January Jive (jovial And Joyless)

guess who's back, back again

coming of age movies (because i'm 17)

Saturday 29th April 2023 - 12:17pm we're back at it again with another movie list! given the title of this post i should've posted it about two weeks ago but lifes gone down so i just haven't had the time. so without further ado... the way way back (comedy-drama, 2013) directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash - Duncan, with his mother, her boyfriend, and his daughter take a vacation at his potential step-dads beachhouse. Annoyed, he wanders off and meets Owen who offers him a job at Water Wizz and opens up his world. one of my favourite movies of all time, it's so so so underrated, it's one of those movies where it feels like a sneak peak into someone's life, it doesn't have that distinct movie separated-from-reality feeling to it. this movie introduced me to the phenomenal Sam Rockwell (who, by the way, is also my favourite actor ever!) and urged me to watch many movies he has appeared in. this film is close to my heart and out of all the ones on this list, i sincerely encourage you to watch The Way Way Back the most.

me, earl and the dying girl (comedy-drama, 2015) directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon - in which Greg Gaines, a socially awkward teenage boy, along with his "co-worker" Earl (who he makes short, parody films with) become friends with Rachel, a dying girl with cancer. Greg spends more and more time with Rachel and neglects school, all the while making a film just for her. despite being a little bit cliche, the film holds up rather well. although i wasn't the biggest fan of the original book (written by Jesse Andrews and of the same name). Greg is so relatable as a person, though his internal monologue isn't as true to the source material it still translates quite well from written word to film portrayal. *minor spoilers* if i had to pick a part, i love the ending of the movie where it shows Greg and Earls film, i love the scene as Rachel tells a silent story set in the walls of her room and her wishes for Greg. i think i could recite every word and direction of the script for that scene word for word the black phone (supernatural-horror, 2021) directed by Scott Derrickson - Set in the 1970s, 13 year old Finney Blake, a shy but clever boy is kidnapped by "The Grabber" a serial child abductor who keeps him held in the basement of his home, an almost completely empty room with the exception of an old black phone on the wall with it's wires cut. when Finney begins to lose hope of escape, the phone rings. when the first teaser came out for this movie back in 2020 i was so so so stoked for its release. this movie isn't gory or anything, but there is a fair bit of blood and violence involving children. it's not coming-of-age as you'd typically see it which i quite like. it gave me slight IT vibes and nostalgia from the IT era of 2017. I love how Finney develops through the story, that it's not completely ***MAJOR SPOILERS*** up to the ghosts to help him and that he does have to figure things out on his own, i like how he gives up and Robin is the last one there, i wish some more depth was added as to the background of The Grabber and the story of the phone. **END** however if you're going to watch The Black Phone, i heavily recommend NOT watching the main trailers as they essentially give the entire plot away.

i hope you liked this post! i might make this into a series as coming-of-age movies are my favourite genre that's all for now!

Amina

Sorry for the wait!

i haven’t posted since new years. god i’ve been away a long time.              school has really kept me busy recently. especially since i’ve started  my art exam for gcses which has been excruciating due to being behind on coursework but i hope to do well! studyblr posts and such coming soon!

The Boy and The Beast (2015)

Following the story of Ren, a nine year old boy who runs away and becomes the apprentice of Kumatetsu, a brash beast. Together, they fight obstacles within themselves and one another amidst a journey to save the world. To be completely honest, I haven't watched any movies in a long long time, but I was on a nostalgic spiral the other day and one of my childhood youtubers TheAnimeMan recommended this movie in one of his videos. My interest in this film was further sparked as it's directed by Mamoru Hosoda, the mastermind behind Wolf Children (2012), a film which I love dearly.

The narrative takes an alternate twist on the structure of a Heroes Journey. I loved how Ren and Kumatetsu defy the typical dynamic of master and student, their dynamic fuelling their character arcs on both sides. Films within this genre often change the core personalities of their protagonists within their arcs, however Ren and Kumatetsu both remain lovably the same in that aspect,stubborn, boisterous and impulsive. The world of Jutengai is vivid, colourful and immersive, in both visuals and character. Soft world building is impeccably done and draws you in as you learn about the kingdom alongside Ren. His journey in identity as he wavers between the two worlds is something I relate immensely to. There's not a lot more I can say without giving away spoilers, but I will mention I love the dynamic between Ren and Ichirohiko, and the unexpected friendship between Ren and Jiromaru. Please do watch the film, I heavily encourage you all! As I've returned to tumblr with a warmth in my heart. I hope I can watch more like it. Until next time!! Amina

oversharing online is so important cus like what if someone needed to know that

i think nightmares are talked about way too much, i think the worst kind of torture is those good dreams, about making up with someone, about resolving issues, like its a whole year later and you finally think you moved on but it's the cruelest reminder when you wake up and you realize that it''d never happen and you're left there with a different kind of pain. that empty hole in your chest.

HELP, all the tiktoks about the new dahmer series made me rediscover my AHS phase, and i'm telling you the GRIPPP evan peters has on me rn is even tighter than when i used to cry myself to sleep at 12 knowing i couldn't have him

Don’t forget the lifestyle you promised yourself.

euphoria (first thoughts)

17:22 - 22 Jan 2022

just started binging euphoria and thought i’d share some stuff that came to mind a : this show is like visually amazing - like holy shit, costume design, effects, and oh my gosh can we talk about the hallway scene where rue’s high off her mind and everythings spinning? - that was some next level cinematography and set design right there b :  a LOT more graphic then i was expecting, like they really put the detail into every scene, warning that some stuff you may see (if you haven’t alr watched it) can be triggering c : not a realistic portrayal of teenagers at all, could have easily set them as being in college or even like early uni days - idk if its different for an american audience but teens over here do not act like that. d : casting and acting is cool but in some small moments i find it lacking, like kat’s a bit too calm for a girl who just got explicit videos of her leaked, because if that was real i would be crying my eyes out. so far i’m halfway through ep three but i’ll do another post when i’m done watching - feel like the twists and turns have lacked the shock factor but that’s likely mainly because i’ve watched all the spoilers on tiktok.  i’ll post some more later today or tmrw so look out for that!! - Amimi

woah, tumblr updated?

finding the new display for when you click on someones blog weird, like i’m so used to it being on the far right of my laptop screen so to have it displayed in the middle just looks.. wrong.