Garden State - Zach Braff

Garden State proves that aside from being an exceptional and versatile actor, Zach Braff, star of popular television series 'Scrubs', is also incredibly talented as both a writer and director. Co-starring a radiant Natalie Portman, this film is substantial without being overly heavy, and cute without being shallow. Andrew Largeman, Braff's character, is forced to return to his home in New Jersey, following a nine year absence, in order to attend the funeral of his mother. It's made very clear from the start that Andrew is  both exceedingly uncomfortable and quite depressed by the fact that he no longer seems to belong in his childhood home, due to his old friends' and classmates' boring society and his father's hostility. 

A chance encounter with compulsive liar Sam (Portman) at the hospital, proves to be the turning point in a life tainted with lethargy and numbed by unnecessary medication prescribed by Andrew's father. As Sam's quirks and Andrew's problems unfold themselves to us, we can't help falling in love with them as quickly and as softly as they fall in love with each other. I find it very difficult to truly emphasize all the clever dialogue and plot twists without ruining the story, all I can say is that this truly is a memorable and poignant film.

Complimented by an outstanding soundtrack, also compiled by Braff and including the likes of Coldplay and The Shins, Garden State shines as a film that leaves you warm and fuzzy but also makes you think. I can tell that this is a film that will stay with me for a long time. 

Decline and Fall - Evelyn Waugh

'Decline and Fall' is the third novel I've read by Evelyn Waugh and I think it's fair to say that though his story lines are never extraordinarily exciting or memorable even, his masterful usage of the English language is both beautiful and soothing. You almost feel like it needs to be read aloud! Waugh's humour is fantastically subtle, enough to make you giggle out loud without dominating the story. 

Paul Pennyfeather, a luckless student of Oxford, is cast out of his university and disowned by his guardian, due to no fault of his own except perhaps, insignificance. He is employed at a boys' school in Wales, only to find the systems of education and discipline used there completely ridiculous and halfhearted. While there, he meets some extraordinary characters. These include Captain Grimes, a carefree rogue who constantly lands himself 'in the soup', Mr. Prendergast (or 'Prendy'), a mournful ex-clergyman with 'doubts', Philbrick, a butler with an enigmatic background, Dr. Fagan, the headmaster and his two daughters Flossie and Dingy, and last but not least, the love of Paul's life, Margot Beste-Chetwynde, the wealthy mother of one of Paul's students. This romance soon becomes the linchpin of the novel, as it flings Paul back and forwards between the realms of good fortune and bad. 

I really enjoyed 'Decline and Fall', and I think it's ideal reading for lazy days as there is no huge depth to it. Waugh's writing is also always worth admiring. 

Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street - Tim Burton

With the combined talents of Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd was always going to be good. Brilliant, even. This trio made in heaven never fails to impress. The contributions of Alan Rickman, ever the epitome of the villainous character, Timothy Spall as his snivelling sidekick and young actors Jamie Campbell Bower, Jayne Wisener and Ed Sanders do this film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical no harm. The story itself is tragic and full of vengeance against society. Benjamin Barker, an exiled barber living under the alias of Sweeney Todd, returns to London seeking revenge against the malevolent Judge Turpin, who ruined his life by arresting him and subsequently ruining his wife Lucy and adopting their pretty daughter Joanna. It's not long before Todd runs into Mrs. Lovett, the worst pie maker in London. The pair soon cook up an evil and deranged scheme to get their back on Turpin, and ultimately society. The film runs smoothly from start to finish, punctuated by musical numbers with gruesome yet catchy lyrics. Burton's portrayal of London in the 19th century is deliciously sordid and evil, with dark, dreary lighting and costuming. I am possibly the most squeamish person in the world and yet I still enjoyed Sweeney Todd thoroughly as the gore is deliberately unrealistic, almost comedic. I cannot recommend this film enough. 

One Day - David Nicholls

Hmmm...One Day is  a good book on the whole I suppose. It's well written, it's engaging, it's surprising. It's also cheesy and cliched. Boy meets girl, boy not bothered, enter friend zone, girl head over heels, years go by, boy starts to appreciate girl....mustn't spoil the ending. Without being sexist about it, possibly one of the most interesting aspects of One Day is the fact that the author is male. I always find male attempts to capture female dispositions interesting. Nicholls doesn't do a bad job. Emma is very average, easy to relate to and likeable. Dexter on the other hand is the typical player. The Willoughby who finds redemption. We experience joy in both characters' triumphs and sorrow at their downfalls, which is the idea I suppose.  Love stories tend not to be anything new and to be brutally honest, One Day is no exception. Though the style of documenting a particular day (15th of July, St. Swithin's Day) in the characters' lives each year is refreshing, it can also interrupt the flow of the book and leave everything feeling disrupted and undeveloped. The dialogue is praiseworthy however and on the whole, One Day is worth reading if you're into romances. I've yet to see the film adaptation starring Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway, but I've heard good things about it, despite Hathaway's alleged murderous attempt at an English accent.