December 2016: Watched, Read, Loved

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Happy 2017 everyone! I pretty much disappeared from the blog in December. I needed a break. I often am way too harsh on myself about blogging – wanting desperately to post five times a week. It is important to remind myself though that blogging is supposed to be fun and for times where I actually have the time. So I gave it a bit of a break and I am back feeling all refreshed!

It was also quite a sad December globally with the deaths of George Michael and Carrie Fisher. It seemed like 2016 kept knocking everyone down and I am really glad it ended. Let’s hope for a peaceful and fantastic 2017.

Series Watched:

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Vampire Diaries Season 5: I am currently stalling with this season. It is a pretty rotten season and by far the worst of all the seasons so far. I need to finish it up but definitely not feeling all the bullshit of the season.

Alias season 1 and 2: EEK! I am having so much fun! It is so much fun! I can’t wait to review this.

Movies Watched:

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Rogue One: A Star Wars movie. It was good, great excitement and all. I did like The Force Awakens better though.

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Memento: This was my second last blindspot for 2016. It is mind tingling and interesting, well directed and acted. Definitely worthy of watching, despite me taking ages to get it done!

Annie: I put this on for my mother to watch. It was okay – very singy and full of children but not overly offensive. It’s definitely a film that parents can watch with their children without wanting to cry because it is so boring.

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Twilight: I had such a weak moment! Want to review them all at some stage again.

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Scream 1, 2 and 3: this was so much fun. I’m planning to do the fourth one soon. Great entertainment!

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A Nightmare on Elm Street: Same here. I am having way too much fun with these old school thrillers.

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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies:  second time watching this and I loved it way too much.

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The DUFF: I am racking up the watches on this film. I showed it to my mom and my bestie on separate occasions and they both really enjoyed it. Why so much hate against this film? I know it is completely different from the book, but the additions worked really well.

The Departed: The Departed is a film my bestie has told me to watch or be disowned. So I watched it with her just to make sure she had the evidence and everything 😀 did I like it? Yeah. Excellent performances and directing all around. I got a bit exhausted with the length of it, and that is about the only thing I didn’t like.

Me Before You (2016): after reading the thought provoking book I was quite amped for the film. I pushed it back when the reviews didn’t garner the most promising reviews I pushed it back. Bestie and I watched it on our visit, and it was okay. Not really bad, but Me Before You doesn’t carry as much emotional baggage as the book does.

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Cruel Intentions: What a deranged film. I enjoyed it, but wow, deranged. Not something to watch with your parents, if you weren’t already aware.

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Ocean’s Eleven:  I really liked this! Heist films done right is a treat for the soul man. Clooney and Pitt together? There can’t be a better idea out there.

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Seven:  I got to see a young Brad Pitt as the excitable and young cop and Morgan Freeman as the intelligent, calm cop. It’s quite dark and deals with a demented serial killer. It had a dark and depressing atmosphere.

Books Read:

Dawson’s Creek – this is a compilation of short stories based on the series. I’d love to watch the series at some stage, but the book isn’t worth reviewing.

The Collaborator – Margaret Leroy – I can’t wait to post this! I really loved the book, and was so unhappy when I finished it.

The Martian – Andy Weir. The Martian was my favorite film of 2015, and I really wanted to get my hands on the novel. However, I’m struggling at this stage to get through it as it contains some unnecessary jargon in my opinion.

What were you up to in December? Tell me!

Movie Review: Star Wars: Rogue One (2016) – NO SPOILERS –

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Plot: The Rebel Alliance makes a risky move to steal the plans for the Death Star, setting up the epic saga to follow.

Rating: 7/10

I actually don’t have an awful lot to say about this. Can I say I really liked that I was in a cinema full of fanboys, and while the excitement was palpable they quieted down and watched the film without any raucous noise? Definite plus! It was also the first time I visited The Mall of Africa – I’d been dodging it since it opened because the people went there in droves and if you know me you know I don’t like the droves. Despite the heavy traffic getting in, that Mall is gorgeous and I’m definitely returning after the festive season to just walk around and get a feel of the place.

What was good about Rogue One? The cast. Mads Mikkelson definitely deserves a mention. He’s been on the circuit for a bit and is slowly making the transgression into mainstream films, something he’s dipped his toe into a few times but has traveled under the radar mostly. I might not have gone super fangirl about him in Dr. Strange, but I really do like the man and his role in Rogue One worked very well for him.

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Someone really rich at Disney had the idea to put Felicity Jones and Diego Luna together on screen as Jyn Erso and Captain Cassian Andor. It Felicity Jones certainly carries the look of all the Star Wars girls – pretty and pure and innocent. It must be what the fan boys like, because there is definitely a similarity between her, Portman and Rey. I did like her however. Jones’ is a great actress and any role where the female is sharp, smart, loyal and brave is worth watching. I enjoyed Diego Luna after a bit. He got into his role eventually and became comfortable onscreen. He shares undeniable chemistry with Felicity Jones, which made the duo a great success.

The look. No doubt about it, the technology is now what Lucas always wished it would be. The different worlds are so unique it is quite mind blowing believing that this is truly a brain child of one man – such a visionary. The film looks great – typical Star Wars.

The humor was light and carefully woven into the story so that it didn’t drown it out. Most quips are given by Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) – the blind man with an uncanny ability to see around him. I liked Chirrut quite a lot, he had funny moments and was all around cool. (I can say that for pretty much everyone in this film).

What didn’t I liked? I feel that it lacked some heart and felt a bit forced. The world doesn’t need a Star Wars movie every single year, they just need really good ones every couple of years. I was a major fan of the Star Wars one last year, and still feel that it is the better film of the two. There are two things I thought could have been done a tad differently – that ending (won’t mention because it is truly a massive spoler) and the fact that the film went completely Constantine – sorry for the comparison – and despite the heavy chemistry and cute moments not one kissing scene. This definitely isn’t a romance film and I’m not wanting it to be one, but can I just say that it wouldn’t have hurt this film.

Anyway. I wasn’t blown over and I enjoyed The Force Awakens much more. It isn’t a bad film, and my fanboy brother-in-law and his friends really loved it, so I guess that says something. This is probably one of the last films |I will see in cinema for 2016, and it really wasn’t a bad way to bow out!

Best films of 2015: 1 – 10

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Happy Thursday everyone! Somehow we all miraculously made it through the first week back at work. Let’s keep it up! To make your day worth it (jke), here is my top ten for 2015.

Note: I somehow lost my original post, so this may or may not turn out great.

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10: Jurassic World

Original rating: 7.5/10

Does it still hold? It might eventually fall to a 7

What I Liked: Jurassic World managed to revive the franchise and is blockbuster entertainment at its’ finest. I adored Chris Pratt in here, and he is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

What I didn’t like: The more time passes the more the film seems incredibly sexist.

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9: Kingsman: A Secret Service

Original rating: 7.5/10

Does it still hold? I actually think it deserves an 8

What I Liked: This was a really unexpectedly great film. The film is classy and very sassy and a tounge-in-the-cheek look at spy films. Colin Firth is especially in fine form. He can certainly consider more such roles!

What I didn’t like: That last scene where Buggsy goes and does the dirty with the Queen or something felt misplaced in the film.

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8: Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling

Original Rating: 8/10

Does it still hold? It really deserves an 8.5/10

What I liked: The showcasing of South-African talent and the nailbiting events. I really can’t wait to give this disturbing and heart-wrenching story another watch.

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7. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Original rating: 8/10

Does it still hold? I think I would rate this a 7/10 if I watched it again.

What I liked: Marvel has the ability to go really big and really grand. They are a powerhouse right now and it is obvious in anything they release in the market right now. I know everyone isn’t such a big fan of this film, because it has a number of valid issues, but I really did have a good time when I saw it in cinema.

What I didn’t like: It is excessively long. And the brave South-African cops are all lies.

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6. The Man from U.N.C.L.E

Original rating: 8.5/10

Does it still hold? Yeah

What I Liked: The classy feel of the film, the hilarity, the Russian accent, the Cavil. I’m also becoming such a huge fan of Alicia Vikander that I will watch anything with her in right now.

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5. Mad Max: Fury Road

Original Rating: 8.5/10

Does it still hold: 9/10

What I liked: YASSS everything.

What I didn’t like? There is nothing. Nothing.

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4. Inside Out

Original Rating: 8.5/10

Does it still hold? Definitely

What I liked: This is such a surprising film and I really don’t like animations as a rule.

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3. Ex Machina

Original Rating: 8.5/10

Does it still hold? Yep

What I liked: It is a well acted movie on A.I. and really worked out well. It is weird and Oscar Isaac shines. The ever delightful Domnhall Gleeson and Alicia Vikander are great in their respective roles.

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2. Star Wars

Original rating: 9/10

Does it still hold? Yes

What I liked: Primarily that it is a great film that can be watched even if you don’t know everything about the franchise.

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  1. The Martian

Original Rating: 10 / 10

Does it still hold? 9.5/10

What I liked: The Martian is truly everything I could ever want in a movie.

Well, there you go. Let me know your favorite films of 2015!

Movie Review: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) SPOILER FREE

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Rating: 9/10

It’s my usual habit to include a plot synopsis, but for the sake of keeping this as spoiler free as promised I’m not doing that today. I know someone who had this movie spoiled in a review that wasn’t even about this film (people seriously suck), so I promise, this won’t be a nasty review full of spoilers.

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I am not a super fan. I haven’t seen every film sixty times and I generally keep a distance from the very intense fans this franchise has (I’m scared of them. No lies)

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So, what did I think? I loved it. It is done well enough to be entertaining to most people. The blend of old and new cast members works well to remind people of what was and to bring a new generation into the film. As for the new cast, Adam Driver was FANTASTIC, Daisey Ridley was AMAZING, John Boyega was WONDERFUL, Oscar Isaacs (who is quickly becoming a favorite of mine) worked very well in his adventurer role and Domhnall Gleeson once again excelled in a role that is nothing like any of his previous roles.

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The storyline? Pretty solid, entertaining and the action sequences were well developed (excellent, in fact). It had it all – breathless rushes and escapes, tears, outrage, plot twists, everything.

I hope this review makes sense – I’m feeling really happy that I saw it and it worked exceptionally well. I think the feeling is quite mutual now that Disney buying over the rights to Star Wars wasn’t a bad decision and that JJ Abrams is king, and that the next movie must just roll around now. Hell, maybe I’ll even become a super fan and violently argue with people about Star Wars. It is not ruled out.