Peppermint Friday Review #40: Amelie

This is a weird one as its a film thats pretty much on every list of 'Films You Should See Before You Die' most of the time I don't listen to these lists as they are written by white old men, and the same with Books aswell. Not to say that Classic older films are bad not at all, because we all know how I feel about old films! but if you haven't watch a film thats on that list its like 'you can't truly call yourself a film buff!' and I don't agree with that, but we're gonna talk about this film and is it worth it being on those list? 

This is a weird film directed and story by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, as the storyline for me anyway didn't make much sense, from what I got its about a girl called Amelie (played by Audrey Tautou) and her life story I guess from when she was a girl who was very lonely and still is in her adult years, developed a very active imagination.  Its the first live action French film I've ever watched, its also I think anyway one of the first French films to make it into the Mainstream Film Industry I guess, so thats really good and I can see why. The film is entirely in French and I don't speak French or understand it but I enjoyed the film very much its not my favourite film or the best film I've seen but its a good film.

Its funny because the way people talk about this film is as if there is no other film quite like it at the time of its release which was in 2001 but not anymore I don't think because there are films and tv shows I've seen that are in the same vein as this. For example Submarine that film is very similar to this not in the story line but the genre its about quirky people, its about love and the stylising and colours of different scenes are very similar, but baring in mind that Submarine came out in 2010 and this in 2001. But I love the colours and the style of this film, the costumes are wonderful too as they really represent each character and how they feel. 

One thing I do love about Amelie is the fact that she is a Waitress and I used to be a Waitress, so I feel abit of connection with her she is also very isolated kinda like me, but she uses her loneliness to help other people in her life. The film also has alot of sentinmental quotes as I've seen this film being quoted quite a lot, mainly by teenagers who think their so #weird. I love the quotes and the sentimentality of the film as it shows us we should help people if we can't help ourselves. Another thing with the antagonist and it made me laugh was her opinion I guess well she starts her job single, but not a virgin and her take on sex I think is funny. 

This film is very peculiar because its set in France and its the stereotypical venison of what we imagine of what France, it shines all the good bits. The peculiar thing is with the setting of the film we know its set from the 1970s when Amelie was born to late 90s-early 2000s. The costumes of what the characters are wearing is very in keeping with the times, but Amelie is very unique and shows to be the odd one out because she is wearing clothes that either don't fit in or that are abit quirky and different. I like the style and costumes of what she and the rest of the characters are wearing, all the colours its wonderful, but like with the Cafe Society Review if I only like the colours and scenery is it a film that's really worth watching? 

                                                                
I liked this film, mainly down to Amelie but would I watch it again if it was on Film4 then yeah. If you wanna watch a different film or you wanna get into French films or films that have no English in then give it ago 100%. I can definitely see all the inspirations that directors have taken from this film and what inspirations gave to this film. If I'm honest I'm abit lukewarm to this film as I liked it but I don't really see the hype in it, because there are films that are just as good and are in the same vein, but I can understand why people like it so much. Thank you for reading let me know what you think of this film and I'll see you all very soon have a great Peppermint Friday 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! 

Peppermint Friday Review #29: Anastasia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Peppermint Friday Review #28: Beauty & The Beast

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

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

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

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

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