Film Review: 'Frozen'

Ok, so I'm a tiny bit behind with this one I know, but I saw Frozen for the first time on Tuesday! Haha! After my experience of seeing 'Noah' on Monday (you can read my review on that film here), I
was suddenly reminded of how much I love going to the cinema. The Odeon at Braehead were showing Frozen on Tuesday morning as part of their 'Kids Club' for £2.50 per person so my sister and I joined all the toots and parents! We felt like really big kids!

I had heard so much about this film as many of my friends are fairly obsessed to put it mildly! I had even bought one of the songs 'Let it Go' before I even saw the film because I'd heard it and loved it. I've never been the kind of person who would choose a cartoon movie. I've seen plenty, especially as a kid, but I've always preferred 'real people'. However, sometimes (like when the last film you watched was pretty full-on) you need a bit of Disney princess cheer.

I began to write one of my typical 'brief summaries', but I'm finding it too hard without retelling the whole story so I would just say read this, and then go and watch it!

I was actually really surprised at how upset the first five minutes of the film made me. I think I was expecting utter cheesy and cheerfulness from the word go, but instead was faced with a whirlwind backstory of loss, heartbreak and shutting people out of your life.

 I thought that the soundtrack was brilliant! The songs were almost all good, and catchy!

I especially liked that, although many elements of the film followed the usual pattern, Disney had not attempted to avoid taking a more modern angle with 'Frozen', allowing for modern phrases etc. This was particularly good as it meant I could relate to it a little more!

I also loved that, instead of being completely focused on true love (although romance definitely played its part!), the key theme of 'Frozen' was one of sisterly love, well that's what I interpreted from it anyway. Having a sister made this something I could totally understand, and sitting watching it with my sister was nice too! I think it shows how young girls should prioritize!

Overall, I congratulate Disney on another successful, yet unique, creation and pitch it as a wonderful all-ages feel-good film. Let me know your thoughts below!

Film Review: 'Noah'

So, I've been away on a wee Easter break to my Gran's and to Dunblane over the last few days which has been nice. Got sooooo much studying to do now but thought I'd get in a couple of posts before I have zero time!

For Christmas, my sister and I got vouchers to spend at the Odeon cinema. As we don't have one in
Aberdeen, we took the chance on Monday of being near Braehead shopping centre (Glasgow) to  spend them! We decided to see 'Noah', as I had heard of it and thought it looked good, particularly due to the cast, which included Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connolly and Emma Watson, who is one of my all-time favourite actresses.

Co-written and directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film was based upon the bible story of Noah's Arc, a tale which, being brought up as a church-goer, I have heard many times. Although the skeleton of the plot followed the bible theme, there were differing elements too!

One example of this was the idea of the creature named 'watchers'. They were huge rock monsters who helped add additional violence to the violent scenes, which were more frequent than expected but didn't make the film difficult to watch.

I thought that all performances were excellent and I was particularly taken with the acting of Logan Lerman who played Noah's younger son, Ham. However, I did find the character's bizarre mix of accents a bit odd, with some (such as Watson) with a distinctly English accent and other sounding more Scottish.

There were key themes in the film which I thought were well conveyed. The one that was extremely hard-hitting and made up the largest proportion of tension in the storyline was regarding Noah being torn between his orders from 'the Creator' (never once referred to as 'God' in this film, I noticed, which I found very interesting and presume was deliberate in order to fit into the time period better) and his loyalty to his family. The Creator plans to wipe out the planet to get rid of human evil and start a fresh with the animals collected on the arc, but wiping out human evil should surely include the ending of Noah's family too? Can Noah condemn his children, his grandchildren to death? How far will he hold true to his faith and what will be the consequences of his decision?

Overall, I'd describe 'Noah' as epic. Everything is larger than life, including all the amazing effects used and the CGI. It's a hard hitting, thought provoking film, so don't go if your looking for a comedy! But otherwise I thoroughly recommend you watch it. As I've warned above, it doesn't stick 100% to the bible version of events, but I would argue that this allows for a fresh spin on a well-known story that results in a deeper understanding of and altered perspective on its message.

"Thank you for the music"

Over the past couple of months, anyone reading this who didn't know me before will have begun to get to know little snippets about me.

Although I have briefly mentioned references to music, my love for and involvement in music definitely deserves at least one post to itself!

Like many teenage girls, listening to music plays quite a big role in my life, as certain songs can put me in certain moods and I like relating to lyrics. Sometimes I like to think that I can appreciate both the musical and literary aspects of songs, but for the most part I stick on something truly cheesy to put a smile on my face!

I don't particularly have one particular music taste, as I enjoy listening to various genres. I'm not going to start listing artists right now because I'll go into more details in further post, but, among the many genres I like, I would most identify myself with a sort of folky sound, like Amy McDonald, Sandi Thom and even my favourites: The Script!

I also like playing music. I've bee playing the violin since I was 7, and although moving around brought some disruption to my teaching, I'm still at it 10 years on! I like playing in my lessons and doing my grades, but I also thoroughly enjoy all the orchestras and music groups I participate in.

2 years ago I started getting lessons in Piano too. I'm not particularly good but I muddle through! I mostly just lack the motivation to practice but that can be said for many things in life.

However two instruments is a bit much, and since I'm more interested in doing my own thing with piano as opposed to progressing on to exams, I might stop lessons soon. Its not an easy decision for me, giving up on something never is because its not in my personality to quit. It was like when I had the awful decision over swimming last year. Firstly, I'm awful with decisions, I'm always so much more relaxed when I've finally got an important decision out of the way! Secondly, I'm one of these people that likes to stick at things as long as possible and not give up!

However, alongside piano, my piano teacher taught me music theory. This is incredibly boring to revise... well for me at least! I just stuck at it until my Grade 5 exam at the start of march which I foyund out last week I have passed with merit (85%)! So I'm chuffed with that! Having grade 5 theory allows you to progress to grade 6 and upwards in a musical instrument which is good, but I'm just so glad to be able to step away from the theory books now! Except its probably time to get cracking on driving theory now....

So basically, I'm just so grateful for the musical opportunities I've been granted in life. Music isn't necessary a talent as such for me, but rather a hobby which I enjoy so much that I strive to do well at it. If anyone reading this doesn't involve themselves in music much- either in playing yourself or listening to music- then I strongly encourage you to grasp any opportunity which presents itself, because you may have found one of your lifetime passions, I certainly did!

Catriona xx

Book Review: 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green

Once again, its been 2 weeks since I finished this book but I still wanted to share my thoughts so here we go....

This was one of these books that there was loads of hype about and I wasn't a part of it until ages later! Haha! I actually downloaded this on my Kindle around Christmas time but I only got round to starting it about 3 weeks ago or so.

Brief Summary: Hazel is a terminal cancer patient who meets cancer 'survivor' Gus at Support Group. They're friendship evolves quickly and, though Hazel initially feels that it would be unfair to put someone through the trauma of dating a dying girl, the relationship is inevitable. They share their innermost feelings that cannot be discussed with people who don't understand, and bond particularly over a novel that is close to Hazel's heart. But Gus has a relapse, and slowly begins to get severely ill and, as his condition deteriorates, the young couple's bubble of happiness fades.

When I first began reading it, I didn't really understand the excitement. I do now, but I don't think I'm quite as big an addict as some! My summary by no means does, or intends to do, justice to such a masterpiece, I include it simply for the benefit of anyone who hasn't yet read it in case I make references you don't understand!

Initially the fact that not a lot was going on put me off a bit, but as I read further I began to realise that it wasn't action that made the writing so admirable, but the emotional content, and the fact that the worries and concerns expressed seemed so truthful that you come to sympathise with the characters.

John Green has quite a specific style of writing, and once I'd picked up on that it was far more comfortable to read. I'm a bit squeamish and so, at times, I was worried that medical references would daunt me ! But, on the contrary, there aren't a lot of medical scenes at all!

Due to a lacking in the action department, with the exception of a few key incidents, characterization is crucial to the appreciation of the novel. Green is successful in capturing what I can only imagine are the varying reactions towards perilous illness; anger, depression, realisation, isolation and more positive feelings such as knowing that nothing is ever too dangerous and wanting to leave your mark upon the world, to name but a few.

I fund certain themes to be a little bit unrealistic, such as when the couple get to meet their favourite author who hasn't even spoken to, far less met, fans in many years. There are certain elements of the novel that that just seem too perfectly staged, but I'm starting to realise that this can be said of a great many novels and that sometimes we need to be accepting of a few key facts in order to appreciate their impact upon the story as a whole.

A lot of my friends warned me that their reading of the book involved a lot of crying. I was surprised to find that this didn't happen for me, but it did make me feel quite depressed and upset for a while so I suppose it achieved its desire effect in that regard!

I'm very happy to hear that 'The Fault in Our Stars' is being made into a film which will be released in June, because I think it will be extremely interesting to see what the director does in order to convey the story and do it justice.

Overall, I really enjoyed 'The Fault in Our Stars'-  its always a good sign when your trying to squeeze the reading of a chapter between every activity of the day, and when your so keen to finish that you finish it while 'road reading'*.

Thoroughly recommend it to anyone who hasn't yet picked it up!

Catriona xx

* I learnt the term 'road reading' in one of my favourite book 'The Sky is Everywhere' by Jandy Nelson, though it was something I used to do years ago without knowing the name. Its where you walk down the street while reading! Not the safest of practices but I hadn't done it since my walks to primary school and I was enjoying TFIOS so much, that I couldn't resist finishing it off on my way down town!


 

Full of the cold :(

As the title suggests I'm not in the best form today! This is the second time recently that I've had a pretty bad dose of the cold. I've been prone to getting the cold for a while now and I think it's partly due to the fact that I run my body down because I'm always so busy!

Taking care of ourselves is so important, especially when we have lots of stressful things going on in our lives, such as exams. Speaking of exams, I sat my Higher History extended essay on Wednesday which I think went quite well but I am so glad its over! It took a lot of revision and that really drains you. I followed it up with a particularly enjoyable end of year Senior Orchestra concert last night and I am now exhausted!

So I admit that I am very guilty of over-working myself and consequently making myself ill, which is why I won't make this too long so that I can head to bed at a decent hour for some well-needed rest!

I think my aim now is to try and keep myself up-beat! I'm feeling utterly miserable at the moment but the issue is that it is so easy to allow things like the cold to bring your whole mood down. What I need is to keep positive, and I'll hopefully recover soon!

I'd say that to anyone; l aim to keep yourself health. But, when you are ill, just try and not let it bring you down! Easier said than done I know!

On another note, I finished reading 'The Fault In Our Stars' over a week ago (Tuesday of last week) and still haven't done my well over-due review so I'll get on that asap. Please, if you're reading and you fancy making a wannabe writer who isn't feeling her best really satisfied, drop a comment in the box with a suggestion, an opinion or even just a hello! I had a friend tell me that they had read one of my blog posts and something I'd said was something they understood and could relate to and it was good to known that a) someone was reading! and b) the things I say mean something to more than just me.

I'll hopefully have some more time to post again soon. Meanwhile, I'll stock up on Lemsip and tissues while I let this wee horror run it course.

Catriona xx

Book Review: 'Before I Met You' by Lisa Jewell

I actually finished this book a fortnight ago but I'm just getting round to reviewing it now so forgive me if the details are a bit hazy!

I ordered 'Before I Met You' on loan from my library last year as a kind of spur-of-the-moment thing when I saw a friend post a photo of their copy on Instagram.

It took me ages and ages (and several episodes of renewing!) before I decided that enough was enough and I was just going to have to make time to read and therefore eventually got cracking on what was a pretty thick novel. It appealed to me instantly as it was partly set in the past and I particularly like stories with historical links. I also liked that there was more than one story going on at once, with links between them. To sum up VERY briefly, Betty is in London in search of a women named in her Grandmother's will, while in other chapters we are told the story of Betty's Grandmother Arlettte as a young girl in London. However, I did find this to be confusing at times when the start of each chapter didn't make it very clear which story I was now on and I sometimes had to start a chapter again after I figured out which of two stories was being continued!

In my opinion, the novel's not really a romance as such, although there are plenty "sexual references" and storyline's featuring both 'dating' and 'courting'! Haha!  I like that it is a sort of mystery/detective story but also that you can't really pin-point its genre.

One criticism I do have is that some of the incidents which occur are quite unrealistic. Such as Betty just happening to make the acquaintance of a very famous rock star and his wife. (not going any further on that point for fear of spoiling it!)

I also feel that at times the story may have dragged a little, and I perhaps wouldn't have bothered to include a few of the details.

I don't want to say too much more about the book as I really urge anyone reading this to give it a read, it's definitely worth a go. And please don't be put off by the number of pages! One of my favourite characters is called John Brightly... I just feel like Lisa Jewell makes him seem so real :)

So yeah, please give it a read and feel free to let me know what you think in the comments box. I do have a hefty stack of recommendations but if anyone thinks I'd really enjoy a particular book or film then let me know!

Catriona xx

Busy busy bee...

So, I know its been almost 2 and a half weeks since I last posted but I have literally been non-stop busy!! Mostly with homework to be honest! But there has been some fun stuff going on too.. So this is really just going to be a catch-up post!

 

I've recently started driving which is pretty cool! I was soooo nervous when I went out for my first lesson but I've had 2 now and its not that bad!

 

I've also been enjoying lots of work as a waitress in the café, I much prefer working with people than shut away in the B&B cleaning!

 

I went to see the X Factor Live Tour a week past Sunday which a great night! Some amazing talent!

 

Last Friday was my dad's work's Charity Dinner to raise funds for the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, which is a brilliant event which brings young people from around the world to Aberdeen in the summer to sing, dance, act and play music. I'm sure you'll hear loads more about it if I manage to keep blogging until then, but if you're into the arts and  fancy checking out their website then I'll pop the link below :) Anyway, not only was did I get to attend the event, but I also got to play at it as part of the North East Folk Collective! It was a truly great night.

 

Then, on Saturday, was the Aberdeen round of the UK Rock Challenge. If you haven't heard of it before, please check it out at the link below because it would probably take me a whole post to do it justice (which I may do after the finals, which my school qualified for!!). Basically, its and inter-schools performance/dance competition where each school portrays a message to music through dance in 8 minutes.... and it includes wacky themes, awesome hair and make up and wonderful costumes! This year our theme was Mario (as in SuperMario and MarioKart) and conveyed a themes of drug-awareness and appreciation of the one life we have. We came second and picked up loads of special awards and we're off to Dundee in June for the finals! I wasn't dancing this year, but I was involved as a member of the stage crew :)

 

I've also been in a really Spring mood! Haha, hence the bright colours and cute pics! The sun is finally showing an appearance, despite the cold, and I've got loads to look forward to coming up, so I'll try and find time to write about it all in more depth as opposed to a list!! Next wek at Brownies I've been put in charge of overseeing a craft and the leaders want and easter theme so I think I kight go with chicks, so we'll see how my in-no-way-art self copes with that! Please, if you fancy a chat or have any comments at all please get in touch :)

 

Catriona xxxx


AIYF: http://www.aiyf.org/
UK ROCK CHALLENGE: http://www.rockchallenge.co.uk/