Jack Frost

Now if this film doesn’t get you sobbing I honestly don’t know what will. Every time I get to the end of Jack Frost I am a sobbing wreck and to be honest near enough at the beginning as well. It really is one of those heart-breaking films you just can’t take your eyes off.

From the beginning you fall head over heels for fun-loving band member, Jack Frost, I mean every girl loves a guy in a band ay! So from the word go you’ve got that instant fondness for him. As the story plays out this relationship is reflected onto Jack's family and as an audience you begin to love them all as a great family unit. The moment this is torn apart and Jack dies in a car crash I know personally I’m struck with such sympathy and sadness. Which for a Christmas film you would think really wouldn’t work. Who would watch a sad Christmas film, which in fact as a whole Jack Frost really is, as a story of a young boy loosing his father. For some reason though this film works, it may leave you heart broken but weirdly content as well.

The tear jerking plot sees an unreliable father killed in a car crash before getting the chance to make it up to his son after all the broken promises. He then gets his second chance to do this when he comes back as a snowman. This is probably why I at least am left feeling so content at the end of the film crying both happy and sad tears. He rebuilds the once broken relationship with his son as their growing love for each other just tugs at the heart strings.

I really don’t understand why it received such negative reviews. This is definitely one of my most favourite Christmas films as it’s a different take on the holiday season but really has a comical but meaningful story line. Make the most of each day and appreciate everything and everyone that comes with it. 

Fact File

Release date: February 12, 1999

Run time: 101mins

Age rating: PG

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Lead actors: Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston and Joseph Cross

Review: Roger Ebert wrote: “it’s the kind of movie that makes you want to take the temperature, if not feel for the pulse, of the film makers.”

Plot summary

Father, Jack Frost, is a member in a band and in turn an unreliable dad. From missing his son’s hockey games to coming close to bailing on Christmas day to try and get a record deal. In a moment of reflection Jack changes his mind and heads home to his family for Christmas but ends up crashing his car and losing his life. One year later he returns in the form of a snowman his son, Charlie, has made. Jack gets his second chance as a dad and their relationship grows culminating into an emotional goodbye as winter comes to an end and the snow begins to melt.

Cool Runnings

As it is December first I thought I would ease us into the festive period with a film that is always shown around Christmas time, Cool Runnings. Personally one of my favourite feel good films there is about. It is one of those films that put you in a right good mood after you have watched them. In my case I tend to end up dancing about annoying my friends singing "nuff people say they know they can't believe, Jamaica we have a bobsled team."

Now the fact that the story of the Jamaican bobsled team debut is based on a real one really gives the film that added bonus. You can’t help but get sucked into the team’s journey from the team nobody has faith in at the butt of every joke, to the team that takes the limelight winning everyone’s hearts. You can’t help but end up rooting for them.

There is no denying that the comedy aspect is what makes this film. There is never a dry moment throughout you always know that around the corner something is about to leave you in hysterics. From practicing in the bath to Sanka’s timely quotes. “Sanka ya dead?”… “Ya man”

The great mix of characters in the Bobsled team along with coach ‘Irv’ complete the team greatly. With Derice, the serious athlete with will and determination. Junior, the rich kid defying his father, which in turn only makes him proud. Yul, the guy determined to make a name for himself and lastly Sanka, the happy go lucky guy who kisses an egg for luck every time he races.

All in all this film promises ups, downs and tons of laughter, you can’t go wrong! 

Fact File

Release date: February 25, 1993

Run time: 98mins

Age rating: PG

Genre: Comedy

Lead actors: John Candy, Leon Preston Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis and Malik Yoba

Award wins: A BMI Film Music Award for Hans Zimmer and for a Golden Screen award.

Review: BBC movies wrote: “The considerable warmth, humour and persistence of the cast soon have you rooting for these underdogs.”

Plot summary

A comical tale loosely based on the true story of the 1988 Winter Olympics debut for Jamaica’s national bobsleigh team. When Derice Bannock fails to qualify for the Olympics 100 yard sprints he is determined to still go to the Olympics. After finding out previous Bobsleigh coach Irving Blitzer is leaving close he creates Jamaica’s first bobsledding team. Faced with humiliation and disbelief the team have a rollercoaster journey to prove themselves.

Forrest Gump

“Life is like a box of chocolates you never know what your gunna get.”

So ashamedly this quote was as far as my knowledge stemmed when it came to Forrest Gump, until now. I had always heard it was a ‘must see’ film but I suppose I just never got round to it. Now, it is because of the amount of times this film has been recommended to me that I decided to watch it and blog on it. I can safely say I am happy I did and I now agree with every one of those people who told me it was brilliant.

It is Tom Hanks character Forest that makes the film in my opinion, his simple nature and kind-heartedness makes you instantly fall in love with him.

Not only is he someone you can’t help to adore he is also a rarity in films. Like film critic Roger Ebert wrote it is not often you find a character or a plot like Forest Gump has. The film has everything from a hard up bringing and having learning difficulties to being successful in every aspect of life and becoming rich.

Forrest always ends up in the right place at the right time and every role he takes on throughout the film he does expertly, despite several setbacks. No matter what gets thrown at Forrest he steps up to the mark and takes every situation in his stride like his mother’s and best friend Bubba’s death.

Starting life with physical and mental difficulties holding him back you are taken through a complete inspirational roller coaster of Forrest’s life full to the brim of life lessons and underlying symbolism that can relate to everyone.

Producer, Wendy Finerman, said: “I don’t want to sound like a bad version of ‘the childlike innocence of Forrest Gump is what we all once had. It's an emotional journey. You laugh and cry. It does what movies are supposed to do: make you feel alive."

Fact File

Release date: Oct 7, 1994

Run time: 142mins

Age rating: 12

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Lead actors: Tom Hanks

Award wins: 6 Oscars including Best actor in a leading role, a BAFTA film award and 3 golden globe awards amongst several more. Click here to see all awards 

Review: Roger Ebert writing for the Chicago Sun-Times said: “I have never met anyone like Forrest Gump in a movie before, and for that matter I have never seen a movie quite like Forrest Gump. Tom Hanks performance is a breath taking balancing act between comedy and sadness, in a story rich in big laughs and quiet truths… what a magical movie.”

Plot summary

A tale of life’s lessons of simple-minded Forrest Gump as we follow him through the story of the highs and lows he has faced in life. An incredible tale of inspiration of a child growing up with mental and physical difficulties to the adventures of him as a star athlete, star soldier and star businessman. Ending with the incredible climax of becoming a dad. A story filmed to the brim with fun, love, laughter, grief, heartbreak and overwhelming inspiration.

Homeward Bound: The incredible journey

Now if cheesy is not your thing then this won’t be the film for you. But in my case I love a cheesy film every now and then and homeward bound is the Crème de la Crème of cheesy children’s films. It is a story of three family pets on a quest to be reunited with their owners.

So I am a HUGE dog lover, which is probably why I love the film and get the most out of the animal’s personalities. You have Shadow, voiced by Don Ameche, who is the wise, old retriever who leads the adventure and my favourite out of all the pets. Then Sassy, voiced by Sally Field, the cat who is the Himalayan diva out of the three and is played out perfectly. Lastly you have Chance, voiced by Michael J. Fox, the younger, excitable dog who throughout the film supplies plenty of laughs for anyone watching. Each of the pet’s characteristics compliments the film perfectly and really gives it an added bonus for me. It makes it so easy for the audience to connect with each character as they develop and in turn get sucked into to the film and its story line even more. I would definitely recommend this as a family pleaser and if you’re like me and like a bit of cheese.

This is definitely one of those films that suck me in eventually resulting in the ending making me cry but for all the right reasons.

Here is the trailer as I can't choose just one best moment in the film, there is too many!! Enjoy:

Fact File

Release date: Oct 22, 1993

Run time: 84mins

Age rating: U

Genre: Adventure

Lead actors: Michael J.Fox, Sally field and Don Ameche

Review: Kevin Thomas, writing for the Los Angeles Times, wrote: “Disney's 'Homeward Bound' remake is better than the original. Anthropomorphism on the screen is a painstaking art and craft, and "Homeward Bound" is a fine, heart-tugging example.”

Sequel: 1996 Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco

Plot summary

When three pets are left behind with a family friend as their owners go away for a week they begin to worry that something isn’t right. The two dogs, Chance and Shadow, and cat, Sassy, soon decide that they have to go home to their family to make sure everything is fine. They adventure back through the wilderness encountering all sorts of dangers along the way.

These are my two dogs Lottie (background) and Leonard (foreground)

Armageddon

Originally Armageddon received generally negative feedback, criticizing its ‘lack of dramatic rhythm or character development’. Now I don’t agree that there is a lack of character development. The relationship between leader Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis) and A.J. Frost (Ben Affleck) is just one example of development. They start out hating each other, with Harry unwilling to let A.J marry his daughter as planed. He says: “Well I be damned if my daughter grew up to marry a roughneck she’s better than that, better than all of us.”

This relationship unfolds throughout the mission up till its final until dramatic climax when Harry saves A.J’s life, in return for his own. A moment in the film that would tug at anyone’s heart strings and yes I’ll admit it I cry every time. It is a selfless moment of love, admiration and Harry’s final acceptance of A.J.

I can understand though where critics are coming from when they say lack of dramatic rhythm. The film is very ‘stop starting’ when it comes to running into problems throughout the mission. Although I am not sure I would say this is a bad thing, for me it keeps the audience on their toes and clued in to what is going on.

The entire feel to the film is a theme of selflessness, courage and pride and the fact that there were multiple problems causing several lives to be lost only intensifies this feeling at the end of the film.


I probably don't even need to mention the soundtracks to this film as we all know Aerosmith's I don't want to miss a thing could not have been any more memorable when it comes to Armageddon. Probably the main thing that people relate to the fantastic film. Click here to have a listen on my soundtrack page

Along side of all the serious stuff I love the funny side to this film. The fact that from the beginning the group brought together for a life or death mission are just completely laid back and comical about the whole thing. It helps the audience connect even more with each of them. Their casual approach to the mission just makes you respect and admire them more once the job is done.

This is a brilliant example of what I mean by their ‘laid back’ approach as they are walking to the launch pad:

Fact File

Release date: Aug 7, 1998

Run time: 151mins

Age rating: 12

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Lead Actors: Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton and Ben Affleck

Award Wins: MTV movie award for best movie song and best action sequence.

Review: As one of Robert Ebert's most hated films he said that: "The movie is an assault on the eyes, the ears, the brain, common sense and the human desire to be entertained."

Story plot

The world is under threat when NASA discovers an asteroid the size of Texas is heading straight for them. Threatening to create a tidal wave 3miles high that would completely wipe out mankind. It comes down to oil driller, Harry Stamper, and his selected team of geologists to save the world. They are set the task of land on the approaching asteroid, drilling into it and filling it with explosives in order to destroy it. With problems and lives lost along the way the mission was never going to be simple.

This is a picture my dad took of my mum, myself and my sister (from right to left)
 at NASA - Kennedy space centre in Florida

Who framed Roger Rabbit

The film ‘Who framed Roger Rabbit’ is another all time favourite for me. I know I probably say this a lot in this blog but this film really is one I have always remembered from my childhood. Granted, until I happened to stumble upon the film on TV a few years back I could only remember the film as ‘the one with the cartoon bunny and real life.’ BUT I did always remember it for being amazing and that was only confirmed when I watched it again.

I think the story line is a fun and comical one which has be played out in such a brilliant way mixing live actors with animation. Now I don’t think this was the first film to do this although I do think it was one of the only ones to leave its stamp on the style. Bob Hoskins plays the role of the detective perfectly and Charles Fleischer, who is the voice of Roger Rabbit, has me in stitches constantly every time.

I also love the annoying little character of Roger Rabbit, he is unbelievably irritating but for some reason you can’t help but love the adorable helpless cartoon in distress. Which leave the audience spurring on Roger and the detectives initially questionable friendship. A friendship that develops over the course of the film as the detective learns to love Roger despite his annoying character along with the audience.

Her is the original trailer of the movie to jog some of your memories: 

Fact File

Release date:  Dec 2, 1988

Run time: 104mins

Age rating: PG

Genre: Animation, Comedy and Crime

Lead actors: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd and Joanna Cassidy

Award wins:  Three Oscars, a BAFTA and several more awards. Click here to see them all    

Review: Film critic, Roger Ebert, positively said it would carry “the type of word of mouth that money can’t buy. This movie is not only great entertainment but a breakthrough in craftsmanship.”

Plot summary

Old cartoon star Roger rabbit has been framed as a murderer and has to go into hiding until his innocence is proven. He seeks the help of cartoon hating detective Eddie Valiant who at first is reluctant but gets roped in. The story unfolds with a mixture of interaction between real and animated characters in a world of slapstick comedy.

10 Things I hate about you

So this next blog is probably one for the girls more than anything as it is your typical teenage love story, wrapped amongst every other teenage problem imaginary. This is the main reason I think it has always been so well received by teenage audiences as somewhere along the line it relates to all of us. From our parents keeping us on a tight leash away from boys or to being the kid at school that tries so hard to fit in with the ‘cool kids’ but just isn’t accepted.

Now obviously the main teenage theme throughout is ‘love’ and heartache. The whole typical romance of boy meets girl in an unconventional way leading into a blossoming romance where they unexpectedly fall in love. Of course along the line there is some kind of hiccup that threatens the newfound romance but in the end comes up smelling of roses. So I suppose you could call the film predictable and to be quite honest you would probably be right. 


BUT I think the fact that the film is predictable is more of a comfort rather than an annoyance. For the hopeless romantic in me I sit watching these types of films hoping for everything to work out ok in the end. With the bad guy getting humiliated, the good guy coming up trumps and gets the girl and the story ending with a happily ever after. 


10 things I hate about you for me is the ultimate film for this with the added bonus of Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles starring as a perfect match to play the rebellious teen couple.

This has to be my most favourite part of the film as Heath Ledger's character attempts to ‘woo’ his lady. Have a look:

Fact File

Release date: July 9, 1999

Run time:  97mins

Age Rating: 12

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Lead Actors: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Award wins: Julia Stiles won both CFCA award for most promising actress and MTV Movie award for breakthrough female performance

Review: Geoff Andrew from ‘Time Out’ said: "Stiles grows into her character, and Ledger is effortlessly charming."

Plot summary

New student, Patrick Verona, is persuaded into dating hard headed teenager, Kat Stratford, in return for money. This is all part of an attempt by another student to be allowed to date the younger Stratford sister, after Mr Stratford applies the rule of when the older daughter dates so too can the younger. As the plan goes ahead Patrick and Kat unexpectedly begin to fall for each other and their romance blossoms. All is fine until Kat finds out Patrick's initial reasons for dating her and he is left trying to pick up the pieces.

My old sixth form common room: where our own personal
'10 things i hate about you' scenario's took place

Rocky

After going through several trailers and soundtracks to the film Rocky I have found myself humming away the Rocky theme tune and I am possibly now a bit too motivated and over enthusiastic about writing this post, so I apologise if I get carried away! In my head its practically as if the heavy weight title is on the line! Honestly if you ever need work done or to get pumped up for a competition or race ‘Gonna fly now’ is the track to do it.

Now, I have to admit I was only introduced to the Rocky films a few months ago. I am not really into boxing and a film on it didn’t really appeal but how I was wrong. Rocky is an amazing film and if ever you needed inspiration it is the one to turn to. A real story of zero to hero.

For me it is a bit slow starting off but I can see that it is almost necessary to understand Rocky and his slow paced gutter lifestyle he starts out with. After following him through each stage of the film from a laughable small time boxer then through his training for the big fight and onto that final fight I was completely captured and I think most people would be. As you see his rise as the Italian stallion you cant help but be willing him on further. Every time I have watched the film and it gets to the fight scene I am there on the edge of my seat spurring Rocky on. It really is one of those films that’s suck you in more and more over the course of the story until the climatic finish where you can’t tear your eyes away.

I think growing up being quite competitive also plays a key part in my love for this film. I really admire Rocky’s character for pushing himself to the complete max finishing all 15 rounds and doing what he set out to do.

Now, the fact that a love story runs alongside the main plot appeals to the romantic in me. Not sure how most lads will take to that story line but for me it adds something extra to the film. Going back and forth from Rocky growing as a boxer to their growth as a couple in a juxtaposition type way just highlights a complete change in Rocky from beginning to end.


Probably the most iconic part of Rocky for you guys to watch:

Fact File

Release date: Jan 1, 1977

Run time: 119mins

Age rating: PG

Genre: Action, Drama, Romance

Lead Actors: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire and Burt Young

Award wins: Three Oscars, a Golden globe award and 3 academy awards amongst several others: click here to see further awards 

Review: Box Office Magazine wrote that audiences would be "touting Sylvester 'Sly' Stallone as a new star."
Prequel: Rocky II(1979), Rocky III(1982), Rocky VI(1985), Rocky V(1990) and Rocky Balboa(2006)

Plot Summary

Small time club fighter, Rocky Balboa, gets given the chance to come up against the heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed. A story of guts and determination as Sylvester Stallone’s character Rocky trains up for the fight of his life.

Hook

Ok so admittedly I was not always a massive fan of the Steven Spielberg film, Hook, to the extent that I know some people are for the simple fact that the Hook character used to terrify me when I was younger. But asides from that it is a great family film and as usual Robin Williams is the perfect actor to play peter pan. I think I would even go as far as to say he is my favourite kids film actor off all time.

The film for me is not just a typical child’s fantasy fairy tale its so much more from the broken relationship between child and parent to a parents struggle with identity. For a children’s film it has an incredibly strong message for both young and old. Never let go of the real you and remember life is an adventure! Nobody can deny they would love to go back to being a kid again, no work or worries. The film captures this perfectly and for me a real all round fantastic family film.


I doubt everyone will agree with me as originally when the film was released it received generally negative feedback from film critics. Criticising that from the "unbalanced story structure" to the point made that the film would "only appeal to the baby boomer generation." Im not too sure why the film was  so badly received by critics but then maybe I am a little one sided as I enjoy the film so much.

There are two scenes in this film that are my favourites. One is a scene I always remember perfectly as the crocodile clock falls onto Hook in a climatic moment of defeat, eating him whole. I just remember loving this scene as a kid and laughing my socks of because of it (and as a kid I mean I still do).

The other scene that stands out to me is when Peter finally finds his happy place, his son being born, enabling him to fly again. It is the moment in the film where Peter Banning is history and Peter Pan is back.

Here is the scene for you guys to enjoy as well J

Fact File

Release Date: Apr 10, 1992
Run Time: 144mins
Age Rating: U
Genre: Adventure, fantasy, comedy
Lead Actors: Robin Williams as Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell
Award Wins: BMI film music award, Golden Screen award and young artist award
Review: American Film critic, Roger Ebert, said "the crucial failure of Hook was its inability to re-imagine the material, to find something new, fresh or urgent to do with the Peter Pan myth. Lacking that, Spielberg should simply have remade the original story, straight, for the 90s generation."


Plot summary
Peter pan has grown up into a big time businessman concerned with nothing but his work. Until his is forced to remember his adventurous childhood when Captain Hook returns from his past and kidnaps his children.
In order to rescue his children he is to return to Neverland and remember his childhood, reclaim his youth and challenge his old enemy.

Dirty Dancing

So it seemed only right for my first blog to be on Dirty Dancing. Anyone who knows me will know I am a HUGE fan of the of the all time classic romance. For me it is one of those films I annoy everyone with. From repeating every other line when watching it, to singing the songs at the top of my voice when they come on during a night out.

Personally it’s the old fashioned innocent romance that does it for me. With Daddys girl “baby” falling for bad boy Johnny. As the romance blossoms despite her familys disapproval. Thrown together with a scandalous abortion and a framed robbery proves the perfect recipe for an memorable romantic tale.

The films soundtrack and amazing dancing also add so much to the story with songs from Bruce Channel’s Hey Baby to Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes Time of my life. A song which will be forever present, not only winning the Golden Globe and Academy Award for best original song but one that has been used an unbelievable amount of first dance wedding songs.

In my mind, leading duo Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey made for the perfect couple although I have now heard rumours that they in actual fact didn’t get on. I choose to ignore real life when it comes to Dirty Dancing.

Fact File

This is me after I had just seen the stage
version of Dirty Dancing in London courtesy
of my very kind boyfriend!

Release date: Oct 16, 1987

Run time: 100mins

Age rating: 15

Genre: Drama, romance

Lead Actors: Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey

Award wins: Golden Globe and Academy Award for best original song and a Grammy award for best duet.

Review: The New York Times published a review headlined reading "Dirty Dancing Rocks to an Innocent Beat."

Sequel: Dirty Dancing – Havana Nights in 2004

Stage version: Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on Stage in 2004

 Plot summary

 Daddy’s girl, Frances ‘baby’ Houseman goes on a summer vacation to an upper class resort with her parents and older sister.

The story unfolds as Baby falls in love with the camps dance instructor, Johnny, a character far from that of the doctor like figure Babys parents imagined their son in law to be.  Along the way there is teenage rebellion, secrets, lies and abortions creating one crazy love story between good girl Baby and bad boy Johnny. Culminating in the final dance where the couple capture all hearts and steal the show.