Mockingjay Part 1 | A review (NO SPOILIERS)

Mockingjay Part 1 came out in UK cinemas last night, and me and two of my friends braved the cold weather to go and see the first midnight showing. After barely blinking throughout the entire two hours it was on, I thought that it might be worth writing up a review.

For those who have yet to see the film, or those who have not even read the books, I won't include any massive spoilers because that's just unfair. But I would definitely read the books if you can, because as with every film adaptation, although the Hunger Games trilogy has always lived up reasonably well to the standards of the books, there are always small components missing that are normally very vital to the storyline. 

Unlike The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, Mockingjay is the only one not to be set in some sort of physical games. However, this one steps it up a notch as President Snow (Donald Sutherland) starts to play mind games rather than placing Tributes into an arena.

The main differences between Mockingjay Part 1 and the other two parts of this franchise is the significant lack of main storyline or intense action. Although Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) has been known in the last two films for her 'heroic' action sequences, Mockingjay Part 1 lacks this oompf in terms of intense action. Having said that, there are a few scenes with a flicker of this action, such as when Katniss is put into District 8 with Gale (Liam Hemsworth), or some of the more intense scenes with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). Yet, I can't help thinking to myself that there seems to be something missing in terms of the darting, daring, and dangerous action that comes from the first two instalments.

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What it lacks in action, it sure does make up for in terms of emotion and intensity. The scenes involving President Coin (Julianne Moore) and Plutarch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) really draw you in as a viewer. Then just as you think you have gotten away without feeling any sort of emotion towards a character, Finnick (Sam Claflin) and Effie (Elizabeth Banks) go straight in with the feels. Then, to make things considerably worse, after Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) tries to infiltrate the Capitol's broadcasting system to interrupt Caesar's (Stanley Tucci) interview with Peeta, the emotion starts to really hit hard. Yet this all draws you back to their massive planning of the take-down of the Capitol and the overthrowing of Panem.

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President Snow's warning of "it's the things we love most that destroy us" seems to be the main message delivered on both District 13 and the Capitol's parts throughout the film. Katniss seems to be the weapon to use against Snow and to aid the uprising, whilst Peeta is seemingly being forced to become a weapon to entice Katniss. But what will really happen if the two ever meet face-to-face again?

Fire is catching...so how with the Girl on Fire react?

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No Hunger Games movie is complete without a little shy comedy. This otherwise serious film is pin-pricked with tiny ounces of laughable moments. Mainly coming from Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) as per usual. Look out for these tiny specks floating between a lot of serious business. 

One moment that sticks in my mind from the film is Jennifer Lawrence singing The Hanging Tree. I was quite sceptical about how this would turn out. When you read the book you come up with a tune in your head and that's how you imagine it would be, and then everything else seems to be a disappointment. But I was proved wrong. The song is haunting, yet provides everything you needed from a cinematic depiction of such a meaningful song - especially when it moved from Katniss singing on her own, to the rebels uniting with this song. Still sends chills down my spine.

If you have read the Hunger Games trilogy you will know what to expect from Mockingjay, and what is missing from the books. Mockingjay Part 1, although incredibly good as a stand-alone film, significantly misses a main storyline. The ending to this film will leave viewers on the edge of their seat having to wait another 365 days for the final movie. Is this really a cliffhanger? Is it teasing? It's possible that Mockingjay would have faired better as one major film rather than two separate instalments. Yet, I am not sure how I would feel about a 4 hour film considering Part 1 lasted 2 hours. 

Despite all these little tiny details, I actually thought the film was not too bad. I think the thing that really made this film was the portrayal of the scenes. District 12 was definitely one of the best scenes throughout the entire film, with some amazing settings and effects, it really does create a haunting image. I was also quite impressed with how District 13 came to be. Slightly missing some of the aspects I imagined whilst reading the book, but not a bad depiction all the same. 

Overall, straight after viewing Mockingjay Part 1 seems incredibly flawless, but upon reflection those cracks start to show a bit more. However, I would definitely recommend going to see it. As a Hunger Games fan, I was happy with the outcome, yet possibly slightly disappointed in having to wait another year for the ending to be shown on the big screen. 

What will Katniss do when she realises she might have just become a pawn in her own game?

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Simple skincare products | My skincare routine

Refreshing facial wash - £3.49

Kind to eyes eye make-up remover - £3.49

Purifying cleansing lotion - £3.29

Soothing facial toner - £3.29 

Revitalising eye roll-on - £5.49

Hydrating light moisturiser - £4.50

Vital vitamin day cream - £4.99

Vital vitamin night cream - £5.99

Skincare is one of those things that you either can't be bothered to do, or you love to do it. I am one of those people who loves it. There is no better feeling than having silky smooth skin, and your make-up gliding on and sitting well without the use of a primer. 

As you can see from the image above, I am a massive fan of Simple products. This is mainly because my skin can be quite sensitive to a lot of soapy products and has been known to break out, become increasingly dry and irritated, or generally not get along with a lot of high-street drug store skincare products. Frankly, I cannot afford all these high-end designer brands, so it took me quite a while to find something I really liked.

I have tried many different brands over the years, and have settled very happily with these Simple products. They are really affordable, readily available in Boots, Superdrug and Amazon, and last a really long time considering I use them twice a day. 

I'll share below my general routine with them. I expect somewhere along the lines I do something in the wrong order, but this is what works well for my skin. 

Remove all make-up with the Kind To Eyes Eye Make-up Remover using a cotton pad. 

Scrape back all of my hair so it isn't in my eyes or getting stuck to my face.

Using the Refreshing Facial Wash, gently massage it into my face, focussing on the areas where break-outs are most common. I also like to do the same to my neck as I blend my make-up to the lower part, and don't want to leave any bits of stray powder or foundation!

After I have washed this off and patted my face dry, I cleanse using the Purifying Cleansing Lotion. Once again, using a cotton pad and applying it in small circles. 

Following this, I use another cotton pad (I go through a lot of these) and use the toner. I try not to use too much of it as it can make my skin a little oily after a while, so a small amount is usually enough. Once again I apply it using small circular motions, normally following the path of the cleanser. I also find that when it comes to my neck, upwards motions usually catches any stray bits of make-up or general dirt that I missed before.

I let this sit for a little bit so that my skin can absorb it. Once it's dried a little I use the Revitalising Eye Roll-On under my eyes. Again small circular motions are usually best. If, like me, you tend to have dark circles under your eyes then I would definitely recommend this product. The metal ball really cools under your eyes. I tend to use this more in the mornings when I still have puffy eyes from the night before - it works wonders!

I then moisturise using the Hydrating Light Moisturiser. There are a few different moisturisers, but I find that this one really agrees with my skin and leaves it feeling considerably more cared for than before I used it. I tend to focus mainly around my T-Zone and the corners of my nose where there's a lot of dry skin. 

Finally, depending on whether it is day or night, I use the Vital Vitamin Day or Night Cream. I only use a small amount of this because my skin is already quite nourished from the million things I just put on it. I focus mainly on my cheeks, chin, and forehead areas just to keep them supple during the day. The thing I like most about the day cream is that it actually has SPF 15 in it already, so no need to worry about the rays!

So that's my daily skin routine! I know I don't usually do these sorts of posts, but I kind of fancied a change, and people ask me about my skincare products and whatnot all the time, so I thought why not?

I'd definitely recommend these products to people with skin like mine, where it's usually fine but is sensitive to excessive products and whatnot.

This was not a sponsored post, I just genuinely love Simple's products and have been using them for years and years.

I hope you enjoyed this little different post. Never know, I might do more of these in the future.

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The Fault In Our Stars (John Green) - a review

The Times says it is "damn near genius ..simply devastating...fearless in the face of powerful, uncomplicated, unironized emotion" and that it definitely is.

John Green's newest addition to his spectacular collection of original novels is "The Fault In Our Stars".

It is completely agreeable that "The Fault In Our Stars" earned the number one spot on the New York times bestseller list. Not only is the book an ultimate page turner, it is 100% addictive and I could not put it down; I read the entire book in one sitting without stopping. 

For anyone who has not read any John Green books before, where have you been?! I strongly recommend that you do so. Many of his books tend to follow the same sort of pattern, but I found "A Fault In Our Stars" took a different approach to many of his previous books which, although his previous writing is fantastic, was quite refreshing.

The book is written from the perspective of cancer patient Hazel, a 16 year old girl, and her intellectual, yet possibly hostile and shockingly true, views on the disease. The story follows her through Cancer Kid Support Group meetings where she meets someone who could possibly change her life forever. That someone comes in the form of Augustus Waters, a previous sufferer of cancer. Once Hazel introduces him to her favourite novel, things gradually begin to change as they embark on their very own love story full of tears, adventure and heart-melting romance. They embark on a trip to Amsterdam in an attempt to tie some loose ends from their shared love of a novel, but when things get slightly out of hand, will Hazel and Gus get their questions answered? Will Hazel and Gus survive the ultimate test? How will their story end? 

Several other characters emerge along the way who end up playing a rather significant role towards the end of the book, such as a boy named Isaac, who is suffering with "eye cancer". Another is Peter Van Houten (the author of Hazel's favourite book, but no more information will be given!). He is used as a developmental character, showing the opposite of what Hazel, Gus and Isaac are like, and what they could have become due to their illness. Mainly I think he is used as a contrast mechanism for the other characters - sort of showing an example of day and night; one set of characters remain hopeful about themselves and everything, whilst the other has opened to the darkness and let everything engulf him.

There are several themes that run continuously throughout the book, whether they be prominent or something underlying some of the narrative. For example, a prominent one being terminal illness. It is rather interesting how throughout the book, this theme applies to every character in some way. For example, we deal with it directly through the main characters, but also indirectly through the parents of Hazel who deal with the illness of their daughter, and through Patrick (the leader of the support group) who is a survivor of it. I have to say, this is one of the themes that really does hit home. Especially as someone who has experienced cancer through family members and friends, it really does hit in some places and it gets rather emotional. Linked to this is also dealing with loss. This is shown through several of the characters in different ways, but I want you guys to read the book and tell me what you think of that one.

The final theme I want to talk about is that of coping. Whether this has been outlines before as a general theme, I don't know, but it is one of the things that stuck out for me. This is shown in so many ways. For example, I see it mainly with Hazel. She uses literature as her form of escapism from the real world - I think I noticed this mostly because I do the same! She submerges herself in every aspect of her favourite books, and even takes on some new ones suggested by Gus to use as her outlet. I think this is also seen in Gus, who uses both Hazel and video games as his coping method. This may seem obscure to those who have not yet read the book, but I am trying to not give spoilers at the moment! Isaac uses his sense of humour as a method of coping with his illness and the events that follow. He makes jokes about things, possibly in a way of trying to ignore everything, but you never know. 

Ramble about things in the book over - you now have to read the book!

I am a self-proclaimed book worm, and I have read a large variety of books and genres - I have also read some of Green's books before. However, never in any book I have read have I experienced such a spectrum of different emotions in 319 pages. I could go from laughing hysterically to crying like a baby within the space of pages, or even lines. His amazing writing style allows readers to connect with the characters on a level that is not usually expected from a series of fictional characters. Some moments in the book are written in a comedic manner, yet had me in tears with the underlying reasoning behind what was being said.

"The Fault In Our Stars" is written from the perspective of Hazel, a format I usually find difficult to read. However, I am thoroughly impressed, as usual, by Green's depth to the character, and the understanding of both the illness and the feelings of a teenage girl. I suspect many of my readers are female, and thus know what sort of things go through your head, so for a male to understand and convey these in writing is particularly impressive as we sometimes cannot put our thoughts in to words. 

Although Green does invent fictional drugs and treatments, something you can read at the end of the book, the manner they are executed are so well conveyed. This is something I don't think I can put in to writing, so you will have to read it to find out, but I think it is written in such a good and sentimental way.

Despite the fact "The Fault In Our Stars" is written about cancer, I would not define this as a 'cancer book' because of the fact it isn't primarily about the illness, and is not something I would class as a tragedy book. As a general rule, this is a comedic book, with some sadder parts scattered throughout it. I'm not sure what genre I would generally class this under - it has so many different aspects in it! What do you think?

Overall I think this book deserves a total of 4.5 stars out of 5! The overall story line and description of almost every aspect allows the reader to develop an attachment to the main characters in a way that many books don't. 

This is a definite must read for absolutely anyone who loves to get stuck in to a good book.

As always, thank you for reading and I shall speak to you next time!

Toodle-oo!

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