Summer 2015.

In September this year, I returned to university to start my second year of Film Studies. When arriving back in Cheltenham I first thought that my feelings would somewhat lift, I felt that everything would somehow be lighter. 

I should now state that my summer of 2015 was very hard, during it I felt my mental health changing. 

Throughout most of my teens and young adult years, I have had trouble with my emotions. Managing my emotional well-being got to one point in my life that I had to begin therapy sessions when I was around 15. 

I'm typing this meaningless-to-you-post because I feel that my life has been switched up, in such a short space of time my mental health has just crashed. During the summer of 2015, I became increasingly reserved. I isolated myself, and ended up shutting myself off from the outside world. It became so bad that I got to the point where I couldn't leave my house without at least one person with me. And even then I was still very anxious. 

Anxiety gripped me unlike it ever had before. My past experience with therapy sessions proved very negative and had very little positive impact on me, so of course I withdrew more and shut down completely. 

My summer became bleaker in my mind - most probably due to problems within my family. My parents have been separated for approximately 2-3 years now, and yet still live in the same house together. Along with this I have problems between myself and other members of my family. My tongue however was held throughout the summer holidays, I bit my lip when I felt myself being pushed and frustrated by annoying traits. 

I stopped speaking to my mother, and depended on my boyfriend for almost anything. 

I felt like I became a burden upon those who I loved, and that pushing them away would be better than pulling them down with me. I limited my speaking with my cousin, and became petty and bitter about simple things. 

Deep down I was angry about my parents' situation, and that I was somewhat stuck between a family which never spoke about their feelings, and the world outside my house where I couldn't face others. 

I felt scared to leave my home, I constantly felt that something horrible would happen if I went anywhere alone. 

I took to avoiding others, and social situations. And to this day, I can't really give anyone a straight answer on why. I probably felt that I would be judged, I know that I thought I would be catcalled, mugged or abused. 

My anxiety spiralled out of my control. I worried about walking up my local high-street alone. And thus, daily chores became hard, and even getting out of bed or changed soon seemed impossible.

I exploded one afternoon at my mum, my feelings about the family situation flooded her ears, and I soon came out with the truth that I was suicidal. 

Since days of teenage years, I remember becoming increasingly depressed, along with heightened anxiety becoming apart of my life. 

I recall feeling hopeless and alone, I began counselling in school, and soon moved onto NHS therapy - which left me with little hope for ever taking part in therapy again. 

Soon, my confidence grew and I fell into a boring life. However I made lifelong friends, who I still cherish today. My life became normal again, even though in a period of time I failed many GCSEs, started a BTEC, and gradually failed to get into any choice of universities. 

Then I was thankfully accepted into Gloucestershire through clearing, by being egged on by my best friend. My life was renewed. I met my boyfriend of almost two years, and felt like I was moving on from my old self. 

However, summer of 2015 met me head on and brought back memories of a world I had forgotten. I felt like the 15 year old who shut herself out of people's lives. 

After a summer away from university, I hated being at home in Bristol. Thinking that my second year at uni would bring me out of my depression was wrong thinking as well. Nothing changed, I still felt low and a change of scenery only made me more unhappy about leaving my house alone. 

Finally, I was nudged to get help. My boyfriend promised me that it would be worth it. And he was right. The uni doctor put my on antidepressants, which would balance out chemicals in my brain and somewhat sooth my anxiety.

These were not overnight happy pills, they effected me severely and proceeded to me taking time off of lectures. My uni helped me a lot, and continue to do so. I was introduced to a self help service from the NHS, and now manage my depression and anxiety hand-in-hand with my medication.

I am not fixed. I still feel estranged from the world in some ways. I feel singled out, and often alone. 

However, I have come a very long way since hiding in my home all summer. 

I am still worried to this day, especially about relapsing. 

Yet, I am proud of the progress I have made. I still need time to get use to my new love for life, and yes I still have bad days where I can barely get out of bed. 

There is no cure for this.

But I am happy, and have been working hard in many aspects of my life.

This has been my feeble apology for lacking in posts of all the films I have seen in 2015.

There will be updates from now on. 

Reach out to me if any of you need to.

Scream - The T.V Series.

Point of interest:

I am a very big fan of the Scream franchise.

One - Of course the best

Two - Best opening 

Three - So bad it's good

Four - Fresssshhhh

So, as you can tell, this was a little bit of a big thing for me.

However, with this I have a big old bag of mixed feelings.
I've finished the first season, and yet it was hard to be incredibly scared. I may have been entertained at parts, but after a couple of episodes it felt as though I was only watching it from boredom.
At the end of the day the Scream television series felt like a mild sub for Pretty Little Liars.
Except this is more grown up.

There is gore and blood. There is saucy interludes for no reason. There is a damsel in distress, who is a bit of a bad actress.
Seems like the perfect recipe for a classic horror film, right?
Yeah it is...  but it isn't a very great homage to the Scream films/franchise.
With nothing to do with Sidney and co, you'll be let down slightly if you'e a fan like me. But the thing with this, is that it keeps you hanging on just because it is surprising who the killer chooses to pick off.
So, with no actual Ghostface running umuck, you're left with a bunch of Randy, Gail and Sidney substitutes doing a lacklustre job of  not acting sketchy.
There's also a really really lazy plot of mother/daughter relationship creating chaos, just like the original!
Urgh, it was REALLY lazy.

Basically a luke warm build up to Scream Queens, which I am very much looking forward to.

Alike with Pretty Little Liars, you will feel very underwhelmed with the conclusion.
Sorry to give that away, but this really was a tiny bit of a punch in the face.
However alike with PLL again, it gives you something else right at the end... so yes I can imagine that I shall be watching season two next year.
OF COURSE THERE'S A SEASON TWO.

In my opinion, if you're looking for a way to make up your summer with copious amounts of T.V (like me), then give this a try. Because there are some good parts.
But if you're not a fan of horror in general, then leave it and run.
Even though there is scarcely a trace of anything very frightening, just don't waste your time.
All I can say is that, give it a try... but don't feel guilty if you can't finish it.
I wouldn't blame you.
This ultimately was a guess who... and that was the only part you're watching it for.
It is quite rushed and messy.

God this summer was bad.

Inside Out.

I choked up...

Let's just start with that? YEAH?

Yeah.

I went to see this film with my mum (a primary school teaching assistant), and afterwards she backed up everything I already thought about it. This is a very important film to young children, let's just say that Inside Out teaches a very important fact about life. 

There is nothing more I want than to stress how good this film is. I got out of the cinema and felt... okay.
And by that I mean that I felt very content. Inside Out concentrates on teaching children that it's okay to be sad. And THAT is what we need to ensure younger generations know.
When I say that I felt content, I think that after watching this film I felt less alone.
It is very easy to relate to every single aspect of Inside Out.
The concept of there being small people in your head who make your emotions, is a rather well thought out strategy.
It keeps kids entertained and educates them thoroughly.
In Inside Out, we are taken on an adventure when the characters of Joy and Sadness are lost when accidentally exiting Riley's brain. The film follows Joy and Sadness journeying through thick and thin to ensure that predominately Riley can be happy again.
The emotions together have stayed with Riley since birth and each take over her actions.
Riley the main character finds her family's move to San Francisco hard, as she says goodbye to her friends, hockey team and childhood home.
But Joy is always there in her brain to make her look on the bright side, along with trying to keep sadness away from the controls. Which often isn't the best thing to do.
However when both Joy and Sadness become lost in Riley's thoughts away from the control panels, ultimately Riley is left with nothing but Fear, Disgust and Anger having their say every minute of every day.
And thus Riley's parents are met with a generic 11 year old, as the 'mood swings' begin.

I loved everything about this film.
It was clever, intelligent, funny and entertaining. I urge you all to see it at some point in your lives.
There is nothing more satisfying, as when Pixar come out with a film that has a meaningful message.
Except the Cars franchise, that can leave thanks.
If your anything like me and have trouble understanding why we act the way we do, then this the nicest way of interpreting our feelings.
Also if you like character from The Office (USA) and Saturday Night Live... then yes this is the kids film for you.
(Purely because half of the casts are in this film)
Please watch this.
Thnx.

Terminator Genisys.

Have I watched anything from the Terminator franchise?

No.

My bad...

But I enjoyed this film all the same.

I mean I gather that I don't necessarily HAVE to have watched anything before this film. But it would have probably helped somewhat.

But aye, never mind. I had been meaning to watch the films prequel to this.
And yet I didn't.
What you gonna do about it?

Terminator is a cool concept... I think.
There was a nice message with this chapter, it said that Sarah Conner's Terminator father stand-in is the cutest thing in existence.
They're relationship is adorable.
Note: some really really cute af drawings. I couldn't decide if they were created by Sarah (as a child) or the Terminator.

There's a lot of stuff which would have made more sense if I had watched the earlier films, probably, but I got the hang of it quite quickly.
The action is pretty pleasing in it. But I had a feeling that the whole film went really fast. However it might not have, some of it happened to drag a tiny bit.

There's a short cameo from Matthew Smith (Dr Who), and you barely get to see him even when he is on screen. (It's complicated, seriously).
Arnold Schwarzenegger was good as always.
And by good I mean saying lines and smiling robotically every now and then.
Humorous enough.
I mean I laughed, and there's nothing more to that.

Not too much to say about this film, as it seemed to be something I would give into and watch on Sunday in order to block family out.
Wait, that sounds like my whole summer.
It's a pretty simple storyline, following a generic action film:
 Opening on war, problems, new characters, more problems, minor happiness, WORST PROBLEM EVER, WAR EVERYWHERE, someone gonna go ahead and die, SYKE, some clearing up issues, happy ending, OPENING FOR THE NEXT MONEY-MAKER.
And so you get my drift.
But then someone thought...
"Oh no, we need some more time travel in there... SHOVE IT IN!"

I'd say maybe wait until this comes out on Netflix, as it will undoubtedly do.
Did I enjoy this? Yes, for the best part of £9.95!!!!! Which was not worth it.
The action was nice, and there was a stupid romance in it as usual. Well maybe Terminator fans already knew this.
Also, Emilia Clarke was pretty good in it.
Other than that, there was not many other people who stood out very well.
EXCEPT J.K. SIMMONS OFC.
He's always good in everything.
Don't question it.
There's nothing more to add.
Except that if you're trying to choose between this and Ted 2... give in to robots and action and not offensive teddy bears.
(Who is in fact voiced by a delusional man who thinks most of his racist, stereotypical, homophobic, transphobic and sexist jokes are worth our money when it's coming out of a stuffed animal's mouth).
Oh but it's okay, because he's all for gay marriage.
To think I use have a teenage crush on Seth Macfarlane.
IT WAS ONLY BECAUSE HE HAS A VERY NICE SINGING VOICE.
We've all had those types of crushes...
*cough cough*
Shia...

Insidious: Chapter 3

Maybe... perhaps, do not take a trip to the cinema to see this one kids.

Like, seriously at the time it was terrifying.

Insidious: Chapter 3... where do I begin. I had no clue that this would make me jump as much as it did. Upon watching the first two, they have nothing on this. I really don't know what happened with this instalment.

Yes, again I found myself not seeing half of the film due to hiding behind my jacket. However, I did see some scary bits, and only because I dared to look up mainly due to the fact that I thought the scares were all over. Well obviously it wasn't, and I got to see several of the scariest peaks within the whole film.

There were a total of 4 people in the showing for Insidious 3, myself included, and it made way for a lot of confident screaming.

(As well as telling the protagonist what she should and shouldn't do).

I mean really, who looks under the bed when something has just unnerved you? 

I went into that theatre oblivious to the fact that this film would actually work very very hard at scaring the soul out of me. This was mainly due to the fact that I may not have seen a heck of a lot of the first one, and the second one pretty much underwhelmed me.

So, Insidious: Chapter 3 is a prequel to the first two films' hauntings. James Wan isn't directing this one, and this may be why the scaring was turned up a notch! His BFFL, Leigh Whannell directs this chapter. And it looks like Wan had little influence when making number 3. 

Anyway, the lovely Elise is back, and living this time. Everyone loves Elise, but for most of this film you're constantly asking "Elise are you okay girl?"

She's deflated, and why not aye? She deserves a break, but oh no! We've got a new character - Quinn Brenner (Stefanie Scott) coming along and stupidly believing that her dead mother is trying to reach her. 

After some searching from Elise, she knows that it's not the girl's mother and is indeed something 

much darker. Because we wouldn't have a horror film if it really was her mother. 

It's not even a family being haunted with this, it's mainly Quinn, but with Elise sadly being pulled into it all over again, and Quinn's single dad (Dermot Mulroney) being perplexed the whole ride.

Poor Elise, she only means well.

So, all hell has broken loose and we see aspiring Quinn get both her legs broken and almost die from a horrible accident. And with this point, you will be thinking "They wouldn't do that at this point in the film? Would they? Nah, of course not?... OH THEY DID!" And you will be surprised how much you will jump at this accident. 

At the end of the day, I missed a couple of scary parts, but looked up from behind my jacket to watch just in case I was missing key plot points. 

Maybe I did miss key points, maybe I didn't, but it was the wrong idea and I should have stayed at home where I could have slept safely that night. 

The new demon is everywhere, he's in the air vent, he's in the oven, he's at your audition, he's all over the shop.

And I looked up at all of these points, grand.

This may not sound scary to some of you with more experience or more backbone. But, it really did make me scared to even go to cinema bathroom afterwards. 

Let's look forward to the next instalment in the Insidious franchise, because the cliffhanger at the end of second film has not been answered in number 3, due to the fact that this is a damn prequel.

And this means time-wasting. Purely wasting time, so they can get a bit more of your money, before they begin answering your questions from the second film.

And guess what!

THERE'S ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER AT THE END OF THIS CHAPTER!

*maniacal laughter*

Well, sort of. 

It's a horrible ending, just as a head up!

Sorry, I've just ruined that there's a surprise at the end.

Well I heard about it, I was too busy whimpering behind my jacket like usual.

Take it as you will from my lob-sided messy review, my apologies but I was a bit of a massive wimp throughout this film.

I'll just say maybe if you're not too hot in the Insidious franchise, maybe wait for it's release. It'll surely be on Netflix within a couple of months. 

Also, I'll just say the film The Gallows CAN GO BACK FROM WHERE IT CAME FROM... I mean judging from its trailer.

I'm just saying is all!

Jurassic World.

Eh... it was pretty good.
Well better than I expected, and I didn't expect too much.

I mean it was good at the end of the day, and I think it may have been for me purely due to the fact that Jurassic World made fun of itself at many stages.
Other than that, there isn't much to state... I dunno man, I'm lost. It doesn't help that I saw this last Thursday and have pretty much forgotten most of the effect it had on me.

But!
However, I can make this point true and clear:
Jurassic World has the most god darn product placement pumped into it, it almost makes ya sick.
Well not really, I came out really wanting a COKE!
Oh it got me, and it'll get you too. We're just human-beings!
So anyway if you're looking to shut your kids up, or want a trip down memory lane because you just miss all those CGI sensations so damn much, then go see this.
I have to say at the end of the day, that I don't regret seeing it. Jurassic World is indeed a very funny film in spots, and I'm unsure whether or not parts where I laughed were intentionally funny.
I mean, you can't help but chuckle at the ending fight scene being interrupted with constant shots of Pandora and Starbucks sitting pristine in the background.

It has Speilberg written all over it.
Until you realise he didn't in fact direct it, and you're like WHHHAT!?
He produced it, what a doll.
Colin Trevorrow directed... who is he?
I didn't know either. He hasn't done a heck of a lot, Safety Not Guaranteed....
It's that one with Aubrey Plaza in it on Netflix.
I mean it's on your list, but you're never gonna touch it.

Jurassic World felt a tiny bit surreal, and no I don't mean by the fact that dinosaurs roam around as zoo attractions, purely for profit. I mean the fact that the actors may as well have been pulling the stare into the camera stunt. One which you will see on The Office.
Although it's not Ricky Gervais/Steve Carell universe, where office life is presented as somewhat entertaining.
It was people being killed and seriously injured by flying prehistoric creatures. And then a stupid (yet awesome) battle at the end.
I.e, the T-Rex comes out of his shell for a glorious cameo shot, and works with a Raptor to kill thier love-child.
Good for them!

And speaking of cameos, Jurassic World is full of them. Although it will probably leave you with saying - "Oh yeah, she's in..." and "He's on that really really bad E4 show!"
(You'll know who I mean by this).
Hence you will feel left with this mundane sense, that they're all friends with Chris Pratt.
And yes, you're left thinking you still want to be friends with Pratt, he's still funny as ever.
As well as Bryce Dallas Howard, yeah I didn't know who she was either.
I couldn't even think if I had saw her in anything beforehand.
But she's in The Help.
Which hands down makes her a flawless actress anyhow.
She's actually in loads.
Woops.

By the way, even though Spielberg merely produced, you're not getting away from him in the near future by the looks of things.
THE B F GOD DAMN G
(That excites me).
Another Tin Tin film - like anyone needs that really.
Real Steel 2 - nah.
A Halo TV series
(sigh)
Indiana Jones 5 - woah
GREMLINS - YAASS
But, then he ruins more lives with yet another Transformers movie.
I mean god Hollywood, give it up.

Anyway, go see it.
Or not.
Whichever way, it's a sweet ending.
And showed me that Raptors are actually awesome and cute and I want one.
Some dinosaurs were amazingly adorable throughout the film.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Let me begin with stating one thing....

This

is

the

best

god

damn

film

of 

the

year.

Mad Max is possibly the best film I have seen in a long time. It god damn pumps you up son.
The adrenaline rush you get from one specific point within the film put me on the edge of my seat. I cannot recommend Fury Road enough.

Pretty much every single aspect of this film is great, Mad Max is relentless. After last Friday night, I found new faith in director George Miller. (Yes indeed he did direct the Happy Feet and Babe franchises).
What a man.
I feel that I'm blithering here, but there is so much about this film that I enjoyed. I came out of the cinema wanting more, and within the first few minutes of Fury Road starting, I was convinced that this worth every penny.
It's amazing how within the beginning there is very little dialogue, and it's just action, action and more action. And with this, I would like to state that Mad Max: Fury Road has put my faith back into Action films.
Enough with the Transformers and Jason Statham titting about everywhere.
I want Mad Max.
I need more of this film!
You have no idea how hopped up I was when exiting that screening.

Charlie Theron.
What an actress.
I mean Tom Hardy was good as usual, but Charlie here stole the show.
I expect to see awards. Many of them.
Mad Max: Fury Road shows a story which liberates its female characters. They are shown as real people, not secondary characters. Max's story is taken over towards the end. It becomes apparent that his story is simply a sideshow to Imperator Furiosa. (Theron).
I mean and it's understandable. Because this tells how one woman stolen from birth keeps her sanity after being taken into the world of Immortan Joe. (Hugh Keays-Byrn).
Now that's a horrible enemy.
Let's just say that, Theron's character goes out her way, risks her life and others to make a better life for her and the five of Immortan Joe's wives... Like urgh, scumbag.
And he is.
One's heavily pregnant and another not even a month gone.
These women made the film. Each wife was an actual person, with speaking roles, personality, braveness, and tales to tell.
There are more females in it who are awesome.
Completely no ageism in Fury Road by the way.
We need more of this in mainstream films.
Like, don't argue with me. We do.
And as for this 'Returnofkings meninism' concept having problems with Fury Road.
Then, good for you guys!
Boycott it all you like, BECAUSE YOU THINK PEOPLE REALLY DON'T WANT TO WATCH A FILM PURELY BECAUSE THE WOMEN SPEAK A BIT MORE THAN THE MEN?
Nah man, the action, plot development, storyline and amazing directing brings people in. The fact that women have actual empowering roles within this film just means that George Miller has senses, isn't living in the Stone-age and Charlie Theron is one the best actresses around.

If you haven't guessed yet, I loved this film. Everything about it made me happy, this is something completely new. (Well at least to me).
I advise you all wisely to go see this film, whilst it's in the cinema. You might want to even think about going all out and IMAX your night away.
No really, visually Mad Max; Fury Road is stunning.
The 3D aspect, not so much.
Just, please, everyone go see it.
And pay for it.
George Miller needs to make more of Mad Max. This is one franchise I want to be milked to be honest, and that's saying something.
I'm even going to watch the original films, and those have Mel Gibson in it... god no, don't et me started on him. 

Unfriended

                             

Okay..... 

Ok.

OK here we go... 

This film.... It is ridiculously unnerving.

I can't really tell you people many things about Unfriended. 

This might be a short post.

Because I'm afraid that I sat hunched up in a ball in my seat at the cinema that night with my right hand firmly clasped over my eyes for quite a lot of this movie.

I mean really I scare so easily and this was just perhaps a bit too much for me.

       

But with having said that, the fact that I didn't see a lot meant that I could get to sleep that night without thinking someone was in/on top of my wardrobe, outside my door/window, or at all under my bed.

... I'll just have re-check those before I go to sleep tonight.

Just in case!

Anyway, this is a well-made film. I hear that some people are saying bad things about it, and to be honest I can see what they mean, (mainly concerning the ending).

But with that, I still think it was very clever. It made the whole audience tense throughout, and surely that's what you want in a Horror film?

If you go to see Unfriended, then do it was someone else. Don't be a hero and go alone.

So, with Unfriended you've got another new take on the Horror film. I know I said the same with It Follows, but I believe that filmmakers are coming their senses within the Horror franchise. Enough with the Paranormal Activities, and more with teens being generally messed up and their aesthetic/culture. Note that I wouldn't really say the word 'messed', but replace it with another. 

I think that there's the air of 90's Horror films being rebooted in many ways lately. E.g. MTV taking Scream to yet another level. 

(Yes I am intrigued by this, am a big Scream fan).

Here with Unfriended we've got another example of how horror films use the paranoia of the time to intimidate, shock and scare audiences. 

Urgh, now I sound like I'm writing an essay.

Let me live.

But anyway, by this I mean that this point in time technology has become advanced. And from this, many people have shown hesitation with how far mankind can go before we get bitten on the ass for going so far. 

I know, this sounds like I'm going on about how robots go rogue too many times in films. But what I do mean is that within Unfriended we see how the use of technology (Skype), has come to be used as a murder weapon. 

And let me tell you, deaths go down one by one and it's fast and brutal. 

It's like within Scream for example, the killer(s) always use telephone calls to the victims. This is a way of getting at them, it makes them let their guards down. The things we therefore think/feel are safe are therefore not. This shows how seemingly normal day things can be manipulated for the worse within Horror films.

Clever. 

Anyway, we need more teen orientated Horror films. 

End of.

Unfriended remodels the Horror genre in some way here I feel. 

The deaths are clever, and there's creepiness throughout.

And if you disagree with me, you're very welcome to because I'm afraid of many things, and it may not have been as scary as are other films.

The world's a scary place man...

Unfriended shows the lengths teens go to to impress each other to an extent. 

It also shows the dangers of your actions.

As well as perhaps... DON'T TELL PEOPLE TO KILL THEMSELVES.

Like whaaaaat is wrong with America's teens.

A topic that I've always been fascinated by.

There are so many American teen flicks, mainly Rom-Coms and Horror films. 

(They're predominately used due to them being viewed as innocent and easy to be manipulated within films).

Ya get me.

Trust me, it's an easy market to produce in and I'm usually part of the group lapping it up.

So, Unfriended... Indeed scary, but turned on its head as a generic Horror film. You've got some new aspects in there, and it is actually quite nice to see a film being made entirely through a laptop.

Except, whenever you're wanting to know the real time it's a bad habit to check the main character's laptop screen on the cinema screen.

Stupid?

I think so.

A little end note here by the way:

The Babadook

It Follows

Unfriended

....

Your new Horror revolution.

The Ultimate Breakdown Of Sarah's Favourite Chick-Flicks.

So, when you dear audience members decided to delve into my blog and get very confused by it all, you signed a contract with the devil. Which states that you must read what I write about films, and thereafter think "well that was a bit too long for a review" or indeed "Sarah is awesome, everything is cool when you're part of a team, etc, etc."

Well anyway, strap yourselves in for a rollercoaster and a half. Here we have my:

 'Ultimate Breakdown of Sarah's Favourite Chick-Flicks.'

*Cue heavenly music*

So let's begin:

Clueless

Mean Girls

Easy A

She's The Man

John Tucker Must Die

Wild Child

Sydney White

St Trinians

The House Bunny

10 Things I Hate About You

Miss Congeniality

The To Do List

13 Going 30

It's A Boy Girl Thing

Confessions Of A Shopaholic 

Pitch Perfect

Legally Blonde

Freaky Friday

The Princess Diaries

Bachelorette

Yeah...
These are some of my favourite films within the Chick-Flick genre. I went through an odd phase of pretending that I didn't in fact like Romantic Comedies, even though I actually did.
#Hardcore
I dunno, maybe it was just to impress the guys when I went through that horrible misogynistic phase of "I'm not like the other girls!"
But anyway, yes I do indeed like to watch a Chick-Flick, every now and then I take a lot of enjoyment in a film made for girls... unfortunately most are predominantly created by men. But yet they do it successfully as well, so maybe I'm talking dirt. Although, let's just say that there are the many Rom-Coms out there which are made to prey on our hard earned money, then give nothing back.... 50 Shades of Misogyny!
It's a hard subject. Are Chick-Flicks created just for the money? I mean yes, but is there any form of art put into any Chick-Flick ever? And is a Rom-Com always regarded as a Chick-Flick? Can there be a Rom-Com targeted for a large male audience?

Will I answer all these questions in one post?
Probably not...

So the 'Ultimate Breakdown' I promised, will only consist of a few of my particular favourite Chick-Flicks. I know I have a lot of time on my hands, but there is more Daredevil on Netflix for me to catch up with and yet even more uni work for me to ignore.

So, the first in our instalment shall be Clueless.



Now Clueless is a iconic film... mostly due to the disaster which Iggy Azalea.
The less said about that, the better.
But anyway, Clueless director - Amy Heckerling of the Look Who's Talking fame, uses the 90s to her advantage. The reason why I love this film is that it shows a stuck up, but well meaning protagonist - Cher, go through a series of changes and come out 'not so stuck up' at the end of it. She embarks on doing good deeds, such as ensuring that her two teachers fall in love with each other - in order to bump up her grades. Cher talks her new classmate into a uptown makeover - both physically and emotionally. And you're all like, but why does she bother? And the main thing is that she really is just a happy soul. A little thick, but that's why it's a Comedy... and also maybe why it's called Clueless...
Bravo Sarah.
But all in all, yes this is a very good film... Perhaps some racist stereotypes if you will however. A cult film in its own rights truly due to the tremendous fashion and 90s Beverly Hills rich girl aesthetic.
(Tumblr gone wild).

FYI: It's also based on the Jane Austen novel - Emma. That's why the slightly F-ed up ending kinda. Yet it's still a happy one.

Pitch Perfect



Pitch Perfect somewhat came out of nowhere with a Chick-Flick which combined comedy, female solidarity and also... some more racist stereotypes. God dammit Chick-Flicks. Is nothing safe!?
Anywho, Pitch Perfect is pretty funny. Simple one liners, a happy ending and now with a sequel out as well as a third instalment in the running. It's becoming a vast franchise already, and it's good. It's a good film. When you've got most of Hollywood having to make films about anything and everything - for example: roller-skating, football, bowling, tennis, ping-pong, swimming, ice skating, undiscovered princesses as well as princes, weddings, theatre, gymnastics, rock bands, barber shops, journalism, restaurants, boxing and cars... This film adds to the long line of subject Hollywood films which are mostly incorporated into Chick-Flick and Rom-Coms. Think about it, woman meets man in restaurant job/wedding preparations/auditions, they both hate each other for some trivial reason, then end up falling deeply in love after they have a montaged summer together.
Aw.
As I was saying, Pitch Perfect depicts the journey of an acapella group, which is now apparently a cool thing within the highschool community. But it is very funny, and uses a multicultural group of women to put across the point that they rule and won't let music nor men come between them...
How cringe-ball.

Mean Girls



The Holy Grail, if you will.
Here it is folks.
The one that got us all interested.
Mean Girls
*More heavenly music*
I think this could have been the film which first brought attention to how bullying goes on in highschools within the newer generation. Or indeed how it did occur within the generation I grew up in. Yes there are still very mean girls about, but the more it happens lately, society likes to think the bullying concept of school is ending. But, yeah, nah, it's not.
So, Mean Girls is the peak of how good a Chick-Flick can get with regarding the teen film, with maybe an exception for Easy A. (Which I didn't have enough time to add to this, sorry).
With this you've got your new kid in school who is tearing it all up because she's good looking but not popular... until o m g, the popular girls take her under their wing.
If you're gonna watch this for one thing, and one thing alone, it's gonna be Damien and Janis.
Oh yeah and also Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Tim Meadows.
As well as the Janitor from Scrubs.
Full star cast if you ask me.
Mean Girls is more risky with all the sub-par sex references which seemed over the top when you were watching it at 13. It's a big thing within the Chick-Flick world, it provides you with what teens really were/are like... either Art Freaks or Plastic or somewhere in between.
....
Don't look at me.

Confessions Of A Shopaholic



A small finisher here with a film which not everyone talks about. Well not as much as the others on this list. However, I like this one. It's got everything you expect from a Chick-Flick - love, comedy and a low part before the big triumphant ending.
Rebecca Bloomwood is a raging shopaholic. Isla Fisher here is delightful as always. She plays a girl with a problem and like all addicts - freezes a credit card in a block of ice and puts it to the back of the freezer, even though she's trying to get her life back on track. With all her crumbling debt, her life spirals out of control when she loses her cushy job at a magazine company when it suddenly folds. Rebecca suddenly writes a magnificent piece (whilst drunk, as you do) in which it informs people of the ways they are ripped off in day to day life. She sends it to the wrong magazine company and ends up with yet another cushy job with a lower graded magazine.
I mean really, for a girl in the worst debt imaginable she does get a few good breaks in this film.
She falls for her boss.
What
a
surprise.
And with some complications along the way, Rebecca gets a lot of help from her parents - Joan Cusack (hero) and John Goodman (also hero), her boss being Hugh Dancy - Hannibal, and her best friend Krysten Ritter.  Rebecca saves the day and gets the guy.
Oh sorry I just ruined a little bit for you.
But what were you expecting from another Chick-Flick.
Really?
Anyway, it's a good film.
Believe me.

SO, that concludes my second compilation post. I have an ill feeling that these will appear a lot more on this blog from time to time, due to me spending my money on y'know... food.
Perhaps you'll be treated to a sum up of the new Avengers film.
Maybe.
Maybe don't bet on it for just a moment.

The Duff

So, let's just say to start off that I was very hesitant of this film.

Basically we have an all round new take on the genre of teen film. In The Duff, our protagonist isn't popular but is known by her peers... perhaps maybe for negative reasons - e.g. her two best friends being somewhat semi-popular. Yeah, to look at its trailer, you would say that this take on the whole underdog teen flick is up to a more developed level. It seems more up-to-date, and with a less icky romantic storyline tied in with y'know 'always taking the queen bee bitch down a peg or two!'
The main thing I was hesitant about, was purely whether or not the outlining message may have come across as taking down other girls in order for our protagonist to feel better. Y'know the all out 'Girl War'.
However, no.
Thankfully we get no revenge, just a nice main character feeling sorry for her enemy.

This was hard to pay attention to due to the quality of what I could salvage from the internet. Please if you have children, young ones... for the love of god do not bring them to the cinema. Why would anyone in their right mind bring a child younger than 15-16 to a film like this. Have some respect for the faithful few who film from a painful distance. The swearing is a little too high in years for small ears.

The DUFF stands for Designated Ugly Fat Friend (fyi). So in the film fitting to the subject it surrounds, dungaree wearing, dark eyed, horror/zombie film loving protagonist - Bianca, played by Mae Whitman, is unfortunately informed that she is in fact a Duff.
What I first thought from this was that the term of Duff would only be directed towards females in this film, however you will be pleasantly surprised when Bianca names male peers as Duffs occasionally.
Heads up thought, Bianca is neither fat or ugly. So technically within any group of friends, apparently if you're not being erotically dreamed about by greasy haired teenage boys with a permanent boner, you've gotta turn out to be a Duff. The Duff shows how incredibly degrading the male characters are towards Bianca, however the girls do get their fair share of kicking her when she's down.

So, we've got a teen comedy which puts the main character (a young white girl) into turmoil attempting to 'un-Duff ' herself. Which seems to be a move most people (including myself) would at least make a stab at. She enlists the help of her childhood friend and next door neighbour - Wesley (Robbie Amell). He, being star footbal payer, all round hunk with the ladies and the on again off again boyfriend of arch enemy, agrees to help Bianca in exchange for aid with his falling Chemistry grade. We've all been there, am I right friends?
... Well unless you're my boyfriend, Chemistry magician he is indeed.

This brings to mind that are you regarded a Duff if you defend your friend away from the kind of people you know they don't want to waste their time on? I mean, are you considered instantly an ugly person for saving your friend the time, strength, effort or indeed confidence to tell some degenerate where to stick it... well, to the petty people of this movie... yes.

The idea of a Duff is supported by both boys and girls in this storyline. We are introduced to the enemy, and I will hand it to the writer that this character is the ultimate exaggeration of your typical highschool 'mean girl'. The enemy comes in disguise as the character - Madison played by Bella Thorne. The concept of Cyber-Bullying comes into play around the middle of the film, when Madison gets a hold of generally embarrassing footage of Bianca fooling around trying to make Wesley laugh. The clip gets edited for comic effect and therefore goes viral around the school. There was an air of this being a really really hurtful part of the film, as we could see how badly it got to Bianca and I was afraid for a minute that we may have ended up in Disney Channel specially made film area. 

But fear not, it goes back up tot he funny chart with the help of Ken Jeong (The Hangover/Community) in his very very very very small role. I do like Ken Jeong by the way. It seems that he's been in enough films, good and bad, for no one to take a leap at criticising his acting. Ken Jeong plays a teacher in The Duff, and let me tell you that he is certainly just placed there for comic relief. 

Again, many comedic aspects flow from Romany Malco (The 40 Year Old Virgin) when playing the Principle. Throughout the film it's great to see both Malco and Jeong acting side by side within most scenes which only feature the pair of them. 

In the middle of this film I thought back to my earlier fears before watching it of - "Am I a Duff?" *Insert plenty of worried faces for dramatic tension*
But, here's the thing with this film... by the end of it, you're not happy nor sad to be regarded as a Duff. You're simply taught not to care what people think of you. Which I found to be a rather nice final message to its audience, especially at the age range of the girls and boys who will go to see this. I knew there would be a positive vibe at the end, I mean its a chickflick. There's no reason for a sad ending within a teen Comedy/Romance.
As a footnote, there really does need to have more films aimed at young teenagers, both male and female with this sort of message. Film is only one of the many forms of art/media which can really help form a better image for what younger generations need to be concerned about. And that image is solely being happy with themselves.

Funny point when Bianca is looking through her old photos and finds a Halloween past costume - "Why was I Bosley, there were three angels" When watching I related to this hard, as I had war flashbacks to my younger self being insistent of having to dress up as a king... not a queen. What was wrong with being a queen little Sarah?!? 

Anyway whenever I'm watching Allison Janney (who does a good job of playing Bianca's mother), I hardly feel the need to complain, because if you're familiar with the films and television shows she appears in.... hell the earth's a better place all round. Watch out within The Duff for a really nice reference to the five stages of depression using The Simpsons. However, I feel that she isn't shown enough. I think that is my only thing wrong with this film overall, and that's just because I am a selfish Janney fanatic who just appreciates her work.

...Keep a look out for all the god damn product placement people!

A very important subject, which is discussed in and out of many Film Studies lectures around the planet. (Disclaimer - not actually that important, just a great way of wasting the fifteen minutes at the end of each lecture).
*More war flashbacks begin a reel in my head*

Well, to end I will state this, if you are going to watch The Duff at least watch it in the cinema, or wait until it is on DVD. It seems a nice film for anyone to see really. Very educational to closed-minded people. 

If you're looking for something to laugh at when you're desperate to have a Friday night in, then this is ideal to just stick on and relax.

...God I sound like a middle aged mum preparing her tween's first sleepover.
Oh the blog posts I've read in past on that subject...
Where is my mind....