Of Mice and Men

(Image from Amazon)

I'm going to level with you, I started reading Game of Thrones in June and got about half way through when July hit, damn it's a long book! I was trying to decide which classic to read when this got returned to the library. I saw the size of it and my problem was solved.

Things I liked

Lennie - If ever there was a character that you immediately warm to it's Lenny. He's a bit of a fool but just lovely.

The guys at the ranch - Most of the guys are lovely, especially Slim who understands Lennie is a bit different.

Things I didn't like

Curly - What a douche, talk about little man syndrome.

The end - Just *sad face*

Verdict

I absolutely loved Of Mice and Men. I read it in two days and although I picked it for being short I had to race through it. It's a beautiful story of friendship and has a deeper meaning. 5/5

Singin' in the rain

(Image from Amazon)

I've got to admit I didn't think I was going to like Singin' in the Rain. I've discovered I'm a bit of a snob about old movies but it was a musical and my friend Jackie was excited to watch it so I gave it a go.

Things I liked

The dancing - Most of the songs were absolutely ace but my favourites were the ones with dance numbers. I love that style of dance and it's something that don't really see in films now.

Cosmo - He is definitely the best character. He's absolutely hilarious and it was cool to see his physical comedy.

Things I didn't like

Lina - Her voice went straight through me and she was such a diva!

The slow songs - Some of the songs were a bit of a snooze fest and the slower ones seemed to go on for ever. I was also a bit baffled about Don's broadway number, I'm still not sure how that fits in with the film.

Verdict

I probably should have known I'd love this as I've not really found a bad musical, Cosmo, Don and Kathy were a great trio. It was a bit let down with the slow numbers though. 4/5

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

(Image by Lotty)

When I was little and used to visit the video rental shop with my dad I always used to pick Alice in Wonderland. I'm not sure why but I just loved it. I've never read the book though and when I watched the Tim Burton film a lot of people said that it made much more sense than the Disney version.

As this was my June book I can't really remember much about the story but I do agree that it is much darker than Disney made it. I remember being a bit baffled throughout and losing track of the story. It's very well written but I guess I just don't relate to the random nature of it, a worm smoking a pipe and telling Alice to eat a mushroom was just bonkers.

I fully intended to read Through the Looking-Glass afterwards but I was kind of relieved to finish Alice. I know a lot of people list this as their favourite book and it did have its moments but I just don't get it, sorry.

Verdict 2/5

In June I...

(Kindle, coffee, chocolate, perfect!)

In June I read:  Alice in Wonderland and got stupidly into Game of Thrones. I've decided I'm going to read the first book and then watch the first season. I'm usually not one to hop onto bandwagons - I will never want to read fifty shades or twilight - but even the bloggers and people I follow on Twitter are joining the party late and raving. I have to say the book has me gripped so far. I've had to put it down for now though so I can read this months classic Of Mice and Men. I chose it purely because it's a short though :)

In June I watched: Back to the Future II and Singin' in the Rain. I've been far too preoccupied with films coming out on DVD and in the cinema to watch classics, slap on the wrist for me! If you didn't manage to go this weekend you need to go and see Despicable Me 2. I saw it last week and laughed harder than I have in ages. I want a minion!

In June I blogged: Nothing! So sorry, life has kind of got in the way but I hope to be updated soon and I should have no excuse in the Summer.

The Goonies

(Image from Amazon)

The Goonies was added to the list by my friend Shawn as it is his all time favourite film. When I tweeted that I was watching it he responded that our friendship was at a 'pivotal moment'.

What I liked

Chunk - I loved all the boys but I think Chunk had to be my favourite. You've gotta love a clumsy chubby kid, he was adorable and hilarious.

The Fratellis - They were funny to watch argue and run around but I liked them most as I had no idea that the band who wrote one of my favourite albums must have stolen their name from them :)

The excitement - I had no idea what was going to come next and how they would get on. 

What I didn't like

Troy - Douche, enough said

Verdict

I loved the Goonies. A fun tale of some friends and an adventure, I couldn't predict any of the twists and turns. The ending with all the parents was too cute! It definitely deserves it's place on the classics list. 5/5

The Great Gatsby

(Image from Amazon)

I'd heard of The Great Gatsby before but never felt the inclination to read it. I'll be honest the real reason I've picked it up this month is because it was due to be in the cinema and I think Leo DiCaprio is a brilliant actor. As this is the fifth classic book that also has a film adaptation I may start doing Film vs Book posts. 

Things I liked

The writing - I've never really understood the phrase 'great writer' before, it's always been a case of whether I've liked or disliked a book and more about the story than the way it's told. Fitzgerald really does have a way with words though, not much happens in the story but every part is eloquently written with just enough description.

Daisy - I think she's a character that could divide opinion but I liked the way she didn't care about voicing her love for Gatsby, at least she didn't hide away from her affair like Tom did. 

Things I didn't like

Tom - He's so crabby and he doesn't appear to have any respect for anyone least of all the women in his life.

The narration - It was interesting to hear Nicks inner monologue but sometimes I felt like I wanted to hear what one of the others was thinking or feeling.

Verdict

I really enjoyed The Great Gatsby, it's a fairly short read but it's captivating. I was almost a little bit sad when it ended. I'm interested to see how the film interprets it. 5/5

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

(Image from Amazon)

I realised I'd been lagging a bit with my film challenge, I did really well in January and then I must have just carried on watching films I wanted to. Anyhow I asked my followers on Twitter what I should watch next and this was one of the suggestions.

What I liked

Cameron - He was a bit bonkers but really funny

The appearance of Charlie Sheen - There's something brilliant about watching an old film and recognising people that are in things you watch now. Charlie doesn't look much different to how he does today :)

Twist and Shout - I love a musical number, me :)

What I didn't like

Ferris - I couldn't relate to him at all. I don't really like smug people and everything just went too right for him, not someone you'd want to be friends with!

The parents - Get a grip and pay attention to your daughter more!

Verdict

I love the 80s and I thought most 'classic' 80's films would be up my street but I wasn't really too interested in this and Ferris annoyed me. It did have a few comedy moments though. 3/5

Spirited Away

(Image from Amazon)

When I put together the classic film list I wanted to include some that were completely out of my comfort zone. I've never seen an anime film and it's not something I've ever really considered watching. However, this film goes out a hell of a lot at work so when I saw it in the IMDB 250 I knew it had to be one to watch.

What I liked

Hearing a familiar voice - It sounds silly but whenever I hear voices or see people in films that I've seen in other stuff I feel kinda happy inside. Lin the woman who looks after Chihiro once she gets accepted for a job is also the voice of Meg in Disney's Hercules,

The randomness - It totally sucked me in my start to finish. The stink soul part was particularly funny

What I didn't like

I don't think I can think of anything...

Verdict

I really enjoyed Spirited Away and I'm glad I chose it from the list. I kept putting it off at first but it seems like a good introduction into the world of Anime. 5/5

To Kill a Mockingbird

(Image from Amazon)

To Kill A Mockingbird is one of those books that everyone seems to have read. They've either studied it or read it years ago. I vaguely knew the story and I think I might have watched the film when I was at school but I don't remember what happened. It's fairly short so I thought it would be good train reading when I went off to visit my sister.

Things I liked

Atticus - He's a really calm, collected character and I love his parenting style

Scout - She's brilliant, not afraid to speak her mind and totally baffled as to why she should 'be a lady', a girl after my own heart

The trial - I was gripped

Things I didn't like

Bob Ewell - What a foul creature

The prejudice - The way Tom was treated was horrid and the whole society seems so backwards. Why must Scout not read and write at home? Why can she not go and visit Cal in her own home? I know it is the decade but it's alien to me.

Verdict

I really enjoyed this book, it was slow to start with lots of description but I was soon gripped. 

This is definitely a classic everyone should read. It is entertaining but also shows a strong message. I read the 50th anniversary edition, I wonder what things will be like when the 100th anniversary rolls around. 5/5

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

(Image from Amazon)

I ended up reading Charlie and the Chocolate factory because it took me so long to read Nineteen Eighty Four I didn't have long left in March to read a book and I thought this would be one of the shortest.

Things I liked

The familiarity - Of course I know the story and I've seen both of the films but it was nice to finally read the book. It's an interesting feeling knowing what's coming up next and discovering parts were slightly different.

Wonka - I love an eccentric and I can now see that Johnny Depp did a brilliant job of portraying him.

Things I didn't like

The Oompa Loompa songs - They were so long and I couldn't get any sort of tune going in my head. I skimmed them!

The bratty kids - I hate them in the films and I hate them in print, I don't understand how any parents could raise them.

Verdict

A brilliant children's book and a welcome change from the hard going books I had for January and February. The oompa loompas are much better on screen though. 4/5

Stand By Me

(Image from Amazon)

I didn't really know anything about Stand By Me apart from that I quite liked the Ben E King song but we got it in recently at work so I took it home.

Things I liked

The friendships - The boys really looked out for each other despite the bits of joking around and it's great to see it in a film.

The end - I thought the end was really clever and I like it when films give you a sort of 'where are they now' 

Things I didn't like

I've got to be honest there wasn't anything that I really hated about the film aside from the older guys being horrible, I thought it was brilliant.

Verdict

A great film, can't believe it took me so long to watch it! 5/5

Nineteen Eighty Four

(Image from http://orwell.ru/library/books/htm_file/014)

Nineteen Eighty Four is one of those books that I've picked up and started and then put down again more than once so this challenge was the perfect opportunity to force myself to soldier on.

Things I liked

Julia - I loved the parts with Julia in and I thought she was a good strong female character.

The humour - The book has a very dry subject matter but there was a good dose of humour in there too.

Things I didn't like

Goldstein's Book - I struggled with the book in a book part of the story mainly because it was so political and I'm not all that interested in politics, this section of the story bored me and made it hard to want to pick it up again.

The End - What an anticlimax!

Verdict

I'm glad I've finally read the book and I did enjoy the story for the most part but it was a bit too slow to keep my interest. 3/5

Notting Hill

(Image from Amazon)

Considering the amount of chick flicks I own and have watched over and over again it's surprising that I've never picked up Notting Hill. One of my friends kindly lent it to me so I gave it a go.

Things I liked

Spike! He's a loveable buffoon and it was pretty funny watching him strut about in his pants in front of the cameras.

Williams Friends! I think the dinner party scene was my favourite as it was so real, I can imagine having a similar party with my friends.

Things I didn't like

Anna and William! I couldn't relate to either of them and didn't particularly care how they got on. I liked the parts where he was helping her run lines and they were all jokey but her big overreactions annoyed me.

I didn't laugh! This film is a romantic comedy yet I don't think I chuckled once. It was no Love Actually.

Verdict

The storyline was fine - famous girl falls in love with floppy haired regular guy - their chemistry was good and it was fun to watch. It didn't really pull me in though, I usually get pretty emotionally invested in films but this didn't make me want to cry or jump with excitement. It was a film of its time but I can't say I loved it. 3/5

Gremlins 2

(Image from Amazon)

So I enjoyed Gremlins and everyone told me that the sequel wasn't as good and they were wrong! It was ace, it made me giggle like a little kid and the fact that the end turned into a musical was always going to be a big tick for me.

Things I liked

Gizmo! If anything the little darling is even cuter, especially when he goes into Rambo mode, oh and the dancing. I want a dancing Gizmo

The Brainy Gremlin! Oh my gosh, I laughed until I almost cried, best idea ever.

Things I didn't like

Marla! She needs to back off Billy, silly woman.

The Gremlins! They might have been funnier this time but they were super mean to Gizmo, not cool.

Verdict

I loved Gremlins 2 from start to finish, everything about it made me laugh. 5/5

Back to the Future

(Image from Amazon)

This is another of the films that people are shocked that I've managed to go nearly 25 years without seeing and I can't believe it either. 

Things I liked

The music! I have a pretty varied taste in music but I especially love 80s music and 50s swing so the soundtrack couldn't go wrong.

The ending! What a change of events, did make me smile.

 Things I didn't like

George being such a wimp! I was so pleased when he finally manned up and punched Biff, no girls like a drip.

Biff! I really hate bullies!

Verdict

I loved Back to the Future, I don't know how you couldn't. The music, the humour, everything was spot on. A great 80's film! 5/5

Pride and Prejudice

(Image from Amazon) 

Pride and Prejudice is the first 19th century classic I've read since Wuthering Heights when I was studying my English A Level. I chose to read it first as it is the one I've heard mentioned most often, there are countless blogs, books groups and forums dedicated to it. Mr Darcy is somewhat of a cult icon and many women swoon over him. He is often referenced by female characters in fiction as being the ideal man. He has over 8,000 likes on Facebook. I might be missing something but I don't see what all the fuss is about.

Things I liked

Elizabeth! She's a girl I can relate to, she's independent and speaks her own mind. She doesn't fall at the feet of every man that insists she marries him and I like that.

The romance between Jane and Bingley! It became a bit of a 'will they, won't they' scenario and I did enjoy learning more about the circumstances in which they were separated.

Things I didn't like

The language! I know it was written in the 1800s but the sentence structure was really hard to get my head around, I felt like they were channelling Yoda at some points. Many of the words had a completely different meaning to how they are used in the twenty-first century and although I understood what they were getting at, it was an adjustment.

The mother! What an awful woman. Only interested in how soon she can marry her daughters and how much money they can marry into. I felt sorry for Mr Bennett for having to put up with such a women.

Verdict

It was a little average for me. Considering it took me over two weeks to read it and how often I zoned out and had to read back again I can't say it really gripped me. It wasn't until the half way point that we got to find out more about the different sisters character traits and to witness Mr Bennetts' humour, I feel that they should have been a staple from the beginning. Had the language been a bit more modern and a lot of the waffle omitted it probably would be quite a good love story but it didn't do it for me. 3/5

Little Miss Sunshine

(Image from Amazon)

This is the heart-warming tale of wannabe beauty queen Olive and her family, recommended to me by a facebook friend.

Things I liked

Olive! She is such a little superstar. If I have a daughter I want her to be just like Olive. She's kind, she's sweet and she doesn't give a monkeys about what people think. Everyone could do with following her lead.

The van! That little yellow van has it's quirks but it never stops going.

Things I didn't like

The dad! Anyone who tells their 7 year old that ice cream will make them fat needs a massive slap! He did redeem himself towards the end but for most of the film I hated him.

The pageant kids! They just looked weird, is that what they're all like?

Verdict

I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I absolutely loved it! The characters are so real and although it was a little slow to start with the story gripped me. The relationship between Uncle Frank and Dwayne is awesome to watch too. Would definitely recommend. 5/5

Gremlins

(Image from Amazon)

This film is probably the one people have been shocked most that I've not seen so I thought I'd get on with watching it quickly.

Things I liked

Gizmo! How friggin' cute is the little guy?! He's so well behaved and lovely and I defy anyone to go a bit gooey when he sings. If I'd have watched this as kid I definitely would have wanted one.

The little love story going on between Billy and Kate! Cute!

Things I didn't like

The Gremlins! They're so evil and mean and they picked on Gizmo.

The dad! Seriously dude, give up the inventor thing, it ain't working.

Verdict

I loved Gremlins. I now understand why so many people have been so upset that I hadn't seen it. I got totally sucked in and even shouted at Billy for being so stupid and not following the rules. I had to laugh at all the silly outfits the Gremlins wore and when they were smoking and drinking but I wasn't sad when they got fried. Also, Gizmo driving a toy car was a highlight - super cute! 4/5

Blues Brothers

(Image from Amazon)

I'd like to start this post by saying this film was marketed to me by a friend as a musical, it is not a musical!

Things I liked

The music! I'm a fan of most types of music especially anything I can dance to so the highlight of the film for me was when everyone spontaneously started shaking 'their tail feather' for Ray Charles. It reminded me of every wedding reception (and visit to Reflex) where I've enthusiastically thrown myself into the dance. Every musical number in the film was fantastic and I bet people were going crazy at the time for all the cameos (I wasn't born when it came out so not all of them were obvious to me)

Things I didn't like

The length! This film was about an hour too long for me. The first time I really sat up a paid attention was when Aretha Franklin belted out her song and once she'd finished I was once again underwhelmed.

The plot! I'm gonna be honest, I had no idea what was going on for most of the film. Why are Elwood and Jake mumbling? Why does that woman keep turning up with explosives and guns? Why are the car chases so long winded? Was it supposed to be funny?

Verdict

I can see why people like the film. It has that cult vibe and it must be fun to dress up in suits, shades and a hat. I thought the music and dancing were fantastic but the rest of the film just didn't do it for me. 2/5

Hello 2013

So the new year is now upon us and I'm preparing for my new challenge. I have downloaded several classic books onto my Kindle most of which were free which is awesome.
I have also been checking which books and DVDs we have at work.
Now I'm so organised I'll go back to reading the book I was half way through at the end of 2012 :)
Happy new year folks!