Thursday 12 April 2018

Film Review: Ghost Stories

I had heard about Ghost Stories MONTHS ago. I love Martin Freeman and I love a good horror film so I put this on my to watch list. And then it went dead. I completely forgot about it until I went to go and see A Quiet Place and opted to see this because the timing worked out better. And oh my GOD. Even though I am still dying to see A Quiet Place, I am so happy I went to see this. 


Okay so even though I like horror films, I feel like I have to be in the mood to watch them. And lets be COMPLETELY honest here: most horror films are utter crap. Now I'm not going to lie, although I had put it on my 'to watch' list, I didn't have particularly high expectations. 

The storyline is fairly simple; a psychologist/professor goes to visit one of his idols (who turns out the be a little odd) and is handed 3 unsolved cases that in his time the other psychologist has not been able to crack. He goes along, visits the 3 men in each of the cases.

There were a couple of tactical and obvious jump scares throughout. But what made me so happy with this film was the storyline. There is a twist at the end, which I guessed quite early in. It's not un-obvious or mouth dropping. But the attention to detail in the storyline genuinely left me feeling shocked. It was amazing. By the end there weren't any missing endings, everything linked so perfectly and everything made sense and UGH. It was just incredibly satisfying. 

I'm not really a fan of jump scares, and if you aren't then pre-warning, there are quite a few. I didn't think it was done in an incredibly tacky way; they were positioned in just the right places so you know they are coming but they still make you jump regardless. As well as being pretty dark in places, it is also darkly witty. 

I think the fact that the film only has 5 main plot characters is really clever. It shows a lot of isolation and makes it feel as though these people really are alone in believing what happened to them was real. However, my only criticism is its a purely white male cast. Where are the women or POC? I know it isn't a massive deal to some, but it made me reflect on again how little variety is shown in films, especially in the horror genre. The only one I can think of recently that doesn't follow this trend is Get Out. But it isn't something that makes me dislike the film. 

Overall I really liked this. I would recommend to anyone who likes a good plot twist and can handle jumpy horror films. 

IMDB link here.

You can find the trailer for the film here.
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Wednesday 4 April 2018

Book Review: Springtime in a Broken Mirror by Mario Benedetti

I picked this book up in a little book shop in London, tucked away on a back street. I'm not going to lie, I was first drawn in my the colour of the cover. It is bright yellow, my favourite cover. I picked up as soon as the colour caught my eye, read the blurb and knew it was a book I would love. 



Springtime in a Broken Mirror is set around the time of the Uruguayan coup d'état, and was written by Benedetti when he himself was in exile from Uruguay in 1973. 

The story follows the protagonist Santiago; a political prisoner, and the people who are closest to him in his life. The book is written in different short bursts from each character, which are then separated into individual mini chapters. Along with Santiago, it also has excerpts from his wife Graciela, his 9 year old daughter  Beatrice, and his old best friend Rolando. 

It follows Santiagos' letters to his wife, explaining his time in prison, how he is clinging on to every last memory of the outside world through imagining Graciela's life. It flicks between Graciela; still very much adjusting even after many years to her husband being away, then to their 9 year old daughter who is just curious about everything - especially why her father is away and in prison. 

It is a little difficult to follow which narrative is which I found at times, but once you really get to know the characters you can really tell. Benedetti has a truly beautiful way of changing his writing style to perfectly match each character he is writing about. 

I read this whilst currently in a long distance relationship. As Santiago is imprisoned, he and Graciela have been apart from each other for years. I found this narrative particularly moving to read - the two react so differently to what is a very different long distance relationship. 

Benedetti, as he lived through this time, and it is almost a semi-autobiographical book, describes just how life was during 1970s for these people. It is done so so well that you can actually learn so much, and I really did from reading this book. I did lots of extra background reading, as his passion that seeped through the words made me want to learn even more about the time period it was written and set in.

This book is so beautiful, I honestly recommend it to anyone who likes to read romantic yet informative political and historical books then this is the perfect book for you. 

Goodreads link here.

Buy the book here
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Film Review: Isle of Dogs

Fact - I am one of the biggest Wes Anderson fans ever. I force anyone and everyone to see at least one of his films when I am with them. His films are more than just films; they are beautifully curated pieces of symmetrical art, poured into the most perfect colour palettes you can imagine a film to be. 

So of course knowing that he was going to be making a new claymation film, I was buzzed off my lil tits. I was SO excited. And shall I tell you what made me more excited? DOG FRIENDLY SCREENINGS. Thats right, you heard me. 

I am a member of the Picturehouse cinemas, and I saw an email come out about dog friendly screenings of Isle of Dogs. I had been waiting for this film for about 5 months and I almost dropped my phone when I saw the email. I went on the the website straight away and of course, they had all sold out. 

But as all great things, it happened again. They decided due to the sheer popularity they would have one more. And you bet your ass I got tickets this time. It meant that I didn't get to see the film as soon as I wanted, but to see it with the presence of my pupper? It was SO worth the extra wait. 




The film is set in Megasaki in Japan, the film follows the story of a young boy - Atari Kobayashi - going on a quest to find his dog, Spots. Spots, along with the entire dog population, has been deported to 'Trash Island' due to a pandemic of dog flu taking over and spreading through all dogs. Atari , aided by a team of 5 dogs; Rex, King, Duke, Boss and Chief, go on the search for Spots. 

There is a parallel storyline progressing at the same time reflecting the increasing crisis in Megasaki. Atari's uncle, the mayor, is running for re-election. The front of his campaign is for the termination of every dog on Trash Island. 

I loved this film. I loved this film SO much. I am a massive Wes Anderson fan but I really loved this film. I thought the storyline was so precious - and really really fitting in this time. It showed a different generation spreading a form of hate and segregation, and the young people coming up to the defence of the minority, standing up for what they believe in. Now of course I'm not saying that the issues are the same, but there is some similarity to current events, no? 

Every aspect of the film was pure art. It has Anderson's iconic symmetrical flat frames, a distinct colour palette that stuck throughout the entirety. The cinematography was stunning, the stock animation was so well detailed, I still cannot believe that the film was shot in 445 days (seriously HOW??)I loved the use of the dual languages and no subtitles. It made me so desperate to learn Japanese because you just know that there are loads of hidden jokes on that side too. 

Overall, just go and see this film. I mean, it won't be as amazing as when I went to see it, because you won't be in a cinema filled with dogs. But it is still such a brilliant film and its so heart-warming, its really for anyone who loves dogs. Must see. 10/10.

PS if you are in London, go to the 180 Strand, they have an exhibition of all of the original sets that were used in the film!! It was INCREDIBLE. 

PPS here are some pictures from me and my pupper and the exhibition.







IMDB link here.



You can find the trailer for the film here.

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Saturday 17 March 2018

EDINBURGH COFFEE - GEORGE STREET


Who doesn't love coffee? If you answer no I will forgive you, maybe you are a tea person. If you don't like either, what? I don't understand? 

I am forever getting messages from people saying they are visiting Edinburgh and asking me for coffee shop recommendations. So, welcome to my mini blog series on all of Edinburgh's coffee places. I decided to go based on location, so each post will be a section of Edinburgh and all the independent coffee places in those areas that I have been to and loved. I won't be including every single coffee place as there are honestly hundreds, but these are all my favourites. 

GEORGE STREET

George Street is a really central part of Edinburgh, and all of these places are super easy to find. They are all along one street (aside from Urban Angel which is just off it) and I love them all. George street can be found just behind Princes Street; the main shopping street in Edinburgh with all of the big shops. George Street is similar, but smaller stores that are slightly more pricey.

So without further ado, here is a mini run down of all of the coffee placed I love on George Street. 

Wellington Coffee





So Wellington Coffee is a one of my all time favourites. It is the first independent coffee place that I came to in Edinburgh, I used to work in the perfume shop above it and I just fall in love with it each time I go in. It is a really super tiny place, so this is more of a 'quickly stop off and grab a coffee' kind of place. It also gets very busy very quickly, and the turnover of customers is really quick as well. 













It is down some little steps, so not really accessible for disabled people or people with buggies and things like that. In the summer there is an outside seating area which is lovely if its sunny and warm! I tend to go in here if I want to sit and read for a little bit; there isn't any wifi so it is a nice place to not get too distracted. 








Burr and Co


































Burr and Co is another favourite. Still a slightly newer addition to George Street, this one is a really lovely place to sit and do work in, which I have done a few times. They always have a selection of really really lovely food, so it is a good place to also go for like a lunch date kinda thing? 

It is right on the street and is kinda sandwiched in between a restaurant and a hotel, which is all weirdly connected. As it is right on the street and not down some steps in one of Edinburgh's weird underground little shops, this does mean it can get super busy. As it is a great place for lunch, this is the time I find it gets really busy. But I think on only a couple of occasions I have had to go somewhere else because there isn't a seat. 

I really like working here. There is wifi which I *think* you get for an hour. But there are lots of little corners and a couple of window seats where you don't feel like you are in the way. I hate going to places where I want to work and feel like I am sticking out and people are getting slightly agitated that I am still there, wanting me to hurry up and leave. 

OH also if you don't like coffee get a hot chocolate. 10/10 would recommend, I got a bit teary when I had one purely because of how amazing it is. 


Lowdown Coffee


Lowdown is one I actually tend to forget about and it makes me sad because I love it so much! It is *literally* just across the road form Wellington and is also hidden away downstairs. It is another one that is still a little new. Well, I say that, it has been there over 2 years. But to me that is still new. 

Lowdown is a really really chilled out environment. It is very minimal, and it is one that not loads of people know about. There are some places in Edinburgh that are incredibly popular, but I think because this is another downstairs place it is easily missed and walked past. 

I haven't ever been in here when it's been super busy, but as they again do food, I can imagine there are peak times when it does tend to be a little busier than other times. Oh it also has wifi *yay*


Urban Angel


Urban Angel is one of the best brunching places. I tend to only go here when I want food and with someone else. It isn't the kind of place I would go to work or just chill with a coffee on my own. It is definitely a food-date-catch-up-oh-hi-i-haven't-seen-you-in-forever kind of places. 

I took Jack for pancake day and of COURSE we had pancakes. I don't think they carried on doing them but they have such an amazing selection of breakfast/lunch foods available all the time. It is on the pricier side, especially the smoothies they have. But it is all SO tasty and fresh and beautiful that by the time you are done you don't even care about the bill because it is purely SO worth it. 

This one is just off George Street, just down a street called Hanover Street. It is one you have to keep your eye out for if you haven't been before as it is really easy to walk past and not notice you have. 

Honestly if you are hungry in the centre of Edinburgh, Urban Angel is the ultimate place to go. 
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Postcards from Belgium

Brussels.
































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Wednesday 28 February 2018

Oscar Film Reviews

OKAY. Disclaimer: These are my opinions and reviews of all of these films. So they may be a little controversial. So if you don't agree that is a-okay with me. But this is what I am thinking of the films that have been nominated for the Academy Awards, oh and of course there are spoilers. 

LADY BIRD
Nominations: 5

Bias - this film is one of my favourite films ever, it has made my top 5. I loved this film. I am yet to meet one person who has seen it and said that they couldn't in some way relate to the story. And that is one of the main reasons I love it so much. It is quite a basic doing of age story, nothing crazy happens. Which, I can see why it has received criticism from some people. But, I connected with the main character so much that there were moments where I felt I could be watching my own life. I really want Saoirse Ronan to win best actress, she is SO incredible. Do I think she will? Probably not. But she is 23 and this is her THIRD oscar nomination for best actress? Like, I'm sorry what now? Incredible. If you haven't seen it, please do. 




PHANTOM THREAD
Nominations: 6
Um hi I love this film. I was so not fussed about seeing this when it finally came out in the UK. My boyfriend practically dragged me along because I simply wasn't feeling it. And when I walked out lord I was SO happy he did. This film is so beautiful? Like every single shot I want framed in my flat. It is pure art throughout and I am still obsessed. The story line is so subtly dark and intense and the characters are SO well portrayed. Before seeing this I wouldn't have said that Daniel Day Lewis was really in the running for best actor but oh my he so is. I can see and completely appreciate why this film isn't everyones cup of tea, and why some people really really go as far to say they dislike it. But I loved it. Best film, no. But still worth the nomination.

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EPPING, MISSOURI
Nominations: 7

This film honestly, powerful. If I was to put it into one word, that would have to be it. If this films doesn't win Oscar for best film I will genuinely be SO shocked. If Frances McDormand doesn't win best actress I will be even more shocked. This film is so dark and thought-provoking and brutally honest in all the right places. You can't help but simultaneously love and hate all of the characters. The pain you feel seeping through the screen from McDormand's performance is just ridiculous. She is SO talented. She shows the side of grief that so many people experience - the anger, the hopelessness mirrored alongside the constant inability to give up any form of hope to get justice for her daughter. Honestly, beautiful film. So hard to watch at times and I cried my eyes out a good 70% of the time. But there are little elements of humour woven in and they are done in such a tasteful way. It is a kind of trademark for Martin McDonagh to add in small amounts of humour to films that deal with difficult topics, but he does it in an impeccable way. So worth the watch. I really am rooting for this one to win.

THE SHAPE OF WATER 
Nominations: 13 (what the FUCK)



See now this is where I am starting to think 'try not to be too opinionated' um, but this is my blog so cool. I really didn't like this. I'M SORRY. I wanted to love it. I thought the cinematography was stunning, the acting was phenomenal, but the story. Everyone is saying is so original but it is just a fishy version of Beauty and the Beast. I know that the fish 'thing' is supposed to be some kind of God, but to me it was just a story about a mute woman falling in love with a fish thing. I tried so hard to overlook this and really delve into the complexities of the plot and the characters but all of it just felt a little off to me. I think it was still a good film, but worthy of 13 Oscar nominations? Maybe not. 




DUNKIRK
Nominations: 8

Now I have a confession - I love Christopher Nolan, like I fully live in this guys ass. I love him so much I went to see Dunkirk 5 times in the theatre. FIVE. Saying that, I don't think it is one of the best films in this list by far. I was very intrigued to see Nolan as a director, someone who usually explores more of the sic-fi genre, seeing him branch into depicting a true event in history was so thrilling. I loved this film, as usual with his films the cinematography was breath-taking, it was like watching a piece of are. And with Hans Zimmer doing the soundtrack? Blessed. I don't think it will win best picture, and I am sad to say I don't think Nolan will win the Oscar for best director. But, I hope it does walk away with some awards because the film is truly stunning.  

DARKEST HOUR
Nominations: 6
If I see ONE more tweet about 'Gary Oldman having to sit in make-up for 3 hours blah blah blah' I will spontaneously combust. But, saying that, it is very true. The films isn't bad, but it is just a little, dull? I love Gary Oldman and I think he is a brilliant actor. And when I was watching the film I genuinely couldn't see an ounce of Oldman, al I saw was Churchill. BUT...is that just due to the incredible work of the make-up and costume team? But the actual film didn't seem to move that much. I know it is a true story based around the time of World War 2 just as Winston Churchill was elected  as the new Prime Minister of the UK to lead us through the rest of the war. And I get it was only supposed to cover a very small period of time, but I just felt like nothing really happened? Was it supposed to be a true-to-life biography, or a drama? It seemed to teeter on the edge of the two. Again, not a bad film, if it doesn't take the Oscar for best Make-up, Hairstyling and Costume I will be really shocked. Seriously Gary Oldman doesn't look like himself.

GET OUT
Nominations: 4

I feel like I saw Get Out YEARS ago. But it is my favourite horror movie ever?? Granted it isn't a stereotypical horror, maybe thriller is a slightly better term, but it's still my favourite. AND we have Nomination for THE FIRST EVER BLACK DIRECTOR IN THE HISTORY OF THE 90 YEARS OF OSCAR AWARDS. I mean bloody finally?? But regardless of any of the actual nominations, this film deserves to win. My god, it was so beautifully cut and edited, the tension doesn't stop what feels like EVER. You are constantly on the edge of your seat, you feel as though you are really there, mirroring the character. There is a beautiful symmetry of humour to go alongside the tension and it is done in such a fantastic way. If you haven't seen this yet why? What are you doing? Stop what you are doing and watch this film right now.



THE POST
Nominations: 2
Try and name me a more powerful acting duo than Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks? Can't do it? I though the fuck not. God these two. They are acting royalty. It's films like these where you forget it is a real story half way through, then remember and lose all sense of reality.  It is a sudden wake up call that even simple things like the news that we are brought up to look to as a accurate source of information, something we can really trust, just simply isn't the case. The storyline it self is outrageous enough, that what both Hanks and Streep do with the characters is impeccable. It just works so beautifully. Best film? I wouldn't say so. But so so so worth the watch.



CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
Nominations: 3

This film made me more gay than I already  am??? What the HECK. I am gay as hell but I loved this film SO much. I had actually read part of the book before and hadn't realised until a little bit into the film. I watched this film long after everyone else had, but I full on jumped on the Call me by Your Name love train as soon as I had watched it. Timothée Chalamet SO deserves the Oscar for the best actor, and if he does win he will be the youngest actor in history to win it?? How amazing is that? I thought the film was so stunning. I want to watch on repeat for a year. It is the one of the most captivating love stories I have seen in a long time. It is alluring in a way I actually can't describe. It is the purest and most raw depiction of love. If you want to sit and maybe cry for a bit and make yourself believe in true love again then damn this is the film for you. I sobbed for a good hour after seeing it so, prep yourself. 


Honorable Mentions 

So I wanted to throw in some films that weren't nominated for best picture, but had other nominations. Not being discriminatory here. 

I, TONYA
Nominations: 3

Okay so this film, got really mixed reviews from what I heard anyway. But I loved it. True story? Oh my LORD. If you are from anywhere apart from America like I am, and you have ever thought 'America is crazy' ThEN WATCH THIS ITS A TRUE FUCKING STORY. This film made me want to take up ice skating, kiss Margot Robbie for being such a talented human being and steal the Oscar for best supporting actress to give to Allison Janney myself because her portrayal of Tonya's mother LaVona has honestly changed my entire life. Single handedly one of the best performances I have ever seen.  Seriously if she doesn't win I will be writing a strongly worded letter to the Academy.

BLADE RUNNER 2049
Nominations: 5
Right how was award season going to rock around and Blade Runner 2049 wasn't going to be nominated EVERY TIME for Cinematography and Visual Effects? This film, as I have said about a few others, was just art? The entire 2 hours and 44 minutes are just so visually appealing? I will be fully knocked off my ass if it doesn't win. Will hands down be one of the most beautiful films I will see until the day I die. If you really don't believe me just google stills from the film and then try to fight me.



BABY DRIVER
Nominations: 3

I'm not going to lie, I forgot about Baby Driver as a film when the Oscar nominations came through. But, I loved this film?? I went to see it twice purely because I was absolutely spellbound by the sound editing of the film? The entire film is based around Baby's soundtrack as he drives and it all just works so beautifully? Edgar Wright I love you. I think this film is now out on DVD and stuff (if you still do things like that, for those of you good folk who don't just stream films) so 100% check this film out because it is just funny and feel good and fantastic. What a cute little alliteration there. 

THE BIG SICK 
Nomination: 1



I actually saw this film by accident. I wish I was kidding. Yes I worked at the cinema at the time I saw it. In the cinema I worked in. Did I walk into the wrong screen and see a completely different film? You bet your ass I did. But I am so glad I did. This film is such a feel-good happy little film. If you ever feel sad just watch this. It is so funny and sad and cute I just love it. 



THE DISASTER ARTIST
Nomination: 1
Right I know that the Franco brothers are a touchy subject. Half of Hollywood is at the moment. I honestly haven't ever really been a fan of either of the two brothers but holy hell. This film. James Franco literally blew me away with his depiction of Tommy Wiseau. It was like watching Tommy? It was at points transcending. I hadn't actually seen all of The Room before seeing The Disaster Artist. For those of you who don't know, The Room was made by the real Tommy Wiseau and is comically and fondly known for being the worst film ever made. Ever. I had seen big chunks of it, literally CRYING laughing, but I couldn't watch it all the way through. After watching The Disaster Artist though I had to. James Franco does such a BLOODY good job?? But he is also an asshole, so no nomination for you pal. I will be really surprised if this doesn't win for best screenplay adaptation.

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