Tag: movies

Entertainment · Family

4 Ways To Successfully Organize A Fun Family Movie Night In

JayneLeave a comment

Family time can either be fun or chaotic, depending on how much you prepare for it. Especially if you have kids around, you will have to factor in activities that will be appealing to all members of the family to engage them. A movie night is one of the more relaxing things to do with the family, and you can make it as enjoyable as you want with the following tips.

  • Pick a family movie ahead of time

Family movie nightImage Credit

If you want members of your family to be interested in the movie from start to finish, then it should be one that everyone might be interested in. And the best way to do this is to take some time together to pick one. Consider everybody’s interest and choose a movie that meets all the expectations to some extent; after all, no one can have it their way. To make the experience even better, install streaming apps and add ons to your devices to give you access to countless movies for free. Troypoint has some of the best to make streaming movies smooth and stress-free.

  • Add refreshing snacks or meals

It won’t be an enjoyable time without some snacks to go with the movie, so don’t be scared to go all out. Get some creative ideas for a variety of snacks and make it possible for everybody to customize theirs. The old school popcorn works very well (only those above four can have some), especially when it’s glazed. You can take it up a notch and add some pastries or drinks so that it becomes a mini-meal. Also, don’t forget the healthy options and special snacks for those who may have dietary issues. Movie night is the only time that you can eat together in front of the tv, so make it count for everybody.

  • Be comfortable

If you want to prevent fidgeting as much as possible during a good movie, then make sure everybody is as comfortable as possible. You can do this by making sure the couch or whatever you’re sitting on is spacious and soft enough for everyone. If possible, you can let family members create their little comfort zones in front of the tv. Those who will need extra pillows and blankets should get just that so that everyone’s attention will be on the movie and not discomfort. From time to time, you can ask around if everybody is comfortable but not too much that it becomes a distraction.

  • Make it a theme

Themed movie nightImage Credit

This tip works well with the kids because it makes them look forward to movie night. So consider giving them the opportunity to create costumes that they will wear while watching the movie – this makes them invested even before the time comes. It is also a great opportunity for you to combine entertainment with education as they strengthen their creativity skills. That way, they will be glued to the tv, and the chances of moving around are lowered. You can also ask them to help you decorate the viewing area before time so that they can feel like a part of the organisation process.

Movies

Leonardo DiCaprio – 5 Films You May Not Have Seen

Jayne17 Comments

(…And For Which He Probably Should Have Already Won an Oscar!)

A couple of days ago I was talking to my sister-in-law, who’s just recently been to see The Revenant, about Leonardo DiCaprio’s Oscar nomination and she mentioned that the first film she really saw him in was Titanic. When I was a kid, my friends and I were huge fans of Mr. DiCaprio and being the super nerds we were (shout-out to Katy. C., queen of all us film nerds) we basically made it our mission to watch everything he’d ever been in. Anyway, it occurred to me that, since Leo’s mainstream appeal didn’t kick off until he boarded that doomed ship, there are probably quite a few people who are unaware of his back catalogue, so I thought I’d share some suggestions of DiCaprio movies that you really should see:

Total Eclipse

Leonardo DiCaprio - Total Eclipse

Leo stars as Arther Rimbaud, a French poet who lived in the late 1800’s, and looks at his relationship with fellow poet Paul Verlaine. The whole storyline is incredibly intense and despite the fact that DiCaprio was just 19 when it was filmed, he portrays the complex character incredibly well, steering through the plot with a maturity beyond his years. Period dramas are often difficult to get right, especially when they’re biographical, but this film is spot-on.

This Boy’s Life

Leonardo DiCaprio - This Boy's Life

When an actor in their teens can hold up against a performance from Robert De Niro, you know they’re good, and that’s exactly what Leo does here. The film is a truly harrowing account of abuse, control and a less-than-charmed childhood which should probably only be watched when you’re in a fairly strong frame of mind, but it’s definitely one of this films which should be on everyone’s ‘must see’ list.

The Basketball Diaries

Leonardo DiCaprio - The Basketball Diaries

Yet another ‘gritty’ drama, The Basketball Diaries is based on the book of the same name, written by ‘jock-turned-junkie’ Jim Carroll. The film depicts Carroll’s descent from rising basketball star to heroin addict and should come with a WHOLE bunch of trigger warnings, including abuse, prostitution and death. It’s another film which isn’t exactly ‘light-hearted’, but Leo is testament to the fact that movies don’t always need a happy ending (even if I AM convinced that Jack could easily have fit on that door with Rose…)

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

Leonardo DiCaprio - What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Despite the fact that Leo is technically only a ‘supporting role’ to Johnny Depp’s lead in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, his portrayal of Gilbert’s developmentally delayed younger brother Arnie is as brilliant as it is heartbreaking as it is uncomfortable. Playing someone with a mental disability must be an absolute minefield; a balancing act of not being so over the top as to be hammy and insulting, but not being so subtle that you can’t tell that the character is supposed to have an impairment, but Leo manages it with startling ease, stealing the show from his older, more well-known co-stars.

Romeo + Juliet

Leonardo DiCaprio - Romeo + Juliet

Even if you aren’t a fan of Shakespeare, you NEED to watch this film. Baz Luhrmann is one of my all-time favourite directors for the simple fact that he makes everything he turns his hand to a work of beauty, and this film is no exception. Leo’s raw depiction of love-struck Romeo, juxtaposed against the modern backdrop of ‘Verona Beach’, is simply stunning and the fast-paced shooting and striking sets make you almost forget that everyone is speaking 16th century English. Dash Mihok, most recently of Ray Donovan fame, is another stand-out performance as Romeo’s right hand man Benvolio, while John Leguizamo kills it as Juliet’s cousin Tybalt.

Review

A Warner Bros. Christmas!

Jayne1 Comment

Last week, we were lucky enough to be sent a special Christmas stocking by Warner Bros. containing some lovely candy canes for our tree, our fave kind of chocolate (Lindt, in case you’re wondering!) and most importantly of all, a selection of Blurays to keep us entertained over the Festive period. It couldn’t have turned up at a better time as Sausage was at the height of her poorlyness, and a day in bed watching films was in order!

Perfect for this was  Polar Express

The blurb says “It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re about to roller-coaster up and down mountains, slip-slide over ice fields, tetter across mile-high bridges and be served hot chocolate by singing waiter more astonishing than any you can ever imagine. You’re on The Polar Express! Tom Hanks stars in and Robert Zemeckis directs this instant holiday classive filmed in dazzling performance-capture animation that makes every home magical.”

I’d never seen this before but it really was magical. Sausage was absolutely enthralled, we both were, and it really was a perfect Christmas film, with just the right amount of drama, action, mystery and happy ending. If you’ve not seen it before, I highly recommend it and it’s one to watch with the WHOLE family, I can imagine grandparents, parents and kids alike all enjoying Polar Express. Also, if you have a Bluray player or PS3, I can highly recommend opting for the Bluray version rather than the DVD, although the version we were sent contained the 3D Bluray, regular Bluray, as well as the DVD AND a digital copy, which pretty much future and past proofs you for a timespan of about 20 years in each direction!

The next film in the stocking was The Dark Knight Rises .

I only saw this film recently as I didn’t get a chance to see it at the cinema, but I’m a big fan of the Batman films and absolutely LOVE what Nolan has done with them. The Dark Knight Rises did not disappoint. In fact, and this is not something I thought I’d say about a Batman film, I cried for about the last half an our of the film. It is AMAZING.

Honestly, I was blown away by the entire film and think it was the perfect ending to the three movies that Nolan was signed up to make.  The Bluray copy was brilliant and really added to the viewing experience, because although this film wasn’t as visually dark as the first or second one, it was very striking and really benefited from the higher definition. I’m going to shut up about this film now because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it, but if that’s you, I demand that you watch it!

The final film we were sent was ‘New Year’s Eve‘ and I have to confess, I haven’t actually watched this yet. That’s because it’s well and truly a ‘chick flick’ so I’m saving it for in case Husband has a night out at any point and I can have my own girlie night in. I’m guessing this film would be well accompanied by chocolate and maybe a Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer (my fave!) or two, as it’s described as an American Love Actually. I’m really looking forward to giving this a watch – while I like to think I have good taste in films, I do love a good girlie film now and again. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of heart-warming girl-power, I say!

Not to do the film a disservice though, I feel I should point out that it has some incredible actors in it, such as the beloved Sarah Jessica Parker, my current idol Sofia Vergara and *drum roll please* Robert DeNiro, who takes my breath away!

Thanks to Warner Bros. for sending us these Blurays and our sweet treats! 

(This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links, which means if you click through and buy these films, I earn a small percentage of the sale, which doesn’t affect the price you buy it for)