Wednesday, 25 January 2017

Unforgivable Curses Collection


 And why are they so named?

Because they are unforgivable...



'Torture'

Crucio

The Cruciatus Curse

Model: Abigail
Photographer: Abigail


'Control'

Imperio

The Imperius Curse


Model: Jacob
Photographer: Abigail


'Death'

Avada Kedavra

The Killing Curse


Model: Taylor
Photographer: Abigail


This year I am hoping to do more photography projects, so stay tuned xx
Catch you later xx
~Tabby



Friday, 13 January 2017

Film Review: Assassin's Creed

Image taken from Google
First things first, I was so excited to see this movie. I've been fascinated with the concept of the Assassin's vs the Templars ever since I was introduced to the game series (that being said, I still have not completed the game as I do not own a console on which to play it). Assassin's working in the shadows to ensure the free will of mankind; plus their parkour and free-running skills are so awesome it motivates me to get fit and learn some of that cause wow. I took my younger brother to see the movie with me and he loved it too.

Without any major spoilers I can tell you that the movie itself is about an assassin that has only been introduced in the recently released movie, his name? Callum Lynch and his direct ancestor Aguilar de Nerha, a spanish assassin during the Spanish Inquisition. Of course we are introduced to the Animus in a much more visual way, namely we get to see how being plugged into the Animus is viewed externally, what the person in the Animus physically does when inside the memory. As a science fiction and movie fan, this was fascinating, but you have to see it to know why.

Visually I truly loved this film, the fast paced scenes where assassins are fighting or running for their lives, I believe they brought the series to life in a different way than what I have witnessed in game. Michael Fassbender did an amazing job as Callum Lynch and I would have expected nothing less honestly, I think he is an awe inspiring actor with incredible screen presence as seen in his portrayal of Magneto in X-men: First Class and subsequent movies since. Honestly if given the chance, I would definitely go see the movie again... and again, and again...

8.5/10 would recommend but I know there's going to be people who did not like the movie at all so it is sure to get some bad reviews from hardcore gamers.


Another review for you! xox


Taz

Thursday, 12 January 2017

The world we live in...

Something very disturbing happened to me recently; a man asking for directions apologised for asking for help. He used the words "don't be afraid" and made no attempt to step closer to me or my companion. The fact that he asked at all wasn't the disturbing event, what really upset me was the fact he felt he had to say "don't be afraid", because of his dark skin, and the world we live in.

Had I seen this man on the street in passing, I would not have thought he looked threatening, he simply looked like a well put together and educated young man off running errands, just like everyone else during christmas shopping. He had an open face yet sad eyes when he thought we were afraid (we were simply taken aback because we weren't expecting anyone we didn't know to approach us). Now, I consider myself a decent person and of course I helped him with directions as he asked but the entire event has stuck with me the past few weeks.

Sadly, the world we live in is scary for most. I envy those who feel they can travel without fear of reproach or even violence in some cases. When I read the news about the shootings in America or of the violence that permeates our world it saddens me. I too have felt fear in a public setting, as a woman I hear many horror stories of women just like myself who have found themselves attacked and abused. Whereas in the case of men, they too are attacked by the violence in this world. Is it too much to ask for peace? Is it too much to ask that the people in this world treat others the way they wish to be treated? All too often this is not the case.


Wishing everyone safety in the new year, xox


Taz

Monday, 5 December 2016

Film Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

As Starkid productions on YouTube stated - "Hufflepuff's are particularly good finders"

With the release of FBAWTFT, Hufflepuffs are getting a lot of attention, and rightly so. Despite being a proud Gryffindor myself, I have always considered Hufflepuff's to be an amazing and diverse house. After all, every single one stayed at the battle of Hogwarts AND have been shown to be the most loyal and friendly house, not just to their peers, but also to their "rival" houses.

~ Spoilers ahead ~


Fantastic beasts and where to find them features the Hufflepuff Newt Scamander in New York 1926. With him he brings a very special suitcase filled with magical beasts and creatures. There is a prominent Muggle by the name of Jacob who gets pulled into the whirlwind of chaos that arises once the suitcase is opened. The released creatures are not the problem however. In the series there is a magic called an obscurial; this is where a young witch or wizard represses their magic completely until the magic reaches a point where it explodes violently out of the child, usually killing them. Reveal Credence Barebone, that poor boy, adopted into an abusive home of magic hating muggles, beaten and repressed, he develops an obscurus.

The creatures themselves were amazing, visually and despite being computer generated, each one had its own unique personality, I think the animators for this film did an AMAZING job and deserve all the recognition. One of my favourite things they did was produce the obscurus itself. It was fascinating to watch the magic rip out of Credence and lash out at those who "threatened" him (be it he was just scared, angry or just trying to get away), it was flawless how they managed to include Credence himself inside the obscurus in what was obviously a very traumatic experience for him. He deserved a better ending.

Now to talk about the cinnamon roll himself: Newt Scamander. EDDIE FREAKING REDMAYNE did a fantastic job portraying this character, gentle and ultimately kind. My friends and I have dubbed Newt the "Steve Irwin of the Wizarding World". The way he genuinely cares for his creatures was beautiful to witness and calling himself "mummy" to some occamy's almost made me cry. The majority of the audience has agreed that Newt shows clear signs of Autism, at first this did not occur to me. I merely thought that Newt behaves like this to beings who don't quite trust or understand him; he is perfectly capable to look his creatures in the eye despite some being potentially dangerous to the outside world. Overall, Newt Scamander is an incredibly interesting character and is probably one of the most genuinely caring characters I've ever had the fortune to witness.

Now, to vaguely sum up, even though I could probably keep writing but then this post might get a bit long... The movie itself was entirely new, new content for the wizarding world, new characters and references to ones we know. However, this wasn't some action packed, or intense mystery type of film; this film made me feel ultimately nostalgic. Despite being a completely new story (based off a textbook no less), the way it was produced felt wonderful, almost like coming home. Which I suppose is the point, I grew up with the wizarding world and Harry Potter, and while this film had a distinct difference of tone, the overall theme and Newt particularly made me smile and genuinely feel happy.

9.5/10 - Taking off half a point cause Johnny Depp was so out of place in that film. Seriously.

Catch you later! xox
Taz

Monday, 28 November 2016

Red Queen or Queen of Hearts?

'Alice's Adventures Underground' was always one of my favourite books. I have also fallen in love with Tim Burton's movies. I have memorised the Jabberwocky poem, but... I have not read 'Through the Looking Glass'...


I have dressed as the Queen of Hearts and called her the Red Queen for short. I see millions of people refer to the Queen of Hearts as the Red Queen, so from a young age I assumed that she had been referred to as the Red Queen in one translation or retelling...
Basically I thought they were the same person.



I was wrong.
The Red Queen and the Queen of Hearts are two completely different characters!

The Red Queen is from 'Through the Looking Glass' and is a chess piece who advises Alice on how to move after inviting her to play. This is where we also meet the White Queen.

The Queen of Hearts is of coarse the classic, murderous monarch we all know so well.

So I learnt that I need to go back and read some more classics.
Catch you later xx

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

Of cosplays, new experiences and downright laziness

Honestly, I feel this year has not been the most productive for me, and yet I have made a tonne of new friends, had new experiences and just recently I purchased my first sets of contact lenses for my cosplays. I've made costumes, helped my friends in times of need and even met some amazing people in the field I wish to pursue as a career. Overall one could say I've had a pretty successful year so far.

However...

My writing has fallen severely behind, I've gained more weight than I care to admit and I lack any real motivation to be productive. Its a miracle I managed to pass this year's schooling. I am disappointed in myself.


There's only one thing to do now: Make next year better.

Get ready, xox
Taz

Wednesday, 10 August 2016

DESTROYED BY BOOKS

Do not even get me started on books. TOO LATE.

Wow, never have I been so mad at a book... that is a lie. I always get mad at characters and occasionally authors for killing off characters I happen to love. I wont say who or what book but the fact of the matter is I get so damn invested in these figures that it physically pains me when these things happen.

I have been known to:
  • throw books across the room into a beanbag (never at the wall, that could actually damage the books!)
  • Start actually bawling and sobbing, becoming a blubbering mess
  • Stomp out to my mother and start ranting like crazy for hours
  • Start frantically texting a friend I KNOW has read the book, lots of swearing, even more capitals.
These are just a few of the more major things I do when confronted with a plot that wrecks me. I have to hand it to the authors though; if they can cause a reaction from me that intense, they clearly know their stuff. If an author can pull my heart out of my chest, cause adrenaline to course through my bloodstream or even make my anxiety play up, I personally think it is well written. 

I found a few photos that may explain how I'm feeling around now:







Yup, that's about it... xox!

Taz