January in Films.

[via Dine & Dish]
With January being the month for lacking money and staying in, this meant that I've been watching a lot of movies.
A total of 21 in a month sounds like quite a lot to me anyway, a lot of them being neat, well shot documentaries. So here's the list of movies that I watched in January, some new to me, some not.

1. Perks of Being a Wallflower ✸  – Not as good as the book but pretty easy watching all the same, even if they make it a little darker than the book for almost no reason. Ezra Miller is probably the best thing about this film.
2. Ruby Sparks ✸ – A clever idea even if it did have Paul Dano, who's face I hate, as the leading man. It was very pretty to look and I really liked the ending.
3. The Sword and the Stone – The first film I watched back on the ground while trying to stay awake when I got back from Florida. One of my favourites but I don't think I'd ever seen the last bit, my favourite part is when they're squirrels.
4. Zoolander – Brilliant nonsense. 
5. This is 40 ✸ – I am a massive fan of Knocked Up, so I honestly didn't expect to enjoy this film as much as I did. It's just as funny as any other Judd Apatow film and I don't quite know why I thought it wouldn't be because I love Judd Apatow. It has some really funny lines and moments and I might even consider picking it up on DVD when it comes out.
6. Couples Retreat – This film isn't my favourite of it's kind but I've got a lot of time for Vince Vaughn.
7. Mulan – Perfect film if you need to feel pumped.
8. Stand By Me – One of my favourite films when I was 15 and I still really enjoy it, it's just one of those great Sunday afternoon films.
9. Django Unchained ✸ – This is the January movie isn't it? Everything about it is great. I like Tarantino but I hated Inglorious Basterds but this had me from seeing the trailer when we went to see Lawless last year. I think it's good that he's uncovered such a dark part of American history and it's certainly not done in as offensive way as everyone claims. There's action, humour and drama, plus Django is a badass.
10. Hitchcock ✸ – If you fancy seeing as great an actor as Anthony Hopkins dolled up in unconvincing, distracting, fat old man make up, then by all means, go ahead and watch this. It's far too light hearted with a complete lack of depth. The Ed Gein element is interesting but never really elaborated upon so ends up being a little unneccessary,.
11. A Glimpse Inside The Mind of Charles Swan III ✸ – I don't know what I was expecting but it looked quite good in the trailer, we actually turned this off because it was so dire. I guess I was expecting something a bit Wes Andersony, but I didn't get that at all. There wasn't enough Bill Murray either.
12. Django Unchained
13. The Imposter ✸ – A really interesting documentary about a French guy that impersonated a missing American kid to the point of actually integrating with his family. It doesn't last and there are a few things that were touched upon but could have done with more detail. 
14. Craigslist Joe ✸ – If The Imposter had made me wonder how some people could possibly behave the way they do, this kind of restored my faith in humanity a bit. The documentary follows Joe as he makes his way across the U.S using only contacts met through Craigslist, cutting himself off from friends and family for a whole month. He looks a bit worse for wear by the end but he definitely has an incredible journey.
15. Argo ✸ – With Oscar season well and truly on it's way I do try my best to see all the 'Best film' nominations, with the Academy Awards being my favourite. So this was the first, sadly it couldn't really hold my attention, I get why people love it but it just wasn't for me.
16. Life of Pi ✸ – Maybe it was the tiger but this was definitely much more up my street. At times the special effects were a little distracting but overall it was beautifully made and I really enjoyed it both visually and in terms of storyline. I'm looking forward to reading the book, even if I've not heard as nice things.
17. Indie Game: The Movie ✸ – Another little documentary, this time following the makers of Super Meat Boy, Fez and Braid in various stages of their creation process. It's a couple of years old now so I've heard of these games before but the story of Super Meat Boy is particularly lovely.
18. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou – Other than The Royal Tenebaums, this is my favourite Wes Anderson film and yet another one that Moon hadn't seen. I adore it, from the humour to the visuals I just think it's great. I was pretty surprised to read it's a total flop.
19. Bully ✸ – A hideous insight into the American school system. I think it's awful that it's been given an R-rating over there so the people that the documentary's about can't even see it. There are some really grim moments and overwhelming proof that teachers just need to stick their oar in a little more.
20. The Queen of Versailles ✸ – An insight into billionaire, David Siegel's life and ultimate downfall during the 2008 recession. He was looking to build the biggest house in the whole of America, a replica of Paris' Versailles Palace but sadly he ran out of money. It was an interesting way to show the economic downturn but also great because it's amazing to see how people that rich live even when they're less rich than they were.
21. The Fighter ✸ – I never watched this when there was all the fuss over it a few years ago. I did enjoy it but found their Boston accents totally stressful.

See what I mean about a lot of documentaries? I wish there were more UK documentaries that are made to such high-spec, we just get crudely-titled ones about people with swollen faces. I think I've seen quite of a lot of movies generally this month, I reckon I won't see as many in February but you never know, I'll definitely be settling down to one this evening anyway and I've watched two this month already!

✸ – New to me films - 14/21
Favourite: Django Unchained
Worst: Easily, A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan.

Bye bye, January.

January sure has been sleepy, but that's not to say it's been without nice things.
I started off the year with fireworks in Florida, visiting ice sculptures and Disney World while Moon started it with a new job, it's quite exciting but it would have been better if we weren't so skint.
I've spent most of this month getting back into the swing of things and watching a lot of documentaries.


So it's kind of little weird that we're already 1/12 down isn't it? February does mean that spring is kind of the way though and it's a good excuse to get out of the January slump.

The Good

• The joy of routine – I do relish in everyday things, although I like to make a big deal and to do new things, I do like to know what I'm doing and when too; dull things like cleaning the flat and doing laundry.
• A more affectionate little cat – Doll maturing is just about the best thing.
• Cooking, a lot – From baking to creating tasty mains, this has been a good month for putting food in my face. I've discovered so many great new recipes that will definitely be making it into our weekly meal plan, my absolute favourite is Oven Brinner, delicious but perhaps not something to have all the time.
• Making plans – Thinking about what we're going to do that doesn't involve sitting around the house is great. We're already pretty much booked up until the third weekend of March!

The Less Good

• Being such a terrible blogger – I know it's not important but 6 posts in a month is pretty lacklustre for me so I'm not that happy about it. I guess it's a combination of adjusting, not doing anything interesting and not really having anything I wanted to talk about. It's definitely something I'm going to change in February.
• Driving – It's just something I'm absolutely terrible at, so let's move on...
• Snow/Rain/Wind - Snow's pretty but it's also pretty dull, I'm so looking forward to more consistent sun.

What's next?

• Read more, much more! – I'm not doing too badly at reading a bit more so far, but I still haven't finished a whole book yet, which is a little frustrating. It is basically because I haven't really tried but I'm halfway through the book I'm reading at the moment so I hope to read at least one more this month.
• Stay awake – I'm quite tired of being so tired so I want to try and force myself to have a little more 'get up and go', as I discovered a few days ago, actually doing things is less tiring than sitting doing nothing so I may as well give it try.
• See Wreck-It Ralph – Other people's opinions about this movie are irrelevant, I'm desperate to see it for so many reasons and I'm so excited that it's finally out in cinemas over here next weekend. It's a bit of a silly goal but I don't think it's too silly to get excited about movies, is it?
• Start editing my short film – Sounds a little pretentious like that, but I've got a ton of videos from Florida that I want to put together for my family and I've not even started to get down to it yet!
• Blog more – Easy peasy.
• It's St Valentine's Day! ♥ – I love Valentine's Day, and the cheesiness and the mushiness and the lovehearts. I love people watching too so sitting squished with couples isn't as bad to me as everyone keeps saying.

I don't know how I feel about round-up posts, but after such a slump I felt like I should write something.

This month I've been listening this a lot, put it mainly down to my obsession with American Horror Story.

Reedbed Nature Reserve.

Why is it that when it rains it always feels like it rains forever? We were lucky to catch some sun on Sunday though and took in a short work - basically to pull ourselves away from the sofa, where we spent most of the weekend. It was nice to get some fresh air and see somewhere new, but I'm sure it will be much better once the season changes.

Here are a few snaps from our little walk, my poor boots got so muddy but I'm glad we made ourselves do it because it seems to have rained ever since we came back indoors.

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What I Wore:
Coat: Primark
Dress: Joules
Scarf: Accessorize
Bag: Kate Sheridan @ ASOS
Tights: Primark
Boots: ASOS
It was pretty great to not wear a bobble hat for the first time in over a week.
Sadly I think this dress might be one of those that needs some kind of petticoat, unless anyone has any tips for dresses that inappropriately ride up, I can't think of anything else?



I love this scarf, it's my favourite colour and it doesn't shed lots of tiny bits of wool like my last one did. I guess it kind of shows the difference in quality between Primark and somewhere where you spend slightly more, don't get me wrong I'm usually rooting for Primark though.


The Discovery Centre part of our walk probably would have been more welcoming if we'd had a chance to have a cup of tea in the tea shop after our walk (we couldn't due to being skint as a mint). The walk itself wasn't very long and we were only out for around an hour, but it looked super-long when looking out onto the lake.







I love terrible taxidermy, and this is about as puzzling as it is unnecessary.



You know me, I love a good cat and this Tom was pretty great, although a little stressed out by all the ducks and dogs running around.



Good job we opted out of trainers.




I'm so looking forward to seeing more of him smiling soon.

Snow More.

It's been a week since there was pretty, fluffy white snow falling from the sky. Now in it's place is weird, crispy ice. I nearly fell and broke my neck this morning, I didn't, but the risk was there and that's why this weather is horrid.

It sure was pretty before it was ruined (since it's such an inconvenience) though, so here are some photos I took during Friday and Saturday's snow days. This weekend is still looking to be a bit quiet, thanks to lack of funds but I'm sure it will do me some good to rest.



After the 10 minute walk from the station to home / Some how the tunnel to our garden was filled with snow!

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It's so funny how invisible Doll is in these pictures, I'm sure she's not this white in person.




Sometimes I think it's pretty funny that people always comment on what a beaut she is, because yeah, she is, but she's so naughty and annoying the other 99% of the time that I don't notice it until I take a step back.



This poor guy's head is now on the floor, but we used his nose in tonight's chicken enchiladas so it's okay.


Moon's wearing socks on his hands because he doesn't own any gloves...



Cat bully.

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I also thought I'd share my soundtrack of last weekend with you too, all of some of my favourite songs at the moment that I can't stop listening to, I'm sure I'll be blaring this out on this Saturday and Sunday morning too, definitely rekindled my love with Spotify.