This advert made me laugh so much that I had to find the advert on YouTube to send to my parents in New Zealand – they loved it too!
It’s about families taking a test to find out if they love or hate Marmite. The test results come through the post as though it’s a serious medical condition and the reactions are hilarious!
Please find enclosed the results of your family’s Marmite gene test. These show if you were born a lover or a hater.
I love the reaction around the posh dinner table between the older couple.
Man: “I prefer jam.” Woman: “Have you ever done it here… In this house? On this table?”
I especially love when the man takes a bite out of the crumpet with Marmite on it to please his wife and to show her that he could like it if he tries, but he basically gags and spits it out.
I love it! Haven’t seen it broadcast on the telly very much though, but I thought it was hilarious.
Director: Andrew Stanton
Writer: Andrew Stanton
Released: June 2016
Featuring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Hayden Rolence, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy
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I was more keen to see BFG if I’m honest, but mostly because I thought Finding Nemo was so good that ‘Finding Dory‘ was just going to be a cash-in. But due to a particularly over-excited boyfriend, we ended up seeing Finding Dory.
Sharing a small cinema with about 50 people – some of them peculiar, some of them creepy, and only a couple of them under the age of 13 – we unabashedly cracked open a couple of ciders and the movie began. And I was pleasantly surprised.
With new characters and a heart-felt story line, Finding Dory was another genius creation of Pixar.
We follow Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) as she slowly gets flash-backs to her home and parents. It leads her, Nemo (Hayden Rolence) and Marlin (Albert Brooks) across the ocean once again, and finding themselves in a Marine Life Institute. (Featuring Sigourney Weaver as herself).
My favourite character was probably Becky, who is a dotty bird who is rather simple.She is as creepy as she is quirky.
Although I did think Hank (Ed O’Neill (granddad in Modern Family)) the octopus was the most heart-warming character.
But my boyfriend’s favourite character was Bailey (Ty Burrell (aka dad in Modern Family)) the beluga whale due to the humour of watching him figure out how to be a whale, as well as the sounds he made.
Unfortunately, my boyfriend pointed out that the goofy sea lion Gerald has an uncanny resemblance to my good self… I was offended.
In between the genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, the storyline was heavy in parts. The emphasis on family and unity and support and friendship and acceptance and patience… Man! Please calm down on the wholesome messages.
Dory’s short term memory loss became a little irritating, as the ‘wait, what are we talking about?’ jokes began to seem over-used, and wearing thin.
But it’s a movie I would happily see again. I haven’t laughed that loudly in a movie for a long time! It’s certainly aimed at us older kids (in our twenties) who grew up watching Finding Nemo.
“How to get a boyfriend on Tinder… You don’t get boyfriends on Tinder. To get a boyfriend on Tinder, you need to uninstall Tinder.”
*Since writing this, Rosalea has added more videos, so I shall embed them at the bottom of this review as they are made!
This is a hilarious reality check to all those singles out there expecting to find true love on the dating app with the worst reputation.
Rosalea definitely reminds me of the American vlogger Jenna Marbles who has been vlogging for years. Both talented with hair and make up, and both hilarious.
“You’re not going to find someone that you click with like no one’s business… Who brings you a 750 gram tub of Nutella with a spoon on it and says ‘yo, let’s go sit on that mountain and discuss the invention of Cruskits.'”
This is the first episode uploaded by Rosalea, and I’m excited to see more. This isn’t a ‘Tinder tantrum’, this is an in-depth and thoroughly entertaining insight into the world of Tindering.
“They think I’m a slut and I think they’re a douche.”
She has a natural ability to make mundane experiences into hilarious stories, with her subtle expressions and bizarre metaphors.
After a brief and incredibly informal interview, Rosalea talked about her passion for vlogging – something she has been doing for a while in private.
“I’ve secretly wanted to try become a giant YouTuber for ages and sometimes I make vlogs for kicks when I’m bored. They’re somewhat entertaining to watch so I was like ‘let’s see if people like this.'” It is only now that she has posted her exploits online.
UPDATE: You have to watch Rosalea’s latest video – so hilarious:
With a desk lamp, phone and a bunch of mousse in her hair, she is well equipped to be New Zealand’s very own Jenna Marbles.
Be sure to follow her on Twitter and subscribe on YouTube – she comes out with some real chestnuts sometimes, and you don’t want to miss out.
Directors: Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
Writers: Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
Released: September 2014
Starring: David Tennant, Rosamund Pike and Billy Connolly
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Like my horse, it’s funny at the beginning, saggy in the middle and a bit crappy at the end.
This is a film – featuring the spectacular David Tennant (Dr. Who!!) and Rosamund Pike – about a family of five going on holiday to Scotland for the grandfather’s 75th birthday party.
Long story short, the parents are having a divorce but only the children know, and they are sworn to secrecy while visiting their sickly grandfather so as to keep his final years pleasant.
Pike plays the mum, Abi, Tennant as the dad, Doug, and Billy Connolly as the granddad, Gordie.
Abi and Doug have three children, the easiest way to describe them is as the intelligent and serious one, the creative one and the youngest and funniest one. Sort of like in that Lemoney Snicket movie A Series of Unfortunate Events.
I found the first third of the movie hilarious – such a typical English comedy. It reminded me of About a Boy. I was laughing out loud watching it on the plane and everything. (Although, that was after two bourbon and cokes…)
After that, it got quite slow. The drama began to set in, but there wasn’t enough at stake, perhaps, for the audience to feel to effected?
Nevertheless, the script was amazing. Some fantastic one-liners! For example, the youngest child has a brick and a rock as friends:
Doug: Have you seen anybody about this?
Abi: Like a geologist?
And a whooooooole other bunch of funny lines, which I can’t find on the internet for you because it’s a newish film.
I think this movie has great intentions, and it was almost awesome from beginning to end, with philosophical and comedic moments.
Director: Steven Antin Writers: Susannah Grant. Screenplay by Steven Antin and Diablo Cody Released: November 2010 Starring: Christina Aguilera, Cher, Eric Dane, Cam Gigandet, Kristen Bell, Julianne Hough, Alan Cumming, Peter Gallagher, Stanley Tucci, Dianna Agron
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So, Burlesque is pretty much a lighter, chick flick version of Moulin Rouge. It is an upbeat, modern story with back to back songs that make you want to get up and dance.
Christina Aguilera is a singer who I admire for her talent, yet if I am honest, I do not enjoy her music.
She does an amazing job during the scenes where she is performing on stage. However, for the most part her acting is much to be desired. Her squeaky voice gets a little on nerves considering she has such a deep, powerful singing voice.
The same goes for Cher, her acting was average… But so was her auto-tuned voice. I’m not convinced that she should really be classed as “a legend”…
I swear Life After Love is the only successful song of hers that I can think of.
But Stanley Tucci is one of my favourite actors – he is great in this movie as usual!
I don’t love the songs enough to buy the soundtrack. But there are a couple that are pretty catchy! Unfortunately, Christina Aguilera’s voice is so distinct that sometimes her improvisation during the songs can become irritating. Hence why I have never bought an album of hers.
Following a typical chick-flick structure, the ending is no surprise. Over used morals of “do what you love”, “just do it” and “don’t give up” drowns this movie. But it is a film that is not supposed to be much more than enjoyable.
Looking for a pick me up? I think this high-energy, fun film will do the trick!
Director: Woody Allen Writer: Woody Allen Released: June 2011 Starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody
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When I first watched this film I was disappointed because I had hyped up the plot of Gil (Owen Wilson) travelling through different time eras of Paris. The artistic, fashionable, sophisticated and elaborate times of the 1920s, as well as the ceremonious, coming of age times of the 1890s. But after letting my great expectations subside, I really enjoyed the watch.
The plot is about the Golden Age. That is, longing to live in a time before your own. For example, mine is the early 1960s. Rock and roll music and amazing fashion, with the huge liberal movement against war and for free will.
Paul: Nostalgia is denial – denial of the painful present… the name for this denial is golden age thinking – the erroneous notion that a different time period is better than the one one’s living in – it’s a flaw in the romantic imagination of those people who find it difficult to cope with the present.
However, Midnight In Paris attempts to shroud my Golden Age in contempt, trying to convince me that few are content with the current times and to get over it. It dampened my comfort of believing I would be happier in a different time, because the reality is – as Gil discovers – that you would simply find another time that you would believe to be better.
There is a lot of magic in this film, which I love. Gil goes through a wormhole of sorts, where at the strike of midnight every night a 1920s car picks him up and takes him to parties with his literary heroes. It’s a beautiful “what if” storyline that lives out everybody’s dream to travel through time to experience a life not meant for them.
I think that the decision for Gil to be transported to different era via transport appropriate for that time was perfect. It seems like a small, obvious detail, but I’m just glad that there was no CGI, special effects or sound effects to make the transition obvious.
This magic does not last throughout the film, however. “The grass is always greener on the other side” is a phrase that has been converted into the moral of this story – the cold, harsh light of day is not welcoming.
Gil sees that the beauty of every era can still be inspiring without having the ability to experience it first hand. Which is disappointing since it seems that he is throwing away his idyllic time era of 1920s Paris for an average life in 2010 Paris. He could have continued to live his dream, but chose not to for no convincing reason.
On the other hand, I loved how his heroes gave him advice and support, which ultimately builds his confidence to improve his life in the present.
Gil: Would you read it? ErnestHemingway: Your novel? Gil: Yeah, it’s about 400 pages long, and I’m just looking for an opinion. Ernest Hemingway: My opinion is I hate it. Gil: Well you haven’t even read it yet. Ernest Hemingway: If it’s bad, I’ll hate it because I hate bad writing, and if it’s good, I’ll be envious and hate all the more. You don’t want the opinion of another writer.
Instead of taking the easy option of staying in his dream, he takes the tough road of building his life into what he really wants. I guess he shook of the security blanket of living in the past – an easier place to live because you know what’s coming for you.
Gil: Adriana, if you stay here though, and this becomes your present then pretty soon you’ll start imagining another time was really your… You know, was really the golden time. Yeah, that’s what the present is. It’s a little unsatisfying because life’s a little unsatisfying.
Gertrude Stein: We all fear death and question our place in the universe. The artist’s job is not to succumb to despair, but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence.
The beautiful French music was glorious! Seriously considering buying the soundtrack.
The acting was very well done. I really hated Rachel McAdam’s character. Like, it got to the point where I was starting to think that she must be a total bi-atch in real life because she played evil Inez so convincingly. So, kudos to her acting ability.
Owen Wilson was pretty much the same character he is in everything. I’m not totally sure why he was cast. Perhaps to keep the film upbeat.
It is an uplifting tale of something that many of us dream of doing. The ending was rather disappointing, at first. But I have come to terms with it, and I think it works well for Gil.
Worth a watch, but don’t expect it to be a deep and meaningful movie – you will be disappointed! Look at it as a quirky drama/rom-com. Although, I do think that it would have been a very moving film if it was heavier with more drama and emotion.
The ditsy character in the Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant TV series, Extras, is Maggie Jacobs (Ashley Jensen).
“Would you rather be you, with your face and your legs, and the brain of a chimpanzee, or would you rather be a chimpanzee, but with your brain?”
I like her because she is so innocent and naive. It makes a huge change for one of the leading characters to be so honest and unaffected by mainstream beliefs. She is fresh-faced but average, similar to Bridget Jones but even easier to relate to.
I guess because she’s in a dead-end job, single and struggling as a extra on television shows, rubbing shoulders with fame and fortune yet never coming close to it, like how much of society feels as they slave away at work. But Maggie never strives for any of that. She just plods along.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying that I look up to her, but I do draw inspiration from her because she is so honest to people. Plus, she always does something to embarrass herself but lets it go – she never dwells on bad experiences or holds grudges.
She’s funny, loyal and doesn’t lie to anyone… Which gets her into trouble sometimes. Her Scottish accent is amazing, too!
Directed: Tom McGrath
Written: Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons
Released: November 2010
Featuring: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross and Brad Pitt
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I think the best animations are ones where they are enjoyable for more than one age group, which Megamind certainly is! Great for the younger audience as well as teenagers and adults.
“Being bad was the only thing I was ever good at”
This movie is about a blue alien named Megamind (Will Ferrell) who was sent to Earth as a baby, growing up to cause destruction and trouble. Megamind and his rival, Metro Man (Brad Pitt) who is the city’s ‘super hero’, frequently fight in Metro City like Superman and Lex Luthor. It’s a classic good guy/bad guy relationship, which becomes a game to Megamind, until he finally defeats Metro Man and realises that the success he had always strived for was not as rewarding as he had thought.
Moral: Be careful what you wish for; you may just get it.
This animation has some of the best lines in it, I reckon it’s up there with Juno‘s dialogue in some parts. The script is very well written, the dialogue as well as the storyline. It’s a classic superhero story which frequently mocks itself.
This type of animation is similar to that of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, but Megamind is a slightly more mature story; funnier and more entertaining.
I love you, Metro Man! “And I love YOU, random citizen!”
Megamind: In case you’ve noticed, you’ve fallen right into my trap! Metro Man: You can’t trap justice! It’s an idea, a BELIEF! Megamind: Even the most heartfelt belief can get corroded over time! Metro Man: Justice is a non-corrosive metal! Megamind: But metals can be melted, by the heat of revanche! Metro Man: It’s REVENGE, and it’s best served cold! Megamind: But it can be easily reheated, in the microwave of evil! Metro Man: Well, I think your warranty’s about to expire! Megamind: Maybe I got an extended warranty! Metro Man: Warranties are invalid, if used beyond their intended purpose!
All the characters are awesome! Roxanne Ritchie (Tina Fey) is a news reporter who always gets kidnapped by Megamind to provoke another fight with Metro Man. She has been taken so many times that nothing phases her any more.
Roxanne: Could someone stamp my frequent kidnapping card? Megamind: You of all people know we discontinued that promotion.
Hal: “You’re living a fantasy. There is no Easter Bunny. There is no Tooth Fairy. There is no Queen of England.”
Hal (Jonah Hill) is probably my favourite character though because he’s the funniest. He’s desperate for Roxanne’s attention but fails to be smooth or flattering. Megamind turned Hal into the new ‘good guy superhero’ after Metro Man’s disappearance, and named him Titan.
Hal: I’m havin’ a party at my house, gonna be off the hook, or whatever. You should come over. I got a DJ, rented a bouncy house, made a gallon of dip. It’s gonna be sick! Roxanne: Oh, I…I don’t know, Hal. I don’t really feel like being around a bunch of people. Hal: No, no, no! That’s the best part, it’ll just be like, you and me… I did hire a wedding photographer. That’s just in case we were like, something crazy happened and we wanted a picture of it like, maybe we should have this for like, ever. Like a memory, you know? Roxanne: Um, I’m gonna pass. I have some work here that I need to do, anyway. Hal: Cool. So, Thursday? Soft Thursday?
A fun, exciting and hilarious twist on the age-old superhero format. Great cast, characters and storyline.
Director: Jason Moore Writer: Kay Cannon. Based on Pitch Perfect by Mickey Rapkin Released: September 2012 ———-
Okay, this movie was actually pretty funny! I felt like I needed to suppress my laughing fits so that nobody thought I had such a weird sense of humour – which this movie kind of does.
I really enjoyed it – perhaps more than I would care to let on since it is just a chick flick… But it’s not your typical “boy gets girl”, “random dudes stripping off”, “getting drunk and hooking up”… Okay, well that’s a lie, there was all of the above, but the movie tended to make fun of these stereotypical characteristics of the genre, which set it apart.
Beca – the protagonist – is played by the awesome Anna Kendrick… I reckon Ellen Page would have suited this character too…
Also, the fact that it certainly focussed on the music more than anything – you should see the list of songs in the credits! Plus, I liked how Pitch Perfect had a ‘point’ despite being just a fun, entertaining film. It emphasised diversity and non-conformity while either avoiding stereotypes, or blatantly stating them.
I guess I’m missing out on the main point of the movie, which is that it was all about the competitive world of acapella. I thought “Glee + Bring It On”, but it was actually a thousand times better than either of those. Competitions between numerous groups of dudes and girls who battle for the best performance of any song using nothing but their vocal chords. They all sounded fantastic… Even though their voices were obviously perfected in post. Almost too flawless actually…
Fat Amy has to be everybody’s favourite character, just because she is so freakin’ hilarious. I was so disappointed that they didn’t include the “pirate dancing” scene though… They replaced it with the “mermaid dancing” scene. So, here is the pirate dancing clip since you won’t see it in the movie (25 seconds in):
But the character who made me laugh the most was actually Lilly aka “The Quiet One”… I shan’t give away too many details – but look out for her!
My favourite thing about the movie? Probably that it was set in a university and not a High School! I’m so fed up of 20-something year old actors playing 16 year olds… Also, the love story took a major back seat! So refreshing!! There were also a lot of rather funny one-liners. Most of them being puns… Which were really quite “punny”… Ha.
The worst part? The pointless and really weird idea of having a character that has a tendency to vomit… A lot. Not only does it take you by surprise, but it makes one ponder the reasoning behind why this addition was actually required.
haring a small cinema with about 50 people – some of them peculiar, some of them creepy, and only a couple of them under the age of 13 – we unabashedly cracked open a couple of ciders and the movie began. And I was pleasantly surprised.
But my boyfriend’s favourite character was Bailey (Ty Burrell (aka dad in Modern Family)) the beluga whale due to the humour of watching him figure out how to be a whale, as well as the sounds he made.
She has a natural ability to make mundane experiences into hilarious stories, with her subtle expressions and bizarre metaphors.
Directors: Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
Pike plays the mum, Abi, Tennant as the dad, Doug, and Billy Connolly as the granddad, Gordie.
Nevertheless, the script was amazing. Some fantastic one-liners! For example, the youngest child has a brick and a rock as friends:
She does an amazing job during the scenes where she is performing on stage. However, for the most part her acting is much to be desired. Her squeaky voice gets a little on nerves considering she has such a deep, powerful singing voice.
Fat Amy has to be everybody’s favourite character, just because she is so freakin’ hilarious. I was so disappointed that they didn’t include the “pirate dancing” scene though… They replaced it with the “mermaid dancing” scene. So, here is the pirate dancing clip since you won’t see it in the movie (25 seconds in):
NZ Film Freak 