Describe Yourself in 3 Fictional Characters

A few weeks ago, our Twitter feed and my own personal Facebook feed was full of these ‘Describe Yourself in 3 Fictional Characters’ posts. Now, I take my lists seriously, and so whilst making sure I chose my 3 characters perfectly, I kind of missed the boat. This isn’t going round anymore. But perhaps you missed it, too? Either way, I need a break from terrorising myself with horror movies, and this seemed like a great chance.

Originally, all 3 of my picks were from TV Shows. It wasn’t deliberate, but when you dedicate years to a TV series you really get to know the characters and empathise with them, but I wanted to give myself at least one pick from movies. So, here we go!

Liz Lemon, 30 Rock

Have you ever watched a show and just felt the need to point at a particular character and shout ‘that’s me!’ over and over again? Man, I don’t know how anyone puts up with me when 30 Rock is on the TV. I’m not a girly girl in the slightest, I’m far happier in my joggers at home with a big bag of snacks on a Saturday night than out clubbing in high heels. I have no idea what I’m doing with my life half of the time, I tend to just stumble into everything. In fact, I could really do with a Jack Donaghy in my life to mentor me. Liz Lemon, you are my spirit animal!

Hermione Granger, Harry Potter

Yeah, I kind of cheated here considering how many Harry Potter movies there are. Hermione Granger is the character that everyone else thinks I’m most like. My brother still tags me in things on Facebook on a regular basis. I’d like to think it’s because everything thinks I’m pretty and intelligent, but deep down I know it’s because I’m a complete teacher’s pet, I’m bossy, and I like to correct people on the correct way to say things. Not that my grammar and spelling is perfect of course, but I want to scream when I see someone type ‘could of’ instead of ‘could have’. And you know, it’s levi-O-sa, not levios-A.

Winston Bishop, New Girl

I know, I’m not a man, trust me, but I have such a connection to Winston! To me, New Girl feels like the new age of Friends, where everyone can relate to at least one of the characters (I’m Monica apparently, as much as I’d like to be a Phoebe). Winston has that never ending optimism that I try to channel as much as I can, and hey, it turns out that there is someone out there who loves cats and bubble baths just as much as me! 

My Favourite 'Halloween Special' TV Episodes

Until now, I never really got into Halloween in the movie sense, I was too much of a wuss. For the record, I still am, but I’m doing it for the blog this year! Anyway, what I always look forward to in October is the Halloween Specials that my most loved TV Shows air. So, to take my mind off the Babadook, and that creepy teddy from Krampus (he was in my dream last night) I thought I would take the opportunity to share some of my favourite Halloween Specials!

Costume Contest (The Office US, Season 7, Episode 8)

You could always count on The Office to put on a good Halloween episode, I could have dedicated the whole post to them, but my favourite of them all has to be Costume Contest from Season 7. Gabe dressed as Lady Gaga was absolutely hilarious, but in another beautiful moment from one of my favorite TV couples, Jim finally gives in to his hatred of ‘couple costumes’ and turns up with baby Cece, dressed as Popeye and Swee’Pea to match Pam dressed at Olive Oyl.

Halloween (New Girl, Season 2, Episode 6)

So, perhaps not the most exciting name for a Halloween episode, but Season 2 brought a fantastic haunted house themed episode. Jess is working the night shift at a haunted house nearby, and the gang thinks she looks like a zombie Woody Allen. I’m sure my fellow movie bloggers appreciated the impressions that followed. This episode also features one of my favorite Winston moments that I’m still not convinced was scripted, “Shelby you made me so mad my mustache is coming off!”.

Halloween I, II & III (Brooklyn Nine Nine)

Oh boy, okay I’m breaking my own rules now. So far, every year Brooklyn Nine Nine features a Halloween special that gets bigger and better every year. It started in Season 1 where Jake makes a bet with Captain Holt that he can steal his Medal of Valor before the night is over. In Season 2, Jake steps up his game and bets that he can steal Captain Holt’s watch from his very own wrist. Last year the whole precinct was divided into two teams to see who can steal a crown from the interrogation room. I really hope this theme continues into the latest season!

Epidemiology (Community, Season 2, Episode 6)

Ah, why did I give up on Community? It was such a brilliant show in the early seasons. Anyway! Epidemiology kicks off with Dean Pelton dressed as Lady Gaga (is there a theme here!?) for the annual Greendale Halloween Party. There’s something wrong with the food, which it turns out the Dean bought on the cheap from an army surplus store. The catastrophic result is that the entire college gets put on lockdown as what seems like a zombie outbreak occurs.

Two Guys, a Girl and a Psycho Halloween (Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, Season 2, Episode 6)

You know it took over 10 years for the UK to get this show on DVD? A crime, I say! Hilarious to watch if you’re a fan of either Ryan Reynolds or Nathan Fillion, by the way. Anyway, Two Guys, a Girl and a Psycho Halloween was a really clever episode, where a psycho version of Berg shows up and goes on a murderous rampage. At a costume party, his friends have no idea that this isn’t the Berg that they know and love, until they come across the real Berg. The episode comes to a close in the pizza place (of course) as they attempt to work out which Berg is real.

I could honestly talk (type) all day about Halloween specials, so I should leave it there. I’m so looking forward to seeing what my current TV shows come up with for 2016! What’s your favourite Halloween Special? I’d love to know!

Valentine's Day: My Favourite TV Romances

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! I hope you’re all having a great weekend. I spent Friday night at the cinema with my fiance and 4 of our friends watching Deadpool, and Saturday afternoon getting tattooed (a paper X-Wing if you’re curious), so it’s been pretty romantic so far. Not! Tonight though, our fanciest wine glasses will come out of the cupboards, for a night on the sofa with the BAFTAs! Steamy.

In the spirit of today, I wanted to share some of my favourite TV romances. Spoiler alerts ahead in case you aren’t up to date with any of these shows!

Leslie & Ben (Parks and Recreation)

It took me a whole season to really get into Parks and Recreation, and by the time I came to really appreciate it’s comedy, they introduced two new characters, Chris and Ben. Change upsets me, and when Ben’s presence started to distract Leslie from her beautiful land mermaid friend Anne, I got angry. That lasted all of about 2 episodes before I came to realise just how perfect Leslie & Ben are. #RelationshipGoals right here!

Cutest Moment: Too many to count, but my tablet wallpaper has been the shot of them both on their wedding day in front of their favourite mural for some time now.

Monica & Chandler (Friends)

Any fan of Friends can tell you in a heartbeat which character they relate to most. I know I’m a Monica, admittedly high maintenance, but I’m also a bit of a Chandler, telling terrible jokes in the absolute worst situations. That’s why I loved their relationship so much. I’ve been rewatching a lot of episodes lately whilst I’ve been wedding planning, I can’t wait to show Jenna my table plan which is inspired by Monica’s!

Cutest Moment: The proposals, without a doubt.

Hannah & Adam (Girls)

Ugh. Girls is my current obsession, and I’m excited and terrified for Season 5. That ‘6 months later’ scene in the Season 4 finale was horrible! Hannah & Adam’s relationship has been so interesting to follow. I hated Adam in Season 1, then I hated Hannah in Season 2, and by Season 3 came along, I realised just how well suited they are for each other. They make each other human!

Cutest Moment: When Adam ran through New York City whilst facetiming Hannah just to comfort her when she needed him. I’m not crying again, I promise...

Oliver & Felicity (Arrow)

After a disappointing Season 3 of Arrow, we were promised a much lighter, more ‘comic style’ Season 4, and well, that lasted about 2 episodes. I’m not sure how much longer I can continue defending this show, but the only thing that’s keeping me watching each week is Oliver & Felicity. It’s been a game of ‘will they, won’t they’ for years so it’s hugely satisfying to finally see them together.

Cutest Moment: “Felicity, you have failed this omelette”. 

Ragnar & Lagertha (Vikings)

Leaving the romance topic to one side for a minute, Lagertha from Vikings is arguably the most badass woman on TV right now. I’m in love with her. And her hair. Sigh. Although her on screen relationship with Ragnar didn’t last long, there’s still chemistry there, and well, a girl can hope, can’t she! I doubt I could give forgive Ragnar for what he did though. Naughty man!

Cutest Moment: Erm. Nothing about Ragnar & Lagertha’s relationship was ‘cute’. You can just go ask Athelstan.

Jane & Michael/Rafael (Jane the Virgin)

Jane the Virgin is my ultimate guilty pleasure show! It’s so cheesy, but it’s brilliant, and unlike any other show I’ve watched, I have no idea or inkling as to which relationship is destined to be endgame, or even which I’d like it to be! I change my mind literally every episode. Sometimes, I’m just happy with Michael and Rogelio’s bromance.

Cutest Moment: Can I pick two? Hey, I created this game, of course I can. Over at #TeamMichael, the flashbacks to his and Jane’s early relationship. And at #TeamRafael, those kisses. Swoon.

Jess & Nick (New Girl)

Jess, I miss you! New Girl isn’t the same without you. I nearly picked Schmidt and Cece, because they’re adorable right now, but let's face it, no couple is as cute as Jess and Nick. I’m making a mental note right now to dedicate a whole post to them soon. Fox, please let them get back together! I’m begging you!

Cutest Moment: When Nick made Jess breakfast. Twice. But ask me again tomorrow and my answer will be completely different!

Turk & J.D. (Scrubs)

Okay, okay, bear with me. I mentioned bromance, and then I thought about the most ultimate bromance of all time. Turk and J.D. from Scrubs! A bromance is still a romance, okay! I started watching Scrubs when I had a Friends shaped hole in my life, and this was the perfect remedy. Two characters with such different personalities would understandably never be that close, but the pair were hilarious!

Cutest Moment: “EEEAAAAGGGLLLEEEEEE!”

So, who have I missed on this list? Which TV romances would make your list?

Saturday Catch Up & Links

As long as I don’t look out the window (it’s unusually sunny) the signs of Autumn are all around. My sunflowers have refused to stop growing, I only got one of them to flower this year but it was a much better attempt than last year. The local shops are full of cardigans, and I’ve bought 2 already. Also, I came down with a big stinky cold this week and I’m still feeling sorry for myself.

Thanks to my sick-day, I finally caught up with New Girl. I was at least 30 episodes behind, which is really unlike me, but at least I’m prepared now for the Season 5 premiere later this month. Is it this month? With a Jess shaped hole in my viewing schedule, I’ve watched more Teen Wolf than usual. I’ve decided I definitely enjoy Teen Wolf now, but it’s more of a guilty pleasure than anything else, and I feel like I’m too old to be watching it really. It has the coolest title sequence though!

My fiance and I have also started watching Netflix’s Daredevil at long last, and we’re probably the last people on the planet to be watching it. It’s like Breaking Bad all over again. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I am actually, and the fighting scenes are nothing short of legendary.

Earlier in the week I stumbled across a post (I think on Buzzfeed) of movie-themed cakes. They were amazing! I have a newfound appreciation of cake since starting to plan my wedding, and although my budget is nowhere near big enough to allow a cake as epic as some of these masterpieces are, they’re still pretty to look at. I might just dedicate a whole blog post to my findings soon!

On the subject of blog posts, here are some of my favourites this week:

Movierob and Darren of Movie Reviews 101 are hosting an October Steven King-a-thon, and are still open for reviews. Check it out, I’ve chosen Stand By Me.


Dell at Dell on Movies has been nominated for another Liebster Award, congratulations dude!


Caz at Let’s Go To The Movies has reviewed Gotham Season 1. I never got around to watching Gotham but I might try and catch up.

Drew’s Movie Reviews now includes Footloose, a classic that Jenna and I only got round to watching for the first time last year.

The Solution For TV Binge-Watching

With my wedding coming up next year, I'm slowly trying to make an effort to be a little healthier, lose a few pounds, get in shape, etc. Running a film blog makes that difficult, especially with the amount of amazing TV Shows I'm trying to keep up with and catch up on. There just isn't enough time in the day!

Funnily enough, I came across this really funny post on BuzzFeed in my lunch break at work. They're basically just like the drinking games you can find, but workouts instead! Here's the link to the original page.

Now, I'm not saying I'm going to be holding the plank whilst watching Supernatural tonight, but it's certainly tempting to give some of these a go, and if not, they're fun to read through! Here are some of my favourites.

Phew, I'm feeling tired just reading these as I put them into this post!

Top 10 TV Characters (Allie)

We started off our Top 10 series with Film Quotes, and next we've done TV Characters! I know we're the Flick Chicks but hey, we watch a lot of TV too, and just try and think for a moment how hard a Top 10 Film Characters list is going to be. I could fill a top 10 with Ryan Reynolds and Benedict Cumberbatch characters, so just be grateful that I'm taking time to think about it properly! So, in order, here are my Top 10 TV Characters...

10. Crixus, Spartacus (Manu Bennett)

This guy is a total badass. I could actually just leave it that and you couldn't be mad, because he just is! Seriously though, in Season 1 I just couldn't stand him, because I loved Sparty so much probably, but over the course of the show he really develops, and by the end, he was my favourite out of them all. Manu gets a bonus point too for Deathstroke in Arrow!

9. Jorah Mormont, Game of Thrones (Iain Glen)

This may be cheating a little, because Jorah is my favourite character in the book series too. I know he sounds like an unusual choice, but he's a really interesting character and his relationship with Daenerys is beautiful. I can't tell you anymore without giving you spoilers but he's one to watch!

 

 

8. Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory (Jim Parsons)

I don't watch this show as religiously as I used to but it's still one of my go-to choices when I put something on in the background. I'll eventually catch up with it all! I really struggled to pick a favourite but Sheldon probably gets the most laughs out of me. He's the perfect combination of awkward and funny.

7. Chandler Bing, Friends (Matthew Perry)

Could Chandler be any funnier? Friends might just be my favourite TV Show of all time, and I love that you can put Comedy Central on at any time in the day and there will always be an episode on. Is there anyone who doesn't own the full boxset? Chandler has that sarcastic wit that I just find hilarious, he is without a doubt my favourite from Friends!

6. Felicity Smoak, Arrow (Emily Bett Rickards)

Ugh, how amazing is Season 2 of Arrow? I have to admit, I nearly gave up halfway through Season 1 but it ended amazingly and each episode in Season 2 has been great so far. Ollie might be the obvious choice but I absolutely love Felicity. Can her and Ollie just get together already? Her sheer awkwardness is enough on it's own to make me love her.

5. Jenny Humphrey/Chuck Bass, Gossip Girl (Taylor Momsen/Ed Westwick)

Okay, I know this is cheating a little. But Jenny was my favourite character since I saw her in this show, but right now I'm in the last few episodes of Season 3, and I just can't stand her at all! I hope she goes back to her usual self. So half replacing her is Chuck, who has been his usual smarmy and cocky self, but with a whole heap of adorable added on top.

4. Jess Day, New Girl (Zooey Deschanel)

Who doesn't have a bit of Jess in them?! I love this girl with a passion and if I could steal her wardrobe I would. Another show that I'm not up to date with, but that's the joy of living in the UK. I love Jess's attitude to life in general and how she deals with day to day situations. If I could become anyone else for a day, I would be Jess!

3. Neal Caffrey, White Collar (Matt Bomer)

Oh my, this man! I'm so sad that the next Season of White Collar will be the last. I binge watched this show on the train to work for a few months and nearly missed my stop more than once. Neal is smart, witty and charismatic and he's so much fun to watch. If you've never seen this show give it a try, it's worth it for Neal Caffrey alone.

2. Debra Morgan, Dexter (Jennifer Carpenter)

You might have thought I would go with Dexter himself (In fact, I think Jenna has) but I freaking love Debra Morgan! If Jess Day is who I would like to be, Debra Morgan is who I actually am. She's kind and passionate, but she also doesn't put up with any kind of crap, and has to swear at least once every 5 minutes. Me all over.

1. Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch)

Come on, don't even pretend you didn't see this one coming. The latest Sherlock TV Show is just fantastic, and Sherlock himself is such an interesting character. I think his social awkwardness is my favourite characteristic in him though. Just when you think he can't say anything worse, he just digs a bigger hole for himself. I'm going to painfully wait through this hiatus until he's back on my TV screen.

 

Phew, what a mega post! I had great fun putting this together, and I can't wait to see Jenna's list! Do you agree with any of mine? Who would be in your Top 10?