SING review

Before I decided I needed a hiatus from the internet, I was offered the opportunity to attend a review screening of a new animated film called SING. The film opens this weekend, but the review screening was months ago, before Christmas, as the film had already hit cinema screens in the US.

I have to confess, it's not my cup of tea, but I knew just the person who would be keen to see it - a colleague of mine from the dayjob who not only is a huge Matthew McConaughey fan, but also has a daughter who is the perfect age for this movie. Having these tickets to hand, I thought she'd love to see the film in advance, and in return I'd get a review written (so that I didn't have to!)

So, without further ado, Maz's review of SING!

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A failing theatre owner decides to put on a singing talent show in an attempt to save his business. Auditions are held and contestants are chosen. Each contestant has as many of their own problems as the theatre owner, Buster Moon. All the characters are anthropomorphic animals, which makes Sing fun. I mean, a singing snail is funny!  Dancing bunnies, punk rock porcupines and gangster gorillas are also in there. Coming together in the hope of winning cash to solve their personal problems these animals find friendship, love and support. What came across most was a passion for singing, showing how music positively affects different lives. The soundtrack is a wonderful eclectic mix including Queen and Stevie Wonder which works very well.

The direction of the film is also great; the fast movement through the city gives it a live action feel at times. The cast is fantastic with Matthew McConnaughey's optimistic koala, Buster, Reese Witherspoon's singing, housewife pig, Rosita and Seth McFarlane's crooner mouse, Mike. 

Both myself and my 12 year old enjoyed Sing throughout, it's not going to change the world but it's a lovely uplifting film which touches on many human issues such as shyness, family ties and heartbreak. If only X Factor showed us as much talent, passion and fun as these animals in the world of Sing.

A Minute to Breathe

I once met a woman who wasn't there.
I followed her down to the pit of despair. 
She was not evil, she was kind. 
It was not her, but me who was blind.

I had a moment of revelation today. Continuing from my previous post about needing to take a "time out from the world", I've been cutting down on my commitments, taking time away from the internet, and trying to get my head into a better place.

Today, I started watching "Falling Water". Properly. I posted about the series back on the 7th October and I used words like "VERY slow" and said it was probably going to get cancelled. But if anything, this is indicative of my mental state. Back in October I was obviously doing too much. This was at the start of the build up to Christmas in retail (ug), as well as working seven days a week in two jobs.

I couldn't concentrate on anything. I had the attention span of about ten minutes before I got bored and needed to try something else, check the internet, see if there were any more bloody messages on that app, check my emails, make some notes or something. I couldn't focus, I couldn't see the end of the week. I was unable to sleep, felt tired all the time, constantly catching colds, being quick tempered and irritable with everyone.

Today, thanks to the complete season one of Falling Water making its appearance on Amazon Prime, and thanks to the trial month, I gave the series another go. I'd only watched the pilot before, feeling my interest drifting away every five minutes. Now, trying it again, not only is it a revelation - a whole host of ideas for WILD firing off in my brain in a good way, but it really has shown me what my mental state was like just a few months ago.

In the last few weeks I've made big decisions, taken a step back from things, and trying to give my head time to get back into a normal space. I'm still a way from getting 100% - I still worry about everything, still have times when I can't sleep, but I can feel things easing slightly and that things should ease more in the future.

I've been really enjoying the series too. I'm only four episodes in, but loving every moment of it. And being able to sit, and watch a series without feeling super-twitchy and distracted, has been a delight. 

I'll be continuing to cut back on things, giving myself a minute to breathe more often, before it all gets too much. Remember to do it yourself. Watch this video, listen to the wonders of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and give yourself a minute to breathe.

Stay safe, and look after you and yours.