Peppermint Friday Review #21: Sabrina

So to end the wonderful week, we're gonna talk about a film that I love very much that stars two of my favorite people Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart and I did mention it in a post a couple of weeks ago. It was also directed by the same man who directed The Seven Year Itch which I did a review of at the start of this week. 

The story is about a girl called Sabrina (played by Audrey Hepburn) who has been in love with a guy called David Larrabee (played by William Holden) who doesn't really return the favor. Sabrina tries to commit suicide due to it, but fails but David's older brother Linus (played by Humphrey Bogart) intervenes she then goes to Paris to go to cooking school she returns home after two years and looks completely different, stunning, new attitude adjustment.

First of all the costumes are stunning, then again its hard to make Audrey look awful even when before Sabrina went to Paris she looked beautiful. But when she got back she just looked abit more groomed shall we say, and much more glamorous. Even with William Holden and Humphrey Bogart's characters looked amazing, with there character arcs and I know that they just wore suits but for the characters and the personality types they looked amazing. Thats my girly bit of the review done for a bit, but we all know

I loved Sabrina as a character, I saw allot of myself in her that she wears her heart on her sleeve which can be a bad thing, but a very human thing and thats something I love about her. Linus is so brilliant and opposite from Sabrina I actually love that they develop feelings for each other as the film goes on from the character development from Sabrina at the beginning of the film lusting after a man who clearly doesn't show the same affection back, to the end of the film where she's beautiful, graceful and a woman who knows her worth.

The script was so flawless and I loved the way they said the lines that needed to be said in that way. William Holden's character David was the perfect mix of arrogance and charm, the way I describe it is Gaston who went to finishing school and actually tried hard and completed it. In some ways this film is a mixture of Beauty and The Beast with Sabrina being Belle, David, Gaston and Humphrey The Beast, and a modern romance film that wants the characters to get together you know, like a Team David and Team Linus sort of thing. 

Now you all know this by now, I'm not a fan of chick flicks, romcoms things like that, but when it comes to Classic films that have romantic bits and are largely romantic in terms of genre, who has a Hollywood star in like Audrey, Marilyn or Veronica Lake or whoever I like the list goes on I will 100% watch that film. Billy Wilder who directed this film, is a fantastic director who is well known to direct Romantic films with an edge of Comedy to it.
                                                                       
I think you should all know that there is a 1995 remake of this film, which isn't as good as this one, even though it has Harrison Ford in but this one has Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, so who wins? Not that I don't like Harrison Ford he's brilliant but its Audrey and Humphrey. This film and story is so beautiful to watch even if you're not a huge romance fan you will still love this film, as there are some funny bits of the film which are incorporated in brilliantly by the wonderful directing of Billy Wilder. I will talk to you all next week, and have a lovely weekend!

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.  

Review: The Seven Year Itch

Now this week, is gonna be an Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe week, as they are both very different but both were very successful around the same time. They are also not only brilliant actresses and women I highly admire but also they're fashion and sex icons, which is new to me to talk about. But I shall talk about that on Wednesday! 

We all know this film, predominantly from the icon Marilyn Monroe picture of her with the white dress standing on top of vent and the dress, yup we all know the scene and pictures. But the story goes abit deeper than that, yes her character is very free and relaxed but not slutty. It's about this man called Richard Sherman who is abit nerdy and talks to himself quite often, and he tends to overthink and has a very wild imagination. He is married and has a child who are in Maine, and he is in New York working through the summer. He lives near a woman who is Marilyn Monroe, and she is an Actress who is very glamorous and its Richard's imagination that the main thing of the story.

I love this film, the costumes are great then again the costumes in the 1950s will always be appealing to me so its a given. The film was originally a stage play which I can completely understand with as Richard's imagination and tendency to overthink would be quite fun to portray on stage. I love the bit where Marilyn says something along the lines of 'Not all girls find handsome men, or men that have confidence particularly attractive' I can't quite remember but I like that because it is true in many cases, girls and boys are attracted to what they're attracted to.

Marilyn's character and I think in her true character aswell, are very beautiful and they know they're beautiful, but she's not insecure about it or arrogant and cocky about it, she is very casual with it. Thats something I don't think people get from watching her in much more serious films, than in comedy films. But I will talk about her in much more depth in the Wednesday blog post. In this film, she proved that she is perceptive and doesn't just think about men all the time, and isn't this ditzy blonde girl.

I think Richard's stream into madness is what I really love about this film. It is accurate to what a person with anxiety is and I know its very farfetched from this being a romantic comedy and I'm jumping it to what its like with someone who has a mental illness. But Richard overthinks allot mainly around Marilyn as she is this beautiful woman and he is a man who has been married for 7 years has a child and boom he is faced with this gorgeous woman who lives just above him, and he's going mad.

One moment of the film that I loved was when Richard tried to kiss Marilyn, and he then started to imagine what would happen if word got out that he is a married man and kissed another woman and he didn't do gently he did it quite aggressively in a sexual way. I loved how intense he thought it would be and how his wife would react and how Marilyn would talk about it on TV and how crazy it was. That something that made me laugh, and made me like the film even more, as in comedy sometimes the funny thing can be quite vulnerable and absurd.

                                                                       
I adore this film, I love Marilyn in all her films, her serious, dark, mysterious side and her funny, blonde and ditzy side.I'm not that big into romantic comedies or chick flick, but when it comes to Audrey and Marilyn or any Classic Hollywood Actress that I love I'm all over it. This week for me is gonna be allot of fun as I've talked about men on here whether it'd be Comedians, or Directors or Actors they've predominantly been male, not that thats a bad thing, its just nice to talk about women who I love also for a change. If you want to buy this film go ahead by all means if not thats fine. I hope you all have a lovely week and I'll see you on Wednesday!

Peppermint Friday Review #20: Brazil

This film is actually in my top 10 of all my favorite films, at the moment as the list will no doubt change. Not because I hate them but different films will effect you at different times, and suddenly they become your favorite of that time. This film is actually really funny, because someone told me to watch this film and I didn't the first time and now I feel really bad because Its really good. So I'm sorry for not listening to you the first time, its great.

The story takes place in a dystopian future, and its about a man called Lawry who is at the bottom of working in the government, he daydreams and has dreams of him saving a woman and they are very frequent and abstract. One day while he's at work something gets jammed in his printer someone called Tuttle played by Robert De Niro who is an outlaw in a way and helps him. Lawry gets swooped in to Tuttle's world, and starts to work his way to a higher position. Safe to say Lawry gets in a boat load of trouble very quickly, and his dreams effect that.

From the pictures and the outlook from someone who's never seen this film, will think that this film is weird you wouldn't like, but seriously watch it because you'll be surprised. One thing that I loved about this film was that the world that they created. Its just ridiculous and I love that, one of the characters who really stands out for me is Ida Lawry who is Lawry's mother and she is obsessed with plastic surgery and its hilarious and the stuff she comes out with is just crackers.

The comedy in this film is what really does it for me, a favorite moment is when Lawry is with Jil and he sees his mother and she picks up these thongs and goes 'Do you think I'll look nice in these?' its just crackers and fantastic comedy. For a Sci-Fi its very good, I love the use of plastic surgery and the idea of being perfect being important in the film. The inventions of the shower, and computers, cars are just brilliant. As this film was made in the 80s I guess they must of thought we're gonna have these in 2017 or something obviously we don't yet...

I get a very 1984 feeling from this film, if you've read 1984 or watched the film you'll know what I'm talking about. I say that as its the future, its a different world and different people with different attitudes on things. The pressure of things and dictatorship of it all is just brilliant for the flavour of the film and what it all means. The dreams Lawry has are just crackers again, like all dreams are they make no sense but make sense all together. I love that there is a theme of the dreams he is consistently having, of him being chivalrous and saving a woman. Then he meets her in real life, and its like fate.

I must admit I was abit like 'whatever' about Jill at first, then in the ride with Lawry thats when I liked her. She was just brilliant, and so individual in terms of how she was and she was very neutral as a character and Lawry wasn't he was seen as quite weak even in his dreams he wants to be the man. Even by his own mother she encourages him to go bigger for work and he is very 'in in' and he does but for him it isn't enough. The actors in this film are brilliant, Robert De Niro was amazing as Tuttle although I personally would've love to see more of him. 

                                                              
Johnathan Pryce and Kim Gresist have such brilliant chemistry and are fantastic it was very naturalistic approach to an absurd dystopian world. Love Ian Richardson and Michael Palin as Lawry's new boss and co-worker particularly Ian as he did the part of the busy, quick talking boss amazingly. He reminded me of the reporter for the Daily Bugle in Spiderman. Overall this film was brilliant too watch its so unique in its stylising and comic timing, and wonderful script. 

Favorite Sci-Fi Films

Sc-Fi Films are always amazing to watch and get into, depending on what its about as it can be about anything, time travel, dreaming, anything science related well that is from the title of genre. This list is probably the first list that I've done where most of the films have been made in the past 5-10 years. I guess thats down to the modern world we live in, thats something over 20 years ago you couldn't really do, but I guess you have to be more creative. Anyway here we go!

Inception

I think this film is perhaps one of the deepest films ever made, it took Christopher Nolan 10 years to write this story. Unless you've been living under a rock all you're life then you will know about Inception and what its about, there is varies memes about it on the internet particularly when it first came out. The cast is brilliant, it has the top Actors in like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, and Michael Caine but to name a few. The concept is just brilliant and it shows me that to make anything of a high standard or just the best you can make it, sometimes it can take a really long time.

Back To The Future

I think the whole franchise is one of my favorites, and one of the things that made me love films. What this has is a brilliant cast, fantastic special effects and I know by today's standard we're used to seeing much more modern effects, but this was the 80s and it's good by that standard. It has a sub-genre to it aswell, it has Comedy and Romance added on to it. Which I love anyway, and its such a classic, its 80s and I love it.

Gravity

I watched this film a few years ago when it came out, and I liked it alot hence why its in this list. The film is about two astronauts played by George Clooney and Sandra Bullock stranded in space and they are trying to return back to earth. It surprised me this film as I'm usually too keen on George Clooney as I think they're better actors, I think he's good but not amazing, but in this film he was brilliant and really surprised me. I already love Alfonso Cuaron directing styles, as its always so artistic and beautiful, and I love Sandra Bullock aswell, she is fantastic and I loved seeing her in a much more serious role, as I associate Sandra Bullock as being a funny lady so its nice and fresh for me to see her in a different light.

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

This is a weird one to throw in, but you all know how I feel about the 80s, and Comedy. The story is about two best friends called Bill and Ted and they find a time machine and have an excellent adventure. Yeah see what I did there, I love this film I love the fact that this film is before Keanu Reeves was Neo in The Matrix. I love the fact that the majority of the lines and words being used in this film are 'Woah' 'Dude!' or 'That's excellent!' the whole mesh of this film is so brilliant, and unique its wonderful. If you are a fan of Sci-Fi or a fan of Keanu Reeves and haven't seen this you need to cus oh god its good!

28 Days Later

This one's not about time travel or space its about Zombies, and I love Zombie Apocalyptic stuff as its just dark and gritty I mean come on who doesn't? It's directed by Danny Boyle who I love quite alot, and it's got Christopher Eccleston in it and he is a seriously underrated Actor. In some ways you could argue that its a Horror more than it is a Sci-Fi, but I'd say both but hey each to their own. I enjoyed this film no matter the genre, as its did the theme brilliantly and I recommend this film to anyone.

Interstellar

Ending this on another Christopher Nolan, to complete the circle of course. The cast surprised me and in this film actually. I like everyone in the universe knew who Anne Hathaway was, she was amazing in The Princess Diaries, and just a beautiful princess. So again like I mentioned earlier about Sandra Bullock its nice to see her in a different light. Its a real breath of fresh air, and very unique in its concept and aims of the story. Its beautiful to watch, I see inspirations from 2001: A Space Odyssey, and those who are wondering why I didn't include it was because that film would be in anyone's list, and it is a good film but I wanted this list to be a bit different. Plus I wanted to set myself a challenge by putting more modern films than classics, and 2001: A Space Odyssey is such a classic. It feels like Sci-Fi is becoming better and better as the years go on, more money's going into it, more time is being invested into it, its all becoming better.

Review: Donnie Darko

Its a gonna be a Sc-Fi week this time, as well why not. I thought I'd start with the Cult Classic Donnie Darko, as thats a Sc-Fi but also its a teen film aswell so thats a nice sub-genre to have.

It takes place in the 1980s, Virginia where a teenager called Donnie Darko played by Jake Gyllenhal who is very troubled. Suddenly when he's in bed at night he is led by a figure who calls himself Frank who tells Donnie that the world with end in 28 days. In the morning he comes home to find a jet engine crashed into his room his sister Elizabeth played by Maggie Gyllenhaal who is his sister in real life tells him no one knows how it happen.

After the incident that occurred to Donnie he is then, stalked by Frank throughout the film. He begins to start a romance towards a new girl in his class called Gretchen who has changed her identity form her previous town. Donnie's teacher is Karen Pomeroy who is played by Drew Barrymore, and is very relaxed, her attitude is annoyed by some of the teachers. From what Donnie's experience at the beginning of the film his attitude is changed, and it affects everyone in the film. Patrick Swayze is in it as the motivational speaker who in some ways was the comic relief of the film

I love how complicated this film was, and I was impressed by Jake's performance as a troubled teenger with something else to be bothered by, as if being a teenager wasn't hard enough, throw in a thing called Frank who stalks him and talks to him and only him. If you thought that Inception was confusing and just a giant mind fuck then watch this, because oh god it goes from one end to the other. The cameo of a young Seth Rogan is seen aswell, and that's something I loved to watch.

The dialogue is brilliant and so clever, every line is said so brilliantly. I love all the extras in the background just as much as I liked Donnie, as its so naturalistic and effortless. I know that some people might think that extras don't do anything because they're not centre stage, but I love scenes where in a classroom and one person's talking and it could be something so boring, and the shot where everyone is just watching them. Its something that I love to notice in films and TV, its nice to see what they're doing or facial expressions they're doing. 

                                                         
However I thought Gretchen was a bit wet, but in some ways I can understand it as with two romantic people, and one is a strong character that's Donnie who is very strong with he as a character and we get him, with who he is. Whereas with Gretchen she is a bit lackluster if that makes sense, I just didn't really get her as a character. Overall I did enjoy this film, and I would watch it again, not my favorite but that's fine. I liked the Sc-Fi part of it being psychological, and the other part is very Coming Of Age based, and I like films that do that where all sorts of things happen in one go.

Frank was a character that I love alot, as he is a very rare character that I don't see often with films. I love the silent treatment he gave Donnie, as it wasn't as if Frank wanted him to die or was torturing him in a way. But it was the sudden voices of Frank in his head, similar to a mental illness in a way, and thats what I loved about that. It can get quite angsty in some places of the film, but that is expected from the teenager aspect of the film. 

I adore this film, and the unique elements of the film from the styling to the fascinating script. The mix of teenagers and sc-fi was the perfect amount for the film, and what it is meant to say. Definitely give this film a watch as you won't regret it, or find anything else quite like it again.

Peppermint Friday Review #19: La La Land

I have been meaning to watch this film since I saw the previews and trailers, and songs anything that had anything to do with the film I watched it. I finally saw it on Wednesday night and I just had to do a review on it, as its just soo ahhh.

Oh this film, its so good its my favorite film of 2016 I say that as it came out in December 2016 but that was in USA but I'm still gonna say it was my favorite, as 2016 was pretty eventful so to end it with an amazing musical was amazing I adore musicals already so seeing this film was a no brainer. The story takes place in LA it centres around Mia who is played by Emma Stone and she is a Barista and an Actress, she goes from job to job not getting a big break as such, she then meets Sebastian who is played by Ryan Gosling who is a pianist for a restaurant and  dreams of owning his own jazz bar, they find solace in each other and are determined to conquer their dreams.

The film's songs were all written by Pasek and Paul who I already love, as they did a musical called Edges and I adore them they are the next big thing, I'm telling you all. My favorite songs in the musical are City Of Stars, The Planetarium Dance song was amazing, and Someone In The Crowd aswell. From watching this film I now want a date at a Planetarium, where they just watched the stars, and danced it was so wonderful and romantic.

It was so perfect and romanticly done, I loved the simplicity for it all like there was no pressure for them to get together. Ryan Gosling is now my new crush as he can sing really well, and tap dance. Emma Stone was already talented but even more so after this, she was just fantastic and so beautiful. The chemistry is very similar to that of a couple like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, like I adore the chemistry when there's no need for sex or just screaming with hormones. I love romantic films that has no sex or hormones, I love it when they're just expressing themselves through songs.

Sometimes in a romantic film or scenario all you need is good actors with good chemistry, sometimes that can be just all you need. Thats something I learnt from myself where I prefer romantic films with no sex, you can tell that the inspiration of the film from the music and styling and costumes that its very much inspired from 1940s, 1930s romantic comedies, musicals and that's an era that I just adore and possibly one of my favorites if you didn't tell already. 

I love the costumes and the way its set out, it appears modern and current but also inspired from the colours of the 1940s films, where colour films became much more popular, and the costumes and dresses were just screaming with bright vibrant colours, and it really shines and shows LA as I've heard its a very sunny, beautiful place. The way they incorporated the dresses and clothing is just the best, and perfectly done.

Everyone should watch this film regardless of if you like films or not you need to watch this film. It does have some heartbreaking moments, like all good musicals do. The music is amazing, as are the costumes and Emma and Ryan are so beautiful to watch.