What I've been watching #8

I feel like it's not been too long at all since the last time I did one of these but y'know I'm not really doing much at home and watching films distracts me from the fact that I'm going to be leaving the comfort of my family home in just a few weeks . . . okay yeah let's just get on with it.

48 HOURS (1982)
★★★
48 Hours is about a cop, played by Nick Nolte, that teams up with a criminal, played by Eddie Murphy, in order to track down a killer in 48 hours before the criminal has to be returned back to prison. 

This film was entertaining and had a few funny moments in it (as any film with Eddie Murphy inevitably would), but I don't think it was anything special so I'm not sure if I would watch it again.

THE BAD EDUCATION MOVIE (2015)
★★★★ 1/2
The Bad Education Movie takes place on a school trip to Cornwall that teacher Alfie Wickers, played by Jack Whitehall, takes his class on. One of the first problems that arises is that student Joe's Mother invites herself so she can make sure they're not getting up to any trouble as she has some sort of vendetta against Alfie. Whilst they're in Cornwall, they meet some of Alfie's old school mates and he gets involved with a Cornish Independence group which results in trouble for Alfie.

I thought this film was really funny - if you like the series, you'll definitely like this and I think it was such a good way to end the series. I also think Jack Whitehall is  hilarious anyway, but this film had so many laugh-out-loud moments and I think it would be one I watch again once it's out on DVD.

IN HIS LIFE: THE JOHN LENNON STORY (2000)
★★★★
This film is about John Lennon's life starting from his teen years following all the events up until The Beatles went on the Ed Sullivan show, such as John meeting Paul at the Woolton Parish Fete in 1957, John's relationship with his Mother, The Beatles going to Hamburg and coming into contact with Ringo Starr, John's new relationship with Cynthia, and the birth of John's first child.

I loved this, I think John's life was so interesting and I've watched so many biopics about him and I've read John by Cynthia Lennon so I knew I would like this. It's pretty historically accurate and I think the acting was pretty decent. If you liked Nowhere Boy, you would probably like this because it documents the same events (and more!). A must-watch for any Beatles fan or anyone interested in John's life. I loved how they included Cynthia in it because that was something that was missing from Nowhere Boy and I think their relationship was really interesting because they were so young and in love and all that jazz.

RUSH (2013)
★★★★
Rush is a biopic based on the intense formula 1 rivalry between English James Hunt and Austrian Niki Lauda who take different approaches to racing - Hunt living every day like it's his last and being somewhat of a thrill seeker, whereas Lauda is a perfectionist and trains all the time. This tests the women in both of their lives, and the rivalry becomes stronger and stronger until it inevitably causes an accident.

I didn't actually know much about the real life story of Lauda and Hunt, but my parents were quite interested in it and she bought the DVD for my brother's birthday a while ago and we got round to watching it for my brother's movie choice. I have to admit I didn't think I was going to like it that much, don't get me wrong I enjoy watching racing sometimes but I'm a bit indifferent to the whole thing so I wasn't sure how much enjoyment I would get out of this, but it was entertaining and fast moving, and it has actually got me interested in the real life story so I'd definitely recommend giving it a watch even if you're not interested in formula 1.

FIGHT CLUB (1999)
★★★★
Fight Club follows the story of an unnamed narrator who's an insomniac and is basically not in a great mental state, so he goes to support groups to help relieve this. He then meets a girl called Marla and his life becomes a little bit better. Then, he starts associating with a man called Tyler and gets dragged into an underground fight club and soap making scheme. However, trouble begins to arise when when Marla attracts Tyler's attention.

I watched this film after being recommended it so many times by my friend Lizzie (she also lent the DVD to me so thanks for that Lizzie), and I also just thought it was strange that I hadn't watched it given that I'm a bit of a film buff and this is so famous - I also just wanted some context for the 'first rule of fight club' quote. The film had some interesting themes like individualism and consumerism and it was just generally entertaining and fast moving. You can't go too wrong with Brad Pitt and Helena Bonham Carter (Edward Norton was pretty good too but I haven't really seen much with him in to compare it to). Basically, this was a good film and you should watch it - also Pixies' Where is My Mind? opens up the ending credits and I'm a big Pixies fan so that was obviously going to be a winner for me.

What films have you watched recently?

Bloglovin | YouTube | Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram

Visiting Brighton, self-care, and being the annoying vegan friend

one.
After getting my results and finding out I'm getting into my first university choice in Brighton, me and my family decided to go away for a few days to check out the area a bit more and look at the accommodation sites (as they didn't come with me on the open day, although I ended up rejecting the accommodation I was offered) and I'm really looking forward to living there now, not that I wasn't before like I knew Brighton was a lovely place hence why it was my first choice but visiting it again knowing that I'm definitely going there sort of reinforced that. Also, there were quite a few record shops (#hipster) and a mahoosive guitar shop which me and my Dad spent a rather lengthy amount of time in.

two.
I went round to a friend's house to watch American Horror Story (although we watched one episode and then ended up watching Orange is the New Black because I still hadn't finished it, but I finished it now!!) and I established that I am crap with directions. Literally it took me an hour and a half bus journey to do a trip that should've been less than half that time, I knew I wasn't so good in directions on foot but I've honestly hit a new low . . . (Damon Albarn voice: this is a looooooooooow)

three.
I went to go see the Bad Education movie with a few friends and it was so funny, if you like the series you're going to love the movie and it's really nice way to end the series. We also went to Costa afterwards - I've gone vegan again so it took me a while to order (I had to go online and check what was vegan on the menu, yes I'm becoming the annoying vegan friend . . . )

four.
I was feeling really down so I decided to ignore my phone most of the day and play piano all day, I find it so therapeutic and ever since finishing grade 8 I've been majorly neglecting the piano, but it has such a positive effect on my mood I really should find more time for it - I feel like I'm being productive by learning new pieces and I just generally like playing the piano, so it's definitely one of my favourite forms of self care.

five.
I decided to watch Harold and Maude again as it's been a few years since I first watched it, and whilst I really enjoyed it the first time, I really really loved it the second time round. The whole film is about control and enjoying life, but not it's not at all cheesy like how you would expect a film which essentially expresses #YOLO to be. Definitely one of my favourite films and an exquisite, cult classic.

six.
I'm not sure if I've vocalised this many times but I am a massive Saved by the Bell fan. I used to watch it a lot when I was younger (I must've been really young and they must've been re-runs, but I do remember watching them with my older half-sister) and then I found them all online a while ago and watched the series a few times, then I was given the box set for Christmas one year and I return to them a couple of times a year and it's time - I've been speeding through it, I've watched quite a couple of series in a matter of days. I'm enjoying myself profusely, but it means Breaking Bad has taken a backseat once again.

seven.
I went to go visit my future home in Brighton and I'm looking forward to moving in now, it's nothing special like it is your average student house, but I really like Brighton and I think the change would be good for me.

eight.
I've become re-obsessed with Everybody Loves Raymond. This used to be one of my favourite shows when I was in primary school, right up there with Friends, because it used to be on about 7:30am and in primary school it didn't take so long to get ready in the morning so I had time to watch it, and I do actually own a series on DVD that I revisit quite a lot, but it had been a while I had watched it on TV and I've actually been recording them (TiVo wishlists are a Godsend), so I've been watching series 9 and it's become one of my favourite things to do everyday. Nothing better than starting your day with some porridge, a cup of tea, and a couple of episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond - I'm pretty certain I am Robert, like I'd love to think I'm Ray, but if I'm honest I'm Robert.

nine.
I got round to voting in the Labour Leadership election (as well as the one for mayor and a bunch of other ones that I didn't know I had to vote for) and I'm sure it's no surprise to you that I voted Jeremy Corbyn as leader - I've said it once and I'll say it again but Jeremy Corbyn has been the only thing keeping me optimistic regarding politics since the election, I'm really hoping he wins.

ten.
I went round to my friend Ma'Suma's house with Isabella for one last sleepover before we go off to University (well I don't really leave for another few weeks but Isabella leaves in a few days, she's a big leaver) which was cute. We watched a lot of Friends and A Hard Day's Night, if you haven't watched any of The Beatles' movies you really need to, even if you don't like The Beatles' music they're such funny boys with a dry sense of humour. I personally think Help! is their best film but I do love A Hard Day's Night, just avoid Magical Mystery Tour at all costs . . .

How have the past couple of weeks been for you?

Bloglovin | YouTube | Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram