28/12/2018

Putting the Phone Down On 2018

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Well hello there future anna, we're currently in the weird week between Christmas and new year where no one really knows what day it is! haha! Today I thought it'd be cool to look back at the New Years resolutions I set at the beginning of this year and see if I kept up with them! I also did this last year and I think I'm gonna make it a tradition!

If you wanna read my resolution blog post from last year, I'll leave it here: https://annasnothere.blogspot.com/2018/01/ring-ring-its-2018.html

So let's have a look...

record a second of footage everyday!

YES I HAVE DONE THIS!!! Well, there might have been the odd day when I forgot, but I mostly did it and looking back at my memories over the past year is so much fun! It's been a lot of hard work so I might do it again next year, I'm not sure! But if you're thinking about doing it, I highly recommend! Just don't leave all the editing til the last few days of the year like me!!!

write down my dreams!

I was really excited for this one. but I never actually ended up doing it. it's much harder than you think to write down your dreams. so much happens and it can be hard to explain, so I just kinda gave up haha!! If I ever had an odd or interesting dream I always spoke to people about it though!


note good things that happen everyday!

So I started this at the beginning of the year using a diary that my brother had bought me but I slowly stopped doing it. I think I just forgot BUT when I moved to London my grandparents bought me a diary and as well as jotting down dates and times and what I need to do, I also treat it like a diary and talk about my day, my feelings, and the good things that have happened! So I guess I've upgraded this resolution and I'm really happy with doing it!


try not to complain as much!

I would like to say that I have completed this wish of mine. I have become a little more spontaneous, well tried to, and learnt to go with the flow even though at times I wanna break down, but because of that I have left the complaining out. My goal is to support everyone's dreams and just be happy so complaiingc is no longer allowed (although it's admitted sometimes)!

So those were my new year's resolutions for this year and I think I've done pretty well!! There are some I will continue with and others I won't, but I'm pretty happy with who I am as I look at this year ending and I hope to continue being as happy and recording it because I love looking back over memories and seeing cherished times!

I literally have no clue what day it is but I hope you had a lovely Christmas if you celebrated it! See you around!

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10/12/2018

2018 Look Back

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omg can you believe 2018 is nearly over!?!? did we even. live it?!!? it's just gone so so fast! anyway, last year answered these questions that I found and I thought it'd be lovely to do it again to look back at my year, because even though it's been a lil sad at times, it's been really GOOD!!

Was it the best year of your life?

mm yes. I think it has.

did you move?

YES I MOVED TO LONDON WHAT THE HECK!?! still cannot believe it. I'm here in like my fave city and wow, how crazy!!

did you make a lot of new friends?

hmm... I made a few. actually I made quite a lot when I think about it haha! I've made some lifelong friends from the bfi screenwriting course I went on, met some amazing people from the Bastille and katy Perry shows I went to (shout out to ya'll) and made a few friends in London who are so so cool and yeah all the people I'm friends with are really special to me!! 

what's the hardest thing you went through?

I'm not really sure. when I think back there's nothing that really stands out. sure I was a little homesick when I moved to London but now I'm really happy here. I think the hardest thing I went through was losing friends and realising that not everyone will always be there for me even if I'm there for them. it SUCKS but normal to lose people. I'm still sad about it but it's ok. the people I have in my life are the best!

did you achieve a goal?

I guess I wanted to write more, and I've done that a lot over this year! I still have scripts to finish, but hopefully I can continue with my motivation and write even more!

did it go by fast to you?

YES!!!! so fast!! just like last year!

did your clothing style change?

I think my style has become a little more me, and I know the kinda things I wanna buy now and in the future! I'm happy with my style which I haven't been in the past. I'm also hoping to buy a suit for my cousins wedding next year so hopefully I can find something cool!

what was the dumbest trend in your opinion?

hmm I wanna say the weird dances from fortnight? fortnite? I don't know but people randomly did them and it confused me haha!

what's something you wish you could redo that you did this year?

there's nothing I want to do over, but there are moments I want to relive. the bfi course, the Bastille and katy Perry tours, just spending time with friends and family!!!

how many relationships did you get in?

ooooh... one. feeling all the loving feels!!

what's something you did that you never had before?

I went to 2 film festivals!! seriously such amazing experiences! I met some incredible people, watched some fascinating films and just had the best time!! so excited to go to more in the future, they are so much fun!

was school good or bad? why?

like last year, I don't go to school so will talk about work instead. up until august I was in the same 2 jobs as last year and I enjoyed them! I liked the people I worked with and am still bffs with some of them now! I see then each time I go home! obviously there were times I hated working but that's life! now in London, I love my job! I really love the people I work for/with and I am just so happy. it's all going really well!

best memory you made?

concerts are my happy place. I just feel so safe. this year I have been to so many shows and seen so many of my favourite artists, but I think one of my best memories of the year is watching katy Perry in Manchester and just dancing and singing my tiny heart out. it was so special. I wish I could relive that moment again and again and again.


this year has been a special one. I feel so happy with who I am and how I've grown. I've finally felt ready for things I thought I never would be and I'm just so happy looking back at all I have done this year. thank you for being part of it if you have, lots of love x

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07/12/2018

My Thoughts On Bastille's Mixtape 'OPH4'

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Hello there, whether you know me personally or we have only just met, you are probably aware that I love bastille. I love their music so much, and so many of their songs really have special meanings to me and places in my heart. Anyway, they have a mixtape that they release called ‘Other People’s Heartache’ and yesterday (I think it was yesterday) they released the 4thpart of it. I haven’t listened to any of it yet (fake fan alert), apart from the first track which they posted a while ago, but I can’t really remember it, so this is gonna be like my other music reviews where I type as I listen so you can have my true reactions! Let’s go!

Wild World – Intro ft Kianja

Aw my heart!!!!!!! It’s just so nice to hear new stuff from my fave band even though I’ve heard this before hahah! This is a pretty cover of Cat Stevens song and I think it’s the perfect opening to the mixtape, leaving the last album Wild World and beginning the transition to the upcoming Doom Days, which will be with us SOON (UGHH)!!!

Would I Lie To You? ft Kianja, S-X, Craig David

Ooh ok yes. Its pretty yet punchy. AHHHHH IT’S A COVER OF CHARLES AND EDDIE WTFFF!! Ok when dan talks rather than sings in his gritty kinda voice it’s like wow mmm ok. I loved Kianja on the previous song so it’s lovely to hear more from them! I can imagine this on my sister’s playlist. She likes party, upbeat songs but if they’re chill too. I did not know this would be a cover so I’m just a lil shocked, but I really like it. 

Grip ft Seeb

Ok I’ve paused the track just a second. So, if you’re a fan of bastille, you’ll know that this song is a good old classic that just hasn’t properly been released yet. Dan has been saying SOON for years but here we finally have it. Fake fan alert – I have only listened to the original once (if it’s not on spotify, I don’t listen to it) so it’ll be quite nice hearing it without much prior love for it. Ok, play!! Guitar… kinda like a good old dj song, again, another one for my sister. THE DEVIL’S GOT MY ARMSssss I like it! I can imagine driving at night listening to this and screaming the chorus, whether alone or with a friend. I’d never heard of Seeb til this collab, but I love how they’ve layered different sections and really bought it to life. The lyrics are pretty depressing, but it makes it so much more accessible if that makes sense. Oh I like this bridge. Yeah, some people may not like it but I do.

Don’t Let Go (Love) ft Craig David, Kianja, Swarmz

AHH THIS IS THE SONG FROM THE TRAILER OH MY GOSH FREE YOUR BODY AND MIND NAH IT’S A COVER I AM IN LOVEEEE!! Mmm ok it’s pretty chill, I just wasn’t expecting this. I didn’t know which songs would be covers so it’s really nice to hear fresh versions of older songs. I love the FREE YOUR BODY AND MIND bits, kinda like most of the songs from Wild World using extracts and things. Oh yes Swarmz!!!!! So far I’ve loved each song. It’s not my normal music taste, but I’ll happily add them to playlists, but I will definitely let my sister know that they exist because she will love them! Wow it’s really cinematic and the end.

Flowers ft Rationale, James Arthur

TWO EVILS WHAT THE HECK?!!! Wow rationale what a VOICE! It’s another cover!!! Ok I can imagine this in a movie. It’s cute and not what I expected, and I really really like it. Hello there James! Such a powerful trio of voices. This mixtape really focuses on love, especially looking at the album art. It’s really interesting to see because so many bas songs focus on death and not happy things (haha), so it’s pretty sweet to hear this collection.

The Descent ft Lily Moore, Moss Kena, Jacob Banks

Ok I have paused this one too, and again it’s a bas song that’s been out for a while and I think it was released for record store day a few years ago but don’t hold me to that, but yeah I’ve only heard it once or twice because it wasn’t ever on spotify, so again, this will be a review from fresh ears. Press play please. OOOOOHH I really like this like REALLY LIKE IT!! That beat, mm yes. BE THE ONE TO CALL ME BABY!! Yes this is going straight on my playlist. Ok so if we look at the kinda story of the mixtape so far, we leave Wild World on The Anchor which is pretty cute, so what if this album shows the character in the story getting close to the person they love/are friends with, and even though it’s all been going right, it’s suddenly gone wrong, cue this song. Idk, just my thoughts! I just really like this song, oh wow just looked and it’s nearly 6 mins long, I’m half way through what’ll happen?? Damn Jacob Banks is amazing! It’s so peaceful but so heart breaking. Aw baby, this is sad. Who hurt you?!?!?

Warmth – Outro ft Moss Kena

OH MY GOSH IT’S WARMTH BUT THE LYRICS HAVE CHANGED TO SUM UP THE ALBUM AND MIXTAPE. Dan sounds so emotional and raw. It’s like the intro. I imagine him clicking haha! DEAFEN ME WITH MUSIC omg wow.


Wow wow wow woweeee. I loved it. It’s not really music I normally listen to but I loved how they’ve kinda upgraded their sound and what they wanna talk about. It’s like they’re done with singing about sad stuff and wanna open up to new emotions. They’re scared but excited for the new chapter. To deafen us with new music. I’m excited for Doom Days, whenever SOON may be!!

Enjoy it future anna! 

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01/12/2018

FILM REVIEW: Assassination Nation


The other day I went to the cinema to see Assassination Nation.

I loved it. It was as if The Purge, 13 Reasons Why and Kill Bill had a crossover episode. It was bloody and exciting, and I just really like films like this.

The film introduces us to a group of 4 friends, who live for selfies and social media. As a hacker begins to spread the precious documents of the mayor and the head teacher, the girls become the next victims and find themselves being blamed and chased by an angry mob who are ready to kill.

I really really enjoyed the film. It gave a new face to the idea of revenge, as well as spreading the message that social media is taking over, and privacy is hard to come by nowadays. I also liked how it touched on high school friendships and relationships, and the pressures that exist. I think it’s the only film I’ve seen recently that gave an accurate depiction and I’m grateful for that.

The rest of the review will contain spoilers, so if you’re happy with that, please continue, and if not, I’ll see you around. If you do go and see the film, bare in mind that it is rated an 18 and shows strong violence, blood, gore, and a bunch of other things that are given to us in a trigger warning at the beginning of the film which I thought was cool. So if a long list of things like that isn’t your cup of tea, probably best to not see it.

STORY

So, you know the basic outline, but I’m going to go into a little detail on the beginning, middle and end.

We meet the girls, the 4 best friends and as this story is mainly from Lily’s view, we learn that she has a ‘Daddy’ and a boyfriend. The girls are unashamed of the pictures they post and the lives they lead, even though society isn’t happy with them doing that.

A mysterious hacker leaks the contents of the Mayor’s computer, including sexual images, and during a press conference, he shoots himself as it’s too much to cope with.

The same then happens to the head teach of the high school, but instead of sexual images, the town sees his porn history and naked photos of his young daughter. Parents will him to resign but he doesn’t, leading to violence.

The girls and the school find this all fun and games until a larger leak takes place, meaning that videos and photos sent to Lily’s Daddy (ew that’s not nice, I am all for everyone enjoying their lives, but saying that is horrible haha) are leaked, leading to her boyfriend exposing her as the town slut.

Lily is blamed for the hacks and the town forms a mob to kill her and her 3 best friends for what they have supposedly done to the town. This leads to a lot of blood and violence but some awesome girl power scenes in amazing red coats.

Lily puts out a video to say her side of the story and the girls of the town see it to rally with them to face the mob, and that’s that.

I think the story is a really interesting one, and true to what happens on social media. If something is leaked or someone states their opinion or starts a rumour, everything gets a little, well, a lot out of hand. People are quick to blame or pull the trigger without actually looking for the truth, which nearly gets Lily and her friends killed. I do not know what I’d do if something like this happened to me, but it wouldn’t be anywhere near as dramatic!

I like how the whole film went a little insane and turned to murder. It was an interesting take, but when you think about it and how the internet literally controls us, it is a possible option.

I love Tarantino films and anything like this really, so it’s so cool that this exists and as soon as I left the cinema, I just wanted to see it again.

CAST

I didn’t know any of the cast prior to the film apart from Bella Thorne who actually had a smaller role than I thought she did.

It starred Odessa Young as Lily and I thought she was an incredible actress. She really gave everything to the role and was so emotional and just perfect.

Hari Nef also stars in it and wow, I am literally obsessed with her. I really like the representation this film had, and even though we’ve still got a long way to go, I think its amazing how the film told her story. She is such a force and I cannot wait to see what she’s in next!

I think the whole cast was so well chosen. They all naturally fell into the roles and played such realistic parts.

The only character I didn’t really like was Lily’s younger brother who turned out to be the hacker in the end. I don’t know what it was, I just felt that he wasn’t as developed as the other characters and I didn’t feel connected to him or even bothered about him, but maybe that was the point!

MUSIC & SOUND

To be honest, thinking back to seeing the film, the music doesn’t come to mind. It was pretty standard music throughout and the sound was pretty good. However!!! The credits at the end were on another level! They had a school marching band playing ‘We Can’t Stop’ by Miley Cyrus and it was such a mood. After seeing the town turn to blood and murder, it was so cool to suddenly see calm and such a normal thing like a marching band.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

I thought the film was shot really well. It was handheld but still professional. There was lots of panning and shots that were typically a certain genre to show the contrast between classic teen movie and revenge horror. I often felt like we were spying on the characters, like the world was when they posted pictures. It was really interesting.

MISE-EN-SCENE

I loved the use of neon signs so much. The whole aesthetic of the girls was so pretty and girly but also what a lot of people would describe as slutty but I loved the vibe so much. It was like a grunge girl tumblr bedroom come to life and I was living for it. It was then such an opposite to the final scenes where the girls are all wearing latex red coats, ready to go murder everyone. I liked how the girls remained themselves through the film and we could see that through the colours.

ANYTHING ELSE?

I think that’s everything. I really enjoyed the film, it made me laugh, it shocked me but most importantly it really made me think about the society we are living in and how someone’s life can be so easily ruined. Fake news and rumours fly around so often that we often become oblivious to it, but I really hope that I can find out the truth for myself from now on.

So that’s my kinda review/me just spilling my thoughts on Assassination Nation. Have you seen it? Are you going to? What are your thoughts? Let me know as I’d love to hear your opinion.

Have a great day, and I’ll see you next time.

WATCH/LISTEN TO THE REVIEW HERE: https://www.instagram.com/tv/Bq1t1VTnlaW/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

13/11/2018

My Thoughts On Imagine Dragons' Album 'Origins'!

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Hello future anna, I'm currently on a train and was thinking about what I could do to pass the time. Then I opened Spotify do realised that I still hadn't listened to Imagine Dragons' new album Origins. I was lucky enough to see them on their last tour and I love their sound, so I'm excited to see what this new, completely unexpected album has to offer!

Like all my album reviews, I write my review for each song as I hear it, so it's all my genuine thoughts and feelings as the songs play! I haven't heard any of the album apart from Natural, Bad Liar and a little bit of Machine, so it's all new to me!

Let's get started...

Natural

WHAT A FIRE TUNE. Literally fills me with so much power and feeling. Dan sings with his soul, truly screaming and feeling EVERY word. This is the first (I think) song they released after their last album Evolve and it really caught everyone off guard as they went straight into the next album rather than taking a break, but I don't think anyone minds, haha! I really love this song, I wish I played the drums so I could join in. It's just everything I imagine when I think of Imagine Dragons.

Boomerang

Ooh quite a funky beat. Really chill, and I really like it for that. YOU'RE A BOOMERANG BOOMERANG! I don't normally like songs like this, I don't know, I guess sometimes it just doesn't flow right, but I really love this and I'm gonna add it to my chill playlist. It's different from lots of their other songs, but still so them.

Machine

This was the second (???) single released for the album and I listened to the start of it but then stopped, I'm not sure why hahaha! I love how this song starts and then builds and builds and BAM! I love the idea behind this song and wanting to stand out and not just follow the crowd or be manipulated by someone else. AND THEN GUITAR SOLO YESSS!! Dan's voice really is something else, and he truly isn't afraid to just sing his feelings! I imagine this song live would be epic! "I am the machine".

Cool Out

Ooh it's very magical. I love this beat. Aw it's really sad but I really like this song. Imagine Dragons constantly give us incredible lyrics, and this song is no different. Another one for my chill playlist I think! No offense, but a little bored of it now. It's really nice and chill but very different vibe.

Bad Liar

This was the third single (??) released for the album and it really gave me Mumford and sons vibes. Not in a bad copycat vibe, but just the style of it. It's really peaceful but hard hitting. We really are seeing a stripped back version of the band. They've never been afraid to share their feelings and stuff from really deep down, but I feel this song gives another perspective that's so vulnerable. Ooh those violins.

West Coast

This is a bit funky and different. I don't think I've ever heard an Imagine Dragons song like this. Oh yes it's giving me Hudson Taylor vibes. This is so funky and different and chill and I just wanna be sat on the west coast with someone haha! I love the clapping.

Zero

Oh this was made for the new Wreck It Ralph film, super excited to see it! I love how it's so funky, yeah I can imagine Ralph running from danger to this song! I really love this, it's like a car song or something, loving listening to it on the train whilst looking out the window! Imagine Dragons are incredible musicians!

Bullet In A Gun

Ooh this is chill. I can imagine listening to this at the end of a night out. It's still got a good beat but so much more chill. The lyrics are really hard hitting and make you think but it's not too much. Nah I really like this, another one for the chill playlist. Wow that bridge though.

Digital

Oh this is pretty AH OK HELLO!! HECK YES WHAT A SONG. Ok I imagine this in Trainspotting or something. WE ARE THE FACE OF THE FUTURE WE DONT WANNA CHANGE WE JUST WANNA CHANGE EVERYTHING. Yes honeys PREACH. Ok this is one of my favourites I've heard.

Only

Some nice drums. It's quite deep and bass-y and I like that. Ooh I love the chorus. I really like the sound and tempo of this song. "It's just you and me" I think this is one of the only positive love kinda songs on the album. Ooh it's a pretty bridge. Yeah, I like this one.

Stuck

Hm, not really keen on this one. It's nice and pretty, but not really what I normally listen to. It's pretty chill and I am starting to warm to it. A bit bored of it now haha!

Love

Ok this is still pretty chill but has some more drums. It's a nice song but I feel every album has that middle section that's a bit chill and is mostly skipped, which is a bit sad but it gives people time to appreciate it later on! I imagine this in a TV show when a couple have been arguing and their relationship is breaking down a bit. Quite like it.

Birds

Still in a chill mode but this one is a little more alive. I quite like the lyrics and the vibe of the song, but I still feel something is missing. I guess that's just my opinion. I like it, just not going in a playlist. Yet. Hahaha!

Burn Out

Ok it's peaceful. Ooh some sound effects. This is pretty cinematic. Oh ok this is still chill but I feel it has the missing piece. I can't explain it, haha, but this one has something that the few previous ones don't. I like the ending. Wait it's not the ending.

Real Life

Ok the last song on the album, show us what you got. Sounds quite magical and beachy and free. The lyrics are powerful dude. I really like this one. It sounds like Imagine Dragons but it's still so fresh and different. I like how it touches on faith because even though I have faith in God, it can be hard to have faith at times. A good choice to wrap up the album.

Left: Origins album cover // Right: New promo image for the band

So that's the album. I really liked it. I don't know what I expected because this is the first Imagine Dragons album that I have listened to the entirety of, so have no clue how it compares to their previous ones. I liked how fresh it was, looking at things the band and the world are going through. I don't think anyone expected another album so soon after Evolve, but it sounds complete, not rushed or missing anything.

If you don't have time to listen to the whole album, I recommend: Natural, Boomerang, West Coast, Digital, Only and Real Life.

I really love what Imagine Dragons stand for and all that they create, so I hope they're able to keep doing what they love for a long time.

I went to see them earlier this year with some friends and they were AMAZING, you can read all about that concert trip here: http://annasnothere.blogspot.com/2018/02/dont-hang-up-on-imagine-dragons.html

I hope you enjoyed my live kinda review, and I'll see you for the next one future anna!

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06/11/2018

Why I Didn't Go To University


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If you'd gone to university future anna, you'd be in year 3 right now. My sister is currently writing her personal statement so she can go to uni, something that she wasn’t going to do until she realised that it was what she wanted. When I speak to friends at uni, or look at possible job options, I’m reminded that I didn’t go, and light alarm bells go off in my head, making me wonder if I should have. Should I have a degree? Do I need more teaching? AGHHH!! 

I’m very happy I didn’t. If I did, I wouldn’t have been able to do half of the stuff I have done the past few years, and I would’ve probably had the biggest mental breakdown. A lot of people ask me why I didn’t go, even though I looked into it and began writing my personal statement. So, here’s some of the reasons why I didn’t go.

expensive - loans, debt, etc

A lot of people tell me that when considering university, money shouldn’t be something that might stop you. But for me, it was. I like to plan ahead, so the idea of not being able to plan finances and possibly collapse into debt after a few years of working and building up my money seemed completely ridiculous. Obviously, I could get a job, a loan, ask my family for help, but it just seemed to me that uni would be a step back. I’ve always had a job since the age of 16, and to go from earning and saving to spending and spending some more seemed counterproductive. Surely going to uni should help me get a better job, but if I come out with thousands of pounds worth of debt, no job is going to help me unless I win the lottery.

Obviously, it’s different for everyone, but that’s just my take on it.

wanted experience in the real world

I want to make films and if I went to uni, I would’ve studied Film Production. However, when I went to look around the university, it seemed so lovely, but I just didn’t like the idea of making student films for the next 3 years with the same 20 people. Obviously, it would be great to learn and use proper equipment, but I just wanted more. I wanted experience in the real world, with films and just life in general. I knew I wanted a gap year and I was quite happy with what I was doing in it so just decided to be on my gap year forever. My parents were super supportive and for that I am forever grateful. I have been able to go to so many concerts, work and make some incredible friends, focus on myself and my mental health which I know would’ve suffered if I’d gone to uni, made 2 of my own FREAKIN FILMS WHAT?!!?!?, been on courses and to film festivals which I would’ve had to miss out on if I had chosen university, and just so much more! I’m really glad I didn’t go.

wasn't ready to leave home

When I was looking at going to university, we had just moved to a new house and this was a bad time for me. Really bad. I didn’t know what my home was or who my friends were, so to suddenly go into something new and scary where I didn’t know anyone would have been the worst idea. I also just love my family and felt that it wasn’t the right time for me to go off and do my own thing, which is completely ok, and I think where a lot of people get stuck with the move.

i didn't really know what i wanted/where i wanted to go

I knew I wanted to make films or do something creative and I knew I wanted to be near home, but I didn’t know where to start. A few of my friends have found the perfect course but moved as the place wasn’t for them and I worried this would happen to me. People were suggesting great universities for media, that had great connections, but it wasn’t the course I wanted, and I was just stuck, knowing what I wanted but not understanding what to do next. I looked around one uni which was near my house, loved the course, and might’ve lived on campus rather than commuting, but it just didn’t feel perfect. It wasn’t right. A friend of mine is now there doing the course I wanted and it will be interesting to see where we both end up.

i'm a baby

Yep, at the time, I just wasn’t ready for the big wide world, and even 3 years later when I am living in London and doing great, some things still seem a little mental and too adult for me to even consider hahah! I’ve done a lot of growing (not in height) over the past few years, and to be completely honest, I think uni would’ve really messed me up.

So yeah, those are some of the reasons I chose not to go to university. Obviously it’s a different story for everyone, but for me, it was the best decision to make. I’m so happy where I am right now, and who knows where I’d be if I had chosen uni or if I do end up going. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see future anna.

Good luck if you’re at uni or applying to go! I hope it’s all you wish!


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17/10/2018

FILM REVIEW: A Star Is Born


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hello future anna, a few weeks ago, someone said i should do film reviews. on my personal instagram i always babble about the films i see on my story, but thought i would take it one step further and create a blog post/podcast/review thing so anyone can watch/listen/read it and get to know my thoughts! I hope to do more in the future so stick around!

Anyway, here is the transcript for the review which will be linked below!

The other day I went to the cinema to see A Star Is Born.

The film is now in it’s fourth remake, with previous versions starring Janet Gaynor (1937), Judy Garland (1954), and Barbara Streisand (1976). Each version follows a similar story outline, a character who has made it, falls in love and helps someone who is trying to make it. Both characters face challenges along the way, and even though each end differently, they all end the same. Does that make sense?

The 2018 version, the only one I’ve seen, follows established singer Jackson Maine, played by Bradley Cooper, on his tour. However, we quickly learn that Jack is dependent on drugs and alcohol to battle his demons. He meets Ally, played by Lady Gaga, when she is singing in a bar one night. The two quickly fall in love and we see their journey together.

I really loved the film. It’s not a new story, but the way it was told was fresh and down to earth, showing celebrities are people who struggle, just like ourselves. It was funny, emotional and the music was stunning. If Jackson Maine was a real singer, I’d definitely have his album.

The rest of the review will contain spoilers, so if you’re happy with that, please continue, and if not, I’ll see you around. If you do go and see the film, bare in mind that it shows drug and alcohol use as well as suicide, so if those are things that affect you, please don’t go and see it.

STORY

So, you know the basic outline, but I’m going to go into a little detail on the beginning, middle and end.
To start the film, wow, what an entrance. I love live music, I would live at a music venue if I could, and to start the film with the crowd screaming and the band preparing, it just takes me away to my happy place. To start the film with such electricity, was a power move and really set the scene for the entire film. Like I said, we learn from day 1 that Jackson is dependent on drugs and alcohol and even though this is the main theme in each of the previous films, it felt so perfect for the time we are in right now. So many artists struggle, everyone struggles, but it seems each week that I am reading about more and more stars struggling or going into rehab. Even though the solution didn’t really work for Jackson, it was such a touching story, and I hope that people can learn to look out for friends and family who may be showing similar signs, so they can get help.

I looked at my watch and we had quickly learnt a lot in just an hour of the film and the story was in full swing which I really liked. Sometimes things like this can feel dragged out, but this really wasn’t. I love how we were introduced to the character of Ally, a loveable and relatable girl whose dreams came true. Some love stories in the movies are unrealistic and really wind me up, but this love story was real and made sense which really helped the story to come to life.

Somethings that I felt could’ve been done a little better were the talks between Jack and his brother and his past. I know the story focus was on the present, but it was easily lost, and even though I knew jack’s brother was his brother, I don’t know, but I just felt like the past of the characters could have been done a little more smoothly for the audience to understand. I always pick up things in films so the fact I didn’t really get this was a bit concerning.

I liked how Ally and Jack grew as characters but also stayed the same. Natural progression was done so well, however I didn’t like how it ended.

My mum told me that all previous versions ended with death, I won’t say how because spoilers, but it really angered me that this one did in the way it did. It felt very out of place, and even though Jack was lost and unsure, I just didn’t feel that he would do what he did. I know it’s unfortunately realistic, with things like this actually happening, but it just wasn’t the end that I wanted, or the one I saw coming. With that being said, the story was rounded off nicely and the end of the film was beautiful, coming full circle with Ally, and sadly the same with Jackson, I just wished it had been done a little differently, but if they’d done it the way I wanted, it would be very similar to the one with Barbara Streisand.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, was never bored, but confused a little.

CAST

Wow, what a cast. Bradley Cooper who played Jackson and Lady Gaga who played Ally were phenomenal. A lot of the internet says each generation of the film has chosen a couple who represents the world at that time, and I truly feel Gaga and Cooper were a brilliant match.

Cooper directed and co-wrote the film as well as starred in it, giving him quite a bit to do, but his performance was incredible. He looked the part, sang the part, and sounded it, even though at times I couldn’t really understand the deep accent, but I couldn’t understand the brother’s either so that’s my problem, not theirs! He truly became a tortured soul, showing the audience how fame and fortune doesn’t equal happiness. He was brave, outgoing and showed so much star quality.

Gaga is known throughout the world for her music, but recently took to acting. Her role in A Star Is Born is so stunning. I knew she would rock it, but oh my, she took it to the next level. She was so natural, she truly bought the character of Ally to life. I believed every word and trusted every move. And her voice, wow, she stole the show.

Jackson’s Brother was a really important character and even though I didn’t catch his name, he was powerful and emotional, and I really loved his attitude.

Ally’s manager was two-sided and true to real life, something I’m sure lots of famous people watching the film can see in people they know in real life. I hated him, and I think that’s exactly what they were hoping for.

One special shout out to the guy who played Ally’s dad. I love him, he is such a good dad, I hope he has a good day.

MUSIC & SOUND

This film relied on the music more than anything. The story could be great, but if the soundtrack was awful, people wouldn’t stick around to see what happened. I’m blown away with the quality of songs, the range and just the singing of Gaga and Cooper really takes front seat. Even if you don’t plan on seeing the film, I recommend listening to the soundtrack. My personal favourites are Black Eyes, Maybe It’s Time, Always Remember Us This Way, and of course Shallow which is the lead song from the film. Like I said a little while ago, if Jackson Maine was a real artist, I would own all his CDs. I just love his voice and the music is just so alive. It’s kinda like Tom Grennan and Mumford & Sons.

Don’t quote me on this but I think most of the songs sung in the film were performed live. I think you could pay £10 to go and see it being made at Glastonbury which is pretty cool. I love how it was real, like all live performances are, and not lip synced. However, the audience could’ve looked a bit more excited, haha!

The only thing I would’ve done differently sound wise, was near the end, just before the character of Ally smashes all the frames, there is quite a loud noise sound. Like feedback. If it was me, I would’ve had complete silence, just to make it even more eerie, especially after the events that have just taken place, but that’s just my personal choice.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

A lot of beautiful shots, wide and close up. Whenever we were with Jackson, everything was very close, he wasn’t able to escape our view, it was uncomfortable but a great camera choice. With Ally, we often saw all of her. She was open to us, ready for the world to take her, and it stayed like this even when she was signed because she always stayed true to herself and her vision.

MISE-EN-SCENE

One thing that was used a lot were neon signs. I love bright shining lights of single colours, for me, it’s just a power move really. It’s harsh yet sets the scene so perfectly. I loved the use of the red neon sign when the police arrived at the house near the end. A red room shining in the middle of an empty wood. Very telling of the scene and deeper meanings and things.

I loved the realness of Ally and her Dad’s house. It was full and messy, just like a home should be, and you could see this reflected in Ally’s clothing before she was famous. She wasn’t a mess, but you could clearly see that she was proud of where she had come from. As her life changed, so did her look, and even though I wasn’t a massive fan of her having to change, I loved the style she chose. It was nice to see it against Jackson’s never changing wardrobe, showing how Ally had grown, but Jackson would always be stuck.

ANYTHING ELSE?

I think that’s everything. I really enjoyed the film, I nearly cried at times, but I was smiling at the end. I have done research into the previous versions and I really would like to see them, so hopefully I can. Who knows if they’ll do another version in a few decades time, but for now we just have to wait for awards season to see if they win anything. I do hope so. Also, is it a musical?

So that’s my kinda review/me just spilling my thoughts on A Star Is Born, but it was a wonderful film, and highly recommend it. Have you seen it? Are you going to? What are your thoughts? Let me know as I’d love to hear your opinion.

Have a great day, and I’ll see you next time.