The return of This is England

As soon as I saw the new This is England '90 series advertised, I knew it was going to be good.

I first watched This is England when I was about 16, after hearing so much about it. The Shane Meadows film became one of my favourites and so I decided to research it and write about it for both my GCSE and A-Level media exams. 

I soon became addicted and watched the series', following on from the film. The series' are just as good as the film, nothing has changed from the acting and the direction and I think that's what makes it so good.

So, on Sunday night, I couldn't wait to see what This is England '90 had in store.

Following the lives of Woody, Shaun, Milky and their friends, the series is centred around the skinhead group and their reality; jobs, relationships, life in the Midlands.

What makes This is England so good is the reality of the characters, you can relate to every single one of them. The innocence of Shaun, the relationship between Woody and Lol and the tight friendships that they all hold are things that everyone has been through.

My favourite thing about not only this new series but the film and previous series' is the scripting. Shane Meadows has an art for not only writing and creating brilliant storylines and characters, but making it seem effortless and real.

Along with the writing, the audience can really identify with the storylines. From heartache to betrayal, This is England focuses on the importance of real-life storylines and captures the true feelings and situations that occurred at the time.

The first episode from this last series did not disappoint. The same brilliant acting, writing and hilarious storylines that we all know and love are back for good. 

Without a doubt, the best series on TV.

Sunday's at Gloucester Quays

With free cinema tickets for Gloucester Quays, Ollie and I decided to spend the day there yesterday. 

We didn't have much time to look around the outlet shops, instead we opted for lunch at Ed's Easy Diner. Neither of us have never been there but the food and atmosphere was really good, and my nutella shake was to die for!

There's not many places I go where I can't finish my food, but this has become one of them. The portions are huge and you're given a whole array of sides, which are all as good as each other. We'll definitely be going back, even if it's just for drinks next time.

Choosing a film to watch wasn't particularly difficult either. We both love Tom Hardy as an actor and Legend was a brilliant film; well directed and scripted, with an amazing performance from Hardy throughout (review to follow)!

Film review: Straight Outta Compton

Wow, wow, wow. Although (as you've probably noticed) I have been at the cinema practically every weekend this summer, this film will be the one I definitely won't be forgetting anytime soon.

I'm not sure what I was expecting from this film before seeing it, would the acting do justice to one of the greatest groups ever? Would the storyline be over exaggerated? Or how would they portray the group?
But from the start, the directing and acting in this film was obviously incredible. With O'Shea Jackson Jr. playing Ice Cube, Corey Hawkins as Dr Dre, Jason Mitchell as Easy-E, Neil Brown Jr. playing Dj Yella and Aldis Hodge as MC Ren, the 5 amazing performances are what make this film as good as it is. They have clearly all put all they could to research background details of N.W.A and the individual artists in order to mould their character to perfection.

Taking us right back to the start of N.W.A, the film honestly portrays what exactly it was like to live in Compton and the dangers not only these 5 guys, but everyone else in the neighbourhood faced. Freedom of expression left them with risks but with brutally honest lyrics and courage to speak out, this film shows the challenges these artists had when they put their thoughts and frustration into the most powerful form, music.
The film is incredibly uplifting, you can tell that the group really believed in themselves, through everything. The moment they release 'Straight Outta Compton', although we know now that it obviously was one of the best albums of all time, the passion and love that N.W.A show for their music is inspiring.

Throughout the film, not only do we see the rise and risks that N.W.A took to get to where they wanted, but the personal challenges they all faced individually. Dr Dre blaming himself for the loss of his brother is something that a lot of people can relate to and this scene in the film gripped on our heartstrings, after seeing how passionate and loving he really felt towards his family. As well as this, the scene where Easy-E is diagnosed with AIDS and the former N.W.A members come to visit him in hospital after years of not speaking, captured all of my emotions especially. The feeling that no matter how much you disagree with the people that really know you best, they'll always be there and this really came across in an emotion ending.

This film is one that will really make you think. Not only leaving you thinking about the love, passion and hope that this group had but their personal challenges, emotions and efforts they went to in order to show themselves as courageous, determined men throughout. I personally can not wait for the sequel to come out and I can really see why this film has topped box office records for the third weekend in a row. One of the best films of the year.

Film review: The Man From U.N.C.L.E

The Man from U.N.C.L.E cleverly captures the elements that made the 1960's series such a huge hit. Guy Richie combines the use of modern technology with retro 60's flair, adding a lot of humour and sexual themes, to create this extremely entertaining spy thriller.

In 1963, C.I.A agent Napoleon Solo and K.G.B operative Illya Kuryakin unite, along with Gaby Teller to prevent the completion of a nuclear bomb which is being built by wealthy Italian couple, Alexander and Victoria Vinciguerra. Their plan is to use Teller's father's intelligence to help them built the bomb.
Solo and Kuryakin team up in a bid to stop the couple from succeeding, with both ben secretly assigned to steal the weapon's systematics for their separate Governments.

The retro look to the film excellently portrays the 60's theme, from the highly-saturated editing to the brilliant makeup and costume, everything reflects the era that shone with style. The music used throughout the film and for the theme tune add more of a 60's vibe, but also with a modern edge to it.

The acting in the film was fantastic, with fun-loving but believable characters, and great scripting. Along with the fast-paced editing, the action scenes were not only gripping but also, absolutely hilarious. The script along with the direction added humour to the film, which made the action scenes a lot easier to watch.

It slightly resembles a James Bond style but this film is completely different; portraying the frailties of the Cold War brilliantly. This film will really take you in, the gripping story line and hilarious scripting combine excellently with the use of music, costume and breathtaking locations.
Guy Richie has definitely done himself proud with this one.

Film review: Southpaw

'The more you get hit, the harder you fight, I get it.' One of the most powerful lines in the whole film describes the determination of Billy Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal), as his whole life is completely turned upside down.

Southpaw is a gripping story of a boxer who fights his way through absolutely everything in order to get back what he loves. When Billy's wife Maureen (Rachel McAdams) is tragically killed, he throws everything into fighting for his daughter Leila (Oona Laurence). 

The phrase 'you don't know what you've got until it's gone' springs to mind; with Billy not realising how much his wife really did for him. He slowly sees his whole life crumbling around him; losing his daughter, house, manager and having to do everything in his power to get it all back. Working alongside a new, demanding trainer, he slowly begins to piece together the skills and mindset he needs in order to gain back trust from those he loves most.

Jake Gyllenhaal's performance throughout the film is incredible. Training twice a day in preparation for the film, Gyllenhaal's biggest concern was not looking like a boxer. He trained as a boxer would for a solid 8 months before filming, in order to gain not only the 15lbs of muscle and look of a boxer, but the determinative mindset of a boxer. Covered in tattoos, with a shaved head and scarring on his face, Gyllenhaal is almost unrecognisable in his most grilling role yet.

The final, championship fight will literally have you on the edge of your seat. Everything riding on one performance; winning the money, becoming stable enough to get his daughter back, showing that  his training has been worthwhile, his struggle coming to an end. The quick-cut, close-up editing gives a fast paced but detailed look at his final fight and the same editing and emotional performances will have you rooting for Billy from the first scene.

From the very start, the brutality and determination is evident, leaving you wanting everything for Gyllenhaal and his daughter. But behind the dark, lonely character lies a story of complete passion and love; one that I definitely won't be forgetting soon.