What will 2017 bring?

Image from nstpictures.com

For me, the new year doesn't mean resolutions and becoming a 'better person', it's all about reflecting on good times and trying your best to make this year just as good as the last.

2016 was a brilliant year, full of personal achievements, holidays and realisations. I finally figured out what it is I want to do and how I want to do it, along with my plans for the end of 2017. Now that we're fully immersed into the new year, I thought I'd let you know what my plans are for this year, and why, for me, 2017 is going to be big.

So far, plans include:

• Final Semester - I want to finish my final year at UoG proud of what I have achieved and knowing that I have put 100% into every piece of work.

• 21st Birthday - Although I'll still be focusing on grades and my final assignment, my 21st in May kick starts the summer nicely and I'm sure to be celebrating in style.

• Mexico - A country I've always wanted and now I finally get to; I'm so glad we booked this last year. I can't wait to spend 2 weeks soaking up the sun and sipping on cocktails!

• Graduation - I can't wait for graduation. After 3 years of hard work and deadlines, graduating will definitely be my biggest achievement to date.

• Postgraduate course - I decided last year to apply for a postgraduate PGCE, and have since placed my firm choice with a lovely school in Pershore. The beginning of a new journey.

Film Review: La La Land

Image from film premiere

With 2016 leaving our hearts heavy, the new year has just been made a lot more uplifting with "La La Land" gracing our screens.

I'm not sure what I was expecting from the film as I hadn't seen the trailer, but I absolutely loved it. The first 10 minutes of "La La Land" were very cheesy, almost cringe-worthy, however, the storyline picked up instantly, with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling taking centre stage as LA dreamers for two hours of warm, musically spirited, feel-good cinema.

The storyline is very typical; two people, lots of parties, love, fun and laughter. It is however, unique in the way that there are hardly any other characters. I mean, we see and listen to other people throughout the film, but they're never introduced. That's what makes it so good. You are fully immersed into the lives of Sebastian, a jazz musican who's making his way through small gigs and backyard parties, and Mia, an aspiring actress and playwright, in their journey together.

Sebastian wants to open a jazz club and Mia is desperate to make it on the big screen which is where their relationship falls complicated; How will they both reach their ambitions? It’s not until Sebastian lands a gig with his old musician colleague, played by a charmingly no-nonsense John Legend, that his priorities and paths take a turn. Mia is keen to keep things working, but with both her career and relationship weakening, she finds herself with no option other than to decide what's best for her.

There isn't too much to give away from the film and I'm sure that most of you have it on your 'to do' list anyway, but I personally believe that "La La Land" is a wonderful piece of retro cinema, with a twinkle of contemporary LA. One which leaves you beaming from ear-to-ear. One that will most definitely go down in history.