Alexander Payne embarks on his latest cinematic journey in a transformative tackling of ever-present social, moral and political issues through an accessible, entertaining, bitesize medium. At a first glance, the film would appear as a standard Hollywood comedic throwaway with an interesting twist; Norwegian scientists have created a manner through which the human body can be shrunk down to a mere 5ÔÇØ, the process of … Continue reading Review: Downsizing
“There are a lot of great movies that have won the Academy Award, and a lot of great movies that haven’t. You just do the best you can.” – Clint Eastwood, Best Director, Million Dollar Baby, 2004 ItÔÇÖs Oscars time! The marmite of the festival season; you either love it or hate it. Known for its particular criteria and controversy for its snubs and #OscarsSoWhite, … Continue reading Awards Season 2018: Oscars Expectations
God’s Own Country is the film Hollywood forgot about. Move over Jon Snow, thereÔÇÖs a new brooding protagonist in town. Meet Johnny, (Josh OÔÇÖConnor) the son of a disabled sheep farmer (Ian Hart), living a rather monotonous life in the rural moors of Yorkshire, consisting of drinking, puking and casual hook-ups with random men. But this is all turned upside-down with the arrival of Romanian … Continue reading Review: God’s Own Country
So you may have heard about this little thing called Star Wars and the recent instalment The Last Jedi. With a wide range of different opinions and reviews, we thought it best to ask what our Quench contributors had to say about the galaxy far, far away… (oh and there’s spoilers ahead) Star Wars has been a part of my life for as long as … Continue reading Film Review Episode One: Star Wars – The Last Jedi
The Snowman is iconic, synonymous with Christmas. Pure unadulterated happiness is all that exudes from this animated film. Based on the best-selling childrenÔÇÖs book by Raymond Briggs, The Snowman has been engrained in British Christmas culture from the very moment it aired on the BBC in 1982. The renowned Walking in the Air song, sung by choirboy Peter Auty (commonly mistaken for Aled Jones) which … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 25 – ‘The Snowman’
I solemnly swear I am wishing you a Merry Christmas It was impossible to pick a single Harry Potter film for this countdown, so IÔÇÖve decided to look at the entire series. What better time of year to sit down and watch the boy who lived and the Gryffindor gang prepare to fight ÔÇÿYou-Know-WhoÔÇÖ? ThereÔÇÖs just that Christmas feeling you get when watching the films … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 24 – ‘Harry Potter’ series
Merry Christmas ya filthy animalÔǪ and a happy new year! Love it or hate it, it cannot be denied that Home Alone has earned its place as one of the most iconic Christmas movies. What sums up Christmas better than watching little Kevin McCallister completely destroying the lives of burglars Marv and Harry? Well, Home Alone 2 of course! Home Alone 2 sees the return … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 23 – ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’
ÔÇ£Can I refill your eggnog? Get you something to eat, drive you into the middle of nowhere, and leave you for dead?ÔÇØ National LampoonÔÇÖs Christmas Vacation ÔÇô Making you feel a whole lot better about your impending dry turkey, minor electrical tree fire, and extended family festive chaos! Christmas Vacation is definitely up there as one of my favourites for this time of year because … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 21 – ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’
The movie follows the story of three brothers trying to escape from ParadiseÔǪthe town. This low-key great Christmas-themed comedy crime film is absolutely hilarious, and I am always shocked when I find out that not many people have watched it. The film follows Dave and Alvin Furbo, portrayed by two SNL greats: Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey, as they trick their older brother Bill, played … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 20 – ‘Trapped in Paradise’
If the perfect amount of adult humour in a very Christmassy, extremely child-friendly, holiday season film is what youÔÇÖre looking for, The Grinch does it the best. TisÔÇÖ the season for Christmas films and no film gets me as excited this time of year as the classic ÔÇÿHow the Grinch Stole Christmas.ÔÇÖ┬á The mean green, furry creature that finds space in his tiny heart for … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 19 – ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’
In the words of Nessa, ÔÇ£OH, OH, OH, Merry ChristmasÔÇØ. This comedic show written by Ruth Jones and James Corden creates the perfect image of Christmas in Wales in comparison to Essex, guaranteeing to make any student studying in Cardiff laugh at their token ÔÇ£Welsh friendÔÇØ. On the other hand, if you are the token ÔÇ£Welsh friendÔÇØ, as relatable as the show may be, you … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 18 – ‘Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special’
ÔÇ£Seeing isnÔÇÖt believing. Believing is seeing.ÔÇØ Arguably one of Tim AllenÔÇÖs films, aside from his recognisable role as Buzz Lightyear, The Santa Clause is truly a 1994 family Christmas classic. It is centred around Neil who, with the help of his young son Charlie and the North PoleÔÇÖs head elf, has to adapt to the biggest promotion of his life, i.e. becoming Santa Clause. After … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 17 – ‘The Santa Clause’
Notting Hill is the quintessential boys meets girl tale, preeminent of all other soppy rom coms it boasts, possibly, the most charming setting and cast to date. Whilst it might not be the first film that springs to the mind during the festive season, for me, itÔÇÖs a dreamy nineties classic that forces that indescribable fuzzy sensation upon you (without the aid of a small … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 16 – ‘Notting Hill’
First aired in 1989, this was not only the first Simpsons Christmas special but The Simpsons‘ first episode ever. It sets up a typical Christmas in the life of the dysfunctional family and begins the trend of what would be a series of eventful Christmases. The story starts with Bart getting a tattoo, which causes Marge to spend all their money on its removal. What … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 14 – ‘Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire’
When you think of Christmas, the last thing that probably comes to mind is a scary movie. But for those of us who may not be the biggest fan of this season, Krampus provides us with a way to feel a little Christmas-y without having ÔÇÿjingle bellsÔÇÖ and soppy love stories shoved in our not-so-festive faces. Krampus is based on an old myth; naughty children … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 13 – ‘Krampus’
My controversial Christmas opinion? The Holiday is better than Love Actually. IÔÇÖm not even sorry about it. The Holiday follows Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, who are lonely at Christmas and decide to swap houses for the holidays. ItÔÇÖs your usual festive rom-com ÔÇô they each find their perfect holiday romance. What makes this better than Love Actually? The stories have time to develop, itÔÇÖs … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 11 – ‘The Holiday’
Nativity is the perfect example of a family Christmas film in my opinion, because it embraces the key magic ingredients which make Christmas such a special time of year as a child. In the wonderful motion picture starring Martin Freeman, we re-learn about friendship, the love from those close to you and bringing joy to the world. Being part of the school Nativity was always … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 10 – ‘Nativity’
I didnÔÇÖt think I couldnÔÇÖt love James McAvoy anymore, until I witnessed the wonder that is Arthur Christmas. With Christmas becoming a military mission, Arthur, the youngest of the Claus clan is one of the few working elves who just wishes for everyone to have a Merry Christmas, away from the hustle and the bustle of modern festivities. Young Arthur tries with all his might … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 9 – ‘Arthur Christmas’
Maybe not the most famous festive film of the season however, guilty pleasures donÔÇÖt always have to be the most well-known or the most acclaimed. The 2006 movie Deck the Halls is one of my top essential viewings of the season because of its endless comic stunts, one-liners and hilarious on-screen chemistry between Mathew Broderick (Steve) and Danny DeVito (Buddy). Or maybe I just love … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 8 – ‘Deck the Halls’
ÔÇ£Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back.ÔÇØ Home Alone is probably the most iconic family Christmas movie I have ever seen. It follows adventures of Kevin McCallister after, by mistake, he is left home alone at Christmas. He faces incredibly incompetent robbers and protects his home while getting to know the neighbour heÔÇÖs always feared. … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 7 – ‘Home Alone’
