Saving Mr Banks ...

It's hard to know what to say - what to start with - when trying to describe this film. I could tell you that you definitely need to see it; that you will laugh, cry and want to shout at the screen; that by the end, whatever your feelings on Disney, you will love and adore the characters and hope that Emma Thompson writes all future scripts for all movies. "Saving Mr Banks," as well as being the story of how the much loved children's book "Mary Poppins" was made into an equally - if not more so - loved Disney film, is about a (now grown up) little girl and her relationship with her father. It is about how your past haunts you into adulthood, and if you aren't careful and willing to let it go, all through your life. It is about love and loss, about watching your parents screw up their lives and, by extension yours. 




I have to confess I didn't cry while watching it. I didn't cry as two small girls watched their father drink himself closer and closer to death and then eventually, gently even, slip over the edge. I didn't cry as the oldest daughter saved her unstable mother from a suicide attempt. I didn't cry as P. L. Travers, now a fully grown-up woman and a successful writer, crumpled into tears watching her childhood brought to life in a magical, moving film that somehow made all of that pain as close as it would ever be to alright. In fact the closest to tears I got was as she hugged a Mickey Mouse cuddly toy all alone in L. A. and realised how just how very lonely she was.

 

Trust me, you need to watch this film. If you love the story of the nanny who blew in with the east wind, carrying a magic carpet bag; providing the spoonfuls of sugar needed to help the life lessons go down, then you will enjoy seeing a whole new element to her creation brought to life. If you are yet to be won over by the singing and the dancing, the mystery and adventures - the dancing penguins and the flying kites in London skies, the suffragettes, the chimney sweeps and the echoing cathedral with it's swooping birds - prepare to have your opinions changed. Emma Thompson is totally magical and has written a movie that will sweep the most hardened Disney haters off their feet. Tom Hanks is ideal as Walt Disney - the storyteller who makes dreams come true and characters dance off the page and into imaginations all over the world.
 

 

The songs that make "Mary Poppins" so wonderful are all here. From Chim-Chiminey to Supercallifragilistic to Feed the Birds (sobs) and Fly A Kite, you can easily spend the whole film singing along and will come away feeling oddly reminded of your childhood, however distant it seems day to day. Personally, among others such as Annie and The Sound of Music, Mulan, Peter Pan and Pocohontas, "Mary Poppins" was one of the films I watched with my sister about 743682 times when we were little. It's really rare to see something that perfectly appreciates what's so wonderful about the original, but adds to it beautifully, expanding on the themes you were only partially aware of, when watching curled up on the sofa, having begged to stay up past bedtime to finish the ending. It allows you to love it again in a whole new way; seeing it with fresh, grown-up - or at least closer to it - eyes. 

 

And finally, no. She didn't come to save the children. She never did. Excuse me while I go and cry over how perfect "Saving Mr Banks" is, re-watch "Mary Poppins" and spend the next three weeks raving about it to everyone I know.

xox

I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS...

1) Is there anyone in Britain right now who doesn't watch Sherlock? If so where are these people and can we have some kind of intervention before its too late?

2) Can I get one of those coats?  I know its actually pretty much the same size as me but its so beautiful - look at it.

3) There is nothing that makes me cry as much as this TV programme does - do I have a problem? Also THOSE CHEEKBONES.

4) What's with the naming everyone M thing? Moriarty, Mycroft, Mary, Molly... actually that might be it.

5) Why is next Sunday the last episode, why why why?

6) Is someone else going to die, and why are you doing this to me and when are you going to tell us how he faked his death and are we going to have to wait another two years for series 4 (please no) and has this blog post made any sense to anyone?

Do you watch Sherlock?

xox

Baby Names...

The title of this post is probably a bit misleading, as although thinking about baby names is what gave me the idea its not really what I'm talking about, Oh well. While Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's child was, for a while, the new celebaby (yes, I did just make that word up) that everyone was talking about, I think we can all agree that poor North West has been relegated to being the warm-up act now for the real news story: The Royal Baby. Oh yes, I'm now that person who is actually going to write a blog post about this. Judge me if you want to but I'm definitely more bored than you are right now.

So among all the clamours of happiness and excitement and people waiting outside the palace and generally doing a really good job of caring a whole lot about a brand new person that - lets face it - they have very little chance of ever being in the same room as, there is one lingering question. Why d we care??? Seriously, why? Why did I care what outfits Kim K was photographed in looking vaguely similar to a whale? Why did I care enough to watch four different reporters discussing the fact that Prince Philip will be taking paternity leave on the news this morning? What is the point? And after giving it probably too much thought, I think I know the answer.

Celebrities, royal family members, people in the public eye are basically just a reflection of us. They have good hair days, bad hair days, wear an unflattering pair of leggings from time to time (except maybe Kate Middleton...) They love their children, get married thinking it will last forever and then cheat or are cheated on, divorce, or lose their partner to illness or an accident or simply, old age. Exactly like all the rest of us. You can recognise yourself and your family members in the constant news coverage - the excited new grandparents, the exhausted looking mum, the siblings, the cousins, the in-laws. And this level of similarity with everyone else's normal, ordinary family is reassuring. It suggests that we are all not so different. Every woman who has had a baby will know exactly how Kate Middleton feels - not something that is usually the case, because after all, she is going to be the future Queen. I don't know about you but I don't tend to go about my daily life feeling that I empathise with her a great deal at all.

So there you go. My justification of why its fine for me to continue being glued to the news channel and constantly refreshing the BBC homepage. Why its fine for me to watch the Kardashians with an interest that borders on obsessive. And please Kate and Wills, put us out of our misery. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO CALL HIM??? Oh, and congratulations on making a tiny, probably screaming human...

Happy Birthday, Royal Baby.

A Geek in Politics

While some people may consider themselves to be "geeks" due to their love for superhero films, or be known (in the nicest way possible!) by their friends as a "nerd" because of their detailed knowledge of astrophysics or Jane Austen books, I would put myself in that group for a different reason: Politics. It may sound completely random, and you may wonder, how can someone think politics is "nerdy"? It's so exciting and interesting (I'm kidding!) But seriously, I am interested in politics the way you might be interested in videogames or manga. It might be weird but it fascinates me. I follow many different politicians and journalists on twitter - I get most of the news that interests me from twitter to be honest - and its kind of sad how excited I am to start my A2 Government and Politics course in September. My glasses might not be as "adorkable" as Jessica Day or Alexa Chung's but I admit it... I am a politics nerd. Happy now?

Admittedly, politics has many, many, many hours of talking and long lengthy bills and legal stuff that no one really seems to understand (and actual people, in fact) that just make it seem boring. David Cameron, for example. Probably the last exciting thing he has done lately was to leave one of his children behind in a pub. Aside from that brief moment of entertainment, he makes the country want to fall asleep when he appears on the news. We've heard enough about the Big Society to last us a lifetime and we're certainly not "all in it together." Yawn.

However, when something exciting does happen in the world of politics, it's not only about the implications of changing a law or voting in a new leader and the effects that will have on the lives of potentially millions of people, like tiny ripples on the ocean. Its about the energy of people coming together who believe they can do something to change the world. Its amazing to feel that just by being alive you are watching history take place before your eyes. In this generation more than ever, you can feel you are having a direct impact. Whether you raise money or awareness for a cause or charity that means something to you, tweet or blog or just tell people about the issues that make you angry or simply turn out and vote for your representatives, making your voice heard, (something I haven't been able to do yet as I'm still only 17) all of these actions influence the way the world will be in the future. The Obama election campaign is an obvious example of this that springs instantly to mind. Why can't we have a election in the UK this exciting? I want Beyoncé singing outside Number 10, Downing Street, okay!

With this in mind, it was incredible to see the events that took place over the last few days in America. Politics in the States is really interesting and personally I think it is far more exciting than in Britain. The 24 hour period of the 25th to the 26th of June 2013 will be remembered as something pretty special. It might not have the impact of a presidential election result or a declaration of war and it's not as catchy as "Watergate" or as tragic as the Sandy Hook school shootings, but I think I will always remember where I was when I found out Wendy Davis' filibuster in Texas had been successful in blocking SB5 - legislation that would have outlawed abortions beyond 20 weeks. Writing it out doesn't make it seem very exciting but the results of her determination and bravery in standing up for what she believed in will (hopefully) have a hugely positive impact, both in Texas and maybe even setting an example throughout America.

Wendy Davis was born to a single mother and had her first child while still in her teens but she managed to rise above her difficult start in life to graduate from Harvard Law School and become a Democrat State Senator in Texas, one of the most staunchly Republican places in the country. Her story is really inspiring and makes her commitment to helping other young women who may find themselves in similar situations have legal access to free, safe medical care more understandable, but no less impressive. Coming from the UK, I think it can be hard to fully appreciate the way the medical system works in the US. We are lucky enough to have the NHS in this country and as much as everyone, especially (strangely...) elderly people, love to moan about it, I can say for a fact we would be far worse off following America' example. No amount of viewing medical dramas such as Scrubs, House M.D. or Grey's Anatomy can really get the awful unfairness of the situation across to you, that if you don't have insurance, you don't get treatment. Period. This is why people like Wendy Davis are important. Having only five abortion clinics in the whole of Texas would just be ridiculous and cost many lives. The bill has been scheduled to be discussed again on the 1st of July and we will just have to hope that someone else is able to stand up (literally) and do the right thing.

There were of course a few other exciting things that took place across the pond on Wednesday. DOMA was ruled unconstitutional, the challenge to Proposition 8's "unconstitutionality" (I really hope that is a word...) was thrown out - these are both Good News FYI - and the Voting Rights Act (or at least part of it) was ruled unconstitutional - although this, sadly, is a lot less good. However, and this is just my personal opinion, I felt a lot more inspired by the successful SB5 protests than by the other legislation. I live in a "single parent family" and I think that shows you how hard it would be to raise a child on your own, especially an unplanned one. Perhaps it's because (if I moved to America obviously) this would be the one with the potential to affect my life the most, although that may sound pretty selfish, or maybe the situation seems more urgent: life and death, as opposed to bureaucracy. While of course gay marriage is an incredibly important issue - and something I definitely support 100% - I do think someone's right to control the choices they make about their own body is more of a pressing concern.

Despite my opinions, I'm really happy for all the people that these law changes mean a lot to and I hope it gives everyone hope that, eventually, things will change for the better. I hope that in a few generations time children will be wondering what the big deal is and why their mum and dad, or mum and mum, or dad and dad keep talking about something so obvious. Because of course all families are the same, of course everyone should be equal under the law; the same way we now find it hard to comprehend when we learn in a history class about how less than a hundred years ago women didn't have the right to vote.

I don't know when there will be a female President of the USA, I don't know when there will be another female Prime Minister in the UK or in Australia, now that Julia Gillard is gone, but I do know I am really happy that there are women like Wendy Davis in politics today and I hope she inspires lots more girls to make their voices heard around the world.

What do you think about the recent events in America? Have they inspired you in any way? Leave your thoughts in the comments box, I would love to read them!

x

Tea or Coffee?

A brew. A cuppa. Builders, jasmine, green or chai. Milk and two sugars or black and bitter. However you take your coffee and whatever you call your tea, there is something incredibly, uniquely I think, British about our national fascination with putting the kettle on. Personally I love many different kinds of tea, from Tea Pigs Crème Rooibos to PG Tips. At the moment, I'm drinking Clippers decaffeinated in my Kit Kat mug in my pyjamas and could not be any happier that school holidays exist. A hot drink forms a part of everyone's relaxing rituals, from curling up on the sofa to catch up on TV to catching up with friends over an overpriced high street coffee. Whether you drink it from Starbucks, Costa, Nero or shun chain-coffee shops altogether for something homemade, coffee has never been more popular with the British public. You can probably look to America for the source of our obsession (although I blame the Nespresso adverts starring George Clooney... just me?)

Many people and I probably would consider myself one of them, see developing a taste for these hot, caffeinated drinks one of the signs of becoming "a grown-up" - whatever that means to you. However much you can dispute this - after all, some people will always prefer a hot chocolate and some (albeit rare) children drink milky tea or coffee at a young age - it is without doubt a fact that taste buds change and mature as you age. One of the things I've noticed about myself recently is how no day is complete, or even begun, without a big mug of tea. Black, two sugars. Or, if I happen to be up and about early, catching a train or anywhere in the radius of a coffee machine, a latte. Vanilla or caramel, please, and skimmed milk if you have it. I do order something else occasionally but these two, these warming, comforting, consoling two are what keep me going after a long day or prop my heavy eyelids open on an early morning.

How you take your drinks says something about you. This may be true in pubs and clubs and working behind a bar would give you an insight into a humanity as well, but I've never learnt more about people than by boiling them a kettle. One sugar or two? If this prompts some kind of comment along the lines of: "No thanks love, sweet enough," I already know I want to avoid eye contact. Do they stir or slurp straightaway? Milky or black? And the key question always, surely, tea or coffee? You discover so much just from watching them. Do they stand over you as make it or leave you to get on with foaming the milk? Initiate conversation or stand and check their email or start texting to avoid having to chat? Maybe most importantly, for underpaid coffee shop staff, do they tip or wait impatiently for that oh, so important five pence worth of change?

How do you take your drinks? Is anyone else as obsessed with Tea Pigs as I am (on my wishlist is their chocolate flake tea...YUM) And do you agree with me that developing a love for tea and coffee is a sign of growing out of childhood into, well, not-quite-grown-up-ness??

xoxo

(These images are not mine.)

The Gorgeous Great British Bake-off!

Let's be honest, who among us hasn't been loving the dramatic, delicious and totally guilt-free pleasure of curling up on a Tuesday night to enjoy the most British TV show of them all, second only to Downton Abbey, but that's another post entirely...

I am of course, referring to the fact that this evening (sob) is the Grand Final of Series 3 of The Great British Bake Off. That's right, there will be no more Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, no more John, James, Brendan, and after last weeks semi-final, no more of lovely unflappable Danny. No more cake catastrophes, flavour failures and meringue mishaps. What will we talk about on a Wednesday morning?



I think that's the main thing people have loved about this show. After the beautifully British events of the summer, it's filled the gap left by the Jubilee and the Olympics and given everyone something to remind us of our national talent: Keeping Calm and Carrying On. I've had in-depth discussions with friends about our favourite bakers, chats with customers at work about the merits of the Chelsea Bun over the humble Belgian and rambled on twitter about everything from brownies to bunting. After all, the show is blog paradise: cupcakes, cuteness and all set in the charming, if rainy British countryside. 

Last week was the semi-final or "Patisserie Week" and the bakers created an assortment of Petits Fours, Frasiere Cakes and Choux Gateaus. Some of their creations would have fitted in perfectly in a Parisian boulangerie and some required a certain stretch of the imagination, as did Mel and Sue's attempts at French accents. However, I haven't got over my favourite to win, Cathryn, being knocked out the week before week, although I found out she and the adorable Sarah-Jane have a blog together, yay! Still, no-one else on the Bake-Off can alliterate like Cathryn: "Doughnut doom," anyone? Anyway, these are some of this weeks results and personally I think they all look incredible. As usual, according to the judges there were some issues with awkward flavours, wobbly textures and "soggy bottoms," and John committed the cardinal sin of going over chocolately while Brendan's swans and James' chili, lime and raspberry macaroons went down a storm. My favourite were Danny's blackberry and peppermint ones, based purely on the irresistable appeal of anything that looks like an edible crayon.

Here are some of what the contestants produced this week - gorgeous right?

I've also discovered a surprising desire to learn how to make one of these. Wow right??

I can't wait for tonights episode! Who do you want to win? I hope its James and his lovely jumper collection or John, or anyone except Brendan :D

Jessica

xoxo