Peppermint Friday Review #47: Pride

Back again, but this is to make up for missing last week so aren't you lucky two Peppermint Friday Reviews in one day wow! We're gonna be talking about another monumental event to happen in Great Britain and that's Gay Pride well not the proper event in London its the accepting and the beginning of the LGBT community well I think anyway, they're still a few people who don't accept it. 

The story takes place 1984 during the Miners Strike, and a group of Gay and Lesbians who work in a book shop called Gay's The Word decide to raise money for the miners, a campaign called LGSM (Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners). Mark Ashton played by Ben Schnetzer who has idea for raising money for the miners and initially everyone is against the idea, because everyone including miners hates them. They get help from a very small tight knit Welsh Village called Onllwyn, and some in the village were very opposed to the idea of Gay and Lesbians around them.

Everyone in the group has such strong personalities, it wonderful you've got Steph who is the only lesbian of the founding members of the group, she is just brilliant very hard skinned and can come across as cold, but I think its because she's northern. Ben Schnetzer who plays Mark Ashton was just brilliant, I didn't realise he was American until now and he just excels at this part and nails the accent, Mark was Northern Irish. There was a fictional character called Joe 'Bromley' played by George Mackay who was coming to terms with his sexuality and being apart of the LGBT world, I loved it because it was kinda like an audience perspective and we were on his journey aswell. 

In Onllwyn the people who welcome LGSM are brilliant like Sian James who was just outstanding towards to the group and made a real difference afterwards. Heffina Headon who was played by Imelda Staunton who was again as always she is just sensational and that alone is a good enough reason to watch a film. I loved how in the 80s people were still so prejuiced but also some were really really open minded and accepting about the whole thing. Like some of the elderly were so wonderful and brilliant towards them and just treated them and spoke to them like normal people which they are. The dialogue of the film and the way it was written, it was just perfect and the way a political biopic should be. 

It was just so fluid and tide everything together, the way Mark cared so much about his group and the fundraising, being gay and proud of it he just did it with such passion and fire. Its something so brilliant to watch and its funny because now in 2017 noone in the UK at least really cares if you're gay well there are some people who just don't get it, but from the 1980s and now its a different world but its also the same you've got people still fighting for rights and people are political back then and now even more so. The costumes of the film and the colour, the settings from London to the quaint Welsh Village is brilliant and I love that diversity and seeing the difference but not at the same time. 

This film is just brilliant its film whether you're into Politics or not, believe me its only since last year I got into Politics, so for me its still very new. Also whether you are part of the LGBT Community or not its still a fascinating film with great characters and story, with amazing elements to it. It's also around the same time of people finding out about Aids and the whole you're gonna die as soon as you touch a gay person and what have you. Its a wonderful film and everyone should watch this and enjoy it, its still on BBC IPlayer if you wanna watch it. 

Peppermint Friday Review #44: Foxcatcher

Its been a week and no posts not gonna explain why as you'll know I do try to have a life outside of the blogger-sphere. We're just gonna get straight into talking about Foxcatcher as I've never seen it before so its from someone's fresh eyes if that makes sense. 

The story is based off a true story of the Schultz brothers who were pretty big in the wrestling world Mark and Dave who were both played by Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo. Mark is spotted by a multi millionaire and owner of Foxcatchers John Du Pont who is played by Steve Carell who sends him to Foxcatchers a camp to train and compete. Its also about the events before the murder of Dave Schultz. You may have heard of this story in news or just from this film like me, but its a compltelye new film for me and you know what I'm like with my biopics. 

It mainly centres around Mark which I find quite funny as his character is in the middle between his brother Dave and John his coach. But he isn't neutral at all, he is actually quite sensitive as he takes things quite strongly and is affected by John and his brother which is understandable as he really looked up to both of them. I love Channing Tatum in this, its funny because like with Brad Pitt peopel only see him as this gorgeous man and yes he is but he's also an amazing actor and in this he is the best I've ever seen, as I've only seen him really in Step Up, Dear John, She's the man and they are very teenage films which I love its just nice to see him in a different light and I can't wait for the next roles he'll take as I'll definitely watch him. 

Steve Carell in this film is so different to how I normally see him, similar to Tatum I've only seen him in one light its my own fault really as I just haven't seen him in many things. He's like Robin Williams in a way where, he's amazing at being funny and crazy but also brilliant at being still and very in the moment. There were times of watching him I felt abit uncomfortable as he gave off this image of 'I can get what I want' and it doesn't matter about how hard someone's training and the real true work wrestlers have its the money. With saying that I'm not an expert in wrestling just its a sport and you train for it. 

Its directed by Bennett Miller a director who I'm not familiar with as he hasn't made that many films, but this film is amazing and I can't wait for more of his work. If you liked The Social Network and The Founder then you'll love this as its so still its got people/characters that are predominately human because humans are selfish and make massive mistakes and mess up massively. The colouring of the film is again very similar to The Social Network and The Founder as they all in the same vein of films I think anyway and I love those kinds of films, as they're so refreshing to watch. 

                                                               
I think its a wonderful film, so different and unique to watch if you wanna see Steve Carell, Mark Ruffelo and Channing Tatum in a film and all amazing then watch this film as its wonderful. I'll see you all later and have a wonderful day/week 

Peppermint Friday Review #43: Top Gun

We're gonna talk about Top Gun today as its very american and that's the theme for this week. Its so such an amazing film, its an iconic 80s classic with Tom Cruise and has amazing quotes so it would be a crime if I didn't do a review of this. 

Its directed by Tony Scott who is Ridley Scott's brother. The story is about a pilot called Maverick (played by Tom Cruise) who is sent to Top Gun School with his co-pilots and friends. His time there he's reckless with his flying and can put people at odds with him. He also meets this astrophysicist called Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood (played by Katy McGillis). As the film and story progress he pines for her attention and on top of that he wants to be the very best fighter pilot ever. 

I love this film so much, the characters are brilliant not only Maverick as I know so many guys who try to emulate him. Its funny because growing up I always wondered by boys acted like this, and maybe its because of Tom Cruise and I don't blame them because he is the artificial arrogant a-hole who gets the girl and is top of the class yet still got that James Dean 1980s charm about him. This is probably the first film I've watched of his that I actually have a crush on him, because before I didn't really still don't but there we go. 

This film is so 80s I love it, the hair on Charlie her clothes look incredible. I love that she was based of a true person as it makes the character so much better and gives her a much more lifelike image, and that she's a real person. I need her clothes so badly, her hair is just so gorgeous. The scenes with her and Maverick are brilliant, as they are both such different people, they should be together it'd be crazy for them not to be. The chemistry between them is just stunning the sex scenes are done so wonderfully it doesn't look cheap and tacky its sensual. The music really ties the film together so well, its so 80s but back then it was a modern film and I love that. 

One thing I love about this film, is that its an action but its not an action film entirely theirs love in this film. Which is great for those who are action virgins I should say, if you've never watched an action before I feel like I say that about every action film I watch as I just find them so easy to watch. The story has so many elements to it and Maverick's friends who I love and I just think they're so brilliant to watch, my personal favourites were Iceman, Goose, Stinger, they really caught my eye. The names of the friends sound like they're from a Carry On film, but they're not well sometimes they are. Most of the time its serious business thats what I love about this film, its got quite cartoony names but they're real men.

                                                           

If you like 80s films then give this film a watch as its amazing, its got brilliant music, actors the story is wonderful. Even if you're not too keen on action films give it a chance as its so good and doesn't feel like an action film if that makes sense as it has so many genres and styles added on to it. 

Peppermint Friday Review #35: Licence To Kill

I get the feeling you guys can get the pattern we've got going, so we started from the 60s, then the 70s and now 80s, so who knows what decade we'll have next hmmmm its the 40s, obviously joking. This bond film is slightly different because the story has much more of a background and its not my favourite but I still love it. 

It stars Timothy Dalton as James Bond and I love his portrayal of Bond being this quite stern man, and not as jokey not to say all of the others loved having a laugh, its just they had abit of sense of humour that was much more louder, whereas his was I guess more British and drier, so I loved that. Its funny because the books are so British and yet this film was written by two Americans and I'm surprised that they got not only the bond feel of the film right, but also the dry, sarcastic humour because not being racist but sometimes when I watch Americans try to do British humour, where we're quite dry and sarcastic its just like 'oh don't do that'. It reminds me of a mum trying to be cool and down with the kids and you're the teenager like 'god mom you're so embarrassing'. It also stars Carey Lowell as Pam Bouvier who is a CIA informant and I don't know why but I just didn't warm to her as much as I did Barbara Bach. 

Loved Sanchez played by Robert Davi and he is fantastic my favourite Bond villain so far, if he and Jaws can team up because that would be the best combination ever. The whole film is set in Florida, and Mexico and it looks beautiful, and I love how 80s the film is. I know that sounds weird but the beginning of the Bond films are always amazing to watch because they represent the film, story and just the whole Bond genre really well. Plus it represents the time really well, the whole 80s feel to it, its just wonderful to watch. 

The costumes to this film are really good, because as well all know I love the 80s, and costumes. I think the reason that may be is because I feel a costume really represents a character, and show their emotions and makes them much more 3D and people who might be real. The one thing that let me down a little bit which is the most important thing was the story wasn't that good. I just didn't feel the story had much charisma to it, I mean it did the job it went from A to B and that's what stories are supposed to but I just didn't like it. For some reason it felt like it was written as a Soap Opera rather than a Bond film. 

It's funny I know because I mentioned I love the humour, and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was and how British it was made out. But getting from A to B on the other hand just felt abit stiff and annoying going from scene to scene. That was the one down side to the film well that and Pam but the story is the most important thing in a film its the bread and butter in a way. Other than that its pretty good, but like I've said before I wouldn't watch a film purely based of the costume or the actors and go away saying its great and I loved it. I feel the actors and costume are just an element to the film, and can make the film from good to amazing. If a story isn't very good then it isn't very good, theres no going back its just that. 

                                                                 
Over all I like this film, but I don't love it and I'm gonna be honest with you guys I hate it when films make me feel like this. With films I wanna either love it and its my new favourite film or I hate it and I can't stand it, and when theres an in between its like 'eh'. Especially when I have to write about it on here, because I hate writing reviews that are just lukewarm. Anyway I liked it but I didn't love it, and there are better Bond films out there I feel anyway. You never know you could be totally lukewarm about a film, and watch it a few years later and finally have an opinion that's not lukewarm.

I will speak to you all later and have a lovely weekend and I shall see you all next week!

Peppermint Friday Review #20: Brazil

This film is actually in my top 10 of all my favorite films, at the moment as the list will no doubt change. Not because I hate them but different films will effect you at different times, and suddenly they become your favorite of that time. This film is actually really funny, because someone told me to watch this film and I didn't the first time and now I feel really bad because Its really good. So I'm sorry for not listening to you the first time, its great.

The story takes place in a dystopian future, and its about a man called Lawry who is at the bottom of working in the government, he daydreams and has dreams of him saving a woman and they are very frequent and abstract. One day while he's at work something gets jammed in his printer someone called Tuttle played by Robert De Niro who is an outlaw in a way and helps him. Lawry gets swooped in to Tuttle's world, and starts to work his way to a higher position. Safe to say Lawry gets in a boat load of trouble very quickly, and his dreams effect that.

From the pictures and the outlook from someone who's never seen this film, will think that this film is weird you wouldn't like, but seriously watch it because you'll be surprised. One thing that I loved about this film was that the world that they created. Its just ridiculous and I love that, one of the characters who really stands out for me is Ida Lawry who is Lawry's mother and she is obsessed with plastic surgery and its hilarious and the stuff she comes out with is just crackers.

The comedy in this film is what really does it for me, a favorite moment is when Lawry is with Jil and he sees his mother and she picks up these thongs and goes 'Do you think I'll look nice in these?' its just crackers and fantastic comedy. For a Sci-Fi its very good, I love the use of plastic surgery and the idea of being perfect being important in the film. The inventions of the shower, and computers, cars are just brilliant. As this film was made in the 80s I guess they must of thought we're gonna have these in 2017 or something obviously we don't yet...

I get a very 1984 feeling from this film, if you've read 1984 or watched the film you'll know what I'm talking about. I say that as its the future, its a different world and different people with different attitudes on things. The pressure of things and dictatorship of it all is just brilliant for the flavour of the film and what it all means. The dreams Lawry has are just crackers again, like all dreams are they make no sense but make sense all together. I love that there is a theme of the dreams he is consistently having, of him being chivalrous and saving a woman. Then he meets her in real life, and its like fate.

I must admit I was abit like 'whatever' about Jill at first, then in the ride with Lawry thats when I liked her. She was just brilliant, and so individual in terms of how she was and she was very neutral as a character and Lawry wasn't he was seen as quite weak even in his dreams he wants to be the man. Even by his own mother she encourages him to go bigger for work and he is very 'in in' and he does but for him it isn't enough. The actors in this film are brilliant, Robert De Niro was amazing as Tuttle although I personally would've love to see more of him. 

                                                              
Johnathan Pryce and Kim Gresist have such brilliant chemistry and are fantastic it was very naturalistic approach to an absurd dystopian world. Love Ian Richardson and Michael Palin as Lawry's new boss and co-worker particularly Ian as he did the part of the busy, quick talking boss amazingly. He reminded me of the reporter for the Daily Bugle in Spiderman. Overall this film was brilliant too watch its so unique in its stylising and comic timing, and wonderful script. 

Favorite Sci-Fi Films

Sc-Fi Films are always amazing to watch and get into, depending on what its about as it can be about anything, time travel, dreaming, anything science related well that is from the title of genre. This list is probably the first list that I've done where most of the films have been made in the past 5-10 years. I guess thats down to the modern world we live in, thats something over 20 years ago you couldn't really do, but I guess you have to be more creative. Anyway here we go!

Inception

I think this film is perhaps one of the deepest films ever made, it took Christopher Nolan 10 years to write this story. Unless you've been living under a rock all you're life then you will know about Inception and what its about, there is varies memes about it on the internet particularly when it first came out. The cast is brilliant, it has the top Actors in like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, and Michael Caine but to name a few. The concept is just brilliant and it shows me that to make anything of a high standard or just the best you can make it, sometimes it can take a really long time.

Back To The Future

I think the whole franchise is one of my favorites, and one of the things that made me love films. What this has is a brilliant cast, fantastic special effects and I know by today's standard we're used to seeing much more modern effects, but this was the 80s and it's good by that standard. It has a sub-genre to it aswell, it has Comedy and Romance added on to it. Which I love anyway, and its such a classic, its 80s and I love it.

Gravity

I watched this film a few years ago when it came out, and I liked it alot hence why its in this list. The film is about two astronauts played by George Clooney and Sandra Bullock stranded in space and they are trying to return back to earth. It surprised me this film as I'm usually too keen on George Clooney as I think they're better actors, I think he's good but not amazing, but in this film he was brilliant and really surprised me. I already love Alfonso Cuaron directing styles, as its always so artistic and beautiful, and I love Sandra Bullock aswell, she is fantastic and I loved seeing her in a much more serious role, as I associate Sandra Bullock as being a funny lady so its nice and fresh for me to see her in a different light.

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

This is a weird one to throw in, but you all know how I feel about the 80s, and Comedy. The story is about two best friends called Bill and Ted and they find a time machine and have an excellent adventure. Yeah see what I did there, I love this film I love the fact that this film is before Keanu Reeves was Neo in The Matrix. I love the fact that the majority of the lines and words being used in this film are 'Woah' 'Dude!' or 'That's excellent!' the whole mesh of this film is so brilliant, and unique its wonderful. If you are a fan of Sci-Fi or a fan of Keanu Reeves and haven't seen this you need to cus oh god its good!

28 Days Later

This one's not about time travel or space its about Zombies, and I love Zombie Apocalyptic stuff as its just dark and gritty I mean come on who doesn't? It's directed by Danny Boyle who I love quite alot, and it's got Christopher Eccleston in it and he is a seriously underrated Actor. In some ways you could argue that its a Horror more than it is a Sci-Fi, but I'd say both but hey each to their own. I enjoyed this film no matter the genre, as its did the theme brilliantly and I recommend this film to anyone.

Interstellar

Ending this on another Christopher Nolan, to complete the circle of course. The cast surprised me and in this film actually. I like everyone in the universe knew who Anne Hathaway was, she was amazing in The Princess Diaries, and just a beautiful princess. So again like I mentioned earlier about Sandra Bullock its nice to see her in a different light. Its a real breath of fresh air, and very unique in its concept and aims of the story. Its beautiful to watch, I see inspirations from 2001: A Space Odyssey, and those who are wondering why I didn't include it was because that film would be in anyone's list, and it is a good film but I wanted this list to be a bit different. Plus I wanted to set myself a challenge by putting more modern films than classics, and 2001: A Space Odyssey is such a classic. It feels like Sci-Fi is becoming better and better as the years go on, more money's going into it, more time is being invested into it, its all becoming better.

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.

Favourite Fantasy Films

Everyone loves Fantasy I mean who doesn't? Its amazing we all love the worlds of Fantasy, as we all go into that Fantasy world much more deep than we do with a Drama or a Romance. 

The Princess Bride

I had to put in an 80s film, as they are my one of my favourites. Love it so much, its a comedy as well as a fantasy and a kids film, it also has abit of romance in aswell. I don't need to say what the story is as everyone knows, but I love Cary Elwes in this. I mean lets face it I feel like we all had a bit of a crush on him. Loved it, the grandson hating every kissing scene, I mean I hated that when I was that age. Wallace Shawn and his posse in this film was just hilarious, and everyone wants and loves Robin Wright Wright? 

Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit

Obviously going to include this, yes the LOTR trilogy is very long but its wonderful if you indulge yourself in the world, and just embrace it. Whether you read the books or not, but the Hobbit is something I'm a abit more into, its got abit more humour to it I reckon, LOTR is much more serious. Love the world, and the people who like it in the fandom, its a wonderful world. The Hobbit is amazing and I prefer the book because for me its the world I imagine thats different from the film version. I recommend you read the books because you create your own version of the world, even though they're very long and wordy. Fun fact I've read the Hobbit every year since I first read it when I was 13. 

The Neverending Story

Another 80s film, gotta love 'em! I honestly feel like the 80s started the whole 'quest world' with relatable character with something they need to find. This film was the first to make me cry over an animal, I watched alot of these films when I was about 10. I was heartbroken with the 'Swamp of Sadness' and Artax. Just harrowing, but its an amazing story and does end, full of unfunny jokes me. 

Harry Potter

Love, love it love it. The books are better than the film gonna be honest, and like 80% of the world would agree. The characters are amazing the story, back stories of everyone, I was obessed (still am) with Harry Potter and I have watched every documentary, and TV thing or Film, interview about JK Rowling or Harry Potter you can imagine. I even went to the Studio Tour in London, which is amazing and worth every penny, and if theres money invovled for a theme park in America and the Studio tour where they made it and you can visit, that must be sign of success. 

Edward Scissorhands

A Tim Burton film total must in a film person's life. With fantasies that usually are a relatable character on a journey to a mystical world, but this story as I'm sure everyone knows its a man with scissorhands from a different world trying to make sense of it all. Its just so sweet to watch and I love that Vincent Price was in it, which we all know how I feel about Vincent Price. I love,

The Chronicles of Narnia

Yes I know another series of films and books, but this again is a world that I love so so much! the books are much more interesting they are for me at the beginning amazing then they just go down hill, as they are abit more religious. I mean I know they do have a religious undertone to them, which is fine just not my cup of tea. Another fun fact is that in the book of The Lion The Witch and Wardrobe the old man that the Pevensive children stay with during WWII is basically J.R.R Tolkien because C.S Lewis and him were best friends in College I think. Wheather it'd be the cringe 80s version on the BBC or the 2005 version its a great story.

I know that half of this was series of book adaptations to films, and the other half was 80s films. But I mean this is what Fantasy films I like, and to be honest to enjoy a world thoroughly and getting deep in the film of fantasy its easier for me to like it as a series or saga. All these films are films that I watched when I was young, fantasy was a thing back when I was a kid, like most people I assume.