Tag Archives: films

My Favourite Movies of 2017

2017 is drawing to a close, and while I feel like this has all happened very suddenly, a whole year has gone by since the last time every other conversation you have contains the question ‘where has this year gone?’.

As always, its been a year of box office hits, record setting, rising stars and red carpets as more movies have hit the big screen – some raved about, some not so much! – but there have been a number of stand of films that I feel like I haven’t had enough of an opportunity to rave about, so here goes..

Baywatch

Yes, we all knew this film was going to be a bit of a joke, but that didn’t stop me from loving it. It was funny, the cast was brilliant and despite the storyline being totally ridiculous, I was still rooting for the Baywatch team the whole way through.

Going In Style

I feel like this movie didn’t get much attention at all despite a stellar line up including Micheal Caine and Morgan Freeman. The storyline was unique, and although it was all in the interest of fun it did highlight some issues facing the older generation and I’m really glad we went to see this.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Finally the Pirates franchise is back where it should be. I was starting to lose faith after the last movie, but Disney have clawed their way back to the level these films should be at, and better yet we’ve got Orlando Bloom back!

Wonder Woman

I always proclaim that I’m a Marvel > DC kinda gal, but I really loved this film. The cinematography alone blew me away but I also thought that it had a great plot, a great cast and Gal Gadot is a true star in my eyes.

Beauty and the Beast

I know this film had Disney fans feeling all kinds of mixed things but I thought the movie was great. It was so true to the original animated film but also had so much more than that, without drawing away from the main story.

Murder on the Orient Express

When I saw this film announced, I was excited but I also had my doubts. For starters, I didn’t know how turning a well known plot into a big screen film was going to turn out, and I also questioned Kenneth Branagh as Poirot. Well its safe to say that I don’t have those doubts anymore. It was perfect; an absolute star studded cast, with Branagh playing the lead like it was made for him and although its a story I know the ending to I would see this again and again and again.

And we’re not even done with the year! I’ve got my Star Wars: The Last Jedi ticket booked for Thursday, I’ve yet to see Thor Ragnarok and also coming soon is Pitch Perfect 3 and The Greatest Showman, both of which are films I can’t wait to watch. What were your favourite new releases this year?

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My Disney Sequel Challenge

I’m gonna go and admit something controversial: I haven’t seen every Disney movie.

Sure, when it comes to the animated classics, I’m all over those films, but would you believe that I’ve hardly watched any of the sequels? If its not counted in the official list of classics, then I’ve never really been interested. I’ve never seen the princesses with their children, or anyone returning to Neverland; in fact I think its only the Lion King and Lilo and Stitch sequels that I have watched!

So I’ve decided to set myself a little challenge and make a little blog series out of it: Lottie Watches Sequels. Every week I’m going to try and watch 4 sequels to classic Disney movies – in order of when the original film was released – and each month I’ll be sharing my thoughts and feelings on them! If you’ve wondered about them yourself, this is the list I’ve compiled:

  • Bambi II
  • Cinderella II: Dreams Come True
  • Cinderella III: A Twist in Time
  • Peter Pan: Return to Neverland
  • Lady and the Tramp II: Scamps Adventures
  • 101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure
  • The Jungle Book 2
  • The Fox and the Hound 2
  • The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
  • Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
  • Beauty and the Beast: Belle’s Magical World
  • Aladdin and the King of Thieves
  • Aladdin: Return of Jafar
  • Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World
  • The Hunchback of Notre Dame II
  • Mulan II
  • Tarzan II
  • Kronk’s New Groove
  • Atlantis: Milo’s Return
  • Brother Bear 2

I’m pretty excited to get started on these! While I’ve never really been interested in them before, I’m excited to meet some new characters and see some of my favourite stories continue, plus I’d love to see if the whole ‘sequels are never as good as the original’ rule also applies to Disney films. Stay tuned, folks!

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A Christmas Gift To You!*

Free DisneyLife Trial

Happy Christmas Eve gang!

As I finished work yesterday, the Christmas holiday has finally properly begun for me, and while I’ll still be running around the shops this afternoon due to some of my Christmas presents not arriving on time, this time of year is for curling up with family and watching endless movies while munching on party food and leftovers.

With that in mind, I’ve teamed up with the guys over at DisneyLife, and got your Christmas movie watching sorted with a 7 day free trial, so you can watch as many of your favourite Disney films and shows, including The Santa Clause, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Beauty and the Beast – The Enchanted Christmas, and if you’ve already had your fill of Christmas, there’s always the endless amount of animated classics, live action favourites, Disney Channel box sets and the CUTEST series of Tsum Tsum shorts, which I’m currently obsessed with!

Its totally free, so there’s nothing to lose! Sign up today here!† Once your week is up, you can either cancel your subscription with the click of a button, or continue to enjoy Disney galore for the now lower price of only £4.99 a month.

I wish you all the most magical of Christmas Days, full of food and love and presents and chocolate and cheese!

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* this post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own.
† Free trial only available for new subscribers or those who have not been a subscriber in the last 4 months. If you do not cancel within 7 days, you will be charged £4.99/month.
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Guest Post – Top 5 Summer Films

Today’s post is brought to you by the lovely Llinos from The Lilac Linnet, go check out her blog for more – I even featured in one, read it here!

It’s definitely summer now, despite all the rain, and on a lovely light evening you may be looking for a good film to watch while you enjoy some ice cream.  Here are my top picks of some films to watch over summer.

Date Night

This is one of my favourite ever films EVER.  I love Tina Fey and this film has it all for me.  It’s such a fast moving plot about a couple who take another couple’s table reservation in a swanky new restaurant, and the crazy stuff that happens to them after that!  There’s a lot of action and humour, I can’t recommend it enough.

Clueless

Ladies, do I need to say anything about this one?  It’s a loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma and is just so pink and kitcsh that it’s ideal to watch on a summer evening.  Tell me you didn’t lust after Alicia Silverstone’s wardrobe!

Erin Brockovich

This film is so uplifting, all about the power of one woman and a small company against a huge corporation and it is just KICK ASS.  I can’t watch it without crying.  If you want to be inspired, go for this one.

Mona Lisa Smile

Another Julia Roberts pick, this is about a girls school where the pupils have been raised to be wives and mothers and nothing else.  That all changes when their new teacher arrives.  It’s quite an emotional ride with some great acting, a brill one to watch with the girls this summer.

The Duchess

I am a big history geek and I could not write this list without featuring a full on period drama, with swoonworthy costumes and an emotional rollercoaster of a plot… Georgiana Spencer marries the Duke of Devonshire, but it is a loveless match and he moves his mistress into their home.  It’s definitely one to watch with the girls and a box of tissues.

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Disney’s Silver Era Tag

This one’s a little overdue, but its a another of the lovely Amy’s Disney Era Tags; we’re onto the Silver Era, and it’s a big one!

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The Silver Era includes Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, Sword in the Stone and The Jungle Book – some real classics!

1. Any unseen films?

Nope, seen them all many times!

2. What is your favourite film of the era?

This is a tricky one! Sleeping Beauty was always my favourite princess as a kid, and I still love it to this day, but I have a lot of strong feelings for 101 Dalmatians, Lady and the Tramp, Cinderella and Peter Pan!

3. What is your least favourite film of the era?

Controversially, Alice in Wonderland. I enjoyed reading the book but for some reason the film just don’t do that much for me.

4. Who is your favourite main character?

Its a tie between Aurora and Cinderella!

5. Who is your favourite villain?

Maleficent, but only since the live action movie I think. I’m not a big fan of villains really.

6. Who is your favourite sidekick?

Oh the mice! Jaq or Gus Gus for sure!

7. What is your favourite song?

Once Upon a Dream. My favourite for twirling to!

8. What do you consider to be the most underrated film of the era?

I think that The Sword in the Stone is forgotten about so often, which is sad. While its featured in most of the Disney parks, people often forget the significance of the prop.

9. What is your favourite thing about this era?

The hand-drawn animation films are always more special if you ask me, I think thats a big part of this era. There’s also a bunch of really great songs that comes from this era!

10. What is your least favourite thing about this era?

I’m really not sure there’s anything I really dislike about these films!

°o°

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Friday Favourite Five: Christmas Films

This is the last FFF of 2015! This series still feels new to me, so its so crazy to think I’ve been running it since the start of August, and can’t wait to keep it up going into the next blogging year!

I know we’ve probably all been watching them for the last month already, but I’m finishing up my Christmas FFs with my favourite Christmas movies! You might hate me for saying this, but as much as I love Christmas, I’m really not a huge fan of traditional Christmas films, so while they may not be everyone’s top picks, here are mine:

1. Mickey’s A Christmas Carol

Ok yes, this is a traditional Christmas film, but I just love it! Its a story that’s been told so many times in so many ways, but this version will always be the best in my eyes!

2. Love Actually

I’m a huge cliche, I know, but come on, I don’t think I need to explain this one.

3. The Holiday

Cheesy chick flick, Christmas setting and a sweet little old guy for good luck, and all wrapped up in time for New Years!

4. Bridget Jones’s Diary

Another total girly film, but it involves Christmas jumpers, snow and parties, so it counts for me! (Also, its basically Pride and Prejudice, so bonus points)

5. Elf

I’m about to admit something that many people will be offended by: until last year, I had never seen Elf *ducks for cover*. I don’t think its worth all the hype, but as I don’t watch that many Christmas films, its made the list!

What are your favourite Christmas movies?

xoxo

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Disney’s Wartime/Package Era Tag

This is the 2nd of Amy‘s Disney Era Tags, and for me I feel its the most underrated era: the wartime/package era!

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For starters, most people haven’t heard of half of the films, which is sad, and those who have often discredit them for being made up of shorts of, or claim they’re not ‘real classics’.

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 So here goes!

Any unseen films?

Only The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad, although it may be I watched it as a kid and can’t remember!

What is your favourite film of the era?

Fun and Fancy Free, I love the Mickey and the Beanstalk story!

What is your least favourite film of the era?

Make Mine Music – to me it doesn’t quite fit in with the others.

Who is your favourite main character?

Donald in The Three Caballeros

Who is your favourite villain?

The Giant from Mickey and the Beanstalk

Who is your favourite sidekick?

If he counts as a sidekick, Jose Carioca!

What is your favourite song of the era?

Say It With A Slap from Fun and Fancy Free!

What do you consider to be the most underrated film of the era?

Saludos Amigos – I think a lot of people forget about it, or think its the same as The Three Caballeros, which gets more publicity.

What is your favourite thing about this era?

The comedy value; all of these films were created for the viewers entertainment, and there’s a lot of fun parts to these films!

What do you least enjoy about this era?

I wish they were better known, and I kind of wish they were longer in length.

°o°

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Pixar

So my Disney DVD collection has been growing and growing, and I can now proudly say I own all the Disney Pixar films! 🙂

In chronological order they are:

1. Toy Story (1995)

2. A Bug’s Life (1998)

3. Toy Story 2 (1999)

4. Monsters Inc (2001)

5. Finding Nemo (2003)

6. The Incredibles (2004)

7. Cars (2006)

8. Ratatouille (2007)

9. Wall-E (2008)

10. Up (2009)

11. Toy Story 3 (2010)

12. Cars 2 (2011)

13. Brave (2012)

14. Monsters University (2013)

°o°

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