I was gonna go with Suits this month. But then I decided to re-watch The Hour, and everything went down the hole. I've seen it being referred to as England's version of Mad Men. I've never watched Mad Men, so I don't know if that's accurate, but this is a bloody good piece of television. My utter devastation that it was never renewed for a third season is being relived as we speak.
MOVIE
The Lunchbox. It's an Indian film and it's just lovely. It's just one of those movies that are subtle and quiet but so enjoyable. Especially towards the end, I also found that there was a bit of commentary on how limited women still are in India. Was very interesting. So good!
MUSIC
I'll be honest, I haven't really been listening to any music recently. Some songs I've been enjoying though: Work Song by Hozier, and the Cloud Atlas End Title.
BOOK
Haven't been too impressed with the books I've read this month, unfortunately. One book I'm currently reading though, Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann, I'm really enjoying.
MAKEUP/FASHION
Dotti had an online sale. 50 items for 50% off. An anorak I'd been coveting was among those 50 items. Thus, we're here.
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So, they were my favourites this month. I'm back at uni now, and I actually have a lot of work to do, so I'm a little worried with how my blog is going to fare. We'll see though. Hopefully, it'll fight through the storm and triumph.
*I originally planned on writing this post way back in March when I first saw it but apparently I never got around to that. Awks.
I don't know if I've ever told you guys about my utter adoration of Veronica Mars, but I adore her. She's a badass and everything I aspire to be. I wish I had that confidence, and that ability to think up witty comebacks straight away. Unfortunately, that was never something I was gifted with.
Anyway.
I'd heard about the movie and the KickStarter campaign and was like, 'That's kinda awesome.' Then, people started talking about how amazing the TV series was. So I thought I'd give it a go. Cue: an obsession where I couldn't do anything except watch episodes. This was particularly bad because guess who had assignments? Me.
So, going into the movie, I didn't really know what to expect. I know I expected it to be good, though. I was a little weary about it all (because it's a really different medium. I think anyone would be). And now I've watched it. I don't really know how I feel?
There were some really A+ things. I adored the references and the cameos. It was great to see the characters on screen again. And I mean, it was still really well-written. But I do have problems with it.
Even though I loved what was written, I felt that there was little direction. Too many side-plots were opened and never closed. And because of this, nothing was ever fully developed. It frustrated me a little, not gonna lie. Too many questions were left unanswered.
Also, Veronica could've still taken her BAR exam? Like, you know. You could take the exam, be a certified lawyer if you ever changed your mind, but choose to do the private investigating gig for the moment. I just feel like she wasted a lot of money and put herself in a whole lot of debt for something she could use but now never will use.
Sorry. It's the little things that bother me. The little things.
But because of this, it makes me want to ask the question: Is Rob Thomas trying to build a franchise out of this?
I know he's done the movie, and I know he's doing the books. It wouldn't surprise me at this point. I just don't know what I'd do if it did happen.
I just have a lot of mixed feelings. Do you guys feel me on this? What were your feelings?
Oh my god. It's nearly halfway through 2014. I feel like I've been utterly useless. This is ridiculous.
TV
Admittedly, this one isn't actually out yet. But. It looks pretty wicked. Yes, I'm talking about How to Get Away with Murder. It just looks like it has the potential to fascinating. Viola Davis is in it. A+. Alfie Enoch is in it. A++.
MOVIE
This is a bit of a cheat, but I'm going to say The Fault in Our Stars. I know, I know. It isn't out in cinemas yet. But I've seen it. So. The Fault in Our Stars has always very finely tread the line of cheesy and good, so I was a little hesitant. I shouldn't have been. There's something so authentic about it. It isn't trying to be anything but itself. I love it. You need to watch it. Ok. Done.
MUSIC
Lily Allen's new Album, Sheezus. I still don't like the album name. I don't think I ever will. But it's a good album. She's matured, and her songs have along with her. There's still the special Lily Allen Snark and Cheek, but it's good. Really digging it. Some of her songs just make me smile (I'm looking at you, L8 Cmmr).
BOOK/S
Unsurprisingly, I have two book recommendations this month. Unlike last month, I read a whole bag of goodies. I tried to keep it to a non-fiction and a fiction book though. My non-fiction choice for this month is Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. This is a bit of a feminist manifesto. It's about women in the workplace and taking on leadership roles. When I was talking to the Mother about it, all I kept saying was, 'It's like all these things I'd been taking in subconsciously were being voiced.' If I had to critique anything, it'd be that as the book progressed, it became clear that it was aimed at women older than myself (it discussed having children, balancing motherhood and work, etc. etc. as an 18-year old, you can understand why it was a bit out of my depth). Not to worry, however! If you, like me, are on the younger scale of womanhood, Ms Sandberg released a new edition! Lean In: For Graduates! Needless to say, I'm definitely picking it up soon.
The fiction book I absolutely adored this May was The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski. I'm only mildly obsessed. I can honestly not wait till the next book. I kind of want to say that if you're a fan of Throne of Glass, you'll like this, but I'm not sure if I should. Where Celaena is a badass killing machine, Kestrel is much more of a strategiser. Where Celaena is very sure of herself from the get-go, Kestral takes a little time to develop. And I'm still not sure where I stand on Arin. What I am, however, is absolutely fascinated to see where the story will go next. Basically, it's already on my list of top reads of 2014.
MAKEUP/FASHION
I'm going to have to go with the L'Oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim (in Intense Black) for this month. It just makes applying liquid liner so easy (and coming from someone with little to no hand-eye coordination, that's the highest compliment you can get). I've tried a couple of liquid liners in my life, and this is the best, by far.
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What about you guys? Any books that are new favourites? Movies you're forcing everyone to watch?
So, I've seen The Fault In Our Stars movie. One of the cousins and I entered a Bookworld competition and somehow we won. This all happened last week. The actual viewing of the movie happened last night. So, I'm sorry if I'm not entirely coherent but it's been a whirlwind of a week (and I only just woke up). I thought I should share my thoughts.
I'll admit I was a bit of a naive little fool coming into the cinema. I was going in with the same expectations I had with the book: it was going to be good, and I might cry but maybe not.
Oh boy, was I wrong.
I don't want to hype it up too much because there's nothing worse than when you think something's going to be really good and you come away disappointed. But guys, it's really good. I haven't read the book since it was first released (and I regret that a little bit. I wish I'd re-read it so it was a little fresher in my mind), but I think they did an A+ job. Fantastic direction, fantastic script, fantastic cast.
If I had to choose one thing you guys should take from this, it really is the strength of the cast. They were insane. I won't lie, I had some reservations about Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort. They totally owned their roles though. I was blown away. Truly. So much for trying to downplay it.
Ok. So. The crying. Like I mentioned above, I was a little naive. I'd hoped I wouldn't cry. I was lying to myself the entire time. It really was like when I was reading the book.
Beginning: This isn't sad? Why are people saying it's so sad? Pfft, I'm not going to cry.
Then they got to Amsterdam. You know the scene where Hazel and Gus go to Oranjee and Gus is just looking at her in her blue dress and everything? Well, at that point I knew I was screwed. I knew I was going to cry at least once in this movie. I was tearing up over that because I'm a useless cry baby.
Then it got to the eulogy part. I don't want to spoil things in case some of you readers haven't read the book but that part where Isaac and Gus and Hazel are in the church. I lost it. Nat Wolff (who plays Isaac) totally broke me in that scene. He just delivered it all so perfectly and I couldn't stop crying. Can I marry you Nat Wolff?
I kept crying for a little bit longer. I think I probably would've kept crying, but then the hysterical cryers of the cinema emerged. It's amazing how off-putting loud crying is? It just kind of detracted from the movie and my personal devastation. The art of silent crying is something you young ones must learn.
And it was so (not exactly) frustrating (but a little bit frustrating) because I'd be in tears and then one of the characters would say something funny, and my brain was not taking these extreme emotions well.
But yes. Basically (obviously) this was towards the end of the movie. The hysterical cryers came out louder and prouder. You know the rest. I just. I'm so emotionally devastated. And drained.
And I don't know if I'm going to see the film when it properly comes out in cinemas because hysterical cryers. (Won't lie, I feel like I'm being harsh but it was just so distracting). Maybe if it's the middle of the day. In the middle of the week.
So, yep. I don't know what else to say. Any questions? Anyone have a way I can meet Nat Wolff and then charm him with my wiles so he thinks I'm cool? Did anyone else see this movie in Australia last night? Thoughts?
There was also a little high from John Green which surprised me, but then there was a little hi from Ed Sheeran and I verbally gasped at that. Was not expecting it at all. I think that might just be a pre-screening thing. Bloody Ed Sheeran. I love you so much.
