Mockingjay Part I
Jennifer Lawrence is back as Katniss Everdeen in this installment of the Hunger Games. Battle weary and traumatised from her explosive participation in the last games, Katniss is living in District 13, while Peeta and the other surviving tributes remain in the Capital, prisoners and political pawns of the regime. Under the guidance of President Coin, Katniss becomes the Mockingjay, the face of the revolution, inspiring other districts to rise up against the Capital. A daring rescue and a fierce battle ensue as the revolution gains momentum. A shock ending leaves us on tenterhooks.
I am so looking forward to Part II and the final chapter of the Hunger Games. It's great to see the films on Netflix and Kezia and I have enjoyed watching them together. They are great family films to watch with older kids.
Sons of Anarchy
After we finished watching Breaking Bad, Ian and I were on the search for something new to watch together in bed. We have just discovered Sons of Anarchy and that is filling the Walter White sized hole in our life!
Sons of Anarchy stars the rather gorgeous Charlie Hunnam as Jax, a member of the outlaw motorcycle club in the town of Charming. Since becoming a single dad and discovering his own father's journals, his loyalty becomes tested as he questions the increasing lawlessness of the Sons of Anarchy and how the club is run. The group run a lucrative illegal arms dealing business and keep drug dealers out of town, usually with violent consequences. Jax's mum and stepdad, who is president of the Sons of Anarchy, like to keep things old school and the conflict between them impacts upon the club and their personal relationships.
We're not very far into the first season (the first of seven!) but already we love the way it's filmed and think the characters and scripting are excellent. Jax is a tough but likeable character who takes no nonsense and fights for what he believes in. His mum is a formidable character that you both love and hate, who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. How she treated Jax's ex wife in the first episode was utterly shocking!
I am looking forward to seeing how the show progresses. I've heard such good things about it.
Skins
I've been revisiting the series that spawned the successful movie actors Nicholas Hoult, Dev Patel and Jack O'Connell. Skins started in 2007 and ran until 2013. The exploits of the years 12 and 13 teenagers, feature some controversial storylines including teen pregnancy, mental illness, eating disorders, suicide and family breakdowns, fuelled by a cocktail of drink, drugs and sex. It's hard hitting stuff, superbly acted and emotionally charged, with some great comedic moments thrown into the mix. The characters are both believable and likeable and you laugh and cry alongside them.
Every two years the cast changes, as the characters leave school and new kids start year 11 at the Bristol college, The series has seen some fantastic breakthrough performances from the cast and the scripts are powerful.
Skins is a series that gave older teenagers and young adults a drama that they could really relate to, but even at my age I enjoy the gritty realism of the show. A number of top British actors including Peter Capaldi and Harry Enfield guest star and it's always fun to spot them make an appearance!
