Tag Archives: Movies

Which Celebrated Female Movie Director Are You?

From Meg Ryan’s brilliantly faked orgasm in When Harry Met Sally  to the heart-pounding explosions in The Hurt Locker, women directors are responsible for some of the most iconic moments in film history. Yet the vast majority of movies are still directed by men. According to a recent report from the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, women directed only 7% of the highest grossing films in recent years. The entrenched discrimination against women in Hollywood is so dire that the ACLU just filed a grievance with state and federal agencies to help boost representation of them behind the camera.

In celebration of the incredible women directors who’ve created cinematic masterpieces despite the odds, we bring you this quiz. Find out whose style, subject and voice most match your own sensibilities, and maybe you’ll discover your next favorite movie, too.

(Please select one answer for each of the following six questions…)

 

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The ‘So Bad They’re Good’ Holiday Films On Netflix

Baby, it’s cold outside. (Actually, it’s downright freezing.) As the festive season draws near, so do the dark, chilly evenings. Luckily, that exact combination gives us all an excuse to slip into the coziest pajamas, grab a warm duvet, and settle in for an epic Netflix binge. What’s more, the streaming site has a handful of holiday gifts that you don’t want to miss. Let’s take a look at the ‘so bad they’re actually good’ holiday films on Netflix you have to watch this year.

#1 – The Princess Switch 

Starring ‘High School Musical’ actor, Vanessa Hudgens, ‘The Princess Switch’ is a must-watch for Netflix and rom-com fans. In the vein of the Parent Trap and other life-swapping flicks, the movie sees two miraculously identical characters switch places and walk a mile in one another’s shoes. 

Hudgens plays both an adorable American baker and a British Princess in this wholesome and kooky comedy. The pair soon hatch a plan to swap lives for a couple of days to see how the other half live. You don’t need a crystal ball to predict what happens next, but the movie feels fresh enough to carry the time-old story.

 

#2 – Christmas Inheritance

Before bratty daddy’s girl, Ellen, can inherit the family business, her father sets her a seemingly simple task. She has to deliver a Christmas card to his former partner in the aptly named town, Snow Falls. When a snowstorm hits the region, she’s stranded with no money and no friends to turn to. For the first time in her life, Ellen has to start from scratch and find her way in the world without the help of her family. 

 

#3 – The Christmas Prince 

If you’re looking for a super soppy rom-com that may make you shed a tear, you’ve found it. The Christmas Prince is an absolute cheese-fest of a film, but don’t let that put you off. Despite the slightly predictable (okay, very predictable!) plot, there’s a lot of warmth here and you might find yourself watching the movie again and again. 

 

 #4 – The Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding 

The 2017 movie ‘The Christmas Prince’ was such a hit for the folks at Netflix that they decided to recreate the magic again this year. Yes, the sequel that we did not ask for ‘The Royal Wedding’ is already out on the streaming site. However, if you’re dying to get more of this cute couple in your life, it’s worth a watch.

 

#5 – The Christmas Chronicles 

If it’s your dream to see Kurt Russell playing Santa Claus (and it should be!), The Christmas Chronicles is the Netflix movie for you. While the flick starts with a heart-wrenching twist, which I won’t ruin for you, it soon picks up to a cheerier note. The film starts by introducing us to the Pierce family; Claire, Teddy, and Kate. Soon enough, the man in the red hat arrives and brings a whole load of the festive spirit with him. The kids find themselves on a magical sleigh ride across the US that turns out to be an adventure they’ll never forget.

9 Beautiful Movies About Travel

We watch movies to laugh, to learn, and to feel something new. In large part, we watch them to escape reality. We experience something through the screen that we might not experience otherwise. It’s a glimpse into someone else’s life—a chance to put your own mind on mute while you live in another world for a few hours. And while nothing beats packing your bags and leaving on an adventure, an inspiring travel film comes in second. Maybe your schedule doesn’t allow a getaway; or perhaps you haven’t found something budget-friendly. Maybe you simply want to cure your case of wanderlust without having to get up off the couch. Whatever your reasons may be, if you’re looking for some of the most beautiful movies about travel, you’ve come to the right place.

1. Eat Pray Love

Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) seemingly has it all: the career, the husband, the home. But after going through a rather painful divorce, she’s left feeling lost and isolated. She embarks on a journey around the world to rediscover herself, indulging in delicious food in Italy, learning the power of prayer in India, and finding peace and love in Bali. Eat Pray Love is not just visually stunning; it grabs a hold of your heart and doesn’t let go.

2. Into the Wild


Here’s something many of us considered doing at one point in our lives: After graduating from college, Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) leaves behind all his belongings, gives his savings to charity, and hitchhikes to Alaska to experience and live in the wilderness. What makes this even cooler is that it’s based on a true story.

3. Wild


You’ll never forget Reese Witherspoon’s portrayal of Cheryl Strayed after the end of her marriage and her mother’s passing. Hopeless and self-destructive, Strayed embarks on a thousand-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail—alone. This movie makes you feel unlike any other film will, as you share in her journey of fear, finding hope, and ultimately, healing.

4. The Beach


This is certainly a movie of unpredictable adventures. While traveling in Bangkok, American backpacker Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) comes across a map that reportedly leads to an isolated island paradise kept a hidden secret from most. He’s able to make his way to this beach utopia but soon learns that everything is not as it seems. DiCaprio’s performance is, as always, unforgettable.

5. Under the Tuscan Sun


Similar to Eat Pray Love, this movie follows a woman named Frances (Diane Lane)—a professor and author—who has just found out that her husband is leaving her for the woman he’s been having an affair with. She escapes her home in San Francisco for a trip to Tuscany with the help of a friend, and in a series of somewhat odd events, ends of purchasing a run-down villa. It’s a beautiful story of heartache, healing, and remembering how to love yourself.

6. Lost in Translation

An unlikely friendship forms between aging movie star Bob (Bill Murray) and recent college graduate Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson)—both of whom are a little lost in life—when they cross paths in Tokyo. The movie portrays not just the isolation they feel being in a strange country, but also the obstacles they face in their own personal lives.

7. The Bucket List


Full disclosure: This one is a real tearjerker. But it’s hard to resist the touching story of Edward (Jack Nicholson) and Carter (Morgan Freeman)—two men from very different walks of life with one thing in common: their terminal illnesses. Together, they decide to ditch the hospital to scratch off the items on their bucket lists. While their adventures certainly brighten their days, it’s ultimately the friendship they form that gets them through their troubles.

8. Vicky Cristina Barcelona


Gal pals Vicky and Cristina are enjoying their summer in Spain when they meet and are immediately fascinated by an artist named Juan Antonio. While he finds himself attracted to the both of them, he’s still hooked on his ex-wife, who is quite the emotional (and also unstable) character. The film won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy.

9. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants


Based on the book by Anne Brashares, this flick follows four best friends who spend the summer apart. While they can’t be together, a pair of jeans that magically fits all of them is passed between them, keeping them together in another way, and sharing in their adventures.

5 of the Best Movies to Get You Ready for Summer

While summer doesn’t officially start until mid-June, many regard this weekend as the unofficial beginning of the season. If you’re not spending the next few days at barbecues or Memorial Day parades – maybe because you’re saving money, or you’ve got too much work to do, or perhaps you’re just more of a homebody – why not get into the summer mood in the comfort of your own abode?

Since your schedule is likely to be full of social get-togethers the next few months, these might be your last few days to chill on the couch and stream movies without your phone blowing up with pool party and outdoor trip invites. So take advantage of the calm before the summer (that’s not quite the saying, but just go with it), with this list of movies to get you ready for our favorite season of the year.

 

Blue Crush

Kate Bosworth plays Anne Marie, a girl in her 20s living with her best friends in paradise (Hawaii) and surfing every single day – but it isn’t all as fun as it sounds. She struggles to get by on little pay and is responsible for her younger pre-teen sister as her parents are no longer in the picture.

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This all changes when she meets a dreamy football player vacationing on the island who treats her to a luxurious escape from her reality. While this may sound a little reminiscent of Pretty Woman, Anne Marie isn’t looking to be rescued. Without giving away too much, we can say that this is not a Cinderella story, but it does have a happy – and empowering – ending, all against the beautiful backdrop of crashing waves and beautiful sunsets.

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Make a night of it: Get the girls together and start with some pina coladas! A short list of ingredients – cream of coconut, rum (although, just as delicious without alcohol), and fresh pineapple chunks – blended together makes a simple and refreshing treat. Prepare some Hawaiian pork tenderloin and guava cake for dessert and you’ve got a mini (and simple) Hawaiian vacation right at home.

 

Couples Retreat

Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, and Jon Favreau are just a few of the big names you’ll find in this hilarious movie. It’s about four couples who signed up for the island trip of a lifetime, but are unknowingly forced into therapy instead.

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Many of the issues they face are pretty typical of LTRs but you’ll still be laughing until you cry at some of the hilarious (some likely ad-libbed) portrayals of them. You’ll also become more and more obsessed with the idea of visiting French Polynesia as the movie was shot almost entirely in Bora Bora.

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Make a night of it: If you’re part of a couple, this is a funny one to watch with – you guessed it – another couple, or a few. Throw together some Bahama Mamas, another uncomplicated tropical drink. Since you’ve got a group, take the opportunity to play some games that work best with multiple people. A simple one to put together without anything more than some paper and pens is Pictionary (like Vince Vaughn did in another of his hilarious movies, The Breakup, albeit unsuccessfully in the film).

Make your game island themed! Just write down anything island-related you can think of on different pieces of paper, split teams up, and take turns pulling from a bowl. The Bahama Mamas won’t make you any better of an artist but you’ll certainly end up with some amusing depictions of hula girls at the end of the night.

 

I Know What You Did Last Summer

The 90s were great for scary movies, and everyone we know saw (and loved) I Know What You Did Last Summer. It was scary, it was funny (the killer had a hook for a hand and the movie itself was a “lesson” in teen responsibility), and it had all our favorite 90s actors, like Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., Ryan Philippe, and Jennifer Love Hewitt (her, spinning in circles yelling “What are you waiting for!?” is something 90s kids will never forget).

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It did so well, they even made a sequel, with an exceptionally imaginative title, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. There was even a third, straight-to-DVD film, I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer, but we didn’t see that one. Heck, just watch them all; it’s a long weekend!

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Make a night of it: Get your friends together, because scary movies are more fun with people to scare, and turn the lights down low. If you’re the inspired type of host, theme it up with Blood Orange Margaritas (killers are out for blood, you know) and treat your guests to a frightening dessert with a Red Velvet Slaughter Cake.

 

Dazed and Confused

It’s the 70s and school’s out for summer (or forever?) – what are you going to do? The same question runs through every high school kid’s mind, whether you’re a jock, a stoner, a cheerleader, a freshman… the list goes on.

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With an all-star cast (Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Parker Posey, and Joey Lauren Adams, to name a few) and just as star-studded and amazing a soundtrack, the film is one of our favorite summer movies ever. Even Quentin Tarantino has it on his list of the 10 Greatest Films of All Time.

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Make a night of it: This isn’t a night for fancy drinks or hors d’oeuvres, and you don’t need a keg; but you might want beers and plain old relaxation on the couch with your buddies. Don’t bother inviting your stuffy friends; they just won’t get it.

 

Eat, Pray, Love

If warm weather makes you feel like traveling, this film may add some places to your bucket list. In Eat, Pray, Love, a film adapted from the novel of the same name by Elizabeth Gilbert, Julia Roberts plays Liz (yes, the author), a woman who seemingly “had it all” who becomes lost in her own life through a series of life-altering events and travels the world to find herself.

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The title refers to how she split up her time, with “eat” being in Italy (yum!), “pray” in India, and “love” in Bali. Eat, Pray, Love covers the span of more than one season, but it all feels very summer to us. Plus, even just dreaming of a few months in some of the most amazing places on the planet is enough to make it on this list of must-see pre-summer movies.

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Make a night of it: You’ve got so many options with this one, but you’re likely going to enjoy this most with one of your best friends, perhaps one with whom you could see yourself traveling the world! Start with Amaro al Frescos, a cocktail made with Peroni (a beer brewed in Roma, Italy). Then, try your hand at Indian food for your entrée with Lamb Vindaloo. Finally, satisfy your sweet tooth (and end your around-the-world journey) with some Indonesian Banana Fritters.

Studio Ghibli: Animation is Art

Animation in film is dominated by studios such as Pixar and Dreamworks; and although these produce some high quality and emotionally evocative films, there is one studio that often outshines them in terms of artistic imagery and visual story telling. That studio is the Japanese rooted Studio Ghibli, and in this article we take an introductory look at the legendary artistry that has given Ghibli its well deserved status in cinematic history.

In 1984, Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki adapted his complex comic book into a screenplay, and one of his original anime films, Nausicää of the Valley of the Wind, was brought to cinemas. The story is of a princess who struggles to prevent two nations from destroying themselves and their planet.

A year later, the film was adapted and given a Western voice in the US, and his work was brought to the masses in the form of the controversial Warriors of the Wind. A studio was developed by Miyazaki, director Isao Takahata, and producer Toshia Suzuki. The torch paper of cinema’s love affair with Studio Ghibli had been lit, and off the success of this film.

Miyazaki’s enchanting storytelling and the studio’s breathtaking visual splendour enraptured audiences; and in 1996, Disney agreed to distribute Studio Ghibli’s films internationally, dubbing those that had already been released into English and bringing the magic to the world.

Grave of Fireflies

In 1988, Studio Ghibli produced the Takahata directed Grave of Fireflies. This still stands as one of the most heart wrenching and beautifully devastating animated films to have been made. In wartime Japan, a young boy and his little sister struggle to survive when faced with homelessness following the death of their mother. The mixture of evocative imagery and childlike innocence that seeps through the screen to the audience work together to enthrall and envelope so that is impossible not to feel for the characters and their horrendous plight.

Spirited Away

In contrast, Studio Ghibli released Spirited Away in 2001. This remains as one of the favourite anime films of many cinema buffs, and it is hardly surprising given the films fanciful originality and extravagant storytelling. When 10-year-old Chihiro and her parents drive to their new home, they take a wrong turn and end up in an abandoned theme park. Chihiro ends up in a world full of monsters and must fight her way back to her parents and her new life in a new home.

There is a myriad of visual and narrative metaphors for fear and anxiety within the film, which focuses on the young Chihiro’s strength and faith in order to overcome the physical and mental obstacles that stand in her way back to safety. In Spirited Away, Miyazaki really demonstrates his vivid imagination and understanding of a child’s psyche in order to bring a complex issue to life in a way that is disturbingly entertaining and visually invigorating.

Spirited Away has gone down in history as one of the top animated films ever made; and in 2004, Ghibli produced their second universally acclaimed masterpiece. Howl’s Moving Castle, based on a book by British author Diana Wynn Jones, tells the story of Sophie Hatter. When Sophie is cursed to look like an old hag by the Witch of the Waste, she runs from her home and finds the moving castle of the wizard Howl. Once there, Sophie befriends his fire demon Culcifer and strikes up a deal whereby if she frees Calcifer of Howl, he will help her return to her younger self.

Howl’s Moving Castle

Howl’s Moving Castle again demonstrates the incredible imagination and visual dexterity of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki as a director. As with previous films, Miyazaki matches his whimsical colourful imagery with dark and often scary representations. The juxtaposition works to create a journey that plays with an audience’s emotions not just through the narrative but through what is offered on the screen.

Throughout 2016, UK cinemas will be screening classic Ghibli films to celebrate the studio’s impressive achievements since its conception. The studio has gained a strong following, and a number of its films remain favourites of animation fans, and indeed of cinema fans in general. The films’ fantastical storytelling and quirky, whimsical imagery have captured the hearts and imaginations of generations of filmgoers. This year, it may be your turn.

 

*Featured Image: The Wind Rises (2013) directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by Studio Ghibli

The Best Films for Foodies: Mouthwatering Movies You Can’t Miss

“I hate food.”

— No one, ever.

Food connects us all! If there’s one thing every single person has in common, it’s that we all eat. It’s a basic necessity to survive, but let’s face it: Eating is just really, really fun. It’s so fun that foodies have taken to the interwebs to share their dishes in a storm of what most of us affectionately refer to as “food porn.” Yes — not only do we eat for fun, but we look at pictures of food we’d like to eat… for fun. I’m not saying I go on Instagram to drool over pictures of food… but I totally go on Instagram to drool over pictures of food.

If you really want to take your love of food to the next level (sign me up!), there are a bunch of delicious movies you’ll want to see.

 

Julie & Julia

Meryl Streep leads the way in this film, which means it’s awesome by default. The story of famous chef Julia Child is intertwined with that of blogger Julie Powell, who’s on a mission to cook every single recipe from Child’s first book. Prepare to be hungry the entire movie.

 

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

“The strawberries taste like strawberries, and the snozzberries taste like snozzberries!” I get tooth decay just watching Willy Wonka, but any film where you can lick the wallpaper is A-OK by me. The movie got a stellar remake, but nothing beats the original — the first movie that made all kids want to live in a land where everything is edible. This was a childhood classic, albeit a somewhat creepy one.

 

Ratatouille

Whoever said rats can’t cook clearly hasn’t seen this movie. (And you’re never too old for animated films.) A tiny rat named Remy wants to be a French chef, but… he’s a rat. He ends up in the sewage system of Paris, directly beneath the restaurant of his favorite chef: Auguste Gusteau. Chaos ensues when Remy starts to turn the culinary scene of Paris upside down. Not bad for a rodent.

 

Chocolat

This movie is a must-see, because chocolate. A single mother and her daughter move to France and open a chocolate shop. While the town is skeptical at first, the duo eventually wins them over with their delectable treats. Now I’m craving chocolate.

 

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Here’s another animated film you don’t want to miss. Scientist Flint Lockwood isn’t exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, but he does invent a machine that turns water into food — perfect timing, considering the town’s economic crisis. Something goes awry, though; and when Flint’s invention ends up turning rain into food, things don’t quite go according to plan. It seems too good to be true… and it is.

 

Chef

When acclaimed chef Carl Casper loses his job and walks away with a shattered career, he goes in a different direction and starts cooking from an old food truck instead. He once again realizes why he was so passionate about cooking in the first place, serving up delicious food and reconnecting with his family at the same time.

4 Movies We Wish Had Sequels

Each year, Hollywood, and sometimes indie cinema, come out with sequels (which we either do or don’t want) to some of our favorite movies. Whether it’s because they’re listening to public opinion or just want to get the best out of a franchise, sequels can be an exciting thing for a moviegoer. Here are four films we wish had sequels. (Be advised: If you haven’t seen any of these movies, there will be spoilers!)

Chappie

chappieThe original movie was an underrated sci-fi film with a robot called Chappie, whose “personality” was a combination of E.T.’s childlike nature and Dredd’s ruthlessness. Chappie was a character that you could sympathize with but also fear, because of the possibility of someone like him existing in the real world. At the end of the original film, Chappie’s creator “Deon” and Chappie’s mother figure “Yolandi” have become robots and Chappie has beaten Vincent, the film’s major antagonist (close to death).

The sequel would be a good way to ask some difficult questions in terms of Chappie’s role, and that of his cohorts, in modern society. Do their robotic bodies and past experiences turn them into weapons or does the human consciousness that originally conceived them prove to be a catalyst in making them something more?

Slam

slamTelling the coming-of-age story of an inner city youth named Raymond Joshua, the film bridged poetry, spoken word, and hip hop in a powerful way. At the end of the film, Raymond is faced with the possibility of returning to jail (but we never know if he does). If the film left anything to be desired, it’s that it never depicts female prisoners as it was told from Ray’s point of view.

Given the world we live in today, the themes in this film could be applied to a sequel that could give a voice to those trapped in prisons, both physical and mental. With a female lead and a new generation of spoken word poets, Slam’s sequel could be just as empowering as the original and perhaps touch more viewers.

Inception

inceptionTaking the concept of dreaming to whole new levels, this sci-fi film was a thrilling adventure that left  us wanting more. The psychological journey was exciting, but the film’s ending was rather suspicious: After using inception, Cobb has finally reunited with his family. The last scene involves Cobb spinning a top, his “totem” (an object used to test whether the person is in their own or someone else’s dream) used during inception. The totem keeps spinning as Cobb goes to join his family.

According to the film, we gather that Cobb’s top keeps spinning when he is dreaming and topples over when he is in the real world, or awake. Therefore, Cobb may not really be with his family at all. Either way, many questions and potential outcomes remain. But in the very least, a sequel with Cobb and his team trapped in a dream and fighting to get out (that’s the most suspenseful part, right?) would be an exciting adventure (even if we’ve kind of seen it before).

Beyond The Lights

beyond the lightsThis romance-drama told the story of a music artist named Noni who learns to find her own voice and rediscover her authentic self with the help of love. Raw and inspiring, the film was poignant and touching, encouraging viewers to find and love their true selves. By the end of the film, Noni and her love interest Kaz are a happy couple, and Noni is standing on her own as a music artist and getting help for her problems.

Kaz and Noni’s happy ending was great, but how do we know if it lasts? A sequel would be a great way to see how Kaz and Noni are affected by Noni’s career change both as a couple and as individuals, and also to show Noni’s ongoing journey to good mental health.

Words Worthy of An Oscar: Screenplays and the 2016 Academy Awards

The Academy Awards. The Oscars. Whatever you choose to call them, they have been recognising cinematic achievement since 1929. This year, the award nominations are shrouded in a cloud of diversity criticism, and not for the first time. There has been a plethora of speculative articles, tweets and blogs alongside deliberation amongst the media and film fans, the sheer amount of which means we shall not be looking at it within this article. Instead, we shall be looking at one of the less gossiped about categories: screenplays.

Actually, this forms two categories: one for Adapted Screenplays, and one for Original Screenplays. Why focus on this when there are categories such as Best Film, or Best Lead Actor? Well, put simply, without a screenplay, there would be no film. As Robert Altman said, “I don’t think screenplay writing is the same as writing – I mean; I think it’s blue printing.”

2016’s nominations are:

Adapted

The Big Short – Charles Randolph and Adam McKay.

Brooklyn – Nick Hornby.

Carol – Phyllis Nagy.

The Martian – Drew Goddard.

Room – Emma Donoghue.

Original

Bridge of Spies – Matt Charman, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen.

Ex Machina – Alex Garland.

Inside Out – Pete Doctor, Meg Lefauve, Josh Cooley; original story by Pete Doctor, Ronnie del Carmen.

Spotlight – Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy.

Straight Outta Compton – Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff; story by S. Leigh, Alan Wenkus and Andrea Berloff.

As much as it would be a complete pleasure to dissect each screenplay, space restrictions deem it undoable. So here are our picks for the winner from each category, and why.

Adapted Screenplay – Room

This category is strong this year, with some period originals such as Brooklyn and Carol, and a return to form for director Ridley Scott with The Martian. All of these are excellently written, with The Martian in particular marrying just the right levels of humour, emotion and science, and Brooklyn oozing style and ambience.

Room has a style all to itself. It tells the story of six-year-old Jack and his Ma. Ma was kidnapped at age 17 and kept in a garden shed, known as “Room,” for seven years. Jack is the product of her captor’s abuse. Having never left Room, the film investigates the pairs reintroduction back into the outside world through the eyes and ears of Jack. How he progresses and develops is juxtaposed to Ma and her struggles with reintegrating into normal family life whilst trying to get over her horrific experiences.

The narrative tools used and the structure of the film display an impressive level of skill from Emma Donoghue, who also authored the book. Told from the child’s perspective, this screenplay keeps its childish simplicity whilst dealing with dark, emotional wounds on behalf of Ma. These wounds are dealt with in a way that is honest and absorbing.

Original Screenplay – Inside Out

Pixar has been responsible for some of the most groundbreaking, emotion-inducing films of recent years. Toy Story broke new ground in terms of animation, whilst Up left its imprint in every viewer worldwide.

This year, the team brought audiences the phenomenal film Inside Out. The film focuses on a person’s core emotions — joy, fear, sadness, anger and disgust, which are the DNA of a person’s responses to stimuli. Inside Out focuses on the emotions of young Riley. When Riley is uprooted from the family home to move to San Francisco with her parents, her whole life is flip turned upside down. Things are made even worse when Joy and Sadness get lost in the recesses of the mind, and no longer have any control over Riley’s emotional responses.

Whilst at its most superficial level Inside Out is a cute story of friendship, if you delve deeper, the screenplay is incredibly well written and pieced together with subplots and narrative arcs that appeal to adults who recognise the troubles Riley is facing through their own experiences and experiencing it through their own children.

The structure of the mind and how it works is so well represented that it makes some of the most complicated psychological processes seem like child’s play. It also brings with it an important message for children, parents and indeed anybody: that sadness is important for us to survive.

Whilst there are a number of other excellent films within both categories, the simple skill with which Room is executed and the sheer ingenious of the structure of Inside Out make them our winners for this year’s screenplay Oscars.

5 Films to Inspire a Positive Year

New Year is a time when we all naturally make resolutions – a new year, a new beginning. Yet by the middle of January, inevitably, gyms go unvisited, diets go uncompleted and we revert to our usual ways. Here are some films that will help inspire you to keep those resolutions and make those changes.

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

bridget jones diaryDon’t want to “die alone, and half eaten by Alsatians”? Or turn into Glen Close in Fatal Attraction? Neither does Bridget.

Bridget Jones’s Diary is a strong contender for a New Year’s positivity film as it starts with that moment. That moment when you realize that you actually need to change something.

Bridget Jones is a 30-something singleton who lives alone and is unlucky in love. The film follows Bridget as she decides to take control of her life and start a diary. Through this, we learn of her trials and tribulations with family and relationships, with the unwavering support of her friends. Bridget forges her path through the let-downs and the obstacles placed in front of her to gain her own happy ending, via a fantastic comeuppance for a cheating boyfriend.

Bridget gives us all hope that we can get our happy ending, that a New Year and a new start may well bring with it the job, the partner and the outcome that we desire. Even if we do have to dress up as a sexy bunny rabbit and eat a turkey curry buffet.

What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993)

tina whats love got to do with itWhilst for most of us the desire to make changes comes from an unfulfilled career or an unhealthy lifestyle, there are others whose lives need changing for much more serious reasons. A dangerous domestic situation, for example. This brings us to the inspirational story of Tina Turner.

Tina Turner is woman enough to be an inspiration without a film. Heck, she was Aunty Entity in Beyond Thunderdome. But her story is one of pain, one of abuse and one of strength.

What’s Love Got to Do with It chronicles Tina’s rise to fame from a farm in Nutbush City to international stardom through her turbulent relationship with her husband Ike Turner, who propelled her to fame via his band the Kings of Rhythm. Through hideous mental and physical abuse, Tina (real name Anna May Bullock) found her inner strength and released herself of Ike’s oppressive hold.

If ever a film was made to inspire people to change their lives and believe in their ability to do so, this is it. Keep Rolling on the River.

Working Girl (1988)

working girlMany people will be making career-based New Year’s resolutions in 2016, to get out of that rut and push forward to achieve goals. If you need inspiration to attain and maintain those resolutions, 1988’s Working Girl has you covered.

Melanie Griffith stars as Tess McGill, a secretary in a stock market office who has big dreams, and a talent to match. Unfortunately, she is struggling to be seen in a male-dominated world saturated with respected degrees and impressive portfolios. But Tess isn’t just over looked by men; she is disrespected by the women that have made it in the business due to her lowly status. But McGill is strong. She fights back when people try to use or abuse her and fights for what she believes in, which is herself and her abilities.

Working Girl instills self-belief in its audience, regardless of background, gender or education. With a strong enough belief in yourself and some hard work, anyone can attain their dreams.

South Paw (2015)

southpawOne film of recent years that offers encouragement and inspiration for men looking to change their lives is 2015’s South Paw. Jake Gyllenhaal plays boxer Billy Hope. When Hope is at the peak of his career everything is taken away from him in a devastating twist. He hits rock bottom and turns to a boxing trainer to help him fight his way back up to where he wants to be. Inner strength and facing up to his own bad decisions and inner demons are the name of this game.

South Paw demonstrates that no matter how bad life may get, if you tap into your strength and recognize what it is you need to do, you can accomplish extraordinary things.

North Country (2005)

north countryDrive and ambition are two of the main components in most people’s resolutions, as are determination and strength. In North Country, Charlize Theron’s character Josey Aimes has these attributes in bucket loads and she uses them to achieve her goals.

In 1980’s America, female mine workers were rare, and those that did exist existed in a world of chauvinistic male mockery and abuse. Until Josey came along. Josey has been at the hands of an abusive man before, and she has stood up and walked away with her kids. She displays an immense amount of strength and independence. So when she sees how woman are treated in the mines, she decides to stand up and fight it, but it is lonely out on a limb on your own.

Through her grit and her will to get what is right, she keeps fighting. Her prolonged fight and determination to never give up is a story that inspires and influences those that watch it.