Pitch black and starry bright lights, there is nothing quite like seeing a movie for the very first time plastered across the big screen, sinking into those crimson velvet chairs while you wait.  The anticipation thickens as more and more trailers grace the high definition screen in front of your eyes. Once the showing begins, you are captivated by the universe right before you. The memory of that awkward little eye duel you had with the stranger sitting beside you fades away entirely, while you immerse yourself in this utter fictional goodness.

Dear Hollywood,

I've been watching your films since I was a child. Captivated from the age of five, I've appreciated the art work and cinematography embedded in your feature film productions that inspired a generation. I fell in love with your storylines that taught me emotional integrity, and the appreciation of a good - and terrible - battle scene. I invested into characters' personalities and lives - all created by the talent behind the neon lights. Oh Hollywood, you made me fall in love with the endless possibilities of fiction and inspired me to use my imagination, when the world told me to believe in realistic cynicism.

So it's that time of year again, where love is in the air. Now, let's face the facts. Most of the movies you've probably ended up watching on Valentines Day probably consist of The Notebook, Titanic or Love Actually. The most typical and most overplayed movies ever in the history of romance. So this year, why not venture out and see what the rest of cinema has to offer. What have you got to lose?

It's a new year, and you know what that means ... so many new films to look forward to! From blockbuster squeals to stand alones films, there is something for everyone. So sit back, relax and put those January blues aside, and see if any of these soon-to-be-released films catch your interest.
 

As 2014 comes to an end, I decided to pay tribute to all the wonderful movies this year that I fell in love with. So without further ado, here are my top five favourites of this year, in no particular order!

Spoilers under the cut. Beware.

'Stuck in Love' tells the story of a family of writers, trying to figure out their lives through love and relationships, with their family members and significant others. It's a beautifully crafted story that involves three character perspectives, between a middle-aged divorced couple, a pair of college students and high schoolers. The diversity in age and the issues they face, is the main characteristic that defines the authenticity of this film. From the very beginning, this film carries a distinctive artistic indie flair - perfect for the content explored. The acting here is absolutely superb! The range of emotional responses to the situations presented between each character was extraordinary.  Each character had their own struggles to face, including the situation of the parents divorce - the central point of this film. Exploring these relationships on screen with multiple characters and situations, occurring in one film can be hard to execute; but it was done brilliantly. Each age group was given an equal amount of on-screen time, and there is something meaningful there for everyone. Whatever situation you may have or could encounter in the future, through personal or second hand experiences, was in this movie. It is a beautiful exploration into the romantic lives of a family, holding different perspectives and opinions with all things amore. I would definitely recommend this film for anyone whose interested in seeing something a little bit different from your average rom-com!

Congratulations - you've survived the past two weeks of January, filled with deadlines, last minute revision, back to work routines and all with a pinch of frostbite! It's always pretty hard to get back into routine after the festive period of the year, when you've gone from watching Christmas movies, spending time with the family and lovely food to satisfy your festive cravings, back to the monotonousness routine of the working the day - or at least the attempt of it. Now you really can't wait to see the summer sun, especially with the winter weather we're having these days.  But don't fret! There is a lot to look forward to this year, including some awesome new film releases staring some very interesting figures!

Since starting my third and final year of my degree, I have found that I've had less free time on my hands - especially with all the things I've been getting up to outside my classes. Sadly because of all the work and things that I've been getting up to in my spare time, I've really had to cut back on a lot of things I loved doing; reading, watching television and films - basically consuming anything entertaining. My inner fangirl is literally crying on the inside, especially with all the new book and film releases appearing in the pop-culture sphere. So to satisfy my breaking heart, I decided to compile a list of all things fictional, which I will devour during the summer of 2014 when I have finally finished my degree. It's not actually as far away as I thought ... So without further ado, here is my fictional checklist for this upcoming summer!Feel free to recommend me anything that you've loved, or maybe things that have caught your eye. I'm all ears! Maybe you've seen any of these shows, films or read some of these books? Comment below - I'd love to know what you thought of them!