So, it’s officially been over a week since NCIS: Tony and Ziva premiered, and truth be told, I’m still processing. I’ve had every single episode on repeat multiple times since 4th September, so much so that I have almost every single scene fully etched into my brain. I’ve watched all four episodes at least six or seven times already because I just can’t get enough – give me a few weeks or so and I’ll very likely be able to recite them all from memory.
As a long time Tiva fan, I had high hopes for this show, as I am sure most of us did, and it’s safe to say that it has already surpassed every expectation. It is far more than I could have ever wanted and wished for, and there are still six episodes to go. Four episodes in and this show is knocking my socks off in ways I couldn’t have imagined. There’s plenty of romance, epic action sequences – car chases, fights and even self-driving killer automobiles (no, I’m not kidding!), and the humour is absolutely spot-on with some of the best one-liners I have ever heard in a show. With quotes like “Does a babushka wear a headscarf?” and “We have friends and family at this wedding. They’re pathetic and fragile,” I have lost count of how many times I’ve cackled out loud, and I find myself grinning ear-to-ear with every episode.
Before the show premiered, I was unsure as to what to expect going into it. With Tony and Ziva being transported into an entirely new setting, it was easy to worry that the chemistry and magic that made them so brilliant on the mothership wouldn’t be the same. But there’s no reason to fear. Their chemistry is undeniable and better in a million and one ways. Everything that made them exciting to watch on the mothership is ever present and in full force, and their spark is sizzling hotter than ever.
I absolutely adore the fact that this show has broken the classic NCIS formula of episodic procedural, and instead allows for a deeper exploration into the relationship between these two characters; something which fans were pleading to have for decades. The flashbacks execute the ‘filling in the gaps’ perfectly – allowing us to see their life as a couple after Ziva reunites with Tony and Tali in Paris, and they slowly reveal what happened with their relationship (and the reason why it broke down), until we find them where they are today: on the run.
You’re probably asking: well, just how different is it to the mothership? The answer: very. The ghastly tangerine walls of the Navy Yard squad room have been replaced with the most beautiful European backdrops, which only serve to enhance the beautiful storytelling and exceptional writing. It’s true, the show is more romantic spy thriller than crime drama, but it is in the best of ways. There is something in this show for absolutely everyone, whether you’re a long time fan or a newcomer being introduced to these characters for the very first time (and if you are brand new, don’t worry – there’s an incredible montage at the beginning of episode 1 to bring you up to speed with the intricate history of these characters.)
If you’re a lifelong ‘Tiva’ lover as they are so eloquently named and the original show stopped feeling like your NCIS after they left (as I read in one review), then this show is without a doubt, 100% for you. Tony and Ziva are still Tony and Ziva, but are supported by a wonderful ensemble of new characters that are so easy to fall in love with. It’s action-packed, romantic and charmingly persuasive, and it truly feels like they’ve captured lightning in a bottle.
[I’ll also be breaking down every individual episode with my thoughts – as when I my brain starts functioning again!]
If you’ve read my other post, you’ll already know that NCIS’ OG couple Tony and Ziva are getting their own spinoff show. But yesterday, the official title was revealed: “NCIS: Tony & Ziva“. And people have a lot of thoughts about it. So here’s my two cents.
I’ll preface this by saying that I haven’t looked at any other social media platforms other than Twitter (yes, I still call it that!), so I cannot comment on the reactions of it there, but I can say that the reaction on Twitter was divided, at best. A lot of people were saying it’s too basic, and asking why they couldn’t have come up with something better? Out of all the titles in the world they could have chosen, why did they choose that one? Others loved it.
I’ll admit that it wasn’t what I was expecting when I heard it. I genuinely thought that it was going to be something different – some sort of title that would take a little guess work for outsiders to understand, but then when the penny dropped, it would be obviously clear as to why they had chosen it, especially for Tiva fans. (My thoughts were something like “NCIS: Jet Lag”… because if you know, you know.)
But the more I sat with this title yesterday, the more I loved it. Because it isn’t just a title.
It’s their names, side by side. It’s the two of them as a couple. It’s not just the two of them as individuals at NCIS. It’s not just Tony anymore. It’s not just Ziva.
It’s Tony and Ziva.
The title is intimate. Personal. It solidifies the idea that they’re no longer entirety separate people; that you can’t have one of them without the other. They and their stories will be forever connected by the ampersand.
This show, for us, is twenty years in the making. From the moment Tony and Ziva met in 2005, Tiva fans have been yearning for them to be a couple. Their chemistry is unmatched. Every year there would be the question of: are these two characters ever going to kiss? Every season we’d ask: ‘is this the season where they finally get together?’ But they never did. At least, not until Ziva left, that is. And even then, though they did conceive a child during their fond farewell (which Tony later discovers during his own leaving arc), the two of them have never been a couple on screen.
It is two decades of longing. It is two decades of emotional turmoil for both of these characters. It’s us as fans watching their first interaction in “Kill Ari: Part 1.” It’s watching their teasing and their banter. It’s watching Ziva watch Tony with Jeanne in season 4. It’s the season six finale “Aliyah.” It’s the season seven premiere “Truth or Consequences.” It’s Ziva with Ray. It’s Tony with EJ. It’s “Under Covers,” “Boxed In,” “Cloak,” “Reunion,” “Jet Lag,” “A Desperate Man,” “Housekeeping,” “Canary,” “Shabbat Shalom,” “Shiva,” “Berlin,” “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” and “Past Present Future.” It’s all of the small moments that Tony and Ziva have shared – the looks, the words, the closeness without the two of them ever being together as a couple. It’s the sexual tension, and the heartache. It’s us as the audience watching these two people fall in love with one another, and wanting them to finally admit their feelings.
It’s easy to brush the title off as unoriginal; to feel like not a lot of thought has gone into it. But, when you consider their journey spanning two decades, and realise how much these characters have been through to get to where they are now, it’s actually rather poetic.
It represents them – together. And it carries with it twenty years of emotions.
Yes! That’s right – you heard me! Tony and Ziva are getting their own spinoff and I am practically vibrating with excitement! I know that if you’re reading this, the news has been out for a while – almost two months, but truthfully, it has taken me this long to process it; to gather my words into coherent sentences to explain exactly how I feel about this… and even then, I feel like the words that I write here cannot do justice to how overwhelmingly elated I am.
If you read my post back in January about my preliminary thoughts on NCIS: Origins, you’ll know that I have been a long time lover of the mothership for almost as long as it has been airing. For a large portion of my adolescence and teens, it was my favourite show, and I would sit down religiously every single week to witness my favourite crime-fighting, ass-kicking team in action. That was, until, the departure of Ziva David (Cote De Pablo), in season 11.
When Cote left NCIS, I was heartbroken. I had never been so deeply devastated by something before in my entire life, and I can only describe the depth of the despair and sadness I felt as something akin to grief. It’s hard when you build a sentimental and emotional attachment to a character, to have them suddenly ripped from your grasp, because it genuinely feels as though you’re saying goodbye to a friend or family member for the last time. You invite these characters into your homes for years, and the moment they are not there anymore, you certainly notice their absence. And this was the hardest television goodbye I had ever had to go through.
But, it wasn’t just Ziva David I was saying goodbye to. It also meant saying a very heavy farewell to the ‘ship’ called “Tiva” [Tony + Ziva]. If you’ve been a long-time fan of NCIS, then you’re probably very familiar with this duo and their magnetic energy, the sexual tension, longing looks from across the bullpen, jealousy, fights, and the two of them constantly teetering on the line of being just friends and something more. It’s a ship that I hopped on board with before I even knew that the term ‘shipping’ meant, and it’s one that I sailed, through hell and high water, for almost a decade. And the heartbreak of letting them go was equally as devastating.
As fans, all we ever wanted throughout the course of their run on the show together was for Tiva to be together, and by season 10 we were incredibly close to finally having our dreams come true. But, as anybody in the Tiva fandom will tell you: it felt like the writers hated us, and hated this ship. They couldn’t even consider the possibility of the two of them actually being together, and so just as they dangled the carrot, it was brutally ripped from our grasp. We were teased time and time again with these small moments of Tiva being in love but never truly admitting their feelings for one another… and just when we thought they would and the writers would finally allow them to cross that line, they did a complete 180.
[Note: The writers have claimed in the past that if Cote had stayed, Tiva would have happened eventually and that we ‘were not that far off from having it happen’, but truthfully, as a fandom, we found (and still find) this very hard to believe in. Our trauma and trust issues with these writers run deep.]
Then, of course, our dreams seemed entirely impossible. Because how can these two characters even get together when Ziva is no longer there? They gave us some heartbreakingly beautiful moments in “Past, Present, and Future,” and yet, after having waited eight years for this to happen, it just didn’t feel like enough. There was no true love confession. There was simply a kiss in the poorest lighting, to commemorate this moment.
Skip forward two years later, to the end of season 13. Michael Weatherly is leaving the show. The ‘Tony’ of Tiva was going for good… but of course, being Tiva fans, we held onto the small inch of hope that our dreams could still come true. And in some ways, they did. Tony and Ziva ended up with a daughter, Tali – confirmation that what we had always wanted to happen, happened! But, remember when I said that the writers hated us and hated the ship? Of course they had to add in a big screw you, by killing the character of Ziva (off-screen), to make the event of a reunion between Tony and Ziva virtually impossible. (But even impossible things come true sometimes…)
But still, though it seemed like the ship had sunk to the very bottom of the ocean, we held out the tiny wavering thread of possibility that someday, somehow, it might still happen. We dived deep into the plot holes, pulling apart everything that could possibly signal that they hadn’t completely betrayed us and the character. ‘Ziva loves Paris.’ (Emphasis on the present tense). No body, no crime. And most of all: Ziva would not have been that reckless. (If you’re a Ziva or Tiva fan, you know…)
And while this was somewhat remedied during Ziva’s return arc in season 17 – as it turns out she was in fact alive and in hiding, and not dead like most people had previously believed (everyone except us Tiva fans!), and ended with her reuniting off screen with Tony and Tali in Paris, we just wish there had been so much more. Because knowing is one thing. But seeing it with your own eyes, is another.
This yet-to-be-titled show is all we, as Tiva fans, have ever wanted and more. It has been eleven years since we last saw them on screen together, and we have ached for this moment ever since. Even in January’s post, I mentioned how if I had things my way, Tiva would get a spinoff of their own! (I’m actually sitting here cackling with laughter, because little did I know what was going to be announced just over two months later… am I clairvoyant? Was it my Gibbs’ gut?)
To outsiders, this spinoff may seem unnecessary, or as though we are overly invested in it, but when two characters and their (at times, tragic), love story have been a part of you and shaped your life for nearly two decades, is there any other way to be? The purpose of this spinoff is not about the money. It’s not about being ‘relevant’ (but, for us Tiva fans, they always are…). It’s for the fans who have spent their lives loving and adoring this couple from the moment they appeared on screen, yearning for them to be together. (And the fact that it will be airing on Paramount+ rather than on prime time television also bodes extremely well for us, because of the greater possibilities they now have content-wise… spicy scenes and swearing? Is that on the horizon?!)
It doesn’t matter if others don’t understand how monumental of a moment this is for us. We know.
But, the thing that makes me vibrate with excitement even more than the idea of the spinoff, is the fact that it will be run by the captains of the ship – Michael Weatherly and Cote De Pablo. They are at the helm of the boat, steering Tiva’s journey out of the harbour. And, unlike the mothership writers, we have complete faith and trust in them and in the voyage upon which we are about to embark. They love the characters of Tony and Ziva as much as we do, and we have never been more certain that Tiva’s love story is in safe hands.
Ship: to take an interest in or hope for a romantic relationship between (fictional characters or famous people), whether or not the romance actually exists.
When the news broke that Daisy Jones and the Six was going to be made into a miniseries, I couldn’t wait. While the book was not my favourite, I was excited at the prospect of the adaptation. As the novel is written as an interview with the members after the band’s breakup, documenting their journey from the beginning, to their success, and their downfall, I envisioned that the whole story would be brought to life on screen in the way that a book cannot do. Being able to physically hear the dialogue of these characters if they were being interviewed would make it feel so real that it would be impossible to remember that they’re fictional.
I was expecting to be blown away, and yet, I got two episodes into the series and I found myself not liking it at all.
Often people say that reading a book before watching the film/series can be somewhat of a curse. Readers tend to build up an image of what things look like in their head, and many times what they picture – in terms of characters and settings – never make it onto the big screen. Which, I found was the case with Daisy Jones.
Firstly, I think the casting directors did an excellent job choosing Riley Keough for the role, because she perfectly captures the chaotic mess that is Daisy , and I don’t think I could have selected anybody better for the part. Riley was exactly how I pictured Daisy to look, with her flaming red hair, and exquisite features, even before the adaptation was announced. However, when it comes to other characters – Billy Dunn, Camila, etc. there was just something that didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Of course, I have nothing against the actors chosen for these roles – and I think Sam Claflin is a brilliant actor in his own right, but I imagined Billy with a Kurt Cobain look/vibe and he didn’t scream Billy to me. And while I wasn’t disappointed with Suki Waterhouse, she just wasn’t the Karen I had imagined in my head.
But, truthfully, I don’t think the casting was the problem for me, as even if the characters don’t look exactly as I imagine, I can usually get on board with their performances, especially if they’re good ones.
In fact, I think the whole thing was just way too slow. I know from reading the book that it isn’t the most fast-paced narrative, but literally nothing happens in the first two episodes of the series. I kept watching, and waiting, and yet, I got to the end of each and found myself disappointed. In the book, Daisy and the band meet relatively quickly into the story, and yet, at the end of the second installment their paths still hadn’t crossed. While I think background is important with stories set in previous eras as historical context is important, there was just way too much in these episodes and not enough plot pushing the story forward. I wanted more and wanted something to keep me interested, but my intrigue faded rather fast, hence why I finished the second episode and made it no further.
But, I have to admit that the soundtrack is FIRE. “…Regret Me” and “Look At Us Now (Honeycomb)” are two of my absolute favorites, and I adore the fact that they released an album alongside the adaptation, as it really immerses you in the story. I was surprised by how good Sam Claflin is as a singer, and Riley Keough too, though I wasn’t too surprised considering her grandfather was Elvis Presley… music is basically in her genes. Even if you haven’t seen the series or read the book, I highly recommend listening to ‘Aurora’ on Spotify. If you like 70s alternative indie/rock/folk then you’ll love the songs included on the album!
Perhaps it’s a crazy idea, but I feel like this would have made an excellent adaptation in the form of a radio drama or podcast. The mixture of the band interviews and the music would have been brilliant to listen to, without the constraints or needing to include all of the other information like in an audio book, straight from the page.
I have had many people tell me to stick with it because apparently it gets better, but I feel like unless the story is a thriller with massive twists and turns and an excellent payoff, then each episode up until the ‘good bit’ or the part of Daisy Jones that I’m waiting for, feels wasted until that moment. Maybe I’ll try and revisit this again in the future once I get through my lengthy list of other adaptations waiting for me, but for now, the overall series is only getting 2 and a half stars from me.
If you know me, you’ll know that I have been a long-time fan of NCIS. For years, it was the show that defined me. I had turned the television over to the show by accident one day circa 2007, and that was all it took. One episode and I was hooked – forever invested in these characters and stories, to the point they almost felt like friends. I would watch episodes religiously every week, and I felt so deeply for these characters that I even dabbled in writing fanfiction (but that’s for another post…)
To be honest, although at one point it was my favourite show, I haven’t truly watched it in years. When Cote De Pablo announced her departure for season 11 in 2013, I was utterly heartbroken. I had become so attached to Ziva David as a character that saying goodbye to her felt like saying goodbye to a friend. I couldn’t imagine not seeing her on screen every week alongside the other wonderful actors, and my favourite show no longer felt like my favourite show. There would be no more sexual tension between Tony and Ziva; no more of their longing looks across the bullpen. There awesome threesome – Tony, Ziva, and McGee would be non-existent. Everything changed, and I could no longer bring myself to watch it as avidly as I once did.
Of course, I did tune in for the odd episode such as the departure of Tony DiNozzo (played by Michael Weatherly), because although it was a bittersweet moment, my little Tiva shipping heart was happy that there closure, albeit not the closure I would have hoped for.
I watched the departure of Abigail Scuito, whose character I had once aspired to be, having become enamoured with the idea of forensic science (though, I decided against becoming one because I didn’t think I could handle the real-life responsibility of the job and everything it entailed… and it was also probably not as glamourous as the television made it out to be).
Then, in Season 17, Cote De Pablo returned for some very special Ziva-centric episodes which filled my heart with so much joy that I felt like I was going to burst. Seeing her return to the character and the role that I had grown so attached to… it honestly felt like a friend was returning home after almost a decade away. And again, though her episodes didn’t give us the closure we wish we had had (i.e. and on-screen reunion with Tony & Tali), they came much closer than her previous departure episodes did.
And more recently, at the end of season 18/beginning of season 19, Mark Harmon–the OG leader–decided that it was time to leave his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs behind, having played the same character for almost two decades of his life. Admittedly, there was some speculation that the show would not survive without him, leaving only Timothy McGee (played by Sean Murray) as the last remaining character to appear in every single season since the show aired. But despite the worries, the show is still as successful as it once was, having gone through the routine of character changes more than a few times – from Jenny Shepherd to Leon Vance, from Caitlin Todd to Ziva David, from Abigail Scuito to Kasie Hines, and from Leroy Jethro Gibbs to Alden Parker.
Of course, having a show on air for two decades means that there have been a lot of storylines and background for every character, most notably Gibbs. Over the course of nineteen seasons, the show explores Gibbs’ past multiple times – from his various marriages to different redheads, to his immediate family including Shannon and his daughter Kelly, his encounter with the beloved medical examiner Ducky (David McCallum), his journey to becoming an NIS agent (later renamed to NCIS), and his relationship with his former mentor, Mike Franks (Muse Watson).
Last week, CBS’s announcement of Mark Harmon’s return to the role of Gibbs in a new show – NCIS: Origins – caught me by surprise. I know that there will be many fans out there for whom this is wonderful news, but the question begs: how much more of a story can they tell that they haven’t already told before? How will they be able to translate this into a story that is multiple episodes long, without being a cut-and-paste version of what we’ve seen in NCIS? Also, will there be continuity?
In addition, Mark Harmon’s son Sean will be returning to play the role of a young Gibbs. He has previously portrayed the character in several episodes of NCIS during flashbacks to Gibbs’ past, which is sure to be a treat for the hardcore NCIS fans and bodes well for the continuity aspect. Still, what about the other characters that we have seen in Gibbs’ past in the original series? Will the same actors/actresses be willing to reprise their roles to keep the continuity, or will they be casting new and unknown actors for the parts?
But the question I am perhaps the most interested in (aside from whether it will be good, which remains to be seen), is will viewers find it popular or are there some stories that should simply rest in peace? Having watched Gibbs’ departure storyline, it felt like a fitting farewell to him. It made sense. It gave the closure we all needed to say our goodbyes to this character that had graced our screens for so many years. After all, even Gibbs states in his rules:
Rule 11: When the job is done, walk away.
I’ll admit, I am intrigued to see the outcome of this new series, even if I may be on the fence about watching it. (Although I may do so, if only to review). To be honest, if I had it my way I would much rather see a spin-off show starring Michael Weatherly and Cote De Pablo as Tiva (Tony & Ziva), because even after all these years my heart still ships them as hard as it once did!
But then, I wonder: if the door is open for a Gibbs’ origin story, will there be space for others?
Photo: Digital Spy, CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
So, if you’ve been here for a while (or you follow me over on Instagram), you’ll know that I am a massive bibliophile and in 2022 I posted my 2021 Reading Round-Up, listing all of the books I had read throughout the year and their genres etc. so that I could look back and see what types of books I want into during different periods of the year.
Admittedly, I forgot to do this for 2022, and my plan was to do it before the end of 2023, but alas, it did not manifest itself… so I guess we’ll just skip the year. However, I did decide that it would be interesting to have something similar for all the films I watched in 2023, as I am also an avid film fan!
While I use Storygraph to track my reading, there is currently no such app (that I know of) to track my film watching (though if somebody does know of one out there, please let me know). I wanted to try and keep the same idea of seeing what genres I liked watching the most, which film I watched most frequently, the shortest film, longest film, etc. so I have manually worked out all of the figures at the end and compiled it into a nice little infographic!
I also decided that I needed strict parameters when it came to deciding what films I could actually count as having ‘watched’, so the rules are as follows:
Films must be started from the very beginning (ie, no switching over to it half way through it airing). If I fall asleep/get bored and turn it off etc, it can still be included, but I can only include the ‘watch time’ in the total time, not the length of the film. (eg. I turned on Nanny McPhee in the middle of the film at some point during the year, but as I didn’t watch the whole thing, I didn’t include it on the list.)
Films must be watched personally. Films playing in the background that I’m only listening to, or that others are watching, don’t count. (Films watched while I’m working or writing do count, as long as I watch at least 85% of what is on screen. eg. My parents were watching Indiana: Jones: The Dial of Destiny, but as I cannot tell you what happens since I wasn’t really watching it, I haven’t included it on the list.)
Rewatches count in the total films watched – every watch counts as a separate viewing.
When it comes to most watched actors/actresses, each film they appear in can only be counted once, even if it’s a rewatch.
I have broken the films down into months, listing the total number of films I watched, a list of the films, and beneath the titles: the rating I have given them (out of a possible 5 stars), the length of the film, and the genre. (I could have included more, but even just working all of these out was such a mission!) I have also included a teeny, tiny description of my overall thoughts on the film.
So, if you’re interested to see what my viewing habits were like last year, without further ado, here they are:
Update: It has recently occured to me that this list might not be entirely accurate as I think there are several films that I’ve forgotten to note down! So this is a *mostly* accurate list, with a few discrepancies.
January
Total films watched: 2
Aloha (2022)
Rating: 2 ⭐️
Length: 2 hr 10m
Genre: Action, Drama
For a film with such big names, it was a bit of a letdown. It felt like they had simply gathered all of these stars on a foreign island during their vacations, and decided to make a film while they were there. There was no real plot and I debated switching it off halfway through.
The Family Stone (2005)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 43m
Genre: Romance/Comedy
A decent film which was quite enjoyable, having watched it directly after the previous one. The story was good, it was funny at times, and rather emotional by the end. A decent romantic comedy which I’d consider watching it again.
February
Total films watched: 13
I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 26m
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Not a bad biopic at all. The lead actress has quite a good likeness to Whitney Houston, and it is clear that she had studied for many hours to try and portray her as accurately as possible. I don’t know how much of the story was dramatised, but there were certainly a lot of things I didn’t know, and I liked that it focused on her background as well as her career and path to stardom.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2010)
Rating: 5⭐️
Length: 2hr 10m
Genre: Fantasy
Well, I needn’t write much about this film because I feel like most people on the planet have seen it. No matter how many times I watch it, it hits me like it did the first time, and is the most epic and wonderful conclusion to the film series, that holds a special place in my heart.
Last Seen Alive (2022)
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 35m
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Who doesn’t love Gerard Butler in an action film? He’s brilliant at playing the rogue hero, (or sometimes rogue villain), and it’s certainly clear as to why he continues to get cast in these types of roles. The story was okay, but nothing extremely inventive. Your run of the mill action film, that is great for entertainment.
Bullet Train (2022)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 6m
Genre: Action, Comedy
Better than I thought it was going to be. It was funny, action-packed, and star-studded! Though it was unexpectedly graphic in some places, the pace and comedy made up for it. Well worth a watch for entertainment value.
Stephen King’s A Good Marriage (2014)
Rating: 3⭐️?
Length: 1hr 42m | Watch time: 45m
Genre: Horror, Psychological thriller
So… I can’t really comment on this film much because I have to admit I fell asleep. Not because it was boring, but because it was the fifth film of the day, and I was shattered. I’ll have to rewatch at a later date and give my proper thoughts on it, because I do love a good psychological thriller and Stephen King is epic!
Shotgun Wedding (2022)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 40m
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Action
Josh Duhamel and Jennifer Lopez are not a duo I’d ever put together in a film, but it actually worked really well. I was pleasantly surprised by their dynamic, and to be fair, the story was also quite good. There was comedy, romance, and a whole lot of action packed into the minutes – definitely a good watch!
Night Hunter (2018)
Rating: …. ⭐️
Length: 1hr 38m | Watch time: 30m
Genre: Thriller, Crime
I have to admit that I also fell asleep during this one, so I can’t comment or rate this one either. But, from what I gather from those who didn’t manage to nod off, was that it was a great film, and wonderful to see Henry Cavill playing a different sort of character to the usual (super)heroes he gets cast in.
The Italian Job (2003)
Rating: 45 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 51m
Genre: Action, Thriller, Comedy
I think I’ve lost count as to how many times I have seen this film. While this is a remake of the original 1960s film, and having seen both, I have to admit that I do prefer this one. It’s modern, thrilling, exciting, and has some wonderful comedic moments.
Dangerous Game: The Legacy Murders (2022)
Rating: 2 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 36m
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Horror?
Mediocre cast. Good idea. Poor execution. Way too predictable, and honestly a little bit boring. It’s also far more graphic, gory, and traumatic than I expected it to be. Think Final Destination with a mystery element.
Mrs Harris Goes to Paris (2022)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 56m
Genre: Comedy, Drama
I could rave about this film all day. What a brilliant, uplifting, wonderful piece of cinema this is. Leslie Manville is fantastic in this. It both made my heart ache and warmed it at the same time, and is honestly one of the best feel-good films I’ve ever seen.
The Guest (2014)
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 40m
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
This was not what I thought it was going to be, but it wasn’t the worst film in the world. Dan Stevens is a great actor, and it was nice to see him in something other than Beauty and the Beast. The pace was a little too slow for my liking, and there wasn’t a big enough twist at the end… but overall, an alright film.
The Lucky One (2012)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 41m
Genre: Romance, Drama
Well, if it’s an adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks book, you can almost guarantee that it’s going to break your heart. A spectacular film that’s well worth a watch if you need to cry into a blanket.
Memory (2022)
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 54m
Genre: Action, Thriller
Interestingly, for a film titled ‘Memory’, I remember very little about watching this one aside from knowing that the main character, played by Liam Neeson, is losing his memory. A generic action thriller, with a small twist… but he’s done better work.
March
Total films watched: 8
Titanic (1997)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 43m
Genre: Romance/Comedy
I’ve seen this film a few times, but this was my first watching it in a cinema (also in 3D.).. and oh my stars! It was like watching an entirely new film. I saw things I’d never noticed, and got to experience this for the cinematic masterpiece that it is.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance (2023)
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 52 m
Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy
Channing Tatum grinding on Salma Hayek? Well, alright. It was okay, and pretty much what I was expecting… three minutes in and he was already whipping his shirt off and giving a lapdance. Perhaps it didn’t have the desired effect as I hadn’t seen the previous films, but I probably wouldn’t watch this again.
Fall (2022)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 47m
Genre: Thriller
What a film!! For a film that I had never heard of, with no notable cast members other than Jeffrey Dean Morgan (who is in it for barely five minutes), I thought this was going to be an utter snooze fest… but I was totally wrong. It was thrilling, gripping, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Definitely worth a watch if you’re in the mood for a thriller with an unexpected ending!
Enola Holmes 2 (2022)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 10m
Genre: Mystery/Crime
The first film was utterly enjoyable and I didn’t think that it would be possible to exceed it, but I honestly think I preferred the sequel to the original! The story was great, it moved at a wonderful pace, and it was both action-packed and comedic!
Mindcage (2022)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 37m
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
A bit of a slow start to the film, but well worth sticking with because it gets more intriguing with every minute that passes… not to mention the utterly shocking twist at the end that I did not see coming at all! An absolutely fantastic thriller!
Love, Weddings, and Other Disasters (2020)
Rating: 2.5 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 36m
Genre: Comedy, Romance
An okay film. It was well-paced, with quite a good plot, and funny at times, but I didn’t love it as much as I wanted to. Not the worst romcom I’ve seen, but there are others that I prefer.
Untraceable (2008)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 41m
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Well, this had me on the edge of my seat! I didn’t want to be gripped by it, but it was magnetic and I couldn’t tear my eyes away. It was certainly a mixture of horror and mystery, but well worth every minute.
Frozen (2010)
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 33m
Genre: Horror, Crime
Three skiers, snow, and life or death choices? What’s not to be freaked out about? I don’t usually enjoy horrors, but this is perhaps one of the less graphic ones I’ve seen, so it was more thriller-y than anything. Not a bad film at all, and great for a movie you want to pass the time.
April
Total films watched: 0
I have absolutely no idea how this is possible considering my birthday is in April, and I love watching cosy films and celebrating… but I watched a total of zero films during this month! What?!
May
Total films watched: 1
The Other Woman (2014)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 49m
Genre: Comedy, Romance
This was the only film I watched in May and it is one of my favourites! I love this trio of women and they work so well together on screen. There are some epically hilarious moments throughout, and one specific moment that tugs on my heartstrings. A fantastic RomCom to watch when you need a pick-me-up!
June
Total films watched: 8
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 11m
Genre: Action, Thriller
I’ve honestly lost count of how many times I’ve seen this film since its release in 2022. I think it has made into into my most-watched films of all time because I can’t get enough of it. Thrilling, action-packed, emotional. One of the best films I’ve ever seen and a must-see at any time of the year.
When in Rome (2010)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 31m
Genre: Romance, Comedy
A very decent romcom! I adore Kristen Bell, but surprisingly I haven’t actually seen much with her in. It was hilarious, entertaining, and another feel-good watch.
The Proposal (2009)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 48m
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Another film I’ve seen countless times, and it’s one of my favourites! I adore Sandra Bullock and love virtually everything that she’s in, but she and Ryan Reynolds in this film are an epic duo. It’s the OG enemies to lovers, and I will watch it a million times.
27 Dresses (2008)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 51m
Genre: Comedy, Romance
I love this film. There’s nothing else to it really. There are moments in it when I want to scream at characters, there are moments that make me laugh, and not to spoil the ending, but it’s a happily ever after. What’s not to love?
The Blind Side (2009)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 9m
Genre: Sport, Drama
Yet again, another film I have watched over and over. This is most definitely in my top 10 films of all time. It makes me cry, it makes me smile, and the storytelling in this is utterly beautiful. An outstanding cast. An outstanding story.
White House Down (2013)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 17m
Genre: Action, Thriller
Can Channing Tatum please make more action films because he’s utterly brilliant in these roles? I’m a big fan of disaster films, not because I’m dark and twisty, but because, for me, they’re so thrilling and exciting to watch, even if they are a little depressing at times. A brilliant film with a brilliant cast, that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Top Gun (1986)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 50m
Genre: Action, Romance
I’ll admit that I only saw this for the first time right before Top Gun: Maverick was released, but this original film is utterly epic and what a fantastic story. I’m not sure I’d watch this one over and over like the sequel, but it’s still a fantastic film that I’ll give five stars!
The Snowman (2017)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 59m
Genre: Psychological thriller
A psychological thriller intertwined with a multitude of puzzles? Yes, please. A brilliant, gripping film that kept me on the edge of my seat. While not my favourite psych thrill, it’s still a very good four-star film and if you’re into this category then I’d highly recommend it.
July
Total films watched: 0
Surprisingly, another month where I watched zero films!
August
Total films watched: 9
Barbie (2023)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 54m
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Never did I think that a film about a toy doll would make it into my top five films of 2023, that I would watch it more than once, and that I would be crying at the ending… yet here we are. I adored this film so much (full review coming soon), and it’s a movie that I constantly find myself thinking about. Utter feminist perfection.
Frozen Ground (2013)
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 45m
Genre: Crime, Thriller
When you think of Nicolas Cage and John Cusack, you think of brilliant films like National Treasure, Knowing, 2012, or Identity. But sadly, neither of these brilliant actors could save this film. It was an average thriller, but nothing that blew me away.
The Ledge (2022)
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 26m
Genre: Thriller, Adventure
A mediocre thriller. Nothing spectacular but an entertaining watch. However, slightly more gory than I thought it would be, and I’m not sure I’d watch it again.
The Intern (2017)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 1m
Genre: Comedy, Drama
This film is utterly brilliant in every way. Anne Hathaway and Robert DeNiro make an excellent duo, the story is fantastic, and there is both enough emotional content and comic relief to balance each other out. It also makes me crave a friendship with an elderly person, because Jules’ and Ben’s friendship in this film is spectacularly beautiful.
Heart of Stone (2023)
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 2m | Watch time: 45m
Genre: Action, Thriller
Unfortunately, though the trailer looked great. I didn’t vibe with this film at all. In fact, I think at one point I may have even fallen asleep, because I’m not sure I could even describe the sequence of events. Gutting, because it looked so good. But sadly it just didn’t capture my attention in the way I’d hoped.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
This again…
Coco (2017)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length:1hr 45m
Genre: Animated, Fantasy, Adventure
I saw this film for the first time in 2018, right after my grandad died, and it had me in utter tears. It is one of my favourite animated films ever, not just because the music is fantastic, but because of what the whole film represents – that the ones we love never leave us, and are quietly with us forever. I cry every single time at this film, and it holds a deep, sentimental value in my heart.
80 for Brady (20223)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 38m
Genre: Comedy, Sport
What a film this was! It is most definitely in my top 5 of films I watched in 2023. These four ladies make the most brilliant ensemble, and I didn’t stop laughing the whole way through. It was also nice to have a film featuring older ladies where the story didn’t end with somebody dying – a guaranteed happy ending for this one. I would also say that if you’re going to watch anything from this list, please watch this.
The House with a Clock in its Walls (2018)
Rating: 2 ⭐️
Length:1hr 45m
Genre: Fantasy, Horror
So, I thought this was going to be a fantastic film, but sadly I didn’t vibe with this one either. It was a bit wacky and weird, which I would have enjoyed, but the story was way too slow and I found myself looking at my phone than at the television. Disappointing, but two stars for the casting.
September
Total films watched: 4
Luck (2022)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 45m
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Animated
Love, love, love! Sweet, endearing, funny, and adorable. What more could you want in a Skydance film? I loved the premise, the animation, the humour, and it even had me crying at the end which I did not expect! A good length film, with a good story, good voice acting, and just a well-rounded watch!
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
And in the month right after? I must be nuts. Will it appear again? Who the hell knows.
The Lake House (2006)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length:1hr 39m
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Who doesn’t love The Lake House? A beautiful story, with two brilliant actors. It’s heartbreaking, heartwarming, and just a classic romance that will stand the test of time.
Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length:1hr 48m
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Again, another four fabulous ladies that make a brilliant ensemble. I enjoyed the first one, but I genuinely think this one topped it. I can only hope that my friendships look like this when I am in my seventies/eighties. Another must-watch on this list (perhaps after 80 for Brady!)
October
Total films watched: 4
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 49m
Genre: Music, Concert film, Documentary
I don’t even need to say much about this film, other than it was utterly spectacular, and it has made me a million times more excited to see this concert in person in a few months!
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 32m
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Because, what other Harry Potter would you watch in October?
Love Again (2017)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 44m
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Another RomCom on the list, but a brilliant one! Priyanka Chopra is fabulous, but the star of the film has to be Celine Dion. I didn’t realise how hilarious she is, but after watching her in this, I’d love to see her in more comedies because she completely made this film!
National Treasure (2004)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 25m
Genre: Adventure, Action, Comedy
Treasure hunting, iconic Nicolas Cage lines, riddles, puzzles, and more. What else could you ask for? If you like solving puzzles, with an interest in history, this is for you. Though, I’m not sure how accurate all of the history is, but who the hell cares when the film is so fun!
November
Total films watched: 2
The Out-Laws (2023)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length:1hr 35m
Genre: Comedy, Action
A very decent comedy action film. It’s thrilling, exciting, and funny! There is also one particular joke in the film that tickled me pink, as I love it when films refer to actor’s other work/characters! A great watch to fill and hour and a half!
Shazam: Fury of the Gods (2023)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 10m
Genre: Action, Comedy
Watching the first film is essential to watch this one and I really don’t know which one I prefer. I’m not a massive superhero fan, but I thought this film was great and quite comical! Not a bad watch at all!
December
Total films watched: 25
And, of course, it’s no surprise that December is the month that sports the biggest viewing habits – with the festive season and a decent break from work, what else am I supposed to do beneath the Christmas lights?
Heart of the Holidays (2020)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length:1hr 24m
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Your classic cheesy Hallmark Christmas film. Funny, charming, sweet. Feel good vibes, like a warm hug, and perfect for watching by the Christmas tree.
Next Stop, Christmas (2021)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length:1hr 24m
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Oh, look… another Hallmark film. A little fantasy twist on this one, but festive, sweet, and funny.
The Holiday (2006)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 18m
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Perhaps my favourite Christmas film of all time. I could watch this repeatedly during the festive season. Funny, witty, charming, emotional… and Jude Law in his glasses… *melts*
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length:1hr 16m
Genre: Musical, Fantasy
A film that can be watched both at Halloween and Christmas, with wonderful catchy music, and characters? Yes. I love this film, and it’s such an easy watch!
Deck the Halls (2006)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length:1hr 33m
Genre: Comedy, Family
Not my favourite Christmas film, but still worth a watch! Mischief, shenaningans, comedy, and a very sweet ending – the makings of a good festive film!
Noelle (2019)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length:1hr 40m
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
I think this has made its way onto the list of films that I must watch every Christmas. Adorable, sweet, funny, and heartwarming.
Burlesque (2010)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length:1hr 59m
Genre: Drama, Musical
Another film I’ve watched repeatedly. Both Christina and Cher are incredible in this film, the music is exceptional, and it’s the definition of glitz and glam!
Love Actually (2003)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 25m
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Another film I watch every single Christmas, because with this many iconic actors, how can you not? I adore this film, not only because it’s wonderful to watch, but because of what it reminds us of – that if we look for it, love, actually, is all around us.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Length:1hr 45m
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
I have to admit, I don’t like this film very much but I decided to watch it because my mum had never seen it before… but it’s not something I’d watch on the regular at Christmas. I have nothing against Jim Carrey, I just don’t like the film.
Wonka (2023)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length:1hr 56m
Genre: Musical, Fantasy
Oh, my stars! What an incredible film! One of the best things I’ve seen in a long, long time. The story was fantastic, the performances were amazing, and I was sobbing by the end. I can’t wait to watch this over and over again, all the time. Completely magical.
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 38m
Genre: Comedy, Family
A semi-ridiculous, funny, festive film. It’s always on my Christmas list to break up the cheesy Hallmark films and the ones that I adore. Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis are hilarious in this, and if you need a good festive chuckle, I’d choose this!
The 12 Days of Christmas Eve (2022)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 1hr 30m
Genre: Comedy, Drama
A Christmas Carol, with a twist. A scrooge forced to make amends for his wrongdoings, otherwise he dies… very festive! It was a great watch, and unexpectedly emotional!
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 37m
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Well, if the Harry Potter channel is constantly on over Christmas, it only makes sense to watch whatever film they’re airing…
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 18m
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
My favourite HP film… and since the channel airs them all in order, it would have been rude not to watch it!
Harry Potter and the Half -Blood Prince (2009)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 33m
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
And of course, I had to follow it on with the sixth film…
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 19m
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
My second favourite HP instalment! Yes, I watched them out of order, but there was nothing else on…
Home Alone (1990)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length:1hr 43m
Genre: Comedy, Family
Is it even Christmas if you haven’t watched this?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 26m
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Because after watching a comedy, of course, I needed something that would rip my heart out…
David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived (2023)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length:1hr 30m
Genre: Documentary
An exceptional documentary, about an exceptional man. When we watch our favourite action movies, we get so wrapped up in the story that it’s easy to forget about the remarkable stunt people who make them possible, and risk their lives every day in the name of art. I vaguely knew David’s story, but to hear him tell it, and to hear the perspective of others… it’s gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, emotional, and inspiring.
Nativity (2009)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length:1hr 45m
Genre: Comedy, Family
Who doesn’t love a gone-wrong nativity play at Christmas?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2010)
Of course, after watching part one, it’s only right that you watch the conclusion….
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length:1hr 54m
Genre: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Another film I love watching during the festive season… though, as I’ve gotten older I’ve come to realise just how wild the ending actually is.
The Family Plan (2023)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length:1hr 58m
Genre: Action, Comedy
I do love Mark Wahlberg in an action role! A great mix of exciting, edge-of-your-seat fight scenes, mystery and comedy! And an unexpected twist at the end!
Die Hard: With A Vengeance (1995)
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 8m
Genre: Action, Thriller
My favourite Die Hard film of the series – a ix of action, thriller, puzzles, riddles, and comedy! What’s not to love?
Hidden Figures (2016)
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Length: 2hr 7m
Genre: Drama, History
And, finishing the year strong with one of my favourite films of all time. Another one that I’ve lost count as to how many times I’ve viewed it, but it’s worth every minute. A fascinating film about three remarkable women, who really were Hidden Figures during this space program, and it managed to make me emotional every single time.
Well… that’s it! All the films I watched during the year of 2023! And, if you’re here simply for the stats, look no further:
I have to admit, I had SO much fun making this infographic and I love the way it looks! It’s been so interesting looking at my viewing habits over the year, and I can’t wait to see how 2024 compares!
*Note: Some of the statistics might be slightly wrong, in terms of minutes watched, as I had to work all of it out by hand (along with a calculator), but I’ve tried to keep it as accurate as possible.
It’s hard to know where to begin. This is not a post I thought I would be writing for many, many years, and yet, here we are.
On Sunday morning, I woke up to the news of Matthew Perry’s passing, and I cried, in a way that I haven’t cried over a celebrity’s death since Cory Monteith. Full-on snot-sobs. I am heartbroken and devastated, to say the least. Days later, and it still feels so surreal to me.
Mourning the passing of a famous person you love is a bizarre thing. You have no physical personal connection with them in the way that you do with your friends and family, and yet, you feel the grief as deeply as if you knew them intimately. It is as raw and as painful as losing a member of your own inner circle. But, it is a testament to the meaningful impact they have had on you through their work.
The first thing you are overwhelmed with is shock. For any death, even if you know it’s coming, it’s still shocking. As humans, we are not innately programmed to think about mortality, and it is sometimes a curse that we are the only sentient species on the planet that are aware of it. I think a lot of us see celebrities as being immortal, but the truth is, they are not. It is the one thing which we all share – the inability to escape our eventual demise. We do not ruminate on it during everyday life otherwise we would find it simply impossible to function. But, when it happens to someone we love and admire, our brain is confronted with reality, and it is startled because it spends the majority of its time shielding us from it. We feel the shock reverberate through our body – sometimes physically, as we end up hiccuping through our sobs, or a tightness in our chest when it feels like our heart is physically aching.
Hearing about Matty’s death shocked me to my core. And yet, there was a part of me that was not surprised. After all, if you read his memoir – Friends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing – he had so many near misses with death that it genuinely made you wonder how it hadn’t happened sooner.
I listened to the audiobook version of his memoir last year and flew through it. It was heartbreaking, funny, and poignant – perhaps three words that best sum up Matthew Perry. For somebody who found so much joy and purpose in trying to make others laugh, he battled some dark, dark demons. He spent decades struggling with an addiction to alcohol and substances, and as a result, his body succumbed to real wear and tear.
In 2019, at the age of 49, he nearly died from a burst colon – the result of his overuse of opioids. He underwent seven hours of emergency surgery, with doctors only giving him a 2 per cent chance of survival. After the surgery, he slipped into a two-week coma and spent a further five months in hospital, as well requiring a colostomy bag for nine months, and another 14 surgeries to repair the damage.
He also shared another of his near-death experiences at a rehab facility in Switzerland, where had been taking hydrocodone to treat his stomach pain before surgery. In the operating room, they had administered Propofol – a common IV medication used for induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia – but the two drugs interacted and caused him to enter five minutes of cardiac arrest. (Note: cardiac arrest is not the same as heart attack which is caused by a blockage to the blood flow. CA simply means the sudden loss of all heart activity.) They managed to resuscitate him, but broke eight ribs in the process, causing him to pull out of his role in the film Don’t Look Up, alongside Meryl Streep.
It is at this point in the book, where he asks you to temporarily pause reading/listening and time five minutes with a stopwatch to appreciate the gravity of how long it actually feels, because while it seems like a short amount of time for us in everyday life, when there is nothing happening – at all – it feels like an eternity.
He also shared that more recently, he was diagnosed was emphysema – a disease that involves damage to the lining of the lungs and the destruction of alveoli – as the result of his decades of smoking, to which doctors told him that if he did not quit, he would die.
And yet, this is not even the tip of the iceberg of everything that he had been through.
But, he was on the road to recovery. After 15 trips to rehab clinics and $9 million dollars later, in 2021, for the first time in his life, he was completely sober – no drink, no drugs, no alcohol, and no smoking. He was passionate about helping people, especially those with addictions, and even opened his own sober living facility – Perry House – in Malibu, overlooking the pier.
And yet, I wonder if he had any idea how much he helped those he didn’t know – who tuned in to the television and turned on Friends because they found comfort and joy in the loveable, awkward, and sarcastic character that was, and is, Chandler Bing.
Of course, as you’ll have read above, Matthew wanted to be remembered for more than simply being Chandler. And, while it is undoubtedly true that the majority of people will remember him for this iconic role, I think it is important to at least try to honour his wishes.
It is true that Matthew lived a troubled life. And yet, it is evident – not only from the handful of tributes below, but also from the tens of thousands of tributes being posted from every corner of the world by celebrities and fans alike – that he was also a kind, wonderful, decent, and generous human being. From the way he would interact and smile with fans who came up to him on the street, to his appearances in interviews – everyone who came into contact with him, has nothing but nice things to say. And isn’t that a beautiful way to be remembered?
I know that this is a hard time for all of us, but when you feel ready, please read/listen to his book. It’s heart-wrenching, but I am thankful that he got to speak so candidly about his life. I know that for many of us, watching Friends will never be the same again, and if I am being honest, a part of me is tempted to never watch it again because I fear it will make me too sad when I remember what we have lost.
But then, I think, Matthew’s whole purpose was about making people laugh and helping others. He lived for it. And if Friends does both of those things, then doesn’t that mean that as long as we’re watching, his purpose and legacy lives forever, within all of us?
The world is a little less funny without him in it, and I am devastated that he never got his happily ever after when he fought so hard to survive. But, I hope that after all these years, he finally has the peace he so desperately yearned for.
So, while I and the rest of the world sit quietly in our grief, I will also take this opportunity to say thank you to Matthew – for our lives simply would not have been the same without him. He was there for us, until the very end.
Matthew Langford Perry. 19th August 1969 – 28th October 2023.
So, we’re nearing the end of November, and we all know what that means…. the decorations go up, the music starts playing in every single shop you enter, the awful itchy jumpers get pulled out of the drawer that never sees the light of day… and for the next twenty four days, if you haven’t started already, you spend your time painstakingly covering gifts in pretty paper which ultimately just going to be ripped apart and thrown in the rubbish….
However, I take some joy in wrapping presents. It’s a weird kind of relaxation… until you get your finger stuck on some sellotape and spend the next forty-five minutes trying to get it off, while it decides to stick to the table, the carpet, and the entire roll of wrapping paper.
Wrapping Christmas presents in our house is a wonderful thing. Now, I know that this isn’t the case for everybody, as I’m sure a lot of people hate the act of wrapping presents and can’t wait for them all to be done. But for me, there is just something so festive about wrapping presents under the glow of the twinkly lights whilst binge-watching all the cheesy, cliche, laugh-out-loud, romantic Christmas movies. Because what better way to get into the Christmassy spirit?
Whether you’ve started watching Christmas films or not, or whether you’ve seen these all multiple times or never before, here is a list of some Christmas films that will really get you in a festive mood!! (This is by no means all of them because if I were to list them all we’d be here forever!)
A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Christmas with the Cranks (2004)
Elf (2003)
Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone 2 (1992)
JustFriends (2005)
Klaus (2019)
LoveActually (2003)*
Miracleon34th Street (1994)
Nativity! (2009)
TheChristmasChronicles (2018)
The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020)
The Holiday (2006)*
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Polar Express (2004)
The Snowman (1982)
And, of course, if you love cheesy made-for-TV films, here are some of my favourite:
AChristmas Melody (2015)
ARoyal Christmas (2014)
A Timeless Christmas (2020)
A Wish for Christmas (2016)
Christmas at Castle Hart (2021)
Christmas in Evergreen (2017)
Coming Home for Christmas (2017)
Heart of the Holidays (2020)
Holiday Hearts (2019)
Hometown Christmas (2018)
Last Vermont Christmas (2018)
Matchmaker Santa (2014)
Miracle in Manhattan (2010)
Mrs Miracle (2009)
Sleigh Bells Ring (2016)
The Sweetest Christmas (2017)
*These are probably my two most watched films over the holiday period. They’re rom-coms, but if I don’t watch them, then it never really feels like Christmas.
When I first heard about this film, I expected it to be very similar to other modern biopics like Jobs (2013), Saving Mr Banks (2013), or The Theory of Everything (2014), focusing on the extraordinary tale of one person and their contribution to the world as we know it. I expected to leave the film amazed at the incredible visuals, the uncanny likeness to Freddie Mercury, and the clever use of music – and at a film that tells us more about an incredible man, whose life battling AIDS was very, very private.
Yet, I walked out of the film disappointed. That’s not to say that the film wasn’t good. There were moments that I thought were brilliant, but I’m not sure I would purposely go back and watch it again. For most of it, I felt like I was watching an extended music video. The film lacked in story, and the music was certainly overused.
One of the brilliant things about movies and television is how they can make you really feel something. The combination of a particular image with a specific piano score can evoke one, or multiple feelings such as happiness, sadness, or nostalgia.
A perfect example of this is in Saving Mr Banks:
The instantly recognizable piano score of Chim Chim Cheree, combined with the ‘Winds in the East’ speech, is one of the best examples of how the creative direction and musical score can work in unison to evoke such feelings.
The score is stripped back to be just a piano playing the melody of one of the most notable songs of the Mary Poppins film. The lack of other musical instruments, added riffs and accompaniments, allow the score to be more impactful, creating a beautiful opening and ending to the film, that leaves you teary-eyed and emotional, as you remember your own childhood and the things that you miss.
For Bohemian Rhapsody, a movie that documents the life of one of Britain’s most iconic and legendary performers of all time, I expected the film to do something similar. To use creative direction and music to touch the emotions of the audience, to not only remember that man that the world lost but to honour him.
Instead, it was as if the director was attempting to fill the lack of movement in the script with as many Queen songs as possible, in the space of two hours. The majority of the movie is about Queen and their pathway to fame. Nearly every other scene has the band in the recording studio and documents them writing songs in a way that is nowhere near realistic.
Anybody who has ever written anything creative – songs, poetry, fiction, etc. will know that you don’t just have an idea for something, write it down, and that’s that. You work for months, sometimes years, on one project, until you have it exactly the way you imagine it. Writers know that the majority of writing is re-writing. You hate one line, so you change it. And then you hate that, so you change it again. And you keep changing things until you create something so completely different from the idea that you started with, that you end up with something that you love.
But for Queen, in the film, writing songs is as easy as blurting out lyrics. Whatever they say in the moment becomes the final song. There is no changing of lyrics. There are no rewrites. There was no “I hate this melody”, “I don’t think that works”, or “Let’s start this from the very beginning.” They simply churn out albums like a popcorn machine pops kernels.
However, just after Freddie is diagnosed with AIDS he is staring at himself in the mirror, as he examines what is left of himself, knowing that he is going to die from the disease someday, if not very soon. As he stares at himself, a stripped-down version of Who Wants To Live Forever (those specific lyrics) starts playing in the background. This combination of him looking at himself, knowing that his time is limited, and the lyrics and melody of the song, brought a tear to my eye and goosebumps to my skin; and is one of the only moments in this film that has resonated with me, long after the credits rolled.
For a film set within the 1970s and 80s – decades which are known for their promiscuity, such as heavy drug-taking, drinking, and sex, I was expecting there to be multiple, and possibly graphic, sex scenes. Yet, for a film that documents the edgy years of modern society, the edgiest parts of the film are comprised of the drug taking at parties, drinking (which features quite heavily throughout), smoking, and the use of strong language; and several racial slurs. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
Albeit, one of the most astonishing things about this movie is Rami Malek and his incredible likeness to Freddie Mercury. In a movie that is mediocre for what it is, Malek is an absolute star. Throughout the film, he delivers golden nuggets of one-liners such as “I pity your wife if she thinks that six minutes is forever” (when referring to the song Bohemian Rhapsody), which not only makes the audience laugh but captures the charming, lavish persona that was Mercury.
Yet, throughout the film, there is an overwhelming sense from the audience, that they long to discover who Freddie Mercury was as a human being, not just as a performer. I expected the film to boldly go where no filmmakers have ever gone before, and explore in more depth Freddie’s personal life, such as his closeted sexuality, his hedonism, and his off-stage persona. In a generation where film, television, and media are openly discussing subjects which were previously considered taboo, the film could have been a groundbreaking opportunity for its creators to have generated awareness and educated audiences on HIV and AIDS, as well as put into perspective just how far medical research and treatment has come for these diseases over the last thirty years. Yet, the film merely alludes to the fact that Freddie has AIDS when the audience sees him talking to a doctor in the hospital and sees other sick men with the disease. But not once, are the words “You have AIDS” ever spoken.
Though, despite this missed opportunity, Malek’s performance as Freddie really comes to life, during the final scene of the film, where Queen is performing at Live Aid in 1985. Every movement that Rami Malek makes, every step, every turn of his head, and every facial expression is uncannily similar to that of Freddie Mercury, and it is clear that Malek spent countless hours studying everything about the legendary performer.
The film lacks in multiple aspects, for the most part perhaps because of the change in director halfway through production, the lack of story in the script, or the overuse of music. More could have been done with the musical score and creative direction to evoke an atmosphere and create moments throughout the film that resonated with a nostalgic, emotional audience; and the filmmakers missed an opportunity to create a platform for the discussion of sexually transmitted diseases. However in what is an average film at best, Rami Malek’s uncanny performance as Freddie Mercury is exquisite, and it is almost impossible to envision anybody else fulfilling the role like he does – particularly in the final moments, as he performs on stage as Freddie during Live Aid 1985, which is by far the most brilliant and powerful moment of the whole movie.
Release Date: 24 October 2018 Director(s): Bryan Singer, Dexter Fletcher Distributed by: 20th Century Fox Run Time: 2 hours 14 minutes Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joe Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, Mike Myers
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