My favourites of 2012. Happy New Year!

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First off, apologises for not completing Blogmas. I have a good reason for not completing it and that was being really busy with my family and friends over the Christmas holiday.

At the end of every year I like looking at the positive stuff that happened, so I thought I would write a last post of 2012 with a list of my favourite films, good stuff that happened in 2012 and a few stuff for 2013.

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Annoyingly, going to the cinema this year was not like 2011. I saw only 26 2012 film releases compared to last year’s 54, so compiling a top 10 list isn’t going to be the fairest of decisions. Not only that, but I didn’t review a lot of what I did see which really disappointed me, but I guess A-Levels and other stuff means I don’t have as much spare time to write and see new stuff.

Regardless, here is a list of my five favourite films from 2012 (UK releases).

5. Moonrise Kingdom
4. Ruby Sparks
3. The Dark Knight Rises
2. Magic Mike
1. The Avengers

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With a few, unordered honourable mentions:

• The Hunger Games
• Life Of Pi
• Prometheus
• Like Crazy
• Brave 

My lists are pretty filled with the big films, which is a shame, so I’m hoping to catch all the good stuff I missed this year on DVD soon.

There have been some great things happen in 2012. I went to a few early film screenings, had a week's work experience at Sky Movies Online, passed my driving test, got good AS results and went on my first ever plane journey to Paris.

Despite the quality of my reviews and blog posts this year being far better than previously, the amount of them has been very slim. So in 2013 I aim to have a little change with the appearance of my blog and to actually blog a whole lot more. Other things I hope to achieve in 2013 include getting fitter, getting good at baking and making good decisions for after my A-Levels.


I hope everyone has a great New Year's Eve and an awesome start to 2013! Surround yourself with people who make you happy and you'll have a fantastic year I can assure you.

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2: Winter nail trends | 12 Days of Blogmas

I’m not someone who wears heaps of make-up and I’d say my look was pretty simple, but when it comes to painting my nails I usually go all out to make them look very girly and pretty.

This winter I feel like there is a big nail trend with glitter and as I’ve purchased some great glitter nail polishes in the past few months, I’d thought I’d blog about them and share some of the designs I’ve been doing.(Apologies for the bad photos, I’m not someone who usually does these posts)

Glitter is such a big trend at the moment but finding a good glitter polish can be difficult. Sometimes you think you’ve found a good glitter but when it comes to painting your nails, the glitter to clear polish ratio is about 20:80. I’ve found some glitter polishes which not only have nearly 100% glitter coverage, but their colour payoff is incredible and they look SO festive.

Models Own Wonderland collection (x)

These nail polishes are my favourite Christmas polishes. Jack Frost, Snowflake, Southern Lights, Northern Lights and Blizzard.

My favourite of the 5 are definitely Southern Lights and Northern Lights. They’re completely glittery and work well as tips or over the whole nail. I’ve found that with a top coat, they’re pretty chip resistant for at least a week compared to other glitter nail polishes I’ve tried.  I've been receiving lots of nice comments when I've been wearing these in the past few weeks.

Jack Frost is similar to the two above, with a white undercoat and pink glitter sparkles; however it works best over colours such as white or black. Snowflakes and Blizzard too work best over colours as a top coat, with Snowflakes looking like tiny snowflakes and Blizzard being small round silver glitter.

Another great glitter is again one from Models Own. Ibiza Mix from the Hed Kandi collection. The glitter remind me of fireworks because of all the different colours. You have to make sure you get a lot of glitter with the brush, but once you have you can you can easily just use one or two coats. With enough glitter you could use this as two coats over nails, but I prefer it over colours.

(Excuse the awful picture)

Other polishes I think I’m going to go back to this winter are No.7 Rose Truffle, Barry M Gold Mine Glitter, Barry M Burgundy Croc, Models Own In The Navy and Models Own Purple Grey.

As for winter nail looks, I think there are some very simple and easy ways to make nails look different and arty without having to go get them done professionally or spending hours attempting nail art.

1. Glitter over colour. (Models Own Ibiza Mix over Avon Midnight)

2. Glitter tips! (Models Own Purple Grey with Models Own Southern Lights)

3. Snowflakes (Miss Sporty Coty Paris and Models Own White Nail Art Pen)
(Here’s how I did the snowflakes (from here)…pretty easy if you have a steady hand!)

4. Accent nails. Either a full glitter or a design. (Models Own Purple Grey with Northern Lights)

5. Or a simply dark red! Festive.(Rose Truffle No.7)

I’m no expert but these are just a few things I’ve thought of. When it gets closer to Christmas I’m going to try some of these designs from Cute Polish on youtube. Santa Hats, Rudolph Reindeer and I’ve already painted some fake nails inspired by Caroline's (Burkatron) Fair Isle nail design. These are SO cute and I can’t wait to put them on!

Any special way that you get your nails done for Christmas? Let me know and if you have a link to your Blogmas's, please leave it in a comments!

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12 days of Blogmas!

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Last year, a group of youtubers I'm subscribed to took part in 'Vlogmas', where they vlogged every day in December up to Christmas. I thought it was quite interesting because I love the build up to Christmas and seeing how everyone prepares for the season in their own way is really quite sweet.

I don't vlog, I blog so I thought this year I'd do my own little Blogmas. But without blogging everyday, as I don't think I have enough things to blog about, as well with the amount of college work I've got going on. Therefore Blogmas, for me, is going to be 3 blog posts a week in the run up to Christmas, all about Christmas related stuff.

I'll post Christmas recipes, my favourite Christmas things, diary type events to Christmas things I've done and other random bits I think of.

I'll be aiming to post a new blog every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday as well as 2 extra days of Saturday 1st and Christmas Eve to make it the 12 Days of Blogmas.

A few of my friends who blog are also taking part and I'm sure other people across the world have thought up the same idea of taking part in Blogmas, so why don't you join in too?
Just post your blog to facebook, twitter, tumblr or whatever and tag it Blogmas. And send me a link to your Blogmas, I'd love to read other peoples!

Check out my friends blogs who are taking part in Blogmas too (I'll add more if I see more people take part!):
Laura, Melissa, Rebecca, Amber, Andrew, and Alex.

Hope you all have a great December!

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Monsters Inc. (2003) 3D (2012) review

Running Time: 92 mins
Directed By: Pete Docter
Starring: Voice cast: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly, Frank Oz
Screenplay: Andrew Stanton, Daniel Gerson
UK Release Date: 19th December 2012 - US/ 18th January 2013 -UK

Review: Every single Pixar film is known as a gem, even if you’re one of those where Wall•E and Ratatouille didn’t particularly move you. With the success of recent Pixar’s in 3D, it seems fitting that the original beauties should be converted and what better time for a Monsters Inc. in 3D than now, with Monsters University gracing our screens in the next few months.

  For those who don’t know, Monsters Inc. is set in the City of Monstropolis, which is inhabited by Monsters. To generate their power, some monsters work in the factory, Monsters Inc., to scare human children because their screams are collected as power. Human children are believed to be toxic in the monster world, so when one accidentally makes its way through a closet portal and into the hands of Sully, he and his best friend Mike have to find a way to get rid of her. In Pixar fashions, everything about Monstropolis is bright, colourful and beams off screen. The entire appearance of the film is glorious and it’s no wonder it cheers people up straight away.

  Monsters Inc. is certainly one of Pixar’s best films; there is no doubt about it. The laugh-out-loud physical gags for kids, mostly Mike, hit the adults, making it a bigger success than most kid’s films. Pixar, as everyone knows, don’t aim for the younger generation, but family. By seeing it in a room full of children and adults, laughing is more contagious and the majority of the hilarious events on screen end up making stomachs hurt from laughter. John Goodman, Billy Crystal and the rest of the brilliantly voiced cast aid the fun and likability of Monsters Inc. Mike and Sully are an iconic dynamic duo, and their chemistry from their voices is so evident at times, it feels as if Goodman and Crystal were destined for these roles in their career.

  On the most part, the 3D conversion works pretty well and most evidently during the opening sequence of them beautifully coloured doors. In the last 40 or so minutes, where the tension begins to build, after Mike and Sully realise Randall’s evil plan, the danger seems to be amplified by the 3D. The real scary monsters like Mr Waternoose and Randall appear far more frightening in 3D than before, as their spider legs or scales are in your face while the rushed chases through closet doors seem more like a narrow escape route. 3D puts audiences into a film and despite the fact it’s animation and about monsters, Pixar and the use of 3D do their job to make it feel real.

  There are moments when the 3D isn’t used as well as it could be, but it is only a conversion and the film didn’t plan on shooting things towards the screen and into people’s faces. The biggest benefit of 3D was the opening short of For The Birds, which seems like it was made for 3D with flying feathers.

  11 years on and Monsters Inc. hasn’t lost any of its spark and fun, while the 3D works nicely for kids who have yet to see it on the big screen. One of Pixar’s winners still remains on top.

5/5

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Ruby Sparks

Running Time: 104 mins
Directed By: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
Starring: Zoe Kazan, Paul Dano, Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening, Steve Coogan, Elliott Gould
Screenplay: Zoe Kazan
UK Release Date: 12th October -UK

Husband and wife duo Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris are well known as the creators of one of 2006’s best indie films, Little Miss Sunshine, as well as some very famous adverts and music videos. Now, they join forces with one of America’s growing female film writers and actresses Zoe Kazan (yes, the granddaughter of Elia Kazan-wow!), Ruby Sparks is another comedy drama, however with romance, making for a superb second feature.

Reuniting Dayton and Faris with Paul Dano has him as our protagonist, a very clever and successful author named Calvin, who is currently suffering the painful virus of writer’s block. After finding inspiration in a dream, Calvin begins to write about a girl named Ruby Sparks and, not long after, she becomes real.

The idea of the film is fairly original, as well as simple, and Ruby Sparks completely charms in a breathtaking, romantic, comedic way. Although it is completely imaginative and has its own specific feel, there are hints of a ‘500 Days of Summer’ and ‘Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind’ atmosphere in the way that it’s an offbeat rom-com with quirks and untypical paths. Nevertheless, Ruby Sparks is more refreshing, as this offbeat atmosphere is more inviting that overpowering.

Giving a very memorable performance in Little Miss Sunshine, Dano impresses further with Calvin Weir-Fields. Calvin is a very adoring, empathic character for audiences to relate to and Dano has that little bit of himself in Calvin to make him ever so real. Opposite him is the beautiful Zoe Kazan, who shines as Ruby Sparks. Whether she wrote the part knowing her sweet, bubbly character was to be cast or not, it literally is as if the part was wrote for her. Ruby is not only real for Calvin, but real for audiences because the love story of the pair is touching to watch and the whole way through we are captivated by her. 

Ruby is absolutely everything a regular guy would dream of her to be, which is when Calvin begins to take advantage of his unexplained gift. Although, not in any type of vulgar way, rather trying to get her to fit around his mood and his plans. These scenes could be seen as the most poignant, because of Calvin’s melancholy life and strive to have someone shadowing his every move. Keeping to a traditional romantic film, the heart-warming montages stick out as some of the most beloved scenes, mimicking classic rom-coms from a few decades.

Kazan’s script is so lovely; it’s entirely believable on some levels. For fiction, it’s somehow plausible because everything that occurs during Calvin’s life is how we’d all react if this type of magic hit us. It’s a magical love story, in the most regular, convincing way. There is a complete contrast of feelings throughout Ruby Sparks, where there are moments to feel sad and moments to laugh. Although Antonio Banderas and Annette Bening have very few scenes, they’re input creates a lot of comedy to help keep Ruby Sparks on the ground.

Despite the rushed ending, Ruby Sparks still captures the essence of both the good and bad sides of being in love even if the person you have fallen in love with, is someone you have created in your mind.

Zoe Kazan is an absolute delight and being opposite her real life boyfriend makes the love story within Ruby Sparks seem even more real, exciting and moving in another touching drama by Dayton and Faris.

4.5/5

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May and June viewings

I was contemplating whether or not to keep with posting my monthly viewings as I forgot to post my May ones with the move to a new site, but a few people find it interesting and let’s be honest, I have nothing better to do!

Here are my May and June viewings and remember, these are just films I have seen for the first time. It was quite a good month looking at ratings, or maybe I just watched the good stuff.
 

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Total Recall (1991) 4/5
Garden State (2004) 4/5
To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) 5/5
50/50 (2011) 4/5
The Illusionist (2006) 3/5
Overboard (1987) 3/5
The Incredible Hulk (2008) 3.5/5
Empire Of The Sun (1987) 4/5
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) 5/5
Bonnie and Clyde (1967) 3.5/5
How To Steal A Million (1966) 3/5
The Unforgiven (1960) 3/5
Alien (1979) 4/5
Rushmore (1997) 4/5
Prometheus  (2012) 4/5
Chaplin (1994) 4/5
Natural Born Killers (1994) 4/5
Midnight In Paris (2011) 4/5
Shame (2011) 4/5
The Five-Year Engagement (2012) 3.5/5
The Great Gatsby (1974) 4/5
Lars and the Real Girl (2007) 4/5
Away We Go (2009) 4.5/5
Gregory’s Girl (1981) 4/5

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Oscar Nominations 2012

It's that time of the year again! Even though I haven't posted anything about awards for the last few weeks, I felt the need to blog and say something about the Academy Awards nomination.

This time last year I was overjoyed at the fact I had seen 8/10 Best Picture nominees but this year I find myself not being able to share a real opinion having only seen 2/9. But I'm still going to (irreverently) comment and * my choices to win...

Best Picture
The Artist*
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse

- Ok so I know I haven't actually seen The Artist yet, but I want it to win. I've heard such great stuff about it, not just from critics, and it'll be glorious to see it win! As an unpopular opinion, the Best Pic category looks 75% decent. Hugo and The Tree of Life were beautiful and I'm sure War Horse, Midnight in Paris are too. Though, I have absolutely no idea what Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is doing, seeing as it currently stands at a 48% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.2 on imdb. I didn't think The Help was particularly Best Picture worthy either. What about 50/50, Drive, Shame and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo?


Best Director
The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius
The Descendants - Alexander Payne
Hugo - Martin Scorsese *
Midnight in Paris - Woody Allen
The Tree of Life - Terrence Malick

-This looks a strong category! (But no Fincher?) Having only seen two, I can't really decide out of them all but know that each of these are definitely honourable. But for me, I want Marty to nab it. I adored Hugo and was very happy Martin won the Golden Globe.


Best Actor
Demián Bichir - A Better Life
George Clooney - The Descendants
Jean Dujardin - The Artist*
Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt - Moneyball

-I don't knowwww. I'm happy Oldman has been nominated which could be another unpopular opinion, but again, even though I haven't seen it, I like the idea of Jean Dujardin winning but it will be close with Clooney of course.


Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh - My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill - Moneyball
Nick Nolte - Warrior
Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Max von Sydow - Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close


-I don't have a preference for Best Supporting Actor. I've only seen My Week With Marilyn from this list and even though I thought Branagh was excellent, it could really be anyone. From a friend I've heard Beginners is fantastic and Plummer's Golden Globe was agreed with. It'd be great if Jonah Hill won though- imagine!

Best Actress
Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis - The Help
Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams - My Week With Marilyn*

-Queen Meryl has it in the bag, but I'm still completely taken by Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe. She really got into the role and performed it well so she's my favourite. If Rooney Mara wins I might cry of happiness because she's adorable.

Best Supporting Actress
Bérénice Bejo - The Artist
Jessica Chastain - The Help
Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer - Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer - The Help


-Even though I haven't seen The Help, I feel Chastain's nomination would be better for Tree Of Life, but her role in The Help has had a lot of buzz around it. I like the idea of McCarthy being nominated, but not winning it. This one is going to be tough to call.

Best Animated Film
A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2*
Puss in Boots*
Rango

-I'm gutted because each year, I've pretty much seen all of the nominations for animations but this year I've seen one. ONE. I'm appalled at myself and don't think Rango lives up to winning anyway. Heard good things about Chico & Rita, Panda and Puss and don't quite know what A Cat In Paris is. I'd be happy for Dreamworks to win so either of them two.



As for the rest, I will cry tears of joy if Man or Muppet wins best original song. For over a week now I haven't got a day without singing it in my head (sometimes out loud). Rio was very catchy though.

I feel like I've slacked with listening to film scores this year. Not one of the scores I've downloaded which I've liked from a film are nominated so I have no idea.


For the complete list of nominations, click here.


The nominations this year are a bit...meh. I mean, some are obvious winners such as The Artist and The Descendants. Hugo leads the list with 12 nominations so I really hope it does well.
Others are shocking. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close for starts and then Transformers 3 with 3 nominations? What is going on?!

No Ryan Gosling? Fassbender? Shame or Drive for Best Pic? Do the academy not want them both to attend the ceremony looking handsome in suits, etc? Ok, their good looks aside, their performances have been praised by critics but they're obviously too good for the academy..
Also very shocked there is nothing for Tilda Swinton in We Need To Talk About Kevin. Something's not quite right.


watch the Oscars hosted by Billy, as I'm quite a youngling, so I am very much looking forward to this!

The Academy Awards are on Feb 26th. Be sure to check back a few days after to see my thoughts on the event.

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The Muppets (2012) - review

Running Time: 103 mins
Directed By: James Bobin
Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Kermit the frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie bear, Walter, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones
Screenplay: Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller
UK Release Date: 10th Februrary 2012 - UK

Quick Plot: After being a fan of The Muppets for his whole life, young Walter ventures to LA with his older brother and his girlfriend to experience The Muppets tour! To his dismay, he is greeted by a ghost town and an evil businessman, Tex Richman, who plans on destroying the studio to dig for oil. Walter is determined to bring the gang back together and raise money before Richman gets to the plot.



Review: It's been almost 12 years since a Muppets theatrical release, although it feels as if no time has passed at all! In quite possibly the most feel good film of 2011, The Muppets is entertaining, bright, quirky and a great deal of fun.


It's absolutely glorious to see Kermit, Gonzo, Fozzie, Miss Piggy and the rest of the gang back together on screen. There is an abode of unexpected nostalgia surrounding The Muppets from the moment the first song is acted out, causing smiles from the familiar scent of a Manha Manha's and Being Green. In a family movie world surrounded by 3D and CGI, The Muppets is fresh but it does not stray far from the previous franchised films altogether. On screen, the beaming presence from the actors, and matched vibe brought over from the director, make it clear this new Muppets film was crafted by passionate fans of the Muppets legend.

Jason Segel will forever be praised for bringing The Muppets back on the big screen and, better yet, he's grand to watch alongside them. Segel's singing isn't half bad and paired with the ever so delightful, Disney favourite, Amy Adams; they complement each other to give a full hearted performance in musical numbers and their sweet character relationship. But as expected, The Muppets are not over shadowed, being central to all of the attention they do what they do best; sharing the third best gift- laughter. Was that cheesy? Yes. But is it true? Absolutely. New kid on the block Walter has everything that defines a Muppet; a perky mind set, distinctive voice (by Peter Linz) and even a signature song, but it’s Walter’s exhilarating affection which makes him so likable. Children will adore the newcomer as he represents many kids, mostly big kids, across the world as a diehard Muppets fan. It’s a shame the pinnacle of the film for Walter feels unsatisfactory, however gloss that over with the hilarity of his better moments and it’s soon forgiven.

Like any Muppet movie, it's full to the brim of celebrity cameos, which is entertainment enough. Some of the appearances are completely unexpected and there's no other response to seeing them but to laugh. Perfectly timed, perfectly chosen, overall it’s one of the greatest parts of The Muppets. Most of the cameo roles, who are obvious pals of Segel and co., continue to bring light on screen with their appearances (Emily Blunt especially), because their madcap characters are obviously some of the most fun they have endured in a film.

Unsurprisingly, the soundtrack stands as the heart and soul of the entire film. Full of upbeat, cheery tones bringing genuine enthusiasm and fun to the Muppets, it's impossible not to smile at the musical numbers. Then, in the usual Muppet manner, most of the musical numbers delve into comedy- in particular the fantastic 'Am I a Man or a Muppet' performed by Segel and Walter.

The icing on the cake for The Muppets is that collectively it isn’t perfect. There are moments where a few jokes feel repeated and certain characters start to become dull, but as soon as The Muppets starts to feel low it shoots right back on top with an epic musical number, sweet cameo or touching awakening for a character or two.

Fans who have anticipated the return of the Muppets will consequently be overjoyed in this resurrection while unhappy folk who don’t obviously won’t. Remember, Life’s A Happy Song.
4/5

The Muppets trailer

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2012

So it's 2012. My second year with my blog!

When I started off, I didn't expect to still be posting after a month, as I usually give up with stuff like this. In the first year I have received just over 14000 views and I still can't believe it. I didn't think I'd get anywhere near this much recognition with my posts, so thank you to every single person who has visited, even if it has just been to read one blog post or just voted on a poll- it means a lot that people have taken their time out to visit my blog.
Not only that, I have been lucky in the response and opportunities I have received in 2011. I got the chance to help out Lionsgate with The Hunger Games by participating in testimonials about the books and what I am hoping for from the film. I got a chance to see The Lion King in 3D a month before it's UK release from Disney which I am extremely lucky and thankful for. Back in August I attended (I brought tickets myself so it wasn't an opportunity) a day at the Empire Big Screen which was fantastic! There I met a fellow film blogger iamnotwaynegale and have since been very happy to write a few words about trailer releases over at her site for the past few months. James King reviewed a review I made for a Virgin Media Short back in November which is very overwhelming to think of, I am very lucky.

Reviewing each film I saw at the cinema last year what a bigger task than I expected. But I'm glad I persevered because by looking at my first review (don't look too much, it's awful!) and my last one, I can see a clear improvement in the way I construct my reviews. My writing has improved the most which is my main achievement. I still have a long way to go before I am at any type of professional standard, but I'm happy with how I have progressed.

This year I hope to continue in writing reviews and hopefully more film related posts. A few new polls, some film news here and there and some round ups of winners and events at awards season! I am aiming to review cinema releases like I did this year, but with my 6th form work and exams, it's going to have to be second priority. My plan is to still review a film even if I don't end up posting it a few days, weeks or even a month after my viewing. Instead of new releases, I will also aim to write a few reviews of films I see on DVD or TV as I adore old cinema just as much as upcoming releases.

Who knows what 2012 will bring! Un-film related, I have exams in a few months, my first plane journey and a big birthday towards the latter of the year. As for films, I'm mostly excited for my big 5- The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spider-man, The Avengers, The Hunger Games, The Hobbit as well as Brave, Snow White and the Huntsmen, Prometheus, Dark Shadows and The Perks of being a Wallflower. Then there are other, smaller, films which I am anticipating.

Here's to 2012! If you are still reading then I hope you have a great 2012!

Happy Feet 2
On Christmas Eve I saw Happy Feet 2 but because of Christmas, I had no time to write a review. In case anyone is interested in my view on the film...
I enjoyed it. The baby penguins are cute but it's nowhere near as good as the first film. It broke records the first film and you can see why. The second feels too much similar and at parts it just felt over repeating. I laughed at it though because of the krill (Matt Damon and Brad Pitt) they were hilarious. Probably unneeded but they did their job right. My younger cousins enjoyed it which is all I'm happy about.
2.5/5

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