Netflix Must Watch: 'Dumplin'

Hi all, today I am reviewing another Netflix original film which has only come out recently. The film named 'Dumplin' stars Danielle MacDonald, Jennifer Aniston, Odeya Rush and Luke Benward. 

The film focuses on the main protagonist, Willowdean played by MacDonald who enters a beauty pageant. She wants to enter the pageant on behalf of her Aunt Lucy who as a young girl didn’t go through with it due to her lack of confidence. Willowdean's Aunt Lucy used to look after her and her friend Ellen played by Rush, as well as teach them about Dolly Parton’s music. 

Willowdean's mother Rosie, played by Aniston, was a past beauty pageant winner, and doesn't want Willowdean to enter because she does not want her to embarrass herself. However, Willowdean goes against her mother's wishes and applies. 

Without giving too many spoilers away, the movie's main plot focuses on Willowdean and the beauty pageant, but there is so much more that goes along with the beauty pageant storyline; such as the subplot involving Willowdean's love interest named Bo played by Benward. 

You should watch this movie as it is unlike any other Netflix original movie I have ever seen. The movie focuses more on how the main protagonist should let go of her own fears and self-esteem issues, and by doing this she allows herself to conquer what she has always wanted to achieve. 

I love this movie as it's got such a heartwarming message, and I definitely recommend it to anybody who just wants to watch a relaxing down-to-earth  movie. 

You will definitely like this if you have seen 'To All The Boy's I've Loved Before' and ‘Sierra Burgess is a Loser'. It's a rom-com that is bitter sweet and should not be missed! 

xNx

Netflix: Baby Review

For today's post I thought that I would talk about Netflix's new European drama 'Baby'. If you have not heard about 'Baby', it's like 'Elité' as it's a drama set in a private school. However, unlike Elité, it's not Spanish as it's Italian, and does not revolve round a murder mystery. 

'Baby' is a drama revolving around two girls, who 'need to escape the reality of upperclass Rome.' Both girls go to a private school, while the older girl Chiara is seen as this perfect role-model, her family life is not what it seems, her dad cheats on her mum, while her mother is in denial about the whole situation. Furthermore, she is sleeping with her best friend's brother. While the other girl, Ludo is portrayed as a girl who is seen as a rulebreaker and a rebel. 

Both girls meet one day and find themselves out partying, however, the next day Chiara denies all knowledge of this to her best friends as they do not like Ludo. 

Without giving too many spoilers away, this programme is about the two girls and how they become friends, and while this programme may become confusing for some people (I know I got confused), I read this article in Cosmopolitan https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a25383982/netflix-baby-true-story/ this helped me figure out what was going on. 

The story is based on the 'Baby Squilo' scandal and if you don't know what that means it's basically about prostitution. This makes sense as you delve further into the drama (episode 4 onwards). 

However, while it is about such a big issue, it is not told in a way that you would expect. This is due to the fact that season 1 is all about their backstory and why they wanted to earn 'easy money'. Season 2 should be more about them working in the prostitution ring. 

If you haven't started watching the show yet, I recommend that you start watching it, it is a slow start but I promise you that it will get better. The show mainly focuses on Chiara's love interest with a new school boy, while she is working as a call worker. You also have to bare in mind that it is an Italian TV show, so therefore you have to put on English subtitles so that you can understand the show. 

I have linked the Cosmopolitan's  article in the blog so that you can have a look. It's really interesting and haunting at the same time. 

Hope you watch the show 

xNx

Let's Talk About: Ariana Grande

Before I start this post, I just wanted to speak about why I haven't posted in a while. The main reason for why I haven't posted in so long is that I just haven't made the time plus I haven't had the motivation to post. I know it's very sad as I'm usually very passionate about this sort of thing, but throughout the year, I felt like the passion had gone a little bit. I still had school and with the A level exams around the corner I felt that that I should focus on them rather than on this. However, saying that I promise, now that I am in University I will upload more as the spark is back, and I have more ideas than ever. 

So without further  ado, I will be talking about Ariana Grande, someone who I ABSOLUTELY ADORE. 

Ariana Grande's year has not been wonderful, even though she has faced different traumas, she has come out as the most successful women in the world. With the release of her majorly popular YouTube video 'Thank U, next' (which broke Vevo records for the most watched video in 24 hours), to her 'Dangerous Woman' documentaries which she has released onto her channel (I still need to watch them). She has also been named Billboards 'Woman of the Year' and to top that all off, she has been named 'Spotify's Most Streamed Female' by racking up a massive 2 billion streams in 2018. She is balling this year.

Even though Grande is 'successful', (Sweetner fans will know) she doesn't take her fame for granted as she is a very relatable young woman who teenage girls should not be afraid of looking up to. If you've watched the BBC 1 special 'Ariana Grande at the BBC' (and if you haven't I really recommend it),  she mentions how she wants everyone to see her for who is really is, and not just seen as 'perfect'. Grande even mentions the fact that she suffers from anxiety, and her song from the 'Sweeneter' album named 'Breathin' may speak to people with anxiety, as the song is (you guessed it) about breathing.  I think the lyrics in this song are powerful and, if you are suffering with anxiety and if you are a fan of hers, you will think she is speaking to you making sure you don't feel alone in your anxious state. 

Personally, if I had to pick my faves from the album 'Sweetner' it would have to be 'R.E.M', 'Pete Davidson, 'The Light is Coming' and 'Blazed' as they all have different sounds and different messages to them. Saying that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE WHOLE ALBUM. This album takes different genres of music such as Hip-Hop, pop and classical, bringing them all together revealing a different identity to Grande's personality; showing how she is not a one dimensional artist. She is not the 'Pop Princess' everyone thinks she is, she wants people to acknowledge her other musical talents by incorporating different genres into her music and her songwriting. 

Her new single 'Thank U, next' is a typical 'pop' track, but it has a deeper meaning than just being a typical pop song. It is a female anthem, nothing like Taylor Swifts tracks about dissing her ex, Grande's track is all about thanking her ex's into moulding her into the person she is today. However, she states she wants to 'focus on herself more', and her single shows that you can still be a boss, without having a man in your life. This song is about female empowerment and talks about how single life is absolutely fine and should not be judged upon.

Finally, I believe that even though Ariana Grande has had the most difficult couple of months/years of her life, as she has broken up with ex Pete Davidson, and has mourned the death of ex Mac Miller, she is an inspiration to everyone as she has continued to power on with her music. As well as having a great support system, she shows that anything is possible if you love what you do, and have a supportive bunch of friends and family. 

And that's why I love her, both as an artist and as a person, 

xNx