Submarine

Remember ages ago when I was reading Submarine? Yeah well me neither but I thought I would do the review now anyway. 

"Meet Oliver Tate, 15. Convinced that his father is depressed ("Depression comes in bouts. Like boxing. Dad is in the blue corner") and his mother is having an affair with her capoeira teacher, "a hippy-looking twonk", he embarks on a hilariously misguided campaign to bring the family back together. Meanwhile, he is also trying to lose his virginity - before he turns sixteen - to his pyromaniac girlfriend Jordana. Will Oliver succeed in either aim? Submerge yourself in Submarine and find out..."

This book is hilarious, I may have only laughed out loud a few times but most it was read with a grin slapped on my face. Although, I couldn't help but cringe at the very clearly described sexual parts but its the sort of thing you take in your stride as you read something as intriguing as this. The story was odd, which was a factor I enjoyed (who wants a boring story) and the characters even odder which made me really like them, however I don't think a real life connection would happen. I wouldn't describe it as the best I've ever read but it is definitely very high up there. 

AND I have a shock for you all, I think the film was actually better than the book. It is very often said but I believe that in this case it is. I can't put my finger on why but it just is. The storyline in the film is similar but after both reading and watching 'Submarine' I wouldn't say they were the same. 'Inspired by' would be the phrase I think, but the film has shredded some of the original weirdness that the book held which has, in turn, changed the details of the story slightly and, if I was at gun point, I think that is what I would say has made the film better. Don't get me wrong though, I love the weirdness of the book and it is what makes the book 'Submarine' rather than just another book on a bookshelf.

I highly recommend you read this book at some point your life.

em,

Submarine (book)

I am currently halfway through this magical, hilarious adventure and I am impressed to say the least. I am on page 213 out of 290 and it is sooo hard to put down, I have found myself having 1-2 hour sessions of reading and then having to forcably keep myself away from it so I can do other things. I think the reason the book is so addictive is because of the frank speech, the relatable thoughts and a storyline which most people have had experience with but with added hilarity. I love the fact that it doesn't have an opening as such but just begins the story and explains on the way, it also doesn't give much detail on the appearance Oliver Tate so it let's you create an image in your mind, making the story even more relatable and easy to visualize. The intelligent words used, while increasing your own intelligence, catches you as a reader due to the fact it adds a twist on the character, a type of peculiar personally trait which everyone has but tend not to show. I would, so far, rate this novel a strong 5/5 but it may change as I reach the end. When I do finish it I shall update this post with my overall thoughts and how it compares to the film. (Blame the book for my lack of activity)

em,

Birthday!

Sorry for not posting over the weekend but I was quite ill and it was my birthday on the Sunday so I didn't have time to. 

Since I was ill I didn't get chance to do much but I did go to the cinema with a few friends to watch 'How To Train Your Dragon 2' which was great (I'm also a big fan of the first one) and now I desperately want a dragon. I may have also shed a tear during this film even though it is for kids but it was genuinely sad so what can I say? But I'm not going to reveal anything in case I ruin it for anyone. I'm also looking forward to this coming out on DVD as it's the sort of film you want to watch again and again and I like to watch the films one after another so my new aim when I'm out shopping is to find the first one at a relatively cheap price. 

I got loads of great presents for my birthday and I still have presents to receive off my dad. One of my favourite presents I got was off my friend Abi (you will meet her in the summer for some joint posts), she brought me a 'Wreck This Journal' and it is brilliant. It is going to live at the side of my bed so I can use it whenever I need. However, as Abi has discovered, trying to help someone guess what this present is is very difficult as the concept of it being a book but not a book and being a journal but not a journal is very hard to understand and leads to about an hour of anger and bewilderment (sorry Ab).
My mom got me the remaining seasons of Will & Grace, the first two seasons of American Horror Story and an amazing cushion the says "I love you more", which is sat happily on my bed. I can now proudly say that  I own all of my favourite TV series on DVD and can sit on a cute cushion to watch them. I guess you can say I am one happy bunny.

(sorry for the awful photo)
Another present I received from my mom was the book 'Submarine' by Joe Dunthorne (the book that inspired the film) and I can not wait to start reading it. So the next time you will hear from me will probably be when I am head over heels for this wonder and begging you all to read it.
All of my social addresses are at the side which will send you straight to my profile and I suspect you will be hearing from me shortly, bye!

Submarine *spoilers are given*

I'm guessing that most of you don't know this but my favourite film is 'Submarine'. This film was directed by Richard Ayoade and is based on the book 'Submarine' by Joe Dunthorne. The story follows a fifteen year old boy going through the motions of school life, his experiences with his new girlfriend and how he deals with his parent's wilting relationship. The main character 'Oliver Tate' doesn't have the most normal personality but is still relatable and can make you laugh till you cry. Oliver Tate is played by the beautiful Craig Roberts who, in my eyes, is probably the person most suited for the role. His girlfriend 'Jordana Bevan' (who has also been cast perfectly, played by Yasmin Page) is a pyromaniac and appears to have the ability of controlling Oliver with a single remark. The couple are shown to have a happy 'unromantic' relationship, filled with fireworks, setting fire to Tates leg hair and walking Bevans dog. I think the factor that makes their relationship so desirable is that it isn't romanticised and it's filled with smart, hilarious, sarcastic remarks, one of my favourite being "F****** hell, you're serial killer." coming from Jordana when Oliver is trying to lure her into bed. However, at the same time as he is starting his relationship with Jordana, Oliver's parents are having problems after his mothers old 'true love' moves in next door. Since Oliver's father isn't a man able to stick up for himself, Oliver is worried for his parents and is desperately trying to patch things up between them, with strange and comical consequences. While Oliver is occupied with these occurrences, his girlfriends mother has a brain tumour, which, according to Oliver, turns Jordana "gooey in the middle" after listening to her describe how a flame looks similar to a tear. Oliver stops all contact with Jordana and is heartbroken when he discovers her with another boy (but what did he expect?). On the same night he discovers his mother and her ex-lover together and, after a trail of events, attempts to urinate in the ex-lovers house. Although this may not sound like a happy ending, eventually all things come together (I'm not revealing all) and it does leave you with a heart warming uplifting sensation. 

Ayoade has manage to create impeccable screenplay, enabling the viewer to build up trust with the story and completely lose themselves within in it. In no other film that I have watched have I ever felt so in-touch with the characters and like the story was personal to me. At several points in the film I found myself wanting to physically interact with the characters and tell them how to make everything better, and, even long after my first viewing of the film, I found myself floating away and thinking of the storyline, imagining the endless possibilities of what could have taken place in the small Welsh town after the ending of the last scene. The characters are so well played that it almost feels like a serious deception when the audience is reminded of the fact that they are only part of an imagination. I would love to be able to point out a fault with this marvelous feature but there are none as far as I'm concerned, and, it would without a doubt receive a 11/10 rating from me. But, enough rambling from me, just go and watch this beautiful piece of cinema. I think it's currently about £4.50 Amazon if you're interested in buying it.