A Discussion Involving G.B.F

 
   Wow Ann yet another post about homosexuality? I realize this topic has been pretty dragged out but in my Sunday Diary this week, I discussed my issue with being the "gay friend" and why not kill two birds with one stone by writing a movie review and discussing the issue I promised to write more in depth about?
   Starting off with the movie, I watched this teen comedy a few weeks ago and thought it was one of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen because it's hard to deny that it isn't. The film follows a high school in which the gay best friend (otherwise known as GBF) is the new trendy thing and everyone is looking for one including the three girls (all with stupid names) running for homecoming queen. In the midst of this, Tanner and his group of "edgy alternative kids" (including Sadie from "Awkward") are basically just rolling their eyes at this because they're too good for anything all except for Brent who is constantly pressuring Tanner into coming out so he could become popular. The one thing that I continue not to understand is that Brent himself is gay yet just decides to live vicariously through Tanner. Anyways, a whole thing happens with a LGBT club made up of entirely straight people and Tanner is out of the closet. The three "queen bees", Fawcett, 'Shley, and Caprice, (I wasn't kidding about the dumb names) are now after him to try and turn him into the stereotypical GBF. A lot of shit happens in between but things actually get important about an hour and a half in when Tanner makes a speech after he won prom king. He explains that he doesn't want to get "gay married" or be a "gay friend" or have a "gay relationship" and he wants to be a friend, have a relationship, and possibly even get married. The entire movie ends pretty typically with all the cliques forming together and everyone living in peace without GBFs. You have to see the film to be able to understand how surreal and overdone it is but all and all, it's an important message.
   I understand full well that being a gay female does have it's differences from being a gay man (what the film focuses on) but there are still many personal connections I made through watching GBF. For starters, it's in the name: Gay Best Friend. I came out about a month ago and when I informed some of my not so close friends that I still talk to regularly that I was a lesbian I got a lot of reactions such as
"wow now I have a lesbian friend!" which though I know they meant well, I wasn't too happy about. I tried to stress when I came out that I was the same exact person I was before and all of a sudden, this label made me feel like someone else. Like most human beings, I have had friends and they have all referred to me as their friend, Ann. This new title of "lesbian friend" made me feel a whole different way. I mean I don't refer to Emma (for example) as my straight friend so why would anyone feel the need to put my sexuality into a relationship title? Before I go on, yes I do realize that I am part of a minority but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy being thought of as a rarity. My sexuality has been a very important thing in my life (especially since I obsessed over it when I was questioning) but that doesn't judge my character or relationship title.
   Onto the actual plot of the movie. After Tanner was outed, everyone wanted to be his friend though they barely even knew him. The film really tries to emphasize how ridiculous that is and I absolutely love how they did so. Since I came out, so many more people have been talking to me (with mainly questions and comments like "you're so brave!") and that's really strange for a person like myself. I have always been very introverted and to myself and now that I've let this little secret out, kids who I haven't talked to in years are all of a sudden taking an interest in speaking to me. I was even invited to a party this week because they wanted a lesbian there (which is insanely stupid might I add). This has also given me a weird relationship with guys. Boys are now telling me that I'm their "straight crush on a gay girl" and that I'm awesome (which is definitely not true) and though these are all nice things that I do appreciate it's still strange. I mean no guy (who isn't my friend) wanted to talk to me two months ago and now that I'm out, I'm considered "hot" (which I am positive is an invalid statement).
   To sum it up, GBF is a really ridiculous movie with a pretty great message and I'd rather not be anyone's gay friend.

 

Big Screen

A playlist made up of my favorite songs from movie soundtracks.
Mix includes:
-Black Sheep: Metric ("Scott Pilgrim vs The World")
-Over At The Frankenstein Place: The Rocky Horror Picture Show cast
-Decode: Paramore ("Twilight")
-Anyone Else But You (originally by The Moldy Peaches): Ellen Page and Michael Cera ("Juno")
-Toucha Toucha Touch Me: Susan Sarandon ("The Rocky Horror Picture Show")
-There Are Worse Things I Could Do: Stockard Channing ("Grease")
-Painting Flowers:All Time Low ("Alice In Wonderland")
-Come On Eileen: Dexy's Midnight Runners ("The Perks Of Being A Wallflower")
-Do Wah Do: Kate Nash ("Bridesmaids")
-The Only Hope For Me Is You: My Chemical Romance ("Transformers")
-Tire Swing: Kimya Dawson ("Juno")

Movie Night from annlouise11 on 8tracks Radio.

Things You Must See- End Of The Year Edition

Music
With the year of 2013 almost coming to an end, there were some amazing albums that came out this year (that I have not talked about yet) such as Bring Me The Horizon's Sempiternal, Paramore's self titled album, Kate Nash's Girl Talk, and Alex Day's Epigrams and Interludes which are all extremely amazing albums that I would seriously suggest.
Movies
There were an insane amount of great short films released this year! My two favorites would have to be Charlie McDonnell's "The Tea Chronicles" and Bertie Gilbert's "Stray Dog" which were both so extremely weird and wonderful. In addition, Charlie will be releasing his second film, "Offline" which from what he has described, is a disaster film about when the Internet shuts down. Knowing Charlie (and from seeing the trailer), there will be a whole lot of comedy involved! Another one of my favorite movies that was released last month would have to be "This Is A Wasteland", a documentary that follows the crazy tour of Pierce The Veil.
Television
At this year's Vidcon, Hannah Hart, Grace Helbig, and Mamrie Hart announced that the trio were filming a web series titled "Camp Takota". The show has been rumored to be released this month on YouTube! Knowing these three girls, "Camp Takota" will be filled with comedy and great acting.
Happy December!
-Ann

Things You Must See: October

Music
Finally, the extended version of All Time Low's "Don't Panic!" was released this monday! Post here
Television
Glee has returned! Though I am not nearly as big a fan as I used to be, the Beatles themed episode was kind of adorable in every way. Though I probably won't be keeping up with the show, the premiere episode was somewhat decent.
Websites
One of my new favorite online magazines has to be Outsider Zine the entire magazine has very Rookie feel to it while still being extremely unique. They also talk quite a lot about feminism which is absolutely perfect.

a snapchat to Fiona

Books
By far, I am most excited about this. On October first, Tavi Gevinson finally released the Rookie Yearbook Two! Though I have not picked up my own copy yet, Fiona has told me great things about it. I mean, how could twelve full months of Rookie mag not be extraordinary?

Hairspray

Okay, so today I figured I'd write about one of my all-time favorite movies. I'm kind of crazy about Hairspray. How could you not be? It's a combination of some of the best things in this world: John Waters, Divine, the 80s, the 60s, and DANCING.

I shouldn't have to tell you the plot, but just in case here it is.
Tracy Turnblad and her best friend, Penny Pingleton, audition for The Corny Collins Show, their favourite teen dance show. Despite being "pleasantly plump", Tracy becomes a regular on the show. As she gets more and more popular, she makes Amber, the reigning queen of the show, more and more jealous. Tracy steals Amber's boyfriend, Link Larkin, and competes against her for the title of Miss Auto Show 1963, fueling Amber's hate.


That's like, the simple version of the plot, but I really wouldn't want to spoil it for you, because the end is absolutely perfect. Not to sound pretentious, but one of the big reasons I love Hairspray is the gorgeous aesthetics. The colors, oh the colors! I just love the 80s interpretation of the 1960s. It's so full of candy brights and kitsch. And the costumes are amazing.

It's also super funny, plus it's the perfect movie for sleepovers and nights in with your friends because you can sing along at the top of your lungs and dance along as well! The songs will probably be stuck in your head for the next week (month) (year) but honestly, you won't really care. If I haven't sold it to you yet, then let this gif convince you.

xoxo,
Fiona

PS One word of warning: once you've watched this, you might never be able to watch the Zac Efron remake again. Oops!

Dream Girl: Ramona Flowers

Being the antisocial and rather lazy and unproductive person I am, you can imagine the amount of movies I have been watching over the couple weeks that I have been home. One of the many films that I have watched over and over again for the simple reason that it never gets old has been "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World" aside from Michael Cera being perfection and the entire movie being completely ridiculous in every way possible, a little piece of utter perfection is the female love interest, Ramona Flowers. Not only is Ramona the most angst filled person, she has probably the coolest fashion sense and style I have ever seen on a movie character.
Ramona's signature thing has to be her hair. In the entire film, she changed her hair color from pink to blue to teal to green. Her explanation for the quick and impulsive color changes is "I change my hair color every week". Instead of asking how the hell she can afford to have her hair so professionally dyed every seven days, the audience kind of falls in love with her weird and impulsive traits.
Though most people I know at least are not able to copy or even pull off, Ramona's unique tresses, makeup and clothing is fairly easy for this interesting character. Ramona is not caught for most of the movie without a rather rugged yet lovable jacket (probably for the reason they are in in Canada). To mimic this rather tomboy and casual look, just take an old jacket of yours. I grabbed a wore out jean jacket that I haven't worn in months and decorated the entire piece with random patches and pins. I even sewed random buttons in weird places just to add onto the weird charm.
Makeup was even easier. Ramona Flower's eyes are simply lined and don't seem to have all that much to them. I did curl my lashes and added mascara to them just to make them a bit more interesting. Ramona's lips are the real attraction. She is usually wearing a red or bright lip tone that grabs attraction to her face.
Lastly, the hair. Though most people aren't able to pull off the brightly colored locks, Ramona's hair style is rather easy to copy. Though her hair is cut in the back, this style can work for all hair lengths. Just take your hair and leave two small chunks in the front as you put it up in a bun.
"I'm In Lesbians With You"
-Ann
p.s Is anyone else as excited about Hopeless Records signing The Kick Drums? Aside from me being somewhat disappointed it wasn't Late Nite Reading or Seven Minutes In Heaven, The Kick Drums are pretty rad.

Friday Extra: Trolls 2

Tumblr

Before I begin my rant, I'd like to thank my best friend Vivi for thinking this topic up a couple months ago. You kind of sorta saved my life when I was tapped out on ideas this week.
Now that I have that covered, I have probably the best thing ever to unveil to you. Trolls 2. As some of you may know, I have a strong love for bad movies and when Viv and I sat down and watched this movie, I came to the realization of my love for bad HORROR movies. OK OK maybe for the reason that I have and will not watch any other horror movie besides "We Need To Talk About Kevin" and that right there is already terrifying to me.
Trolls 2 focuses around a very strange little boy who keeps seeing his dead grandpa Seth. Hence Vivi and I's favorite line "you must banish him from your mind." I mean who the hell even says that? As Josh and his family go on a house exchange trip to the mysterious town "Nilbog" he finds what his grandfather warned him about- goblins. Please don't ask me why the movie is called "Trolls 2" if it is entirely about goblins. Lets just keep it as one of life's mysteries. Skip a ton of bad acting and tons of memorable lines and scenes such as a boy watching a girl turning into a plant and him screaming "They're eating her! And now they're going to eat me!", Josh peeing on a plate of food that has been poisoned by the goblins his family refuses to believe and his Father screaming  "You don't piss on hospitality!", and Josh looking into a mirror and realizing Nilbog is Goblin spelled backwards. Josh ends up defeating the goblins that are about to eat his family by eating a turkey sand which and tapping a stone wall. Have we found a new way to defeat monsters? Finally, the family travels back home after three of their friends have been eaten and all four of them seem surprisingly sane. The movie concludes with an actual scary scene in which the suspense kills you about what is happening to the mom downstairs until you find her being eaten by the goblins that somehow found them. The ending line being "want some Josh?". Leaving the audience not exactly sure what the hell they went through.

This exact movie was used in the documentary "Best Worst Movie" which to make a long story short was the best thing I have ever spent my time watching. Well maybe next to Hank Green dancing...
I brought up this topic as my Friday Extra this week in appreciation of terrible movies like this. Do people make terrible films to give others something to gif the hell out of and watch ironically? I am not searching for the answer. Instead I give a big "Thank You" to those who have given me Trolls 2 and the Barbie series.
Thank you for the crappiest movies ever made. 
-Ann

I just had to add it.... Enjoy Hank's full dougie....