Spring Breakers (Film Review)

I reckon that your first glance at this makes you think "Oh it's a review on bikinis, girly stuff, partying and crap"?!.
But actually this film had a lot more in it than just hot girls and partying! Yes, this film shows how getting involved with the wrong kind while having a crazy time really does put you in danger! This explains how partying, drugs, drinking and violence can get you in deep trouble, in Spring Breakers!

Spring Breakers is a 2012 American Comedy and Drama film that shows 4 college girls Candy "Vanessa Hudgens" (High School Musical Trilogy, Bandslam), Faith "Selena Gomez" (Wizards Of Waverly Place, Hotel Transylvania), Brittany "Ashley Benson" (Days Of Our Lives, Bring It On: In It to Win It) and Cotty "Rachel Korine" (Mister Lonely, Trash Humpers) having the time of their lives at Spring Break in St. Petersburg, Florida. After acquiring the money from a robbery at a restaurant (except Faith) the girls head there for drinking, doing drugs, experimenting and just partying, and after getting arrested there, the girls are later bailed by the dangerous looking gangster Alien "James Franco" (Spider-Man Trilogy, 127 Hours) and are smittened away by his cool but really dark life.

I saw this on Sky Movies one night in January 2014, after (trying) to watch Ice Age: Continental Drift with mum for the first time. She fell asleep near the end and after going to bed and I finished an "okay" film, I saw this and thought "yeah, why not?!". I came in 40 minutes through it but then watched it again the following day from the beginning to when I came onto it.

This film reminded me of how no matter how many times I've dreamed/ wished being normal and joining people I knew back at school and college who partied, drank and felt good and confident all the time... it was just out of my league and not for me. I strongly feel that deep within my soul, I probably couldn't handle going to a place like Magaluf, Rhodes or any party beach doing nothing but drinking, drugs and that shit, not only because of the way I am but also because I'd go looking for love and get easily subdued into peer-pressure and feeling uncomfortable since I am just not this kind of person that I thought was the right way to live. But luckily I do enjoy myself at parties and even had a blast back in Greece last year with a load of teens in the hotel club and drank a little most night, so I have the confidence to have fun, just maybe not at a place where what happens there... stays there but also where being subjected to nothing but the stuff I feel isn't necessary to just have a good time! I mean I wasn't drinking when I was 15, I was enjoying times out with some mates who now a days think drinking is essential for everything, when it bloody isn't! I don't judge people who do follow this life-style I'm just pointing out that not everyone can follow and they shouldn't be judged for not following.

The music was a big mix up that ranged from main-stream party material, to heavy club gangster bass while showing some deep and mesmerising ambient work during deep moments. I liked it all but I reckon all you rapper/ h&m lovers will love this film or anyone who's a full-blown party animal thanks to the content that's in store, the music just helped set the scene but I preferred the few ambient pieces as those moments are golden in films that show tough choices or dramatic moments that I like to listen to while walking alone most times.

One thing that bothered me about the film was the "Gun Reload" sound effect that was used during scene changes which was different to any kind of sound effect that can be used for changing moments but I feel it was unnecessary since this wasn't so much a war or crime film. Another was when near the end before the "final task" was where Alien, Candy and Brittany have the same conversation I think it was 6 times which was trying to prove a symbolic point but to me it was just irritating and was overplayed.

The ending was a real emotional epilogue (not enough to make me cry) but it was deep in a revelation way showing how not only can 2 girls avoid bullets and get away with killing someone and like 10 other people but they proved to have learned the errors of their ways and life and chose to change for the better and live out their lives properly once this was all over. I think the film was actually pretty decent (I am not just saying that because of the explicit content), it shows a teenage version of "The Hangover" films in a way and I think this film is definitely worth a watch as it shows how trying to have a wild time can not only get you in trouble but become difficult to accept or fit into!

Gravity (Film Review)

Hey guys, what was the last film you went to see that had you gripped to your seat in suspense and wanting to know the outcome so badly?
Well back in October 2013, I joined 10 friends from my first year of College for a Cineworld Double-Bill of enjoying Ender's Game and then Gravity while we all crammed Pizza Hut in between our fun packed schedule.
So after witnessing both films, I finally got round to writing up a review about Gravity which is this tense, gripping sci-fi drama and by the end of it you should want to go and witness this masterpiece for yourself (or pre-order on Amazon!). Go and see just how terrifying it can be in Space when things go horribly wrong.

Gravity is the new British-American 3D Science-Fiction Thriller and Space Drama film that features Matt Kowalski "George Clooney" (ER, Ocean's Eleven)  and Dr. Ryan Stone "Sandra Bullock" (Miss Congeniality, The Proposal) as astronauts in space repairing a Satellite above Earth. And while glancing at Earth from above, Huston warns them of a Russian missile that blew up another Satellite not far from their location, which as you can guess was sending debris to their position. As they spin out of control, lose their tether cables and Sandra Bullock drifts out into the Space spinning out of control all alone, all you hear her ask is questions over and over again... "I can't breathe!" "I can't stop spinning!" "Does anybody copy?"
So now they must remember their training and take leaps of faith as they attempt to safely return to Earth.

I saw the trailer for this film a week before (while watching Thor: The Dark World in IMAX), which wasn't loud at all *I say sarcastically* (it was full of explosions that made me jump a little and my seat rumble while hearing screams of terror that wasn't even a trailer for a horror film)! Thanks IMAX...

The visual effects were astounding because seeing it in 3D IMAX made moments like catching a wandering nut bolt come out right in front of me look so realistic. Plus seeing the HD detail of Earth was beautiful as the film began peacefully with the radio on while they chat and repair the satellite. When one crisis was over, another emerged or begun some obviously and some unexpectedly, that's what kept the film going. I struggled with this film a little since I said in my other posts about "seeing the wonders of the world from a whole new perspective" and this film showed there are clear dangers to seeing from a whole new chilling realistic perspective especially from space. Even when Sandra was spinning out of control, the camera was on her helmet and the screen span round like a washing machine for like a minute and a half, which must have made the audience feel woozy (especially me) and creeped out as her view of the satellite was getting further and further away during the fright near the beginning of the film.
Another hair raising moment was when Sandra Bullock had to jump from the safety bars around the space station because one false jump and it would have been all over and even opening the airlock made everyone in the cinema jump in shock!

Comparing the audio to the trailer, where you hear loud explosive effects and screams, the film included not as many loud sounds but only music, which by the way represented the moments like debris collision and it was relieving as I thought it was going to be loud and tough to endure. There were still some screams but more shouting in confusion and terror over the uncontrollable situations that unfolded. George spoke to Sandra calmly a lot since he was an experienced astronaut and it was her first time. Having them two work together helped put a calm mood on the atmosphere for a while because we all need help calming down when we're terrified.

There was one moment that after seeing it all, made me think "what just happened?" after an airlock scene that was sweetly reassuring and essential during someones time of need but logically the film would have ended that quick if it really happened.

Sandra Bullock performed accurately (because I'm used to seeing her be funny, silly and embarrassing) but this time she was so serious, terrified and anxious, since I feel this film's intention was to promote "Agoraphobia" (the fear of wide open spaces dangerous and uncomfortable, like the opposite of  "Claustrophobia" (the fear of closed in spaces).

 
The ending was very, very relieving as the struggle to get home was finally over though the location was annoying and remote. This film in my opinion deserves all the high awards that it's been nominated for, thanks to the tense atmosphere that filled my body while witnessing that not everything goes smoothly as planned and all the horror we see in sci-fi films isn't just monsters/ aliens and wars! It can also be the feeling of being helpless when all odds are against you and you can get lost so easily in the void of space!

Fictional Characters I Have Connections With

Hey guys, I'm here to explain how I think I have strong connections with some fictional characters that I have seen / played over the years through my own personal beliefs. Some theories are good and some are bad and this big post should explain how I feel they represent some emotions or moments during my life. It's like they represent Persona's, only I think it's related to "Johari's Window" and "The Looking Glass Effect"!

Tomoya Okazaki - Clannad & Clannad After Story (Anime)

Represents - Life, Outcast, Future
This delinquent outcast is from the deepest Japanese anime I have ever had the pleasure and sorrow to watch, thanks to it's beautiful and captivating plot. Tomoya Okazaki is a sarcastic teenager who after encountering a girl "Nagisa Furukawa" on the way to school and giving her the confidence she needed, would he then be drawn into a world where not only he himself changed his ways but he learned to help others and enjoy his life thanks to his friends he made and most of all help Nagisa with her confidence and dream.

I really enjoyed watching him and I liked his personality but I feel I connected with him due to how tough he felt his life was and how he endured it till the end, through all the joy and unexpected suffering in his time. I felt his pain and although none of his troubles have happened to me (thankfully), I feel this remarkable anime has left a life lesson on my heart and taught me to appreciate what you have and treasure everyone in your life! I still always cry during the last 6 episodes thanks to the legacy he was left with and after the unexpected change in destiny, all was well for him and everyone else in the end!


Andrew Detmer - Chronicle (Film)
Represents - Anger, Truth Seeker and Escapism

Andrew Detmer is your sad teenage boy in high school who get's bullied, has almost no friends and a sad family life. His only friend is his cousin Matt Garetty who comforts him sometimes through life. Andrew begins using a camera to document his life and later after meeting the school's popular student, Steve Montgomery one night at a party, do all three of them go to a mysterious hole and find something thrilling and mysterious that leaves them with a cool and dangerous power.
Now although Andrew is abused by his father in the film and later went insane through anger and corruption (which I honestly don't relate to), but I do believe if I had the telekinetic power that he and the others have, then that would be a dream come true thanks to being able to pick up items using the mind and most of all fly around to help me escape my troubles and see the wonders of this world from higher points and from a whole new perspective that doesn't make me feel limited. It would also affect my behaviour by abusing my power to mess around and if necessary hurt those that hurt me before or now. But not enough to kill (I know that's too much and morally wrong) but more to threaten and remind people to not take me lightly and I'm not a pushover anymore (like back at school).

Genie Of The Lamp - Disney's Aladdin Trilogy (Films)

Represents Imagination, Spontaneous and Happiness

The loveable Genie Of The Lamp is from the hit Walt Disney's Aladdin classics, the funny blue dude was well known in granting the street rat Aladdin, 3 wishes to help him fall in love with Agrabah's beautiful and picky Princess Jasmine. What I loved so much about Genie is his shape-shifting ability that he undeniably uses when he acts out his references or parodies of the subject/ person he is talking about. I'd love to use that power because of how my mind works and thinks and also because he too uses it to cheer up his friends. It's exactly how I feel whenever words / phrases or similar moments are identical to what's going on right then in the film or in my own life, whether I am talking or just thinking in my head. I would love to have that power because my mind is full of visionary ideas thanks to Aspergers and I too like trying to make my friends and family laugh.


Shinji Ikari - Neon Genesis Evangelion Series (Anime)

Represents - Attention Seeker, Imagination and Self-Esteem

Shinji Ikari is from the famous mecha, apocalyptic anime series - Neon Genesis Evangelion where he is the third child that's tasked with piloting a Giant Robot Evangelion to stop giant monsters known as "Angels" from trying to breach Japan's biggest government base "Nerv" who hold the key to destroying the earth. The boy who is another last resort to saving humanity from the edge of extinction, is another anime character I relate to on some basis like his lack of confidence and responsibility to try his best, though he doesn't feel strong or confident about anything until he's been re-assured and convinced to give it a shot (though in this case, fighting giant monsters isn't related in this context). He also said "sorry" far too much for feeling pathetic. Now believe it or not I was like that during my teenage years but I soon learned to understand that once was enough and that there is no need to apologise for something that isn't necessary otherwise you'll just be a pain.

On the other hand, his robot Evangelion is an awesome piece of work that I enjoyed watching him pilot when things got tough and out of control, then it's inner potential and truly horrific nature was awakened and unleashed it's berserk mode in the gory fight scenes that were even too graphical and grim for me during the first time I saw it (but now I love it as it's like a hardcore anime version of "Transformers" but with more carnage). But anyway, frankly I daydream a lot to escape the harsh reality of life and most of the time I'd use my imagination to think up massive threats that only I could stop and be a hero for saving the day (there were also times I wanted to cause some chaos and destruction when I was anxious and frustrated, but only in my head! Not for real!. It also mattered whether it was over the top or based on shows I've watched). Finally I now strongly know that this was all just wanting to be noticed and accepted. But ironically it's also what I fear! This feeling is what I yearn for as well as avoid perhaps due to not feeling it enough sometimes (like back at School and College). I used my imagination to dream of cataclysmic fictitious disasters because it would be grand to be the hero because you don't see this happening in the real world! Don't you think so?!

Alex Mercer - Prototype 1 & 2 (Video Games)

Represents - Anger, Hatred, Truth Seeker, Attention Seeker and Imagination

This dark, shady man who was there when a dangerous virus outbreak was unleashed on New York City is the anti-hero of one of my favourite Xbox 360 video games. He was very fascinating not only does he have a connection to this disaster but after mysteriously losing his memory he woke up with his DNA metamorphosed and discovered he had extraordinary powers that allowed him to wall-run, slash, claw, punch and consume people thanks to becoming one with the virus but he only had one goal on his mind: finding the truth behind everything!
This game was beyond brutal due to the horrific bloody graphical violence and content overall. But beyond all that hardcore gaming fun, I found Alex Mercer interesting not only due to his astonishing powers (that even I have dreamed only in my head of using to harm those that hurt me and cause chaos when I am upset, hurt, anxious and angry) but also his dedication to finding out answers... answers that I too felt were being kept behind my back in my college times about friendships and feeling that I didn't belong with groups or specific people (though I wouldn't be violent about it).
Feeling this way does sound wrong, but it doesn't change how I felt! This doesn't make me a bad person (I hope) due to only imagining harm rather than causing physical chaos in the real world at all! Sometimes I felt like a "monster" or an "outcast" on days of sorrow and confusion. But most of the time I chose to change my negativity into escapism, as I mentioned above like using "Andrew's" power of flight to retreat to locations of beauty, to remind myself that all's not bad in this world despite feeling lost and out of place. I am not this dark anymore or as much, since I have begun taking things in my stride and not worrying about the small things and most of all thinking more positively has taken over my life now thanks to everyone that made 2013 and this year so amazing!

Raymond Babbitt - Rain Man (Film)
Represents - Aspergers, Imagination, Life and Future

"Dustin Hoffman" pulled off I'd say an accurate display of "Autism" in general, in one of the best films I have ever seen called "Rain Man". "Tom Cruise" was the selfish man who discovered through his late father's will about a brother he never knew he had and the fact he was beyond different. The film showed me how people didn't know how to cope with people like Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) and also how Charlie (Tom Cruise) was amazed with Raymond's skill with numbers and that gave him an idea that was wrong but in the end turned out sweet in a way.
I saw this film with my mum after buying the DVD because people sometimes called me "Rain Man" and said I should watch it! I am beyond glad that I did, as not only does it relate to another beloved classic called "Forrest Gump" but it made me feel happy about the way I am. Not only am I not as Autistic as Raymond but that it isn't a curse, more of a skill! I never even knew the character was based on an actual person that "Dustin Hoffman" and the director "Barry Morrow" met named "Kim Peek" who had "Savant Syndrome" (similar to Aspergers Syndrome but more serious and people have exceptional skills in things like calculation, art, memory etc). I once checked out the "Effects of Popular Culture" to the film on Wikipedia and noticed how members of an Autistic Community found the film "a very popular and often inaccurate and harmful stereotype of autism". Now I understand where they're coming from but in a way we are talking about a condition that people, a long time ago, mostly thought those people might have been just "stupid" but boy were they wrong. I don't have many similar traits to Raymond other than my exceptional memory and attention to detail but there's no denying that I do focus and pay more attention to my skills which are remembering films/dates/events etc and playing video games as I love anything to do with IT. These things may not help me a lot in life but I feel happy to be this way since I have become more confident and learned to accept myself for the way I am and I have become less serious about my limitations!

Roxas - Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days & Kingdom Hearts II (Video Games)

Represents - Self-Esteem, Life, Missing Link and Imagination

This game character from one of my favourite gaming series called "Kingdom Hearts" (which I shall be talking about all games sometime) and who I also cosplay as at The MCM London Expo is perhaps the character I feel linked with (like a Persona) and here's how.
In the game "Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days", Roxas was the empty shell that manifested  as a "Nobody" of the main character Sora (who died for a short time in the previous game), But in this game he was recruited by Organization XIII to be their tool in helping all other 12 members like him to become whole and live again! Although he became friends with two members "Axel" and "Xion" he enjoyed their missions and sunset days with them and in the end lost them but in the next game "Kingdom Hearts II", he learned of his true purpose and origin and he fixed the problem by doing the hardest right thing to do in order to help everyone.
I feel the link only because he is technically the missing link of the whole puzzle and by fixing that link (they) merged and became whole again after he found his purpose! I believe that too because when I'm confused or down about my future, I think that in time when all is well and I will have found my purpose in life, then it's because I overcame obstacles and found love and evolved into something better (if you see what I mean)?! Not only that, he's an interesting character to cosplay.

Sora - All Kingdom Hearts Games (Except Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep) (Video Games)

Represents - Happiness, Perfection, Life and Imagination

The main hero from all the "Kingdom Hearts" games is my last character to explain. Sora is the boy with the keyblade and is the hero of many Disney world's in the Kingdom Hearts series. His quest takes him everywhere where he faced darkness and changed people's lives and he lost his memory once, while on a huge adventure with "Donald Duck" and "Goofy" to look for his 2 best friends: Riku and Kairi!
Everything I said about Roxas and Genie lead up to him. Sora represents my "Perfect Days" where my friends see me at my best and I feel so happy and smile a lot on a great day with them. Sora always smiles even though he has a huge responsibility, which is what I am trying to follow even when I'm at work or elsewhere and whether I am stressed or worried too. And since Roxas represents me feeling confused and out of place, as you can guess Sora is when I feel 100%.
I'd love to cosplay Sora someday!

All this jabbering seems weird right (mainly the fact that I relate myself to fiction characters) but then again it's not only because I speak from the heart but I wonder if you hear many other people speak like I just did that maybe aren't Autistic?
It feels funny yet relieving to come out and share these deep feelings with you lot!
But the outcome to this post is that I do have love and respect from everyone that likes and loves me for my true self, that is the right feeling!

American Hustle (Film Review)

This film has been nominated for 7 Golden Globe and 10 BAFTA Awards!? After seeing almost half of it I thought... really? But as I came to the end, I had been converted and thought, Yeah Why Not?! What could go wrong by putting "Christian Bale", "Bradley Cooper", "Amy Adams", "Jeremy Renner" and "Jennifer Lawrence" all into one film right? So here's my opinion on the big film to begin the new year, American Hustle.

I got invited out last night to see the film that critics are raving about,with some mates which I couldn't turn down as I wanted to see for myself what the big fuss was about with this film and why it's nominated for these awards. After turning up at the cinema and discovering my friends would be arriving late, things weren't looking so good already. But as the trailers came on they all turned up and the 5 of us took the very front row as everywhere else was full! What a turn out!

American Hustle is a film about Irving Rosenfeld "Christian Bale" (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Empire of the Sun) and Sydney Prosser/ Lady Edith Greensly "Amy Adams" (Enchanted, The Muppets) as con artists who are forced to team up with FBI Agent Richie Di Maso "Bradley Cooper" (The Hangover Trilogy, Silver Linings Playbook) to work together on setting up a huge elaborate operation on corrupt politicians along with the Mayor of Camden, New Jersey, Carmine Polito "Jeremy Renner" (Avengers Assemble, The Hurt Locker). While Irving's crazy, messed up wife Rosalyn Rosenfeld "Jennifer Lawrence" (The Hunger Games, Silver Linings Playbook) tries to help out while causing trouble.

The back story on Irving and Sydney at first seemed too complicated to understand because it played right after a serious hustle moment in the beginning and it was all narrated in a rushed out way. But it made sense later as every character was explained by Irving and they got back to the present and laid out all the details on the table even for me to get a grip on. There's aren't many films released that I've see where it's nothing but drama without SFX or anything (except Silver Linings Playbook which also featured Bradley and Jennifer who were amazing in that and made me tear up a little) so it was different from the usual explosive, scifi, action, cartoon hits that I adore. Plus when a film begins with "Christian Bale" combing his hair over his bald patches, you can't help but giggle at his commitment and soon drop your mouth in discovering how fat he looked in the past. Not only that "Bradley Cooper" had his hair in curlers, that made the audience giggle for a while!

The music was old (well it was set in 1978) and played a bit of themes (some swinging) from back in the day or a little jazz and some classics that my parents know from the radio. It was nice hearing some vintage material and seeing a couple vinyls that maybe dad still has somewhere.

As I have already stated I found this hard to follow because I don't usually watch an American crime, comedy-drama film with a plot that leaves me scratching my head. But the film had it's perks, like how "Amy Adams" wore nothing but tops or dresses with a massive V down her chest showing off her chest throughout the film like a little treat added in for the lads watching in the cinemas! What!? "Amy Adams" can't do buttons up or wear a t-shirt? "Jennifer Lawrence" also wore some pretty hot material while keeping in character as a crazy, messed-up mother trying to work with her bad husband's scheme but near the end almost ruined it all and made it all crash and burn!

One of my favourite moments in the film was when Carmine and his wife danced together with Irving and his wife while being drawn into the dark plot. Seeing a MARVEL and DC character sing their hearts out together was touching as well as sad knowing what was yet to become of their relationship.

The ending took me by total surprise because around mid-way till the end of the film things got fascinating as plans became difficult for these sick, twisted characters to comprehend and face their inner demons and get the job done. But once I saw the outcome to everything I gained a new level of respect for the film's outcome and witnissing how con-artists really are dangerous and beyond intelligent with their crafty ways.

So I feel this film was brilliant after all and sort of believe it does deserve awards (maybe not these huge ones) but it was interesting seeing "The Caped Crusader", an "Avenger", a "Disney Princess" and "2 Bi-polar dancers" all collaborating in a film that took me by surprise!

Sorry It's Late! But Welcome To AsperJosh!

Hello everyone, this is Josh Grahame speaking and Welcome to AsperJosh! A blog that I created back in Mid November 2013, to talk about moments from my life, aware people of autistic actions as well as talk about my music, anime/ manga, video game and film interests and sometime rant about things that irritate me.

I figured for my first post it was best to explain my intentions. I wish to encourage teens/ adults who know autistic friends or even autistic teens/ adults that maybe reading this now to further understand how we act and maybe how we feel due to environments, occasions or how we're feeling in general (and that we're all different in a good way). And understand how caring and what good people we love being! My fellow autistic amigos may already be confident enough (hopefully more than I do) and if so I applaud you and encourage you to never stop enjoying yourself and your lives! As I already began to in mid 2013 when things go way past better in my work and social life!

But anyway I digress and begin with my introduction. My name is Joshua George Grahame, I am 20 years old and don't act my age. I am currently full-time at Evans Cycles near Gatwick and I graduated The College of Richard Collyers in 2012 with a Double B in BTEC ICT. As you can guess, I am autistic too! I also have Crohns Disease (which I won't go into detail about!) I have slight Aspergers Syndrome, a form of autism on the Autistic Spectrum. Mine is where I sometimes feel low on confidence due to self-esteem from my past, I am anxious most times about being myself but I am learning to overcome that since being myself is the best thing and my friends like me for me. I like to make plans and follow routines so I feel under control and am ready for the unexpected. I do have trouble coping with change though I have begun to take things slowly and accept it as well as make other plans. But the best thing about me is my memory, I have an amazing memory where I re-cap and remember things from my past very well and I love sharing my thoughts with people (even if they've heard it before). I love being an impressionist as I can pull off the voices of many Disney, Family Guy and other cartoon characters quite well! But understanding when it's okay to speak like that and when it's time to stop is still hard to cope with!

But, I've been wanting to write up this blog because it was proposed by good old Dad "John Grahame". He said seeing as I am already part of my good friend "Lewis Cox's" blog already (www.altmaguk.net) why don't I share my thoughts, some other film, video game and anime reviews and my life with people who may have autistic children and wish to understand them better if necessary or for autistic/ normal people to hear another autistic view about... well... anything!

I hope I made a good first impression as this wasn't easy to think of. I do enjoy this though, sharing my thoughts with people as it's a way of making friends and everyone has opinions on everything and I don't get to share mine with certain kinds people so on here it seems quite better. Plus I like to help with or give out advice to help prove that even though I have this condition, I now consider it a gift rather than a curse (most of the time) because I learned that with my life so far, I've gotten better as I gradually overcame limitations and learn to really enjoy life and do anything I set my heart to and hang out with those that matter! No matter what is thrown at me!

More reviews and stories are on they way!