Parker and Longabaugh

Thursday 17 December 2015

Blogmas Day Seventeen // Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Today is the OFFICIAL release day of the hotly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens (in the UK at least, it's tomorrow in the US) and many people are excited AF, to say the least.

I grew up watch the original Star Wars trilogy and the subsequent prequels because my mum and dad saw them in the cinema, on dates and things, and my dad is good'n'proper fanboy. I did enjoy them as a child, but as I got older I got "too cool" for things like Star Wars [note: I was the least cool teenager ever] and so became the despondent eye-rolling daughter to every mention of the sage that my dad deigned to share, something I regret a little now.

When Episode VII was announced, obviously there were lots of responses, and valid ones too: YAY ERMAHGERD was one; OMG THEY WILL RUIN IT WTF was another; PLEASE DON'T MAKE ANOTHER PHANTOM MENACE was another... Was anyone else out there like, quietly standing at the edge, not fitting into either of the love/hate camps but just, waiting? I felt like it couldn't possibly be real when I first heard about it. I don't even know that I was necessarily thrilled, just, waiting...

I decided I was going to avoid all the press releases, "sneak peeks", posters and trailers as much as possible; this was because when the original A New Hope came out in 1977 not that much was known about, so I thought it would be interesting to attempt the same! Obviously I saw a few things, in this age of social media (I sound like a granny, I know), on tumblr and facebook etc, but I didn't go and seek anything out. I saw the trailer for the first time when I went to the cinema for Spectre, so I feel like I at least experienced for the first time properly, on the big screen and all that.

As it's been getting closer there's been a lot more to "avoid" but at the same time I've been really busy with all the regular Christmas prep to do!
Side-note: how ready are you for Christmas? Shopping? Cards? Wrapping? Food? Scheduling? Outfits? All the things!

I will be seeing The Force Awakens on Friday 18th December, and I'll be reviewing after Blogmas, probably in the New Year.

Here's the trailer, for anyone who wants it:

Wednesday 16 December 2015

Blogmas Day Sixteen // Christmas TV Adverts

I had a personal family day today, so this will be a bit of a shorter post, but I didn't want to get behind again!

Now we're into the single-digit countdown (nine days to go!) it's time to look back at those things that signal the true arrival of Christmas in the UK: not the tins of Quality Street stacked to the ceiling in Sainsburys, not the wall of Christmas cards in Clintons in October, no - the Christmas adverts on the telly. Let's have a look at some of this year's offerings, shall we?

John Lewis, Man on the Moon

T K Maxx, Love Your Neighbour

Sainsbury's, Mog's Christmas Calamity

Lidl, School of Christmas

Lloyds Bank / Apple Pay, Love You To The Stars

PayPal, No Presents

Do you have a favourite TV advert at this time of year?

RK.

(With help from this article)

Tuesday 15 December 2015

Blogmas Day Fifteen // Christmas Quiz! Movie Edition

I'm SO EXCITED to create this blog post!! I love Christmas, I love movies, I love Christmas movies, (in case you didn't know yet) and I love quizzes. SO. EXCITED.

With only ten days to go until the big day (which is crazy, right?), amongst the hubbub of shopping and food planning and wrapping and all the four-hundred other little things that you try not to let slip through glitter-stained fingers at this time of year, we also need to think about how to entertain our guests once we stuff them with stuffed turkey and present them with those carefully selected presents.

And so my gift to you, this Christmas movie quiz!

Name this film:

What is the name of the Grinch's love interest in How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

Complete this famous line from Elf:

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is ___________"

What book does the angel Clarence have with him when he comes to help George in It's A Wonderful Life?

What is written on the jumper of the dead terrorist in Die Hard?

What is Father Christmas known as in A Nightmare Before Christmas?

What song does Billy Mack cover in Love Actually to compete for Christmas #1?

What is the name of the coveted toy in Jingle All the Way?

Name this film:

Hope you enjoyed this quiz! What games or other family entertainment do you enjoy at Christmastime?

RK.

(Quiz Answers here)

Quiz compiled using the following sources:

Monday 14 December 2015

Blogmas Day Fourteen // Paper Towns

Today, Monday 14th December, Paper Towns is released on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK. I saw the film in the cinema in August but didn't review it at the time, so I thought I'd share my thoughts now!

This is a John-Green-book-adap, the mastermind behind the soul-crushing The Fault in Our Stars (also made into a film, in 2014). I have read both books and seen both films, but I'll try not to compare the two too much.

Overall, I really quite enjoyed this film. It's quite hard to describe the plot so here it is summarised from IMDb:

After an all night adventure, Quentin's life-long crush, Margo, disappears, leaving behind clues that Quentin and his friends follow on the journey of a lifetime.

Adapted from the bestselling novel by author John Green, PAPER TOWNS is a coming-of-age story centering on Quentin and his enigmatic neighbor Margo, who loved mysteries so much she became one. After taking him on an all-night adventure through their hometown, Margo suddenly disappears - leaving behind cryptic clues for Quentin to decipher. The search leads Quentin and his quick-witted friends on an exhilarating adventure that is equal parts hilarious and moving. Ultimately, to track down Margo, Quentin must find a deeper understanding of true friendship - and true love.

This film I would say was lovely for a bit of escapist fun, while also making you think a little existentially and being unexpectedly unpredictable in the end.

Source

Nat Wolff fills another odd-ball role, and admittedly he does it well, but I fear a little he'll be typecast... Be interesting to see what he does next. He's brilliant as Quentin, bringing Green's character to life just as he appears in the reader's imagination. As the eager ring-leader of this band of merry adventure-makers, he gently brings together this group of unlikely friends, and as the people fall into place so do the pieces of Margo's puzzle. (Hats off to you, John Green.)

Source

Speaking of - Margo. Played by the widely-considered wildcard choice for casting, Cara Delevigne, she is the elusive target of Quentin's affection, the light at the end of the highway so-to-speak: did I mention it's a road trip movie, on top of everything else. Anyway, Delevigne is incomparable as Green's free spirit, lost to the winds and happily so.

Source

Now, I don't want the legions of hardcore TFIOS fans to bite my head off, but I find TFIOS emotionally exhausting and to be honest, a little over-hyped. Don't get me wrong, I love it so much, but I found Paper Towns a much lighter, quieter and as a result more enjoyable affair.

Why not pick this up a pressie for your bestie or sister and stocking-stuffer?

Or you could get it a few days in advance of Christmas to cosy up with on Christmas Eve!

Buy the book: Waterstones - Amazon - Book Depository

Buy the film: HMV - Amazon - Zavvi

RK.

Sunday 13 December 2015

Blogmas Day Thirteen // Slice of Life #2

Today's #SliceOfLife Sunday was a day at work, Wagamamas takeaway, a Carol Service and a new Advent Calendar!

Had to have breakfast at work today because I was in SUCH a rush!

This was my tuna salad at lunch - also quick, but delicious.

WAGAMAMA TAKEAWAY. I got chicken itame and edemame beans.

Off to town for church *atmospheric car park shot*

The cuuuuuuute decorations at church!

I've got a Benefit "Party Popper" Advent Calendar, which is only for twelve days hence I only started it today so I still get to finish on Christmas Eve.

Today I got the "Ooh La Lift" Eye Brightener I think..? It's so cute and tiny though.

Bit of YouTube to end the day - enjoying 24 Days of Zoella.

How did you spend your Sunday?

RK.