Peppermint Friday Review #29: Anastasia

This was a film I needed to do of as its amazing and so beautiful, it just so happens to be one of my favourites.

This isn't a Disney film firstly not that, that's not a big deal or anything, just need to know as many people assume its Disney, its got Disney Animators but its not the company its made by Don Bluth and 20th Century Fox. Anyway the story is the true story of the lost Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, after her family were fallen and she escaped and was lost. There's a girl called Anya who looks like Anastasia, acts like her, talks like her and she doesn't remember her life from the age of 8 years old, just like the Grand Duchess theres no memory of what happened to her after she was 8 years old. Anya meets Vlad and Dimitri who is a con-man and a former servant to the Tsar, who is convinced Anya is Anastasia. Anya wants to go to Paris, funnily enough that's where Anastasia Grandmother is. So that's where they go, but Rasputin a former servant is greedy and selfish and wants it all for himself. 

What can I say about this film? Other than its brilliant and beautiful all the costumes yes I know its an animation but just adore the costumes so much, and when I was a kid I needed to wear them and now I need to wear them. The animation and artwork of the film is so beautiful and it just looks gorgeous from the scenes in St Petersburg to the scenes in Paris, the difference between the places are just incredible with the humble working class people in St Petersburg during the song A Rumor in St Petersburg which by the way is an amazing song. The decor of the town and the costumes are just wonderful, it just feels real you can really tell where they drew there inspiration from. In Paris the colours the vibrancy of the city is so electric I love that dynamic of the film. 

The music in the film is beautiful, I love Once Upon A December, Learn To Do It, In My Dreams, and Quartet At The Ballet all of the songs are just beautiful and fit so well with the film. I think with musicals a song should be included if there's a realisation of something and with this it does it extremely well. Rumor has it that there going to adapt this film into a Stage Musical which would be just amazing and I can't wait as its an amazing story thats based of History and with beautiful songs and costumes it would just be so unique to have. 

I love the opposites that the film has, its the opposite lifestyles from St Petersburg and Paris, and its got the opposite side of Anya/Anastasia, from her beginning to not knowing who she was to knowing who she was and proud of it, but still remaining true to herself but looking and acting a little more groomed and like a lady. Which does happen to many nerds and people, I say that as she is very relatable to anyone who is going through an identity crisis, not only just that, its relatable to those who are going through a change of some sort and you can interpret that in anyway you want! 

The cast is Meg Ryan as Anastasia, John Cusack as Dimitri, Christopher Lloyd as Rasputin, and Bernadette Peters as Sophie, Anastasia's first cousin and Angela Lansbury as Anastasia's Grandmother, and also Hank Azaria as Bartok, Rasputin's servant. Its so brilliantly casted with the comic relief of it and the tone of each character is brilliant and makes the characters so lifelike. I love Bernadette Peters and Angela Lansbury in this as they are both Stage Actresses and they know about Animation and Musicals, and plus it kinda puts a stamp on the film of being very established. 

                                                             
Regardless of the accuracy behind the history of the story, you should see it as its got gorgeous animation, beautiful costumes and amazing songs it all just works. It sent shivers down my spine when I was a kid and it still does now. I will see you all later and have a good day/weekend. 

Peppermint Friday Review #28: Beauty & The Beast

Earlier this week I went to see Beauty & The Beast and thats what I'm gonna talk about today. It has taken the world by a storm and I won't compare it to the Original Animated on entirely as one's live action and the other is Animated, but the story still stands the same, but in this one we get to know about Belle and the Beast's past and there mothers. 

I loved this film so much, Emma Watson plays Belle and I do love Emma Watson she is so beautiful and every inch of Belle brilliant casting. There was something in the back of my mind that just made me go 'hmm i'm not sure' as I personally and still do think this, would love if they got a Broadway Actress to play Belle as she would have been unknown in the film world and knew exactly how to play her and do both the singing and the acting. That's not to say Emma Watson didn't do a good job, she was amazing and I loved her and always will! 

Josh Gad who plays Le Fou was fantastic, in this version Le Fou is gay and has quite a crush on Gaston. Which is something that I don't think people cared about, it actually made me like Le Fou more as in this version he had more depth and more character, rather than in the original. The songs I loved were, Gaston, Be Our Guest, Belle, Something There, all the classics. They got rid of If I Can't Love Her from the Stage Musical so that annoyed me, but they replaced it with two beautiful new songs Days In The Sun and Nevermore.

The costumes were so beautiful and stunning, it was all very fitting for the period and time. Dan Stevens was so charming, the relationship with him and Emma was beautiful. I loved it, even when they turned back into humans, because usually I don't like it and want them to go back to being objects and the beast. The Beast's past was interesting to me, because we all knew that he was an arrogant person who didn't care and had a curse upon him to turn himself into a Beast until someone loves him for who he is.

The Beast's mother was a kind and wonderful person, someone I guess could be very similar to Belle, whereas his Father was in some ways like Gaston. In this version you learn about Belle's mother and what happen to her and I must say I am a little disappointed about that. As I would've liked it to be a bit more dramatic, but it was still wonderful, and well thought out. Overall this film is well worth watching, especially if you loved the Animated Original and the Stage Musicals or just Musicals in general. 

Review: Inside Out

Been a bit absent recently not gonna explain why life just happens thats all. But I really wanna talk about this film, as its a Pixar and we all know and love Pixar yes we do, and its fascinating because its a Children's film with themes and messages that kids won't understand and I'm not talking about dirty jokes. 

Those of you who don't know, Inside Out is essentially about Mental Heath and how the human mind works. That already is very big and heavy for a kid to understand, but I think kids are more intelligent for what they're parents and teachers give them credit for. The plot is about a girl called Riley and is just an average kid with two parents who love each other, and she loves Ice Hockey, hates Broccoli. She is moved to a new town, at the start of the film in her mind she has her emotions: Joy (Amy Poehler), Anger( Lewis Black) Sadness (Phyllis Smith) Fear (Bill Hader) and Disgust (Mindy Kalling). all control Riley in certain situations like if she's playing Ice Hockey she's happy and Joy takes control.

They also take control and organise all the memory orbs, a memory orb is a prominent moment of your life well in this case Riley's so for example it could be her first Ice Hockey game, because Ice Hockey is one of her passions. Until one day Sadness touches on of the orbs and Riley associates it with being sad. It just teaches kids about mental illness and how the minds work, and I love that as its important for not just kids but everyone to learn about emotions and empathy for what people are feeling and respect those thoughts in which we are indifferent to and such. 

It also has the witty dialogue Pixar are known for that fits well with both age demographics with kids and adults. I love that Pixar incorporated both the serious side to growing up and the fun and happy side to it aswell. Its got the wonderful talent from Mindy Kalling who was in the Office, and Amy Poehler who both are so funny and witty already as they are comedians, to put them in an animated film and they just riff is brilliant, because they can add so much to the character and make it 10 times more lively. I also love the differences between Mom and Dad's emotions with Mom its very attentive to what Riley's actions are and how she speaks. Dad on the other hand is up with the fairies and as soon as Mom looks at him he just panics and agrees. 

I love this film so much and I'm so glad Pixar made it, not because its wonderfully done with the animations and all that, but with the story arch and what it shows to everyone as its important to understand empathy. Some of the other characters in the film are brilliant aswell, like Bing Bong Riley's old imaginary friend, he is the best and so funny, and adorable. I also love how important he is to Riley as it shows you should never forget about your childhood best friend regardless whether you still talk to them or not. 

                                                       
You need to watch this film if you haven't seen it, because its funny with it being very mature as it tackles with emotions and the human mind. Because feelings are complicated and to put it in such a simple but also being witty about it, is very impressive. Its such a great film as Mental Health is getting better and much more support its wonderful to have a story like this to exist. 

Peppermint Friday Review #27: Porco Rosso

Been really wanting to do a review of a Studio Ghibli film as they are amazing, and everyone should talk about them, as I only ever really hear film buffs talk about them (like me), and Anime fans, as Studio Ghibli is the Japanese Disney. So I don't really hear that many people talk about them, well in my area I know its a multi million empire churning out classic films, but whenever I mention it too people they're like 'who?' and that annoys me. 

Porco Rosso is about a World War I veteran who was turned into a pig by a curse before the film takes place, his mannerisms are very charming, and gentleman like. At the beginning Porco take down some sky pirates, after he's finished he goes to his usual diner and bumps into an old friend Gina. The head of the sky pirates go to their diner and plan for they're next attack, which is on Porco. Porco gets attack, and is assumed dead, he then decides to head for Milan to see the mechanic Piccolo assisted by his granddaughter Fio who is very enthusiastic about mechanics.

This film is so amazing, and funny I simply adore the quick witt humour of the script. The time period its set in is 1930s and instantly its appealing to me I love the costumes, the language being used its so stunning, its delicious. Porco is just brilliant, I love how relaxed he is about his appearance, you can tell he's annoyed by it, but not too much from the outside. The story shows you should never judge a book by its cover, with Porco looking like a pig, doesn't mean he is a pig and acts like one. With Fio who is a young woman, that loves mechanics and is amazing at it, you just never know a person until you get to know them, we all have many secrets and troubles.

Gina is a a character that I love, she is so funny and beautiful, she is very streetwise and you honestly wouldn't think it considering, she is very welll off and beautiful. That's why I love Studio Ghibli so much the way they write they're characters is brilliant, I love how relatable and varied they are. There's not one character who I look at and go 'oh she's like this' or 'he's similar to him' its so different and brilliantly written. I loved that they made the main character a pig, because if Porco was a real man, I don't think it would have been as good a film or character, because it gives it an air of mystery. 

Few other minor characters I like are the members of the Gang, Porco and FIo meet. One of them has such a funny voice its so crazy, and memorable I don't know if I hate it or I like it, its like marmite. I like with Studio Ghibli that with creativity there's no limit, with every Studio Ghibli film its different from the other and thats why i love it, with Disney and I ]'m not hating Disney as they're getting better with stories, its just that most of they're stories are about Princesses. With this film its about air pirates, a man who turned into a pig, if I described it to someone who knows nothing about it, they'll think its some dark, grown up film. 

Overall you should give Studio Ghibli a go as they are amazing and make some real diamonds, and Porco Rosso is a great start! One day I will do a post on my favorite Studio Ghibli films, as they're so good everyone should watch them. I will speak to you all later and have a great day wherever you are!

Peppermint Friday Review #17: Persepolis

In my last post I said that this film was going to be not for kids, as its an Animation but believe me it is not by far.

Persepolis was originally a graphic novel written by Marjane Satrapi, and it tells the story of her life through adolescence and her life growing up in the Iranian Revolution. I loved it so much, its so harrowing to watch, and get into. Now before I didn't know that much about the Iranian Revolution, but watching this film from a first person narrative, and to do it in such a beautiful way is wonderful. 

The artwork is so unique and unlike anything I've seen before, like I said this film is not for kids when I mean kids I mean 12 and younger. As some people might not be affected by the themes and the language of the film, as it is a true story and from what Marji goes through its something no kids should watch. From wonderful free country Marji use to live in she's is then striped from her home Iran and moved to Austria where again she's moved from house to house. 

You see Marji experiencing different views, and being political and seeing the beautiful country with lots of political and strong views on certain things. One of my favorite bits was where Marji was waking around with her head scarf on and she's got a 'Punk Is Not Ded' T-Shirt on, and it makes me smile where despite the War that's gone on, and how much everything in her life has changed, she still remains punk rock.

This film is amazingly done, and I loved every bit of it. Its so beautiful the artwork, the dialogue is perfect it fits in so well. To see Marji grow up and her change overtime, and what she believes and everyone in her family to be affected by everything that goes on in Politics, the War, Iranian Revolution. 

                                                       
I strongly urge everyone to watch this film as its so funny, sweet, heartbreaking and serious everything I love. Next week will be so much fun, as I'm going back to watching some gorgeous film noir. I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxed weekend.

Favorite Animation Films

We're gonna talk about Animation and all the ones I love, as there are many from different countries and not all Animation are for kids. Theres something so inherently beautiful about storytelling in Animation, theres an artwork to it aswell which I love.

Wallace & Gromit

I have been watching Nick Park's creations for as long as I can remember. I used to watch the full Wallace & Gromit video set until it broke that was how hardcore I was about Wallace & Gromit. Its so British and cosy, the obsession with cheese and inventions gave them a massive quirk. When they released Chicken Run oh god my younger self went crazy, its an amazing film with colourful characters. You really got to admire the stock-motion animation of it all as it takes years to make a film as the first Wallace & Gromit was in was in 1989.                                        

Up

I had to include a Pixar wouldn't be right otherwise, I have to say I think I'm more of a Pixar girl than a Disney girl, however I do love them both equally but I grew up with Pixar more as I remember Toy Story 2 when it came out and being obsessed with it. The film is brilliant for not only kids as its funny and entertaining but there are some bits in the film that I don't think some kids will get. Not to say that they won't get it but there are some elements that are so heavy, such as the first 10 minutes where you see the story of Ellie and Carl.                     

The Cat Returns

Okay this film, first of all I love Studio Ghibli like there creativity is out of this world, like there is no boundries for that company. If those of you don't know what Studio Ghibli is they are the Japanese Disney basically, and they are brilliant at making things creatively. The Cat Returns is about a girl called Haru who saves a cat from crossing the road, its then discovered he is the Cat Prince and would like to thank her by marrying her, and taking her into the Cat Kingdom where cats stand on there hind legs. I know its mad but I love it so much, and its about Cats and any film for me about animals wins me over. There are tons of Studio Ghibli films that I adore, and I will talk about them in a later post. I also feel that Studio Ghibli is amazing, and every person in the whole world needs to love it.                                                                    

Coraline

Another stock-motion film, I read the book and completely adored it. I always associate this film with being in High School as I was obessed with Dark Fantasies and Dark Comedies, and this is a very Dark Comedy. Its about a girl called Coraline who's parents are too busy to notice her, she then finds a door to another world that everyone has buttons for eyes. Its scary oh god, but its an amazing film and the director Henry Selick did a brilliant job with the artwork, and its exactly how my 12 year old self saw the world of Coraline and the Other World.

The Triplets of Belleville

I don't think this film is talked about enough, as its good I first watched this film when I was in School during Art. The story is about a Grandmother raising her Grandson, and training him for the Tour De France, until the day comes of the Tour De France and he and two other cyclists are kidnapped by the French Mafia. Its quite a grown up story, but the artwork is beautiful and so unique. I like the fact that they exaggerate the features of people, its also a very quiet film with little dialogue but its still good and you still get to know the characters and story.  

Overall Animated films are brilliant if you find the right one, and not to say there all for children because the one this Friday is definitely not for children. I hope you all are well, and adore these films as much as me, and I will see you this Friday.

Review: Ethel & Ernest

So this is the first post of 2017! yay, hope everyone has had a great Christmas and New Year! This week I'm gonna be talking about Animation Films as I don't think I have yet. I watched this film and I need to tell about because its so good it should win an Oscar. 

Its based of a graphic novel by Raymond Briggs its the true story of the author parents Ethel & Ernest. Its about them getting together, what they faced during The Depression, World War II and bringing up there son.

I already adore Raymond Briggs I practically grew up watching The Snowman every year. Automatically I love it, let me tell you it is so beautiful and genuine, everyone needs to see it regardless. The couple are so brilliant and real, I'm pretty sure there is a couple just like Ethel & Ernest in your area. The fact that they talk about pretty important things but the dialogue is done in such a natural way. For instance Ethel is very conservative, old fashioned and abit of a worry wort, housewife and mother, whereas Ernest is very working class, jolly, Cockney milkman. But there relationship works, I mean in the words of Paula Abdul 'Opposites Attract'

The artwork and animation is beautifully done, as always with Raymond Briggs. The voice cast is again brilliant, Jim Broadbent as Ernest, Brenda Blethyn as Ethel are both a dream team as they are both fantastic and bring the characters to life. There are some heart aching moments of the film, such as sending Raymond into the country during World War II, and Ethel learning she won't have grandchildren. Likewise as there are some funny and cheerful moments, like VE Day is wonderful to watch and just all the bickering of Ethel & Ernest makes me smile. 

The dialogue is very chatty, and natural which I love as it doesn't feel forced in any way. Because in relationships when you're comfortable with each other you can talk about just about anything, like Politics What I like about the animation and artwork of the film is, that The Snowman was released over 20 years ago with the same artwork incorporated in. The artwork was not changed in any way, because of CGI or anything like that, it was still very in keeping with the whole Briggs work.

                                                               
Anyway this film was brilliant to watch, and I highly recommend you watch it I left the link to buy it but you can watch this on BBC IPlayer for free before it runs out.

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 #5: The Lion King

This week has been abit of a Leonardo D'caprio/Shakespeare week, so I thought I'd do a review of the Lion King which is lighthearted but also not, and is basically Hamlet. 

I'm assuming like with my Titanic Review you know what the Lion King is about. It combines my two favorite things: Musicals, and Disney. But I bloody love this film, fun fact for you but The Lion King and Pocahontas were both made in the same year, but Disney decided to put more money towards Pocahontas than The Lion King as they thought Pocahontas would be the better film, but it wasn't The Lion King made a larger profit. 

First of all the music is stunning, I mean you can't hate Elton John just beautiful music, that fits so beautifully with the story. My favorite songs are probably, Hakuna Maktata, I Just Can't Wait To Be King, Be Prepared, and well just all of them! The story is amazing aswell, It was heartwrenching when Simba thinks his dad is still alive is the worst. I think the graphics, and colors are amazing and I love Pumba, Timeon and Zazu, I also love the Hyenas.

 I love the fact that its a musical on stage in London and New York. As it will be a story told for thousands of generations, which is performed by schools, and in different languages. I do love this film, and there really isn't much I can say but Its a good film obviously, but I'm assuming you already knew that.

Overall its an amazing Musical film, and Rowan Attkinson is just the best as Zazu, just brilliant how they bought in a comedian which is such genius to do, as they're always fun. I can't believe that they're re-making the film, its killing the Classic Disney Family its got, I think they should not recreate good, solid films, make something original. Theres nothing I can say about it except that its an amazing film and musical, and if you haven't watched it then and its crazy you haven't. 

Toy Story Shorts

I have pretty much been bought up on Toy Story, like I absolutely adore this franchise I love the concept I love the writers, voices, the fanbase, its just amazing and I love the story board and the idea that something can be alive.

The shorts are fantastic, as Pixer feature length films take quite a long time to make. So making a nice 4-20 minute film around either Christmas time, Halloween or just randomly. 

The first short I watched is 'Toy Story Of Terror' and what I like about it is the journey you go on with Jessie, Jessie is scared of being in box and the film is like a PG version of a classic horror film which I love. With the 20 minute short films, have usually got like a coming of age vibe to it if that makes sense. In the 'Toy Story Of Terror' its all about Jessie and her fear of being in a box, with it being very PG horror movie-esque. Plus its something we can all relate to at whatever age. The other one I watched was 'Toy Story That Time Forgot' Its all about knowing the limit, I feel its much more adult for kids, where the toys feel they're 'working' when they're being played with, and when they're not being played with they either feel bored, or just completely done with it all. In this film the Battlesaurs don't think they're toys, cus they've never been played with, its kinda like the first 'Toy Story' where Buzz is totally unaware that he is a toy, but Buzz was surrounded by people who knew who they were and what they were, and they're duties by there owner. But with these Battlesaurs they don't have someone to scream at them to tell them 'YOU ARE A TOY!' cus they're surrounded by toys who don't think they're toys, and the story also focuses on Trixie who is a dinosaur but Bonnie her owner, doesn't usually play with her as a dinosaur, and Trixie's sick of it, they meet these toys called Battlesaurs, and Trixie realises its actually good she gets played with in different ways, cus it shows she can do anything. 

The more shorter ones, are more about a certain character but not too serious, like with 'Small Fry' its about this miniature Buzz Lightyear who wants to get played with and switches him, so he gets taken home instead of the real Buzz, its a problem but not too major because we know what happens to the real Buzz, he gets ended up in a support group for toys in meal deals who ended up being thrown out or abandoned. The 'Hawaiian Vacation'is about Ken and Barbie's Vacation, its not too serious again, but I found it funny, with the smaller shorts they focus much more on dialogue rather than a plot. The smaller one are definitely much more witty. With the 'Partysaurus Rex' one its about Rex proving he can be free and fun. Its great cus its a different world of it being in the bathroom with the water toys. 

The Toy Story world is great because with all the shorts you get to see the characters in different world, and scenarios. Which I adore, I love the witty exchange from the characters. You can find the Toy Story Shorts on YouTube, or if you look hard enough then it will be there!