Oh you look like you're new here. Let me fill you in on the details ... I was once the new kid on the block, and trust me when I say this, you're lucky to have me on your side kiddo. You see East High isn't like other schools. Now you may be thinking I'm crazy here, but seriously, this school is run on a tight-ship. We have a status quo, one that can not be messed with. Unless you want to deal with queen-bee Sharpay Evans that is. She may look innocent from far, but she's as feisty and fierce as you come. 

Follow these golden rules and your time at East High shall be a breeze!

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.

Popular culture has always been my favourite form of entertainment. There's something captivating about the fictional universe. It's no wonder that the passion the fans hold near and dear has led to the most amazing forms of creativity, from artistic graphics to fanfiction. Arguably the best result of fan creativity has to be the intricately themed monthly subscription boxes. Without knowing where to look, it can be quite difficult to find the quirky and unique gems that lie hidden in the depths of the internet. That is why subscription boxes like Loot Crate, FairyLoot and OwlCrate are so amazing, because they contain hidden treasures that fanboys and fangirls myself just adore!

But the one theme I have yet to see is the Darkest Nights. The best moments in life and fiction happen during the late evening when the world seems so still and quiet, but yet somewhere in the distance, the adventure has only just begun. The Darkest Nights are a time where heroes and villains carry out their deeds and debts; where the action, drama and romance flourish into the breeze alongside the nights' sky. It's only fitting therefore to create a themed box dedicated to the cause. So without further ado, here is my ultimate dream crate inspired by the series and fandoms that made me fall in love with the night!

It's time for another Life Lessons segment, and today we're going to be talking about the movie Bride Wars. At first glance, Bride Wars is a cheesy rom-com - capitalising on the bridezillas of the earth, and the billion dollar wedding industry that profits from them. But the movie surprisingly has some very thoughtful and insightful moments. Not only was I entertained, but I also took away some valuable teachings from this film. So without further ado, let's begin!

There are so many lessons you can learn from fiction, from how to deal with heartbreak and what not to do when you enter the woods. Earlier this year I watched the fantastic movie musical Into The Woods, which takes all the classic fairy-tales we know and love, and explores the dark consequences that come from their ultimate wishes.

As you probably know from my review, I was absolutely captivated and enchanted by the film and fell deeply in love with it's soundtrack. But the more and more I think about it, this story has some real life valuable lessons that you can learn from. So without further ado, here are a few ....

Jumping straight back into action, Mockingjay Part 1 starts where Catching Fire picks off. As Katniss struggles to come top terms with the loss of her comrades especially Peeta, District 13 begins to prepare together the equipment to take on the capital. A war is brewing right on the horizon, and so much is at stake.

I was never really a fan of the final book in The Hunger Games series, mostly because of it's sour end. I expected to love the first part of Mockingjay, and sourly dislike the latter. But I'm surprised to say Mockingjay Part 1 is my least favourite film in the series. The story itself sets up for epic finale I'm sure, but that feels like this movie's main and sole purpose. It was truly amazing seeing the political workings of a war, but everything else falls short. The engaging elements from the book were missing from this military based adaptation, and I really don't understand why, since it had enough time to divulge and explore. It's clear that Katniss takes complete front and centre in this film - with very little room for other players to contend. All in all, I'm pretty disappointed with the outcome of this movie, and I can already tell that Part 2 will definitely be better than this.

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?

Highlights
Shortcomings
Conclusion ...
So what did you think of Into the Woods? Did it meet your expectations?

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!

The DUFF - Watch the trailer here.

The DUFF tells the story of Bianca, a senior in high school who finds herself coming to an identity crisis when she realises she is labelled as the 'DUFF' - Designited Ugly Fat Friend. I've been excited about this adaptation since hearing about it several months ago. Not only is this story so quirky but it's also relate-able. Let's face the facts - at one of point of our lives - every single person has felt like the 'DUFF' in their friendship group. I loved the message of the story, which is why I couldn't wait to this young adult novel on the big screen. But by the looks of this trailer, this adaptation is far straying away from its original source material.

Thoughts
I have very mixed feelings about this trailer. On the one hand, I understand why CBS decided to turn it down the sexual tension a notch. It makes sense - the novel was slightly riskay afterall. But to change the entire premise of the story is something else entirely. The DUFF was never about 'reinvention', but learning to accept and love the quirks and qualities that made you unique - your individuality. The good and the bad. There is so much more to Wesley and Bianca than just their labels on the social ladder, and this trailer doesn't really showcase that. If I hadn't read the book, I would pass this story off as a typical high school cliché story, which it is far from. 
In the novel, Bianca never sets out to change herself and learns to accept herself for who she truly is. That's part of the reason why her her character is so iconic, and why I'm concerned for this adaptation. In this trailer there is also no mention of Bianca and Wesley  - other personal dramas involving their family, which is something I hope has been omitted from the trailer - not the actual movie itself. Based on this trailer alone, it feels as though Hollywood has decided to take this story and tried to turn it into - or at least advertise it as - this generation's She's All That. That being said, this is a first look trailer. There may be so much more than we haven't been shown. Maybe this is all a marketing tactic to gain some further interest in the story. The thought of that alone, leaves me feeling pretty optimistic. 

Highlights
Despite some major changes to the plot, I still feel like this story holds potential. It's possible that the themes and events that take place in the novel, may be explored on camera - just without so much sexual tension. That is my greatest hope for this film.

I absolutely love the quirky nature of this trailer. Mae Whitman nails that quirky, quick witted yet humble persona that Bianca holds. It's hard to say anything more about the other characters since the trailer solely focuses on Wesley and Bianca - but here's to hoping that they stay true their novel counterparts, (and are more than just the typical high school type-casts). As long as the stories core principles and issues are stuck to in this adaptation, I'll be a happy bunny, and so thoroughly entertained. But anything otherwise oh ho ho - CBS, you will have disappointed me big time ... 


What are your thoughts on The DUFF? Have you read the novel? I'd love to hear more about what you think ^_^

With Halloween right around the corner, who doesn't love getting into the holiday spirit? As you may already know from last year's Halloweenesque American Television Special, I can not stand pure horror. Horror stories literally scare me to death - no pun intended. While I love getting into the holiday festivities, I do not fancy a night of debating weather I should or should not peak under the bed, or leave my lights on all night long to chase away the dark shadows. That'll definitely give me one hell of an energy bill! So if you're anything like me, here are some suggestions to keep you feeling festive and rather nightmare free ...