Hustlers Review

Throughout my time in lockdown not only has the number of streaming services in my name gone up, but so has the number of films finally getting crossed off my to watch list.

The film I am reviewing today is Hustlers which is a true story about Strippers in New York who drug men after the recession hits to get back the money they lost.

Now, I was really excited to watch this film because:

A. Jenifer Lopez
B. Lily Reinhart
C. Strippers
D. True Story

However, the film which received a 6.3 IMDB rating was a slow starter.

Even though this film is based on a true story none of the characters are very relatable, deep or earn your sympathy.

Now, anyone would think that Hustlers would be a good criminal based story because of the truth of it all, but sadly it was not, as it falls short on many an areas.

The problem with the film wasn’t the actors or story but more to how it was played out, with the characters having little to no background. Not to mention the scenes jumping constantly make the film confusing as some scenes had very little or no actual reason for being in the movie.

There is a lot of scenes shown in the strip club both backstage, on stage and in the rooms, however, none of these places have a storyline. All the strippers are very connected to each other and aren’t bitchy at all considering they would be competing to get the best money in the room.

This film shows that a feminist movie can be dark and can ruin both male and female characters when not enough attention goes into it. Believe me when I say there is not a single remotely sympathetic man in the movie as they are portrayed as exclusively negative. Therefore, deserving of whatever happens to them in the film and whatever horrible things each woman does to them is seen as totally justified.

If this film were shown with a switch in cast – where the men were women and women were men this film would have been called out for so much and its reviews wouldn’t have gotten as high- I mean 6.3?? Come on.

All in all, it’s obvious this film was set on a low budget and barely had a month of filming. Maybe if they actually tried with a better writer, or made the characters connect more with the audience then the film wouldn’t have been so much of a flop.

 

THRILL- 😑 Boredom from watching the same things happen over and over.

INTEREST-🦴 Why have a bone without meat when you can have one with meat and sauce.

WATCHING- 🦗 hopping over different scenes just isn’t interesting enough for these days.

 

Realistically, I would say not to waste your time on this film but if you do, tell me what you think!

x

Shan

What to Watch During Lockdown

This is a list of those shows and/or movies you should be binge watching during the lockdown- which has now been extended to 9th of May!

I know it’s hard to get into doing anything at the moment, believe me, even with working from home I find it hard to do much after. So that’s why we created a list of what we both want to watch- even if the other person has no interest in watching it the other one must or forfeit a program or movie from their own list.

We have a list of 10 shows and 10 movies to get you through this, so whatever your poison, something should catch your eye.

If TV Shows are you thing:

• Gossip Girl
• 4 in a Bed
• Gravity Falls
• The Mandalorian
• The Grand Tour
• Brooklyn Nine Nine
• Ru Paul’s Drag Race
• The Office (US)
• Modern Family
• Hell’s Kitchen (or anything thats got Gordon Ramsey in!)

 

But if you’re more of a film geek, look no further:

• Ocean’s 8-13
• The Terminator
• Legend
• Pirates of the Carribean
• Star Wars
• Kingsman: Secret Service
• Fight Club
• She’s the Man
• 17 Again
• What Happened in Vegas

 

Let me know if there are any films or TV shows you recommend!

OR whether you and your partner have used this trick to help get through lockdown as peacefully as possible!

 

IMPORTANT: These movies and TV shows can be found across Netflix, Sky, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus. Therefore depending on what streaming service you use you could find mixed results.

x

Shan

Top 10 Book Recommendations

So I haven’t been reading or blogging much lately due to internship and work, but i have put together a list of my favourite books and series for you to have a peak at.

So in no particular order:

Harry potter (Series)
Now if you haven’t heard have this series, have you been living under a rock? Well if you have, welcome back. Harry Potter is an 11 year old orphan who discovers he’s a wizard, therefore has to go to a special wizarding school to learn how to use his magic. This series is at first heartwarming with a bond of strong friendships which leads into a darker path where Harry finds himself in the middle of.

 

 

Percy Jackson + Heroes of Olympus(Series)
The Percy Jackson series leads into the heroes of olympus series which is why they are in the same group. Percy is a young boy who finds out he’s a decedent of a greek god. But which one? Can he stop the gods from arguing and causing chaos before its too late? Amazing story for both young and old where adventures are necessary but Percy always manages to get into trouble somewhere along the line.

 

 

Study Series
So the study series is about a young girl who has been arrested for murder in the land of Ixia. But before she is put to death, Yelena has a choice. Become a food taster for the Commander of Ixia or die. Yelena is taught about the different types of poison including Butterfly dust, which the chief of security gives to her in order to keep her within his range. As without the antidote, Yelena will die. But as Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can’t control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren’t so clear.

 

Before I Fall
Now some of you might know this from the Netflix film. But, before that it was a book by Lauren Oliver. This book is emotional and heart-wrenching as it shows how one girls live can affect so many others, and in so many different ways. Samantha is popular and has the perfect life from what she can tell. Until she dies, and wakes up reliving the same day- ‘Cupids Day’. Sam relieves Cupid’s day seven times, trying and failing to get why she was put through this, and how by changing herself and the way she acts even slightly can make the biggest impact.

 

The Lovely Bones
Again, this one you might know from the film with Saoria Ronan, but the book is even more devastating. With a family who’s young daughter goes missing without a trace. The book is in Susie Salmon’s point of view, and she tells us from heaven how she was brutally murdered on her way from school in a December afternoon. She tells of how she was raped and killed by her murderer, but Susie’s family doesn’t know any of this and the reader has to wait anxiously for the killer to be found and brought to justice.
Scarpetta Series
This series is about the first woman chief medical examiner of Virginia. Kay Scarpetta is real and holds emotion for the cases she takes with the FBI and police. As she has such a technical career, the reader would think that the language might make it hard to understand but it is truly easy for some pick up with the words flowing easily through the sentence.

 

 

The Mortal Instruments
Much alike the Netflix series about it, but a lot better- well in my opinion. Clary is young girl who witnesses a murder in a club by 3 tattooed teens with crazy weapons, but this doesn’t go the way you’d think. The body disappears, the teens are invisible to everyone but her. Whats going on? These are Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. A Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk is Jace, one of the murders from the club. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know…

 

Panic
In the middle of nowhere is a small little town, and with nothing to do in the middle of summer, what else were they suppose to do. Panic is a game played by graduating seniors, and Heather never thought shed end up playing, but here she is. Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. He knows what he wants and knows it’ll get him through the game. The fear rises and alliances form, but why will they find out.

 

 

Vanishing Girls
This is some freaky stuff. This book was wild from start to finish. Dara and Nick were inseparable, that is before the accident that scarred Dara’s face. When Dara disappears on her birthday along with a little girl Madeline Snow, Nick becomes convinced that the two disappearances are linked and must find Dara before time runs out.

 

 

Mo Hayder’s Jack Caffery Series (All of them)
Ok so any Mo Hayder book is amazing. Whether you go for the Jack Caffery series, about a detective in South-East London who is haunted by a murder from long ago which is attached to his soul, or the later ones where he meets Flea Marley, part of Bristols Underwater Search Unit who has a deep secret. Even if you go for a one off like the Devil of Nanking or Tokyo as its also known by, you will get a deep sense of thrill and interest and even some cases nightmares. Can you deal with the heat?

 

Want to challenge my taste in books? Think you have better?

Do you agree with me? Have any more comments about these books or want more information? Put it in those comments >

x

Shan

Self-Isolation Boredom List!

So, here you are self isolating. Maybe its because you are classed as vulnerable or have someone in your family who is? Or maybe you haven’t got work due to the Coronavirus so are being selfless?

Whatever reason you are doing this -Well done you!

As a thank you I have put together a self-isolation list of things to keep you occupied in this time!

Hopefully you can find something in this for you to do.

 

THE LIST

• Draw
• Paint
• Colour
• Sudoku
• Word searches
• Write a blog
• Update your LinkedIn
• Write back to those emails you’ve been putting off
• Think about what you want to do in the future – Is the job your in really where you want to be? If not, look into some other jobs you can apply for.
• Read! Yes that list of books you haven’t read!
• Binge watch some TV shows (Blog post on that coming soon!)
• Walk your dog (remember the 2 metre social distancing rule)
• Clear out your wardrobe
• Play with your dog/cat etc
• Paint your room/house
• Tidy your room
• Tidy the garden – its a mess from winter so theres gonna be stuff to do!
• Make a playlist to listen to
• Complete a puzzle
• Play with an old toy
• Sort out the attic
• Find a hobby? Knitting, Sewing, cooking, baking etc

 

But most of all…

 

KEEP YOURSELF SAFE AND BE SURE TO SOCIAL DISTANCE

 

x

Shann

How to find the Perfect Job!

Now before I start this, I should probably mention:

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT JOB.

 

There’s always something that gets in the way. But here’s a few tips to make sure the first job you get isn’t your least favourite and that those who employed you did it for the best.

Here are some questions you should ask yourself to ensure you will get the best job you can!

What do/did you enjoy studying?

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Have any of your friends jobs fascinated you?

What job adverts have attracted you?

Why have those adverts attracted you?
-The pay?
-The boss?
-The environment?
-The specifications?

Of all your previous jobs or placements, which did you enjoy the most?

What do you enjoy talking about?

If all careers paid the same, what would you do?

If you could do any job for a day, what would you do?

Now, if you answered these and know what you want to do, then ask whats stopping you?
-Location?
-Pay?
-Lack of jobs?
-Environment?

 

Tips:

Research the job before hand
-Work environment
-Work load
-Turnover in employees

x

Shan

Differently Normal Book Review

Now, I was given Differently Normal by Tammy Robinson a few days ago by my boyfriends mother as she’s a huge reader like me and thought I would like it.

And to be honest, she wasn’t wrong. It is a good book I guess- but here’s a little about it and my opinions before you go and read it!

If you don’t want spoilers- this is your official warning not to read on!

This is a love story. Where a young girl, Maddy, who is around 18 has a life that is controlled by routine due to her younger sister, Bee, having autism making Maddy and her mother have to care for her constantly.

This is one thing I really enjoyed about this book as not in many story lines do they make time to make a well rounded disabled character who is loved and put first.

The other part of this story line includes Albert, who works at the stables that Bee starts going to who falls instantly for Maddy.

Albert has had a hard time with his family due to being recognised as a constant disappointment to his father and brother. Therefore, when he meets Maddy he gets a chance to see what a true family is like and how much they care for one another.

Now this book is said to be for fans of fault in out stars, which makes sense with the love that can only go so far due to Alberts need to get out of the way of his family mixed with Maddy’s need to stay at home and care for her sister.

 

Now for the bad points. This book was very stereotypical and had me rolling my eyes throughout because of how 2 dimensional the characters are.

The thing that makes the characters 2D is the fact they don’t really act or speak in a sense that is much like teenagers I’ve seen- and now this might be due to the fact this book is based in America whereas I am British, but surely some things would cross over?

There is a certain something relatable in both characters but neither is pushed hard enough to actually make a connection. Therefore, this makes the book have a sense of disconnect between the reader and the characters.

And the ending was so very unrealistic much like certain points in the rest of the book which made the book very difficult to read.

The worst part of the ending you ask? Is that most of the drama is off the page and only mentioned in past tense making it hard to have that emotional connection to what happened. But even so, the last 100 pages of the book ended up being those with the most  emotion being shown from the characters themselves even though these aren’t being connected to the reader.

I do believe that if this book connected the reader with the characters more and showed more emotion from the characters throughout that this book could’ve been a lot better than the rating it will receive from me.

Let me know what you think of ‘Differently Normal’ in the comments!

THRILL- ❗️Lacking.

INTEREST-🦴 – Dry and nothing to keep you going.

READING-🦑 Shockingly easy to read- the ink is basically still wet by the time you’re done.

x

Shann

 

 

Top 5 outfits: Age 21!

So since I’ve noticed that my top outfits of 2017 post is still getting attention, I’ve decided to write one up for my top outfits for age 21!

 

 

First up we have this coord set from Depop, but originally from New Look for a total of £15. The sandals are Primark for £12. Simple yet stylish! Worn on a summer holiday for evening wear.

Left: My mam. Right: Me.  For birthday drinks in December. I’m wearing a River Island faux leather jacket for £65. Black long sleeve backless top, river island £30. Topshop mom jeans £42 and New Look boots for £20.

 

So I wore this outfit for a meal and cocktails in winter. Black long sleeve top is from Newlook £18. The skirt is from Select although has been altered to fit. Boots are the same as last picture, £20 from New Look. 

Uncles wedding outfit. This dress was from Boohoo for £8!!! I know!! The fit was immense and I cannot wait to wear it again. I paired it with baby pink shoes that are New Look, £25, and simple gold jewellery.

Finally, here’s a casual one with the top from primary £5. The trousers- shout out to my sister for letting me borrow them- Pretty Little Thing. And the Adidas Originals, depop £15.

Which do you prefer?

X

Shann

 

Spin class = The devil?

I’m not an athletic person.
I know this might be shock, but its true.
I genuinely cannot run, and definitely cannot do half the stuff they do in the Olympics.
My main source of exercise is probably walking, and used to be swimming when I had time – and believe me, it took up a lot of time- Friday evenings, Monday evenings and both Saturday and Sunday training as well with a possible tournament.
So on Monday I decided to try out a spin classes with my friend. And believe me when I tell you its not fun.
I went in picturing something like the side to side music video where people are in lines, having fun etc.
My friend pictured the scene from Bridget Jones with flashing lights and good music to keep you happy.
This is not at all what it was like.
The seats are too small for any human arse.
The pedal straps are not made for someone with small size 3 feet.
And the instructor kept trying to kill us by turning up the resistance.
Ok, so maybe this wasn’t the best idea for me and my friend since she has reactive arthritis and I have some identified knee problems that haven’t been diagnosed yet. So, definitely not the class we should’ve taken.
But we were determined and excited to try something new.
The instructor wasn’t encouraging or didn’t teach us how to work the bikes or the best position to sit in to not achieve deep dark bruises on your arse checks. And didn’t check to make sure our feet were tightly in the shoe slot so a foot didn’t come out and get attacked by a rogue pedal that bruises your whole leg. Even though he knew we were new and had never been to these classes before.
Basically, what im trying to say is:

Spin is the devil

It isn’t like what they show on tv

It sucks

And the bruises last days!
Me and my friend are never going to spin again, but instead sticking to Aerobics, where its cheaper and you work every part of your body and there’s a great instructor who actually joins in with the class as well as pushing you to do your best correctly so you don’t hurt yourself.
Have any of you ever been to spin? Did you have a bad a time as us? Let me know in the comments >
x
Shann

 

Chronicles of Narnia

Now if you haven’t heard of the series ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’

Where have you been??

As you might, or might not know, the Chronicles of Narnia includes 7 books and 3 movies.

I watched the movies when I was younger and ever since I got into reading I wanted to read the book series. Alas, only 5 years later, I’m actually reading them.

So the first book in the series is called
‘The Magicians Nephew’

Now surprisingly, to me at least, this book doesn’t include the films Lucy, Peter, Susan and Edmund, but instead Digory and Polly.

Digory has recently moved into his aunt and uncles house with his ill mother, and meets Polly, a young girl of his age, or there abouts.

But the adventure starts when instead of going into an abandoned house they enter Digory’s attic, where his uncle stays copped up.

Digory’s uncle tricks Polly into taking a magic ring, which makes Polly DISAPPEAR!

Where does she go?

I’ll give you a hint, its not Narnia. As much as you want it to be

And I’ll leave the rest to you.

Heres some of the characters you’ll want to keep an eye on
Diggory
Polly
Uncle Andrew
Queen Jadis
The Cabby
These are the main characters, but only 3 are responsible for what will happen in the second of the series… Which do you think it’ll be?

At first the book is weird, not really interesting but you want to know where Narnia comes into it so you’re in this place where you can’t really stop reading?

Weird, I know.

(Full-Colour Collectors Edition)

But, after the first 50 pages, wish, thats when the book really starts.

The adventure of seeing the creation of Narnia by the one and only Aslan is enough to make you emotional.

The book is well written and keeps you engaged, in a strange way other books can’t.

It even gives you a quick sort of peek into the next book at the end, which is in fact where Lucy, Peter, Edmund and Susan come into the series, and where the first film is based off.

I can’t wait till on the train next to start reading this one!

If you want my copies of the series follow this link. The books have coloured drawings all the way through.

Ok so now for the reviews on ‘The Magicians Nephew’

THRILL- 😄 Excited to read on!

INTEREST- 🍕 As interesting as a pick your own topping kinda pizza

READING-🦄 New and mind-blowing

Have you read this series before? Do you have a different opinion?

Tell me in the comments

xoxo

Shan

Percy Jackson Review

Ok so after reading the whole of the Percy Jackson series again I decided I had to review it to show you all what you are missing out on if you don’t get to reading it because, damn girl, you should.

So in the very first book Percy is a 12 year old boy with ADHD and dyslexia who cant last a year in a school without being expelled.

Percy then finds out he is a demi god, which means basically that he is half human half greek god.

The only safe place for these demi-god’s is at a camp which has special magical boarders to keep out monsters and mortals.

Rick Riordan encourages the reader of this series to learn about Greek mythology by making Percy really down to earth and sarcastic which is how most people are these days. But most importantly he makes the learner aware of not only the mythology but other cultures and sexualities etc.

He does this by having characters that are/have:
Gay;
Mental illness,
Disabilities;
Gender Fluid.

Not to mention he has characters that have healthy relationships!

The characters in the series have a strong and healthy friendship where they don’t hate each other at first unlike other books, but actually get along and their friendship grows throughout the series as well.

THRILL- 🤯 Blows your mind!

INTEREST-🍹 One isn’t enough!

READING-🐉 Whimsical and one of a kind!

What did you think about this series? Let me know!

x

Shan