Tag: top picks

  • 2024 Wrapped

    2024 Wrapped

    Spotify Wrapped is here again and it has inspired me to share my top players, not only in music, but in books and movies. Let’s start with Spotify…

    Top Artist: Post Malone

    Yup, Posty’s put on his cowboy boots and I’m here for it. To be fair, I’ve enjoyed all of his albums, but his newest country style is particularly infectious. Don’t believe me? My Top Song was “I had Some Help” by none other than Postie and Morgan Wallen. It’s fair to say I’ve had this song on replay since it got released – I don’t know, there’s just something about it that makes me feel happy and carefree. Give it a listen here!

    Top Book: 127 Hours

    What would you do if you got your hand stuck under a boulder weighing 360kg (800 pounds)?

    This is the exact conundrum that outdoor enthusiast Aron Ralston grappled with (literally). You may already be familiar with the famous story, but for those of you who aren’t …

    In 2003, Aron was scaling rocks in Bluejohn Canyon (Arizona, USA) when a boulder dislodged and fell – dragging Aron down with it. What’s worse is that, during the fall, Aron’s hand got trapped under the rock. He was alone, had little food or supplies and had told nobody where he had gone.

    With such a grim premise, you might think “why on Earth would I want to read about such a horrible ordeal?”. Well, because he survived.

    This is a book that will inspire you, amaze you and make you cringe. You will feel like a fly on the wall in that dusty canyon and, at times, you will feel just as helpless as he felt. I guarantee you that his quest for survival, the human spirit to never give up, is what makes this book an absolute winner in my eyes. In those moments of suffering and sadness, there is also light and laughter.

    I could hardly put 127 Hours down – you can check it out right here:

    Top Movie: Kung Fu Panda 4

    As a huge fan of the Kung Fu Panda franchise, I didn’t know what to expect from yet another Kung Fu Panda sequel. However, I was pleasantly surprised and I ended up seeing it multiple times at the cinema. I genuinely didn’t mind this movie at all. [Spoilers ahead duh].

    We’re back in the Valley of Peace, where Po isn’t quite ready to give up being the Dragon Warrior, despite Master Shifu’s badgering. In one final hurrah, he sets out to defeat the Chameleon with a crim call Zhen. A skilled sorceress, The Chameleon sets her sights on the past with her vision to conquer the future. When Po is outsmarted by Zhen, The Chameleon is granted access to the Spirit World, where she harnesses power from fallen Kung Fu masters.

    Not only is there a banging Britney Spears cover by Tenacious D, but a pretty cool Boss Battle (not quite as epic as Tai Lung in the first Kung Fu Panda, but still). Not bad Dreamworks – Skadoosh!

    What were your top picks of the year? Let me know below in the comments or on my instagram @rebekah_writes_stuff 🙂

  • Looking for a disaster movie to watch tonight? I’ve got you covered.

    Looking for a disaster movie to watch tonight? I’ve got you covered.

    Hi new subscribers! Welcome back to everyone already subscribed! And hello new readers – welcome to the blog 🙂

    Who doesn’t love a good disaster movie? Now, I know there are some bomb alien and zombie movies, but let’s stick to natural disasters today. These are my top picks!

    Are you in the mood for shifting crust, a GIANT wave and secret government shenanigans? Then 2012 is for you.

    I don’t care what people (and rotten tomatoes) have to say. This movie is hugely underrated. Sure, it’s a bit long but it’s pretty epic and never fails to give me goosebumps. Plus we all thought that 2012 was the year the world was going to end, remember?

    The movie is centred on Jackson and his family, but there’s a whole host of characters all over the world – scientists, government officials, you name it. If you want to strap in for an epic-holy-sh*t-thrill-ride with volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, famous landmarks collapsing – the visual effects though, can we talk about the budget 200 million USD!! – then get the popcorn and strap in for 2012. Also it’s the same guy who directed Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow soooo I’ll just leave that there.

    Are you looking for peak cinema and a modern day ice age? Then The Day After Tomorrow is for you.

    This movie cannot be topped. It’s not your classic natural disaster where there is fire and destruction. Nope, it’s a different kind of enemy. It’s the cold.

    The Day After Tomorrow made its mark as a top tier disaster film starring baby Jake Gyllenhaal. Climate change AND an ice age?? It’s unconventional, epic and it mostly centres on a group of teens on a school trip, as well as other scientists, and their survival. This movie rules. 4 words for you – eye of the storm. That’s all I’m going to say.

    Are you looking for a giant volcanic eruption movie with Terminator lady and James Bond? Then Dante’s Peak is for you.

    Dante’s Peak looks over a small American town. This movie breaks down the volcanic eruption, from the lead up to the aftermath. I believe it was inspired by the Mt. St. Helen’s eruption in 1980 that happened in Southwest Washington USA. This trailer is from 1997 – it doesn’t do the movie justice at all. Dante’s Peak is a banger disaster film. If you want to know more about volcanic eruptions, then Dante’s Peak is the one to choose.

    Are you looking for a MASSIVE tornado meteorologist adventure? Then Twister is for you

    Fun fact, I actually wanted to be a storm-chaser when I was a kid after watching this movie haha.

    For this rag-tag group of meteorologists and scientists, storm chasing is just part of their 9-5. However, testing out new tornado alert technology is not without its risks. Set in Tornado Alley (USA), Jo and Bill, who are on the verge of finalising their divorce, team up to trial Jo’s new tech. As the wind and tornadoes get bigger, so too does the drama. Again, another classic 90’s natural disaster movie. Give it some love!

    Now, which one do I watch?? What are your top natural disaster movies? What do you think of my choices?

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