Film Review: The Imitation Game

This week, I saw 'The Imitation Game' starring Benedict Cumberbatch and directed by Morten Tyldum; The film tells the true story of Alan Turing, a man who deserves far more credit than he gets I personally think. Long story short, WW2 would have been about three years longer if it weren't for him and his code-breaking team working secretly on a machine that would crack 'Enigma', the encryption machine the Germans used throughout the war. Anyone could pick up these messages sent but no-one knew what they meant without cracking the code that changed every day at midnight.

While the film follows the story of the machine Turing built to crack the code, it also gives a great insight into his life. He was secretive, quiet man, extremely clever, bullied at school and sadly due to the treatment of the British government and society at the time, forced to hide the fact he was gay. Ever since I first read about Turing a few years ago, I thought he was fascinating and the film (or Cumberbatch) portrays him excellently, how he deserves to be remembered. It can't really be classed as a spoiler as it's a true story that we know the ending of but; Turing died a criminal, suicide by cyanide because he had been forced to take hormonal therapy to "cure his homosexuality" by the police service. It was only in 2013, that the Queen gave Turing a royal pardon and was remembered for the astonishing work he did during the war that was kept a secret for fifty years. But I digress. (Seriously do some research into the man, he's amazing)

Back to the film. The way they told the story was gripping, there were parts that made you happy, sad, angry, essentially all of the emotions. Every actor was perfect in their portrayal of their character. I will always sing Benedict Cumberbatch's praises but he really is outstanding in this film, very different to anything we have seen him in before but still fantastic. Keira Knightley plays Joan Clarke, the only woman on the Enigma team, extremely intelligent but made to work elsewhere on the project very secretly as she was not allowed to work with the men. She fitted the role perfectly and portrayed her with class, just as she should have been. Other actors involved include Matthew Goode, Mark Strong and Charles Dance who also played their roles incredibly.

In terms of setting, cinematography etc, I could find no fault in the direction, costumes, lighting etc. The whole film just worked together really well to tell an important story that people certainly do not know enough about. The only problem I had was that in the middle, it wavers slightly and I would have thought some people would lose interest in what was going on.

Overall, this film was amazing and I highly recommend you go see it, particularly if you are interested in History!
10/10

Laura x

1984: A Review!

On the 19th, I went to see Headlong's production of 1984 in York - as I am studying the book by George Orwell for my English Lit A-Level, I figured seeing the play would add a new light to it.

(In terms of my opinion on the book, I really enjoyed reading it, it was interesting, intense and very thought-provoking even in terms of today's society!)

It is very difficult to go into a lot of detail with this version of the play as I think everyone who sees it would have come away with something different. What I found the most interesting about it was at the beginning and the end, it had people reading Winston's diary in the future and talking about the relevance of it, what they thought of it, how the Party had eventually fallen but no-one actually knew how - this opening scene was later reflected at the very end when it was said Winston Smith was never real, it is thought the diary could have been written by someone who did not wish the Party to know it was them. The most chilling part was when a character said "But what if the Party never fell? Surely, this could be their way of telling us that they are still here. Always watching" The play closed very shortly after that line.

The use of including future generations reading the book 1984 was incredibly clever as well as giving the audience the impression that the story never actually happened. How it was acted out was that Winston had perhaps never met Julia, he had always been a puppet of the Party. They'd let him imagine that all of his life had happened to him when in reality, they had always controlled him, giving a rather interesting point of view on it.

Repetition was also used during the play. For example, Winston would say something but not understand it, it would later come back round as to why he said that (basically the idea that he was in Room 101 the entire time). A scene in the canteen would play out, with characters doing the same thing every day at the same moment (As a side note, during this scene, I have never seen a man dry a teacup with such malice on his face), showing the monotonous life those in the book lead. It only changes when Syme is 'unpersoned' that Winston starts notice how similar every single day is.

The use of lighting and set was very good, even if I was blinded by the strobe light that was basically next to my head half the time! Lighting was used to create a mood, was switched on and off at the most dramatic times, increasing tension or diffusing it. The set was simple but incredibly effective. For example, Winston and Julia's room above Charrington's shop was hidden from the audience view behind the main set, it was played to the audience via a webcam - I at first thought it was a clip that they just played until the set revealed itself behind the main one when Julia and Winston were captured. This, I thought, was particularly clever as it showed even when they thought they were alone, someone was always watching.

All I really have left to say is a huge well done to the cast, particularly Matthew Spencer (Winston) and Tim Dutton (O'Brien) who both played their roles amazingly. The torture scenes were certainly not easy to watch so I imagine they were not easy to act out either, Spencer brought a very accurate portrayal of Winston (I may even say better than John Hurt in the movie version which is not easy for me to say as I adore John Hurt). Dutton as O'Brien was as terrifying as he should be, sinister and weirdly charming.
But to be honest, all of the cast were brilliant in their respective roles.

I only had one or two disappointments with this production which was there was no use of the famous first line with the clock striking thirteen, I felt that should have been a must! Another is that (even though loose ends were tied up) the beginning is rather confusing even to those who have read the book, it was difficult to understand why there were suddenly smartphones in 1984!! Obviously though, these are very minor things and it is more me just being picky.

All in all, I would give this a definite 9/10 and highly recommend you go see it while you can!!
Their website is here if you want more information 

Below is a trailer for the production in the West End!

*DISCLAIMER: pictures are not mine*
That's all!

Laura x

August/September Reviews!

August/September - My first monthly review!

  Anyone who knows me knows I read a lot, watch a lot of TV and see a lot of films every month so I decided instead of doing individual reviews for every single thing, I decided I put them all together in one large post, rather like a monthly favourites video that YouTubers like Zoella do!

I am going to try and actually do this every month because I like talking about things and here seems like the perfect place so I no longer annoy my family and friends by rambling on about what books I've read!

*edit* okay when I said every month I forgot school would get in the way. So every two months seems more logical to me now. Sorry. 

These reviews/rambles could be literally of anything even if it's just food or something so yeah....on we go! :)

Books 

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

I think I joined the bandwagon a little late on this book to be honest and I really wished I'd picked it up sooner! 

As a fan of the Hunger Games, I was told by a friend that I would really enjoy this book and when I saw it in a shop with £3 off, I figured I'd give it a whirl! 

Set in a dystopian future, Uglies tells the story of a society that is split between the "pretties" and the "uglies". Everyone is deemed an "uglie" until the age of 16 where you get taken in for an operation to become a "pretty" and you finally get to be able to live your life on the pretty side of town.  At the start of the novel, 15 year old Tally is desperate to become 16 and finally become pretty not only so she can see her best friend Peris again but because she will finally be pretty, something she's waited for her entire life. 

However, when she befriends Shay, a girl who would turn pretty on the same day as Tally, who isn't all that keen on the idea of having to become someone else's idea of "pretty", Tally begins to learn about a world outside of the towns and cities, where no-one is pretty.
When Shay runs away, Tally is told to find and betray her friend or never turn pretty. 

I found this book so thought-provoking and incredible to read, showing that on the path to external beauty, it isn't really all that beautiful at all. There is sinister work going on by those who deem ordinary, imperfect but still beautiful people to be Ugly. 
At first the character of Tally annoyed me as she seemed rather weak and easily misled by others but by the end, she is so much stronger than I would ever have expected her to be and she shows that intelligence is a far greater weapon than anything. This book makes you think, makes you happy, makes you question your morals and I think that's everything you could want from a good book. If you enjoy the Hunger Games, this is a definite read for you!

Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher

A friend of mine told me she was reading this and while I was at LeakyCon earlier this month it was there so I figured I'd give it a try!

The general idea of the story is a teenage girl named "Zoe" (not her real name as you find out at the end oooh plot twist) who has a terrible, guilty secret - I won't tell you what it is - and she can't tell it to anyone because she'd be in big trouble. Until she hears of criminal on Death Row in America, one who knows all about secrets - the book is the series of letters she writes to him, telling him about her secret. 

When I first read the synopsis, I was intrigued by the story - it sounded mysterious and I do love a good mystery book! By the end of the first chapter I was hooked.... however after that the book went a little down hill for me I'm afraid. I kept going with it as I wanted to see what this horrible dark secret was but I found the main character very whiny about her life if I'm honest. She was pretty much stringing along two boys and I ended up feeling sorry for them not her and her quest to find which one she liked better. In fact, I think my favourite character was "Zoe's" little sister Dot, who is deaf, but didn't let that stop her from being adorable and supportive! 

All in all, not a bad read, easy to get through if you had a few hours to spare and a good ending but I'd only really give it a 6/10. 

A Song of Ice and Fire: Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Onto the opposite end of the scale for this book! During this summer, I started to watch the TV series of Game of Thrones and I fell totally in love with it, it has become my new obsession. 

Yes I'm a naughty fan because I watched the TV show before I read the books but sue me I don't care. I bought the first book after watching the first season so I already knew the main plot points anyway. 

Game of Thrones is set in a dystopian, almost medieval universe where houses compete and fight and generally try to get one over one another! The plot of the first book centers on Lord Eddard (Ned) Stark, who is asked to become Hand of the King by King Robert Baratheon despite the previous Hand dying very suddenly. Ned is thrown into a suspicious world where either everyone or no-one can be trusted not to mention the exiled family Targaryen rising to power once more AND the people that keep disappearing and coming back with ice-blue eyes seemingly never being able to die - a threat thought to be have been destroyed years ago. 

There is too much going on in Game of Thrones to sum it up easily so my only advice for you can be READ IT. I was surprised how much I love the series given that I'm not great with blood, guts and gore and by how much sex there is in it but the characters are my favourite, I get very attached to them all and the story lines are so fantastic! I recommend highly but definitely for ages 16 and up only! (There are some rather...ahem...racy/violent scenes)

Films

The Smurfs 2

I admit, I only went to see this film because my sister wanted to see it and I didn't have anything else to do for the day and my only reason for seeing it was my (large) obsession with Neil Patrick Harris. 

However, I was pleasantly surprised by this film! I actually think I enjoyed it more than my sister and the numerous other young kids in the cinema to be honest! 

It had a really sweet message running through out it and it had some pretty good comedic moments. The cast were all great as their respective parts and it's just a really nice feel-good movie! I did find parts of the storyline slightly unrealistic though - four people managed to get from New York to Paris in under (what seemed like) 12 hours? No.

I'd recommend if you want to watch something that isn't too hard to follow or you have younger children with you. 
Click here for the trailer ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQbSGLaVJ5c 

Grown Ups 2

When I heard a sequel to Grown Ups was coming out, I was so excited as I absolutely adore that movie, it never fails to make me smile!

I went with my cousin, who is a huge fan of the first movie like myself, so it's safe to say we were both pretty excited. 

I wasn't disappointed! It was hilarious, made me feel happy and just generally good about life. And with a stellar cast of Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Salma Heyek, Maya Rudolph AND David Spade, it was obviously going to be amazing (also Alexander Ludwig and Taylor Lautner in minor roles which was lovely for the females watching ;) )

My only negative point about this film was it didn't really have a plot line. I don't know how to explain it but it introduced a few running jokes at the beginning and the 'party' where the film reached it's ending - and after that ...that was kind of it. It was still full of comedic moments but there was no real story to it. Which in a way is good because you didn't have to concentrate on the storyline, just enjoy the film!

I recommend for ages 12 and up :)
Click here for the trailer ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhOWtVElqfw 

Music

I only really have one music for this time round which is Theo Katzman's album Romance without Finance. 

I feel so bad for jumping on the bandwagon late with this one as the album has been out since 2011 (whoops my bad). 

I found Theo's music from Darren Criss (star of glee and the potter musicals on youtube for those who are unaware). Theo supported Darren on his first national tour and being from England I could only watch YouTube videos of the concerts but I found that I loved Theo's songs! 

I downloaded the album and have barely stopped listening to it. The songs make me happy, the lyrics are stunning and the music is gorgeous. Go give it a listen!!

Here is Theo's song 'Brooklyn' --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF_fVEAk728

In Conclusion 

Thank you for reading, I will get back into this blogging thing properly I promise! If you want you can find me on twitter here @elderpr1ce 
*disclaimer I don't own any of the youtube videos or pictures used and opinions are my own*

Until next time! Love Laura xx