TOUCH OF EVIL

I was meant to publish this weeks ago but I kept getting set back so I'll do it now while I've got the time. I can't remember    how I came across this (I think it was Twitter) but I've been kind of fascinated by it. It is a collection of short films portraying 'cinimatic villainy, inspired by nefarious icons and featuring the best performers from the year in film'. Okay, so I got that off the website but whatever it's still totally true and legit kay? :) I won't pretend to know who all of the actors are portraying, but visually they are all beautiful and this actually makes me interested in seeing the films.

 Glenn Close as silent film star Theda Bara.

 Jessica Chastain as Carole in 'Repulsion'.

Rooney Mara as Alex in 'A Clockwork Orange'.

Ryan Gosling as 'The Invisible Man'.

 Kirsten Dunst as Cora Smith in 'The Postman Always Rings Twice'.

 Mia Wasikowska as Anna Quadri in 'The Conformist' (This is my favourite by far. 
She looks so classically beautiful here).

Violas Davis as Nurse Ratched from 'One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest'.

Adepero Oduye as Bonnie Parker in "Bonnie and Clyde".

If you want to check out the short films click here :)
XOXOX

FAMILY NAIL FUN!

I got some new nail varnish a week ago and was desperate to try it out. I chose to do a blended nail effect. It is from Models Own in Purple Haze. I am really pleased with how they turned out, and they were so easy to do. I did a clear base coat, and then a really thin coat of the glitter starting about half way up the nail. The coats got higher up the nail and slightly thicker each time so to create the blended effect.

Once my younger step-sisters saw my new nails they asked for the same. I think

they look good and they were both really happy. It also shows that this design looks good

on nails of varying lengths.

Even my brothers wanted to get in on the action (: Jack wanted alternating

sparkly pink and blue and he was really so happy with them.

I then painted Charly's nails in alternating sparkly blue and gold. It was funny because it took

my step-dad quite a lot of convincing to let me paint their nails. Reece tried to paint the

dog's nails but it was a bit of a failure because I think she just wanted to eat it D:

XOXOXO

TEEN VOGUE & EMMA STONE

  

I love these images from the latest Teen Vogue US starring the gorgeous Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield. I'm not a reader of Teen Vogue because I am kind of a grown-up (: but I couldn't help notice the cover of the magazine when I was browsing in my local shop. I love these shots. Emma is wearing a range of designers, including Alexander McQueen, Mulberry, Calvin Klein, Prada and Louis Vuitton. Woooah lucky thing. My favourite look is the Marc Jacobs (top left) that Emma is wearing. I adore this collection anyway, and it looks stunning on Emma. The huge furry hat and shapely and fun dress reflects the quirky and fun vibe that Emma has. She looks so damn lady-like :) In fact, I think all the images and looks reflect Emma's fun attitude that we all love her for. There seems to be a slight theme of the colour red throughout - maybe a hint to the pairs romance? It is all very cutesy and sweet. Andrew Garfield also looks very dapper and slick in his selection of Burberry, Topman, Carven and Calvin Klein and Thom Browne suits.

I love these actors both separately and together. I first saw Andrew Garfield in a small crime drama called Red Riding a few years ago. I loved the show and Andrew's acting in it. The only other thing I've seen is The Social Network, which pretty much catapulted Andrew to fame. I've had a major girl crush on Emma Stone since forever I'm pretty sure. I've seen her in The House Bunny, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and Zombieland, and there are loads of films that I need to see soon that she also stares in, like Crazy, Stupid, Love and Easy A. She is so amazing because she is so funny and talented and she can steal a whole movie with her performances. I don't feel like there are enough truly funny and talented young actresses and she is just one of the best. She is so inspirational, in that she is so natural and herself and doesn't conform to the hollywood actress mold. I have endless respect for that.

I adore that Andrew and Emma are a couple because I love them both and they are so beautiful that they should get married right now and have lots of beautiful, funny and talented actor babies. XOXO

OOOOOH THE DARK KNIGHT RISES!!

I love Batman more than any other superhero franchise, no question. Of all the many many versions of the film that have come out over the years, I have pretty much seen them all. Most are poor (Clooney, what?!) but one version, the most recent, is breathtaking and epic. I wanted to prepare myself for the latest movie by watching the first two parts over the last week or so. Here is what I thought (by the way, there are going to be some spoilers but none from the new film):


BATMAN BEGINS

This film is pretty much what it says on the tin. It shows Bruce Wayne as he loses his parents and becomes Batman. I hadn't seen this movie in it's entirety before. I had only seen the first 15-20 minutes and from that I stupidly judged the whole film. The beginning shows him as a kid and all the upsetting and distressing things that happen in his early life. It was kind of upsetting for me because I hate seeing kids upset in films. I almost can't watch. It is however ultimately really important in helping to understand his character. The first 20 minutes also shows Bruce living in Asia and learning how to become a fighter. It has loads of martial arts stuff going on which instantly put me off. Initially I was like 'Oh good ninjas :|' but that whole part was actually over pretty quickly and soon the real story (for me anyway) started. He ends up killing most of the people he trains with because they are corrupt but saves his friend and trainer Henri Ducard played by Liam Neeson. This part seemed irrelevant to me at first but it soon became clear that it is a major aspect of the three films. Liam Neeson comes back to cause some trouble later in the film but naturally Batman gets on it because he's just good like that. 

After this point is all stuff I hadn't seen before. Bruce comes back to Gotham, his home city, and he is all tough and ready to fight crime etc. From this point the ball really starts rolling and the story picks up a lot of pace. They also quickly introduce all the gadgets which I enjoyed as it explained Batman's abilities in a realistic way. It explains how he flies and moves without being boring or irrelevant. We are also soon introduced to the Scarecrow, played by Cillian Murphy. Christ he is scary. I saw him and was like 'Welcome to my nightmares D:'. This villain is a doctor who puts on a mask and sprays this hallucinogenic mist into people's faces which makes them go crazy. Cillian has this chilling vibe about him anyway and was so creepy in this role. Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Gary Oldman are all magnificent in this film. Christian Bale makes such a mysterious and strong and dark Batman and he is, to me, the best. I love his portrayal. An element of romance is also a part of this film, with Katie Holmes playing Rachel Dawes, Bruce's childhood friend. I liked that this was in the film because it takes you away from the big superhero stuff and is just about a relationship. It also shows Bruce's vulnerable and emotional side.

Overall I really liked this film a lot. It had action, thrills and scares as well as dramatic character-based scenes that really build the story and bring you into the film.

8 out of 10


THE DARK KNIGHT

I had already seen this film once before a long time ago and I remember that it blew me away. I wanted to watch it again both for the enjoyment and also so that I could fully understand everything. The film centres around Batman, Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and Harvey Dent trying to take down the mob with the Joker trying to take down the city. The opening scene of the film really sets the pace and tone for entire movie. At the end of the last film, the Joker is mentioned, and this film starts straight from that point. You have robbers with clown masks running around as the Joker sets up a bank robbery. First, hello clowns, you can also join my nightmares. Second, this was great in my opinion as it instantly set the ball rolling. The suspense and the action starts and doesn't stop for a second within the film.

Lets talk about the characters for a sec. Harvey Dent really kind of annoys me to be honest. He is cheesy and pompous and takes Rachel from Bruce. I mean, the only moment when I feel any compassion for him is when Rachel and Harvey are kidnapped and only one will survive. At this point he is kind of a hero, and the whole moment is really sad. I had to ask my brother Harry about the Katie Holmes/Maggie Gyllenhaal situation. That kind of annoyed me, because I just don't like it when actors get replaced. But then to be fair, before long I forgot that this was the case. I LOVE this Joker. I love the way he talks and his look is so spot on. Heath Ledger really plays crazy and insane and evil in this so well. Maybe the best. I love it. I mean he is terrifying because he is crazy but in some way I sometimes feel sorry for him, or even like him. But I mean, he is so so scary. I think I would literally lose my mind with fear if he was real. The creepy way he licks his lips all the time. This is so small but so vital for the character. And his wide, sinister, manic eyes seal it. The crazy giggling and cackling is perfect. It is such an amazing and convincing portrayal of a complete maniac. The way he sits so still in the prison cell when he is caught is like a predator. He looks and seems like he's from another world. I kind of love him and hate him. He is smarmy and witty and silly and deep and empty and soulless. He has lost his mind and does it perfectly. The Joker also gets some seriously brilliant lines in this film. I love it when he says 'WHATEVER DOESN'T KILL YOU SIMPLY MAKES YOU.. STRANGER'. Just one of my favourite lines from a film ever.

The Joker has so many amazing scenes too. For example, the scene with Batman in his prison cell is big. I love that with this Joker there are moments in his face or in what he says, particularly in this scene, where you almost see him as vulnerable. Sometimes naive and childish and scared and hurt. How does he manage to do that? Its a fascinating and phenomenal portrayal. The hype about it is so correct. One of my favourite moments is when he walks away from the hospital like an innocent little girl, and plays with the bomb detonator like it's a Barbie doll. I LOVE IT. It is this childish nature that for me makes the Joker such a terrifying villain. There are also many other spectacular scenes in the film. I love the part when the judge's car is blown up and how clever it is. There is a crazy helicopter crash too. As with all the Batman films there are some epic car chases throughout, which really build suspense and speed and a sense of urgency in the film. There are many many scary and gruesome scenes in this film too. The bit when the hostage is on the TV set is so chilling and horrible. The man dressed as batman being hanged is also really grim. While the idea of that would usually put me off, I was so captivated by the whole film that even these elements added to how great it was. I love all the many twists and choices in the film. Blow up the hospital or kill the blond guy from the TV interview? Save Harvey or Maggie? The choice with the two buses is huge. It is such an amazing idea and almost like a real social experiment and moral choice. It is so brilliant. I love the bit where the gunmen in the building are really just hostages. OH SO MANY TWISTS. It just shows how incredibly smart the whole film is.

This film is crazy and so full of energy. It is completely thrilling and suspenseful and really one of those 'edge of your seat' movies. It is constantly exciting and nerve-racking. It just gets bigger and bigger and better and better throughout. The film is owned by Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker and I honestly believe it will go down in history.

10 out of 10 :)




THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

WOW. I saw the movie earlier today and it was unbelievable. This final film takes place eight years after the last, and Batman has gone into hiding. But when Bane takes over, Batman is forced to come back and save Gotham. This film mixed the storytelling element of the first film and the action packed element of the second. There were countless explosions as well as many sad and dramatic moments with characters. I'm not going to say what happens because that would not be right at all but I will say that there were twists that left me open-mouthed and yet they all made perfect sense, something I rarely find in a film.

The actors were also on top point. Catwoman, like seriously, okay I want to be you. She was slick and stylish and tough and mysterious and so much better than I anticipated. Anne Hathaway was perfect for the role. Joseph Gorden-Levitt played policeman and detective Blake, who actually had quite an important and key role within the film. He tries to assist Batman and Commissioner Gordon in stopping Bane and is very much an unsung hero within the film. Tom Hardy gave a top performance as Bane. He is always good at playing emotionally strong and bad men in films, and this was only a continuation. Michael Caine really stood out with a beautiful and emotional performance. Of course Christian Bale and Gary Oldman gave a top performance just as they did in the films before. Overall the huge and brilliant cast of this film was exactly what a film like this required. 

The end of the film (no spoilers) was so perfect. I always dread the end of a series of films for fear of being disappointed, but it was so so perfect and completely spot-on. It feels like it completed everything and like it really was an ending of something so special and brilliant. I almost can't quite put into words how much I loved this film. I just..I mean..I can't. It's too much. It was just so so amazing.

10 out of 10




So okay WOW right? These films both collectively and alone are superb. Seriously incredible. They are dark and epic and huge. Each story is so smart and suspenseful and the cast throughout are just some of the best. Each movie links to the other and everything throughout the three films link to each other is some way. The score for the films is also so epic and important in making the films what they are. Christopher Nolan has created just something so special and brilliant. I can't say anymore. These films are just the best.

MY DAILY FAVE

Image by REUTERS

The Olympics are starting to dominate my life. I'm so obsessed. Today in particular was such a great day for team GB. My favourite part? Bradley Wiggins obviously. His performance was so incredible and it was so exciting to watch. He just was in a league of his own as he cycled his way to gold in the men's time trial (I won't pretend to know what that is but it was a road race thing). After winning the Tour de France earlier in the year, this just makes Wiggo like some kind of sporting god in this country. And I love him because of his amazing sideburns. XOXO

WEEKEND AT THE MOVIES: PART THREE

Kay so I wanted to put this in a separate post because there was quite a lot going on in the previous one. We watched A LOT of movies in the four days I spent at my step-dads house. Some were so poor that I can't even remember what they were, but I'm going to write about the two movies I can remember :).

First up we watched Chronicle.

This was a film about three teenagers who gain superpowers and go out of control. I had heard good things about this film and had seen the adverts for it when it first came out, so I was hoping to enjoy it. Honestly I really did not. The storyline bored me to be fair and the lead character, who I think you are meant to feel sorry for, is just so irritating and pathetic and annoying. Seriously, I think my annoyance with his character was enough to make me hate the whole film. Overall, it was just really vanilla and I didn't get into it at all. Boooo.


We also watched The Uninvited.

I had already seen this film years ago and vaguely remembered it. It is about a girl who returns from mental hospital and believes her step-mother is a murderer. I really enjoyed it. It is not full of gore but is still quite jumpy, which I liked because I really don't like gore at all. It was very much about the story and not just trying to be scary for the sake of it, which I find not many horror movies do. Elizabeth Banks who plays the step-mother is really amazing and dark and scary. Emily Browning is such a convincing lead character. The film has so many twists and surprises and is so clever. It makes you question the truth in the movie and who to believe. It also had it's funny and light-hearted moments which stops it from being really intense and potentially too-much. Overall I really really loved it.

XOXOX

MA WEEKEND

Hey you :) I haven't blogged in a couple days because I've been at my step-dad's house since Saturday and he has no Internet connection (WHAT!). My family and I got up to lots and lots of fun things in those few days.

On Saturday there was a parade in the town they live in and my brothers were marching in it so we went to support them etc. After we went for a pub BBQ which was so good. It was my first official BBQ of the year and even though the weather is so sucky at the moment I still felt really summery and fun.

Oh hey Bubuloo, how's that hotdog going??..

Aw brother sister love <3 (I don't know why his face looks weird, he is usually

pretty beautiful I promise)

Mmm sipping on vodka and juice because I drink during the day (:

My brother and step-sister with my sunglasses. I think they look like cute little bugs :)

This is from Sunday where nothing really happened :).

 I wore this little floral dress which everyone seemed to like because I don't really wear

many dresses. I wore it with my 9 year old brother Jack's hoodie because I was so cold

and couldn't find anything to wear. I think the camo and flowers work well lol?

On Monday night Reece and I had the idea of going to the beach with the kids because staying in the house was starting to drive us crazy. It was seriously so much fun but a kind of stupid idea because it was SO COLD.

Jack and I getting layered up before we went out. I had a tee, my step-dads jumper and Reece's hoodie to keep me warm because I was scared of the cold ha.

OMG what a cliche shot (:

Oh god the kids were going crazy in the water and I was freaking out the Reece and I were going to get in trouble with the grown-ups :)

Ohh poor little Charly was not loving it so much. He seemed a little scared of the water and was shivering like a puppy after :( In fact all the kids were shivering like crazy afterwards and I had to sacrifice my thick hoodie to wrap Jack up in it because I was scared he was going to get pneumonia or something. Luckily by the time we walked home the kids were feeling better and Reece and I didn't get shouted at (YAY!). XOXOXOX