Why Do We Love Films? In Response to Jack Howard

Jack's Howard's video:

Click to view video on YouTube • @Jack Howard on Twitter

Why do we love films? A question I have pondered many-a-time as a self-professed film nerd, but have never really been able to come up with anything more intelligent than the standard "to escape" answer, or on occasion, "to see things from a different perspective". Turns out - these answers are perfectly okay! So if you have ever felt inadequate in your opinion on just why a film is that good because all you can think is one of these two seemingly standard answers... You are not inadequate, your opinion is valid, and your answer is not inferior to that of people who answer with an entire thesis on the development of film from the Lumière Brothers to present day (although if you are one of those wonderfully interesting people I applaud you, and in no way discredit your enthusiasm). *puts a lid on the motivational speech and gets on with the blog post*

To use a film "to escape" is a wonderful thing - these alternative realities and completely 'other' worlds have been created, crafted, made with love and care for our enjoyment and wonder, so if we should choose to leave our ordinary lives for something extraordinary, for just a few short hours, what's wrong with that? No film was ever made (I hope) where those involved thought, "Hmm, wouldn't it be simply marvellous if audiences were completely and utterly disinterested in inhabiting the microcosmic universe we've spent months pouring our hearts and souls into constructing?" No, that's unfeasible. We can find refuge and peace in the exploration of lives of others, and often we find ourselves living through the eyes of the characters for that short time, much as Jack used to climb on his sofa and roar along with Simba at the end of The Lion King (if you're reading Jack, we've all done it, and anyone who says otherwise is not to be trusted and should be regarded from a distance with a suspicious gaze). That might seem like a bit of generalised statement, but tell me you've never watched a rom-com and wished you could have a fairytale ending, or watched a sci-fi film and wished you could travel to outer space, or watched Indiana Jones and wished you could get away with that hat... Films can be a way for us to express emotion when we are otherwise at a loss of how to - I know I have often found myself blubbering away at a film that would useless only bring a single glistening tear to my eye because I'm going through something personally and don;t know how to deal with it in any other way.

And, films where you escape don't have to be sci-fi or fantasy or adventure; they don't have to be set in some other time or place; they could be set today, in the here-and-now, at the Number Seventy Two of your very own street, and you could still escape because you're still entering someone else's world. (Unless you live at the Number Seventy Two on your street...)

Which conveniently brings me on to loving films because "they offer a different perspective". *pat on the back for a well-planned post*

Often, films can have a "hidden meaning" behind their initial entertainment value. This is not always the case, to avoid another sweeping statement, but often is true to some extent. Some films may offer a fresh point of view on a historical event, other may tackle a social issue using an unexpected voice, and some films take a subject which seems part of everyday life and encourage us to consider it from a different aspect than is the norm.

It is with this, as Jack points out, that deconstructing a film can lead to greater enjoyment. Now, Jack deconstructs movies from the point of view of a filmmaker - oh that I had the opportunity for such a thing - whereas I personally deconstruct films in the same I would a novel. (I study English Literature at uni to put that in context.) I like to consider the motives of a writer or director, influences on the actors as they find the voices of their characters, and the delicate nature of finding just the right shot in order to fully communicate a particular emotion, in the same way an author chooses their words with conscientious diligence. Exploring films in this way can mean that we the audience come love a film for all its separate parts as well as its whole. 

Like, for example, Ben and Jerry's ice cream! (Bear with me on this.) My favourite flavour is Clever Cookies, "vanilla ice cream with chocolate cookies and chocolate chip cookies and a chocolatey cookie swirl". All of those things separately - great, fab, yummy. All of those things together - A WHOLE NEW WORLD. But I wouldn't have chosen it if I didn't like and appreciate all the separate parts. Do you see where I'm coming from or was this a useless tangent?

So. What am I trying to say... We love films because they make us feel more intensely, they make us want to talk passionately about new issues and new experiences, they make us want to develop ourselves as thinkers and watchers and makers; we love films because they reveal something that we didn't know before, whether that is something about the world around us or something about the world within us.

RK.

Movies for Missing Home

(Bit of a different post today.)

On Saturday, I moved into Royal Holloway University - so begins the next big adventure of my life! Now, I haven't moved too far from home, but like any normal human person I miss home (yes, even after two days, I'm cool like that) so finding ways to combat that ache of homesickness is a current project of mine. One way of doing this is with films.

As you know, I have a Netflix account, which is all well and good for watching new things and binging on tv series (still re-watching Gossip Girl) but for me, I don't need new right now; there's a lot of newness around me in lots of other ways, and it's exciting and brilliant but also overwhelming, understandably. 

What I need right now are films that are the cinematic equivalent of a hot chocolate, a cosy blanket and a hug from my mum. Films that comfort, films that reassure, films that bring a smile and the good kind of tears. Films with a predictable ending or an ending that you've seen a hundred times, because so much is unknown and unfamiliar right now. 

At home, we have over 600 DVDs, so trying to decide what to bring with me was quite a challenge. I started by going through my own collection first, then moving on to the shared family collection. I'll be honest - there are a lot of romcoms in there! But what's more predictable than an endless stream of films where the girl gets the guy? I've also got some Disney ones, some kids ones and some random ones too, as well as some Big Bang Theory because I LOVE IT. The entire Harry Potter collection came with me, which I think I'm going to save for Reading Week and watch one a night, like a cool kid. 

These are the films that I hope will give me those warm fuzzies I would normally get from the contentedness of being on my own sofa in my own house with my family. I've relied on many of these films at times of stress and anxiety, as well as times of feel-good fun and happiness. Films can bond people, films can evoke emotions you thought dormant, and above all, films can help you escape, from wherever you don't want to be to a place you love to go.

As I may also have told you, I did daily vlogging this summer, and at the end of it all I made a "Best Bits" highlights reel video. I have watched this video so many times and it never fails to make me smile, and as it's only about 3 minutes long I use it as a quick-fix dose of happy if I don't have time to hunker down with a movie.

Is anyone out there at uni? What do you do for home comforts? Are there any films you'd recommend to me?

RK

xxx

The Expendables 3

I saw The Expendables 3 in cinemas on Thursday 14th August.

Lots of stuff blew up in this movie. That's all.


Aha no but really, The first two Expendables movies were very actiony and explodey, so don't expect this one to be any different, because it's not. This third installment of the old-timers action franchise is toned down even more, what with the certificate being a 12A (the first was an 18 and the second a 15), but still enjoyable. 

The story goes that the old guys are, well, getting old, and a batch of bloodthirsty, cut-throat young'uns are drafted in to stop a mad, bad Mel Gibson from giving even badder baddies the means to make things go boom. Old team are annoyed. Young team are cocky. Chaos ensues, as well as many of the films laugh-out-loud one-liners, often delivered by Jason Statham in a wry tone of voice that betrays how much fun he is actually having, beneath all the pretended angst. (How much angst can a bald, relatively short, tough 47-year-old British man portray anyway?) Sylvester Stallone still mumbles, Dolph Lundgren still grunts. 
The new guys - well, the young new guys - aren't as well-known, much more rising stars than Hollywood's golden guys and girl. Perhaps the most recognisable of the lot is Kellan Lutz (of Twilight fame), who plays his role very well, effective preparing to nab Statham's seat and the quippy sidekick riding shotgun. He even has a motorcycle, a la Statham in the first film.
There are older new faces too... Mel Gibson, playing it very Mad Max and enjoying the hell out of his betrayed-bad-guy, delivering one particularly vehement speech with such relish you can almost feel his spit on your face (Eww I know, but you get my point). Harrison Ford is in there, being the "dad" who picks up the kids' mess when everything goes to pot, but having a go with a few of the boys' toys himself by the finale. It was Antonio Banderas for me who stole it. OH MY GOODNESS. He was like Zorro and Puss-in-Boots rolled together, with a few grey hairs and minus a few marbles. He was brilliant, one of the highlights, so so funny you'll be remembering his lines for days.

Overall, very enjoyable, silly, explodey fun.

RK.

*Short and sweet review today, as I'm off on holiday tomorrow!

Guardians of the Galaxy

I saw Guardians of the Galaxy in cinemas on Friday 8th August.

NEW MARVEL FILM, FAN GIRL MOMENT. 
I've been having slight Marvel withdrawal, the last one in cinemas was Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and although I've been re-watching The Avengers movies I have felt like something new was needed, very desperately. That said, I didn't realise I was in fact expecting GotG to be "another Avengers" until I was watching it, but more on that later.

Seven word synopsis: Criminals relied upon to save the world.

First things first, the soundtrack. Might not seem an obvious choice for the first order of business, but it's INCREDIBLE. (I'm listening to it right now and singing along to Come and Get Your Love by Redbone is thoroughly brightening my Wednesday.) It's not just there for you to bop along to in the action sequences; it also frames the story and is an integral part of the emotional impact of the film. Often, it is the superbly chosen song which brings a smile to the face as equally as the dialogue.
Speaking of (brilliant segway there), this film is so unbelievably funny! I literally cried with laughter at so many points. Lots of the humour is to do with the nuances of the characters with we see in ourselves or in people we know, such as Drax the Destroyer taking everything very literally with no understanding of metaphors or sarcasm - we all have that one friend... There were also tears shed of a different kind. Prepare yourselves to be emotionally attached to a character you will not expect to steal your heart. 
And then there's the character portrayals, oh my life. I cannot praise Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel enough for giving their voices to Rocket and Groot, and making a talking raccoon and tree seem the total norm. Zoe Saldana is in there, doing it for the girls, being a totally kick-ass fighting machine who might not be as tough as she thinks, portraying Gamora with a slight vulnerability that only makes us admire her more. And then. There's Chris Pratt, Peter Quill, Star Lord, the main man as it were. I wish I could be friends with this guy (both the character and the actor) because he is just brilliant. Quill is a balance of adorable bumbling idiot, sassy cool kid and sensitive gentleman, with each side of his personality pyramid having their moment in the spotlight. I could see how he may become slightly grating on some people - someone I knew who saw it didn't like him at all - but for the most, he's the best kind of boy-next-door.

Expectations? Well, as I mentioned, I didn't realise what I was expecting until it wasn't what I expected (I'm pretty sure that makes sense). I think that maybe I was expecting "another Avengers", with GotG being a buddy-ensemble movie, but the tone is entirely different and obviously brilliant, once you adjust to it not being the same as the Avengers. To describe the difference... Imagine the Avengers are your A team, your star players, each with their own fans, their own individual sponsorships and their own egos. Put them all together and you get a neatly packaged, shiny parcel with lots of ready-made followers and plenty of fireworks to entertain the crowds. Now, the Guardians of the Galaxy, they're your B team, managed by the same club but sat on the bench. Some lean forward, watching the game eagerly, dreaming of their turn; others slump with their arms crossed, a permanent frown showing everyone how little they want to be there. However, despite this seemingly rag-tag collection of individuals appearing to have little/nothing in common, when it's their turn on the pitch what they can do together is a lot more fun to watch than the A team, if not as polished. But rough-and-ready is the new perfection, I think.

Aahhh I haven't talked about baddies and this is already a super-long post! Um, so, Lee Pace (who you won't recognise) is Ronan, one of those destroy-the-galaxy-based-on-a-really-old-grudge types, and his right hand is Nebula, played by Karen Gillan - who appears less than I expected given the amount of media hype surrounding her addition to the cast. And, there's another baddie, who will be recognised by Marvel aficionados...

Verdict
Go and see this film. Right now. Stop what you're doing, head to your local multiplex and see this movie. I don't care if you're by yourself, I don't care if you're in your pyjamas, SEE IT. 

Image credit: Marvel, Instagram.

RK.

The Luna Cinema

On Thursday 31st July, I took my parents out for a surprise for their wedding anniversary (everybody "Awww"). I'd actually had the tickets for this big mystery since April, and I think I was more excited to tell them than they were to find out! We went to Ascot Racecourse to see 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', hosted by The Luna Cinema. The Luna Cinema are one of the UK's biggest and best open air cinema companies, so I hoped we would be in a for a unique and unforgettable movie experience...

The evening begins!

This is what we were greeted with on arrival - the directors' chairs laid out were for Premium ticket holders ( ourselves sadly not among them) and THE BIGGEST SCREEN I'VE EVER SEEN NOT IN AN ACTUAL CINEMA. We were one of the first groups of people through the door so we were able to set up our picnic chairs in a good viewing spot and settle in for the evening. While the venue was still quite empty I took the opportunity to snap some photos of the other bits and bobs they had going on.

The Luna Cinema's headline partner for this season is Benefit Cosmetics, so they were out in full force with their pink Bene-Bus and fun fairground attractions. 

The Bene-Bus...

"Put-your-face-here" photo booth, like at the seaside (do these have a proper name?)

Mascara hoopla!

Movie prop phonebox photo booth

You could also choose to have your photo taken on their pink carpet, in order to be in with a chance to win a VIP seats in the bright pink Bene-Lounge, to enjoy the film in comfort and style!

The lovely Benefit girls also came round with samples, with all proceeds going to charity - so I may have splashed out on a few essential items...

The pink carpet...

The VIP Bene-Lounge! VERY VERY PINK.

My sample purchases

There was food and drink available to buy, or you could elect to take a picnic. I didn't take many pictures of the food we ate because it all went so fast aha, but we took some scones to eat before the film and popcorn/chocolate to eat during. We got a little more peckish than we anticipated so we also treated ourselves to hot dogs from Dog'N'Bun, which were deeeeeelicious, mmmmmm. 

PS I made the scones *pat on the back for me*

As the sun started to set there were a few announcements and then the credits started to roll... We've always loved Indiana Jones so it was amazing to see a film we treasure in such a distinctive way. It was a little loud, but this was clearly so that the people at the back would also be able to hear every one of Harrison Ford's growled lines as well as those seated at the front! We got a little chilly as the evening wore on but it was nothing a few blankets couldn't fix. All in all we left Ascot as three very happy campers - and have already trawled through the Luna Cinema calendar to see which remaining films of the season we can go to see! 

Beautiful sunset sky

Beautiful family photo, to remember an amazing night.

RK.

(DISCLAIMER: This post is NOT sponsored and all opinions are my own.)

We Need To Talk About Netflix.

Ah, the internet. A beautiful creation full of information, procrastination and entertainment. Many of us (and you know I mean you) are guilty of getting lost in webpage after webpage, spending hour after hour clicking away. And, let me tell you, there's nothing wrong with that! But it's just so easy to get addicted to one particular site - for some this is Twitter, or YouTube, or Tumblr, and I've been through my own phases with one; right now, it's Netflix...

I signed up for Netflix the minute I got home from my final exam (9th June) because I knew if I had while exams were still on things would end verrrrry badly. That night I was up til 3am watching cheesy romcoms JUST BECAUSE I COULD. Within a week I had watched ten films and two series, which might sound like a bit of an overdose but I was letting off steam after exams, right? I couldn't watch Netflix at this intensity forever, right? Wrong, oh how very wrong.

Since signing up for Netflix I have still only watched the ten films, but the amount TV shows on there... I got into Suits. I know I know, late to the party, but I watched both available series in two days. I'm currently rewatching Gossip Girl, seasons one through six.
I think I have a problem.

RK.

Films watched:
LOL
Prime
Hysteria
The Back Up Plan
What To Expect When You're Expecting
Sydney White
The Rebound
The Big Wedding
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
The Switch

TV Shows watched:
Life Unexpected (seasons 1-2)
Suits (seasons 1-2)
Gossip Girl (seasons 1-2)

Currently watching: Gossip Girl, season 3

Returning, again.

So I've taken a long break AGAIN,  sorry about that! I gave social media for Lent all the way back in March, and then I had some reather important exams taking up a lot of my time, so the blog fell down the priorities list.

I'm now in my summer holidays and I'm excited to get back to reviews and the such - many movies will be watched I can tell you now! I signed up for Netflix about two weeks ago and I'm addicted, unashamedly addicted. Over the next couple of weeks I'll give five-minute reviews of some of the films I've watched, as well as maybe bringing in some thought on TV shows I've been loving.

Also, since I last posted, I've seen Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Divergent, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and The Fault In Our Stars at the cinema, all of which I'm going to try to review properly for you. So many films...

I've also started my own little summer film project on YouTube, where I'm "vlogging" every day of my summer. It's quite nerve-racking but so much fun at the same time, and it's giving me the confidence to maybe explore some of my other film-related ideas in the future (how mysterious I sound).

So, lots of things going on, hopefully, lots of exciting things, so stay tuned I guess..? I never know how to end a blog post properly aha. Here's a photo of me in the sun this week:


I hope you're all having a great summer so far!

RK.

Movies for Valentines Day

First ever feature blog post! *cheers*

I've been thinking about movie date today. Personally, I find cinema dates a little awkward - what do you choose, who pays, what snacks do you get, the list goes on - but for some people they're just the ticket. (See what I did there?) so I'm gonna give my thoughts on what to see this Valentine's Day. 

Night Out

If you're going for the classic romance film this year, then may I suggest Endless Love. I'm going to see it with my bestie for a belated Valentines next week, and it may be slightly more of a girls film but boys, that's often the sacrifice you have to make at the movies aha. We cry just watching the trailer... It's about first love, forbidden love, hidden pasts, the guy from the wrong side of the tracks, and it has Alex Pettyfer in it. Could it BE more perfect for Valentine's Day?

If you fancy something a bit more rock'n'roll, then give RoboCop a try - it's what my parents are seeing for their Valentine's date! I'm not sure how much romance there is in it, so it may be a good choice if you get a bit nervous watching lovey-dovey movies on a date, like me. Personally, I had planned to see The Lego Movie today, but my plans fell through. This is definitely not just one for the kids - we've all loved Lego in our time, and to be honest if the other person isn't interested, I'm not sure how long it's gonna last... From what I've heard about it it's a must-see; to quote Tyler Oakley, "the LEGO movie was actually incredible... EVERYTHING WAS AWESOME" (@tyleroakley on Twitter). So make your choice wisely!

Night In

If you prefer a night snuggled up on the sofa with a pizza and a film then I may also have some answers. In September, I saw About Time in the cinema, and it's just been released on DVD. It's a lovely, cosy kind of film from Richard Curtis, with great performances from Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams. Laughing, crying, cringing, it's got it all. I think this is a really good choice for dates or mates, it's a really versatile one. 

So that's it, I hope everyone has/had a fabulous Valentine's!

RK.

(I spent my evening watching Nashville, Pitch Perfect and Easy A, and eating pizza and Ben and Jerry's. In case you wondered.) 

That Awkward Moment

I saw That Awkward Moment in cinemas on Friday 31st January.

First of all, little pat on the back to me for writing a review within a week of seeing the film! *pat on the back*

I saw this movie for a number of reasons. My best friend and I were looking to have a girls night in, but I suggested the cinema with the intention of seeing this because, basically, Zac Efron. Yes I know it's cliche, teenage girls drooling over the movie star, but can you really blame us? On another level, I have followed this film since it first got the green light for production, avidly searching (stalking) the Internet for pap shots of filming, getting on the ol' Twitter machine to follow its progress... It had become one of those films that I wasn't really aware it was finally coming out, because I had been so obsessed with waiting for it to come out. So anyway, long story short, at 6.30 we squidged down in our seats, cracked open the Mini Eggs and watched the opening titles begin to roll...

I haven't laughed so much in the cinema for a long long time! And yes, it warrants the exclamation mark. Literally, it was such a funny film - I mean, you could consider it to have overdone the in-your-face humour a little, but it's so well-balanced by a genuinely witty script that it can be forgiven.
That's one thing about this film that makes it stand out from other rom-coms - and believe me I have watched MANY - its balance, between the gross, the funny, and the thinking moments. Do you know what I mean by that? Those moments in a film that unexpectedly take you by surprise (not that you can expectedly be taken by surprise..) and make you think about life and all the deep stuff that tends to usually be kind of shoved down your throat in a sickly-sweet-candyfloss way that just makes your teeth hurt and gives you a sugar headache. Not here my friends! The thinking moments are handled with tact and care, even provoking a little tear at one point.

In this film, it was refreshing to see Efron break out of his good-guy mould a little, and just be a bit of a jerk. His character seems, as the film progresses not really have his life as figured out as he would like everyone to think, going some way to contributing to his I-don't-care persona. One thing though, I know it's part of the whole unfulfilled-life idea of Jason, but I did struggle to believe that a person that attractive and with that kind of cocky personality, is a book-jacket designer..? Just a thought. And question, can Zac Efron really draw? That is the real issue here...
Eventually you do warm to Jason, especially once he starts to realise that Ellie isn't like the other girls he's got "on his roster", and he has to start being genuinely charming to try and win her over. One of my favourite moments is with the estate agent, at Gramercy Park - it's just cute enough and just daring enough to cement what these two have together. The dynamic between these two characters is brilliant, never seeming awkward or clumsy, as I found with Daniel and Chelsea at times. When it seems like it's all gone wrong you do find yourself rooting for Jason, and then in a beautiful scene that sees Efron reprise a skill last seen in 17 Again, all feels right with the world.
Imogen Poots plays Ellie, the "guys-girl" dancing on the edge of that dangerous territory that is a new relationship. She doesn't seem to need that awkward moment of the film's title, that moment where one person asks the other, 'So... Where is this relationship going?' With an air of something that's not quite innocence she bulldozes into Jason's life and to me, she reminds him what it's like to really be alive, to really love something. At the crushing moment of heartbreak where Jason makes entirely the wrong decision, the audience just wants to wrap Ellie up in a big hug and slap Jason round his pouty little face. This is the girl who will make you want to run away with that stranger you meet in a bar, make you want to pretend with childish glee that you live on Gramercy Park, make you want to create and write and persevere even if that stranger you meet in a bar is a totally charming jerk. I've not seen any of this beautiful actress' other work (I was keen to see Fright Night but missed it) but I've now got my eye on several of her up-and-coming projects.

The buddy-movie aspect of the film is completely brilliant - I haven't seen Miles Teller in anything before but I have had both The Spectacular Now and 21 and Over on my watchlist for a long while. He is so hilarious, coming out with some of the best lines in the film and being gifted with some of the best scenes. As I've said, the relationship between his character Daniel and Mackenzie Davis' Chelsea was perhaps a little clumsy at some points, but overall their arc was, again, funny. Michael B. Jordan is another actor that I've long been aware of (so desperate to see Chronicle) but just never seen. I know, I know his character was kind of the whoooole catalyst for the premise of the movie - three mates staying single after one gets left by his wife (Jordan's Mikey) - but he wasn't the most interesting character. Of the three, to put it as honestly as possible, I cared least what happened to him. I know it sounds harsh! But in my opinion he was better off without his cheating wife, so his fruitless attempts to get her back seemed a bit of a waste, when instead he could have instead been making more comedy scenes with Efron and Teller. The whole dynamic of the trio really worked - props to the casting people. (Was that just an accidental pun..?)

Overall, I really really enjoyed this film, definitely worth the price of admission and will be a worthy and well-watched addition to the growing DVD collection.

Current cinema snack of choice. In case you wondered.

Back soon! RK.