I'm back!!

I haven’t blogged in a long time. Not, because I don’t want to but because life has gotten in the way and unfortunately my travels have come to a halt. But, not to fear dear readers as there have been some very exciting events that have happened in the past few years. One major event is I getting engaged to my best friend Reuben McKay in February 2018. We’re getting married this August and are currently planning our wedding. We have all the important things booked: venue, dress, cake photographer – the list goes on! I sometimes struggle to see how it will come together, but I am told by everyone I speak to that it will. I am very much looking forward to becoming Mrs McKay and to embark on this new chapter.

Cinderella

WARNING: Spoilers ahead - although if you know the Cinderella story already, there are no surprises here.

I haven't visited the cinema very often (due to the fact I've been living in Hungary for the past seven months).  So returning home for the Easter break I decided to go and see the new Disney live action version of Cinderella. I have to admit I am a Disney lover, have been since childhood and the trailer seemed to show this visually stunning film in a positive light, so I decided to check it out.

I went with my good friend and we were the only people without children who were there! I suggested taking a child and passing it off as our own so we didn't look out of place. However that would be wrong, but pretty funny too. Taking our seats we sat through several minutes of trailers and adverts, before the animated short film 'Frozen Fever' appeared. The short takes place after the events of 'Frozen', it is Anna's birthday and Elsa tries to ensure that everything is perfect, but things do not go according to plan...

Once it was finished the main feature began. Thus began the fairytale story of Cinderella, which has been told for centuries. I thought I would enjoy this film. I did, but there are a few things I would like to point out:

1. The whole 'Have courage, be kind' thing. They mention it several times throughout the movie, but I would have liked to have seen it in action. Yes, Cinderella was kind to her witch of a stepmother and her nasty stepsisters, but courage? Probably you would have to have courage if you were living with a woman who made you live in the attic and talk to mice for the most part of your teenage/young adult life. It was just mentioned too much I think, I understand that it is the film's motto, but doesn't mean you have to repeat it all the time.

2. More could have been done to expand on the plot and the characters. The storyline between the Duke and the stepmother scheming evilly could have been done better, such as taking Cinderella hostage (yes I know she locks her in the attic). Cinderella's mothers death was heart breaking and it was beautifully delivered as was the scenes between Cinderella and her father.

3. The pumpkin chase scene was really well done. Although it has happened in many versions of Cinderella over the years, I felt this was the most original take on the scene. With the carriage dangerously steering on the side of a cliff to the way the footmen, horses and driver transformed into their original selves. I applaud the great visual effects and the direction on this one.

4. The Prince knows what Cinderella looks like. But still they HAVE to have every woman try on the glass slipper in the kingdom. Why bother with all that malarky, when he could just go round the houses and recognise the women there? I suppose they just have to do it for the familiarity of the fairytale.

Aside from these, 'Cinderella' is a sweet film which shows that if you are good and kind to others, then good things will happen to you. This normally doesn't happen in real life, but it is nice to indulge in that thought for a while. The colours in the film are gorgeous, much like Cinderella's ball gown which is a beautiful shade of blue. You may enjoy the film better if you go with your children or if you don't have children, then take your young nephews/nieces/cousins etc... (if you have any). However, Disney is for everyone no matter if you are a child or a child at heart!

Cinderella and Frozen Fever is in cinemas now.

Film Review: Not Another Happy Ending

I haven't written one of these for a while (mainly because I have been updating my Hungary blog) but recently I thought it was high time I got back to writing on this one. During Christmas break I was scrolling through Netflix looking for a film to watch when I came across Not Another Happy Ending. I was intrigued to watch it as it starred Scotland's favourite redhead and former Doctor Who star Karen Gillan.


Not Another Happy Ending is about struggling author Jane Lockhart (Gillan) who eventually gets her book published by a Scottish publishing company, owned by handsome French publisher, Tom Duval (Stanley Weber). Jane has her debut novel 'Happy Ending' published and it becomes a huge success and Jane is catapulted to fame almost overnight. She works on her second book, however when it comes to writing the last chapter, she faces every writers worst fear... the blank page, the white bull, the block. This is mainly because she is too happy to write. Tom and his teacher flatmate Roddy (Iain De Caestecker) set out to make Jane miserable so she will finish her book. All the while Jane is repairing a relationship with her estranged father, Benny (Gary Lewis). Will Jane be able to overcome her blockage and finish her book? Will Tom succeed in making Jane miserable while falling in love with her? You'll have to watch and find out in Not Another Happy Ending.


This film is refreshing as it is an independent Scottish production, with elements of comedy and heartache in between. Through the power of the internet, over $22,000 (over £14,600) was raised through IndieGoGo campaign to make the film. It was certainly worth it.






Not Another Happy Ending is available now on DVD and on Netflix.
Year: 2013
Starring: Karen Gillan, Stanley Weber, Iain De Caestecker, Gary Lewis, Freya Mavor, Kate Dickie, Henry Ian Cusick

Reviews

 I have some reviews which I would like to share with you lovely readers!

Labyrinth (1986) 
Directed by: Jim Henson
Starring: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly 

This is probably one of my favourite movies of all time. I love the fantasy genre and Labyrinth is no exception. The plot is simple: 15 year old Sarah (Connelly) is fed up of having to look after her baby brother Toby, while her father and his new wife go out almost every single weekend. Life is just not fair for her. But that's all about to change, when she wishes away Toby to the Goblin King Jareth (Bowie). It is implied that Jareth is in love with Sarah and he sets her a challenge - she has to make her way through the labyrinth in order to find Toby. But, there's a catch - she only has 13 hours to do it and the labyrinth is a lot more complicated than Sarah thinks.

Although ridiculously cheesy in some parts, Labyrinth  has moments of tension and adventure. David Bowie croons his way along with songs written especially for the film. Of course children all over the world are scarred for life when they see that Bowie's pants are a little bit too tight (watch the film and you'll see it, it's hard not to). The film was panned by critics when it was first released, which is surprising as three great creatives worked behind it: David Bowie, George Lucas and Jim Henson, the creator of The Muppets. However throughout the years Labyrinth has become a classic and is one to add to your DVD collection.

Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)
Created by: Bryan Fuller
Starring: Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Kristin Chenoweth, Chi McBride, Ellen Greene, Swoosie Kurtz, Jim Dale

This was one of my favourite TV shows as a teenager and still is one of my favourites. It was one which was cancelled too soon, Pushing Daisies was pulled from the air only after 22 episodes. The plot: A young man called Ned is a pie maker and runs a restaurant called appropriately "The Pie Hole." However, Ned has a special power. He can bring the dead back to life by just one touch. Like most things however there is a catch, bring someone back to life for more than  a minute and something else has to die in its place. Things get complicated when Ned's childhood sweetheart, Charlotte 'Chuck' Charles is murdered. Ned finds Chuck in a morgue and brings her back to life, however he cannot bear to lose her again. So instead someone else dies in Chuck's place. With Ned's talent, him, Chuck, Olive (Chenoweth) a waitress who works at the Pie Hole and Emerson Cod (McBride) , a private investigator solve murders, which are set within a whimsical suburban world. The show is also narrated by Jim Dale, who explains every event in the series and when recalling a murder story often starts with the line "The facts were these..."

Pushing Daisies never really got a proper ending and the finale episode 'Kerplunk' was severely rushed (probably due to the 2008 Writer's Guild of America Strike). However, Fuller has said in interviews that their may be a follow up to the series, in the form of a movie or a Broadway musical/theatre show. We will just have to watch this space.

 
 

Robin Williams

Monday night I was just settling down to sleep, but not before I had one last look at my Facebook news feed. I had no idea what was coming next....

A friend posted on his wall that he was putting his phone down to go to bed and the notification pinged in. That notification was that the actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead in his home in Tiburon, California. He had hanged himself.



Normally when a celebrity dies I generally don't get affected. It's not that I have a heart of stone, I'm quite the opposite, very sensitive. This time it was different. I had hoped that the Facebook post was a hoax, so I checked the BBC News App, in my opinion if it's on the BBC it's official.
I went through to the living room to break the news to my sister and turned on the television. Sure enough on the BBC News channel, the news was coming through just right there and then. There it was in bold, red writing: ROBIN WILLIAMS DEAD AT 63. I then told my mum and at first she didn't believe me, but she checked her iPad and of course there it was. Robin Williams was gone.

I just couldn't comprehend how such a talented actor could be gone so soon. As kids, my sister and I loved watching Robin Williams especially in Mrs Doubtfire, where he proved that he could be anyone he wanted to be through his impersonations. Many actors can either be funny or be serious, with no in between. Robin Williams could make you laugh one minute, then cry the next. His switch between his comedic and serious acting was impeccable. He was the actor and still is the actor which no one dislikes. It's devastating to have lost perhaps one of the best actors and comedians in Hollywood. It goes to show that fame and money isn't everything and even those who are so incredibly gifted still suffer. They are human after all.



I don't want to go into too much about depression, but there are people out there right now who are suffering from it and have no one to talk to. It must be awful with all these thoughts bottled up inside and feeling like you have no one to talk to. Suicide seems like an easy option, as Robin Williams had said in an earlier interview: "Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem." Believe me, it is not the only option. Your life is too precious to throw away, no matter what problems you're facing. If you're going through depression and anxiety right now, talk to someone. It may help save your life. For Robin Williams, it was too late. However, we shall remember him for the wonderful roles he played in film and television throughout the years. It's not goodbye, it's "Genie, you're free."

Need help? Call the Samaritans on 08457909090 

Robin Williams 1951-2014

Graduation

This day was probably the most important day of my life. I wore a white dress, had a train (of sorts), and was sitting in a gorgeous theatre while organ music was playing, waiting to walk down the “aisle.”

 Before you say anything, no, it was not my wedding day – I have not yet found my future husband (or rather he hasn’t found me) and besides I still have a career to establish and a big, bright, beautiful world to explore.

It was my graduation day! 

My family and I got up early and headed off into Aberdeen, where I would check in at His Majesty’s Theatre (where the ceremony was held) at 9.30, ready for it to start at 10.30. I made my way to my seat and caught up with some of my classmates, when all of a sudden my cousin came to greet me. After taking a few serious and silly photos, she made her way to her seat in the balcony and I returned to my seat in the stalls. The ceremony started and after a few speeches and someone being given an honorary degree it was our turn.  

This was the important moment. It was our time to shine. We were shuffled backstage, ensuring that our hoods were on right and they weren’t falling off our shoulders. Nerves were running high, with students wondering whether they will trip and fall flat on their faces or worse take a tumble down the stairs.

We were directed by university staff where to go and when to go. For those of you who have seen The Hunger Games I felt like Katniss Everdeen waiting to go on to the stage before her television interview. Pretty nervous and knowing that every second counts when making a good impression. However in a flash, I was being capped by the Principal, shaking his hand, then collecting my scroll and officially becoming Miss Rachel Summers, BA (Hons) Media.

Once the ceremony was over, the rest of the day was spent taking photographs, being told by my dad that I had to ‘smile’ and not grimace, when all the time I was smiling! It got annoying though after a while, but the photos came out really well. I went to the Forum bar and had my first glass of Prosecco, boy is that stuff good, but it fairly goes to your head! A quick lunch and selfie opportunity in Costa, I was soon on my way again to get professional photographs taken, then a few photographs taken with the lion statue outside the Cowdray Hall. I had a few hours left before I had to hand my robes back, so we went to the Art Gallery, which was also to show my cousin who hasn’t been to Aberdeen a lot before.

I felt like a Hogwarts Professor going around the Art Gallery in my robes and that elicited a few stares from people. Well, they know that it’s graduation week, I am not used to getting so much attention and can be very self conscious about how I look. Never mind though, I felt great in my robes and my mortar board. I looked around the gallery, finding an interesting painting of the crucifixion set in the ravines of Macedonia and an exhibition of Aberdeen soldiers in World War I, with some interesting artefacts such as a songbook called ‘Songs from the Trenches’ and a WWI nurses’ uniform. 

After much gallivanting and with a quick drink at Triple Kirks, my cousin had to drive the three hour journey back home to the central belt, I thanked her for coming and being a part of my special day. It was at that point that I had to return my robes sadly and then we headed over to Goulash, a Hungarian restaurant to have our meal. It was absolutely delicious, but in modern terms I think I’m carrying a Hungarian food baby!

 If I could start Wednesday all over again, then I would do it in a heartbeat. Below are some photographs of the special day. 

And some photos from the Graduation Ball which was held the next night: 

 Me with my Comm with PR pals: Jodie, Hannah and Lisa

 Me and Dyan - one of the first people I spoke to when I re-started fourth year. She has since become a really good friend.

Me and Jodie - another really good friend from uni. 

Before going out to the ball. Picture taken in my back garden :P 

Just realised I didn't take a picture of the shoes I wore to the ball. Here is a photo of them from the good old Internet: 

Graduation dress: Lipsy @ ASOS
Ballet pumps: H&M 
Ball dress: Coast @ Debenhams 
Glitter heels: Debut from Debenhams 

 

Review: Whip It

Netflix is great, as I can watch new films which I probably wouldn't buy on DVD and are not available on YouTube. However, one film I would buy on DVD is Whip It. I saw an advert on TV for it when it was released in cinemas, but never got round to seeing it. Now I have seen it, I know what I was missing.

Whip It is the directorial debut of Drew Barrymore. In the film, Ellen Page plays Bliss Cavender a 17-year-old girl who lives in a small town in Texas and is forced by her mother (played by Marcia Gay Harden) to enter beauty pageants, have good prospects, find a good husband and have the opportunities which she never had herself. Bliss wants to get out of her small town and out of The Oink Joint, the restaurant that she works in.

Her opportunity arises when she sees some girls on roller skates come into a shopping mall and they leave leaflets advertising the Texas Roller Derby. Bliss, curious goes with her best friend Pash to see what it's all about. She goes and is taken in by the sport, however there's a problem: over 21's only. Bliss lies about her age, much to her friend's horror and lies to her parents saying she's taking an extra SAT class at a school, while participating in the roller derby.

Roller derby is a contact sport, which is played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. Someone is assigned to be a "jammer" who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team. Whoever wins the most points, wins the game. It is known that roller derby is played approximately 1,250 amateur leagues worldwide, nearly half of them outside the US. (According to Wikipedia). The film's title comes from the 'whip it' move, in which one player grabs their teammate's arm and throws (whips) them across the track, in turn the player flies past the opposing team and scores four points for their team. It can be a great  Team players call themselves derby names, which sometimes reflects on their personality and the aim of the game. Bliss's derby name is Babe Ruthless, I looked up what mine would be and it came up with Rhubarb Rhumble. At first I wasn't sure, but I actually like it now. Don't know how good I would be on roller skates though!

Whip It is a very enjoyable film which stars Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Wiig and US talk show host Jimmy Fallon. Whip It shows that if you keep persevering, you will succeed. Other important messages within the film show that winning is not everything, as long as it's something you love doing and girls, do not get taken in by a man if he doesn't treat you right (a.k.a cheats on you). If you're a fan of indie films or just any film about sports, then I would definitely recommend Whip It. 

 

Whip It is available to buy on DVD and also available on Netflix.