Dolly

Dolly is definitely the woman of the moment right now, she is on the front cover of every paper in England, she just stormed the stage at Glastonbury and became the most talk about act of the weekend, just released a new 32 track album and announced a world tour. And can we please remember that she is 68 years old! Dolly is truly a living legend that deserves all the respect in the world. From humble beginnings living in the mountains of Tennessee she has gone on to have 41 top 10 albums and 110 singles that all charted. She has starred in 12 movies and countless TV programmes. She has won 7 Grammys and been nominated for a further 45 (currently the record amount by a female artist - level pegging with Beyonce).  Dolly is the Queen of Country and below I will list some Dolly facts that you may or not know, but you surely will love her for.

1. Dolly was only 7 when she wrote her first song and was appearing on radio from the age of 9. Her first record ‘Puppy Love’ was recorded when she was just 13 years old.

2. She has been married to her husband (Carl Thomas Dean) for over 50 years.

3. Dolly once entered a Dolly Parton look-a-like competition. She came second - to a man.

4. Dolly has her own theme park - Dollywood. She refuses to ride the roller coasters though as she is deathly afraid. 

5. She is Miley Cyrus' God Mother.

6. She supports gay marriage. On gay marriage, Parton said, “I always say, ‘Sure — why can’t they get married? They should suffer like the rest of us do!’”

7. She refused to sell Elvis Presley the publishing rights to her hit ‘I Will Always Love You.’ Elvis’ manager called Parton the day before the recording session and told her that he and Presley wouldn’t record any songs that they didn’t have at least half of the publishing rights to. “It had nothing to do with Elvis, because hopefully he was disappointed too, but I just wouldn’t let him have the publishing,” said Parton.

8. Famously said of her distinctive appearance: "It takes a lot of money to make a person look this cheap."

9. She has donated 45 million+ books to her own child literacy organisation.

10. Reportedly written over 5000 songs.

I love Dolly and I know everyone has a special place for her in their hearts; and who doesn't know the words to 'I Will Always Love You' or '9 to 5'?! She never seems to stop; she either has a movie, a CD, a tour or an appearance somewhere. Long live Dolly Parton.

“I tried every diet in the book. I tried some that weren't in the book. I tried eating the book. It tasted better than most of the diets.” 

― Dolly Parton

“I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb - and I'm not blonde either.” 

― Dolly Parton

“People always ask me how long it takes to do my hair. I don’t know, I’m never there.” 

― Dolly Parton

“I was the first woman to burn my bra - it took the fire department four days to put it out.” 

― Dolly Parton

“Figure out who you are. Then do it on purpose.” 

― Dolly Parton

C Festival

I have been to a few festivals and they have been very hit and miss. My main issue is the people that go. Some are great do not get me wrong, but there are a few that ruin it for everybody. Everyone I know can have fun and be respectable, I don't want to sound like a Dad but everyone can be happy if everyone is considerate. Be loud, be energetic but don't throw cups of piss over the crowd and intimidate people. If you can't handle your drink then know your limits, if you can't handle drugs then don't take them. 

Another problem for me is the music, I like a lot of bands from a lot of different genres but there isn't a lot of festivals that cater just to me (regardless of my intense letter writing). I love country music (and proud of it) but England doesn't, there are so many other types of bands or acts that also don't get a chance to show themselves off. Even if they aren't popular they should get a shot in front of a large crowd.

The toilets. Enough said. How can so many people be so disgusting? Flush the toilet, poop in the toilet and use the toilet for toilet reasons only. Simple.

So I have come up with an idea - C Festival. A festival for me. Stay with me - it will have all the music I like and because my taste is diverse there is something for everyone. Plus I have some reunion surprises like Destinys Child and Mis-teeq. Acts from all walks of life will have a slot. Food is free - I would get food vendors to donate food with the promise that this will get their company attention for the future and never disregard word of mouth. Also free alcohol will be available. I would get major drink companies to sponsor the event.

So hands up who wouldn't like this, no one? Thats good. All I will need is a couple hundred companies to sponsor me, a good place to put the festival on and a few thousand people to attend. See ya there folks.

2013/14 TV Winners and Losers

It is a dark time in the TV world. Many shows have wrapped for the summer so we are left in a comatose state until september when all major American Networks grace us with more yummy TV goodness. Of course we are all left with our fingers crossed that our favourite shows will return. If I could just have a moment of silence for 'Suburgatory', the amazing show lead by the equally amazing Jane Levy has been cancelled in the worst way - there was no final episode, no big tearful send off and many questions left unanswered, may you rest in peace (or get bought by a rival network). As good as TV has been this last season there has been some doozies. Below I have picked my winners and losers for the fall 2013/14 schedule.

Winners

Orange Is The New Black

How could I talk about this last years great TV and not mention this little nugget. All 13 episodes were put online at the same time so my binging qualities were fully nourished. This year we saw a lot of growth from all the major players. My favourite story-lines may have been finding out about Morello and Suzanne some more. Great acting, great plots and beautiful ladies - nothing else required.

Veep 

I never had any doubts this show would get better and better. Julia-Louis Dreyfus is perfection and deserves the multiple awards she has received for this role. She is written perfectly and for a show about American politics it doesn't slap you in the face with it, it is more about the movers and shakers in the political world more than what they do. Couldn't be happier that where we left the show she is the President. 

Parks and Recreation

Leslie Knope is possibly the most inspirational character in TV history. A strong willed woman, that only wants to use her powers for good. She just wants to help people. This year did not disappoint. What I liked about this season, especially towards the end, was that she finally is looking out for herself and now we got a glimpse into what her future with Ben will be like. With the small jump into the future in the last 5 minutes of the finale this show could go anywhere now, and I for one am very excited.

Playing House

This show came out of nowhere, I didn't even hear about it until a few episodes in. It is my favourite kind of comedy - plenty of laughs mixed with a few tears. It has touching moments a plenty with full on belly laughs. It is purely a show showing the power of friendship, a friendship so huge that they are sharing a life together. Plus it has Valerie from 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' in it, so it's nice to know she is still working.

Big Brother Canada

I am a reality show junkie, so of course I watch other countries versions of Big Brother. This years Canadian version was so good, full of game players, shady folk and good people. Heather, Ika, Neda and John were my favourite players, they each played the game right, often the victim of cliques but still prevailed with their dignity in tact.

Other hits

Brooklyn 99

Saturday Night Live

Ink Master

Project Runway: Under the Gunn

New Girl

Girls

The Mindy Project

2 Broke Girls

Mom

Baby Daddy

Modern Family

Scandal

Losers

Glee

I have watched every episode, until this season. For me it has lost its magic. Maybe I have grown up or maybe it just isn't the shame anymore. A show that started out with taboo subjects, great musical performances and heart wrenching characters has now just turned into an even more unbelievable show. I get that shows aren't always realistic as they need to entertain but I just feel Rachel's storyline too far fetched - to the point where I just didn't care anymore. All I do now is watch the YouTube music videos. I actually have no clue what happened in the second half of the season.

Grey's Anatomy

Another show I gave up on, I lost interest. This show is famous for its key scenes and amazing storylines yet this year I didn't find any. It came to a point where I put them on for background noise, and then that eventually stopped. Then they let Sandra Oh leave?! She was the saving grace of this show that may have peaked 3 years ago.

The Vampire Diaries

 For me, every show that starts in High School but lasts longer than High School generally loses its appeal and magic (Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Saved By The Bell, Sister Sister, The OC, Gossip Girl, Glee for example). The storylines take a huge leap into adulthood and suddenly these characters are grown. I got lost in this show if I am honest. There was influx of new characters and new situations that I seriously didn't know what was happening. Plus I was so tired of all this doppelganger nonsense. I did however watch the final just to see how it wrapped. I had no idea what happened. Someone may need to hold my hand and talk me through it.

The Big Bang Theory

First things first, I love this show and it will always have a place in my heart. The only reason this made the loser list is because I wanted more from season 7. We have known these characters for 7 years now and yet there has been no development. They are still pretty much the same from season 1 except Raj can now talk to women. A few issues I had were -

• Penny and Leonard are now engaged yet nothing has changed
• Sheldon and Amy have made no progress, would a woman like Amy wait this long?
• Raj is still an insecure mess even though at one point he was dating two women at the same time.
• Sheldon is still living as if he is single - quitting his job and then leaving home (again, why would Amy put up with this)
• Nothing really happened with Howard and Bernadette - they were just there or mainly occupying the B story of each episode. 

I still laughed at each episode and some favourite moments from the series occurred, but as a loyal fan I just wanted more. Some episodes felt lazy and just filler.

Orphan Black

I couldn't have sang the praises of the first season enough, it was new, exciting and a story that has never been told. The acting was superb and everything was on a level that it seemed believable. Then season 2 started, I was lost from the get go. There was a lot going on and I couldn't keep up. It is a show where you have to pay attention to everything, from the foreground to the background it feels, blink and you miss an integral part of the story. I was watching episodes and then had to read a review to know what I just watched. A couple of episodes in and I gave up, it was too much work.

Other misses
Sleepy Hollow
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D
The Crazy Ones
The Walking Dead
Awkward

Why 'The Fault in Our Stars' is important.

Reading a quick description of this book would not give it justice or entice many people to read it. The skeleton of this book is that is a love story, a love story of two teenagers each battling cancer or some variant of the disease. I will give it you, it doesn't sound like a laugh riot of a story; it does have a few laughs in it, the kind of laughs that are heartwarming and helps to push the point that even in our darkest times we can crack a smile. It is a deep, emotional, make-your-eyes-sting-from-crying kind of story. Written by the genius that is John Green, it is a story that touches you and gives you an outlook on life we don't always seek out. The slap in the face realism of teenagers suffering from incurable diseases really makes you think, well it did me. Excuse the lame cliche but life is short. I took a lot away from this book; so below I wrote a few things that I think are important messages from this book.

SPOILER ALERT . SPOILER ALERT . SPOILER ALERT . SPOILER ALERT

Death
John Green isn't afraid to explore the world of death in this story, and why should he be? It is the one certainty of life.  These characters have it forced upon them in the most cruelest way, they have incurable diseases that have a best before date stamped on the side like a bottle of milk. What shocked me the most is the speed in which it happens. Augustus' death was a huge shocker to me, to me he seemed like the healthiest of the bunch, he was getting over his illness and living a normal as normal life he could. Then it took a swift detour of a cliff. He died so suddenly leaving behind a broken hearted Hazel and Isaac. However, because they have had to face the inevitable for so long they take it, they learn from it and they accept it. They aren't by any stretch of the imagination happy about it but they deal and they are grateful for what they get. There is a great quote from the book which had me in tears:

'There are days, many of them, when I resent the size of my unbounded set.I want more numbers than I’m likely to get, and God, I want more for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I’m grateful.' Hazel Grace

Pain
"That's the thing about pain," Augustus said, and then glanced back at me. "It demands to be felt."

I am in love with this quote, it is so real and deep and its something that no one actually wants to accept. However they have had to accept it, it is their truth on a daily basis. And just like death they deal with it. No one should have to live with pain but unfortunately it is a part of life, we have to feel it to know that we feel something. This book explores pain in many different way, it has emotional pain, physical pain and mental pain. The most powerful message I got from the book is that pain is human nature, we have to go through it but it doesn't have to be the be all and end all. There is a time that the pain stops.

Love
I may not be advertising this book very well, especially to people that don't enjoy a depressing read. If you ignore the pain and death there is a timeless love story there. Through unfortunate circumstances these two beautiful people meet. They have an undeniable spark and a banter that just makes them connect. Sadly they do have a strong connection through their similarities.
When you watch them together in the film, or visualise it from the book you don't see the cancer when they are together. I see love, undeniable, gorgeous, youthful love. They each found someone that cares about them that isn't afraid for everyone to know (evident by a kiss in front of a crowd of people at Anne Frank's Museum). They are inspirational because even when we go through our darkest periods in our life there is always that light, that little bit of joy that can make you forget about the darkness.

“But I believe in true love, you know? I don't believe that everybody gets to keep their eyes or not get sick or whatever, but everybody should have true love, and it should last at least as long as your life does.”

These are three topics all explored in this story. It is a real life mixture of things that we all face, some on a daily basis. I love this story because it goes beyond the love story, it is almost like a love life. It showcases the beginning, the struggles, the happiness, the simplicity, the complications and the untimely end.
I could talk about this book for hours, and with certain friends I have. It is something I believe everyone should read. It might not change your life, it might not even move you but it tells you a story. A story that hasn't been told this way before. Written from Hazel's point of view, John Green has an amazing talent to speak for a generation that he is longer part of. It is so authentic.
It is a major tear jerker but it can also make you laugh out loud. It can make your heart ache but also flutter. What I chose to get from this book is that we all have moments of pain, we all have moments where we want to give up; but what you have to hold on to is the true beauty of life. There are people in your life that make your life what it is and you shouldn't deny yourself the pleasure of being with them.
True love isn't something I have ever experienced, but I hold out for it one day. I hold out for my Augustus Waters. Okay?

My Top 5 Final Girls

There is a lot to be said for the 'Final Girl', they are heroic, inspirational, kick-ass and respected. They go through the worst that human nature can throw at them. Often victims of circumstance and wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time, they prevail, beat the bad guy and come out with some minor injuries and whole new look on life. The 'Final Girl' is one of my favourite type of characters in any genre of film, I love to see the good guy win, or in this case the good gal. 

A writer call Carol J. Clover first coined the term 'Final Girl' in her 1992 book 'Men, Women, and Chainsaws : Gender in the Modern Horror Film'. She suggests that the viewer begins by sharing the perspective of the killer, but experiences a shift in identification to the final girl partway through the film. What I get from this is that people go into horror films to see death, we want to see the most brutal murder and be shocked by the amazing way they are done, but after a few deaths we want the bad guy to get what is coming for him. We want the woman to kick the crap out of him basically. The many theories that she has do ring true, the final girl is rarely seen in a sexual way (often a virgin), the final girl can also become masculinized and no longer the stereotypical damsel in distress anymore and also they seem to have quite a gender neutral name like Sidney or Billie. 

The whole theory really interests me. The feminist portion of my brain loves it. The woman is no longer a victim, they should be feared and never crossed. They shouldn't be treated any different to any man in any given situation. Horror films can often be seen as misogynistic, the sexually adventurous women, the drug taking women and the sexy women will die, often punished in a way that reflects their vices. However in the 80's it took a turn, yes we still have these characters been punished but so are the male equivalent. Also now it is rare for a male character to last to the end, the final girl is the only one standing covered in blood, weapon in hand and no one by her side. People can argue till they are blue in the face that the film industry is sexist but horror has taken a huge leap in recent decades - no longer is a knight on a white horse required.

So in the style of this blog I have of course created a list of my favourite final girls. I haven't picked based on anything more than that I enjoyed their performances and stories. There is no equation to which women made the list - purely my favourites.

5. Erin Harson (Sharni Vinson) in You're Next.
This one slasher horror you need to see. In recent years the slasher horror genre is complicating things, they think we need a complex storyline and a big reason why, but we don't. For fans of the genre we want to see a well played out story with a lot of effective effects. This film did just that, it has a simple storyline of two brothers who want to kill their entire family for the inheritance. One mistake one of the brothers made was bringing his girlfriend, his girlfriend who was raised on an Australian survivalist compound. She sets up traps and manages to kill everybody who wants to kill her - even one point using a blender. Erin is a great, realistic character who is genius when it comes to looking out for number one.

4. Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) in I Know What You Did Last Summer and I Still Know What You Did Las Summer
Okay it could be argued that she got what was coming to her, at the end of the day she was part of a group of teenagers that knocked over a man and then threw his body in to the water. The film could have been a very moral story of 4 teenagers who made a mistake and owned up to it, but how boring would that have been. So one year after the incident they all start getting hunted by the guy they knocked over (he didn't die dun dun dunnn). Julie wants nothing more than to make it right, however the killer doesn't care. She witnesses everyone involved die plus some people who got in the way. Mad props go out to her as she managed to survive in a world that Buffy couldn't. 

3. Marybeth (Tamara Feldman and Danielle Harris) in Hatchet, Hatchet II and Hatchet III
These are some great 80's throwback monster/psycho killer movies. Basically a boy (Victor Crowley) with horrible disfigurements is killed, however his ghost lives on. Although the word 'ghost' doesn't really fit, he is a physical being that can be hurt, dismembered and shot. Marybeth is the daughter of the man who is responsible for the boy's death. Her father is killed by a now grown up Victor years later and Marybeth feels that the best thing to do is to go find her father's body. She comes face to face with Victor on many occasions. She puts up one hell of a fight, eventually walking away with his scalp in her hand but of course that wasn't the end. However she did end the curse in the 3rd one so all is good in the world again. She is definitely an over looked character, she is brilliant, ballsy and force to be reckoned with.

2. Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) in The Halloween Franchise
Arguably the original final girl and scream queen. She set the standard. Her brother is the infamous child killer, he butchered his entire family before been put in an insane asylum. She however wasn't killed and was free to live her life - or so she thought. Her brother of course escapes the asylum to finish the job. She sees all the her friends aswell as innocent bystanders get killed. She manages to escape once again after a brother/sister fight to rival anything you see on a reality TV show. Of course this been the horror genre, no one evil really dies (a sequel is always required). She meets him again on multiple occasions. What I wasn't happy about with this character is her ultimate demise. She throws her self off the roof of an asylum, no longer able to cope with her life. I would have loved to of seen some epic battle - but that might just be me.

1. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) in the Scream Franchise
For me she is the ultimate character in any horror film I have ever seen. She is the quintessential victim, she literally didn't do anything, yet her boyfriend, her boyfriend's friend, her boyfriend's mother, a classmate, her half brother, her cousin and her cousin's friend all feel she deserves to die. Except not today - today they all die. You don't up against Sidney and expect to walk away. This girl is a fighter. This girl will power walk away from all of these situations with her head held high. She has had to witness everyone she is close to be murdered or at the very least stabbed. And it was all because of her mother's past. Sidney I tip my feathered hat to you and I hope to see you again in Scream 5.

My YouTubers

I used to spend a lot of time on YouTube, trawling through all the popular videos, all the ones that went viral so I could keep up with the kids. After a while it can get boring, only so many times you can watch a cat play the piano. So I started to subscribe to some of my favourite channels and now its a daily chore to keep up with them all, but not in a bad way - I am highly entertained and even better for me the videos tend to be around five minutes long so just long enough to keep my attention. I have quite a varied taste in my choices so as a favour from me to you I thought I would create a list of my favourite channels - you can thank me later when you finally have something to do at 2am.

WatchMojo

This channel is perfect for me. It lists everything!!! They release multiple top tens every week. Some I am not interest in, but so many that I am. I got hooked when certain top tens such as 'Top 10 Ways to Die in a Horror Film' and 'Top 10 Scream Queens'. I love a list, and the videos give you some nice little facts that you don't care about knowing but glad that you do.

TroyeSivan18
He is a YouTuber that has become famous fast. He was born in South Africa and now resides in Australia. Some of his videos are personal, some collaborations, some comedy and some where he sings. I enjoy all the topics that he covers and he isn't so bad on the eye either.

Side Effects - AwesomenessTV
If you are anything like me (and I know a lot of people aspire to be) then you will love this. Think Glee mixed with Party Of Five. Of course one of the main things in it which I love with no shame at all - it has musical numbers!!! And they aren't for nothing, the main character takes medication and the side effect (get it?) is that she sees people singing and performing when they aren't. It leads to many emotion filled songs as well as some fun ditties. Glozell and Grace Helbig also guest star so it has something for everyone (mainly me).

Grace Helbig
I may have spoken about her before in my YouTube Queens post, but she needs repeating because she has a new channel now! Its basically the same premise but less ruled. She has gone a lot more free spirit, I think it might be because she isn't in a partnership anymore. Well, anyway I love the new channel - always has me laughing and when she guests stars Mamrie or Hannah I get extremely excited.

The Ellen Show
My love for Ellen is deep and its real. She can do no wrong, she is proof that there is good in the world. Her actual show isn't in England much to my shame of my country (they show it in China but not the UK?!?). So I have to settle for her YouTube channel and I can say with confidence I have seen every video they have posted. She makes me cry and laugh and she inspires me. We could all benefit from being a bit more Ellen.

Jimmy Fallon
If there is a style of TV show we are missing in England it is the nightly talk show. Yes we have fridays and saturdays with Graham and Jonathan, but in the USA they have something every week night, and for me the king of late night talk shows is Jimmy Fallon. He seems to be friends with everyone so every interview is like eaves dropping on the coolest kids in school. Some of his videos have become huge viral hits, don't know what I am talking about then watch these little nuggets :

You're welcome

IISuperwomanII

She is another YouTuber who does vlogs and comedy. She is so hilarious. Some of her videos are her talking in to the camera, and there are some skits. She gets millions of views and every single one of them is deserved. My favourites are when she goes on a rant, I love a rant. She speaks so eloquently and with such confidence I want to give her a round of applause when she is done. I am new to this channel but I am gonna be subscribed for a hell of a long time. 

Orange Is The New Black - Season 2 : My Review

First of all let me explain that I am not a professional reviewer, you won't find any long words or any technical language. I am merely but a fan of television and here to have my little soap box moment and say what I wanna say.

I fell in love with Orange Is The New Black as soon as I discovered it, I was sceptical at first as no one expects big things for shows that are just made for the internet. You don't expect money to be really invested and your expectations of high level talent are in large parts nothing but disappointments. However, along came OITNB and all these opinions diminished. The story was interesting and entertaining, the acting was top notch and the quality was up there to rival any network television show. I am going to write my review the best way I know how- in a list:

IT SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING - **SPOILER ALERT**

Highs

• The first episode, which was mainly focused on Piper's transfer to a prison in Chicago. I was scared for her thinking she may never go back to the prison she has come accustomed to.
• The crazy woman who thought Piper might be Lindsay Lohan, and desperately needed to know what time of day she was born.
• Knowing a little more of Suzanne's (Crazy Eyes) past. Her Mum's speech to the stuck up mother of her daughter's friend brought a tear to my eye.
• Introduction of Vee, her taking over and ultimate demise were written so well.
• Pennsatucky and Healy's little relationship, and the very short moments in 'Safe Place'
• Finding out why Morello is in prison. Finding out everything she said about her fiancé was a lie.
• O'Neill singing to the nuns
• Sophia's new weave and reconnecting with her son.
• Nicky been strong and not taking the drugs even though she could of.
• Poussey becoming a more main character, the actress is beautiful, she is so talented and her smile slays me. When she spoke to the camera about what love is I melted.
• Miss Rosa's cancer storyline. Her moments in the hospital with that guy were special. Plus her back story was one of the best from the season.
• Red's transformation from been bottom of the pack to been back on top. Her constant battle with Vee was well written and believable.
• The Golden Girls - who knew old women could be so cut throat. 

Lows

• Suzanne becoming a much more darker character. I know she has some mental problems but she was my comic relief in some parts of the show. Don't get me wrong I love knowing about her on a deeper level but I didn't like that Vee took advantage of her.
• Larry. I just don't like his character that much. I don't think he brings much to the show. I am grateful that his character keeps Poppy on the show but thats it.
• Diaz's pregnancy. Seriously how many months has she been pregnant now. I wish there was some sense of time on this show. Plus every conversation with Bennett are the same -  moaning about what life will be like outside of prison, John should come clean about being the father blah blah blah. Just give birth already.
• Fischer been fired, god I hope she comes back for season 3.
• Soso, I am not completely sold on this character. She definitely made me laugh a bit, and I think we aren't supposed to like her. She annoys Piper, therefore she annoys us.
• The prison guards, I don't know if this is just me,  but I don't care about their life outside of the prison. I care much more about the prisoners themselves.
• Laura Prepon where were you?! I understand you had other work so your part on this show had to be limited, but I missed you!

All in all it was a great season. I watched it in 3 days, and it only took me that long because sleep and work got in the way. I cannot wait for season 3. The show definitely grew, the characters became more developed and some actresses truly shone. 

All Together Now

I have a very strong belief that I stand by through think and thin - every song in the entire catalogue of music can be improved by adding a choir. Jesus, I love a choir. There is just something about a large group of people singing in unison that gets me, I get chills. The power that radiates and the emotion that builds is like nothing else. Of course choirs are most famous for singing religious songs, I however am not religious - but I will listen to them for hours if I could. Imagine my delight when choirs are featured in films, even more so when it involves a choir competition! So, as I do, I have wrote a short list of some of my favourite choir moments from film. Sit back, enjoy and rejoice in the magic of the choir.

Sister Act 2 - Joyful Joyful

This may have been my first foray into my love of choir music. I was in a choir during Primary School and a little bit of High School but we never did this. Lauryn Hill is everything! Plus its worth a watch just for the amazing 90's fashion.

Joyful Noise - Take Me Higher

I will hold my hands up, I haven't watched this movie. However I did YouTube all the performances because my love for Dolly Parton has no boundaries. Love the fact they have taken Chris Brown songs and made them gospel. Dolly breaking into 'Forever' knocked me metaphorically off my seat.

Fighting Temptations - He Still Loves Me

This whole song and arrangement is just beautiful. It doesn't throw the message down your throat and it doesn't do anything crazy - a nice song to sway to, with one hand in the air with your eyes closed. Plus it has Beyonce - enough said.

Pitch Perfect - Bella's Finale Song

What an amazing movie this is, it has everything I require. A choir competition, sarcasm and touching moments - turn it into a horror of some sorts and it could be a perfect film. I love all the performances but it has to be the finale that knocks the ball out of the park. Who knew Anna Kendrick had such an amazing voice - they should have let her sing in Twilight.

Romeo and Juliet - Everybody's Free

In a film filled to the brim with amazing moments, this one stuck out to me. This boy's voice is so magical, it leaves me gobsmacked. Every time I watch this scene it strikes me and leaves me speechless. If you don't want to watch the entire film skip to 53 minutes to witness the beauty. 

Notable Mentions

Sister Act 2 - Oh Happy Days

Pitch Perfect - Riff Off

A Walk to Remember - Choir Scene

Joyful Noise - Man in the Mirror

The Colour Purple - God is Trying to Tell You Something

Across The Universe - Let It Be