Favourite Comic Book Characters #2

Because of Wonder Woman I'm back to being obsessed with Comic Book characters and all things DC and Marvel, plus most of these characters have their own TV shows. 

Wolverine

We're gonna start with Wolverine, I love him so much as a kid watching X-Men he was just really cool, and mainly the fact that he is this man who isn't like Superman where he wants to take care everyone, but a man who is incredibly flawed and we know he's a hero but the fact that he isn't a happy smiley hero a hero who's created in a lab it gives him an edge. Also the Wolverine that I know and everyone else knows so well is, Hugh Jackman I love what he did with Wolverine he completely reinvented the character and still kept it close to its roots and plus he's played Wolverine for just over 20 years and with his last Wolverine film out earlier this year Logan. I'm gonna miss Hugh Jackman but I'm excited for the next Actor to play Wolverine

Supergirl

Now this girl is so cool, oh god now I didn't really know who Supergirl was until this year and oh god she is amazing. Supergirl has only had one film unlike her cousin who's a man and he's pretty super too, yup its Superman. Honestly right Supergirl is giving him a run for his money, as yes she's only done one film but she hasn't made anything mediocre unlike Superman has, not to say he's a bad superhero its just people should know about his amazing cousin. She has her own TV Show and to be honest with you all if you wanna get to know Supergirl (which you totally should) you need to watch the TV Show as it's got Melissa Benoist in and its totally modernised and amazing. 

The Flash

I loved the Flash in Justice League when I was a kid he was so cheeky and funny particularly to Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl. In the TV Show The Flash, his and Supergirl's world combined and I love it. His character in the TV Show is still funny and witty but theres a real serious side to this man, and similar to Spiderman where he gets power on accident, and has to save Central City. I'm not sure why they got a different actor to play him in the new Justice League film as Grant Gustin who plays him in the TV Show is amazing, and I reckon the fans who watch The Flash might be abit sceptical towards Ezra Miller who's gonna play him, I'm sure he'd do a good job its just why have someone different when theres someone amazing already? you know.

Jessica Jones

This girl oh this girl, she is something Jessica Jones is agent who investigates in aliens and paranormal stuff, she used to be a Superhero but she still counts as this is called 'Favourite Comic Book Characters' but she is so badass. I mainly know about her in the Netflix Show Jessica Jones like most people do, but she is just so cool and Krysten Ritter who plays her is the coolest lady ever, plus Jessica Jones's boyfriend Luke Cage has his own TV Show aswell which I need to watch. Again with Wolverine she is a good guy but doesn't act like it which gives her a real edge and the fact that she doesn't walk around with a costume or looking like mutant, but a badass lady who takes no prisoners, plus she's very sassy and funny. 

I hope you all enjoyed this list and let me know what Superheros/Comic Book characters you like as its always nice to know more. I shall see you all on Friday and have a great week.

Review: Its A Wonderful Life

Merry Christmas everyone! so as promised I watched Its a Wonderful Life as its a beautiful film and one of my favorites. 

We all know the film, and story but it is so relevant to today with everything's thats happen in the year 2016. It centres around George and we go on a journey with him, and we see him as a little boy and when he's got his first girlfriend. Everything that happens to his life that is relevant and significant to him, up to him as an adult. George owes $8000 for a loan, and is rock bottom little did he know he had an angel, but a 2nd class angel with no wings. George then tells him that he wishes he was never born, the angel Clarence tries to show him that life is worth living. 

George and Mary are both beautifully cast, they're both different from each other because they both evolve and change overtime, sometimes in a good way but also in a ba way, George has been through some real crappy things, whereas with Mary she's not a hardboiled as George is, if that makes sens. I do love that though as its yin and yang, for there relationship and when George wishes, he never existed Mary becomes a liberian and is totally opposite to what we see before, Donna Reed and James Stewart have such amazing chemistry. 

The story is so relatable to any time period as we all know a George we've all been a George at one point in our lives, and I had to do a review one this film as its relevant to 2016 and its one of my favorite films, and a film that I think everyone loves. Henry Potter who is the films antagonist and George's rival is casted perfectly and is opposite in terms of looks, and demeanor to George. George is this kind, honest man and Henry is this evil, tyrant of a man and doesn't have that much care for people. The fact that George is this good looking tall and slim man, and Henry is this overweight pipesmoking boss.

We all love it in the end where Henry gets his just desserts, lets face it and we all wanted George to win in the end, and he did and it makes me so happy. What I love about this film is that in some ways its not just a 'Christmas Film' I mean yes its set during Christmas time, but its also about friends, family and being a good person, and remembering who will always be there for you. LIke in the 'Bishop's Wife' post yesterday, its the message of the story which I love so much. Its a message that we all should learn and know throughout different times of the year, and its a classic for a reason. 

The fact that it was made during World War II, and its a character which I think everyone can relate to during that time of it being pretty hard, as it is now in a way. Its easy to forget about the simple things of life, and that the bad guy will always be a bad guy, only if he changes his ways. In the end with George rushing home to his family and its beautiful to watch. 

I shall leave you all with this gif from the film, and I will speak to you all after Christmas! Have a good Christmas everyone! 💙💜🎄🎅✨

Peppermint Friday Review #13: Gummo

This is a weird one, as I had to watch this again because and I know this is gonna sound abit stupid to say but I didn't get it the first time, as if I didn't watch it properly but it was so weird I didn't know what it was about. The film is about....I'm not sure the outline plot on IMDB is 'Lonely residents of a tornado stricken Ohio town wander the deserted landscape trying to fulfill their boring, nihilistic lives.' But this story has a hundred different plots and it doesn't necessarily consist if that makes sense. 

Its like short films, improv scenes and home movies collided into one, there were bits of the film I thought 'thats interesting' not that I liked them but found interesting, but also there were bits that I hated and they were the constant images and scenes of dead cats or cats being shot and chase. That kinda stuff makes me abit uncomfortable because I love cats and animals, and I cannot stand to see animals particularly. I can kinda understand and see how the Director/Writer wanted it to be portrayed as the boys were just bored and wanted something wild to do, or because they were very poor and had bad families, could be anything for the reason, I don't know but that creeped me out. 

The Director/Writer of the film is Harmony Korine who made the recent film Spring Breakers, but other than that I'm not that familiar with his work. But that doesn't mean anything, one thing that I found fascinating was the bunny boy throughout the film, he provided an air of mystery throughout the film, particularly when the boys are shooting him with pretend guns, bunny boy doesn't say anything and thats one of the reasons why he's a mystery of course and the character sets out to be a mystery.

One thing that made me cringed so badly, and just makes me cringe in general was the girl in the end who shaved off her eyebrows and that makes me cringe, and I don't know what it does but I hate it. Anyway I thought she was quite nice, because it felt that she didn't realise herself if that makes sense. She was just really genuine, throughout the film I mean the majority of the characters for me anyway didn't really feel real, they might for you and thats great. I loved the soundtrack of the film, as it was added like lighting is makes the scene.

Put it this way I will never forget this film, as it dented itself into my memory. Not for good reasons not for bad, I mean it did feel like an Indie film, and in some ways it was and it did feel like allot of improv was in the film, and apparently it was. Its very organic this film, and its different and incredibly unique and that is always a good thing, but I didn't like the amount of dead cats there were in the film, but also they were lacking in the wardrobe department for guys, as most of the men in this film were shirtless. Not that thats, bad or good, merely an observation. The cast in the film didn't go on to other things, and it felt that they were real people not actors, apart from Chloe Sevigny, and she was married to Harmony Korine. Anyway this film is weird one, but I included it as the main character is a teenager. But I can reassure you all that next week, will be lighter.

  

Peppermint Friday Film Review #10: The Dark Crystal

This coming week shall be all about Fantasy, I'm gonna start off with the beginning of Fantasy films, and thats back in the 80s where it became something for people to be obsessed with, now its normal to dress up as a fantasy character to a convention. Back then you were a nerd, well its still nerdy I guess, but its okay now.                                                                                                                                                       
If you like or heard of Labyrinth then you'll like this film, as its very similar in terms of the world its set in, and the characters. Its also directed by the same director of the Labyrinth, and he also made the Muppets. I decided to watch and review this film rather than Labyrinth is that its the much more unknown film than Labyrinth as that film has David Bowie, its much more popular, as this is different, but similar.

The film centres around two races of species called Skeksis which are based of the Seven deadly sins, and the Wizards called Mystics. The story mainly goes round an Gelfling called Jen who was taken by the Mystics when his race was destroyed he is told that he must heal the Crystal with the shard, which is with Aughra. But the Skeksis race wants the Crystal so they can become god like beings. Jen meets another Gelfling called Kira who can talk to animals, and they go on this wonderful adventure together. 

This film is so magical, I adore it so much. Jim Henson's puppets are brilliant, its very Thunderbirdsy the way the puppets are, and I love it so much, its so charming and adorable. I love Jen and Kira, and even Aughra the characters are so animated and bursting with life. I love Kira who can talk to animals, I automatically warm to her. The relationship between Jen and Kira is so lovely and heartwarming, its uplifting and just brilliant. Aughra is also amazing, she is just crazy, the only way I can describe her is like a mixture of Merlin and Proffessor Trelawney. 

It is the typical Fantasy quest film, a boy is on a journey to find something he meets a girl, a crazy but clever Wizard or Soothsayer or whatever, the bad guys want to become gods or destroy the world. I mean it can be predicable, but its done brilliantly. The message at the end is so amazing, it just leaves a lump in your throat. If you like 80s Fantasy Films, like Princess Bride or Labyrinth then this film is right up your street.

I'll leave you all with one of my favourite quotes, from the film and all time❤🎥

Kubrick Vs Hitchcock

We're gonna talk about two very famous and credited Directors, and this post was a long time coming. These two Directors are totally unique in there own way, but at the same time they're very much the same.

 

We'll start with there backgrounds shall we? Alfred Hitchcock was born in England, his childhood was quite an unhappy one as, he got bullied alot for his weight, and theres a story that when he was around 5 he misbehaved and his father sent him to prison with a note asking to lock him away for 5 minutes, and I guess thats why in alot of his films he has characters that are wrongly accused or have harsh punishments in.  He loved silent films, and dabbled in creative writing. Stanley Kubrick was born in New York, to a wealthy family he had an above average IQ, although he did miss school alot and loved stories and Grimm brothers, Greek and Roman Myths. 

 Both of them are born in completely different countries, at different times there films are very similar, at the same time not. Kubrick's films are very diverse, like you could easily find something for everyone. Whereas with Kubrick his films are abit more out of this world, and thats not a reference to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Or should I say controversial his films for me broke so many boundaries, I was 12 when I first watched The Shining, that was the first Stanley Kubrick film I watched, and at the time I love reading and still do but back then I got into Stephan King books, so I didn't think it was something that I couldn't watch because it was a 15 I liked it because I like the Stephan King Novels, and I thought it was a good film, never thought I wasn't technically allowed to watch it. I feel with Kubrick he can be controversial, I mean he did an adaptation of Clockwork Orange, that alone screams controversial. 

I'm not as familiar with Hitchcock's work, his work is amazing for what it was at the time and still even now, many filmmakers who create anything with suspense and horror to it that includes Kubrick. His films back then were seen as weird, and just terrifying, now they are but just with all the suspense of films now and ten years ago its all different now, but still amazing. The Birds is the one film I will never forget, it's so spell bounding and sinister I loved it, it just completely resonated with me. Again I never thought that I wasn't necessarily allowed to watch it, because of the age ratings, and I've always been like that. But I mean really who's gonna arrest or fine someone because they're watching a Kubrick or Hitchcock film.

 
 But I mean again I say this with every post, but I don't think theres much of a competition, just preference really. Either way both of these men create brilliant stories to show, and they're remembered, but I just prefer Stanley Kubrick, because not gonna lie when I found out that I wasn't allowed to technically watch it cus of the age rating, I just thought to myself 'I'll watch some more..' Despite the rebellious 12 year old me breaking the law, cus I watched a film. I love the vision it provided from the books I read a voice, and I got to watch characters from what I imagined they should be on screen, and sometimes its disappointing but sometimes its fun to watch. But thats why we watch films, its storytelling and emotions and feelings, and everything.

Review: Submarine

This week is gonna be abit different, as its Halloween Week I did think 'maybe I should do a Halloween Horror Week' but I'm not that into Horror Films but I like them, just not into them, so I'm gonna do is a post on my favourite horror films, because I do have favourites and I'd like to point out that most of them will be classic horror, as thats what I'm into more, anyway thats what's gonna happen at Peppermint Friday this week. 

Anyway, we're talk about Submarine, a film that I love very much. So much so, its one of my all time favourite films. 

This film is set in Swansea, and it's about this teenager called Oliver Tate, played by Craig Roberts. He is a very awkward person, and a wallflower, he starts dating a girl in his class called Jordana Bevan played by Yasmin Paige, she's a destructive girl, and the only way I can describe her is like a young version of Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction, but Welsh. Its also about there families, and its a real-coming of age story. 

I love this film as its not your typical teen film, its so quirky and relatable obviously this film has elements of being very indie, and depressed and 'oh its so hard my life sucks' but in some ways it is very much that, as it can be hard to communicate with your feelings, and what to say and what not to say. I do feel its a big confusion, and you have that with this film, particularly with Oliver. As with he is the most inarticulate but really thoughtful and articulate, but I really like that I like that Oliver and Jordana are so flawed, so that I can relate to them. Personally thats what you want in teen coming of age film, totally flawed characters, and the fact that for me its set in really grim town in Swansea. I'm not from Wales thats the thing, Its just really british for me.

I love the soundtrack to this film, its stunning and fits perfectly with this film. The soundtrack is by Alex Turner, I listen to the soundtrack quite alot and its wonderful to listen to. Theres a link if you want to buy the soundtrack or film, I think you should as they are incredible pieces of work. The film is directed by Richard Ayoade who is known for Maurice in IT Crowd, its unbelievable that he created this beautiful, simple atmosphere of the film, and its such a geeky aesthetically pleasing film to watch.  

The film also centrefolds around the worry of Oliver over his parents whether or not they will split up or not as they have a new neighbour Graham who Jill has taken a shine to on top of that Oliver is also worried about his father's mental health, Jill and Lloyd Tate whos played by Sally Hawkins and Noah Taylor who are both fantastic. What I love is that they are both very quirky people, they are both portrayed by incredible actors. Its a very likeable film, I also love the dynamic of distinguishing between a new character to a setting and how it effects everyone but not making it totally about that new character it just shook things up abit. 

I love that the story is in first person from Oliver's perspective. As I feel teenagers are selfish, and they see things from there eyes, and its all about them. Its also a very human trait that we are all selfish in a way, but I feel very much that if a film makes you really I mean really think about life, or the decisions you're going to make or have made, or anything I feel like its a film that's done its job. If its changed you or made you think in a certain way then I personally feel its done it's job as a film, and a story. 

The costume are brilliant they fit so well with the film, I love the coat that Jordana wears. Another thing that I love about this film is that the main two actors Craig Roberts and Yasmin Paige are both actors who were in children's shows in CBBC, when I was a kid. Craig was in Story Of Tracy Beaker which I use to watch all the time. Yasmin Paige was in Sarah Jane Adventures and again I use to watch it all the time, partly because it was made by the same people who made Doctor Who, and I was a big fan well still am. For me its a real like, throwback and its amazing because they're in this film playing such different characters, Its lovely to watch.

I also love that its a love and a coming of age story but its not, and its an amazing film. I always find myself if I don't know what mood I'm in I'll just watch this, its so aesthetically pleasing I urge you to watch this more than anything. 

Brando Vs Dean

So we're gonna carry on the theme of coolness, and 50s teen. With Marlon Brando and James Dean, two huge stars of the time, but very different but at the same time the same.

Lets start from the beginning shall we, well first of all James Dean was a huge fan of Marlon Brando as I think he was the only actor that he related to in a way, as they were both the tough guy teen, and had the same views on acting and the industry as a whole, as they both were interested in realistic acting. Also both were involved with allot of big films that we still talk about them today, like Streetcar Named Desire and Rebel Without a Cause.

 

As similarities in films and acting styles go they were both in a way, as James died young at the age of 23 in a car crash and Marlon stayed alive and died fat, old at the age of 80. So in a way, James was more of a hardcore 'teen' who loved motorbikes, and whom died still in the eyes of a teenager. Wheras with Marlon he died old and fat, and wasn't as frozen in time than James.  I mean at the beginning of there lives, its quite similar as James's mother passed away when he was a boy and was extremely close with his mother, and his father was the opposite of his mother, and Marlon had a similar thing but his mother was an alcoholic but was fun, and his father was again a polar opposite. 

Without Marlon Brando, we wouldn't have James Dean as he was heavily inspired by him as there wasn't anyone else quite like them back then, there was alot of slick, hair, and a booming clear golden voice, charming men, sharp suit. Suddenly there was this guy with tousled hair, mumbly, wearing leather jackets, and its iconic. Gotta admit both are amazing actors and totally gorgeous, has to be said. They changed acting and made a brand of what they did with films, and roles.

They really made the 'Teen' Brand also the bad boy brand where you just want to cuddle them and tell them its okay, just me okay... But also they brought a new genre of film and gave a voice to teens, which changed everything. Its lovely aswell that James Dean was a huge fan of Marlon Brando and who was already a big star at the time, and Brando was like 'oh hi' and Dean was like 'oh my god!!' then when Dean died Brando was like 'oh wow he was a really good guy' because after he died Rebel Without A Cause came out and instantly made him an icon of all teens. With Brando he carried on and wasn't cool anymore, and then became this old, fat man that once was a sexy man with a tight white t-shirt.

Again like with Keaton and Chaplin post both are incredible, but I'd say James Dean wins for me, looks, talent, story just him. He is outstanding and as both are I've just liked James Dean abit longer than Marlon Brando, but they are both huge talents, and if I didn't like Marlon Brando I wouldn't be doing a post on him would I. But they are both amazingly talented men, and have impacted lots of people for generations.

Review: Titanic

Not gonna lie I was abit stuck for ideas, at the moment in terms of films, recently I watched this film again, and I just thought I'd talk about it.

So this film stars Leonardo Di'Caprio and Kate Winslet who I do love as a couple on screen of course, and both very talented. I'm not gonna tell you the plot in detail, because I'm just gonna assume you know about this film, as I don't know anyone who doesn't know this film. 

This film is amazing, you know I don't think theres a real fault in it, I know that sounds abit weird but Its amazing, and one of my favorite love stories aswell. Thats quite a big thing for me as I'm not into films like that, that much. 

I love the fact they included Molly Brown who was a real first class passenger, so that was nice. I liked the fact that James Cameron actually drew the portraits that Jack drew if that makes sense. Its nice to know trivia about this film, and the scenes that got cut, like the deleted scenes they're always fun to watch. Honestly I don't know what to say about this film, except I just love it. I had to do an English writing assessment in School, it was a diary entry and we had to write as if we were first and third class passengers coming aboard on the titanic, and we got to watch the film, so this film reminds me a little bit of English GCSE which is all good memories from. I loved the way they did it, all with realism but at the same time they allowed plenty of room for creativity. 

The costume, and set were perfectly done, I love the fact that James Cameron always has a big budget like he cares so much about a project, he's willing to invest like millions of pounds into something, and it shows really. But I do love Leonardo he is the best ever, who doesn't really. When he won his Oscar earlier this year it was like striking gold, such a happy girl. 

Everyone does there part/bit really well, it just fitted in like a tetris game. Overall watch this if you haven't, which is totally surprising if you haven't watched it. Its got great history, beautifully written characters, and we all know the line 'draw me like one of your french girls' so its such a staple film. 

Review: A Matter Of Life and Death

This week I wanna do a War themed film week, So I thought I'd talk about about one of my favorite 40s films. 

This film is about a war pilot who gets a call from a radio operator, and they end up falling in love. The war pilot's plane was about to crash and die, and he should of died but he didn't and the guide, who is like an angel is told by headquarters (heaven) that he needs to die, you know go back to how he should of died. 

Its such a modern film, David Niven stars in it along with Kim Hunter, and he is just amazing in it. He's probably your grandmother's favorite actor, but he is seriously good in this part. He plays it with such Britishness I know that sounds weird, but I have a feeling if this was played by an American this would have been a very different film, where I believe it would have been more of a heroic guy, rather than a heroic gentleman. I also love the French Conductor as he is more of the comedy side of it, where when he leaves you have a stench of onions. He also asks, who do you want to take your place, and its just fantastic, as they discuss who's worth it and isn't.

Kim Hunter is also amazing, because they could of used someone like Elizabeth Taylor or Lauren Bacall I love those actresses, but they didn't they used someone her, and she was amazing. She wasn't a breathtaking beauty she was a very pretty girl, with a giant heart. Plus they have such good chemistry together, they look good aswell. 

They used colour and black and white in a really nice way aswell, where they had for heaven headquarters they put it in black and white, then for back to earth it was in colour. Which isn't strange for 1930s-40s films as Wizard of Oz did it. 

The dialogue though it amazing, I love the whole court case kinda style during the end. It is a love story evidently but its also, a political story aswell in a way, the poetic dialouge particularly from Niven is just beautiful, he speaks the words with such warmth. Its funny aswell, as this film came out in 1946, just a year after World War II ended. Its amazing how brilliantly they showed a War film, but at the same time it wasn't it was soo much more than that. It had real intelligence about humanity, and life it is a really deep film but it needs to be. Its just amazing how after a horrific time they're not gonna bitch or slag anyone off, or make it too in your face about war or about politics, or life, its just a very simple complex. Its just a very modern film for its time. So overall I give this film 10 peppermints out of 10!.