Peppermint Friday Review #41: Life Is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful is an interesting one, as it a World War II concentration Romantic Comedy. I know those two things should not be in the sentence and it sounds like it shouldn't work but it does. 

Its directed by Robert Benigni who also stars in it as Guido the main character, the story is based on Rubino Romeo Salmoni true life I say based but I'm pretty sure its not word for word. The story is about Guido who is a funny charismatic man, who falls inlove with Dora (played by Nicoletta Braschi) at the beginning she is engaged to a man who's horrible and big-headed. Soon she doesn't love him anymore and falls in love with Guido and they get married and have a son called Giouse. World War II breaks out all of them are sent to a concentration camp, Dora is separated from her husband and son, but Guido trys to pull stunts and pranks to get messages sent to Dora. Guido tells Giouse that this whole thing is a game and they have to reach 1000 points, Guido puts himself at risk to save Dora and Giouse. 

I love Roberto Benigni already, he is just a genius and so funny I'd describe him as the Italian version of Kenneth Branagh where he directs his own stuff and gives himself a main role. I can understand with this film if it offended some people or before it was released people were humming and ahing on whether it was the right choice to make. Simply because the concentration camps and World War II are very sensitive subjects to some people, and to portray it like a joke I can completely understand. But with this story its simply a story of a father who wants to protect his son, and wants his son to not hate anyone because if he told Giouse what was actually going on and its not a game, it would change Giouse's outlook on life/people and his dad. 

One of my favorite moments of the film was the scene in which Guido was translating what the German Soldier was saying was the funniest thing ever, as Guido was trying to ease the tension and make his son laugh, because whatever happens he wants his son to remember to keep smiling no matter what, which is a very positive thing to enforce. Giouse was wonderful to watch, I googled the actor to find out if he's still doing acting but I think the acting career stopped from when he was a child, which is a shame. Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi were fantastic to watch with such beautiful chemistry not a surprise really as they are both married. 

Another moment I love and shows Guido dedication towards taking care of his son. When Guido wants him to get mixed with the German kids as they are treated much better than when he's at the concentration camp but tells him to say nothing. There's bit where Guido is serving the Germans and the kids and Giouse says 'Grazie' and its a shock as they'll find out he's not German but a Jew, but Guido quickly tries to resolve to situation by teaching the kids Italian. 

                                                                   
This film is a wonderful story, of a man who wants the best for his son and wife its a sad but happy ending as he set out to do the thing he intended to in the first place, which is family at first. I loved how different this film is compared to other films about concentration camps and World War II as it was more about family and love than the history of it itself. You should definitely give this film a watch as its so wonderful, and shows life is beautiful yup I had to throw that in there. I'll see you all later and have great day/weekend wherever you are.

Peppermint Friday Review #39: Wonder Woman

This review has been a long time coming, as I have been looking forward to watching this film and talking about it because oh wow. 

First of all I was abit nervous not gonna lie as DC in terms of films haven't done aswell as there TV side, and the fact that its the first time a woman led a superhero film since Catwoman which went down like a cup of cold sick, and I think after that people just went 'well noone like female superheroes' which is not the case at all. Its just that Catwoman was done so badly and people just assumed superhero films can only be successful by men which is totally ludicrous. Also the fact that its not only a superhero film being led by a woman but also, an action film being directed by a woman, for me its amazing and I'm so happy it been made. 

I love this film so so so much, oh god I fangirled pretty hard while watching this. The costumes are amazingly done its so beautiful and with such detail I love the fact that the costumes aren't ridiculously revealing but also not looking like a nun. It got Themyscira down to a T it looks so beautiful, I loved all of Diana's family aswell. Watching the film I never got a sense of it being rushed, or overdone it was just wonderful. I think fans of the character of Diana/Wonder Woman will be very impressed at what they've done to the film and the character. Gal Gadot was just amazing as Wonder Woman she gave the character a boost into the modern age at the same time remaining true to the character and what she represents.

Other characters of the film who I loved were Ares who is played by David Thewlis, and Antiope who was played by Robin Wright and they were just brilliant. One amazing thing about this film is that its the first of a big budget mainstream Wonder Woman film, so in terms of characters they can kinda reinvent a whole new character and not have the pressure of a big actor/actress towering over them, apart from Wonder Woman of course. The way they did Doctor Poison/Isabel Maru who is played by Elena Anaya was just brilliant her mouth was just weird and scary I loved it because again never really heard of her as a Villain before.

Steve Trevor who is played by Chris Pine was just fantastic, I loved the bit when he's on the boat back to England with Diana and explains what life is like on Earth and in England and the war, the whole dialogue between them is just brilliant to watch its just so funny and adorable the fact that she's this woman who doesn't know anything about men because Themyscira doesn't have any men so she's abit of an alien. The soundtrack to this is amazing aswell, particularly the song that Sia did for it, its amazing and speaks volume as to what Wonder Woman represents and is about. 

Rumour has it that they are making a sequel to this which I am excited about but also scared because I don't want it to turn into a cash cow, and make them for the sake of it and it being not very good. As a female and someone who loves film and more in particular superheros its so important and wonderful that females are represented not only in film but the behind the scenes aswell. Its such an amazing film with amazing characters that everyone should watch, I hope you all have a wonderful day/weekend and I'll see you next Friday. 

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!

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!

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. 

Review: Dr No

I've decided the next 2 weeks will be James Bond themed and I know what you're thinking 'But Zara you can just do a post talking about your favourite James Bond films!' Yeah you're right I probably could but I'm not going to, as well I haven't seen that many James Bond films, which is ridiculous because I'm British you'd think we'd all be bought up on James Bond, I wasn't but also I wanna talk about James Bond properly, I mean if you're gonna get into James Bond you my as well go right in there. 

So we're gonna start at the beginning because that's a good place to start, with the first James Bond film and official actor Sean Connery. It starts with Agent 007 on a mission in Jamaica during an investigation going into stealing documents known as 'Crabkey' and 'Dr No', and when he's in Jamaica he's faced with people trying to kill him, and take him down obviously, along with the women he sleeps with. I've only seen 2 James Bond films before this and they were Skyfall and Spectre. The difference I saw was that 60s version experimented with colour but I guess that's a given for 60s films. But the films now its all very grey, white and neutral, and black colours, which isn't a surprise because the Bond films I've seen were both mainly set in England. 

Bond films are weird in a sense, its a feel to them like there isn't really a sub-genre added to it, like I know its an action film with a gorgeous man with an English accent holding a gun, added with him sleeping with a beautiful girl. But I mean there isn't a comedy element to it, and its all abit predictable in a way I am on the first day of my James Bond Journey so things could change, but from the first Bond film to the current Bond film its basically James Bond is on a mission to kill a bad guy and along the way people try to kill him and he ends up sleeping with an impossibly beautiful woman who he's either in love with or not and he ends either defeats the bad guy or we don't know.  Again its the beginning of my journey of the Bond so I'll admit I'm wrong definitely, I love Jamaica and that's another reason it looks so colourful its a beautiful tropical island.

I love Sean Connery he is just fantastic, I was charmed by him which surprises me as I always imagined David Niven being James Bond because he's charming and wonderful plus Ian Fleming actually thought and wanted David Niven to be James Bond. But Sean Connery is still good, one moment of the film I wanted to cringe and scream at him though was the bit where he is in bed and a giant tarantula comes down and sits on his arm crawling up to him and the whole time he knows this spider on his arm and isn't going crazy and about to kill it and he just sits there looking at this spider for atleast 5 seconds and I know that doesn't sound bad but it felt like 5 minutes I wanted to scream at him like 'THERE'S A FUCKING SPIDER ON YOU! GET RID OF IT!'. He just let it chill on him and I'm like you're in your bedroom you can be a wuss and scream like a girl, you don't have to Agent 007 all the time. 

I like Ursula Andress, but I'm annoyed that they didn't give her much character development, but that's the writers fault but her as an actress I wasn't that crazy about her, but films have improved in terms of castings and writings particular on female characters since. This film has been named as one of the best James Bond films ever and completely understand why its so iconic and with the music its got the theme song that we all know, love and have heard a thousand times but back then it was new and exciting, so that makes me happy. 

                                                              
Overall its a fantastic film you should watch it if you're a fan or not of James Bond because it really is good would of preferred it to have some other genre to it, like it being an action and abit of a comedy but I understand that its James Bond and has its own genre entirely and I guess that's why I never really watched them. But what I want from this week is going through James Bond decades review by review, so today is 60s and Wednesday will be 70s and Friday 80s and so on till now. Who knows in the future I'll do a post talking all about my favourite Bond films. I'll speak to you all soon and have a wonderful day/evening!