Black and White

Just a few images from a film I neglected last year. Enjoy!

Happy 2014

I apologise for my lack of blogging over the past couple of months but a lot has happened. First and foremost, after a year and a half of working for free (otherwise known as interning) and working in Costa (to pay for said internships) I FINALLY landed myself a job. Not just any job, but a job in publishing! I am now a "Publishing Assistant" at Intellect Books who specialise in the fields of creative practice and popular culture. This job meant a move to Bristol, (where I know no one so if you are in Bristol please come say hi) so I am now finding my way around a new city, discovering new art galleries, music venues and most importantly tea and bookshops!

In my absence from blogging I have read many fascinating books (currently loving Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn), watched a lot of TV programs (addicted to Breaking Bad and The Bridge at the moment) and gone from the usual drinking and feasting month of December to detox and fasting January (which also meant joining a Netball club, go Bristol Storms!)
So all in all, there has been a lot of change recently, which is why I have neglected my blog so soon after promising to update it more regularly. So again, I promise to regularly update you all from my new place in Bristol with all the books, art and films that I am being influenced by. For now I leave you with my quote of the week, from one of my favourite directors:

80% of success is showing up
Woody Allen

Written and Directed by Woody Allen

As a massive Woody Allen fan I couldn't wait to go see his new film, Blue Jasmine, that has been called his "best film in decades". To me, this was a tall claim as I absolutely love Midnight in Paris, it's definitely one of my top ten films, so I was especially excited for this new release. I was not disappointed. Now you couldn't compare it to Midnight in Paris in any shape or form, Midnight in Paris is light, fun, something I put on whenever I need to smile film, this can definitely not be said about Blue Jasmine, which is a propulsive drama set in New York and San Francisco about a woman’s self-destruction as a result of her inability to look truthfully at her own life. It’s a serious warning, brutal even, whilst still manages to capture Woody Allen's style and dry wit in parts.

Cate Blanchett, as the starring role, was simply superb. Apparently there is Oscar buzz around her performance and I am not surprised, she captured the role perfectly. Her emotion and changing persona were insanely convincing. I don't want to give anything away so let me just say this GO SEE IT NOW! You will be pleasantly surprised, suitably horrified and most importantly, you will remember to keep in mind that age old saying, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

*Nerdy Fan Alert* (Just in case you hadn't already realised)

At Home in the Mountains

As promised here is a selection of the many photos I took on my holiday to St Anton. I absolutely loved Austria, it was incredibly beautiful. I sat for a whole morning outside on the slopes over looking the vast landscape and really felt in awe of the world we live in.
So I hope you enjoy the photographs, all taken on my Yashica film camera, depicting sun, snow, slopes and of course, a hell of a lot of apres ski.

St Anton

My sentiments exactly...

I took a couple of films of my ski trip to St Anton on my Yashica camera. Waiting for the black and white one to be developed, so expect a new post soon. x

Watch it... You won't regret it!

I have just literally finished watching the film 'Cracks' and I can not recommend it enough! Such a beautifully shot but disturbing film. The styling is breathtaking and makes me wish I was born in the 40's and Eva Green (a serious girl crush of mine) is superb in it as are the rest of the very young cast. Watch it now and thank me later!

Read, then watch (and make sure to have a box of tissues at the ready.)

I was apprehensive at first about the thought of one of my favourite books Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro being made into a film. It is such a beautiful, moving and provocative book that captured me from page 1 and worried about how they would translate the heartbreaking but beautiful story so subtly captured on page on the big screen...

But wow, I take back all my reservations as is it was a brilliantly made adaptation. Whilst I still prefer the book (of course) the film comes very close to being just as good! Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and in particular (in my opinion) Andrew Garfield give stunningly moving performances that suit the books characters perfectly, still subtle but so touching. So well done Mark Romanek (director) and co. it is the perfect screenplay of such a wonderful book!

I don't want to give anything away about the storyline as it is book full of hidden meanings to discover and something that should definitely be read first and than given away, so I urge you to go read it first and then watch the film... it'll have you (like me) in tears.

Just thank me later!