Let's Start With This One...

 

Good Morning Lovelies, 

If you saw my blog post the other day, then you will know that I am not the worlds biggest Line of Duty fan. It isn’t that I have anything against it. I follow it due to my family being obsessed with it and Gogglebox’s reactions. It is just not something I get gripped in.

So, this review of series six, which is out today on DVD and digitally, is coming to you in a very different way. With more knowledge about the show, what has happened and how the finale played out (I have watched all of this by the way), I got my mum who is a huge fan to point out her best, worst and hopes about the most recent series.

First, though, let me tell you what it is all about in case you haven’t seen it before. Line of Duty series 6 sees the return of AC-12, a team of investigators led by Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar). After handing them another major case, Hastings finds himself fighting along with his own team, including Detective Inspector Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), to find out who the mysterious H is.

Now let me hand you over to my mum’s reactions on the show:

What was it about this series that made it so good?
The whole scenario with finding out who H was and the way in which the police officers played a part in the case. All the sets up and finding out how they were getting them by the police. The continuous not knowing and the way it grips you in on who is doing it. The best bit is that it keeps you so well gripped right up until the end when H is revealed.

Was there anything in the show that let it down?
Watching some of the gruesome moments, however, I don’t think any of it was bad, because it kept you so well gripped. The cast was brilliant because they kept you watching. They made you want to know why they were doing this or why were they doing that. Nothing was bad about this series and even if you don’t get gripped you will find something to enjoy about it.

Would you tell people to watch this series?
Yes, because if you are someone who enjoys cop dramas or you like something that can grip you in then this is the one for you. It has a story that keeps you wanting to watch it. If you can’t stand waiting for the next episode then it may not be the one for you, but if you can then do. I don’t think you would have had to have seen any of the other series to watch it, because each series has a different story, which all comes down to the police officers in that series. Every story and every character, new or old, all fit in well and you will find enjoyment in it.

How would you like the show to go forward now a sixth series has been announced?
They must keep the stories just as good. They need to keep us interested and the characters all need to remain the same. I mean obviously, the ones who haven’t been killed. Seven episodes each series is enough, and the hour slot is perfect viewing length. I didn’t notice that the finale was an hour and a half in length compared, as I was so enrapt in it, but I do think it should stay at just an hour.

Overall what would you rate this season?
4 ½ Stars

Joey X

Good Afternoon Lovelies,

For years I have always been a little bit disappointed by the DC films. To me, Batman is Christian Bale and the franchise was at its best then. Under the guidance of Christopher Nolan.

That was until a few years ago, when I fell head over heels in love with Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman. Providing everyone with the ultimate girl power symbol, Wonder Woman managed to make me a little bit more excited to see Justice League. I wanted to see more Diana Prince, as well as the newest members of the league. However, it didn’t work out quite so well.

Justice League is the film that is meant to leave the Avengers quaking in their boots. Yet, Marvel and their team don’t appear to be so worried. Coming out only a few weeks after a very successful Thor feature, the film was always going to need a hook and an epic fight. Unfortunately, this film doesn’t bring either of these.

Starting where Batman Vs Superman left off, Superman (played by Henry Cavill) is dead, leaving a wave of darkness in his wake. Unsure of how to defend the city on his own, Batman/Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) decides it is time to unite a team, just in time to bring down the evil flying villains, Parademons, who feast on the fear of those around them and their leader Steppenwolf.

Reaching out to Wonder Woman (Gadot) who is stopping a London court from being blown up, Aquaman/Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), who is saving a man from drowning, Victor Stone, a teenager coming to terms with his new Cyborg body and The Flash/Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), who decides to come along for the ride, the team unite to take him down and prevent him from having the other boxes he wants. However, they soon find that what they are facing is a lot stronger than they are. All of which causing them to call upon the one man they know could save the day.

Whilst it all sounds action-packed, the film is not! Sadly, not much is revealed or explained. Details are left out and the only two characters that seem to have any idea of what is going on, which is Aquaman and Wonder Woman. It is sloppy from start to finish and everything feels like it has been done in a rush.

The CGI effects are terrible in certain parts. The use of green screens is obvious, especially during a fight scene when Superman returns and a scene where people are just standing in a field. It even appears bad on Henry Cavill’s face where they removed his moustache in reshoots, which had me laughing for a good few minutes. And sadly, even the music doesn’t live up to the standards it once was.

Throughout watching the film, I had this feeling that things would be better if they weren’t together. Breaking the characters off within the film built more personal and friendlier scenes that were watchable. I was more excited to see the relationship develop between Aquaman and Wonder Woman than the whole dynamic of the group.

The film needed more Gadot and Momoa due to their performances. The Flash is definitely going to get his own film, as Miller makes a lovable character and he definitely needs to work with Miller again to build on the partnership their characters were building. All loveable, all needing to have the opportunity to develop their characters.

The series of comics were built around introducing each character on their own before they are joined together. This should have been done here. There are upcoming films with each of them and they will probably be more entertaining, making us bond with the characters on a better level. Justice League just throws the characters at us without context or help in knowing what the characters want, need or are hoping to achieve. Take them apart, build them up and then give us this film, because right now I only want to see two or three of them again and forget all the others.

With director Zack Snyder being unable to finish the film originally, this new look at what he would have released is an interesting one. Yet, it has led to very little justice in this rating, which is why I am giving it...

 

Good Morning Lovelies,

It isn’t everyday that a classic film is released into the wild again, but today marks the return of a true legend. My Fair Lady, starring Audrey Hepburn, turned her into an icon of epic proportions. Now in Ultra HK definition, the film is showing just why in a new beautiful form.

Winner of the Best Picture Oscar upon its release, this musical really stands the rest of time. It’s wit, heart and adaptation all portray the rise of Hepburn’s cockney lady in a beautiful manner. As a viewer, you are simply enchanted by the look and finesse of the whole feature.

Unlike other classics, it is easy to see the way in which society and other films have taken from it. Hepburn has shown actors how to make the most of their time on screen. It is an outrage in lots of ways that she never got an Academy Award for her role.

The film is and always will be a winner in lots of other ways though. Whilst the cast, writing and production may not be a modern making, it stands the test of time. Giving us everything we could want or admire from cinema.

4 Stars

Joey X

 

Good Morning Lovelies,

Making a huge amount of noise upon its Oscar nominations, Sound of Metal ironically focuses on on the silence of the music industry. Fresh from Darius Marder and leading man Riz Ahmed, the film, out today on DVD and Blu-ray, will captivate you in.

Ahmed’s portrays Ruben, a punk musician, whose years of drum playing have left him with hearing loss. With the more he plays, the further damage being done. An element that Marder faced with his grandmother.

Ahmed gives one of the best performances of his career. Telling the story of a disability that isn’t explored enough in cinema, the feature shows the real consequences that hearing loss can cause.

From drum beating solos to heart-breaking silent matter, there is music galore in the film. Pieces that will stay with you until the end of time. Much like that in Whiplash.

However, it is the personal journeys each character faces that make this a film to watch. As Ruben joins in with his local community and Olivia Cooke’s girlfriend figure decides to stay and help, viewers see how each individual in the world faces a life with the disability.

Making a sensitive topic work on screen could have failed hugely. Yet, this one doesn’t. It is a strong feature that deserves huge audiences. Let’s hope that it appears in cinemas soon. Even with the home release now out.

4 Stars

Joey X

 

Good Morning Lovelies,

Anyone who watched Broadchurch will know that Eve Myles is a fantastic actress when it comes to bringing to life a mysterious character. After watching her play someone we were unsure of until the end, the actress moved on to star in Keeping Faith. A show, whose third season is out now on DVD and digitally from today, which has again hooked us in with the performance of a lifetime from the actress that led to it becoming the most popular show on BBC Wales in more than 25 years.

Returning as the lawyer, wife and mother Faith Howells, Myles takes on the second leg of the character's story in the beautiful rural Wales setting. Unlike the first and second series, the show is even more intense with the prospect of characters we grew to watch become more intriguing. The writing continues to be as thrilling as it was before and Myles’ return is as entertaining, as it is perfect. Each episode calls for no interruptions. You must sit and pay attention. Miss a moment and everything is lost. However, with the attention and gripping nature of the second season, you don’t have to worry about any of this. You will not be moving, and Myles is very much the reason why for this.

Faith has become a character that is as forceful as other BBC characters. You seek her story like that of Luther, those that were in The Fall and even Sherlock. Mystery surrounds her and to get to the bottom of it, you must watch. Hopefully, with this all-in mind, it brings with it a fourth season, because this show deserves it.

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Recently, life has been a bit hectic, leading to me needing to take a step back from the blog. However, I am back now and more motivated than ever to start doing weekly posts again. I have decided to really look at my content. With the big loves of mine being answered, featured and explored. 

When it comes to blogging, I am always looking to do it when I am most relaxed. Popping on a classic episode of Friends or a podcast/radio show I adore, helps me so much. As does a good set up. 

The perfect desk area makes me very happy to. Yet, it can’t be a place that is full of mess. If it is, my mind can’t handle it. I also seek to have the best storage solutions. Something Amazon have been working hard to help people create. 

From a fancy coffee table to simple drawers, the company has made sure that every room has something made for it. Here are just a few that have stolen my blogging loving heart…

Movian Aggol Lift-Top Coffee Table with 1-Shelf, £83.44:

Rivet Axel Wood & Metal Side Table with Hidden Storage Compartment, £33.14: 

Rivet Meeks Storage Basket Side Table, £64.93:

Movian Martin Geometric Bookcase Shelving Unit, £55.99: 

These are just a few of the storage pieces that I have seen and love on the website. I hope that they are also items that you fall for too, as I think that they will be great additions to many blogging areas. There are lots more choices to pick from and so, I would love to know, where or what storage solutions do you have to help keep your blogging/writing area clean lovelies? 

Joey X