Top 5 Scary Movies

As many of you will know, I'm a massive fan of Halloween. It's not big in Scotland like it is in America, but that doesn't stop me from getting in the spirit of things. This week I thought I would share a few blog posts to get you in the mood for the greatest holiday of the year (...bar Christmas! Equals at best :P) Today I'm going to share our favourite Scary Movies. David and I watch a crazy amount of these - I particularly love being scared witless and have done for as long as I can remember so I think it's fair to say we've sat through enough to know which ones will be spot on for hallows eve. I'm not going to mess you about with totally obscure stuff (that's no fun for anyone), I thought I would just show you some absolute classics that'll have you sat on the end of your seats. So, without further adieu, here are our

Top 5 Scary Movies

The Shining
Jack Nicholson's face alone is enough to keep me awake at night! This film is a total classic and one you should be ashamed of if you've not seen it. Jack takes his family to a massive hotel in the middle of nowhere to get some peace to write his new book and make some money as they'll be the only one's there maintaing it out of season. Being a creative person who works alone a lot of the time, I fear for the day I type the sentence "all work and no play makes Vicky a..." erm... you know what I'm saying!
This film actually had a documentary made about it too called Room 237 where they look into the cryptic meanings behind the film. It's amazing.

Psycho
No, not the remake with Vince Vaughan (seriously, Vince Vaughn!!) But the original film made by movie legend Alfred Hitchcock in 1960. This was the first horror film I ever watched and loved. I found out about it when I was about 12 and my Mum told me the story. She said it kept her awake for days and she couldn't take a shower in a hotel for a really long time. She grew up in a hotel, so you can imagine how gross that could have been! This is the story about a creepy guy who runs a motel in the middle of nowhere (mandatory it seems!) and seems to have a challenging relationship with his mother. Well, you could say challenging... Anyhow, this is one of the first ever films made where the lead character dies within the first 30 minutes of a film. Sorry for the spoiler! Totally worth the fact though :) Oh! And it's Jamie Lee Curtis's mum!

*Could move onto Halloween for smooth link but decide to pick a better movie*
(Sorry Jamie!)

Friday 13th
Again, the original, not the remake. In all honesty you wont find me enjoying many remakes - you just can't beat the originals! 90% of the time the remake is total tosh and just a quick way for the film industry to rinse you of money. ANYHOW, this film only has one scary bit in it (if you ask me! I don't frighten that easily.) I found the rest of it absolutely hysterical as it's very VERY 1980s. A bunch of teens including Kevin Bacon (!) are attempting to open an abandoned (ahem) kids camp and it all gets a bit out of hand when a certain someone comes back to haunt them. It's a slasher, but worth the banter.

Paranormal Activity (1-3, 4 was crap.)
You know, I really wasn't keen on watching new horror movies as I kinda feel like they milk the jumps too much. Having been recommended this series by a fellow scary film nut, David and I were intrigued. Don't get me wrong, there are a few cheap thrills in these, but it's totally worth the watch. I didn't watch them in order and they were still great, so don't let sequence put you off. It's one of the very few supernatural films I actually enjoyed - I like a classic killer story - but beware, you're going to want to put a camera in your bedroom after you watch this. Or totally never do that EVER. Is ignorance bliss? You'll start questioning that after these flicks.

Ok, the last spot, and this is tricky because there are so many good films I'd like to include in this blog post! I'm going to go with is *drum roll please*

Rosemary's Baby
I really love this movie. Mia Farrow plays Rosemary, who's just moved into a new apartment with her actor husband and the neighbours are 'a little full on'. It's simple but really tense and defo makes you question that random cupboard you have in the hallway by the end of it! I'm certain the makers of Paranormal Activity must have loved it too because there is quite a connection going on. I dread the day they try to remake it -- seemingly it's only a matter of time!

So, if you're looking to have a movie night this Halloween or even just get in the mood in the run up to the big day, I hope you've found a little inspiration from our top 5 list :) There are soooo many more amazing horror films that I'd love to add to this list.... Maybe there will be a sequel... Top 5 Scary Movies Part 2! We'll you can't end a post on horror movies without leaving the door open for a follow up, now can you?

Happy Fright Night!

Through The Lens: Video With Rob Machado

THROUGH THE LENS with Rob Machado from Through The Lens on Vimeo.

This short has been filmed really beautifully and is about a man and his love of turning his cars into wondrous vehicles and surfing with his besties. Really inspirational :)

Animation Video: John Mayer's Submarine Test by Virgilio Villoresi

JOHN MAYER - SUBMARINE TEST JANUARY 1967, VIDEOCLIP by VIRGILIO VILLORESI from Virgilio Villoresi on Vimeo.

I have to admit that I am completely in love with the illustration and style of this music video! Doesn't it make you want to sit down and draw? I love how they've animated it too; so simple but really effective. It's really fantastic to see people are starting to fully embrace true talent for music video's ... about ruddy time too!

Abandoned Theme Parks

image: Vimeo/Mike Petty

We don't think there is anything better than theme parks... appart from ABANDONED Theme Parks! Check out these incredible images. Spooky, right? We felt like we hit the jackpot when we discovered this article... until we watched the video! Scroll down and watch our favorite flick of the year: Six Flags New Orleans: Closed For Storm. It's breathtakingly beautiful.

image: Lost Los Angeles

image: Vimeo/Mike Petty

image: Reuters

image: Lost Los Angeles

image: Lost Los Angeles

Six Flags New Orleans: Closed For Storm

Discover more of Teddy Smith's work here

Mind. Blown.

I LOVE IT : Postino Music Video

Postino - I Love It (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) from Will Kindrick on Vimeo.

Secretly, this is me! Hahaha! A fun little video for you today by Postino (watch out, it's repetitive, catchy and will get stuck in your head!) Gotta love those costumes... If anyone out there wants to make me one, I'll totally star in a music video for you :D Happy Friday! Enjoy xx

Coffee Propaganda! Cute Animation By Hyunji Aj Bae

Coffee Propaganda from HYUNJI AJ BAE on Vimeo.

We love this retro styled animated short about coffee! Created by Hyunji Aj Bae, Coffee Propaganda  has been produced to mimic those 50's informative commercials whilst rocking a super cool space age theme with the cutest characters in town... what more could you want in life?

Screengrab - Animation From Willie Witte

SCREENGRAB from Willie Witte on Vimeo.

This short film by Willie Witte will bend your mind! It's an animation that uses screengrabs to show you that sometimes, what you see should not be believed. Really different way of working - we love it!

The History Of Typography - Awesome Animated Short By Ben Barrett-Forrest

The History of Typography - Animated Short from Ben Barrett-Forrest on Vimeo.

This video by Ben Barrett-Forrest is not only super educational, but it's stop animation film style is totally rad. Learn in 5 minutes how typography began and how it's developed over time... if history lessons as cool as this at school, we would have paid much more attention!

Jurassic Park!

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Ok, ok, there may not be a real Jurassic Park, but the famous flight around the island is actually filmed in Hawaii! Unfortunately there are no dinosaurs here today, but this land is certainly the perfect place to film such a prehistoric classic. Who doesn't get excited watching this amazing scene?

Such a great movie! Dinos are the best!

With so many hidden treasures on these islands you can't help but get excited about who - or what - used to live here... I'll be sure to tweet you if I see anything suspicious on my travels!

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Elvis - Blue Hawaii

 

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It's not possible to visit Hawaii without paying homage to Elvis! 

 

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Elvis filmed the classic film Blue Hawaii in the start of the 1960s and it quickly became his most popular film and soundtrack made throughout his career. 

 

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With its beautiful scenery its no wonder he fell in love with this place! In fact, Elvis loved Hawaii so much he visited the state many times throughout his lifetime and even decorated a room in his house with its classic tiki style. I've been lucky enough to visit the Jungle Room myself and it is still phenominal! 

 

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For those of you location lovers, Blue Hawaii was filmed in Waikiki Beach, Ala Moana Park, Lydgate Park, and the Coco Palms Resort Hotel ... oh, and lets not forget, the Honolulu jail too!

 

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When Elvis arrived in Honolulu for filming, thousands of fans nearly broke down the barricades before the singer was whisked to his hotel. Since mobs waited around his hotel daily, security guards were on duty around the clock. Going by these rare behind the scenes photos from the time, it's not hard to see why people found him so appealing!

 

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I'm hoping to have a little Elvis fun myself whilst I'm out on the islands... or at the very least I hope someone will serenade me with this song... such a charmer!

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I Love You A Latte: The Fine Art Of Coffee Portraiture

STORYBOARD: The Fine Art of Coffee Portraiture from Tumblr on Vimeo.

Mike Breach is the Willy Wonka of coffee! Check out this awesomely inspiring short video of him making the most incredible portraits out of a fresh cup of Joe.... We love it a latte!

Dance Like Nobody's Watching

The Airport

I don't know if you've seen these videos, but Angela Trimbur is our latest girl crush. She made these awesome music videos to try and get her name out there as she is an actress looking for her big break. As you can clearly see, she's definitely got what it takes!

 
The Mall

Not only do we love the films for the incredible dance moves and wild lack of shame, we love that she found a way to get noticed by using one of her talents... and still keeping the best part of her dignity ;) It's pretty inspiring to see someone that passionate and determined about where they want to be in life and nice to see her films go viral. It's well deserved if you ask us!

 
The Laundromat

So here's to Dancing Like Nobody's Watching and trying to make it on your own...

 Good Luck Angela!

The Book That Can't Wait

We've just discovered Spanish publishers Eterna Cadencia's new literary invention, The Book That Can't Wait, and we are in love! This book has been created for new writers to get people to read their new works as soon as possible opposed to buying it and leaving it on the shelf to get dusty and until you 'get round to it'... 

It's not just the title that is doing all the work either; the book has been created with a magical ink that disappears after 2 months of exposing it to air and light... meaning you have 2 months to read it or you will never know what happens next! Awesome, right? 


We think this is a really inspiring idea and an excellent way to support new authors. I'm quite obsessed with ephemeral things and I am itching to get my hands on one of these! The sense of whimsical  urgency seems so beautiful and delicate, what's not to love? Check out their website to find out more about this magical movement and to get one of your own. 

Happy reading!

Yum Yum London!

Parallel Parking from Yum Yum London on Vimeo.



Happy Food from Yum Yum London on Vimeo.

Aren't these shorts by Yum Yum London great?

We love to discover people who are turning trivial things into something awesome and we think these videos are brilliant! Yum Yum are getting ready to launch their adorable characters as vinyl toys and we think they are going to go like hot cakes...
To pre-order your favorite click here
Fingers crossed they create more of these shorts too!

Happy Monday

Rule Britannia!

Incase you didn't know, currently the UK is a buzz with excitement for Queen's Jubilee! 

Being very proud of our heritage, we have decided to go all out and celebrate Great Britain this week. We  are excited to announce that we will be sharing some extra special British themed tutorials (perfect for your Jubilee parties!) and will be celebrating with a sale on a selection our favorite Best Of British products in our shop. Hurrah for Great Briton!

To get the ball rolling on our Brilliantly British Blogging this week, we thought we would share a few old videos about the country itself. We did invent the television after all!

Have you ever wondered about the english language? Well with this funny and smart little video you shall wonder no more! I'm not sure where we would be without our words, so for us, English is our favorite thing about Britain. We couldn't have done it without everyone elses help though, so thanks for that ;)

We love this old film about our Land Of Invention, even if it does make us want to take a nap!

Another sleepy old movie, but this one is about our home town! It would have been rude not to share it, as it is very dear to us :) It's so nice to see our city from so long ago... and amazing to see how little has changed!

Finally, we couldn't start our British week without an image of the queen, so here she is made out of sweeties. Suck on that :P

We hope you are excited to see what Brilliantly British things we have been up to as we can't wait to share them :D 

TTFN!

*ta ta for now*

Caine's Arcade: A Short Film

This is the best film you will watch all year.

We love Caine's Arcade!

Up There: A Film About A Lost Art

UP THERE on Vimeo.

This mini documentary shows the lost art of painting adverts outdoors. It's one of our favourites as we think the world needs more public installations like these. It's only 12 minutes long, so be sure to watch it and spread the love...