Review: Clue

So this week is abit of a weird one, as this does happen every now and again where my brain can't decide what to do. Where I have no idea what to write about, and or I haven't been watching that much films, because its either I watch TV Shows or I'm abit too busy to watch films that week.

 Anyway on with the review so last week I watch alot of Cagney & Bogart films and they are amazing but they're very serious and crime oriented and I did say this week will be lighter. So I'm gonna talk about Clue one of my favorite films!

Clue is a film thats about the game Cluedo, its about 6 guests who come into a big beautiful house, and suddenly there's a murder like the game Cluedo obviously. Its a hilarious farce and I love farces, as they're aren't that many anymore. It has the amazing Tim Curry who is brilliant as always, being the waiter he in some ways is like the detective. Its nice to see Tim Curry play a character who's completely different from what I've seen before.

The characters are so funny and full of life, I love Mr Green as he is just so awkward and funny, one of my favorite scenes is where everyone has sat down and Mr Green is finding a place to sit and just sits on a table, and it breaks its one of moments where it never gets old and when I first watched it I couldn't stop laughing. 

The film is such a classic and easy to watch, its an interesting concept because theres not that many films that are based off games, as they're usually based off TV Shows, and Books so its nice to see a change. Plus the characters are already quite colourful and all they need is a good storyline and good actors to portray them. With this film it could've gone either way, it could be absolutely awful and a giant cringe fest, or brilliantly funny, and entertaining.

Despite the fact that it is a comedy and very physical with the humour along with witty lines. Its still remains as a mystery, as you don't really know who did it even as the film goes on where you have an idea. Everyone in the film is different in there characters but they're all the same when it comes to revealing information and being clueless. 

                                                               
This film is so British to me even though its set in New England and most of the actors are American, it reminds of Fawlty Towers, and George and Mildred the physical comedy and the light insults between characters when it became too intense. I adore this film so so much, as it makes me laugh everytime without me getting bored of it, and its a cult classic for a reason and I will do a post on Cult Classics as they are so good, and some of my favorite films are Cults. But everyone needs to watch this film, I'm like Tim Curry in this gif for this film.

The dialogue is brilliant, and the physical comedy is on point, the looks at camera angles just the whole thing and what it set out to do is the best. Everyone in this film was amazing at each of there jobs, I urge everyone to watch this film, guarantee it will knock your socks off. 

Peppermint Friday Review #18: Angels With Dirty Faces

We are at the end of Cagney and Bogart week, and I've enjoyed it and all the film noirs even though I have to admit its been a little bit heavy, particularly this film as its pretty intense but one of my all time favorites.

The story centres around Rocky Sullivan who is played by James Cagney in his life Rocky has had a very criminalised lifestyle where he has stealed, been in prison, his lawyer who also own a casino Jim Frazier played by Humphrey Bogart tell Rocky to take the blame for the robbery he committed and spend 3 years in prison, and he will pay him $100000 the money Rocky stole on that day, he does this. Rocky then returns home visits old friends, who tell him to stay in the old parish, Rocky visits Jim's Casino and gets robbed, Rocky finds out its a group of youths who admire him. I won't say anymore but I will tell you the tension between Jim and Rocky goes from nought to one million. 

This film is very intense and amazingly modern in terms of camera technique, particularly the end scene as its the most famous of them all but also the most important one. The character of Rocky is so intriguing its even better as its Jimmy who plays him, as he is amazing at being the tough criminal guy who also is not actually that tough in the end and actually needs abit of TLC. 

Rocky's youths and kinda like his fans aswell, as they really look up to him are amazing too. They do such a brilliant job as they don't look or act like kids who have been doing acting for ages and are really stageschooly. They really are street kids which I love as it makes the film even more genuine and raw. Humphrey Bogart was amazing at playing Jim as he was so calm and concerning but the subtext of being pretty two faced. 

The character of Jim and Rocky are so modern and unique, particularly Jim as he is seen to help out Rocky but backstabbs him. For its time its so modern and different from any film before, and this is from a girl in 2017. This film was made in 1938, and its so edgy and its got dirt underneath its finger nails, people might think that Deniro is the original badass, but Jimmy and Humphrey are a whole different animal. 

This film is amazing, and not for everyone as it can get emotional and violent, but if anyone under the age of 16 watches this won't be as scared or violated than an underage person from 1938. But I could be wrong, as its completely unique to every person, but it can violent to some people. I adore this film and its so modern with its camera techniques during a time when film was just coming into its own. I will leave a link to buy it off amazon if you want as its a fantastic film that everyone should give a chance too!

Next week will be alot lighter if this week wasn't as I'm in the mood to watch a comedy and that's what I'll do! Speak to you alll soon, much love!

Cagney Vs Bogart

Because this week I've been watching a lot of Cagney films, and Bogart films. They are both charismatic and very talented in there performances and they have appeared in the same films together. I'd like to point out very quickly like I mentioned on my new 'FAQ Page' whenever I do 'Vs' posts its not a case of 'he/she is crap and he/she is the best' its either all, I like them both very much there's just one I like more than the other. That's clear? Let's go!

Both of these gentlemen have played the gangsters and both are very charming and charismatic people. Bogart and Cagney have both appeared in the same films together although these films are on the same genre, where they've mainly played gangsters, who smoke and they're usually from New York like Roaring Twenties, Angels With Dirty Faces. 

With saying that the gangster-smoking New York roles haven't been the only roles they've played although they've done it with charisma and charm, with Cagney he is much less apologetic when it comes to being a gangster and particularly when he's a gangster or villain, in Pubic Enemy I mean we can all remember that scene with him shoving that grapefruit in Mae Clarke's face? But at the same time, you can't stop watching him.

Bogart was seen as to me anyway, much less harsher but he is still seen as a tough, quiet and straight talking guy. Because his acting is much less show-offy not that Cagney shows off, but when Bogart acts he doesn't have to shove a grapefruit in a girl's face, its all in the eyes, kinda like the silent treatment in a way. But Bogart was still stern and charismatic, the similarities were Bogart was bought up in New York and so was Cagney so both of them knew about being in New York and you have to stand on your own.

Although both have played light hearted characters, Cagney was an amazing tap dancer and singer, just watch Yankee Doddle Dandy or Footlight Parade. Even in all the gangster, film noir he was in whenever he had a female to act alongside he did it brilliantly, and was just irresistible. Bogart is again such a gentlemen where he is just so charming when he was in Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn (which was one of her first films) he is so charming and kinda awkward as well, not the usual Bogart you would usually see.

I adore both of these actors, as they are so unique and at the time of them they wasn't anything like them, and I don't think there's anything like them today. I'm gonna say I prefer Jimmy Cagney, as I've watched him alot more and thats usually the reason, but also Jimmy can tap dance! and he's so eyecatching. Again I don't hate Bogart, I just prefer Cagney and have watched him longer and more, but Bogart is again very talented, and both are oozing with charisma and charm in all there roles. 

Review: Yankee Doodle Dandy

First of all how incredible was the Golden Globes? I stayed up to watch it as its on very late at night for the UK viewers, but I loved it. Oh and we've had a makeover on Peppermint Friday, what do you think it took me on and off all week, but I'm finally happy with it for now it might change it might not, but at the moment I love it!

Anyway back to the post this week is such a long time coming as I love these men so so much.  Particularly Jimmy, he is amazing but more on the individuals in Wednesday's post. 

Yankee Doodle Dandy is musical biopic of George M Cohan he was a vaudevillian superstar, the best way I can describe him is the old version of Neil Patrick Harris. He was amazing basically he wrote his own songs, he was very business oriented this film is about his family act called 'The Four Cohans' and his career. 

James Cagney (or I call him Jimmy) plays the George and he is brilliant, Jimmy mainly known for being this tough gangster guy but in this film he is a tap dancing, singing charismatic gentlemen. And Jimmy has always had charisma in all his roles regardless of the agenda and typecast of them. Thats one of the reasons as to why I love him so much, I mean Jimmy used to dance as a child, but he is so good everyone needs to see this side of Jimmy.

The songs are so catchy and brilliantly sung, I adore 'Harrigan', 'You're a Grand Old Flag', and of course 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' the film also has a lot of serious bits where George's sister Mary decides she wants to get married and stop performing, and so does their father. At that point in the film its really hard as it just shows that it was George who was the driving force of it all, and had the business behind it all so for him it was a slap in the face of 'oh its all me I have noone to give encouragement too' and in some ways it could be like 'oh yay I'm on my own, and I can bigger and have much more freedom'. As it was George writing all the songs for the shows they were all in. 

I think its an underrated musical as it has very catchy songs, the acting is brilliant and the story touches on some key issues that can be related to any walk of life. Although there are better musicals that have done much better and I can understand why its not done on stage or in schools as the music is yes good but its also seen as abit old fashioned.

Not to say its awful because 'an oldie can be a goldie' which segways perfectly onto the next point of the film which I'm going to talk about and thats being seen as a 'has been' during the end of George's career he is in his garden and they are teenagers nearby and they're talking about music and George mentions he did music all long time ago. The teenagers have no idea who he is and George says well maybe your parents talked about me, and the teenagers still don't know. Its just about being relevant and the worry that not even the people who listen and watch him remember who he is. 

But I adore this film and Jimmy's dancing, and more people should know who is he and love him. Because he is brilliant, charismatic, charming gentlemen he always has been and for those who only know Jimmy for his brilliant badass-ery watch this film, and still be blown away but in a different way. 

Peppermint Friday Review #17: Persepolis

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

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

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

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

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

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

Favorite Animation Films

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

Wallace & Gromit

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

Up

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

The Cat Returns

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

Coraline

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

The Triplets of Belleville

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

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

Review: Ethel & Ernest

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

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

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

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

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

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