Lifestyle

Favourite Christmas Films

Posted on by xlifeoncloudninex

Don’t roll your eyes, I’m not going to list all of the Christmas films! Mostly because I’ve not watched them all, there are quite a few on my watchlist to be honest. Not including this year’s releases.

Before the end of the year is out, here are my favourites in no particular order:

1 Planes, Trains and Automobiles

This is not technically a Christmas film but a thanksgiving film. The British don’t celebrate thanksgiving though so I’m guessing most of us watch it at Christmas. I think we discovered it on TV during the festive season decades ago. My family have been watching it every festive season since I was a teenager. Who doesn’t like a John Candy film!

2 The Christmas Chronicles

Another Christmas story tinged with sadness, do all of the best ones have a hint of sadness I wonder? I may have watched it for the first time during the same year as Klaus and again instantly fell in love with it. I love the sequel too.

3 Elf

I think Elf is hilarious comedy (I was going to say modern, but it is actually 20 years old!), so many memes! It is silly, fun and comedically over dramatic.

4 Home Alone

The timeless classic! The second film is quite a good watch too. An easy watch great for the whole family containing a lot of laughs. The past few years we have watched it during Christmas Eve to Boxing Day.

5 The Grinch

I’ve only been watching this the past couple of years, the animated version might I add. I find it quirky, funny and lighthearted.

6 Klaus

I watched this for the first time three or four years ago, I was surprised just how much I enjoyed it! It became an instant favourite. It has a lovely heartwarming story. I find myself putting this film on during the year, especially if I’m feeling a bit down and sad.

7 National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

My Dad and I watch it every year! We find it hilarious and laugh at all the same scenes every year! We quote it during the year too, always a good indication of a great film when you quote it.

8 Muppets Christmas Carol

This is possibly my all time favourite Christmas film, it’s been a tradition to watch it every year since my teenage years. The Muppets enhance the Charles Dickens classic Christmas story.

9 Deck The Halls

I first watched this between 2016 to 2018. I love a film starring Danny DeVito! This is a silly film with funny moments. They’re cringeworthy awkward moments which I struggle with in films but still an entertaining lighthearted watch.

10 It’s A Wonderful Life

A film from 1947, a few weeks ago was the first time I have watched it all the way through without falling asleep (a habit of mine, that wasn’t supposed to be a criticism of the film). Another heartwarming film, teaching us all to appreciate what we have in life. For a vintage film it has great storytelling, with the camera angles and script. They don’t make films like this anymore. This immediately became a favourite.

After the top ten, here are a few extras!

Jingle All the Way

Another 90s Christmas film I watched with my Dad! We love a comedy film. This one is a bit ridiculous but sweet. I can’t watch it without thinking of a young Anakin Skywalker though.

Christmas Tree Miracle

This is a less known film I found on Netflix or Prime around the same time as Deck the Halls. It a a lovely heartwarming film, albeit a bit of a slow start. It has a unique feel to it, and an original story.

Jack Frost

I remember watching this with my Dad when I was a child, I think maybe at the cinema. I didn’t watch it again for almost two decades then watched it last year. It is a very sweet film, tinged with sadness though not quite my favourite.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Another classic! Is it a Halloween film or is it a Christmas film?

Non Christmas films you can watch at Christmas:

Just Visiting

This sort of film category you will need to insert your family’s favourite films, we tend to watch Just Visiting with family.

Uncle Buck

There is snow in the film! It has a heartwarming story, provides comedy moments and happy ending. That makes it Christmas like.

Maid in Manhattan

The ending shows a Christmas tree at least. This is a fun rom com, with New York magic. It is an inspiring story of the American dream, although an unlikely love story.

All images are screenshots from Netflix, Disney or Prime and are posted in the context of a review.

This year I noticed that there have been so many Christmas films released over the years, especially the past five or ten years on the streaming platforms. There are probably too many Christmas films now, especially good Christmas films. Although if they stop releasing new ones then new treasures won’t be found.

Seasons greetings,

Amy

Favourite TV Shows of 2022

Posted on by xlifeoncloudninex

I know it’s getting a bit late to talk about 2022 favourites, but I think it should be fine until the start of March!

Wednesday

What can I say about the very popular TV show except that I thought it was brilliant! It had me hooked from the first episode, though I’m a fan of the 90s films too. I like how there was more comedy in this TV show. I loved the storyline which evolved and kept me guessing. I loved the characters and the whole vibe. What was not to love? There was a character at the end whose status I was rather miffed at, like many shows I get frustrated by the writers unfair handling of some characters; without giving too much away. There are some great memes from this show which provide more entertainment. I’m not sure how they are going to continue the storyline for other seasons but colour me intrigued.

Locke & Key

Last year the third and final season of Locke & Key was released. It is based on a comic series, from what I’ve read online the writers of the TV show didn’t stick to the comic storyline and other details. That is a shame but I love the show plus I haven’t read the comic. I loved the final season and the how they decided to end it. I feel they could have extended the season a bit though, as a lot happened in a fairly short space of time. Or at least it felt as though the show had more to give. It was nice to see the return of some characters.

Shadow & Bone

This one has been on my watchlist for a long time and I was so glad that I decided to watch it when I finally got round to it! Another book adaptation, also haven’t read the book. I thought the concepts were original. I love the female hero. I liked the story buildup and seeing how the characters became connected. There were twists, suspense, and chases, I’m hooked. Season two will be released very soon!

Bridgerton

I was hoping to watch the second season of Bridgerton in the lead up to our wedding and I did in part. I didn’t finish the season until after the honeymoon in the end. Obviously nothing will beat the first season but this was very good too. This season focuses on the eldest Bridgerton courting to be married. We know that he has been against marrying, this has been a source of friction between him and his mother. He sets out to obtain a bride that would benefit him, his family and their social standing. What he finds though is a softer side and a woman he doesn’t expect to love. I didn’t like Anthony in season one but he grows on me in season two as we discover his backstory.

Stranger Things

I know this one will seem like an age ago but the latest volume was released last year! I think our collective hearts were in our hands continuing on with this story. I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout the two volumes that were released. There were some surprising reveals through two backstories. Some things I was able to guess before the reveals as the episodes developed. We just don’t know what will happen next! I know some of the actors have complained that none of The the main characters have died yet but I’m so glad that they haven’t! I’m not sure that my heart could take one of their deaths! Obviously one character’s seemingly death was dramatic enough, I assume the writers didn’t expect their viewers to fall in love with him as much as we did.

The Last Kingdom

I’ve been watching the next two series for a number of years as they both have five and six seasons respectively. The Last Kingdom is based on the books by Cornwell based in the time of Saxon Kings and Viking invaders. A fact I find very interesting is that the author Cornwell grew up in the same village I did of Thundersley. I have loved Uhtred’s story of being removed from his home and family and his quest to take lordship of what is technically his to inherit. I enjoyed the new characters that were introduced plus the development of the characters that we all know and love. There were some surprises this season too! This show provides lots of action with many battles taking place, there is always some form of romance too. Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres of any media type.

Outlander

This last season ended dramatically with a shocking cliffhanger! The story admittedly has become rather dark, although it has always been a dark storyline. Still I thoroughly enjoy following the story of Claire, Jamie and co. It’s certainly eventful!

I found this written in a previous draft:

For all those who are fans of Outlander, I have been dealing with Draughtlander by rewatching the first TV series on Prime. I have even managed to get my boyfriend to watch a couple of episodes! He loves Scotland and likes history, so this was a TV series I was really hoping he would enjoy as he doesn’t like most films or TV shows that I would pick. I just love the chemistry between Claire and Jamie. This is the second time I have watched the first series, so it is nice watching their relationship develop and bloom from the beginning. I don’t however, like the end of the season. Nor did I particularly like the second series. The third was quite good, but it’s not the first. I am hoping series four and beyond will be just as good as the first.

So 2022 was a great year for TV.

All images are screenshots from Netflix or Prime and are posted in the context of a review.

Signing off,

Amy xx

Birthday Voucher Purchases

Posted on by xlifeoncloudninex

For my birthday this year I received an iTunes voucher. I usually listen to music on Spotify but when I listen to music in the car, I tend to plug in a USB with my owned music. Here is what I chose to spend it on:

McFly – Greatest Hits

Not a band I would usually listen to but I decided to give them a try after hearing about their new album. I chose their greatest hits as they’re not a band I’m familiar with, well other than their earlier most famous songs. I’m pleasantly surprised! My favourite band is Fall Out Boy; McFly are more poppy than they are but they still sound like a band rather than normal pop. I like their happy music, it’s so uplifting. It’s nice to sing and dance along to happy-in-love songs nowadays. I think I will be checking out their full albums on Spotify. Very pleased with this pick.

Favourite song: Shine a Light

Good Charlotte – Greatest Hits

Another greatest hits album as I love a couple of songs at least from a few of their albums, these songs were nicely collated on to the greatest hits and it just made sense. For some reason I threw out their Good Morning Revival album that I used to own. What has struck me with the songs included on this album is that the lyrics are really trying to help people, I didn’t realise how kind and supportive this band were. This hopefully will continue to help me in my adult life, though it would have been great during my teenage years.

Favourite song: Hold On

My Chemical Romance Greatest Hits – May Death Never Stop You

Following on from throwing out albums, again for some reason I threw out The Black Parade years ago at the same time. This band don’t make the most cheerful music I have to say. There’s more angst to their music which can be motivating and I just like most of the songs. They are more metal than Fall Out Boy, with their guitar riffs. I don’t however like Mama or Cancer but they were included, so there you go. They were a band I liked as a teenager.

Favourite song: Famous Last Words

Sam Hunt – Southside

Saving possibly the best til last and also the one album that is not a greatest hits is Sam Hunt’s 2020 album Southside. I’ve been listening to this album on Spotify since it was released and Sam is an artist that I absolutely love and is in my top 5 favourite music artists. I think his sound is a merge between country and RnB, his voice is lovely and soothing. His lyrics to me are heartfelt and are his own personal experiences. Go check him out!

Favourite song: Kinfolks

All images are screenshots from Apple Music and are posted in the context of a review.

Thanks for reading,

Amy xx

Scentsy

Posted on by xlifeoncloudninex

I have recently got in to Scentsy! Another company that is a bit of hype at the moment. I got pulled in partly because they have a Disney collection, partly because I love scented candles (I know they’re not the same thing) and lastly because I know the person selling well. The scents themselves are rather strong but I get round it by only having them on for a short while. Although some scents are rather subtle. There are so many different scents, a lot of them are so comforting whilst others inspiring! There are just so many to choose from. They don’t only sell wax melts and warmers but also bath salts and little USB scents with plug in fans. I find these so versatile as you can use them anywhere there is a usb slot. I’m finding that the scents are really picking me up in this lockdown/post lockdown world we are living in at the moment. The newly released Stitch and Moana scents are giving me summer vibes which I just love.

Amy xx