Feeling The Buzz

Many of you in the Film and Media world will know that it is awards season.

With the BAFTA's just gone, the industry is buzzing about the upcoming Academy Awards, the Oscars.

And as per usual, I'm immensely excited.

Les Mis, Life of Pi, Argo and well Ben Affleck in general, dominated the BAFTA's and so I'm looking forward to whether the same will apply in the Oscars.

The films I think are in the top 10 of winning, are; Django Unchained, Life of Pi, Les Mis, Argo, The Impossible, Zero Dark Thirty, Silver Linings Playbook, Lincoln, Armour and Flight.

The Oscars airs live February 24th.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and to finish, 5 memorable moments of the BAFTA's.

1. Billy Connolly's presenters speech. Traditional Scottish humour. "I'm overwhelmed to be here, presenting an unsuspecting stranger with a death mask on a stick"

2. Bradley Cooper tearing up. When the award for Best Adapted Screenplay was announced, the emotion Cooper was feeling became obvious on camera.

3. British Banter. Jokes about horse meat and Boris Johnson, I love that the Brits don't feel the need to lose their famous wit for A-List Americans.

4. Anne Hathaway's acceptance speech. When she accepted the Best Supporting Actress award, she just went on and on and on... Well you get the drift.

5. Awkward moment. That massive awkward moment when Sarah Silverman and John C Reilly presented an award together doing a diva skit. Cringe worthy.

Just Another Love Story

This post is on something very close to home.

Born and raised in the Welsh town of Wrexham, Swansea City is fairly nearby.

And so when watching Swansea Love Story on YouTube, it was especially emotive for me.

It's not a new documentary, uploaded onto YouTube in June 2012, it was shocking for even me to watch.

I have seen plenty of non-fiction short films and documentaries on drug users but there is something about this one.

I'm not sure if it is because, it really is so close to home or because of the narrative throughout the documentary, but every time I watch this documentary, my heart breaks.

It's hard to believe that this level of depravation exists in a leading Western society.

Directed and produced by Andy Capper, Swansea Live Story gives insight to the realities of drug addiction and how it can affect people, relationships and even cities.

Fascinating BBC Documentary...

Something that caught my attention on television this week, was the BBC documentary, Out of Jail and on the Streets.

This programme aired on BBC1 on the 5th of February, depicting the life of both probation officers and criminals on probation.

Giving audiences an honest insight to what probation officers deal with on a daily basis, for example, dealing with extreme cases of poedophillia.

On the other hand, the documentary shows the lives of criminals whilst on probation.

This part of the programme intrigued me the most.

Criminals such as rapists and poedophiles, were seen talking about their crimes and in some cases, even normalising sexual acts with children and young teenagers.

Although this may disgust many viewers, there will not be a risk of losing viewers.

I was completely and utterly fascinated listening to their perspective on such heinous crimes.

Not only that, but the documentary was extremely emotive. At times, I felt angry then a jump-cut later I was almost in tears.

Something I think a variety of audiences would enjoy watching.

You can catch up on BBC iplayer until the 12th of Feb.

Fast, Furious, Finished?

I wanted to do a quick post on the Fast & Furious trailer.

Fast & Furious 6 is the latest instalment of the The Fast and the Furious franchise.

The question is, are we simply done with these films now?

I will argue both points.

On one hand, it's been done.

Really, it's been done. Not just by the franchise itself, but by the Action and Adventure genre as well.

However, they do what is said on the tin.

They promise audiences an action packed film, filled with glamour and plenty of eye candy, including women, men and cars.

Not only that, but these films have a large and extremely loyal following. And so if they keep fulfilling their promises, they will indeed continue on making these films.

They have certainly proved that the more films in a franchise, does not mean a dip in the box-office grossing.

Fast Five 2011 became the highest grossing film in the franchise, grossing over $625 million worldwide.

Will Fast & Furious 6 surpass this?

Fast & Furious 6 will be released May 24 2013.

Abortion. For or Against? This Programme Should Help You Decide.

Something that caught my attention this week, the Panorama programme, The Great Abortion Divide.

Then again, anything with abortion, especially in the media, will catch my attention.

This programme aired Monday 4th Feb on BBC1 (UK) and discussed whether or not abortion should be illegal.

I wanted to write a post on this as it is always a controversial, hot topic.

And my opinion on it is very strong.

In the BBC documentary, Victoria Derbyshire interviewed a variety of people on the subject. Including; expert thinkers, protesters and women who have had abortions.

I did feel a slight bias towards the argument FOR abortion throughout the documentary.

And most of the statistics were not representative enough.

However, the programme gave some honest insight into abortion.

And, even with the strong arguments against abortion from the likes of Northern Ireland, I cannot and will not change my view FOR abortion.

Abortion is a choice made by a woman about her OWN body.

It's not a choice that someone else should be able to make. It disgusts me that even if a woman is raped in Northern Ireland, she will be forced, not only by stigma, but by law, to keep the unwanted baby.

However, all arguments considered, I do think that the week limit should be brought down from 24 weeks to 20, if not lower.

Panorama: The Great Abortion Divide gives some brilliant insight into abortion.

Whether you are for or against abortion, I'm sure you will enjoy the arguments brought forth in this programme.

Panorama: The Great Abortion Divide is available on BBC iplayer until 14th Feb 2013.