RECENT WATCH: THE HATEFUL EIGHT

The Hateful Eight is the eighth film by Quentin Tarentino. Kurt Russell’s John Ruth is a bounty hunter who takes shelter with his prisoner from a blizzard in a secluded cabin. In this cabin he meets a collection of enigmatic characters. The plot of The Hateful Eight has been shrouded in mystery since its announcement and I do think it is good to walk in to cinema not knowing too much about what you’re about to see. It plays out like a ‘whodunnit’, no-one can be trusted and someone isn’t who he or she seems.  Think Agatha Christie with more violence and humour with a western backdrop.

What I really liked about The Hateful Eight is that all of the characters are interesting, part and parcel from the fantastic writing and the high class performances of the cast, Samuel L Jackson making a triumphant return to a leading role of a Tarentino film. The depth of each character means that you are suspicious of everyone, an element that is too often missing from some mysteries. The action of The Hateful Eight is in the careful constructed dialogue and at times felt like a recording of a play.

You cannot deny that this film will stand apart from every other film out at the moment, with the division in to clearly marked chapters, intermission and occasional narration by Tarentino himself. The fantastic score by Ennio Morricone also transports you back to cinema classics of times past.

 

Ultimately, the real test of a film lasting over 3 hours is if it feels as long as it is. The film did feel long. I will admit that there were moments where I was a bit bored and wasn’t really sure where the story was going. With eight principle characters there needs to be lengthy set up and in the end there is some pay off with a Tarentino style showdown. However a quick shoot-em-up and trademark blood spill just weren't enough for the long development that had come before. When I was presented with the ‘final chapter’ I couldn’t help feeling relieved, more than ready for the conclusion of this western tale. Unfortunately not my favourite film from the iconic director. 

THE YEAR AHEAD: 2016

New Year creates a mix of feelings; Christmas is over for another year, January is only just beginning and summer seems all too far away. While it can conjure up some bitter-sweet feelings, the beginning of another year holds exciting possibilities and I’ve been thinking of some things I would like to do in 2016. Don’t worry, no resolutions that I won’t stick to ahead. This is more of a to-do list as it were. A putting-in-writing of some things, big and small, that I want to make happen in the year ahead.

Secure work for my Placement Year

Unlike the others on the list, this isn’t so much a goal but a must. As part of my degree I have chosen to do placement year that will begin in the summer. In this time I want to get as much PR experience as possible.

Save money for travelling                                   

Explains itself really, I have wanted to travel for a long time and in 2017 I hope to go travelling after I complete my placement year. Travelling is mighty expensive so I need to do some serious saving if I’m going to make it past the airport.

Write something for the University Magazine

Between the years of writing for essays, coursework and assignments writing has felt like a chore. Writing about what interests me on my blog rather than what will get the grade has let me enjoy it again. Now I want to write something for my university's magazine. I got in touch with the editor of the magazine before Christmas who told me that they’re always looking for contributions so I hope to actually write something for them in the near future.

Keep on top of my skin

Probably the vainest of all of my 2016 goals but 2015 was the year that I really got sick of my troublesome skin. While my festive diet hasn’t had the best effect on my complexion my obsession with skincare is ever increasing and I am continuing to work with my doctor to tackle pesky break outs, from the inside and out.

De-clutter

A clear out has been long overdue for a while now but it wasn’t until I was trying to put away the things I’d received at Christmas that I realised that I am hoarding so many unnecessary things. It’s the same in my room in my university room. I have papers stuffed everywhere, clothes I never wear and products I never use, this is the year that I show them the door (or charity shop).

Stay organised

The bigger work load of second year has had one positive effect, and that is that I’m forced to be more organised. By that I mean I write everything in my diary and a new to-do list notebook fills me with all sorts of glee. 2016 is going to be an important and busy year and I need to be organised. Any excuse to buy new stationery…

Continue blogging…

My blog isn’t even half a year old but I am looking to the year ahead. Working on and then uploading a blog post is so satisfying and when I have the time between university work I really enjoy blogging. I won’t put any dates or figure on it but I’m excited to document the next year on my little internet space. 

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice”

Here's to 2016!

MY FAVOURITE FILMS OF 2015

Here are my top five films of 2015. Unfortunately I did not get to see every film that the past year had to offer; in fact I could write a whole list of films that I missed. From those that I did see this year, these five have come out on top. Enjoy!

The DUFF

When I sat down and thought about films that I can call my favourite of the year, the first criteria that I judge by is if I will honestly watch it again. I am the type of person who finds something she likes and then watches it again and again. I can unashamedly say that out of every film on this list I have watched ‘The DUFF’ the most. While it probably won’t be winning any academy awards any time soon its winning combo of warm hearted and hilarious make a great teen movie, I love it.

The Martian

A story about a man who is stranded on Mars, constantly cheating death, shouldn’t be this much fun. But the Martian is, in fact this space drama was a glorious cocktail of dry humour, mind bending science and edge of your seat tension.  Matt Damon was excellent as Mark Watney and Ridley Scott expertly crafted another space set epic.  I wrote a full review of The Martian which you can read here.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

One of the first films released in 2015 and in my opinion still one of the best. Bearing Matthew Vaughn’s signature brand of humour, style and bloody violence, Kingsman may be a little NSFW but is the Spy film that we all really want to see (sorry Spectre). Boasting some of the best of British acting talent including Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Michael Caine and newcomer Taron Egerton, Kingsman is British cinema at its best.  The announcement of a ‘Kingsman 2’ is music to my ears.

Inside Out

It’s not very often that I will pay to see a film for children at the cinema; Inside Out was worth every penny. It is incredibly smart and resonates with adults just as much as it does with children. Inside Out stands with Toy Story and Monsters Inc. as another Pixar great.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Most people who know me will know that I am a big fan of Fury Road. I was surprised to love it so much, only really seeing it in the cinema because my Dad wanted to see it. Someone recently asked me what my favourite film was, while I won’t say that it’s my all-time favourite, the first film that came to mind was Mad Max: Fury Road. To my answer this person sniggered and claimed I only like it because ‘it has a strong female character’. Of course it is true that it was refreshing to see Charlize Theron’s Furiosa kick ass and take names but the film has so many more reasons to be celebrated. You would really sell Fury Road short to claim that its refusal to pander to Hollywood gender representations is the only reason it’s brilliant. In its simplicity, the plot is exciting, the use of practical effects and vibrant cinematography create stunning scenes to watch and above all Mad Max: Fury Road was a cinematic experience.

Honourable Mentions: Trainwreck, The Intern and Whiplash

What were your favourite films of 2015?