#MovieMonday: Hairspray Live! (TV Movie 2016)

Movie Monday* is where I will share my thoughts on a movie I have seen in the past week. Please note that I am NOT a movie reviewer. I "review" a movie like I would a book. Just telling you how I feel about the movie. I hope you enjoy.

*I take NO credit for the title, as after I searched it I noticed it was already taken.

Movie: Hairspray Live!

Cert: PG

Release: 7th Dec 2016

Genre:  Musicial, Family, Comedy

Directors: Kenny Leon, Alex Rudzinski

Writers: Harvey Fierstein (teleplay by), Thomas Meehan (book) | 2 more credits »

Stars: Maddie Baillio,  Ariana Grande,  Kristin Chenoweth | See full cast & crew »

Rating: 3 out of 5

About The Movie:

Based on the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway musical, Hairspray LIVE! takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on “The Corny Collins Show,” a local TV program. When against all odds Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters, including the resident dreamboat, Link; the ambitious mean girl, Amber; an African American boy she meets in detention, Seaweed; and his mother, Motormouth Maybelle, the owner of a local record store. Tracy's mother is the indomitable Edna, and she eventually encourages Tracy on her campaign to integrate the all-white “Corny Collins Show.”

Why didn't I even know about this until someone posted on facebook after they had seen it?? I love Hairspray. I remember enjoying the original film but I remember absolutely loving the remake!!! Yeah I said I loved that version better. I have never seen the musical live so I can't really compare this to the stage show only the movie.

Hairspray is one of those really feel good musical with a really strong message. Set in 1960s Baltimore all Tracy wants to do is dance on the Corny Collins Show. But what seems like a fun thing turns into something much more important. Tracy wants to make the Corny Collins Show integrated.

As much as I have always said I love the 50s and 60s. I love the music, I love the clothes. However, it must have such a hard time to live if you weren't white. Hairspray takes this issues and turns into a hopeful musical that it's full bright characters and catchy tunes.

I think I compared it to the movie too much. Just because I loved the remake movie casting so much. However, the casting for this did a great job. This is Maddie's (Tracy) break out role and I feel she really done well. She is a very nice singing voice and really captured the essence of Tracy Turnblad. I wasn't keen on the casting of her parents though. And I'm sorry the dude playing Link? Nope. Just nope. He was no Zac Efron. I did however, really like Jennifer Hudson as Motormouth Maybelle. That woman has some set of pipes on her. She is looking fantastic!!!

Now, I will admit that Ariana Grande is a little annoying. The girl has an amazing voice yet in her normal singing she just doesn't enunciate her words and just mumbles. So even though she doesn't get a lot of screen time, when she sings you can make out every word and she also has an important role with it comes to get co star Seaweed.

I did notice a big different between the live show and the remake and it involved little Inez, Seaweeds sister. Now I don't know if the stage show is different to movie version so I am not sure if this live show is following the proper storyline or if the remake movie did. But all I will say is I much prefer how the movie ended to this one. 

Overall, Hairspray Live is an enjoy watch. Although I wasn't a fan of the cutting to the host and showing the "parties" from different places. I know it was to give the casting a breather and time to change and get ready for different scene but I just felt it ruined the flow and it's why I am not the biggest fan of these live musicals on TV. However, if you already know and love the show/movies then you will be singing and dancing along with it like I was!!! 

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#MovieMonday: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them

Please note that I am NOT a movie reviewer. I "review" a movie like I would a book. Just telling you how I feel about the movie. I hope you enjoy.

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Movie: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them

Cert: 12A

Release: 18th Nov 2016 (UK)

Genre:  Fantasy, Adventure, Family

Directors: David Yates

Writers: J.K. Rowling

Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol | See full cast & crew » 
My Rating: 5 out of 5

About The Movie:

There are growing dangers in the wizarding world of 1926 New York. Something mysterious is leaving a path of destruction in the streets, threatening to expose the wizarding community to the No-Majs (American for Muggles), including the Second Salemers, a fanatical faction bent on eradicating them and the powerful, dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, after wreaking havoc in Europe, has slipped away…and is now nowhere to be found. Unaware of the rising tensions, Newt Scamander arrives in the city nearing the end of a global excursion to research and rescue magical creatures, some of which are safeguarded in the magical hidden dimensions of his deceptively nondescript leather case. But potential disaster strikes when unsuspecting No-Maj Jacob Kowalski inadvertently lets some of Newt’s beasts loose in a city already on edge—a serious breach of the Statute of Secrecy that former Auror Tina Goldstein jumps on, seeing her chance to regain her post as an investigator. However, things take an ominous turn when Percival Graves, the enigmatic Director of Magical Security at MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), casts his suspicions on both Newt…and Tina.

Now allied, Newt and Tina, together with Tina’s sister, Queenie, and their new No-Maj friend, Jacob, form a band of unlikely heroes, who must recover Newt’s missing beasts before they come to harm. But the stakes are higher than these four outsiders—now branded fugitives—ever imagined, as their mission puts them on a collision course with dark forces that could push the wizarding and No-Maj worlds to the brink of war. - Amazon UK

Seeing that Warner Bro sign on that screen with the infamous Harry Potter tune gave me goose bumps. I never thought I was going to feel that again. I was fangirling all over again!!!

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them has got to be one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2016. When I first heard the JK Rowling was expanding the magical wizarding world into a new movie I was overjoyed with excitement. When the trailer starting to air on the TV my 10 year said he was looking forward to see it and had been bugging me to see it. So we finally seen it. And while I loved it, my 10 year old was not impressed.

I thought the movie rocked!! While I found the start to be a slow builder I still loved it. JK Rowling has yet again created something that is simply out of this world. That woman's imagination is truly something else. And to be able to create this out of what was essentially a textbook that Harry uses in school. She is a genius. The casting of Eddie as a Newt is going to make fans swoon. I do love him. I think he is so cute. And I want to go on adventures with him. Team him with Jacob who is a No-Maj (American term for Muggle) and two witches Tina and Queenie and you have a fantastic foursome who you will love because who doesn't love the outsiders!! 

The beasts in this are just beyond anything I could ever imagine. The graphics are phenomenal. They looked so real.  I wish I could really talk about all of them that we are introduced to but I don't want to give away any spoilers I feel like no words can do these amazing beasts any justice. All I will say is I want a niffler!!!

The movie is most definitely targeted at the original Potterhead generation. The ones who grew up reading books and movies. The movie is a lot more grown up and appeals very much to the adult audience. My 10 year found it very slow and even though at times he did laugh a few scenes mainly the ones that had Jacob in it, he was for the most part almost bored to tears with it. And he predicted who the bad guy was from the start.

I should mention incase you are maybe thinking my kid just doesn't like the Harry Potter. However, he is a Potterhead. He is a bigger Potterhead than me. He knows those books and movies inside out. I read him the Harry Potter books as a baby. We have movie marathons. He has the books in three different editions. He LOVES Harry Potter! This film just didn't have that same magical feeling for him that those films did. Maybe in a few years when he has matured a little he will enjoy this one until then he is a happy in the Harry Potter World while I myself can't wait to see where JKRowling is going take these movies next!!

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#MovieNews: Beauty and The Beast (2017)

Movie: Beauty and the Beast (Live Action Remake)

Cert: PG

Release: 17th March 2017

Genre: Family, Romance, Musical

Directors:  Bill Condon

Writers:  Evan Spiliotopoulos (screenplay), Stephen Chbosky (screenplay) | 2 more credits »

Stars: Dan Stevens , Emma Watson, Luke Evans | See full cast & crew »

About The Movie:

Belle is a girl who is dissatisfied with life in a small provincial French town, constantly trying to fend off the misplaced "affections" of conceited Gaston. The Beast is a prince who was placed under a spell because he could not love. A wrong turn taken by Maurice, Belle's father, causes the two to meet. (IMDb 1991 Edition)

For while all we had was the image of Belle reaching for the rose. So when they finally released move images online I was overjoyed. I am so excited for this to come alive on screen. Beauty and the Beast is one of THE best disney movies ever made.

I know everyone has already seen them but still couldn't resist. I am so looking forward to this and Emma Watson is just perfect for the role. I also have a big soft spot for Dan Stevens, going back to his Downton Abby days. (Oh Matthew. Trying to not cry, ignore the feels and breathe) He is going to rock as The Beast/Prince Adam.  

And Luke Evans as Gaston? Bloody perfect!! He actually looks like the cartoon Gaston. 

While Beauty and The Beast isn't my ultimate favourite disney movie (That's Peter Pan) it is in the top 5!! I think that may have a lot to do with library though lol. I have read a lot of mix reviews on Belle's dress already. I don't care if it's gold or yellow. I love it no matter. It's stunning and I want one!!

I am loving the disney remakes just now. And I am excited by this so much. It’s making me wonder what other movies they will turn into live action.

Which disney movie would you love to see being remade into a live action movie?? 

All credit for images go to

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#MovieReview: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

Movie: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Cert:  PG (UK)

Release: 4th Nov 2001 (UK)

Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Director: Chris Columbus

Writer:  J.K. Rowling (novel), Steve Kloves (screenplay)

Staring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and  Emma Watson

My Rating: 5 out of 5

About the Movie
Harry Potter, the bespectacled boy wizard, has his first feature film outing in this blockbuster box office hit. Newly enrolled at Hogwarts School, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his chums Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) have a surpise encounter with a three-headed dog guarding a secret trapdoor. They then begin to suspect that something important might be hidden beneath the school, and when they investigate it leads to an encounter with the evil wizard Voldemort (Ian Hart). Will Harry be able to keep up with his studies, lead his team to victory in the school sport Quidditch, and still triumph over the dreaded Voldemort? - Amazon UK

 

With the release of the new book and with it being JK Rowling and Harry Potter's birthday yesterday it was a no-brainer that the movie this week would be a Harry Potter one and while The Philosopher's Stone is not my favourite, it is the movie that makes us start to fall in love with the movies. 

I remember when this first came out. I must have been about 13/14 at time and I went with a friend from school to see it in the cinema. I was in awe of just how well the story was transformed from book to screen. It's always a worry when a film company takes a well loved book and tries to adapt it into a movie. And while there was changes and of course not everything was the movie, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was a just a magical tale and captures the very essence of the book. 

The movie is of course fantastic, the chemistry between the characters is wonderful and really portrays the characters from the books. It's always a hard thing to make sure actors can fully become the characters from the books that we all grew to love and while the casting wasn't perfect they managed to create a believable bond between the trio. The trio all so young in the first and their acting improves with each movie, you can tell that this was their first major role. And that is some pressure for three young kid's. However, Rupert Grint I have to admit is such a talented young man and he brought Ron to live. He was the perfect choice Ron. Most people's favourite character is Harry or Hermione but not me. I loved Ron. Books and movie I think he is best character in the whole series.

Now yes, there are changes and characters left out. Right now I am currently making my way through the audiobooks with my 9 year old son and his favourite character isn't even in the movies. He adores Peeves. I actually forgot how amazing Peeves was in the books. He should have been in the movies. He would have just made the movie so much better that it already was. 

I can't talk about this movie without mentioning Snape. Every time I watch any of these films I get a lump in my throat and my eyes tear up. Alan Rickman is THE perfect Snape. He plays that role so well. You actually hate the character so much. You just love to hate him. The day that the news broke that Alan Rickman has passed the whole fandom was shaken. He was a wonder man and even though he has done many many movies there is no doubt that for my generation and younger he was best known for Snape. 

You can't watch this and not notice how beautiful this was. The setting and graphics play a massive part in the story telling of this movie. The attention to detail makes this movies breathtaking. For me it was the scenes of the castle that took my breath away. I wanted to be at Hogwarts so bad when I was kid and seeing is come alive on screen was amazing. And still makes me want to believe that this world that JK Rowling has created could be real. Of course I know it isn't. But the child inside still wants to believe. 

And when I got to see the game of Quidditch I was completely captivated by it. I knew it was going to be epic but actually seeing on screen was just something else.

We just love Harry Potter. Every single night my kid will watch and listen Harry Potter. We have seen this movie in peculiar so many times that we can recite almost every single word in the movie. Much to the annoyance of anyone else who actually watches it with us. I love that my son is a Harry Potter fan. We can geek out over this franchise. He isn't a reader but he loves everything Harry Potter and that makes me so proud. He can watch the movies all day, every day and that's not an exaggeration. And it was this movie that opened him up to the wonderful and magical world that is Harry Potter.  

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