Top 10 Films from my '30 Films Challenge'

When a new year begins and January 1st is here, many people start to make resolutions which will be their main aims for the next 365 days. I've never been good at resolutions personally, not to mention I don't believe you need the excuse of a new year to go ahead and change something or start something new. Instead, what I like to do is set 10 goals. This can include trying to read a certain amount of books or finally going somewhere I want to visit, making it into a fun challenge as opposed to a soul crushing resolution. A resolution that I'll eventually abandon by the end of March...One of my challenges for this year was to watch 30 films I hadn't watched before. Now these are my top 10 favourites from my accomplished challenge *fist pumps air* and my short review on them.

10) 'Age of Adeline'

The film was slightly different to how I thought it might be but it was simply lovely. There was a wonderful twist to it at the end and had both scientific and magical elements which made it different to films in this sort of genre. Blake Lively had this mesmerising elegance to her in the film, something classic and old which helped with the vintage feel and show the true age of her character. It was also very pleasing visually and overall I liked it. Sometimes a nice romance is a good thing and this film didn't feel like your traditional romance. I didn't go through the film knowing exactly how events were going to unfold which kept me interested all the way through.

9) 'Split'

I'm very interested in psychology and I find it fascinating to read about patients with D.I.D (Dissociative Identity Disorder). For anyone who doesn't know: D.I.D is, in simple terms, split personality disorder and this is the main basis of the film. So a film that delves into the deep science of D.I.D also staring James MacAvoy a.k.a one of my favourite actors of all time = Wallis Approved. The film from the off was intense and I defiantly had a few moments I jumped. James was just as incredible as he always is. He managed to portray such an incredible array of characters so uniquely and in such a way that was flawless. At times you giggled at the way he'd act going from a child to a very camp fashion designer to a British woman (think Mrs Doubtfire but not as nice) but as the story went on you found these moments less funny and were actually dragged into the sinister concept.

Only qualm was the very random scene at the end which I had to Google. Apparently it was a link with one of the director's other films but that went right over my head.

8) 'Olympus Has Fallen'

Gerard Butler wasn't my only reason for liking this film (but ooooh honey I won't deny he helped) but I really enjoyed this action film. The story line made sense and the action was awesome to watch and kept me in suspense. If you fancy a really good action film that will keep you on the edge of your seat then this is certainly a good choice.

7) 'Insidious: Chapter 2'

I watched the first film and rather enjoyed it (although felt the ending was a bit far fetched) so one night I decided to watch some horror films alone in the dark and this was one of my choices. I was hooked all the way through. I won't deny the concept is slightly weird and you do have a moment where you go 'Erm...what?' but it was certainly creepy and interesting. Unlike many mediocre horror films released these days it wasn't just a load of people screaming and running from nothing there was a good plot and you actually saw the creepy things.

6) 'The D.U.F.F'

I haven't got a wonderfully pretentious sounding reason for liking this film I just liked it. It was a funny, easy watching, cheesy teenage film. It certainly had the feel of old 90s films crossed with the iconic film that is 'Mean Girls'. What I can't express is how much I relate to the main characters inability to be smooth when it comes to the romance department. The main message around the film really spoke to me and basically said that we all have insecurities and all feel like a D.U.F.F (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) at some stage in our lives even though it's not true at all. I read somewhere once how envy is the destroyer of potential because while we're envying everyone else some of those people are envying your uniqueness in return and you're missing out on all you could be which is demonstrated in the film.

5) 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge'

First off: WHY ON EARTH DID THE UK GET THE RUBBISH TITLE WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED 'Dead Men Tell No Tales' BUT NO WE HAD THE RUBBISH TITLE WHY EVEN GIVE TWO DIFFERENT TITLES WHYYYYY. *Clears throat* Now we are passed that, here are my thoughts.
I won't hold back in saying I really wasn't the biggest fan of the films predecessor 'On Stranger Tides'. Despite it being an all round okay film, I felt it was a little like a step back for the series. This new installment, however, was fantastic! It was hilarious at all the right moments, the music was as captivating as always and I loved the tie in of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan's son Henry. Johnny Depp does play a key part in making the film as incredible as it is but it was also the familiar faces of Geoffrey Rush's Captain Barbossa and the other members of the Black Pearl crew who need to be given credit for their hilarious one liners. I think this film just felt more like the original three and had the old 'Pirates of the Caribbean' vibe.

4) 'Inside Out'

Tears. All. The. Damn. Tears. I was warned about the tears but I did not listen. This film is certainly one of Pixars greatest works. Although very sweet and funny on the surface, there was a much deeper aspect to it than that. Using a fun and simplistic way, it helped to show people (especially younger people) the workings of mental health. For someone who strongly believes that there is far too much stigma based around the mental health world it was wonderful to see a way that helped explain how people are feeling and display that they sometimes simply can't help it. It showed the fact that people are not always in control of what's going on in their own brains, an aspect of mental health that I think is very difficult for some people to understand. The animation was really lovely as well and there was some very witty and dry humor I appreciated. Be warned for tears though...be warned for tears...

3) 'Moana'

I didn't want to watch this. Truthfully. I was not interested in seeing this film in the slightest. But, since watching it I've discovered it is now one of my favourite Disney films EVER. Where do I start? The beyond beautiful animation, the catchy and wonderful score and soundrack, the hilarious and strong characters and the gripping story, not forgetting the diverse body shapes and the cute pig (I love the cute pig). I urge EVERYONE to watch this film. I personally (controversially) believe it's on par with, perhaps slightly better, than 'Frozen'...yeah...I said it.

2) 'Collateral Beauty'

This was not only one of the best films I saw this year but it was one of the best films I have ever seen. Will Smith shone and truly gave a breath-taking performance as well as the rest of the cast. It struck so many cords within me and I was moved to tears throughout the film. Not only did it have an exquisite story but helped to emphasise just how short life is and reminds you not to take any of the "big 3" ('Death', 'Love' and 'Time') for granted. What I felt were it's key winning factors was the way it cleverly had each of the main 3 interact with Will Smith's friends within the film and the way it displayed many different versions of grief instead of just one. It was such a tremendous film and one that still sticks with me even now.

1) 'Beauty and the Beast'

I've already done a blog post on this but all I'll say is that obviously this was going to be number one. It's now my favourite film of all time and it's simply incredible. The music (courtesy of the legend that is Alan Menken), the animations, the costumes, the casting choices, I could go on forever. I'd urge everyone to watch this film it's simply sublime.