Parker and Longabaugh: 2015

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.

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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.)

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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.

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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.

Saturday, 12 December 2015

Blogmas Day Twelve // Sisters

Another quick "what's on at the cinema" blog post!

These are nice and easy for me to do on a Saturday because I have work during most of the day, and in the evenings I just want to crash out - you know the feeling?

Anyway, I want to talk about Sisters, a new comedy from Tiny Fey and Amy Poehler, released in cinemas this coming Friday, the 18th of December - in the UK at least.

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I'm SO excited for this film! I don't actually know if I'll get time to see it or have anyone to go with, but if I have to go at 4pm on Thursday all on my lonesome then I plan to indeed!

These two women are such a brilliant comedic duo. As far as I can remember, the first time I saw them n anything was in Mean Girls and they're both so funny in that, and they don't even interact! Amy Poehler is so well-known for Parks and Recreation, of which I've only seen one or two episodes; Tina Fey is synonymous with 30 Rock, which I've never ever seen, but I HAVE seen her in the Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and her character was absolutely bonkers... When the two of them host the Golden Globes I laugh so much I literally can't breathe - you know the kind of hilarious I'm talking about?

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So this film is about two polar-opposite sisters who, as adults, both go back to their parents house for one last weekend before the house gets sold and host the ultimate house party they never had. Tina Fey plays Kate, the crazy kooky freewheeling irresponsible sister who never really grew up. Amy Poehler plays Maura, the sensible head-screwed-on-straight sister who's "a proper grown up". One convinces the other to throw the party of a lifetime (guess which way round that negotiation went) and hilarity ensues.

Here's the trailer for those interested:

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I think one of the reasons I'm so looking forward to ~eventually~ seeing this film is because I don't have a sister [or brother] and I like to imagine sometimes what my life would have been like if I had siblings. I have really close friends who are like family to me, but I understand it's not the same.

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This film is going to be really fun and easy to watch with your mates over the holidays, especially if - like me - you know you're going to need a break from studying!

Will you be going to see this movie? What crazy things do you do with your siblings?

RK.

Friday, 11 December 2015

Blogmas Day Eleven // Christmas Film Fridays #2

The SECOND installment of festive films, moving on to the best cheesy TV movies I love to watch at Christmas time.

This is a relatively new love, probably only getting into full swing last Christmas (*cue singing* Laaaast Christmas..." Anyone else? No? Just me then.) when, being my first year at uni, it was also my first year with a four-week Christmas holiday. And as a result, many days cosied up wrapping Christmas presents by candlelight with a Christmas film on the background. Now, because I was wrapping presents, I just wanted a cheery predictable little movie, so if I missed any bits it didn't matter too much and just listening would enough to follow the story. Turns out, made-for-TV movies are a treasure trove for these traits. (...Check out that alliteration.)

DISCLAIMER: I know all these films are suuuuuper-cheesy and critically terrible, but they give me warm fuzzies.

The Christmas Kiss

This is what cemented my slight obsession with this genre (genre?). I'm not sure if it's the heady mixutre of romance and twinkly lights and festive cheer - as with all of these films - but it's a special one to me. Also, the main actress Laura Breckenbridge was in a few episodes of Gossip Girl which made me do that little inner cheer you do when you recognise someone in a TV show or film (Just me again? Great.) Also the interior design aspect and the storytelling element please me.

The Christmas Secret

HI HALEY FROM ONE TREE HILL I'VE MISSED YOU.

This film is about a single mum trying to make ends meet so Christmas can be magical for her two kids. In a glee-inducing case of mistaken identity, Christine and love-interest Jason meet each other and narrowly miss each other several times in ways that will have you shouting out your screen for them to get together! There's an overarching family story that weaves its way in and out, beautifully tying all the elements together in an ending that brought a little tear to my eye.

Single Santa Seeks Mrs Claus

So the actor who stars in this, as Santa's son Nick, was in the guy in Short Circuit - anyone else love this brilliant film?! Anyway, Christmas films. Nick has to find a wife before he can succeed his father on the North Pole throne/armchair. The bumbling, heart-warming, sensitive Nick is so so sweet, full of that pure Christmas spirit I wish more people were appreciative of. The lucky woman in question is a Christmas cynic, so you can imagine the transformative outcome of the film. Another happy-tear-jerker to add to the list!

A Royal Christmas

Okay, so, a frequent visitor to Hallmark TV movies is Lacey Chabert; you might remember her as this girl:

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Gretchen Weiners!

She is in a whole bunch of these films, nearly one or two a year, and this was Christmas 2014's offering. She's a "lowly commoner" (dress designer from Philadelphia) whose boyfriend's mother doesn't approve. But. Her boyfriend is a prince! It's veeerrrry Princess Diaries but I bloomin' love those films too so I don't care haha. Eventually predictable but with twists along the way, and featuring the delectable Jane Seymour as the icy Queen Isabella to boot!

Matchmaker Santa

I'm literally watching this film right now, and I'm nearly at the end. Another Lacey Chabert, but in this one she's a baker who goes home with her boyfriend to meet his mother BUT sort of PLOT TWIST: she gets derailed on her journey and stuck with his much more lovely assistant in a cookie-cutter Christmas town with Santa himself bringing her much closer to true love. I've quite enjoyed this one to be honest, bit out-of-the-box, or as much as it can be with these films.

I hope you've enjoyed my rundown of cheesy Christmas TV movies - are there any you've seen, or want to watch? What films are your guilty pleasure in the holidays?

RK.

Thursday, 10 December 2015

Blogmas Day Ten // Movie Merch Presents

There are all kinds of movie lovers out there, and this Christmas there's something for Santa to bring to every single one! I'll try not to ramble on (like in my Book Gift Guide post) and keep things short and sweet.

Disney Frozen Switch'em Up Olaf / RRP £19.99 (half price here)

Disney Frozen Anna and Elsa Mug / £5.99