RANDOM THOUGHTS
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RANDOM THOUGHTS

Day #18 - Friends With Benefits

18/2/2021

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Jamie and Dylan are just friends. And they both miss sex. Why not strike up a deal? They're both single and they aren't attracted to each other so what's the harm? Turns out it's not as easy as they think.

I love this film - it's funny, it's loveable, it's frustrating. It's everything you want in a good romcom. Two singles, who are incredibly unlucky in love, and who have both been told that they are emotionally damaged, decide that the best way to take a break from dating is sleeping with each other - without all the emotion of course. They even swear on a Bible that it won't get awkward. Which, of course, means things definitely will.

I usually don't like Justin Timberlake in movies (I personally think he should stick to singing), but he's pretty decent in this one. Of course it helps that he has Mila Kunis by his side who always kills it in every role she does. These two make a great workaholic-douche-with-a-heart-of-gold and insecure-quirky-hopeless-romantic pairing, and they play off their friendship-turned-romance flawlessly.

Not only is the relationship between these two characters very fun and heartwarming to watch, it is set against the fantastic scenery of New York City and Los Angeles. Scenes happen on rooftops looking out on a lit up NYC at night and a midday view of the hills from the Hollywood sign, providing a fantastic backdrop to the film. Also, Woody Harrelson's character is one of the best elements.

If you are looking for a film that is fun and predictable, I would suggest Friends With Benefits - very little emotion so there will definitely be no tears! It's light and easy to watch, making it great for any casual movie night.
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Day #17 - Dear John

17/2/2021

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John and Savannah fall in love one spring whilst he is on break from the special forces. They promise to stay together and keep in touch through letters. When 9/11 happens and John re-enlists, this puts a strain on the relationship. However, it is impossible to keep these two apart and John and Savannah drift towards each other over and over again.

Dear John is a classic Nicholas Sparks story. These make me cry without fail every single time, which is why they are some of my favourite films. They tug at your heartstrings and make you feel so deeply for the misery that the characters are repeatedly put through.

One thing I always loved about these films is that the story is always simple and straightforward. No matter how sad everything becomes you know it will end peacefully. And there is never a complicated conflict - we are simply shown a relationship that has ups and downs and doesn't go smoothly. Yes, some are more dramatic than others, but it's always the same formula.

Dear John is no different. This particular Sparks story is told through the eyes of John (Channing Tatum). The audience experiences his various tours in the army and his difficult home life with him. We see him go through love, loss and grief. And we see him find hope again. We see him reconnect with his father and we see what is a very stern and serious man find joy by loving someone. It's such a beautiful story, showing that the things that matter will always find their way back to you.

If you are planning on watching this, make sure you've got lots of tissues at the ready (and maybe a bottle of water to re-hydrate afterwards!).
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Day #16 - The Last Summer

16/2/2021

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The summer between high school and college - anything is possible, and these recent graduates are going to do as much as they can. Whether it's acting on old crushes, trying to sneak into bars or having as many flings as they can, they know this is their last chance before college life takes over.

This is another ensemble film - as you may remember from previous posts, ensemble films are some of my favourites.  It was nice seeing the difference of the teen perspective in this format (usually it's a group of 20- or 30-somethings) and this is a great cast to do it.

However, I was a little let down by this film. Not that I was expecting something crazy exciting. This just fell flat. There were some humorous parts, and the relationships were all very cute, but the biggest dramas were two teenagers breaking up and one guy finding out his crush's mum was dating his dad. It had a rhythm of relationship scene, to funny scene, to party scene, and repeat, which got old after a while. It was very easy for me to tune this film out for about two thirds of it.

There was one storyline that I really loved - Audrey becomes a nanny to a child actress Lilah and they end up forming a great bond. Audrey grounds Lilah, whilst Lilah's simple childlike outlook on the drama in Audrey's life helps her realise that she still has lots of options despite struggling to get into college. I wished there was more shown of this storyline as their relationship was just so fun to see.

This movie is good, but it is definitely one that now I've seen it, I probably won't watch it again.
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Day #15 - Letters To Juliet

15/2/2021

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(This was supposed to be The Bonfire of Destiny according to the Netflix chart, however that is a miniseries not a movie, so I switched it out for something I haven't watched yet!)
On a trip to Verona, Sophie finds an unanswered letter from 1957 from a woman called Claire in Juliet's courtyard. She tracks down Claire and strikes up an unusual friendship with her, and realises her feelings for Claire's grandson, Charlie.

Letters to Juliet has been on my watchlist for a ridiculous amount of time. It was always the second choice film in case I hated the one I chose over it, and it was always one that I wanted to give time to so that I could really watch it. I finally found my excuse.

I am often influenced by the movies I watch: what to say, what to do, what to wear, what to try, where to go. This is no exception - I now desperately want to travel to Verona, find Juliet's courtyard and write her a letter (I also just watched a version of Romeo and Juliet so that probably didn't help matters). I also want to read the book, because if the movie is this good then the book must be amazing.

This is a perfect feel-good romance film, combining two classic storylines; long lost lovers, and enemies to lovers. It also has the wonderful, perfectly tied-up ending that every great romance needs.

Filled with beautiful shots of Italian scenery, it truly creates a fairytale in the countryside. It's a relaxing and peaceful movie which makes you fall in love with every character (except the deadbeat fiancé). And there's the added bonus of Taylor Swift's greatest song, Love Story, being featured on the soundtrack!

If you are looking for an easy watch with a fairytale ending that will make you fall back in love with love then watch this on your next movie night.
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Day #14 - Pride & Prejudice

14/2/2021

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Mrs Bennet is desperate to marry her daughters off to good and respectable men, and when bachelor Mr Bingley moves to their town this hope starts to become reality. Elizabeth, the most headstrong of the daughters, struggles to live up to her mother's expectations and her feelings towards the mysterious Mr Darcy.

I am ashamed to say that I have never watched this before. I haven't read the book either. The only time I have come into contact with this classic is the horror-comedy Pride & Prejudice with Zombies, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was excited to see the original storyline for once.

As an avid fan of historical dramas, and with its stellar reputation, I had high hopes for this film. Kiera Knightley was wonderful, as expected (she is the queen of period dramas after all!) and the rest of the cast supported her fantastically.

Pride & Prejudice is a beautifully delicate story - it is heart-wrenching and hopeful in the smallest of ways. If you haven't seen it, think a more conservative Bridgerton (which isn't hard to do in many ways). The colour palette and the cinematography used to tell this classic work so well to give the atmosphere of a Victorian love story in the countryside.

Whilst it may not have fully lived up to my high expectations, I did enjoy this retelling of the Jane Austen classic. It is the perfect Valentines Day watch. Who doesn't love a bit of Mr Darcy?
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Day #13 - Always Be My Maybe

13/2/2021

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Marcus and Sasha grew up together. Unfortunately their lives went in different directions after an awkward fling as teenagers. Sasha is now a celebrity chef engaged to a man that keeps delaying their wedding and Marcus still lives in San Francisco with his widowed father installing air conditioners. They reconnect and try being in a relationship, finding it difficult to blend their two worlds.

Ali Wong and Randall Park did a great job with this film. It's funny and charming and an all-around great romcom. Watching these two battle with their feelings, their families, and their clashing realities is very amusing, and they have some wonderful actors featured who help to make the film a perfect chilled movie night watch.

Yes, some parts of the storyline are frustrating. They both reveal long-term crushes on each other at times when they are each in serious relationships, but I guess that is the point of the film. It's a great storyline of two people whose lives never quite line up perfectly to be together leaving the possibility of their relationship constantly lingering. And it is done in a fantastic way.

Honestly I would recommend this film purely for the scene with Keanu Reeves in it, I was crying with laughter. Reeves and Wong had a hilarious chemistry to their relationship in this movie. The rest of the film is also fantastic, but if anything influences you, it would be the comedic stylings of that scene.

I will definitely be watching this again for a good laugh!
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Day #12 - TATBILB: Always and Forever

12/2/2021

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After the turmoil from the last movie, Lara Jean and Peter are finally solid. And then along comes college decisions, putting some new stress on their relationship. Is this just a high school romance or can it last?

This just dropped on Netflix today. I have been looking forward to this film for months now - I finally get my ending for my TATBILB marathons!

Now, out of the three, this film stressed me out the most. I am so in love with Lara Jean and Peter that not knowing how they will turn out in this film gave me so much anxiety I could barely handle it. Knowing how hard it was for these two to get to a point where they are secure and happy, only to see it potentially crash and fall around them is not how I wanted this series to end.

Do not fret, there are still plenty of cute scenes showing off their fairytale romance, filled with bright colours and great music. I laughed, I cried (as always) and I loved.

However stressful this film is, it is the perfect end to this trilogy. I never wanted it to end - that's why I never finished the last book - because I knew it would be sad when it was over. I am very much going to miss watching a new Lara Jean adventure each year. But, wow, was this film wonderful.

It's not just Lara Jean, it's all three Covey sisters - Kitty is becoming a young woman, Margo is fully settled and independent, beginning her own life in the real world, and Lara Jean finally understands what it means to be in love. And we get a nice ending for their dad too.

With all the loose ends tied up in a neat little bow, I know that I have some great movie nights ahead of me with some of my favourite characters ever. I'm so ready to be able to live this story over and over again.
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Day #11 - TATBILB: P.S. I Still Love You

11/2/2021

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Lara Jean has it made: she has the boy of her dreams, Peter Kavinsky, the perfect volunteer job for her transcript, old folks home Bellevue, and she finally has the respect of her stuck up cousin. Then in walks John Ambrose McClain and everything changed. Who will she pick?

This is the second instalment of the To All The Boys I've Loved Before trilogy, and Lara Jean Song Covey is back and better than ever. This film has more drama and much higher stakes than the last film (for a teen romcom that is!). You still get the same loveable characters, the cuteness, and the laughs from the first film, we just get to know Lara Jean and her family even better.

One thing I love about this movie is that we delve a little more into Lara Jean's Korean heritage. In the first film it's mentioned at the beginning when they have a family dinner and later on Peter mentions going to the Korean grocery store to pick up Lara Jean's favourite snacks. In P.S. I Still Love You, they kick off with Korean New Year celebrations and the Covey sisters are learning how to tie the bows on their hanboks before heading over to the celebrations. It's nice to get a wider look into the traditions important to this family that the books went really deep into.

It's also nice to look at how innocent Lara Jean handles having feelings for two boys - one is her complimentary opposite, the other shares her personality exactly. She always believed love was a fairytale and she is suddenly realising that real relationships don't happen the same way they do in her favourite romance novels. She really starts to grow up in this film and realise what it is that she expects and needs from the people in her life.

There's still a perfect happy ending though.

I can't wait for tomorrow when my TATBILB marathon will be complete!
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Day #10 - To All The Boys I've Loved Before

10/2/2021

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This is another film I reviewed briefly a couple of years ago - read it here.
When Lara Jean has a crush, she writes a love letter. One of those letters happens to be to her older sister's boyfriend, Josh. When the letters are mysteriously mailed out, she enters into a fake relationship with one of them - popular boy Peter Kavinsky - to throw Josh off the scent. With her sister now at university in Scotland, how will Lara Jean navigate the complicated web of lies that she has created for herself?

​I have been looking forward to this one! This is the first instalment of a trilogy, based on the books of the same name, and the next three days will be covering them.

I LOVE this movie. I've watched it hundreds of times since it came out in 2018. It has everything I want from a teen romance film - it's funny, it's relatable, it's sad and it has a wonderfully uplifting ending. And they are very accurate to the books, which I also loved.

There are two very important themes to this story - the difficulties and awkwardness of teen romance and the bond between sisters, two topics that I can relate to. Like Lara Jean, I never had much luck with love in my teen years, but I always had an unbreakable bond with my sister. Also, Lara Jean is one of the most likeable characters in the history of books and film.

TATBILB also has my favourite storyline - fake relationship leading to real feelings. I don't know why I like it so much, it's probably the most predictable movie trope out there, but any movie that has this trope has me hooked from beginning to end.

If you are looking for something cute, fluffy and happy, I would highly recommend giving this film a go! I can't wait for you to fall in love with Lara Jean.
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Day #9 - Alex Strangelove

9/2/2021

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Alex Truelove wants to lose his virginity to his girlfriend Claire before graduation, but starts to question his sexual identity when he meets Elliot.

The first time I watched this film, I did tune out and I didn't finish it. I don't know why though, because I did enjoy it this time around. Maybe it's because it followed Love, Simon, which is very hard to live up to. But this is a good movie.

Now, this movie has run into some controversy with many accusing the film of bi-erasure. In one scene Alex's best friend, Dell, insinuates that Alex has to choose - is he straight or gay? Dell is very dismissive and states that Alex can't be bisexual, he's just scared of sleeping with his girlfriend. The film also shows Alex making out with Elliot whilst still dating Claire, further pushing the stereotype that bi people are cheaters. And, whether Netflix intended this or not, it does very much say that bisexuality is a stepping stone to being gay.

This may be partly due to the fact that every character is wonderfully flawed. It portrays the thoughts that teenagers have towards sex and sexuality. I like to think that Netflix was just trying to portray the misunderstanding that a lot of teenagers have (or at least used to have) about sexuality which is why it comes off prejudiced in some parts. Or maybe I'm just giving it the benefit of the doubt.

As I said, every character is unapologetically flawed. Every single one of them does something wrong, no one is entirely likeable. This adds a sweet level of charm to the movie.

I did like Alex Strangelove, but I also don't think it will be one that I'm desperate to watch again. Definitely a nice film for a rainy day though.
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    About Me

    Hi! I'm Niamh, and welcome to my blog!
    I am a freelance journalist writing her musings on politics, social change and pop culture - maybe you'll like what you read!

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