Christmas Cast-a-thon - Jenna's post

This was so much harder than I thought it was going to me, I really thought it would be easy to cast the perfect Christmas movie but it really isn't.  After hours of pondering, this is what I have come up with.

Santa Claus - Hal from Malcolm in the Middle (Bryan Cranston)

In most Christmas movies, Santa is the boss.  He works tirelessly to keep the helpers on track to make all the presents in time for Christmas.  As far as the helpers are concerned xxx is the boss but behind the scenes, Santa is completely whipped by Mrs Claus, the real brains behind the operation.

Scrooge/Grinch/Mrs Claus - Megan from Bridesmaids (Melissa McCarthy)

Megan was initially attracted to Hal's power as Santa but over time has taken over the North Pole and runs it her way.  Hal doesn't have the balls to argue with her so just leaves her to it to live an easy life but Megan has no idea how to run the business and things start to go awry.

Santa's Sidekick - Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones (Peter Dinklage)

Tyrion is completely aware of the control Mrs Claus has over Santa but no matter how much he tells Hal, he just wont listen.  In the end, he has to recruit outside help to when Mrs Claus' interference threatens to destroy Christmas.

Santa’s Helpers - Minions (Stuart, Bob, Kevin and friends) from Minions

Stuart, Bob and Kevin (as head helpers) ran the toy factory with perfect synchronicity making millions of toys for all the good children if the world, that is until Mrs Claus decided they weren't right for the job and brought in their replacements.....

Mrs Claus' Helpers - Magic Mike (Channing Tatum), Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello), Ken (Matt Bomer) and Tito (Adam Rodriguez) from Magic Mike XXL  

...Mrs Claus brings her new helpers for their 'talents' and 'assets' but spends all of her time making them dance for her and now it's 3 days until Christmas and there are no toys for all the good children.

The Children - Mikey (Sean Astin), Mouth (Corey Feldman), Data (Jonathan Ke Quan) and Chunk (Jeff Cohen) from The Goonies

In the years following the saviour of their beloved town and the capture of notorious criminals, The Fratelli's, life is pretty quiet for the Goonies, that is until they are sought out by Tyrion to save Christmas and take down Mrs Claus before it's too late....

Can't wait to see everyone else's christmas cast-a-thon posts!

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!

Currently Watching...Game of Thrones (Allie)

As a Brit, I'm currently trying to stay away from any and all forms of social media so that I don't see any Game of Thrones spoilers. Of course, by the time you read this, I'll have seen it, but I need to keep myself occupied! I've already read the books too but the producers have been getting a tad creative recently so I couldn't even guess at what will happen tonight (Last night, for you readers).

I'll keep this spoiler free for the Season 4 finale, but please be warned that I'll mention other previous events.

 

I really try not to be one of those fans who criticises everything that isn't 100% true to the books, but a little whinge is definitely needed. Seasons 1 and 2 followed the books perfectly, and I was really impressed. Season 3 continued to do the same, right up until the finale. What even was that finale? A whole heap of nothing! The Purple Wedding should have been the Season3 finale in my opinion.

For a few months I sulked for a while, and then figured, well if it wasn't the finale, they'll do it as the Season 4 opening! Nope. That was an episode full of nothing too. Err, great, thanks.

However! Every episode since has been really good. A few little irritating moments, but a massive improvement on Season 3 for sure. Now, please correct me if I'm just making things up here, it's been 4 years since I finished reading the books and I can't remember everything. But was there really ever a romance line with Grey Worm and Missandei?

 

There are plenty of love interests in the books, there's no need to create new ones. I thought the whole point the Unsullied were so feared was that they had no feelings at all?

Anyway, there's a major character death coming up soon, and I'm hoping it happens tonight. I'm signing out now but I'll update you all tonight...

Oh wow, okay! Can I just take all of my whinges back? Episode 10, you totally made up for it all with last night's episode! It literally had everything that I was hoping for, and more!

Tyrion, you badass! Jon Snow, you tell 'em! I wanted to cry for Daenerys and the Hound though...Bran's scene was a little 'wtf' but I don't even remember his chapters in the book, to be honest his character just bores me a little.

Last night ended with a bang, and it's the perfect set-up for next year. Now I have a huge Game of Thrones shaped hole in my heart, and I need a new TV Show to fill my Monday nights with!

Top 10 TV Characters (Jenna)

So following on from Allie's Top 10 TV Characters I decided to post my own.  However, I haven't put mine in any kind of order (how can I choose who comes first between Captain Hook and Spike!!) - So here are my Top 10.  Do you agree?  Do you think I'm crazy? (Always!) Well Spike got cut in the end so apparently it was easy to choose :-/

Captain Hook
Colin O'Donoghue - Once upon a time (2011-)

I think the eyeliner helps, its the same thing that makes me love Jack Sparrow and Billy Idol (see shouldn't but would post due soon) but it's also his bad boy character reformed by unrequited love for a good woman (every young girls dream!).  He is the classic character of Captain Hook updated for this modern take on the fairy tale classics.  A much deeper character than Dustin Hoffman's version in Hook and easier on the eye!  He's tough and angry but a sucker for helping Emma Swann, the saviour of the characters in Storybrooke.  I've never seen Colin O'Donoghue in anything else, so I couldn't tell you if this is my infatuation with his good looks or his acting skills.  I will happily watch the next series he is in to test the theory.



Khaleesi (Daenerys Targaryen)
Emilia Clarke - Game of Thrones (2011-)

I was told from the very beginning not to pick a favourite character in Game of Thrones because you will soon be disappointed when their heads are rolling around Kings Landing.  However, I have done this three times *SPOILER ALERT* and got my heart broken with both Ned Stark and Robb Stark.  Throughout, however, I have loved Khaleesi, I wouldn't admit to it for risk of her sudden death in the show but she is doing well so far.  She is such a strong character and the Mother of Dragons and has built up an army from pretty much nothing, now that is a determined woman!!  I love her attitude towards encouraging people to join her army, stating they will no longer be slaves but have the right to choose to follow her if they wish.  This has lead her army to be fully committed to her and her cause and are willing to die for her.  Amazing!


Abed Nadir (and Troy Barnes)
Danny Pudi - Community (2009 -)

One of seven in a study group in Community college that never study and always end up in hilarious and ridiculous situations.  A photo is not enough for this guy well these guys, this needs a video:

Need I say more?

Damon Salvatore
Ian Somerhalder - The Vampire Diaries (2009-)

Another bad boy turned good for the love of a good woman, are we starting to see a pattern here!!  Damon Salvatore is a 140 year old vampire who along with his younger brother Stefan returned to Mystic Falls and fall for the same girl, Elena Gilbert.  I loved him even when he was/is evil, I was always vouching for him and Elena (I find Stefan dull and boring most of the time), and that face!!  He can fix every problem, because he's not afraid to snap a few necks and drinks scotch like its gone out of fashion, all adding to his charm.  Although his loyalty can be put into question in most episodes, he always comes through for the people he considers important (Elena, Stefan, Little Gilbert).



Stewie Griffin
Voiced by Seth MacFarlane - Family Guy (1999-)

Who doesn't love a psychotic baby who is intent on killing his mother and talks but only the dog and random characters (when required) can understand?!  He is by far the highlight of family Guy, his sarcasm and (not) homosexual comments literally have my in hysterics.  Here are a few of my favourite quotes, comedy genius:


Stewie: 'Hello, mother. I come bearing a gift. I'll give you a hint. It's in my diaper and it's not a toaster.'

Bill Cosby: 'Stewie, what do you think candy is made out of?'
Stewie: 'Sunshine and farts! What the hell kind of question is that?!'


Dexter Morgan
Michael C. Hall - Dexter (2006-2013)

The principle character in this series, Dexter Morgan, a blood splatter analyst with Miami Dade Police Department who also happens to be a serial killer.  Thanks to the teachings of his deceased father, Harry, he only murders bad guys to fulfil his need to kill and live a normal life.  You can't help but love him, he loves his family the best he can but he is forever lying to them to cover his tracks and yet you can't seem to be mad at him.  Allie chose Debra Morgan in her list, I personally find her annoying and over powering in her scenes.  She is required to show Dexter's calm exterior even when his life is falling apart, the contrast between them highlights his lack of guilt and feeling towards what it is he is doing.  This series is so original and well written, it's hard not to love at least one character from it.

Pacey Witter
Joshua Jackson - Dawson's Creek (1998-2003)

I never understood why everyone loved Dawson when Pacey was around.  Dawson's Creek was a series surrounding three friends in the fictional town of Capeside and the trials and tribulations of teen life.  It took the main female lead, Joey played by Katie Holmes, years to notice Pacey after years of pining over Dawson.  Pacey was amazing, he brought Joey a wall to paint, which is the key thing I will always remember from this series.  It always helped that Pacey's monologues (monologues were a regular occurrence in Dawson's creek) we're using nice short words that made sense to me, unlike Dawson's that sounds like a they were pre-written by an editor for the New Yorker!

'But I want you to be with someone who can be a part of the life that you want for yourself. I want you to be with someone who makes you feel like I feel when I'm with you. So, I guess the point to this long run-on sentence that's been the last 10 years of our lives is just that the simple act of being in love with you is enough for me.'

Chandler Bing
Matthew Perry - Friends (1994-2004)

How could he not be in this list - here's why:

Barbara June 'Maw-Maw' Thompson
Cloris Leachman - Raising Hope (2010-2014)

This woman is a legend.  She plays Maw Maw in Raising Hope, Virginia's Grandmother, whose house they are living in.  She has pretty severe dementia (although becomes lucid at the most comical of times) and much of time thinks her Great-Grandson Jimmy is her dead husband.  Leachman's character steals every scene she's in, whether it's with what she says or what she's wearing (see image).  She is by far the highlight of the show, particularly her Jenga skills to the song Istanbul (not Constantinople).

And finally....but the BEST one by far.....

Zack Morris
Mark-Paul Gosselaar - Saved by the Bell (1989-1993)

 

 

I bloody LOVED Zack Morris when I was younger, he was a legend.  I had posters of him all over my room and loved his relationship with Kelly Kapowski and watching them break up and get back together over and over again.  Most of all, I loved how he could charm his way out of any situation, usually by making a call on that awesome phone of his! 

 

 

 

As a kid, I always wondered what happened to Zack Morris, did he stay with Kelly.  The answer is no, he moved changed his name to Peter Bash and got a job as a lawyer at Infield Daniels.  His character in Franklin and Bash is so similar to what I expected Zack Morris to be like when he grew up so that's what I'm going to believe.



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?