Journeys Are My Diary

Life, Adventures, Entertainment and more - A little bit of everything blog!

Movie Review: Avengers – Age of Ultron

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Before I start to tell you about my Florida holiday, I want to tell you all about the latest movie I saw – Avengers: Age of Ultron (it’s Marvel/Disney though so it’s okay). On Friday, Nat and I went to the cinema – as we often do – to see the newest Avengers movie and both of us really enjoyed it!

As with all my reviews, no spoilers. However that always makes it difficult to tell you very much. What I can tell you is that it’s long!!! It’s not a complaint, but definitely a warning. Nat and I both went to the toilet before it began but only half way through, needed it again (TMI??) We did take a drink in with us (which we probably shouldn’t havbe) but yeah… warning!

In all seriousness though, I personally loved this movie. I’m a great lover of superhero movies anyway and on Friday I actually wrote about the good and the not so good superhero movies, over at Twice the Mum (and later republished on my own blog). This new Avengers movie would definitely be around the top of my list – if not for any other reason than RDJ as Iron Man is epic (as always). I tried to avoid any trailers or reading too much about the plot, so it was really nice to go into the movie not knowing much about it. I loved the concept and idea for the movie, though at times I felt a little lost, but I also loved the new characters getting gradually pulled into the plot (and it made me realise I really need to watch X-Men: Days of Future Past!). It was nice to see Hawkeye take more of a role this time and of course its nice to see all the Avengers working as more of a cohesive team. I’ve never really liked Scarlett Johansson but actually in the Avengers movies I find her fairly tolerable. As I said before, I loved Iron Man and he has now become my clear favourite (I was torn between him and Thor before). I especially loved Iron Man’s Hulk version. The ending with Hulk was a bit frustrating but not altogether surprising, I’m glad to see there is an Avengers 3 on the cards though – even if rumour has it that RDJ will be sliding out of the franchise at that point!

For anyone who likes an action movie, especially Superhero, I’d say it’s a must-see. At the cinema it holds so much more effect too – with the load noises, big screen, dramatic effect etc. That said, I’ll be getting it on DVD to watch again when it comes out, especially as the kids will want to see it. I loved this Avengers movie though truth me told, I probably love the last one a little bit more.

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Movie Review: Big Hero 6

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In the space of one week, I was lucky enough to see two of the latest Disney movies, released at the cinema. On Sunday 4th January, we booked a special preview showing of “Big Hero 6” – we even saw it in 3D. Then, exactly as week later, we booked to see “Into the Woods” on Sunday 11th January. I want to share some of my thoughts on the movies, but I always find that hard without adding spoilers. As such, they definitely won’t be full reviews (there will be NO spoilers) and really just my opinion on both movies. Today I’m focusing on Big Hero 6.

Big Hero 6

I don’t really know what I thought this movie would be about – just that it was Disney and that makes it a “must-see”. This time last year it was all about Frozen and look how that took off. As such, it was important to get in there and see Big Hero 6. Released already in the US, but not in the UK till 30th January, like I mentioned we managed to get booked in on a one day preview event. The only time that suited us was a 3D showing, though generally I’m not a big fan of seeing most movies in 3D.

The opening of the story, is quite a sad one as it is. Orphaned Hiro and his brother Tadashi, live with their Aunt after the death of their parents. Hiro is super smart but a bit of a bum – luckily he has his brother looking out for him. Past this point, I won’t spoil anything for you so I can’t even give you a rough jist of what happens. Let’s just say if you found the heartbreak of Anna and Elsa losing their parents or Ellie dying in UP… well prepare yourselves. Hiro makes friends with a robot called Baymax and basically that is the bulk of the story (again, without spoiling anything for you). Hiro also gets a whole bunch of new friends, in the form of his brother’s college mates.

This movie is fantastic. If you haven’t read too much about it, you’ll be in for a great surprise. The story line twists and turns, though some people might suggest its a bit predictable. To be honest that didn’t lessen its awesomeness though, I like a little cliché. Big Hero 6 is, in my mind, similar to Wreck It Ralph. A unisex movie, possibly aimed more at boys, but equally awesome for girls. What I definitely didn’t expect, was that it’s actually also a Superhero movie.

Yep, a superhero movie! And a really good one at that. Even better – just like Stan Lee makes a cameo in all Marvel movies (also owned by Disney) – he also makes an appearance in Big Hero 6. Look out for a portrait on the wall and you might just spot him.

Both my girls (almost 7 and 10) loved the movie and so did Chris and myself. I might actually be tempted to go see it again when its out after 30th, though I’ll admit I did cry at parts so maybe I’ll wait for it on DVD. Finally, one word of advice – definitely wait till after the credits. As with most Marvel movies – and some Disney movies these days – there are extra bits at the end. Big Hero 6 is definitely worth sitting and waiting for – even if everyone else in the cinema deserts you! Big Hero 6 is a fantastic family movie that I think everyone will enjoy – though perhaps only on a basic level for the younger ones. While I’m sure it will be a huge hit, I still don’t think it will be taking off like Frozen did though!

Week 45 – Monday Round-up

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Back to work and back to being miserable! That pretty much sums up last week. Luckily that’s a bit melodramatic, but you get the idea…

Monday to Friday was work and school for all of us. It was the first week back after a few weeks off too, which is always the worst. Work is still up and down as always, except since the chef left at the end of last term, we now have an agency chef – which brings with it, several pros and cons! Anyway, work was meh some days and okay the others.

In all honesty, I don’t remember a lot of what happened this week. I remember that Monday I felt pretty miserable and that it was work related, but otherwise I have no idea what I did in the evening – other than I probably watched TV with Chris and/or wrote blog posts. The girls had Singing Stars after school, that’s pretty much all I know! Tuesday I know the kids were with their dad after school so Chris and I spent time together. Again, sadly I don’t really remember much more. I think I had a blog catch up night though! Wednesday I know Chris was working and the girls and I were at home relaxing. In the evening I had a Lush bath and it was heaven. I tried out loads of new products – all of which I’ll be reviewing on my blog soon.

Thursday Chris was working again and the girls were home so we just chilled out. In the evening, Nat came around and the evening flew by way faster than expected. Amy also sent me a box of Lush which was much appreciated, especially as it had all my favourite things in it! When Chris came home, it was his last shift of his current job. Next week he starts a new job at BT and I think he’s looking forward to it.

Saturday I’d agreed to help my brother move house so Chris and I dropped off the girls at my mum’s at 8.45am and then drove to the storage container to unload all the stuff my brother and his girlfriend wanted. It started to rain midway through and we all got soaked but really it was just the beginning of how the rest of the day would be! We drove to our house and swapped dinning tables, then my brother’s new house to drop stuff off. We went for dinner at Subway (my brother’s treat) and then back to his old house to collect more big furniture. We then headed to his new house one last time to unload everything, before Chris and I headed off. Luckily we weren’t responsible for moving everything, just the large pieces of furntiture. It didn’t take too long and I did catch a few amusing pictures while Chris hoisted my brother up so he could look in the loft!

After dropping off the van, Chris and I headed to mum’s to spend some time with the girls before they were going to their dad’s. I was incredibly tired and really just wanted to go home, but I also wanted to spend some time with Megan and Lily. It was about 6pm when their dad came for them and Chris and I headed straight home. He ordered takeaway and we sat down with a bottle of wine and Indian, to enjoy our evening. We caught up on “The Flash” and “Arrow” but midway through an episode I started to drop off so Chris suggested it was time for bed. It was only 9.30pm and it went so against the grain to go that early, but I agreed, knowing I needed it.

In the morning, we didn’t have much of a lay-in but it was no surprise given what time we went to bed. However we had a nice relaxing morning and just took it easy. I spent majority of the morning planning the next two party’s food and then went to Tesco to pick up a few essentials. In the afternoon Chris and I put up a huge mural on our bedroom wall and then I sorted out all of the Christmas presents I’d already bought and still need to. The girls got home at 3pm and I then hung out with them, caught up on the X Factor and just enjoyed time with them, all before they went to bed. Once Lily was asleep, Chris, Megan and I watched the Finale of “Next Great Baker” and we were pleased with the results. Once Megan was in bed too, Chris and I watched loads more Arrow until we tired enough to go to sleep.

This is the basic round up of my week, but what I do feel like overall is that November is not turning out to be as good as October. I wrote about my dieting issues over at Twice the Mum, but it goes deeper than that really. All the organising, all the motivation, all the blog plans I had during October have stopped now I’m into November. I feel like work, my emotions, everything is effecting my mood and how things are feeling now. I don’t quite know how to get back to the place I was in, but I know I want to.