Sunday 28 May 2017

Review: Bandidas

So we're gonna be talking about a film that I briefly mentioned on my last post this was the most recent film I watched and we're gonna talk about it today, because I really liked it.
One thing I will say about the plot of the film, its kinda like a Ping Pong Match just very sporadic and everyone just happens at once particularly at the beginning of the film, but the way it deals with it is really good. We start with two girls from different backgrounds Sara Sandoval and Maria Alvarez played by Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz. Sara is from a very wealthy privileged background, very intelligent and Maria is total polar opposite to Sara, poor, very street wise. Their fathers Maria's being very kind and caring and Sara's very arrogant and money hungry, Maria's father is being forced off the land by a land Baron called Tyler Jackson played by Dwight Yoakam, both Sara and Maria's father come under attack from the Baron and Maria's father is killed but Sara's survives, and as an act of revenge they team up and become robbers and give back to poor Mexicans.
I like at the beginning they bicker and squabble like girls do and especially if they come from two different backgrounds. They soon meet Bill Buck who is an infamous robber and he helps them trust each other, the whole film is very funny and entertaining to watch. I even like the storyline, I do find it just bonkers its like the explaining the story scene from Moulin Rouge where its very OTT. But I'm not sure if some people will find that rhythm of storytelling in film annoying because I know some people do, but if you like Baz Lurhman then you'll love this as the style of film and his style are very similar. Its interesting because the joint Directors of the film are Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg, there films are not OTT and Happy Clappy, well I mean they've only done two major films this one and Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man Tells No Tales which is out now eek!
Bit of a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, so expect a review of that coming soon. I loved with the dynamic duo of the film, Sara whenever she held a gun her instant nervous
reaction towards it was to just have hiccups, and whereas with Maria is fantastic at guns but can't swim, but Sara can and is incredible at knife throwing. One scene however that not necessarily confused me, but I just didn't get why it was there. It was the scene when they recently met Quentin Cooke and they were trying to seduce him and they bickered about who's sexier and about how they kissed him wrong and such. I just didn't get what that scene bought out of the characters, was it meant to show their friendship and how they can bitch and moan about each other? was it meant to show Quentin being slightly intimidated by these girls? either way I just didn't get it at all.  
The costumes of the film were just brilliant, I already love that Spanish/Mexican part of it as it plays a huge role in the film. Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek are always amazing and actresses that don't often get talked about for the roles they've done, as they usually especially Penelope only get talked about because of how beautiful they are as if that's more important than them being a good actress or how well they played the role, not to say they aren't of course. A part of me wishes they made this film into a franchise but another part of me liked that they didn't as I would've loved to see the characters develop, change and grow older, but also it might probably will be just a remake but slightly different from the last one. Also it might have made it seem abit cheaper, so in some ways this film is like a golden nugget. 
                                                                        
I love this film, if you want a bit of a laugh and to entertain yourself then give it a go, but if you want something serious and hardcore then don't watch it. I have a feeling the whole two females taking on the world kinda thing will come back again, so I think maybe you'll see something along the lines of this again soon. Give this film ago even if you aren't a fan of Penelope Cruz or Salma Hayek as its very funny and quick to watch. I will see you all later and have a good day/evening wherever you are!

Thursday 25 May 2017

Peppermint Friday Review: Gone Girl #37

This is the film I just don't like and I'm happy that I'm talking about this because on here I do talk about films I love and its refreshing to talk about something I didn't like and didn't get.
Firstly I read the book before the film, which is something you should normally do, I try to do that but not always. Its with exception of Harry Potter and LOTR because I watched them when I was around 8-9 and back then I had quite bad dyslexia and those books are huge so I just didn't read them, I have now though. I mean with book to film adaptations there is obviously gonna be a difference in the film, because a director's mind is completely different to an author's and there are some things in the story that are just inherently book oriented and some things that work amazingly for film. What the story is about is Amy and Nick played by Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck a couple who have been married for 5 years and on their 5th Anniversary Amy disappears, and its the story and mystery as to what happened to Amy. 
The film goes in flashbacks to when Nick first met Amy and Amy's past boyfriends and what happened the day she disappeared. Amy is also known as 'Amazing Amy' by the public because of the popular books her parents wrote in the inspiration of their daughter. The story is so flawed and it annoys me because there is noone I can relate to in this story at all not one person is sympathetic at all. The couple are questioning what went wrong in their marriage, they were both unemployed due to the recession which led Nick to have an affair with Andie played by Emily Ratajkowski, and there were problems of whether or not Amy's pregnant. Its a whole public search as to where is Amy and her relationship with Nick, and he becomes a prime suspect that he killed her. As Amy learned that Nick was having an affair so instead of confronting him about it and going from there in their relationship, no she frames him for murder, her murder. 
I just find the whole story ludicrous and I watched the film twice because I wanted to see if I hated the story or the film itself, because there is a difference I liked the actors in the film, but the story and characters were just terrible. Nick meets Tommy played by Scoot McNairy an ex of Amy's who she accused him of rape, he also meets Desi Collings played by Neil Patrick Harris another of Amy's exs who had a restraining order against him, Amy then decides to meet him and wants him to runaway together and that Nick was abusing her. I know its so so so dumb, Amy and Desi capture there old fire in a way and have some fun and as they're doing it, she gets a knife and kills him while they're doing it..... yes you read that. Oh but it gets weirder and much more ludicrous, Amy then gets in her car and still covered in blood, drives home to Nick, while still being covered in blood, not her blood but the guy she just murdered's blood.

I'd like to let you all know that noone questions her about it, and she gets sent to the hospital for check ups I assume and yet still covered in blood and noone questions why. But she names Desi who's dead as her captor and rapist clearing Nick of being a suspect. In the end Amy says to Nick she's pregnant, Nick doesn't believe this and is willing to take a paternity test and decides to stay with Amy. I just find the whole story so stupid its annoying because the concept is brilliant I mean it sounds so juicy and like some Creepypasta that will keep you up at night thinking 'what happened to her?' 'was she killed or did she just had enough?' a million questions go through your mind and it delivers itself like a wet lettuce.
Its not just the film its the book aswell, it took me about a week to read it and it was very slow paced. This has nothing to do with the Director of the film David Fincher who I love so much, but its the story that's at fault. I don't know what the author wanted me to think, was it suppose to be a test of whether or not I have empathy/sympathy because I think most humans do. I could not relate to anyone in this story, I thought Amy was just stupid I mean if you're not happy in your relationship you talk to each other and get it sorted out, whether that'd be splitting up or staying together and working through it. I mean you don't just frame your husband for your murder and leg it? One good thing from this is that she is the third woman in stories for me anyway to make my blood boil with anger. Overall I don't like this story and I'm happy I'm not the only one as I've seen many people take a dislike to this and the book. If you want to watch it go right ahead you're not gonna miss out much from the book, if you wanna read the book then go for it but you'll be wasting a week and about 2 and half hours of your life.  

Tuesday 23 May 2017

Film Tag

Never done one of these before, but why not? and plus you guys can to know me better and I thought it would be fun. So lets go!

1) How often do you watch a film? Considering I'm abit of a film buff and I have a film blog I try to watch atleast 3 or 4 a week.

2) What film genre are you particularly fond of? I love all genres, and I do try to find something good in each genre abit positive I know, not a bad thing at all though. If I had to choose then it would possibly be a Thriller/Drama but it depends on my mood really. 

3) What was the last film that you’ve watched and liked? I watched Bandidas recently and I loved it, I also watched Finding Nemo and Finding Dory because I was talking about it with a bunch of people, in a really deep way and I love those conversations and as soon as I got home I needed to watch it. 

4) What was the last film that you’ve watched and hated? I'm gonna leave you all in suspense and tell you all about it on Friday, because I don't think theres enough negativity on this blog which isn't a bad thing but I do think a film buff there should be some stuff we hate and with good reason. But heres a hint its based of a book and its quite popular, there you are have to wait until Friday!

5) What is your most favorite film of all time? ooh that is a tough one, I have a top 10 list so far, but the one I usually say to people when I can't think of my top ten is probably either A Matter Of Life and Death, or Young Frankenstein because people are always surprised when I say them and I always love that.

6) Your most favorite guilty pleasure film? I don't think I have one, because I love all the films I watch and noone should judge me, but I do have a bit of a thing for true crime stories so things like Moorside the BBC Drama based off true story of Shannon Matthews, and varies others things like that and also documentaries like that aswell. I'm obsessed with documentaries anyway, but its serial killers and all that evil stuff that actually really gets me, I don't want to be like that its just the fascination to me and the psychology behind it all. 

7) What film/films you have watched a million times already? All the Toy Stories, Big, Forrest Gump any Tom Hanks film. The Harry Potter series, Back to the Future series, and The Social Network. 

8) Are you the type who watch film on its first day of showing? Not really, depends how big of a fan I am when I watched Beauty and the Beast I saw that on the weekend it came out so that's how hardcore I am. 

9) Do you use fandango or do you pre-booked film tickets? I don't think we have Fandango in the UK, but no I don't usually pre book tickets for film sometimes for theatre but not really for film. 

10) Cinema, blu-ray, or download? I watch films in the Cinema when they're recent but if theres a DVD version or download either from Amazon, Itunes, or GooglePlay then I'll go for that. 

11) How often do you go to a Cinema to watch a film? Not that often, its really expensive now and where I live doesn't have a cinema so I have to go to the nearby city which is a bus ride 

12) What are the movies that made you cry? I'd say the end of Toy Story, Mary Poppins, Saving Mr Banks and the end of Marley and Me.

13) Do you watch foreign films? I've watched a few, but not a enough as I'd like but that is gonna change.

14) What’s your favorite foreign films? I haven't watched that many, but I'd say Persepolis, and Pinocchio 

15) Who are favorite directors? Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Sofia Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Danny Boyle the list is endless.

16) Are you particular with film scores, soundtracks, and musics? Its important yes, but its not the B all and end all, but they can make a film even better.

17) What film soundtrack can be found in your IPod? Do musicals count? because yes I have all the classic musicals, Singin in the Rain, Moulin Rouge, I even have La La Land aswell, along with all the Disney soundtracks and Pixar soundtracks. I also love Guardians of the Galaxy, Shrek, Perks of being a Wallflower, Hard Days Night (of course) all sorts. 

18) Have you ever watch a film alone in a cinema? Oh yeah, I usually do but when someone wants to come with me they are more than welcome. 

19) What is the best chick-flick for you? I love classic chick flicks, like anything with Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn because they are girly films, but they're also brilliant and not at all cringy, like the modern ones I find. 

20) Your favorite comic book film? ooh I love Spiderman, the Andrew Garfield films and Guardians of the Galaxy, Dark Knight, X Men, Fantastic Four.

21) Is there any film that has changed your perspective in life? A Matter of Life and Death definitely, The Cat Returns and Persepolis they're all wonderful for different reasons and changed my outlook on life, I've done in-depth reviews on them aswell.  

22) DC or Marvel films? That is so tough, I love both for different reasons, I love what they're doing on TV aswell. I just love both of them I can't decide, love 'em!

23) What are the films in the top 10 in IMDB that you have watched? I've watched 6 which is really bad for someone who's meant to be a film buff, but I promise you that will change.

24) Do you read film critic reviews before watching a film? its funny because I have a film blog and I write reviews and that I actually don't read reviews before I watch any film or take what people say into consideration as its opinion and that can vary someone likes one thing and you won't so I take it with a pinch of salt. 

25) What is the best film adapted from a book? Misery hands down

26) Watch the film before reading the book or vice versa? I do try to, because its better understanding of the story.

27) What is your most favorite comedy film? I love comedy, ahhh I love His Girl Friday, Hard Day's Night, Inbetweeners Movies, Charlie Chaplin films, Marx Brothers I love to laugh hahahaha 1000 points if you get that referance!

28) Drama film? ooh Angels with Dirty faces, Forrest Gump, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? theres like billions I could mention. 

29) Western film?  I haven't watched that many westerns, but I'd say Bandidas because its also funny and The Magnificent Seven. 

30) Romantic comedy film? Sabrina, Seven Year Itch, Some Like it Hot, 

31) Horror film? House on Haunted Hill, and The Invisible Man all the classics

32) Sports film? Haven't watched that many sports films, Chariots of Fire, Bend it Like Beckham

33) Sci-fi films? Brazil, Star Wars

34) Action films? The Spy Who Loved Me, Pulp Fiction, Kick Ass

35) War films? The Pianist, Diary Of Anne Frank, Saving Private Ryan

36) Who is your most favorite film couple? When I was a kid I was obessed with Elizabeth and Will from Pirates of the Caribbean and Troy and Gabriella from High School Musical, loved Jimmy Cagney and Jean Harlow in The Public Enemy and Peter and June from A Matter of Life and Death. 

37) Any film character you can relate to? urm, I can relate to Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffiany's, Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

38)  If you are to only watch five films for the rest of your life, what would the films be? Ah that's tough, I'd say Angels With Dirty Faces, A Matter Of Life and Death, Young Frankenstein, Breakfast at Tiffianys, Singin' In The Rain a bit of a mix of genres.  

39) Your least favorite film all time? Probably the reboot of Ghostbusters, nobody asked for it. 

40) Have you ever watched a film based on the lead actor/actress only? Oh yeah, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and anyone who I've seen in a film and I really liked them I'll watch them in another film. 

41) What film you expected and wanted to be good but failed you? I thought Suicide Squad would be better, I liked it but I wanted it to be amazing like Guardians of the Galaxy, and the next review I'm doing on Friday ooh the mystery. 

42) Favorite film character of all time? erm I don't think I have one, but I adore Peter from A Matter of Life and Death

43) Favorite film villain? I love the Joker, Voldemort, and Hannibal Lecter

44) Any film sequel you are still waiting? I don't think so, I'm not desperate for them to be honest.

45) Ever made a film review? Oh god no, hate 'em particularly Peppermint Friday haha jokes

46) Star Wars or Star Trek? Star Wars

47) Right now, think of any film, what comes first? Wonder Woman, and My Friend Dahmer because I wanna watch them next when they come out.

48) Favorite film lines? 'Happiness can only be found in the darkest of times if one remembers to turn on the light'- Harry Potter 

49) TV series, books, computer games, or films in order of interest? Films, TV Series, Books and Computer Games

50) Lastly, if your life story is to be made into a film, who would you like to portray you? Who should be directing it and what would be the title? I'd love Audrey Hepburn or Catherine Zeta Jones to play me, and I'd love it Sofia Coppola or Stanley Kubrick, or Martin Scorsese and I don't know what the film would be called. 
I shall see you all on Friday have a wonderful week!

Thursday 18 May 2017

Peppermint Friday Review: Spectre #36

Here we are at the end of our Bond journey, and I've really enjoyed it and I'm gonna miss it but we will come back to Bond again at one point. Although I have missed watching non Bond films, so I'm looking forward to getting back into doing reviews on non films. Started on Dr No the first Bond film to the current Bond film its a full circle. 
This is a weird one again because there were bits I enjoyed but bits I found lukewarm. At the beginning its all Mardi Gras and I love it, its set in Mexico City and Bond is sent there after the previous M gives him a mission to go over there to stop a terrorist bomb plot. He returns to London under the power struggle of C real name Max Denbigh. The new M played by Ralph Fiennes orders Bond to attend the funeral of Marco Sciarra assassin who belonged to Spectre, but Bond refuses and gets with his widow Lucia. Bond investigates Oberhauser, who worked with Mr White who works for SPECTRE. 
The story is good I can see what they were trying to do, they were doing a different take on the genre with it being less fighting and still remaining true to the essence of the story, but it was very quiet and muted. Bond in this seemed abit heartbroken, that could be well is Daniel Craig's portrayal of him which is great because he's abit more vulnerable I mean he's more relatable in a way, because it takes alot of courage and depth to be this suave hero constantly, so I think its okay for Agent 007 to have abit of a cry now and again. The bond girls of the film were Dr Madeleine Swann a psychologist and daughter of Mr White, and Lucia Sciarra both played by Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci even though he has more sexual passion I guess you can call it with Lucia, but he has a much more friendship/relationship/partnership whatever you call it with Madeleine and with Lucia she's honestly just there for sex, I think she's great but if there was a competition between Lucia and Madeleine there really isn't a competition. 
Also Monica Bellucci is the oldest Bond girl to date being 51, which is great because in Hollywood if you're a woman and as soon as you turn 40 you're apparently not allowed to do sex scenes, so its great and I'd like it to be a new turn in storytelling that doesn't mean I wanna see 50 year olds having sex, its just if 20 year old actors can do sex scenes why can slightly older generation? Anyway I love Lea Seydoux she was just brilliant and a stand out for me definitely, loved what she did for the role and the part. Miss Moneypenny who I haven't mentioned yet, but she is brilliant secretary to M and played by the wonderful Naomi Harris who I just love to pieces. I love how in the more modern Bond films, Miss Moneypenny isn't just a secretary, she does so much more than that and really substantial. 
Q who is played by Ben Whishaw, the head of Q Division basically provides Bond with the info and equipment for everything he does so much more though, but that's the basics as to what the does. I love Ben Whishaw, such a brilliant actor he's one of those actors who's in a film or tv show and he isn't the main lead but you always remember him and be like 'I know that guy he was in this this'. The thing that made it slightly lukewarm for me is that it didn't wow me at all, I was blown away by it, I thought it was good but I don't think its the best Bond film. The acting stands out, but the script annoyed me just a little it didn't make me feel on the edge of my seat like I usually do with some Bond films. In Bond I've learnt its either action/thriller on the edge of your seat sort of thing or muted quiet understated and that is not a bad thing at all its like choosing between chocolate and vanilla ice cream both are lovely depends on your sweet tooth.  
                                                              
I like this film, but I'm crazy on it the acting is the best thing but if you wanna see Ben Whishaw, or Ralph Fiennes, Daniel Craig, Lea Seydonx etc etc then they are all in amazing films and tv shows, but if you wanna see them all together then watch this film. I think if you like Sofia Coppola's films which are amazing films, very quiet, understated and beautiful scenic views then you'll love this kinda Bond because there are plenty out there. Also this film didn't really have many fight scenes, it was more like an argument constantly not a bad thing though but that's one of the big reasons why I love Bond films. Anyway watch this film, don't watch it whatever Bond is a fantastic genre, one that everyone should give a go I've really enjoyed these past 2 weeks and I hope you have too have a wonderful weekend and I shall see you all very soon!

Tuesday 16 May 2017

Review: Casino Royale

We're almost at the end of our Bond journey and I've gotta say I've enjoyed it so far. We are now onto the 2000s with the current James Bond, Daniel Craig and I loved this film just a bit of a spoiler. 
 Its funny because I remember when this film came out and the reason I didn't watch it was because I was 9 and I didn't really care about James Bond but it was the first Bond film I remember having an impact on people and what I mean by that is everyone and I mean everyone was talking about it. It starts in Uganda where Mr White introduces Steven Obanno to Le Chiffre played by Jesper Christense, Isaach de Bankole and Mads Mikkelsen. These three men are business partners essentially and they are planning to bet money on there company. Honestly with Bond storylines its basically bad guy or group of bad guys like there are in this film, and Agent 007 has to stop them theres a fight scene, he meets a beautiful girl has sex with her falls in love, another fight scene, Bond gets injured girl dies and Bond finally defeats the bad guy, the end. In short it is basically that, but that doesn't mean its bad because there are bits in between that make it unique and wonderful.
I love how they used the Casino aspect of the film, and the way they used colour. Everyone was very neutral, black and cream colours and the only bold colours and that stood out were red and anything that made an impact to the story, like in the picture above the bold colours are red, and blue the poker game everyone else is in neutral colours, and blacks and whites just very basic colours, and that's something I love about this film. There's another similar scene where they're playing poker and Solange Dimitrios (playe by Caterina Murino) the wife of a another bond villain who's part of the plan Mr White, Le Chiffre and Steven Obanno. But everyone was in neutral colours and she came in this very silky lilac evening dress and completely braking the scene and the mold and I loved that. 
The beginning titles of the film were just brilliant and amazing, the song You Know my Name by Chris Cornell its just so brilliant and so in keeping with the film like all Bond songs. I love the costumes of this film and how 2000s it is, with the Nokia phones and the clothes it just feels so nostalgic to me. I remember this time so well and the fashion its just wonderful to watch and remember that, and yes I was 9 or 10 but I do have strong recollections of that time. I had a few older friends and uncles and various family members talking about it at the time also of it just being either amazing or 'eh okay' but they're probably hardcore Bond fans, so I wouldn't listen to them too much. The Bond girl of the film is Vesper Lynd (played by Eva Green) and at first I just dismissed her as being another sexy french girl, but as her true colours showed and when she disagreed with what Bond said at one point of the film. I just thought she's good okay, and also the chemistry between them both was just gorgeous, and electric I think Bond really did fall for her. 
I loved the gorgeous scenery, and panoramic shots it does make the film and the place so expensive and breathtaking to watch. The fight scenes were just epic, from the one at the beginning on the scaffolding which just made it so risky and completely brilliant and its a scene I've seen before I'm not gonna lie, and just being spell-bounded by it all. The scene where Bond is being beaten in the car and its one of those moments where your heart is in your mouth, its really on the edge of your seat kinda thing. Its also a very quiet film, and again that's not a bad thing, but I really liked it and it was kinda used in there favour in a way. 
                                                             
I've heard good things and bad things about this film, but it is good and definitely worth a watch whether you're a Bond fan or not its brilliant. With its fantastic costumes and amazing fight scenes and stunts, if you like quiet films you'll love this if you hate quiet films you'll still like this because theirs enough action to make it heard. I'll see you all later and have a wonderful day/week and I shall see you this Friday!

Sunday 14 May 2017

Review: Tomorrow Never Dies

We're on the second week and last week of Bond, and we're gonna talk about the 90s, Pierce Brosnan and Dame Judi Dench and little spoiler I really liked this film. 

It's a weird start to a film if I'm honest with you all, you don't see Bond for about 20 minutes and that's not a bad thing just abit weird and I did find it funny that the first time we see him is in bed with a woman, typical Bond. It starts with M played by Dame Judi Dench, who sends Agent 007 to deal with a terrorist attack, which is planned by Elliot Carver played by Jonathon Pryce. The film is set in China and the UK and Bond has two girls in this film, Mai Lin played by Michelle Yeoh, and Paris Caver played by Terri Hatcher. 
I love Pierce Brosnan, as James Bond not so crazy on him as an actor I like him but I feel like he's abit of a one trick pony but this could be to my ignorance of not knowing his work. But that will all change because I like films if you didn't know that and plus I like to be proved wrong. The beginning titles of the film were not my favourites, it just looked abit cheap and tacky, that doesn't mean I hate the film. The film itself was just wonderful my favourite out of Mai Lin and Paris was definitely Mai Lin she was just so badass and was just fantastic. Whereas with Paris she was just abit wet and crap, Mai Lin knew karate and was a character in her own right, and why oh why wasn't I made into Mai Lin. Paris was just a wet lettice, very beautiful but a wet lettice. 
The choreography of the fight sequences were just fantastic, that's what James Bond films do the best. They did it more so than a dance and I've said this before fight scenes are so much better when they're treated like a dance rather than a big ball up. Also the film adds a certain character to the scenes aswell, which is something I just loved. This film is kinda like a sequel to Goldeneye, it does reference it a couple of times, but not too much where I don't have a clue. Also its first time we see M as a female and I can't imagine anyone but Judi playing her, and she really showed this role can be anyone and anything. 
A memorable scene I remember was Bond and Mai Lin on the bike riding through China town and I loved it so much, and the colours were just bouncing off the screen plus it was during a really intense fight sequence and the adrenaline was just amazing you could really feel it off the screen. The Villain of the film Elliot Carver, was just brilliant he for some reason and I don't know why but he reminds me of Steve Jobs. I know it sounds crazy, and I've never met Steve Jobs but from pictures and various interviews, speeches and also from Jobs the film. The way he talks and presents himself its not like a crazy villain its kinda like an annoying History teacher you hate. 
                                                                  
This film is wonderful, definitely one of the my favourite Bond films, with its amazing fight scenes, and fantastic cast the only thing I hate well not hate just don't like is Paris. Other than that its a fantastic film and if you can get past that then you'll love this film, its worth just watching for Mai Lin really. You should give this film a go as it really is worth a watch with amazing acting, dialogue, fight sequences and just everything its a fantastic film. 
© .
Maira Gall