FILM FRIDAY: Insidious 2 Review

Hey guys! I'm almost too late to call this Film Friday but if all goes to plan then I should get this posted before the clock strikes midnight, tonight I went with a group of friends to see Insidious 2. Now, I had seen Insidious 1 but I wouldn't say it was necessary for you to have seen it to understand the plot.

Insidious 2 starts as a continuation from the end of Insidious, we see a flashback to Lorraine Lambert trying to help her son Josh, who is suffering from 'bad dreams' by enlisting the help of Carl, a medium and Elise, who is an expert in the supernatural. Elise uses Josh to 'find' the spirit she believes to be tormenting him, and is scrathed in the arm by this spirit. A series of frightening event occur before Lorraine insists that Elise and Carl make Josh forget his ability to see the supernatural world. Flash forward 25 years and Josh Lambert is now a father, and it is his son Dalton who was the main protagonist of the first film, after he falls into a coma from an incident with a spirit, Josh goes into the spirit world to get Dalton at the end of Insidious, and Insidious 2 tells the story of the effects of that, and Josh's possession by another spirit. 

Basically this film is scary, I'm not wonderful with horror but I can handle it and I was scared by this film, however I don't want that to put anybody off because it's not one of those films that you walk away from feeling scared of the shadows because it took such a specific gift/situation for the Lambert's to be possessed. 

The plot gets really complex but I did understand it and it's easy enough to follow as long as you don't spend the entire film with your face behind your hands! I would go and see it again, although I probably won't because I've jumped enough tonight to be quite satisfied for a while! Would definitely recommend it for anybody who wants to go see a horror film scarier than your average Tim Burton but not quite as scary as Grave Encounters, Saw, The Exorcist etc, although I recommend Saw.  Grave Encounters though *shudders.* 

If you guys loved/hated this film or have any questions then feel free to comment below, until next time, have a wonderful weekend!  

A/W Wishlist!

Evening folks, I had absolutely no idea what to write for this weeks life-y post, until I realised that I'd been spending a lot of time over the past few weeks going 'OOOH I WANT THAT' at multiple things that I've seen both in real life and online, I love looking at other peoples wishlists for inspiration for birthday/gift ideas so I decided to compile the stuff I'd like here for you all to see! 

List of items

AM by Arctic Monkeys 

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Borg Lined Parka Jacket from Topshop

Women's Timberland Authentics Waterproof Fold-Down Boot from Timberland

Supernatural Season Eight 

The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook

Rockateur Blush from Benefit 

Grand Theft Auto V 

Hope you guys enjoyed reading about all the things I want, feel free to link any of your wishlists below and please do +1 this post and tweet it! Until Friday, have a wonderful week! 

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Top 10 YA Books/Series'

Hey guys, I hope you're all having a wonderful week, for the first time in a fortnight I have actually got an on-time 'Top Ten Tuesday' post for you, as per, this particular idea is courtesy of thebrokeandthebookish! I adore YA books and, being 15, they made up the vast majority of the books I've read. There are a million and one other books which could have made this list and I've already had to jam my two favourite John Green books together to make room for just 10. 

1. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

2. The Mortal Instuments Series by Cassandra Clare

3. Divergent by Veronica Roth

4. The Fault in Our Stars/An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

5. It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini 

6. Harry Potter by J K Rowling

7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky

9. The Wolves of Mercy Falls by Maggie Stiefvater

10. As many classics as possible. ((including: Shakespeare, Austen, Bronte, Dickens and modern classics like Catch 22, The Great Gasby, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, To Kill a Mockingbird etc.)

If you agree with any of these books/have any suggestions of your own then please do comment down below, I should have a lifestyley post for you for tomorrow and a Film Friday post, however I realise that this book is becoming less and less book-related so I plan to bringing it back to my original aim soon! Until next time! 

NEW POTTER, I REPEAT, NEW POTTER

Ladies and Gentlemen, if I am being perfectly honest, I never thought a day would come where I would be able to sit at my laptop and write a post about 'new' Harry Potter related content. Sure, I hoped (dreamed) and maybe mentioned it a couple of times (talked endlessly about it) but I never believed that there would come a time where I could talk about new J K Rowling written Potter content, let alone a whole new movie franchise. Let Thursday the 12th of September forever be known as the day the Potter fandom came out of the cupboard under the stairs and found their voices again. However for those of you who haven't heard enough yet, I've compiled a little factfile about the movie, which is going to feature Newt Scamander, the author of the book "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." which is mentioned multiple times in the Potter series and was released as part of a Comic Relief series by J K in the 2000's, which I talk about in this blog post. Here's all you need to know so far; 

• "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" will be set in New York in the 1920's. 
  
  
• The film will be set in New York, so it will be the first Potter related film set in the States. 
  
  
• Main character Newt Scamander (author of Fantastical Beasts) went to Hogwarts.
  
  
• "Fantastic Beasts" has a companion book called Quidditch Through the Ages 
  
  
• The proceeds from the original book, written by J K Rowling, went to Comic Relief.
  
  
• The published "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" book is actually more of an encyclopedia, however the copy that was released for Comic Relief also includes doodles and drawings by some of the Potter characters.
  
  
• "Fantastic Beasts" is the start of a new "Harry Potter" film franchise, and also possibly a series, does this mean a movie for Quidditch Through the Ages or possibly even a film about Bathilda Bagshot, author of Hogwarts, A History.
  
  
• J.K. Rowling is writing the film's screenplay, yes please, THIS IS DIRECT POTTER STRAIGHT TO YOUR SCREENS. 
  
  
• Newt is grandfather-in-law to Luna Lovegood, Newt's grandson Rolf marries Luna, do I see a possible Lovegood appearance in this film or one of it's sequels?

Are you excited yet? I certainly am, no doubt this will be the first of dozens of posts I make about these movies, but until we have more information, I will be re-reading my copy of Fantastical Beasts in my own little corner of paradise. Rejoice my friends, there is new Potter once more. 

FILM FRIDAY: TOP 5 DISNEY FILMS

Evening guys, I have to apologise for my complete lack of blogging this week. An inordinate amount of homework, coupled with a trip to see The Rocky Horror Show in Aberdeen, and an evening spent in school helping out, have rendered my social life obsolete. Luckily, it's now Friday, I am bathed and pj-ed and happy. Plus I have a little time to write a few long over-due blog posts for you guys, including this one- my Film Friday post for this week, of my top 5 favourite Disney films. Disney was a large part of my childhood and I still adore all of these films, I debated whether or not to include Pixar films and make this a Top 10, but then I'd be robbing myself of a possible future easy blog post, so this week is purely Disney. 

1. Tangled

My favourite film, ever. I'm not even slightly joking, with the obvious exception of the Potter films, Tangled beats every single other cinematic masterpiece, side splitting comedy, gritty thriller and general fab film to first place in my list. If you watch this film and don't fall in love with Flynn Rider just a little bit, then you're no friend of mine. The musical pieces are beautiful, with 'I See the Light' being my personal favourite. The storyline itself is an incredibly clever re-telling of the classic Rapunzel and the humour is 10/10. I have converted many to the beauty of this film and I will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

2. Beauty and the Beast

Musically, this is my favourite film here, not only did I totally empathise with Beauty's love for books, but the songs are amazing. 'Something There,' 'Tale as Old as Time' and 'Be Our Guest' as the best little songs, and the whole moral of the story is really beautiful. I think that in terms of my favourite animation, this will probably win, the scene where Beauty and Beast dance to 'Tale as Old as Time' is one of the most beautifully drawn scenes' ever. 

3. The Jungle Book

Picture the scene, a week before my maths Standard Grade exam, I am sitting in a room alone, feverishly trying to make up for the 2 years I have spent focusing on boys and friendship rather than whatever was being written on the board, when the radio starts playing 'The Bare Necessities.' Cue me dancing and singing myself into a kink of laughter and consequently ruining a day studying. I've watched the movie twice since and Mowgli's story is the cutest little thing ever, I'd like Baloo as a friend too please. 

4. The Princess and the Frog

TPATF and Tangled are the two newer films on this list, since the rest are all at least 20 years old. This film is set in Jazz-Era Lousiana so you can imagine the style of music, it's different but still undeniably brilliant. I adore this film because Tatiana is not a Princess, but she is the queen of man-management. She takes none of Prince Naveen's nonsense throughout the film and in the end, completely achieves her dream. This film actually keeps the bare bones of the original story too, which is brilliant because the frog dilemma is absolutely hilarious. I loved the other animal friends Tatiana and Naveen meet along the way too! 

5. One Hundred and One Dalmatians

OHAOD is the oldest film on this list, released in 1961, but the film style of this movie is absolutely beautiful, the scenes where they show London are brilliant but my favourite part is where Roger is looking out the window and examining the different women with their dogs. Cruella De Vil gets a special award for most manical villain, and Pongo and Perdita as just the cutest little dogs, and all of their puppies, adopted or otherwise, are possibly my favourite animated animals. Bonus points to this movie for the double love story with both Pongo and Perdita and their owners Anita and Roger. 

I really hope you enjoyed reading this, please do comment your favourite Disney films in the comment box below, and suggest any film, book or lifestyle posts you'd like me to do. I aim to have a post ready for tomorrow discussing the NEW HARRY POTTER FILMS. Because that is a cause I will be able to get very, very, VERY excited about. Until then, have a wonderful weekend! 

FILM FRIDAY: Underrated Films

Evening guys, this weeks Film post is about my favourite underrated films, so without further ado (cause' this could be long) here are my picks!

Stardust (2007)

Starring: Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais and Robert De Niro.

 

For me, Stardust will always remind me of those days near the end of the school year where you were allowed to pick a DVD to watch as a class, it is one of those particular days that I have to thank for the discovery of one of my favourite films ever. The movie centres around Tristan’s journey into the world of Stormhold, the magical town across the border of the English town of Wall, to retrieve a fallen star for his ‘true love’ Victoria. What Tristan doesn’t count on is becoming embroiled in a family feud over the next King of Stormhold, or becoming attached to the star, Yvaine.  He is also being pursued by 3 witches who aim to kill Yvaine and use her heart to grant them eternal youth. The cast in UNBELIEVABLE and in terms of the love story, this is my favourite in existence, Michelle Phiefer is brilliant as the main witch, Lamia, and so is Claire Danes as Yvaine. If none of this has encouraged you to watch the film, it’s narrated by Sir Ian McKellen and there’s Robert De Niro as a cross dressing pirate Captain. Seriously.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Starring: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton

Moonrise Kingdom is one of those films where everyone who has seen it absolutely adores it. Wes Anderson’s film is stunning, it follows Sam and Suzy, two introverted young teens, who fall in love as they write letters to each other. They arrange to run away together and the movie follows both the scout group that Sam ran away from, Suzy’s parents and the local police force as they attempt to find the pair. The cinematography (ooh long words) is absolutely beautiful as anyone who has seen a film by Wes Anderson will understand. Such a good film considering how it is relatively unheard of, I cannot recommend it enough!

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Starring: Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julia Stiles, Larisa Oleynik

A modern adaption of Taming of the Shrew, the film sees Cameron, a new kid in school, try to find an older guy to date the older sister of the girl he likes. Sounds complicated? Not really. Basically, Cameron has a crush on Bianca Stratford, however she is not allowed to date until her older sister Kat Stratford does. Therefore, Cameron enlists the help of older guy Patrick Verona to pretend to date Kat so that Bianca can go out with Cameron. In true rom-com fashion, Patrick doesn’t anticipate developing feelings for Kat. But this film is so, so much more than just a rom-com, released in 1999, I feel like this film is eclipsed by Clueless, Mean Girls, and She’s the Man in terms of early 2000’s teen comedies which is why it’s on this list. Heath Ledger is unbelievable as Patrick, seriously, I fell in love with his within the first few scenes, and Kat Stratford is everything I aim to be over the next few years, utterly unamused by the male race, and the kind of girl who stands up and fights for herself. The ending is fabulous and there are some of my favourite movie quotes ever in this film!

Zathura (2005)

Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Kirstin Stewart, Dax Shepard, Jonah Bobo 

Zathura is like a semi-sequel to the cult classic Jumanji, it also feature around a ‘magical’ boardgame, which once Walter and Danny, two squabbling brothers, start playing, begins to effect reality. The cards that the boys receive with each turn tell them what they are going to face next. The boys’ house is launched into space and their sister Lisa is frozen in cyronic sleep. They realised the only way to win is to continue to play, despite being attacked by an alien race of Zorgons. The boys continue playing, avoiding the dangers with the help of an astronaut, who Lisa falls in love with, and eventually return home. The boys (obviously) overcome their differences and become close again. This movie really needs to be seen to be appreciated, it’s one of my favourites and the special effects are seriously cool, especially the Zorgons. However the film is relatively unknown so if you loved Jumanji or consider yourself a sci-fi fan then you HAVE to see this film!

A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

Starring: Jim Carrey, Liam Aiken, Emily Browning, Meryl Streep, John Connelly

I will never, ever, ever understand why ‘A Series..’ didn’t get a sequel, or heck, why it didn’t get 10 sequels to complete the book series? The first movie, which encompasses the first 3 books, The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room and The Wide Window, is wonderful. I don’t have the patience to explain the plot but the movie follows the Baudelaire orphans, Violet, Klause and Sunny, as they are moved from guardian to guardian following the death of their parents. After a spell with their evil ‘cousin’ Count Olaf, they soon discover that Olaf plans to steal their large inheritance fortune and that they are embroiled in far more than just an inheritance argument. The books are incredible, the films match up to them and Jim Carrey is the best Count Olaf that could possibly have been cast. Despite my unhappiness at the movie encompassing three books in one, I don’t think there were massive chunks of plot missed out considering they had no plans to make a sequel. This film did well at the time but for a series of books which had the potential to reach Harry Potter levels of popularity, the film just doesn’t have the same level of fame. This needs to change and if you only watch one film this month, please make it this one as it deserves so much recognition, and the books *which are some of my favourites ever* do too! 

Phew! I hope you guys enjoyed this, do you have any films to recommend to me or request a review? If so, comment below! Please do +1 this and tweet/like it! Until next time, have a wonderful weekend!

August Music Favourites!

1. Love Like This by Kodaline
2. Talk by Kodaline
3. Don't Stop by Nina Nesbitt
4. Keep On Walking by Gabrielle Aplin
5. Waste by George Ogilvie 
6. You Wanna Know by Don Broco 
7. Wildfire by John Mayer
8. Chocolate by The 1975
9. Wings by Birdy
10. The Way I Tend To Be by Frank Turner
11. Plain Sailing Days by Frank Turner
12. Lived a Lie by You Me At Six
13. Love Like War by All Time Low ft Vic Fuentes
14. When I Go by Slow Club
15. Yes, Yes We're Magicians by The Crookes
    
    A lot of the music from this month is relatively new, which I'm pleased about. Frank Turner is a wonderful new find, I've been waiting to include George Ogilvie in a blog post for months, you need to check out his YouTube channel. I have talked about my love for Kodaline already and they continue to impress. The 1975 are my tip for band of the A/W 2013 and Don Broco, All Time Low and You Me At Six's new songs appeal to the punk side of me, although that's a little unfair on YMAS and Don Broco as they are so so so much more than that, completely cannot wait for their new album! Birdy's new song (ish) is the prettiest thing I've ever seen and the video is SO GOOD and John Mayer is killing it again in his latest hit. Slow Club and The Crookes and much lesser known bands but both are wonderful and have been on repeat this month! Plus Nina Nesbitt's cover of 'Don't Stop' by Fleetwood Mac for the new John Lewis ad is the most feelgood song I've heard this month! 

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Top Ten Heroines

Hey everybody! This post is, as you can see, a day late, I actually thought I had posted it yesterday but apparently I'm more exhausted than I thought because I seem to have forgotten to do that. As per usual, I’m picking and choosing from a list by brokeandbookish.blogspot.com who are brilliant, and are also in this months ‘blogs of the month!’ Without further ado, here is my list.

Hermione Granger from 'Harry Potter' by J K Rowling

Clary Fray from 'The Mortal Instuments' by Cassandra Clare

Beatrice Prior from 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth 

Violet from 'The Chaos Walking Trilogy' by Phillip Ness

Violet Baudelaire from 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' by Lemony Snicket

Liesel Meminger from 'The Book Thief' by Marcus Zusak

Zoey Redbird from 'The House of Night' series by PC and Kristin Cast

Hazel Grace Lancaster from 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green

Katniss Everdeen from 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins

Lena Holoway Tiddle from 'The Delirium Trilogy' by Lauren Oliver 

I love my female heroines and I'm so glad that they are beginning to feature more and more frequently in novels, particuarly in the Young Adult genre. This is a short post as I'm pushed for time these days with school, the level of homework I'm getting this year has ballooned so I shall have to get my act together quickly. Till tomorrow, when I WILL have a music of the month update for you, have a wonderful day!