Elizabeth Stevens's Blog, page 2

On the tenth day of Christmas...

...I have a new obsession.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today's shirt is made all the more spectacular by the fact that my boob makes the Christmas tree totally wonky. I'm also doing something weird with my left arm that has nothing to do with aggravated RSI.You also do not want to know what the husband was talking about while taking this particularly glorious set of photos. But at least it got me smiling.On day 10, I review a movie I forgot was coming out. I've done another stream of consciousness at the end, so scroll on by the dot points to the trailer if you don't want potential spoilers (tbh, it may be so rambly the spoilers are rendered null and void).A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish - 5/5 candy canesThis movie was so good, I'm awarding it festive candy canes instead of stars. After The Royal Baby's dismal performance, I was feeling terrible and totally expected this movie would suffer a carryover annoyance. Within the first scene, I was bolstered, I was full of Christmas cheer, and I was totally ready for whatever this next Cinderella Story threw at me.I have to say, from the outset, I am a massive fan of the Cinderella Story franchise. I regularly binge watch the first four in a whole day and can honestly never get enough of them. When they seemed to get into their groove of being about aspiring musicians and dancers, I thought it was an interesting direction from the first. But, by Christmas Wish, I am well and truly there for it. I love that theme and would be absolutely heartbroken if they took it away.Christmas Wish starred Laura Marano and Gregg Sulkin in the generic Cinderella and Prince Charming roles - this time out as Kat Decker and Dominic Wintergarden. Firstly, their chemistry from the moment they met was on point. I got little heart flutters. It was gorgeous. The smiles. The looks. The shy glances. It was adorable and I honestly just wanted them to hurry up and kiss already.The backdrop and scenery was perfectly Christmassy and wonderfully Cinderella Story. Kat's best friend Isla was an amazing friend and support, and just a really great character - she was quirky and bubbly as all good Cinderella BFFs are. Likewise, the steps were the same as we've come to know and love from A Cinderella Story. Diedre was the rude, hostile, status-obsessed stepmother. Joy was the social climbing, sycophantic stepsister. And dear Grace was the idiot stepsister who got super excited every time someone said 'Santaland', and look I don't blame her.There are some nods to the OG Cinderella Story that warmed my heart almost as much as the movie did. They were a brilliant addition. The songs were great - I wondered at the time whether Marano had a Christmas album and seriously hoped she did. I've since added the soundtrack to my Spotify and plan to listen to it on repeat at length for the rest of the month.I could honestly just gush about how much I loved this movie forever. But instead, I'm going to add in my stream of consciousness waffles for you to enjoy and leave it at 100/10 would recommend. It gets ALL the candy canes this season folks. If I watch a better movie this year, I'm...going to have to come up with something more drastic than eating my hat.See, here's a movie franchise who knows how to brand. It's called font people, look it up.I also like how all of these have turned into singing thingsAlso love the 40s/50s vibe going on.The meet-cute. Naw - love the typical step-sisters in their specific colours where one's a dick and one's an idiot.Isla - love her.OMG, it's totally not Dominic playing Santa! No way! Is it just me or is he hotter is the Santa suit?Oh, her voice! Hello. Totally not live, but amazing.The cheese! The adorable cheese! The lingering glances, the smiles,

On the ninth day of Christmas...

...I had a tired, so I'm a bit late.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. I'm a little late with day 9's review and t-shirt because it got tired and ugh. So I've added some reindeer antlers for a bit of extra festive flair. I'm not sure my t-shirt friend approves, though.I'm also not convinced about the face (my face. The reindeer is adorable). But there's only so many photos I can stand around for before I get impatient. Still, what better way to view the wild and elusive writer than in her natural habitat?Day nine has me with aggravated RSI after a weekend of gaming, but damn was it worth it. It also sees me dropping a butt-load of spoilers because I'm angry with this movie. So, I'm sorry about that, but this is basically a stream of consciousness of my thoughts as we went along.A Christmas Prince: the Royal Baby - 2/5 starsHonestly, I don't know how I feel about this movie. I spent the whole time being angry with it, but had to agree with Hubby when it was over and he said it wasn't the worst film. I might be compelled to give it another go. But I doubt it.So, we're going into this one with some trepidation. If you've seen my review of the first two movies, you know how I felt about them…So, the font is annoying me. Anyone else notice that all three movies have different fonts at the beginning?? And none of them match the movie posters?? The inner formatter in me is itching at the lack of consistency here.Also, why is Amber still writing a blog? Who allowed her to continue unsupervised blogging? I need an answer to this, I need some throw away comment like she knows what's appropriate or not (although not if you listen to movie two - that was the only thing I agreed with Mrs Averil on). I just don't understand!!Oh, the photoshopping humanity! What was with that honeymoon shot?Emily continues slaying - I love her.What happened to Simon's accent?At least they got all the cast back - I like *that* continuity. Even if it meant stupid dad was back.As soon as the baby plan turned up, it was guaranteed to go up in flames.God, the forced laughter *eye roll*But...the sleigh ride. Naw...so yay?Why are they waiting until NOW to have the 'how to raise a child' conversation?I do NOT want to know what Mrs Averil was doing last Sunday.Okay, so aside from the forced laughter moments where the entire onscreen body chuckle wholesomely, I'm getting more into it.Melissa and Simon are stupid, though. The addition of the Simon and Lin? Just what? It's the love-triangle no one asked for. It is so contrived and forced.Why is Amber signing anything? I get the whole 21st century bit...but royal by marriage? Maybe every single plotline in this would have been solved if she was becoming Queen and he was the reporter?Why are the Queens always called "Queen…" by family members? Is that a royal thing?Hubby thinks they seem unprepared - like the queen would know everything well in advance… I agreeWhat happened to protocol? Why did Amber just 'smack' Queen Ming? You don't just tap a person you've just met?? What?Sahil and Andy?? NO! Relationship, yes. Event business, no.Wifi receiver for the baby monitor…? Sure.Why is Amber's attache attached to the queen mum? I'm waiting on the romance arc a la princess diaries.Forced drama, much?Top of the tree? I can get behind this. Ugh not this Lin nonsense again. She wasn't on Simon's team...then Melissa quit and Lin ended up on his team...how?Enough investigative journalism!! You were a junior editor, ffs.Naw, Mr Little just got all the points.I just don't care enough about Melissa or Andy. We haven't seen enough of them or their relationship with Amber. They started out as just colleges then were all of a sudden her best/only friends in the world?Okay, so the baby shower was lovely. That song was a bit eh after Queen Ming made a beanie in an afternoon, though.What the heck's going on with two kings building a crib? In the middle of the baby shower? While I want to believe all parents want to do that to some degree, I doubt two kings would be allowed.Now it's not just espionage but a ghost story too. Oh, good.I am glad to see Tom's back. Super happy for Emily and would love for them to have their own movie. With less melodrama would be lovely.What the actual hell? She faints after making a bullseye? Why?Is it just me as a childless old woman, or does this movie make pregnant women out to be utterly fragile and useless? She hasn't been that busy, has she? And worrying her baby's going to be...what? Disabled for being born two weeks early? I was a month early, I'm not that bad. Two weeks does not a curse make.And of course Queen Ming used to work at a maternity hospital.I just… I promised myself I'd go into this full of positivity and optimism, but it really didn't last very long.It would not have locked!! FFS. That kind of lock needs a huge key turned miles around for it to lock. Why is everyone there while she's in labour just drinking and watching??Actually relationship no, Sahil treats Andy like shit.Why is the key still in the dungeon?Why did her falling crack the...what is that? A toilet?Of course there's no ghost!And of course the queen mum knows how to pick locks with a Bobby pin

On the eleventh day of Christmas...

...I found a non-Netflix movie.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Day 11 and I've managed to find a movie that wasn't done by Netflix, so I attired appropriately. For a Hallmark movie, one needs a Hallmark Christmas movies watching shirt. It's an important distinction to make - there's a Hallmark movie not only for every occasion, but also every season. We got burned. Our first official Christmas movie this year was 'Frozen in Love', but it wasn't a Christmas movie, it was just a winter movie! Still enjoyed it, though.Day eleven has me reviewing my first Hallmark offering for the year, but I can almost guarantee it won't be my last.Christmas on the Range - 3.5/5 starsI'm going to give this one an extra point because it was definitely better than average, but I wouldn't say I loved it. It required a hell of a lot of suspension of disbelief from the get go and, once her friends and their overacting turned up, I needed a buttload of positivity. But, once that was out of the way, I enjoyed it. It was full of all the drama and cheese and predictability one expects and wants from a Hallmark movie.As the title would suggest, this movie is about a ranch owned by Kendall Riley (played by Erin Cahill). She inherited it from her father three years earlier and has been working hard to get it certified organic. Just as she's having an issue with a bovine breach birth, help arrives in a terribly charming mystery vet. But mystery vet is none other than the Riley family's nemesis' son, Clint McCree (played by Nicholas Gonzalez).Clint's dad, Brick, has been sabotaging Kendall's efforts to keep her ranch going due to an ongoing feud between Brick and Kendall's dad, Robert. Only, no one but Brick appears to know what the feud was about. Even the town gossips who congregate at the hairdresser (hilariously named 'I will cut you') and rate gossip on a numbering system.The usual hiccoughs and roadbumps crop up throughout the movie. Although, I was surprised at the somewhat...darker undertones to the story. It wasn't all inconsequential issues and shallow characters, and I really appreciated that. It was a surprise and took me a little to get my head around, but I was ultimately glad my preconceived notions of a Hallmark Holiday film were dashed. This film managed to keep me guessing and surprising me, which is unfortunately getting difficult to do.There was the usual overacting and eye-rolling moments, there were bits that were quite clearly just to look good in film (Kendall's millions of pairs of perfect coveralls, the need to physically rope a bunch of cows when they were in a fenced pen). But I enjoyed it. It was a couple of hours of escapism and feelgood Christmas ness. I'd recommend it, but I don't have a burning desire to go out and watch it again soon.If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).

On the eighth day of Christmas...

...I need answers. Answer. I need one answer.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today's tee sums up my life, my year, my week, and this 'photoshoot' - there was shiny garland above my head, but I didn't get high enough up the ladder, apparently.We went to our local carols tonight, where I was reminded Australia has it's own version of 'Dashing through the Snow'. I'll see if I can find a good assortment of Australian Christmas Carols and add them for the twelve days of Christmas.Day four and I'm realising I have a Netflix obsession, but it is totally unintentional. I'm going to stop picking random movies and find one that isn't a dang Netflix one (don't worry, Hallmark are coming!).Let It Snow - 4.5/5 starsI spent the first five minutes of this movie going, "It's them!" every time a new character was introduced. No, I didn't know anything about it other than that there were a lot of intermingling characters. I've since learned it was an anthology book (by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle published in 2008) and that Myracle has called 'Love Actually' for teens. Which is as true as it is plainly ridiculous, because 'Love Actually' is for everyone.I'm starting to think I either REALLY like Christmas movies, or the offerings are getting better, because I loved this one. We focus on a group of friends and their lives on Christmas Eve, with a particular focus on their love lives, but I am very happy to report that there is also some friendship and personal growth which is nice. There are four main coupling/romance threads in this one - Duke and Tobin, Julie and Stuart, Dorrie and Kerry, and poor Addie. I have no idea which was my favourite, though. I was trying to think of one and couldn't pick. And, really, why should I?Duke and Tobin were the adorable best friends with that spark you just wanted to be more. But then along comes JP to throw a spanner in the works. I feel like even JP at some points was just yelling at them to kiss already - the spark between Keirnan Shipka and Mitchell Hope was STRONG. Like strong. I felt it deep in the cold recesses of my heart and I so badly wanted one of them to freaking say something already. Ugh, the bit where they duet? Just...ugh *heart eyes emoji*Julie and Stuart. Le sigh. Little Dora the Explorer all jaded and closed off, even with the charming superstar musician who decides to jump off a train with her for a waffle. It was sweet and lots of growth and opening up and growing up! They were super cute together and I just want good things for them. The addition of Bad Janet was also a nice bonus.Dorrie and Kerry. Naw. Just naw. My little nerd heart rejoices! A Quaffle Waffle? Like, who turns down a Quaffle Waffle? That was, handsdown, the most awesome gesture I think I've seen in a teen romance for ages. As someone who makes a living out of desperately hoping the big gesture is swoony enough, I take my Christmas hat off to the writers. Fun fact: their story wasn't in the original anthology, but I'm so glad it was in the movie.And this leaves Addie. I think she had the biggest growth, at least the most obvious and impactful. She starts out as the shallow girl who is freaking out over her boyfriend liking another girl's posts on social media. She so badly needs his validation that she completely dismissed her best friend while they were going to look at a Christmas present. I utterly loathed (hello, inner-Grinch) her at the beginning, but actually really liked her by the end. She gained more self-respect, became a better friend, and well on her way to being a better person.There's also Keon, whose only aim is to throw the best party ever and have a DJ come and listen to his set and think he's great. Unfortunately his parent' flight gets cancelled and he doesn't have the house to himself. Enter his boss, Billy, who calls Keon in on his day off and provides just the answer to his problems. He has quite the growth, thanks in part to Billy who is quite happy to wait for the universe to provide whatever is needed.The movie is opened and closed by Joan Cusack (she's been quite busy this Christmas) who plays the Tin Foil Lady and drives a tow truck. There is much debate in town over why she's the Tin Foil Lady, but she provides some much needed guidance for poor Addy.Over all, the movie made me smile, made me giggle, and was just a really nice feel good film. I particularly liked how much snow there was given how hot today was in Australia. I loved the far-reaching aspect of the storyline. It had lots of different plot threads, but nothing felt rushed or overlooked. It was satisfying as both a Christmas movie and a romance movie, so as a Christmas movie it excelled. I really think love actually is all around... No, sorry. I really think everyone should 'let it snow' and watch this one.However, I do deduct half a star for letting me spend the whole movie paranoid someone was taking a trip to the hospital after the twins ran them over, for leaving a poor piglet unsupervised on a diner counter, and for leaving me hanging. Otherwise, I loved this sweet little Christmas romance heartwarmer.If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).

On the seventh day of Christmas...

...I accidentally sold my pants.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. We've been gaming this weekend (weekend having started on Thursday night for us) and, as the seasoned gamer I am, I managed to sell the pants I was wearing that I needed for my extra 10,000% damage. Needless to say, I was pretty useless for a while. In celebration, here is one of my pairs of Christmas pants.I did, though, remember to change the number on the picture and got myself a cat-assist. So, win-win...?Day seven has me dropping a few (potential) spoilers. Sorry, but this movie got my goat up.A Christmas Prince: the Royal Wedding - 2.5/5 starsWhat can I say except 'eh'? I feel like I spent more time complaining to hubby about the things I didn't like about it than I did watching it. The new dad? Yuck. The wedding planner? Needed a Jimmy Choo-choo up his hoo-hoo. Mrs Averil? Ugh.This was, compared to the first one, a total mess. One perfectly decent - if not un-original -storyline in Amber adjusting to life as a member of the royal family (complete with strict protocol ma'am and inane wedding planner) wasn't enough, they needed to add in the strife surrounding the king's 'New Aldovia' plans.I have to hope that the writers didn't personally have ANY experience with royal traditions, because for Mrs Averil to have considered Sahil's suggested dress appropriate is just mind-boggling. The mock-up illustration of it was something you'd expect to see on a stick-thin model at some uber modern fashion week, not being called 'classic' and 'traditional'. To think that Amber's request for something contemporary was ridiculed while that monstrosity was lauded? That is merely my first issue with this whole debacle.This brings me to the wedding planner and new dad. Whoever thought that those characters added comedic value was wrong. I can understand re-casting, things happen and for whatever reason a previous actor doesn't come back for the sequel. That's a touch jarring to start with but you get over it eventually (unless you're a fan of The Prince & Me). I did not get over this one. I was about to get fully behind Amber's new dad after the joke about being a new person...until he picked up the queen of Aldovia and swung her around. No one - not even the biggest buffoon in history - picks up a freaking queen. Sorry, but that was the point at which the eye rolls began. And didn't stop. Sahil was a piece of unnecessary flotsam from the moment he stole Rudy's taxi at the airport. He was over the top, ridiculous, and I felt zero belief that the queen would have chosen him to plan the wedding. Add the fact that Mrs Averil became a cardboard cutout character for the sake of having six hundred bad guys, and this was too much for me.The plot was predictable in the worst way, the characters lost so much of their magic, and it was just one cheap attempt at a laugh after another.The only redeeming features were the gorgeous Rose McIver and Honor Kneafsey - she was sweet and her little plot thread was the most heartwarming thing about the whole movie. Now, if Amber's dress had been ironed before she met Richard down the aisle, I might have been a bit more forgiving about the whole thing. I'm still eagerly waiting installment three, though. Just sayin'...If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).

On the sixth day of Christmas...

...I'm going double or nothing.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. I'm slowly accepting I'm not quite as unphotogenic as I think I am. So, isn't that nice? But I'm all for you being subjected as little to me as necessary, so here's a little more background for you - it rounds off our nerdiness with a Marauders Map, a weeping angel tree-topper and some minions 'at work'.Those of you who know me well by now know that I'm a huge Deadpool fan and the Grinch is mostly my spirit animal (I have the underwear to prove it!).Day six sees me reviewing not one but two movies at once. In honour of my very good doggo's birthday, and to celebrate a very special Christmas doggo, it's the Great 2019 Grinch-off!The Great Grinch-OffSo, I've loved How the Grinch Stole Christmas forever. Or, since 2000 when it came out. So, when I heard they were making a new one, I was really interested to see what they were going to do with it. We didn't get around to watching the new one when it came out last year, so this year it was. As a caveat, I've never read the book so I am purely going by the movies. I do plan to rectify this as soon as possible.I spent ages trying to work out how best to compare these two movies. Was I going to do them separately? Compare them by specific points? Or would I just do some rambling and mix it all together? You, of course, by now know what I went with.We watched the 2000 one first, figuring we'd go in chronological order. Right from the bat, this one speaks to the adult in me. If my inner adult had a simulacrum, it would be the Grinch - I dislike the public, super loathe an unnecessary amount of things, and would be quite happy living on a mountain in solitude with my dog (especially if there are actual crumpets). I'd also like all the other bits, but hey. The 2018 Grinch also spoke to me - I too eat my feelings a lot - but the beginning was just so much more meh for me. The new one just didn't have any pizazz, there was nothing special about it, it was just another animated movie. Where the 2000 Grinch has a nice intro into Whoville and the quirky Whos, the 2018 movie was incredibly underwhelming.Moving onto the Grinch character himself. Jim Carey did an amazing job. He was dramatic and over the top and has the chops to pull off the grumpy but endearing traits of the Grinch. As much as I like Benedict Cumberbatch, he just didn't live up to the roll. Half the time, I swore Hugh Laurie was pulling out his old House accent. I also liked the setup for the old Grinch over the new - it seemed better that the Whos knew who he was and were afraid of him, rather than only one person noticed he existed even when they were talking to him?? It also made for a better make-up at the end - but I won't give away too much about that.Now, I think we can all agree that a true star of either movie is Max. He is loyal and sweet and smart and a very good doggo. In the 2000 movie, he was quite happy to 'tell' the Grinch what he thought of his plans or his thoughts. In the 2018 movie, he was less so, but he was just as loyal and smart and a very good doggo. I think, out of everything between both movies, I couldn't decide which I liked better out of the two Maxes. I liked them both differently and equally and really wish my good doggo would abide wearing reindeer antler on his head.For narration, there was no contest. Anthony Hopkins all the way. Pharrell Williams was flat and toneless and gave me very little Christmas cheer at all. I didn't look it up (should have, didn't), but I'm going to assume that Williams was responsible for the more 'rap' feel to the music which just felt out of place. The new 'You're a Mean One, Mr Grinch' was left little to be desired and I shall be listening to the one from the 2000 movie on repeat.I wasn't sure if it was because I was trying to think of notes for this review, but I hadn't realised just quite how many adult jokes there were in the 2000 Grinch. I mean, I knew they'd added some in - Martha May and her light gun, the baby Who looking like the wife's boss, the swinger key bowl at the party, and the Grinch landing in Martha May's cleavage. I giggled like a teenager at every one. The 2018 Grinch still had a few chuckle moments as well - such as the Mold Spice deodorant (even if mould was spelt wrong lol) and the Who Foods grocery store. A special kudos goes to the 2018 Grinch for finding a way to put Lou Bega's Mambo No. 5 in a Christmas movie.That was about where my specific enjoyment of the new Grinch ended. I didn't dislike it, per se. But I didn't like Cindy Lou at all and I thought it took something away from the story to have her not apathetic about Christmas, it was her bonding moment with the Grinch and I feel it rather lost something sweet without it, like a layer of depth and meaning or something.So, final thoughts? It's pretty obvious which one wins in my book. The 2000 version will win hands down every time. I will continue watching it once a year (minimum). As for the 2018 version? I'd rewatch it, but I'm in no hurry to do so. What I am going to do is go and read the book (finally!).2000 Grinch - 5/5 stars - 2018 Grinch - 3/5 starsWhat are your thoughts? Let me know which one was your favourite, or if you've got a suggestion for a movie, in the comments.You can check out both trailers below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).

On the fifth day of Christmas...

...I'm in no state to show my face.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today, I'm in no fit state to show my face on camera - we tried it, it went poorly. But the good thing about t-shirts is there's no requirement for face showing.In an effort to compensate, I've included a picture of our house after hubby spent three days putting up the lights. Our house looks like a little gingerbread house, and you can see it as soon as you turn onto the street!Day five sees me reviewing the first in a...do we call them a series for movies? Either way, with number three out this year, I thought it was time for a rewatch in preparation!A Christmas Prince - 4/5 starsI loved this the first time I watched it. I loved it the second time I watched it. And I was post-op delirious the third time I watched it, so still loved it. As soon as I saw the lovely Rose McIver was in it, I jumped on it. Hubby and I love her in iZombie, and it's always nice to support another Kiwi.McIver plays Amber in this, a junior editor who dreams of becoming a 'real reporter' for her magazine company. In what can only be called a set-up to fail by her boss (honestly it is no job for a junior editor, surely?), Amber is sent to Aldovia to get the latest news on the playboy prince Richard about to become king. Naturally, Amber is clever enough to get herself mistaken for the new tutor for the prince's younger sister, Emily. The set-up is all very predictable and warrants the occasional eyeroll for its lack of originality, but isn't that part of why we watch these movies? We want the familiar told in a new way, and we revel in it.As per usual in these things, there's romance and intrigue and evil villains out to steal the prince's crown. It's full of fun moments, some of which include Amber attempting archery, as well as some real bonding moments between the characters. Honor Kneafsey portrays Prince Richard's little sister with all the sassy wit and combination of mature immaturity that you want from a princess. She was a really lovely character who I honestly can't wait to see more of.A Christmas Prince is one of those heartwarming movies you want at this time of year - there's snow, and a castle, and a prince, and ball gowns, and Christmas decorations galore. There's also some horses and a toboggan involved. I enjoy this every time I watch it, I feel every up and down of emotion, and I always have a massive grin on my face. Next up for Amber and Richard is A Christmas Prince 2: the Royal Wedding which I will be reviewing on day seven (just so there isn't three days in a row of A Christmas Prince lol).If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).

On the fourth day of Christmas...

...I had a headache.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today shows how I look after I've had a headache all damn day - woke me up at 6:30am and will not go away. So quite obvs: I am beauty, I am grace, I have resting headache face.The green bits are also pom poms. When the shirt gets a little skewif, they look like my nipples are legit poking out of my top and are in dire need of antibiotics.Day four sees me reviewing another 2019 Netflix offering. Netflix really seem to be making a mark in the Holiday movie game, and I am not complaining.the Knight Before Christmas - 3.5/5 starsA truly magical little time travel romp that had the historian in me cringing a little. I know there's only so often Sir Cole can be surprised by the modern world before it gets in the way of the plot, but some of the things he didn't react to were just plain bizarre, and the same with how quickly the other characters got over the reactions he did have. I get it - plot furtherance and all - but I overthought it. I did enjoy some of his out-of-place moments though, they made for a good giggle. Plus Josh Whitehouse has a gorgeous British accent and those beautiful curly locks that make looking at him in no way burdensome.Vanessa Hudgens also stars in this one, bringing back the whole wholesome thing we all remember from her Disney days - boundless kindness, always polite, and that winning smile. She plays Brooke, the disillusioned high school teacher who for all intents and purposes rescues a knight transported to present day. Hijinks ensue, as well as some (slightly jarring but hilarious) old-fashioned terms and phrases, as Sir Cole endeavours to fulfil his quest and get back home for his little brother's knighting ceremony.The whole movie is feelgood fun - when you're not worrying about the historical inaccuracies (or was that just me?) - that leaves you with a serious case of the warm and fuzzies. The on-screen chemistry is sweet and I didn't find it overly predictable, which either says more about the quality of this movie or the quality of my brain atm. I got distracted from the adventure enough to rate it down a little, but I did really enjoy it and will definitely be watching it again.If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).

On the third day of Christmas...

...I need a rest.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit.I wanted to come up with something terrifically witty, but it's very little brain time at the moment after working through until 7:30am this morn. But both books are all ready and pretty for their release on Friday, so it was all worth it. I also bought another Christmas t-shirt to celebrate - because I quite clearly don't have enough. There might be six weeks of Christmas t-shirts next year, lol.For your holiday season, good wishes. (Or ignore my little brain time and just enjoy this cutie -->)Day three sees me reviewing another new offering to the ever-growing list of Christmas movies, and definitely a new Christmas Classic.Klaus - 5/5 starsThis one is going to be watched over and over again. Critics have called it a new Christmas classic, and I fully agree. If I don't have half the lines memorised by Christmas day, I'll be in shock. This whole movie was delightful. From the animation, the soundtrack, the characters, and the story, it was captivating. We're introduced to Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman), a mailman in training who just wants to live his lavish lifestyle. But his father has other thoughts and sends him to the remote town of Smeerensburg with the ultimatum that Jesper either stamps the required number of letters in one year or he's disinherited.What follows in a sweet tale about how one act of kindness can create a snowball effect of goodwill. Jesper befriends toy maker Klaus as they deliver presents to children. It gives an interesting look at how the legend of Father Christmas evolved, why we do what we do at Christmastime and what it means. I decided not to ruin the magic and check whether there was any basis in fact, nor do I care if there isn't - the whole thing was adorable!Overall, there's a message of love and kindness and peace, but it doesn't try to shove it down your throat. It's subtle and heartwarming and makes you want to hit play again as soon as it's finished. There is humour for young and old, and I for sure was quite happy to recgonise the voice of John Cusack as the Ferryman - who provided a few laughs of his own.If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).

On the second day of Christmas...

...even my face gets in on the Christmas spirit. (Because I'm flushed...get it?)24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. As predicted yesterday, today's t-shirt (okay, it's a onesie...) was chosen because of the weather - merely two days into Summer and it's barely sunny, still only 15 Celsius with intermittent showers. It's my perfect weather, to be honest, so I'm not complaining.I'd never thought of cacti being festive before, but who says no to a Christmas onesie? A Scrooge is who.A very succulent Christmas to you! :PHere we are, at day two already, and I'm reviewing a movie I spent the whole week after I'd learnt of its existence in pure excitement to watch it.Noelle - 4.5/5 starsSo, what can I say other than I loved this? Hubby hated it though...so there's that. Maybe it's my undying love for Anna Kendrick, or maybe he was just having a Grinch moment. Either way, I loved it and he told me it was awful (when he woke up, so how would he know?). True, the movie is deliciously predictable, there are less musical numbers making the most of Kendrick's talent than there should be, and it had me hankering for a hot chocolate more than once.In this one, Kendrick plays the new - somewhat reluctant - Santa's (so weird calling him Santa down this way) sister. After a crisis of faith, Noelle suggests her brother take a few days to relax and get himself geared up for the big day. So, he does. And doesn't come back. What follows is a feel-good, humorous romp as Noelle heads out to find her brother and bring him home before their cousin completely ruins Christmas for everyone.Joined by a surly elf nanny and a sweet little reindeer, Noelle is exactly the sort of 'princess' we've come to want and expect from Disney as she discovers life outside the North Pole and manages to bring a little Christmas cheer to the people she meets along the way. Kendrick brings her signature effortless comedy to this character and is everything we've come to love about her and the roles she takes on. The only thing I'm still annoyed about is the lack of musical numbers. 16/10 will be watching again.If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).