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!

Review: Allied

Been watching alot of new films recently I say new, like came out last year or in the past 5 years or so. What this film is about is, Max Vatan a Canadian pilot (played by Brad Pitt) and Marianne Beausejour a French Resistance fighter (played by Marion Cotillard) they are both partnered together posing as a married couple, firmly believing they won't have feelings for each other, just business. That obviously goes downhill and end up actually getting married, as time goes on and they have a little girl together. People at Max's work are starting to get suspicious that she's a German Spy. 

I love the costume of the film, that's no surprise really as I love period drama films, and its set in the 1940s and not all about the war, it really relies on the party aspect heavily in this film. It's directed by Robert Zemeckis which really surprised me as I know Robert Zemeckis's work as Back to The Future Franchise, Forrest Gump, Castaway, and I remember his first film I ever watched 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' which was a Beatles fan-fiction come to life, lets face it. I just love that he started doing that and now he's done this beautiful, fairly still, controlled film with beautiful costumes and cinematography. I would not have expected this kinda film from him, I'm used to seeing his Comedy work where things are usually quick paced and going from A to Z. With this film its alot more complicated but still done in an effortless way, where it did make total sense and very original. 

With Brad Pitt, I love him as an Actor he is brilliant in this film he spoke French beautifully and did this card trick and he's just so suave and sophisticated. I don't really know his work that much, I've only properly watched him in three films, Kalifornia, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button and Fight Club (which we don't talk about). He's such a versatile Actor he can do anything and I don't know why I haven't watched that many Brad Pitt films, I think maybe its because he's seen as this gorgeous man and that's more important than his acting capability, like the amount of people that go 'Oh Brad Pitt he's lush' rather than go 'Oh Brad Pitt he's a good actor I can't wait to see him in that' but also his private life is discussed an awful lot. Like I don't care who he's dated or divorcing, its about what acting roles he's taking. 

Another thing, I think this film came out around the same time as the Angelina Jolie Divorce Drama. So I guess people didn't care which upsets me, because a thing like that just stops people, and consumes their minds I could be wrong though. Anyway with Marion Cotillard I'm not too familar with again I know who she is, I've seen her in Public Enemies, Inception and I think she was in Dark Knight Rises. Again I know who she is, but when I watch any film I don't go 'I hope this has Marion Cotillard in!' sounds mean but I don't. In this film she was epic, and I don't say that very often but she is so good and I know in France (as she is a French Actress) she's a big deal. I like that they didn't go for a typical beautiful girl, she reminds me very much of a young Katharine Hepburn. 

Some of this film was in French which I really liked and added a sort of Amour essence to the whole film. Whilst watching it though it did remind me of when I tried to read Lolita as that has French in it, and I couldn't understand it at all butt I like listening to it, just don't understand it. Which is my downfall entirely as I wanna know what they're saying, if its juicy or not. The story is very much like Casablanca, and a part of the story was set in Casablanca, but the story was a vintage romance told in a modern way yet still remaining true to its vintage roots of the story. I loved the interior of the houses, the way the air raids were done. The chemistry between the characters was okay, I liked it and think they look gorgeous on screen together, but when I watch them I don't feel the passion. I might be broken, but I've just seen couples with better chemistry doing this kinda period drama before. 

If you're looking for a beautiful vintage romance then watch this film if you're looking for just a war, period drama film with action and excitement (not to say this film isn't exciting) then this film is not for you. But I love this film, it won't be the last of its kind what I mean by that is that this will not be the last of the period drama romance films. It's certainly not the greatest period drama romance, but not the worst. Its definitely worth seeing if you love Robert Zemeckis and wanna see a film that's unlike him (what I used to think, not anymore). Then watch this film, if you like Brad Pitt or Marion Cotillard watch this film! I'm starting to get ridiculous now, anyway I'll see you all later and have a lovely week! 

Review: Ghost In The Shell

So we're gonna talk about this film, because its been a while since I watched a good Sci-Fi film. As I heard good reviews about this, and some bad well it riled a few people on twitter when it came out like the first week. I just wondered what it was all about and not too sound like a child but its my blog, I can do what I want. 

The film is based of the Manga, with the same title and it was an anime aswell, and just very popular in Japan. Its set in the distant future and its a world where humans are enhancing themselves by adding robotic parts to it, and it helps with things such as vision, strength. Basically its a future where everyone wants to be a superhero, Mira Killian who was attacked in an incident that led her to have injuries that were difficult to fix, so they use all there technology on her, Which means its technology they haven't properly develop yet, like they used a mechanical body that inter fears with the brain. Its just her coming to turns with that, and being used as a weapon aswell, to an extent its also about her trying to remember her past as that's coming a distant memory more and more. 

I love this film, I had the ignorance of not knowing the anime or manga so that's something that I think is a good thing as I can make up what I think of it, just with a blank knowledge, but I had a feeling this was very anime-esque. As I've said this before, but it needs saying again, anime is very creative and just the media and stories in Japan are churning more and more brilliant stories, just so original and creative. I love the concept of this story so much, its so original and innovative. I love the portrayal of Scarlett Johansson as the main character, I haven't seen Scarlett act that much, my fault because I just haven't seen her in many films I've watched, completely changed now, as I love her and need to watch more of her. 

The criticism this film has is a case of Whitewashing a term which I've only just found what it means, what it means is characters in media portraying characters who are either, Asian or Black, or just any other ethnic background that isn't white, being played by actors who are white. Its a problem that's been seen, for years and it's got to a point where its okay. I don't agree with whitewashing, like for example if a film portrays characters who are of the Indian decent, and you get a bunch white actors to portray them that's something I don't get and doesn't make sense to me at all. But the story doesn't explain that she's Japanese, like we know the story was written by someone who's Japanese, and its set in Japan. That doesn't mean the main character has to be Japanese, but Scarlett Johansson did a fantastic job and if Mira was played by an Actress of the Japanese decent and was brilliant then I wouldn't have an issue at all. 

Other characters I like are Doctor Ouelet who is played by Juliette Binoche I loved her, even though she created Mira like a modern Frankenstein she was very motherly. The costumes and CGI of the film was so beautiful this film is an example of how CGI and Photoshop can be a craft that's mastered, and its a real art form, it was just so beautifully done and best display of CGI and Photoshop I've ever seen in a film. Michael Pitt and Takeshi Kitano were both brilliant again, love their portrayal of two characters they really stood out to me. 

The manga is actually a series and I think theres 3 stories of the manga, so I'm assuming that theres gonna be another film coming out in a few years. I don't know if I'm gonna see it, because I enjoyed watching this I don't know if I'll enjoy a franchise of it, but its only the one film at the moment so you never know. I have a post all about what I think of Sequels, Franchises and Reboots, if you wanna read all about that click here. If you love Sci-Fi and anime and very Japanese manga esque then you will love this. If you arn't too keen on CGI and Photoshop and think its very stupid and annoying, and you turn your nose up at it then watch this as it will change your mind about it.

Davis Vs Crawford

This 'verses' is alot more interesting and juicy as these two women are obviously extremely talented and very well respected. But with these women a big difference between them and the rest of the reviews of Actors/Actresses I've done so far have all had similarities between them, whether they're styles or they've been in alot of films, or they're rivals but its not feud like with these ladies.

I don't know why I didn't do this sooner as the intensity and the hatred these women had towards each other is so juicy and intriguing its been made into a TV Show called Feud which was created by Ryan Murphy who I love and no I haven't seen it yet, but the two women are being played by Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon so I immediately think its gonna be good and I need to see it now. Anyway, let's start as always at the beginning of both of they're lives. Bette's life seems pretty normal her parents did split up when she was about 7, she had a younger sister and was encouraged by her mother to do Acting and her mother even went to New York with her, so she can study Theatre as that was her main speciality before films became bigger and needed more actors rather than Joe from the street. Joan on the other hand was experienced with dancing that was her thing and her mother and father separated and Joan didn't even know her real father, as her mother remarried and had a stepfather who owned a theatre and that's when Joan loved dancing and wanted to be a dancer. Although Joan's stepfather got in a bit of legal trouble involving embezzlement and soon after her mother and stepfather split up and I think it really affected Joan and her relationships with men.

So their beginnings are quite different, but abit similar as they both have divorced parents, and that's pretty much it both have wanted to perform from an early age, one was encouraged, the other just liked it. Joan is alot more tougher if that makes sense, like she has done all the crappy jobs and dealt with some real arseholes. Bette Davis is tough aswell, probably just as tougher I guess, because she had a strong woman her mother in her life and found the first few years on screen really difficult as actresses at that time who worked in film were all beautiful and were usually sweet and endearing. But Bette was just the opposite of that and had very strong facial features like her beautiful eyes and her voice was strong and very screechy and theatrical in a way. Whereas Joan Crawford found it fairly easy being a dancer and the vaudeville circuit being popular they were just churning out actors from there. Also Joan Crawford was typically very beautiful and started being a body double for Norma Shearer who was the most popular actress at the time and also had the gift of the gab in a way being quite streetwise with things but in a classy way, things were just different for them both. But they are amazingly strong, fantastic no nonsense women. 

In terms of roles they both have played its very similar as they've both had the privilege I think of playing truly unique women who are independent, sassy, and outspoken. At that time those kinda characters for women were coming into they're own, back then female characters weren't very three dimensional and it was either a sweet doting wife, or a doting mother. There wasn't many characters depicting women who are real and women you see in real life. So in some ways these women are real pioneers in that field, because crazily enough women arn't always cheerful, smiling housewives they can be real bitches. 

In terms of there feud, they only worked on one film together called 'Whatever Happen To Baby Jane' and they hated each other I will talk more about that film soon. Sometimes I reckon from the huge feud they had, was probably overexaggerated as that something that happens, particularly with two very famous and successful actresses, who also has very strong personalities. They did hate each other, but I like to think its not as bad its really made out, because thats when things turn into gossip and hear'say.

In 1963 Oscars, Joan Crawford, Hedda Hopper tried to sabotage Bette Davis so that she wouldn't win, and I can understand why Joan would be annoyed that she didn't get nominated because she did the same film, and was just as good in that as Bette, and had the utmost hatred towards her at all. But I do think that was the wrong thing to do, as I think it should be a fair game, and whoever wins, wins and that's it. I just seemed abit childish I think, but then again it could be hear'say as apparently she persuaded Geraldine Page to take the night off when she won, Joan would take the Oscar as a sort of favor to her. The actual winner of the night which was Anne Bancroft and she wasn't there so Joan persuaded again the Oscars if she could that the award as a favor to Anne. Even though Joan didn't win, I guess she wanted the whole 'I have an Oscar do you?' to Bette backstage. Again like I said it could be hear'say, but I have a feeling they couldn't exaggerate that.

Personal lives of both, are quite similar as they both have had a lot of husbands, and had children in which they have been very domineering towards. Like with Joan Crawford her daughter Christina wrote a book called Mommie Dearest and it was made into a film, and it basically was a horror. Apparently she was a very domineering, and just not a great mother but I don't believe it was as bad as it's made out again, things can be misinterpreted I don't think you should take things as fact and figure. I believe this could be the case, as Joan was a strong woman with a very outspoken personality on life. Bette Davis's Daughter B.D wrote a book about her relationship with her mother and again she was a domineering woman, but I think Bette forgave her and completely understood, as with Joan I guess she didn't like to be made out like some Villainess.

I love these two women, as they are both so colourful and flawed which is something I admire and love in people. We've seen them, threaten, showing attitude, and just explode in general both onscreen playing amazing characters anyone would be jealous of, and in there day to day life aswell. Whoever you prefer you can't deny you wanna be, either one of them I know I do, as they are both just so brilliant you'd love to have a drink with them and a chat about anything. Basically what I'm trying to say is they are my kinda women, independent, sassy, don't take shit, complete leaders. Joan was in a way much more versitile where she did other things than Acting, she was a business woman and a Dancer with Bette she was just an Actress, but an amazing one.

I honestly can't decide, as there is no competition between them both because like I've said before and I'll say again they are both so brilliant. I'm gonna say and I only say this because I just do and maybe she wasn't a little bitch at the Oscars, I prefer by the slight bit Bette Davis, as I just love her that bit more, and also I've heard of Bette Davis's name more. I've really enjoyed writing this post, and talking about amazing women which is something you all know I love, especially Classic Hollywood. I'd love to know who you prefer, or what film you like of them, and I'll speak to you all on Friday! 

Review: The Women

So we're gonna talk about Joan Crawford abit this week as I wanna talk more about Bette Davis, and Bette and Joan had quite a history so why not. Plus this film is very interesting and totally unlike any film that I ideally like to see, basically I didn't think it'd would be my cup of tea as it just sounded like a Bridget Jones Chick Flick from the plot summery that is. 

What this film is about is a group of friends who all live in fairly middle class standards, one of them called Mary Haines (Norma Shearer) who's husband called Stephen may or may not be having an affair with this beautiful, flirtatious woman called Crystal Allen (Joan Crawford). When Mary finds out about this and confronts Crystal about it and tells her to stop, Crystal just refuses and Mary and Stephen get a divorce. 2 years later Crystal and Stephen are married and Crystal has been having this affair with this new man who is married to one of the friends who's a countess and it just blows up. 

The plot of the film annoys me somewhat as the friends are good and so is Mary's mother as they're both very supportive of Mary because she's the innocent one and going through quite a bad time with everything. Also none of Mary's friends who are played by Rosalind Russel, Paulette Goddard and Joan Fonatine and a plethora of other brilliant actresses, none of the friends seem to like Crystal which is justified I guess as its the thing where its 'you've hurt my friend so automatically I don't like you' but it just seems like they all just gang up on her, which is horrible.

Crystal's character is someone I actually like, because she is a woman who knows who she is and is fine with it. She is very much of this bacheloresque woman in a way, because she is so strong and doesn't care what people think of her or her relationships, which I think is great as you shouldn't care what people think, but at the same time you should take people's feelings in to account if you're doing something like what Crystal did and she was very selfish and hurt other people. I mean she's a bitch but she admits it and is fine with it and not shady or denying that she is. 

Mary the main character is something I can't relate to or understand as she in the end and this frustrates me. In the end she goes back to Stephen the man who cheated on her in the first place! It annoyed me that Mary confronted Crystal and not Stephen who did the dirty and its more of a marriage and couple thing rather than it being another issue, but that's just me. They really tried to make Crystal a real bitch, from her costumes she wore to her attitude towards people, particularly towards her Step-Daughter little Mary. I like little Mary she is very passive aggressive towards her and it just makes me love her so much, because she does it in such a polite way you can't be annoyed at her. 

 Overall this film is good, but some of the characters are abit crap I should say, like Mary she just annoyed me at the end where she went back to Stephen who broke her trust but she loves him anyway. I feel like there should have been more of Stephen in the film, because that way he's more 3D you didn't even see his face throughout it. Love Joan Crawford in this obviously, and Paulette Goddard was brilliant aswell, because both are so mesmerising you can't stop watching them. 

Peppermint Friday Review #30: All About Eve

We're gonna talk about All About Eve as its so good and has the fabulous Bette Davis along with a brief appearance from Marilyn Monroe, and this is a film that I've mentioned before, and I'm gonna talk about it in full detail. Plus I saw this film mention in a Buzzfeed post and it was about films with the sub-text of lesbianism, so why not talk about it.

The story is about a woman called Eve played by Anne Baxter and she is this young, beautiful starlet who loves an actress called Margo Channing played by Bette Davis, and she is this huge Broadway star, who is worried that her nearing 40 will result in her decline in popularity. Eve becomes Margo's assistant and adores Margo, as Margo likes her until she starts to become more jealous of Eve as she tries on her costumes and overtime she becomes Margo understudy, and Margo is more paranoid. 

I love this film, although any Bette Davis film is a winner for me so its not a surprise. But this film is in Bette Davis's later career as Of Human Bondage is her when she's a lot younger, and there are differences in the characters she played but it's practically the same woman just abit older and a difference in accent dialect. As she was English in Of Human Bondage and was her usual American in All About Eve. You could look at the character similar to that of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard the film and the musical. With it being this ageing starlet and someone may or not be taking advantage of her, in this case I don't believe Eve is taking advantage of Margo, I think she is genuine.

Love Anne Baxter as Eve, as she wasn't a stereotypical crazy fangirl or some spoilt cow she was just a normal girl who liked a play and the actress in it and wanted to meet her and perhaps be as good as her. It was all played very naturalistic and that the problem some people have in the modern age about classic films, people just think all the actors can't act and they stilll think they're on stage shouting making things huge. Yes that does happen but its not every film, like with some films now, some are good, some are just awful, nothing's changed but everything's changed if that makes sense. 

With this film, and with all Bette Davis films I feel, theres a sub-text of sarcastic, sardonic humour with at the same time it being very real and naturalistic and not over the top. As with the 50s I'm guessing it was either I Love Lucy, Musicals and Slapstick Clown Comedy or you were a Bette Davis or a Shirley Maclaine kinda person which is great as you've got the best of both worlds. In terms of costume again just brilliantly done, love how they matched each costume to each particular character like with Bette Davis's character yes she is a bitter woman, but that doesn't mean she has to look awful. 

 In terms of the plot of the story its all understandable as to why she became jealous and envious of Eve as it literally turned into 'All About Eve' and Margo obviously was like 'Aren't I good enough?' I love that with this film when it was made and released it had a young Marilyn Monroe before she did any big films, like before we knew we she really was and after she became a big star they put her name in the poster of the film even though she has one scene in the whole film. 

It kinda turned into a Tall Poppy scenario really as those of you who don't know what that means its basically, when someone or a band wants to do really well in something and someone goes 'I want them to do well, go them!' and they do and are successful and that same person goes 'you've changed, you can't do that' Its the whole 'you can do well and succeed but not as good as me' and that's something we're all at fault with, being jealous of someone's success. Its a backstabbing kinda thing in this film as well, as you've got Margo who's finally found this amazing woman she can be friends with in her stream of life at her age. Then suddenly it seems like Eve was only being friends with her for success, as if there was something in it for her. 

                                                             
Nearing the end of the film the pattern starts again, where Eve gets a very nice fan who wants to be like her. This film is about letting go of the thing you love the most, its about jealousy of being young and beautiful, its about knowing what's geniune and whats not. Its a film that tackles with alot emotions that we as human comprehend and the fact that this was made in the 1950s and is still relevant I feel today, as again we all experience jealousy and letting go of something, theres a quote somewhere ''When it's over leave. Don't continue watering a dead flower'. That's very true in this film, I'm gonna go now and I hope you have a good weekend. 

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. 

Review: Maleficent

I've been meaning to do a review of this for a while as its such an interesting story and concept of a Villain who has a complicated past, and a reason as to why she's is who she is in the Original classic. I've also never spoken about Angelina Jolie before, so that needs to change. 

I'm sure many of you will know the story if not, here's a brief synopsis. Its set from the point of view of Maleficent, and her story as to what happen to her leading up to Princess Aurora and what we see in Sleeping Beauty.  Maleficent actually was in love with King Stefan growing up, but as they got older and were from different backgrounds, they couldn't be together as it was inevitable. As Stefan wanted to be king, and Maleficent was ruler of the Moors, Stefan wanted to rule and injured Maleficent leaving her wingless. So she gets revenge at Stefan partly from a broken heart but also completely destroying her.

I love Angelina Jolie already but she played this part with such gusto and gave the character so much more depth. I love Diavial her friend who was a Raven but in human form, he is brilliant as he gives her a humanity side to her. She is this very alienistic and has feelings like all humans, but sometimes she can be too proud. Little fact about this film, when they were casting toddler Aurora, they could only choose Angelina Jolie's daughter as most toddlers were too scared of her in her costume! 

The costumes in this film are the best, I love Maleficent's costume I thought they gave it a modern makeover but still remaining true to the Original Animation. Aurora, Prince Phillip and the fairies all have amazing costumes all so fitting with the period but remaining true to character. The three fairies, Knotgrass, Thistlewit and Fittle (played by Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville) were all so brilliant and funny, loved the dynamic between them all. The chemistry between Prince Phillip and Aurora (played by Elle Fanning and Brenton Thwaites) is just adorable, as Aurora is a teenager and very sweet. 

Elle Fanning was just brilliant, as she is so young it was perfect that she played a teenager princess. If she was played by a 30 year old actress who does and could pull of being a 16 year old perfectly yeah it would've worked, but not as well. Sam Riley and Sharito Copley who played Diaval and King Stefan, were just brilliant I liked that you got to know the characters much more than in the Original one. I'm not even a big fan of Sleeping Beauty but this has made me love it loads, I think the Original is still amazing as it has the music in, and I think if Disney changed the music for this film, you'd have a riot on your hands. Although I think everyone liked Lana Del Rey's version of 'Once Upon A Dream'.

This film is just beautiful, whether you're a fan of Sleeping Beauty or not, its a beautiful story with an amazing character development. The costumes are beautiful, as well as the script and characters, regardless of the amount of remakes/reboots/prequels are happening this is one that is worth watching. 

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. 

Monroe Vs Hepburn

Now I know there is no competition for these two lovely women, as they are both so different from each other. One is blonde, curvy and stunning, one is brunette, petite and gorgeous. But they were both very successful and at the top of there game at the same time, or around the same time. I adore these women both equally, so this is gonna be really hard also this is gonna be about Fashion and the Style they wore as well so lets begin.

Lets start with Marilyn, Marilyn didn't have an easy start in life as she spent most of it in foster homes and married at 16 her mother had a mental illness so she was then placed in a mental hospital. She started modelling when she was in her late teens which she was very good at she then wanted to do acting which led her to have bit parts in films. Then she got a speaking part in All About Eve, which earned her critical acclaim, and was taken seriously as an actress.

She also became a sex symbol which I can see why. But because of this she is labelled and automatically branded as being this blonde, flirtatious bimbo, which I don't think is the case at all. As in alot of her films she can be seen as this dark femme fatale character like in Clash By Night or Niagara, but people only know her as this dumb ditzy blonde in comedies which yes she is good in it, but she's also an actress who can play all roles. 

Now we're going to Audrey, Audrey's life began in Belgium and as a girl she did a lot of ballet, and that was the career that Audrey wanted to do. Then World War II happened, she would dance in London and was spotted by a casting director she then had a few minor roles in films, and then had her big break in Roman Holiday. 

People mainly recognise her for being this beautiful actress, with this stunning swanlike face. Which is true yes but she is a very nurturing person, she actually stopped acting because she wanted to help those in need particularly in Ethiopia, she then went on to become an UNICEF ambassador. Some people don't really realise how giving she was, people only really know her for being beautiful.

Both women in acting, are again quite similar, but totally different aswell. In terms of stereotype in roles, Audrey is very delicate and subtle when it comes to roles she plays like she's not over exaggerating or overdoing it. Thats what made me really like her, she was just so casual and eye catching in her roles and very softly spoken. With Marilyn again she is so eye catching and softly spoken, and doesn't seem like she tries too hard. Both are brilliant at comedy and the darker and abit more serious genres. Marilyn is abit more sexier and she has had much more roles that are largely dedicated to the male audience, than Audrey not to say thats a bad thing. 

Marilyn is much more curvier and has a stronger male following, due to the fact that she has modeled for Playboy and done nude not that thats a bad thing, because I still think she's amazing. I've read articles where she was a size 12, size 16 I don't know which is true! But I do think its wonderful as she was outspoken about her body, and wasn't entirely bothered by it. It is true as it doesn't matter what size you are aslong as you're happy and healthy, you can do anything and thats what I feel she gave off to the world. A wonderful, refreshing attitude to body image, and the fact that its all down to you. 

In styles of fashion I admire then highly, they are both stunning in there own sizes and styles. I look up to both in different ways, Audrey has the beautiful dresses and lets not forget that iconic black dress in Breakfast At Tiffany's, and can definitely put together a beautiful outfit, she loves her trousers and stripey tops which I love to wear. Marilyn has beautiful dresses again, and loves wearing legging/jeggings and has that low plunge neckline tops. Put it this way I want all there wardrobes in the films, they were in the costumes and the day to day wear. 

I don't think theres a winner here, which is usually does happen. I love Audrey and her simplicity and the way she carries herself and how quirky she acts in her roles. Marilyn is so beautiful, and doesn't even try hard in her roles and is so positive. Obviously both have had adversities throughout there life like anyone has, and thats what makes them so likeable in a way to me. 

The fact that they are both different sizes and different looks makes no difference to me, that Marilyn was a size 16 or 12 doesn't make a difference to me, I still think she's amazing, as an actress and a woman, same goes for Audrey she is a very petite and small but that doesn't make me think she's any less beautiful or talented as an actress. 

They are both such good actresses and so influential I can't honestly decide. Theres not even one woman I've liked or admired longer than the other. I love how caring they are towards people, Marilyn had a number of miscarriages and yet was still so caring to those who need it the most, but never cared herself. Audrey gave up her acting career to care for those in need in Ethiopia and all over the world. Both have such wonderful attitudes towards life and the acting and film universe. They didn't blame other people or think someone's out to get them, they made with what they had, and became the icons we all know and love.