become the next Chief of the island. Until everything on the island is going rotten and there are no fish, Moana decides to seek out of the island and into the ocean to find Maui who is a demigod and has the heart of the island. Her father is very protective and doesn't want Moana to go into the ocean when thats something she wants to do more than anything. 

Its set in the Polynesian island which is something I love because representation is important, I'm not of Polynesian decent, but I love that theres a character from Disney that girls of that decent can relate to, but in any case regardless of skin colour I guess any girls can relate to Moana or Belle, Ariel, Tiana. I love Moana's special power of controlling the ocean, or the ocean being alive like special friend, or something I don't know. The film was made by the same people who made The Princess and The Frog, and they did a marvelous job with the music and the story, and I can see the similarities of Princess and The Frog and Moana, as Maui and Prince Naveen were born from greatness and they meet a girl who is very headstrong, and independent. They need help as they don't necessarily have the power to be great until they get it back.

One of the biggest things I love about Disney is the music, the music for this film fits so well for the film, its all islandy and relaxed but at the same time strong and powerful. I love 'You're Welcome' which is sung by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, which by the way is such a good singer, like you listen to the song and like all Disney songs it will be in your head all day. The characters I love are Moana, and Maui obviously, and Grandma is so funny, and she loves the ocean like Moana, and she comes from the back of the head in a way. The sidekicks Moana has are so funny and unique, Heihei the rooster doesn't really say anything and he makes me laugh, Tamota the crab is just hysterical, Moana's pig is very cute and funny.

I mean I love this film, and I would see it again not in the cinema because I'm not made of money. But I mean I love the soundtrack, and I guess you can listen to the soundtrack without watching the film, but watch the film cus I loved it. The songs in itself are very much storytelling and enjoyment of the characters. Just go watch this film, its so funny and uplifting. 

I Love Disney

Sorry for lack of posts, things happen Christmas is next week! Thats gonna happen wow its just gone so quickly massive shock. So we're gonna talk about one of my favorite things and thats Disney! and as my last post got abit serious and after I watch Gummo I actually went on a Disney Movie spree, as they also feel very christmasy just me? okay. But I'm gonna talk about my favorite Disney Films, and characters also the lessons they taught me.

Bambi

This film, ahh this film I love it so much. The songs are so pretty and amazing and the fact the animals makes me so happy. I mean I love animals and this film is part of the reason as to why I talk to animals. Obvious the dead mother part is horrific, but I love the animation and the fact that it was made in the 1940s is amazing, as without the beginning of Disney we wouldn't get Frozen and Pixar and all the marvelous things Disney has to offer. All the animals are incredible I love Bambi, Thumper they're all so silly and adorable. 

Honey I Shrunk The Kids

This film makes me feel really festive I say this as everytime I watch this its around the festive christmas period. The dialogue is witty and to the point, but the characters are wonderfully well written. It has the fantastic Rick Moranis as the father who is an inventor and makes a machine, his children and neighbours use it and suddenly they're shrunken. As we all know Rick Moranis is pretty much the face of the 80s films so its automatically an amazing film. I loved the ant they rode, and the giant biscuit, I wanted to each it.

   
A Goofy Movie

I think everyone in the Mickey Mouse Club who I love, and hold a special place in my heart was Goofy, Now i do love Mickey and Minnie and Pluto of course, but I mean Goofy for me just stole my heart and totally let him and love that he did. I loved how funny and well goofy he is, he didn't really take himself seriously at the same time in this film he showed a different side that we don't normally see, and I love this film so much and Goofy in particular.

Pocahontas

Pocahontas is actually one of my favorite Princesses, as she's kind, courageous and amazing with animals, and an outstanding voice. Little fact from Zara actually the song Colours of the Wind was my go to song for any audition, and it remains and still is, one of my favorite songs of all time. I adore Pocahontas as a character and I can relate to her so much, during the time of making this film at the same time The Lion King was made and more money and people wanted to be on Pocahontas, as people thought it would be better and more successful. But The Lion KIng ended up making more money, but I still adore and love Pocahontas.

The Aristocats

We all know how much I love cats, and this film has talking cats, and talking kittens and they sing really well! The film is so amazing and proves that cats are better than humans, it shows cats of all backgrounds and breeds. The music is so funny and catchy, just listen to 'Everybody wants to be a cat' and it will be stuck in your head all day. I can understand why people are abit 'eh' with this film, as it involves cats and theres a bit where a cat is singing in a chinese accent, on the piano and doing it with chopsticks. But if you don't take it seriously then its barrel of laughs.

Big Hero 6

This film is actually a bit serious, for kids as it deals with grief but its so amazing and heartwarming. It deals with science, and being creative at the same time its so wonderful. Its actually one of my favorite films of all time, I love Baymax, and Hero, Honey Lemon. They're all so funny, and witty I just love it so much. It actually made me cry while I was watching it, as I can relate to it so fully. 

This will not be the last time I will talk about Disney, and Pixar. As the year of 2017 will be the year of many posts and all my favorite things. Plus this Friday Review will be the last 2016 film I'll watch, what I mean by that is 2016 release. Not all together, but I'm very much looking forward to 2017 not only for this blog, but the whole year.

Peppermint Friday Review #13: Gummo

This is a weird one, as I had to watch this again because and I know this is gonna sound abit stupid to say but I didn't get it the first time, as if I didn't watch it properly but it was so weird I didn't know what it was about. The film is about....I'm not sure the outline plot on IMDB is 'Lonely residents of a tornado stricken Ohio town wander the deserted landscape trying to fulfill their boring, nihilistic lives.' But this story has a hundred different plots and it doesn't necessarily consist if that makes sense. 

Its like short films, improv scenes and home movies collided into one, there were bits of the film I thought 'thats interesting' not that I liked them but found interesting, but also there were bits that I hated and they were the constant images and scenes of dead cats or cats being shot and chase. That kinda stuff makes me abit uncomfortable because I love cats and animals, and I cannot stand to see animals particularly. I can kinda understand and see how the Director/Writer wanted it to be portrayed as the boys were just bored and wanted something wild to do, or because they were very poor and had bad families, could be anything for the reason, I don't know but that creeped me out. 

The Director/Writer of the film is Harmony Korine who made the recent film Spring Breakers, but other than that I'm not that familiar with his work. But that doesn't mean anything, one thing that I found fascinating was the bunny boy throughout the film, he provided an air of mystery throughout the film, particularly when the boys are shooting him with pretend guns, bunny boy doesn't say anything and thats one of the reasons why he's a mystery of course and the character sets out to be a mystery.

One thing that made me cringed so badly, and just makes me cringe in general was the girl in the end who shaved off her eyebrows and that makes me cringe, and I don't know what it does but I hate it. Anyway I thought she was quite nice, because it felt that she didn't realise herself if that makes sense. She was just really genuine, throughout the film I mean the majority of the characters for me anyway didn't really feel real, they might for you and thats great. I loved the soundtrack of the film, as it was added like lighting is makes the scene.

Put it this way I will never forget this film, as it dented itself into my memory. Not for good reasons not for bad, I mean it did feel like an Indie film, and in some ways it was and it did feel like allot of improv was in the film, and apparently it was. Its very organic this film, and its different and incredibly unique and that is always a good thing, but I didn't like the amount of dead cats there were in the film, but also they were lacking in the wardrobe department for guys, as most of the men in this film were shirtless. Not that thats, bad or good, merely an observation. The cast in the film didn't go on to other things, and it felt that they were real people not actors, apart from Chloe Sevigny, and she was married to Harmony Korine. Anyway this film is weird one, but I included it as the main character is a teenager. But I can reassure you all that next week, will be lighter.

  

Favorite Teen Films

Teen films are a genre of itself entirely, like whether it'd be something thats hilarious or real-life teen drama, thats #relatable LOL OMFG😂😀✌either way its all brilliant.

Heathers

This film is actually one of my favourites, as its a dark comedy and makes something as dark as a sociopath who wants to kill everyone and pass it off as a suicide into a comedy of sorts. Its been made into a musical which I believe is brilliant, and I need it to be in the UK so I can watch it, and its a fantastic story and I loved it. Again like Clueless I love the costumes, I do have a thing as you all know with 80s films, and it has Wiona Rider and Christian Slater.

Mean Girls

I do feel that everyone has that 'film must see' list and Mean Girls is one of them. Its so so funny, and witty everyone is brilliant in this film and with its very quotable lines, its such a staple film. WIth most of these films the theme is teen as in the main character is a teenager, but also its a comedy feel and kinda dark. Everyone has a favorite character in, I love Janis, and Regina, Damian everyone in the films is brilliant, and the comic timing is fantastic. The film also has alot deep and sincere moments.

The Breakfast Club

Now I know that this will obviously be on everyone's list, but it is amazing and I love it. It does have the ending in a 'we all learned something way' if you like it not, its a memorable film. I love the whole different cliques and we aren't different in a way, again this film is very aesthetically pleasing to watch, as with the costumes and the school its just so perfectly satisfying to watch. Each of the characters are unique but also not the typical sterotypes, and over exaggerateded and flawed.

Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging

I think this film was the first film that I could talk to girls about at school, as there were books on the film and it was so funny, and relatable. It goes into the life of Georgia Nicholson her friends, and life in Eastbourne, surrounding boys, and taking magazines and books way to seriously and not focusing on her own instincts when it comes to dating. But I love the funny bits in the film, a golden moment for me is when Georgia has her first 'snogging session' with a guy from school, who does this like a service, kinda like a borderline prostitute not that thats a bad thing. 

The Inbetweeners Movie

Oh this film, also note how I put two British films in this list, one more so for girls and a slightly younger audience and another being more aimed at boys, and more for the older teenagers.I'm talking about the first because I do prefer it. I love this film the series was brilliant, and I loved watching this film and the series, because for me it was the first thing I watched that was rude, and I felt a tiny bit sneaky watching this when I was 12. Its so funny and everyone has a favourite character or a character that they think they are like the most. I love Neil and Simon because they both have such tragic and amusingly funny to watch lives. I'm also glad that they stopped the Inbetweeners at the last film when they on a Gap year in Australia, as it would've looked abit weird if they carried on at like 30 (even though the actors are 30), but it would still look weird if they carried on acting like teenagers.                                                                          

Rebel Without A Cause

Everyone knows how I feel about James Dean, and a post talking about Teen Films wouldn't be complete without talking about this amazingly handsome man. Its abit more serious than the last ones, as its about teenage crime and being this rebel obviously without a cause, and the whole angsty teenager. But this film is the reason why so many films now have allot of teenage main protagonists, with James Dean being this bad boy destroyed poet Jim Stark. Natalie Wood is amazing in this film aswell, she was about 16 or so when the film was made and James was in his 20s. But the chemistry they have is outstanding, they did do this very little stage play when James was very new to film acting and Natalie played her first 'adult role'.